When the fourth morning unfolded its golden mantle across the world, King Khosrow Parviz drew his gleaming blade and set forth toward the realm of Warigh—a city renowned for its sacred crosses and sanctuaries of healing. Off the main path stood an ancient, solitary monastery, from within which echoed the rhythmic prayers of a holy hermit. Khosrow rode to its gates and hailed the recluse, offering blessings upon his devotion.
Upon descending, the monk gazed at the majestic stranger and instantly pierced his disguise, addressing him as the rightful monarch fleeing the usurper Bahram Chubin. Surprised by this supernatural insight, Khosrow tested the elder, claiming to be merely a humble messenger journeying to Caesar. The monk gently rebuked him, declaring that falsehood had no place among the righteous, and proceeded to unveil the hidden tapestry of the future: Khosrow would secure a mighty Roman legion, powerful arms, and the hand of Caesar’s royal daughter. Within twelve to fifteen months, the crown of Iran would be restored to his brow, while Bahram Chubin would flee into distant exile, eventually meeting his doom by Khosrow's own decree.
Yet the vision held a dark shadow. When asked about his companions, the monk warned Khosrow of bitter turmoil and betrayal arising from his own uncle, Gustaham (Bastam). Hearing this grim prophecy, Gustaham stepped forward in anger, swearing sacred oaths by Almighty God, the Holy Fire of Adur Gushnasp, and the King's own life that he harbored no treasonous thought. Khosrow reassured his uncle, yet grimly noted that when divine destiny decrees a stroke of fate, human wisdom and mortal oaths are rendered helpless.
#1
ببود اندر آن شهر خسرو سه روز
✦
چهارم چو بفروخت گیتی فروز
“Khosrow remained in that city for three days; on the fourth, when the world-illuminator shone bright,”
#2
بابر اندر آورد برنده تیغ
✦
جهانجوی شد سوی راه وریغ
“He raised his sharp sword to the clouds and set out on the road to Warigh.”
#3
که اوریغ بد نام آن شارستان
✦
بدو در چلیپا و بیمارستان
“For Warigh was the name of that district, wherein stood crosses and places of healing.”
#4
ببی راه پیدا یکی دیر بود
✦
جهانجوی آواز راهب شنود
“Off the beaten track stood a solitary monastery, where the world-seeker heard the monk's chanting.”
#5
به نزدیک دیر آمد آواز داد
✦
که کردار تو جز پرستش مباد
“He drew near the monastery and called out: 'May your labor be nought but holy worship!'”
#6
گر از دیر دیرینه آیی فرود
✦
زنیکی دهش باد برتو درود
“'If you step down from this ancient monastery, blessings be upon you for your goodness.'”
#7
هم آنگاه راهب چو آوا شنید
✦
فرود آمد از دیر و او را بدید
“Hearing the voice, the monk immediately descended from the monastery and beheld the king.”
#8
بدو گفت خسرو تویی بی‌گمان
✦
زتخت پدرگشته نا شادمان
“He said to Khosrow: 'Without doubt, you are the King, turned unhappy from your father's throne,'”
#9
زدست یکی بدکنش بنده‌ای
✦
پلیدی منی فش پرستنده‌ای
“'Fleeing from the hand of an evil-doing servant, an impure worshipper of pride.'”
#10
چوگفتار راهب بی‌اندازه شد
✦
دل خسرو از مهر او تازه شد
“When the monk's words exceeded all expectation, Khosrow's heart was refreshed with love for him.”
#11
ز گفتار او در شگفتی بماند
✦
برو بر جهان آفرین رابخواند
“Amazed by his insight, the king praised the Creator of the World.”
#12
ز پشت صلیبی بیازید دست
✦
بپرسیدن مرد یزدان پرست
“From behind his cross, he extended his hand to greet the godly man.”
#13
پرستنده چون دید بردش نماز
✦
سخن گفت با او زمانی دراز
“The worshipper bowed low in reverence before him and conversed with him for a long time.”
#14
یکی آزمون را بدو گفت شاه
✦
که من کهتری‌ام ز ایران سپاه
“To test his wisdom, the King said: 'I am but a humble soldier from the Iranian army,'”
#15
پیامی همی نزد قیصر برم
✦
چو پاسخ دهد سوی مهتر برم
“'Carrying a message to Caesar; when he replies, I shall take it back to my master.'”
#16
گرین رفتن من همایون بود
✦
نگه کن که فرجام من چون بود
“'Look now and tell me, if this journey of mine be blessed, what shall my outcome be?'”
#17
بدو گفت راهب که چونین مگوی
✦
توشاهی مکن خویشتن شاه جوی
“The monk answered: 'Speak not so! You are the King—do not feign to be a mere seeker of kings.'”
#18
چو دیدمت گفتم سراسر سخن
✦
مرا هر زمان آزمایش مکن
“'When first I saw you, I revealed the whole truth; test me not at every moment.'”
#19
نباید دروغ ایچ دردین تو
✦
نه کژی برین راه و آیین تو
“'No lie should dwell in your faith, nor any deceit in your path and sacred order.'”
#20
بسی رنج دیدی و آویختی
✦
سرانجام زین بنده بگریختی
“'Much suffering have you endured and fought, until at last you fled from that rebellion-bound slave.'”
#21
ز گفتار او ماند خسرو شگفت
✦
چو شرم آمدش پوزش اندر گرفت
“Khosrow stood astonished at his words, and feeling ashamed, he began to apologize.”
#22
بدو گفت راهب که پوزش مکن
✦
بپرس از من از بودنیها سخن
“The monk said to him: 'Make no apologies; ask me instead of the things yet to come.'”
#23
بدین آمدن شاد و گستاخ باش
✦
جهان را یکی بارور شاخ باش
“'Be glad and bold in this arrival, and be a fruitful branch unto the world.'”
#24
که یزدان تو را بی‌نیازی دهد
✦
بلند اخترت سرفرازی دهد
“'For God shall grant you freedom from want, and your lofty star shall exalt your head.'”
#25
ز قیصر بیابی سلیح و سپاه
✦
یکی دختری از در تاج و گاه
“'From Caesar you shall gain weapons and an army, and a daughter worthy of crown and throne.'”
#26
چو با بندگان کار زارت بود
✦
جهاندار بیدار یارت بود
“'When you do battle with those rebellious slaves, the vigilant Lord of the World shall be your ally.'”
#27
سرانجام بگریزد آن بد نژاد
✦
فراوان کند روز نیکیش یاد
“'In the end, that ill-born usurper shall flee, remembering his former days of prosperity often.'”
#28
وزان رزم جایی فتد دور دست
✦
بسازد بران بوم جای نشست
“'From that battle he shall fall into a distant land, and establish his dwelling in that realm.'”
#29
چو دوری گزیند ز فرمان تو
✦
بریزند خونش به پیمان تو
“'When he turns away from your command, his blood shall be shed upon your covenant.'”
#30
بدو گفت خسرو جزین خود مباد
✦
که کردی تو ای پیرداننده یاد
“Khosrow said to him: 'May it be no other than what you, O wise elder, have declared!'”
#31
چوگویی بدین چند باشد درنگ
✦
که آید مرا پادشاهی بچنگ
“'Tell me, as you say, how long a delay shall pass before royalty returns to my grasp?'”
#32
چنین داد پاسخ که ده با دو ماه
✦
برین برگذرد بازیابی کلاه
“The monk replied: 'Ten and two months shall pass over this, and you shall regain the crown.'”
#33
اگر بر سر آید ده وپنج روز
✦
تو گردی شهنشاه گیتی فروز
“'If fifteen days be added to that, you shall become the world-illuminating Shahanshah.'”
#34
بپرسید خسرو کزین انجمن
✦
که کوشد به رنج و به آزار تن
“Khosrow asked: 'Who among this company will suffer hardship and physical affliction?'”
#35
چنین داد پاسخ که بستام نام
✦
گوی برمنش باشد و شادکام
“The monk answered: 'One named Bastam, a proud-minded and joyful hero,'”
#36
دگر آنک خوانی و را خال خویش
✦
بدو تازه دانی مه و سال خویش
“'And another whom you call your uncle, through whom you reckon your months and years.'”
#37
بپرهیز زان مرد ناسودمند
✦
که باشدت زو درد و رنج و گزند
“'Beware of that unhelpful man, for from him shall come pain, toil, and injury upon you.'”
#38
بر آشفت خسرو به بستام گفت
✦
که با من سخن برگشا از نهفت
“Khosrow flared up in emotion and said to Bastam: 'Disclose your secret thoughts to me!'”
#39
تو را مادرت نام گستهم کرد
✦
تو گویی که بستامم اندر نبرد
“'Your mother named you Gustaham, though you call yourself Bastam in the thick of battle.'”
#40
به راهب چنین گفت کینست خال
✦
به خون بود با مادر من همال
“He turned to the monk: 'This is indeed my uncle, who shared blood with my mother.'”
#41
بدو گفت راهب که آری همین
✦
ز گستهم بینی بسی رنج و کین
“The monk said to him: 'Yes, precisely! From Gustaham you shall experience much pain and malice.'”
#42
بدو گفت خسرو که ای رای زن
✦
ازان پس چه گویی چه خواهد بدن
“Khosrow asked him: 'O wise counselor, what say you of what shall follow thereafter?'”
#43
بدو گفت راهب که مندیش زین
✦
کزان پس نبینی جز از آفرین
“The monk said to him: 'Worry not over that, for beyond it you shall see nothing but praise.'”
#44
نیاید بروی تو دیگر بدی
✦
مگر سخت کاری بود ایزدی
“'No further evil shall fall upon you, unless it be a hard decree sent from Heaven.'”
#45
بر آشوبد این سرکش آرام تو
✦
ازان پس نباشد به جز کام تو
“'This headstrong man will disturb your peace; thereafter, all will unfold according to your desire.'”
#46
اگر چند بد گردد این بدگمان
✦
همانش بدست تو باشد زمان
“Though this suspicious man may turn to evil ways, yet his appointed time shall remain in your hands.”
#47
بدو گفت گستهم کای شهریار
✦
دلت را بدین هیچ رنجه مدار
“Gustaham said to him, 'O Sovereign King! Distress not your heart over this matter at all.'”
#48
به پاکیزه یزدان که ماه آفرید
✦
جهان را بسان تو شاه آفرید
“'By the Pure God who created the moon, and who fashioned a monarch such as you for the world,'”
#49
به آذرگشسپ و به خورشید و ماه
✦
به جان و سر نامبردار شاه
“'By Azar Goshasp, by the sun and the moon, and by the very life and head of our illustrious King!'”
#50
به گفتار ترسا نگر نگروی
✦
سخن گفتن ناسزا نشنوی
“'Do not trust the words of this Christian monk, nor lend your ear to such unworthy talk!'”
#51
مرا ایمنی ده ز گفتار اوی
✦
چوسوگند خوردم بهانه مجوی
“'Grant me safety from his words; now that I have sworn this oath, seek no excuses against me.'”
#52
که هرگز نسازم بدی درنهان
✦
براندیش از کردگار جهان
“'For I shall never plot evil in secret; fear the Creator of the world and doubt me not.'”
#53
بدو گفت خسرو که از ترسگار
✦
نیاید سخن گفتن نابکار
“Khosrow said to him, 'From a God-fearing hermit, unworthy speech does not arise.'”
#54
ز تو نیز هرگز ندیدم بدی
✦
نیازی به کژی و نابخردی
“'Nor have I ever seen evil from you, nor any inclination toward falsehood and folly.'”
#55
ولیکن ز کار سپهر بلند
✦
نباشد شگفت ار شوی پر گزند
“'Yet such is the turn of the high heavens, it were no wonder if misfortune should befall you.'”
#56
چو بایسته کاری بود ایزدی
✦
بیکسو شود دانش و بخردی
“'When a divine decree comes to pass, all human wisdom and prudence are cast aside.'”
#57
به راهب چنین گفت پس شهریار
✦
که شاداب دل باش و به روزگار
“Then the King spoke thus to the monk: 'May your heart be joyous and blessed in time!'”
#58
وزان دیر چون برق رخشان زمیغ
✦
بیامد سوی شارستان و ریغ
“Then from that monastery, like bright lightning from a cloud, he sped toward the city and the sands of Righ.”
#59
پذیره شدندش بزرگان شهر
✦
کسی را که از مردمی بود بهر
“The grandees of the city came out to welcome him, all those who had a share in nobility and virtue.”