As soon as King Kay Kavus stamped his royal seal upon the warning letter, Rostam leapt onto Rakhsh and took the perilous road toward Mazandaran. With his heavy mace hanging from his saddle and a sixty-fold lasso at his pommel, the elephant-bodied champion rode forth like a moving mountain. News of the Iranian envoy's approach reached the King of Mazandaran, who dispatched a warband of chieftain demons to intercept the legendary hero.
When Rostam spotted the oncoming ranks, he reached out and effortlessly uprooted a massive tree, holding its trunk like a light javelin before hurling it into the midst of the warriors, crushing many beneath its leafy branches. When one chieftain stepped forward to test the hero's strength by grabbing his hand, Rostam smiled, tightened his grip, and severed the demon's veins, sending him swooning from his steed. Terrified by this omen, the demon host fell back, and word reached the king of a messenger possessing cosmic power.
The King of Mazandaran sent for Kalahur—a fierce warrior famed for his panther-like violent nature—and commanded him to humble the Iranian envoy. Kalahur rode out, met Rostam, and gripped his hand with all his strength. Rostam met the challenge: he squeezed Kalahur's hand until the demon's flesh turned blue and his fingernails withered and dropped like dry foliage to the earth. Crippled and weeping in agony, Kalahur stumbled back to his monarch, warning that no warrior under the sun could withstand such a titan, urging peace and tribute over utter annihilation.
Rostam then strode into the court of the King of Mazandaran with terrifying majesty. Though the king treated him with feigned honor—questioning him on the arduous journey and marveling at his heroic physique—Rostam delivered Kay Kavus's unyielding missile. Upon reading the letter's fierce threats, the demon king turned dark with rage, boasting of his golden throne, vast legions, and terrifying sorcery. He warned Rostam that if his armies mobilized, Iran would be trampled into oblivion, advising the champion to turn his reins back home.
Rostam listened with a clear soul, measuring the realm's military strength and disdaining the monarch's arrogance. When the King of Mazandaran offered lavish robes of honor, Arabian horses, and chests of gold, Rostam rejected them with utter scorn, deeming it a disgrace to accept gifts from a doomed foe. Leaving the court under a dark star, he galloped back to the Iranian camp, presenting Kay Kavus with a complete account of Mazandaran's forces and reassuring the monarch that these demon warriors were nothing more than dust beneath his feet.
#1
چو نامه به مهر اندر آورد شاه
✦
جهانجوی رستم بپیموده راه
“When the king put his seal upon the letter, the world-seeking Rostam set forth upon the road.”
#2
به زین اندر افگند گرز گران
✦
چو آمد به نزدیک مازندران
“He slung his heavy mace across his saddle as he drew near to the borders of Mazandaran.”
#3
به شاه آگهی شد که کاووس کی
✦
فرستادن نامه افگند پی
“Word reached the King of Mazandaran that Kay Kavus had dispatched a messenger with a missive.”
#4
فرستاده‌ای چون هژبر دژم
✦
کمندی به فتراک بر شست خم
“An envoy had arrived like an enraged lion, with a sixty-fold lasso bound to his saddle-straps.”
#5
به زیر اندرون باره‌ای گامزن
✦
یکی ژنده پیلست گویی به تن
“Beneath him was a swift-pacing steed, in body like a fierce, huge elephant.”
#6
چو بشنید سالار مازندران
✦
ز گردان گزین کرد چندی سران
“When the ruler of Mazandaran heard this, he chose several chieftains from among his brave warriors.”
#7
بفرمودشان تا چَپیره شدند
✦
هژبر ژیان را پذیره شدند
“He ordered them to gather in force and go out to meet that raging lion.”
#8
چو چشم تهمتن بدیشان رسید
✦
به ره بر درختی گشن شاخ دید
“When Tahamtan's eyes fell upon them, he saw a thick-branched, mighty tree along the road.”
#9
بکند و چو ژوپین به کف برگرفت
✦
بماندند لشکر همه در شگفت
“He uprooted it and held it in his grip like a javelin; all the army stood lost in utter amazement.”
#10
بینداخت چون نزد ایشان رسید
✦
سواران بسی زیر شاخ آورید
“As he reached them he cast it down, bringing many horsemen low beneath its boughs.”
#11
یکی دست بگرفت و بفشاردش
✦
همی آزمون را بیازاردش
“One of the demons seized Rostam's hand and squeezed it, seeking to test and pain him.”
#12
بخندید ازو رستم پیلتن
✦
شده خیره زو چشم آن انجمن
“Rostam, elephant-bodied, laughed aloud at him, while the eyes of that assembly stared in wonder.”
#13
بدان خنده اندر بیفشارد چنگ
✦
ببردش رگ از دست وز روی رنگ
“Amidst his laughter he squeezed the demon's hand, draining the veins of his hand and all color from his face.”
#14
بشد هوش از آن مرد رزم آزمای
✦
ز بالای اسب اندر آمد به پای
“Senses fled from that battle-tested warrior, and he tumbled down from his horse to the ground.”
#15
یکی شد بر شاه مازندران
✦
بگفت آنچ دید از کران تا کران
“One of them went swiftly to the King of Mazandaran and recounted all that he had witnessed.”
#16
سواری که نامش کلاهور بود
✦
که مازندران زو پر از شور بود
“There was a champion named Kalahur, whose fame filled all Mazandaran with turmoil.”
#17
بسان پلنگ ژیان بد به خوی
✦
نکردی به جز جنگ چیز آرزوی
“Fierce as a wild panther by nature, he desired nothing in life save battle.”
#18
پذیره شدن را فرا پیش خواند
✦
به مردیش بر چرخ گردان نشاند
“The king summoned him forward to meet the envoy, exalting his manhood to the turning heavens.”
#19
بدو گفت پیش فرستاده شو
✦
هنرها پدیدار کن نو به نو
“The king said to him, 'Go before the envoy and display your prowess anew time and again.”
#20
چنان کن که گردد رخش پر ز شرم
✦
به چشم اندر آرد ز شرم آب گرم
“Act so that his cheeks flush red with shame and hot tears fill his eyes in humiliation.'”
#21
بیامد کلاهور چون نره شیر
✦
به پیش جهاندار مرد دلیر
“Kalahur came forth like a male lion before the world-conquering, valiant champion.”
#22
بپرسید پرسیدنی چون پلنگ
✦
دژم روی زانپس بدو داد چنگ
“He greeted him like a ferocious panther; then with a grim face he offered his hand.”
#23
بیفشارد چنگ سرافراز پیل
✦
شد از درد دستش به کردار نیل
“He squeezed the hand of the exalted elephant-hero, until Rostam's hand turned dark as indigo from the pressure.”
#24
بپیچید و اندیشه زو دورداشت
✦
به مردی ز خورشید منشور داشت
“Rostam winced, yet banished all apprehension, for in valour he held a charter from the sun itself.”
#25
بیفشارد چنگ کلاهور سخت
✦
فرو ریخت ناخن چو برگ از درخت
“Rostam squeezed Kalahur's hand so fiercely that his nails rained down like autumn leaves from a tree.”
#26
کلاهور با دست آویخته
✦
پی و پوست و ناخن فروریخته
“Kalahur returned with his hand dangling limp, skin, sinews, and nails shattered and torn.”
#27
بیاورد و بنمود و با شاه گفت
✦
که بر خویشتن درد نتوان نهفت
“He brought his hand, showed it, and spoke to the king: 'One cannot hide such excruciating pain from oneself.”
#28
ترا آشتی بهتر آید ز جنگ
✦
فراخی مکن بر دل خویش تنگ
“Peace becomes you far better than war; do not narrow your expansive realm through rash pride.”
#29
ترا با چنین پهلوان تاو نیست
✦
اگر رام گردد به از ساو نیست
“You have no power to withstand such a hero; if he accedes to peace, even accepting tribute is best.'”
#30
پذیریم از شهر مازندران
✦
ببخشیم بر کهتر و مهتران
“'Let us yield tribute from the realm of Mazandaran, bestowing riches upon both high and low.”
#31
چنین رنج دشوار آسان کنیم
✦
به آید که جان را هراسان کنیم
“Let us turn this difficult hardship into ease; it is far better than plunging our lives into terror.'”
#32
تهمتن بیامد هم اندر زمان
✦
بر شاه برسان شیر ژیان
“Presently Tahamtan arrived before the king, bold and menacing like a fierce lion.”
#33
نگه کرد و بنشاند اندر خورش
✦
ز کاووس پرسید و از لشکرش
“The king looked upon him, seated him at the banquet, and inquired of Kavus and his host.”
#34
سخن راند از راه و رنج دراز
✦
که چون راندی اندر نشیب و فراز
“He spoke of the long journey and its trials, asking how he had fared through highs and lows.”
#35
ازان پس بدو گفت رستم توی
✦
که داری بر و بازوی پهلوی
“Then he said to him, 'Are you Rostam, who possesses such hero-like chest and arms?'”
#36
چنین داد پاسخ که من چاکرم
✦
اگر چاکری را خود اندر خورم
“Rostam replied, 'I am but his servant, if indeed I am worthy of being his servant.”
#37
کجا او بود من نیایم به کار
✦
که او پهلوانست و گرد و سوار
“Where he is present, I am of no account, for he is the supreme champion, knight, and lord.'”
#38
بدو داد پس نامور نامه را
✦
پیام جهانجوی خودکامه را
“Then he delivered the famed letter to him, bearing the message of his ambitious king.”
#39
بگفت آنک شمشیر بار آورد
✦
سر سرکشان در کنار آورد
“He declared the words of a monarch whose sword yields victory and brings low the heads of tyrants.”
#40
چو پیغام بشنید و نامه بخواند
✦
دژم گشت و اندر شگفتی بماند
“When the king heard the message and read the letter, he grew dark with anger and remained lost in wonder.”
#41
به رستم چنین گفت کاین جست و جوی
✦
چه باید همی خیره این گفت‌وگوی
“He said to Rostam, 'What is the purpose of this search, and why this empty, boastful talk?”
#42
بگویش که سالار ایران تویی
✦
اگرچه دل و چنگ شیران تویی
“Tell Kavus: You may be the lord of Iran, though your heart and claws match those of lions,”
#43
منم شاه مازندران با سپاه
✦
بر اورنگ زرین و بر سر کلاه
“Yet I am the King of Mazandaran with my mighty host, seated upon a golden throne with crown on head.”
#44
مرا بیهده خواندن پیش خویش
✦
نه رسم کیان بد نه آیین پیش
“Summoning me in vain before him was neither the custom of ancient Kianian kings nor the rule of old.”
#45
براندیش و تخت بزرگان مجوی
✦
کزین برتری خواری آید بروی
“Reflect wisely and seek not the throne of the great, lest from such arrogance disgrace fall upon your face.'”
#46
سوی گاه ایران بگردان عنان
✦
وگرنه زمانت سرآرد سنان
“Turn your reins back toward the realm of Iran, / Lest the tip of my spear bring your life to an end.”
#47
اگر با سپه من بجنبم ز جای
✦
تو پیدا نبینی سرت را ز پای
“Should I march forth from this place with my host, / You will no longer know your head from your feet.”
#48
تو افتاده‌ای بی‌گمان در گمان
✦
یکی راه برگیر و بفگن کمان
“You have surely fallen into foolish delusion; / Choose a path to depart, and lay down your bow.”
#49
چو من تنگ روی اندر آرم بروی
✦
سرآید شما را همه گفت‌وگوی
“The moment I charge forward to face you in battle, / All your boastful chatter shall come to a close.”
#50
نگه کرد رستم به روشن روان
✦
به شاه و سپاه و رد و پهلوان
“With an enlightened spirit, Rostam surveyed the scene— / Watching the king, his army, his chiefs, and his brave heroes.”
#51
نیامدش با مغز گفتار اوی
✦
سرش تیزتر شد به پیکار اوی
“The king's words seemed devoid of wisdom to his mind; / His resolve grew only fiercer to do battle with him.”
#52
تهمتن چو برخاست کاید به راه
✦
بفرمود تا خلعت آرند شاه
“As Tahamtan arose to depart on his way, / The King ordered robes of honor to be brought for him.”
#53
نپذرفت ازو جامه و اسپ و زر
✦
که ننگ آمدش زان کلاه و کمر
“He rejected the garments, the horses, and the gold, / Scornful of accepting gifts from such a crown and belt.”
#54
بیامد دژم از بر گاه اوی
✦
همه تیره دید اختر و ماه اوی
“He departed grimly from the royal presence, / Perceiving that the king's star and moon were eclipsed in doom.”
#55
برون آمد از شهر مازندران
✦
سرش گشته بد زان سخنها گران
“He rode out from the city of Mazandaran, / His mind weighed down by those arrogant words.”
#56
چو آمد به نزدیک شاه اندرون
✦
دل کینه‌دارش پر از جوش خون
“When he returned into the presence of the Iranian Shah, / His vengeful heart was seething with fury.”
#57
ز مازندران هرچ دید و شنید
✦
همه کرد بر شاه ایران پدید
“Whatever he had seen and heard in Mazandaran, / He laid entirely bare before the King of Iran.”
#58
وزان پس ورا گفت مندیش هیچ
✦
دلیری کن و رزم دیوان بسیچ
“And then he said to him, 'Have no fear at all; / Be courageous and prepare for war against the demons.'”
#59
دلیران و گردان آن انجمن
✦
چنان دان که خوارند بر چشم من
“Know that all the brave warriors and heroes of that realm / Are worthless and insignificant in my eyes.”