When tidings reached Bahram Chubin that the royal glory of the Sasanians had been renewed under Khosrow Parviz, scheming counsel took hold of his mind. Calling upon a trusted military advisor named Danapanah, Bahram summoned his proud scribe to draft secret, grave missives addressed to the chief nobles and commanders of Iran who were accompanying the King of Kings—including Gostahm, Gordoy, Bandoy, Shapur, and the mounted champion Andiyan.
In the opening lines, after praising the Creator of the World, Bahram unleashed a fierce condemnation of the Sasanian lineage. He wrote that from Ardashir Babakan's bloody ascendancy down to Peroz's treacherous betrayals—such as the execution of his faithful savior Sukhra—and Qobad's harsh oppression of the magnates, the Sasanian house had brought nothing to Iran but bloodshed and tyranny. He warned the grandees that seeking loyalty from Sasanians was akin to seeking rubies from a red willow tree, for men who destroyed their own kin could never be trusted by others.
He offered them high honor and bright standing if they aligned with his rising star, boasting that he feared neither Rome nor the Caesar. Sealing the scrolls, he dispatched an envoy disguised as a wealthy merchant, accompanied by a caravan of thirty camel-loads of precious gifts to mask the covert mission.
Yet when this messenger entered Khosrow's imperial encampment and beheld the majestic array of the army and the supreme authority of the King of Kings, his heart failed him. He realized that matching Bahram against Khosrow was utter madness. Fearing for his own life and recognizing Khosrow's triumph as inevitable, he chose betrayal. Presenting himself directly to Khosrow Parviz, he surrendered all of Bahram's secret letters and exposed the conspiracy.
Khosrow read the missives and, delighted by the envoy's submission, seated him upon a golden throne and showered him with gold, gems, and rubies. The King of Kings then commanded his royal secretary to draft a cunning and deceptive response written as if from the Iranian grandees themselves—Gostahm, Bandoy, and their peers. The letter falsely assured Bahram that while their bodies were with Khosrow, their hearts belonged to Bahram like a fresh spring; it urged him to march forward, promising that at the sight of his banner they would turn their blades against Khosrow and cause the King to flee like a fox. Khosrow sealed these deceptive scrolls and sent the enriched envoy back to Bahram, ensnaring his rival in a deadly trap of false confidence.
#1
چوآمد به بهرام زین آگهی
✦
که تازه شد آن فر شاهنشهی
“When news reached Bahram that the royal glory of the King of Kings had been renewed,”
#2
همانگه ز لشکر یکی نامجوی
✦
نگه کرد با دانش و آب روی
“Straightway from among his army, a seeker of renown looked forth with wisdom and honor,”
#3
کجا نام او بود داناپناه
✦
که بهرام را او بدی نیک خواه
“Whose name was Danapanah, a loyal well-wisher unto Bahram.”
#4
دبیر سرافراز را پیش خواند
✦
سخنهای بایسته چندی براند
“He called his exalted scribe before him and spoke many necessary words.”
#5
بفرمود تا نامه‌های بزرگ
✦
نویسد بران مهتران سترگ
“He commanded him to write noble letters to those great and mighty lords,”
#6
بگستهم و گردوی و بندوی گرد
✦
که از مهتران نام گردی ببرد
“To Gostahm, Gordoy, and the valiant Bandoy, who led the renowned heroes,”
#7
چو شاپور و چون اندیان سوار
✦
هرآنکس که بود از یلان نامدار
“As well as Shapur and Andiyan the knight, and whoever among the warriors was famous.”
#8
سرنامه گفت از جهان آفرین
✦
همی‌خواهم اندر نهان آفرین
“The heading of the letter read: 'In the name of the Creator of the World, I send praise in secret.”
#9
چوبیدار گردید یکسر ز خواب
✦
نگیرید بر بد ازین سان شتاب
“Now that you have awakened from sleep, do not hasten toward evil in this manner.”
#10
که تا درجهان تخم ساسانیان
✦
پدید آمد اندر کنار و میان
“For ever since the seed of the Sasanians appeared throughout the realm,”
#11
ازیشان نرفتست جز بتری
✦
بگرد جهان گشتن و داوری
“Naught has come from them save evil, wandering across the world, and strife.”
#12
نخست از سر بابکان اردشیر
✦
که اندر جهان تازه شد داروگیر
“First from Ardashir son of Babak, through whom warfare and conflict were renewed in the world;”
#13
زمانه ز شمشیر او تیره گشت
✦
سر نامداران همه خیره گشت
“The times grew dark beneath his sword, and the heads of all the grandees were stunned.”
#14
نخستین سخن گویم از اردوان
✦
ازان نامداران روشن روان
“First I speak of Ardavan, among those famous men of enlightened soul.”
#15
شنیدی که بر نامور سوفزای
✦
چه آمد ز پیروز ناپاک رای
“Have you heard what befell the illustrious Sufray at the hands of Peroz of evil counsel?”
#16
رها کردن ازبند پای قباد
✦
وزان مهتران دادن او را بباد
“Sufray freed Qobad's feet from bonds, yet Peroz gave those grandees to the wind!”
#17
قباد بد اندیش نیرو گرفت
✦
هنرها بشست از دل آهو گرفت
“Qobad the evil-minded gathered strength; he washed away virtues and embraced flaws.”
#18
چنان نامور نیک دل را بکشت
✦
برو شد دل نامداران درشت
“He slew such a noble and kind-hearted man, and the hearts of all grandees grew harsh against him.”
#19
کسی کو نشاید به پیوند خویش
✦
هوا بر گزیند ز فرزند خویش
“He who is unfit toward his own kin, and prefers passion over his own offspring,”
#20
به بیگانگان هم نشاید بنیز
✦
نجوید کسی عاج از چوب شیز
“Is likewise unfit for strangers; no one seeks ivory from the shiz wood.”
#21
بساسانیان تا ندارید امید
✦
مجویید یاقوت از سرخ بید
“So long as you hope in the Sasanians, do not seek rubies from a red willow tree!”
#22
چواین نامه آرند نزد شما
✦
که فرخنده باد اورمزد شما
“When this letter is brought to you, may your Ormazd be auspicious!”
#23
به نزدیک من جایتان روشنست
✦
برو آستی هم ز پیراهنست
“Beside me your place shall be bright and honored; my loyalty to you is closer than a shirt.”
#24
بیک جای مان بود آرام و خواب
✦
اگر تیره بد گر بلند آفتاب
“We shared one place of rest and sleep, whether under dark skies or bright sunshine.”
#25
چو آیید یکسر به نزدیک من
✦
شود روشن این جان تاریک من
“When you all come together unto me, this dark soul of mine shall become illumined.”
#26
نیندیشم از روم وز شاهشان
✦
بپای اندر آرم سر و گاهشان
“I care not for Rome nor for their King; I shall trample their throne and majesty underfoot.'”
#27
نهادند برنامه‌ها مهر اوی
✦
بیامد فرستاده راه جوی
“They placed seals upon the letters, and the path-seeking messenger departed.”
#28
بکردار بازارگانان برفت
✦
بدرگاه خسرو خرامید تفت
“He traveled in the guise of a merchant, hastening swiftly to Khosrow's court.”
#29
یکی کاروانی ز هرگونه چیز
✦
ابا نامه‌ها هدیه‌ها داشت نیز
“A caravan laden with all kinds of goods, carrying gifts along with the secret letters.”
#30
بدید آن بزرگی و چندان سپاه
✦
که گفتی مگر بر زمین نیست راه
“When he saw that grandeur and vast army, you would say there was no path left upon the earth.”
#31
به دل گفت با این چنین شهریار
✦
نخواهد ز بهرام یل زینهار
“He said in his heart: 'Against such a monarch, Bahram the warrior shall find no quarter!”
#32
یکی مرد بی‌دشمنم پارسی
✦
همان بار دارم شتروار سی
“I am a Persian man without enemies, carrying thirty camel-loads of burden.”
#33
چراخویشتن کرد باید هلاک
✦
بلندی پدیدار گشت ازمغاک
“Why should I ruin myself when high fortune has appeared out of the abyss?”
#34
شوم نامه نزدیک خسروبرم
✦
به نزدیک او هدیهٔ نوبرم
“I shall take the letters straight to Khosrow and offer him these fresh gifts.'”
#35
باندیشه آمد به نزدیک شاه
✦
ابا هدیه و نامه ونیک خواه
“With this thought he approached the King, bringing gifts, letters, and well-wishing.”
#36
درم برد و با نامه‌ها هدیه برد
✦
سخنهاش برشاه گیتی شمرد
“He brought money and gifts along with the letters, and recounted his words to the King of the world.”
#37
جهاندار چون نامه‌ها را بخواند
✦
مر او را بکرسی زرین نشاند
“When the World-Lord read the letters, he seated the envoy upon a golden throne,”
#38
بدو گفت کای مرد بسیاردان
✦
تو بهرام را نزد من خوار دان
“And said to him: 'O man of vast knowledge! Know that Bahram is contemptible in my eyes.”
#39
کنون ز آنچ کردی رسیدی بکام
✦
فزون‌تر مجو اندرین کار نام
“Now through what you have done, you have achieved your desire; seek no further renown in this matter.'”
#40
بفرمود تا نزد او شد دبیر
✦
مران پاسخ نامه را ناگزیر
“He commanded his scribe to come before him to write an inevitable answer to the letter.”
#41
نوشت اندران نامه‌های دراز
✦
که ای مهتر گرد گردن فراز
“He wrote in those long missives: 'O exalted and valiant champion,”
#42
همه نامه‌های تو برخواندیم
✦
فرستاده را پیش بنشاندیم
“We have read all your letters and seated your messenger before us.”
#43
به گفتار بیکار با خسرویم
✦
به دل با تو همچون بهار نویم
“In empty talk we are with Khosrow, but in our hearts we are with you like a fresh spring!”
#44
چولشکر بیاری بدین مرز وبوم
✦
که اندیشد از گرز مردان روم
“When you bring your army to this land and realm, who shall fear the maces of the Roman men?”
#45
همه پاک شمشیرها برکشیم
✦
به جنگ اندورن رومیان را کشیم
“We shall all draw pure swords and slay the Romans in battle!”
#46
چو خسرو ببیند سپاه تو را
✦
همان مردی و پایگاه تو را
“When Khosrow beholds the greatness of your host, along with your courage and exalted station,”
#47
دلش زود بیکار ولرزان شود
✦
زپیشت چو روبه گریزان شود
“His heart will quickly falter and tremble in dread, and he shall flee before you like a fox.”
#48
بدان نامه‌ها مهر بنهاد شاه
✦
ببرد ان پسندیدهٔ نیک خواه
“The King set his royal seal upon those letters, and that approved and loyal messenger bore them away.”
#49
بدو گفت شاه ای خردمند مرد
✦
برش گنج یابی ازین کارکرد
“The King said to him, 'O wise envoy! From Bahram you shall receive rich treasures for this service.'”
#50
مرو را گهر داد و دینار داد
✦
گرانمایه یاقوت بسیار داد
“He bestowed upon him jewels and gold dinars, and granted him a vast store of precious rubies.”
#51
بدو گفت کاین نزد چوبینه بر
✦
شنیده سخنها برو بر شمر
“He said to him: 'Take this unto Choubineh, and recount to him all the words you have heard.'”