After three days of rest in the land of Charm, the war-horns sounded on the fourth day, calling the Iranian host to march. The thunder of drums and blare of trumpets resounded until the very earth seemed darkened under the weight of advancing legions. Stripping away all Turanian outposts in their path, the victorious army pushed onward until they reached the banks of the Kasa-Rud, pitching their vast encampment until the plains were entirely swallowed beneath a sea of tents.
Word soon reached the Turanians that the Iranians had arrived at Kasa-Rud. Pelashan, a vigilant and fierce champion of Turan, rode out to scout the Iranian camp, seeking to count their banners and gauge their strength. Atop a mountain overlooking the battlefield sat Giv and his brave son Bizhan. When Pelashan’s banner appeared in the distance, Giv drew his sword, intent on cutting down the enemy himself. Yet Bizhan intervened, reminding his father that the Shah had bestowed upon him the honor of the vanguard and the right to enter combat first. Though Giv warned him of Pelashan’s ferocious might—comparing him to a ravenous lion—Bizhan stood firm, demanding the sacred mail of Siyavash. Fastening the blessed armor, Bizhan mounted his swift steed and rode down to the plain, spear in hand.
Pelashan, who had been roasting wild game by the riverbank, heard the thunderous neighing of Bizhan’s horse and prepared for battle. The Turanian shouted arrogantly, boasting of his demon-binding strength, but Bizhan boldly proclaimed his noble lineage from Giv and Gudarz. The two warriors clashed furiously—first with spears until their shafts shattered, then with swords until the blades splintered, sinking deep into the waters as their horses stumbled. At last, Bizhan raised his heavy mace, letting out a roar that shook the hills, and brought it down squarely upon Pelashan’s back, crushing his spine and casting him down into the dust. Dismounting like a whirlwind, Bizhan severed Pelashan’s head, gathered his armor and warhorse, and returned to his anxious father. Filled with pride, Giv embraced his son, and together they brought the head of Pelashan before the commander-in-chief, Tus, who rejoiced greatly and showered young Bizhan with royal blessings.
#1
سه روزش درنگ آمد اندر چرم
✦
چهارم برآمد ز شیپور دم
“For three days he tarried in the land of Charm; on the fourth day, the blast of the war-horn resounded.”
#2
سپه برگرفت و بزد نای و کوس
✦
زمین کوه تا کوه گشت آبنوس
“He mobilized the host and struck the trumpets and drums; the earth turned as dark as ebony from mountain to mountain.”
#3
هرآنکس که دیدی ز توران سپاه
✦
بکشتی تنش را فگندی براه
“Whomever he encountered of the Turanian army, he slew and cast their bodies beside the road.”
#4
همه مرزها کرد بی‌تار و پود
✦
همی رفت پیروز تا کاسه‌رود
“He unravelled the fabric of all their borders, marching triumphantly until he reached Kasa-Rud.”
#5
بدان مرز لشکر فرود آورید
✦
زمین گشت زان خیمه‌ها ناپدید
“He brought the army to a halt in that borderland; the ground disappeared beneath the vastness of their tents.”
#6
خبر شد بترکان کز ایران سپاه
✦
سوی کاسه رود اندر آمد براه
“Word reached the Turks that an army from Iran was marching towards Kasa-Rud.”
#7
ز ترکان بیامد دلیری جوان
✦
پلاشان بیداردل پهلوان
“From the Turks there came a brave young man, Pelashan, a vigilant and courageous champion.”
#8
بیامد که لشکر همی بنگرد
✦
درفش سران را همی بشمرد
“He came to reconnoiter the army, counting the banners of the Iranian leaders.”
#9
بلشکرگه اندر یکی کوه بود
✦
بلند و بیکسو ز انبوه بود
“Within the encampment stood a high mountain, rising apart from the main throng.”
#10
نشسته برو گیو و بیژن بهم
✦
همی رفت هرگونه از بیش و کم
“Atop it sat Giv and Bizhan together, discussing matters great and small of the coming war.”
#11
درفش پلاشان ز توران سپاه
✦
بدیدار ایشان برآمد ز راه
“The banner of Pelashan of the Turanian host came into their view from down the road.”
#12
چو از دور گیو دلاور بدید
✦
بزد دست و تیغ از میان برکشید
“When valiant Giv caught sight of him from afar, he reached down and drew his sword from his waist.”
#13
چنین گفت کامد پلاشان شیر
✦
یکی نامداری سواری دلیر
“He said, "Pelashan the lion has arrived—a renowned, lion-hearted knight!”
#14
شوم گر سرش را ببرم ز تن
✦
گرش بسته آرم بدین انجمن
“I shall go either to sever his head from his body, or bring him bound before this assembly!"”
#15
بدو گفت بیژن که گر شهریار
✦
مرا داد خلعت بدین کارزار
“Bizhan answered him, "Since the Shah granted me the honor of leading this battle,”
#16
بفرمان مرا بست باید کمر
✦
برزم پلاشان پرخاشخر
“By his command it is I who must gird myself for combat against bloodthirsty Pelashan."”
#17
به بیژن چنین گفت گیو دلیر
✦
که مشتاب در چنگ این نره شیر
“Valiant Giv said to Bizhan, "Do not rush headlong into the clutches of this fierce lion!”
#18
نباید که با او نتابی بجنگ
✦
کنی روز بر من برین جنگ تنگ
“Beware lest you fail to withstand him in battle, and turn this day dark and narrow for me.”
#19
پلاشان چو شیر است در مرغزار
✦
جز از مرد جنگی نجوید شکار
“Pelashan is like a lion in the meadow; he hunts none but seasoned warriors!"”
#20
بدو گفت بیژن مرا زین سخن
✦
به پیش جهاندار ننگی مکن
“Bizhan replied, "Do not bring shame upon me with such words before the ruler of the world!”
#21
سلیح سیاوش مرا ده بجنگ
✦
پس آنگه نگه کن شکار پلنگ
“Give me the armor of Siyavash for battle, and then behold how the leopard hunts!"”
#22
بدو داد گیو دلیر آن زره
✦
همی بست بیژن زره را گره
“Valiant Giv handed him the armor, and Bizhan buckled the mail tight around him.”
#23
یکی بارهٔ تیزرو برنشست
✦
بهامون خرامید نیزه بدست
“He mounted a swift warhorse and galloped into the plain, spear in hand.”
#24
پلاشان یکی آهو افگنده بود
✦
کبابش بر آتش پراگنده بود
“Pelashan had brought down a gazelle, and its roast meat was scattered over the fire.”
#25
همی خورد و اسپش چران و چمان
✦
پلاشان نشسته به بازو کمان
“He was eating while his horse grazed nearby, Pelashan sitting with his bow upon his arm.”
#26
چو اسپش ز دور اسپ بیژن بدید
✦
خروشی برآورد و اندر دمید
“When his steed caught sight of Bizhan’s horse from afar, it let out a loud neighing roar.”
#27
پلاشان بدانست کامد سوار
✦
بیامد بسیچیدهٔ کارزار
“Pelashan realized that a warrior had arrived, and stepped forward fully prepared for battle.”
#28
یکی بانگ برزد به بیژن بلند
✦
منم گفت شیراوژن و و دیوبند
“He shouted loudly at Bizhan, "I am the lion-feller and the demon-binder!”
#29
بگو آشکارا که نام تو چیست
✦
که اختر همی بر تو خواهد گریست
“Declare openly what your name is, for the stars are about to weep for your fate!"”
#30
دلاور بدو گفت من بیژنم
✦
برزم اندرون پیل و رویین‌تنم
“The warrior replied, "I am Bizhan! In battle I am an elephant and bronzed of body!”
#31
نیا شیر جنگی پدر گیو گرد
✦
هم اکنون ببینی ز من دستبرد
“My grandfather is a warlike lion, my father is Giv the hero, and now you shall behold my prowess!”
#32
بروز بلا در دم کارزار
✦
تو بر کوه چون گرگ مردار خوار
“On the day of reckoning in the heat of battle, you crouch upon the mountain like a scavenger wolf,”
#33
همی دود و خاکستر و خون خوری
✦
گه آمد که لشکر بهامون بری
“Consuming smoke, ash, and blood; now the time has come for you to bring your host to the plain!"”
#34
پلاشان بپاسخ نکرد ایچ یاد
✦
برانگیخت آن پیل‌تن را چو باد
“Pelashan made no verbal reply, but spurred his elephantine steed forward like the wind.”
#35
سواران بنیزه برآویختند
✦
یکی گرد تیره برانگیختند
“The two horsemen engaged with spears, raising a dark cloud of dust into the air.”
#36
سنانهای نیزه بهم برشکست
✦
یلان سوی شمشیر بردند دست
“The spear-tips snapped against each other, and the heroes reached for their swords.”
#37
بزخم اندرون تیغ شد لخت لخت
✦
ببودند لرزان چو شاخ درخت
“Under the blows, their blades shattered into pieces, leaving them trembling like tree branches.”
#38
بآب اندرون غرقه شد بارگی
✦
سرانشان غمی گشت یکبارگی
“Their steeds sank into the river water, and the leaders grew utterly exhausted.”
#39
عمود گران برکشیدند باز
✦
دو شیر سرافراز و دو رزمساز
“Then they drew their heavy maces once more—two exalted lions and two masters of war.”
#40
چنین تا برآورد بیژن خروش
✦
عمودگران برنهاده بدوش
“Until Bizhan let out a thunderous roar, hoisting his heavy mace upon his shoulder.”
#41
بزد بر میان پلاشان گرد
✦
همه مهرهٔ پشت بشکست خرد
“He struck valiant Pelashan square in the waist, shattering every vertebra of his spine to pieces.”
#42
ز بالای اسپ اندر آمد تنش
✦
نگون شد بر و مغفر و جوشنش
“Pelashan's body fell headlong from his horse, his chest, helmet, and coat of mail tumbling into the dirt.”
#43
فرود آمد از باره بیژن چو گرد
✦
سر مرد جنگی ز تن دور کرد
“Bizhan dismounted like dust from his horse and severed the warrior's head from his neck.”
#44
سلیح و سر و اسپ آن نامجوی
✦
بیاورد و سوی پدر کرد روی
“Gathering the arms, head, and horse of that renowned warrior, he turned back towards his father.”
#45
دل گیو بد زان سخن پر ز درد
✦
که چون گردد آن باد روز نبرد
“Giv’s heart had been heavy with pain, wondering how the fateful wind of battle would blow.”
#46
خروشان و جوشان بدان دیده‌گاه
✦
که تا گرد بیژن کی آید ز راه
“Straining eagerly at the lookout post, he watched intently to see when the dust of Bijan's return would rise from the road.”
#47
همی آمد از راه پور جوان
✦
سر و جوشن و اسپ آن پهلوان
“Presently the young warrior arrived along the road, bearing the severed head, coat of mail, and steed of that champion.”
#48
بیاورد و بنهاد پیش پدر
✦
بدو گفت پیروز باش ای پسر
“He brought them and placed them before his father, who blessed him saying: "May victory ever be yours, my son!"”
#49
برفتند با شادمانی ز جای
✦
نهادند سر سوی پرده‌سرای
“In high spirits they departed from that place and directed their course toward the commander's pavilion.”
#50
بیاورد پیش سپهبد سرش
✦
همان اسپ با جوشن و مغفرش
“He presented before the commander-in-chief the warrior's head, along with his warhorse, coat of mail, and helmet.”
#51
چنان شاد شد زان سخن پهلوان
✦
که گفتی برافشاند خواهد روان
“The chieftain was so overjoyed at the news that you would say he was ready to surrender his very soul for joy.”
#52
بدو گفت کای پور پشت سپاه
✦
سر نامداران و دیهیم شاه
“He said to him: "O noble son, pillar of the host, chief among warriors, and glory of the royal crown!"”
#53
همیشه بزی شاد و برترمنش
✦
ز تو دور بادا بد بدکنش
“"May you live ever joyful and noble-minded, and may the harm of malevolent foes be kept far from you!"”