King Noshinravan, the god-fearing and righteous sovereign of Iran, commanded a sublime royal decree to be inscribed in Pahlavi script. He opened this historic edict on Bahram Day of Khordad Month in the name of the Almighty—he who was a fruitful branch from the royal tree of Qobad, wearing the crown of majesty. This letter was dispatched to all collectors of tribute, tax administrators, and loyal servants of the realm.
Beginning with boundless greetings to his officials, the king set forth the praise of the World-Creator, declaring that true wisdom lies in offering gratitude to the Creator of the cosmos, who knows all secrets and requires nothing from mortals. Royalty belongs to God alone, before whom all creatures—from the tiny ant to the revolving heavens—are humble servants. The Lord commands naught but righteousness, whereas all falsehood and lack stem from the demonic Ahriman.
Noshinravan affirmed that God had granted him sovereignty over the entire earth from East to West, not for self-indulgence, but to govern with absolute justice and compassion. An evil shepherd surrenders the vast plain to wolves; thus, no harshness must ever touch the subjects, the dehqans, the devout, or the merchants. Taxes were to be collected strictly in four-month installments with fairness. If crops were devastated by locusts, blistering heat, scorching winds, or spring droughts, all taxes were immediately annulled. Furthermore, seeds and financial relief were to be provided directly from the royal treasury to aid struggling farmers.
Ownerless lands were not permitted to fall into ruin under the shadow of the Iranian crown; the treasury was to fund their restoration. The King issued a stern warning: any governor or tax agent who extorted even a single dirham or treated these sacred commands lightly would be hanged without mercy, regardless of rank. For the true wealth of the monarch lies not in accumulated gold tainted by the curses of the poor, but in the flourishing of the land and the contentment of its people.
#1
یکی نامه فرمود بر پهلوی
✦
پسند آیدت چون ز من بشنوی
“He commanded a letter to be written in Pahlavi; it shall please you when you hear it from me.”
#2
نخستین سر نامه کرد از مهست
✦
شهنشاه کسری یزدان‌پرست
“He began the preamble of the letter in the name of the Greatest, Shahanshah Kasra, the god-worshiping sovereign.”
#3
به بهرام روز و بخرداد شهر
✦
که یزدانش داد از جهان تاج بهر
“On Bahram Day in the month of Khordad, to whom God granted the crown's portion of the world,”
#4
برومند شاخ از درخت قباد
✦
که تاج بزرگی به سر برنهاد
“A fruitful branch from the tree of Qobad, who placed the crown of greatness upon his head.”
#5
سوی کارداران باژ و خراج
✦
پرستنده شایستهٔ فر و تاج
“To the administrators of tribute and taxes, the worthy servants of the Royal Glory and crown:”
#6
بی‌اندازه از ما شما را درود
✦
هنر با نژاد این بود با فزود
“Boundless greetings from us unto you; for art combined with noble lineage brings abundance.”
#7
نخستین سخن چون گشایش کنیم
✦
جهان‌آفرین را ستایش کنیم
“When we commence our speech, we first offer praise unto the Creator of the World.”
#8
خردمند و بینادل آنرا شناس
✦
که دارد ز دادار کیهان سپاس
“Know him as wise and clear-sighted who offers gratitude to the Creator of the universe.”
#9
بداند که هست او ز ما بی‌نیاز
✦
به نزدیک او آشکارست راز
“Let him know that God is self-sufficient without us, and in His presence, all secrets are revealed.”
#10
کسی را کجا سرفرازی دهد
✦
نخستین ورا بی‌نیازی دهد
“Whomever He grants exalted status, He first bestows upon him freedom from want.”
#11
مرا داد فرمان و خود داورست
✦
ز هر برتری جاودان برترست
“He gave me command and He Himself is the Supreme Judge; He is forever higher than all exaltation.”
#12
به یزدان سزد ملک و مهتر یکیست
✦
کسی را جز از بندگی کار نیست
“Kingdom belongs rightly to God and the Master is One; none has any duty save devotion and service.”
#13
ز مغز زمین تا به چرخ بلند
✦
ز افلاک تا تیره خاک نژند
“From the depth of the earth to the high heavens, from the revolving spheres to the dark, humble dust,”
#14
پی مور بر خویشتن برگواست
✦
که ما بندگانیم و او پادشاست
“The very footstep of the ant bears witness that we are servants and He is the King.”
#15
نفرمود ما را جز از راستی
✦
که دیو آورد کژی و کاستی
“He commanded us to follow naught but truthfulness, for the Demon brings crookedness and deficit.”
#16
اگر بهر من زین سرای سپنج
✦
نبودی جز از باغ و ایوان و گنج
“Even if my portion in this transient abode were nothing but gardens, palaces, and treasure,”
#17
نجستی دل من به جز داد و مهر
✦
گشادن بهر کار بیدار چهر
“My heart would seek nothing save justice and love, facing every affair with an alert and enlightened countenance.”
#18
کنون روی بوم زمین سر به سر
✦
ز خاور برو تا در باختر
“Now across the entire face of the earth, from the East unto the gates of the West,”
#19
به شاهی مرا داد یزدان پاک
✦
ز خورشید تابنده تا تیره خاک
“The Pure God has granted me kingship, from the shining sun down to the dark soil.”
#20
نباید که جز داد و مهر آوریم
✦
وگر چین به کاری بچهر آوریم
“It is not fitting that we bring forth aught but justice and affection, nor frown upon any affair.”
#21
شبان بداندیش و دشت بزرگ
✦
همی گوسفندان بماند بگرگ
“An evil-minded shepherd over a vast plain surrenders the sheep unto the wolf.”
#22
نباید که بر زیردستان ما
✦
ز دهقان وز دین‌پرستان ما
“It must not be that upon our subjects—our landholders and our faithful believers—”
#23
به خشکی به خاک و بکشتی برآب
✦
برخشنده روز و به هنگام خواب
“Whether on dry land, upon the soil, or aboard ships upon the water, by radiant day or during sleep,”
#24
ز بازارگانان تر و ز خشک
✦
درم دارد و در خوشاب و مشک
“Or upon merchants of land and sea who possess silver, fine pearls, and musk,”
#25
که تابنده خور جز بداد و به مهر
✦
نتابد بریشان ز خم سپهر
“That the shining sun should shine upon them with aught save justice and love from the vault of heaven.”
#26
برین‌گونه رفت از نژاد و گهر
✦
پسر تاج یابد همی از پدر
“In this manner has it descended from lineage and noble blood, that the son inherits the crown from the father.”
#27
به جز داد و خوبی نبد در جهان
✦
یکی بود با آشکارا نهان
“Naught but justice and goodness existed in the world; open speech and inner thought were one.”
#28
نهادیم بر روی گیتی خراج
✦
درخت گزیت از پی تخت عاج
“We established a poll tax upon the land—a tribute tree to support the ivory throne.”
#29
چو این نامه آرند نزد شما
✦
که فرخنده باد اورمزد شما
“When this letter reaches you, may your Ormazd be auspicious and blessed!”
#30
کسی کو برین یک درم بگذرد
✦
ببیداد بر یک نفس بشمرد
“Whoever exceeds this by a single dirham, or acts with injustice for a single breath,”
#31
به یزدان که او داد دیهیم و فر
✦
که من خود میانش ببرم به ار
“By God who gave me crown and Glory, I shall sever his waist in half with a saw!”
#32
برین نیز بادافرهٔ کردگار
✦
نباید که چشم بد آید به کار
“Upon this also rests God's retribution; the evil eye must not afflict our deeds.”
#33
همین نامه و رسم بنهید پیش
✦
مگردید ازین فرخ آیین خویش
“Place this very letter and custom before you, and turn not away from your blessed tradition.”
#34
به هر چار ماهی یکی بهر ازین
✦
بخواهید با داد و با آفرین
“Every four months demand one portion of this tax, with justice and with praise.”
#35
به جایی که باشد زیان ملخ
✦
وگر تف خورشید تابد به شخ
“In places where there is damage by locusts, or where the scorching sun bakes the dry ground,”
#36
دگر تف باد سپهر بلند
✦
بدان کشتمندان رساند گزند
“Or the searing wind of the high heaven inflicts blight upon the cultivated fields,”
#37
همان گر نبارد به نوروز نم
✦
ز خشکی شود دشت خرم دژم
“Likewise, if moisture falls not at Nowruz, and the verdant plain turns bleak through drought,”
#38
مخواهید باژ اندر آن بوم و رست
✦
که ابر بهاران به باران نشست
“Demand no tax in that land and district where the spring cloud failed to rain.”
#39
ز تخم پراگنده و مزد رنج
✦
ببخشید کارندگانرا ز گنج
“For scattered seed and the wages of their toil, bestow aid upon the farmers from the treasury.”
#40
زمینی که آن را خداوند نیست
✦
به مرد و ورا خویش و پیوند نیست
“A land that has no master, lacking any male heir or kin to tend it,”
#41
نباید که آن بوم ویران بود
✦
که در سایهٔ شاه ایران بود
“Must not lie desolate while sitting under the shadow of the King of Iran.”
#42
که بدگو برین کار ننگ آورد
✦
که چونین بهانه بچنگ آورد
“Lest an evil-teller bring shame upon this affair, seizing such a pretext against us.”
#43
ز گنج آنچ باید مدارید باز
✦
که کردست یزدان مرا بی‌نیاز
“Withhold not what is needed from the treasury, for God has made me free from want.”
#44
چو ویران بود بوم در بر من
✦
نتابد درو سایهٔ فر من
“When a land is desolate in my domain, the shadow of my Royal Glory shines not upon it.”
#45
کسی را که باشد برین مایه کار
✦
اگر گیرد این کار دشوار خوار
“Whoever holds an office of this magnitude, if he treats this heavy duty with lightness,”
#46
کنم زنده بر دار جایی که هست
✦
اگر سرفرازست و گر زیردست
“I shall hang him alive upon the gallows wherever he may be, whether he be of noble stature or a lowly subject.”
#47
بزرگان که شاهان پیشین بدند
✦
ازین کار بر دیگر آیین بدند
“The great rulers and monarchs of past ages followed a different custom in these matters.”
#48
بد و نیک با کارداران بدی
✦
جهان پیش اسب‌سواران بدی
“Good and evil lay in the hands of officials, and the world was surrendered to the mercy of horsemen.”
#49
خرد را همه خیره بفریفتند
✦
بافزونی گنج نشکیفتند
“They foolishly deceived wisdom itself and could never be content without accumulating endless wealth.”
#50
مرا گنج دادست و دهقان سپاه
✦
نخواهیم بدینار کردن نگاه
“God has granted me treasure, and the landholders form my army; I shall not set my sight upon mere gold coins.”
#51
شما را جهان بازجستن بداد
✦
نگه داشتن ارج مرد نژاد
“To you is given the duty to inspect the world with justice and preserve the honor of noble-born men.”
#52
گرامی‌تر از جان بدخواه من
✦
که جوید همی کشور و گاه من
“Even more precious than the life of mine enemy who seeks my realm and throne is such a faithful official.”
#53
سپهبد که مردم فروشد به زر
✦
نباید بدین بارگه برگذر
“A commander who sells subjects for gold shall have no passage into this royal court.”
#54
کسی را کند ارج این بارگاه
✦
که با داد و مهرست و با رسم و راه
“This court honors only him who acts with justice, loving-kindness, and proper custom.”
#55
چو بیداردل کارداران من
✦
به دیوان موبد شدند انجمن
“When my vigilant officials assemble together at the tribunal of the Mobad...”
#56
پدید آید از گفت یک تن دروغ
✦
ازان پس نگیرد بر ما فروغ
“If false words arise from the mouth of even one man, he shall never again find favor or radiance in our eyes.”
#57
به بیدادگر بر مرا مهر نیست
✦
پلنگ و جفاپیشه مردم یکیست
“I hold no love for the oppressor; a fierce leopard and a cruel man are one and the same to me.”
#58
هر آنکس که او راه یزدان بجست
✦
بآب خرد جان تیره بشست
“Whoever seeks the path of God and washes away the dark stain of his soul with the water of wisdom,”
#59
بدین بارگاهش بلندی بود
✦
بر موبدان ارجمندی بود
“He shall achieve exalted height at this court, and hold honor among the high priests.”
#60
به نزدیک یزدان ز تخمی که کشت
✦
به باید بپاداش خرم بهشت
“Before God, from the seed he has sown, his fit reward shall be the joyful paradise.”
#61
که ما بی‌نیازیم ازین خواسته
✦
که گردد به نفرین روان کاسته
“For we stand in no need of wealth that causes the soul to wither under curses.”
#62
گر از پوست درویش باشد خورش
✦
ز چرمش بود بی‌گمان پرورش
“If a poor man's nourishment comes from mere hide, his sustenance surely arises from that humble leather.”
#63
پلنگی به از شهریاری چنین
✦
که نه شرم دارد نه آیین نه دین
“A wild leopard is far better than such a ruler who possesses neither shame, nor tradition, nor faith.”
#64
گشادست بر ما در راستی
✦
چه کوبیم خیره در کاستی
“The portal of truth stands wide open to us; why should we foolishly knock upon the door of defect?”
#65
نهانی بدو داد دادن بروی
✦
بدان تا رسد نزد ما گفت و گوی
“Let justice be granted to him in secret, so that the true report of the matter may reach our ears.”
#66
به نزدیک یزدان بود ناپسند
✦
نباشد بدین بارگه ارجمند
“Injustice is abhorrent before God, and he who commits it shall have no honor at this royal threshold.”
#67
ز یزدان وز ما بدان کس درود
✦
که از داد و مهرش بود تاروپود
“Blessings from God and from us upon him whose very warp and weft are woven of justice and affection.”
#68
اگر دادگر باشدی شهریار
✦
بماند به گیتی بسی پایدار
“If a king be righteous and just, his rule and legacy shall endure long in the world.”
#69
که جاوید هر کس کنند آفرین
✦
بران شاه کآباد دارد زمین
“For all humanity forever bestows praises upon that monarch who keeps the earth prosperous.”
#70
ز شاهان که با تخت و افسر بدند
✦
به گنج و به لشکر توانگر بدند
“Of all the sovereigns who possessed throne and crown, and were wealthy in treasure and army,”
#71
نبد دادگرتر ز نوشین‌روان
✦
که بادا همیشه روانش جوان
“None was more just than Nowshin-Ravan; may his soul remain forever youthful!”
#72
نه زو پرهنرتر به فرزانگی
✦
به تخت و بداد و به مردانگی
“Nor was there anyone more accomplished than he in wisdom, upon the throne, in justice, and in chivalry.”