As the royal host of King Khosrow Anushirvan drew near the sacred fire temple of Adur Gushnasp, the righteous monarch beheld the holy shrine from afar, dismounted his steed out of deep reverence, and proceeded on foot. Requesting the sacred barsam twigs from his pure-hearted minister, he washed his face with tears of devotion. Reciting the holy murmurings of the bazh, he entered the temple court, which was adorned in magnificence resembling the great Feast of Sadeh. The king commanded the High Mobad to chant the holy Zand and Avesta in a clear, resonant voice. Hearing the divine words, the priests and Hirbads prostrated themselves upon the dust in profound humility, rending their robes, while the assembled nobles showered gems upon the king and chanted sacred blessings.
Drawing near to the holy flame, Anushirvan lifted his voice in prayer to the Creator of the World, imploring the Almighty for victory, divine grandeur, and a heart unswervingly guided toward justice. He then showered bountiful alms upon the temple guardians and every poor soul in the realm. Setting up his royal pavilion outside the sanctuary while his mighty army formed ranks on all sides, the king summoned his wise chief scribe. He dictated royal edicts to all the border wardens and commanders of Iran, charging them to remain vigilant and God-fearing, to maintain their garrisons, to treat all subjects with unwavering fairness, and to ensure no ill-wisher breached the sacred frontiers. Having secured the peace of his realm, Khosrow Anushirvan set forth toward Rome. As news of his majestic march preceded him, local rulers and elders flocked to his presence with rich tributes, and wherever the king encamped, only joy, feasting, and prosperity followed in his path.
#1
چو چشمش برآمد بآذرگشسب
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پیاده شد از دور و بگذاشت اسب
“As his eyes fell upon Adur Gushnasp, he dismounted from afar and left his steed.”
#2
ز دستور پاکیزه برسم بجست
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دو رخ را به آب دو دیده بشست
“He requested sacred barsam twigs from the pure minister, and washed his face with tears from his eyes.”
#3
به باژ اندر آمد به آتشکده
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نهاده به درگاه جشن سده
“He entered the fire temple reciting the holy murmur, while the portal was adorned as if for the Feast of Sadeh.”
#4
بفرمود تا نامهٔ زند و است
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به آواز برخواند موبد درست
“He ordered the Mobad to recite aloud and correctly the sacred books of Zand and Avesta.”
#5
رد و هیربد پیش غلتان به خاک
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همه دامن قرطها کرده چاک
“High priests and Hirbads rolled upon the dust before him, their tunic skirts rent in profound devotion.”
#6
بزرگان برو گوهر افشاندند
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به زمزم همی آفرین خواندند
“The nobles showered jewels upon him, while chanting praises and blessings with holy murmuring.”
#7
چو نزدیکتر شد نیایش گرفت
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جهان‌آفرین را ستایش گرفت
“Drawing closer to the sacred flame, he began his prayer, praising the Creator of the World.”
#8
ازو خواست پیروزی و دستگاه
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نمودن دلش را سوی داد راه
“He implored God for victory and royal majesty, and that his heart be ever guided toward justice.”
#9
پرستندگان را ببخشید چیز
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به جایی که درویش دیدند نیز
“He bestowed wealth upon the temple servants, and likewise showered gifts wherever the poor were found.”
#10
یکی خیمه زد پیش آتشکده
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کشیدند لشکر ز هر سو رده
“He pitched a royal tent before the fire temple, while the army drew up in ranks on every side.”
#11
دبیر خردمند را پیش خواند
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سخنهای بایسته با او براند
“He summoned the wise scribe to his presence, and imparted to him the necessary royal dictates.”
#12
یکی نامه فرمود با آفرین
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سوی مرزبانان ایران زمین
“He commanded an epistle filled with praises to be written to the border wardens of the land of Iran.”
#13
که ترسنده باشید و بیدار بید
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سپه را ز دشمن نگهدار بید
“Writing: "Be God-fearing and vigilant, and safeguard your hosts from the enemy's grasp.”
#14
کنارنگ با پهلوان هرک هست
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همه داد جویید با زیردست
“Every Kanarang and champion among you, let all seek justice in dealing with your subjects.”
#15
بدارید چندانک باید سپاه
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بدان تا نیابد بداندیش راه
“Maintain as large an army as necessary, so that no ill-wisher may find a path into our domain.”
#16
درفش مرا تا نبیند کسی
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نباید که ایمن بخسبد بسی
“So long as one sees not my royal banner, no man should sleep in easy safety for too long."”
#17
از آتشکده چون بشد سوی روم
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پراگنده شد زو خبر گرد بوم
“When he departed from the fire temple toward the borders of Rome, news of his march spread far across the lands.”
#18
به پیش آمد آنکس که فرمان گزید
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دگر زان بر و بوم شد ناپدید
“Whosoever chose obedience came forward to meet him, while any who defied him vanished from that land.”
#19
جهاندیده با هدیه و با نثار
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فراوان بیامد بر شهریار
“Seasoned elders came in numbers before the king, bearing rich gifts and tributes.”
#20
به هر بوم و بر کو فرود آمدی
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ز هر سو پیام و درود آمدی
“Wherever he halted his camp across the territories, greetings and tributes poured in from every side.”
#21
ز گیتی به هر سو که لشکر کشید
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جز از بزم و شادی نیامد پدید
“Wherever he marched his host throughout the world, naught was seen save feasting and joy.”