With the great victory over the Khaqan concluded and peace restored across the realms of Iran, King Bahram Gur turned his attention to the Roman ambassador who had long awaited his audience. The king summoned the seasoned envoy, showered him with royal warmth, and seated him upon a turquoise throne. Bahram addressed him, explaining that his prolonged stay had been caused by the imperative war against the Khaqan, but now the hour had come to deliver Caesar’s words and receive their definitive reply.
The wise elder of Rome bowed low, seated himself reverently upon the royal throne, and proclaimed praises for Bahram's eternal glory and justice. He revealed that Caesar had entrusted him with seven profound cosmological and philosophical riddles to test the wisdom of Iran's master scholars.
Bahram Gur immediately called forth the High Priest—the Mobad of Mobads—alongside the foremost sages of the empire. Before the assembly, the Roman ambassador laid out the seven questions: "What is called the Inside, and what is the Outside? What lies Above, and what lies Below? What is Boundless, and what is held cheap or low? And what is that entity which possesses myriad names and whose command holds sway over all creation?"
The serene and deeply learned Mobad stepped forward to answer: "The Outside is the majestic sky, and the Inside is the animating atmosphere. Above all reigns the Divine Glory of Yazdan; Above resembles Paradise, while Below is the pit of Hell for those who dare defy God. The only truly Boundless entity in existence is God Himself."
Turning to the entity of many names, the Mobad declared: "That which bears countless names and commands all realms is Wisdom (Kharad)! Men call it Love, Fidelity, Eloquence, Subtlety, Patience, or Secrecy. Wisdom is the crown of all goodness; it pierces the veiled mysteries of the universe which the mortal eye cannot perceive." As for that which humans hold in low esteem, the Mobad explained how people often belittle the counting of stars and the cosmic turnings of the sky, treating such staggering marvels with casual disregard.
The Roman envoy was struck with awe by the Mobad's sublime illumination. He kissed the ground before Shah Bahram, praising his monarchical greatness and acknowledging that all the philosophers of Rome were but humble servants before such Iranian wisdom. Bahram rejoiced at his priest's brilliant discourse, rewarding the Mobad with ten bags of coin, rich robes, and noble steeds, showcasing the peerless intellect of his realm to the world.
#1
سپهبد فرستاده را پیش خواند
✦
بران نامور پیشگاهش نشاند
“The commander called the envoy forward, seating him upon his illustrious royal seat.”
#2
چو بشنید بیدار شاه جهان
✦
فرستاده را خواند پیش مهان
“When the vigilant King of the world heard of his presence, he called the envoy before the nobles.”
#3
بیامد جهاندیده دانای پیر
✦
سخن‌گوی و بادانش و یادگیر
“There came the experienced, wise elder, eloquent, learned, and quick to comprehend.”
#4
به کش کرده دست و سرافگنده پست
✦
بر تخت شاهی به زانو نشست
“With folded arms and a humbled head, he sat upon his knees beside the royal throne.”
#5
بپرسید بهرام و بنواختش
✦
بر تخت پیروزه بنشاختش
“Bahram questioned him kindly, welcomed him, and seated him upon the turquoise throne.”
#6
بدو گفت کایدر بماندی تو دیر
✦
ز دیدار این مرز ناگشته سیر
“He said to him: 'You have stayed here long, without tiring of beholding this land.'”
#7
مرا رزم خاقان ز تو باز داشت
✦
به گیتی مرا همچو انباز داشت
“'My battle with the Khaqan detained me from you, holding me bound to the world's affairs.'”
#8
کنون روزگار توام تازه شد
✦
ترا بودن ایدر بی‌اندازه شد
“'Now your time is renewed, though your stay here became exceedingly long.'”
#9
سخن هرچ گویی تو پاسخ دهیم
✦
وز آواز تو روز فرخ نهیم
“'Whatever you say, we shall answer, and from your voice we shall make this a fortunate day.'”
#10
فرستادهٔ پیر کرد آفرین
✦
که بی‌تو مبادا زمان و زمین
“The aged envoy offered blessings: 'May time and the earth never be without you!'”
#11
هران پادشاهی که دارد خرد
✦
ز گفت خردمند رامش برد
“'Whichever monarch possesses wisdom finds solace in the words of the wise.'”
#12
به یزدان خردمند نزدیک‌تر
✦
بداندیش را روز تاریک‌تر
“'The wise man is closer to God, while the malevolent finds his days turned dark.'”
#13
تو بر مهتران جهان مهتری
✦
که هم مهتر و شاه و هم بهتری
“'You are greater than all the great ones of the world, for you are ruler, king, and the finest.'”
#14
ترا دانش و هوش و دادست و فر
✦
بر آیین شاهان پیروزگر
“'You possess knowledge, intellect, justice, and divine glory, after the custom of victorious kings.'”
#15
همانت خرد هست و پاکیزه رای
✦
بر هوشمندان توی کدخدای
“'You have wisdom and a pure judgment; you are the master over all intelligent minds.'”
#16
که جاوید بادی تن و جان درست
✦
مبیناد گردون میان تو سست
“'May your body and soul be forever healthy, and may the heavens never see your strength abate!'”
#17
زبانت ترازوست و گفتن گهر
✦
گهر سخته هرگز که بیند به زر
“'Your tongue is a balance and your speech a jewel; who has ever weighed jewels against gold?'”
#18
اگر چه فرستادهٔ قیصرم
✦
همان چاکر شاه را چاکرم
“'Though I am Caesar's envoy, I am also a servant to the servant of the King.'”
#19
درودی رسانم ز قیصر به شاه
✦
که جاوید باد این سر و تاج و گاه
“'I convey greetings from Caesar to the King: May this crown, throne, and head endure forever!'”
#20
و دیگر که فرمود تا هفت چیز
✦
بپرسم ز دانندگان تو نیز
“'Furthermore, he commanded me to ask seven things of your sages.'”
#21
بدو گفت شاه این سخنها بگوی
✦
سخن‌گوی را بیشتر آب‌روی
“The King said to him: 'Speak these words, for the speaker gains honor through eloquence.'”
#22
بفرمود تا موبد موبدان
✦
بشد پیش با مهتران و ردان
“He commanded the Mobad of Mobads to step forward alongside the nobles and chiefs.”
#23
بشد موبد و هرکه دانا بدند
✦
به هر دانشی‌بر توانا بدند
“The High Priest and all who were wise came forth, masters of every realm of knowledge.”
#24
سخن‌گوی بگشاد راز از نهفت
✦
سخنهای قیصر به موبد بگفت
“The spokesman revealed the secret and related Caesar's words to the Mobad.”
#25
به موبد چنین گفت کای رهنمون
✦
چه چیز آنک خوانی همی اندرون
“He asked the Mobad: 'O guide, what is that which you call the Inside?'”
#26
دگر آنک بیرونش خوانی همی
✦
جزین نیز نامش ندانی همی
“'And what is that which you call the Outside, knowing no other name for it?'”
#27
زبر چیست ای مهتر و زیر چیست
✦
همان بیکرانه چه و خوار کیست
“'What lies Above, O noble lord, and what is Below? What is Boundless, and who is held low?'”
#28
چه چیز آنک نامش فراوان بود
✦
مر او را به هر جای فرمان بود
“'What is that which has many names, and whose command holds power everywhere?'”
#29
چنین گفت موبد به فرزانه مرد
✦
که مشتاب وز راه دانش مگرد
“The Mobad replied to the wise man: 'Do not hasten, nor stray from the path of knowledge.'”
#30
مر این را که گفتی تو پاسخ یکیست
✦
سخن در درون و برون اندکیست
“'For what you have asked, the answers form a single truth; inside and outside are briefly explained.'”
#31
برون آسمان و درونش هواست
✦
زبر فر یزدان فرمانرواست
“'The Outside is the sky, and the Inside is the air; Above, the Divine Glory of God rules sovereign.'”
#32
همان بیکران در جهان ایزدست
✦
اگر تاب گیری به دانش بدست
“'The Boundless in this world is God, if you hold fast to wisdom's torch.'”
#33
زبر چون بهشتست و دوزخ به زیر
✦
بد آن را که باشد به یزدان دلیر
“'Above is like Paradise and Below is Hell—a realm for those who defy God.'”
#34
دگر آنک بسیار نامش بود
✦
رونده به هر جای کامش بود
“'And as for that which has many names, moving according to its desire in every realm:'”
#35
خرد دارد ای پیر بسیار نام
✦
رساند خرد پادشا را به کام
“'Know, O elder, that Wisdom bears many names; Wisdom brings the king to his desire.'”
#36
یکی مهر خوانند و دیگر وفا
✦
خرد دور شد درد ماند و جفا
“'One calls it Love, another Fidelity; when Wisdom departs, only pain and cruelty remain.'”
#37
زبان‌آوری راستی خواندش
✦
بلنداختری زیرکی داندش
“'Eloquence calls it Truthfulness; the fortunate know it as Subtlety.'”
#38
گهی بردبار و گهی رازدار
✦
که باشد سخن نزد او پایدار
“'Sometimes it is Patience, sometimes Secrecy—for speech finds steadfastness in its keeping.'”
#39
پراگنده اینست نام خرد
✦
از اندازه‌ها نام او بگذرد
“'These scattered attributes are all names of Wisdom; its true measure exceeds all names.'”
#40
تو چیزی مدان کز خرد برترست
✦
خرد بر همه نیکویها سرست
“'Consider nothing higher than Wisdom, for Wisdom is the crown over all good virtues.'”
#41
خرد جوید آگنده راز جهان
✦
که چشم سر ما نبیند نهان
“'Wisdom seeks out the hidden secrets of the universe, which our physical eyes cannot behold.'”
#42
دگر آنک دارد جهاندار خوار
✦
به هر دانش از کردهٔ کردگار
“'And as for what man holds low among the works of the Creator:'”
#43
ستاره‌ست رخشان ز چرخ بلند
✦
که بینا شمارش بداند که چند
“'It is the glowing stars in the high heavens, which only the perceptive know how to count.'”
#44
بلند آسمان را که فرسنگ نیست
✦
کسی را بدو راه و آهنگ نیست
“'The high sky has no measure in parasangs, and no man has path or entry unto it.'”
#45
همی خوار گیری شمار ورا
✦
همان گردش روزگار ورا
“'Yet men hold low its computation and the turnings of time across its spheres.'”
#46
کسی کو ببیند ز پرتاب تیر
✦
بماند شگفت اندرو تیز ویر
“Whoever considers the swift flight of an arrow shall stand amazed at the eye's keen vision.”
#47
ستاره همی بشمرد ز آسمان
✦
ازین خوارتر چیست ای شادمان
“It counteth the very stars in the heavens; what, O happy man, could be lower or lesser than this?”
#48
من این دانم ار هست پاسخ جزین
✦
فراخست رای جهان‌آفرین
“This is all that I know; yet if there be another answer, vast indeed is the wisdom of the Creator.”
#49
سخن‌دان قیصر چو پاسخ شنید
✦
زمین را ببوسید و فرمان گزید
“When Caesar's eloquent envoy heard this answer, he kissed the ground and submitted to his wisdom.”
#50
به بهرام گفت ای جهاندار شاه
✦
ز یزدان برین‌بر فزونی مخواه
“He said to Bahram, 'O world-possessing King! Seek no greater favor from God than this!'”
#51
که گیتی سراسر به فرمان تست
✦
سر سرکشان زیر پیمان تست
“For the entire world is under thy command, and the heads of the rebellious are bound by thy covenant.”
#52
پسند بزرگان فرخ‌نژاد
✦
ندارد جهان چون تو شاهی به یاد
“Thou art the admired choice of blessed nobles; the world remembers no monarch such as thee.”
#53
همان نیز دستورت از موبدان
✦
به دانش فزونست از بخردان
“Likewise, thy minister among the Mobads exceeds all wise men in wisdom and knowledge.”
#54
همه فیلسوفان ورا بنده‌اند
✦
به دانایی او سرافگنده‌اند
“All philosophers are but servants unto him, bowing their heads before his supreme intellect.”
#55
چو بهرام بشنید شادی نمود
✦
به دلش اندرون روشنایی فزود
“When Bahram heard these words, he rejoiced, and light filled his heart with delight.”
#56
به موبدم درم داد ده بدره نیز
✦
همان جامه و اسپ و بسیار چیز
“He granted ten bags of silver to the Mobad, along with garments, horses, and abundant riches.”
#57
وزانجا خرامان بیامد بدر
✦
خرد یافته موبد پرهنر
“Thence the wise and highly accomplished Mobad departed, walking forth gracefully from the presence.”
#58
فرستادهٔ قیصر نامدار
✦
سوی خانه رفت از بر شهریار
“The envoy of the famous Caesar likewise retired to his abode from the royal presence of the King.”