Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
SHAHNAMA OF FIEDAUSl
DONE INTO ENGLISH BY
M.A.
AND
EDMOND WARNER,
B.A.
VOL.
LONDON
KEGAN PAUL, TRENCH, TRUBNER &
DRYDEN HOUSE, GERHARD STREET, W.
1905
CO. LTD
Ballantyne, Hanson
At tbe Ballantyne Press
'Printed by
Co.
TRUBNER'S
ORIENTAL SERIES.
TO
HIS SISTER
CAROLINE WARNER
THIS
WORK
IS
DEDICATED BY HER
SURVIVING BROTHER
PREFACE
The
with which
interest
saddened
us
innumerable
for
me
of late
happy
by
hours,
been
has
my
the death of
elder
undertaking.
It
Incumbent of
St.
toward
far
It
leisure.
completion
more
in
favourable
Company
in
to
the living of
St.
Mary
le
Bow, Cheapside,
1887.
From
study
early
days
Oriental
of
He was
During
in
also
my
languages.
His
proficiency
in
at
862
good
Arabic
and
Syriac
at
1863.
scholar.
Curate
Westminster he never
>
and
may add
that
we were engaged
in revising a
He
is,
I think,
903.
Such
'PREFACE
Vlll
by the publication of
work
this
am
hope that
fain to
may
but
fleeting;
be raising to
monument.
lasting
fact
are
references
that
this
to
be
be wondered
to
made
to
it
actually the
is
in current literature,
and
attempt to give
the
first
matter
It
should
the
in
am
will
and
Note,
fallen to
of
by explanatory
Introduction,
of
Argument.
and
accompanied
be
forms
my
many
be
lot,
faults
only too
my
am
final
form
throughout.
its
lived r
On
tend
will
to
equalise
our
idea
the
of
from
it
subject-matter
of
will
gain
tion
authoritative informa-
on the subject.
PREFACE
make such
illustrative
extracts
IX
as
needed from
with their
valuable to
also
W. West
to
respectively.
introductions
thank
my
sister,
hope
to
notes, are
Sh^hndma.
Caroline
and
These transla-
Warner,
most
have
and
my
a volume at a
EDMOND WARNER.
Ei/THAM, February 1905.
CONTENTS
PAGE
Preface
vii
INTRODUCTION
Chapter
Chapter
Chapter
II.
23
76
87
88
go
93
Note on Pronunciation
95
THE SHAHNAMA
The Prelude
SECT.
1.
....
Discourse in Praise of
Wisdom
3.
Of the Making
World
of the
Man
6.
Of the Nature
Of the Nature
Of the Nature
7.
8.
On
9.
5.
10.
1.
12.
of
Sun
of the
Moon
How
of the
101
102
his
...
Mahmud
xi
105
Companions
Shahnama
106
108
...
.
104
105
In Praise of Sultan
the present
In Praise of
PAGE
100
2.
4.
Invocation
109
109
1
10
.112
CONTENTS
xii
PAGR
SECT.
1.
The
Greatness
Ahrinian
2.
3.
Gaiumart
of
and
.
Envy
the
of
to fight the
18
20
Black
Div
121
HUSHANG
1.
The Accession
2.
How
Tahmuras
1.
of
Hushang and
122
123
Arts,
.126
2.
3.
4.
131
....
135
37
139
Zahhak
1.
of
of Irmd'il
and KarmaVil
How Zahhak
saw Faridun
3.
The Birth
Faridun
4.
How
5.
The Story
2.
.
6.
7.
How
How
The Story
How
2.
of
of
50
his Origin
152
154
159
161
45
147
1
Faridun went
9.
1.
Dream
8.
Faridun
of
in a
164
.166
How
How
Yaman
174
177
CONTENTS
Faridun
(continued)
Xlll
PAGE
SECT.
3.
4.
How
How
the
King
of
Yaman
answered Jandal
King
181
of
Yaman
183
13.
14.
How
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
184
.186
189
189
191
...
193
....
197
199
of
202
Iraj
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
a Daughter was
Born
....
to Iraj
How
How
How
How
of
Minuchihr
to his
Sons
205
206
208
209
.211
Tur and
fight
Salm
20.
21.
22.
215
.218
....
.
220
Victory to
Faridun
23.
24.
How
How
221
223
227
the Iranians
225
26.
27.
The Death
25.
MlNtjCHIHR
1.
of
Faridun
....
229
232
How
Oration
2.
The Birth
3.
How
How
239
..........
Sain had a
Son
4.
237
of Zal
Dream touching
Knowledge
of the Case of
Minuchihr took
Sam and Zal
243
\
248
CONTENTS
XIV
Minuchihr
(continued)
SECT.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
PAGE
Rudaba
13.
[4.
273
275
Matter of
Zal
16.
How
How
17.
How
5.
278
Sindukht heard
of the
Case of Rudaba
Ms
of
280
Daughter's
Case
284
Minuchihr heard
of
the
Case
Zal and
of
Rudaba
288
26.
27.
28.
How
29.
The Story
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
292
295
....
....
.
Minuchihr
30.
31.
32.
33.
Zal came to
289
299
301
306
308
309
311
Sam
of the Birth of
...
Rustam
314
.316
320
324
....
.
327
330
his Victory
to Zal
332
34.
The Letter
35.
Minuchihr's
of Zal to
last
Sam
334
335
CONTENTS
Naudar
xv
PAGK
SEOT.
I.
2.
3-
4*
339
342
345
346
5.
6.
7.
8.
9-
10.
1 1.
12.
!
3-
350
,
355
356
...
352
358
359
362
34
jrJ t
Zav
1.
Zav
is
elected
Shah
370
Garshasp
I.
How
2.
3.
4.
INDEX
....
374
378
381
382
389
INTRODUCTION
ERRATA
Traitana' read Trita'
7, line 25 and elsewhere, for *Tritd' and
and Traitana.*
Page 9, line 16 and elsewhere, for Azarbijan read Azarbaijrtn.
Page 10, reference number 2, after R insert P.
Page 13, bottom, for 'NESH read ' NSEH.'
Page 17, delete lines 8-10, and read from the other side, we may add
that Peter the Great gained temporary possession of Darband
in A.d. 1722, but it was not finally annexed by Russia till A.D.
Page
'
'
'
'
'
1813,1
Page
Page
19,
number
reference
3, delete iii.
on both occasions.'
Page 34, five lines from bottom, delete While I sat looking on and
read While I o'erlooked from far.'
Page 37, line 22, for Arudi read 'Arudi.'
Page 39, reference number 1, delete i. and vii., and read The too
spiritual conception of the Deity in i. and the references to
'AH in vii.'
Page 43, note 2, for fakka read fakk '.'
Page 62, after reference number 7 insert DZA, i. 209.
Page 68, line 9, end, add 'or identical with,' and add to reference
nwmber 1, NIN, 15.
Page 69, bottom, for ' 108 read 107.'
Page 71, line 19, after Oxus insert Caspian.'
1
'
'
'
'
'
'
'
Page
Page
Page
Page
'
'
reference
88, lines 12
'
'
1
89, line 4, for ' Din ' read Dai.'
4
go, for 3 generations * read * 1 generation.'
'
(12).'
Siydwush
Page
Page
Page
add
The* read
In.'
'
'
ERRA TA
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
,,
Page
'
132, line
1 1,
They' read
'
add
full
and add
find,'
to reference 4,
WPT.
4 lines
143, line
7,
they.'
'
stop at end.
'
'
'
'
'
for
read
'
'
Page
have read
'
142.
i.
33,
He
2.'
'
'
3.'
4.'
5.'
read
'
'
Be.'
Page 227, line 21, delete Slain by the Hand 0/' and read slain by'
Page 239, line 21 for made read make.'
Page 293, add to end of note 309, 346.
Page 307, line 7 from bottom, o/ter 'lasso* add 'V
Page 325, line 1 r, for Sam read ZaV
Page 342, line 3 from bottom, for Knowhow read Know how.'
Page 351, side reference, read '259.'
Page 354, line 21, for Guzhdaham read Gazhdaham.'
Page 355, line 4 from bottom, delete comma at end.
Page 366, line 12, delete 'not.'
Page 381, line 4 from bottom, for plants' read plans.'
*
'
'
'
'
'
'
'
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER
the
chief
scene
of
shifting sands.
Possibly
as
late
as
early
3
historical
times
very
INTRODUCTION
different
depressions
names
to still
is
name which
lake.
its
From
April
till
late in the
autumn
for
climate
is
mimosa
tropical
are
in
character.
largely represented,
KA,
2
ii.
473-
MHP,
ii.
367.
DHA,
v. 9.
INTRODUCTION
and
tracts
their
summit
artificially
this
to
list
and the
The
lark.
Iran
is
cold, of
We
the
Good
Principle
created
EP,
ii.
30.
Id. 34.
6"
INTRODUCTION
On the
Shahs, having decided the matter for us.
rock of Bihistun he recorded his great achievements
in a trilingual inscription, the languages employed
being ancient Persian, Babylonian, and Scythian. The
obvious explanation of his proceeding is, that he
recognised in the population of his vast empire three
distinct races of mankind, and, regarding language as
distinctive of race, used it to emphasise that great
political fact.
In thus distinguishing he followed a
true philological
instinct,
and his
distinctions
Each
still
of his three
INTRODUCTION
the
~
lirst
Tu ranian
respectivel y.
we
came
division that
so far as these
other
two
divisions
It is
are
we concerned about
the
latter.
INTRODUCTION
rain-stealer.
The good
1
The plant grows in the regions about Samarkand and Balkh in the
north and in Kirman in the south. The shoots were pounded in a
mortar, and water being added a greenish liquid was produced, which
having been strained was mixed with milk and barley or wild rice and
allowed to ferment. The product was intoxicating. See GHP, i. 36
;
DHA,
iv. 53.
INTRODUCTION
The Medes, whose modern
seem
to
man
or chief. 1
representatives,
if
any,
They seem
its
head or king
ancient
title,
to
to unite
Atropatene.
25.
INTRODUCTION
IO
Indo-Europeans as
Romans.
well,
necessarily dry,
summary
permanent conquest, at the hands of the great warriormonarchs of Nineveh Shalmaneser II. (B.C. 858-823), 1
Samas Rimmon II. (b.c. 823-8 io), 2 Rimmon-nirari III.
(B.C.
810-783),
Tiglath
Pilesar
III.
745-727),*
(b.c.
reign of Esarhaddon
1
RPNS,
Id.
RP,
iii.
iii.
iv.
38-51.
3-5.
103-124.
II.,
Nineveh
R,
RP,
i.
11-22.
ix.
3-20.
fell (b.c.
3
6
606), over-
DHA,
ii.
RPNS,
326.
vi.
83-101.
INTRODUCTION
whelmed by a confederacy which included the Medes.
Probably no empire was ever less lamented by the
world at large, for we have the Assyrians' own word
it that
their warfare was attended with every
circumstance of cruelty and horror. They hold indeed
a bad pre-eminence in that respect over all the other
for
nations of antiquity.
With the
fall
of
till
after
them thorns
and led
to
made
many
INTRODUCTION
12
to
political,
may
as
serve to show,
of five
to
select
the next
NSEH,
139.
INTRODUCTION
of
it." 1
special
13
a very
as his
OHS,
331.
NESH,
in
80.
Spain.
The
INTRODUCTION
triumph of
abandonment
after
the death of
followed.
'Abbasid Khalifa
In a.d. 861
Mamun
Syria.
was the
murdered by
to veil their
Commanders
the reverence
still
as
supreme.
of the Faithful.
The
political
supremacy
of the
Arabs in
INTRODUCTION
15
stage of history
had obliterated
It
would seem
as
We
Roman empire
receive
some
itself
during
its
greatest period
would
From
in his reign
itself
but in
DHA,
iv,
543
Gray,
"At
HIE,
149.
INTRODUCTION
i6
when
Brahman dynasty
It
Christian
era that
Muhammadanism
finally
bodies of
men
The Caucasus
the
EHI,
ii.
415, &c.
INTRODUCTION
17
1
GDF, v. 87-S9. In RSM, 352, this arrangement is said to have
begun in the reigns of Yazdagird II. and the younger Theodosius.
The reader will find a picture of Darband (Derbent) and its wall in
KA,
i.
76.
NSEH,
SHC,
138.
124.
INTRODUCTION
have arisen from the similarity between the Assyrian
words for Medes and nomads respectively, the former
being Mada and the latter Manda, coupled with the fact
that the Mada and Manda both formed part of the
confederation which, under the leadership of Kastarit,
the Kyaxares of the Greeks, overthrew Nineveh. 1 The
empire of the Manda at Ekbatana the so-called Median
Empire continued till t he middle of the sixth ce ntury
B.C.
It shared the dominion over Western Asia with
Babylon and Lydia, and was no doubt the cause of the
elaborate defensive works with which Nebuchadnezzar,
mindful of the fate of Nineveh, sought to make his
held the overlordship of
capital impregnable
it
Western Iran. In the year B.C. 550, however, Cyrus,
king of Elam, rebelled against his overlord, Istuvegu of
Ekbatana, the Astyages of the Greeks, and overthrew
him in the following year. 2 Cyrus then subjugated the
Persians, entered Babylon in B.C. 544, conquered Asia
Minor and all the tableland of Iran, united its tribes for
the first time in histo ry under one governmen t, and
became known to later times as Cyrus the Great. He
is said to have extended his conquests to the Jaxartes,
on the borders of which he erected fortresses to hold
the nomad tribes in check, 3 and the Greek historians,
with the exception of Xenophon, represent him as
perishing in a war with the Scythians. The legend of
Cyrus and Tomyris the queen oF fSe Massagetae, told
by Herodotus, is well known. 4 Cyrus' second successor,
Darius Hystaspis, the false Smerdis being left out of
the question, also carried the war into the enemy's
country, and advanced beyond the Danube in B.C. 513,
though not very successfully, to avenge, as Herodotus
5
tells us, the Scythian invasions which preceded the fall
of the Assyrian Empire.
In the century after the death of Alexander the
1 SHC,
484, 520
(* Herod, i. 205.^
.
Id. 499.
DHA,
Id. iv. 1.
v.
22
vi. 103.
INTRODUCTION
19
(b.c.
250),
till
in precipitating
upon the oasis of Samarkand or Sughd. Here, improved by long settlement both in aspect and manners, 3
1
GDF,
iii.
Id.
Id.
iii,
312.
INTRODUCTION
20
they became
Iranians,
who
known
as the
carried on
White Huns;
many wars
or to the
with them, as the
Haitalians.
frontiers of Iran.
Turkman
their
empire.
rose to
The
eight years old, and for that reason, as the times were
troublous, a party
of his uncle,
his
among
father's brother.
to
Alptigi'n
GDF,v.
175
INTRODUCTION
21
nobles,
flee
who
for
Dflamids
man
and was a
their
the
rivals of the
Samanids
and
obtained
On
this the
or Defender
of the Faith,
and
on
his
eldest
son
of Saifu'd-Daula, or
Sword
Three years
Mahmud,
later
Isma'il,
Nasr, supported
Mahmud.
Samanid dynasty
Shortly
afterwards
the
II., and
in A.D. 999 Mahmud formally
assumed the sovereignty, an event which is duly
noted on his coins by the prefix of Amir to his own
titles, and the omission of the name of the Samanid
overlord which previously had been retained by the
rulers of Ghazni. 1
Mahmud was then twenty-eight
His career as a great conqueror and
years old.
Amir Nuh
EHI,
ii.
479.
INTRODUCTION
22
known.
tended from
shaken
off,
1
The Turkman element was strongly Sunnite.
become thoroughly Shi'ite till the sixteenth century.
Persia
NSEH,
did not
101.
CHAPTER
II
life
of Firdausi
BCM.
23
INTRODUCTION
24
mythical details.
Let us first confine ourselves to the statements in
the poet's undoubted writings and to legitimate deducHe calls himself Abu '1 Kasim, and
tions therefrom.
we gather, that he was born about a.d. 941. We
arrive at this in the following way.
In the whole
Shahnama there is only one definite date that on
which he finished the poem. This, mixing up the
Muhammadan era with the Zoroastrian calendar, he
tells us he did on the day of Ard in the month of
Sapandarmad of the year 400 of the Hijra. This particular year, for the Muhammadan years are lunar and
When
before
me by
my poetry.
we may
This
finished his
i.e.
Muhammadan
clear
is
to 'Ali in
2
1
C, 2095.
In this volume
7.
INTRODUCTION
Moreover, he was
not
25
Muhammad an
strict
in
And
again
Who
From
Hashimi
man whose
Shall wine be
need replenishing.
deaf at sixty-three
He
is he.
in poverty
is
of repentance
fit
years
still
amount
to sixty-three
He owned
or occupied land
A cloud
the following
at least
What
No
meat or barley-grain
till harvest come again
Amid this gloom, this day of tax and fear,
When earth with snow is like an ivory sphere,
All mine affairs in overthrow will end
Unless my hand is grasped by some good friend.
Are
fire-wood salted
left
me, naught
V, 1630.
4
Id., 1487.
C, 1457.
Heading
last line
Id. 1460.
with P.
INTRODUCTION
26
And
again
He
The
says
bier
thirty,
At the age of
At
sixty-five
sixty-five
he
lost his
son
to catch at pelf.
'tis ill
My
turn
it
was
to go yet
he hath gone.
He
hurried
off alone.
The outcome
of
my
I stayed to see
labours.
himself as being
While three
C, 2089.
C, 1951.
V, 680.
INTRODUCTION
*7
Lost
rein,
its
He
And
If thus
He
However this may be, from the time when he became his own master he appears to have devoted him1
v, 1274.
The poet also represents this SMh as being highly indignant when
a wealthy cordwainer, in return for valuable services, ventures to ask
as a favour that his son may be made a scribe.
C, 1778.
2
C, 1676.
INTRODUCTION
28
to
self
poetry.
Shahnama he
says
My life
We
man
itself to
the
vicious habits,
of his
great
his priority
Dakiki seems
to
a.d.
976,
for
materials.
c, 2096.
See Prelude,
4
v, 1555.
8.
Id, 9.
INTRODUCTION
also suffered
29
The times were troublous and men's minds were otherAt length both the needful materials
wise occupied.
and the patron were vouchsafed him. The former
were obtained for him by a friend and fellow-townsman. 1 The latter he found somewhat later in the
local
field,
noble, rich,
cated to kings.
other
of Chalandshan, to
whom
Ahmad
in a.d.
ibn
Muhammad
999 he dedicated a
Shahnama.
Firdausi was staying with
he had the escape from drowning already
referred to, and he seems to have been rescued
This
either by Ahmad himself or by Ahmad's son.
3
The poet, howpassage is not in our printed texts.
ever, had never forgotten the advice of his former
patron, the beloved Abu Mansur, and in this same year
The last king of the Samanid
his opportunity came.
dynasty died and Mahmud became supreme in Eastern
Henceforth it was to Mahmud that the poet
fran.
looked for patronage, and he appears to have left
complete
Ahmad when
Prelude,
10.
3
NIN,
23, 24.
Id. 11.
INTRODUCTION
bless the
And
signet-ring, bless
placed
With
My
its
end.
When
I still felt
It ran
Some
:" Ye men
of
to find
Prelude,
12.
INTRODUCTION
The world by
And
is
justice
and by
largessings,
And may he
Now
flourish, root
and
mine ear
lay,
descent,
had strong
it tells
of the
final
known
in history.
Abii'l
V, 1272-1274.
INTRODUCTION
32
We
secretary,
ought
have known. 2
to
by Mahmud
ception
was
poem when
of the
The
Shahn&ma
finished.
poet's
memorial
Of
all
The
And
And
rife
If the poet
doomed
to disappointment.
may have
active opposition
\
J
>
NIN,
25, note.
KUR,
396.
V, 1730.
INTRODUCTION
That one
33
And
lustre
And
Be
the fruitage of
his the
And may
lie is
is
shall run.
plunged in despair
labours find.
At another time
The dear
my
2
!
own handiwork
The world
1
C, 1998.
Id. 1587.
INTRODUCTION
34
treasures..
To win
J
And
again:
Will turn
and
secret dealing
men
be foe to sou
These
passages,
Mahmud and
clearly refer to
the poet's
own
time.
The
commander
Noldeke's
Professor
in
is
opinion,
to the circumstances of
mood
is still
When
is finished,
one of despondence
five
Great
men and
My work all
me
1294.
Id. 2064.
NIN,
26.
INTRODUCTION
35
Would not
From him
I got incitement,
wings and
feet.
And
one years of
my
life
had passed me by
before
my
poetry.
The
live, this
him
are more.
prudent king,
And
all. 1
own opinion
C, 2095.
The readings of the names of the poet's friends are
taken from Nizdmi's quotation of this passage. BCM, 79.
1
INTRODUCTION
36
Mahmud and
if
it
INTRODUCTION
37
1013. 1
The suggestion then is that the poet lost his chance
owing to the troubles in which the minister became
involved just about the time when the Shahnama
and
would be ready for presentation to Mahmiid
when we picture to ourselves the remorseless intrigues
to
a.d.
of an Oriental court
intrigues sticking at no atrocity
and shrinking from no meanness we can well imagine
that if the unfortunate minister really had taken an
interest in the poet's work, there would not be wanting
those who would only be too willing out of mere spite
However
days.
this
They run
as follows
"
That
love, if I shall
speak of
it,
implies
KUR,
396.
Cf. too
2
EHI,
C, 63.
ii.
486;
iv.
148.
INTRODUCTION
38
what Niz&mi
interesting information.
as Firdausi of Tus.
street sherbet-seller in
payment
for a drink.
He
also
after the
death of the
poet.
Abu 1 K&sim
INTRODUCTION
work
Abu
it
39
was transcribed by 'AH Dilam and recited byHe was much in favour with Ha'ly, son
Dulaf.
with
all
who
treated
him
Ahmad Hasan
Dulaf.
minister, befriended
him, and
The
Sult&n, who accepced it.
had enemies, who pointed out that
Firdausi was a heretic, as some of the verses in his
1
Prelude to the Shahnama showed, and the result was
He
that the poet got much less than he expected.
went to the bath in deep chagrin, and on coming out
divided the sum that he had received between the
bath-man and a sherbet-seller of whom he had bought
presented
to
the
minister, however,
a drink.
of
Mahmud
him
he
fled to
Mahmud
him
Thence
he journeyed on to Tabaristan, whose ruler treated
him kindly.
There Firdausi wrote his Satire on
Mahmud,. read it to the chief, and offered to dedicate
there himself taking the
The
instead of to the Sultan.
however, was himself one of
Mahmud's vassals, and he persuaded the poet to let
the dedication stand, and bought the Satire of him
for one hundred thousand drachms
a thousand for
each couplet. He then destroyed it, and Firdausi
himself destroyed his own rough copy, only five verses
We here
remaining extant
the five already given.
append our version of the Satire. Assuming that it
the
Shahnama
of
chief
to
him
Tabaristan,
2 If
and
7.
Mahmud was
with Firdausi
it
seems
strange that the latter's estate at Tus was not confiscated on this
occasion.
INTRODUCTION
40
in essentials the poet's handiwork the reader probably will agree with the prudent chief of Tabaristan
in his opinion that the sooner it was suppressed
the better.
is
as victor trod
climes!
if
For there
Who all were crowned monarchs of the earth
And all of them pre-eminent o'er thee
In treasure, host, throne, crown, and dignity.
They did no act that was not good and right,
Went not about to swindle and to spite,
Dealt with their subjects justly and were naught
An
But
term'st
me
faithless, heretic
A lion,
am
Upon His
Have
I for all
'AH.
INTRODUCTION
Within my heart. What said the inspired Lord
Of bidding and forbidding Heaven's own word ?
"I am the City of the Doctrine, he
That is the gateway to it is 'All.'*
I witness that His heart is in that word
As though, as thou may'st say, His voice I heard.
If thou bast mind and w it and rede to hand
By Prophet and 'All take up thy stand.
If ill result to thee mine is the breach
Thus is it, and I practise what I preach.
Thus have I done from birth, thus will I die
The dust upon the Lion's 1 foot am I.
What others say can make no difference
;
To me
And if
Have
the
five-score like
Mahmud
to patronise.
Mahmud
as patron.
Have
pierced so
'All
many gems
of fantasy."
The
The
>
'AH.
INTRODUCTION
42
The
The
His eighty
And horsemen
of the plain
live,
one and
all,
and
have laid
king
to
The homes
Have
built
Asfandiyar.
INTRODUCTION
43
coalj^frigid thing.
And made
Mohl, who has a slightly different text, translates " rien et moins que
which he admits to be pure conjecture. To us it seems a reference
to the amount expected and the amount received by the poet.
2
Fakka " seems to have been
In the original a " fakka "-seller.
barley-water flavoured with raisins, or else some sort of beer.
Gf. the
Greek <p ova tea (Latin posca, sour wine).
1
rien/'
INTRODUCTION
44
On whom
I spent
in the public
it
way
C.
66
And
faith as this
is, is
The
slave-girl's brat is
Although
it
may
To
Is
Thy
And
if
thou
vi si test
somewhat
rill
of the scent,
a charcoal Jack
Thou
And
Or
let the
labour of
my
life
be vain.
In
light,
Thy
and burn
INTRODUCTION
Before resuming our
we should mention
summary
45
of Nizarni's account
understood to be in preparation.
a high
official
it
He
at the
tells
us in his
suggestion
of
indigo
it
arrived safely,
entered
a high-spirited
lady
who
refused to accept
the
NIN,
27.
INTRODUCTION
46
a.d.
1020-1021,
i i
16-1
Nizanri
17.
to enter
The present
writer, as far as
he
is
concerned, would
ception of the
himself
Shahnama
left it in
at the point
re-
at all events
pains has been taken to distinguish Firdausi's own acIt only remains to
count from that given by others.
"
add that late in life when writing " Yiisuf and Zulikha
he affected to condemn his greatest achievement as
Old age, disappointment, and
a pack of idle tales.
other circumstances may well have contributed to
warp his judgment, but we cannot doubt that in his
heart of hearts he was as conscious of what constituted his best title to fame as when he penned the
concluding words of the Sh&hndma:
words have I
and henceforth I shall not
Flung
broad-cast,
die.
INTRODUCTION
47
epic
record that
it
All
couplets.
Such a
line as
The Pharaohs
Rome,
The poet wrote in almost pure Persian. The admixture of Arabic is slight, and in all probability
would be slighter if we had the Shahnama precisely
Some Arabic the poet was bound
as Firdausi left it.
terms, for instance, in connection with his
to use
but copyists, it seems probable, are responreligion
of course involves
many
cross-divisions.
Homers.
The
contrast
own
is
in
fact
differs
widely from
striking.
He
Homer
plunges into
the middle of his subject, and makes the period of
his action as brief as possible.
Selecting one central
personality.
INTRODUCTION
48
material.
on the other hand, takes us into his confrom the first. In direct violation of the
Horatian precept he begins from Leda's egg and
earlier, and the period of his action extends over
thousands of years. He uses all the epic material,
good, bad, and indifferent, on which he can lay hands.
His web is open-work and its design unsymmetrical
He makes no secret of his method, but tells us what
his materials are and how he obtained them.
He
shows us in fact his loom in action, and calls our
attention to the bright, many-coloured threads of
myth, romance, and history which are being woven
Firdausi,
fidence
therein.
It will
originally
divine or semi-divine
beings,
and though
same
and localities.
hero, assigning
them
to different
reigns,
not
the
was
the
ages,
INTRODUCTION
49
The poem
is
Of these there
which is
I.
so
much on
Great.
evil.
The
INTRODUCTION
be taken to typify
its
all
is
ill
assumed
engaged in
They
with
each other, and especially on the battlefield of the
are
to be constantly
is
carried
on
strife
chiefly
by means
of
inspire.
Muhammadan
Muhammadan
He seldom
the
Muhammadan
Allah.
On
such terms
All-mighty,
hardly ever
other hand he
the
Muhammadan
is
Practically his
Muhammadan
in
no longer
the formidable Zoroastrian Ahriman, but approximates
all
evil principle is
to
HEP,
33-35-
See
DFKHP,
ii.
INTRODUCTION
5"
the Bible.
itself
II.
explanation.
universe, while
it
INTRODUCTION
52
is
which
destiny,
respect to
man
There
poem than
is
no more
part in
the poem.
Destiny, as
repre-
entirely
is
different.
is drawn between
whether physical or moral.
Light,
immortality, health, and all that is good in the worlds
of mind and matter proceed from Urmuzd darkness,
death, disease, and all that is evil from Ahriman.
Urmuzd created man and fashioned the twelve houses
of the heavens that they might pour down their
good
and
evil,
Urmuzd and
Ahriman broke
into the
Isaiah xlv.
7.
Job
ii,
10.
INTRODUCTION
incidents
of
life
rather to what
to
an Eastern
we should
The Zoroastrian
fate.
view, which
eye,
call fortune
The
is
53
but corresponds
than to absolute
that of the poet s
Muhammadan, which
practical result
is
that
in,
is
INTRODUCTION
54
in accordance to
personified
Zoroastrian theology as
who
strive to
The
the
days
Muhammad.
of
worshippers,
whether of
In
the
Semitic
poem
race
or
all
not,
idol-
are
historical relations of
mankind
INTRODUCTION
55
Ruman
We
mothers. 1
have
tradition,
also
to note
Urmuzd
that,
according to Iranian
One
of Afrasiyab's
own
for
it
at the
The most
hand of
and
suffers
is
that of the
commander-in-chief.
Though his loyalty to his own
master is absolutely stainless and unimpeached, he
always shows himself most friendly and generous to
the Iranians, striving for peace and for a better underHe lives to see his
standing between the two races.
honest endeavours foiled and his well-meant counsels
turn out ill, but his honesty is so transparent and
recognised that even the fierce tyrant whom he serves,
History and legend alike throw considerable doubt on the paternity
Iranian patriotism avails itself of
this fact to explain that Philip married his daughter to Shdh Dardb,
that Darab took a dislike to her and sent her back to her father, at
whose court she gave birth to Alexander, who was brought up as Philip's
own son. Iranian amour propre is thus saved, as the great conqueror
the eldest born of Shah Darab.
is made out to be an Iranian himself
1
INTRODUCTION
and who suffers most for having followed his advice, has
hardly a word to say against him, and he only gives up
the leadership of the host with death. It is a well paid
compliment by the poet to the Turkman race. It was
no doubt his own contribution toward a good understanding, and happily he could not foresee the horrors
which the eleventh and subsequent centuries held in
store for Iran at the hands of the nations of the North.
For the preservation of the subject-matter of the
are chiefly indebted to two of the
classes into which Firdausl tells us ancient Iranian
society was divided
the priestly class and the agricultural class
in other words the Magi and the
Dihkans.
The Magi were the priests of the true
Medes or Mada, among whom they formed a caste or
Shahnama we
Originally
tribe.
fire- priests,
own name
as their
for
1
Athravans, literally " fire-men "
themselves
shows,
they became closely associated with, even if they did
not originate, the Dualism and Zoroastrianism of
later times.
with
all
them
Magi
as the
and
them
knew
later
are
in Atropatene,
fire),
and
still
more
of,
or that guards
in their legendary
home
in
DZA,
i.
li,
ist ed.
Skeat,
Etym.
Diet.,
s.v.
INTRODUCTION
57
man
the
of letters,
man
loger
fact
and the
that
it
is
of
occult
from
fire
to
affirm
had
1
its
heaven
The Oxus
we
shall
INTRODUCTION
58
status
good and
is
and
sanctity.
We
have already
There the kindly reticences and concealments of nature, the blue haze of distance and
the melting of line into line, are absent, there is no
neutral territory, no common meeting-ground; all is
clear, sharp, well defined and recognisable beyond the
possibility of mistake and at a glance as good or evil.
In the regions south of the Caucasus these contrasts
are accentuated, and there, it would seem, grew up
Dualism suggested and justified by its surroundings.
The doctrines of the Magi, which it is beyond
our scope to enter into except incidentally and by
way of illustration, appear in early times to have
been restricted, if not to the Magi themselves, at all
events to the Medes whose priests they were.
It was
not until nearly the end of the sixth century before
the Christian era and after the suicide of Cambyses,
evil.
the son of Cyrus the Great, that the Magi first became
supreme in the vast empire which the latter had
founded, for now we have evidence that neither he
nor his son was the enthusiastic proselytiser of Zoroastrianism, that they were both formerly supposed to
be,
but at most
tolerated
it
along with
Magi rose
the other
power in the
1
For an account of the natural phenomena of these regions see KA,
l 44, and Marvin, " The Region of the Eternal Fire," ch. xi., where many
interesting passages are collected. The phenomena are most striking
to the north of Karabagh at Baku, the peninsula of Apsheron and the
island of Sviatoi (Holy Island) lying off it.
SHC,
497.
INTRODUCTION
59
As Darius further
the gods in his iconoclast zeal.
informs us that he restored these temples, and also
at the same time describes himself as a worshipper
of
Urmuzd, 2
Ave
may assume
that
was
it
of his
He
''
in the course
became the
state-
about
B.C. 505 to have adopted the Zoroastrian calendar in
the place of the old Persian one that he had used up
till then, and this fact goes to support the assumption
religion of the Persian empire.
made
also appears
Hystaspis,
is
It is
Magi in
general, but
Magus
may
empire
well be doubted.
successors of Darius
seems
Artaxerxes
One
at
II. (b.c.
first
of the
404-361)
to
Persian
least
like idol-
RP,
Herod,
DHA,
Id.
89-92.
vii.
iii.
v.
79.
194.
2 Id.
WPT,
v. xliv.
DFKHP,
xlviii.
i.
56.
1
I
'
INTRODUCTION
6o
doctrines, ritual,
The seductions
the brutalities
events of Parthian
rule, in
first
the
culture.
centuries at
direction
of
all
Greek
describe themselves
much
in
a time
when
alive too, at
the
That
ii.
389.
Cf.
GHP,
i.
89.
INTRODUCTION
6r
been
the
centre
of a
priestly
principality
of great
DZA,
Herod,
i.
132.
Id. xlviii.
Id. 140.
INTRODUCTION
62
Shapigan fell into Alexander's hands and was transby his command into Greek. 1 King Valkash
ordered a collection to be made of the scriptures,
which in his days existed in' fran in a scattered state
owing to the disruption caused by the Macedonian
2
Ardshfr, the son of Papak, who overthrew
conquest.
the Parthians and restored the Iranian monarchy, also
made a collection of the scriptures. He employed
for that purpose the high-priest Tausar, who reproduced a similitude of the original as it had existed
lated
in
made
Ardshir,
Shapiir,
the
son
of
character dealing
and other
was
assailed
by the demon
Biiiti
Both
subsequently tempted by the latter in person.
were, however, worsted, and Zoroaster began his missionary career. 7
His great success seems to have been at
Balkh, one of the chief centres of Aryan civilisation.
This we may interpret as meaning that Zoroastrianism
spread from West to East along the line of the great
trade-route.
The extant portions of the Zoroastrian
1
WPT,
Id. 414.
iv.
xxxi.
Id. 413.
Id. xxxi.
Id.
DZA,
WPT,
i.
141.
i.
3,
notes.
INTRODUCTION
many
have
scriptures
allusions to
63
With regard
to
is
own.
some of whom seem to have mainMagian priesthood and sacred fires of their
chiefs,
tained a
2
It is possible that
it
King Valkash,
make a
the rise of
collection of the
scriptures with a
view to the establishment of a canon and uniformity.
Valkash himself has been well identified with the
Parthian king Vologeses I. (a.d. 50-78), whose
3
brother Tiridates is known to have been a Magus.
A letter written by Tausar to explain and justify his
proceedings in regard to the reform of the faith is
4
Ardshfr, t he son of Papak who
still in existence.
him,
was
the
first Sh&h (a.d. 226240) of
employed
dynasty
and
Sdsanian
was himself a Magus. 5
the
destruction
of the original scriptures
The legendary
was of course the excuse for adding to the canon in
lord,
to
their proper
as
the
330
a matter
addition
(a.d.
canon was
of
fact
and revision
240-271) by
309-379) about
traditionally
there
as
(a.d.
II.
was
late
as
restoring
made under
the translations
With Shapur
Alexander.
a.d.
place
closed,
but
some amount
Chosroes
I.
of
(a.d.
DZ
Jd.
\,
i.
xli.
xliii.
5
Id.
Id. xliv.
Id. xxxix.
Id. xlvii.
WPT,
iv. xlii.
INTRODUCTION
64
known
incorrectly
that really
it
its
inflections
may
thus be regarded as being during the five cenand a half which elapsed between the death
turies
2
being converted into middle Persian or Pahlavi.
Pahlavi, it should be explained, is the same word as
Parthian, and in this connection means not the lan-
itself
"
La comparison,"
work
WPT,
i.
xi.
*
The
italics are
Professor Darmesteter's.
INTRODUCTION
65
subjects.
the
Iranian divisions.
in a
somewhat
and
to
Vedas.
the
The names
referred to are
common
the
Sanscrit hymns of India
regard the traditions of the Zanthey were destined,
essentially Magian
ancient
We may
davasta as
however, to undergo a remarkable development
;
and
WPT,
i.
xii.
Persians of
all
DHA,
v.
i.
38.
chapters
and
10.
known
their
Introduction
66
had
the
Arab
Turanian invasions,
wars with the West, the deeds of national or local
heroes, and all the miscellaneous products of popular
The development of the
tradition and imagination.
legends of the Zandavasta accordingly went on apace,
and the chief agents in the process were the Dihk&ns.
This was the name given to the rural landowners of
Firdausi himself seems to have been the son
Iran.
All the world over the rural populaof a Dihkan.
of Assyrian oppression,
tions
are
raids,
century when Dr. Elias Lonnrot, after years of wanderamong the remotest districts of Finland, dwelling
with the peasantry and taking down from their lips
all that they knew of their popular songs, ultimately
succeeded in collecting nearly twenty-three thousand
verses which, arranged by him and divided into fifty
runes, now form the national Finnish epic known as
1
Much the same process went on in
the Kalewala.
ing
in Persia
and
at street-corners
till
in time the
Ency. Brit.
is.
219.
INTRODUCTION
67
In
Past, of the Lords, and of the Kings.
Baisinghar Khan's Preface already referred to there
is an account of the Bastan-ndma which may thus
the
be summarised.
tions
and
deposited
who
translated
and
highly
commended
of the
an
reign of Yazdagird.
officer
'mari,
in
Khurasam
Abu
Mansiir instructed
others
Alma-
Taj, son
of
Harat,
NT, xxv.
of
Ntirin
mistake
or
misprint.
Cf.
INTRODUCTION
68
As Baisinghar Khan's
is
obviously romantic,
first
much
it is
all
caution.
we
are
still
bility.
in
Muhammad, son
mad was prince
century,
in
of Abdu'r-Razzak,
and
this
Muham-
days
the
when
Firdausi
tenth
was growing
contemporaries.
the lordship
of
home
race
of
fran.
As
whose
a native
warlike
of Sistan,
proclivities
the
were
NT,
xxiv.
119.
INTRODUCTION
The names
Mansur are all
in all
69
the
of
Persian,
likely to
know Pahlavi
the
five,
One
of
mentioned by Fir-
"
The blood-red
Firdausi
Dakiki's
made by
numerous
histories in
us that the poet Abii'Ali Muhammad bin 'Ahmad Albalkhi in his Shahnama
refers to the authors of five such separate histories as
2
accept Noldeke's
his authorities.
If, however, we
view that Firdausi, in spite of his apparent assertions
to the contrary, knew no Pahlavi, was as good as
ignorant of Arabic, and used only authorities written
3
in the Persian of his own day, we can understand his
He could make no
difficulty about his materials.
progress till he had obtained a copy of Abu Mansur's
Shahnama, perhaps the identical copy used by Dakiki.
The poet in fact seems to speak of his Pahlavi
that language.
C, 1746.
Albfruni
tells
Eng. trans.,
p. io8.
NT,
xxiii.
INTRODUCTION
70
i
'
them only
evil principle,
may
He expressly disclaims
matter and in his own words.
all originality, telling us that the tale had all been told
before, and that all the fruit that had fallen in the
garden of knowledge had been already garnered. His
share was to mould into song the epos of his native
land, scorning no tale, however lowly, and putting the
2
best and purest interpretation on all that he found.
1
With a few exceptions which will come up for notice in due course.
The Zandavasta as we possess it is a Bible in ruins. Of the twenty-
it is
INTRODUCTION
7i
ally
as regards
the Oxus
poem
as
2
5
WPT,
WPT,
i.
i.
35.
77,
and
notes.
Id. 22.
DZA,
2,
i.
4;
WPT,
i.
Id.
80.
32-33
INTRODUCTION
72
The position of
how the incursions
the
into Azarbrjan
of the Assyrians
is
explained.
Saturn.
DZA,
INTRODUCTION
73
Rapid motion
Azargashasp,
is
who
compared
is
often
to
or
fire
an
to
its
equivalent
for
spirit
the
commonest
figure in the
it
The
poem.
fail to
notice in
&c, that the sky, sun, moon, &c, are said to grow like
indigo or ebony, or to become veiled or to turn dark
The allusion is to the dust. To say
at noonday, &c.
that the air darkened is often merely another way of
saying that the dust rose and both, and kindred ex;
pressions, are
or individuals
in
have
set
forth
on
some expedition,
Opposed
own canal. Consenot the blue but the cloudy sky that
delights the Persian eye, and spring, with its clouds
and thunder- showers, flowers, and verdure, is the
seeing plenty of water in ones
quently
it
is
favourite season,
"
The hand
of
Mahmud,"
says the
INTRODUCTION
74
Perpetual spring
the Persian's notion of a perfect climate.
A king
adorns his rose-garden like spring, i.e. he summons
poet,
is
we
sojourn
for
brief
and then
the latter he
space,
for
the
man
is
or
by a bolder
flight describes-
how
the mythological
one referred to above.
Like other poets Firdausf suffered from the constraint of rhyme.
When for instance we find " Balkh "
flung into the ditch or to the Fish
INTRODUCTION
at the
75
"
talkh"
is
talkh
"
means
"mil"
(a
endings.
mile),
The
ml
"
first
is
verse-
as
one of the
many
is
apt to be strained.
"
is
them
blue sea
would
Butler
couplet
in
all.
sometimes ob-
it
impossible to
is
River
say, for
courses."
In other words, the poet uses " nil " for the sound more
often than for the sense, and translator and reader
alike must take the consequence
but they are at all
events exonerated from seeking in such passages for
some recondite meaning which Firdausi himself never
intended to convey.
;
CHAPTER
III
Up
to the beginning of
MS.
last
in
only.
less
i.
In 1808 Dr Lumsden undertook to superintend
an edition of the poem, one volume of which was
of his
referred to as P.
iv.
volume
1
It should be added that the French translation has been completed
by M. Barbier de Meynard from the text of C and the whole translation has been published separately by the late Madame Mohl.
t
76
INTRODUCTION
Ispahan, was published at Tihran.
77
The
text
is
a re-
as T.
of
In 1877
J. A.
his edition,
to as V.
INTRODUCTION
78
the
first
complete
to
the quick
our claim to call
cutting to
forfeit
English
translation
of
the
Shahnama.
Our version is metrical, partly rhymed and partly
unrhymed. The rhymed portion consists of preludes,
apologues, sayings of wise men, songs, terminal couplets, passages in which the poet speaks in his own
person, and some others that seemed to lend themThese form a very small
selves to such treatment.
part of the whole, and are generally line for line with
the original, though couplets or hemistichs may be
sometimes inverted for convenience in rendering. We
have changed the metre occasionally partly for the
sake of variety, partly to suit the character of different
and partly for our own refreshment and
passages,
constantly varying
the original
is
more
in
original.
the
translation go
and a
to
half,
two
the couplet
lines or
in
the
stated as three
The result of
English lines to two Persian couplets.
our
is
that
translation
economies
is some
these various
otherwise
than
shorter
it
would
twenty-five per cent,
have been.
We have followed the text of V as far as it goes,
silently incorporating with it all the changes and
additions made by the editor himself in his notes
and in his Apparatus Criticus at the end of his first
INTRODUCTION
79
When
that of C, as to
we may
back upon
which we reserve any remarks that
the text of
find it necessary to
our translation
is
occurs.
The
ing points
1.
It
is
is
who wish
to read the
Shdhnama
no previous acquaintance
The structure
of the
One
loose grammatically.
for he, she,
often
and
it.
substituted
Persian language
is
very
the
1
The cup was attached to the side of the elephant on which the
Shah or commander-in-chief rode. Both cup and ball were made of
what we should call bell-metal.
INTRODUCTION
8o
amount
of interpreta-
and differences of opinion in some cases legitimately may exist as to who or what the person or
tion,
often find a
in
reader
4.
passages
mind.
We
desire
to
make some
explanations with
By
these
terms
is
known
now
The
17.
of twigs, but
according to
the performZoroastrians.
practice
We
1
WPT,
ii.
134.
HEP,
397, &c.
INTRODUCTION
Dakhma.
81
that in which
its
used by the
Parsis at the present day- but in that of mausoleum,
1
charnel, or charnel-house, and we have so translated it.
Dihkan. The general sense of this word is that of
countryman as distinguished from townsman. Owing,
however, to the fact that the rural class in Iran as
elsewhere were the chief repositories of the traditions
and folklore of their native land, which were handed
proper
down
sense
orally
and recited
it
is
still
at local gatherings
word came
by those
have the
secondary meaning of bard or minstrel, and we have
rendered it according to its first or secondary meaning
as the sense of the passage required.
Dindr and Diram. Of these the dinar was a gold
and the diram a silver coin. The Attic drachma was
made the basis of his monetary system by Alexander
the Great, and Persia possessed no native gold coinage
till more than five centuries later.
It then obtained
one by accident. By the terms of peace between
Ardawan (Artabanus), the last Parthian monarch, and
the Emperor Macrinus, after the great battle of Nisibis
in a.d. 217, the latter agreed to pay to the former
an indemnity of more than a million and a half of
our money.
The sum seems to have been chiefly
Consequently when Ardshfr Papakan
paid in aurei.
(Artaxerxes) became the first Shah of the new native
Persian (Sasanian) dynasty in A.r>. 226 he found the
country flooded with two distinct coinages with no
recognised relation between them except the rough
and ready one of commerce. He seems to have
left matters to settle themselves, and in his own
coinage followed the type of the aureus for his gold
2
coins and that of the drachma for his silver.
The
best qualified for the task, the
to
1 A full account of the Dakhma in the proper sense of the word will
be found in DFKHP, i. 192-213.
2
RSM,
69.
INTRODUCTION
82
" dinars
met with
in the
it is
to
be regarded as equiva-
people of
Urmuzd
and
we
when
form.
Each
it
assumes a visible
possession
of
all
the
its
three in
threefold
There
is
which
constituted
an instance in the
Shah
his
Cf.
INTRODUCTION
other gifts
it
came
mean
to
83
gifts
generally
when
bestowed by the ruler on a subject. We usually translate tlie word as " robe of honour/'
Mafddn. This word properly means a level piece
of ground attached to palaces or cities and used for
purposes of exercise or pastime.
Hence it comes to
mean any level stretch of country, the space between
two hostile hosts on which opposing champions would
ride out and contend, a battlefield, park, &c.
We
have adopted various translations of the word to express
these various meanings.
Mtibid.
and
is
is
chief priest of
often merely equivalent to " sage,"
denominations.
When
used in
proper sense
its
we
translate
it
miibi-dan/'
by
i.e.
we always
trans-
"
high priest."
Pahlavi and Pahlavan. The
1
has been already explained.
phrases as " olden tongue," &c.
late
first
We
render
it
The second
is
by such
applied
champion
The
of
chief Pahlavan
the race
for
not
Sometimes he was
necessarily commander-in-chief.
kept in reserve as a last resort when matters were
going very badly.
The office was hereditary in the
heroic family of Garshasp, and Rustam, with whom its
mythic glory becomes extinct, was its chief exponent.
We translate by " paladin."
Pari.
It is hard to realise that this word, which in
Arab lips would become " Fari " is not connected with
" fairy," but it appears that for the etymology of the
In meaning,
latter we must go to the Latin " Fata."
>
64.
INTRODUCTION
84
" fairy " and " fay " are the nearest English
and we have so rendered the word.
Sardparda.
We translate this word by " camp enThe
closure."
saraparda was a screen of canvas or
other material encircling an encampment.
however, our
equivalents,
father of Rustam,
is also called ZaM-Zar, Dastan-iZand, Dastan-i-Sam, or simply Dastdn Rustam himself is frequently referred to as the son of ZA1, the
Elephant-bodied, the Matchless, &c, and there are
other instances of duplicate names.
To follow the
original in this respect would involve the English
reader in hopeless confusion, and we have therefore
in such cases selected one name for a character and
kept to it, or if we employ a duplicate we only do it
in such a context that no doubt is possible as to the
identity of the person referred to.
Again, the poet uses the word Shah in a very wide
connection, but we employ it only when one of the fortynine rulers of Iran or the Sultan Mahmiid is referred
Where the word is applied to others than the
to.
above we translate it by king or monarch, &c. We
have carried out the same principle in other cases
where it seemed to us that obscurity might arise.
The above are merely given as instances.
6. With regard to the spelling of proper names we
have followed the original with a few exceptions. We
have kept Csesar instead of Kaisar, Riiman instead of
Riimi, Indian instead of Hindi, and there may be a
1
few more instances.
For Khdkan we invariably substitute the shorter
"
form Khan, as the expression " the Khkn of Chin
;
inconvenient metrically.
is
1
is
For the
more
INTRODUCTION
85
instance
text.
on
be found imeach
volume.
mediately preceding the translation in
The headings of the reigns, parts, and sections
1 o.
are reprinted at the end of the volume to serve as a
Table of Contents.
9.
11.
note
list
of
Persian calendar,
pronunciation
will
The poet
himself, as
readers of the
original
embarrassed perhaps
by the character of his subject-matter. "The poem,"
says Professor Noldeke, " does not obtain real life till
1
the reign of Jamshid.
In spite of the heroic tale of
Kdwa the smith, and the pathetic misadventure of
Iraj, and much else that is both curious and interest-
NIN/37.
INTRODUCTION
86
ing,
we should be
reign
the
find
till
charming
Minuchihr.
still.
At
all
poem growing in
poet and poem appear
the
tale
which
fills
for
their
reign
by
best in
us the reign of
shAhnAma
French.
Mohl, already
referred
to, p. 76.
Italian.
Pizzi, Firdusi.
1888.
[This
is
II
Vols, i.-viii.
Torino, 1886-
an elaborate
Introduction.]
German.
Gorres, Das Heldenbuch von Iran aus den Schah Nameh des
Berlin, 1820. [The translation extends from the beginning
of the history to the death of Rustam.
It has a long and strange
Introduction and a quaint map of the scene of the Shahnama.]
Schack, Heldensagen von Firdausi. Berlin, 1865. [The translation extends from Faridun to the death of Rustam.]
Ruckert, Firdosi's Konigsbuch.
Sage i.-xxvi.
Berlin, 18901895. [This extends as far aa Rustam and Suhrab.]
Firdusi.
English.
Jones, Commentarii poeseos Asiaticae. London, 1774. [In this
passages from the Shahnama are translated for the first
time into an European language.]
work some
Champion, The Poems of Ferdosi. Calcutta, 1785. [The translafrom the beginning of the history to the birth of
tion extends
Rustam.]
THE CALENDAR
The
old
vernal equinox.
Day
2.
Urmuzd,
Bah man.
1.
Day
3-
Ardibihiaht.
4-
Sharfvar.
)J
6.
ft
7.
8,
Sapandarmad.
Khurdad.
Murdad.
Dai pa Adar.
ft
9-
Adar.
5'
Aban.
Khurshld.
Mah.
10.
1.
12.
))
Gush.
15-
Dai pa Mihr.
Mihr.
18.
Rashn.
19.
Farvardin.
20.
Bahram.
?t
21.
Ram.
ij
22. Bad.
>i
23.
)>
24. Din.
Dai pa Din.
Ard.
J)
25.
)>
26. Ashtad.
27.
Asman.
28.
29.
Zamlyad.
Mahraspand.
30.
Anairan.
13- Tir.
14.
16.
17. Suriish.
their
pring
to
give
(Farvardln
Ardibihisht
-J
March 21
April 20
May
May
June
18.
June 19
July
18.
July 19
18
....
.....
Murdad ....
Sharivar ....
[Khurdad
)Tir
.
88
20
August
to April 19.
19.
August 17.
September
16.
INTRODUCTION
Autumn
[Mihr
IaUti
[Adar
[Din
Winter
-!
Rahman
[Sapandarmad
September
89
17 to October 16.
November 15,
November 16 December 15.
December r6 January 14.
October 17
January 15
February 14
February
March
3.
15.
INTRODUCTION
9o
(i).
Siyaniak.
HUSHANQ
(2).
Tahmuras
(3).
Jam 8 hid
(4).
Mardas.
Several generations.
Abtin=Faranak.
1 generation.
3 genera-
\y
tions.
Pashang.
Kakwi. Mihrab=Suidukht.
Rudaba=Zal.
Salm.
Daughter
Ttir.
fraj.
Son.
Pashang = A daughter.
Karkwi.
Rustam.
Minuchihr
Naudar
TOs.
Gustaham.
(7).
(8).
Tahmasp.
Zav
(9).
Garshasp
(10
INTRODUCTION
9i
Mashya.
.
Siyamak.
I
Fravak.
HtisHANG
Taz.
(1).
Yanghad.
Jamshid
Virafshang.
Vivanghau.
Zainigav.
(3).
Tahmuras
Narsih.
Spitfir.
Zahhak
11 generations.
Barmaitin.
Kataifin.
Faridun
Anastokh.
Tur.
GQzhak
I
d.
Sain
Duraushasp.
I
10 generations.
Spa^nyasp.
MlNUCHIHR
(6).
Naudaii
TGrak.
I
(7).
Agaimashvak.
Zav(8).
(4).
(5).
Iraj.
Vanidar.
Mardas.
(2).
Zadshani.
Athrat.
GarshAsp
(9).
INTRODUCTION
92
(6).
tJb.
Duraushasp.
Spaenyasp.
Turak.
ZAdsham.
PA SHAN G;.
Aghriras.
Wisa.
AfrAsiyab.
Garsi'waz.
Kulbad.
lad.
Nastihan.
Farshidward.
Pilsam.
LahLk.
Human. Barman.
Piran.
female descendant or
relative=KAl KAtis
Pastiang Jahn.
Buin.
(12).
Gurdgir.
Farangis=Siyawush= Janra
(Shida).
A daughter
= Tazhav.
Surkha.
Kurakhan.
Kai Khusrau
(13).
extinct.
Fanid.
d.
Ruin
ABBREVIATIONS
C.
L. Lumsden's
P. MohPs
do.
T.
do.
do.
Tihran
V.Vullers'
BAN.
do.
Entertainments,
now
entitled the
By Richard
BCM.
Book
DEI.
J.
DFKHP.
DHA.
The History
Thousand
F. Burton.
of Nidhami-i-
into
English by
Max
DZA.
of a
of Antiquity.
Duncker.
By
the
German of
C.S.I.
Professor
Reference to Parts
and
pages.
EP.
EHI.
The History
Sir H.
M.
of India as told
Elliot,
by
its
own
Historians.
By
K.C.B.
GDF.
GHP.
specified.
of Part
I.
Comte de Gobineau.
is
INTRODUCTION
94
HEP.
HHR.
Historical Researches.
By A. H.
L. Heeren.
English
Translation.
HIE.
By W. W. Hunter,
C.S.L, C.I.E.,
LL.D.
By A. H. Keane,
KA.
Asia.
KUR.
Kitab-i-Yamini of Al Utbi.
James Reynolds, B.A.
MHP.
History of Persia.
MLM.
The
MZA.
Life of
Books
By
Sir
Muhammad.
of the East.
F.R.G.S.
By William
Muir, Esq.
NIN.
NSEH.
NT.
OHS.
The History
of the Saracens.
By Theodor
By Simon
Noldeke.
Fourth
Ockley.
Edition.
RFGM.
RK.
The Koran
well.
RP.
RPNS.
RSM.
J.
M. Rod-
First Series.
Second
Do.
By
Series.
Oriental
Monarchy.
By George
Rawlinson, M.A.
SHC.
By
ments.
WPT.
Dr. E.
W.
Books
of the
Monu-
of the East.
NOTE ON PRONUNCIATION
1
&
as in "water."
as in "pique."
as in "rude."
as in "servant."
as in "sin."
as oo in "foot."
ai as i in " time."
au
as
ou in " cloud."
is
German "buch
Jck
as ck in the
zh
as 2 in "azure."
1 Therefore "
Sm," the name of the father of Z&, should be pronounced " Sauna."
THE SHAHNAMA
THE PRELUDE
ARGUMENT
The poet, afteT invoking the name of God and praising Him and
His wisdom, discourses of the world, of man, of the sun and moon,
of the Prophet and his companions, of the compilation of the
Shahnama, of the poet Daklki, and of his own labours in connection with the poem, concluding with the praises of his patrons.
NOTE
We
7.
sects.
i.e.
For
'All see p.
Muhammad
is
2.
Muhammadans
its
body
ruby over
of
many
We
read there
" A picture
Muhammad Lashkari. 3
11. Abu Mansur, son
the
of
Muhammad, son
Shahnama compiled
of
friend
who procured
pp. 67-69)
is
for
of Abdii'r-Razzak,
him the
said to have
been
the son
DZA,
ii.
(see p. 68),
Kdsim,
180.
if
Firdausi himself.
i.e.
RK,
419.
99
100
The mention
in exile.
Kannuj appears
of
Nasr,
i.e.
Subuktigin (see
Mahmud's youngest
p. 20).
of Nishapur.
He
died young. 3
" The prince of Tus " appears to have been Arslan Jazib, one
.
of
1
In
the
Name
of
God
The Lord
Who
Who
The
of
Moon
to shine,
strain,
Kannuj seems
BAN,
iv. 113.
to have
KUR,
EHI,
484.
ii.
457.
THE PRELUDE
101
Discourse in Praise of
Speak, sage
Wisdom
The hearts of
As God's best
Know
Thus
moment more.
"What man
Will by so doing
And he
'
is sad.
v. 2
102
was the
It
first
Of praise^praise
All causes
To
it
may
praise both
And
if I
v. 3
offered
still
faculty
by tongue,
be of good or
ear,
and
eye,
ill.
venture,
Since then,
j>To
mind and
Creation's process.
God
created thee
How much
at the
boughs of speech,
3
Of
the
Making of
the
World
show
to
THE PRELUDE
Then
where'er
fire
And
it
made way
failed
for cold,
Even
so the frame
When
Return
prey
Of
all
And
rest
at safety,
with such a
life
nourishment,
spake,
And
as
wrong or right
4
Of
farther step
the
Nature of
Man
He
mighty partnership
By
to furnish thee.
thou
Hold not thyself then lightly. I have known
Shrewd men speak otherwise, but who shall trow
nature
first,
And
Then
to
yon
swiftly
man
indeed,
and relief,
by the lapse of days
And unaffected by our joy or grief;
Direct, that cause of anguish
A dome not
fretted
THE PRELUDE
105
5
Of
the
Nature of
Sun
the
New
Year's festival.
Gem
behold
Day
Most regular
thou
in all their
my Sun
movements
me
they.
no ray
6
Of
the
Nature of
the
there
is
Moon
a light assured
io6
v. 6
Then
if
A glimpse
thereof,
away secure
quickly lost to sight
'tis
And
it
seemeth more
And drawing
And
moon
97
The Praise of
the
And
way;
thou wouldst have thy heart not sad, not see
Thy spirit wretched through eternity,
To take the Prophet's teaching be thy part,
There wash away the darkness of thy heart.
What was it that He said, the inspired Lord,
Of bidding and forbidding Heaven's own word?
" I am the City of the Doctrine, he
That is the gateway to it is 'All."
I witness that His heart is in that word
As though, as thou mayst say, His voice I heard.
Regard then each companion and 'All
As those that gave the Faith stability
These are the moons, the Prophet is the sun
for thee to seek Salvation's
'tis
If
With them
in
union
is
the
way
to run.
What
This
others say to
is
my way,
me
from
is
no concern,
this I
never turn.
THE PRELUDE
The sage regardeth as a sea this world.
A sea whose waves are driven by the
TO?
blast
Muhammad
That
Who
'
io8
8
On
Shdhndwa
v. 8
And what
I tell
hath
all
fruit-tree I obtain
Contain a moral.
r~
In the days gone by
/
There was an Epic Cycle spread broadcast
/
Among the learned archmages, and at last
I
antiquary, one
birth,
rank,
and worth,
who ransacked
earth
throne,
of old time,
auspicious skies
THE PRELUDE
And
he listened
as
He
to the
men
109
of lore
famous book,
9
Of
the poet
Dakiki
And
And
Imposed
its
gloomy helmet on
his head.
gave
He
How
the present
10
Dakiki'
fell,
v. io
When
Muhammad
THE PRELUDE
in
He
By murderous
Woe
Crocodiles his
and that
life
was sped.
girdlestead,
My
spirit
He
said
To
tell
<e
:
it,
v.
to the great
took in hand
Of him who
The
my
is
story in the
o'er
name
kings pre-eminent,
Whose
conquering
known.
fortune
sleep
hath
never
112
12
Mahmud
How
" It
is
From him by
far
Abu'l Kasim
Hath
more
"
one
than the sun
Shone
in the dark.
A dazzling lustre
And making by
Then
rising
beheld in sleep
the brightness of
its
rays
Before
him
To
all
left
there were
their might,
To guide him
to the Faith
and
to
do
right.
THE PRELUDE
113
illustrious
" Is this
company
I said
Are these
of
come down
Rum
and Ind,
river Sind,
Of
Chm
And
With
his
name
speak,
lips
unweaned
as their first
word
When
awakened
to
my
feet I sprang,
ii
Hands
v
When
13
he
Is,
who
are
among
his fosterlings,
And
is
whom
In
Next
is
Who
And
all,
delight.
mocketh
may
accord
He
leadeth
men
to
God
beside.
his prayer
may
is still
be preserved from
Now
To
to the
tell
opening of
my
ill.
ARGUMENT
The poet tells the history of the first ten Sh4hs of Iran, describes
the progress of the world from barbarism to culture, and the
invention of the arts and sciences, and finally how the Grace
departed from the Pishdadian Dynasty through the unworthiness
and degeneracy of its representatives.
NOTE
The word Pishdadian, the name given to the Shahs of the first
Iranian Dynasty, means those of the old law or original dispensation.
Zoroastrianism was built upon an older foundation of
nature-worship, to which it bears some such relation as the New
Testament bears to the Old. One of the gods of the elder faith
Ahura, the Asura of India became the supreme deity, Ahura
complete revelation.
DZA,
ii.
116
200.
GAltf MART
HE REIGNED FOR THIRTY YEARS
ARGUMENT
Gaiiimart, the first Shah and the first ruler of the world, incurs
the envy of Ahriman, who sends a host of dlvs to attack him,
commanded by the Black Div the son of Ahriman. Siyamak,
the son of Gaiumart, with an army encounters the Black Div
and is slain, but is avenged by his son Hushang, who succeeds to
the throne on the death of his grandfather.
NOTE
in his account of Gaiumart omits much Zoroastrian
In the Bundahish Urmuzd is represented as first creating
two beings the representatives of mankind, and of the animals
and plants, respectively. These were Gaiumart and the Primeval
Ox. For three thoxisand years they lived happily and unmolested
in the world of Urmuzd.
At the expiration of this period
Ahriman assailed the creation of Urmuzd, and slew both the Ox
and Gaiumart but the latter survived the former by thirty years,
which became the duration of the reign of the first Shah in the
poem. The Ox in dying gave origin to the plants and animals,
and Gaiumart to the first human couple Mashya 1 and Mashyoi
who in turn produced offspring among which was Siyamak, who
In the
is represented as the son of Gaiumart in the Shahndma.
poem, too, the attack on Gaiumart is made indirectly by means
of the Black Div, not directly by Ahriman as in the Bundahish.
The reader may be reminded that the Bundahish is a Pahlavi
version of the lost book of the Zandavasta known as the Damdad
The poet
lore.
man.
DZA,
i.
lviii.
upon a mountain.
Urmuzd
What
the
Envy of Ahriman
Who
first
designed
V. i4
memory
Who
was the
first to
When
And
j
'
Introd. p. 62.
gaiOmart
He
reigned o'er
all
HQ
prospered,
120
2
How Siyamak
News
Hand
of the Div
Who listened
eagerly
up
rage.
He gathered troops, arrayed himself
In leopard-skin, for mail was yet unworn,
And went to fight. When host met host he came
In front unarmed to grapple with the son
Of Ahriman. That horrible Black Dfv
Clutched at, bent down that prince of lofty stature
With
When
To him, he
And
left his
broken,
And
life
grew sombre.
Were
With
All cheeks
and
fierce,
Thy foemen
Of that
vile di'v
GAI&MART
121
foes,
How Hushang
The
blessed
and Gavdmart
icent to
Siyamak had
left
Dw
a son,
He raised a
And raveners,
host of
fairies, lions,
pards,
v. 17
II
HtJSHANG
HE REIGNED FORTY YEARS
ARGUMENT
Hiishang succeeds his grandfather Gaiiimart as Shah. He is
a great culture-hero, and invents the arts of working in metals,
irrigation, agriculture, &c.
He introduces the use of domestic
animals and discovers fire. He institutes its worship, and founds
the feast of Sada.
NOTE
V.
WPT,
122
i.
58.
wise.
HtfSHANG
He
said
"
I lord
it o'er
My
Victorious everywhere.
123
word
is
law,
I practise
So hath God
willed."
Till
And
men
on
lived
fruit in
poor estate
Religious rites
Existed, Gaiumart
Hushang
And
first
thence through
How
the world
the Feast of
And saw
all
Sada
its
icas
stone,
radiance shone.
Founded
men
dusky form
With eyes like pools of blood and jaws whose smoke
Bedimmed the world. Hushang the wary seized
A stone, advanced and hurled it royally.
The world-consuming worm escaped, the stone
Struck on a larger, and they both were shivered.
Sparks issued and the centres flashed. The fire
Came from its stony hiding-place again
When
iron knocked.
cynosure.
He
said, "
"
gift.
This lustre
and thou
if
wise
is
divine,"
must worship
it."
praise
v. 19
124
Around
More
By Grace and
Ox,
ass,
He
Such
So sleek of hair
He
and
sable,
fruit,
repute.
Ill
TAHMtfKAS
TAHMtJRAS, THE BINDER OF THE DfV,
ARGUMENT
Tahmuras, the son of Hiishang, continues his father's work as a
culture-hero, in the domestication of animals, the invention of
him the
art of writing.
NOTE
of the
Yim (Jamshid), hearing of his brother's misfortune, succeeded in dragging the corpse from the entrails of the fiend, and
thus restored the culture of the world which had perished with
Tahmuras. 2
Alburz.
DZA,
ii.
252, 292.
WPT.
125
iii.
60,
and
note.
126
The reader
will
make
consistent stories.
He
is
here deal-
Tahmuras ascends
the Divs,
and
new
Arts, subdues
dies
Who
Then
called the
rule,
I will restrain
the
Di'v, will
reign supreme,
And
common gold."
He sheared the flocks, and men began to spin
He thus invented clothes and draperies.
He chose the swiftest quadrupeds and made them
use the useful for the
21
TAHMURAS
He had
By name
No
He
127
Shi'dasp,
an upright
man who
took
And
It
his faults
v. 22
Grew dim.
Advanced
The illustrious
up for battle
girt
all
eyes
worldlord Tahmuras
and revenge.
Delineate sounds.
How many
better arts
128
And
became
his
monument.
whom
Cut
off,
Then
for
biddest
him
in sorry dust to
lie.
IV
JAMSHlD
HE REIGNED SEVEN HUNDRED YEARS
ARGUMENT
Jamshid succeeds
his father
Tahmuras
as Shah,
He continues
the work of his predecessors, makes additions of his own, and
introduces the luxuries and refinements of life. He divides mangreatest and most famous of the culture-heroes.
the
first
classes.
He
He
and
of the air, obtains it, and lives in ever closer communion with God.
Ahriman is rendered powerless for ill, disease and death cease,
and the world passes through the Golden Age. At length, spoiled
by success, Jamshid comes to think himself God, and orders that
The Grace of God
divine honours shall be paid to himself alone.
abandons him. Ahriman is unchained and incites Zahhak, who has
become his instrument, to make war on Jamshid, and the latter
is slain.
NOTE
Jamshid, as we have already seen, is the brother, not the son,
form of the legends. With the reign
of Jamshid the Vedas, Zandavasta, and Shahnama meet on common
ground. In the Vedas Manu and Yama are the twin sons o
Vivasvat, the bright or shining one, i.e. the sun. Manu is the
progenitor and lawgiver of the Aryan race and Yama is a god. 1
In the Zandavasta Yima is the son of Vivanghat, is the Iranian
Noah, has a covenant with God, and is offered by Him the post
afterwards accepted by Zoroaster. In the legend of the building
of Tahmiiras in the older
DHA,
129
iv. 31.
130
own sons.
The division
DZA,
i.
Id. 201,
8.
iii.
Id.
ii.
265.
293.
Id. 297.
HEP,
277.
JAMSHtD
For Iblis, see Introduction, p. 70.
Zahhak will be dealt with under
but it may
his proper head
be pointed out with regard to the strange story of his second fall,
owing to the pleasures of the table, that in the Bundahish Mashya
and Mashyoi the original human pair who apparently at first
lived entirely on water, are incited to partake of stronger meats
owing to their relish for the weaker sorts being taken from them
by the demons. 1
Elsewhere in the same work we read " On the nature of
the resurrection and future existence it says in revelation, that,
first fed upon water, then
whereas Mashya and Mashyoi
plants, then milk, and then meat, men also when their time of
death has come, first desist from eating meat, then milk, then
from bread, till when they shall die they always feed upon water.
They will desist from meat
So, likewise, in the millennium.
food, and eat vegetables and milk afterwards they abstain from
milk food and abstain from vegetable food, and are feeding on
water and for ten years before Soshyans comes they remain
without food, and do not die." 2
Soshyans is the third of the divine sons of Zoroaster, and the
Messiah of Zorpastrianism. There is plenty in the above extract
to account for such a legend as that of the text.
;
\
,
Succeeded
And wore
crown of gold.
His girdle was the Grace of king of kings,
And all the world obeyed him, contests ceased,
The age had rest, and bird and dfv and fairy
Were his to bid, the world took added lustre,
Through him the throne of Shahs was glorified.
" Mine is the Grace," he said, " I am both king
in kingly wise the
WPT,
i.
54, 55.
Id. 120.
y.
132
He
He
first
The door
fashioned
it
And
/
1
V. 24
coats of
armour both
And
The
All independent
tillers of
name
the
for valour.
soil,
Upon
What
-
JAMSHlD
Who
133
As
rubies,
amber,
Unlocked
their
silver, gold.
doors
Jamshi'd
them
and brought
by
forth
spells.
He
men
enjoy
'
He
134
v. 26
The noble
And
And
all
the while
men
of that Shah.
for three centuries,
of travail or of
ill,
And
The
thus
till
filled
many
years had
In his ingratitude.
He summoned
all
to
my
is
will.
and sleep,
Mine are greatness
ease,
saith
life
JAMSHID
135
None who
oppress
is
Day darkened
devoid of thankfulness."
Jamshid, he lost the Grace
to
He
With Arab
V. 23
136
And heaped
own head.
Ibh's
And
Thus saying
Known
to
could
" I
thee
tell
many
things
myself alone/'
me
my
at once,
Iblis replied
worthy monitor
promise, then
" First
I"
my
story."
And
goods.
He
said
"
Not
so,
suggest
still
rejoined,
be despicable,
Thy
Who
asked
Iblfs
"
No help
JAMSHtD
Now
And
in the palace
137
dawn
V. 30
No
life
How
Then
as a
Iblis
went
Iblis
turned Cook
v. 31
138
"
"
who am
a noted cook,
By
appetite
Gave
And
praised Ibh's,
who
said
To-morrow
For ever live
So as to please thee well."
!
"
Illustrious
monarch
All night he
mused
A
V. 32
silver pheasants.
Musk and
old wine.
tasted,
Upon
and lay
my
face
and eyes
thy shoulders."
Off his guard
Replied
" I
grant
it
it
may do
Zahhak
thee grace."
JAMSHID
139
and vanished.
And
snakes.
He
" cut
The purpose
Had he
To
of the foul
man ?
4
How
the Fortunes of
JamsMd
ivent to
Wrack
strife
Was
The
And
strove.
Some
Thus
all
Went
to
And donned
The bravest
of Arabia
and fran
v. 33
Sh&h Jamshid
Thus
He
v. 34
fell
fled,
Jamshid.
He
was in hiding
for a century,
respite,
ZAHHAK
HE REIGNED A THOUSAND YEARS
ARGUMENT
With the
human
Zahhak evil becomes triumphant everyand encourages black arts, idolatry, and
has a warning dream concerning his destined
accession of
He
where.
practises
sacrifice.
He
NOTE
Zahhak ? as we have already seen, 1 was originally an evil spirit of
the Indo-Iranian nature-worship. In the Zandavasta he still occa" Zarathustra
sionally appears in his character of water-stealer.
asked Ardvi Sura Anahita " (Anaitis, the good genius of the
"
'
shall I
More
" 2
generally, however, he
is
by Ahriman to vex the Iranian race, and carry off the light of
sovereignty while in the Shahnama he loses to a great extent his
supernatural character, and is, as already has been pointed out, 3
;
Introd. p.
7.
DZA,
ii.
141
74.
Introd. p. 54.
142
Anahita
that I
may overcome
that
Angra Mainyu
to destroy the world of the good principle and that I may deliver
his two wives, Savanghavafc (Shahrinaz) and Erenavafc (Arnawaz),
;
who
'
that
to
him
'
of
women
2
or property, that
Id. 253
and
note.
ZAHHAK
M3
head. 2
WPT,
Morier, "
GHP,
iv.
i.
27, 214.
31.
p. 3,
2nd
ed. 1873.
p. 357.
144
1
of the great feats of the ancient Iranian hero Garshasp.
In the
the Shahnama.
Some
readers
may
like
"Quid autem
in
aurem
ministrum
inculcans,
unde in
ei fuisse, ej usque
fabulis
narrant,
puerum Satanae,
voluntati obsecundasse
utque etiam
praemium ab eo postulans, humeros ejus oscuCaeterum quod narrant, Dracones pullulaese, sive ipsum
laretur.
Byraspem in Draconen prorsus mutatum fuisse, ita res se habet.
subinde, quasi
magnam
2
4
in
His legend up
zahhAk
145
summarised as
it is
follows.
1
The Evil Customs of Zahhak and the Device
of Irmd'U and Karmd'U
Right
The above
is
i.
V. 35
146
Who
V. 36
Ached, their eyes filled with blood, their hearts with wrath,
And each glanced at the other as he thought
Of such an outrage by the Shah. They slew
One of the youths and thought it best to mingle
His precious brains with sheep's and spare the other,
To whom they said " Make shift to hide thyself,
Approach not any dwelling-place of man,
Thine are the wastes and heights."
:
ZAHHAK
147
A worthless head
Thus fed the serpents, and in every month
The cooks preserved from slaughter thirty youths,
And when the number reached two hundred saved
Provided them, the donors all unknown,
With sheep and goats, and sent them desertward.
Thus sprang the Kurds, who know no settled home,
But dwell in woollen tents and fear not God.
Zahhak was wont, such was his evil nature,
To choose him one among his warriors
And slay him for conspiring with the divs.
Moreover,
all
Of faith,
2
Hoiv Zahhdk saw FaridUn in a
Dream
Boughs
Who
In
He
face, in
And
1
Cf. Keresdspa's account of his treatment of Gandarep.
ductory note to Farldun.
See intro-
V. 37
T48
in
While Arnaw&z
Confide in
me
him
said to
"
couches,
left their
Shah
what was
it ?
v. 38
The
Ye
chief replied
will despair
my
" I
Oh
may
answer me."
not
tell,
or else
life."
Then Arnawaz
may
find
Be pleased to tell us we perchance
A cure, no ill is irremediable."
He told them every whit, then said the Fair
"
"
Neglect
it
With
See
if
The
foes."
Night then
dark as raven's plumes, but when at length
The Lamp showed o'er the hills, and thou hadst said,
" Strewed yellow gems upon the azure vault,"
Was
See
Initrod. p. 71.
ZAHHAK
49
v. 39
In shame."
We shall be
And
As
if
we do not
well
act straightforwardly
wash hands of
life."
None dared
to
speak
Upon
"
They drooped
their heads,
rent,
their eyes
Wept
a man,
by
name
^Zirak
Wise, honest, prescient,
The chief of all the band of archimages.
Concerned but fearless he addressed Zahhak
" Indulge no vapouring for none is born
Except to die. There have been kings ere thee
Both griefs and joys
Fit for the throne of power.
Enough they reckoned up yet their time came.
an iron wall
If thou wert standing there
Yon heaven would grind thee, thou wouldst not endure.
One will hereafter take thy throne and fling
Thy fortune to the ground. His name is Faridun,
And he will be a royal heaven to earth.
As yet he is not born, thy time of woe
Hath not arrived, but when his honoured mother
Hath borne him he will be a fruitful tree.
tears of blood.
v. 40
A mace
tall cypress,
he
will
And drag
shoulder
head therewith
In bonds."
"
"
In vengeance
Why
Then Zirak
But
make
all
Thy hand
Will
fill
"
An
ox-head mace."
his throne.
fled
He
his seat.
he,
3
The Birth of Faridun
ZAHHAK
Was
To earth and
Of such a cow
V. 41
before.
Meanwhile Zahhak
Was
cry,
till
A source of danger to
Who
filling
earth
Faridun became
his sire Abtin,
toils,
A glorious
dame devoted
to
her child,
And came
Wherein the
beautiful
field
Birmaya was.
v. 42
152
And spake
"
God
Hath
risen in
Where dwelt
To whom she
said
A woeful woman
That
this
my
" I
from
am,
holy one
fran.
Know
thou
He went
field,
and harried
next to the
home
all
in vain, for
all
the land.
of Faridun,
4
Hoio FaHdiZn questioned his Mother about his Origin
v. 43
Now
Faridun,
Sought out
" Disclose
when
his
who
is
my father,
ZAHHAK
What
is
my
lineage,
Myself in public
153
Abti'n
knew
all
Thy
the pedigree.
sire
But
I
I concealed thee.
Oh what
!
life
for thee
woeful days
thy fatherforfeited
Now
life,
grew
on Zahhak
two snakes
which
sucked
The
his
Upon
cow of peacock-hues
And
fled fran
family.
v. 44
With boyish
eyes
Give
all
to the wind,"
5
The Story of Zahhdk and
Kdwa
the
Smith
his lips
And
said to
larger host
And
"
men,
dlvs,
So sign
'
them
He
of good,
ZAHHAK
Those upright
155
old subscribed
And
v. 46
this
all will
That
ours
be aghast
my
With all
The monarch listened and was sore amazed.
They set the young man free and strove to win
The father by fair words, but when Zahhak
Bade him subscribe the scroll he read it through
And shouted
v. 47
"
realm
Ye
From heaven
Why
was
this insolent
As though a
Kawa countenanced
He tore the scroll,
friend of thine
is
gone
With Faridun
A viler deed
than this
We
When Kawa
cries,
Convulsed me.
The
When Kawa
How
'twill
end
known
cannot
tell
to none."
ZAHHAK
57
Ye men
Ye worshippers of God
Whoe'er would 'scape the fetters of Zahhak
Let him resort with me to Faridiin
And shadow in his Grace. Come ye to him
"
'
The
of
name
ruler here
Ahriman
is
God's
y. 4 8
foe."
'
He
He
Rum
full
moon
a token
He hung
With
And
.
Acceded
still
It
thus
fell
out
secret.
" I
v. 49
And
Then
secrecy.
In haste, whence
all
And
And
silver,
Have Him
in
righteously."
ZAHHAK
159
6
How Faridun
With head
went
to Battle loith
sun he
and
Zahhdk
set forth
For vengeance
Upon the day Khurdad right joyfully
With favouring stars and splendid auguries.
The troops assembled at his gate, his throne
Was lifted to the clouds. The first to go
Were baggage and provisions for the army
On buffaloes and high-necked elephants.
Purmaya rode with Kaianush beside
The Shah, like younger brothers and true friends.
He went like wind from stage to stage revenge
Was in his head and justice in his heart.
The warriors on their Arab chargers reached
A spot where people dwelt who worshipped God,
And Faridun dismounting greeted them.
When night was darkening one in friendly guise
Approached him, walking with a measured tread,
With musky
And
The king
v. 50
And
And
kill
him
in his sleep.
The crashing
crag,
,,
'
fleet
ZAHHAK
161
And said " The man who reared a pile like that
From dust I fear me cottoneth with the world,
:
But
still 'tis
better to press
on than
tarry."
This said
His fleet
Shot up before the guards."
He
An
entered riding
Who
called
fled
of God
while they
from him in dismay.
7
How Faridun
saw
the Sisters of
JamsMd
talisman,
j
^/
\
v. 53
All fierce
Upon
and
set himself
favoured one
What
What
Oh what
!
Ahriman
My face
He
very
gem
That
villain,
Now
my nurse,
What
of beauty.
could he,
am ready and
dumb
purpose war
to bring
him pardon,
beast
ZAHHAK
Or good
With
will,
but to brain
him
163
in revenge
ox-headed mace/'
this
When Arnawaz
Heard this she guessed the secret, and replied:
" Then thou art Faridun the Shah and wilt
Abolish necromacy and black art,
For thou art fated to destroy Zahhak
The binding of thy loins will loose the world.
We twain, pure,
Then Faridun
shears,"
He
And
v. 55
'
Now
is
he slaughtering beasts
women
To make a bath
and men
and
That prophecy.
of blood
is
not."
The exalted
the Minister of
Zahhdk
slave,
at his zeal,
And saw
city
Above the
rain-clouds."
He
And was commanded
told the
Shah the
"
Serve a royal
call minstrels
must not be
relied upon.
fit
feast,
to hear,
zahhAk
To cheer me
at the banquet,
fill
the goblet,
Kundrav
And on
at
dawn
left
the
new
prince in haste
Arrived
he had seen and heard
the token of thy fall
He
"
king of chiefs
placed
is
Zahhak
" 'Tis well, guests
Retorted
Beware
"
One
replied
Kundrav
mace
!
And maketh
own
If such a guest thou knowest know him such."
Zahhak said: " Trouble not, it bodeth well
When
Kundrav
"
hear thou
my
replied
rejoinder:
v. 57
i66
The
hand
Is toying
And
At night he doth
Kundrav replied
deem thy fortune shent.
How shouldst thou make me ruler in the city,
Or give me even minstrels' work, when thou
:
"
king
Henceforth,
Hast
lost
From dough
For
like a hair
Of sovereignty.
v. 58
Think,
own
sire
Have
thine
They
interests
do.
?
9
How
ZAHHAK
Such
as were warlike,
For Faridun
Bricks from the
;
And poplar
walls, stones
from the
roofs,
gates
with swords
The
a mass of men.
to lapislazuli.
Anon Zahhak
Approached the
v. 59
him.
Who
like night,
And
i68
thither,
"His time hath not yet come, but bind him vanquished
Firm
as a rock
Where
friends
When
And
that his
mace
And
Who
graciously received
Gave each
them and
discreetly
them
at large,
Is bright, for
me
alone did
set the
God send
star
forth
zahhAk
by Him who giveth good
walk toward good upon His paths.
As king I may not tarry in one place,
Else would I pass with you a length of days/'
Blest as
we
We ought
are
to
the
The
Dragon
And
On
Or ever thou
What
still
v. 61
thus
"
And
mean
it
with heavy
nails,
Come
Be on
we
No good
ill,
still
monument.
By justice and
Of greatness
be a Farfdiin therein.
By godlike travail undertaken he
First cleansed the world from its iniquity.
The binding of Zahhak, that loathly one
Devoid of justice, was the chief deed done.
He next avenged the murder of Abtln,
Caused all the world to recognise his sway,
And
lastly
And
sheep or shepherd,
'tis
the
same with
all.
VI
FAEiDtfN
HIS REIGN
Faridun,
his three
Minuchihr,
by the grandson
who succeeds
of their
murdered brother,
NOTE
In the Vedas
name
we
Trita
is
the
of a semi-divine personage,
by the gods.
mere epithet. The fact that it is found in connection with
other names besides Trita' s rather points to the last. We also
find in the Vedas a hero named Traitana, who is recorded to have
slain a giant.
Trita and Traitana, who were probably quite distinct
personages originally, appear to have become confused together
even in the Vedas themselves, the exploits of each were attributed
to the other also, and the confusion was handed down to later
times. Thus we find Trita struggling with the storm-fiend for
the possession of the waters, and Traitana endowed with the gift
In the Zandavasta, Trita Aptya and Traitana become
of healing.
three personages Thrita, Athwya, and Thraetaona respectively.
Thrita is there represented as the first healer, and also as the
third who offered the drink-offering of the Haoma. The word
Sama is also associated with him, a word which is said to mean
of healing
mic, or
See Introd.
171
p. 7.
172
DZA,
ii.
Id.
6.
i.
223.
7
Id. 295.
Id.
Id., note.
i.e.
Zahhdk.
FARlDtfN
173
dragged him out of the sea nine days and nights the
was maintained by us in the sea, and then I became more
powerful than Gandarep. The sole of Gandarep's foot was also
seized by me, and the skin was flayed oft* up to his head, and
and
with it the hands and feet of Gandarep were bound
AuharGrant me,
Gandarep was taken arid slain by me
ma&Z heaven or the supreme heaven for I have slain the highwaymen who were so big in body that, when they were walking,
people considered in this way, that below them are the stars and
moon, and below them moves the sun at dawn, and the water of
the sea reaches up to their knees.' And I reached up to their
legs, and they were smitten on the legs by me they fell, and the
hills on the earth were shattered by them/'
Keresaspa went on
to tell how the demons urged on the wind to attack him, how it
came on in its strength, uprooting every shrub, and tree, and
reducing earth to powder in its path, and how he withstood it
and prevailed. He finally pleaded that when, in the fulness of
time, Zahhak shall escape from the fetters wherewith Faridun
bound him to Mount Damawand, and threaten the world with
destruction, he (Keresaspa) alone can conquer and finally destroy
that evil spirit. Urmuzd, in consideration for the outraged spirit
of fire, long remained obdurate to the pleadings of Keresaspa,
though supported by those of Zoroaster himself and others, but
finally yielded, and Keresaspa was admitted into heaven. 1
With regard to the final destruction of Zahhak by Keresaspa we
find information in the Bundahish and in the Bahman Yast.
Combining the accounts given, we learn that Keresaspa obtained
immortality while on earth, but that owing to his slighting fireworship he was wounded by a Turk named Nihav, and fell asleep
in the valley of Pislrin in Kabulistan.
He is there watched over
by the divine glory, and by the guardian spirits of the righteous
till the epoch when the powers of evil shall rally for the last
great struggle against good, and Ahriman summon Zahhak from
Mount Damawand. Zahhak will rush forth freed from the fetters
of Faridun, first apparently swallow Ahriman himself, and then a
third of mankind, cattle, sheep, and other creatures of Urmuzd,
and
conflict
'
smite the water, fire, and vegetation, and commit grievous sin.
Then the water, the fire, and vegetation will lament before
Urmuzd and pray that Faridun may be revived to slay Zahhak,
else fire declares that it will not heat, and water that it will not
flow.
Then Urmuzd will bid Surush and another angel to rouse
Keresaspa the Sdman. They will go to him and call him thrice.
WPT,
ii.
369-382.
174
happiness'begin. 1
How FarvMn
When
Supreme on
And on
Set on
the
his
first
WPT,
i.
119, 233-235.
cf.
HEP,
277, 278
DZA,
i.
MZA,
iii.
names.
See DEI,
i.
19.
FA RID t N
175
Then shun
that
Zahhak
And
Because of
And
this
uttered maledictions on
Then
And
his
to all those
who were
strove to hide
it
fortune,
Zahhak
in poverty
she afforded
aid,
A feast
v. 63
And purposed
It
v. 64
With
it
And poured
to the
before
Shah from
his
throne
their retreats
gems
The nobles too from all his provinces
At that hocktide assembled at his gate,
Where all invoked God's blessing on the crown,
The throne, the diadem, and signet-ring.
With hands upstretched they prayed right heartily
" May such joy last, the Shah bear fruit for ever."
As time went on he journeyed round the world,
Examining its sights and mysteries,
Marked each injustice and all wasted lands,
Bound evil hands, with bonds of kindliness
fa rId j5n
Bedecked the world
177
and raised
like Paradise,
Kiis
is
the
modern
title
of the place.
How
FaridUn
sent
passed,
Jandal
to
Yaman
And though
named them
And
father.
fit
not.
to rule
He
left
full of tact.
To make
inquiries
and receive
1
reports.
In Mdzandarau.
v. 65
He
v. 66
As
As
With
Faridiin required.
stately step,
For ever
live,
exalted sovereign,
He
said
'
Say
to the
monarch
musk hath
of
Yaman
So long as
Be thy griefs scattered and thy wealth amassed,
And ever, king of Arabs mayst thou be
Safeguarded by the stars from all mishap.
What thing is there more sweet than life and children
Yea, they are sweeter than all else beside,
For none is dearer than a child, that bond
If any man
Is as no other bond.
!
said
farIdCn
179
A sage
betters."
Among
his peers,
But monarchs
My realm
And
my
is
men may
be fortunate
who
v. 67
well deserve
of prowess,
When
" If
these
Moons
With
He
those
first
many a chieftain
And made the matter
Full
manifest to
all
" I
v
eyes,
6J
i8o
sent an embassage
before
my
feet
saith thus
'
Thus
saith the
Shah
'
My
heart will be on
And
if
I shall refuse
His vengeance
From one who
And
fire,
my
my
"
We disapprove of veering to
each gust.
Be
No
And
The
bridle
A
A reed-bed
say,
'
FAR fDUN
How
the
At length he
King of Yaman
ansivered Jandal
ambassador
words:
Thus say
'
Still
The kingdom
of
Yaman and
desert-tribes,
They
shall return/
"
On
182
He
will assign
you
And
How
FA RID t)N
Reply
The
The
'
:
place,
How
the
to the
King of Yaman
men
of
name with
sunlike countenances.
itself
they overlaid
v. 72
Which
"
is
the youngest
Of these three
And which
The
Stars,
the eldest
Went from
And many
word of tenderness
to speak.
How
v. 73
And
But
Which
He
left
His
To
of a device
spells.
He
It froze so
The arch-enchanter
over
frost
hill
FARiDtiN
185
Now when
spell
frost
skill,
away.
kings.
He
hearts."
v. 74
86
in
file
How
v. 7 -
When
had returned
Reached Faridun he went to meet them, longing,
By trial of their characters, to end
His boding fears, so changed him to a dragon
One, thou wouldst say, no lion could escape
Which hissed and bellowed with its jaws aflame.
tidings that the princes
As soon
his bellowings.
He
To
Then he showed
And
fled.
The
his back
"
FARIDtfN
18
The
their,
mettle disappeared.
fierce elephants
And
The
And
Upon
safety
And
didst not
shun
to flee the
monsters maw.
88
lion brave
not even
v. 77
The
Whose
Spread
it
Of
before
Was
had taken,
the fortunes
Salm's horoscope
Jupiter in Sagittarius.
Was
And
But
1
as
filled
Arzti
Sahi, Stately.
farIdOn
7
How
FaridUn divided
the
World among
his
Sons
An army thither
And all the West
so
saluted
him
as lord.
Came
last,
all
Iran
How
all
How Salm
Much
Till
And
wise
v. 78
v. 79
is
the
common
lot of all
mankind
Since I
am
first
in
wisdom and
in years
From me,
king
By
'
FARtDIJN
This
The
is
191
set
colocynth
So
The
was
laid bare,
v. So
Rum,
state.
S9
How Salm and Tut
They chose
sent
a Message
to
FarldUn
And
plausible,
And
man
Hence away,
In spite of dust and tempest, swift as wind
To Faridun and heed not aught beside.
On reaching him greet him in both our names
And say In heaven and earth the fear of G'od
Should equally prevail, the young may hope
To see old age, but hoar hairs turn not black.
By long abiding in this straitened place
Thou straitenest the long home for thyself.
All-holy God bestowed the world upon thee
From yonder bright sun unto sombre earth,
Yet didst thou choose to act in mere caprice,
Not heeding His commands, and to entreat
Thy sons with scath and fraud instead of justice;
For thou hadst three, wise, brave, and youths no longer,
:
"
'
v. 81
192
And though no
Else will
we
bring the
Turkman cavaliers
When he
The
v. 82
" It
"
He
His
and bring
bade
in
FA RtD UN
193
10
When
to
Ms
Sons
anger.
"
"
man
Thou needest no
And have
he made
reply,
v. 83
And
For
if
And ye have no
Not
My
idea what
my
wisdom
teaching,
is,
was once
as black as pitch,
my
stature
We might divide
so
My
longing to
fulfil all
righteousness
was no wish of
I said
"
On
mine
each of
me
full of
to scatter
my
men
them
FAR tD UN
He
that instructed
me was wont
195
to say
"
But your
lusts sit
It is
Who
By
had three
sons, three
men
of noble birth
is
held
it
cottoneth to none.
Now if ye know
And
be
!'
"
His
And
seat,
told both
be:
Those sons of mine with hearts intent on war
Have set themselves against us from the West.
"
ill
crown,
196
V. S5
Have shown
their
real intent.
If
thou wouldst
fight
Make
For
if
The good
lraj
My
how time
And
said
"
lord
us.
consider
passeth
fret
It is at first
v. 86
'
FARIDVN
The Shah
replied
"
Thy
97
my
brethren,
wise son
Are
set
'
Select a retinue
among
the troops
Oh may
!
For when
11
How
The
whom
Who
Who addeth lustre unto famous crowns,
Who turneth into night the light of day,
Who openeth the 'hoards of hope and fear,
198
v. 87
To whom
When
They showed
And
Two
FA RtD UN
And
199
him
And when,
dispersing,
mate went
This
is
off
Iraj
with mate,
May none
beside
of might."
Their doings
With
And
12
How
v. 88
200
v. 8j
Ran on
Why
thou
Possess the throne of princes and Iran
I am bondslave at the Turkman's gate ?
Thine eldest brother chafeth in the West
While thou art crowned and walkest over treasure,
For thus did our aspiring sire apportion
The world in favour of his youngest son."
Iraj made answer in a holier strain
"
mighty chieftain, lover of renown
Seek peace if thou wouldst have thy heart at ease.
I do not want the royal crown or throne,
While
The
style of
monarch
do not want
West, or Chin,
The kingship or the broad expanse of earth.
When majesty produceth naught but strife
One needs must weep o'er such supremacy.
Although thou ridest on the heaven above,
l A brick will be thy pillow in the end.
For my part, though the master of Iran,
I am aweary both of crown and throne,
And yield to you the diadem and signet,
So hate me not; there is no feud between us,
No heart need ache through me. I will not have
The world against your will, and though I dwell
Far from your ken I ever act as younger
My Faith is naught without humanity."
Tiir heard the words and little heeded them,
But, angry that fraj should speak and caring
No jot for peace, he rose up with a cry
And then advancing suddenly, and grasping
The massive seat of gold, he smote Iraj,
I
fran, the
Must
FARiDUN
Who
20
"
Oh
life
For
I
it
Thou hast
it.
Shed not
blood
From
1
The poet puts his own protest into the mouth of Iraj against the
ancient Zoroastrian custom of killing ants at sight as being the crea
"The celebrated high-priest of the Parsis, the latt
tion of Ahriman.
Moola Firooz, entered these lines into his Pand Namah,* which maj
i.e.
little
Book
creature."
of counsels.
DZA,
i.
171.
202
Thou
man
too,
Whose heart
thy thought
And
v. 91
and distraught,
If,
,
distracted
sent
it
aged world-divider
to the
And
it
13
H010 Faridun received Tidings of the Murder of Iraj
The eyes
And
Were
And from
By one
its
in grief
who
He
silk.
FARtDJJN
203
Was
And
v. 92
Their heads
Is,
favouring
'Twill
"
Alas
On any
royal anniversary.
is
204
The
Saw
He
He
too
Around
He
Judge
Look down upon this murdered innocent,
Whose severed head is here befor* me now,
While foreign lions have devoured his body.
Do Thou so burn up those two miscreants hearts
That they may never see a bright day more.
So pierce and sear the livers of them both
That even beasts of prey shall pity them.
1
V. 93
55
FA RID UN
205
How many
life
death in
of utter hopelessness
How a
of sleep,
to
fraj
1 raj's
bower, inspected
The moon-faced
He saw
it
beauties
and marked
who
resided there.
was with
child,
tenderness,
her
v. 94
2o6
Us
The Birth of MinHchihr
Mark what
When
fit
for the
Let
all
said:
"His own
fraj
doth
live."
95
To give
He
'
The word here translated " open visage" is "mantfohihr." For the
meaning of Minuohihr see introductory note to the next reign.
true
FARlDUN
When
And
Faridiin
all
him
a golden throne,
And
heart,
207
mace
breast-
plates,
And
Thus
He summoned
Who
came
all
intent
v. 96
208
16
When
Tidings of Minuchihr
In anxious thought
And
And
v. 97
fearful of a downfall
opened wide
What wagons
did they
fill
musk and
with
ambergris,
courtiers
And when
added tokens
there was as
of regard,
much
Be
his
head
Grace,
I present
His genius higher than heaven
case committed to me by two slaves
At this high portal of the king of kings.
Know that two ill-disposed and lawless men,
Whose eyes are wet with shame before their sire,
Repentant, seared at heart, and much to blame,
!
Now
Till
FA RiD UN
209
are these
And
A mighty army
With
Before
May
Our
And
to his suppliants,
him
dutifully
we may stand
as slaves
offering shall
17
Haw
Farviun
v. 98
2IO
When
An
In
fitting state
moon
rings.
On
file
the nobles
in robes of gold,
girdle,
making earth
v. 99
him crowned,
He
"
is
And make
them
FARIDJJN
21
And
it
fit.
18
Answer
to
his
Sons
By
sent
'
And by
fruit,
212
No
It
An
'
v. ioi
Who
taketh
money
FAR fDUN
Shall any say
Is putting price
The sire
upon his
"
213
And
v. 102
:
Who
What
Who
is
have they
treasures
minister
?
Who
hath
thereof?"
The envoy
said
"
The
portal of the
Shah
charge
214
For
'tis
Where ground
is
his palace
And
Paradise
When
is
a heaven,
Its roof
Were jewelled
torques.
said
'
:
The
shouteth
To heaven/
And saw
v. 103
came
monarch
like a
'
'
Appeareth not.
None
FARIDUN
And
And
warriors
When
The
air
They
When
When
Some
is
come of it.
war and that with
sure to
Hoto Faviddn
And bade
sent
told,
*9
Minuchihr
"A
to fight
2l6
v. 105
Toward the
"
A youth
desert,
predestined to be fortunate
May happen
to ensnare a
mountain-sheep
would
"
chastise,
Great Shah
"
days
of fire."
said Minuchihr, " may fate keep
ill
v. 106
They
And
left
Tammfsha
FARIDUN
217
For vengeance
for Iraj
Upon
Who
Sam
with Kubad,
The prince
With Sarv was in the centre, whence he shone
Moon-like, or as the sun o'er some high hill.
Led by Karan, with champions such as Sam,
The Iranian army fought. Kubad was scout,
The heroes of the house of Taliman
set the battle in array.
"
Men
The
Iranians
armed
for fight
'
'
2
and throne ?
" Yea, I will take thy message/' said Kubad,
" In thine own words and style, but thou wilt quake
To think hereafter of this monstrous speech.
to signet, crown,
Reading with
C.
Cf.
DEI,
ii.
217.
v. 107
218
Will
Ye
dismay
in
will
in silent dudgeon,
to
Minuchihr
Him the
Who
Now
by the Grace of
Him who
ruleth sun
Tur power to wink,
But show his trunkless head to all the host
I will avenge my blessed sire upon him
And turn his kingdom upside down."
And moon
He
And
How
v.
08
ceased
When
20
Minuchihr attacked
tlie
Host of Tur
About the
And Sarv
plain,
the counsellor,
who
Reading with C.
FA RID UN
219
The Shah
will give
God
prosperity.
Now when
The captains
Drew up
"We
and said
and live to serve the Shah,
and with our swords make earth
Run
5 '
like Jihiin."
to their tents,
Upheaving
night's
He
duly ordered
all
the troops,
He dropped
v. 109
220
That
v.
no
Stood as on coral
They fought till night,
The
v.
in
Mighty elephants
columns in the gore.
love of
all,
till
Minuchihr,
who won
By
grief.
They listened for a night-surprise,
But no one came e'en when night turned to day,
And
How
Noon
Ti//r
passed.
21
With vengeful
Hand
of MinHchihr
met
v.
H2
And saw
And
steel
said
FA RID UN
221
V. 113
Who
The heads
of innocents
all
He
hurled a dart
fell from his grasp.
Then Minuchihr like wind unseated him,
Cast him to earth, slew him, cut off his head,
Against Tur's back, whose sword
And
left
to his
That symbol of a
fall
camp
How
Minuchihr wrote
to
And
first
its
SMh
his
Victory to Faridiin
Farfdun
he spake of
The Lord
to
estate.
22
Announce
to contemplate
from high
ill
the world
and justice
Worldlord
the
who hath succoured us
Men find no other helper in their straits.
He is the Guide, he maketh hearts rejoice
And changeth not throughout eternity.
of goodness, purity,
" Pr&ise to
throne.
1
!
v. 114
222
v. 115
them;
was great and unprovoked,
And as the avenger was both young and brave,
The messenger approached with confidence
And laid the head of Tur before the Shah,
Who prayed to God, the righteous Judge, to pour
But
On
as the crime
FA RID UN
2 3
How Kdvan
News
Upon
Such
Now
" If
Salm declineth
For
No
And
This he told
Karan, who, as he knew, would keep the secret.
"
gracious sovereign
to entrust a host,
Or
for retreat.
For
this exploit I
need
Then
Who when
Upon
full of fight
Karan resigned
The army
to Shirwi
and said
" I
go
224
v. 117
To show
When
to
am
him
the signet-ring of
Tiir.
He
left
the host
'
v.
n8
FA RID UN
225
first to last
a stranger,
of one that
is
strife.
May
He
castellan's
all
o'er a
cries
pitchy shore
24
How
When
battle-loving chief,
v.
226
A grandson
Kakwi
an
of Zahhak,
infidel
and
called, I hear,
fight.
Who is
foes
In battle
If
Kakwi
What
is
Kakwi ?
Thy
I will devise
V. 120
life,
The earth
will rise in
1
FARIDtfN
Kakwi the
And came
227
Minuchihr
said
Both
girt,
terrible,
both
"
Down
The
And
rent
Kakwfs
cuirass
v. 121
it
25
How Sahn
Jled
the
Hand
of Miniiehilir
there.
all
plain,
wrath
228
"
v. 122
Thou who
Who
We
We
v. 123
came
For he
is
I cast
my
lives."
wonder answered
name.
my
FARIDJJfN
229
What
And
it
for a
The implements
26
How
the
Head
V. 124
2 SO
And
" Praise to
lord
blessing
Who
And hath
We
Of Chin.
We
lay in
ambush
Who
We
He
Back
Act
as
The
spoil
thou seest
upon high-crested
elephants."
to
march
out.
Faridun,
FARIDifN
231
Now
He
steed.
Then
Faridiin
And
For
said
I
" I
put
must now
my grandsire
depart.
in thy charge,
Help him
in all
"
Almighty God
Just Judge
who
sayest sooth
v. 126
232
v. 127
And
me
God
given
Two
He gave directions,
days ere Mihr, for Minuchihr to sit
prince,
own hands
last
commands.
27
The
He
leafage withered
on the royal
tree
And
FARIDUN
He
was,
my
son
all
233
And
v. 128
VII
MINtfCHIHR
HE REIGNED ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY
YEARS
ARGUMENT
After describing the accession of Minuchihr, the poet proceeds to
the story of Zal, the son of Sam, how, being born with white
hair, he was in consequence exposed by his father on Mount
Alburz, how he was found and brought up by the Simurgh, how
in after years he and his father became reconciled, and how he
rose to greatness. The poet also tells of the loves of Zal and
Rudaba, the daughter of Mihrab, the idolatrous king of Kabul,
the wrath of Minuchihr thereat, his ultimate consent to the union,
and the birth of Rustam, with an account of whose first adventures, and of the death of Minuchihr, the reign concludes.
tell
NOTE
The story, which occupies the reign of Minuchihr, in whose name,
which means "offspring of Manu," we can still trace a connection
between Indian and Iranian mythology, between the Vedas and
the Zandavasta, is perhaps the most charming in the whole poem
and here first the stream of epic, hitherto confined and cramped,
breaks out into broad waters, and carries us to the heroic race
who play such an important part throughout the first the mythic
period of the poem. We have already seen how the titles
bestowed on the great hero Keresaspa became separate personalities in later times, 2 and in this reign we have one of his most
1
Manushchithra
in the Zandavasta.
to Jamshld.
2
MINJJCHIHR
flies
created of three
races
(sardak), the
race (ayina)
C,
liv.
WPT,
Id. 89.
ii
71.
2
MZA, iii. 234.
murgh (bird) = Simurgh. WPT,
47, 89,914
Id. 50.
Id. 70,
and
iii.
112.
i.
236
Varewtjrana,
thy enemies.
Spitama Zarathustra
With that feather thou
own body, with that feather thou shalt curse back
If a man holds a bone of that strong bird, or a
!
his glory."
With regard
on the occasion
employment of
Rustam, we
anaesthetics
find another
" Age
of Moses of Chorene
vanaque de eo mendacia declarabo, qualia
Persae de Restomo Sazico memorant, quern CXX elephantis viribus
De hujus pariter robore & fortifuisse superiorem tradunt.
tudinem ea celebrant, quae a similitudine veri longissime absunt,
quern sane neque Samsoni, neque Herculi, nec Sazico fabulae istae
conferunt. Canunt et enim quadrata eum saxa manibus prehendere
potuisse, & ad arbitrium suum, magna aeque ac parva, divellere,
unguibusque abradere, &, velut in tabula, aquilarum figuras,
aliaque ejus generis effingere atque unguibus inscribere: Qui
cum apud magni maris Pontici litus hostiles quasdam naves
offendisset, impetum in eas fecit, quas in altum octo aut decern
circiter stadia provectas, ubi consequi non potuit, globosis eas
lapidibus incessit,
quorum conjectu
diffindebantur, ut naves
vis,
aquarum
fissura
altius
DZA,
RK,
ii.
240.
p. 284.
Cf.
NIN,
p. 10.
WPT,
i.
18.
MINUCHIHR
237
The ascent
thing before
it."
How
Minuchihr ascended
They mourned
for
the
v. 129
him.
When
MHP,
i.
19,
and
note.
The name
fire.
of a Fire-temple.
And make
I
And
Yet
light the
in despite of all I
A servant
of the
am
Maker
a slave
of the world.
Whoever
The
And
And
I
And
see,
thee just:
my
part
is
to applaud.
MINUCHIHR
239
My
The
The
fathers of
my
shelter of the
earth
praise,
And
And
then
bestowing
Sam with
so departed
While
all
on
many
a kingly
gift,
homeward way,
Now
will I fashion
tale of
me
240
Now Sam
v. 132
was
childless
In need of solace.
One among
his wives
And
But
like
it
all his
They kept the thing from Sam for one whole week
The women of that famous paladin
Wept
gift
son,
Thou
MINUCHI&R
241
is
a-tingle in
my
veins
Ahriman,
With dark
When
What
me
in public
and
is
The great
in private
shame
He
fortune,
Nigh
Where
Was
uninhabited.
They
left
the child
Who
fostereth
all,
v. 133
242
v. 134
tear
v. 135
That
infant,
They lavished
His breast a
silver
reed,
M1NUCHIHR
And rumour of him
243
so
of that high-starred
Sam
in fine
youth of Grace
divine.
3
H010
Sam had
Dream
That
lofty
When
it
this affair
An
Which shameth
Say
And
not,
'
The
child
Since one
Of heat or
whom God
cold.
And now
in penitence
v. 136
244
Incline to
Him the
The Guide."
So next day and in sore distress
Alburz, and when night came
Slept ill at ease. He saw a standard raised
Above the Indian mountains, and a youth
Of beauteous visage with a mighty host,
Upon his left an archmage, on his right
A sage of noble aspect. Of these twain
One came to Sam and said in chilling tones
" Audacious man and impious in thine aims
Is there no fear of God before thine eyes ?
If to thy mind a bird is nurse enough
Sam went
to
Mount
What
booteth
it
to
be a paladin
V. 137
man
Love
is
not in thee."
Sam
said
" It
will
obstruct
stars."
it
the
MINUCHIHR
245
and sandal-wood
Laced with lign-aloe stayed it underneath.
Sam gazed in wonder on that stony peak,
On that majestic bird and weird abode.
The building reached to Spica, and was raised
Without hand-labour, with no stones and earth.
A youth stood there the counterpart of Sam,
Who watched him as he walked about the nest,
Then laid his cheeks upon the ground, and gave
Thanks to the Maker, in that He had made
Such bird upon the mountain, and had raised
Tall posts of ebony
Its
Whereby
it.
He exclaimed
above all place, o'er sun and moon
And shining rainbow I prostrate myself
Before Thee, pouring out my soul in awe.
climb
to
O Thou
If this
And show me
mercy, sinful as
am."
Came
"
Thou who
am
I.e.
"
much
v. 13S
246
Now must
I take thee
Unscathed
to him."
He
His eyes were filled with tears, his heart was sad.
Though he had seen no man, still he had learned
Of her to speak in accents like her own,
With much of wisdom and of ancient lore
Thus had he language, wisdom, and right rede,
And looked to God for succour. Npw observe
His answer to the fowl " Hast thou in truth
Become aweary of my company ?
Thy nest is unto me a shining throne,
Thy pinions are my glorious diadem,
And next to God I owe my thanks to thee,
For thou hast turned my hardship into ease."
The bird replied " If once thou dost behold
The crown, the throne, and doings of the court,
:
v. 139
trial of
the ways of
fate.
would
fain
or,
if
men
MINTJCHIHR
247
Now
And
to the bird,
And
None could
said,
I will
not
fail in
gentleness to thee,
v.
r4
248
And gave
The
all
city,
How
the Case of
Sam
I.e. "
nest,
MINtCHIHR
And
To
him come
bid
Home
249
in person to the
Shah
hasted as
commanded
to the court.
When
him
For
my
him needless
thy happiness in him alone,
pain,
But find
For he hath royal Grace and lion's claws,
The wise man's heart, the prudence of the old.
Teach him our customs both in war and feast
Bird, nest, and height he knoweth can he know
What honour and court^usages demand ?."
;
v.
42
And saw
a mountain-peak
'
:
among
It is a
'
Was
like
the clouds
dome
some
tall
of flint
palace
side,
of the Simurgh
Within it thou hadst said
They are one brood/
His breath exhaled the very scent of love,
And every thought of him rejoiced my heart.
Oft ran I round the Mount but path was none
:
'
gone.
'
My
Restore to
me
Disclose for
me
way
MINUCHIHR
Sear not
my
soul for
my
251
defect in love
Oh pardon me
1
this
And
She
And
And
strange
my
left
How
to
Z&bulistdn
v. 144
'
of Zal
and said
noble, shrewd,
and valiant
cavalier."
care.
Like Paradise
With Mai
All
v. 145
all
praise
investing Sam
strictly in
to the
stream of Bust,
accord to precedent.
"
Know
In thine eyes
all
is
despised
And
When Sam
MINUCHIHR
253
Its bricks
And made
a holiday for
all alike.
The
And
said
"
May
went
to
Sam,
Zal.
6
How Sdm
Thereafter
Sam
gave the
Kingdom
to
Zdl
The various
And having
Harangued them
"
Ye holy
and said
y.
:
Our monarch
in his
wisdom ordereth
That
And
partner of
my
life
abideth here.
The name
46
With
He
And
And
liberal,
all
Be thine
And
Do
to
make
friends
Can
on here ? If one
was I,
Put me not further
I have cause to wail.
Than ever from thee now that peace hath come.
While I was neath the talons of the bird,
Sucked blood and fared in dust, dwelt in a nest
And had a fowl for friend, I was esteemed
Zal answered
Was
And
I live
A fowl
it
Is far away.
I
Such
is fate's
me
fostering
And must
submit."
The
Concerning thee
MINUCHIHR
255
Now
will
v. 148
His
sire
closely.
down
Sam
He
And
"
In policy
understanding he had not a peer,
His horsemanship was famous with the great,
Folk thronged him in amazement at his beauty,
And whether near or distant used to think
The camphor locks of Zal as black as ink.
shineth as a star "
256
7
How
And
He
As
is
And
A wealthy
With cheeks
He had
like springtide
With
Musk,
crown
"
The
And
stately chief
all sat
is
to the feast.
MINUCHIHR
257
V. 150
And
More gracefully ?
Men
"
Who
One
He
Is fairer
And
Two musky
as a teak in height.
Would
ringlets
them
Her cheeks
Her
Her
are like
lips,
two pomegranate-grains,
seek
And
beauty."
Of
Zal,
v. i$i
their steeds,
When
"
fruit-tree
My
Zal said
Thy
v. 152
palace
is
may
"
Not
so
visit,
MINJJCHIHR
An Arab
"
A horse
The
I
comrade
be,
make me
wise to mock
want no bride
And
my
cause the
Zal,
who was
Kept brooding
to
me
delicate,
at
mine
estate."
pained
8
Hoiv Euddba took Counsel with her Damsels
And gems a
teeth,
nest or throne
And walk
?
?
What
is
he suited for
as man,
Doth he behave
in chieftains' steps
Mihrab replied
"
26o
portrait
Or such another
cavalier on horseback.
'
All talk of
The heart
If
Rudaba had
five
Turkman
waiting-maids,
minds
To them she said " I have a secret for you,
Since all of you are in my confidence;
Attend upon me, and dispel my cares
Know then, all five of you, and understand,
And luck go with you all your years, that I
Five faithful slaves,
:
all girls
of prudent
MINUCHIHR
I
am
in love,
Whose
and
261
heaven
Mine ardent heart
and in my sleep
I cannot tear my thoughts from him.
His love
Possesseth me, heart, mind, and wits I muse
Upon his features day and night and now
Means must be found to free me from my woe.
None knoweth of my secret but yourselves,
For ye are good and love me."
Then the slaves
Thought in amaze " The princess doth amiss
Rose at her like so many Ahrimans
And said " crown of ladies in the world
O daughter eminent among the mighty,
Admired from Hindustan to Chin, and like
A shining signet in the women's bower
billows surge to
No
Thy
Thy
height
And
all
Such
offspring
is
ignoble.
To seek a dotard
lips
Strange indeed
Why,
all
air.
v. 155
She shrieked
at them,
!"
262
With frowns
Ye
strive in vain
If to
some
Find any
my
star I lost
Bah
it
heart, could I
satisfaction in the
"
moon ?
Then honey
will but
make
The
slaves,
And having
v. 156
"
voice,
Thy
slaves
May
all
Creation's
wisdom be thine
aid
grammarye,
artifice
and spell,
with
And stitch up eyes
Then will we fly like an enchanter's bird,
Or run along like deer to give thee aid,
So we may bring this king to thee our Moon,
And
lay
him
at
thy
to study
feet."
Rudaba
"
If
smiled,
and said
thou canst compass this thou wilt have planted
Turned
MINJJCHIHR
tall tree
263
Which wisdom
9
Hoiv Buddha's Damsels went
The
slaves arose
to see
Zdl
When
Zal, spying
"
Who
"
The Beauty
One
of Kabulistan
said
hath sent
He saw
the
girls,
then looked
For game and lighted on a water-fowl.
The ruddy Turkman slave-boy strung the bow
And laid it in the paladin's left hand,
Who flushed the fowl and shot it as it rose.
;
v. 157
264
Zal said
And
bird."
fetch
yon crippled
"
Go
The
The
Crossed in a boat.
"
is
What
he
Turkman
him
warrior
Of what people
A finer
gallant
slave-girls questioned
This lion-limbed
And elephantine-bodied
Who
across
him
is
?
he king
We never saw
"
His peer."
V. 158
thy king,
Her
Of equal rank."
On
lips.
MINtiCHIHR
265
'
He
took
"
If thou
So say to him, shrewd, trusty boy
Hast secret things to say tell us in person.'
Rudaba's damsels said to one another
" The Lion hath been taken in the toils.
:
'
v. 159
266
And
60
said,
Or with Rudaba
in her loveliness,
and perfumed,
'
Her head
is all
And musk,
her person
all
MINUCHIHR
Her
267
locks
and
'
The
"Say,
'
chief
if
fire
thou knowest,
I love her,
Her
on
say.
how
may approach
face."
And
all
we can
The
How
the
10
Damsels returned
to
Ruddba
The
girls departed,
V. 161
her.
us,
268
"
This day
There
is
We
'Tis spring.
And
spikes of hyacinth
time,"
He
mind
The land
Do
is
is
for bear in
Kabul
tents and
at
troops.
forthwith.
"We
And
And Grace
lofty cypress of a
What
How
man.
his.
MINUCHIHR
269
'
When we
And
And
my
face to
him
"
'
"
"
it
men's
270
And
Here were
And
v. 164
to the sun.
to
Buddha
And
"
key,
chief,
Went
The
of
Sam
maid
Unlocked her
coral lips
"
Must
He
MINUCHIHR
He
thus
made answer
"
271
let
Now
"
paladin
child of warrior-race
Now
Him kiss
that
musky
face.
lasso oft.
She heard
He
said
may no sun
shine when I
hand upon my Life
And put a spearpoint to this wounded heart."
" This
is
not well;
He
And
lightly flung
it
And
me
v. 165
272
v. 166
Hand
Her
And
Looked
form, that
that
at
neck,
still
height,
What
lion
With
all
To wash
v. 167
opposition, wrath,
and vengeance
MINJJCHIHR
Their love waxed ever as the
273
moments
sped,
And
drum-call sounded.
rise so soon."
Then from
aloft
Went from
How
Zdl consulted
Archimages in
the
of
12
And
the
Matter
Ruddba
o'er the hills,
call
the sages.
glorious chieftains,
Well pleased
at being
And yearning,
men
summoned.
By Him
By Him
He
praise that
before
Him
we can give
night and day.
fast,
With
is
justice
fruit to
fill
v. 168
274
Who
man
Its possibilities.
Again, we never
See youth unmated stable in the Faith,
Whose
chief of paladins,
is
'
The
v. 169
My
roses
heart
and
narcissi of
is lost,
my
my wisdom
garden,
fled
Declare
The remedy
for this.
MINUCHIHR
What
What
275
And we
are
much
"We
amazed.
But who
will be
The
And
How
The
Zdl wrote
to
Sdm
to
v. 170
276
And
"
v. 171
Who
Who
Who
And
upon
Nor ever
will,
am
a cavalier so brave.
thrall
My
Of
MINtCHIHR
I
am
The
as if
consumed
stars are
my
in raging
fire,
So that
I will not
277
my
lose
;
wits
at thy word.
v. 172
'
But
Will second
me
The daughter
My father
of
My
sire
herein that I
Mihrab
my
perchance
may make
lawful wife.
He
*
will
v. 173
And
said
tc
:
If I shall say,
'
This
is
not well,
rest.
How Sam
is
consulted the
How
the Matter of
Zdl
v. 174
Archmages in
fire
be a glorious pair,
a mighty Elephant,
MINUCHIHR
279
And
them not
leave
a lurking-place on earth,
it
on
their signets."
Sam
And
He
gave ear
fear.
count
He
called
'
V. 175
shall
him.'"
He
And
gave a largess
him
to the
messenger
" Arise
The name
of a wild tribe,
"the Dog-heads."
dispose
28o
rose o'er
the
plain,
15
How
A dame
And
of honied speech
was go-between
And
y.
76
said to her
"
Go
to
Rudaba.
fro.
sire,
Say
"
MINUCHIHR
281
her,
And
cried
"
Whence
art
thou
Speak
Dissemble
not
"
And
set
my
heart at rest"
282
And
V. 178
And
"
The
chieftain of Zabul
And
love of
Have come
That,
I
if
him
to
is
at Kabul,
so fireth me,
and things
my
heart
MINUCHIHR
One
hair of his
is
v. 179
lo
fire
A messenger
And he hath
Though vexed
at first
he grew amenable
my
reply."
But
said
Among
"
This
no
is
trifle.
Zal
is
is
peerless
great,
of paladins,
He
Should
e'er
mount
saddle."
Then, to make
That she had been mistaken, she released
it
seem
Now
skin.
284
16
80
Mihrab,
much
gratified
by
Zal's attentions,
happened ?
Speak
Wherefore are thy rosy lips thus faded
She said " I have been musing for a while
About these goodly treasures and this wealth,
These Arab steeds caparisoned, this palace
So noble and its pleasure-grounds, the friends
!
Who
my
lord,
A
A
we
will
whom
She answered
v. 181
"The
MINUCHIHR
Of what
I said.
Now can
285
from thee
I hide
which I adopted
would understand the meaning."
She hung her head and bent her cypress-form,
Her eyes dropped dew upon her rosy cheeks.
"
full of wisdom," she went on to say,
" The sky must not revolve above us thus.
Know that the son of Sam hath striven to snare
Riidaba and misled her ardent heart.
In hope
my
of the tree
lord
Now
I
Her heart
With rage
" Her blood
;
his heart
was
full,
Smdukht sprang
Clasped him about the waist, and cried
"
Now
He
shook her
And
"
hear
heart
off
Now
way and
me
let
her
live
this devilry.
'
My
Life
sire inherited
Why
If
his.
Sam
is
in sight
strivest
strife
v. 182
286
marchlord
He
left
all
do not speak so
wildly.
all
know
it."
Thou
sawst
me
lying
down absorbed
in grief
v. 183
strangers
Affine with thee thy foes
Sindukht, in terror
lest that
lion-man
" First
still
me
MINUCHIHR
The chieftain promised, but he said " Now mark
The Shah will meditate revenge for this."
:
Then with her lips all smiles and face that showed
The dawn beneath the night went to her daughter
With this good news " The warrior-leopard's claws
Have spared the wilful onager. Now hasten
:
face thine
ornaments and go
Rudaba answered
What
My
"
What
are ornaments
soul
Why
is
of
my
wealth
Sam
in
And overwhelmed
in gold
and jewelry.
May
288
17
Hoio Minucliihr heard of the Case of Zdl and Ruddba
News
And
and Zal
V. 185
its
old vigour.
'
'
Naudar
And
valiant
set forth,
MIN tfCHIHR
289
Went
Who
Sam
replied
v. 186
" I will
And
first
How Sdm
Sam
18
came
alit
to
Minuchihr
Metaphorically, of course.
the
20O
v. 187
And
And such
This anguish
Had
V. 188
fallen
A Persian
different localities.
MINVCHIHR
And
army
led the
on.
291
I raised a shout
tains
And
grey,
man
like a lion
Then
like a
Upon
The
vales and
hills,
Were
foot.
Raised to the
Bade hold a
moon
festival
189
292
The world freed from his foes. The night passed quickly
In revelry and praises of the chieftain.
At dawn the Shah held audience. Sam drew near
And having done obeisance sought to speak
About Mihrab and Zal, but was prevented
By Mimichihr, who said with angry looks
" Depart with chosen chiefs, burn Hindustan,
The palace of Mihrab, and all Kabul.
Let not Mihrab escape he is a remnant
Left of the Dragon's seed, and filleth earth
With turmoil. As for his allies and kindred,
Smite off their heads, and purify the world
Of all the kith and kindred of Zahhak."
Sam dared not speak, so wrathful was the Shah,
But kissed the throne, then gently pressed his face
Against the famous signet and replied
" My conduct shall acquit the Shah of vengeance."
Then with his host he sought his own abode
On steeds that went like wind along the road.
:
v. 190
How Sdm
went
to
War
against
Mihrdh
MINUCHIHR
293
Lion's
Whelp hath
come."
And
chief
to
welcome Zal
v. 191
And
Sam
spent a while
"
heart,"
he
said,
Is verdant
Of wisdom
haste,
felt
its
and verily
host.
Zal
is
mace
All earth
and time
v. 192
it at thy hands.
So do not I
have no share though thine acknowledged kinsman.
am
Receive
And know no
To give occasion
Save
this,
that
to
Sam
an enemy
the hero
is
my
sire
And
And
looked upon
Skill,
And
me
manhood, and a
one friend
too,
monarch of Kabul.
Kabul by thy command
And mindful of thy counsel and thy pledge.
Thou saidst I ne'er will vex thee, but will bring
The tree that thou hast planted into fruit/
Yet bringest this gift from Mazandaran,
And hastest from the Kargasars to further
The ruin of my home such is thy justice
Behold, I stand before thee and expose
My body to thy wrath. Saw me asunder,
But utter not a word against Kabul.
Do as thou wilt the power is all thine own,
But mischief to Kabul is done to me."
The chief attended to Zal's words, then bowed
His head and answered
" 'Tis all true, and I
from the first
unjustly
Have dealt with thee
The
I sojourned at
'
v. 193
mine
MINUCHIHR
29$
rash, let
me
send
it
by thy hand,
The worldlord
will
rest
And
desire
Shah
my
loving son
harm
When
Can
seize
How
Zdl
tvent
many
a benison.
20
on a Miabion
to
Minuchikr
Sam
The
letter
From Him
are good
v. 194
296
My
V. 195
It
its
venom
its blast,
fell,
Reading with C.
MINUCHIHR
Its
lying in
my
297
its
jaws
path.
bellowed
Shah
In fury, seeming all afire,
Within. The world 'gan swim before mine eyes,
A black reek went up to the murky clouds,
Earth's surface shook beneath the bellowing,
The venom seemed to be a sea of Chm.
Then
And
my bow
And
shot
it
And
And
pressed
'
'
V. 196
298
My
I
charger's
venom many
in pieces
days.
for years
And
v. 197
'
Mintichihr's capital.
MIR tfiQHIHR
299
no wonder
It is
if
he goeth mad,
upon him.
to visit it
many undeserved
His
borne
afflictions
And
When he
Do
shall
that which
lofty throne
From Sam
is
the son of
Narlman be
blessings
And on
the lords."
When
all
him
to court
21
How Mihrdb
When
Must
1
Kabul.
of the world,
So C. and P.
I.e.
monarch
v. 198
300
Is to take thee
And
v. 199
If
life
is
bestow
big with
it,
fate.
'twill
and
pass,
earth
Be
And
to appeal to
For wisdom
is
him
in fitting terms,
the cook
when speech
is
raw.
Thy hoarded
wealth."
"
Here
is
thou desirest
life
While
I avert the
MINUCHIHR
I care
And
all
my
301
concern
She took
Then boldly
his pledge,
And
v. 200
A golden goblet
all
kinds
and earrings
all inlaid
With
Was
How Sam
22
comfovied Sindukht
The
And bade
"
An
302
If I accept the
If I decline
And
flap
He
And
all
With
had ended
well.
V. 202
They only
live
MltitfCHIHR
To do thy hest
Upon thy
feet.
Sam
me what
replied
Come
I ask and
Art thou the slave or consort of Mihrdb,
Whose daughter Zal hath seen ? Tell me that I
May judge her worthiness, her mind and temper,
Her face, hair, stature, looks, and understanding
Whatever thou hast noted tell me all."
"
tell
Smdukht
The
replied to
palter not.
him
"
paladin,
First swear
quake
That thou wilt never injure me or mine.
I have a palace, wealth, and mighty kindred.
First reassure me and I will reply
In hope to win thy favour, and will send
Our hoarded treasures to Zabul."
shall
Sam
grasped
304
But as for
Burn not
all
ness."
My
it
cost
my life.
With
all
Shall
wed Rudaba.
thy kindred.
Though our
v. 204
race
other
is
Let
me
MINUCHIHR
On
own
thine
terms.
The
305
may weigh
sight
with
me
If
His
him vouchsafe
slave, let
Her head
will
We bring
Our
to visit
we
Kabul
will present
lives as offerings."
She saw
And
her
If to
that
As he
his smiles
all
"
Sindukht
Then asking
In
away
full content,
V. 205
I follow quickly."
Moon
of noble dames,
306
How
Zdl came
to
23
Mintichihr
ivith
Sams
Letter
Now
"
He
Which
ancient
Sam hath
letter,
much grieved my
am resolved to think of it no more,
And will perform and carry out thy wish,
Although the matter hath
heart,
Since that
While
is all
to thee
on thine affairs."
The cooks brought in a service all of gold
Whereat the king of kings sat down with Zal,
And
The
I deliberate
ordered
feast.
all
MINUCHIHR
Zal mounted on his charger with gold trappings,
'
A hero
His
He
full of
life will
prowess and
will arise
of
Mihrab
fame.
fair
He
And
horsemen of Iran.'
Shah " Beware that ye
none what ye have told to me."
shelter of the
Then
Disclose to
Reading with
C.
brains,
v. 207
308
How
V. 208
24
the
On many
What
In
all
their bravery
of
In Persia
The second
As
And
and knowledge
Each one
What
of insight, wit,
and
loveliness,
said
"
noble youth
explain
moving rapidly
one of the twain
There
is
11
MINZJCHIHR
309
In
The
v. 209
all their
city that
The
On a mountain I descried
was strongly fortified.
sixth said
"
citizens, those
men
exceeding wise,
And
there as monarchs or
town with buildings lifted
The memory
'Tis
of the city
as subjects placed
to the skies.
now hath
gone,
Remembrance
And
Now look
And
if
*5
How
Then shook
answered
his
" First as to
They
new moons
of every year,
Upon
men
By two
tall cypresses,
With
Thence
of
heaven
is
opposed
fears.
Putting aside modern astronomical notions the idea seems someas follows: the sky, as represented by the Signs of the Zodiac T
the lighter,
is divided into a lighter and a darker portion or "limb"
Spring and Summer, being represented by the Signs from Aries to
Virgo and the darker, Autumn and Winter, by those from Libra to
Pisces.
The if limbs" are alternately more or less in evidence, while
the sun is continually journeying from one "limb" to the other. The
double alternation of light and darkness is thus accounted for; that
of the lighter and darker seasons of the year by the movements of
the sky, and that of day and night by the movement of the sun. The
former rules man's destiny, the latter chiefly influences his daily life.
1
what
MINUCHIHR
A storm
3i
And
Where we have
But not
Twas
for ever
always so
is
he
will
on high.
hath the gain,
built
toiled another
not remain.
to look for
change
is
vain.
be an honoured name
Our souls will be on that account held dear,
But if we do the deeds of greed and shame
If our provision
will,
Albeit
And
'
if
thou
criest
No
is
How
26
When
all
the riddles
rejoiced,
312
at full,
212
My
heart."
And
He
With Indian
Then
And
hide,
MINUCHIHR
Then dropped
313
own javelin
him
weight in combat
hath knocked dust out of two-headed darts
Will challenge
He
And
to prove his
arrows."
The
And Sam
is
^
;
Such a memorial."
He
And gave
who
v. 213
314
27
MinticMhr's Answer
V. 214
to
S&m's Letter
And peerless
A long
Have
and glorious
Exalted
Zal sent to
With
Should leopard-hunters
life.
all
o'er
Sam
to say
" I left
the
Shah
a royal robe
My loving,
glorious sire
Sam
v. 215
gladdened so
MINUCHIHR
With smiling
My
thy disposal
For what is needed throne, or crown, or wealth."
Sindukht on this withdrew and gave her daughter
The news, and joyful hopes of seeing Zal.
She said " Thy choice of partner is most fit,
treasury
is all at
strict,
And
And
And
And
all
summoned
to strew
musk
28
How
Zdl came
to
Sdm
And
all
v. 217
Sam, seated on
To
And kept
entertained Zdl.
MINUCHIHR
'
317
What
"
And
Of
chanticleer.
Huge
army
Made
What
with the
many
flags of
painted silk
v. 21S
the sounds
bells,
ap-
proached,
And
blessed
all
Sam and
Had
v. 219
"
treasure to the
full.
Sam
(t
What
is
my
fee?"
Sam
My
answered
"
What thou
all
are thine."
Where
wilt
gold,
Is choice
indeed
!"
By Sam's
desire
Mihrab
Approached
They placed the happy couple on one throne
And scattered emeralds and carnelians.
Her coronet was wrought of gold and his
Of royal gems. Mihrab produced and read
The inventory of his daughter's dowry
" 'Tis more than ear can hear."
Till one had cried
Sam was confounded when he realised
The treasures, and invoked the name of God.
Then hall and city revelled for a week,
The palace was a Paradise in raptures,
to execute the legal contract.
MINUCHIHR
And
39
Rudaba
220
With minds
for
Rudaba' s use
curtained couch.
first for
all
Sistan, glad-hearted,
because those
From Minuchihr.
I fear
me
'
Have and
enjoy,'
mine,
And
fields are
of Mazandaran.
all
Zal
glorious crown."
Sam
A happy husband
holding
festivals,
of gold
v. 221
320
29
The Story of
the Birth of
Rustam
"
By
I lie
MINtCHIHR
From
this
When
he shouteth
The pard will split its skin and gnaw its paws.
The warriors that see his whizzing mace,
His chest, his arms and neck, will hear his voice
With quaking hearts, steel-eaters though they be
And
Good
fortune.
322
How
come
in torrents, asking
"
?
Who made
V. 224
A thing so strange.
A hero tall and fair
like a lion,
to look upon.
Had
" I
am
"
old
and grief
Is over."
"
Rustam."
They made
Of that unsuckled Lion, stuffing it
With sable's hair and limning Sol and Venus
of silk
spear,
mace
in
one hand
or "
The word
I
in the Persian
bear fruit,"
lit.,
" There
is fruit
to me."
MINUCHIHR
323
In
The
all
and wine.
And showered
dinars
him
Until the heap was level with his head.
Aiiid
And
my
type.
v. 226
324
Now
We
Came
like a rushing
we may
live."
He
Thus went the world with Zal and showed its purpose.
Ten nurses suckled Eustam, for from milk
Are strength and constitution. Being weaned
He
As
v. 227
lived
five,
said
all
agaze
Sam
indeed
Sam
heard
"
30
How Sdm
came
The son
of Zal
to see
is
Rustam
like a lion,
None
Mohl
translates
"huit
MINUCHIHR
325
And
He
v. 228
He had them
saying
"
My
face
is
like to thine, so
be
my
courage."
hand
He lighted. Sam
And kissed his head and eyes. Meanwhile the tymbals
And elephants were still. Then full of glee
And talk they all betook them to the palace
And revelled merrily on golden seats,
the chieftain grasped his
Thus
Upon
resting for a
song.
v. 229
326
<:
v. 230
And now
to find
him
arms."
He spake in jest,
were merry at his words.
Sam, when the month was o'er, one day at dawn
Returned to his own throne. He said to Zal
" My son
be just and loyal to the Shahs,
And
Zal and
Sam
Preferring
evil all
refraining
MINtlCHIHR
327
Know
bo day.
And
private also
'tis
that in public
Then
The
The
in the palace
V. 231
31.
Gold,
And
many Arab
Zal, as his
Reeled to
steeds caparisoned
other
gifts,
and
328
Shouts rose
outside
his
door
"
The
chiefs white
elephant
Hath broken
loose,
and
Y. 232
Thy going
forth
Saw
his
own
Had
MINUCHIHR
329
And
cast its
"
host,
V. 233
He summoned
him upon
Rustain,
his
is
'tis
through a gate
The
He
week
When Sam
had
was told
enough/
and having mourned
:
fight
grief,
He marched
desert,
Beleaguered
in vain.
it
and
for
None
v. 234
33
And Sam
Now
is
the time,
Go with
in,
my
son
for artifice.
And
Said Zal to
Don
him
"
My
prudent son
give ear.
Fetch camels
to
make up
a caravan.
salt,
v. 235
32
to
Mount Sipand
caravan," he said,
it
if
my
to the castellan.
"
with
many
drivers
salt."
MINUCHIHR
33
Who
"
Go
to
They carry
salt/
"
And
said
"
Armed
made
What
v. 236
332
The
peerless
And sword
Rustam with
and when
and held the world
From
itself,
earth to Pleiades, of
all.
the garrison
And having
v. 237
He
Full of dinars.
He
"
Who
in the mines,
How Rustam
33
May He
The
The
The
flag of
MINtfCHIHR
333
v. 238
Rustam read
The
Among
As well
as pearls
And
And
and jewels
fit
for kings,
sent
them
to his sire.
fire to
The caravan
Mount Sipand,
v. 239
334
'
Whose
When
And
decorated
folk
all
home
"
Who blessed his face and kissed his chest and shoulders,
While Zal the chief embraced
his son
34
The famous
With many
Whenas
v. 240
and bade
to
Sam
news
to
Sam,
gifts to
the letter
Bloomed
He made
to Zal
" It is
He
And gave
it
to the messenger,
who went
MINUCHIHR
335
35
Ms Son
Now
passed I girt
And used
to find
my
much
and
travail
And by
I took
Reading with C.
v. 241
336
I
And
built
me many
its iniquities
city,
many
a fortress
v. 242
sheep.
When
Whose
memorial.
VIII
NAUDAR
HE REIGNED FOR SEVEN YEARS
ARGUMENT
and the people revolt, but Sam sucPashang, the king of Tiiran, however,
takes the opportunity of the death of Minuchihr to send an
army to invade Iran under the command of his son Afrasiyab.
The Iranians are defeated, and Naudar, with many of his chiefs,
Afrasiyab kills Naudar and assumes the crown
is taken prisoner.
Ighriras, the brother of Afrasiyab, traitorously releases
of Iran.
the Iranian prisoners, the Iranians under Karan and Zal obtain
independent successes over the Turanians, and Afrasiyab puts
his brother Ighriras to death.
Naudar
rules oppressively
NOTE
In this reign the connection between the Shahnama and the
Vedas temporarily seems to be severed, and we are unable to
trace the names of the principal heroes further back than the
Zandavasta, where most of them are to be found. The story of
the reign is one of disaster for Iran and the ancient feud, originating in the murder of Iraj, receives a new impetus through
the execution of Ighriras by his brother Afrasiyab. We are
accordingly here introduced to the royal line of Turan, of which
we have heard nothing since the slaying of Tur by Minuchihr,
and to its collateral branch, the heroic family of Wfsa, which
plays such an important part in this and future reigns, and
corresponds on the Turanian side to the family of Sam on the
Iranian. 1 The most important personality is that of Afrasiyab
;
We
father,
338
the Caspian.
1
DZA, i. xlviii.
The reign of Kai Kaus
WPT,
DZA,
i.
ii.
will
Id.
appear in Vol.
ii.
286.
II.
of this translation,
II.
82, 84.
114.
DZA,
ii.
226.
WPT,
i.
135.
NA UDAR
339
How Naudar
The mourning
over,
v. 243
Were whitened by
the Shah.
He
blotted out
bright,
My
And may
as
many
blessings light on
Sam,
The
May
v. 244
34Q
Minuchihr,
much of Sam,
have a warm supporter in him,
Who paladin and favourite watched over
My father's realm, illuming throne and crown.
Now things have reached this pass that save thou
And
I too
takest
And from
v. 245
And
footsteps recklessly.
"
He
"
And
royal blood
NA UDAR
Upon
her.
If
Trod by his
Naudar hath
sire it
left
341
v. 246
is your portion
your dwelling-place hereafter."
The chiefs repented and made fealty
Afresh that prosperous-footed paladin
Made earth grow young throughout. When Sam had
reached
The presence of the Shah he kissed the ground.
The Shah descended from the throne, embraced
His captain, seating him upon the throne
With greetings and unbounded compliments.
They feasted for a week with harp and wine,
All offered their excuses to Naudar,
And bare themselves as subjects. From each province
Came tax and tribute out of fear of Sam,
The swift of wrath. Naudar sat on the throne
In splendour and in undisturbed repose,
On
earth,
and
fire
And
to depart,
of counsel to the
Shah
v. 247
342
Both
to the nobles
and
their sovereign
steeds
And two
v. 248
slaves,
gold goblets
all
How Pashang
News
of
Shah Minuchihr's
decease, and
how
Whose
The
He
also called
And
Now
is
ill.
NA UDAR
The time
to
What
343
say ye now
Advise me well."
v. 249
my
The time
The
for battle as
he marked
The highest
of the
Although Iran
v. 250
344
The book
us to restrain ourselves,
plain
The refuge
Was
v
251
Why
of the
army
of Iran
now
that he
is
gone
NA UDAR
They
345
Naudar, who
Will be your
is
Our foemen's
hearts/'
I fear not
The prince
Along in streams ere
my
revenge
How
When
said
Afrdsiydb came
is
"
done."
3
to the
Land
of tr&n
silk
And drew
Was
Was
theirs,
because Afrasiyab,
Brief respite
V. 252
who then
as leaders,
is
busied
Afrasiyab
Was
was awake,
and pitched against
Marched forth
to Dahistan,
it.
346
Who
knoweth how
up his host ?
hundred times.
" The sands and uplands
to reckon
Go count a thousand
Thou wouldst have
o'er four
said
seethe,
And
certes they
were warlike
Afrasiyab surveyed
By
letter
"
And Sam
But him.
Zal
cavaliers.
is
is
as a quarry to us,
none in Iran
His death alloweth our revenge.
is
dead.
I feared
253
Prompt action
well advised
4
How Bdrmdn
Kuh&d
together
and how
ivas slain
NA UDAR
Now
if
347
dis-
couraged.
It will not
"
Who
Thou
Of counsel
to our Shah.
My head
to
wear a helm.
>
v. 254
348
My
Of blessed Miniichihr
heaven alive,
one the scimitar
Destroyeth mid the mellay, and the vulture
;
And
another's
life
v. 255
flushed
With
came Barman
who gave him gifts
Before Afrasiyab,
NA UDAR
349
and Garsiwaz,
"
Earth shaketh."
Then Karan
Huge
forth
v, 256
is
the sepulchre."
My
v. 257
35o
Nor
sword of
My
steel.
brother
I fronted
him.
my keen
eyes lost
And we were
striking.
all
was dark,
Thou hadst
said
overcast,
How
And what
Naudar
the second
Time
A mountain from
And
v. 258
They
No
How
They fought
And
till
night
NAUDAR
351
And
And
Is
'
Since
sons.
v.
59
352
How Naudar
fought
loith
6
Afrdsiydb the third Time
days, but
Was
larged
And
earth
is
en-
NA UDAR
353
Now when
V. 261
Iranians'
In trouble
monarch
of fran
He
And by
I will
Provisions,
Thou
Shah
hast a river,
Naudar
"
Not
so,
replied
And
354
v. 262
And
They
all
agreed
"
Castle."
Now when
That
man
of blood
But
God
for succour,
NA UDAR
From
Barman
fell
Turned dark
His soldiers
35S
to
fled.
all
How Naudar
his valiant
men.
Had sought
Naudar
till
noonday,
And
At length
The Shah was taken with twelve hundred nobles
" Their place on earth
Thou wouldst have said
earth was dark with warriors' dust.
is
void."
V. 264
v. 265
The son
Kawa
How
Wisa found
his
lost."
slain
Wept
scalding tears.
1
He
Reading with
F.
NA UDAR
Thus
like a torrent
357
Kannuj up
V. 266
to Kabulistan,
My
Neither fear
To
left
Men
I.e.,
court danger.
v. 267
9
How Shamdsds
arid
forth
Toward Sistan
thirty
thousand famous
He
"
all
Zabulistan.
To bury
with grief
I will
The
despatch him
tribute,
and
if
he know
my
mind.
he saith Come/
'
him my
will stand
realm,
I will not
NA UDAR
359
He sent a messenger
Ply thy feathers and thy pinions,
help.
Announce
'
10
How
Zdl came
to help
Mihrdb
Upon
11
v. 269
360
When
it
And marked
None
soldiers gathered
"
round
They
are Zal's
v. 270
NA UDAR
Then
And
flung
led the
And
when
And he and
in full flight
all his
army
for
room."
The Turkmans
fled
toward Afrasiyab,
When
Whose
v. 271
life."
With
Of maddened elephants they
cries
And
up
prisoners,
How Navdar
pained,
He
said :
v. 272
"
Naudar on hearing
Knew
clamorous throng
From
NA UDAR
"
He
3^3
ill
may
come,"
If
And
Why shouldst
To spare
And
their lives.
I will prison
to
me
At
and
Ighriras request,
earnestness,
And
With thoughts
of
in his heart.
v. 273
3<H
12
How
Of kingship
is
"
The Grace
obscured.
off
Men
v. 274
And
earth
The
is
and
fells
are hanging
whom
as
it
were a
father,
NA UD A R
365
rage,
With lamentable
He
said
Sheath
"My
till
my
the Resurrection,
my
white charger
throne, a spear
We live.
And
Men
Zal, as
thou knowest,
is
at
home
monarch of Kabul.
Karan the warrior,
v. 275
,366
Now when
And
And
The heads
We will disperse,
And make
praise
replied
Would be
incensed.
company.
to free
fit
him
"
us
thanksgiving unto
Wise Ighriras
'Twere a
v. 276
be enraged,
will
God
Such
for him."
skilleth not
human Ahriman
The Dragon's
And made
clutch."
friends,
Who
is
who
neck
NA UDA R
36 7
Was told
He "gave a
:
"
Kishwad
is
When
v. 277
Zal
How
When
Amul to Kai
Wherefore hast thou acted thus
hast thou mingled colocynth with honey ?
Ighriras went from
Why
13
"
368
Did
'
v. 278
men
imprison them
The warrior s head is not concerned with statecraft,
His fame is gained upon the battlefield
Nor should the soldier tread the path of wisdom,
For wisdom never mingleth with revenge."
" Tears and compassion are not wholly needless/'
He answered. " When thou hast the power to harm
Fear God and do it not, for crown and girdle
?
It will be folly to
See
many
For
ever."
like thee
Hearing
Was
this Afrasiyab
"
Now
Be darkened and
He
blew
With
On
v. 279
IX
ZAV,
Zav
dies.
NOTE
Zav
is
described in the
Shahnama
as the son of
Tahmasp and
White Castle.
Tus is represented as always resentful of the slight put upon
him it induces him to oppose the accession of Kai Khusrau,
;
WPT,
i.
136.
DZA,
ii.
221.
3?o
results
Zav
One night
And
is elected
Shdh
He
And
A man
v. 280
We
of Grace through
See Introd.
p. 71.
ZAV
While Zav, a wise old man, sat on the throne
And judged and lavished till the world grew young.
He kept his soldiers back from evil ways,
Wrapped up himself in communings with God.
None dared
Men
And
all
confessed
"
We
While wails and cries for help rose from both hosts.
At length an envoy came to Zav and said
" It is our own fault that this Wayside Inn
Affordeth naught but travail, care, and anguish.
Come let us share the earth and bless each other."
They gave up thoughts of war for famine pressed,
Agreed to drop the ancient feud, to share
The world according to just precedent 1
And put all bygones out of memory.
The portion of fran both near and far
Twixt the Ji'hun and marches of Turan,
And so along toward Khutan and Chin,
:
Was given
to the
Turkmans
as their
kingdom,
v. 281
Who
Men
And
set
And
That sun-like
ruler's leaf
began
to sear,
GARSHlSP
HIS REIGN
ARGUMENT
On the death of Zav his son Garshasp succeeds to the throne,
and \Af rasiyab seizes the opportunity to renew the war. Garshasp
himself dies, and the Iranians being hard pressed appeal to Zal,
who promises that his son Rustam shall come to their assistance.
The poet then tells how Zal gave Sam's mace to Rustam, how the
latter won his charger Rakhsh, and how Zal led the host against
Afrasiyab, and sent Rustam to fetch Kai Kubad from Mount
Alburz to be Shah in succession to Garshasp.
NOTE
In the summary in the Dmkard of the lost Kitradad Nask
mention is made of Keresasp, who is placed between Kai Kubad
and Kai Kaus. 1 Keresasp appears there to be identical with the
great hero, of whom an account has been given in the introductory note to Faridun, and if so apparently we must identify
Garshasp, the tenth Shah, with him as well. In the Shahnama,
however, he is a mere nominis umbra, and Firdausl places him
before Kai Kubad, the first Shah of the Kaianian dynasty, and
makes him the son of the preceding Shah Zav and the last of the
Pishdadians. His personality had already, as we have seen in the
note above referred to, become split up, and his reign is a blank so
far as he is concerned.
The reader will note Rustam's reference to bishops acting as
castellans. 2
In the wars between the Eastern Roman Empire and
WPT,
iv. 28.
373
p. 378.
374
^portant part
How
v. 282
Garshdsp succeeded
Afrasiyab
And
Afrasiyab
let
But thou
And
1
flee
RSM,
art
155-164.
GARSHASP
I
37 S
And thou
Thou
upon
my
disown thee
face again.*"
There
carr^e
283
a message to Afrasiyab
And
"
Between Jihiin
"
Earth
is
a turning sky
for a day.
When Zav
The hands
of evil
Now
men
The world
is
A host hath
crossed Jihiin,
army
men
ill.
away
chiefless.
cannot see
No
rider like
me
v. 284
376
When
ness
Upon
Zadsham ?
the offspring of
'
fran
Was
How
Now
v. 285
men ?
mates."
forgotten
how
showed
GARSHASP
377
This
Is food
and
sleep."
Zal said
The
My
"
gallant youth,
when
Why fear
And
I for
thee
now
Yet can
Who is
Now is
me
Afrasiyab
of
my
sleep,
tales of warlike
deeds
Or sending up the
He
said
" I
strife,
moon."
ease and revel.
am
Such arms
as these,
What though
of mine.
I.e.,
a mace of
steel.
all
the fortresses
A bishop for
The rocks
when I advance
their castellan.
The elephant.
v. 287
When Rustam
He smiled with joy, called blessings down on
And said " Thou art the chief of paladins
Sam
saw
it
Zal,
But now,
I
to bear
my
person, mace,
and Grace,
need a steed."
And
oft
How Rustam
When
caught Rakltsh
2.
GARSHASP
379
a steed he pressed
back until its belly reached the ground.
At length a herd of piebald steeds sped by,
Among them a grey mare short-legged and fleet,
With lion's chest and ears like two steel daggers,
Her breast and shoulder full and barrel fine.
Behind her came a colt as tall as she,
His buttocks and his breast as broad as hers,
Dark-eyed and tapering a piebald bay
With belly hard and jet-black, hoofs of steel,
His whole form beautiful, and spotted roan
Like roses spread upon a ground of saffron.
He could discern the tiny emmet's foot
Upon black cloth at night two leagues away,
Had elephantine strength with camel's stature,
And pluck of lions bred on Mount Bistun.
Now Rustam gazing on the mare observed
That elephantine colt, and coiled his lasso
To catch it, but an ancient herdsman cried
Its
v. 288
"
chief
'
38?
humour
Is in the fighting
He
eyes,
and entangled
Then
Which gave
not
Now
can
as she
act."
He mounted
The ruddy
"
What
is
swift as wind,
He
inquired:
who can
tell it
" If
And
He was
swifter.
GARSHASP
He
Nor recked
Made by
How
Zal
led the
Fared
And when
Ye men
an ample host
And with advantages yet with no Shah
Upon the throne our plants want rede, our toils
Lack purpose, and our troops a head. When Zav
Was on the throne new glory ever came,
And now we need a Shah of royal seed
;
v. 290
38 2
whom
me
told
4
How Rustam
brought
v. 291
'
We
But had
With broken
Back
He
to Afrasiyab,
all.
said to
him
"
of craft,
host,
GARS HASP
Go thou
Be
careful, prudent,
And
specially
The Iranians
And
fall
and courageous,
human Ahrimans
on outposts unawares."
Kuliin
3%
From that
And make
"
blest land,
friends
The Shah
is
there, a
holy
He thus replied
man and noble.
Said
Rustam
From
"
And
My
the chief
Go with an
whom men
thus:
mount Alburz,
Find valiant Kai Kubad and homage him,
Yet tarry not, but say: "The warriors call thee
'
v. 294
called
sire,
And have
escort unto
'
If
"
The
and stay of
chiefs
GARSHASP
Now
glory be thine
own
I bring
me
paladin.
slave to speak
Upon
seat, intent
Rustam
"
v. 295
rose swift as
fire
and mounted
2 B
v. 296
steed, while
Rustam
wind
When
To meet and
Was
The Shah
thereat
said to
him
"
Shah
'Tis
my
Rakhsh
enough
I ask but God's protection.
With a hand
Like mine and ruddy Rakhsh to carry me
Who will confront my mace and scimitar?"
Against
My
heart and
He
are help
at a third
Those strong
nostrils.
hands
Unhorsed the foe and dashed them to the ground,
And in their fall brake heads and necks and backs.
Kulun beheld this div escaped from bonds
With mace in hand and lasso at his saddle,
Charged him like wind and thrusting with his spear
Brake through some fastenings of his mail, but Rustam,
What while his foe was lost in wonderment,
Seized on the spear and wrenched it from Kulun,
Then roared like thunder from the mountain-tops,
Speared him and having raised him from his seat
Put down the spear's butt to the ground. 1 Kulun
Was
v. 297
all.
GARSHASP
And
left
field.
387
His troops
And
Unnoticed.
Shah
to Zal
sat in conclave
INDEX
Ahwaz,
A
'AbbIsids, dynasty of, 13, 14
Abbreviations, list of, 93
Abtin, father of Faridun, 144.
*53i I7i 174
Abu-'Ali
Muhammad, Shahnama
Alburz,
Mahmud,
30-32,
'All,
paternity
Khalifa,
cult
36
Kasim. Firdausi,
24,
55
13
of, 13
Firdausi's references
Shahnama
of, 67-70, 99
Mansiir bin Muhammad,
patron of Firdausi, 29, no
Abii Talib, uncle of Muhammad,
Abii
12
Afrasiyab, ruler of
55
72,
xv,
Tiiran,
337,
342
seq.,
42
Aghre>arf, prince (Ighriras), 338
Ahmad Hasan Maimandi, minister of
Mahmiid,
ibn
32, 39, 45
Muhammad,
patron
50,
138,
24,
'Ali
Allah,
Muhammadan name
of
the Deity, 50
Alptigin, chief, 20
Arnin, Khalifa, 14
Amul,
city,
145,
289,
177,
298,
employment
of, 236,
founded
by the
321 seq.
Anbar,
city,
Azdites, 11
of Firdausi, 29
to,
Anaesthetics,
382
'Afrit, genie,
5,
of,
of,
assassination
38,
112
Ahmad
71,
35,
42,
4,
xv,
152,
14, 49
persecutor of Zoroastrianism,
Abii'l
19,
39
Abu
mountain,
145,
69
Bakr, Khalifa, 12
minister of
xiii,
217, 223
of,
Abu
Abu
place, 286
159,
287
ridden by Tahmuras, 125
235
xii,
194,
Apsheron, peninsula
Aptya, Vedic form
q.v.,
of,
171-174
Arabia, 189
ancient trade
of,
58 note
of
Abtin,
INDEX
39Q
Arabic, language, 32
infrequent in Shahnama, 47
88
Shah,
42,
62-64
142,
161 seq.y
166,
148,
147,
177
Arran, district, 9
Arslan Jazib, general, 100
Bahrdm, Chubina, 14
Bahram
Giir,
Artaxerxes
II., Shall,
59
on ancient trade-
Magi and
of
legend, 60
at, 61
relations of Indian
fran, 10
important
Shahnama,
in the
of
Shdhndma,
route, 57
seat of the
Arzii,
Astrologers,
Life
his
civilisation, 7
race, 7
Shdh, 42
Khan,
situated
figures
52,
251,
278
Asiyages, king of the Medes
(Manda), 18, 72, 144
Athwya, Zandavastic form of
Abtin, q.v. 171-174
Atropatane, province (Azarbait
jan), 9, 56
Azarakhsh, fire-temple, 61
province (AtropaAzarbfUjan,
tane), 9, 56, 61
Arab tribe, 1
Azhi and Azi, demon, 142. See
too Dahaka and Zahhak
Azdites,
Shall, 42
67-68
Arwand,
Bahman,
region, 300
Firdausi, 23
Papakau,
Ardslrir
146,
Baghddd,
Baisinghar
133
Aid, day
B
BadakhshAn,
as rhyme-word, 74
Barman, Turanian hero, xv, 342,
346
seq.,
354, 356
inscription
trilingual
on rock of, 16
Birmaya, cow, 151-153, 162
Bishop, as castellan, 373, 378
Bistiin, mountain, 328, 379
Biwarasp (Zahhak), 72, 135, 144
human, prescribed
Zahhak by Iblis, 139, 146
Brains,
to
Bundahish, Pahlavi
note,
91,
235*
2 36
369
92,
treatise,
117,
337
125,
note,
70
131,
338,
INDEX
39i
to
crow
at daybreak, 126
of
106
C
C^SAR,
84,
Cesarean
Canopus,
Rustam,
an
in,
star, 188,
Caspian, sea,
defeat
Charrae,
at
of
IS
birth, of
Moon
5,
Firdausi's, 102
Crassus,
262
236,
321 seq.
Calendar, old Persian, 88
Cancer,
188
5.
of,
"7
Firdausi's, 102-106
evil
omen,
See Gaiumart,
Tahimiras, and
Culture-heroes.
Hushang,
Jamshid
266
16,
3, 4,
19, 56,
57,
338
Castellan, bishop as, 373, 378
Castes, division of Aryans into,
7; of Iranians into, 130-133
Castle, White (Sipand), 236, 354,
3 6 9-
Catullus, quoted, 60
D
Da^VAS, demons (divs), 130
Dahaka (Zahhak), 7, 142, 172
Dahistan, fortress, 280, 344
349, 353, 363
Caucasus, 16
Dakhma,
38,
Ahmad
Chalandshdn,
of,
ibu
Mu-
29
Chamrosh, mythical
bird, 235
Shrihn&na,
Characters, chief of
49
Characteristics, of Iran, 3
un-named,
Chin,
8,
country
189,
179
(often = Turan),
371
brocade
81
144,
39, 45-
hammad
seq. t
of,
269,
333,
and
passim
sea of, 252, 349
Climate, of f ran, 4,
Climes, the seven,
Codomanus,
Dastan (Zal), 84,
Dastan-i-Sam
6, 9,
248, 264
(Zal),
84
24
Destiny,
astrian conceptions
Dihkdn, generic
40,
71,
122,
123, 238
65
49, 64
title,
Dihkdn = minstrel,
of,
52
56
66, 81
Dilamids, dynasty, 14
Dinar, coin, 81
INDEX
392
Dinkard,
Pahlavi
treatise,
70
note, 373
81.
demon
54, 55,
126, 127
42, 124
White, 82
Divining cup, 51
Drachm, coin (diram), 81
Dragon = Zahhak, 158, 161
163,
288
169, 275,
370,
37i.
Dualism, 5, 49,
Dunhar, place,
142
xiii,
42,
30,
149 seq.,
seq.,
384, 385
flag of, 293, 295
of, 24 seq.
Nizdmi's account of, 38, 45
bitterness against Mahmtid
252, 256,
of, 33
Satire on
Mahmud
of,
40
49
E
Edessa, S. James of, 374
Ekbatana, city (Hamaddn), 17
Elements, the four, 102, 286
Elephant, White, xiv, 327, 377
Ellipi,
145,
kingdom
of, 9, 17
45
death
adulation
of
Mahmud,
Aryans,
7,49,56.
region
See
Magi
of,
56
Hiishang's discovery
F
FAGHFtfR, dynastic title of the
princes of Chin and Machin,
his
institution
of
of,
of drink, 43 note
in
Iran,
123
of
feast
(Sada), 123
Fish, mythological, 71, 72,
262
370i 371
method contrasted
30, 112
priests.
Fakkd, a kind
45
with Homer's, 47
his
Euxine, sea, 16
of,
his epic
252
Flesh- meats,
introduction
148,
of,
INDEX
393
G
GaitJmart,
Shall,
117-121,
xii,
Hardt, city,
7,
39
battle of, 21
123
Muhammad,
25
Hauz, 203
Hawk, domestication
of,
126
342, 349
Gaumata,
Hdrunu'r-Rashid, Khalifa, 14
Hdshimi, a descendant of Hdshim,
the great - grandfather of
Magus
(the
false
Hira, city, 11
Smerdis), 58, 59
Gazhdaham, the
White Castle,
castellan
of
Al Munzir,
seat of dynasty of
55
354, 369
Genealogical tables, 90-92
Ghazni, city, 20, 357
Ghiil, sorceress, 42
Homa
See ICimmerians
See Grace
Go-between, old woman as, 280
Gimirrd.
Huns,
the, 57
82, 116,
Iblis, the
10, 14
Griffon, 235
Muhammadan
Ahriman,
50,
Fd-i-Kurdi, feast
Ighriras,
70
of, 143
brother of
xv,
55,
337,
363
seq.,
374
369
Devil,
136 seq.
occasional substitution of for
xii,
374, 385
Greeks,
19
34i
10,
Hiishang, Shdh,
343
Afrdsiyab,
seq.,
347,
Imagery, of Shdhnama, 72
Indo-European race, its divisions,
7
INDEX
394
Introduction j to Shahnama,
Julian, Emperor, 12
viii,
3-9S
I'raj,
19S-20S. 217,
K
daughter of, xiii, 205, 206
gardens of, too, 113
KiliLL,
Irani,
and passim
and
boundaries
character-
9 passim
with
the Semites, 10
Greeks
and Romans, 14; Aryans
with
fran-vej, region,
9,
Kaid, dynasty of 55
,
'
'
66
373,
382 seq.
62
Kdkwi, grandson
of India, 15 ; Turanians, 16
traditional
relations
their
256, 262,
istics, 3 seq.
tile,
234,
57,
city,
268, 277,
of
ZahhSk,
xiii,
225 seq.
Kandahdr,
Karabagh,
Mah-
miid, 21
Kdran,
city,
286
district, 9, 56
I'raiiian
211,
hero,
214-226,
xiii,
249,
207,
344
337,
279,
290 seq.
Karmd'il, Zahhdk's cook,
Gushtftap, 42
James,
Jesus, 42
Jewels, discovery
xii,
145
Kaus.
155 seq.,
133,
flag of,
160,
211,
seq.,
143,
157,
INDEX
Magi, priests of the Medes,
39*
Muhammadan sect,
13
preservers of
literature of, 61
Khudai Nama, 66
Khusrau. See Kai Khnsrau
derivation of word, 56
sympathetic, 8
Magog, Gog and, 16
Kimmerians, people,
Magophonia, 59
Magus, a priest of the Medes.
See
Kubad
minister
xii, 143,
164
of
Zahhak,
seq.
spiteful allusions
Shdhndma, 33, 34
Mai, city, 252, 256, 261
Maiddn, riding-ground, 83
Mamun,
Kur'an, 99
Kustam
84
See Kai
Khalifa, 14
Man, the
first, 5
nature
of,
104
Manachihr, 206
Manda, nomad
tribes, 17, 18
L
House
(constellation
of
Leo), 188
Luhrdsp, Shb, 42
of
the
Mayors
131
of the palace, Oriental,
14
Mazandaran,
his
4,
5,
edition
Shdhndma, 76
Mada, the Medes,
country,
12,
M
Macan,
20, 21
of
Tur, 188
Karan, x\ 207,
Kundrav,
Magi
Mahmud,
Kubad, Shah.
64
chihr, 205
io, 17
of,
Kubad, brother
56,
language
Magic, 51
56
60
9,
tradition,
18,
56
of
the
Mazdak, heresiarch, 63
Medea, land of, 57
Medes, 9, 10, 17, 18, 56,
58,
72
INDEX
396
Media
(Zend),
64
21, 114
Mercury, planet, 72
Mihrab, king, xiv, xv, 234, 256
seq., 275 seq,, 284 seq., 299
seq., 358, 359, 3 6
339
209
seq.,
Mahmud,
21
Mil, as rhyme-word, 75
Miniichihr, Shah, xiii
206,
51
7,
seq.,
234
348, 363
42,
rhyme-word, 75
Nile, 40, 71, 114
Nimiuz = Siatan = Zabulistan, 1 252,
Nil, as
337,
Moola
Moon,
Firiiz, 201
discourse
Firdaiisi's
oil
Miibid, 83
Muhammad,
the Prophet,
12,
seq., 45, 46
Noah, the Iranian, 129
Ntih bin Mansur, Sanianid prince,
13,
Muhammad,
Kazzak,
Muhammad
son
68,
of
Abdri'r-
99
Laslikavi, friend
36
Null II., Samanid prince, 21
Nushirwan, Shah, 16, 27, 42
has Bastan-nama compiled, 67
of
Firdausi, gg
Muhammad
of the Shahnama, 76
Mumasenni, tribe, 237
Mutawakkil, Khalifa, 14
Oriental,
71
Ox, the
Oxus
42,
174,
Narimanau, epithet
172, 174
Narwan, forest
of,
217, 218
(Jihiin),
117
ancient
trade-
route, 57
8,
117, 179
first, 5,
Padashkva k,
338
Pahlavau, 83
Properly speaking Zabulistin is the name of the hilly country about the upper
waters of the Helmund, while Iffmruz and Sistdn are synonymous names for the
low-lying lauds into which its waters descend, but Firdausi does not seeui to make
any such distinction.
,
1
INDEX
Pahlavi,
meaning
64, 83
of,
397
320
seq.,
birth
prophesied,
his
Caesarean birth
278,
307, 321
64
Pashang, father of Minrichihr, 205
xiv, xv,
236, 321
of,
seq,
Periods, mythic
Shdhn&ma,
and
historic,
S
SACAE, Scythians,
of
49, 53
Sacrifice,
Persians, 8, 9
modern industry, 56
seq.
rhyme-word, 75
Pil, as
and
of Traj, 188
title
of
Sn tdn
1
21
xiii,
183 seq.,
335,
42, 54.
naming
of
and
339
174.
Prometheus, 57
brother
and Serpent
Sagsdrs, district
Mahmrid,
Prelude, to Shdhndma, 99
Purmaya,
human,
Saif u'd-Daula,
19
SaM, wife
55
17,
See Sistdn
worship, 143
Sada, feast of, xii, 123, 124
Sagittarius, constellation, 188
Sagsdr,
Sacaestan.
Faridiin,
Salt,
158 seq.
of,
187
Rustam's caravan
of,
330
seq.
desert, 3
95,
RAI,
city, 363,
Khr
Rakhsh,
seq., 337,
seq.
366
381
Rustam's
steed,
seq.
harm, 380
Rum, the Eastern Roman Empire,
83.
89t
passim
252, 316,
and
seq.
of,
378
Sama Kercsaspa Narimanau,
Iranian hero, 171 seq.
Sdmanides, dynasty, 14
Samarkand, city, 7, 19
Sapandarmad, month and day,
"
24, 88, 89
Sapor
229
of, 157,
234
339
"One
mace
15.
xiv, 42,
358, 375
xv,
brocade
xiii,
See
Urmuzd
Sardparda, 84
Shdpu r
son
INDEX
398
Sari,
city,
289,
230,
367
Sarv, king of
363,
366,
xii,
xiii,
Yaman,
374
dynasty, 49
Sdsdnians, 374
on
Firdausi's
Satire,
Sultdn
Mahnnid, 40
127
Shi'ites,
human
sacrifice,
paternity
Firdausi's,
seq.,
23
viii,
28
108
seq,
scene of, 3
date when finished, 24
length, metre, language,
and theme
anomalies
divisions
of,
of,
chief char-
of,
leading motives
editions
of,
seq., 377
Sipanjab, region, 375
of,
53
of,
Yima (Jam-
shid), 130
Ttirdnian
xii,
siah, 131
87
Shahrindz, wife of Faridun, 142,
Shamdsds,
76
translations
4, 119,
origin of name, 19
Siydmak, son of Gaiumart,
51
cosmogony of,
imagery of, 72
246,
182
acters of, 49
machinery
51, 235,
320
Sindukht, wife of Mihrdb, xiv,
259, 281 seq., 299 seq.
Sipand, mountain, xiv, 236, 329
48
and
16
Sistan, 1
47
of,
55
of,
66
Dakiki's beginning
215,
143
more than
sect, 13
139
worship and
Muhammadan
hero,
xv,
Mahmud,
20, 21
Sughd, district, 19
Sun, Firdausi's discourse on the
nature of the, 105
one of the seven planets, 72
See note, p.
396.
INDEX
Muham-
orthodox
Sunnites,
399
n ad an ?, 13
Surush, angel, 51, 119, 120, 159,
168, 173, 182
chief
of,
a patron
of Firdausi, 39, 40
Tahmasp, father of Zav,
Uzava
(Zav), 369
369,
37o
Tahmuras,
Shah,
xii,
125
42,
seq.
Traitana,
7, 8,
11,
the
principles
the Shahn am a,
of previous, 87
7, 8,
of
171 seq.
174,
183
339
Vivanghat, 129
Vologeses I. (Valkash),
Vologeses II., 19
seq.,
62,
63
57
171 seq.
Translation,
list
Valkash
63
Trita,
5,
5
Utbi, Al, historian, 32
'Uthman, Khalifa, 12
T
Tabaristan,
Water,
scarcity
of, 3
stealing demons,
7, 338
Water-courses, underground, 3
West, the, Salm's portion of the
world, 189
335,
337,
Wisdom, discourse
in praise
of,
101
Writing,
taught by the
with, 16
Turkmans
(Turanians),
20,
189,
371
Turks, io, 20
Ttis, son of Naudar,
364. 369. 370
Tus, city, 38, 39, 41, 45
prince
of,
governor
100, 114
of,
39
351,
353,
Yaman,
country,
178,
181
seq.,
266, 286
king of (Sarv),
179, 182
xii, xiii,
178,
INDEX
4<x>
Yima
(Yania, JamshM),
130.
129,
7,
374
Yiisuf and
Zand, comment, 65
Zandavasta, 64 seq., 70 note,
Zulikha, Firdausi's,
144,
171,
172,
129,
174, 234,
337;
338, 369
45> 46
Zaranj;, city, 4
Z
Zabul, Zdbulistdn, country
376
ZahMk, Shah,
xii,
290,
42,
54,
seq.. 275,
292,
72,
278,
326,
303,
aster), 235,
248,
338, 358
his minister (Kundrav), xii,
title of
61
cosmogony,
164 seq.
scriptures, 61 seq.
145,
conception of destiny, 52
propaganda, 58 seq.
xiii
53, 61
a line of priest-princes,
236
Zarduhsht (Zoroaster),
Zoroastrianism, 49
conceptions of,
See note,
original seat
scriptures
of,
p. 396.
END OF VOL.
I.
& Co.
5, 51,
of,
56
52
seq.,
61 seq.
62