Epic Lore & Biography

Merdas was the noble, pious, and righteous monarch of the Arab spear-man plains. Renowned for his boundless generosity and devotion to God, he possessed vast herds of milk-yielding livestock which he freely distributed to anyone in need. A deeply affectionate father, he raised his son Zahhak with lavish care and devotion. Merdas maintained a morning ritual of rising before dawn to wash and pray in his secluded garden. Satan (Iblis) tempted Zahhak into a conspiracy, digging a hidden covered pit along Merdas's path. The virtuous king fell into the trap in the dark and perished, leaving his crown to his treacherous son.

Shahnameh Distichs Featuring this Entity (17)

که مرداس نام گرانمایه بود / به داد و دهش برترین پایه بود

“Merdas was the name of this glorious lord, supreme in justice and boundlessly generous.”

Jamshid • Merdas the Pious Arab and His Wicked Son Zahhak بیت #458

مر او را ز دوشیدنی چارپای / ز هر یک هزار آمدندی به جای

“Of every kind of livestock that gave milk, he possessed ten thousand upon ten thousand.”

Jamshid • Merdas the Pious Arab and His Wicked Son Zahhak بیت #459

بز و میش بد شیرور همچنین / به دوشیزگان داده بد پاکدین

“Likewise abundant goats and ewes yielding milk, which the pure-hearted king entrusted to milkmaid damsels.”

Jamshid • Merdas the Pious Arab and His Wicked Son Zahhak بیت #461

پسر بد مر این پاکدل را یکی / کش از مهر بهره نبود اندکی

“Yet this pure-hearted lord had a single son, who possessed not even a trace of affection or love.”

Jamshid • Merdas the Pious Arab and His Wicked Son Zahhak بیت #463

چه باید پدر کش پسر چون تو بود / یکی پندت از من بباید شنود

“'Why should a father linger when he has a son like you? Listen to this single piece of advice from me.'”

Jamshid • Merdas the Pious Arab and His Wicked Son Zahhak بیت #475

زمانه برین خواجهٔ سالخورد / همی دیر ماند تو اندر نورد

“'Time lingers too long over this aged master, while you remain locked in his shadow.'”

Jamshid • Merdas the Pious Arab and His Wicked Son Zahhak بیت #476

چو ضحاک بشنید اندیشه کرد / ز خون پدر شد دلش پر ز درد

“When Zahhak heard this, he fell into deep thought, his heart overflowing with anguish at the thought of his father's blood.”

Jamshid • Merdas the Pious Arab and His Wicked Son Zahhak بیت #479

بماند به گردنت سوگند و بند / شوی خوار و ماند پدرت ارجمند

“'The burden of your broken oath shall bind your neck; you shall be disgraced while your father remains revered.'”

Jamshid • Merdas the Pious Arab and His Wicked Son Zahhak بیت #482

مر آن پادشا را در اندر سرای / یکی بوستان بود بس دلگشای

“Now that noble king had a delightful, sprawling garden within his royal domain.”

Jamshid • Merdas the Pious Arab and His Wicked Son Zahhak بیت #486

گرانمایه شبگیر برخاستی / ز بهر پرستش بیاراستی

“The revered king was wont to rise before dawn to prepare himself for divine worship.”

Jamshid • Merdas the Pious Arab and His Wicked Son Zahhak بیت #487

سر و تن بشستی نهفته به باغ / پرستنده با او ببردی چراغ

“He would wash his head and body in the secluded garden, while a servant carried a lamp before him.”

Jamshid • Merdas the Pious Arab and His Wicked Son Zahhak بیت #488

سر تازیان مهتر نامجوی / شب آمد سوی باغ بنهاد روی

“As darkness lingered, the renowned leader of the Arabs directed his steps toward the garden.”

Jamshid • Merdas the Pious Arab and His Wicked Son Zahhak بیت #491

به چاه اندر افتاد و بشکست پست / شد آن نیک‌دل مرد یزدان‌پرست

“He plunged headlong into the pit, his bones crushed, and that righteous, God-fearing lord perished.”

Jamshid • Merdas the Pious Arab and His Wicked Son Zahhak بیت #492

به هر نیک و بد شاه آزاد مرد / به فرزند بر نازده باد سرد

“In every fortune, good or ill, that noble king had never let a harsh breeze blow upon his son.”

Jamshid • Merdas the Pious Arab and His Wicked Son Zahhak بیت #493

همی پروریدش به ناز و به رنج / بدو بود شاد و بدو داد گنج

“He had raised him with tender devotion and toil, rejoicing in him and bestowing his treasures upon him.”

Jamshid • Merdas the Pious Arab and His Wicked Son Zahhak بیت #494

به خون پدر گشت همداستان / ز دانا شنیدم من این داستان

“He consented to the shedding of his own father's blood; as I heard this tale told by wise men of old.”

Jamshid • Merdas the Pious Arab and His Wicked Son Zahhak بیت #496

فرومایه ضحاک بیدادگر / بدین چاره بگرفت جای پدر

“Thus base, tyrannical Zahhak seized his father's domain through this evil ruse.”

Jamshid • Merdas the Pious Arab and His Wicked Son Zahhak بیت #499