As the radiant sun crested the mountain peaks, the horsemen of Turan readied their gear, and a deafening clamor echoed through the city as warhorns blared. The nobles and chieftains gathered before the gate of King Afrasiab, prostrating themselves in shame and fury. They declared that the disgrace of Bizhan’s rescue and Rostam’s daring raid would forever stain the royal throne unless revenged, warning that if they remained passive, the Iranians would no longer deem them men, but armor-clad women.
Afrasiab erupted in leopard-like rage and commanded immediate mobilization. He ordered Piran to beat the great war drums and sound the brass trumpets. A Turanian host of unimaginable magnitude poured forth, covering the earth until it resembled a boiling ocean. From his lookout post, Rostam's scout caught sight of the churning dark cloud of dust and hastened to inform the champion that the sky had turned black with Turanian cavalry. Rostam replied with sublime indifference, asserting that they feared no such horde. He promptly dispatched Manizheh and his heavy baggage to safety, donned his battle harness, and rode up to a high vantage point. Gazing upon the endless host, he roared like a furious lion: "What does a fox weigh in the clutches of a lion?"
Calling his brave warriors around him, Rostam bade them unsheathe their venom-steeped blades, raise their spears, and wield their ox-headed maces. Mounting Rakhsh, he descended into the plain and arranged the Iranian battle line: Ashkash and Gustaham commanded the right wing; Rohham and Zangeh led the left wing; while Rostam himself and Bizhan son of Giv stood at the heart of the center, securing the army's rear against the slopes.
When Afrasiab perceived Rostam looming like a mountain of iron at the head of the Iranian army, sorrow and foreboding gripped his heart. He donned his battle mail, halted his advance, and drew up his own ranks—placing Piran on the left, Houman on the right, and entrusting the center to Garsivaz and Shideh. Rostam circled the field, shouting taunts at the Turanian king, mocking his habit of turning tail whenever the fray grew fierce, reminding him of ancient lore: a lion never falters before a herd of wild asses, and a falcon spares no partridge.
Stung by these words, Afrasiab exhorted his leaders with promises of crowns and treasure, igniting a ferocious clash. Dust blotted out the sun, heavy maces fell like hail, and Rostam's dragon-crested banner flashed through the gloom. Rostam charged into the Turanian center like a ravenous wolf, his ox-headed mace crushing chieftains, while Gurgin, Rohham, Farhad, Ashkash, and Bizhan shattered the Turanian wings.
Seeing his champions fallen and his fortune reversed, Afrasiab dropped his Indian blade, mounted a fresh steed, and fled headlong toward Turan with his inner guard. Rostam pursued the broken army for two leagues like a furious dragon, slaughtering numbers and taking one thousand war-hardened Turanians captive. Returning victoriously to camp, the mighty champion distributed the vast spoils, loaded them onto war-elephants, and set out in triumph toward King Kay Khosrow.
#1
چو خورشید سر برزد از کوهسار
✦
سواران توران ببستند بار
“As the sun raised its head above the mountain range, the horsemen of Turan bound their loads.”
#2
بتوفید شهر و برآمد خروش
✦
تو گفتی همی کر کند نعره گوش
“The city roared and a loud clamor arose; you would say the shouting deafened the ear.”
#3
بدرگاه افراسیاب آمدند
✦
کمربستگان بر درش صف زدند
“They came to the palace gate of Afrasiab, and belt-girt warriors lined up at his door.”
#4
همه یکسره جنگ را ساخته
✦
دل از بوم و آرام پرداخته
“All of them prepared entirely for war, abandoning all thoughts of home and rest.”
#5
بزرگان توران گشاده کمر
✦
به پیش سپهدار بر خاک سر
“The nobles of Turan unloosed their belts and bowed their heads to the dust before the commander.”
#6
همه جنگ را پاک بسته میان
✦
همه دل پر از کین ایرانیان
“All ready for war with girt loins, their hearts completely filled with hatred for the Iranians.”
#7
کز اندازه بگذشت ما را سخن
✦
چه افگند باید بدین کار بن
“They said: 'Our talk has exceeded all measure; what foundation must be laid for this affair?'”
#8
کزین ننگ بر شاه و گردنکشان
✦
بماند ز کردار بیژن نشان
“'For from this shame upon the king and the noble leaders, the mark of Bizhan's deed will remain.'”
#9
بایران بمردان ندانندمان
✦
زنان کمربسته خوانندمان
“'In Iran they will not consider us men; they will call us women wearing belts!'”
#10
برآشفت پس شه بسان پلنگ
✦
ازان پس بفرمودشان ساز جنگ
“Then the king flared up like a leopard; thereafter he commanded them to prepare for battle.”
#11
به پیران بفرمود تا بست کوس
✦
که بر ما ز ایران همین بد فسوس
“He commanded Piran to bind the war drums, saying: 'This mockery from Iran is a bitter humiliation for us.'”
#12
بزد نای رویین بدرگاه شاه
✦
بجوشید در شهر توران سپاه
“They sounded the brass trumpet at the king's gate, and the host boiled within the city of Turan.”
#13
یلان صف کشیدند بر در سرای
✦
خروش آمد از بوق و هندی درای
“The heroes drew up in lines before the palace door; loud calls arose from horns and Indian bells.”
#14
سپاهی ز توران بدان مرز راند
✦
که روی زمین جز بدریا نماند
“He marched such an army from Turan toward that frontier that no room was left on earth save the sea.”
#15
چو از دیدگه دیدبان بنگرید
✦
زمین را چو دریای جوشان بدید
“When the lookout peered from his post, he saw the earth like a boiling sea.”
#16
بر رستم آمد که ببسیچ کار
✦
که گیتی سیه شد ز گرد سوار
“He came to Rostam and said: 'Prepare for action, for the world has turned black with the dust of riders!'”
#17
بدو گفت ما زین نداریم باک
✦
همی جنگ را برفشانیم خاک
“Rostam said to him: 'We have no fear of this; we shall scatter dust over their war!'”
#18
بنه با منیژه گسی کرد و بار
✦
بپوشید خود جامهٔ کارزار
“He sent off the baggage together with Manizheh, and donned his own garments of battle.”
#19
ببالا برآمد سپه را بدید
✦
خروشی چو شیر ژیان برکشید
“He ascended a high place, beheld the host, and let out a roar like a ferocious lion.”
#20
یکی داستان زد سوار دلیر
✦
که روبه چه سنجد بچنگال شیر
“The brave rider uttered a proverb: 'What is a fox weighed in the lion's claws?'”
#21
بگردان جنگاور آواز کرد
✦
که پیش آمد امروز ننگ و نبرد
“He called out to the warrior heroes: 'Today conflict and honor have come before us!'”
#22
کجا تیغ و ژوپین زهرآبدار
✦
کجا نیزه و گُرزهٔ گاوسار
“'Where are the poison-soaked swords and javelins? Where are the spears and ox-headed maces?'”
#23
هنرها کنون کرد باید پدید
✦
برین دشت‌بر کینه باید کشید
“'Prowess must now be shown; upon this plain, vengeance must be exacted!'”
#24
برآمد خروشیدن کرنای
✦
تهمتن برخش اندر آورد پای
“The roar of the war-horns arose, and Tahamtan put his foot into Rakhsh's stirrup.”
#25
ازان کوه سر سوی هامون کشید
✦
چو لشکر بتنگ اندر آمد پدید
“From that mountain he headed toward the plain; as the host came into close view,”
#26
کشیدند لشکر بران پهن جای
✦
بهرسو ببستند ز آهن سرای
“They drew up the army in that broad space, and on every side erected a fortress of iron.”
#27
بیاراست رستم یکی رزمگاه
✦
که از گرد اسبان هوا شد سیاه
“Rostam arranged a battlefield such that the sky grew black with the dust of horses.”
#28
ابر میمنه اشکش و گستهم
✦
سواران بسیار با او بهم
“Upon the right wing were Ashkash and Gustaham, with many horsemen alongside them.”
#29
چو رهام و چون زنگه بر میسره
✦
بخون داده مر جنگ را یکسره
“And on the left wing were Rohham and Zangeh, utterly dedicated to bloody war.”
#30
خود و بیژن گیو در قلبگاه
✦
نگهدار گردان و پشت سپاه
“Rostam himself and Bizhan son of Giv stood in the center, protecting the champions and backing the host.”
#31
پس پشت لشکر که بیستون
✦
حصاری ز شمشیر پیش اندرون
“Behind the army stood Mount Bisotun, with a rampart of swords extended before them.”
#32
چو افراسیاب آن سپه را بدید
✦
که سالارشان رستم آمد پدید
“When Afrasiab saw that host, and perceived that Rostam was their commander,”
#33
غمی گشت و پوشید خفتان جنگ
✦
سپه را بفرمود کردن درنگ
“He grew sorrowful, put on his battle armor, and ordered his host to pause.”
#34
برابر به‌آیین صفی برکشید
✦
هوا نیلگون شد زمین ناپدید
“He drew up a line opposite them in due order; the sky turned indigo and the earth vanished from view.”
#35
چپ لشکرش را بپیران سپرد
✦
سوی راستش را به هومان گرد
“He assigned the left wing of his army to Piran, and the right wing to the valiant Houman.”
#36
بگرسیوز و شیده قلب سپاه
✦
سپرد و همی کرد هر سو نگاه
“He entrusted the center to Garsivaz and Shideh, looking intently in every direction.”
#37
تهمتن همی گشت گرد سپاه
✦
ز آهن بکردار کوهی سیاه
“Tahamtan circled around his army, like a black mountain forged of iron.”
#38
فغان کرد کای ترک شوریده بخت
✦
که ننگی تو بر لشکر و تاج و تخت
“He shouted: 'O ill-fated Turk! You are a disgrace to your army, crown, and throne!'”
#39
ترا چون سواران دل جنگ نیست
✦
ز گردان لشکر ترا ننگ نیست
“'Since you have no heart for battle like warriors, do you feel no shame before the heroes of your host?'”
#40
که چندین بپیش من آیی بکین
✦
بمردان و اسبان بپوشی زمین
“'That you come against me in malice with such numbers, covering the earth with men and horses?'”
#41
چو در جنگ لشکر شود تیزچنگ
✦
همی پشت بینم ترا سوی جنگ
“'Yet whenever the army clashes fiercely in battle, I always see your back turned away from the fight!'”
#42
ز دستان تو نشنیدی آن داستان
✦
که دارد بیاد از گه باستان
“'Have you not heard that tale from Dastan (Zal), which he remembers from ancient times?'”
#43
که شیری نترسد ز یک دشت گور
✦
ستاره نتابد چو تابنده هور
“'That a lion fears not a field full of wild asses, and stars shine not when the radiant sun glows?'”
#44
بدرد دل و گوش غرم سترگ
✦
اگر بشنود نام چنگال گرگ
“'The heart and ear of a great mountain sheep will burst if it but hears the name of the wolf's claws!'”
#45
چو اندر هوا باز گسترد پر
✦
بترسد ز چنگال او کبک نر
“'When the falcon spreads its wings in the sky, the male partridge fears its sharp talons!'”
#46
نه روبه شود ز آزمودن دلیر
✦
نه گوران بسایند چنگال شیر
“A fox does not grow brave through testing, nor can wild asses wear down a lion's claws.”
#47
چو تو کس سبکسار خسرو مباد
✦
چو باشد دهد پادشاهی بباد
“May no monarch ever be as foolish and rash as you; for if one is, he will blow his kingdom to the wind.”
#48
بدین دشت و هامون تو از دست من
✦
رهایی نیابی بجان و بتن
“In this plain and desert, you shall not escape my hand, neither with your life nor your body.”
#49
چو این گفته بشنید ترک دژم
✦
بلرزید و برزد یکی تیز دم
“When the gloomy Turk heard these words, he trembled and let out a sharp, cold sigh.”
#50
برآشفت کای نامداران تور
✦
که این دشت جنگست گر جای سور
“Enraged, he cried out: "O renowned ones of Tur, is this plain a field of war or a place of celebration?"”
#51
بباید کشیدن درین رزم رنج
✦
که بخشم شما رابسی تاج و گنج
“"You must endure hardship in this battle, and in return, I shall grant you many crowns and treasures."”
#52
چو گفتار سالارشان شد بگوش
✦
زگردان لشکر برآمد خروش
“When the words of their commander reached their ears, a great shout arose from the warriors of the army.”
#53
چنان تیره‌گون شد ز گرد آفتاب
✦
که گفتی همی غرقه ماند در آب
“The sun became so darkened by the dust raised that you would say it was drowning in water.”
#54
ببستند بر پیل رویینه خم
✦
دمیدند شیپور با گاودم
“They fastened bronze drums onto the elephants and blew into horns and trumpet-pipes.”
#55
ز جوشن یکی بارهٔ آهنین
✦
کشیدند گردان بروی زمین
“Armed with coats of mail, the warriors drew up an iron wall across the face of the earth.”
#56
بجوشید دشت و بتوفید کوه
✦
ز بانگ سواران هر دو گروه
“The plain seethed and the mountain roared from the clamor of the horsemen of both armies.”
#57
درفشان بگرد اندرون تیغ تیز
✦
تو گفتی برآمد همی رستخیز
“Sharp swords gleamed inside the swirling dust; you would say that the Day of Resurrection had arrived.”
#58
همی گُرز بارید همچون تگرگ
✦
ابر جوشن و تیر و بر خود و ترگ
“Maces rained down like hail upon armors, arrows, helmets, and headpieces.”
#59
و زان رستمی اژدهافش درفش
✦
شده روی خورشید تابان بنفش
“And from Rustam's dragon-adorned banner, the face of the shining sun turned violet.”
#60
بپوشید روی هوا گرد پیل
✦
بخورشید گفتی براندود نیل
“The dust raised by elephants covered the sky; you would say indigo was smeared over the sun.”
#61
بهر سو که رستم برافگند رخش
✦
سران را سر از تن همی کرد بخش
“Whichever way Rustam spurred Rakhsh, he severed the heads of chieftains from their bodies.”
#62
به چنگ اندرون گُرزهٔ گاوسار
✦
بسان هیونی گسسته مهار
“With his ox-headed mace in hand, he charged like an untamed camel broken loose from its reins.”
#63
همی کشت و می‌بست در رزمگاه
✦
چو بسیار کرد از بزرگان تباه
“He kept slaying and binding enemies in the battlefield, and brought destruction upon many noble chiefs.”
#64
بقلب اندر آمد بکردار گرگ
✦
پراگنده کرد آن سپاه بزرگ
“He charged into the center of the army like a wolf and scattered that vast host.”
#65
برآمد چو باد آن سران را ز جای
✦
همان بادپایان فرخ همای
“The chieftains were swept away like the wind, along with their swift, auspicious steeds.”
#66
چو گرگین و رهام و فرهاد گرد
✦
چپ لشکر شاه توران ببرد
“Brave Gurgin, Rohham, and Farhad smashed the left wing of the King of Turan's army.”
#67
درآمد چو باد اشکش از دست راست
✦
ز گرسیوز تیغ‌زن کینه خواست
“Ashkash charged like the wind from the right flank, seeking vengeance against the swordsman Garsivaz.”
#68
بقلب اندرون بیژن تیزچنگ
✦
همی بزمگاه آمدش جای جنگ
“In the center, fierce Bijan fought so valiantly that the battlefield seemed to him like a banquet hall.”
#69
سران سواران چو برگ درخت
✦
فرو ریخت از بار و برگشت بخت
“The heads of the horsemen fell like leaves from a tree; their fortune turned and their power collapsed.”
#70
همه رزمگه سربسر جوی خون
✦
درفش سپهدار توران نگون
“The entire battlefield became a river of blood, and the banner of Turan's commander was cast down.”
#71
سپهدار چون بخت برگشته دید
✦
دلیران توران همه کشته دید
“When the commander saw that fortune had turned against him and all the brave warriors of Turan were slain,”
#72
بیفگند شمشیر هندی ز دست
✦
یکی اسب آسوده‌تر برنشست
“He dropped his Indian sword from his hand and mounted a fresher, swifter horse.”
#73
خود و ویژگان سوی توران شتافت
✦
کزایرانیان کام و کینه نیافت
“He fled toward Turan with his close companions, having failed to achieve his desire or revenge against the Iranians.”
#74
برفت از پسش رستم گرد گیر
✦
ببارید بر لشکرش گُرز و تیر
“Rustam the hero-capturer pursued him, raining down maces and arrows upon his retreating army.”
#75
دو فرسنگ چون اژدهای دژم
✦
همی مردم آهخت ازیشان بدم
“For two leagues, like an enraged dragon, Rustam drew their men into his maw with his deadly breath.”
#76
سواران جنگی ز توران هزار
✦
گرفتند زنده پس از کارزار
“One thousand warrior horsemen of Turan were captured alive after the battle.”
#77
بلشکرگه آمد ازان رزمگاه
✦
که بخشش کند خواسته بر سپاه
“Rustam returned to the camp from the battlefield to distribute the spoils of war among the army.”
#78
ببخشید و بنهاد بر پیل بار
✦
بپیروزی آمد بر شهریار
“He distributed the spoils, loaded them onto elephants, and came triumphantly before the King.”