When the noble soul of Sohrab departed his wounded body, a messenger hastened to Rostam with the shattering news that the young hero no longer sought a palace or a throne, but only a narrow coffin to rest in peace. Upon hearing this, the Elephant-Bodied Champion let out a cold, agonizing sigh, closing his eyes as tears rained down his cheeks. He wailed bitterly at his terrible doom: in his old age, he had slain his own radiant son, a prince of the lineage of Sam, wise and undefeated in battle. He wept for how he could ever face Zal the White-haired, the virtuous Rudabeh, or the heartbroken mother, Tahmineh. He cursed his fate, knowing that this dreadful deed would leave a dark shadow over the house of Sam for all eternity.
Rostam commanded that royal brocade be draped over the young hero's body and that the coffin be carried back to his tents. In a frenzy of intolerable grief, he set fire to his own grand pavilions, his seven-colored silks, and his priceless golden throne covered in leopard skins. As the flames leapt toward the sky, a roar of lamentation arose from the entire army. Rostam tore his royal robes and poured dust upon his head, while the great paladins of King Kay Kavus sat beside him upon the bare earth, sharing in his boundless sorrow. The elders spoke words of ancient wisdom, reflecting on the fickle nature of the high heavens—holding a crown in one hand and a lasso in the other, snatching mortals away regardless of their power or treasure.
King Kay Kavus drew near to Rostam and offered him solace, reminding him that from the heights of Mount Alborz to the smallest blade of grass, everything under the revolving heavens is subject to mortality. Neither tears nor burning rage could recall the departed spirit back from the next realm. Seeing the king's compassion, Rostam made one final request: he begged Kavus to forgo vengeance against Human and the remaining Turanian and Chinese commanders stationed on the plain. He asked that his brother Zavareh be permitted to escort the foreign army safely across the borders. Touched by Rostam's immense grief, King Kavus set aside all past grudges and agreed to spare the Turanian host, bringing a sorrowful close to the bloodshed.