One day, King Hushang, the ruler of the world, journeyed toward the mountains accompanied by a retinue of his companions. Suddenly, from afar, a dark and swift-moving creature appeared—a monstrous black serpent whose two eyes burned like fountains of blood, and whose breath spewed thick smoke that darkened the sky. Observing the monster with wisdom and resolve, Hushang reached for a heavy stone, taking aim with his royal strength. He hurled the rock with fierce power; though the flame-breathing beast darted away unharmed, the stone struck another rock with mighty force. In that violent collision, a brilliant spark burst forth, setting the heart of the stone ablaze with light. The serpent fled into the shadows, but the secret of fire was revealed. Recognizing this heavenly glow as a divine gift, Hushang fell to his knees in adoration before the Creator of the World, praising the Divine for bestowing such a blessing upon mankind. He bade all wise souls to honor this sacred illumination. As night descended, a mountain of fire was ignited, and the king and his companions gathered around its warmth, feasting and rejoicing. Hushang christened that blessed night the Festival of Sadeh. Thus, the tradition of Sadeh remained as his everlasting legacy—a memorial to a sovereign who brought prosperity to the earth and was remembered for his goodness through all ages.
#1
یکی روز شاه جهان سوی کوه
✦
گذر کرد با چند کس هم‌گروه
“One day, the king of the world journeyed toward the mountains, accompanied by a group of his companions.”
#2
پدید آمد از دور چیزی دراز
✦
سیه رنگ و تیره تن و تیز تاز
“From afar there appeared a long creature, black in color, dark-bodied, and swift in movement.”
#3
دو چشم از بر سر چو دو چشمه خون
✦
ز دود دهانش جهان تیره‌گون
“Its two eyes atop its head resembled two fountains of blood, and the smoke from its mouth turned the world dark.”
#4
نگه کرد هوشنگ باهوش و سنگ
✦
گرفتش یکی سنگ و شد تیز چنگ
“Hushang, wise and steadfast, gazed upon it; he grasped a heavy stone and prepared to strike swiftly.”
#5
به زور کیانی رهانید دست
✦
جهان‌سوز مار از جهان‌جوی جست
“With royal strength he launched the stone; the world-burning serpent darted away from the world-seeking king.”
#6
بر آمد به سنگ گران سنگ خرد
✦
همان و همین سنگ بشکست گرد
“The heavy stone struck against another rock, and the mighty impact shattered the stone into dust.”
#7
فروغی پدید آمد از هر دو سنگ
✦
دل سنگ گشت از فروغ آذرنگ
“A brilliant spark emerged from both stones, and the heart of the stone grew glowing red with the radiance of fire.”
#8
نشد مار کشته ولیکن ز راز
✦
از این طبع سنگ آتش آمد فراز
“The serpent was not slain, yet through this mystery, fire sprung forth from the nature of the stone.”
#9
جهاندار پیش جهان آفرین
✦
نیایش همی کرد و خواند آفرین
“The king of the world bowed in worship before the Creator of the Universe, offering praises and prayers.”
#10
که او را فروغی چنین هدیه داد
✦
همین آتش آنگاه قبله نهاد
“For He had gifted him such a radiant light, and henceforth he made this fire his direction of prayer.”
#11
بگفتا فروغی است این ایزدی
✦
پرستید باید اگر بخردی
“He said: 'This is a divine radiance; if you possess wisdom, you ought to venerate it.'”
#12
شب آمد بر افروخت آتش چو کوه
✦
همان شاه در گرد او با گروه
“When night fell, a mountain of fire was ignited, and the king with his retinue gathered around it.”
#13
یکی جشن کرد آن شب و باده خْوَرد
✦
سده نام آن جشن فرخنده کرد
“That night he held a great festival and drank wine, naming that auspicious celebration 'Sadeh'.”
#14
ز هوشنگ ماند این سده یادگار
✦
بسی باد چون او دگر شهریار
“Thus Sadeh remained as a legacy from Hushang; may there be many more kings like him!”
#15
کز آباد کردن جهان شاد کرد
✦
جهانی به نیکی از او یاد کرد
“For he gladdened the world through prosperity, and the entire world remembered him with goodness.”