When Janushyar and Mahyar, the two traitorous ministers of Iran, struck their fatal blow against King Dara, they rushed to Sekandar, expecting reward and favor for bringing news of the Iranian monarch's downfall. Yet Sekandar’s heart burned with rage and grief at such cowardice. Demanding to be led to the fallen king, Sekandar rode forth until he beheld Dara lying upon the earth, his face pale as a yellow fenugreek flower and his breast soaked in blood. Dismounting like the wind, Sekandar gently lifted the dying king’s head onto his thigh, unlaced his armor, removed his crown, and bathed Dara's face with his hands, weeping tears of anguish.
Sekandar offered to summon the most learned physicians from India and Rome, vowing to restore the throne of Iran to Dara once he healed and promising to hang the murderous traitors upside down. Reminding Dara that they shared a common royal ancestry, Sekandar offered solace, but Dara opened his eyes and replied with tragic wisdom. The wounded King of Kings declared that death was far closer to him than any earthly throne. He reflected upon the transience of the turning sky—how despite his armies, vast treasures, and imperial pride, he now lay helpless, forsaken by fortune and betrayed by his own servants.
With his fading breath, Dara delivered his sacred testaments to Sekandar. He urged the conqueror to fear Yazdan, the Lord of Heaven and Earth, to remain humble, and to protect the royal house of Iran. Specifically, he asked Sekandar to take his pure daughter, Roshanak, as his lawful queen, treatment her with high honor so that from their union a heroic heir like Esfandiyar might be born—one who would uphold the Sacred Fire of Zardosht, preserve the Zand and Avesta, honor the noble festivals of Sadeh and Nowruz, and renew the ancient Kayanid faith of Goshtasp and Luhrasp. Placing Sekandar's hand upon his lips, Dara commended his soul to God and expired.
Sekandar rent his robes in agonizing grief and cast dust upon his brow. He commanded a magnificent Kayanid burial: Dara’s body was cleansed with rosewater, swaddled in imperial Roman silk, embellished with gems, preserved in camphor, and placed inside a golden coffin beneath a dark jewel-encrusted crown. Sekandar himself walked barefoot before the funeral cortege while the Iranian lords wept. Following the grand burial, Sekandar ordered two towering gallows erected. Janushyar and Mahyar were bound alive to the timbers, and the warrior host stoned them to death as punishment for regicide. Beholding Sekandar's reverence for their slain monarch and his swift justice, the nobles of Iran united in uttering praises and blessings upon the new ruler.
#1
به نزدیک اسکندر آمد وزیر
✦
که ای شاه پیروز و دانش‌پذیر
“The minister came near unto Sekandar, saying: 'O victorious and wisdom-seeking King!'”
#2
بکشتیم دشمنت را ناگهان
✦
سرآمد برو تاج و تخت مهان
“'Unawares, we have slain thine enemy; his crown and throne of the great have reached their end!'”
#3
چو بشنید گفتار جانوشیار
✦
سکندر چنین گفت با ماهیار
“When Sekandar heard the words of Janushyar, he turned to Mahyar and spoke thus:”
#4
که دشمن که افگندی اکنون کجاست
✦
بباید نمودن به من راه راست
“'Where is this fallen foe of whom ye speak? Ye must show me the true path to him at once.'”
#5
برفتند هر دو به پیش اندرون
✦
دل و جان رومی پر از خشم و خون
“The two led the way before him, while the heart and soul of the Roman king boiled with rage and anguish.”
#6
چو نزدیک شد روی دارا بدید
✦
پر از خون بر و روی چون شنبلید
“As he drew near, he beheld the countenance of Dara, his chest and face crimson with blood and yellow as the fenugreek flower.”
#7
بفرمود تا راه نگذاشتند
✦
دو دستور او را نگه داشتند
“He commanded that none block the way, and ordered his men to hold the two viziers fast.”
#8
سکندر ز باره درآمد چو باد
✦
سر مرد خسته به ران بر نهاد
“Sekandar dismounted from his steed like the wind, and gently placed the wounded king's head upon his thigh.”
#9
نگه کرد تا خسته گوینده هست
✦
بمالید بر چهر او هر دو دست
“He looked closely to see if the wounded king yet spoke, and gently wiped his face with both his hands.”
#10
ز سر برگرفت افسر خسرویش
✦
گشاد آن بر و جوشن پهلویش
“He lifted the royal diadem from Dara's head, and unlaced the body armor from his breast and flanks.”
#11
ز دیده ببارید چندی سرشک
✦
تن خسته را دور دید از پزشک
“Tears rained down from Sekandar's eyes, seeing the wounded body far from any physician's aid.”
#12
بدو گفت کین بر تو آسان شود
✦
دل بدسگالت هراسان شود
“He said to him: 'May this trial become easy upon thee, and may the heart of thy malicious enemy tremble with fear!'”
#13
تو برخیز و بر مهد زرین نشین
✦
وگر هست نیروت بر زین نشین
“'Arise now and rest upon a golden litter; or if strength remains in thee, mount upon the saddle!'”
#14
ز هند و ز رومت پزشک آورم
✦
ز درد تو خونین سرشک آورم
“'I shall fetch thee skilled physicians from India and Rome, weeping tears of blood for thy pain.'”
#15
سپارم ترا پادشاهی و تخت
✦
چو بهتر شوی ما ببندیم رخت
“'I will restore to thee thy kingdom and thy throne; once thou art healed, we shall pack our gear and depart.'”
#16
جفا پیشگان ترا هم کنون
✦
بیاویزم از دارشان سرنگون
“'And as for these treacherous villains of thine, this very hour will I hang them upside down from the gallows!'”
#17
چنانچون ز پیران شنیدیم دوش
✦
دلم گشت پر خون و جان پر ز جوش
“'For as I heard from the elders yesternight, my heart turned bloody and my soul swelled with turmoil.'”
#18
ز یک شاخ و یک بیخ و پیراهنیم
✦
به بیشی چرا تخمه را برکنیم
“'We are branch and root of the very same tree, wearing the same garment; why should we uproot our own lineage for the sake of excess?'”
#19
چو بشنید دارا به آواز گفت
✦
که همواره با تو خرد باد جفت
“Hearing this, Dara spoke in a faint voice: 'May wisdom ever be thy close companion!'”
#20
برآنم که از پاک دادار خویش
✦
بیابی تو پاداش گفتار خویش
“'I hold that from thy Pure Creator thou shalt receive the true reward for these thy noble words.'”
#21
یکی آنک گفتی که ایران تراست
✦
سر تاج و تخت دلیران تراست
“'First, as thou saidst that Iran is now thine, and the head of the crown and throne of the brave is thine...'”
#22
به من مرگ نزدیک‌تر زانک تخت
✦
بپردخت تخت و نگون گشت بخت
“'Death is far closer to me now than any throne; the throne is vacated and my fortune has turned upside down.'”
#23
برین است فرجام چرخ بلند
✦
خرامش سوی رنج و سودش گزند
“'Such is the ultimate end of the revolving sphere: its movement leads toward sorrow, and its profit is harm.'”
#24
به من در نگر تا نگویی که من
✦
فزونم ازین نامدار انجمن
“'Look upon me, that thou mayest never say: "I am greater than all this illustrious assembly."'”
#25
بد و نیک هر دو ز یزدان شناس
✦
وزو دار تا زنده باشی سپاس
“'Recognize that both good and evil proceed from God; and so long as thou livest, offer Him thy thanksgiving.'”
#26
نمودار گفتار من من بسم
✦
بدین در نکوهیدهٔ هرکسم
“'I myself am proof enough of my words; at this gate, I stand reproached by every soul.'”
#27
که چندان بزرگی و شاهی و گنج
✦
نبد در زمانه کس از من به رنج
“'For despite such greatness, royalty, and treasure, none in the world was ever plunged into deeper anguish than I.'”
#28
همان نیز چندان سلیح و سپاه
✦
گرانمایه اسپان و تخت و کلاه
“'Likewise, despite such vast weapons, hosts of armies, noble steeds, throne, and crown...'”
#29
همان نیز فرزند و پیوستگان
✦
چه پیوستگان داغ دل خستگان
“'And despite my children and kin—kin whose hearts are now wounded with bitter grief...'”
#30
زمان و زمین بنده بد پیش من
✦
چنین بود تا بخت بد خویش من
“'Time and earth were once submissive servants before me, until my own ill fortune turned against me.'”
#31
ز نیکی جدا مانده‌ام زین نشان
✦
گرفتار در دست مردم‌کشان
“'Now am I bereft of all good, caught helpless in the hands of murderous traitors.'”
#32
ز فرزند و خویشان شده ناامید
✦
سیه شد جهان و دو دیده سپید
“'I have lost all hope of children and kin; the world has turned dark, and my two eyes have grown dim.'”
#33
ز خویشان کسی نیست فریادرس
✦
امیدم به پروردگارست و بس
“'Among my kin, there is none to aid me; my sole hope rests in the Almighty Lord, and none else.'”
#34
برین گونه خسته به خاک اندرم
✦
ز گیتی به دام هلاک اندرم
“'Thus wounded I lie upon the dust, caught from the world in the snare of ruin.'”
#35
چنین است آیین چرخ روان
✦
اگر شهریارم و گر پهلوان
“'Such is the custom of the turning sphere, whether one be a crowned monarch or a mighty paladin.'”
#36
بزرگی به فرجام هم بگذرد
✦
شکارست مرگش همی بشکرد
“'Greatness too shall pass at the last; man is but quarry, and death ever hunts him down.'”
#37
سکندر ز دیده ببارید خون
✦
بران شاه خسته به خاک اندرون
“Sekandar wept tears of blood from his eyes over that wounded king lying in the dust.”
#38
چو دارا بدید آن ز دل درد او
✦
روان اشک خونین رخ زرد او
“When Dara beheld his heart-rending grief, his flowing bloody tears, and his pale face...”
#39
بدو گفت مگری کزین سود نیست
✦
از آتش مرا بهره جز دود نیست
“He said to him: 'Weep not, for this avails nothing; from my fire, naught remains for me now but smoke.'”
#40
چنین بود بخشش ز بخشنده‌ام
✦
هم از روزگار درخشنده‌ام
“'Such was the allotment decreed by my Creator, and such the turn of my once-splendid destiny.'”
#41
به اندرز من سر به سر گوش دار
✦
پذیرنده باش و بدل هوش دار
“'Give ear wholly unto my counsel; accept it, and keep it attentively within thy heart.'”
#42
سکندر بدو گفت فرمان تراست
✦
بگو آنچ خواهی که پیمان تراست
“Sekandar answered him: 'Thy command is my law; speak what thou wilt, for thy covenant shall be bound!'”
#43
زبان تیز دارا بدو برگشاد
✦
همی کرد سرتاسر اندرز یاد
“Dara opened his eloquent tongue to him, recalling his deathbed counsels one by one.”
#44
نخستین چنین گفت کای نامدار
✦
بترس از جهان داور کردگار
“First he said: 'O illustrious king, fear the Almighty Lord, the Creator of the universe!'”
#45
که چرخ و زمین و زمان آفرید
✦
توانایی و ناتوان آفرید
“'Who created the heavens, the earth, and time, and fashioned both the mighty and the weak!'”
#46
نگه کن به فرزند و پیوند من
✦
به پوشیدگان خردمند من
“Look upon my child and my kin, upon my chaste and wise women veiled from public sight.”
#47
ز من پاک‌دل دختر من بخواه
✦
بدارش به آرام بر پیشگاه
“Ask for my pure-hearted daughter in marriage, and hold her with honor and comfort upon your throne.”
#48
کجا مادرش روشنک نام کرد
✦
جهان را بدو شاد و پدرام کرد
“Whom her mother named Roshanak, she who filled the world with joy and gladness for her father.”
#49
نیاری به فرزند من سرزنش
✦
نه پیغاره از مردم بدکنش
“Suffer no reproach to fall upon my child, nor any taunts from ill-disposed people.”
#50
چو پروردهٔ شهریاران بود
✦
به بزم افسر نامداران بود
“For she is nurtured by sovereigns, fit to be the crown of renowned heroes at royal feasts.”
#51
مگر زو ببینی یکی نامدار
✦
کجا نو کند نام اسفندیار
“Haply from her you may behold a renowned heir, who shall renew the illustrious name of Esfandiyar,”
#52
بیاراید این آتش زردهشت
✦
بگیرد همان زند و استا بمشت
“Who shall adorn the holy fire of Zoroaster, and hold fast the sacred Zand and Avesta in his grasp,”
#53
نگه دارد این فال جشن سده
✦
همان فر نوروز و آتشکده
“Who shall preserve the auspicious feast of Sadeh, the glory of Nowruz, and the sacred fire-temples,”
#54
همان اورمزد و مه و روز مهر
✦
بشوید به آب خرد جان و چهر
“And keep the rites of Hormozd and the month and day of Mehr, cleansing his soul and countenance with the water of wisdom,”
#55
کند تازه آیین لهراسپی
✦
بماند کیی دین گشتاسپی
“Reviving the customs of Lohrasp, so that the royal faith of Goshtasp shall endure.”
#56
مهان را به مه دارد و که به که
✦
بود دین فروزنده و روزبه
“Holding the great in great esteem and the humble in theirs, keeping the faith luminous and the days fortunate.”
#57
سکندر چنین داد پاسخ بدوی
✦
که ای نیکدل خسرو راست‌گوی
“Alexander thus answered him: 'O noble-hearted and truthful monarch,”
#58
پذیرفتم این پند و اندرز تو
✦
فزون زین نباشم برین مرز تو
“I accept your counsel and advice, and I shall not step beyond your wishes in this land.”
#59
همه نیکویها به جای آورم
✦
خرد را بدین رهنمای آورم
“I shall fulfill every goodness, making wisdom my sole guide in this endeavor.'”
#60
جهاندار دست سکندر گرفت
✦
به زاری خروشیدن اندر گرفت
“The ruler of the world took Alexander's hand, and began to weep and wail bitterly.”
#61
کف دست او بر دهان برنهاد
✦
بدو گفت یزدان پناه تو باد
“He placed Alexander's palm upon his mouth and said to him: 'May God be your protector!”
#62
سپردم ترا جای و رفتم به خاک
✦
سپردم روانرا به یزدان پاک
“I entrust my realm to you and depart unto the dust; I entrust my soul to the pure Lord.'”
#63
بگفت این و جانش برآمد ز تن
✦
برو زار بگریستند انجمن
“He spoke these words, and his soul departed from his body; all the assembly wept mournfully over him.”
#64
سکندر همه جامه‌ها کرد چاک
✦
به تاج کیان بر پراگند خاک
“Alexander tore all his garments, and scattered dust upon the royal Kayanid crown.”
#65
یکی دخمه کردش بر آیین او
✦
بدان سان که بد فره و دین او
“He constructed a tomb for him according to his customs, in a manner suited to his royal glory and faith.”
#66
بشستن ازان خون به روشن گلاب
✦
چو آمدش هنگام جاوید خواب
“They washed the blood from him with pure rosewater, when the time of his eternal sleep arrived.”
#67
بیاراستندش به دیبای روم
✦
همه پیکرش گوهر و زر بوم
“They adorned him in brocade of Rum, his entire body covered in jewels and woven gold.”
#68
تنش زیر کافور شد ناپدید
✦
ازان پس کسی روی دارا ندید
“His body disappeared under camphor; thereafter, no one ever saw the face of Dara again.”
#69
به دخمه درون تخت زرین نهاد
✦
یکی بر سرش تاج مشکین نهاد
“Inside the tomb they set a golden throne, and placed a musk-scented crown upon his head.”
#70
نهادش به تابوت زر اندرون
✦
بروبر ز مژگان ببارید خون
“They placed him within a coffin of gold, while blood-like tears fell from their eyelashes over him.”
#71
چو تابوتش از جای برداشتند
✦
همه دست بر دست بگذاشتند
“When they raised his coffin from its place, all the people struck their hands together in grief.”
#72
سکندر پیاده به پیش اندرون
✦
بزرگان همه دیدگان پر ز خون
“Alexander walked on foot in front, and all the nobles had eyes filled with bloody tears.”
#73
چنین تا ستودان دارا برفت
✦
همی پوست گفتی بروبر بکفت
“Thus they proceeded unto Dara's tomb; you would say their very skin was tearing with sorrow.”
#74
چو بر تخت بنهاد تابوت شاه
✦
بر آیین شاهان برآورد راه
“When they set the king's coffin upon the dais, they conducted the funeral rites after the custom of monarchs.”
#75
چو پردخت از دخمهٔ ارجمند
✦
ز بیرون بزد دارهای بلند
“When he finished with the noble tomb, he erected tall gallows outside of it.”
#76
یکی دار بر نام جانوشیار
✦
دگر همچنان از در ماهیار
“One gallows was set up for Janushyar, and another likewise for Mahyar.”
#77
دو بدخواه را زنده بردار کرد
✦
سر شاه‌کش مرد بیدار کرد
“He hanged both traitors alive upon the gallows; the vigilant king executed the regicides.”
#78
ز لشکر برفتند مردان جنگ
✦
گرفته یکی سنگ هر یک به چنگ
“The warriors of the army stepped forward, each taking a stone in his hand,”
#79
بکردند بر دارشان سنگسار
✦
مبادا کسی کو کشد شهریار
“And stoned them upon the gallows—may no man ever dare to slay his sovereign!”
#80
چو دیدند ایرانیان کو چه کرد
✦
بزاری بران شاه آزادمرد
“When the Iranians saw what he had done, and how he mourned for that noble king,”
#81
گرفتند یکسر برو آفرین
✦
بدان سرور شهریار زمین
“They all with one accord extolled his name, / Praising that supreme lord and sovereign of the earth.”