When word reached the vigilant King Bahram Gur that the Khaqan of China had encamped at Merv with an overwhelming host, he resolved to strike with swift and absolute secrecy. Stripping his army of all heavy baggage, Bahram ordered every warrior to take two fresh steeds, clad in mail armor beneath their tunics and crowned with Roman helmets. Riding day and night like a relentless tempest from the sacred fires of Adhar Ghashasp, they traveled off the beaten paths, navigating treacherous mountains and desolate wildernesses.
By day, Bahram posted eagle-eyed lookouts, and by night, watchful guards ensured no spy could betray their approach. The Iranian host swept like a mountain torrent past Ardabil, Amol, Gorgan, and Nisa, reaching the environs of Merv with speed that defied even the flight of a startled pheasant. There, scouts brought vital intelligence: the Khaqan, lulled into false security by ill-advised counselors, was merrily hunting in the lush grounds of Kashmihan, utterly unaware of the approaching doom.
Overjoyed by this fortune, Bahram granted his tired troops a single day of rest. As dawn broke, bathing the peaks in gold, the Iranian war horns blared and royal banners caught the morning light. The sound shattered the tranquility of Kashmihan, throwing the Chinese ranks into utter chaos. Before the Khaqan could even comprehend the assault, Iranian champions swept in and bound him in chains. Three hundred high nobles of China were captured and tethered to their saddles while the battlefield ran crimson.
Bahram then surged into Merv itself, obliterating the remaining enemy forces. Those who fled were pursued for thirty leagues by Bahram and the valiant Persian general Qaran. Returning to the hunting grounds, Bahram divided the vast spoils of war among his brave soldiers. Bowing his head in deep humility, the King of Kings attributed his miraculous triumph not to his own power, but to Yazdan—the Almighty Sovereign of the sun, the moon, and all destiny.
#1
وزان روی بهرام بیدار بود
✦
سپه را ز دشمن نگهدار بود
“And on his side, Bahram remained ever vigilant, protecting his army from the enemy's grasp.”
#2
شب و روز کارآگهان داشتی
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سپه را ز دشمن نهان داشتی
“Night and day he posted intelligence scouts, keeping his army concealed from the adversary.”
#3
چو آگهی آمد به بهرامشاه
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که خاقان به مروست و چندان سپاه
“When news arrived to King Bahram that the Khaqan was at Merv with a formidable host,”
#4
بیاورد لشکر ز آذر گشسپ
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همه بی‌بنه هر یکی با دو اسپ
“He mobilized his army from Adhar Ghashasp, all unencumbered, each warrior equipped with two steeds.”
#5
قبا جوشن و ترگ رومی کلاه
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شب و روز چون باد تازان به راه
“Clad in mail coats beneath tunics and iron Roman helmets, they charged day and night like the rushing wind.”
#6
همی تاخت لشکر چو از کوه سیل
✦
به آمل گذشت از در اردبیل
“The army swept like a torrent down the mountains, passing Amol by way of Ardabil.”
#7
ز آمل بیامد به گرگان کشید
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همی درد و رنج بزرگان کشید
“From Amol he rode onward to Gorgan, enduring the toil and hardship known to great commanders.”
#8
ز گرگان بیامد به شهر نسا
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یکی رهنمون پیش پر کیمیا
“From Gorgan he advanced to the city of Nisa, guided by expert and knowledgeable scouts.”
#9
به کوه و بیابان بی‌راه رفت
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به روز و به شب‌گاه و بی‌گاه رفت
“They traversed pathless mountains and deserts, pushing forward through day and dark of night.”
#10
به روز اندرون دیده‌بان داشتی
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به تیره شبان پاسبان داشتی
“By day he maintained sharp lookouts, and in the pitch-black night he set vigilant guards.”
#11
بدین‌سان بیامد به نزدیک مرو
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نپرد بدان گونه پران تذرو
“In such fashion he drew close to Merv—swiftly, as even a flying pheasant could not match.”
#12
نوندی بیامد ز کارآگهان
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که خاقان شب و روز بی‌اندهان
“A swift courier arrived from the intelligence scouts, reporting that the Khaqan rested carefree day and night,”
#13
به تدبیر نخچیر کشمیهن است
✦
که دستورش ازکهل اهریمنست
“Engaged in hunting at Kashmihan, guided by a adviser of old Ahrimanic spirit.”
#14
چو بهرام بشنید زان شاد شد
✦
همه رنجها بر دلش باد شد
“When Bahram heard this, he rejoiced; all the hardships of the journey blew away like wind from his heart.”
#15
برآسود روزی بدان رزمگاه
✦
چو آسوده‌تر گشت شاه و سپاه
“He rested for a day near that battleground, until both king and army were refreshed and eager.”
#16
به کشمیهن آمد به هنگام روز
✦
که برزد سر از کوه گیتی فروز
“He descended upon Kashmihan at dawn, just as the world-illuminating sun crowned the mountains.”
#17
همه گوش پرنالهٔ بوق شد
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همه چشم پر رنگ منجوق شد
“Every ear was filled with the roar of war horns, and every eye dazzled with the vibrant colors of royal banners.”
#18
دهاده برآمد ز نخچیرگاه
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پرآواز شد گوش شاه و سپاه
“A thunderous clamor arose from the hunting ground; noise engulfed the ears of the foreign king and his army.”
#19
بدرید از آواز گوش هژبر
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تو گفتی همی ژاله بارد ز ابر
“The violent roar tore the ears of fierce lions; one would say hail was raining down from the heavy clouds.”
#20
چو خاقان ز نخچیر بیدار شد
✦
به دست خزروان گرفتار شد
“When the Khaqan started up from his hunt, he was instantly captured by the warriors of Khazar.”
#21
چنان شد ز خون خاک آوردگاه
✦
که گفتی همی تیربارد ز ماه
“The earth of the battlefield grew so drenched in blood, as if arrows rained down from the moon.”
#22
چو سیصد تن از نامداران چین
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گرفتند و بستند بر پشت زین
“About three hundred grandees of China were seized and bound fast upon their saddles.”
#23
چو خاقان چینی گرفتار شد
✦
ازان خواب آنگاه بیدار شد
“When the Chinese Khaqan was bound in chains, only then did he awake from his profound slumber.”
#24
سپهبد ز کشمیهن آمد به مرو
✦
شد از تاختن چارپایان چو غرو
“The commander swept from Kashmihan into Merv, their steeds thin as reeds from the relentless assault.”
#25
به مرو اندر از چینیان کس نماند
✦
بکشتند وز جنگیان بس نماند
“Not one Chinese remained in Merv; they slaughtered them, leaving few of their warriors alive.”
#26
هرانکس کزیشان گریزان برفت
✦
پس‌اندر همی تاخت بهرام تفت
“Whosoever fled from them in terror, Bahram swiftly pursued in hot haste.”
#27
برین‌سان همی‌راند فرسنگ سی
✦
پس پشت او قارن پارسی
“In this manner he rode for thirty leagues, with Qaran the Persian close at his heel.”
#28
چو برگشت و آمد به نخچیرگاه
✦
ببخشید چیز کسان بر سپاه
“When he returned to the hunting grounds, he distributed the enemy spoils among his army.”
#29
ز پیروزی چین چو سربر فراخت
✦
همه کامگاری ز یزدان شناخت
“Having raised his head high in triumph over China, he recognized all success as coming from God,”
#30
کجا داد بر نیک و بد دستگاه
✦
که دارندهٔ آفتابست و ماه
“Who holds sovereign authority over good and evil, and is the master of the sun and the moon.”