Thus relates the chronicle of ancient days that King Khosrow Anushirvan, the magnificent and just ruler of Iran, penned a resolute and wisdom-laden testament to his noble son Hormozd. The world-ruling monarch, the sun of his era who had heightened the glory of Qobad's throne, opened his letter in the name of God and showered blessings upon his heir. He recalled how, on an auspicious day in the month of Khordad, under a shining cosmic omen, he had placed the golden crown of sovereignty upon Hormozd's head, passing down the sacred heritage he had received from his father Qobad.
Anushirvan then exhorted his son to eternal vigilance, justice, generosity, and the relentless pursuit of wisdom and divine grace. He recounted the council of an ancient sage who proclaimed that knowledge is the closest path to the Creator, for an ignorant man differs little from dust, and only through knowledge does the soul attain purity and nobility. The king sternly warned Hormozd against breaking covenants, reminding him that the earth itself becomes the shroud of oath-breakers, and urged him never to lend an ear to slanderers or punish the innocent.
With deep governance acumen, Khosrow taught that a prosperous peasantry and wealthy subjects form the true shield of a crown; thus a king must never covet the riches of his people, but act as a protective shadow for all. He specifically cautioned against arming men lacking lineage and virtue, warning that in times of crisis they would betray the crown and turn the realm's weapons against their own sovereign. Finally, invoking the transience of this fleeting world and the memory of bygone monarchs whose sole remaining legacy was their name, Kasra implored Hormozd to uphold unyielding justice, ensuring his memory would be exalted for eternity.
#1
شنیدم کجا کسری شهریار
✦
به هرمز یکی نامه کرد استوار
“I heard how King Kasra penned a firm and solemn letter unto Hormozd,”
#2
ز شاه جهاندار خورشید دهر
✦
مهست و سرافراز و گیرنده شهر
“From the world-ruling monarch, the sun of the era, the greatest, most exalted conqueror of realms,”
#3
جهاندار بیدار و نیکو کنش
✦
فشاننده گنج بی سرزنش
“The vigilant, noble-acting lord of the world, who scatters treasures without reproach,”
#4
فزاینده نام و تخت قباد
✦
گراینده تاج و شمشیر و داد
“Increasing the name and throne of Qobad, aspiring unto the crown, the sword, and justice,”
#5
که با فر و برز‌ست و فرهنگ و نام
✦
ز تاج بزرگی رسیده به کام
“Who possesses glory, stature, wisdom, and renown, having reached his desire through the crown of greatness,”
#6
سوی پاک هرمزد فرزند ما
✦
پذیرفته از دل همی پند ما
“Unto our pure son Hormozd, who hath accepted our counsel from his heart:”
#7
ز یزدان بدی شاد و پیروز بخت
✦
همیشه جهاندار با تاج و تخت
“Mayest thou be joyful and blessed in fortune through God, ever the world-ruler with crown and throne!”
#8
به ماه خجسته به خرداد روز
✦
به نیک اختر و فال گیتی‌فروز
“In the auspicious month, on the blessed day of Khordad, under a fortunate star and world-illuminating omen,”
#9
نهادیم بر سر تو را تاج زر
✦
چنان هم که ما یافتیم از پدر
“We placed upon thy head the golden crown, even as we received it from our father.”
#10
همان آفرین نیز کردیم یاد
✦
که بر تاج ما کرد فرخ قباد
“Likewise we recalled the blessing that blessed Qobad bestowed upon our crown.”
#11
تو بیدار باش و جهاندار باش
✦
خردمند و راد و بی‌آزار باش
“Be thou vigilant, world-ruling, wise, generous, and harmless!”
#12
به دانش فزای و به یزدان گرای
✦
که اوی‌ست جان تو را رهنمای
“Increase in wisdom and turn unto God, for He is the guide unto thy soul.”
#13
بپرسیدم از مرد نیکو‌سخن
✦
کسی کاو به سال و خرَد بُد کهن
“I asked a well-spoken man, one who was ancient in years and wisdom:”
#14
که از ما به یزدان که نزدیک‌تر؟
✦
که‌را نزد او راه باریک‌تر؟
“'Who among us is nearest unto God? Whose path unto Him is most narrow?'”
#15
چنین داد پاسخ که دانش گزین
✦
چو خواهی ز پروردگار آفرین
“He answered thus: 'Choose knowledge, if thou desirest praise from the Creator;'”
#16
که نادان فزونی ندارد ز خاک
✦
به دانش بسنده کند جان پاک
“'For the ignorant hath no superiority over dust; with knowledge alone does the pure soul suffice.'”
#17
به دانش بود شاه زیبای‌تخت
✦
که داننده بادی و پیروزبخت
“Through wisdom is a king worthy of the throne; mayest thou be knowledgeable and victorious in fortune!”
#18
مبادا که گردی تو پیمان‌شکن
✦
که خاک است پیمان‌شکن را کفن
“Lest thou ever become a covenant-breaker, for earth is the shroud for one who breaks his oath.”
#19
به باد‌افره ِ بی‌گناهان مکوش
✦
به گفتار ِ بدگوی مسپار گوش
“Strive not to punish the innocent; lend not thine ear unto the words of slanderers.”
#20
به هر کار فرمان مکن جز به‌داد
✦
که از داد باشد روان تو شاد
“In every affair, command not save with justice, for from justice thy soul shall be joyful.”
#21
زبان را مگردان به‌گِرد دروغ
✦
چو خواهی که تخت تو گیرد فروغ
“Turn not thy tongue toward falsehood, if thou desirest thy throne to gain luster.”
#22
وگر زیردستی بود گنج‌دار
✦
تو او را ازان گنج بی‌رنج دار
“And if a subject possesseth wealth, keep him free from harm regarding that treasure,”
#23
که چیز کسان دشمن گنج تست
✦
بدان گنج شو شاد کز رنج تست
“For the possessions of others are the enemy of thy treasury; rejoice in that treasure gained by thine own labor.”
#24
وگر زیردستی شود مایه‌دار
✦
همان شهریارش بود سایه‌دار
“And if a subject becometh wealthy, the king himself shall be sheltered thereby.”
#25
همی در پناه تو باید نشست
✦
اگر زیردست است اگر در پرست
“They must all abide in thy protection, whether a humble subject or one serving at court.”
#26
چو نیکی کند با تو پاداش کن
✦
ابا دشمن دوست پرخاش کن
“When one acteth well toward thee, reward him; wage war against the friend of thine enemy!”
#27
وگر گردی اندر جهان ارجمند
✦
ز درد تن اندیش و درد گزند
“And if thou becomest exalted in the world, reflect upon the pain of the body and the anguish of harm.”
#28
سرای سپنج است هرچون که هست
✦
بدو اندر ایمن نشاید نشست
“This world is a transient inn, howsoever it be; it is unfit to rest secure therein.”
#29
هنر جوی با دین و دانش گزین
✦
چو خواهی که یابی ز بخت آفرین
“Seek virtue alongside faith, and choose wisdom, if thou desirest praise from fate.”
#30
گرامی کن او را که در پیش تو
✦
سپر کرده جان بر بداندیش تو
“Honor him who, standing before thee, hath made his life a shield against thy foes.”
#31
به دانش دو دست ستیزه ببند
✦
چو خواهی که از بد نیابی گزند
“Bind the two hands of strife with knowledge, if thou desirest no harm from evil.”
#32
چو بر سر نهی تاج شاهنشهی
✦
ره برتری بازجوی از بهی
“When thou settest the royal crown upon thy head, seek the path of superiority through goodness.”
#33
همیشه یکی دانشی پیش دار
✦
ورا چون روان و تن خویش دار
“Ever keep a man of wisdom before thee; hold him as dear as thine own soul and body.”
#34
بزرگان و بازارگانان شهر
✦
همی داد باید که یابند بهر
“The nobles and merchants of the city must all receive their rightful share of justice.”
#35
کسی کاو ندارد هنر با نژاد
✦
مکن زو بنیز از کم و بیش یاد
“He who hath neither merit nor noble lineage, recall him not at all, neither much nor little.”
#36
مده مرد بی‌نام را ساز جنگ
✦
که چون بازجویی نیاید به چنگ
“Give not the gear of war to an untitled man, for when thou callest upon him, he will not be found.”
#37
به دشمن دهد مر تو را دوستدار
✦
دو کار آیدت پیش دشوار و خوار
“He will yield thy lover unto thine enemy, and two hardships—difficult and base—shall befall thee.”
#38
سلیح تو در کارزار آوَرَد
✦
همان بر تو روزی به کار آورد
“He will bring thy weapons to the battlefield, and one day use them against thee.”
#39
ببخشای بر مردم مستمند
✦
ز بد دور باش و بترس از گزند
“Have mercy upon the needy; remain far from evil and fear harm.”
#40
همیشه نهان دل خویش جوی
✦
مکن رادی و داد هرگز به روی
“Ever seek the secret of thine own heart; perform not generosity and justice merely for show.”
#41
همان نیز نیکی به اندازه کن
✦
ز مرد جهاندیده بشنو سخن
“Likewise, bestow goodness in due measure; listen to the counsel of experienced men.”
#42
به دنیا گرای و به دین دار چشم
✦
که از دین بود مرد را رشک و خشم
“Incline toward the world, yet keep thine eye upon religion, for envy and wrath come unto man through religion.”
#43
هزینه به اندازهٔ گنج کن
✦
دل از بیشی گنج بی‌رنج کن
“Spend according to the measure of thy treasure; relieve thy heart of the pain of hoarding excess.”
#44
به کردار شاهان پیشین نگر
✦
نباید که باشی مگر دادگر
“Look unto the deeds of past kings; see to it that thou art naught but righteous,”
#45
که نفرین بود بهر بیداد شاه
✦
تو جز داد مپسند و نفرین مخواه
“For curses are the portion of an unjust king; approve nothing but justice, and seek no curses.”
#46
کجا آن سر و تاج شاهنشهان؟
✦
کجا آن بزرگان و فرخ مهان؟
“Where are the crowns and heads of the kings of kings? Where are those grand nobles and exalted ones?”
#47
از ایشان سخن یادگارست و بس
✦
سرای سپنجی نماند به کس
“Naught remains of them save their memory in story; this transient abode shall abide with no man.”
#48
گزافه مفرمای خون ریختن
✦
وگر جنگ را لشکر انگیختن
“Command not the shedding of blood in vain, nor rouse armies rashly to war.”
#49
نگه کن بدین نامه پندمند
✦
دل اندر سرای سپنجی مبند
“Heed well this letter filled with counsel, and set not thy heart upon this fleeting realm.”
#50
به دین من تو را نیکویی خواستم
✦
به دانش دلت را بیاراستم
“By my faith I have wished thee nought but goodness, and adorned thy heart with wisdom.”
#51
به راه خداوند خورشید و ماه
✦
ز بن دور کن دیو را دستگاه
“Upon the path of the Lord of the sun and moon, banish utterly the evil influence of the demon.”
#52
به روز و شب این نامه را پیش دار
✦
خرد را به دل داور خویش دار
“Keep this testament before thee day and night, and set wisdom as the judge within thy heart.”
#53
اگر یادگاری کنی در جهان
✦
که نام بزرگی نگردد نهان
“If thou shouldst leave a worthy legacy in this world, thy noble name shall never be obscured.”
#54
خداوند گیتی پناه ِ تو باد
✦
زمان و زمین نیک‌خواه تو باد
“May the Lord of the world be thy refuge, and may time and earth be well-disposed toward thee.”
#55
به کام تو گردنده چرخ بلند
✦
ز کردار بد دور و دور از گزند
“May the high revolving sphere move according to thy desire, far from evil deeds and safe from harm.”
#56
شهنشاه کاو داد دارد خرد
✦
بکوشد که با شرم گرد آورد
“The sovereign who possesses justice, wisdom, and judgment strives to gather honor through modesty and noble shame.”
#57
دلیری به رزم اندرون زور دست
✦
بود پاکدینی و یزدان‌پرست
“To be brave in battle with strength of arm must be paired with pure faith and worship of God.”
#58
به گیتی نگر کاین هنرها کراست
✦
چو دیدی، ستایش مر او را سزاست
“Look upon the world to see who possesses these virtues; when thou hast seen him, praise is truly his due.”
#59
بجوی آنک چون مشتری روشن است
✦
جهان‌جوی و با تیغ و با جوشن است
“Seek him who shines bright as Jupiter, a conqueror of the world, wielding the sword and clad in armor.”
#60
جهان بستد از مردم بت پرست
✦
ز دیبای دین بر دل آیین ببست
“He wrested the world from idolaters, and bound the rules of true faith upon his heart like fine silk.”
#61
کنو لاجرم جود موجود گشت
✦
چو شاه جهان شاه محمود گشت
“Now, inevitably, generative bounty hath become present, since the King of the world became King Mahmud.”
#62
اگر بزم جوید همی گر نبرد
✦
جهان‌بخش را این بود کار کرد
“Whether he seek the banquet or the battlefield, such is the grand accomplishment of that world-bestower.”
#63
ابوالقاسم آن شاه پیروز و داد
✦
زمانه به دیدار او شاد باد
“Abolqasem, that victorious and just king—may time itself be rendered joyful at his sight!”