A weary rider, traveling by foot and horseback, arrived at the gates of Zabulistan with tidings so dire they chilled the souls of all who heard: the ferocious elephant of Iran, Rostam son of Zal, had been laid low in the dust, and Zavareh alongside his host had perished in the selfsame treacherous snare. At this heartbreaking news, a torrent of lamentation billowed across the realm of Zabulistan. The white-haired Zal poured black earth upon his head and shoulders, tore his royal robes, and lacerated his face in agonizing grief. Weeping bitterly for his mighty son, he cried out: 'O Elephant-bodied champion, brave dragon of battle! How could a vile, cursed fox like Shaghad uproot such a majestic royal tree? Where now is your dragon-emblazoned banner, your heavy mace, and your violet sword? Why was I left alive in this world to behold your tragic doom?'
When the first wave of mourning subsided, Zal ordered Faramarz, the valiant son of Rostam, to lead a formidable host to Kabulistan to avenge his father and retrieve the sacred bodies. Upon arriving in Kabul, Faramarz found the city abandoned by its nobles and its remaining inhabitants weeping in terror. He rode straight to the hunting grounds where the hidden pits had been dug. When the young hero beheld his father's blood-soaked body lying lifeless upon the dirt, he let out a roar like a wounded lion. Throwing himself onto the earth, he swore by Almighty God and by the pure spirits of Sam and Nariman that he would never remove his coat of mail until he had exacted full vengeance upon the King of Kabul and every traitor involved.
Faramarz commanded heavy timber frames and royal thrones to be brought to the pit. With boundless reverence, they lifted the titan body of Rostam from the abyss, unbuckled his armor, and gently washed the dried blood from his ivory-bearded visage and massive limbs. Skilled stitchers bound his mortal wounds, while attendants anointed his chest and brow with pure rosewater, refined camphor, ambergris, and saffron, before wrapping his frame in rich royal silks. So immense was Rostam's stature that no single bier could accommodate him. Thus, they constructed a magnificent sarcophagus of teakwood, studded with golden nails and carved ivory inlay, sealing its joints with pitch and musk.
They drew the body of his valiant brother Zavareh from the neighboring pit, as well as the corpse of the faithful steed Rakhsh, washing and shrouding them with equal care. A solemn procession bore the coffins upon war elephants back toward Zabulistan. For ten days and ten nights, the road was packed with weeping men and women; the biers were passed continuously from hand to hand without touching the bare earth, as the entire landscape echoed with agonizing wails.
In Zabulistan, a soaring mausoleum was erected inside a tranquil garden, its summit touching the clouds. Two golden thrones were placed within, upon which the noble brothers were laid to rest. Devoted servants and kin showered musk, rosewater, and flowers at the feet of the fallen champion before sealing the heavy stone doors of the tomb forever. The chronicle concludes with a solemn reflection on the transience of mortal existence: this temporary realm begins in hardship and ends in dust; whether one lives as a righteous devotee or a villain, the earth claims all in the end—therefore, while life remains, turn toward goodness so that your soul may find eternal peace.
#1
ازان نامداران سواری بجست
✦
گهی شد پیاده گهی برنشست
“From among those chieftains, a single rider escaped, galloping by turns and walking by turns.”
#2
چو آمد سوی زابلستان بگفت
✦
که پیل ژیان گشت با خاک جفت
“When he arrived in Zabulistan, he announced: 'The raging elephant has been joined with the dust!'”
#3
زواره همان و سپاهش همان
✦
سواری نجست از بد بدگمان
“Zavareh and his host met the same fate; not a single warrior escaped the villain’s trap.”
#4
خروشی برآمد ز زابلستان
✦
ز بدخواه وز شاه کابلستان
“A wailing roar arose from Zabulistan against that evil-doer and the King of Kabulistan.”
#5
همی ریخت زال از بر یال خاک
✦
همی‌کرد روی و بر خویش چاک
“Zal poured dust upon his head and neck, tearing at his face and his chest in agony.”
#6
همی‌گفت زار ای گو پیلتن
✦
نخواهم که پوشد تنم جز کفن
“He cried out bitterly: 'O elephant-bodied hero! I wish for my body no garment now save the shroud!'”
#7
گو سرفراز اژدهای دلیر
✦
زواره که بد نامبردار شیر
“'And proud Zavareh, that valiant dragon and renowned lion among warriors!'”
#8
شغاد آن بنفرین شوریده‌بخت
✦
بکند از بن این خسروانی درخت
“'Shaghad, that cursed and wretched fool, uprooted this royal tree from its very base!'”
#9
که داند که با پیل روباه شوم
✦
همی کین سگالد بران مرز و بوم
“'Who could believe that an ominous fox would plot such deadly vengeance against an elephant?'”
#10
که دارد به یاد این چنین روزگار
✦
که داند شنیدن ز آموزگار
“'Who remembers such a tragic time? Who has heard such a tale from any teacher?'”
#11
که چون رستمی پیش بینم به خاک
✦
به گفتار روباه گردد هلاک
“'That I should see a lion like Rostam laid in dust, perished through the cunning words of a fox!'”
#12
چرا پیش ایشان نمردم به زار
✦
چرا ماندم اندر جهان یادگار
“'Why did I not die miserably before them? Why was I left behind in this world as a remembrance?'”
#13
چرا بایدم زندگانی و گاه
✦
چرا بایدم خواب و آرامگاه
“'Why do I need life and throne? Why do I need sleep and a place of rest?'”
#14
پس‌انگه بسی مویه آغاز کرد
✦
چو بر پور پهلو همی ساز کرد
“Then he began a deep and bitter lamentation, as he sang the dirge for his heroic son.”
#15
گوا شیرگیرا یلا مهترا
✦
دلاور جهاندیده گُندآورا
“'O lion-capturing champion, O hero and master! O brave, world-experienced warrior!'”
#16
کجات آن دلیری و مردانگی
✦
کجات آن بزرگی و فرزانگی
“'Where is your courage and chivalry now? Where is your greatness and your wisdom?'”
#17
کجات آن دل و رای و روشن‌روان
✦
کجات آن بر و برز و یال گران
“'Where is your brave heart, sound judgment, and bright spirit? Where is your mighty stature and heavy chest?'”
#18
کجات آن بزرگ اژدهافش درفش
✦
کجا تیر و گوپال و تیغ بنفش
“'Where is your dragon-shaped banner? Where are your arrows, your heavy mace, and violet sword?'”
#19
نماندی به گیتی و رفتی به خاک
✦
که بادا سر دشمنت در مغاک
“'You remained not in this world and went to dust; may your enemy's head be cast into the pit!'”
#20
پس انگه فرامرز را با سپاه
✦
فرستاد تا رزم جوید ز شاه
“Thereupon he dispatched Faramarz with an army, that he might seek battle against the King of Kabul,”
#21
تن کشته از چاه باز آورد
✦
جهان را به زاری نیاز آورد
“To bring back the slain bodies from the pit, and to turn the world into a realm of mourning.”
#22
فرامرز چون پیش کابل رسید
✦
به شهر اندرون نامداری ندید
“When Faramarz reached the gates of Kabul, he saw no chieftain remaining within the city.”
#23
گریزان همه شهر، گریان شده
✦
ز سوک جهانگیر بریان شده
“The entire city had fled in tears, their hearts consumed with grief for the world-conqueror.”
#24
بیامد بران دشت نخچیرگاه
✦
به جایی کجا کنده بودند چاه
“He came upon that hunting plain, to the place where they had dug the pit.”
#25
چو روی پدر دید پور دلیر
✦
خروشی برآورد بر سان شیر
“When the brave son beheld his father's face, he raised a roar like a lion in anger.”
#26
بدان گونه بر خاک تن پر ز خون
✦
به روی زمین بر فگنده نگون
“Seeing his body thus covered in blood upon the earth, cast face down upon the ground,”
#27
همی گفت کای پهلوان بلند
✦
به رویت که آورد زین سان گزند
“He cried out: 'O exalted hero! Who brought such harm upon your noble face?'”
#28
که نفرین بران مرد بی‌باک باد
✦
به جای کله بر سرش خاک باد
“'Cursed be that ruthless villain! May dust cover his head instead of a crown!'”
#29
به یزدان و جان تو ای نامدار
✦
به خاک نریمان و سام سوار
“'By Almighty God, and by your pure soul, O famous knight, and by the sacred dust of Nariman and Sam,'”
#30
که هرگز نبیند تنم جز زره
✦
بیوسنده و برفگنده گره
“'My body shall never see any attire save mail, tightly strapped and buckled for war,'”
#31
بدان تا که کین گو پیلتن
✦
بخواهم ازان بی‌وفا انجمن
“'Until I exact full vengeance for the elephant-bodied hero from that treacherous assembly,'”
#32
هم‌انکس که با او بدین کین میان
✦
ببستند و آمد به ما بر زبان
“'And all those who bound themselves to this malice, whose names have come to our ears,'”
#33
نمانم ز ایشان یکی را به جای
✦
هم‌انکس که بود اندرین رهنمای
“'I shall not leave a single one of them alive, nor anyone who guided them upon this path!'”
#34
بفرمود تا تختهای گران
✦
بیارند از هر سوی در کران
“He commanded heavy wooden biers to be brought from every direction,”
#35
ببردند بسیار باهوی و تخت
✦
نهادند بر تخت زیبا درخت
“They brought many wooden planks and frames, placing that beautiful royal tree upon the bier.”
#36
گشاد آن میان بستن پهلوی
✦
برآهیخت زو جامهٔ خسروی
“He untied the hero's warrior girdle and stripped off his royal armor.”
#37
نخستین بشستندش از خون گرم
✦
بر و یال و ریش و تنش نرم‌نرم
“First, they washed away the warm blood softly from his chest, arms, beard, and body.”
#38
همی عنبر و زعفران سوختند
✦
همه خستگیهاش بردوختند
“They burned amber and saffron, and carefully stitched closed all his wounds.”
#39
همی ریخت بر تارکش بر گلاب
✦
بگسترد بر تنش کافور ناب
“They poured rosewater upon his crown and spread pure camphor over his body.”
#40
به دیبا تنش را بیاراستند
✦
ازان پس گل و مشک و می خواستند
“They adorned his body with fine brocade, and then called for flowers, musk, and wine.”
#41
کفن‌دوز بر وی ببارید خون
✦
به شانه زد آن ریش کافورگون
“The shroud-sewer wept blood over him as he combed that camphor-hued beard.”
#42
نبد جا تنش را همی بر دو تخت
✦
تنی بود گر سایه‌گستر درخت؟
“His frame could hardly fit upon two biers—was it a mortal body or a shade-casting tree?”
#43
یکی نغز تابوت کردند ساج
✦
برو میخ زرین و پیکر ز عاج
“They constructed a splendid teakwood sarcophagus, with golden nails and ivory figures.”
#44
همه درزهایش گرفته به قیر
✦
برآلوده بر قیر مشک و عبیر
“They sealed all its seams with pitch, scenting the pitch with musk and ambergris.”
#45
ز چاهی برادرش را برکشید
✦
همی دوخت جایی کجا خسته دید
“From another pit he drew his brother out, stitching closed every wound he found upon his body.”
#46
زبر مشک و کافور و زیرش گلاب
✦
ازان سان همی ریخت بر جای خواب
“Above his bed was poured musk and camphor, and beneath it rosewater; thus did they prepare his resting place.”
#47
ازان پس تن رخش را برکشید
✦
بشست و برو جامه‌ها گسترید
“Thereafter he pulled Rakhsh's body from the pit, washed it clean, and spread fine garments over him.”
#48
بشستند و کردند دیبا کفن
✦
بجستند جایی یکی نارون
“They washed the bodies and wrapped them in brocade shrouds, then sought out a massive elm tree nearby.”
#49
برفتند بیداردل درگران
✦
بریدند ازو تختهای گران
“Wise and skilled craftsmen went forth and cut thick, heavy planks of timber from that tree.”
#50
دو روز اندران کار شد روزگار
✦
تن رخش بر پیل کردند بار
“Two days were spent in that task, after which they loaded the body of Rakhsh upon an elephant.”
#51
ز کابلستان تا به زابلستان
✦
زمین شد به کردار غلغلستان
“From Kabulistan all the way to Zabulistan, the whole earth resounded with tumultuous lamentation.”
#52
زن و مرد بد ایستاده به پای
✦
تنی را نبد بر زمین نیز جای
“Men and women stood mourning together; such was the press of people that no open space remained on the ground.”
#53
دو تابوت بر دست بگذاشتند
✦
ز انبوه چون باد پنداشتند
“They carried the two coffins upon their hands; swept forward by the crowd, it seemed as if the wind bore them.”
#54
بده روز و ده شب به زابل رسید
✦
کسش بر زمین بر نهاده ندید
“For ten days and ten nights they journeyed to Zabul, and no one saw the coffins set down upon the earth.”
#55
زمانه شد از درد او با خروش
✦
تو گفتی که هامون برآمد به جوش
“The world itself cried out in sorrow at his death; thou wouldst say the very desert boiled over with grief.”
#56
کسی نیز نشنید آواز کس
✦
همه بومها مویه کردند و بس
“No one could hear another's voice amid the tumult; across all lands, there was only weeping.”
#57
به باغ اندرون دخمه‌ای ساختند
✦
سرش را به ابر اندر افراختند
“Within a garden they constructed a magnificent tomb, exalting its summit into the clouds.”
#58
برابر نهادند زرین دو تخت
✦
بران خوابنیده گو نیکبخت
“Side by side they set two golden thrones, laying upon them the blessed champion.”
#59
هرانکس که بود از پرستندگان
✦
از آزاد وز پاکدل بندگان
“Every person who belonged to his retinue, both noble freemen and pure-hearted servants,”
#60
همی مشک باگل برآمیختند
✦
به پای گو پیلتن ریختند
“Blended musk with rose petals continuously and scattered them at the feet of the elephant-bodied hero.”
#61
همی هرکسی گفت کای نامدار
✦
چرا خواستی مشک و عنبر نثار
“Everyone wept and said: 'O glorious chieftain, why hast thou now become the recipient of musk and ambergris?'”
#62
نخواهی همی پادشاهی و بزم
✦
نپوشی همی نیز خفتان رزم
“'Thou no longer seekest sovereignty and feasts, nor wilt thou ever don thy coat of mail for battle.'”
#63
نبخشی همی گنج و دینار نیز
✦
همانا که شد پیش تو خوار چیز
“'Thou no longer bestowest treasures and gold; surely all earthly possessions have grown worthless in thy eyes.'”
#64
کنون شاد باشی به خرم بهشت
✦
که یزدانت از داد و مردی سرشت
“'Mayest thou now rejoice in green Paradise, for God fashioned thy essence out of justice and nobility.'”
#65
در دخمه بستند و گشتند باز
✦
شد آن نامور شیر گردن‌فراز
“They sealed the doorway of the mausoleum and turned back; thus departed that renowned, proud lion.”
#66
چه جویی همی زین سرای سپنج
✦
کز آغاز رنجست و فرجام رنج
“What seekest thou from this transient abode, whose beginning is sorrow and whose end is suffering?”
#67
بریزی به خاک ار همه ز آهنی
✦
اگر دین‌پرستی ور آهرمنی
“Thou shalt crumble into dust though thou wert forged of iron, whether thou art a devout believer or a demonic soul.”
#68
تو تا زنده‌ای سوی نیکی گرای
✦
مگر کام یابی به دیگر سرای
“So long as life remains, incline toward goodness, that perchance thou mayest find fulfillment in the realm to come.”