Piran, commander of the Turanian forces, selected ten of his most renowned and fully armored knights, all lions of combat eagerly seeking renown. In response, Goudarz son of Kashvad summoned ten valiant young champions of Iran to step forth into the arena of doom. The two great warlords paired each Iranian warrior directly with a Turanian rival: Giv, burning with ancient rage, was matched against Garoy-e Zereh—the cursed villain upon whom lay the everlasting wrath of the Persian throne for holding the beard of innocent Prince Siyavash and severing his sacred head. Fariburz, son of King Kavus, moved against Kulbad; Rohham son of Goudarz faced the suspicious Barman; mighty Gorazeh clashed with the Turanian Siamak; battle-hardened Gorgin squared off against Andariman; bold Bizhan charged at Ruyin; Zangeh-ye Shavaran met Owhast; Bartah engaged Kahram; Furuhal faced Zangaleh; and the lion-hearted Hajir confronted Sipahram. Finally, the two supreme commanders—Goudarz and Piran—bound themselves for the eleventh and ultimate duel, their hearts filled with sorrow and vengeance for kingdom and holy duty. They swore a binding oath that neither would turn away until fate declared the victor of the day. Two high hills overlooking the vast plain were appointed as signposts—one for Iran and one for Turan—where any champion who overthrew his adversary would ride up to raise his battle flag. With swords, maces, bows, and lassos, the champions unleashed a cataclysmic clash across the open plain. So fierce was the turmoil and so heavy the hand of destiny that horses stumbled and warriors strained in an excruciating test of strength, bound by divine fate as the earth ran red with blood.
#1
سپهدار ترکان برآراست کار
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ز لشکر گزید آن زمان ده سوار
“The commander of the Turanians prepared for battle, choosing ten warriors from his host.”
#2
ابا اسب و ساز و سلیح تمام
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همه شیرمرد و همه نیک‌نام
“Equipped with steeds, armor, and complete weapons—all lion-hearted men of high renown.”
#3
همانگه ز ایران سپه پهلوان
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بخواند آن زمان ده سوار جوان
“Thereupon the champion of the Iranian army called forth ten young horsemen.”
#4
برون تاختند از میان سپاه
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برفتند یکسر به آوردگاه
“They rode out from the midst of the host and proceeded together into the arena of combat.”
#5
که دیدار دیده بر ایشان نبود
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دو سالار ز این گونه رزم آزمود
“Such a spectacle had never been witnessed by human eye; thus did the two warlords test the combat.”
#6
ابا هر سواری ز ایران سپاه
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ز توران یکی شد ورا رزم خواه
“With every single horseman of the Iranian host, an opponent from Turan stepped forward to seek battle.”
#7
نهادند پس گیو را با گروی
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که همزور بودند و پرخاشجوی
“They matched Giv against Garoy, for they were equal in strength and fierce in martial wrath.”
#8
گروی زره کز میان سپاه
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سراسر بر او بود نفرین شاه
“Garoy-e Zereh, upon whom from all the army lay the bitter curse of the King.”
#9
که بگرفت ریش سیاوش به دست
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سرش را برید از تن پاک پست
“For he had grasped the beard of Siyavash and severed his holy head from his vile body.”
#10
دگر با فریبرز کاوس تفت
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چو کلباد ویسه به آورد رفت
“Next, Fariburz son of Kavus rode swiftly to battle against Kulbad, son of Viseh.”
#11
چو رهام گودرز با بارمان
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برفتند یک با دگر بدگمان
“Then Rohham son of Goudarz and Barman went forth against each other with suspicious and wary minds.”
#12
گرازه بشد با سیامک به جنگ
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چو شیر ژیان با دمنده نهنگ
“Gorazeh went to war against Siamak, like a roaring lion against a raging sea-monster.”
#13
چو گرگین کارآزموده سوار
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که با اندریمان کند کارزار
“And Gorgin, the battle-tested knight, who stepped forth to wage war against Andariman.”
#14
ابا بیژن گیو رویین گرد
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به جنگ از جهان روشنایی ببرد
“Against Bizhan son of Giv stood the heroic Ruyin, their duel casting shadow over the light of the world.”
#15
چو او خواست با زنگه شاوران
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دگر برته با کهرم از یاوران
“Owhast was matched with Zangeh son of Shavaran, and Bartah with Kahram among the allies.”
#16
چو دیگر فروهل بد و زنگله
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برون تاختند از میان گله
“Next were Furuhal and Zangaleh, who rode out from the ranks into the arena.”
#17
هجیر و سپهرم به کردار شیر
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بدان رزمگاه اندر آمد دلیر
“Hajir and Sipahram, brave as lions, stepped valiantly into the battlefield.”
#18
چو گودرز کشواد و پیران به هم
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همه ساخته دل به درد و ستم
“Then Goudarz son of Kashvad and Piran faced one another, their hearts bound to grief and suffering.”
#19
میان بسته هر دو سپهبد به کین
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چه از پادشاهی چه از بهر دین
“Both warlords had bound their loins in vengeance, whether for the kingdom or for sacred faith.”
#20
بخوردند سوگند یک با دگر
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که کس برنگرداند از کینه سر
“They swore a solemn oath to one another that neither would turn his head away from vengeance.”
#21
بدان تا که را گردد امروز کار
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که پیروز برگردد از کارزار
“So that it might be seen whose turn victory would be today, and who would return triumphant from battle.”
#22
دو بالا بد اندر دو روی سپاه
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که شایست کردن به هرسو نگاه
“There were two high mounds on either side of the armies, affording a commanding view across the field.”
#23
یکی سوی ایران دگر سوی تور
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که دیدار بودی به لشکر ز دور
“One facing Iran and the other facing Tur, visible to the armies from afar.”
#24
به پیش اندرون بود هامون و دشت
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که تا زنده شایست بر وی گذشت
“Spread out before them lay the open plain and desert, where only the living might tread.”
#25
سپهدار گودرز کرد آن نشان
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که هر کو ز گردان گردنکشان
“The warlord Goudarz set this signal: that whichever of the proud champions...”
#26
به زیر آورد دشمنی را چو دود
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درفشی ز بالا برآرند زود
“Should bring down his enemy like smoke, he should swiftly raise his banner upon the high mound.”
#27
سپهدار پیران نشانی نهاد
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به بالای دیگر همین کرد یاد
“Commander Piran established the exact same signal upon the opposite height.”
#28
از آن پس به هامون نهادند سر
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به خون ریختن بسته گردان کمر
“Thereafter, they turned their faces toward the plain, the champions girded tight for bloodshed.”
#29
به تیغ و به گرز و به تیر و کمند
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همی آزمودند هرگونه بند
“With sword, mace, arrow, and lasso, they tested every manner of combat trick and snare.”
#30
دلیران توران و کنداوران
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ابا گرز و تیغ و پرندآوران
“The brave men of Turan and mighty heroes, wielding maces, swords, and shining steel.”
#31
که گر کوه پیش آمدی روز جنگ
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نبودی بر آن رزم کردن درنگ
“Such that if a mountain had stood before them on the battle day, they would not have hesitated to fight it.”
#32
همه دستهاشان فروماند پست
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در زور یزدان بر ایشان ببست
“Yet all their arms grew weary and failed, for God's divine might closed the door of strength upon them.”
#33
به دام بلا اندر آویختند
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که بسیار بیداد خون ریختند
“They became entangled in the snare of calamity, for they had shed much innocent blood.”
#34
فرومانده اسبان جنگی به جای
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تو گفتی که با دست بستست پای
“The warhorses stood paralyzed in their tracks, as though their legs were bound fast by hands.”
#35
بر ایشان همه راستی شد نگون
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که برگشت روز و بجوشید خون
“All righteousness was overturned for them, as fate turned away and blood boiled forth.”
#36
چنان خواست یزدان جان‌آفرین
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که گفتی گرفت آن گوان را زمین
“Such was the decree of Yazdan, Creator of life, that it seemed the very earth seized the champions.”
#37
ز مردی که بودند با بخت خویش
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برآویختند از پی تخت خویش
“In their manliness and bound to their fate, they wrestled fiercely for the sake of their throne.”
#38
سران از پی پادشاهی به جنگ
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بدادند جان از پی نام و ننگ
“The chieftains, fighting for sovereignty, gave up their lives for the sake of honor and fame.”
#39
دمان آمدند اندر آوردگاه
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ابا یکدگر ساخته کینه خواه
“Roaring they entered the arena, intent on seeking vengeance against one another.”