When Bahram Gur settled into marital life with Sapinud, the daughter of King Shangal, the divine splendor of his true majesty became undeniable to her. Struck by profound love, she gazed upon his heroic countenance, weeping with devotion day and night. Seeing the deep affection binding the couple, King Shangal cast away all lurking suspicions and embraced Barzuy with complete trust.
One quiet day, Bahram sat beside Sapinud and opened his heart, revealing the secret he had kept hidden beneath his disguise. He confessed that he was the Sovereign of Iran, aided by the Almighty Creator, and that a realm of unmatched glory awaited them across the sea. Sapinud pledged her absolute allegiance, declaring that a wife's highest virtue lies in keeping her husband joyous, and vowed to follow him even unto death. She then devised a flawless stratagem: every year, King Shangal led his forces to a sacred forest twenty leagues from Kannauj for a holy idol-feast and wild ass hunt. She advised Bahram to wait until the royal host departed, then ride forth under the pretense of hunting.
Bahram's heart gladdened at her sharp mind, and he spent the night in restless anticipation. As dawn unfurled its golden banners across the sky, Bahram mounted his steed in hunting attire, accompanied by his loyal Iranian retainers. Approaching the seashore, he encountered a caravan of Iranian merchants. Biting his lip to silence them before they could bow in royal homage, Bahram bound the merchants with a formidable oath, warning that if his presence were betrayed to the Indian court, the soil of Iran would turn into a sea of blood. Moved to tears by their king's plight, the merchants swore absolute secrecy, offering their lives for his safety.
Meanwhile, as Shangal prepared to march to the sacred forest, Sapinud informed her mother that Barzuy had fallen gravely ill and could not endure the journey. Shangal accepted the excuse with compassion and departed with his army. Under the cover of pitch-black night, Bahram placed Sapinud upon his horse, chanted holy verses, girt his mace and lasso, and galloped to the coast. Launching boats into the dark waters, he rowed his bride and faithful companions across the sea. As the first rays of morning pierced the horizon, the sun-like hero stepped safely onto dry land, setting his sights firmly toward the kingdom of Iran.
#1
چو بهرام با دخت شنگل بساخت
✦
زن او همی شاه گیتی شناخت
“When Bahram settled into life with Shangal’s daughter, his wife recognized him for who he was—the King of the World.”
#2
شب و روز گریان بد از مهر اوی
✦
نهاده دو چشم اندران چهر اوی
“Night and day she wept from the intensity of her love for him, keeping her eyes fixed continuously upon his face.”
#3
چو از مهرشان شنگل آگاه شد
✦
ز بدها گمانیش کوتاه شد
“When Shangal became aware of their deep affection, all his dark suspicions melted away.”
#4
نشستند یک روز شادان بهم
✦
همی رفت هرگونه از بیش و کم
“One day they sat together in joy, conversing freely about matters great and small.”
#5
سپینود را گفت بهرامشاه
✦
که دانم که هستی مرا نیک‌خواه
“King Bahram said to Sapinud, 'I know truly that you are my well-wisher and loyal mate.'”
#6
یکی راز خواهم همی با تو گفت
✦
چنان کن که ماند سخن در نهفت
“'I wish to entrust a deep secret to you; ensure that this word remains strictly hidden.'”
#7
همی رفت خواهم ز هندوستان
✦
تو باشی بدین کار همداستان
“'I intend to depart from India, and I long for you to join me in this plot.'”
#8
به تنها بگویم ترا یک سخن
✦
نباید که داند کس از انجمن
“'I share this word with you in absolute solitude; no one in the court must come to know of it.'”
#9
به ایران مرا کار زین بهترست
✦
همم کردگار جهان یاورست
“'For in Iran, my condition is far greater, and the Creator of the World is my helper.'”
#10
به رفتن گر ایدونک رای آیدت
✦
به خوبی خرد رهنمای آیدت
“'If it is your desire to depart with me, let wisdom be your benevolent guide.'”
#11
به هر جای نام تو بانو بود
✦
پدر پیش تختت به زانو بود
“'Wherever we go, your name shall be honored as Empress, and even kings shall bow before your throne.'”
#12
سپینود گفت ای سرافراز مرد
✦
تو بر خیره از راه دانش مگرد
“Sapinud replied, 'O exalted prince, do not wander away from the path of wisdom into uncertainty.'”
#13
بهین زنان جهان آن بود
✦
کزو شوی همواره خندان بود
“'The best of women in the world is she whose husband is forever kept joyful through her deeds.'”
#14
اگر پاک جانم ز پیمان تو
✦
بپیچد به بیزارم از جان تو
“'If my pure soul should ever deviate from your covenant, I would gladly foreswear my own life.'”
#15
بدو گفت بهرام پس چاره کن
✦
وزین راز مگشای بر کس سخن
“Bahram then said to her, 'Devise a scheme then, and breathe not a single word of this secret to anyone.'”
#16
سپینود گفت ای سزاوار تخت
✦
بسازم اگر باشدم یار بخت
“Sapinud said, 'O worthy heir to the throne, if fortune favors me, I shall arrange all things.'”
#17
یکی جشنگاهست ز ایدر نه دور
✦
که سازد پدرم اندران بیشه سور
“'There is a place of festival not far from here, where my father holds a grand celebration in the sacred forest.'”
#18
که دارند فرخ مران جای را
✦
ستایند جای بت‌آرای را
“'They hold that sanctuary holy and praise the site dedicated to their icons.'”
#19
بود تا بران بیشه فرسنگ بیست
✦
که پیش بت اندر بباید گریست
“'That forest lies twenty leagues away, where one must weep in devotion before the idol.'”
#20
بدان جای نخچیر گوران بود
✦
به قنوج در عود سوزان بود
“'It is a hunting ground for wild asses, while in Kannauj incense burns in homage.'”
#21
شود شاه و لشکر بدان جایگاه
✦
که بی‌ره نماید بران بیشه راه
“'The king and his entire army will march to that spot, taking a path through the dense, trackless woods.'”
#22
اگر رفت خواهی بدانجای رو
✦
همیشه کهن باش و سال تو نو
“'If you wish to make your departure, go towards that place. May your wisdom remain ancient and your fortune forever new!'”
#23
ز امروز بشکیب تا نیم روز
✦
چو پیدا شود تاج گیتی فروز
“'Wait patiently from today until noon, until the world-illuminating sun crowns the sky.'”
#24
چو از شهر بیرون رود شهریار
✦
به رفتن بیارای و بر ساز کار
“'As soon as the King marches out of the city, prepare yourself for travel and set your plans in motion.'”
#25
ز گفتار او گشت بهرام شاد
✦
نخفت اندر اندیشه تا بامداد
“Bahram rejoiced at her words and lay awake in anxious contemplation until dawn.”
#26
چو بنمود خورشید بر چرخ دست
✦
شب تیره بار غریبان ببست
“When the sun raised its radiant hand over the sky, the dark night packed up the gear of the strangers.”
#27
نشست از بر باره بهرام گور
✦
همی راند با ساز نخچیر گور
“Bahram Gur mounted his steed, riding forth equipped as if for hunting wild asses.”
#28
به زن گفت بر ساز و با کس مگوی
✦
نهادیم هر دو سوی راه روی
“He said to his wife, 'Make ready and tell no one; we two have set our faces toward the road.'”
#29
هرانکس که بودند ایرانیان
✦
به رفتن ببستند با او میان
“All those who were Iranians girded their loins to accompany him on his journey.”
#30
بیامد چو نزدیک دریا رسید
✦
به ره بار بازارگانان بدید
“Riding until he neared the sea, he encountered a caravan of merchants laden along the road.”
#31
که بازارگانان ایران بدند
✦
به آب و به خشکی دلیران بدند
“These were merchants of Iran, brave and bold upon both land and sea.”
#32
چو بازارگان روی بهرام دید
✦
شهنشاه لب را به دندان گزید
“When the merchant recognized Bahram’s face, the Shahanshah bit his lip in warning.”
#33
نفرمود بردن به پیشش نماز
✦
ز نادان سخن را همی داشت راز
“He signaled him not to bow down in homage before him, keeping the truth hidden from the ignorant.”
#34
به بازارگان گفت لب را ببند
✦
کزین سودمندی و هم با گزند
“He said to the merchant, 'Seal your lips, for in this silence lies profit, while speech brings harm.'”
#35
گرین راز در هند پیدا شود
✦
ز خون خاک ایران چو دریا شود
“'If this secret is revealed in India, the soil of Iran will turn into a sea of blood.'”
#36
گشاده بران کار کو لب ببست
✦
زبان بسته باید گشاده دو دست
“'He who seals his lips prospers in his deed; one must keep the tongue bound and the hands open to act.'”
#37
زبان شما را به سوگند سخت
✦
ببندیم تا بازیابیم بخت
“'We shall bind your tongues with a solemn oath so that we may reclaim our destiny.'”
#38
بگویید کز پاک یزدان خدای
✦
بریدیم و بستیم با دیو رای
“'Swear thus: "We sever ourselves from the pure God Yazdan and side with the Div..."'”
#39
اگر هرگز از رای بهرامشاه
✦
بپیچیم و داریم بد را نگاه
“'"...if ever we turn away from King Bahram's will or harbor ill intent against him!"'”
#40
چو سوگند شد خورده و ساخته
✦
دل شاه زان رنج پرداخته
“Once the solemn oath was sworn and established, the King's heart was relieved of its anxiety.”
#41
بدیشان چنین گفت پس شهریار
✦
که نزد شما از من این زنهار
“Then the Monarch said to them, 'Keep this trust I have placed in your hands as your sworn pledge.'”
#42
بدارید و با جان برابر کنید
✦
چو خواهید کز پندم افسر کنید
“'Guard it as dearly as your very lives, if you wish to crown yourselves with my counsel.'”
#43
گر از من شود تخت پرداخته
✦
سپاه آید از هر سوی ساخته
“'For if the throne should be emptied of me, armies will march forth prepared from every direction;'”
#44
نه بازارگان ماند ایدر نه شاه
✦
نه دهقان نه لشکر نه تخت و کلاه
“'Neither merchant nor king shall remain here, nor noble landowner, nor army, nor throne, nor crown!'”
#45
چو زان‌گونه دیدند گفتار اوی
✦
برفتند یکسر پر از آب روی
“When they witnessed his majestic discourse, tears welled up in all their eyes.”
#46
که جان بزرگان فدای تو باد
✦
جوانی و شاهی روای تو باد
“"May the lives of the noble be sacrificed for you; may youth and kingship ever flourish upon you!”
#47
اگر هیچ راز تو پیدا شود
✦
ز خون کشور ما چو دریا شود
“"Should your secret ever be revealed, our country would become a sea of blood.”
#48
که یارد بدین گونه اندیشه کرد
✦
مگر بخت را گوید از ره بگرد
“"Who would dare entertain such a thought, unless he would tell fortune itself to turn away from him?"”
#49
چو بشنید شاه آن گرفت آفرین
✦
بران نامداران با فر و دین
“When the king heard this, he bestowed praise upon those renowned men of glory and faith.”
#50
همی رفت پیچان به ایوان خویش
✦
به یزدان سپرده تن و جان خویش
“He returned to his palace full of anxiety, entrusting his soul and body unto God.”
#51
بدانگه که بهرام شد سوی راه
✦
چنین گفت با زن که ای نیک‌خواه
“When Bahram prepared to take to the road, he spoke thus to his wife: "O well-wisher,”
#52
ابا مادر خویشتن چاره ساز
✦
چنان کو درستی نداندت راز
“"Devise a scheme together with your mother, yet in such a way that she does not truly discern your secret.”
#53
که چون شاه شنگل سوی جشنگاه
✦
شود خواستار آید از نزد شاه
“"So that when King Shangal sets out for the festival grounds, an envoy will come asking for me;”
#54
بگوید که برزوی شد دردمند
✦
پذیردش پوزش شه هوشمند
“"And say that Borzoy has fallen ill, so that the wise king may accept his excuse."”
#55
زن این بند بنهاد با مادرش
✦
چو بشنید پس مادر از دخترش
“The wife arranged this ruse with her mother; when the mother heard this from her daughter,”
#56
همی بود تا تازه شد جشنگاه
✦
گرانمایگان برگرفتند راه
“She waited until the festival grounds came alive, and the nobles set out on their path.”
#57
چو برساخت شنگل که آید به دشت
✦
زنش گفت برزوی بیمار گشت
“When Shangal prepared to go out to the plain, his wife told him: "Borzoy has fallen ill,”
#58
به پوزش همی گوید ای شهریار
✦
تو دل را بمن هیچ رنجه مدار
“"He sends his apologies, saying: 'O King, do not trouble your heart at all on my account.'”
#59
چو ناتندرستی بود جشنگاه
✦
دژم باشد و داند این مایه شاه
“"'When one is sick, the festival yields only gloom, as the King well knows.'"”
#60
به زن گفت شنگل که این خود مباد
✦
که بیمار باشد کند جشن یاد
“Shangal said to his wife: "Heaven forbid that a sick man should think of coming to a festival!"”
#61
ز قنوج شبگیر شنگل برفت
✦
ابا هندوان روی بنهاد تفت
“At early dawn, Shangal departed from Kannauj and swiftly headed out with the Indians.”
#62
چو شب تیره شد شاه بهرام گفت
✦
که آمد گه رفتن ای نیک جفت
“When the night grew dark, King Bahram said: "The time to depart has come, my good companion!"”
#63
بیامد سپینود را برنشاند
✦
همی پهلوی نام یزدان بخواند
“He came and mounted Sepinoud upon her steed, constantly chanting the Holy Name in Pahlavi.”
#64
بپوشید خفتان و خود برنشست
✦
کمندی به فتراک و گرزی به دست
“He donned his mail, mounted his horse, tied a lasso to his saddle-bow, and took a mace in hand.”
#65
همی راند تا پیش دریا رسید
✦
چو ایرانیان را همه خفته دید
“He rode on until he reached the river, where he found all the Iranians fast asleep.”
#66
برانگیخت کشتی و زورق بساخت
✦
به زورق سپینود را در نشاخت
“He readied a vessel and prepared a boat, safely seating Sepinoud inside.”
#67
به خشکی رسیدند چون روز گشت
✦
جهان پهلوان گیتی افروز گشت
“As day broke, they reached dry land, and the world-conquering hero illuminated the world.”