Original content

English translation

I heard a king had a wife Who held the king as an enemy. One day, out of anger, She brought the king food filled with poison. As she looked upon the king along the way, The bowl fell from her hand onto the threshold. She trembled and the color drained from her face; Her husband grew suspicious of the woman. The king gave her food to a bird; The bird died, and he was left astonished. The king immediately handed the woman to the Mobad, Saying, 'Empty her form of her heart quickly. Shed her blood and cast her into the dust; Rid my heart of this faithless dog.' The woman was pregnant by the wise king, Yet that king had no other child. The Mobad reflected: 'If this king Should suddenly fall into the trap of death, Since there is no child to take his place, There will be tempest and turmoil in his court. It is far better that I keep this woman hidden Until I see what becomes of the world.' But he feared that by some impossible turn, Someone might later harbor a suspicion. He rose to eliminate any potential slander, So that any accusation would be cleared from his path. Since the king had made him the trustee of her execution, The Mobad went and castrated himself. He placed that organ of his in a proper box, Brought it before the king, and asked for his seal. The box was sealed with the king's seal; The king asked him, 'What does the Mobad hold in his hand?' The Mobad replied, 'O ruler of the world, When the time comes, it shall be revealed to you. I have fastened the lid of this box in the name of the victorious king, On this very day's date.' When that unique man spoke these words, The king sent the box to the treasury. When a few months had passed, the king's wife Gave birth to a beautiful son, like the moon. You would say his face was a sun, And the cloud of his hair rose in the night. He possessed all culture, glory, and goodness; Indeed, from that weak woman came a strong one. When the Mobad saw the child's face from afar, He auspiciously named him Shapur. With a hundred endearments, within the veil of secrecy, He nurtured him day and night with honor. In short, when he reached the age he should, His master sat him where he ought. His heart caught fire with knowledge; He quickly learned the creed of Zoroaster. When he was finished with his education and training, He took up the polo-stick, the ball, and archery. With sword and spear, he became a master of the world; Whatever praise I say, he was greater than that. He grew tall like a graceful cypress; His face became a heart-stealer to both cypress and moon. His hair was like ambergris in its curls, And by its magical charm, it held hearts captive. His lips held a ruby chalice full of wine, Bringing a flourishing joy in its wake. He would shake his sleeve at any moment, And under his banner lay a whole world. One day, the king of the world was sitting sorrowful, His brow deeply furrowed. The Mobad asked him: 'O ruler of the world, What grief has appeared to our king? For I do not see you joyful as you are every day; My heart cannot bear to see you sit in this burning grief.' The king said to him: 'I am not made of granite; From passing away, no one has any escape. My grief is that, due to the cruelty of time, I have no unique child, So that when death casts its snare around my neck, He may be my successor after me.' When that unique man heard these words, A torrent of blood flowed from his eyes. He said to the king: 'I hold a hidden secret, Which is also among the wonders of this world. If I receive a solemn covenant from my sovereign, I will speak it; otherwise, I will keep it veiled.' In short, when the king made a covenant with him, He immediately related that story to him. Then that unique man requested That they bring that box from the treasury. When the king of the world saw such piety and trustworthiness In the Mobad, free from any fear of betrayal, And then heard the news of his child, And felt the clamor of the love of that kinship, He did not know what to say out of joy, Nor how to express his gratitude and seek the Mobad's freedom. He said to the Mobad: 'Adorn a hundred children, All looking like my Shapur, in one place. All of them same in clothing, age, and stature; All with the same mounts, same helmets, and same heads, So that my soul, from beneath the veil of secrecy, May find its own beloved once again. For by the light of recognition, One can distinguish people from one another.' The wise Mobad went the next day And brought a hundred heart-delighting children to the field, All with the same clothing, color, and head, Just as the sovereign king had instructed. When the king of the horizons came to observe, He suddenly saw his son standing unique in the midst. With a single glance upon seeing him, he recognized him; He called him to himself, embraced him, and caressed him. He immediately restored his mother to him, And felt deep sympathy for the old guardian who had consumed so much grief. From this story, know that it is all about recognition, Through which every particle is illuminated. If a particle does not find the face of the sun, It remains veiled like a stranger forever. But if a single particle finds recognition, It receives a hundred lights from the sun.