When above the blue Heaven and below the dark Earth were created, between them were created the sons of men.

Among those sons of men, my ancestors Bumın Khagan and İstemi Khagan sat enthroned.

So that the Turkic people might not perish, Heaven gave my father the realm, and he held it.

At sixteen he led an army beyond the Irtysh. He advanced upon the enemy. His spear broke in battle, and he became a man.

We met the Türgish host in battle. Kül Tigin mounted his steed, thrust his spear, and the host was destroyed.

His spear was broken in forty places; his horse galloped through forty fields; his heart never tore.