As a week passed and the world-illuminating sun cast aside the lapis veil of night, adorning the earth in golden silk, King Khosrow Anushirvan ascended his throne. Gathered before him were the realm’s foremost mobads, seasoned elders, astronomers, and wise counselors. Among them stood Ardashir, the High Mobad, alongside Shapur, Yazdgard the Scribe, and the young, brilliant Bozorgmehr. The King of the World turned to his sages and asked: "In whose breast dwells that hidden, exalted wisdom by which the faith of Yazdan gains invincible strength, and the royal throne remains untarnished?"
First to answer was Ardashir the High Mobad, setting forth seven pillars of sovereign justice: that a king's righteousness illuminates his crown and throne; that generosity leaves an everlasting name beyond the grave; that absolute truthfulness guards the soul from deceit; that pardoning repentant subjects upholds royal grace; that loving one's loyal servants ensures prosperity; and that an unquenchable thirst for knowledge illuminates the mind. Next, Yazdgard the Scribe spoke of the grave flaws that corrupt rulers and commoners alike: hasty bloodshed, levity in kingship, greed that binds the soul to demons, rash judgment, cowardice in battle, avarice among the wealthy, deceit in old age, and indolence among the young.
Then stepped forward young Bozorgmehr, his heart radiant with insight. Praising the sun-faced monarch, he revealed ten disgraceful vices across ten orders of men: the lying judge whose words carry no light; the miserly commander who hoards treasure while his soldiers flee hardship; the scholar who fears not sin when enticed by worldly pleasure; the sick physician unable to heal himself; the arrogant beggar who boasts of worthless trifles; the churl who begrudges even the ocean's water or claims credit for the gentle breeze; the sage who falls into wrath and covets the possessions of others; the fool who guides the ignorant or entrusts duties to the idle; and the unreasoning soul whose desires burn like sulfur amidst a bed of reeds. With these golden teachings, the royal assembly concluded, offering praises to the eternal glory of Anushirvan the Just.
#1
برین نیز بگذشت یک هفته روز
✦
بهشتم چو بفروخت گیتی‌فروز
“When another week had passed, and the world-illuminating sun brightened the eighth day...”
#2
بیانداخت آن چادر لاژورد
✦
بیاراست گیتی به دیبای زرد
“It cast off its veil of lapis blue, adorning the world in golden silk.”
#3
شهنشاه بنشست با موبدان
✦
جهاندیده و کار کرده ردان
“The King of Kings sat in council with his mobads, the experienced elders and world-wise leaders.”
#4
سرموبد موبدان اردشیر
✦
چو شاپور وچون یزدگرد دبیر
“Ardashir, the High Mobad of Mobads, alongside Shapur and Yazdgard the Scribe,”
#5
ستاره شناسان و جویندگان
✦
خردمند و بیدار گویندگان
“Astronomers, seekers of truth, wise counselors, and vigilant speakers.”
#6
سراینده بوزرجمهر جوان
✦
بیامد برشاه نوشین‌روان
“The eloquent young Bozorgmehr also came before King Anushirvan.”
#7
بدانندگان گفت شاه جهان
✦
که باکیست این دانش اندر نهان
“The King of the World asked the sages: 'In whose breast dwells this hidden wisdom,'”
#8
کزو دین یزدان به نیرو شود
✦
همان تخت شاهی بی‌آهو شود
“'By which the faith of Yazdan grows strong, and the royal throne remains without flaw?'”
#9
چوبشنید زو موبد موبدان
✦
زبان برگشاد از میان ردان
“Hearing this, the High Mobad unloosed his tongue among the nobles,”
#10
چنین داد پاسخ که از داد شاه
✦
درفشان شود فر دیهیم و گاه
“Answering: 'It is through the King's justice that the glory of the crown and throne becomes resplendent.”
#11
چو با داد بگشاید از گنج بند
✦
بماند پس از مرگ نامش بلند
“When he opens the treasure locks with justice, his name remains exalted even after death.”
#12
دگر کو بشوید زبان از دروغ
✦
نجوید به کژی ز گیتی فروغ
“Second, that he cleanses his tongue from falsehood, seeking no worldly glory through deceit.”
#13
سپهبد چو با داد و بخشایشست
✦
ز تاجش زمانه پرآسایشست
“When the ruler embodies justice and mercy, his crown brings peace to the whole era.”
#14
و دیگر که از کهتر پرگناه
✦
چو پوزش کند باز بخشدش شاه
“And further, when a sinful subject apologizes, the King bestows forgiveness upon him.”
#15
به پنجم جهاندار نیکوسخن
✦
که نامش نگردد به گیتی کهن
“Fifth, a eloquent, virtuous ruler whose noble name shall never grow old in the world,”
#16
همه راست گوید سخن کم وبیش
✦
نگردد بهر کار ز آیین خویش
“Speaks only truth in all matters, small or great, never swerving from his righteous principles.”
#17
ششم بر پرستندهٔ تخت خویش
✦
چنان مهر دارد که بر بخت خویش
“Sixth, he loves the loyal servants of his throne as dearly as his own good fortune.”
#18
به هفتم سخن هرک دانا بود
✦
زبانش بگفتن توانا بود
“Seventh, whoever is wise possesses a tongue eloquent and capable of truth.”
#19
نگردد دلش سیر ز آموختن
✦
از اندیشگان مغز را سوختن
“His heart never tires of learning, nor his mind of burning with deep contemplation.”
#20
به آزادیست ازخرد هرکسی
✦
چنانچون ببالد ز اختر بسی
“Through wisdom, every man gains true noble freedom, just as one prospers under a lucky star.”
#21
دلت مگسل ای شاه راد از خرد
✦
خرد نام و فرجام را پرورد
“Sever not thy heart from wisdom, O generous King, for wisdom nurtures both name and destiny.'”
#22
منش پست وکم دانش آنکس که گفت
✦
کنم کم ز گیتی کسی نیست جفت
“Base in nature and meager of knowledge is he who says: 'None in the world is my equal.'”
#23
چنین گفت پس یزدگرد دبیر
✦
که ای شاه دانا و دانش‌پذیر
“Then spoke Yazdgard the Scribe: 'O wise King, open to all learning!”
#24
ابرشاه زشتست خون ریختن
✦
به اندک سخن دل برآهیختن
“It is shameful for a monarch to shed blood hastily or to lose his temper over a trifling word.”
#25
همان چون سبک سر بود شهریار
✦
بداندیش دست اندآرد به کار
“Likewise, when a king is frivolous and light-headed, evil-wishers seize the initiative.”
#26
همان با خردمند گیرد ستیز
✦
کند دل ز نادانی خویش تیز
“If he quarrels with the wise, his heart is sharpened only by his own ignorance.”
#27
دل شاه گیتی چو پر آز گشت
✦
روان ورا دیو انباز گشت
“When greed fills the heart of the world's King, the Div becomes the companion of his soul.”
#28
و رایدون که حاکم بود تیزمغز
✦
نیاید ز گفتار او کار نغز
“And if a judge be hot-headed and hasty, no fine outcome shall spring from his rulings.”
#29
دگر کارزاری که هنگام جنگ
✦
بترسد ز جان و نترسد ز ننگ
“Or a warrior in battle who fears for his life yet fears not dishonor and shame.”
#30
توانگر که باشد دلش تنگ و زفت
✦
شکم زمین بهتر او را نهفت
“A wealthy man whose heart is narrow and miserly—the belly of the earth is a better dwelling for him.”
#31
چو بر مرد درویش کنداوری
✦
نه کهتر نه زیبندهٔ مهتری
“Arrogance in a poor man fits neither a humble subject nor a noble lord.”
#32
چوکژی کند پیر ناخوش بود
✦
پس ازمرگ جانش پرآتش بود
“Dishonesty in an old man is hideous, and after death his soul shall be filled with fire.”
#33
چو کاهل بود مرد برنا به کار
✦
ازو سیر گردد دل روزگار
“When a young man is lazy at his work, the heart of Time itself grows weary of him.”
#34
نماند ز نا تندرستی جوان
✦
مبادش توان و مبادش روان
“A youth drained of health and vigor loses strength and spirit alike.'”
#35
چو بوزرجمهر این سخنهای نغز
✦
شنید و بدانش بیاراست مغز
“When Bozorgmehr heard these exquisite words, he adorned his mind with wisdom,”
#36
چنین گفت باشاه خورشید چهر
✦
که بادا به کام تو روشن سپهر
“And spoke thus to the sun-faced King: 'May the radiant heavens move according to thy desire!”
#37
چنان دان که هرکس که دارد خرد
✦
بدانش روان را همی‌پرورد
“Know that whoever possesses intellect continuously nourishes his soul with knowledge.”
#38
نکوهیده ده کار بر ده گروه
✦
نکوهیده‌تر نزد دانش پژوه
“Ten vices are blameworthy across ten groups of men, and even more shameful in the eyes of the seeker of truth.”
#39
یکی آنک حاکم بود با دروغ
✦
نگیرد بر مرد دانا فروغ
“First, a judge who relies on lies—in the eyes of the wise man, he garners no radiance.”
#40
سپهبد که باشد نگهبان گنج
✦
سپاهی که او سر بپیچد ز رنج
“A commander who acts merely as a keeper of treasure, or a soldier who shuns hard labor in battle.”
#41
دگر دانشومند کو از بزه
✦
نترسد چو چیزی بود بامزه
“Next, a scholar who fears not sin whenever a temptation tastes sweet.”
#42
پزشکی که باشد به تن دردمند
✦
ز بیمار چون باز دارد گزند
“A physician who is himself diseased in body—how can he ward off harm from the sick?”
#43
چو درویش مردم که نازد به چیز
✦
که آن چیز گفتن نیرزد بنیز
“A needy person who boasts of worthless things that are not even fit to mention.”
#44
همان سفله کز هر کس آرام و خواب
✦
ز دریا دریغ آیدش روشن آب
“Likewise, the vile wretch who robs others of rest, begrudging even clear water from the sea.”
#45
وگرباد نوشین بتو برجهد
✦
سپاسی ازان برسرت برنهد
“Or if a sweet breeze should blow toward thee, he puts thee under obligation for it.'”
#46
بهفتم خردمند کاید به خشم
✦
به چیز کسان برگمارد دو چشم
“Seventh is the wise man who succumbs to wrath, or casts a covetous eye upon the possessions of others.”
#47
بهشتم به نادان نماینده راه
✦
سپردن به کاهل کسی کارگاه
“Eighth is seeking guidance from the ignorant, or entrusting one's workshop and enterprise to the slothful.”
#48
همان بیخرد کو نیابد خرد
✦
پشیمان شود هم ز گفتار بد
“Likewise, the fool who fails to acquire wisdom shall inevitably suffer remorse for his own foul speech.”
#49
دل مردم بیخرد به آرزوی
✦
برین گونه آویزد ای نیک‌خوی
“The heart of an unwise man clings to worldly longing in such a manner, O prince of virtuous nature.”
#50
چوآتش که گوگرد یابد خورش
✦
گرش درنیستان بود پرورش
“Like unto a fire that finds sulfur for its fuel, flaring fiercely even if reared amidst a bed of reeds.”
#51
دل شاه نوشین‌روان زنده باد
✦
سران جهان پیش او بنده باد
“May the heart of King Nushin-Ravan be ever living, and may the rulers of the world stand submissive before him!”