Within the borders of King Shangal's realm in Hind, a terrifying, bloodthirsty beast known as the Karg laid waste to the land. So massive was this monstrous creature that its looming frame blocked the very winds, and its roar deafened even the sharpest ears. Fierce lions fled the thicket at its approach, and vultures soared high in terror to avoid its dominion. Seeing his kingdom paralyzed, King Shangal turned to Bahram—who dwelt at his court incognito—and declared: 'O noble champion, if by your glorious fortune this land is freed from this devastating terror, your name shall be honored near my throne and immortalized across Hindustan forever.'
Bahram, clean of heart and fear, asked only for a guide to lead him to the beast's lair. The guide escorted Bahram to the edge of the dark, blood-stained forest, described the beast's formidable shape, and departed. When the Iranian companions who had followed Bahram beheld the beast's colossal form and snout from afar, their hearts sank. They pleaded with their leader: 'O King, do not attempt this! No man can do battle with a living mountain of stone and iron. Tell Shangal that this task is impossible, for no monarch would grant permission for such suicide.'
Yet Bahram replied with tranquil resolve: 'If Almighty God has decreed my death upon the soil of Hindustan, worrying over fate is beyond reason; none can outrun what is written.' With these words, the brave hero strung his Kiani bow and cast away all hesitation. Advancing furiously upon the beast, he loosed a torrential hail of poplar arrows like storming hail until the monster groaned in agony and faltered. Knowing the beast's time had come, Bahram drew his gleaming blade, rushed forward, and severed the Karg's colossal head. He praised the unmatched Creator who had bestowed upon him such divine strength and royal glory.
Bahram commanded oxen and heavy wagons to haul the severed head out of the forest into the city. When Shangal saw the immense head brought from afar, he adorned his halls with rich silks and called for a feast. The nobles and knights of Hind showered Bahram with praises and gifts, exclaiming: 'None in the world is capable of such a feat!' Yet amid the celebration, Shangal's heart twisted with mixed emotion—brightening with relief at the monster's end, yet darkening with profound fear at the incomprehensible power of this mysterious champion.
#1
یکی کرگ بود اندران شهر شاه
✦
ز بالای او بسته بر باد راه
“There was a monstrous Karg in that King's city, whose height blocked the very path of the wind.”
#2
ازان بیشه بگریختی شیر نر
✦
هم از آسمان کرگس تیرپر
“From its thicket the male lion fled, and from the sky the swift-feathered vulture turned away.”
#3
یکایک همه هند زو پر خروش
✦
از آواز او کر شدی تیز گوش
“All of India was filled with clamor because of it, and sharp ears were deafened by its roar.”
#4
به بهرام گفت ای پسندیده مرد
✦
برآید به دست تو این کارکرد
“The King said to Bahram: 'O approved warrior, this great feat can be accomplished by your hand.'”
#5
به نزدیک آن کرگ باید شدن
✦
همه چرم او را به تیر آژدن
“'You must approach that Karg, and pierce all its hide with your swift arrows.'”
#6
اگر زو تهی گردد این بوم و بر
✦
به فر تو این مرد پیروزگر
“'If this realm is rid of it by your divine fortune, you shall be a victorious champion.'”
#7
یکی دست باشدت نزدیک من
✦
چه نزدیک این نامدار انجمن
“'You shall hold high rank before me, as well as before this assembly of renowned nobles.'”
#8
که جاوید در کشور هندوان
✦
بود زنده نام تو تا جاودان
“'So that your name may remain alive forever across the land of Hind.'”
#9
بدو گفت بهرام پاکیزه‌رای
✦
که با من بباید یکی رهنمای
“Bahram of pure judgment replied: 'I require a guide to show me the way.'”
#10
چو بینم به نیروی یزدان تنش
✦
ببینی به خون غرقه پیراهنش
“'When I see its body by the power of God, you shall behold its hide drowned in blood.'”
#11
بدو داد شنگل یکی رهنمای
✦
که او را نشیمن بدانست و جای
“Shangal assigned a guide to him who knew the beast's lair and dwelling place.”
#12
همی رفت با نیک‌دل رهنمون
✦
بدان بیشهٔ کرگ ریزنده خون
“He went forward with the good-hearted guide toward that blood-spilling forest of the Karg.”
#13
همی گفت چندی ز آرام اوی
✦
ز بالا و پهنا و اندام اوی
“The guide spoke of the beast's lair, its height, its breadth, and its immense frame.”
#14
چو بنمود و برگشت و بهرام رفت
✦
خرامان بدان بیشهٔ کرگ تفت
“When he pointed it out, he turned back, while Bahram strode forward into that warm thicket of the Karg.”
#15
پس پشت او چند ایرانیان
✦
به پیکار آن کرگ بسته میان
“Behind him, several Iranians stood girded for battle against that monster.”
#16
چو از دور دیدند خرطوم اوی
✦
ز هنگش همی پست شد بوم اوی
“When they saw its colossal snout from afar, the ground itself sank from its immense weight.”
#17
بدو هرکسی گفت شاها مکن
✦
ز مردی همی بگذرد این سخن
“Everyone said to him: 'O King, do not attempt this! This goes beyond mortal bravery.'”
#18
نکردست کس جنگ با کوه و سنگ
✦
وگرچه دلیرست خسرو به چنگ
“'No man has waged war against mountain and stone, however brave the monarch may be in combat.'”
#19
به شنگل چنین گوی کاین راه نیست
✦
بدین جنگ دستوری شاه نیست
“'Tell Shangal that this path is impossible, and there is no royal permission for such a fight.'”
#20
چنین داد پاسخ که یزدان پاک
✦
مرا گر به هندوستان داد خاک
“Bahram answered: 'If Holy God has written my death in the soil of Hindustan,'”
#21
به جای دگر مرگ من چون بود
✦
که اندیشه ز اندازه بیرون بود
“'How could my death occur elsewhere? Such worry is beyond measure.'”
#22
کمان را به زه کرد مرد جوان
✦
تو گفتی همی خوار گیرد روان
“The young hero strung his bow, as though holding his own life of little account.”
#23
بیامد دوان تا به نزدیک کرگ
✦
پر از خشم سر دل نهاده به مرگ
“He came running close to the Karg, full of wrath, placing his heart upon death.”
#24
کمان کیانی گرفته به چنگ
✦
ز ترکش برآورد تیر خدنگ
“Holding the royal bow in hand, he drew a poplar arrow from his quiver.”
#25
همی تیر بارید همچون تگرگ
✦
برین همنشان تا غمین گشت کرگ
“He rained arrows like hail upon the beast until the Karg became weak and aggrieved.”
#26
چو دانست کو را سرآمد زمان
✦
برآهیخت خنجر به جای کمان
“When he knew its time had come to an end, he drew his dagger instead of the bow.”
#27
سر کرگ را راست ببرید و گفت
✦
به نام خداوند بی‌یار و جفت
“He severed the head of the Karg cleanly and said: 'In the name of the Lord who has no partner,'”
#28
که او داد چندین مرا فر و زور
✦
به فرمان او تابد از چرخ هور
“'Who bestowed upon me such glory and strength; by His command the sun shines from the heavens.'”
#29
بفرمود تا گاو و گردون برند
✦
سر کرگ زان بیشه بیرون برند
“He commanded oxen and wagons to be brought to haul the head of the Karg out of that thicket.”
#30
ببردند چون دید شنگل ز دور
✦
به دیبا بیاراست ایوان سور
“They carried it away; when Shangal saw it from afar, he decorated the banquet hall with fine silks.”
#31
چو بر تخت بنشست پرمایه شاه
✦
نشاندند بهرام را پیش گاه
“When the precious King sat upon his throne, they seated Bahram before the dais.”
#32
همی کرد هر کس برو آفرین
✦
بزرگان هند و سواران چنین
“Everyone offered praises to him—the grandees of India and the noble horsemen alike.”
#33
برفتند هر مهتری با نثار
✦
به بهرام گفتند کای نامدار
“Every chieftain approached with tribute and gifts, saying to Bahram: 'O renowned one!'”
#34
کسی را سزای تو کردار نیست
✦
به کردار تو راه دیدار نیست
“'No one is worthy of feats like yours, nor can anyone behold a sight equal to your deed.'”
#35
ازو شادمان شنگل و دل به غم
✦
گهی تازه‌روی و زمانی دژم
“Shangal was pleased with him yet troubled at heart—one moment cheerful of countenance, the next melancholy.”