After their resounding victories over the Turanian host and the formidable Puladvand, Rustam the Elephant-Bodied Champion and the grand paladins of Iran laden their caravans with vast spoils of steeds and camels, turning their path back toward the sacred soil of Iran. The roar of war-horns and brass drums mingled with the chimes of caravan bells, proclaiming across the marches that the supreme Defender of the Realm was returning triumphant.
When tidings of Rustam's approach reached King Kay Khosrow, an intoxicating wave of joy swept through the capital and royal court. Kay Khosrow ordered the mighty war-elephants decked in rich trappings; silver coins, saffron, musk, and ambergris were showered upon the pathways, while harps and minstrels transformed the land into an earthly paradise. Kay Khosrow himself dismounted his golden throne to march forth in royal state and greet his invincible paladin.
Upon beholding the radiant crown of Kay Khosrow from afar, Rustam alighted from Rakhsh and pressed his forehead to the earth. The King embraced him tightly, bestowing endless blessings upon the wise hero and holding Rustam's hand in his own as they returned toward the palace alongside Tus, Fariburz, Goudarz, Giv, Rohham, and Gurgin.
At the glorious banquet of wine and song, the venerable Goudarz recounted to the King the epic duel between Rustam and Puladvand: how Rustam wrestled the demonic giant, lifted him effortlessly, and shattered him against the ground. Hearing of such peerless valor, Kay Khosrow's heart soared with gratitude to the Almighty, invoking divine protection upon the hero's life.
For a full month, the imperial court echoed with heroic songs and celebratory revelry. Thereupon, Rustam sought royal leave, expressing his deep yearning to behold his father, Zal the White-Haired, in Zabulistan. Kay Khosrow showered upon him unmatched treasures—rubies, crowns, Shushtari robes, golden vessels of musk, exquisite attendants, and golden shoes—and personally escorted Rustam for two stages of his journey. With heartfelt farewells, Rustam departed for Zabulistan, leaving the world tranquil and prosperous beneath the righteous sway of Kay Khosrow.
#1
شتر یافت چندان و چندان گله
✦
که از بارگی شد سپه بی‌گله
“They captured so many camels and herds of steeds that the army lacked no mount or burden-bearer.”
#2
ز توران سپه برنهادند رخت
✦
سلیح گرانمایه و تاج و تخت
“From the land of Turan they packed their gear, laden with precious weapons, crowns, and thrones.”
#3
خروش آمد و نالهٔ گاودم
✦
جرس برکشیدند و رویینه خم
“The roar of trumpet horns arose; caravan bells chimed alongside brass drums.”
#4
سوی شهر ایران نهادند روی
✦
سپاهی بران گونه با رنگ و بوی
“They set their path toward the realm of Iran, an army arrayed in such color and splendor.”
#5
چو آگاهی آمد ز رستم بشاه
✦
خروش آمد از شهر وز بارگاه
“When news of Rostam reached the King, a triumphant clamor arose from the city and court.”
#6
از ایران تبیره برآمد بابر
✦
که آمد خداوند گوپال و ببر
“Drums resounded to the clouds across Iran, echoing that the master of the mace and leopard-skin had returned.”
#7
یکی شادمانی بد اندر جهان
✦
خنیده میان کهان و مهان
“A great celebration encompassed the world, acclaimed among the humble and the high-born alike.”
#8
دل شاه شد چون بهشت برین
✦
همی خواند بر کردگار آفرین
“The King's heart became as supreme paradise, offering continuous praises to the Almighty Creator.”
#9
بفرمود تا پیل بردند پیش
✦
بجنبید کیخسرو از جای خویش
“He commanded war-elephants to be brought forth, and Kay Khosrow himself dismounted his throne to march.”
#10
جهانی به‌آیین شد آراسته
✦
می و رود و رامشگر و خواسته
“The whole world was adorned in noble tradition with wine, harps, minstrels, and bountiful treasures.”
#11
تبیره برآمد ز هر جای و نای
✦
چو شاه جهان اندر آمد ز جای
“Drums and flutes echoed from every direction as the Lord of the World marched out.”
#12
همه روی پیل از کران تا کران
✦
پر از مشک بود و می و زعفران
“The heads of all the elephants were drenched in musk, fragrant wine, and golden saffron.”
#13
ز افسر سر پیلبان پرنگار
✦
ز گوش اندر آویخته گوشوار
“The elephant drivers wore crowns adorned with jewels, and golden rings dangled from their ears.”
#14
بسی زعفران و درم ریختند
✦
ز بر مشک و عنبر همی بیختند
“Abundant saffron and silver coins were scattered, while musk and ambergris rained down from above.”
#15
همه شهر آوای رامشگران
✦
نشسته ز هر سو کران تا کران
“The entire city echoed with the voices of songsters seated everywhere from border to border.”
#16
چنان بد جهان را ز شادی و داد
✦
که گیتی روان را دوامست و شاد
“So filled was the world with joy and justice that living souls found endless delights.”
#17
تهمتن چو تاج سرافراز دید
✦
جهانی سراسر پرآواز دید
“When Tahamtan beheld the exalted royal crown and heard the world filled with acclaim...”
#18
فرود آمد و برد پیشش نماز
✦
بپرسید خسرو ز راه دراز
“He dismounted his steed and bowed low; Khosrow welcomed him warmly after his long journey.”
#19
گرفتش بآغوش در شاه تنگ
✦
چنین تا برآمد زمانی درنگ
“The King clasped him tightly in a warm embrace, holding him close for a long moment.”
#20
همی آفرین خواند شاه جهان
✦
بران نامور موبد و پهلوان
“The Monarch of the world poured praises upon that illustrious mobile priest and mighty warrior.”
#21
بفرمود تا پیلتن برنشست
✦
گرفته همه راه دستش بدست
“He bade the elephant-bodied hero remount, walking all the way holding Rostam's hand in his.”
#22
همی گفت چندین چرا ماندی
✦
که بر ما همی آتش افشاندی
“The King said: 'Why did you remain away so long, casting the fire of yearning upon us?'”
#23
چو طوس و فریبرز و گودرز و گیو
✦
چو رهام و گرگین و گردان نیو
“Accompanied by Tus, Fariburz, Goudarz, Giv, Rohham, Gurgin, and the brave champions...”
#24
ز ره سوی ایوان شاه آمدند
✦
بدان نامور بارگاه آمدند
“From the road they proceeded to the King's palace, arriving at that famous imperial court.”
#25
نشست از بر تخت زر شهریار
✦
بنزدیک او رستم نامدار
“The Monarch seated himself upon the golden throne, and legendary Rostam sat near him.”
#26
فریبرز و گودرز و رهام و گیو
✦
نشستند با نامداران نیو
“Fariburz, Goudarz, Rohham, and Giv sat beside the other renowned heroes.”
#27
سخن گفت کیخسرو از رزمگاه
✦
ازان رنج و پیگار توران سپاه
“Kay Khosrow spoke of the battleground, of the hardship and combat against the Turanian army.”
#28
بدو گفت گودرز کای شهریار
✦
سخنها درازست زین کارزار
“Goudarz said to him: 'O Sovereign, long indeed is the tale of this intense warfare!'”
#29
می و جام و آرام باید نخست
✦
پس آنگاه ازین کار پرسی درست
“'Wine, goblets, and rest are needed first; only then should you ask rightly of these matters.'”
#30
نهادند خوان و بخندید شاه
✦
که ناهار بودی همانا به راه
“They laid out the banquet, and the King smiled, saying: 'Surely you went hungry on the road!'”
#31
بخوان بر می آورد و رامشگران
✦
بپرسش گرفت از کران تا کران
“At the banquet he called for wine and minstrels, then began asking questions of all that had passed.”
#32
ز افراسیاب وز پولادوند
✦
ز کشتی و از تابداده کمند
“He asked of Afrasiab and Puladvand, of the wrestling combat and the coiled lasso.”
#33
بدو گفت گودرز کای شهریار
✦
ز مادر نزاید چو رستم سوار
“Goudarz replied: 'O Monarch, no mother shall ever give birth to a horseman like Rostam!'”
#34
اگر دیو پیش آید ار اژدها
✦
ز چنگ درازش نیابد رها
“'Whether a demon appears or a dragon, none escapes his far-reaching grasp.'”
#35
هزار افرین باد بر شهریار
✦
بویژه برین شیردل نامدار
“'A thousand blessings upon the Sovereign, and especially upon this lion-hearted champion!'”
#36
بگفت آنچ کرد او بپولادوند
✦
ز کشتی و نیرنگ وز رنگ و بند
“He recounted all that Rostam did to Puladvand—the wrestling, the cunning, and the grappling.”
#37
ز افگندن دیو وز کشتنش
✦
همان جنگ و پیگار و کین جستنش
“Of throwing down the demon and vanquishing him, and of his relentless fight and seeking vengeance.”
#38
چو افتاد بر خاک زو رفت هوش
✦
برآمد ز گردان دیوان خروش
“'When he crashed upon the earth, he lost consciousness, and a cry arose from the demon warriors!'”
#39
چو آمد بهوش آن سرافراز دیو
✦
برآمد بناگاه زو یک غریو
“'When that proud demon regained his senses, a sudden scream erupted from him.'”
#40
همانگه درآمد باسپ و برفت
✦
همی بند جانش ز رستم بکفت
“'Instantly he mounted his horse and fled, his life barely surviving Rostam's might.'”
#41
چنان شاد شد زان سخن تاجور
✦
که گفتی ز ایوان برآورد سر
“The crowned King was so thrilled by those words that his head seemed to rise above his palace.”
#42
چنین داد پاسخ که ای پهلوان
✦
توی پیر و بیدار و روشن‌روان
“He answered: 'O Paladin, you are an elder, vigilant, and enlightened of spirit.'”
#43
کسی کش خرد باشد آموزگار
✦
نگه داردش گردش روزگار
“'Whosoever has Wisdom as a teacher shall be preserved by the turning of Fate.'”
#44
ازین پهلوان چشم بد دور باد
✦
همه زندگانیش در سور باد
“'May the evil eye be far from this champion, and may his entire life be passed in joy!'”
#45
همی بود یک هفته با می بدست
✦
ازو شادمان تاج و تخت و نشست
“For a whole week he remained with wine-cup in hand, bringing glory to the crown, throne, and royal court.”
#46
سخنهای رستم بنای و برود
✦
بگفتند بر پهلوانی سرود
“They sang the exploits of Rostam to the strains of pipe and lute, reciting heroic lays in the ancient Pahlavi tongue.”
#47
تهمتن بیک ماه نزدیک شاه
✦
همی بود با جام در پیشگاه
“For a full month Tahamtan remained beside the King, holding the wine-cup in his presence at the royal court.”
#48
ازان پس چنین گفت با شهریار
✦
که ای پرهنر نامور تاجدار
“Thereafter he spoke unto the Sovereign, saying: 'O accomplished, renowned, and crowned King!'”
#49
جهاندار با دانش و نیک‌خوست
✦
ولیکن مرا چهر زال آرزوست
“'The Ruler of the world is wise and noble-natured, yet my heart longeth to behold the face of Zal.'”
#50
در گنج بگشاد شاه جهان
✦
ز پرمایه چیزی که بودش نهان
“Thereupon the King of the world unlocked his treasury, bringing forth precious treasures that had been hidden away.”
#51
ز یاقوت وز تاج و انگشتری
✦
ز دینار وز جامهٔ ششتری
“Rubies, royal crowns, signet rings, gold dinars, and fine robes woven in Shushtar.”
#52
پرستار با افسر و گوشوار
✦
همان جعد مویان سیمین عذار
“Handmaidens adorned with coronets and earrings, with curling locks and silver-bright cheeks.”
#53
طبقهای زرین پر از مشک و عود
✦
دو نعلین زرین و زرین عمود
“Golden trays brimming with musk and aloe-wood, a pair of golden slippers, and a golden mace.”
#54
برو بافته گوهر شاهوار
✦
چنانچون بود در خور شهریار
“Inlaid and woven with royal gems, worthy indeed of a great monarch to bestow.”
#55
بنزد تهمتن فرستاد شاه
✦
دو منزل همی رفت با او براه
“All these the King dispatched to Tahamtan, and rode alongside him for two stages of the journey.”
#56
چو خسرو غمی شد ز راه دراز
✦
فرود آمد و برد رستم نماز
“When Khosrow grew weary from the long journey, he dismounted, and Rostam bowed low in reverence before him.”
#57
ورا کرد پدرود و ز ایران برفت
✦
سوی زابلستان خرامید تفت
“Bidding him farewell, he departed from Iran and hastened swiftly towards Zabolistan.”
#58
سراسر جهان گشت بر شاه راست
✦
همی گشت گیتی بران سان که خواست
“The entire world became obedient to the King, and the world revolved precisely as he desired.”
#59
سر آوردم این رزم کاموس نیز
✦
درازست و کم نیست زو یک پشیز
“I have brought to a close this Tale of the Battle of Kamus as well; though long, not a single particle has been omitted.”
#60
گر از داستان یک سخن کم بدی
✦
روان مرا جای ماتم بدی
“Had even a single word of this story been lacking, my soul would have been a abode of grief and mourning.”
#61
دلم شادمان شد ز پولادوند
✦
که بفزود بر بند پولاد بند
“My heart was gladdened by the story of Pouladvand, which added yet another iron link to the epic chain.”