Bahgoor

When King Bahram Gur had successfully settled his affairs with the Romans and secured the borders, his noble heart turned to the governance of his realms and the welfare of his host. He commanded the wise Mobad to assemble the renowned magnates, heroes, and sages of Iran in a glorious council. In that grand gathering, Bahram distributed the lands of the world among his battle-hardened champions with peerless generosity. He bestowed gold, silver, fleet steeds, signet rings, and diadems upon the nobles, granting realms, thrones, and high governorships to men of noble birth, so that the world became filled with righteousness, bringing delight to both the humble and the exalted. Whosoever had engaged in oppression or spoken harsh, unjust words was cast out from royal favor and left empty-handed.

Thereafter, Bahram turned his countenance toward the Mobads and pure-hearted sages, proclaiming: 'O virtuous and wise counsellors! Call to mind the history of the world and reflect deeply upon the deeds of past monarchs—both the tyrannical and the just. How many a king's hand was emptied of glory through greed and oppression, and how many a body was robbed of rest! Under malevolent rulers, the world burned in constant terror, and the hearts of righteous men were rent in twain; hands were soiled with wickedness, and none strived in the path of the Divine. No man possessed safety for his wife and offspring, and the hearts of the pious were burdened with bitter sorrow, for the hand of the Demon was outstretched everywhere and hope in the Almighty had withered.'

Bahram continued: 'The crown of all goodness and the conqueror of evil lies in wisdom, knowledge, and deliberate virtue. The heavy mantle of justice rests directly upon the shoulders of the King, through whom truth is separated from falsehood. If my father, Yazdegerd, laid his hand upon oppression, know that he was neither pure, nor wise, nor a worshipper of God. Marvel not at his deeds, for his bright heart turned to the hue of dark fire. Look upon Jamshid and King Kavus—when they strayed from the path of rectitude and followed the Demon, behold what ruin befell them! My father likewise trod their ill-fated path, and his dark soul sank beneath the waters of ignorance. His subjects squirmed beneath his wrath, and countless perished through his violence. Now he has departed, leaving behind nothing but an evil name, and no one offers him blessings. Yet we invoke blessings upon his spirit, praying that his soul may not writhe in eternal retribution.'

Then King Bahram bound himself to his people through a sacred covenant: 'Now that I have ascended his throne, I pray to the Creator of the World for strength, both in secret and in public, that we may deal with our subjects with forbearance and transform black dust into fragrant musk. Thus, when my body becomes one with the earth, no oppressed soul shall lay hold of my cloak in accusation. Do you likewise don the mantle of truth and cleanse your hearts of every flaw; for whether born of Dehqan, Arab, or Roman lineage, no child of a mother escapes death. Death advances like a fierce lion, and none can twist his neck from its lethal grasp; it hunts down even the ravenous lion and pitilessly tramples the dragon. Where are those crowned monarchs of old? Where are those proud chieftains and fairy-faced maidens whose presence gladdened the hearts of nobles? All have laid their faces beneath the dark dust. Therefore, let us carry hands of purity and goodness, and judge not the world by evil deeds.'

The King then voiced a stern warning to corrupt officials and swore a solemn oath: 'By God the Sustainer, who bestowed upon me the Royal Glory, the crown, and the throne, if any governor or official inflicts injustice or loss upon a subject for even a single handful of dust, I shall burn his body with fire on that spot and hang his garment upon the gallows! If a thief steals a felt cloak from a poor man in the deep of night, I shall send rich brocade from the royal treasury to wash the sorrowful heart clean of grief. If a sheep be stolen from a flock during a dark, stormy night, I shall give a precious horse as restitution, asking no gratitude in return. If a knight be wounded in battle against our foes, I shall grant him a year's supply of gold and coin, nor shall we leave his children heavy-hearted.'

King Bahram further decreed tax relief for the populace, forbade any harm to work oxen essential for agriculture, and commanded that the sanctity of fire temples and Hirbads be preserved. He exhorted all to protect orphans, shun demonic thoughts, and honor both the young and the elderly. When the grandees and Mobads heard these magnificent and just words from King Bahram, tears of joy filled their eyes. They raised their voices in loud acclamations, praising him as the true and righteous King of the Earth.