When the years of King Manuchehr’s reign reached one hundred and twenty, the astrologers of the court read the silent script of the heavens and drew near to the imperial throne. They imparted to the monarch that the sun of his earthly sovereign realm was setting, and the hour had arrived for him to pack his baggage from this transient world. Hearing their word, Manuchehr accepted his fate with serene wisdom, summoning his mobads, chieftains, and noble advisors to lay bare the deep secrets of his heart.
He bade his son Nowzar step forward, bequeathing to him the battle-tested crown and throne of Iran. Manuchehr reminded him that the royal throne is but a fleeting spell and empty wind, upon which no wise man binds his heart forever. He recounted his own epic life—how, girded by the divine glory of Fereydun, he had avenged his great-ancestor Iraj by slaying Salm and Tur, cleansed the earth of monstrous horrors, and erected prosperous cities and formidable fortresses. Yet now, facing the ultimate end, it felt as though he had never witnessed the world at all, pondering that a life ending in death is like a tree bearing poisonous fruit.
With solemn authority, the dying king charged Nowzar to cling steadfastly to the faith of Yazdan and tread the paths of justice. He unveiled visions of the future, prophesying that a new divine covenant would dawn with the prophet Moses in the Western lands, warning Nowzar never to oppose him in enmity. He then foretold dark clouds gathering over Iran—a colossal invasion from Turan led by the formidable son of Pashang (Afrasiab). Manuchehr warned Nowzar of the treacherous trials ahead, commanding him to seek refuge and warrior-might in Sam, Zal, and the newly sprouted sapling of Zal’s lineage—the hero Rostam—who alone would humble the Turanian host.
As these final counsels passed his lips, tears welled in the old king's eyes, and Nowzar wept bitterly beside him. Then, without suffering any disease or agonizing pain, Manuchehr gently closed his royal eyes, withered like a autumn blossom, and exhaled his final cold breath. Thus passed the renowned and virtuous sovereign of Iran, leaving behind only the timeless echo of his deeds and wisdom across the ages.
#1
منوچهر را سال شد بر دو شست
✦
ز گیتی همی بار رفتن ببست
“When Manuchehr reached twice sixty years of life, he packed his baggage to depart from this world.”
#2
ستاره‌شناسان برِ او شدند
✦
همی ز آسمان داستانها زدند
“The astrologers came before him and spoke of tales foretold by the heavens.”
#3
ندیدند روزش کشیدن دراز
✦
ز گیتی همی گشت بایست باز
“They saw that his days could be lengthened no more, and his stay in the world was drawing to a close.”
#4
بدادند زان روزِ تلخ آگهی
✦
که شد تیره آن تخت شاهنشهی
“They brought tidings of that bitter day when the royal throne would be darkened.”
#5
گَهِ رفتن آمد به دیگر سرای
✦
مگر نزد یزدان بِهْ آیدت جای
“"The time has come to pass unto the other abode; may Yazdan grant thee a better place."”
#6
نگر تا چه باید کنون ساختن
✦
نباید که مرگ آورد تاختن
“"Consider now what must be prepared, lest death strike thee by surprise."”
#7
سخن چون ز داننده بشنید شاه
✦
به رسم دگرگون بیاراست گاه
“When the king heard these words from the wise, he adorned his throne in a different manner.”
#8
همه موبدان و ردان را بخواند
✦
همه راز دل پیش ایشان براند
“He summoned all the mobads and noble lords, and shared the secrets of his heart with them.”
#9
بفرمود تا نوذر آمدش پیش
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ورا پندها داد ز اندازه بیش
“He commanded Nowzar to step forward before him, and bestowed counsels upon him beyond measure.”
#10
که این تخت شاهی فسونست و باد
✦
برو جاودان دل نباید نهاد
“"Know that this royal throne is but magic and wind; one must not set one's heart upon it forever."”
#11
مرا بر صد و بیست شد سالیان
✦
به رنج و به سختی ببستم میان
“"My years have reached one hundred and twenty, passed in toil and bitter struggle."”
#12
بسی شادی و کام دل راندم
✦
به رزم اندرون دشمنان ماندم
“"Much joy and heart’s desire have I pursued, and in battle I humbled mine enemies."”
#13
به فر فریدون ببستم میان
✦
به پندش مرا سود شد هر زیان
“"Girded by the farr of Fereydun, every loss was turned to gain through his wise counsel."”
#14
بجستم ز سلم و ز تور سترگ
✦
همان کین ایرج نیای بزرگ
“"I sought vengeance against mighty Salm and Tur for the blood of great ancestor Iraj."”
#15
جهان ویژه کردم ز پتیاره‌ها
✦
بسی شهر کردم بسی باره‌ها
“"I cleansed the world of evil monsters, building many a city and fortifying wall."”
#16
چنانم که گویی ندیدم جهان
✦
شمار گذشته شد اندر نهان
“"Yet now I am as though I had never seen the world; the count of past days is hidden away in oblivion."”
#17
نیرزد همی زندگانیش مرگ
✦
درختی که زهر آورد بار و برگ
“"Life is not worth its death—a tree whose fruit and leaves bring only poison."”
#18
ازان پس که بردم بسی درد و رنج
✦
سپردم ترا تخت شاهی و گنج
“"After enduring much pain and sorrow, I hand over to thee the royal throne and treasure."”
#19
چنان چون فریدون مرا داده بود
✦
ترا دادم این تاج شاه آزمود
“"Even as Fereydun passed it unto me, I bestow upon thee this battle-tested crown."”
#20
چنان دان که خوردی و بر تو گذشت
✦
به خوشتر زمان بازم بایدت گشت
“"Know that whatever thou hast enjoyed has passed; thou must return to a finer realm."”
#21
نشانی که مانَد همی از تو باز
✦
برآید برو روزگار دراز
“"The only trace that remains of thee shall endure through long spans of time."”
#22
نباید که باشد جز از آفرین
✦
که پاکی نژاد آورد پاک دین
“"Let nothing remain of thee but praise, for pure lineage brings forth pure faith."”
#23
نگر تا نتابی ز دین خدای
✦
که دین خدای آورد پاک رای
“"Beware never to turn away from God's faith, for God's faith brings forth pure wisdom."”
#24
کنون نو شود در جهان داوری
✦
چو موسی بیاید به پیغمبری
“"Now a new divine judgment shall arise in the world when Moses comes forth in prophethood."”
#25
پدید آید آنگه به خاور زمین
✦
نگر تا نتابی بر او بر به کین
“"He shall manifest in the lands of the West; beware not to oppose him in enmity."”
#26
بدو بگرو آن دین یزدان بود
✦
نگه کن ز سر تا چه پیمان بود
“"Believe in him, for it is the true faith of Yazdan; look closely from beginning to end at its covenant."”
#27
تو مگذار هرگز ره ایزدی
✦
که نیکی ازویست و هم زو بدی
“"Never forsake the path of the Divine, for all good comes from Him, as does the test of evil."”
#28
ازان پس بیاید ز ترکان سپاه
✦
نهند از بر تخت ایران کلاه
“"Thereafter an army shall come from the Turks, placing their helmet above the throne of Iran."”
#29
ترا کارهای درشتست پیش
✦
گهی گرگ باید بدن گاه میش
“"Rough and trial-filled deeds lie ahead of thee; at times thou must be a wolf, at times a sheep."”
#30
گزند تو آید ز پور پشنگ
✦
ز توران شود کارها بر تو تنگ
“"Thy harm shall come from the son of Pashang; from Turan, matters shall become tight for thee."”
#31
بجوی ای پسر چون رسد داوری
✦
ز سام و ز زال آنگهی یاوری
“"Seek aid, my son, when judgment falls upon thee, from Sam and from Zal."”
#32
وزین نو درختی که از پشت زال
✦
برآمد کنون برکشد شاخ و یال
“"And from this new sapling that has sprung from Zal's line, now raising its branch and height."”
#33
ازو شهر توران شود بی‌هنر
✦
به کین تو آید همان کینه‌ور
“"Through him the land of Turan shall be rendered helpless, yet the vengeful foe shall still come for thy blood."”
#34
بگفت و فرود آمد آبش بروی
✦
همی زار بگریست نوذر بروی
“He spoke, and tears streamed down his face, while Nowzar wept bitterly over his father.”
#35
«بی‌آنکش بُدی هیچ بیماریی،
✦
نه از دردها هیچ آزاریی؛
“Without suffering from any illness, nor afflicted by pain or disease,”
#36
دو چشم کیانی به هم بر نهاد،
✦
بپژمرد و برزد یکی سرد باد»
“He closed both his royal eyes, withered like a flower, and let out a cold sigh.”
#37
شد آن نامور پرهنر شهریار
✦
به گیتی سخن ماند زو یادگار
“Thus passed that renowned and virtuous monarch; in the world, his story remained as a lasting memory.”