Girding his sword-belt tighter than ever before, Rostam mounted the scarlet Rakhsh and galloped toward the Seven Mountains, where the formidable demon hosts of Mazandaran had massed. Approaching a bottomless, pitch-black cavern guarded by a ring of sorcerous armies, Rostam turned to Avlad and said, 'Everything you foresaw has proven true. Now the moment of battle is at hand; reveal the path and unlock the secrets of this abyss.' Avlad replied, 'When the sun reaches its zenith and the heat scorches the earth, a spell of deep slumber overcomes the demon realm. None shall stay awake save for a few sorcerer guards. If the Almighty Creator grants you His grace, that is the hour of your victory.'
Rostam waited patiently until high noon bathed the heavens in fiery gold. Binding Avlad securely with his lasso, he swung into his saddle, unsheathed his dragon-slaying blade, and roared like thunder, calling out his legendary name. He plunged into the demon legions like a raging whirlpool, cleaving the heads of their chieftains from their shoulders. Overwhelmed by the terrifying fury of the Iranian champion, the demon ranks broke and scattered into the hills.
Radiant as the sun, Rostam approached the gaping maw of the cavern—a dark abyss resembling the gates of Hell, where the White Demon's massive form lay hidden in absolute gloom. Standing blade in hand, the hero paused; his eyes could perceive nothing in the suffocating darkness, and there was no room for retreat. Rubbing his eyes until they adjusted to the shadows, he caught sight of a mountain-like creature sleeping: its skin pitch-black, its hair as white as a winter lion, its immense body filling the vast cavern.
Sensing the intruder, the White Demon surged upward like a black peak clad in iron gauntlets and a dark helm. A transient chill gripped the champion's heart, for the battleground was narrow and fraught with danger. Yet Rostam roared like an enraged elephant and swung his razor sword with divine force, severing one of the demon's legs at the thigh. Crippled yet demonic in strength, the White Demon locked horns with the hero; the two titans wrestled in the gloom, tearing flesh from bone until the cavern floor turned into a mire of crimson blood. Both knew that surviving this hour meant living forever.
Summoning the strength bestowed by Yazdan, Rostam gripped the mountain of flesh, hoisted the demonic king above his neck, and hurled him down onto the stone floor with crushing thunder. Before the beast could rise, Rostam plunged his dagger into its breast, tearing out its heart and dark liver. The monster gasped its last, and its dark soul departed into eternal darkness.
Emerging from the bloody cave, Rostam untied Avlad and handed him the demon's heart and liver. Reminded of the hero's promise to grant him the sovereignty of Mazandaran, Avlad sought assurance. Rostam affirmed, 'My word is unbroken. But first I must unseat the King of Mazandaran and vanquish his remaining sorcerers; then the realm shall be yours.'
They hastened to King Kay Kavus and the captive Iranian lords, whose eyes had been struck blind by demon magic. Announcing the demise of the White Demon, Rostam dropped the warm blood of the demon's liver into their clouded eyes. Instantly, the dark scales fell away, and their sight was restored to radiant clarity. Kay Kavus ascended the ivory throne, hung his crown overhead, and spent seven days feasting in victory with Rostam and the great paladins—Tus, Fariburz, Gudarz, Giv, Raham, Gurgin, and Farhad. On the eighth day, the Iranian host rode forth to cleanse the demon land, laying waste to their strongholds until retributive justice was fulfilled, whereupon Kavus called a halt to the slaughter and dispatched a stern ultimatum to the stubborn King of Mazandaran.
#1
وزان جایگه تنگ بسته کمر
✦
بیامد پر از کینه و جنگ سر
“Girding his loins tightly from that place, he advanced with a head filled with vengeance and war.”
#2
چو رخش اندر آمد بران هفت کوه
✦
بران نره دیوان گشته گروه
“As Rakhsh entered upon those Seven Mountains, where the formidable male demons had gathered in throngs.”
#3
به نزدیکی غار بی‌بن رسید
✦
به گرد اندرون لشکر دیو دید
“He drew near to the bottomless cave, beholding the host of demons surrounding it.”
#4
به اولاد گفت آنچ پرسیدمت
✦
همه بر ره راستی دیدمت
“He said to Avlad: 'Whatever I questioned thee, I have found to be true along the path of truth.'”
#5
کنون چون گه رفتن آمد فراز
✦
مرا راه بنمای و بگشای راز
“'Now that the time of entry hath come, guide my path and unlock the secret.'”
#6
بدو گفت اولاد چون آفتاب
✦
شود گرم و دیو اندر آید به خواب
“Avlad answered him: 'When the sun becometh hot, the demon realm succumbs to sleep.'”
#7
بریشان تو پیروز باشی به جنگ
✦
کنون یک زمان کرد باید درنگ
“'Over them thou shalt be victorious in battle; now thou must tarry for a brief moment.'”
#8
ز دیوان نبینی نشسته یکی
✦
جز از جادوان پاسبان اندکی
“'Thou shalt see none of the demons sitting awake, save for a few sorcerers standing watch.'”
#9
بدانگه تو پیروز باشی مگر
✦
اگر یار باشدت پیروزگر
“'At that hour victory shall be thine, provided the Victorious Lord be thy helper.'”
#10
نکرد ایچ رستم به رفتن شتاب
✦
بدان تا برآمد بلند آفتاب
“Rostam made no haste to advance, tarrying until the sun rose high in the heavens.”
#11
سراپای اولاد بر هم ببست
✦
به خم کمند آنگهی برنشست
“He bound Avlad firmly from head to foot, then mounted with his coiled lasso in hand.”
#12
برآهیخت جنگی نهنگ از نیام
✦
بغرید چون رعد و برگفت نام
“He drew his warlike dragon-blade from its scabbard, roared like thunder, and proclaimed his name.”
#13
میان سپاه اندر آمد چو گرد
✦
سران را سر از تن همی دور کرد
“He plunged into the midst of the army like a whirlwind, severing the heads of their leaders.”
#14
ناستاد کس پیش او در به جنگ
✦
نجستند با او یکی نام و ننگ
“None stood before him in combat; none sought name or renown against his terrible fury.”
#15
رهش باز دادند و بگریختند
✦
به آورد با او نیاویختند
“They opened a path for him and fled, daring not to engage him in fierce battle.”
#16
وزان جایگه سوی دیو سپید
✦
بیامد به کردار تابنده شید
“From that place, he advanced toward the White Demon, radiant as the beaming sun.”
#17
به کردار دوزخ یکی غار دید
✦
تن دیو از تیرگی ناپدید
“He beheld a cave like Hell itself, wherein the demon's form was hidden by dark gloom.”
#18
زمانی همی بود در چنگ تیغ
✦
نبد جای دیدار و راه گریغ
“For a moment he stood with blade in grip; there was no sight for his eyes, nor path for flight.”
#19
ازان تیرگی جای دیده ندید
✦
زمانی بران جایگه آرمید
“His eyes could perceive nothing in that deep gloom, so he paused at that place for a brief space.”
#20
چو مژگان بمالید و دیده بشست
✦
دران جای تاریک لختی بجست
“When he rubbed his eyelashes and washed his sight, he searched that dark space for a moment.”
#21
به تاریکی اندر یکی کوه دید
✦
سراسر شده غار ازو ناپدید
“Within the darkness he beheld a mountain, by which the whole cave was obscured.”
#22
به رنگ شبه روی و چون شیر موی
✦
جهان پر ز پهنای و بالای اوی
“With face pitch-black like jet and hair like a lion, filling all the breadth and height of the world.”
#23
سوی رستم آمد چو کوهی سیاه
✦
از آهنش ساعد ز آهن کلاه
“He moved toward Rostam like a black mountain, his forearms forged of iron and his helm of steel.”
#24
ازو شد دل پیلتن پرنهیب
✦
بترسید کامد به تنگی نشیب
“The heart of the elephant-bodied hero was struck with dread, fearing the narrowness of the steep place.”
#25
برآشفت برسان پیل ژیان
✦
یکی تیغ تیزش بزد بر میان
“Enraged like a raging elephant, he struck a swift sword-blow directly at the demon's waist.”
#26
ز نیروی رستم ز بالای اوی
✦
بینداخت یک ران و یک پای اوی
“By Rostam's force and mighty stature, he severed one leg and thigh clean away.”
#27
بریده برآویخت با او به هم
✦
چو پیل سرافراز و شیر دژم
“The maimed beast grappled with him, wrestling like an exalted elephant and a fierce lion.”
#28
همی پوست کند این از آن آن ازین
✦
همی گل شد از خون سراسر زمین
“They tore skin from skin, one from another; the earth became a mire of blood.”
#29
به دل گفت رستم گر امروز جان
✦
بماند به من زنده‌ام جاودان
“Rostam said in his heart: 'If my soul survives today, I shall live eternally.'”
#30
همیدون به دل گفت دیو سپید
✦
که از جان شیرین شدم ناامید
“Likewise the White Demon said in his heart: 'I have grown hopeless of my sweet life.'”
#31
گر ایدونک از چنگ این اژدها
✦
بریده پی و پوست یابم رها
“'If I obtain deliverance now, severed in skin and limb from this dragon's claws,'”
#32
نه کهتر نه برتر منش مهتران
✦
نبینند نیزم به مازندران
“'Neither lesser nor greater lords shall ever behold me again in Mazandaran.'”
#33
همی گفت ازین گونه دیو سپید
✦
همی داد دل را بدینسان نوید
“Thus spoke the White Demon, giving such solace to his struggling soul.”
#34
تهمتن به نیروی جان‌آفرین
✦
بکوشید بسیار با درد و کین
“Tahamtan, through the strength of the Creator of Life, strove mightily with pain and fury.”
#35
بزد دست و برداشتش نره شیر
✦
به گردن برآورد و افگند زیر
“He stretched forth his hand, lifted the male lion, hoisted him over his neck, and dashed him down.”
#36
فرو برد خنجر دلش بردرید
✦
جگرش از تن تیره بیرون کشید
“He plunged his dagger, tore open his breast, and pulled the liver out from his dark body.”
#37
همه غار یکسر پر از کشته بود
✦
جهان همچو دریای خون گشته بود
“The entire cave was filled with the slain, and the world became like a sea of blood.”
#38
بیامد ز اولاد بگشاد بند
✦
به فتراک بربست پیچان کمند
“He came forth, unfastened Avlad's bonds, and bound the coiled lasso to his saddlebow.”
#39
به اولاد داد آن کشیده جگر
✦
سوی شاه کاووس بنهاد سر
“He handed that extracted liver to Avlad, and set his face toward King Kay Kavus.”
#40
بدو گفت اولاد کای نره شیر
✦
جهانی به تیغ آوریدی به زیر
“Avlad said to him: 'O fierce lion! Thou hast brought a world under thy sword!'”
#41
نشانهای بند تو دارد تنم
✦
به زیر کمند تو بد گردنم
“'My body bears the marks of thy bonds; my neck hath lain under thy lasso.'”
#42
به چیزی که دادی دلم را امید
✦
همی باز خواهد امیدم نوید
“'By that which thou didst give my heart hope, my expectation now seeks fulfillment.'”
#43
به پیمان شکستن نه اندر خوری
✦
که شیر ژیانی و کی منظری
“'It befitteth thee not to break a covenant, for thou art a raging lion and of royal countenance.'”
#44
بدو گفت رستم که مازندران
✦
سپارم ترا از کران تا کران
“Rostam said to him: 'I entrust Mazandaran to thee, from border unto border.'”
#45
ترا زین سپس بی‌نیازی دهم
✦
به مازندران سرفرازی دهم
“'Henceforth I shall make thee free of want, and grant thee exaltation in Mazandaran.'”
#46
یکی کار پیشست و رنج دراز
✦
که هم با نشیب است و هم با فراز
“A long trial and an arduous task lie before us, filled with both ups and downs.”
#47
همی شاه مازندران را ز گاه
✦
بباید ربودن فگندن به چاه
“The King of Mazandaran must be snatched from his throne and cast into a deep pit.”
#48
سر دیو جادو هزاران هزار
✦
بیفگند باید به خنجر به زار
“Thousands upon thousands of sorcerer-demons must be decapitated piteously by the dagger.”
#49
ازان پس اگر خاک را بسپرم
✦
وگرنه ز پیمان تو نگذرم
“Only after that shall I tread the dust, for I will never stray from my pledge to thee.”
#50
رسید آنگهی نزد کاووس کی
✦
یل پهلو افروز فرخنده پی
“Then came before King Kay Kavus the realm-illuminating hero of blessed stride.”
#51
چنین گفت کای شاه دانش پذیر
✦
به مرگ بداندیش رامش پذیر
“He spoke thus: 'O wisdom-accepting King, who findeth solace in the demise of thy foes!'”
#52
دریدم جگرگاه دیو سپید
✦
ندارد بدو شاه ازین پس امید
“'I have ripped open the chest of the White Demon; the King need harbor no further fear of him!'”
#53
ز پهلوش بیرون کشیدم جگر
✦
چه فرمان دهد شاه پیروزگر
“'I extracted the liver from his side; what now is the command of the victorious King?'”
#54
برو آفرین کرد کاووس شاه
✦
که بی‌تو مبادا نگین و کلاه
“King Kavus bestowed blessings upon him, crying: 'May ring and crown never exist without thee!'”
#55
بران مام کاو چون تو فرزند زاد
✦
نشاید جز از آفرین کرد یاد
“'Upon the mother who bore a son like thee, naught but praise and blessing should be bestowed!'”
#56
مرا بخت ازین هر دو فرخترست
✦
که پیل هژبر افگنم کهترست
“'My fortune is more blessed than both, for the lion-slaying, elephant-overthrowing hero is my servant!'”
#57
به رستم چنین گفت کاووس کی
✦
که ای گرد و فرزانهٔ نیک پی
“Thus spake Kay Kavus unto Rostam: 'O noble knight, wise and blessed of step!'”
#58
به چشم من اندر چکان خون اوی
✦
مگر باز بینم ترا نیز روی
“'Drip his blood into my eyes, so that perchance I may behold thy face once more.'”
#59
به چشمش چو اندر کشیدند خون
✦
شد آن دیدهٔ تیره خورشیدگون
“When they applied the demon's blood to his eyes, those darkened sight-globes turned bright as the sun.”
#60
نهادند زیراندرش تخت عاج
✦
بیاویختند از بر عاج تاج
“They set beneath him an ivory throne, and suspended the crown high above the ivory.”
#61
نشست از بر تخت مازندران
✦
ابا رستم و نامور مهتران
“He sat upon the throne of Mazandaran, together with Rostam and the renowned chieftains.”
#62
چو طوس و فریبرز و گودرز و گیو
✦
چو رهام و گرگین و فرهاد نیو
“Sultans like Tus, Fariburz, Goudarz, and Giv; heroes like Rohham, Gurgin, and valiant Farhad.”
#63
برین گونه یک هفته با رود و می
✦
همی رامش آراست کاووس کی
“In this manner for a whole week, with lute and wine, Kay Kavus arranged revelry and joy.”
#64
به هشتم نشستند بر زین همه
✦
جهانجوی و گردنکشان و رمه
“On the eighth day, all mounted their saddles—the world-conquerors, the chieftains, and the host.”
#65
همه برکشیدند گرز گران
✦
پراگنده در شهر مازندران
“They all brandished heavy maces and dispersed throughout the city of Mazandaran.”
#66
برفتند یکسر به فرمان کی
✦
چو آتش که برخیزد از خشک نی
“They advanced altogether at the King's command, like fire flaring through dry reeds.”
#67
ز شمشیر تیز آتش افروختند
✦
همه شهر یکسر همی سوختند
“With sharp swords they kindled fires of doom, setting the entire city ablaze.”
#68
به لشکر چنین گفت کاووس شاه
✦
که اکنون مکافات کرده گناه
“King Kavus then spoke to the army: 'Now retribution hath been dealt for their misdeeds.'”
#69
چنان چون سزا بد بدیشان رسید
✦
ز کشتن کنون دست باید کشید
“'Now that due punishment hath reached them, we must withhold our hands from further slaughter.'”
#70
بباید یکی مرد با هوش و سنگ
✦
کجا باز داند شتاب از درنگ
“'We require a man of intelligence and weight, one who can discern swift action from patient delay.'”
#71
شود نزد سالار مازندران
✦
کند دلش بیدار و مغزش گران
“'To go unto the Ruler of Mazandaran, to awaken his spirit and weigh down his mind with gravity.'”
#72
بران کار خشنود شد پور زال
✦
بزرگان که بودند با او همال
“The son of Zal was pleased with this resolve, as were the nobles who were his peers.”
#73
فرستاد نامه به نزدیک اوی
✦
برافروختن جان تاریک اوی
“He dispatched a letter unto him, aiming to illuminate his darkened soul.”