Sikandar led his joyful army forward, calling upon his wise nobles until they reached a vast city of boundless horizons, rich in grand palaces, serene gardens, and expansive city squares. At the break of dawn, the king walked unescorted toward a mystical spring which the local elders had named the Water of Life. He observed the marvels of creation as the sun sank into the lapis lazuli waters, filling his soul with profound reverence for God Almighty. As dark night fell, his mind became utterly consumed by the quest for eternal life.
Choosing the most patient and steadfast warriors from his host, Sikandar prepared forty days of provisions and appointed the wise prophet Khizr as his principal guide and counselor. The king brought forth two magical, radiant jewels that glowed like the sun in total gloom—entrusting one to Khizr to illuminate his path ahead while keeping the second to light his own way through the pitch-black darkness.
With resounding shouts of divine praise echoing across the plain, the army entered the realm of darkness. For two days and two nights they pressed on without tasting food, until on the third day, a crossroads appeared shrouded in obscurity. There, Khizr was separated from King Sikandar. Guided by divine providence, Khizr arrived at the shining Fountain of Youth. He washed his body and head in its crystal stream, drank of its life-giving waters, and achieved everlasting life, offering boundless praises to God, while Sikandar journeyed down the alternative dark path...
#1
وزان جایگه شاد لشگر براند
✦
بزرگان بیدار دل را بخواند
“From that place he marched the joyful army forward, and summoned the wise and vigilant nobles.”
#2
همی رفت تا سوی شهری رسید
✦
که آن را میان و کرانه ندید
“He journeyed until he arrived at a city whose middle and borders could not be seen.”
#3
همه هرچ باید بدو در فراخ
✦
پر از باغ و میدان و ایوان و کاخ
“Everything required was abundantly within it—filled with gardens, squares, porticos, and palaces.”
#4
فرود آمد و بامداد پگاه
✦
به نزدیک آن چشمه شد بی‌سپاه
“He dismounted, and early at break of day, went near that spring without his army.”
#5
که دهقان ورا نام حیوان نهاد
✦
چو از بخشش پهلوان کرد یاد
“The village leader had named it the Water of Life, remembering the bestowal of the hero.”
#6
همی بود تا گشت خورشید زرد
✦
فرو شد بران چشمهٔ لاژورد
“He remained there until the sun turned yellow and sank into that lapis lazuli spring.”
#7
ز یزدان پاک آن شگفتی بدید
✦
که خورشید گشت از جهان ناپدید
“He beheld that marvel of Holy God, as the sun vanished entirely from the world.”
#8
بیامد به لشکرگه خویش باز
✦
دلی پر ز اندیشه‌های دراز
“He returned to his military encampment, his heart filled with long and profound thoughts.”
#9
شب تیره کرد از جهاندار یاد
✦
پس اندیشه بر آب حیوان نهاد
“In the dark night he remembered the Lord of the World, and set his mind upon the Water of Life.”
#10
شکیبا ز لشگر هرانکس که دید
✦
نخست از میان سپه برگزید
“Whoever among the army was proven patient, he first selected from among the troops.”
#11
چهل روزه افزون خورش برگرفت
✦
بیامد دمان تا چه بیند شگفت
“He took provisions for more than forty days, and advanced rapidly to see what marvels lay ahead.”
#12
سپه را بران شارستان جای کرد
✦
یکی پیش رو چست بر پای کرد
“He stationed the army in that city, and appointed an agile forward guide.”
#13
ورا اندر آن خضر بد رای زن
✦
سر نامداران آن انجمن
“Khizr was his counselor in this matter—the head of all the illustrious in that assembly.”
#14
سکندر بیامد به فرمان اوی
✦
دل و جان سپرده به پیمان اوی
“Sikandar followed his command, surrendering his heart and soul to his covenant.”
#15
بدو گفت کای مرد بیداردل
✦
یکی تیز گردان بدین کار دل
“He said to him: 'O vigilant-hearted man, sharpen your heart for this task!'”
#16
اگر آب حیوان به چنگ آوریم
✦
بسی بر پرستش درنگ آوریم
“'If we obtain the Water of Life, we shall spend long ages in worshipping God.'”
#17
نمیرد کسی کو روان پرورد
✦
به یزدان پناهد ز راه خرد
“'He shall not die who nurtures his spirit, and takes refuge in God through the path of wisdom.'”
#18
دو مهرست با من که چون آفتاب
✦
بتابد شب تیره چون بیند آب
“'I have two jewels with me that glow like the sun, illuminating the dark night when near water.'”
#19
یکی زان تو برگیر و در پیش باش
✦
نگهبان جان و تن خویش باش
“'Take one of them and go ahead, guarding your own soul and body.'”
#20
دگر مهره باشد مرا شمع راه
✦
به تاریک اندر شوم با سپاه
“'The other jewel shall be my path's lamp; I shall enter the pitch darkness with the army.'”
#21
ببینیم تا کردگار جهان
✦
بدین آشکارا چه دارد نهان
“'Let us see what the Creator of the world has hidden beneath this manifest realm.'”
#22
توی پیش رو گر پناه من اوست
✦
نمایندهٔ رای و راه من اوست
“'You are my leader, for He is my refuge; He is the shower of my judgment and path.'”
#23
چو لشگر سوی آب حیوان گذشت
✦
خروش آمد الله اکبر ز دشت
“When the army moved toward the Water of Life, the roar of 'God is Most Great' resounded across the plain.”
#24
چو از منزلی خضر برداشتی
✦
خورشها ز هرگونه بگذاشتی
“As Khizr departed from each station, he left behind all manner of food and provisions.”
#25
همی رفت ازین سان دو روز و دو شب
✦
کسی را به خوردن نجنبید لب
“He journeyed thus for two days and two nights; no one's lips moved to taste food.”
#26
سه دیگر به تاریکی اندر دو راه
✦
پدید آمد و گم شد از خضر شاه
“On the third day in the darkness, two paths appeared, and Khizr became lost to King Sikandar.”
#27
پیمبر سوی آب حیوان کشید
✦
سر زندگانی به کیوان کشید
“The prophet drew near the Water of Life, raising the crown of his vitality unto Saturn.”
#28
بران آب روشن سر و تن بشست
✦
نگهدار جز پاک یزدان نجست
“In that luminous water he washed head and body, seeking protection from none save the Pure God.”
#29
بخورد و برآسود و برگشت زود
✦
ستایش همی بافرین بر فزود
“He drank and rested, then swiftly turned back, continually multiplying his praise and blessings.”