Having joyfully crossed the Bridge of Nahrawan, the young monarch Khosrow Parviz summoned all the noble chieftains and seasoned commanders of his army, seating them honorably upon royal thrones. Addressing them, the King declared that this was his first true test of sovereignty, a trial demanding valour and steel. He acknowledged that while they had loyally served his ancestors through sweet and bitter times, he now had a critical secret to impart—one that must remain confined to this inner circle lest public knowledge ruin the strategy.
Khosrow revealed his design to launch a sudden night raid against Bahram Chubin, noting that the rebellious general dismissed him as an inexperienced youth, seeking to daunt him with display of iron and mace. The assembled host initially gave their oath to obey the royal decree. But as the pitch-black veil of night descended over the world like perfumed tresses, Khosrow retired to his royal pavilion, cleared all strangers, and brought forth his most trusted advisers: Gustaham, Bandoy, and the battle-wise Garduy.
When Khosrow laid out his plan for the night strike, Gustaham voiced a stern, profound warning. He pointed out the fatal flaw: the two opposing armies were bound by blood—fathers fought on one side and sons on the other, brothers faced brothers, and grandfathers faced grandsons. A night raid under such conditions would break the morale of the troops and drive them to turn away in horror. Furthermore, Garduy added that such a secret had likely already leaked to Bahram's camp, making a night assault a death trap.
Heeding their sharp wisdom, Khosrow abandoned the reckless night strike. Instead, he handpicked an elite group of fierce, steadfast champions—including Kharrad Borzin, the lion-hearted Gustaham, Shapur, the brave Andiyan, Bandoy, Kharrad, and the war-commander Nastuh. The King then ascended a green, elevated hill overlooking the plain, carefully watching the enemy forces from afar as he prepared his next tactical move.
#1
وزان روی شد شهریار جوان
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چوبگذشت شاد از پل نهروان
“Thereupon, the young monarch departed, having passed joyfully over the Bridge of Nahrawan.”
#2
همه مهتران را زلشکر بخواند
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سزاوار بر تخت شاهی نشاند
“He summoned all the chieftains of the host and seated them worthily upon the royal throne.”
#3
چنین گفت کای نیکدل سروران
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جهاندیده و کار کرده سران
“He spoke thus: 'O benevolent leaders, world-experienced and battle-tested commanders!”
#4
بشاهی مرا این نخستین سرست
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جز از آزمایش نه اندرخورست
“'This is my first venture in kingship; it demands nothing less than a trial by ordeal.”
#5
بجای کسی نیست ما را سپاس
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وگر چند هستیم نیکی شناس
“'We owe no gratitude to anyone yet, though we are appreciative of true goodness.”
#6
شمارا زما هیچ نیکی نبود
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که چندین غم ورنج باید فزود
“'You have not yet received any favor from us, save for an increase in grief and hardship.”
#7
نیاکان ما را پرستیده‌اید
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بسی شور و تلخ جهان دیده‌اید
“'You have served my ancestors faithfully and tasted much of the world's bitterness and turmoil.”
#8
بخواهم گشادن یکی راز خویش
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نهان دارم از لشکر آواز خویش
“'I wish to reveal a secret of my own, keeping my voice concealed from the general army.”
#9
سخن گفتن من بایرانیان
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نباید که بیرون برند ازمیان
“'What I now speak to the Iranians must not pass beyond this inner circle.”
#10
کزین گفتن اندیشه من تباه
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شود چون بگویند پیش سپاه
“'For my design would be ruined if it were divulged before the whole host.”
#11
من امشب سگالیده‌ام تاختن
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سپه را به جنگ اندر انداختن
“'Tonight I have resolved to launch a surprise raid and plunge the host into battle;”
#12
که بهرام را دیده‌ام در سخن
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سواریست اسپ افگن وکارکن
“'For I have observed Bahram in his speech; he is a formidable knight, skilled and relentless.”
#13
همی کودکی بی‌خرد داندم
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بگرز و بشمشیر ترساندم
“'He deems me an inexperienced child, seeking to daunt me with mace and sword.”
#14
نداند که من شب شبیخون کنم
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برزم اندرون بیم بیرون کنم
“'He knows not that I shall launch a night attack and banish all fear in the heat of battle.”
#15
اگریار باشید بامن به جنگ
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چو شب تیره گردد نسازم درنگ
“'If you stand with me in battle, as darkness falls, I shall lose no time.'”
#16
چو شوید بعنبر شب تیره روی
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بیفشاند این گیسوی مشکبوی
“As the dark night washed its face with ambergris and spread its musk-scented tresses,”
#17
شما برنشینید با ساز جنگ
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همه گرز و خنجر گرفته بچنگ
“'You must mount your steeds with war gear ready, grasping your maces and daggers in hand.'”
#18
بران برنهادند یکسر سپاه
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که یک تن نگردد زفرمان شاه
“The entire army agreed upon this resolve, that not a single soul should stray from the King's command.”
#19
چو خسرو بیامد بپرده سرای
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زبیگانه مردم بپردخت جای
“When Khosrow returned to his pavilion, he cleared the place of all strangers.”
#20
بیاورد گستهم وبندوی را
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جهاندیده و گرد گردوی را
“He summoned Gustaham and Bandoy, alongside the world-wise warrior Garduy.”
#21
همه کارزار شبیخون بگفت
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که با او مگر یار باشند و جفت
“He disclosed to them the entire plan of the night raid, hoping they would join him as faithful allies.”
#22
بدو گفت گستهم کای شهریار
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چرایی چنین ایمن از روزگار
“Gustaham said to him: 'O Sovereign, why are you so reckless regarding Fate?”
#23
تو با لشکر اکنون شبیخون کنی
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ز دلها مگر مهر بیرون کنی
“'Should you lead a night attack with this army, you will banish all loyalty from their hearts!”
#24
سپاه تو با لشکر دشمنند
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ابا او همه یک دل ویک تنند
“'Your troops are one with the enemy's force—they share a single heart and mind!”
#25
ز یک سو نبیره ز یک سو نیا
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به مغز اندرون کی بود کیمیا
“'On one side stands the grandson, on the other the grandfather; how can any potion alter such bonds of blood?”
#26
ازین سو برادر وزان سو پدر
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همه پاک بسته یک اندر دگر
“'On this side is a brother, on that side a father—all bound together in tight ties of blood.”
#27
پدر چون کند با پسر کارزار
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بدین آرزو کام دشمن مخار
“'How can a father wage war against his son? Do not fulfill the enemy's desire with such a foolish wish!”
#28
نبایست گفت این سخن با سپاه
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چو گفتی کنون کار گردد تباه
“'You ought not to have spoken of this to the army; now that you have, matters will turn to ruin.'”
#29
بدو گفت گردوی کاین خود گذشت
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گذشته همه باد گردد به دشت
“Garduy said to him: 'That which is done is past, and what is past becomes as wind blowing over the plain.”
#30
توانایی و کام وگنج وسپاه
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سر مرد بینا نپیچد ز راه
“'Yet power, ambition, wealth, and armies should not turn a wise man's head from the prudent path.”
#31
بدین رزمگه امشب اندر مباش
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ممان تا شود گنج و لشکر به لاش
“'Do not remain in this battleground tonight; do not allow your treasure and army to be wasted in ruin.”
#32
که من بی‌گمانم کزین راز ما
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وزین ساختن در نهان سازما
“'For I have no doubt that of this secret of ours, and of our covert preparations,”
#33
بدان لشکر اکنون رسید آگهی
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نباید که تو سر بدشمن دهی
“'Word has already reached the enemy host; you must not deliver your head to the foe.'”
#34
چوبشنید خسرو پسند آمدش
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به دل رای او سودمند آمدش
“When Khosrow heard this, he approved it, finding their counsel wise and beneficial in his heart.”
#35
گزین کرد زان سرکشان مرد چند
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که باشند برنیک وبد یارمند
“He selected several valiant warriors from among those chiefs, to stand by him through good and ill:”
#36
چو خرداد برزین و گستهم شیر
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چوشاپور و چون اندیان دلیر
“Champions like Kharrad Borzin, lion-hearted Gustaham, Shapur, and the brave Andiyan,”
#37
چو بندوی خراد لشکر فروز
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چو نستود لشکرکش نیوسوز
“Along with Bandoy, Kharrad the army-gladdener, and Nastuh the brave host-commander.”
#38
تلی بود پر سبزه وجای سور
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سپه را همی‌دید خسرو ز دور
“Nearby was a verdant hill, a pleasant vantage point; from there, Khosrow observed the enemy host from afar.”