Shahnameh · Fall of the Sasanians

The Reign of Khosrow Parviz (Part 2)

پادشاهی خسرو پرویز ۲

View:

مناظره‌ی خسرو و بهرام

The Confrontation of Words: Khosrow and Bahram

چو بینیم چهر تو وبخت تو سپاه وکلاه تو وتخت تو بیازم بدین کار ساسانیان چوآشفته شیری که گردد ژیان زدفتر همه نامشان بسترم سر تخت ساسانیان بسپرم بزرگی مر اشکانیان را سزاست اگر بشنود مرد داننده راست چنین پاسخ آورد خسرو بدوی که‌ای بیهده مرد پیکار جوی اگر پادشاهی زتخم کیان بخواهد شدن تو کیی درجهان همه رازیان از بنه خود کنید دو رویند وز مردمی برچیند نخست از ری آمد سپاه اندکی که شد با سپاه سکندر یکی میان را ببستند با رومیان گرفتند ناگاه تخت کیان ز ری بود ناپاکدل ماهیار کزو تیره شد تخم اسفندیار ازان پس ببستند ایرانیان بکینه یکایک کمر بر میان نیامد جهان آفرین را پسند ازیشان به ایران رسید آن گزند کلاه کیی بر سر اردشیر نهاد آن زمان داور دستگیر بتاج کیان او سزاوار بود اگر چند بی‌گنج ودینار بود کنون نام آن نامداران گذشت سخن گفتن ماهمه بادگشت کنون مهتری را سزاوار کیست جهان را بنوی جهاندار کیست بدو گفت بهرام جنگی منم که بیخ کیان را زبن برکنم چنین گفت خسرو که آن داستان که داننده یادآرد ازباستان که هرگز بنادان وبی‌راه وخرد سلیح بزرگی نباید سپرد که چون بازخواهی نیاید بدست که دارنده زان چیزگشتست مست چه گفت آن خردمند شیرین سخن که گر بی‌بنانرا نشانی ببن بفرجام کارآیدت رنج ودرد بگرد درناسپاسان مگرد دلاور شدی تیز وبرترمنش ز بد گوهر آمد تو را بدکنش تو را کرد سالار گردنکشان شدی مهتر اندر زمین کشان بران تخت سیمین وآن مهرشاه سرت مست شد بازگشتی ز راه کنون نام چوبینه بهرام گشت همان تخت سیمین تو را دام گشت بران تخت برماه خواهی شدن سپهبد بدی شاه خواهی شدن سخن زین نشان مرد دانا نگفت برآنم که با دیو گشتی تو جفت بدو گفت بهرام کای بدکنش نزیبد همی بر تو جز سرزنش تو پیمان یزدان نداری نگاه همی ناسزا خوانی این پیشگاه نهی داغ بر چشم شاه جهان سخن زین نشان کی بود درنهان همه دوستان بر تو بر دشمنند به گفتار با تو به دل بامنند بدین کار خاقان مرا یاورست همان کاندر ایران وچین لشکرست بزرگی من از پارس آرم بری نمانم کزین پس بود نام کی برافرازم اندر جهان داد را کنم تازه آیین میلاد را من از تخمه‌ی نامور آرشم چو جنگ آورم آتش سرکشم نبیره جهانجوی گرگین منم هم آن آتش تیز برزین منم به ایران بران رای بد ساوه‌شاه که نه تخت ماند نه مهر وکلاه کند با زمین راست آتشکده نه نوروز ماند نه جشن سده همه بنده بودند ایرانیان برین بوم تا من ببستم میان تو خودکامه را گر ندانی شمار بروچارسد بار بشمر هزار زپیلان جنگی هزار و دویست که گفتی که بر راه برجای نیست هزیمت گرفت آن سپاه بزرگ من از پس خروشان چودیو سترگ چنان دان که کس بی‌هنر درجهان بخیره نجوید نشست مهان همی بوی تاج آید ازمغفرم همی تخت عاج آید از خنجرم اگر با تو یک پشه کین آورد زتختت بروی زمین آورد

Bahram spoke first: "When I look at your face and your fortune, your army and your crown and your throne, I will rise against the house of Sasan like a lion gone mad with rage. I will erase their names from every register and trample the Sasanian throne underfoot. Greatness belongs to the Arsacids, if any honest man will hear the truth."

Khosrow answered him: "You idle, quarrel-seeking man. If the kingship should pass from the seed of the Kayanids, who are you in this world? Your Razian kinsmen are all double-faced — they invented their own pedigree and stripped themselves of humanity. First a small army came from Ray and joined forces with Alexander's host. They allied with the Romans and seized the Kayanid throne by treachery. It was the foul-hearted Mahyar of Ray who darkened the line of Esfandiar. After that the Iranians girded themselves for vengeance one by one, and God did not approve of those usurpers — through them great harm came to Iran. Then the Lord placed the Kayanid crown upon the head of Ardeshir, who was worthy of the royal diadem even though he had neither treasury nor coin. Now the names of those worthies have passed. All our talk is wind. Who is fit for sovereignty? Who is the world's new master?"

Bahram said: "I am the one who fights. I will tear up the root of the Kayanids from its foundation."

Khosrow replied: "There is an old proverb the wise recall from ancient times — that you must never entrust the weapons of power to a fool who lacks judgment, for when you want them back they will not come to hand, since the holder has grown drunk on what he was given. The sweet-tongued sage said it well: if you seat a man of no lineage in a seat of honor, in the end you will reap only pain and grief. Do not go near the door of the ungrateful. You became bold, sharp, and arrogant. From bad stock came bad conduct. I made you commander of champions — you became chief among warriors on the earth. That silver throne and the king's seal went to your head, and you strayed from the path. Now the name Chobin has turned into 'Bahram the King,' and that silver throne has become your trap. You were a general; now you want to be king. No wise man would speak this way. I believe you have taken the devil for your companion."

Bahram shot back: "You evil-doer — nothing suits you but reproach. You do not keep your covenant with God and you call this throne unworthy. You branded the eyes of the king of the world — how can such a thing remain secret? All your friends are your enemies in truth; they speak with you but their hearts are with me. In this enterprise the Khagan himself supports me, along with every army in Iran and China. I will strip greatness from Persia and leave no memory of the Kayanid name. I will raise justice high across the world and revive the ways of Milad. I am of the famous line of Arash. When I fight I am a raging fire. I am grandson of the world-conquering Gorgin, that fierce flame of Borzin. In Iran, the Saveh Shah had planned to leave neither throne nor crown nor seal — to level the fire temples, abolish Nowruz and the Sadeh feast. All Iran would have been enslaved had I not girded my waist. If you cannot count the self-serving dead, try four hundred thousand. Twelve hundred war elephants — there was no room left on the road. That enormous army broke and fled, and I came roaring after them like a monstrous demon. Know this: no man without merit idly seeks the seat of kings. The scent of the crown rises from my helmet; the ivory throne rises from my sword. If a single mosquito made war on you, it would bring you from your throne down to the dirt."

Notes

1personبهرام چوبینBahram Chobin

Bahram VI Chobin, the rebel general of Mihranid lineage who claimed descent from the Arsacid dynasty to legitimize his bid for the throne.

2personخسرو پرویزKhosrow Parviz

Khosrow II Parviz, the reigning Sasanian king, son of Hormozd IV.

3context

The Arsacids (Ashkanians) ruled Iran before the Sasanians (c. 247 BC–224 AD). Bahram claims Arsacid descent to argue that the Sasanians are usurpers and that the throne rightfully belongs to his line.

4personاردشیرArdeshir

Ardeshir I (r. 224–242 AD), founder of the Sasanian dynasty, who overthrew the last Arsacid king. Khosrow argues Ardeshir's legitimacy came from divine favor, not wealth.

5personساوه‌شاهSaveh Shah

The Saveh Shah — the Turkic Khagan whose massive invasion Bahram defeated, his greatest military achievement and the basis of his claim to the throne.

6context

Bahram's reference to Arash (the legendary archer) and Gorgin (a Shahnameh hero) is meant to assert noble Iranian lineage predating the Sasanians.

ادامه‌ی مناظره و حمله‌ی ترکان

The Debate Continues and the Turkish Horseman Attacks

بدو گفت خسرو که‌ای شوم پی چرا یاد گرگین نگیری بری که اندر جهان بود وتختش نبود بزرگی و اورنگ وبختش نبود ندانست کس نام او در جهان فرومایه بد درمیان مهان بیامد گرانمایه مهران ستاد بشاه زمانه نشان تو داد زخاک سیاهت چنان برکشید شد آن روز برچشم تو ناپدید تو را داد گنج وسلیح وسپاه درفش تهمتن درفشان چو ماه نبد خواست یزدان که ایران زمین بویرانی آرند ترکان چین تو بودی بدین جنگشان یارمند کلاهت برآمد بابر بلند چو دارنده چرخ گردان بخواست که آن پادشا را شود کار راست تو زان مایه مر خویشتن را نهی که هرگز ندیدی بهی و مهی گرین پادشاهی زتخم کیان بخواهد شدن تو چه بندی میان چواسکندری باید اندر جهان که تیره کند بخت شاهنشهان توبا چهره‌ی دیو و با رنگ وخاک مبادی بگیتی جزاندر مغاک زبی راهی وکارکرد تو بود که شد روز برشاه ایران کبود نوشتی همان نام من بر درم زگیتی مرا خواستی کرد کم بدی را تو اندر جهان مایه‌ای هم از بی‌رهان برترین پایه‌ای هران خون که شد درجهان ریخته توباشی بران گیتی آویخته نیابی شب تیره آن را بخواب که جویی همی روز در آفتاب ایا مرد بدبخت بیدادگر همه روزگارت بکژی مبر زخشنودی ایزد اندیشه کن خردمندی و راستی پیشه کن که این بر من و تو همی‌بگذرد زمانه دم ما همی‌بشمرد که گوید کژی به از راستی بکژی چرا دل بیاراستی چو فرمان کنی هرچ خواهی تو راست یکی بهر ازین پادشاهی تو راست بدین گیتی اندر بزی شادمان تن آسان و دور از بد بدگمان وگر بگذری زین سرای سپنج گه بازگشتن نباشی به رنج نشاید کزین کم کنیم ارفزون که زردشت گوید بزند اندرون که هرکس که برگردد از دین پاک زیزدان ندارد به دل بیم وباک بسالی همی‌داد بایدش پند چو پندش نباشد ورا سودمند ببایدش کشتن بفرمان شاه فکندن تن پرگناهش به راه چو بر شاه گیتی شود بدگمان ببایدش کشتن هم اندر زمان بریزند هم بی‌گمان خون تو همین جستن تخت وارون تو کنون زندگانیت ناخوش بود وگر بگذری جایت آتش بود وگر دیر مانی برین هم نشان سر از شاه وز داد یزدان کشان پشیمانی آیدت زین کار خویش ز گفتار ناخوب و کردار خویش تو بیماری وپند داروی تست بگوییم تا تو شوی تن درست وگر چیزه شد بردلت کام ورشک سخن گوی تا دیگر آرم پزشک پزشک تو پندست و دارو خرد مگر آز تاج از دلت بسترد به پیروزی اندر چنین کش شدی وز اندیشه گنج سرکش شدی شنیدی که ضحاک شد ناسپاس ز دیو و ز جادو جهان پرهراس چو زو شد دل مهتران پر ز درد فریدون فرخنده با او چه کرد سپاهت همه بندگان منند به دل زنده و مردگان منند ز تو لختکی روشنی یافتند بدین سان سر از داد برتافتند چومن گنج خویش آشکارا کنم دل جنگیان پرمدارا کنم چو پیروز گشتی تو برساوه شاه برآن برنهادند یکسر سپاه که هرگز نبینند زان پس شکست چو از خواسته سیر گشتند ومست نباید که بردست من بر هلاک شوند این دلیران بی‌بیم وباک تو خواهی که جنگی سپاهی گران همه نامداران و کنداوران شود بوم ایران ازیشان تهی شکست اندر آید بتخت مهی که بد شاه هنگام آرش بگوی سرآید مگر بر من این گفت وگوی بدو گفت بهرام کان گاه شاه منوچهر بد با کلاه و سپاه بدو گفت خسرو که‌ای بدنهان چودانی که او بود شاه جهان ندانی که آرش ورا بنده بود بفرمان و رایش سرافکنده بود بدو گفت بهرام کز راه داد تواز تخم ساسانی ای بد نژاد که ساسان شبان وشبان زاده بود نه بابک شبانی بدو داده بود بدو گفت خسرو که‌ای بدکنش نه از تخم ساسان شدی برمنش دروغست گفتار تو سر به سر سخن گفتن کژ نباشد هنر تو از بدتنان بودی وبی‌بنان نه از تخم ساسان رسیدی بنان بدو گفت بهرام کاندر جهان شبانی ز ساسان نگردد نهان ورا گفت خسرو که دارا بمرد نه تاج بزرگی بساسان سپرد اگر بخت گم شد کجا شد نژاد نیاید ز گفتار بیداد داد بدین هوش واین رای واین فرهی بجویی همی تخت شاهنشهی بگفت و بخندید وبرگشت زوی سوی لشکر خویش بنهاد روی زخاقانیان آن سه ترک سترگ که ارغنده بودند برسان گرگ کجا گفته بودند بهرام را که ما روز جنگ از پی نام را اگر مرده گر زنده بالای شاه بنزد تو آریم پیش سپاه ازیشان سواری که ناپاک بود دلاور بد و تند و ناباک بود همی‌راند پرخاشجوی و دژم کمندی ببازو و درون شست خم چو نزدیکتر گشت با خنگ عاج همی‌بود یازان بپرمایه تاج بینداخت آن تاب داده کمند سرتاج شاه اندرآمد ببند یکی تیغ گستهم زد برکمند سرشاه را زان نیامد گزند کمان را بزه کرد بندوی گرد بتیر از هوا روشنایی ببرد بدان ترک بدساز بهرام گفت که جز خاک تیره مبادت نهفت که گفتت که با شاه رزم آزمای ندیدی مرا پیش اوبربپای

Khosrow fired back: "You ill-omened wretch — why do you not remember your own Gorgin properly? He existed in this world but had no throne. He had no greatness, no rank, no fortune. Nobody in the world even knew his name; he was a nobody among the great. Then the esteemed Mehran Setad came and brought word of you to the king of the world. He raised you out of the black dust so high that the day of your rising vanished from your own sight. He gave you treasury, weapons, and an army — the banner of Rostam shining like the moon. It was not God's will that the Turks of China should bring Iran to ruin. You were the instrument of their defeat, and your cap rose high into the clouds. But when the turning heavens willed that the king's affairs should be set right, you kept for yourself what was never yours — you who never knew greatness or glory.

"If the kingship must pass from the Kayanid line, what business is it of yours to gird your waist? You would need to be another Alexander to darken the fortune of kings. You, with the face of a demon and the color of dirt — may you never be in the world except in the grave. It was your lawlessness and your deeds that brought a dark day upon the king of Iran. You stamped my name on your coins as though you meant to erase me from the world. You are the very source of evil in this world, the highest rung among the faithless. Every drop of blood spilled in this world — you will hang for it in the next. What you seek by daylight in the sun, you will not find in sleep on the darkest night.

"O man of ill fortune and injustice, do not spend all your days in crookedness. Think of what pleases God. Make wisdom and honesty your trade, for all this passes over both you and me — time is counting our breaths. Who says crookedness is better than justice? Why have you decked your heart in falsehood? If you obey, whatever you desire is yours — a share of this kingdom belongs to you. Live in this world happy and at ease, far from the malice of the suspicious. And when you depart this fleeting inn, you will not be in agony at the hour of reckoning. We cannot add to or subtract from what Zoroaster says in the Zand: that whoever turns away from the pure faith and holds no fear of God in his heart must be counseled for a year, and if counsel does him no good, he must be put to death by the king's command and his sinful body cast upon the road. And when a man turns against the king of the world, he must be killed at once. They will certainly spill your blood too — this grasping after the throne will be your undoing. In this life your days will be joyless, and when you pass, your place will be in fire. And if you persist in this posture, turning your head from the king and from God's justice, regret will come upon you for your deeds, for your ugly words and your ugly conduct.

"You are sick, and counsel is your medicine. Let us speak until you are healed. And if desire and envy have conquered your heart, speak up so I may bring another physician. Your physician is advice; your remedy is reason. Perhaps the greed for the crown can still be scraped from your heart. In your victory you became arrogant; dreaming of treasure made you insolent. You have heard how Zahhak became ungrateful and filled the world with terror through demons and sorcery — and when the hearts of the great were full of grief, what the blessed Fereydun did to him.

"Your soldiers are all servants of mine. They are alive in their hearts and dead to you. They caught a little gleam of light from you and turned their heads from justice accordingly. When I open my treasury and fill the hearts of warriors with generosity, they will return. When you defeated the Saveh Shah, the whole army resolved never to see defeat again, drunk and sated on plunder. I would rather these fearless warriors not perish at my hand. You want a great fighting host — all the champions and heroes — to drain Iran of its men and bring ruin upon the throne.

"Tell me: who was king in the time of Arash? Let this debate end." Bahram said: "It was Manuchehr, with crown and army." Khosrow replied: "You treacherous man — if you know he was king of the world, do you not know that Arash was his servant, obedient to his will and command?"

Bahram retorted: "By the road of justice, you are of the Sasanian stock, you base-born wretch — and Sasan was a shepherd, a shepherd's son. Was it not Babak who gave him a flock to tend?" Khosrow answered: "You evil-doer, you did not rise to prominence from Sasan's seed. Your words are lies from start to finish — crooked speech is no art. You came from low men and men of no foundation, not from the line of Sasan." Bahram said: "In all the world, Sasan's shepherding is no secret." Khosrow told him: "Dara died, but he did not hand the crown of greatness to Sasan. If fortune was lost, how was lineage lost? Injustice in speech does not produce justice. With this wit, this judgment, this royal glory of yours, you seek the throne of the king of kings."

Khosrow laughed, turned away from him, and rode back toward his own army. Among the Khaqanid Turks were three huge warriors, savage as wolves, who had boasted to Bahram: "On the day of battle, for the sake of glory, we will bring you the king — dead or alive — before the army." One of them, a foul and fearless horseman, bold and fierce, charged forward scowling with a lasso on his arm and a bow at the ready. As he drew near the ivory-white horse, he reached for the precious crown and hurled his twisted lasso. The loop caught around the king's head. Gostaham struck the rope with his sword and the king took no harm. Banduy the warrior strung his bow and darkened the sky with arrows.

Bahram cursed the Turk: "May nothing cover you but black earth! Who told you to make war on the king? Did you not see me standing before him at attention?"

Notes

1personمهران ستادMehran Setad

Mehran Setad — a nobleman who first brought Bahram to the attention of the Sasanian court, raising him from obscurity to military command.

2personتهمتنRostam (Tahamtan)

Rostam, the supreme hero of the Shahnameh. His banner (the dragon standard) was given to Bahram as commander — a mark of supreme honor.

3context

Khosrow invokes Zoroastrian scripture (the Zand commentary on the Avesta) to argue that rebellion against the rightful king is apostasy punishable by death.

4personضحاکZahhak

Zahhak (Zahak), the serpent-shouldered tyrant of myth who usurped the throne of Jamshid. Fereydun overthrew him. Khosrow implies Bahram will share Zahhak's fate.

5personمنوچهرManuchehr

Manuchehr, legendary Kayanid king whom Arash served as a loyal subject — Khosrow's point being that great warriors serve kings, they do not replace them.

6context

The Sasan-as-shepherd debate: Bahram mocks the Sasanian dynasty's legendary founder Sasan as a mere shepherd. Khosrow counters that Bahram's own lineage is even more obscure. This mirrors real historical disputes about Sasanian origins.

7personگستهم / بندویGostaham / Banduy

Gostaham and Banduy, Khosrow's maternal uncles and bodyguards, who save him from the Turkish lasso attack.

بازگشت بهرام و پند خواهرش

Bahram Returns and His Sister's Warning

پس آمد بلشکر گه خویش باز روانش پر ازدرد وتن پرگداز چوخواهرش بشنید کامد ز راه برادرش پر درد زان رزمگاه بینداخت آن نامدار افسرش بیاورد فرمانبری چادرش بیامد بنزد برادر دمان دلش خسته ازدرد و تیره روان بدو گفت کای مهتر جنگجوی چگونه شدی پیش خسرو بگوی گر او ازجوانی شود تیزوتند مگردان تو درآشتی رای کند بخواهر چنین گفت بهرام گرد که او را زشاهان نباید شمرد نه جنگی سواری نه بخشنده‌یی نه داناسری گر درخشنده یی هنر بهتر از گوهر نامدار هنرمند باید تن شهریار چنین گفت داننده خواهر بدوی که‌ای پرهنر مهتر نامجوی تو را چند گویم سخن نشنوی به پیش آوری تندی وبدخوی نگر تاچه گوید سخن گوی بلخ که باشد سخن گفتن راست تلخ هرآنکس که آهوی تو باتوگفت همه راستیها گشاد ازنهفت مکن رای ویرانی شهر خویش ز گیتی چو برداشتی بهرخویش برین بریکی داستان زد کسی کجا بهره بودش ز دانش بسی که خر شد که خواهد زگاوان سروی بیکباره گم کرد گوش وبروی نکوهش مخواه از جهان سر به سر نبود از تبارت کسی تاجور اگر نیستی درمیان این جوان نبودی من از داغ تیره روان پدرزنده و تخت شاهی بجای نهاده تو اندر میان پیش پای ندانم سرانجام این چون بود همیشه دو چشمم پر از خون بود جز از درد و نفرین نجویی همی گل زهر خیره ببویی همی چو گویند چوبینه بدنام گشت همان نام بهرام دشنام گشت برین نیز هم خشم یزدان بود روانت به دوزخ به زندان بود نگر تا جز از هرمز شهریار که بد درجهان مر تو را خواستار هم آن تخت و آن کاله‌ی ساوه شاه بدست آمد و برنهادی کلاه چو زو نامور گشتی اندر جهان بجویی کنون گاه شاهنشهان همه نیکوییها ز یزدان شناس مباش اندرین تاجور ناسپاس برزمی که کردی چنین کش مشو هنرمند بودی منی فش مشو به دل دیو را یار کردی همی به یزدان گنهگار گردی همی چو آشفته شد هرمز وبردمید به گفتار آذرگشسپ پلید تو را اندرین صبر بایست کرد نبد بنده را روزگارنبرد چو او را چنان سختی آمد بروی ز بردع بیامد پسر کینه جوی ببایست رفتن برشاه ند بکام وی آراستن گاه نو نکردی جوان جز برای تو کار ندیدی دلت جز به روزگار تن آسان بدی شاد وپیروزبخت چراکردی آهنگ این تاج وتخت تودانی که ازتخمه‌ی اردشیر بجایند شاهان برنا و پیر ابا گنج وبا لشکر بی‌شمار به ایران که خواند تو را شهریار اگر شهریاری به گنج وسپاه توانست کردن به ایران نگاه نبودی جز از ساوه سالار چین که آورد لشکر به ایران زمین تو راپاک یزدان بروبرگماشت بد او ز ایران و توران بگاشت جهاندار تا این جهان آفرید زمین کرد و هم آسمان آفرید ندیدند هرگز سواری چوسام نزد پیش او شیردرنده گام چو نوذر شد از بخت بیدادگر بپا اندر آورد رای‌پدر همه مهتران سام را خواستند همان تخت پیروزه آراستند بران مهتران گفت هرگز مباد که جان سپهبد کند تاج یاد که خاک منوچهر گاه منست سر تخت نوذر کلاه منست بدان گفتم این ای برادر که تخت نیابد مگر مرد پیروزبخت که دارد کفی راد وفر ونژاد خردمند و روشن دل و پر ز داد ندانم که بر تو چه خواهد رسید که اندر دلت شد خرد ناپدید

Bahram rode back to his own camp, his soul full of grief and his body burning. When his sister heard he had returned from that confrontation in pain, she tore off her crown and had a servant bring her a veil. She rushed to her brother, her heart wounded and her spirit dark.

She said: "O warrior lord, tell me — how did it go before Khosrow? If he was sharp and hot-tempered from the recklessness of youth, do not let that harden your resolve against peace."

Bahram told his sister: "He should not be counted among kings. He is no warrior horseman, no generous man, no wise leader nor any brilliant light. Merit matters more than famous lineage — the body of a king should be full of ability."

His learned sister answered him: "O able and glory-seeking lord — how many times must I speak before you listen? You push forward with nothing but temper and bad judgment. Consider what the poet of Balkh says: speaking the truth is a bitter business. Whoever told you your faults to your face was laying bare the truth for you from behind its veil. Do not plan the ruin of your own house when you have already taken your share from the world. On this point someone once told a fable — a man of considerable learning — that the donkey who demanded horns from the ox lost his ears and his eyebrows in one stroke.

"Do not seek blame from the whole world. No one in your lineage ever wore a crown. If this young man were not in the picture, I would not be dark-hearted with grief. His father is alive and the royal throne stands — and you have planted yourself in the middle of it. I do not know how this will end. My eyes are forever full of blood. You seek nothing but pain and curses. You sniff the flower of poison for no reason. When they say 'Chobin has become infamous,' then the very name of Bahram will become a curse. And beyond that, the wrath of God awaits — your soul will be imprisoned in hell.

"Remember: it was King Hormozd and no one else who was your patron in this world. That throne and all the spoils of the Saveh Shah came into your hands, and you set a crown upon your head. Having become famous through him, you now reach for the seat of the king of kings. Acknowledge that all good things come from God. Do not be ungrateful in this, you who wear a crown. Do not become arrogant over one battle. You were capable — do not become vain. In your heart you have made the devil your ally; you are becoming a sinner before God.

"When Hormozd flew into a rage and was provoked by the vile words of Azargoshasp, you should have been patient. It was not the time for a servant to fight. When such hardship came upon Hormozd's face, the son rode vengefully from Barda. You should have gone to the young king and arranged the new court to his liking. The young man did nothing except in your interest — your heart saw nothing but opportunity. You were at ease, happy, and favored by fortune. Why did you reach for this crown and throne?

"You know that from the seed of Ardeshir there remain kings both young and old, with treasuries and armies beyond counting. In Iran, who would call you king? If kingship could be held by treasure and army alone, there would have been no one but the Saveh commander of China, who brought his host to the land of Iran. Pure God appointed you against him and removed that evil from Iran and Turan.

"Since God created this world and made the earth and the heavens, no horseman was ever seen like Sam — not even a ravening lion dared step before him. Yet when Nowzar became unjust through ill fortune and trampled his father's counsel, all the lords wanted Sam for king and readied the turquoise throne for him. But Sam told those lords: 'May it never be that a general's soul should dream of the crown. The dust of Manuchehr is my throne; the head of Nowzar's seat is my crown.'

"I tell you this, brother, because the throne comes only to a man of blessed fortune who has a generous hand, royal glory, and true lineage — wise, clear-hearted, and full of justice. I do not know what will befall you, for reason has vanished from your heart."

Notes

1personخواهر بهرامBahram's sister

Bahram's unnamed sister — a remarkably eloquent and politically astute woman who serves as his conscience throughout this episode. She opposes his rebellion and warns him of its consequences.

2context

The fable of the donkey who demanded horns from the ox and lost his own ears — a Persian proverb warning against overreaching. By grasping for what is not his, Bahram risks losing everything he already has.

3personآذرگشسپAzargoshasp

Azargoshasp — a courtier whose malicious counsel provoked Hormozd IV against Bahram, contributing to the crisis that led to Hormozd's downfall.

4personسامSam

Sam, the legendary grandfather of Rostam and the greatest champion of the Kayanid kings. When offered the throne after King Nowzar's failures, Sam refused it, declaring that a general must serve the royal line, not replace it. This is the sister's clinching argument against Bahram's ambition.

آماده‌سازی شبیخون و هشدار گستهم

Khosrow Plans a Night Raid and Gostaham's Warning

بدو گفت بهرام کاینست راست برین راستی پاک یزدان گواست ولیکن کنون کار ازین درگذشت دل و مغز من پر ز تیمار گشت اگر مه شوم گر نهم سر بمرگ که مرگ اندر آید بپولاد ترگ وزان روی شد شهریار جوان چوبگذشت شاد از پل نهروان همه مهتران را زلشکر بخواند سزاوار بر تخت شاهی نشاند چنین گفت کای نیکدل سروران جهاندیده و کار کرده سران بشاهی مرا این نخستین سرست جز از آزمایش نه اندرخورست بجای کسی نیست ما را سپاس وگر چند هستیم نیکی شناس شمارا زما هیچ نیکی نبود که چندین غم ورنج باید فزود نیاکان ما را پرستیده‌اید بسی شور و تلخ جهان دیده‌اید بخواهم گشادن یکی راز خویش نهان دارم از لشکر آواز خویش سخن گفتن من بایرانیان نباید که بیرون برند ازمیان کزین گفتن اندیشه من تباه شود چون بگویند پیش سپاه من امشب سگالیده‌ام تاختن سپه را به جنگ اندر انداختند که بهرام را دیده‌ام در سخن سواریست اسپ افگن وکارکن همی کودکی بی‌خرد داندم بگرز و بشمشیر ترساندم نداند که من شب شبیخون کنم برزم اندرون بیم بیرون کنم اگریار باشید بامن به جنگ چو شب تیره گردد نسازم درنگ چو شوید بعنبر شب تیره روی بیفشاند این گیسوی مشکبوی شما برنشینید با ساز جنگ همه گرز و خنجر گرفته بچنگ بران برنهادند یکسر سپاه که یک تن نگردد زفرمان شاه چو خسرو بیامد بپرده سرای زبیگانه مردم بپردخت جای بیاورد گستهم وبندوی را جهاندیده و گرد گردوی را همه کارزار شبیخون بگفت که با او مگر یار باشند و جفت بدو گفت گستهم کای شهریار چرایی چنین ایمن از روزگار تو با لشکر اکنون شبیخون کنی ز دلها مگر مهر بیرون کنی سپاه تو با لشکر دشمنند ابا او همه یک دل ویک تنند ز یک سو نبیره ز یک سو نیا به مغز اندرون کی بود کیمیا ازین سو برادر وزان سو پدر همه پاک بسته یک اندر دگر پدر چون کند با پسر کارزار بدین آروز کام دشمن مخار نبایست گفت این سخن با سپاه چو گفتی کنون کار گردد تباه بدو گفت گردوی کاین خود گذشت گذشته همه باد گردد به دشت توانایی و کام وگنج وسپاه سر مرد بینا نپیچد ز راه بدین رزمگه امشب اندر مباش ممان تا شود گنج و لشکر به لاش که من بی‌گمانم کزین راز ما وزین ساختن در نهان سازما بدان لشکر اکنون رسید آگهی نباید که تو سر بدشمن دهی

Bahram answered his sister: "What you say is true, and pure God is witness to its truth. But the matter has now gone beyond that point. My heart and mind are full of anguish. Whether I rise to greatness or lay my head down in death — for death can come through the steel helm all the same."

Meanwhile, the young king crossed the bridge at Nahravan in good spirits. He summoned all the lords from the army and seated those worthy of it upon the royal dais. He addressed them: "O good-hearted nobles, experienced and battle-hardened commanders — this is my first test as king, and nothing will serve except trial. I owe no man any debt of gratitude, though I do appreciate loyalty. You have received no kindness from me to justify all this grief and hardship. You served my ancestors. You have tasted the world's bitter and sour.

"I will now share a secret with you. I keep my voice hidden from the army. What I say among you Iranians must not be carried outside this circle, for if it reaches the troops, my plans will be ruined. Tonight I intend to launch a raid — to throw the army into battle. I have studied Bahram in conversation. He is a skilled horseman and a man of action, but he thinks me a senseless boy. He tries to frighten me with mace and sword. He does not know that I can strike by night and drive fear out of battle. If you will stand with me in this fight, I will not hesitate once darkness falls. When night washes its dark face with ambergris and shakes out its musk-scented hair, you will mount in full battle gear, maces and swords in hand."

The entire army resolved that not one man would disobey the king's command.

When Khosrow came to his private quarters and cleared the space of outsiders, he brought in Gostaham, Banduy, and the experienced warrior Gorduy, and told them his plan for the night attack, hoping they would be his partners in it.

Gostaham spoke up: "O king, why are you so heedless of fortune? You want to launch a night raid with this army — but you may drive the love from their hearts in the process. Your troops are already sympathizers of the enemy. They are of one heart and one body with Bahram. On one side a grandson, on the other a grandfather — is there alchemy in anyone's brain to undo that? On this side a brother, on that side a father — all of them bound to one another. How can a father make war on his son? Do not gratify the enemy's desire. You should not have told the army any of this. Now that you have spoken, the situation will unravel."

Gorduy said: "What is done is done. What has passed becomes wind on the plain. Power, ambition, treasure, and army — a clear-eyed man does not turn his head from the road. But do not remain on this battlefield tonight. Do not wait until your treasure and your army are destroyed. I am certain that our secret — our preparations hidden from view — has already reached that army by now. You must not hand your head to the enemy."

Notes

1placeنهروان

Nahravan — the canal and district east of Ctesiphon where the two armies faced each other. The bridge was a key strategic point.

2context

Gostaham's blunt warning exposes the political reality: Bahram's army is deeply intertwined with Khosrow's by family ties. A night attack would pit fathers against sons, brothers against cousins. The army cannot be trusted to fight its own kin.

3personگردویGorduy

Gorduy — a seasoned commander in Khosrow's retinue, more pragmatic than Gostaham. He accepts the intelligence leak as fait accompli and urges immediate retreat.

شبیخون بهرام و شکست خسرو

Bahram's Night Attack and Khosrow's Defeat

چوبشنید خسرو پسند آمدش به دل رای او سودمند آمدش گزین کرد زان سرکشان مرد چند که باشند برنیک وبد یارمند چو خرداد برزین و گستهم شیر چوشاپور و چون اندیان دلیر چو بندوی خراد لشکر فروز چو نستود لشکرکش نیوسوز تلی بود پر سبزه وجای سور سپه را همی‌دید خسرو ز دور وزین روی بنشست بهرام گرد بزرگان برفتند با او وخرد سپهبد بپرسید زان سرکشان که آمد زخویشان شما را نشان فرستید هرکس که دارید خویش که باشند یکدل به گفتار وکیش گریشان بیایند وفرمان کنند به پیمان روان را گروگان کنند سپه ماند از بردع واردبیل از ارمنیه نیز بی‌مرد وخیل ازیشان برزم اندرون نیست باک چه مردان بردع چه یک مشت خاک شنیدند گردنکشان این سخن که بهرام جنگ آور افکند بن زلشکر گزیدند مردی دبیر سخن گوی و داننده ویادگیر بیامد گوی با دلی پر ز راز همی‌بود پویان شب دیریاز بگفت آنچ بشنید زان مهتران ازان نامداران وکنداوران از ایرانیان پاسخ ایدون شنید که تا رزم لشکر نیاید پدید یکی مازخسرو نگردیم باز بترسیم کین کارگردد دراز مباشید ایمن بران رزمگاه که خسرو شبیخون کند با سپاه چو پاسخ شنید آن فرستاده مرد سوی لشکر پهلوان شد چو گرد همه لشکرآتش برافروختند بهر جای شمعی همی‌سوختند ز لشکر گزین کرد بهرام شیر سپاهی جهانگیر وگرد دلیر چوکردند و با او دبیران شمار سپه بود شمشیر زن سد هزار ز خاقانیان آن سه ترک سترگ که بودند غرنده برسان گرگ به جنگ‌آوران گفت چون زخم کوس برآید بهنگام بانگ خروس شما بر خروشید و اندر دهید سران را ز خون بر سرافسر نهید بشد تیز لشکر بفرمان گو سه ترک سر افرازشان پیش رو برلشکر شهریار آمدند جفاپیشه و کینه دار آمدند خروش آمد از گرز و گوپال و تیغ از آهن زمین بود وز گرد میغ همی‌گفت هرکس که خسرو کجاست که امروز پیروزی روز ماست ببالا همی‌بود خسرو بدرد دودیده پر از خون و رخ لاژورد چنین تا سپیده برآمد ز کوه شد از زخم شمشیر و کشته ستوه چوشد دامن تیره شب تا پدید همه رزمگه کشته و خسته دید بگردنکشان گفت یاری کنید برین دشمنان کامگاری کنید که پیروزگر پشت و یارمنست همان زخم شمشیر کارمنست بیامد دمان تا بر آن سه ترک نه ترک دلاور سه پیل سترگ یکی تاخت تا نزد خسرو رسید پرنداوری از میان برکشید همی‌خواست زد بر سر شهریار سپر بر سرآورد شاه سوار بزیر سپر تیغ زهر آبگون بزد تیغ و انداختش سرنگون خروشید کای نامداران جنگ زمانی دگر کرد باید درنگ

Khosrow heard Gorduy's counsel and found it sound. He selected a handful of the boldest men who would stand by him in good times and bad: Khordad Borzin, Gostaham the lion, Shapur, the valiant Andian, Banduy, Kherad the army's torchbearer, and Nastud the fiery general. From a grassy hilltop Khosrow watched the army from a distance.

On the other side Bahram sat down with his lords, great and small. The commander asked the warriors: "Has word come from your kinsmen in the enemy camp? Send whoever you have among them — anyone who will be of one mind with us in word and creed. If they come over and obey, and pledge their souls as surety, we will hold. The forces from Barda and Ardabil, and those from Armenia too, are without real manpower. In battle they are nothing to worry about — the men of Barda are no better than a fistful of dust."

The warriors heard Bahram's plan and chose from the army a learned scribe, eloquent and sharp of memory. The man went out with a heart full of secrets, traveling through the long night. He reported what he had heard from the lords and champions. From the Iranians in Khosrow's army he received this answer: "Until open battle breaks out, not one of us will turn away from Khosrow. We fear this conflict will drag on. But do not feel safe on that battlefield either — Khosrow plans a night raid with his army."

When the messenger brought this answer back, Bahram's whole army lit fires and burned candles at every post. Bahram the lion chose his best men — a world-conquering host of brave warriors. When the scribes tallied the count, there were a hundred thousand swordsmen. The three great Khaqanid Turks, growling like wolves, led the van. Bahram told his fighters: "When the war-drums sound at the hour of the cock's crow, charge in roaring. Crown the heads of their captains with blood."

The army moved swiftly at the champion's command, the three Turks riding proudly at the front. They fell upon the king's army, vengeful and full of malice. The crash of maces, clubs, and swords filled the air. The ground was iron; the sky was dust. Every man was shouting: "Where is Khosrow? Today victory is ours!"

Khosrow watched from the hilltop in anguish, his eyes full of blood, his face blue with grief. So it went until dawn crept over the mountains — he was overwhelmed by sword-blows and the slain. When the hem of dark night was pulled back, he saw the battlefield covered with dead and wounded.

He called to his champions: "Rally! Show your mastery over these enemies! The Victorious One is my support and shield — and the stroke of my sword is my business." He charged forward toward those three Turks — not mere horsemen but three monstrous elephants. One of them galloped up to Khosrow and drew a gleaming blade from his belt, aiming to strike the king on the head. The king raised his shield and under its cover brought his poison-blue sword down and flung the man headlong from his horse.

Khosrow cried out: "O warriors of renown — hold a moment longer!"

Notes

1context

The intelligence leak Gorduy predicted has occurred: Khosrow's own soldiers have tipped off Bahram about the planned night raid, confirming that the army's loyalties are divided along kinship lines.

2context

Bahram strikes first. Rather than waiting for Khosrow's raid, he launches his own pre-dawn attack — turning the king's own tactic against him. The hundred-thousand-strong army and the three Turkish shock troops overwhelm Khosrow's forces.

3context

Khosrow personally kills one of the three Turkish champions in single combat — Ferdowsi's way of showing that Khosrow has courage and martial skill even in defeat. But individual valor cannot overcome a disloyal army.

فرار خسرو و آخرین دیدار با هرمزد

Khosrow's Flight and His Last Meeting with Hormozd

سپاهش همه پشت برگاشتند جهانجوی را خوار بگذاشتند به بندوی و گستهم گفت آن زمان که اکنون شدم زین سخن بدگمان رسیده مرا هیچ فرزند نیست همان از در تاج پیوند نیست اگر من شوم کشته در کارزار جهان را نماند یکی شهریار بدو گفت بندوی کای سرفراز بدین روز هرگز مبادت نیاز سپه رفت اکنون تو ایدر مه ایست که کس در زمانه تو را یار نیست بزنگوی گفت آن زمان شهریار کز ایدر برو تازیان تاتخوار ازین ماندگان بر سواری هزار بران رزمگاه آنچ یا بی بیار سراپرده دیبه وگنج وتاج همان بدره وبرده وتخت عاج بزرگان بنه برنهادند وگنج فراوان ببردن کشیدند رنج هم آنگه یکی اژدهافش درفش پدید آمد و گشت گیتی بنفش پس اندر همی‌راند بهرام گرد به جنگ از جهان روشنایی ببرد رسیدند بهرام و خسرو بهم دلاور دو جنگی دو شیر دژم چوپیلان جنگی بر آشوفتند همی برسریکدگر کوفتند همی‌گشت بهرام چون شیر نر سلیحش نیامد برو کارگر برین گونه تا خور ز گنبد بگشت از اندازه آویزش اندر گذشت تخوار آن زمان پیش خسرو رسید که گنج وبنه زان سوی پل کشید چوبشنید خسرو بگستهم گفت که با ما کسی نیست در جنگ جفت که ما ده تنیم این سپاهی بزرگ به پیش اندرون پهلوانی سترگ هزیمت بهنگام بهتر زجنگ چو تنها شدی نیست جای درنگ همی‌راند ناکار دیده جوان برین گونه بر تا پل نهروان پس اندر همی‌تاخت بهرام تیز سری پر ز کینه دلی پر ستیز چو خسرو چنان دید بر پل بماند جهاندیده گستهم را پیش خواند بیارید گفتا کمان مرا به جنگ اندرون ترجمان مرا کمانش ببرد آنک گنجور بود بران کار گستهم دستور بود کمان بر گرفت آن سپهدار گرد بتیر از هوا روشنایی ببرد همی تیر بارید همچون تگرگ بیک چوبه با سر همی‌دوخت ترگ پس اندر همی‌تاخت بهرام شیر کمندی بدست اژدهایی بزیر چوخسرو و را دید برگشت شاد دو زاغ کمان را بزه برنهاد یکی تیر زد بر بربارگی بشد کار آن باره یکبارگی پیاده سپهبد سپر برگرفت ز بیچارگی دست بر سرگرفت یلان سینه پیش اندر آمد چوگرد جهانجوی کی داشت او را بمرد هم اندر زمان اسپ او رابخست پیاده یلان سینه را پل بجست سپه بازگشت از پل نهروان هرآنکس که بودند پیر و جوان چو بهرام برگشت خسرو چوگرد پل نهروان سر به سر باز کرد همی‌راند غمگین سوی طیسفون دلی پر زغم دیدگان پر زخون در شارستانها بهن ببست بانبوه اندیشگان درنشست زهر بر زنی مهتران را بخواند بدور ازه بر پاسبانان نشاند وزان جایگه شد به پیش پدر دودیده پراز آب و پر خون جگر چو روی پدر دید بردش نماز همی‌بود پیشش زمانی دراز بدو گفت کاین پهلوان سوار که او را گزین کردی ای شهریار بیامد چوشاهان که دارند فر سپاهی بیاورد بسیارمر بگفتم سخن هرچ آمد ز پند برو پند من بر نبد سودمند همه جنگ و پرخاش بدکام اوی که هرگز مبادا روان نام اوی بناکام رزمی گران کرده شد فراوان کس از اختر آزرده شد زمن بازگشتند یکسر سپاه ندیدند گفتی مرا جزبه راه همی شاه خوانند بهرام را ندیدند آغاز فرجام را پس من کنون تا پل نهروان بیاورد لشکر چو کوهی گران چوشد کاربی برگ بگریختم بدام بلا در نیاویختم نگه کردم اکنون به سود و زیان نباشند یاور مگر تازیان گر ای دون که فرمان دهد شهریار سواران تازی برم بی‌شمار بدو گفت هرمز که این رای نیست که اکنون تو را پای برجای نیست نباشند یاور تو را تازیان چوجایی نبینند سود و زیان بدرد دل اندر تو را زار نیز بدشمن سپارند از بهر چیز بدین کار پشت تو یزدان بود هما و از توبخت خندان بود چو بگذاشت خواهی همی مرز وبوم از ایدر برو تازیان تا بروم سخنهای این بنده‌ی چاره جوی چو رفتی یکایک بقیصر بگوی بجایی که دین است و هم وخواستست سلیح و سپاه وی آراستست فریدونیان نیز خویش تواند چوکارت شود سخت پیش تواند چو بشنید خسرو زمین بوس داد بسی بر نهان آفرین کرد یاد ببندوی و گردوی و گستهم گفت که ما با غم و رنج گشتیم جفت بسازید و یکسر بنه برنهید برو بوم ایران بدشمن دهید بگفت این و از دیده آواز خاست که‌ای شاه نیک اختر و داد وراست یکی گرد تیره برآمد ز راه درفشی درفشان میان سپاه درفشی کجا پیکرش اژدهاست که چوبینه بر نهروان کرد راست چوبشنید خسرو بیامد بدر گریزان برفت او ز پیش پدر همی‌شد سوی روم برسان گرد درفشی پس پشت او لاژورد بپیچید یال و بر و روی را نگه کرد گستهم و بند وی را همی‌راندند آن دو تن نرم نرم خروشید خسرو به آوای گرم همانا سران تان ز پیش آمدست که بدخواه تان همچو خویش آمدست اگر نه چنین نرم راندن چراست که بهرام نزدیک پشت شماست بدو گفت بندوی کای شهریار دلت را ببهرام رنجه مدار کجا گرد ما را نبیند ز راه که دورست ز ایدر درفش سیاه چنین است یارانت را گفت و گوی که ما را بدین تاختن نیست روی چو چوبینه آید بایوان شاه هم آنگه به هرمز دهد تاج وگاه نشیند چو دستور بردست اوی بدریا رسد کارگر شست اوی بقیصر یکی نامه از شهریار نویسد که این بنده‌ی نابکار گریزان برفتست زین مرز وبوم نباید که آرام گیرد بروم هم آنگه که او خویشتن کرد راست نژندی وکژی ازین بهر ماست چو آید بران مرز بندش کنید دل شادمان را گزندش کنید بدین بارگاهش فرستید باز ممانید تا گردد او سرفراز ببندید هم در زمان با سپاه فرستید گریان بدین جایگاه چنین داد پاسخ که از بخت بد سزد زین نشان هرچ بر ما رسد سخنها درازست و کاری درشت به یزدان کنون باز هشتیم پشت براند اسپ وگفت آنچ از خوب و زشت جهاندار برتارک ما نبشت بباشد نگردد باندیشه باز مبادا که آید بدشمن نیاز چو او برگذشت این دو بیدادگر ازو بازگشتند پر کینه سر

His army turned their backs on him entirely and abandoned the king without a thought. Khosrow said to Banduy and Gostaham: "I have now lost all confidence. I have no heir — no son, no one connected to the crown. If I am killed in battle, the world will be left without a king."

Banduy told him: "O proud one — may you never need such a day. The army has gone. Do not stay here, for no one in the world is your ally now."

Khosrow ordered Zanguy: "Ride from here at full gallop to Takhoar. From these remnants, take a thousand horsemen and bring back from that battlefield whatever you find — the silk pavilions, the treasury, the crown, the purses of gold, the captives, the ivory throne." The lords loaded the baggage and treasure; they labored hard to carry it away. But at that very moment, a dragon-figured banner appeared on the road, and the world turned violet. Bahram came riding hard in pursuit, darkening the day with battle.

The two met — Bahram and Khosrow — two fierce lions, two raging war-elephants. They clashed and hammered at each other. Bahram wheeled like a male lion, but no weapon could find its mark on him. So it went until the sun passed over the dome of the sky — the fight went beyond all measure.

Then Takhoar arrived before Khosrow with the news that the treasury and baggage had been moved across the bridge. Khosrow said to Gostaham: "No one is fighting at our side. We are ten men against a great army with a mighty champion at its head. A timely retreat is better than battle. When you are alone, there is no room for delay."

The inexperienced young king rode hard toward the bridge of Nahravan. Bahram came charging after him, his head full of hatred and his heart full of fury. When Khosrow saw this, he held his ground on the bridge and called Gostaham forward. "Bring me my bow," he said, "my spokesman in battle." His treasurer brought the bow and Gostaham oversaw the matter. The king took up his bow and darkened the sky with arrows, raining them like hail — each shaft pinning a helmet to a skull.

Bahram the lion came charging with a lasso in hand, mounted on a dragon of a horse. When Khosrow saw him, he turned joyfully and strung both tips of his bow. He drove an arrow into Bahram's horse. The mount collapsed completely. The general took up his shield on foot and clutched his head in despair. Yalan Sineh charged forward like a storm, and Khosrow — the world-seeker who held that man as a dead man — wounded his horse as well. Yalan Sineh, now on foot, scrambled for the bridge.

The army fell back from the bridge of Nahravan — every man, old and young. When Bahram withdrew, Khosrow systematically demolished the bridge behind him. He rode sorrowfully toward Ctesiphon, his heart full of grief and his eyes full of blood. He bolted the city gates with iron chains and sank into a tide of anxious thought. He summoned the lords from every quarter and stationed guards along the walls.

Then he went before his father. His eyes were full of tears and his liver full of blood. When he saw his father's face, he prostrated himself and remained before him a long time.

He said: "This champion horseman — the one you chose, O king — he came like a king in his own right, glorious with power, and brought an enormous army. I told him everything that counsel demanded. My advice was useless on him. All he wanted was war and strife — may his name and spirit never find peace. An unwanted battle was forced, and many were struck down by fate. The entire army deserted me — it was as though they saw me only as an obstacle on the road. They call Bahram 'king' now. They do not see the beginning from the end. He has brought his army right up to the bridge of Nahravan — like a moving mountain. When the situation became hopeless, I fled — I did not let myself be caught in the snare of disaster. I have weighed the gains and losses: the only ones who might help are the Arabs. If the king commands, I will raise countless Arab horsemen."

Hormozd said: "That is not sound thinking. You have no footing left. The Arabs will not help you when they see no profit or loss at stake — and they will hand you over to the enemy in a heartbeat for a price, wretched though you already are. In this matter your support must be God. May fortune smile upon you. Since you must leave this land, go from the Arabs to Rome. Tell the Caesar everything this scheming servant has told you. Go to where there is faith, wealth, desire, arms, and a well-ordered army. And the descendants of Fereydun are your kin as well — they will stand by you when times are hard."

Khosrow heard this and kissed the ground. He spoke many hidden blessings. He said to Banduy, Gorduy, and Gostaham: "We have become wedded to grief and hardship. Prepare everything and load the baggage. Give Iran's soil over to the enemy." He spoke, and a cry rose up from the watchers: "O king of good fortune and straight justice!" A dark cloud of dust rose on the road, and in its midst appeared a gleaming banner — the dragon standard that Chobin had set up at Nahravan.

When Khosrow heard this, he came to the gate and fled from his father's presence. He rode toward Rome like the wind, a dark banner behind him. He twisted around in the saddle and looked back at Gostaham and Banduy. They were riding slowly, at an easy pace. Khosrow shouted to them in a heated voice: "Your own people must have come to an understanding with the enemy — your enemies have become like your kinsmen! Otherwise why this easy riding, when Bahram is right behind you?"

Banduy answered: "O king, do not torment your heart over Bahram. He cannot even see our dust from the road — the black banner is still far off. But your allies have been talking, and this is their thinking: that we have no standing in this chase. When Chobin arrives at the king's palace, he will give the crown and throne to Hormozd at once. He will sit at Hormozd's hand as chief minister, and his net will reach to the sea. Then he will write a letter from the king to the Caesar, saying: 'This worthless servant has fled this land — he must not be given rest in Rome. The moment he collects himself, the trouble and crookedness will be for us. When he enters your territory, bind him. Harm him so that his heart loses its joy. Send him back to this court in chains immediately. Do not let him rise to any distinction. Bind him at once with his troops and send him weeping back to us.'"

Khosrow answered: "With bad fortune, everything that comes is deserved. The speeches are long and the matter is hard. We have placed our backs against God now." He spurred his horse and said: "Whatever good or ill the Lord of the World has written on our foreheads will stand. No amount of thinking will reverse it. May it never come to pass that I must beg from the enemy."

When he had ridden past, those two faithless men turned back from him, their heads full of malice.

Notes

1context

The critical turning point: Khosrow personally unhorses Bahram with an arrow and dismounts Yalan Sineh, then destroys the Nahravan bridge behind him. A fighting retreat, not a rout — but the kingdom is lost.

2placeطیسفونTisfun

Ctesiphon (Tisfun) — the Sasanian capital near modern Baghdad, where Khosrow retreats after the battle.

3personهرمزدHormozd

Hormozd IV, blinded and deposed but still politically astute. His advice to flee to Rome rather than seek Arab help proves prescient — he understands that mercenary allies without ideological commitment will betray Khosrow.

4context

Hormozd's reference to 'the descendants of Fereydun' means the Roman (Byzantine) imperial house, which Persian tradition sometimes connected to the mythical Iranian king Fereydun through his son Salm, who was given the western lands.

5context

Banduy and Gostaham's slow riding is not mere treachery — they are calculating that Bahram will restore Hormozd to the throne and that they can switch sides. Khosrow sees through this immediately. Their betrayal here sets up the murder of Hormozd in the next section.

6personیلان سینهYalan Sineh

Yalan Sineh — one of Bahram's commanders, unhorsed by Khosrow during the bridge fight.

Edition & Source

Author: فردوسی (Ferdowsi, c. 977–1010 AD)
Edition: شاهنامه — Wikisource plain edition
Source: Wikisource