Across the turns of centuries, the truthful sages of ancient Iran preserved the lore of the wondrous Taqdis Throne—a marvel later re-erected in all its glory by King Khosrow Parviz. Its foundational treasures originally belonged to the realm of the tyrannical Zahhak. When the glorious Fereydun vanquished the tyrant and restored righteousness to the world, he sought the legendary craftsman Jahan Barzin, who dwelt high upon Mount Damavand. Jahan Barzin fashioned a divine throne encrusted with rare jewels, for which King Fereydun rewarded him with thirty thousand silver coins, a crown of gold, twin earrings of magnificent value, and the royal charters over the fertile paradises of Sari and Amol.
When the sovereignty of Iran descended upon Prince Iraj, Fereydun linked three eternal heirlooms to the realm: the Taqdis Throne, the famed bull-headed mace, and the luminous gem known as the Seven Fountains. Passing down from Iraj to King Manuchehr, every monarch who ascended the throne added further riches and ornaments to its frame. Through the ages of Kay Khosrow and King Lohrasp down to King Goshtasp, the seat grew in grandeur. Goshtasp bade his visionary vizier Jamasp to unlock the treasures of cosmic wisdom. Jamasp meticulously engraved the movements of the heavens upon the throne—mapping the twelve constellations, the seven planets, and the orbits of the stars from Saturn down to the Moon, so that the passage of time itself was mechanically depicted upon its surface.
For generations, kings added gold, silver, ivory, and ebony to the throne, until the fateful invasion of Alexander the Macedonian. Through arrogance and ignorance, Alexander shattered the grand mechanism to pieces. For centuries, Iranian nobles quietly guarded fragments of the masterpiece in secrecy. King Ardashir sought to rebuild it, but could not trace its design. It was not until King Khosrow Parviz ascended the Sasanian throne that the vision was reborn. Parviz summoned 1,120 master artisans and architects from Rome, China, Makran, Baghdad, and Persia, accompanied by thousands of apprentices. Working tirelessly for two years, they reconstructed the colossal throne to a height of one hundred and fifty royal cubits, reaching toward the clouds.
The finished Taqdis Throne was a cosmic automaton. It turned mechanically with the seasons—facing the gardens in spring, turning its back to the intense sun in summer, facing the orchards in autumn, and enclosed in rich furs with heated golden orbs in winter. Atop its steps lay a silk tapestry of celestial maps, forty-eight historical kings, and the seven realms of the earth, woven over seven years by a master weaver from China. At the New Year feast of Nowruz, the master minstrel Sarkash played heavenly melodies upon the throne as the grandees showered jewels upon the King of Kings.
#1
کنون داستان گوی در داستان
✦
ازان یک دل ویک زبان راستان
“Now tell a story within a story, passed down by the truthful, united in heart and tongue.”
#2
ز تختی که خوانی ورا طاق دیس
✦
که بنهاد پرویز دراسپریس
“Of the throne known as Taqdis, which Khosrow Parviz set up in his grand arena.”
#3
سرمایهٔ آن ز ضحاک بود
✦
که ناپارسا بود و ناپاک بود
“Its original wealth and foundation traced back to Zahhak, who was unrighteous and impure.”
#4
بگاهی که رفت آفریدون گرد
✦
وزان تازیان نام مردی ببرد
“When the valiant Fereydun arose and took away the reputation of chivalry from those Arabs.”
#5
یکی مرد بد در دماوند کوه
✦
که شاهش جدا داشتی ازگروه
“There was a man upon Mount Damavand, whom the king kept apart from the common fold.”
#6
کجا جهن برزین بدی نام اوی
✦
رسیده بهر کشوری کام اوی
“His name was Jahan Barzin, a master whose fame and desire had reached every realm.”
#7
یکی نامور شاه را تخت ساخت
✦
گهر گرد بر گرد او در نشاخت
“He crafted a throne fit for a renowned king, encrusting fine jewels all around its frame.”
#8
که شاه آفریدون بدوشاد بود
✦
که آن تخت پرمایه آزاد بود
“King Fereydun rejoiced in his work, for that magnificent throne was noble and matchless.”
#9
درم داد مر جهن را سی‌هزار
✦
یکی تاج زرین و دو گوشوار
“He granted Jahan Barzin thirty thousand coins of silver, a golden crown, and two precious earrings.”
#10
همان عهد ساری و آمل نوشت
✦
که بد مرز منشور او چون بهشت
“He also bestowed upon him the charter for Sari and Amol, whose fertile lands were like paradise.”
#11
بدانگه که ایران به ایرج رسید
✦
کزان نامداران وی آمد پدید
“When the realm of Iran fell to Iraj, who shone brightest among all the noble princes.”
#12
جهاندار شاه آفریدون سه چیز
✦
بران پادشاهی برافزود نیز
“King Fereydun, the ruler of the world, added three precious treasures to that realm.”
#13
یکی تخت و آن گُرزهٔ گاوسار
✦
که ماندست زو در جهان یادگار
“First, that throne; second, the bull-headed mace that remained his everlasting legacy in the world.”
#14
سدیگر کجا هفت چشمه گهر
✦
همی‌خواندی نام او دادگر
“And third, the seven-fountained gem, which the Just King himself had named.”
#15
چو ایرج بشد زو بماند این سه چیز
✦
همان شاد بد زو منوچهر نیز
“When Iraj passed away, these three artifacts remained, and King Manuchehr delighted in them too.”
#16
هر آنکس که او تاج شاهی بسود
✦
بران تخت چیزی همی‌برفزود
“Whosoever thereafter touched the royal crown added something magnificent to that throne.”
#17
چو آمد به کیخسرو نیک بخت
✦
فراوان بیفزود بالای تخت
“When it came to the fortunate Kay Khosrow, he increased the height and grandeur of the throne greatly.”
#18
برین هم نشان تا به لهراسپ شد
✦
وزو همچنان تا به گشتاسپ شد
“In this manner it passed to King Lohrasp, and from him likewise to King Goshtasp.”
#19
چو گشتاسپ آن تخت رادید گفت
✦
که کار بزرگان نشاید نهفت
“When Goshtasp beheld the throne, he said: 'The deeds of the great must not remain concealed.'”
#20
به جاماسپ گفت ای گرانمایه مرد
✦
فزونی چه داری به دین کارکرد
“He spoke to Jamasp: 'O noble sage, what addition can you devise for this masterpiece?'”
#21
یکایک ببین تا چه خواهی فزود
✦
پس از مرگ ما راکه خواهد ستود
“'Look closely and see what you will add, so that after our death, who shall praise our name?'”
#22
چو جا ماسپ آن تخت رابنگرید
✦
بدید از در گنج دانش کلید
“When Jamasp gazed upon the throne, he found the key to the treasure-house of wisdom.”
#23
برو بر شمار سپهر بلند
✦
همی‌کرد پیدا چه و چون وچند
“Upon it he calculated the workings of the high heavens, revealing their nature, quality, and measure.”
#24
ز کیوان همه نقشها تا به ماه
✦
بران تخت کرد او به فرمان شاه
“From Saturn down to the Moon, he engraved all celestial designs upon the throne by the king’s command.”
#25
چنین تابگاه سکندر رسید
✦
ز شاهان هر آنکس که آن گاه دید
“Thus it remained until the era of Alexander arrived, while every king who saw the throne...”
#26
همی‌برفزودی برو چند چیز
✦
ز زر و ز سیم و ز عاج و ز شیز
“...added several treasures to it, of gold, silver, ivory, and ebony.”
#27
مر آن را سکندر همه پاره کرد
✦
ز بی دانشی کار یکباره کرد
“But Alexander smashed it all to pieces; through foolishness, he destroyed the work completely.”
#28
بسی از بزرگان نهان داشتند
✦
همی دست بر دست بگذاشتند
“Many nobles hid its fragmented secrets, waiting helplessly with folded hands.”
#29
بدین گونه بد تا سر اردشیر
✦
کجا گشته بد نام آن تخت پیر
“Thus it remained until the reign of Ardashir, when the memory of that ancient throne had grown old.”
#30
ازان تخت جایی نشانی نیافت
✦
بران آرزو سوی دیگر شتاف
“He found no trace of that throne anywhere, and so turned his desires elsewhere.”
#31
بمرد او و آن تخت ازو بازماند
✦
ازان پس که کام بزرگی براند
“He passed away, leaving the legacy of the throne behind, after fulfilling his noble reign.”
#32
بدین گونه بد تا به پرویزشاه
✦
رسید آن گرامی سزاوار گاه
“So it continued until King Khosrow Parviz ascended, who truly deserved that sacred throne.”
#33
ز هر کشوری مهتران رابخواند
✦
وزان تخت چندی سخنها براند
“He summoned the grandees from every realm and spoke at length about the lost throne.”
#34
ازیشان فراوان شکسته بیافت
✦
به شادی سوی گرد کردن شتافت
“He gathered many broken pieces and designs from them, eagerly seeking to assemble them all.”
#35
بیاورد پس تخت شاه اردشیر
✦
ز ایران هر آنکس که بد تیزویر
“Then he brought forth the throne of King Ardashir, summoning every sharp-witted artisan in Iran.”
#36
بهم بر زدند آن سزاوار تخت
✦
به هنگام آن شاه پیروزبخت
“They dismantled and redesigned that majestic throne during the reign of that victorious king.”
#37
ورا درگر آمد ز روم و ز چین
✦
ز مکران و بغداد و ایران زمین
“Master carpenters arrived from Rome, China, Makran, Baghdad, and the land of Iran.”
#38
هزار و صد و بیست استاد بود
✦
که کردار آن تختشان یادبود
“Eleven hundred and twenty master craftspeople assembled, who still remembered the lore of that throne...”
#39
که او را بنا شاه گشتاسپ کرد
✦
برای و به تدبیر جاماسپ کرد
“...which King Goshtasp had built, guided by the wisdom and counsel of Jamasp.”
#40
ابا هریکی مرد شاگرد سی
✦
ز رومی و بغدادی و پارسی
“Each master was joined by thirty apprentices—Romans, Baghdadis, and Persians alike.”
#41
نفرمود تا یک زمان دم زدند
✦
بدو سال تا تخت برهم زدند
“He allowed them no rest, and in two full years they constructed the vast throne.”
#42
چوبر پای کردند تخت بلند
✦
درخشنده شد روی بخت بلند
“When they erected that towering throne, the face of his exalted fortune shone bright.”
#43
برش بود بالای صد شاه رش
✦
چو هفتاد رش برنهی ازبرش
“Its height measured one hundred royal cubits, with another seventy cubits added above it.”
#44
صد و بیست رش نیز پهناش بود
✦
که پهناش کمتر ز بالاش بود
“Its breadth was one hundred and twenty cubits, though its width was less than its towering height.”
#45
بلندیش پنجاه و صد شاه رش
✦
چنان بد که بر ابر سودی سرش
“Its total height reached one hundred and fifty royal cubits, as though its apex touched the clouds.”
#46
همان شاه رش هر رشی زو سه رش
✦
کزان سر بدیدی بن کشورش
“Likewise was the royal cubit, each equaling three standard cubits, from whose height one could survey the realm from end to end.”
#47
بسی روز در ماه هر بامداد
✦
یکی فرش بودی به دیگر نهاد
“On many a morning throughout the month, a carpet of a new design and pattern would be laid upon it.”
#48
همان تخت به دوازده لخت بود
✦
جهانی سراسر همه تخت بود
“That throne was divided into twelve sections; indeed, the entire world seemed embodied within that single seat.”
#49
برو بش زرین صد و چل هزار
✦
ز پیروزه بر زر کرده نگار
“Upon it were set one hundred and forty thousand golden nails, inlaid with precious turquoise set in gold.”
#50
همه نقرهٔ خام بد میخ بش
✦
یکی صد به مثقال با شست و شش
“All the secondary studs were of pure silver, each weighing one hundred and sixty-six mithqals.”
#51
چو اندر بره خور نهادی چراغ
✦
پسش دشت بودی و در پیش باغ
“When the sun lit its lamp in the sign of Aries, the plain lay behind the throne and the garden stretched before it.”
#52
چوخورشید درشیرگشتی درشت
✦
مرآن تخت را سوی او بود پشت
“When the blazing sun entered the sign of Leo, the throne turned its back toward it to escape the heat.”
#53
چو هنگامهٔ تیر ماه آمدی
✦
گه میوه و جشنگاه آمدی
“When the autumn season arrived, bringing the time of harvest fruits and festive banquets,”
#54
سوی میوه و باغ بودیش روی
✦
بدان تا بیابد زهرمیوه بوی
“Its face was turned toward the fruit-laden orchard, so that the king might catch the scent of every fruit.”
#55
زمستان که بودی گه باد و نم
✦
بر آن تخت برکس نبودی دژم
“In wintertime, when wind and dampness prevailed, no one seated upon that throne ever felt sorrow or chill.”
#56
همه طاقها بود بسته ازار
✦
ز خز و سمور از در شهریار
“All its arches were hung with curtains of rich silk and marten furs fit for a sovereign lord.”
#57
همان گوی زرین و سیمین هزار
✦
بر آتش همی‌تافتی جامه‌دار
“A thousand golden and silver globes were continually heated over fire by the master of the wardrobe.”
#58
به مثقال ازان هریکی پانصد
✦
کز آتش شدی سرخ همچون بسد
“Each weighed five hundred mithqals, glowing ruby-red like coral from the heat of the flames.”
#59
یکی نیمه زو اندر آتش بدی
✦
دگر پیش گردان سرکش بدی
“One half remained within the burning fire, while the other sat before the proud and valiant heroes.”
#60
شمار ستاره ده و دو و هفت
✦
همان ماه تابان ببرجی که رفت
“Depicted upon it were the twelve signs, the seven planets, and the glowing moon in each mansion it traversed.”
#61
چه زو ایستاده چه مانده بجا
✦
بدیدی به چشم سر اخترگرا
“An astrologer could plainly observe with his own eyes which stars were rising and which held their place.”
#62
ز شب نیز دیدی که چندی گذشت
✦
سپهر از بر خاک بر چند گشت
“One could also discern how much of the night had elapsed, and how far the heavens had revolved above the earth.”
#63
ازان تختها چند زرین بدی
✦
چه مایه ز زر گوهر آگین بدی
“Among those seats, so many were made of gold, and countless were set with jewels upon gold.”
#64
شمارش ندانست کردن کسی
✦
اگر چند بودیش دانش بسی
“No one could reckon their total number or worth, however great their wisdom and learning.”
#65
هرآن گوهری کش بهاخوار بود
✦
کمابیش هفتاد دینار بود
“Even the cheapest gem among them was worth around seventy gold dinars.”
#66
بسی نیز بگذشت بر هفتصد
✦
همی‌گیر زین گونه از نیک و بد
“Many others far exceeded seven hundred; reckon thus the measure of all its treasures, great and small.”
#67
بسی سرخ گوگرد بد کش بها
✦
ندانست کس مایه و منتها
“Abundant red sulfur was used, whose true worth and extent no man could measure.”
#68
که روشن بدی در شب تیره چهر
✦
چوناهید رخشان شدی بر سپهر
“For it shone bright in the dark face of night, gleaming like Venus radiant in the sky.”
#69
دو تخت از بر تخت پرمایه بود
✦
ز گوهر بسی مایه بر مایه بود
“Above that main throne stood two exalted seats, lavishly encrusted with wealth upon wealth of gems.”
#70
کهین تخت را نام بد میش سار
✦
سر میش بودی برو بر نگار
“The lesser seat was named 'Mish-Sar' (Ram-Headed), fashioned with the head of a ram carved upon it.”
#71
مهین تخت راخواندی لاژورد
✦
که هرگز نبودی برو باد و گرد
“The greater seat was called 'Lajevard' (Lapis Lazuli), upon which no wind or dust ever fell.”
#72
سه دیگر سراسر ز پیروزه بود
✦
بدو هر که دیدیش دلسوزه بود
“The third was fashioned entirely of turquoise, inspiring warm desire in all who beheld it.”
#73
ازین تا بدان پایه بودی چهار
✦
همه پایه زرین و گوهرنگار
“From one level to the next were four steps, all crafted of gold and encrusted with brilliant jewels.”
#74
هرآنکس که دهقان بد و زیردست
✦
ورا میش سر بود جای نشست
“Whoever was a landowner noble or subject took his place upon the Mish-Sar seat.”
#75
سواران ناباک روز نبرد
✦
شدندی بران گنبد لاژورد
“The fearless warriors of the day of battle ascended unto the Lazuli dome.”
#76
به پیروزه بر جای دستور بود
✦
که از کدخداییش رنجور بود
“Upon the turquoise seat was the place of the chief minister, burdened with the heavy labors of statecraft.”
#77
چو بر تخت پیروزه بودی نشست
✦
خردمند بودی و مهترپرست
“When seated upon the turquoise throne, he was wise, prudent, and deeply reverent toward the king.”
#78
چو رفتی به دستوری رهنمای
✦
مگر یافتی نزد پرویز جای
“Only through the guidance of that minister could one find an audience near King Parviz.”
#79
یکی جامه افکنده بد زربفت
✦
برش بود وبالاش پنجاه و هفت
“A gold-brocaded cloth was spread over it, measuring fifty-seven cubits in both width and length.”
#80
بگوهر همه ریشه‌ها بافته
✦
زبر شوشهٔ زر برو تافته
“All its fringes were woven with gems, and threads of refined gold were intertwined across its surface.”
#81
بدو کرده پیدانشان سپهر
✦
چو بهرام و کیوان و چون ماه و مهر
“Upon it were depicted the signs of the heavens, such as Mars, Saturn, the Moon, and the Sun.”
#82
ز کیوان و تیر و ز گردنده ماه
✦
پدیدار کرده ز هر دستگاه
“The positions of Saturn, Mercury, and the orbiting Moon were revealed in all their celestial order.”
#83
هم از هفت کشور برو بر نشان
✦
ز دهقان و از رزم گردنکشان
“Likewise, it bore the images of the seven climes, of noble lords, and of the battles of proud warriors.”
#84
برو بر نشان چل و هشت شاه
✦
پدیدار کرده سر تاج و گاه
“Upon it were woven forty-eight kings, showcasing their royal crowns and thrones in full splendor.”
#85
برو بافته تاج شاهنشهان
✦
چنان جامه هرگز نبد درجهان
“Woven with the crowns of emperors, such a marvelous garment had never before been seen in the world.”
#86
به چین دریکی مرد بد بی‌همال
✦
همی‌بافت آن جامه راهفت سال
“In China, a peerless artisan had spent seven long years weaving that singular robe.”
#87
سرسال نو هرمز فرودین
✦
بیامد بر شاه ایران زمین
“At the turn of the New Year, on the day of Hormoz in Farvardin, he arrived before the King of Iran.”
#88
ببرد آن کیی فرش نزدیک شاه
✦
گران مایگان برگرفتند راه
“He presented that royal carpet to the sovereign, as the noble magnates gathered at the court.”
#89
بگسترد روز نو آن جامه را
✦
ز شادی جداکرد خودکامه را
“On New Year's Day they spread out that tapestry, freeing the heart of the triumphant monarch with joy.”
#90
بران جامه بر مجلس آراستند
✦
نوازندهٔ رود و می خواستند
“Upon that carpet they arranged the royal banquet, calling for lute players and fine wine.”
#91
همی آفرین خواند سرکش به رود
✦
شهنشاه را داد چندی درود
“Sarkash struck praises upon his lute, offering endless blessings and praises to the King of Kings.”
#92
بزرگان برو گوهر افشاندند
✦
که فرش بزرگش همی‌خواندند
“The nobles scattered jewels over it, naming that masterpiece 'The Great Carpet'.”