✦

Heroic Era (Kianian)

Kamoos

❖

103 distichs in this chapter

Click any distich to open the interactive annotation drawer.

Dual View Prose Retelling Poetic Couplets

The Blizzard of Bazur, Rohham's Triumph over Sorcery, and the Bloody Defeat of the Iranians

Among the Turanian host dwelt a sorcerer named Bazur, a master of deception and dark arts who knew both the Chinese arcana and the Pahlavi tongue. Seeing the unyielding resilience of the Iranian warriors, Piran Viseh summoned Bazur and commanded him to scale the mountain peak and conjure a deadly blizzard to freeze the limbs of the Iranian army. Bazur ascended the crag, and instantly a pitch-black cloud veiled the sky, unleashing a monstrous tempests of snow and bone-chilling frost. The bitter freeze locked the hands of the Iranian spearmen to their shafts, rendering them incapable of drawing bow or brandishing blade.

Perceiving the helplessness of the frozen defenders, Piran ordered Houman to launch a devastating charge. Houman swept down like a raging demon, carving through the defenseless Iranian ranks until the battlefield turned into a vast sea of blood and snow. The soil was covered with fallen champions, their limbs frozen and severed, unable to turn their horses or lift their shields.

In their direst hour, Tus, Goudarz, and the Iranian chieftains raised their hands toward Heaven, crying out to the Almighty God, praying for deliverance from this demonic sorcery. As their prayers echoed, a knowledgeable man approached Rohham and pointed out the high peak where Bazur stood weaving his spells. Rohham tucked the skirt of his armor into his belt and clambered up the jagged mountain on foot. Seeing Rohham approach, the sorcerer attacked with a heavy mace of Chinese steel, but Rohham swiftly drew his sharp blade and struck off the wizard's arm. Instantly, the roaring blizzard dissipated, the dark clouds dissolved, and the radiant sun shone once more.

Rohham descended the mountain with the sorcerer's severed arm bound to his saddle and reported the deed to his father Goudarz. Yet when the champions looked back upon the plain, they beheld a terrifying sight: thousands of brave Iranians lay slaughtered upon the crimson snow. Goudarz wept bitterly for his slain sons and kin, tearing his robes in agony. Realizing that further open battle meant absolute annihilation, Tus and Goudarz ordered the surviving host to withdraw to the high strongholds of Mount Hamavon. There, they regrouped their forces and dispatched a swift courier to King Kay Khosrow, begging him to send Rostam and fresh reinforcements before the royal line of Iran's champions was wiped out entirely.

ز ترکان یکی بود بازور نام

✦

بافسوس بهر جای گسترده کام

“Among the Turanians was one named Bazur, who spread deceit and sorcery wherever he went.”

بیاموخته کژی و جادوی

✦

بدانسته چینی و هم پهلوی

“He had mastered falsehood and magic, and knew the languages of China as well as Pahlavi.”

چنین گفت پیران بافسون پژوه

✦

کز ایدر برو تا سر تیغ کوه

“Thus spoke Piran, that seeker of spells: 'Go forth from here to the very crest of the mountain...'”

یکی برف و سرما و باد دمان

✦

بریشان بیاور هم اندر زمان

“'...and bring down upon them instantly a storm of snow, frost, and raging wind!'”

هوا تیره‌گون بود از تیر ماه

✦

همی گشت بر کوه ابر سیاه

“The air grew dark like the month of Tir, and a black cloud began to swirl over the mountain.”

چو بازور در کوه شد در زمان

✦

برآمد یکی برف و باد دمان

“As soon as Bazur reached the mountain peak, there arose a fierce blizzard and roaring wind.”

همه دست آن نیزه‌داران ز کار

✦

فروماند از برف در کارزار

“The hands of all the spearmen froze from the bitter snow in the midst of battle.”

ازان رستخیز و دم زمهریر

✦

خروش یلان بود و باران تیر

“From that roaring tempest and freezing frost rose the cries of warriors and a rain of arrows.”

بفرمود پیران که یکسر سپاه

✦

یکی حمله سازید زین رزمگاه

“Piran commanded his entire host: 'Launch a united assault upon this battlefield!'”

#10

چو بر نیزه بر دستهاشان فسرد

✦

نیاراست بنمود کس دست برد

“Since the Iranians' hands were frozen onto their lances, none could show their skill in battle.”

#11

وزان پس برآورد هومان غریو

✦

یکی حمله آورد برسان دیو

“Then Houman let out a roar and charged forward like a ravenous demon.”

#12

بکشتند چندان ز ایران سپاه

✦

که دریای خون گشت آوردگاه

“They slaughtered so many of the Iranian host that the battlefield turned into a sea of blood.”

#13

در و دشت گشته پر از برف و خون

✦

سواران ایران فتاده نگون

“Valley and plain were filled with snow and blood, and the Iranian horsemen fell headlong.”

#14

ز کشته نبد جای رفتن بجنگ

✦

ز برف و ز افگنده شد جای تنگ

“Because of the fallen corpses and the heavy snow, there was no space left to maneuver or fight.”

#15

سیه گشت در دشت شمشیر و دست

✦

بروی اندر افتاده برسان مست

“Swords and hands turned dark upon the plain, and men collapsed onto their faces like drunkards.”

#16

نبد جای گردش دران رزمگاه

✦

شده دست لشکر ز سرما تباه

“There was no room to turn in that place of battle, and the hands of the army were destroyed by the cold.”

#17

سپهدار و گردنکشان آن زمان

✦

گرفتند زاری سوی آسمان

“The commander and the noble heroes then turned in weeping prayer toward the heavens:”

#18

که ای برتر از دانش و هوش و رای

✦

نه در جای و بر جای و نه زیر جای

“'O Thou Who art exalted above knowledge, reason, and thought—neither confined to place nor bound by earthly realm!'”

#19

همه بندهٔ پرگناه توایم

✦

به بیچارگی دادخواه توایم

“'We are all Thy sinful servants, crying out to Thee in our total helplessness!'”

#20

ز افسون و از جادوی برتری

✦

جهاندار و بر داوران داوری

“'Thou art higher than sorcery and magic; Ruler of the world and Judge over all judges!'”

#21

تو باشی به بیچارگی دستگیر

✦

تواناتر از آتش و زمهریر

“'Thou alone art the succor of the helpless, more powerful than fire and freezing frost!'”

#22

ازین برف و سرما تو فریادرس

✦

نداریم فریادرس جز تو کس

“'Rescue us from this snow and bitter frost, for we have no helper besides Thee!'”

#23

بیامد یکی مرد دانش پژوه

✦

برهام بنمود آن تیغ کوه

“Then came a wise and learned man who pointed out that mountain crest to Rohham,”

#24

کجا جای بازور نستوه بود

✦

بر افسون و تنبل بران کوه بود

“Where the stubborn Bazur stood, weaving his sorcery and enchantments upon the peak.”

#25

بجنبید رهام زان رزمگاه

✦

برون تاخت اسپ از میان سپاه

“Rohham stirred from the field of battle and galloped his charger out from the army.”

#26

زره دامنش را بزد بر کمر

✦

پیاده برآمد بران کوه سر

“He tucked the skirts of his mail coat into his belt and climbed on foot to the mountain top.”

#27

چو جادو بدیدش بیامد بجنگ

✦

عمودی ز پولاد چینی بچنگ

“When the sorcerer saw him, he came forward to fight, bearing a heavy mace of Chinese steel.”

#28

چو رهام نزدیک جادو رسید

✦

سبک تیغ تیز از میان برکشید

“As Rohham reached the sorcerer, he swiftly drew his sharp blade from his waist.”

#29

بیفگند دستش بشمشیر تیز

✦

یکی باد برخاست چون رستخیز

“He struck off the wizard's arm with his sharp sword, and instantly a wind like Doomsday blew.”

#30

ز روی هوا ابر تیره ببرد

✦

فرود آمد از کوه رهام گرد

“The dark clouds swept away from the sky, and brave Rohham descended from the mountain.”

#31

یکی دست با زور جادو بدست

✦

بهامون شد و بارگی برنشست

“Holding one severed arm of Bazur the sorcerer in his hand, he reached the plain and mounted his steed.”

#32

هوا گشت زان سان که از پیش بود

✦

فروزنده خورشید را رخ نمود

“The air returned to how it was before, and the radiant sun revealed its face.”

#33

پدر را بگفت آنچ جادو چه کرد

✦

چه آورد بر ما بروز نبرد

“He told his father what the sorcerer had done and what trial he had brought upon them on the day of battle.”

#34

بدیدند ازان پس دلیران شاه

✦

چو دریای خون گشته آوردگاه

“Thereafter, the king's brave warriors saw that the battlefield had turned into a sea of blood.”

#35

همه دشت کشته ز ایرانیان

✦

تن بی‌سران سر بی‌تنان

“The whole plain was filled with slain Iranians—headless bodies and severed heads.”

#36

چنین گفت گودرز آنگه بطوس

✦

که نه پیل ماند و نه آوای کوس

“Thus spoke Goudarz then to Tus: 'Neither war-elephants remain nor the sound of drums!'”

#37

همه یکسره تیغها برکشیم

✦

براریم جوش ار کشند ار کشیم

“'Let us all draw our swords together and roar, whether we be slain or slay the foe!'”

#38

همانا که ما را سر آمد زمان

✦

نه روز نبردست و تیر و کمان

“'Surely our appointed time has come; this is no longer the day for bow and arrow!'”

#39

بدو گفت طوس ای جهاندیده مرد

✦

هوا گشت پاک و بشد باد سرد

“Tus replied to him: 'O veteran of the world! The air has cleared and the cold wind has ceased.'”

#40

چرا سر همی داد باید بباد

✦

چو فریادرس فره و زور داد

“'Why should we throw away our lives when the divine divine glory has given us strength and help?'”

#41

مکن پیشدستی تو در جنگ ما

✦

کنند این دلیران خود اهنگ ما

“'Do not rush recklessly into combat; let these warriors make their own stand under our charge.'”

#42

بپیش زمانه پذیره مشو

✦

بنزدیک بدخواه خیره مشو

“'Do not rush blindly to meet fate, nor rashly approach the malevolent enemy.'”

#43

تو در قلب با کاویانی درفش

✦

همی دار در چنگ تیغ بنفش

“'Stay in the center with the Kavian Banner, holding the purple blade firm in your grip.'”

#44

سوی میمنه گیو و بیژن بهم

✦

نگهبانش بر میسره گستهم

“'On the right wing let Giv and Bizhan stand together, while Gostahm guards the left.'”

#45

چو رهام و شیدوش بر پیش صف

✦

گرازه بکین برلب آورده کف

“'Rohham and Shidoush shall stand before the front rank, with Gorazeh foaming at the mouth in vengeful fury.'”

#46

شوم برکشم گرز کین از میان

✦

کنم تن فدی پیش ایرانیان

“I shall go forth and draw the mace of vengeance from my waist, sacrificing my body for the sake of the Iranians.”

#47

ازین رزمگه برنگردانم اسپ

✦

مگر خاک جایم بود چون زرسپ

“I shall not turn my steed back from this battlefield, unless my resting place becomes the dust, like Zarasp.”

#48

اگر من شوم کشته زین رزمگاه

✦

تو برکش سوی شاه ایران سپاه

“If I should be slain upon this battlefield, lead thou the army back toward the King of Iran.”

#49

مرا مرگ نامی‌تر از سرزنش

✦

بهر جای بیغارهٔ بدکنش

“To me, an honorable death is grander than reproach and the taunts of evil-doers wherever I may go.”

#50

چنین است گیتی پرآزار و درد

✦

ازو تا توان گرد بیشی مگرد

“Such is the world, full of distress and pain; so long as thou art able, seek not after excess.”

#51

فزونیش یک روز بگزایدت

✦

ببودن زمانی نیفزایدت

“Its abundance will harm thee one day, nor will it add a single moment to thy dwelling here.”

#52

دگر باره بر شد دم کرنای

✦

خروشیدن زنگ و هندی درای

“Once more the sound of trumpets rang out, along with the clamor of bells and Indian chimes.”

#53

ز بانگ سواران پرخاشخر

✦

درخشیدن تیغ و زخم تبر

“Amidst the shouts of battle-eager horsemen, blades gleamed and battle-axes struck heavy blows.”

#54

ز پیکان و از گرز و ژوپین و تیر

✦

زمین شد بکردار دریای قیر

“With spearheads, maces, javelins, and arrows, the earth turned black like a sea of pitch.”

#55

همه دشت بی‌تن سر و یال بود

✦

همه گوش پر زخم گوپال بود

“The whole plain was strewn with severed heads and necks, and every ear rang with the crushing blows of maces.”

#56

چو شد رزم ترکان برین گونه سخت

✦

ندیدند ایرانیان روی بخت

“As the onslaught of the Turks grew so severe, the Iranians saw no sign of good fortune.”

#57

همی تیره شد روی اختر درشت

✦

دلیران بدشمن نمودند پشت

“The face of their harsh star turned dark, and the brave warriors turned their backs to the enemy.”

#58

چو طوس و چو گودرز و گیو دلیر

✦

چو شیدوش و بیژن چو رهام شیر

“Heroic leaders like Tous, Goudarz, and valiant Giv, along with Sheydoush, Bizhan, and lion-hearted Rohham—”

#59

همه برنهادند جان را بکف

✦

همه رزم جستند بر پیش صف

“All placed their lives in the palm of their hands and sought battle at the very front of the ranks.”

#60

هرآنکس که با طوس در جنگ بود

✦

همه نامدار و کنارنگ بود

“Every warrior who stood fighting alongside Tous was a renowned chieftain and noble commander.”

#61

بپیش اندرون خون همی ریختند

✦

یلان از پس پشت بگریختند

“In the forefront they spilled blood, while from behind them the warriors were fleeing the field.”

#62

یکی موبدی طوس یل را بخواند

✦

پس پشت تو گفت جنگی نماند

“A priest called out to valiant Tous, saying, "Behind thy back, no warrior remains!"”

#63

نباید کت اندر میان آورند

✦

بجان سپهبد زیان آورند

“"Let them not surround thee, lest they bring harm to the life of the commander."”

#64

به گیو دلیر آن زمان طوس گفت

✦

که با مغز لشکر خرد نیست جفت

“Then Tous spoke to the brave Giv, saying, "Reason is not paired with the minds of this host!"”

#65

که ما را بدین گونه بگذاشتند

✦

چنین روی از جنگ برگاشتند

“"For they have abandoned us in such a manner and turned their faces away from the fight."”

#66

برو بازگردان سپه را ز راه

✦

ز بیغارهٔ دشمن و شرم شاه

“"Go and turn the army back from their flight, for the sake of avoiding enemy taunts and shame before the King."”

#67

بشد گیو و لشکر همه بازگشت

✦

پر از کشته دیدند هامون و دشت

“Giv departed, and the entire army turned back; they found the plains and fields laden with the slain.”

#68

سپهبد چنین گفت با مهتران

✦

که اینست پیکار جنگ‌آوران

“The commander said to the nobles, "Such is the grim reality of warriors' battles."”

#69

کنون چون رخ روز شد تیره‌گون

✦

همه روی کشور چو دریای خون

“"Now that the face of day has grown dark, and the whole land resembles a sea of blood,"”

#70

یکی جای آرام باید گزید

✦

اگر تیره شب خود توان آرمید

“"We must choose a place of rest, if indeed one can find repose in this dark night."”

#71

مگر کشته یابد بجای مغاک

✦

یکی بستر از ریگ و چادر ز خاک

“"Unless the fallen find in their graves a bed of sand and a tent of earth."”

#72

همه بازگشتند یکسر ز جنگ

✦

ز خویشان روان خسته و سر ز ننگ

“All turned back from the fight at once, their souls grieving for their kin, their heads bowed in shame.”

#73

سر از کوه برزد همانگاه ماه

✦

چو بر تخت پیروزه، پیروز شاه

“At that moment, the moon emerged from above the mountain, like a victorious king seated upon a turquoise throne.”

#74

سپهدار پیران سپه را بخواند

✦

همی گفت زیشان فراوان نماند

“Commander Piran summoned his host and said, "Not many of the Iranians are left alive!"”

#75

بدانگه که دریای یاقوت زرد

✦

زند موج بر کشور لاژورد

“"Tomorrow, when the sea of yellow ruby surges over the lapis-lazuli sky at dawn,"”

#76

کسی را که زنده‌ست بیجان کنیم

✦

بریشان دل شاه پیچان کنیم

“"We shall slay whoever remains alive, and twist the heart of their King with sorrow."”

#77

برفتند با شادمانی زجای

✦

نشستند بر پیش پرده‌سرای

“Joyfully they departed from the spot and sat together before the royal pavilion.”

#78

همه شب ز آوای چنگ و رباب

✦

سپه را نیامد بران دشت خواب

“All through the night, to the strains of harps and lutes, sleep came not to the host upon that plain.”

#79

وزین روی لشکر همه مستمند

✦

پدر بر پسر سوگوار و نژند

“Meanwhile, on the other side, the host was entirely sorrowful—fathers grieving and broken over their sons.”

#80

همه دشت پر کشته و خسته بود

✦

بخون بزرگان زمین شسته بود

“The whole plain was filled with slain and wounded, and the earth was washed in the blood of nobles.”

#81

چپ و راست آوردگه دست و پای

✦

نهادن ندانست کس پا بجای

“Upon the left and right of the battlefield lay severed hands and feet; none knew where to set their step.”

#82

همه شب همی خسته برداشتند

✦

چو بیگانه بد خوار بگذاشتند

“All through the night they carried off their wounded, while leaving the slain enemies disregarded like strangers.”

#83

بر خسته آتش همی سوختند

✦

گسسته ببستند و بردوختند

“Over the wounded they cauterized wounds with fire, binding up and stitching together their torn flesh.”

#84

فراوان ز گودرزیان خسته بود

✦

بسی کشته بود و بسی بسته بود

“Many of the clan of Goudarz were wounded; many lay slain, and many were bound in captivity.”

#85

چو بشنید گودرز برزد خروش

✦

زمین آمد از بانگ اسپان بجوش

“When Goudarz heard the heavy news, he uttered a bitter cry, and the very earth boiled with the clamor of horses.”

#86

همه مهتران جامه کردند چاک

✦

بسربر پراگند گودرز خاک

“All the chieftains tore their garments in anguish, while Goudarz cast dust upon his head.”

#87

همی گفت کاندر جهان کس ندید

✦

به پیران سر این بد که بر من رسید

“He lamented, 'None in this world has ever seen such calamity fall upon an old head as has befallen me!'”

#88

چرا بایدم زنده با پیر سر

✦

بخاک اندر افگنده چندین پسر

“'Why must I remain alive in my old age, when so many of my sons are cast down into the dust?'”

#89

ازان روزگاری کجا زاده‌ام

✦

ز خفتان میان هیچ نگشاده‌ام

“'Ever since the day I was born into this world, I have never unbound my waist from battle armor.'”

#90

بفرجام چندین پسر ز انجمن

✦

ببینم چنین کشته در پیش من

“'Yet in the end, I must behold so many noble sons from our assembly slain before my eyes!'”

#91

جدا گشته از من چو بهرام پور

✦

چنان نامور شیر خودکام پور

“'Sundered from me like my son Bahram, that renowned, brave lion of a warrior.'”

#92

ز گودرز چون آگهی شد بطوس

✦

مژه کرد پر خون و رخ سندروس

“When word of Goudarz's grief reached Tous, tears of blood filled his eyes and his face turned yellow like sandarac.”

#93

خروشی براورد آنگه بزار

✦

فراوان ببارید خون در کنار

“He raised a piteous cry and wept abundant tears of blood upon his chest.”

#94

همی گفت اگر نوذر پاک‌تن

✦

نکشتی بن و بیخ من بر چمن

“He cried, 'Had not the pure-souled Nōzar uprooted my lineage from the realm...'”

#95

نبودی مرا رنج و تیمار و درد

✦

غم کشته و گرم دشت نبرد

“'...I would not endure this anguish and pain, mourning the fallen amidst the heat of the battleground!'”

#96

که تا من کمر بر میان بسته‌ام

✦

بدل خسته‌ام گر بجان رسته‌ام

“'Ever since I girded my loins for battle, my heart has been wounded, though my soul has survived.'”

#97

هم‌اکنون تن کشتگان را بخاک

✦

بپوشید جایی که باشد مغاک

“'At once, cover the bodies of the slain with earth in a proper grave.'”

#98

سران بریده سوی تن برید

✦

بنه سوی کوه هماون برید

“'Unite the severed heads with their bodies, and move the baggage toward Mount Hamāvand.'”

#99

برانیم لشکر همه همگروه

✦

سراپرده و خیمه بر سوی کوه

“'Let us march the entire army together, establishing our grand pavilions and tents upon the mountain.'”

#100

هیونی فرستیم نزدیک شاه

✦

دلش برفروزد فرستد سپاه

“'We shall dispatch a swift courier to the King, that his heart may be moved to send reinforcements.'”

#101

بدین من سواری فرستاده‌ام

✦

ورا پیش ازین آگهی داده‌ام

“'For this purpose I have already sent a rider, having informed him beforehand.'”

#102

مگر رستم زال را با سپاه

✦

سوی ما فرستد بدین رزمگاه

“'Perchance he will dispatch Rostam, son of Zāl, with an army to our aid on this battlefield.'”

#103

وگرنه ز ما نامداری دلیر

✦

نماند به آوردگه بر چو شیر

“'Otherwise, not a single brave warrior among us will remain like a lion upon this place of combat.'”

Kamoos

Distich Annotation & Lore

English Translation:

Modern Interpretation:

Literary & Narrative Dimensions:

Entities Identified:

The Guide