Long eras rolled across the mortal realm, and the deep secrets of destiny began to unfold. Fereydun the Wise, the just Pishdadian monarch, reached the autumn of his long life, as the dust of old age settled upon his spring garden. As confusion and darkness shadowed human affairs, the fires of envy and avarice flared within the heart of Salm, Fereydun’s eldest son, who had been granted the rule of Rum and the West. Salm’s soul became drowned in greed, and he grew deeply bitter over his father’s division of the world, for Fereydun had bestowed the golden throne of Iran—the heart of the earth and the plain of heroes—upon his youngest and purest son, Iraj.
With a furrowed brow and a heart brimming with malice, Salm dispatched a swift courser to his middle brother, Tur, the ruler of Turan and China. Salm’s message incited Tur, questioning why he remained silent while their father had exalted the youngest brother above them both. When the envoy delivered Salm's words, Tur's brainless head filled with arrogant rage, and he erupted like a roaring lion. Tur declared that their father had deceived them in their youth, planting a tree whose sap was blood and whose leaves were bitter gall. He urged that the two brothers meet secretly to combine their forces from Rum and China.
Meeting far from the eyes of strangers, the two treacherous brothers mingled the honey of brotherhood with deadly poison. They selected an eloquent, sharp-witted Mobad as their emissary to bear a harsh and brazen ultimatum to King Fereydun. Salm instructed the messenger to ride with the speed of the wind, enter the royal court, and accuse their aging father of injustice and impiety. Their message claimed that Fereydun had abandoned equity by raising Iraj to the heavens while leaving them in the dust; unless Iraj was stripped of the Iranian crown and banished to a humble corner, the combined hosts of Rum and Turan would sweep over Iran and utterly destroy Iraj.
The envoy galloped until he reached Fereydun's sublime palace, whose battlements pierced the clouds, guarded by chained lions, leopards, and towering war-elephants, while the roars of mighty champions echoed through its gates. Upon entering, the messenger beheld Fereydun: a monarch with a face like the shining sun and hair as white as camphor, who received him with gentle speech and placed him upon a seat of honor. With trepidation, the envoy delivered the harsh words of the foolish princes. As Fereydun listened, his noble blood boiled with grief and anger, recognizing that Ahriman had seized control of his sons' souls.
Fereydun replied sternly, warning the messenger that evil fruit comes only from an evil root, for Greed had usurped the throne of Wisdom in their minds. He called the heavens and the earth to witness that his division of the world had been guided solely by truth, divine fear, and the counsel of astrologers and sages. Fereydun cautioned them that this world passes quickly, that he who sells his brother to the dust is devoid of pure lineage, and that those who sow malice shall reap only divine retribution. Stunned by the majesty and profound wisdom of the ancient king, the messenger bowed low and rode away swiftly like the wind to carry Fereydun's solemn rebuke back to the rebellious brothers.
#1
برآمد برین روزگار دراز
✦
زمانه به دل در همی داشت راز
“Time passed over this long stretch of years, while fortune hid its secrets deep within its heart.”
#2
فریدون فرزانه شد سالخورد
✦
به باغ بهار اندر آورد گرد
“The wise Fereydun grew advanced in years, and autumn dust settled upon the spring garden of his life.”
#3
برین گونه گردد سراسر سخن
✦
شود سست نیرو چو گردد کهن
“Such is the way of the world in every tale: strength grows feeble when old age arrives.”
#4
چو آمد به کاراندرون تیرگی
✦
گرفتند پرمایگان خیرگی
“As darkness and confusion entered into affairs, the noble ones fell into bewilderment and distress.”
#5
بجنبید مر سلم را دل ز جای
✦
دگرگونه‌تر شد به آیین و رای
“Salm’s heart stirred from its rightful place, and his counsel and custom transformed into evil.”
#6
دلش گشت غرقه به آزاندرون
✦
به اندیشه بنشست با رهنمون
“His heart drowned in the depths of greed; he sat in dark deliberation with his advisor.”
#7
نبودش پسندیده بخش پدر
✦
که داد او به کهتر پسر تخت زر
“He disapproved of his father’s division, who had bestowed the golden throne upon the youngest son.”
#8
به دل پر ز کین شد به رخ پر ز چین
✦
فرسته فرستاد زی شاه چین
“With a heart filled with malice and a face furrowed in anger, he dispatched an envoy to the Ruler of China.”
#9
فرستاد نزد برادر پیام
✦
که جاوید زی خرم و شادکام
“He sent word to his brother: 'May you live forever joyful, prosperous, and triumphant!'”
#10
بدان ای شهنشاه ترکان و چین
✦
گسسته دل روشن از به گزین
“'Know this, O Emperor of the Turks and China, your bright mind has turned away from choosing goodness.'”
#11
ز نیکی زیان کرده گویی پسند
✦
منش پست و بالا چو سرو بلند
“'You seem to prefer harm over benefit; your mind is low while your stature is tall as a cypress.'”
#12
کنون بشنو ازمن یکی داستان
✦
کزین گونه نشنیدی از باستان
“'Now listen to a tale from me, the likes of which you have never heard from ancient lore.'”
#13
سه فرزند بودیم زیبای تخت
✦
یکی کهتر از ما برآمد به بخت
“'We were three sons worthy of the throne, yet the youngest of us was elevated by fate to total fortune.'”
#14
اگر مهترم من به سال و خرد
✦
زمانه به مهر من اندر خورد
“'If I am older in years and wisdom, time should naturally align with my love and rule.'”
#15
گذشته ز من تاج و تخت و کلاه
✦
نزیبد مگر بر تو ای پادشاه
“'Since crown and throne have passed me by, they suit none better than you, O King!'”
#16
سزد گر بمانیم هر دو دژم
✦
کزین سان پدر کرد بر ما ستم
“'It is fitting that we both remain bitter, for our father has committed such injustice against us.'”
#17
چو ایران و دشت یلان و یمن
✦
به ایرج دهد روم و خاور به من
“'He gave Iran, the plain of heroes, and Yemen to Iraj, leaving Rum and the West for me.'”
#18
سپارد ترا مرز ترکان و چین
✦
که از تو سپهدار ایران زمین
“'He committed the realm of the Turks and China to you, making the Lord of Iran ruler over you.'”
#19
بدین بخشش اندر مرا پای نیست
✦
به مغز پدر اندرون رای نیست
“'I have no standing in this division; there is no wisdom left in our father's brain.'”
#20
هیون فرستاده بگزارد پای
✦
بیامد به نزدیک توران خدای
“The swift coursing messenger spurred his dromedary and came unto the ruler of Turan.”
#21
به خوبی شنیده همه یاد کرد
✦
سر تور بی‌مغز پرباد کرد
“He recounted gracefully all he had heard, filling the brainless head of Tur with arrogance.”
#22
چو این راز بشنید تور دلیر
✦
برآشفت ناگاه برسان شیر
“When brave Tur heard this secret, he flared up instantly like a raging lion.”
#23
چنین داد پاسخ که با شهریار
✦
بگو این سخن هم چنین یاد دار
“He answered thus: 'Tell the King, and keep this message firmly in your memory:'”
#24
که ما را به گاه جوانی پدر
✦
بدین گونه بفریفت ای دادگر
“'In our youth, our father deceived us in this manner, O just ruler!'”
#25
درختیست این خود نشانده بدست
✦
کجا آب او خون و برگش کبست
“'This is a tree he planted with his own hand, whose water is blood and whose leaf is bitter colocynth.'”
#26
ترا با من اکنون بدین گفت‌گوی
✦
بباید بروی اندر آورد روی
“'Now regarding this counsel, you and I must meet face to face.'”
#27
زدن رای هشیار و کردن نگاه
✦
هیونی فگندن به نزدیک شاه
“'We must deliberate wisely, examine the matter, and send a swift messenger to the King.'”
#28
زبان‌آوری چرب گوی از میان
✦
فرستاد باید به شاه جهان
“'An eloquent and sweet-talking speaker from among us must be sent to the King of the World.'”
#29
به جای زبونی و جای فریب
✦
نباید که یابد دلاور شکیب
“'Where there is weakness or deceit, a brave heart must not remain patient or quiet.'”
#30
نشاید درنگ اندرین کار هیچ
✦
کجا آید آسایش اندر بسیچ
“'Delay in this matter is not permissible; how can rest come when preparation is required?'”
#31
فرستاده چون پاسخ آورد باز
✦
برهنه شد آن روی پوشیده‌راز
“When the envoy brought back the response, the hidden secret was stripped bare.”
#32
برفت این برادر ز روم آن ز چین
✦
به زهر اندر آمیخته انگبین
“One brother marched from Rum and the other from China, mixing honey with deadly poison.”
#33
رسیدند پس یک به دیگر فراز
✦
سخن راندند آشکارا و راز
“They met each other in person and discussed matters both openly and in secret.”
#34
گزیدند پس موبدی تیزویر
✦
سخن گوی و بینادل و یادگیر
“They chose a sharp-witted Mobad—an eloquent, wise, and highly perceptive sage.”
#35
ز بیگانه پردخته کردند جای
✦
سگالش گرفتند هر گونه رای
“They cleared the council of strangers and engaged in all manner of counsel.”
#36
سخن سلم پیوند کرد از نخست
✦
ز شرم پدر دیدگان را بشست
“Salm began the speech first, washing his eyes clean of all shame toward his father.”
#37
فرستاده را گفت ره برنورد
✦
نباید که یابد ترا باد و گرد
“He said to the messenger: 'Traverse the road so fast that neither wind nor dust can catch you!'”
#38
چو آیی به کاخ فریدون فرود
✦
نخستین ز هر دو پسر ده درود
“'When you descend at Fereydun’s palace, first give greetings from both his sons.'”
#39
پس آنگه بگویش که ترس خدای
✦
بباید که باشد به هر دو سرای
“'Then tell him: "Fear of God must abide in the hearts of both worlds."'”
#40
جوان را بود روز پیری امید
✦
نگردد سیه ، مویِ گشته سپید
“'The youth hopes for old age; white hair does not turn black again.'”
#41
چه سازی درنگ اندرین جای تنگ
✦
که شد تنگ بر تو سرای درنگ
“'Why do you tarry in this narrow, fleeting place, when the house of delay has grown tight for you?'”
#42
جهان مرترا داد یزدان پاک
✦
ز تابنده خورشید تا تیره خاک
“'Holy God gave the world to you, from the shining sun down to the dark earth.'”
#43
همه بآرزو ساختی رسم و راه
✦
نکردی به فرمان یزدان نگاه
“'Yet you fashioned custom and law according to your own desires, paying no heed to God’s command!'”
#44
نجستی به جز کژی و کاستی
✦
نکردی به بخشش درون راستی
“'You sought nothing but crookedness and flaw, bringing no justice into your division.'”
#45
سه فرزند بودت خردمند و گرد
✦
بزرگ آمدت تیره بیدار خرد
“'You had three sons, all wise and brave, yet your darkened wisdom treated them with injustice.'”
#46
ندیدی هنر با یکی بیشتر
✦
کجا دیگری زو فرو برد سر
“Did you not see greater virtue in one, such that another had to bow his head before him?”
#47
یکی را دم اژدها ساختی
✦
یکی را به ابر اندر افراختی
“You made the breath of one a dragon's breath, and raised another up into the clouds.”
#48
یکی تاج بر سر ببالین تو
✦
برو شاد گشته جهان‌بین تو
“One wears a crown upon his head by your pillow, and your sight is delighted by him.”
#49
نه ما زو به مام و پدر کمتریم
✦
نه بر تخت شاهی نه اندر خوریم
“We are neither inferior to him in lineage, nor unfit for the royal throne.”
#50
ایا دادگر شهریار زمین
✦
برین داد هرگز مباد آفرین
“O just ruler of the earth, may praise never be given to such justice!”
#51
اگر تاج از آن تارک بی‌بها
✦
شود دور و یابد جهان زو رها
“Unless the crown is removed from that worthless head, and the world is freed from him,”
#52
سپاری بدو گوشه‌ای از جهان
✦
نشیند چو ما از تو خسته نهان
“And you assign him just a corner of the world, so he may sit hidden, wounded by you as we are,”
#53
و گرنه سواران ترکان و چین
✦
هم از روم گردان جوینده کین
“Otherwise, the horsemen of Turan and China, as well as the vengeance-seeking warriors of Rome,”
#54
فراز آورم لشگر گرزدار
✦
از ایران و ایرج برآرم دمار
“I shall bring forth an army wielding maces, and bring ruin upon Iran and Iraj!”
#55
چو بشنید موبد پیام درشت
✦
زمین را ببوسید و بنمود پشت
“When the priest heard the harsh message, he kissed the ground and turned his back.”
#56
بر آنسان به زین اندر آورد پای
✦
که از باد آتش بجنبد ز جای
“He mounted his saddle in such haste, as fire sparks and moves swiftly with the wind.”
#57
به درگاه شاه آفریدون رسید
✦
برآورده‌ای دید سر ناپدید
“He reached King Fereydun's court, and saw a towering palace whose summit was lost in the sky.”
#58
به ابر اندر آورده بالای او
✦
زمین کوه تا کوه پهنای او
“Its height reached into the clouds, and its width stretched from mountain to mountain.”
#59
نشسته به در بر گرانمایگان
✦
به پرده درون جای پرمایگان
“Noble lords were seated at the gate, while men of high merit dwelt within the inner curtains.”
#60
به یک دست بربسته شیر و پلنگ
✦
به دست دگر ژنده پیلان جنگ
“On one side lions and leopards were bound, and on the other stood fierce war elephants.”
#61
ز چندان گرانمایه گرد دلیر
✦
خروشی برآمد چو آوای شیر
“From so many noble and brave warriors, a shout arose like the roar of a lion.”
#62
سپهریست پنداشت ایوان به جای
✦
گران لشگری گرد او بر به پای
“He thought the palace was the celestial sphere itself, surrounded by a mighty, standing army.”
#63
برفتند بیدار کارآگهان
✦
بگفتند با شهریار جهان
“Vigilant heralds went in and informed the ruler of the world,”
#64
که آمد فرستاده‌ای نزد شاه
✦
یکی پرمنش مرد با دستگاه
“That an envoy had arrived before the king, a proud man of grand stature and dignity.”
#65
بفرمود تا پرده برداشتند
✦
بر اسپش ز درگاه بگذاشتند
“He commanded the curtain to be raised and permitted him to enter from the gate on horseback.”
#66
چو چشمش به روی فریدون رسید
✦
همه دیده و دل پر از شاه دید
“When his eyes fell upon Fereydun's face, his eyes and heart were filled with awe of the king.”
#67
به بالای سرو و چو خورشید روی
✦
چو کافور گرد گل سرخ موی
“With stature like a cypress, a face like the sun, and hair like white camphor surrounding a red rose.”
#68
دولب پر ز خنده دو رخ پر ز شرم
✦
کیانی زبان پر ز گفتار نرم
“His lips filled with smiles, his cheeks with modesty, his royal tongue filled with gentle speech.”
#69
نشاندش هم آنگه فریدون ز پای
✦
سزاوار کردش بر خویش جای
“Fereydun immediately asked him to dismount and granted him a place worthy of his rank near himself.”
#70
بپرسیدش از دو گرامی نخست
✦
که هستند شادان دل و تن‌درست
“First, he inquired of him about his two dear sons, asking if their hearts were happy and their bodies healthy.”
#71
دگر گفت کز راه دور و دراز
✦
شدی رنجه اندر نشیب و فراز
“Then he said, 'You must have suffered much hardship across ups and downs on this long journey.'”
#72
فرستاده گفت ای گرانمایه شاه
✦
ابی تو مبیناد کس پیش‌گاه
“The envoy replied, 'O noble King! May no one ever see the royal court without your presence!'”
#73
ز هر کس که پرسی به کام تواند
✦
همه پاک زنده به نام تواند
“Everyone you inquire about lives according to your desire; they all exist solely through your name.”
#74
منم بنده‌ای شاه را ناسزا
✦
چنین بر تن خویش ناپارسا
“I am an unworthy servant to the king, forced to bring a message unworthy of my own self.”
#75
پیامی درشت آوریده به شاه
✦
فرستنده پر خشم و من بیگناه
“I have brought a harsh message to the king; the sender is filled with wrath, while I am guiltless.”
#76
بگویم چو فرمایدم شهریار
✦
پیام جوانان ناهوشیار
“I shall deliver it if the ruler commands me—the message of foolish young men.”
#77
بفرمود پس تا زبان برگشاد
✦
شنیده سخن سر به سر کرد یاد
“The King then ordered him to speak, and he recounted everything he had heard from start to finish.”
#78
فریدون بدو پهن بگشاد گوش
✦
چو بشنید مغزش برآمد به جوش
“Fereydun listened intently to him; when he heard the message, his mind boiled with rage.”
#79
فرستاده را گفت کای هوشیار
✦
بباید ترا پوزش اکنون به کار
“He said to the messenger, 'O wise man, you need not offer apologies now;'”
#80
که من چشم از ایشان چنین داشتم
✦
همی بر دل خویش بگذاشتم
“'For I expected nothing else from them, and I have prepared my heart for this.'”
#81
که از گوهر بد نیاید مهی
✦
مرا دل همی داد این آگهی
“For greatness comes not from an evil nature; my own heart gave me this warning.”
#82
بگوی آن دو ناپاک بیهوده را
✦
دو اهریمن مغز پالوده را
“Say to those two impure, foolish men, those two Ahrimans devoid of wisdom:”
#83
انوشه که کردید گوهر پدید
✦
درود از شما خود بدین سان سزید
“Blessed be you for revealing your true nature! Truly, such greetings are most fitting from you.”
#84
ز پند من ار مغزتان شد تهی
✦
همی از خردتان نبود آگهی
“If your minds have become empty of my counsel, it is because you were devoid of wisdom's awareness.”
#85
ندارید شرم و نه بیم از خدای
✦
شما را همانا همین‌ست رای
“You feel neither shame nor fear of God; truly, this seems to be your sole disposition.”
#86
مرا پیشتر قیرگون بود موی
✦
چو سرو سهی قد و چون ماه روی
“In earlier days, my hair was pitch-black, my stature upright like a cypress, and my face like the bright moon.”
#87
سپهری که پشت مرا کرد کوز
✦
نشد پست و گردان بجایست نوز
“The revolving sphere that bent my back has not fallen low; it turns still in its eternal place.”
#88
خماند شما را هم این روزگار
✦
نماند برین گونه بس پایدار
“This same time will also bend your backs; it will not remain long in this present state.”
#89
بدان برترین نام یزدان پاک
✦
به رخشنده خورشید و بر تیره خاک
“By the supreme name of pure God, by the radiant sun, and by the dark earth,”
#90
به تخت و کلاه و به ناهید و ماه
✦
که من بد نکردم شما را نگاه
“By crown and throne, by Venus and the moon, I have never looked upon you with ill intent!”
#91
یکی انجمن کردم از بخردان
✦
ستاره شناسان و هم موبدان
“I assembled a council of the wise—astrologers and priests alike—”
#92
بسی روزگاران شدست اندرین
✦
نکردیم بر باد بخشش زمین
“Much time was spent in this deliberation; we did not divide the earth upon mere wind!”
#93
همه راستی خواستم زین سخن
✦
به کژی نه سر بود پیدا نه بن
“I sought nothing but truth in this matter; no trace of deceit was present, head or tail.”
#94
همه ترس یزدان بد اندر میان
✦
همه راستی خواستم در جهان
“The fear of God alone was central to my mind; I desired righteousness throughout the world.”
#95
چو آباد دادند گیتی به من
✦
نجستم پراگندن انجمن
“When the world was given to me flourishing, I did not seek to scatter its unity.”
#96
مگر همچنان گفتم آباد تخت
✦
سپارم به سه دیدهٔ نیک بخت
“Rather, I wished to pass this prosperous throne to my three fortunate eyes [sons].”
#97
شما را کنون گر دل از راه من
✦
به کژی و تاری کشید اهرمن
“If Ahriman has now led your hearts astray from my path into darkness and crookedness,”
#98
ببینید تا کردگار بلند
✦
چنین از شما کرد خواهد پسند
“Wait and see whether the Supreme Creator will approve of such deeds from you!”
#99
یکی داستان گویم ار بشنوید
✦
همان بر که کارید خود بدروید
“I shall tell a tale, if you will listen: whatever seed you sow, that very fruit you shall reap.”
#100
چنین گفت باما سخن رهنمای
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جزین است جاوید ما را سرای
“Thus spoke our guide to us: 'Our eternal dwelling lies beyond this transitory world.'”
#101
به تخت خرد بر نشست آزتان
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چرا شد چنین دیو انبازتان
“Your greed has usurped the throne of wisdom; why has the demon become your associate?”
#102
بترسم که در چنگ این اژدها
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روان یابد از کالبدتان رها
“I fear that in the clutches of this dragon, your souls will be freed from your bodies!”
#103
مرا خود ز گیتی گه رفتن است
✦
نه هنگام تندی و آشفتن است
“For me, the time has come to depart this world; it is no longer the hour for fury and agitation.”
#104
ولیکن چنین گوید آن سالخورد
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که بودش سه فرزند آزاد مرد
“Yet thus speaks that aged man who had three noble sons:”
#105
که چون آز گردد ز دلها تهی
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چه آن خاک و آن تاج شاهنشهی
“'When the heart is emptied of greed, pure dust and the royal crown become one and the same.'”
#106
کسی کو برادر فروشد به خاک
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سزد گر نخوانندش از آب پاک
“'Whoever trades his brother for dust deserves not to be called of pure origin.'”
#107
جهان چون شما دید و بیند بسی
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نخواهد شدن رام با هر کسی
“'The world has seen many like you and will see more; it will never yield submissively to anyone.'”
#108
کزین هر چه دانید از کردگار
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بود رستگاری به روز شمار
“'Of all you know of the Creator, only righteous deeds bring salvation on the Day of Reckoning.'”
#109
بجویید و آن توشهٔ ره کنید
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بکوشید تا رنج کوته کنید
“'Seek righteousness and make it your provision for the journey; strive to lessen grief and hardship.'”
#110
فرستاده بشنید گفتار اوی
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زمین را ببوسید و برگاشت روی
“The messenger heard his words, kissed the ground, and turned to depart.”
#111
ز پیش فریدون چنان بازگشت
✦
که گفتی که با باد انباز گشت
“He returned from Fereydoun's presence so swiftly that one would say he had partnered with the wind.”