Forty years before the decreed end of Zahhak's tyrannical reign, the shadows of fate began to close around his realm. On a prolonged night, while slumbers wrapped the serpent-king as he lay beside Queen Arnavaz, a harrowing vision shattered his sleep. In his nightmare, three exalted warriors emerged suddenly from the royal palace—two elder kings and between them a younger prince of cypress stature and divine glory. The youth bore a heavy mace shaped like the head of a bull; he charged Zahhak with fierce fury, struck him down, cast a heavy halter around his neck, and dragged him bound and humiliated toward Mount Damavand.
Zahhak let out a terror-stricken shriek that made the palace of a hundred columns tremble to its foundations. The sun-faced Arnavaz leapt up in alarm, comforting the trembling tyrant and begging him to reveal what dread vision had shaken his soul. Zahhak confessed his dream, fearing that its retelling would strip away his very spirit. Arnavaz wise and reassuring, reminded him that the seven climes rested beneath his seal ring, obeying his command over demons, spirits, and mortals alike. She advised him to summon all Mobads, astrologers, and sorcerers across the empire to decipher the dream and find a remedy.
When the dawn unraveled its ruby rays across the azure dome, Zahhak gathered the wisest sages of the realm. He bared his heart's trauma and demanded to know when his rule would end and who would inherit the crown. For three days, the Mobads stood mute, frozen by fear; to speak the bitter truth meant instant death, yet to conceal it meant absolute ruin under the tyrant's wrath.
On the fourth day, as Zahhak's anger flared, a courageous Mobad named Zirak stepped forward. He reminded the king of mortality's relentless law and boldly unveiled the decree of the heavens: a radiant hero named Fereydun would soon be born. Fereydun would grow like a fruitful tree, wield a bull-headed mace, avenge his father and his beloved foster-nurse—the noble cow Barmayeh—and strike down Zahhak, binding him in irons. Upon hearing the name of Fereydun and his terrifying destiny, Zahhak collapsed unconscious from his throne. Awakening to despair, he launched a relentless search across every realm to find the child Fereydun, as his bright days turned to dark despair.
#1
چو از روزگارش چهل سال ماند
✦
نگر تا به سر برش یزدان چه راند
“When forty years remained of his allotted reign, behold what God brought down upon his head.”
#2
در ایوان شاهی شبی دیر یاز
✦
به خواب اندرون بود با ارنواز
“In the royal palace on a prolonged night, he lay asleep beside Arnavaz.”
#3
چنان دید کز کاخ شاهنشهان
✦
سه جنگی پدید آمدی ناگهان
“He saw in a dream that from the palace of kings, three noble warriors suddenly appeared.”
#4
دو مهتر یکی کهتر اندر میان
✦
به بالای سرو و به فرّ کیان
“Two elders with a younger one in their midst, towering like cypresses and possessing royal grace.”
#5
کمر بستن و رفتن شاهوار
✦
به چنگ اندرون گُرزهٔ گاوسار
“Girded for battle, walking with kingly strides, holding in his grip a bull-headed mace.”
#6
دمان پیش ضحاک رفتی به جنگ
✦
نهادی به گردن برش پالهنگ
“Fiercely he advanced to battle against Zahhak, and bound a heavy halter around his neck.”
#7
همی تاختی تا دماوند کوه
✦
کشان و دوان از پس اندر گروه
“He drove him along as far as Mount Damavand, dragging him bound while a crowd followed behind.”
#8
بپیچید ضحاک بیدادگر
✦
بدرّیدش از هول گفتی جگر
“The unjust Zahhak writhed in terror, so filled with dread that his heart seemed torn asunder.”
#9
یکی بانگ بر زد به خواب اندرون
✦
که لرزان شد آن خانهٔ صدستون
“He uttered such a shriek in his slumber that the hundred-columned palace trembled.”
#10
بجَستند خورشیدرویان ز جای
✦
از آن غلغل نامور کدخدای
“The sun-faced maidens leapt from their places at the terrifying clamor of the renowned master.”
#11
چنین گفت ضحاک را ارنواز
✦
که شاها چه بودت نگویی به راز
“Arnavaz spoke thus to Zahhak: 'O King! What has befallen thee that thou wilt not share thy secret?'”
#12
که خفته به آرام در خان خویش
✦
بر این سان بترسیدی از جان خویش
“'Thou who wert resting peacefully in thine own abode, why hast thou feared for thy life in this manner?'”
#13
زمین هفت کشور به فرمان تو است
✦
دد و دام و مردم به پیمان تو است
“'The earth's seven climes are under thy command; beast, wild animal, and man are bound to thy covenant.'”
#14
به خورشیدرویان جهاندار گفت
✦
که چونین شگفتی بشاید نهفت
“The ruler of the world said to those sun-faced ones: 'Such a wonder cannot remain hidden.'”
#15
که گر از من این داستان بشنوید
✦
شودتان دل از جان من ناامید
“'For if ye hear this tale from me, thy hearts will despair of my life.'”
#16
به شاه گرانمایه گفت ارنواز
✦
که بر ما بباید گشادنت راز
“Arnavaz said to the exalted king: 'Thou must reveal this secret unto us.'”
#17
توانیم کردن مگر چاره‌ای
✦
که بی‌چاره‌ای نیست پتیاره‌ای
“'Perchance we can devise a remedy, for no calamity exists without a cure.'”
#18
سپهبد گشاد آن نهان از نهفت
✦
همه خواب یک یک بدیشان بگفت
“The leader revealed that which was hidden, telling them his nightmare word by word.”
#19
چنین گفت با نامور ماهروی
✦
که مگذار این را ره چاره جوی
“The moon-faced lady spoke to the renowned king: 'Leave not this matter without seeking a remedy.'”
#20
نگین زمانه سر تخت تو است
✦
جهان روشن از نامور بخت تو است
“'The ring of the age is the head of thy throne, and the world is illuminated by thy glorious fortune.'”
#21
تو داری جهان زیر انگشتری
✦
دد و مردم و مرغ و دیو و پری
“'Thou holdest the world beneath thy signet—beast, man, bird, demon, and fairy.'”
#22
ز هر کشوری گِرد کن مهتران
✦
از اخترشناسان و افسونگران
“'Gather the leaders from every land, including astrologers and sorcerers.'”
#23
سخن سربه‌سر موبدان را بگوی
✦
پژوهش کن و راستی بازجوی
“'Tell the tale in full to the Mobads; investigate and seek out the truth.'”
#24
نگه کن که هوش تو بر دست کیست
✦
ز مردم شمار ار ز دیو و پریست
“'Look and see by whose hand thy doom shall be—whether from among mortals, demons, or fairies.'”
#25
چو دانسته شد چاره ساز آن زمان
✦
به خیره مترس از بد بدگمان
“'Once it is known, apply the cure; fear not in vain the evil of bad omens.'”
#26
شه پر منش را خوش آمد سخن
✦
که آن سرو سیمین برافگند بن
“The ambitious king was pleased by her words, for that silver-stemmed cypress had guided him well.”
#27
جهان از شب تیره چون پرّ زاغ
✦
همانگه سر از کوه بر زد چراغ
“When the dark night was like a raven's wing, the lamp of morning raised its head from the mountain.”
#28
تو گفتی که بر گنبد لاژورد
✦
بگسترد خورشید یاقوت زرد
“Thou wouldst say the sun spread yellow rubies over the dome of lapis lazuli.”
#29
سپهبد به هر جا که بد موبدی
✦
سخن دان و بیداردل بخردی
“The leader summoned every Mobad from across the realm—eloquent, vigilant, and wise.”
#30
ز کشور به نزدیک خویش آورید
✦
بگفت آن جگرخسته خوابی که دید
“Brought them to his presence from every country, and told them, with a wounded heart, the dream he had seen.”
#31
نهانی سخن کردشان آشکار
✦
ز نیک و بد و گردش روزگار
“He made public his hidden thoughts, speaking of good and evil and the turn of fate.”
#32
که بر من زمانه کی آید بسر
✦
که را باشد این تاج و تخت و کمر
“'When will my time come to an end? Who shall possess this crown, throne, and belt?'”
#33
گر این راز با من بباید گشاد
✦
و گر سر به خواری بباید نهاد
“'Whether this secret must be revealed to me, or if my head must be laid low in ignominy.'”
#34
لب موبدان خشک و رخساره تر
✦
زبان پر ز گفتار با یکدگر
“The Mobads' lips turned dry and their faces wet with sweat; they spoke to one another in whispers.”
#35
که گر بودنی باز گوییم راست
✦
به جانست پیکار و جان بی‌بهاست
“'For if we tell the truth of what must be, our fight is with life, and life is precious.'”
#36
و گر نشنود بودنی‌ها درست
✦
بباید هم اکنون ز جان دست شست
“'And if he hears not the truth of what is destined, one must at once wash one's hands of life.'”
#37
سه روز اندر این کار شد روزگار
✦
سخن کس نیارست کرد آشکار
“Three days passed in this predicament; no one dared to speak the secret aloud.”
#38
به روز چهارم برآشفت شاه
✦
بر آن موبدان نماینده راه
“On the fourth day, the king grew enraged at those guide-mobads.”
#39
که گر زنده‌تان دار باید بسود
✦
و گر بودنی‌ها بباید نمود
“'Saying: If ye wish to remain alive, ye must reveal what is destined to be!'”
#40
همه موبدان سرفگنده نگون
✦
پر از هول دل، دیدگان پر ز خون
“All the Mobads hung their heads low, their hearts filled with terror, their eyes filled with blood.”
#41
از آن نامداران بسیار هوش
✦
یکی بود بینادل و تیزگوش
“Among those renowned men of great intelligence, there was one insightful and sharp-eared.”
#42
خردمند و بیدار و زیرک به نام
✦
کز آن موبدان او زدی پیش گام
“Wise, vigilant, and clever by nature, who stepped forward ahead of the other Mobads.”
#43
دلش تنگ‌تر گشت و ناباک شد
✦
گشاده زبان پیش ضحاک شد
“His heart grew resolute and fearless; he opened his tongue before Zahhak.”
#44
بدو گفت پردخته کن سر ز باد
✦
که جز مرگ را کس ز مادر نزاد
“He said to him: 'Empty thy head of pride, for no one born of mother has escaped death.'”
#45
جهاندار پیش از تو بسیار بود
✦
که تخت مهی را سزاوار بود
“'There were many rulers of the world before thee who were worthy of the grand throne.'”
#46
فراوان غم و شادمانی شمرد
✦
برفت و جهان دیگری را سپرد
“He recounted many a sorrow and joy of time past, then passed away and left the world to another.”
#47
اگر بارهٔ آهنینی به پای
✦
سپهرت بساید نمانی به جای
“Though you should build a stronghold of iron, when fate grinds against you, you shall not endure.”
#48
کسی را بود زین سپس تخت تو
✦
به خاک اندر آرد سر و بخت تو
“Hereafter, another shall claim your throne, casting your head and your fortune down into the dust.”
#49
کجا نام او آفریدون بود
✦
زمین را سپهری همایون بود
“His name shall be Fereydun, and he shall be an auspicious heaven unto the earth.”
#50
هنوز آن سپهبد ز مادر نزاد
✦
نیامد گه پرسش و سرد باد
“That noble commander is not yet born of his mother; the hour for questioning him and exhaling cold sighs has not yet come.”
#51
چو او زاید از مادر پرهنر
✦
به سان درختی شود بارور
“When he is born from his virtuous mother, he shall grow and flourish like a fruit-bearing tree.”
#52
به مردی رسد بر کشد سر به ماه
✦
کمر جوید و تاج و تخت و کلاه
“Reaching manhood, his head shall touch the moon; he will lay claim to belt, crown, throne, and royal helmet.”
#53
به بالا شود چون یکی سرو بُرز
✦
به گردن برآرد ز پولاد گُرز
“He will grow tall as a towering cypress, resting a mace of hardened steel upon his shoulder.”
#54
زند بر سرت گُرزهٔ گاوسار
✦
بگیردت زار و ببنددت خوار
“He shall strike your head with his ox-headed mace; he will capture you miserably and bind you in disgrace.”
#55
بدو گفت ضحاک ناپاک دین
✦
چرا بنددم از منش چیست کین
“Then Zahhak of evil faith asked him: "Why should he bind me? What grudge does he hold against me?"”
#56
دلاور بدو گفت گر بخردی
✦
کسی بی‌بهانه نسازد بدی
“The brave seer replied to him: "If thou art wise, know that no man commits evil without a cause."”
#57
برآید به دست تو هوش پدرش
✦
از آن درد گردد پر از کینه سرش
“His father's death shall come at your hands, and from that pain, his mind will burn with vengeance.”
#58
یکی گاو برمایه خواهد بدن
✦
جهانجوی را دایه خواهد بدن
“There shall be a wondrous cow named Barmayeh, who will serve as a nurse to that world-conquering hero.”
#59
تبه گردد آن هم به دست تو بر
✦
بدین کین کِشد گُرزهٔ گاوسر
“She too shall be slain by your hand; and in revenge for this, he will raise his ox-headed mace against you.”
#60
چو بشنید ضحاک بگشاد گوش
✦
ز تخت اندر افتاد و زو رفت هوش
“When Zahhak heard this and took it in, he collapsed from his throne and lost his senses.”
#61
گرانمایه از پیش تخت بلند
✦
بتابید روی از نهیب گزند
“The noble mobad turned his face from the high throne, fleeing in fear of coming harm.”
#62
چو آمد دل نامور باز جای
✦
به تخت کیان اندر آورد پای
“When the famous king regained his senses, he once more mounted the royal throne of Kayanid kings.”
#63
نشان فریدون به گرد جهان
✦
همی باز جست آشکار و نهان
“He searched throughout the world for traces of Fereydun, both openly and in secret.”
#64
نه آرام بودش نه خواب و نه خورد
✦
شده روز روشن بر او لاژورد
“He knew no rest, no sleep, nor food; the bright day turned dark as lapis lazuli for him.”