When the borders of Touran were secured and King Bahram’s heart was freed from anxiety, he commanded his royal scribe to bring forth a pen soaked in musk and fine Chinese silk. A grand missive was dictated to his brother Narsi in the heartland of Iran, addressing both him and the great lords of the realm. The king opened the letter with high praises unto the Creator of the universe—the Sovereign of victory, master of Saturn, Mars, and the Moon, who governs the rotating heavens and the steadfast earth.
Bahram recounted how the vast forces of the Khaqan, which had enveloped the land like a dark cloud, were crushed. The Khaqan himself had been bound in chains upon a swift camel, his fortune reversed in blood and defeat. The defiant had humbled their necks, accepting heavy tribute, and Bahram announced that following the swift courier clouds of his messengers, he would return victorious to his native throne.
Upon the letter’s arrival, Narsi and the realm erupted in joyful celebration. Yet the Iranian nobles who had previously faltered in faith, seeking aid from the Khaqan in despair, were seized with terror and deep shame. Fearing Bahram's wrath, they approached Narsi and the High Priest, confessing their misguidance under Ahrimanic delusion and pleading for royal clemency. Narsi consented to mediate, penning their solemn apology, while a noble ambassador named Barzmehr brought the truth before King Bahram. Touched by Barzmehr’s eloquent words, Bahram’s fierce anger dissolved like smokeless fire, and he granted full pardon to his repentant lords. Soon after, the rulers of Chaghan, Chegil, Balkh, Bukhara, and Gharchistan arrived bearing sacred barsam and rich tribute, swearing perpetual fealty and annual homage to the Iranian throne.
#1
چو شد کار توران زمین ساخته
✦
دل شاه ز اندیشه پرداخته
“When the affairs of the land of Touran were settled, the king's heart was cleared of all care.”
#2
بفرمود تا پیش او شد دبیر
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قلم خواست با مشک و چینی حریر
“He commanded his scribe to step forward, asking for ink mixed with musk and fine Chinese silk.”
#3
به نرسی یکی نامه فرمود شاه
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ز پیکار ترکان و کار سپاه
“The king ordered a missive written to Narsi, detailing the battle with the Turks and the army's deeds.”
#4
سر نامه کرد آفرین نهان
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ازین بنده بر کردگار جهان
“He began the letter with profound praise from this humble servant unto the Creator of the world,”
#5
خداوند پیروزی و دستگاه
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خداوند بهرام و کیوان و ماه
“Lord of victory and supreme power, Lord of Mars, Saturn, and the Moon,”
#6
خداوند گردنده چرخ بلند
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خداوند ارمنده خاک نژند
“Lord of the revolving high heavens, Lord of the motionless, humble earth.”
#7
بزرگی و خردی به پیمان اوست
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همه بودنی زیر فرمان اوست
“Greatness and smallness are measured by His decree; all that exists lies beneath His command.”
#8
نوشتم یکی نامه از مرز چین
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به نزد برادر به ایران زمین
“I wrote a letter from the border of China to my brother in the land of Iran,”
#9
به نزد بزرگان ایرانیان
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نوشتن همین نامه بر پرنیان
“And likewise unto the noble chieftains of Iran, inscribed upon precious silk.”
#10
هرانکس که او رزم خاقان ندید
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ازین جنگجویان بباید شنید
“Whoever did not behold the battle against the Khaqan should hear of it from these warriors.”
#11
سپه بود چندانک گفتی سپهر
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ز گردش به قیر اندر اندود چهر
“Their army was so vast you would say the sky itself was smudged with pitch by their movements.”
#12
همه مرز شد همچو دریای خون
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سر بخت بیداد گشته نگون
“The entire border became like a sea of blood, and the head of unjust fortune was turned upside down.”
#13
به رزم اندرون او گرفتار شد
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وزو چرخ گردنده بیزار شد
“In the midst of battle he was captured, and the revolving heavens grew weary of him.”
#14
کنون بسته آوردمش بر هیون
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جگر خسته و دیدگان پر ز خون
“Now I have brought him bound upon a camel, his heart wounded and his eyes filled with blood.”
#15
همه گردن سرکشان گشت نرم
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زبان چرب و دلها پر از خون گرم
“The necks of all the rebellious were humbled; their tongues became sweet and their hearts filled with warm blood.”
#16
پذیرفت باژ آنک بدخواه بود
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به راه آمدند آنک بی‌راه بود
“Whoever was an enemy accepted tribute; those who had lost their way returned to the right path.”
#17
کنون از پس نامه من با سپاه
✦
بیایم به کام دل نیک‌خواه
“Now, following my letter, I shall arrive with the army to fulfill the desire of every well-wisher.”
#18
هیونان کفک‌افگن بادپای
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برفتند چون ابر غران ز جای
“The swift, foam-flecked camels departed from the place like roaring clouds.”
#19
چو نامه به نزدیک نرسی رسید
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ز شادی دل پادشا بردمید
“When the letter reached Narsi, the prince's heart swelled with joy.”
#20
بشد موبد موبدان پیش اوی
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هرانکس که بود از یلان جنگ جوی
“The High Priest came before him, along with all the battle-seeking heroes.”
#21
به شادی برآمد ز ایران خروش
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نهادند هر یک به آواز گوش
“Shouts of jubilation rose up from Iran, as everyone listened closely to the news.”
#22
دل نامداران ز تشویر شاه
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همی بود پیچان ز بهر گناه
“The hearts of the famous lords twisted in shame before the king because of their past sin.”
#23
به پوزش به نزدیک موبد شدند
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همه دل‌هراسان ز هر بد شدند
“In repentance they went before the High Priest, fearful in heart of every evil consequence,”
#24
کز اندیشه کژ و فرمان دیو
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ببرد دل از راه گیهان خدیو
“Saying, 'Through crooked thoughts and the demon's command, our hearts departed from the path of the Lord of the world.”
#25
بدان مایه لشکر که برد این گمان
✦
که یزدان گشاید در آسمان
“Before so mighty an army, we presumed that God Himself was opening the gates of heaven.”
#26
شگفتیست این کز گمان بگذرد
✦
هم از رای داننده مرد خرد
“This is a wonder beyond suspicion, and beyond the judgment of wise and prudent men.”
#27
چو پاسخ شود نامه بر خوب و زشت
✦
همین پوزش ما بباید نوشت
“When the reply to the letter is framed with fine words, this apology of ours must be written as well,”
#28
که گر چند رفت از برزگان گناه
✦
ببخشد مگر نامبردار شاه
“So that although a sin was committed by the nobles, the famous king may perchance forgive it.'”
#29
بپذرفت نرسی که ایدون کنم
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که کین از دل شاه بیرون کنم
“Narsi agreed to do so, promising to purge vengeance from the king's heart.”
#30
پس آن نامه را زود پاسخ نوشت
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پدیدار کرد اندرو خوب و زشت
“Then he swiftly penned an answer to that letter, making clear all the good and the ill,”
#31
که ایرانیان از پی درد و رنج
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همان از پی بوم و فرزند و گنج
“Explaining how the Iranians, out of pain and hardship, and for the sake of their land, children, and treasures,”
#32
گرفتند خاقان چین را پناه
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به نومیدی از نامبردار شاه
“Had sought refuge with the Khaqan of China in despair of the famous king's return,”
#33
نه از دشمنی بد نه از درد و کین
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نه بر شاه بودست کس را گزین
“Not out of enmity, nor malice, nor because anyone was preferred over the king.”
#34
یکی مهتری نام او برزمهر
✦
بدان رفتن راه بگشاد چهر
“A noble chief named Barzmehr set out upon the road, his face radiant with wisdom.”
#35
بیامد به نزدیک شاه جهان
✦
همه رازها برگشاد از نهان
“He came before the King of the World and disclosed all secrets from their hidden depths.”
#36
ز گفتار او شاه خشنود گشت
✦
چنین آتش تیز بی‌دود گشت
“By his words the king was pleased; thus this fierce fire turned to smokeless calm.”
#37
چغانی و چگلی و بلخی ردان
✦
بخاری و از غرجگان موبدان
“The nobles of Chaghan, Chegil, Balkh, and Bukhara, along with the priests of Gharchistan,”
#38
برفتند با باژ و برسم به دست
✦
نیایش کنان پیش آتش‌پرست
“Came forward bearing tribute and holding sacred barsam in hand, offering praise before the fire-worshipper,”
#39
که ما شاه را یکسره بنده‌ایم
✦
همان باژ را گردن افگنده‌ایم
“Saying, 'We are all servants to the king, and we have bowed our necks to his tribute.'”
#40
همان نیز هر سال با باژ و ساو
✦
به درگه شدی هرک بودیش تاو
“Likewise, every year, whoever possessed the capability would bring tribute and taxes to the court.”