In the grand audience hall of Qannuj, Shangal, King of India, fixed his gaze upon the towering stature, mighty chest, and radiant majesty of the Iranian envoy. Doubt and wonder warred within his mind, for never had he witnessed a messenger—from Rome, Turan, or the noble houses—possessing such divine farr and martial magnificence. Smiling, Shangal declared: 'O skilled warrior of noble race! You are beyond doubt the brother of the Shah of Iran! Such leonine strength, regal aura, and mastery over the bow belong only to the bloodline of kings.'
Bahram Gur, keeping his true royal identity closely guarded, replied smoothly: 'O King of India, speak not ill of envoys! I am neither of Yazdegerd's imperial blood nor a prince, and to claim such would be a sin. I am merely a stranger from Iran, neither a renowned sage nor a monarch. Grant me leave to return, for the way is long, lest the Shah's wrath overtake me for my delay.'
Unwilling to let such a formidable powerhouse slip away, Shangal urged him not to rush, inviting him to feast and relax. He then secretly summoned his grand vizier, whispering: 'Even if this man is not of the royal line, his prowess eclipses the greatest champions. Entice him! Offer him governorship over our most fertile provinces, endless spring pastures, vast treasures of gold and silver, and the supreme command of India’s armies! Ask him his true name; if he remains in our realm, his aura will elevate our kingdom beyond measure.'
The wise vizier approached Bahram, laying out the King's opulent offers in persuasive tones, and finally pressed him for his true name. Bahram’s complexion shifted as he weighed his response, but his allegiance remained unshakable. He answered with fierce integrity: 'O eloquent counselor, do not humiliate me in two realms! I shall never betray the Shah of Iran for all the treasures of the earth, no matter my poverty or toil. Our faith and ancient customs demand absolute loyalty; whoever turns his back on his sovereign loses his soul and way. Where are Fereydun, Key Qobad, and Key Khosrow, whose justice anchored the heavens? And know you not the terrible might of King Bahram? Should I disobey his command, he will bring the skies crashing down upon me and reduce the magic realms of India to dust before the Iranian host!'
Bahram then concluded: 'If you seek my name, it is Borzoy—so named by my Shah, my father, and my mother. Convey my exact words to Shangal, for I have tarried too long in foreign lands.'
When the minister delivered Bahram’s resolute refusal to Shangal, the Indian King's brow wrinkled in fury and anxiety. Realizing that neither gold nor power could corrupt this magnificent warrior, Shangal grimly resolved to plot a deadly snare to extinguish the rising light of this Iranian champion before he could leave Indian soil.
#1
ز بهرام شنگل شد اندرگمان
✦
که این فر و این برز و تیر و کمان
“Shangal grew suspicious of Bahram, marveling at his imperial splendor, stature, and skill with bow and arrow.”
#2
نماند همی این فرستاده را
✦
نه هندی نه ترکی نه آزاده را
“He thought: 'This envoy resembles no messenger ever seen—neither Indian, nor Turk, nor freeborn noble.'”
#3
اگر خویش شاهست گر مهترست
✦
برادرش خوانم هم اندر خورست
“'If he is a relative of the Shah or a great lord, calling him my brother would be truly fitting.'”
#4
بخندید و بهرام را گفت شاه
✦
که ای پرهنر با گهر پیشگاه
“The King smiled and said to Bahram: 'O accomplished one of high lineage and courtly dignity!'”
#5
برادر توی شاه را بی‌گمان
✦
بدین بخشش و زور و تیر و کمان
“'You are undoubtedly the Shah's brother, judging by your boundless generosity, strength, bow, and arrow.'”
#6
که فر کیان داری و زور شیر
✦
نباشی مگر نامداری دلیر
“'For you bear the glory of kings and the strength of a lion; you can be none other than a famous, brave champion.'”
#7
بدو گفت بهرام کای شاه هند
✦
فرستادگان را مکن ناپسند
“Bahram answered him: 'O King of India, do not speak ill or unworthily of envoys!'”
#8
نه از تخمهٔ یزدگردم نه شاه
✦
برادرش خوانیم باشد گناه
“'I am neither of Yazdegerd's seed nor a king; calling me brother would be a grave sin.'”
#9
از ایران یکی مرد بیگانه‌ام
✦
نه دانش پژوهم نه فرزانه‌ام
“'I am merely a stranger from Iran, neither a seeker of philosophy nor a wise counselor.'”
#10
مرا بازگردان که دورست راه
✦
نباید که یابد مرا خشم شاه
“'Grant me leave to return, for the journey is long, lest the Shah's wrath descend upon me.'”
#11
بدو گفت شنگل که تندی مکن
✦
که با تو هنوزست ما را سخن
“Shangal said to him: 'Do not be severe or hasty, for we still have matters to speak of with you.'”
#12
نبایدت کردن به رفتن شتاب
✦
که رفتن به زودی نباشد صواب
“'You must not hurry your departure, for hasty leaving is not wise.'”
#13
بر ما بباش و دل آرام گیر
✦
چو پخته نخواهی می خام گیر
“'Remain with us and rest your heart; if you desire not mature wine, take the unaged wine.'”
#14
پس‌انگاه دستور را پیش خواند
✦
ز بهرام با او سخن چند راند
“Thereupon he called his minister aside and held council with him concerning Bahram.”
#15
گر این مرد بهرام را خویش نیست
✦
گر از پهلوان نام او بیش نیست
“'Even if this man is not related to Bahram, even if his fame is no greater than a noble hero's...'”
#16
چو گویی دهد او تن‌اندر فریب
✦
گر از گفت من در دل آرد نهیب
“'See if he yields to gentle deceit, or if my words strike fear into his heart.'”
#17
تو گویی مر او را نکوتر بود
✦
تو آن گوی با وی که در خور بود
“'Speak to him in the finest manner, saying whatever is most fitting for him.'”
#18
بگویش بران رو که باشد صواب
✦
که پیش شه هند بفزودی آب
“'Tell him wisely that he has exalted his own honor in the presence of the King of India.'”
#19
کنون گر بباشی به نزدیک اوی
✦
نگه‌داری آن رای باریک اوی
“'Now, if you stay close to him, protecting his subtle counsel and realm...'”
#20
هرانجا که خوشتر ولایت تراست
✦
سپهداری و باژ و ملکت تراست
“'Whichever region pleases you best shall be yours—the supreme command, the tribute, and the domain.'”
#21
به جایی که باشد همیشه بهار
✦
نسیم بهار آید از جویبار
“'In a place of everlasting spring, where the spring breezes blow soft from the streams.'”
#22
گهر هست و دینار و گنج درم
✦
چو باشد درم دل نباشد به غم
“'Where jewels, gold dinars, and treasures of coins abound; for when money is at hand, the heart suffers no sorrow.'”
#23
نوازنده شاهی که از مهر تو
✦
بخندد چو بیند همی چهر تو
“'A cherishing King who, out of love for you, will smile whenever he beholds your face.'”
#24
به سالی دو بارست بار درخت
✦
ز قنوج برنگذرد نیک‌بخت
“'Where trees bear fruit twice a year, and no fortunate man leaves Kannauj.'”
#25
چو این گفته باشی به پرسش ز نام
✦
که از نام گردد دلم شادکام
“'When you have delivered these words, ask him his true name, for knowing his name will delight my heart.'”
#26
مگر رام گردد بدین مرز ما
✦
فزون گردد از فر او ارز ما
“'Perhaps he will be tamed by our border, and through his glory our own worth will increase.'”
#27
ورا زود سالار لشکر کنیم
✦
بدین مرز با ارز ما سر کنیم
“'We shall swiftly make him commander of the host, exalting our realm through his true worth.'”
#28
بیامد جهاندیده دستور شاه
✦
بگفت این به بهرام و بنمود راه
“The experienced vizier of the King came forward, conveyed these words to Bahram, and showed him the path.”
#29
ز بهرام زان پس بپرسید نام
✦
که بی‌نام پاسخ نبودی تمام
“Then he asked Bahram his true name, for without a name no reply could be complete.”
#30
چو بشنید بهرام رنگ رخش
✦
دگر شد که تا چون دهد پاسخش
“When Bahram heard this, his face changed color as he pondered how to answer.”
#31
به فرجام گفت ای سخن‌گوی مرد
✦
مرا در دو کشور مکن روی زرد
“At last he said: 'O eloquent man, do not bring shame upon my face in both realms!'”
#32
من از شاه ایران نپیجم به گنج
✦
گر از نیستی چند باشم به رنج
“'I will not turn away from the Shah of Iran for treasure, no matter how much hardship I endure in poverty.'”
#33
جزین باشد آرایش دین ما
✦
همان گردش راه و آیین ما
“'Beyond this lies the beauty of our faith, and the eternal path of our tradition.'”
#34
هرانکس که پیچد سر از شاه خویش
✦
به برخاستن گم کند راه خویش
“'Whoever turns his head from his lord loses his true way upon raising himself.'”
#35
فزونی نجست آنک بودش خرد
✦
بد و نیک بر ما همی بگذرد
“'He who possessed true wisdom sought no greed; good and ill shall pass over us all.'”
#36
خداوند گیتی فریدون کجاست
✦
که پشت زمانه بدو بود راست
“'Where is Fereydun, lord of the world, who kept the back of the ages straight?'”
#37
کجا آن بزرگان خسرونژاد
✦
جهاندار کیخسرو و کیقباد
“'Where are those great ones of royal lineage, world-conquering Key Khosrow and Key Qobad?'”
#38
دگر آنک دانی تو بهرام را
✦
جهاندار پیروز خودکام را
“'And what of Bahram, whom you know—that victorious, mighty ruler of the world?'”
#39
اگر من ز فرمان او بگذرم
✦
به مردی سرآرد جهان بر سرم
“'If I transgress his command, he will bring the world crashing down upon my head by force!'”
#40
نماند بر و بوم هندوستان
✦
به ایران کشد خاک جادوستان
“'Not a domain of Hindustan would remain; he would bring the dust of this wizard-land to Iran!'”
#41
همان به که من باز گردم بدر
✦
ببیند مرا شاه پیروزگر
“'It is far better that I return to his court so that the victorious Shah may behold me.'”
#42
گر از نام پرسیم برزوی نام
✦
چنین خواندم شاه و هم باب و مام
“'If you ask my name, it is Borzoy; thus was I called by my Shah, my father, and my mother.'”
#43
همه پاسخ من بشنگل رسان
✦
که من دیر ماندم به شهر کسان
“'Deliver my entire answer to Shangal, for I have stayed too long in the realm of strangers.'”
#44
چو دستور بشنید پاسخ ببرد
✦
شنیده سخن پیش او برشمرد
“When the minister heard the answer, he brought it back and recounted all he had heard before the King.”
#45
ز پاسخ پر آژنگ شد روی شاه
✦
چنین گفت اگر دور ماند ز راه
“At the answer, the King's face grew dark with rage and wrinkles; he spoke: 'If he strays from the path...'”
#46
یکی چاره سازم کنون من که روز
✦
سرآید بدین مرد لشکر فروز
“'I must now devise a scheme before the day ends for this army-illuminating warrior!'”