بخش 20

The fortunate king, returning from the battlefield, came back to his throne and told Bastūr to set out at dawn and lead the host toward the famed lands. At daybreak the commander arrived, beat the drums of victory, and set the baggage in order; they turned their faces to Iran, hearts still dazed from war and spirits battle-ready, bringing along all the wounded and leaving nothing of the stores behind. Once in Iran, they entrusted the wounded to wise physicians. When the world-king regained his seat, he gave Farrukh Homāy to his elder son and entrusted the army to Bastūr—such was the custom and justice of the Iranians. He granted him ten thousand freeborn, warlike horsemen and lancers, and ordered: O renowned warrior, ride against the king of Turān; pass through Itāsh and Khalajistān, and slay whomever you find in vengeance for your father. Whatever was needed for the task he supplied, without measure or count. Then Bastūr led that host away, and the king of the world sat upon the throne, set the Kayanid crown upon his head, and granted audience to the whole army. He opened the treasury and adorned the host with wealth; he allotted cities among the chiefs and left no one without gift. Whoever was fit for kingship he made king; whoever required rank he set in his station; when their affairs were properly arranged, he sent them back to their own halls. He paced upon the dais, tethered his steed, and sat within the royal palace. He ordered the Fire to be kindled, aloes and amber to be burnt upon it; the ground was arrayed with pure gold, the firewood was aloes, and the dust was amber. He brought the palace to full form and named it the Hall of the Goshtaspids; at the dome’s gate he appointed Jamāsp as its mobed. He wrote to his wardens of the marches: The Lord has set us aright, turned our dark night to day, and made the Kayanids victorious in every place; Arjāsp the ill-omened has fallen under curse—such is the work of the world’s Creator. When you hear of the king’s victory, render tribute to the Fire-worshipers. When Caesar of Rome learned that the king was blessed and Arjāsp accursed, he sent envoys with gifts—slaves and well-arrayed horses. The king of the idolaters and the rāyahs of India paid tribute, and the kings of Sind obeyed.