Pressing forward upon his perilous quest, Rostam entered a domain enveloped in absolute pitch blackness—a void so profound that neither sun, moon, nor stars were visible, as though the heavens themselves had lassoed the celestial lights into captivity. Giving Rakhsh free rein, the champion trusted the instincts of his noble steed to navigate the dark abyss until he suddenly emerged into the light, stumbling upon a silk-like paradise of lush green crops and flowing streams that seemed like a world reborn from old age into youth.
Soaked in sweat from the arduous journey, the elephant-bodied hero removed his tiger-skin coat (Babr-e Bayan) and iron helmet, spreading them beneath the sun to dry. He unbridled Rakhsh to let him graze freely upon the fresh fields, then lay upon the grassy earth to rest, falling asleep like a reclining lion. Soon, the keeper of the field arrived, enraged to find a champion's warhorse feeding on the unharvested crops. Running over, he struck Rostam's foot hard with a wooden staff and cursed him as a demon.
Rostam awoke from his slumber. Filled with silent wrath at the man's insolence, he sprang to his feet, seized both of the keeper's ears, and ripped them off at the root without uttering a single word. The keeper fled wailing, holding his severed, bloody ears, to Avlad, the chieftain and ruler of that region. Outraged, Avlad gathered his warriors and rode out to hunt down the strange intruder.
When Avlad confronted him, demanding his name and lineage, Rostam mounted Rakhsh, unsheathed his gleaming sword, and mockingly dubbed himself 'Cloud'—a cloud that rains down spears and severs the heads of chieftains. With boundlessly fierce force, Rostam charged into Avlad's ranks like a ravenous lion among a flock of sheep, cleaving multiple warriors with every stroke of his blade and trampling their leaders beneath Rakhsh's hooves.
As the host scattered into the mountain caves, Rostam unleashed his sixty-looped lasso, snared Avlad by the neck, pulled him from his saddle, and bound his arms securely. Rostam declared that if Avlad guided him truthfully to King Kay Kavus, the White Demon, Arzhang Div, Bid Div, and Pulad-Ghandi, he would bestow the crown of Mazandaran upon him; but if he lied, his life would be forfeit. Avlad marvelled at the hero's strength and cautioned him about the perilous roads, pitch-black caverns, rivers two leagues wide, 300,000 demon warriors, and 1,200 war-elephants. Rostam merely laughed, placing his faith in victorious God (Yazdan). Driving Avlad ahead, he rode day and night until reaching Mount Esparoz, where Kay Kavus had been blinded and imprisoned. As fires flared across Mazandaran in the dead of night, Rostam securely bound Avlad to a tree and hefted his ancestral mace, preparing to strike down Arzhang Div at first light.
#1
وزانجا سوی راه بنهاد روی
✦
چنان چون بود مردم راه‌جوی
“And from that place he set out upon the road, moving as a seasoned traveler does.”
#2
همی رفت پویان به جایی رسید
✦
که اندر جهان روشنایی ندید
“He kept riding on until he reached a realm where he saw no light in all the world.”
#3
شب تیره چون روی زنگی سیاه
✦
ستاره نه پیدا نه خورشید و ماه
“The night was pitch dark like an Ethiopian's face; neither star was visible, nor sun nor moon.”
#4
تو خورشید گفتی به بند اندرست
✦
ستاره به خم کمند اندرست
“You would say the sun was held in chains, and the stars caught within the loops of a lasso.”
#5
عنان رخش را داد و بنهاد روی
✦
نه افراز دید از سیاهی نه جوی
“He loosened the reins of Rakhsh and moved forward, seeing neither high slope nor stream in the darkness.”
#6
وزانجا سوی روشنایی رسید
✦
زمین پرنیان دید و یکسر خوید
“From there he emerged into the light; he saw the ground soft as silk and covered in green sprouts.”
#7
جهانی ز پیری شده نوجوان
✦
همه سبزه و آبهای روان
“A world transformed from old age into youth, filled with greenery and flowing waters.”
#8
همه جامه بر برش چون آب بود
✦
نیازش به آسایش و خواب بود
“His clothes were soaked with sweat like water; he stood in deep need of rest and sleep.”
#9
برون کرد ببر بیان از برش
✦
به خوی اندرون غرقه بد مغفرش
“He took off the Babr-e Bayan from his body; his helmet was drenched in sweat.”
#10
بگسترد هر دو برِ آفتاب
✦
به خواب و به آسایش آمد شتاب
“He spread them both out under the sun and hastened to find sleep and repose.”
#11
لگام از سر رخش برداشت خوار
✦
رها کرد بر خوید در کشتزار
“He gently removed the bridle from Rakhsh's head and let him loose upon the young crops of the field.”
#12
بپوشید چون خشک شد خود و ببر
✦
گیاکرد بستر بسان هژبر
“Once his helmet and tiger-skin were dry, he put them on, laying down upon the grass like a lion.”
#13
بخفت و بیاسود از رنج تن
✦
هم از رخش غم بد هم از خویشتن
“He slept and found rest from physical toil, relieved of weariness for both Rakhsh and himself.”
#14
چو در سبزه دید اسپ را دشتوان
✦
گشاده زبان سوی او شد دوان
“When the field-keeper saw the horse amidst the green crops, he came running with a harsh tongue.”
#15
سوی رستم و رخش بنهاد روی
✦
یکی چوب زد گرم بر پای اوی
“He headed toward Rostam and Rakhsh, and struck Rostam hard upon the foot with a stick.”
#16
چو از خواب بیدار شد پیلتن
✦
بدو دشتوان گفت کای اهرمن
“When the elephant-bodied hero woke from sleep, the keeper shouted at him: 'O Ahriman!'”
#17
چرا اسپ بر خوید بگذاشتی
✦
بر رنج نابرده برداشتی
“'Why have you let your horse into the green crop, reaping where you did not toil?'”
#18
ز گفتار او تیز شد مرد هوش
✦
بجست و گرفتش یکایک دو گوش
“At his harsh words, the wise hero grew fierce; he leaped up and grabbed both of his ears at once.”
#19
بیفشرد و برکند هر دو ز بن
✦
نگفت از بد و نیک با او سخن
“He squeezed and tore them both out by the root, uttering not a word of good or ill to him.”
#20
سبک دشتبان گوش را برگرفت
✦
غریوان و مانده ز رستم شگفت
“The field-keeper swiftly picked up his ears, wailing aloud and marveling at Rostam's rage.”
#21
بدان مرز اولاد بد پهلوان
✦
یکی نامجوی دلیر و جوان
“In that region, Avlad was the chieftain—a brave, young champion seeking renown.”
#22
بشد دشتبان پیش او با خروش
✦
پر از خون به دستش گرفته دو گوش
“The keeper went shouting before him, holding his blood-drenched ears in his hands.”
#23
بدو گفت: «مردی چو دیو سیاه
✦
پلنگینه جوشن از آهن کلاه؛
“He said to him: 'A man like a black demon, wearing a leopard cuirass and an iron helmet;'”
#24
-همه دشت سرتاسر آهرمنست
✦
وگر اژدها خفته بر جوشنست-
“'The entire field is consumed as if by Ahriman, or a dragon slumbers upon his armor—'”
#25
برفتم که اسپش برانم ز کشت
✦
مرا خود به اسپ و به کشته نهشت:
“'I went to drive his horse from the crop, but he spared neither me, nor the horse, nor the field:'”
#26
مرا دید برجست و یافه نگفت
✦
دو گوشم بکند و همانجا بخفت»
“'When he saw me, he sprang up without idle speech, tore off both my ears, and laid right back down!'”
#27
چو بشنید اولاد برگشت زود
✦
برون آمد از درد دل همچو دود
“When Avlad heard this, he turned swiftly; smoke-like anger rose from the pain in his heart.”
#28
که تا بنگرد کاو چه مردست خود
✦
ابا او ز بهر چه کردست بد
“So that he might see what manner of man this stranger was, and why he had committed such harm.”
#29
همی گشت اولاد در مرغزار
✦
ابا نامداران ز بهر شکار
“Avlad was riding through the meadow with his noble warriors on a hunt.”
#30
چو از دشتبان این شگفتی شنید
✦
به نخچیر گه بر پی شیر دید
“When he heard this marvel from the keeper, he tracked the trail of the lion from the hunting ground.”
#31
عنان را بتابید با سرکشان
✦
بدان سو که بود از تهمتن نشان
“He turned his reins along with his chieftains, heading toward where the signs of Tahmatan led.”
#32
چو آمد به تنگ اندرون جنگجوی
✦
تهمتن سوی رخش بنهاد روی
“As the challenger drew near in fight, Tahmatan turned toward Rakhsh.”
#33
نشست از بر رخش و رخشنده تیغ
✦
کشید و بیامد چو غُرّنده میغ
“He mounted Rakhsh, unsheathed his gleaming sword, and advanced like a thundering stormcloud.”
#34
بدو گفت اولاد نام تو چیست
✦
چه مردی و شاه و پناه تو کیست
“Avlad said to him: 'What is your name? What kind of man are you, and who is your king and protector?'”
#35
نبایست کردن برین ره گذر
✦
ره نره دیوان پرخاشخر
“'You should not have traversed this pass, for it is the path of fierce, aggressive demons!'”
#36
چنین گفت رستم که نام من: «ابر!»
✦
(اگر ابر باشد به زور هژبر؛
“Rostam replied: 'My name is Cloud!—if a cloud could possess the strength of a roaring lion;'”
#37
همه نیزه و تیغ بار آورد
✦
سران را سر اندر کنار آورد)
“'A cloud that rains down spears and swords, bringing the heads of chieftains down to their knees!'”
#38
به گوش تو گر نام من بگذرد
✦
دم و جان و خون و دلت بفسرد
“'If my true name should strike your ear, your breath, soul, blood, and heart would freeze within you!'”
#39
نیامد به گوشت به هر انجمن
✦
کمند و کمان گو پیلتن
“'Have you never heard in any council of the lasso and bow of the elephant-bodied warrior?'”
#40
هران مام کاو چون تو زاید پسر
✦
کفن دوز خوانیمش ار مویه‌گر
“'Any mother who bears a son such as you—we might as well call her a shroud-weaver or a mourner!'”
#41
تو با این سپه پیش من رانده‌ای
✦
همی گو ز برگنبد افشانده‌ای
“'You ride against me with this host, mouthing empty words like walnuts rattled on a dome!'”
#42
نهنگ بلا برکشید از نیام
✦
بیاویخت از پیش زین خم خام
“He drew his sword—the dragon of calamity—from its sheath, and hung the raw leather lasso from his saddle-bow.”
#43
چو شیر اندر آمد میان بره
✦
همه رزمگه شد ز کشته خره
“Like a lion swooping upon a flock of sheep, the entire battlefield became covered with piles of slain warriors.”
#44
به یک زخم دو دو سرافگند خوار
✦
همی یافت از تن به یک تن چهار
“With a single stroke he severed two heads effortlessly, felling four bodies for every single man he struck.”
#45
سران را ز زخمش به خاک آورید
✦
سر سرکشان زیر پی گسترید
“With his blows he brought the leaders down to dust, trampling the heads of the proud beneath his horse's hooves.”
#46
در و دشت شد پر ز گرد سوار
✦
پراگنده گشتند بر کوه و غار
“The hills and plains were filled with the dust of warriors, as they scattered into the mountains and caves.”
#47
همی گشت رستم چو پیل دژم
✦
کمندی به بازو درون شصت خم
“Rostam ranged about like a furious elephant, with a lasso of sixty coils upon his arm.”
#48
به اولاد چون رخش نزدیک شد
✦
به کردار شب روز تاریک شد
“As Rakhsh drew near to Ovlād, the bright day turned dark as night in Ovlād's eyes.”
#49
بیفگند رستم کمند دراز
✦
به خم اندر آمد سر سرفراز
“Rostam cast forth his long lasso, catching that proud chieftain right in its loop.”
#50
از اسپ اندر آمد دو دستش ببست
✦
بپیش اندر افگند و خود برنشست
“Dismounting from his steed, he bound Ovlād's hands, drove him ahead, and mounted once again.”
#51
بدو گفت اگر راست گویی سخن
✦
ز کژی نه سر یابم از تو نه بن
“He said to him, 'If you speak the truth and practice no deceit, I shall spare your head and root.'”
#52
نمایی مرا جای دیو سپید
✦
همان جای پولاد غندی و بید
“'Show me the lair of the White Demon, as well as the dwelling of Pulād-Ghandi and Bid.'”
#53
به جایی که بستست کاووس کی
✦
کسی کاین بدیها فگندست پی
“'And show me where King Kay Kāvus is bound by him who laid the foundation of these evils.'”
#54
نمایی و پیدا کنی راستی
✦
نیاری به کار اندرون کاستی
“'Guide me with complete truthfulness, and let no deception enter into your conduct.'”
#55
من این تخت و این تاج و گرز گران
✦
بگردانم از شاه مازندران
“'I shall wrest this throne, crown, and heavy mace from the King of Māzandarān.'”
#56
تو باشی برین بوم و بر شهریار
✦
ار ایدونک کژی نیاری بکار
“'And you shall reign over this land as monarch, provided you do not resort to falsehood.'”
#57
بدو گفت اولاد دل را ز خشم
✦
بپرداز و بگشای یکباره چشم
“Ovlād replied, 'Purge your heart of anger, and open your eyes fully to the truth.'”
#58
تن من مپرداز خیره ز جان
✦
بیابی ز من هرچ خواهی همان
“'Do not rashly sever my soul from my body; you shall receive from me all that you desire.'”
#59
ترا خانهٔ بید و دیو سپید
✦
نمایم من این را که دادی نوید
“'I will guide you to the abode of Bid and the White Demon, according to the promise you made.'”
#60
به جایی که بستست کاووس شاه
✦
بگویم ترا یک به یک شهر و راه
“'And to the place where King Kāvus is imprisoned, I will describe to you every city and route step by step.'”
#61
از ایدر به نزدیک کاووس کی
✦
صد افگنده بخشیده فرسنگ پی
“'From here to King Kay Kāvus lie one hundred long leagues of journeying.'”
#62
وزانجا سوی دیو فرسنگ صد
✦
بیاید یکی راه دشوار و بد
“'And from there to the White Demon are another hundred leagues of difficult and treacherous road.'”
#63
میان دو صد چاهساری شگفت
✦
به پیمایش اندازه نتوان گرفت
“'Between them lie two hundred wondrous pit-caverns, too vast for anyone to measure.'”
#64
میان دو کوهست این هول جای
✦
نپرید بر آسمان بر همای
“'That fearful region lies between two mountains, where even the royal Huma bird dares not fly.'”
#65
ز دیوان جنگی ده و دو هزار
✦
به شب پاسبانند بر چاهسار
“'Twelve thousand warrior demons guard those abysses throughout the night.'”
#66
چو پولاد غندی سپهدار اوی
✦
چو بیدست و سنجه نگهدار اوی
“'Pulād-Ghandi is their commander, with Bid and Sanjeh acting as its guardians.'”
#67
یکی کوه یابی مر او را به تن
✦
بر و کتف و یالش بود ده رسن
“'You will find his body like a mountain; his chest, shoulders, and mane measure ten ropes across.'”
#68
ترا با چنین یال و دست و عنان
✦
گذارندهٔ گرز و تیغ و سنان
“'Though you possess such mighty shoulders, hands, and reins, wielding mace, sword, and spear...'”
#69
چنین برز و بالا و این کار کرد
✦
نه خوب است با دیو جستن نبرد
“'Despite such height, stature, and famous deeds, it is unwise for you to fight with this demon.'”
#70
کزو بگذری سنگلاخست و دشت
✦
که آهو بران ره نیارد گذشت
“'Beyond him lies a stony wasteland so desolate that even a gazelle cannot traverse it.'”
#71
چو زو بگذری رود آبست پیش
✦
که پهنای او بر دو فرسنگ بیش
“'Once past that, a river lies ahead whose width spans more than two leagues.'”
#72
کنارنگ دیوی نگهدار اوی
✦
همه نره دیوان به فرمان اوی
“'A demon named Kanārang guards it, with all male demons under his command.'”
#73
وزان روی بزگوش تا نرم پای
✦
چو فرسنگ سیصد کشیده سرای
“'And from there, the realm of Bozgush to Narm-pāy extends over three hundred leagues.'”
#74
ز بزگوش تا شاه مازندران
✦
رهی زشت و فرسنگهای گران
“'From Bozgush to the King of Māzandarān lies a grim road of grueling leagues.'”
#75
پراگنده در پادشاهی سوار
✦
همانا که هستند سیصدهزار
“'Scattered across the kingdom are horsemen—verily three hundred thousand strong.'”
#76
ز پیلان جنگی هزار و دویست
✦
کزیشان به شهر اندرون جای نیست
“'With twelve hundred war elephants, so vast in number that the city has no space to hold them.'”
#77
نتابی تو تنها و گر ز آهنی
✦
بسایدت سوهان آهرمنی
“'You cannot withstand them alone; even if you were made of iron, the file of Ahriman would wear you down.'”
#78
چنان لشکری با سلیح و درم
✦
نبینی ازیشان یکی را دژم
“'Such a mighty army, well-armed and wealthy—you will not see a single dispirited man among them.'”
#79
بخندید رستم ز گفتار اوی
✦
بدو گفت اگر با منی راه جوی
“Rostam laughed at his warning and said, 'If you are with me, simply point out the path.'”
#80
ببینی کزین یک تن پیلتن
✦
چه آید بران نامدار انجمن
“'You shall witness what this single elephant-bodied warrior will inflict upon that renowned host!'”
#81
به نیروی یزدان پیروزگر
✦
به بخت و به شمشیر تیز و هنر
“By the strength of the Victorious God, by good fortune, the sharp sword, and my martial skill,”
#82
چو بینند تاو بر و یال من
✦
به جنگ اندرون زخم گوپال من
“When they behold the prowess of my chest and shoulders, and the deadly strikes of my mace in battle,”
#83
به درد پی و پوستشان از نهیب
✦
عنان را ندانند باز از رکیب
“Their sinews and skin shall split from terror; in panic they will not tell the reins from the stirrups.”
#84
ازان سو کجا هست کاووس کی
✦
مرا راه بنمای و بردار پی
“Show me the way to where Kay Kavus lies, and lead the path before me.”
#85
نیاسود تیره شب و پاک روز
✦
همی راند تا پیش کوه اسپروز
“He rested neither through the dark night nor the clear day, riding onward until he reached Mount Esparuz.”
#86
بدانجا که کاووس لشکر کشید
✦
ز دیوان جادو بدو بد رسید
“To that place where Kavus had pitched his camp and suffered calamity at the hands of the sorcerer demons.”
#87
چو یک نیمه بگذشت از تیره شب
✦
خروش آمد از دشت و بانگ جلب
“When half of the dark night had passed, a great clamor arose from the plain along with the sound of drums.”
#88
به مازندران آتش افروختند
✦
به هر جای شمعی همی سوختند
“Fires were blazed across Mazandaran, and torches were lit in every corner.”
#89
تهمتن به اولاد گفت آن کجاست
✦
که آتش برآمد همی چپ و راست
“Tahamtan asked Olad: 'What place is that where fire flares up on the left and right?'”
#90
در شهر مازندران است گفت
✦
که از شب دو بهره نیارند خفت
“Olad replied: 'That is the entrance to the city of Mazandaran, where for two-thirds of the night they do not sleep.'”
#91
بدان جایگه باشد ارژنگ دیو
✦
که هزمان برآید خروش و غریو
“'There resides Arzhang the Demon, from whose realm loud shouts and roaring arise at every moment.'”
#92
بخفت آن زمان رستم جنگجوی
✦
چو خورشید تابنده بنمود روی
“Rostam the warlike knight then went to sleep until the radiant sun unveiled its face.”
#93
بپیچید اولاد را بر درخت
✦
به خم کمندش درآویخت سخت
“He bound Olad fast to a tree, hanging him tightly within the coils of his lasso.”
#94
به زین اندر افگند گرز نیا
✦
همی رفت یکدل پر از کیمیا
“He hung his ancestor's mace upon his saddle and rode forth, resolute and full of ingenuity.”