When the sun once more raised its golden crown upon the azure vault, King Noshinravan ascended his ivory throne. Gathered before him were the illustrious mobads, battle-tested leaders, seasoned sages from every realm, and sharp-witted scribes such as Saveh, Yazdgerd, and Bahman. The monarch turned to his wise vizier, Bozorgmehr, bidding him to adorn his mind with truth and illuminate the path of righteous courtly service, revealing how a subject ought to honor the king's commands and preserve the royal covenant.
Bozorgmehr bowed before the throne and proclaimed that the wise man beholds the service of the king as interwoven with divine faith itself. He cautioned that a ruler's command must never suffer delay, for whoever harbors enmity toward the crowned monarch delivers their soul into the clutches of Ahriman. The king is the bedrock of cosmic tranquility, radiant with the Divine Glory (Farr); thus, a devoted servant must cherish the sovereign's will above their own life, guard the throne's secrets from the sun and moon, and shun falsehood and idle chatter. He likened the royal court to a tempestuous ocean where wisdom serves as the sail and measured speech as the anchor, warning that the king's favor and wrath are like fire—nurturing when well-pleased, yet consuming when provoked.
#1
دگر هفته چون هور بفراخت تاج
✦
بیامد نشست از بر تخت عاج
“The following week, as the sun raised its shining crown, the king took his seat upon the ivory throne.”
#2
ابا نامور موبدان و ردان
✦
جهاندار و بیدار دل بخردان
“Together with renowned mobads, leaders, awake-hearted world-lords, and wise men.”
#3
همی‌خواست ز ایشان جهاندارشاه
✦
همان نیز فرخ دبیر سپاه
“The ruler of the world called upon them, as well as the auspicious scribe of the host.”
#4
هم از فیلسوفان وز مهتران
✦
ز هر کشوری کار دیده سران
“And from philosophers and grandees, world-tested chieftains of every land.”
#5
همان ساوه و یزدگرد دبیر
✦
به پیش اندرون بهمن تیزویر
“Saveh and Yazdgerd the scribe were there, with Bahman the sharp-witted standing before them.”
#6
به بوزرجمهر آن زمان گفت شاه
✦
که دل را بیارای و بنمای راه
“The king then spoke to Bozorgmehr, saying: 'Adorn your heart and point out the path.'”
#7
زمن راستی هرچ دانی بگوی
✦
به کژی مجو ازجهان آبروی
“'Speak to me whatever truth you know; do not seek dignity in the world through crookedness.'”
#8
پرستش چگونه است فرمان من
✦
نگه داشتن رای و پیمان من
“'What is royal service? What means obedience to my command and keeping my counsel and pact?'”
#9
ز گیتی چو آگه شوند این مهان
✦
شنیده بگویند با همرهان
“'When these grandees gain knowledge of the world, let them relate what they hear to their companions.'”
#10
چنین گفت با شاه بیدار مرد
✦
که ای برتر از گنبد لاژورد
“The vigilant sage replied to the king: 'O ruler exalted above the lapis vault of heaven!'”
#11
پرستیدن شهریار زمین
✦
نجوید خردمند جز راه دین
“'Serving the king of the earth—the wise man seeks no path for it other than the path of faith.'”
#12
نباید به فرمان شاهان درنگ
✦
نباید که باشد دل شاه تنگ
“'One must not hesitate at the command of kings, nor should the king's heart ever be constrained.'”
#13
هرآنکس که برپادشا دشمنست
✦
روانش پرستار آهرمنست
“'Whosoever becomes an enemy to the ruler, their soul is a servant unto Ahriman.'”
#14
دلی کو ندارد تن شاه دوست
✦
نباید که باشد ورا مغز و پوست
“'A heart that holds no love for the king's person deserves neither flesh nor skin upon its body.'”
#15
چنان دان که آرام گیتیست شاه
✦
چونیکی کنیم او دهد دستگاه
“'Know that the king is the tranquility of the world; when we do good, he grants us rank and power.'”
#16
به نیک و بد او را بود دست رس
✦
نیازد به کین و به آزرم کس
“'Over good and evil he holds authority; he reaches out neither in vengeance nor in undue pity.'”
#17
تو مپسند فرزند را جای اوی
✦
چوجان دار در دل همه رای اوی
“'Do not prefer even your own child over his station; hold all his counsel in your heart as dear as life.'”
#18
به شهری که هست اندرو مهرشاه
✦
نیابد نیاز اندران بوم راه
“'In a city wherein abides the love of the king, poverty finds no path into that land.'”
#19
بدی از تو از فر او بگذرد
✦
که بختش همه نیکویی پرورد
“'If evil touches you, it passes through his glory, for his royal fortune nurtures all goodness.'”
#20
جهان را دل ازشاه خندان بود
✦
که بر چهر او فر یزدان بود
“'The heart of the world smiles because of the king, for the Divine Glory shines upon his face.'”
#21
چو از نعمتش بهره یابی بکوش
✦
که داری همیشه به فرمانش گوش
“'When you reap benefit from his bounties, strive to ever lend an attentive ear to his command.'”
#22
به اندیشه گر سربپیچی ازوی
✦
نبیند به نیکی تو را بخت روی
“'If in your thoughts you turn your head from him, good fortune will never smile upon your face.'”
#23
چو نزدیک دارد مشو برمنش
✦
وگر دور گردی مشو بدکنش
“'When he brings you close, do not become arrogant; and if you are distant, do not become evil-minded.'”
#24
پرستنده گر یابد از شاه رنج
✦
نگه کن که با رنج نامست و گنج
“'If a servant suffers hardship from the king, behold how treasure and fame accompany that toil.'”
#25
نباید که سیر آید از کارکرد
✦
همان تیز گردد ز گفتار سرد
“'One must not tire of devoted labor, nor grow bitter from cold words.'”
#26
اگر گشن شد بنده را دستگاه
✦
به فر و به نام جهاندار شاه
“'If a servant's wealth and status grow vast, it is through the glory and name of the world-ruling monarch.'”
#27
گر از ده یکی باژ خواهد رواست
✦
چنان رفت باید که او را هواست
“'If he demands one part in ten as tax, it is fitting; one must act according to his desire.'”
#28
گرامی‌تر آنکس بود نزد شاه
✦
که چون گشن بیند ورا دستگاه
“'Most cherished near the king is he who, when seeing his own wealth expand...'”
#29
ز بهری که اورا سراید ز گنج
✦
نماند که باشد بدو درد و رنج
“'...does not withhold the share that belongs to the royal treasury, so that pain and sorrow reach him not.'”
#30
ز یزدان بود آنک ماند سپاس
✦
کند آفرین مرد یزدان‌شناس
“'The ultimate gratitude belongs to God; the God-knowing man offers true praise.'”
#31
و دیگر که اندر دلش راز شاه
✦
بدارد نگوید به خورشید وماه
“'Furthermore, he keeps the king's secrets hidden within his heart, revealing them neither to the sun nor the moon.'”
#32
به فرمان شاه آنک سستی کند
✦
همی از تن خویش مستی کند
“'He who shows slackness in fulfilling the king's command brings intoxication and ruin upon his own body.'”
#33
نکوهیده باشد گل آن درخت
✦
که نپراگند بار بر تاج وتخت
“'Unpraiseworthy is the flower of that tree which yields no fruit upon the crown and throne.'”
#34
ز کسهای او پیش او بدمگوی
✦
که کمتر کنی نزد او آبروی
“'Do not speak ill of his followers in his presence, lest your own dignity diminish before him.'”
#35
و گر پرسدت هرچ دانی نگوی
✦
به بسیار گفتن مبر آبروی
“'And if he questions you, do not utter everything you know; do not lose your respect through excessive speech.'”
#36
هرآنکس که بسیار گوید دروغ
✦
به نزدیک شاهان نگیرد فروغ
“'Whosoever tells many lies will find no radiance or favor in the presence of kings.'”
#37
سخن کان نه اندر خورد با خرد
✦
بکوشد که بر پادشا نشمرد
“'Words that do not accord with wisdom—one must strive never to recount them before the sovereign.'”
#38
فزونست زان دانش اندر جهان
✦
که بشنید گوش آشکار و نهان
“'True knowledge in the world is vastly greater than whatever the ear has heard, whether open or secret.'”
#39
کسی را که شاه جهان خوار کرد
✦
بماند همیشه روان پر ز درد
“'Whomsoever the king of the world humbles, their soul shall remain forever steeped in pain.'”
#40
همان در جهان ارجمند آن بود
✦
که با او لب شاه خندان بود
“'Likewise, honorable in the world is he upon whom the king's lips offer a cheerful smile.'”
#41
چو بنوازدت شاه کشی مکن
✦
اگر چه پرستنده باشی کهن
“'When the king favors you, do not act proudly, even if you are an old and loyal courtier.'”
#42
که هرچند گردد پرستش دراز
✦
چنان دان که هست او ز تو بی‌نیاز
“'For no matter how long your service lasts, know for certain that he stands in no need of you.'”
#43
اگر با تو گردد ز چیزی دژم
✦
به پوزش گرای و مزن هیچ دم
“'If he becomes angry with you over any matter, turn swiftly to apology and utter not a single rebellious breath.'”
#44
اگر پرورد دیگری را همان
✦
پرستار باشد چو تو بی گمان
“'If he fosters another instead, that person too will undoubtedly be a servant just like you.'”
#45
و گر نیستت آگهی زان گناه
✦
برهنه دلت را ببر نزد شاه
“'And if you are unaware of any fault, bring your pure and unveiled heart before the king.'”
#46
وگر هیچ تاب اندر آری به دل
✦
بدو روی منمای و پی برگسل
“And if you harbor any ill-will or anger in your heart toward him, show not your face before him and sever your connection.”
#47
به فرش ببیند نهان تو را
✦
دل کژ و تیره روان تو را
“With his keen discernment he perceives your hidden thoughts, your crooked heart, and your darkened soul.”
#48
ازان پس نیابی تو زو نیکوی
✦
همان گرم گفتار او نشنوی
“Thenceforth you shall receive no goodness from him, nor shall you hear his warm and kindly speech again.”
#49
در پادشا همچو دریا شمر
✦
پرستنده ملاح وکشتی هنر
“Consider the king's court to be like a vast ocean, where the servant is the sailor and skill is the vessel.”
#50
سخن لنگر و بادبانش خرد
✦
به دریا خردمند چون بگذرد
“Speech is its anchor and wisdom its sail; how then does a wise man navigate across this sea?”
#51
همان بادبان را کند سایه دار
✦
که هم سایه‌دارست و هم مایه دار
“He unfurls that sail which casts a protective shade, for it is both sheltering and rich in substance.”
#52
کسی کو ندارد روانش خرد
✦
سزد گر در پادشا نسپرد
“One whose soul is devoid of wisdom would do well never to tread upon the king's threshold.”
#53
اگر پادشا کوه آتش بدی
✦
پرستنده را زیستن خوش بدی
“Even if the king were a mountain of fire, life would still be pleasant for the servant who acts with prudence.”
#54
چو آتش گه خشم سوزان بود
✦
چوخشنود باشد فروزان بود
“For like fire, when angered he burns fiercely, but when satisfied he shines with comforting light.”
#55
ازو یک زمان شیروشهدست بهر
✦
به دیگر زمان چون گزاینده زهر
“At one moment the portion from him is milk and honey, while at another it becomes like biting poison.”
#56
به کردار دریا بود کارشاه
✦
به فرمان او تابد از چرخ ماه
“The nature of the king's realm is like the sea, and by his supreme decree the moon shines from the sky.”
#57
ز دریا یکی ریگ دارد به کف
✦
دگر دربیابد میان صدف
“From this sea, one person gathers mere sand in hand, while another finds pearls within their shells.”
#58
جهان زنده بادا بنوشین‌روان
✦
همیشه به فرمانش کیوان روان
“May the world remain vibrant through Nushin-Ravan, and may Saturn forever revolve under his command!”