When intelligence reached Iran that Bahram Chubin had acquired immense wealth and royal prestige at the Chinese court without hardship, King Khosrow Parviz was overcome with deep turmoil and anxiety. Gathering his highest counselors in the dead of night, the Shahanshah commanded his royal scribe to sharpen the nib of his reed pen like an arrowhead and forge a letter as sharp as a warrior's blade.
The epistle opened with grand praise for the Almighty Creator—the Sovereign of fate who adorns the sun, Saturn, and the moon, and who exalts kings upon their golden thrones. Khosrow characterized Bahram as an ungrateful, lowly bondsman whom the late King Hurmoz had raised from obscurity, only for him to turn traitor against the crown. He admonished the Khaqan for welcoming such a rogue, issuing a fierce ultimatum: bind Bahram in chains and surrender him to Iran, or face an unstoppable Iranian host that would turn the bright day of Turan into impenetrable darkness.
Upon receiving the Iranian envoy and hearing the King's haughty words, the steadfast Khaqan of China bade the messenger return at dawn for his reply. Summoning his master scribe, the Khaqan dictated a powerful response upon fine silk in musk ink. He declared his undisputed sovereignty over China, Turan, and the realms of Haytal, reminding Khosrow that such arrogant threats ill became a monarch of ancient lineage. The Khaqan swore by the Pure God that he would never break his sacred oath of sanctuary, asserting that having taken Bahram's hand in friendship, he would never betray him, and suggested that true royal greatness ought to be accompanied by superior wisdom.
Traversing the vast distance in under a month, the messenger delivered the Khaqan's sealed response to Khosrow Parviz. Upon reading the unyielding letter, the King writhed in distress and summoned his council of elders. The wise Mobads and seasoned nobles advised Khosrow against reckless escalation that might tarnish the divine Kayanid Glory. They counseled him instead to dispatch an esteemed elder—a veteran diplomat, articulate, heroic, and versed in royal lineage—to negotiate directly with the Khaqan and expose Bahram's history of treason before the alliance deepened further.
#1
چنین تا خبرها به ایران رسید
✦
بر پادشاه دلیران رسید
“Thus news reached the land of Iran, coming directly before the king of champions.”
#2
که بهرام را پادشاهی و گنج
✦
ازان تو بیش است نابرده رنج
“That Bahram now possesses realm and treasure far exceeding yours, won without toil.”
#3
پراز درد و غم شد ز تیمار اوی
✦
دلش گشت پیچان ز کردار اوی
“Khosrow's heart grew fraught with grief and pain at this news, troubled by Bahram's deeds.”
#4
همی رای زد با بزرگان بهم
✦
بسی گفت و انداخت از بیش و کم
“He took counsel with his nobles, discussing the matter at length, weighing every detail.”
#5
شب تیره فرمود تا شد دبیر
✦
سرخامه را کرد پیکان تیر
“In the dark night he summoned his scribe, who sharpened the nib of his reed pen like an arrowhead.”
#6
به خاقان چینی یکی نامه کرد
✦
تو گفتی که از خنجرش خامه کرد
“He penned a letter to the Khaqan of China; you would say his quill was forged of a dagger.”
#7
نخست آفرین کرد بر کردگار
✦
توانا و دانا و به روزگار
“He began with praise for the Almighty Creator, the All-Powerful, the All-Knowing, Lord of Time.”
#8
برازندهٔ هور و کیوان و ماه
✦
نشاننده شاه بر پیش گاه
“The Adorner of the Sun, Saturn, and the Moon, who seats kings upon the supreme throne.”
#9
گزایندهٔ هرکه جوید بدی
✦
فزایندهٔ دانش ایزدی
“Who punishes whoever seeks evil, and increases divine wisdom in the righteous.”
#10
ز نادانی و دانش وراستی
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ز کمی و کژی و از کاستی
“Exalted above ignorance, knowledge, and truth, above lack, deviance, and flaw.”
#11
بیابی چو گویی که یزدان یکیست
✦
ورا یار وهمتا و انباز نیست
“You attain truth when you declare God is One, without partner, peer, or equal.”
#12
بیابد هر آنکس که نیکی بجست
✦
مباد آنک او دست بد را بشست
“Whosoever seeks goodness shall find it, and may none wash their hands in evil.”
#13
یکی بنده بد شاه را ناسپاس
✦
نه مهتر شناس و نه یزدان شناس
“A wicked, ungrateful servant to the king, recognizing neither superior nor God,”
#14
یکی خرد و بیکار و بی‌نام بود
✦
پدر بر کشیدش که هنگام بود
“He was once lowly, useless, and nameless, until my father elevated him when his time came.”
#15
نهان نیست کردار او در جهان
✦
میان کهان و میان مهان
“His treacherous deeds are no secret in the world, among both the humble and the great.”
#16
کس او را نپذرفت کش مایه بود
✦
وگر در خرد برترین پایه بود
“None received him who had wisdom or worth, even if he claimed the highest rank of intellect.”
#17
بنزد تو آمد بپذرفتیش
✦
چو پر مایگان دست بگرفتیش
“Yet he came to you, and you welcomed him, taking his hand as if he were a man of high stature.”
#18
کس این راه برگیرد از راستان ؟
✦
نیم من بدین کار هم داستان
“Would any righteous ruler take such a path? I stand in no agreement with this action.”
#19
چو این نامه آرند نزدیک تو
✦
پر اندیشه کن رای تاریک تو
“When this letter is brought to you, ponder deeply within your darkened counsel.”
#20
گر آن بنده را پای کرده ببند
✦
فرستی بر ما شوی سودمند
“If you put that servant in chains and send him to us, you shall reap great benefit.”
#21
وگر نه فرستم ز ایران سپاه
✦
به توران کنم روز روشن سیاه
“Otherwise, I shall dispatch an army from Iran, turning the bright day into black night over Turan.”
#22
چوآن نامه نزدیک خاقان رسید
✦
بران گونه گفتار خسرو شنید
“When the letter reached the Khaqan and he heard such words from Khosrow,”
#23
فرستاده را گفت فردا پگاه
✦
چو آیی بدر پاسخ نامه خواه
“He said to the envoy: 'Come to the palace door tomorrow at dawn to seek the response.'”
#24
فرستاده آمد دلی پر شتاب
✦
نبد زان سپس جای آرام و خواب
“The envoy went back with an eager heart; thereafter, there was no place for rest or sleep.”
#25
همی‌بود تا شمع رخشان بدید
✦
به درگاه خاقان چینی دوید
“He waited until he saw the radiant candle of dawn, then ran to the court of the Chinese ruler.”
#26
بیاورد خاقان هم آنگه دبیر
✦
ابا خامه و مشک و چینی حریر
“The Khaqan immediately brought forth a scribe, with quill, musk ink, and fine Chinese silk.”
#27
به پاسخ نوشت آفرین نهان
✦
ز من بنده بر کردگار جهان
“In reply he wrote: 'Secret praise from me, a humble servant, unto the Creator of the world.'”
#28
دگر گفت کان نامه برخواندم
✦
فرستاده را پیش بنشاندم
“He continued: 'I have read that letter and seated your envoy before me.'”
#29
توبا بندگان گوی زین سان سخن
✦
نزیبد از آن خاندان کهن
“Speak in such a tone to your own bondsmen; such words ill become a house of ancient lineage,”
#30
که مه را ندارند یکسر به مه
✦
نه که را شناسند بر جای که
“Where they respect not the great as great, nor recognize the humble in their proper place.”
#31
همه چین و توران سراسر مراست
✦
به هیتال بر نیز فرمان رواست
“All of China and Turan belong to me, and over the Hephthalites too my command holds sway.”
#32
نیم تا بدم مرد پیمان شکن
✦
تو با من چنین داستانها مزن
“As long as I live, I am no breaker of oaths; do not speak such tales to me.”
#33
چو من دست بهرام گیرم بدست
✦
وزان پس به مهر اندرم آرم شکست
“Once I have taken Bahram's hand in mine, shall I then bring fracture to my pledge of affection?”
#34
نخواند مرا داور از آب پاک
✦
جز از پاک ایزد مرا نیست باک
“The Judge of pure waters would not deem me righteous; I fear none save the Pure God.”
#35
تو را گر بزرگی بیفزایدی
✦
خرد بیشتر زین بدی شایدی
“If your greatness has indeed increased, a greater measure of wisdom would better become you.”
#36
بران نامه بر مهر بنهاد و گفت
✦
که با باد باید که باشید جفت
“He sealed the letter and said to the messenger: 'You must now become companions with the wind.'”
#37
فرستاده آمد به نزدیک شاه
✦
به یک ماه کمتر بپیمود راه
“The envoy returned to the king, traversing the long road in less than a month.”
#38
چو برخواند آن نامه را شهریار
✦
بپیچید و ترسان شد از روزگار
“When the monarch read the letter, he writhed in distress and grew fearful of fate.”
#39
فرستاد و ایرانیان را بخواند
✦
سخن های خاقان سراسر براند
“He summoned the Iranians and recounted all the words of the Khaqan to them.”
#40
همان نامه بنمود و برخواندند
✦
بزرگان به اندیشه درماندند
“He showed them the letter and they read it; the nobles were left bewildered in anxious thought.”
#41
چنین یافت پاسخ ز ایرانیان
✦
که ای فر و اورند و تاج کیان
“Thus he received response from the Iranians: 'O possessor of Glory, throne, and Kayanid crown!'”
#42
چنین کارها بر دل آسان مگیر
✦
یکی رای زن با خردمند پیر
“Do not take such grave matters lightly; seek counsel with a wise elder.”
#43
به نامه چنین کار آسان مکن
✦
مکن تیره این فر و شمع کهن
“Do not rush such affairs through letters alone; do not dim this ancient Glory and shining lamp.”
#44
گزین کن از ایران یکی مرد پیر
✦
خردمند و زیبا و گرد و دبیر
“Select an old man from Iran—wise, eloquent, heroic, and a master scribe,”
#45
کز ایدر به نزدیک خاقان شود
✦
سخن گوید و رای او بشنود
“Who will travel from here to the Khaqan, speak eloquently, and hear his true thoughts.”
#46
بگوید که بهرام روز نخست
✦
که بود و پس از پهلوانی چه جست
“Let him relate who Bahram was at the outset, and what he sought after reaching the height of his champion's status.”
#47
همی بود تا کار او گشت راست
✦
خداوند را زان سپس بنده خواست
“He bided his time until his power was established, whereupon the servant dared to turn against his Master.”
#48
چو نیکو نگردد به یک ماه‌کار
✦
تمامی بسالی برد روزگار
“If an affair cannot be properly mended in a month's time, Destiny requires a full year to bring it to completion.”
#49
چو بهرام داماد خاقان بود
✦
ازو بد سرودن نه آسان بود
“Since Bahram has become the Khaqan's son-in-law, speaking evil of him before the ruler will be no simple task.”
#50
به خوبی سخن گفت باید بسی
✦
نهانی نباید که داند کسی
“One must speak with utmost grace and tact, keeping all hidden motives completely concealed from sight.”