When the fame of Khosrow Anushirvan's supreme justice and cosmic splendor echoed across the known world, the face of Iran became as radiant and finely woven as shimmering Roman silk. The King adorned his realm like the glowing moon through righteousness and an empire-girding host whose numbers none could count save the monarch himself—a joyous army, armed for battle, bound by honor and renown. Looking upon this imperial majesty, the hearts of distant kings faltered and their resolve withered.
Thus, ambassadors set out from the thrones of India and China toward the court of Iran. Realizing they lacked the strength to challenge his might, the duty of paying tribute felt light upon their hearts. Bearing maces of gold and wearing jewel-encrusted helmets, the envoys led great caravans loaded with sacks of treasure, royal tribute, and retinues of servants. The court of the King of the World became like a paradise arrayed, teeming with riches, delegates, and petitioners.
Time flowed in harmony with the King, the heavens revolving in loving favor toward Iran. Then, wise Khosrow resolved to leave his capital and travel through the provinces of his realm, to inspect the lands and reveal hidden truths. He ordered the battle-drums struck, setting in motion an army so luminous that the sun and moon stood awestruck. With gilded shields, golden girdles, and vast stores of silver and gold, it seemed as though the mines of the earth had been emptied of all their gems.
In majestic composure, he led his army toward Khorasan according to the ancient ceremonial rites of the House of Sasan. Wherever he pitched his royal pavilions across the verdant plains, the heralds would step forward as the trumpets sounded, proclaiming aloud: 'O subjects of the Sovereign of the World! Whoever among you has suffered secret wrong or injustice, speak forth! Sleep secure under the King's shadow and let no distress darken your hearts.' In this noble manner, bearing the crown and throne of his ancestors, he advanced toward Gorgan—for justice never diminishes a realm, and true royalty resides in noble lineage, wise counsel, and unyielding equity.
#1
پس آگاهی آمد به روم و به هند
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که شد روی ایران چو رومی پرند
“News reached Rome and India that the face of Iran had turned bright and glorious, shimmering like Roman silk.”
#2
زمین را به کردار تابنده ماه
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به داد و به لشکر بیاراست شاه
“The King embellished the realm like the shining moon through his supreme justice and magnificent army.”
#3
کسی آن سپه را نداند شمار
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به گیتی مگر نامور شهریار
“None in all the world could reckon the count of that host, save for the renowned monarch himself.”
#4
همه با دل شاد و با ساز جنگ
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همه گیتی افروز با نام و ننگ
“All were joyful of heart, arrayed with war gear, illuminating the world while upholding honor and renown.”
#5
دل شاه هر کشوری خیره گشت
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ز نوشین‌روان رایشان تیره گشت
“The hearts of kings across every land were awestruck, and their resolve faltered before the majesty of Noshinravan.”
#6
فرستاده آمد ز هند و ز چین
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همه شاه را خواندند آفرین
“Envoys arrived from both India and China, praising the King and proclaiming blessings upon his crown.”
#7
ندیدند با خویشتن تاو او
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سبک شد به دل باژ با ساو او
“Realizing they possessed no power to withstand him, the duty of paying tribute and tax felt light upon their hearts.”
#8
همه کهتری را بیاراستند
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بسی بدره و برده‌ها خواستند
“They prepared themselves in full submission, bringing forth countless bags of coin and captives as tribute.”
#9
به زرین عمود و به زرین کلاه
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فرستادگان برگرفتند راه
“Bearing golden maces and adorned with golden helmets, the ambassadors set forth upon their journey.”
#10
به درگاه شاه جهان آمدند
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چه با ساو و باژ مهان آمدند
“They came to the threshold of the King of the World, bearing royal taxes and the tribute of great sovereigns.”
#11
بهشتی بد آراسته بارگاه
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ز بس برده و بدره و بارخواه
“The court seemed like a paradise arrayed, overflowing with treasures, gifts, attendants, and petitioners.”
#12
برین نیز بگذشت چندی سپهر
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همی‌رفت با شاه ایران به مهر
“Thus time passed under the revolving sphere, which moved in loving harmony with the Sovereign of Iran.”
#13
خردمند کسری چنان کرد رای
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کزان مرز لختی بجنبد ز جای
“Wise Khosrow then resolved to march out from his capital and journey through the lands of his kingdom.”
#14
بگردد یکی گرد خرم جهان
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گشاده کند رازهای نهان
“To traverse the prosperous realm, inspect his domain, and bring to light all hidden secrets.”
#15
بزد کوس وز جای لشکر براند
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همی ماه و خورشید زو خیره ماند
“He struck the war-drums and set his army in motion, leaving the sun and moon awestruck at the sight.”
#16
ز بس پیکر و لشکر و سیم و زر
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کمرهای زرین و زرین سپر
“So vast was the parade of warriors, silver, gold, golden belts, and golden shields that dazzled the eye.”
#17
تو گفتی بکان اندرون زر نماند
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همان در خوشاب و گوهر نماند
“One would say no gold remained in the mines, nor any radiant pearls or gems left ungathered.”
#18
تن آسان بسوی خراسان کشید
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سپه را به آیین ساسان کشید
“In majestic ease he led his forces toward Khorasan, arraying his host according to the ancient rites of Sasan.”
#19
به هر بوم آباد کو بربگذشت
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سراپرده و خیمه‌ها زد به دشت
“Through every thriving land he passed, he pitched his royal pavilions and tents across the plains.”
#20
چو برخاستی نالهٔ کرنای
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منادیگری پیش کردی به پای
“Whenever the trumpets sounded their clarion call, he sent forth a herald to proclaim aloud:”
#21
که ای زیردستان شاه جهان
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که دارد گزندی ز ما در نهان
“"O subjects of the Sovereign of the World! Who among you suffers any hidden injury or wrong from us?"”
#22
مخسبید ناایمن از شهریار
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مدارید ز اندیشه دل نابکار
“"Sleep not in fear of your King, nor let evil thoughts darken your hearts with distress!"”
#23
ازین گونه لشکر بگرگان کشید
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همی تاج و تخت بزرگان کشید
“In such grand and righteous manner he led his army onward to Gorgan, bearing the crown and throne of noble ancestors.”
#24
چنان دان که کمی نباشد ز داد
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هنر باید از شاه و رای و نژاد
“Know that no harm ever cometh from justice; a true King must possess wisdom, virtue, noble blood, and sound judgment.”