Driven by deceit and a heart poisoned with malice, the King of Kabul rode swiftly to the designated hunting grounds accompanied by a battalion of ditch-diggers. Across the length and breadth of the plain, hidden beneath the trodden tracks, they dug deep pits. Within their depths, they embedded upright sharp blades, javelins, and ruthless swords, concealing the deadly openings with brushwood and dried grass so cleverly that neither human eye nor beast could perceive the trap. Learning that Rostam had set out without his army, Shaghad dispatched a swift rider to instruct the King to put his fraudulent plan into motion.
The lord of Kabul marched out from the city. The moment his gaze met the imposing stature of Tahamtan, he dismounted his steed, cast aside his Indian turban, pulled off his boots, and walked barefoot with tears flowing like blood from his eyes. He pressed his face against the dark earth, begging forgiveness for Shaghad's insolence and pleading that his transgressions were merely the folly of drunkenness. The noble and open-hearted Rostam pitied him, pardoned his offense, and even elevated his royal standing.
The King then escorted Rostam to a verdant paradise near Kabul—a sanctuary filled with bubbling springs and shady trees. There, they spread a grand banquet, setting out fine wines and calling forth minstrels. Amidst the feasting, the King painted glowing pictures of a magical hunting ground teeming with wild sheep, gazelles, and wild asses, kindling Rostam's passion for the chase. Unwittingly, Rostam succumbed to the temptation, for when the appointed hour of Fate approaches, the human heart wavers and the eye of wisdom is struck blind. Before the inescapable hand of Death, the elephant and the gnat, the leopard of the plain and the sea-monster share the exact same fate.
At dawn, Rostam ordered Rakhsh to be saddled and the hunting falcons readied. Stringing his royal Kianian bow, he rode out alongside Shaghad, his brother Zavareh, and a select retinue of nobles. As the hunting party dispersed across the field, Destiny steered Rostam and Zavareh directly along the fatal path riddled with hidden pits.
As the mighty Rakhsh approached the concealed traps, his keen senses caught the fresh odor of newly turned soil. Terrified by the scent of danger beneath, the noble steed curled his body, balked, and tore at the turf with his hooves, refusing to advance. But Fate had cast a shroud over Rostam’s wisdom; enraged by Rakhsh’s sudden hesitation, the champion raised his whip and struck his loyal mount to force him forward.
Trapped in the tight space between two hidden pits and seeking desperately for a path of escape, Rakhsh lunged forward. In an instant, his forelegs gave way and he plunged straight into the pit. The bottom was a forest of upturned spears and razor-sharp blades. The flank of the mighty steed was torn open, and the lethal steel pierced deep into the chest and limbs of the great champion. Yet, through supreme, superhuman resolve, Rostam summoned his remaining strength and dragged his mangled, bleeding body up from the depths of the pit onto the brink.
#1
بداختر چو از شهر کابل برفت
✦
بدان دشت نخچیر شد شاه تفت
“As the ill-fated King departed from Kabul, he hurried swiftly to the hunting plain.”
#2
ببرد از میان لشکری چاه‌کن
✦
کجا نام بردند زان انجمن
“He took with him a force of ditch-diggers from his army, men whose names were renowned in that assembly.”
#3
سراسر همه دشت نخچیرگاه
✦
همه چاه بد کنده در زیر راه
“Across the entire expanse of the hunting ground, pits had been dug directly beneath the paths.”
#4
زده حربه‌ها را بن اندر زمین
✦
همان نیز ژوپین و شمشیر کین
“At the bottom of the pits they fixed sharp weapons, javelins, and swords of vengeance.”
#5
به خاشاک کرده سر چاه کور
✦
که مردم ندیدی نه چشم ستور
“They covered the pit-mouths with dried straw, so concealed that neither human eye nor horse could spot them.”
#6
چو رستم دمان سر برفتن نهاد
✦
سواری برافگند پویان شغاد
“When Rostam resolutely prepared to set forth, Shaghad dispatched a rider in all haste,”
#7
که آمد گو پیلتن بی سپاه
✦
بیا پیش وزان کرده زنهار خواه
“To convey: 'The elephant-bodied hero approaches without a host; come forward and beg for quarter for what was done.'”
#8
سپهدار کابل بیامد ز شهر
✦
زبان پرسخن دل پر از کین و زهر
“The commander of Kabul came out from the city, his tongue brimming with sweet words, but his heart full of hatred and venom.”
#9
چو چشمش به روی تهمتن رسید
✦
پیاده شد از باره کو را بدید
“When his eyes fell upon the face of Tahamtan, he dismounted from his horse upon seeing him.”
#10
ز سرشارهٔ هندوی برگرفت
✦
برهنه شد و دست بر سر گرفت
“He took off his Indian turban, bare-headed, and placed his hands upon his head in surrender.”
#11
همان موزه از پای بیرون کشید
✦
به زاری ز مژگان همی خون کشید
“He pulled off his boots from his feet and wept tears of blood in feigned lamentation.”
#12
دو رخ را به خاک سیه بر نهاد
✦
همی کرد پوزش ز کار شغاد
“He pressed both cheeks against the black dust, repeatedly offering excuses for Shaghad's behavior,”
#13
که گر مست شد بنده از بیهشی
✦
نمود اندران بیهشی سرکشی
“Saying: 'If your servant became intoxicated and senseless, showing insolence in his drunkenness,'”
#14
سزد گر ببخشی گناه مرا
✦
کنی تازه آیین و راه مرا
“'It is fitting that you pardon my sin and renew your customary favor toward me.'”
#15
همی رفت پیشش برهنه دو پای
✦
سری پر ز کینه دلی پر ز رای
“He walked barefoot before Rostam, his head filled with malice and his heart full of scheming plots.”
#16
ببخشید رستم گناه ورا
✦
بیفزود زان پایگاه ورا
“Rostam forgave his offense and elevated his rank and honor even further.”
#17
بفرمود تا سر بپوشید و پای
✦
به زین بر نشست و بیامد ز جای
“He ordered him to cover his head and feet, mount his saddle, and set forth.”
#18
بر شهر کابل یکی جای بود
✦
ز سبزی زمینش دلارای بود
“Near the city of Kabul there was a place, enchanting to the heart with its green landscape.”
#19
بدو اندرون چشمه بود و درخت
✦
به شادی نهادند هرجای تخت
“Within it were natural springs and shady trees; there they gladly set up thrones of feast.”
#20
بسی خوردنیها بیاورد شاه
✦
بیاراست خرم یکی جشنگاه
“The King brought forth abundant feasts and adorned a delightfully joyful celebration.”
#21
می آورد و رامشگران را بخواند
✦
مهان را به تخت مهی بر نشاند
“He offered wine, summoned the musicians, and seated the nobles upon grand thrones.”
#22
ازان پس به رستم چنین گفت شاه
✦
که چون رایت آید به نخچیرگاه
“Thereafter, the King spoke thus to Rostam: 'Whenever your mind inclines toward the hunting field,'”
#23
یکی جای دارم برین دشت و کوه
✦
به هر جای نخچیر گشته گروه
“'I know a place upon these plains and hills where wildlife gathers in great herds.'”
#24
همه دشت غرمست و آهو و گور
✦
کسی را که باشد تگاور ستور
“'The whole plain is full of wild sheep, gazelles, and wild asses for anyone possessing a swift steed.'”
#25
به چنگ آیدش گور و آهو به دشت
✦
ازان دشت خرم نشاید گذشت
“'He shall easily hunt wild asses and gazelles; one should never pass up such a lush plain.'”
#26
ز گفتار او رستم آمد به شور
✦
ازان دشت پرآب و نخچیرگور
“At his words, Rostam grew eager for that water-rich plain and its abundance of wild game.”
#27
به چیزی که آید کسی را زمان
✦
بپیچد دلش کور گردد گمان
“Yet when someone's appointed time arrives, the heart wavers and foresight is struck blind.”
#28
چنین است کار جهان جهان
✦
نخواهد گشادن بمابر نهان
“Such is the nature of this revolving world: it will never reveal its secrets to us.”
#29
به دریا نهنگ و به هامون پلنگ
✦
همان شیر جنگاور تیزچنگ
“Be it the whale in the ocean, the leopard on the plain, or the fierce, sharp-clawed lion,”
#30
ابا پشه و پیل در چنگ مرگ
✦
یکی باشد ایدر بدن نیست برگ
“Before the grasp of Death, the gnat and the elephant are one; there is no escaping its power.”
#31
بفرمود تا رخش را زین کنند
✦
همه دشت پر باز و شاهین کنند
“Rostam commanded Rakhsh to be saddled and falconers to fill the plain with falcons and hawks.”
#32
کمان کیانی به زه بر نهاد
✦
همی راند بر دشت او با شغاد
“He strung his royal Kianian bow and rode across the plain alongside Shaghad.”
#33
زواره همی رفت با پیلتن
✦
تنی چند ازان نامدار انجمن
“Zavareh rode alongside the elephant-bodied hero, along with a few nobles of that famous company.”
#34
به نخچیر لشکر پراگنده شد
✦
اگر کنده گر سوی آگنده شد
“The army scattered for the hunt, moving toward where the pits were dug or filled.”
#35
زواره تهمتن بران راه بود
✦
ز بهر زمان کاندران چاه بود
“Zavareh and Tahamtan were steered onto that path, led by Fate toward where the pits lay.”
#36
همی رخش زان خاک می‌یافت بوی
✦
تن خویش را کرد چون گردگوی
“Rakhsh caught the scent of freshly dug dirt and curled his body like a ball in hesitation.”
#37
همی جست و ترسان شد از بوی خاک
✦
زمین را به نعلش همی کرد چاک
“He shied away, alarmed by the smell of earth, tearing at the ground with his hooves.”
#38
بزد گام رخش تگاور به راه
✦
چنین تا بیامد میان دو چاه
“Yet the swift Rakhsh took forced steps along the track until he came right between two hidden pits.”
#39
دل رستم از رخش شد پر ز خشم
✦
زمانش خرد را بپوشید چشم
“Rostam's heart swelled with fury at Rakhsh, for Fate had shrouded the eyes of his wisdom.”
#40
یکی تازیانه برآورد نرم
✦
بزد نیک دل رخش را کرد گرم
“He raised his whip gently and struck the noble Rakhsh to spur his pace.”
#41
چو او تنگ شد در میان دو چاه
✦
ز چنگ زمانه همی جست راه
“As Rakhsh was tightly hemmed in between the two pits, he sought an escape from the claws of Fate.”
#42
دو پایش فروشد به یک چاهسار
✦
نبد جای آویزش و کارزار
“His two legs slipped into one of the pits; there was no foothold to cling to nor room for struggle.”
#43
بن چاه پر حربه و تیغ تیز
✦
نبد جای مردی و راه گریز
“The bottom of the pit was filled with sharp blades and swords; there was no place for bravery nor any way to flee.”
#44
بدرید پهلوی رخش سترگ
✦
بر و پای آن پهلوان بزرگ
“The flank of the great Rakhsh was torn wide open, as were the chest and limbs of the mighty hero.”
#45
به مردی تن خویش را برکشید
✦
دلیر از بن چاه بر سر کشید
“Yet through heroic power he dragged his body up, pulling himself courageously from the bottom of the pit to the top.”