As the single combat between Rostam and the brazen-bodied Esfandiyar dragged on through the blistering heat, Zavareh, Rostam's fierce brother, brought forth the forces of Sistan, their hearts burning with vengeance. Riding up to the Iranian ranks, Zavareh taunted them, bellowing that Rostam would never be bound in chains, unleashing a torrent of fierce insult. Hearing these scornful words, Nush-Azar, the proud and valiant son of Esfandiyar, reined his steed forward. He warned the Sistanis that Prince Esfandiyar had not commanded them to waste their blades on lower champions, yet if they sought treacherous battle, they would find it in blood and steel.
With that defiance, full-scale battle erupted. Zavareh ordered the charge, and the two armies collided with thunderous cries. In the eye of the storm, Nush-Azar drew a Indian blade and charged Alvay—the renowned warrior who bore Rostam’s giant spear. With a single devastating strike, Nush-Azar cleaved Alvay’s elephant-like body in two. Enraged by the loss of Rostam’s trusted companion, Zavareh spurred his warhorse and drove his heavy spear deep into Nush-Azar’s chest, dropping the prince dead onto the dust.
At the sight of Nush-Azar’s fall, his brother Mehr-Nush wept bitter tears of rage and galloped into the fray. From the opposite side advanced Faramarz, Rostam's noble son, raging like a mad elephant. The two glorious young champions clashed violently. Mehr-Nush fought with desperate fury, but Faramarz struck down the prince’s steed, bringing him to the ground before finishing him in the crimson dust.
Bahman, another of Esfandiyar’s royal lineage, witnessed his two brothers lying dead in the mud. He sprinted toward Esfandiyar where the chief battle raged, crying out that both Nush-Azar and Mehr-Nush had been shamefully slain by the Sistani warriors. A volcanic fury surged within Esfandiyar; his eyes flushed with tears and his heart turned to molten rage. Turning upon Rostam, he cried out: 'Is this the oath of a hero? You swore your army would not join the fray, yet your men have slaughtered my sons!'
Rostam trembled like a tree in the wind at the horrific news. He swore upon his soul, upon the sun, and upon his sword that he had given no such order. In grief and desperate peacemaking, Rostam offered to bind the hands of his own brother Zavareh and his son Faramarz, delivering them into Esfandiyar’s hands to be executed for the dead princes. But Esfandiyar spurned the offer, declaring that spilling the blood of serpents could never compensate for the slaughter of royal peacocks. Vowing to pin Rostam and Rakhsh together with his arrows, Esfandiyar declared that Rostam’s end was at hand. Rostam, turning his heart toward God, prepared for the tragic culmination of their epic clash.
#1
بدانگه که رزم یلان شد دراز
✦
همی دیر شد رستم سرفراز
“When the battle of heroes dragged on long, and the exalted Rostam was delayed,”
#2
زواره بیاورد زان سو سپاه
✦
یکی لشکری داغ‌دل کینه‌خواه
“Zavareh brought up the army from that side—a vengeful legion with heart wounded by sorrow.”
#3
به ایرانیان گفت رستم کجاست
✦
برین روز بیهوده خامش چراست
“He spoke to the Iranians: 'Where is Rostam? Why are you standing silent on such a futile day?”
#4
شما سوی رستم به جنگ آمدید
✦
خرامان به چنگ نهنگ آمدید
“Have you come to battle Rostam? Proudly have you walked into the crocodile’s jaw!”
#5
همی دست رستم نخواهید بست
✦
برین رزمگه بر نشاید نشست
“You shall never bind Rostam's hands; it is unfit to remain seated upon this battlefield!'”
#6
زواره به دشنام لب برگشاد
✦
همی کرد گفتار ناخوب یاد
“Zavareh opened his lips in harsh reproach, uttering words bitter and foul.”
#7
برآشفت ازان پور اسفندیار
✦
سواری بد اسپ‌افگن و نامدار
“From those words, the son of Esfandiyar grew enraged—a famed rider who fell horsemen in battle.”
#8
جوانی که نوش آذرش بود نام
✦
سرافراز و جنگاور و شادکام
“A youth whose name was Nush-Azar, exalted, warlike, and triumphant.”
#9
برآشفت با سگزی آن نامدار
✦
زبان را به دشنام بگشاد خوار
“That famed youth flared in anger against the Sistani, opening his mouth in scornful rebuke.”
#10
چنین گفت کآری گو برمنش
✦
به فرمان شاهان کند بدکنش
“He said: 'Indeed, an arrogant champion acts wickedly only by royal decree!”
#11
نفرمود ما را یل اسفندیار
✦
چنین با سگان ساختن کارزار
“The hero Esfandiyar did not command us to wage battle against dogs like you!”
#12
که پیچد سر از رای و فرمان او
✦
که یارد گذشتن ز پیمان او
“Who would dare turn his head from his counsel, or break his sworn pact?”
#13
اگر جنگ بر نادرستی کنید
✦
به کار اندرون پیش دستی کنید
“If you wage war through deceit and take the lead in treachery,”
#14
ببینید پیکار جنگاوران
✦
به تیغ و سنان و به گرز گران
“Then behold the fight of warriors with blade, spear-point, and heavy mace!'”
#15
زواره بفرمود کاندر نهید
✦
سران را ز خون بر سر افسر نهید
“Zavareh commanded his men to charge, placing crowns of blood upon the leaders' heads.”
#16
زواره بیامد به پیش سپاه
✦
دهاده برآمد ز آوردگاه
“Zavareh came to the front of the host, and wild war-shouts rose from the battlefield.”
#17
بکشتند ز ایرانیان بی‌شمار
✦
چو نوش‌آذر آن دید بر ساخت کار
“Countless Iranians were slain; when Nush-Azar saw this, he readied himself for combat.”
#18
سمند سرافراز را بر نشست
✦
بیامد یکی تیغ هندی به دست
“He mounted his exalted steed, gripping an Indian sword in his hand.”
#19
یکی نامور بود الوای نام
✦
سرافراز و اسپ‌افگن و شادکام
“There was a famous hero named Alvay—exalted, horse-felling, and joyful.”
#20
کجا نیزهٔ رستم او داشتی
✦
پس پشت او هیچ نگذاشتی
“He carried Rostam's spear, never leaving his master's rear unguarded.”
#21
چو از دور نوش‌آذر او را بدید
✦
بزد دست و تیغ از میان برکشید
“When Nush-Azar saw him from afar, he reached out and drew his sword from his belt.”
#22
یکی تیغ زد بر سر و گردنش
✦
بدو نیمه شد پیل‌پیکر تنش
“He struck a blow upon his head and neck, cleaving his elephant-like body in two.”
#23
زواره برانگیخت اسپ نبرد
✦
به تندی به نوش‌آذر آواز کرد
“Zavareh spurred his war-horse, calling out fiercely to Nush-Azar:”
#24
که او را فگندی کنون پای دار
✦
چو الوای را من نخوانم سوار
“'You have felled him, now stand your ground! For I count Alvay as no ordinary rider!'”
#25
زواره یکی نیزه زد بر برش
✦
به خاک اندر آمد همانگه سرش
“Zavareh struck a spear upon his chest, and instantly his head tumbled into the dust.”
#26
چو نوش‌آذر نامور کشته شد
✦
سپه را همه روز برگشته شد
“When the famed Nush-Azar was slain, fortune turned bitter for his host.”
#27
برادرش گریان و دل پر ز جوش
✦
جوانی که بد نام او مهرنوش
“His brother wept, his heart boiling with anguish—a youth whose name was Mehr-Nush.”
#28
غمی شد دل مرد شمشیرزن
✦
برانگیخت آن بارهٔ پیلتن
“Grief seized the heart of that swordsman; he spurred his elephant-bodied steed.”
#29
برفت از میان سپه پیش صف
✦
ز درد جگر بر لب آورده کف
“He rode forth from the middle of the host to the front rank, foam on his lips from the agony in his liver.”
#30
وزان سو فرامرز چون پیل مست
✦
بیامد یکی تیغ هندی به دست
“And from that side came Faramarz like a furious elephant, an Indian sword in hand.”
#31
برآویخت با او همی مهرنوش
✦
دو رویه ز لشکر برآمد خروش
“Mehr-Nush clashed with him, and shouts arose from both armies.”
#32
گرامی دو پرخاشجوی جوان
✦
یکی شاهزاده دگر پهلوان
“Two noble, battle-seeking youths—one a prince, the other a champion hero.”
#33
چو شیران جنگی برآشوفتند
✦
همی بر سر یکدگر کوفتند
“Like warring lions they raged, striking heavily at one another.”
#34
در آوردگه تیز شد مهرنوش
✦
نبودش همی با فرامرز توش
“In the battle-field Mehr-Nush pressed hard, but he lacked the power to overcome Faramarz.”
#35
بزد تیغ بر گردن اسپ خویش
✦
سر بادپای اندرافگند پیش
“Faramarz struck his blade upon Mehr-Nush's horse's neck, bringing the swift steed's head down before him.”
#36
فرامرز کردش پیاده تباه
✦
ز خون لعل شد خاک آوردگاه
“Faramarz destroyed him on foot; the soil of the battle-field turned ruby-red with blood.”
#37
چو بهمن برادرش را کشته دید
✦
زمین زیر او چون گل آغشته دید
“When Bahman saw his brother slain, and the ground beneath him soaked like clay with blood,”
#38
بیامد دوان نزد اسفندیار
✦
به جایی که بود آتش کارزار
“He came running to Esfandiyar, right where the fire of battle burned bright.”
#39
بدو گفت کای نره شیر ژیان
✦
سپاهی به جنگ آمد از سگزیان
“He said to him: 'O fierce male lion! An army of Sistanis has entered the fray!”
#40
دو پور تو نوش‌آذر و مهرنوش
✦
به خواری به سگزی سپردند هوش
“Your two sons, Nush-Azar and Mehr-Nush, have shamefully yielded their lives to the Sistani!”
#41
تو اندر نبردی و ما پر ز درد
✦
جوانان و کی‌زادگان زیر گرد
“You are locked in duel while we are filled with grief; the youths of royal blood lie under dust!”
#42
برین تخمه این ننگ تا جاودان
✦
بماند ز کردار نابخردان
“This shame shall remain upon our lineage forever, brought by the deeds of unwise men!'”
#43
دل مرد بیدارتر شد ز خشم
✦
پر از تاب مغز و پر از آب چشم
“The warrior's heart grew even more awake with rage; his brain blazed with frenzy, his eyes filled with tears.”
#44
به رستم چنین گفت کای بدنشان
✦
چنین بود پیمان گردنکشان
“He spoke thus to Rostam: 'O ill-omened one! Was this the covenant of exalted champions?”
#45
تو گفتی که لشکر نیارم به جنگ
✦
ترا نیست آرایش نام و ننگ
“You swore you would not bring an army to fight—you have no care for name or honor!”
#46
نداری ز من شرم وز کردگار
✦
نترسی که پرسند روز شمار
“Have you no shame before me or the Creator? Fear you not the reckoning on Judgment Day?”
#47
ندانی که مردان پیمان‌شکن
✦
ستوده نباشد بر انجمن
“Know you not that men who break their solemn pledge shall never be praised in the assembly of noble men?”
#48
دو سگزی دو پور مرا کشته‌اند
✦
بران خیرگی باز برگشته‌اند
“Two Sistanis have slain my two young sons, and in their folly have retreated to your side.”
#49
چو بشنید رستم غمی گشت سخت
✦
بلرزید برسان شاخ درخت
“When Rostam heard this, a profound sorrow seized his heart, and he trembled like the branch of a tree.”
#50
به جان و سر شاه سوگند خورد
✦
به خورشید و شمشیر و دشت نبرد
“He swore a solemn oath by the life and head of the king, by the sun, the sword, and the field of battle,”
#51
که من جنگ هرگز نفرموده‌ام
✦
کسی کین چنین کرد نستوده‌ام
“That I never ordered such a fight, nor have I ever praised anyone who committed such a deed.”
#52
ببندم دو دست برادر کنون
✦
گر او بود اندر بدی رهنمون
“I will bind both hands of my brother Zavareh at once, if indeed he was the guide unto this evil.”
#53
فرامرز را نیز بسته دو دست
✦
بیارم بر شاه یزدان‌پرست
“Faramarz too shall I bring with bound hands before the God-worshipping king.”
#54
به خون گرانمایگانشان بکش
✦
مشوران ازین رای بیهوده هش
“Slay them in retribution for the blood of your noble sons; do not disturb your intellect with this futile rage.”
#55
چنین گفت با رستم اسفندیار
✦
که بر کین طاوس نر خون مار
“Thus answered Esfandiyar to Rostam: That for the blood of a male peacock, shedding the blood of a snake,”
#56
بریزیم ناخوب و ناخوش بود
✦
نه آیین شاهان سرکش بود
“Is unseemly and unworthy, nor is it the custom of proud, exalted sovereigns.”
#57
تو ای بدنشان چارهٔ خویش ساز
✦
که آمد زمانت به تنگی فراز
“O ill-omened man, seek now a remedy for your own fate, for your final hour has drawn close and tight.”
#58
بر رخش با هردو رانت به تیر
✦
برآمیزم اکنون چو با آب شیر
“With an arrow, I shall pin both your thighs to Rakhsh, blending them together like milk with water.”
#59
بدان تا کس از بندگان زین سپس
✦
نجویند کین خداوند کس
“So that from this day forth, no servant shall ever seek vengeance against his lord and master.”
#60
وگر زنده مانی ببندمت چنگ
✦
به نزدیک شاهت برم بی‌درنگ
“And if you remain alive, I shall bind your hands and bear you without delay before the King.”
#61
بدو گفت رستم کزین گفت و گوی
✦
چه باشد مگر کم شود آبروی
“Rostam replied to him: What shall come of all this harsh talk, save that our honor be diminished?”
#62
به یزدان پناه و به یزدان گرای
✦
که اویست بر نیک و بد رهنمای
“Seek refuge in God and turn your heart to Him, for He alone is the true guide over all good and evil.”