Having affixed his royal seal to the message, Bahram Gur resolved to personally assess the strength and character of the King of India. Cloaking his departure under the guise of a grand hunting expedition, he kept his vast army completely unaware of his true destination, taking along only a handpicked handful of trusted champions. In this noble disguise, the Iranian monarch journeyed toward Hindustan, crossing the mysterious border waters into the realm of wonders until he arrived before the majestic court of Shangal, King of India.
Upon approaching the palace, Bahram marveled at its soaring architecture that seemed to touch the heavens, flanked by rows of armored cavalry, war-elephants, and the resonant fanfare of trumpets and bells. The grandeur of the Indian court paused the king in deep reflection. Stepping forward, he announced to the court chamberlains that an envoy had arrived dispatched by the victorious Monarch Bahram. The master of ceremonies rushed inside to inform King Shangal, who commanded the royal curtains to be raised and ushered the noble messenger inside with distinguished honors.
Bahram entered a magnificent hall whose ceiling sparkled like pure crystal, its walls and columns overlaid with gold, silver, and precious gems. Shangal sat enthroned upon a couch of gold and crystal, adorned with his royal crown, while his brother sat nearby wearing a jewel-encrusted coronet. Bahram approached the throne, paid formal homage, and stood respectfully before the Indian king. He announced that he bore a verbal message as well as a Pahlavi scroll written upon fine silk from Bahram, the God-fearing ruler of Iran. Impressed by the envoy's commanding presence and eloquence, Shangal ordered a golden throne to be brought for him and summoned his companions into the court. Seated upon the golden chair, Bahram unloosed his speech, painting a magnificent portrait of the Iranian king's supreme valor, his divine justice that turned poison into healing nectar, his unmatched bounty like a rain-bearing cloud, and his military prowess that turned battlefields into seas of blood.
#1
چو بنهاد بر نامه‌بر مهر شاه
✦
برآراست بر ساز نخچیرگاه
“When the king placed his royal seal upon the letter, he prepared the gear as if setting out for the hunting ground.”
#2
به لشکر ز کارش کس آگه نبود
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جز از نامدارانش همره نبود
“Not a soul in his army was aware of his intent, save for a few illustrious champions who accompanied him.”
#3
بیامد بدین‌سان به هندوستان
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گذشت از بر آب جادوستان
“In this manner he journeyed into Hindustan, passing over the waters of the realm of sorceries.”
#4
چو نزدیک ایوان شنگل رسید
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در پرده و بارگاهش بدید
“As he drew near the palace of Shangal, he beheld its majestic portal, its curtains, and its courtly hall.”
#5
برآورده‌ای بود سر در هوا
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بدربر فراوان سلیح و نوا
“It was a soaring structure touching the heavens, with abundant weapons, armor, and splendor at its gate.”
#6
سواران و پیلان بدربر به پای
✦
خروشیدن زنگ با کرنای
“Horsemen and war-elephants stood ready at the gate, while the clamor of bells and trumpets resounded.”
#7
شگفتی بان بارگه بر بماند
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دلش را به اندیشه اندر نشاند
“Amazed by the grandeur of that royal court, Bahram stood contemplating it deep within his heart.”
#8
چنین گفت با پرده‌داران اوی
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پرستنده و پای‌کاران اوی
“He spoke thus to the court chamberlains, the attendants, and the guards of the threshold:”
#9
که از نزد پیروز بهرامشاه
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فرستاده آمد بدین بارگاه
“"An envoy from the victorious Sovereign Bahram has arrived at this court."”
#10
هم اندر زمان رفت سالار بار
✦
ز پرده درون تا بر شهریار
“Instantly, the master of ceremonies went inside behind the curtain to the presence of the king.”
#11
بفرمود تا پرده برداشتند
✦
به ارجش ز درگاه بگذاشتند
“The king commanded the curtain to be raised, and they ushered the envoy in with high honor.”
#12
خرامان همی رفت بهرام گور
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یکی خانه دید آسمانش بلور
“Striding gracefully inside, Bahram beheld a hall whose ceiling was like clear crystal.”
#13
ازارش همه سیم و پیکرش زر
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نشانده به هر جای چندی گهر
“Its lower walls were all of silver and its upper structure of gold, studded everywhere with precious gems.”
#14
نشسته به نزدیک او رهنمای
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پس پشت او ایستاده به پای
“Beside him sat a trusted counselor, while behind his back stood attendants on foot.”
#15
برادرش را دید بر زیرگاه
✦
نهاده به سر بر ز گوهر کلاه
“He saw the king's brother seated on a lesser throne, wearing a coronet jewel-encrusted upon his head.”
#16
چو آمد به نزدیک شنگل فراز
✦
ورا دید با تاج بر تخت ناز
“As he drew near to Shangal, he saw him crowned upon his luxurious throne of glory.”
#17
همه پایهٔ تخت زر و بلور
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نشسته برو شاه با فر و زور
“Every base of the throne was of gold and crystal, whereon sat the king in power and royal divine fortune.”
#18
بر تخت شد شاه و بردش نماز
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همی بود پیشش زمانی دراز
“The envoy approached the throne, paid formal homage, and stood respectfully before the king for a long moment.”
#19
چنین گفت زان کو ز شاهان مهست
✦
جهاندار بهرام یزدان‌پرست
“He spoke thus: "From him who is the greatest among monarchs, the ruler of the world, Bahram, worshiper of God—"”
#20
یکی نامه دارم بر شاه هند
✦
نوشته خطی پهلوی بر پرند
“"I bring a letter unto the King of India, written in Pahlavi script upon fine silk cloth."”
#21
چو آواز بهرام بشنید شاه
✦
بفرمود زرین یکی زیرگاه
“When the King of India heard the envoy's voice, he commanded a golden chair to be brought.”
#22
بران کرسی زرش بنشاندند
✦
ز درگاه یارانش را خواندند
“They seated him upon that golden seat, and summoned his companions into the court from the threshold.”
#23
چو بنشست بگشاد لب را ز بند
✦
چنین گفت کای شهریار بلند
“When he was seated, he opened his lips to speak and said: "O exalted Sovereign!"”
#24
زبان برگشایم چو فرمان دهی
✦
که بی‌تو مبادا بهی و مهی
“"If you grant me leave, I shall unlock my speech; may greatness and grandeur never depart from you."”
#25
بدو گفت شنگل که بر گوی هین
✦
که گوینده یابد ز چرخ آفرین
“Shangal said to him: "Speak on, for the speaker receives praise from the turning heavens."”
#26
چنین گفت کز شاه خسرونژاد
✦
که چون او به گیتی ز مادر نزاد
“He said: "I come from the king of royal lineage, like whom no mother in the world hath borne a son."”
#27
مهست آن سرافراز بر روی دهر
✦
که با داد او زهر شد پای زهر
“"He is the greatest and most exalted upon the face of the earth, by whose justice poison itself turns into antidote."”
#28
بزرگان همه باژ دار وی‌اند
✦
به نخچیر شیران شکار وی‌اند
“"All rulers pay tribute unto him, and in his hunts, fierce lions are his mere prey."”
#29
چو شمشیر خواهد به رزم اندرون
✦
بیابان شود همچو دریای خون
“"When he draws his sword in battle, the desert turns into a sea of blood."”
#30
به بخشش چو ابری بود دربار
✦
بود پیش او گنج دینار خوار
“"In generosity he is like a rain-bearing cloud, and in his sight, treasures of gold are held in light esteem."”
#31
پیامی رسانم سوی شاه هند
✦
همان پهلوی نامه‌ای برپرند
“"I bring a message unto the King of India, as well as a Pahlavi scroll written upon fine silk."”