When the words of Bahram reached Shangal, the King of India, the monarch urged him to lay aside fiery discourse and rest. A splendid palace was set in order for the envoy of Iran, where Bahram rested until mid-day, when the radiant crown of the sun reached its zenith. Shangal ordered his attendants to summon the eloquent Iranian ambassador and his companions to the grand royal banquet. Bahram swiftly arrived and took his seat, dining with measured dignity and noble restraint. Once the feast concluded, musicians plucked melodic strings and musky aromas filled the hall while crystal goblets circulated among the euphoric nobles.
To entertain his court, Shangal summoned two gigantic wrestlers who resembled mighty demons to engage in combat. As the giant men grappled with fierce contortions, wine ignited the hero's spirit within Bahram. Turning to Shangal, he asked permission to gird his waist and enter the arena to test his own legendary strength against the champions. With a smile, Shangal granted permission. Bahram stepped forward, bent his towering stature, and seized one of the formidable wrestlers around the waist like a ravenous lion leaping upon a wild ass. He slammed him to the earth with such devastating force that the man's bones shattered and his face paled in agony. Shangal sat thunderstruck by Bahram's extraordinary shoulders, stature, and strength; invoking the name of God in the Indian tongue, he elevated the Iranian envoy's seat above forty high nobles.
When the dark silk of night gave way to the golden veil of dawn, King Shangal rode out to the royal field with polo mallet, bow, and arrow. He commanded Bahram to mount a swift steed and wield a royal Kayanid bow. Bahram pressed forward, drew the bowstring to his ear, and released a single shaft. The arrow struck the distant target with such terrifying precision that it split completely in two with one shot. A thunderous roar of acclaim broke forth from every warrior and rider on the field, praising the unmatched prowess of the Iranian stranger.
#1
چو بشنید شنگل به بهرام گفت
✦
که رای تو با مردمی نیست جفت
“When Shangal heard this, he said to Bahram: 'Your judgment is not matched with wisdom and humanity.'”
#2
زمانی فرودآی و بگشای بند
✦
چه گویی سخن‌های ناسودمند
“'Dismount for a while and unbuckle your armor; why do you utter such fruitless words?'”
#3
یکی خرم ایوان بپرداختند
✦
همه هرچ بایست برساختند
“They prepared a delightful, grand palace, setting up everything that was required.”
#4
بیاسود بهرام تا نیم‌روز
✦
چو بر اوج شد تاج گیتی فروز
“Bahram rested until noon, when the world-illuminating crown reached its zenith.”
#5
چو در پیش شنگل نهادند خوان
✦
یکی را بفرمود کو را بخوان
“When the feast table was spread before Shangal, he bade someone to call Bahram,”
#6
کز ایران فرستادهٔ خسروپرست
✦
سخن‌گوی و هم کامگار نوست
“Saying: 'The envoy of the King of Iran, who is eloquent, powerful, and accomplished,'”
#7
کسی را که با اوست هم زین‌نشان
✦
بیاور به خوان رسولان نشان
“'Bring him and anyone with him of like manner to the banquet table of ambassadors.'”
#8
بشد تیز بهرام و بر خوان نشست
✦
بنان دست بگشاد و لب را ببست
“Bahram went swiftly and sat at the table; he reached out his hand for bread and kept his lips closed in politeness.”
#9
چو نان خورده شد مجلس آراستند
✦
نوازندهٔ رود و می خواستند
“When the food was eaten, they decorated the assembly, calling for wine and players of stringed instruments.”
#10
همی بوی مشک آمد از خوردنی
✦
همان زیر زربفت گستردنی
“The fragrance of musk arose from the delicacies, and gold-woven carpets were spread beneath.”
#11
بزرگان چو از باده خرم شدند
✦
ز تیمار نابوده بی‌غم شدند
“When the nobles grew merry with wine, they became free of grief from non-existent sorrows.”
#12
دو تن را بفرمود زورآزمای
✦
به کشتی که دارند با دیو پای
“He commanded two strong wrestlers to step forth, who stood firm in strength like demons.”
#13
برفتند شایسته مردان کار
✦
ببستندشان بر میانها ازار
“Those worthy men of action stepped forward and tied loincloths around their waists.”
#14
همی کرد زور ان برین این بران
✦
گرازان و پیچان دو مرد گران
“Each tested his strength upon the other, two heavy champions twisting and strutting.”
#15
چو برداشت بهرام جام بلور
✦
به مغزش نبید اندرافگند شور
“When Bahram picked up the crystal goblet, the wine threw a passion into his brain.”
#16
بشنگل چنین گفت کای شهریار
✦
بفرمای تا من ببندم ازار
“He spoke to Shangal: 'O Sovereign! Command that I too tie a loincloth around my waist,'”
#17
چو با زورمندان به کشتی شوم
✦
نه اندر خرابی و مستی شوم
“'So that I may enter wrestling with these mighty men, not in drunkenness and ruin.'”
#18
بخندید شنگل بدو گفت خیز
✦
چو زیر آوری خون ایشان بریز
“Shangal laughed and said to him: 'Rise! And when you bring them down, spill their blood!'”
#19
چو بشنید بهرام بر پای خاست
✦
به مردی خم آورد بالای راست
“When Bahram heard this he rose to his feet; with heroic prowess he bent his straight frame.”
#20
کسی را که بگرفت زیشان میان
✦
چو شیری که یازد به گور ژیان
“Whomever of them he grabbed around the waist, like a lion springing upon a ferocious wild ass,”
#21
همی بر زمین زد چنان کاستخوانش
✦
شکست و بپالود رنگ رخانش
“He struck him so hard upon the ground that his bones broke and his face was drained of color.”
#22
بدو مانده بد شنگل اندر شگفت
✦
ازان برز بالا و آن زور و کفت
“Shangal remained in awe of him, amazed by that lofty stature, strength, and massive shoulders.”
#23
به هندی همی نام یزدان بخواند
✦
ورا از چهل مرد برتر نشاند
“In the Indian tongue he invoked the name of God, and seated Bahram above forty of his nobles.”
#24
چو گشتند مست از می خوشگوار
✦
برفتند ز ایوان گوهرنگار
“When they became intoxicated with sweet wine, they departed from the jewel-adorned palace.”
#25
چو گردون بپوشید چینی حریر
✦
ز خوردن برآسود برنا و پیر
“When the heavens veiled themselves in black Chinese silk, young and old rested from eating.”
#26
چو زرین شد آن چادر مشکبوی
✦
فروزنده بر چرخ بنمود روی
“When that musk-scented veil turned to gold, the radiant sun showed its face upon the sphere.”
#27
شه هندوان باره را برنشست
✦
به میدان خرامید چوگان به دست
“The King of the Indians mounted his steed and trotted to the field with polo mallet in hand.”
#28
ببردند با شاه تیر و کمان
✦
همی تاخت بر آرزو یک زمان
“They brought bow and arrow to the king, and he galloped as he wished for a while.”
#29
به بهرام فرمود تا بر نشست
✦
کمان کیانی گرفته به دست
“He commanded Bahram to mount, holding a royal Kayanid bow in hand.”
#30
به شنگل چنین گفت کای شهریار
✦
چنان دان که هستند با من سوار
“Bahram spoke thus to Shangal: 'O Sovereign! Know that there are riders with me,'”
#31
همی تیر و چوگان کنند آرزوی
✦
چو فرمان دهد شاه آزاده‌خوی
“'Who desire to shoot arrows and play polo, if the noble King gives command.'”
#32
چنین گفت شنگل که تیر و کمان
✦
ستون سواران بود بی‌گمان
“Shangal replied: 'Bow and arrow are surely the true pillar of all horsemen.'”
#33
تو با شاخ و یالی بیفراز دست
✦
به زه کن کمان را و بگشای شست
“'Raise your hands with your powerful arms, string the bow, and release your thumb!'”
#34
کمان را به زه کرد بهرام گرد
✦
عنان را به اسپ تگاور سپرد
“Bahram the brave strung the bow and gave the reins to his swift charger.”
#35
یکی تیر بگرفت و بگشاد شست
✦
نشانه به یک چوبه بر هم شکست
“He drew back an arrow and released his thumb; he shattered the target with a single shaft.”
#36
گرفتند یکسر برو آفرین
✦
سواران میدان و مردان کین
“All at once praised him—the riders of the field and the men of battle.”