When Khosrow Anushirvan ascended the ivory throne and set the radiant crown of kingship upon his brow, the grandees and wise counselors of the realm assembled in his royal court. Opening his discourse, the sovereign of Iran offered heart-felt praise to the Almighty Lord of the heavens—the sole dispenser of joy and sorrow, by whose sovereign decree the celestial spheres turn. He solemnly addressed the assembled lords, declaring that no breath should be drawn except in obedience to God's divine command, and that whosoever plants the seeds of justice within his soul shall forever rejoice in its light, whereas he who harbors evil intent ultimately seals his own doom. He exhorted them never to defer today's duty unto the morrow, for none can foretell the turns of destiny. He bade them cherish health before sickness strikes, and reflect upon mortality while life still blooms. Warnings were issued against envy, idle loquacity, deceit, and the tyranny of base desire over reason. Anushirvan commanded his ministers and commanders to govern with righteousness, to protect the vulnerable, and to ensure that wickedness meets swift retribution. Concluding his sermon, the King of Kings called upon all to place their ultimate trust in the Pure God—the supreme Judge over all judges, Who fashioned time, space, and the human heart, and Whose eternal presence is attested by all creation from the humblest speck of dust to the seven lofty heavens.
#1
چو کسری نشست از بر تخت عاج
✦
به سر برنهاد آن دل‌افروز تاج
“When Khosrow seated himself upon the ivory throne, he placed the radiant crown upon his head.”
#2
بزرگان گیتی شدند انجمن
✦
چو بنشست سالار با رای‌زن
“The magnates of the world assembled together when the sovereign sat with his wise counselors.”
#3
سر نامداران زبان برگشاد
✦
ز دادار نیکی دهش کرد یاد
“The chief of the illustrious opened his mouth to speak, offering remembrance and praise to the Creator of all good.”
#4
چنین گفت کز کردگار سپهر
✦
دل ما پر از آفرین باد و مهر
“He spoke thus: 'May our hearts be filled with love and praise for the Creator of the heavens.'”
#5
کزویست نیک و بدویست کام
✦
ازو مستمندیم وزو شادکام
“'For from Him comes both good and the fulfillment of desire; from Him we know distress, and from Him we find joy.'”
#6
ازویست فرمان و زویست مهر
✦
به فرمان اویست بر چرخ مهر
“'From Him stems authority and loving mercy, and by His command the sun turns in the firmament.'”
#7
ز رای وز تیمار او نگذریم
✦
نفس جز به فرمان او نشمریم
“'We shall not step beyond His wisdom and care, nor draw a single breath save by His decree.'”
#8
به تخت مهی بر هر آنکس که داد
✦
کند در دل او باشد از داد شاد
“'Whosoever acts with justice upon the supreme throne shall have a heart made glad by righteousness.'”
#9
هر آنکس که اندیشهٔ بد کند
✦
به فرجام بد با تن خود کند
“'And whosoever harbors evil thoughts shall in the end bring evil upon his own self.'”
#10
ز ما هرچ خواهند پاسخ دهیم
✦
بخواهش گران روز فرخ نهیم
“'Whatever men ask of us, we shall answer; we shall bestow fortunate days upon those who seek our aid.'”
#11
از اندیشهٔ دل کس آگاه نیست
✦
به تنگی دل اندر مرا راه نیست
“'None is privy to the inner thoughts of the heart, yet narrowness of heart has no path into my spirit.'”
#12
اگر پادشا را بود پیشه داد
✦
بود بی‌گمان هر کس از داد شاد
“'If a king's customary practice be justice, then without doubt all people shall rejoice in that righteousness.'”
#13
از امروز کاری به فردا ممان
✦
که داند که فردا چه گردد زمان
“'Leave not today's task for tomorrow, for who knows how time's fortune will turn on the morrow?'”
#14
گلستان که امروز باشد به بار
✦
تو فردا چنی گل نیاید به کار
“'The rose garden that bears blossoms today will not yield useful roses for you to pluck tomorrow.'”
#15
بدانگه که یابی تن زورمند
✦
ز بیماری اندیش و درد و گزند
“'When you find your body strong and whole, reflect upon sickness, pain, and afflictions.'”
#16
پس زندگی یاد کن روز مرگ
✦
چنانیم با مرگ چون باد و برگ
“'Then remember death in the midst of life; before death, we are like leaves before the wind.'”
#17
هر آنگه که در کار سستی کنی
✦
همه رای ناتندرستی کنی
“'Whenever you act with weakness and hesitation in affairs, you devise a counsel of unwholesomeness.'”
#18
چو چیره شود بر دل مرد رشک
✦
یکی دردمندی بود بی‌پزشک
“'When envy gains mastery over a man's heart, he becomes like a sufferer without a physician.'”
#19
دل مرد بیکار و بسیار گوی
✦
ندارد به نزد کسان آبروی
“'The heart of an idle and talkative man commands no respect in the eyes of others.'”
#20
وگر بر خرد چیره گردد هوا
✦
نخواهد به دیوانگی بر گوا
“'If passion rules over wisdom, it will need no further witness to prove its insanity.'”
#21
بکژی تو را راه نزدیکتر
✦
سوی راستی راه باریکتر
“'The path to crookedness is nearer to you, while the path toward truthfulness is narrower.'”
#22
به کاری کزو پیشدستی کنی
✦
به آید که کندی و سستی کنی
“'In any endeavor where you show initiative and speed, it is far better than showing slowness and lethargy.'”
#23
اگر جفت گردد زبان بر دروغ
✦
نگیرد ز بخت سپهری فروغ
“'If the tongue becomes wedded to lies, it shall receive no radiance from celestial fortune.'”
#24
سخن گفتن کژ ز بیچارگیست
✦
به بیچارگان بربباید گریست
“'Falseness of speech springs from helplessness; one should weep for those who are so helpless.'”
#25
چو برخیزد از خواب شاه از نخست
✦
ز دشمن بود ایمن و تندرست
“'When a king rises from sleep at dawn, let him be secure from enemies and sound of body.'”
#26
خردمند وز خوردنی بی‌نیاز
✦
فزونی برین رنج و دردست و آز
“'If he is wise and free from gluttony, seeking more than sufficiency brings only pain, grief, and greed.'”
#27
وگر شاه با داد و بخشایشست
✦
جهان پر ز خوبی و آسایشست
“'And if the king be endowed with justice and mercy, the world shall be filled with goodness and ease.'”
#28
وگر کژی آرد بداد اندرون
✦
کبستش بود خوردن و آب خون
“'But if he brings crookedness into justice, his nourishment shall be colocynth, bloody water, and grief.'”
#29
هر آنکس که هست اندرین انجمن
✦
شنید این برآورده آواز من
“'Let everyone present in this assembly hear this high-raised voice of mine:'”
#30
بدانید و سرتاسر آگاه بید
✦
همه ساله با بخت همراه بید
“'Know this and be fully aware across the land; may you all be accompanied by good fortune throughout the years:'”
#31
که ما تاجداری به سر برده‌ایم
✦
بداد و خرد رای پرورده‌ایم
“'That we have worn the crown of kingship in justice, nurturing our mind with wisdom.'”
#32
ولیکن ز دستور باید شنید
✦
بد و نیک بی‌او نیاید پدید
“'Yet one must listen to the chief minister, for good and evil cannot be discerned without him.'”
#33
هر آنکس که آید بدین بارگاه
✦
ببایست کاری نیابند راه
“'Whoever comes to this court having a needful task must not be barred from entry.'”
#34
نباشم ز دستور همداستان
✦
که بر من بپوشد چنین داستان
“'I shall not agree with any minister who conceals such matters from me.'”
#35
بدرگاه بر کارداران من
✦
ز لشکر نبرده سواران من
“'At court, my officials and my proven battle-tested warriors...'”
#36
چو روزی بدیشان نداریم تنگ
✦
نگه کرد باید بنام و به ننگ
“'Since we do not constrain their daily sustenance, they must safeguard honor and guard against shame.'”
#37
همه مردمی باید و راستی
✦
نباید به کار اندرون کاستی
“'All conduct must be rooted in humanity and truth; there must be no fault or shortcoming in duty.'”
#38
هر آنکس که باشد از ایرانیان
✦
ببندد بدین بارگه برمیان
“'Whosoever among the Iranians binds his waist in service to this court...'”
#39
بیابد ز ما گنج و گفتار نرم
✦
چو باشد پرستنده با رای و شرم
“'He shall receive treasure and gentle words from us, provided he serves with wisdom and modesty.'”
#40
چو بیداد جوید یکی زیردست
✦
نباشد خردمند و خسروپرست
“'When a subject seeks injustice, he is neither wise nor a true worshiper of the king.'”
#41
مکافات باید بدان بد که کرد
✦
نباید غم ناجوانمرد خورد
“'Retribution must follow the evil that he wrought; one should feel no sorrow for an unchivalrous man.'”
#42
شما دل به فرمان یزدان پاک
✦
بدارید وز ما مدارید باک
“'Hold your hearts fast to the decree of the Pure God, and harbor no fear of us.'”
#43
که اویست بر پادشا پادشا
✦
جهاندار و پیروز و فرمانروا
“'For He is the King over kings, the ruler of the world, victorious and sovereign.'”
#44
فروزندهٔ تاج و خورشید و ماه
✦
نماینده ما را سوی داد راه
“'The illuminator of crown, sun, and moon, Who guides us onto the path of righteousness.'”
#45
جهاندار بر داوران داورست
✦
ز اندیشهٔ هر کسی برترست
“'The Lord of the world is Judge over all judges, far beyond the grasp of any human thought.'”
#46
مکان و زمان آفرید و سپهر
✦
بیاراست جان و دل ما به مهر
“He created space, time, and the revolving sphere, and adorned our souls and hearts with loving grace.”
#47
شما را دل از مهر ما برفروخت
✦
دل و چشم دشمن به ما بربدوخت
“Your hearts were ignited with love for us, while the heart and eye of our enemies were stitched shut in defeat.”
#48
شما رای و فرمان یزدان کنید
✦
به چیزی که پیمان دهد آن کنید
“Follow the will and command of the Almighty, and abide faithfully by all that He covenants.”
#49
نگهدار تا جست و تخت بلند
✦
تو را بر پرستش بود یارمند
“He is the true guardian of the crown and exalted throne, aiding you in your holy devotion.”
#50
همه تندرستی به فرمان اوست
✦
همه نیکویی زیر پیمان اوست
“All health and well-being exist by His decree; all goodness lies within His divine covenant.”
#51
ز خاشاک تا هفت چرخ بلند
✦
همان آتش و آب و خاک نژند
“From the smallest speck of straw to the seven high heavens, as well as fire, water, and humble earth,”
#52
به هستی یزدان گوایی دهند
✦
روان تو را آشنایی دهند
“All bear witness to the existence of God, enlightening your soul with divine wisdom.”
#53
ستایش همه زیر فرمان اوست
✦
پرستش همه زیر پیمان اوست
“All praise remains subject to His supreme command; all worship is bound within His sacred covenant.”