SEVEN COURSES OF ROSTAM
(Persian: Haft Khan-e Rostam):
He passes through a hero's journey to save his sovereign (king), Kei Kavus who is captured by the demons (Divs) of Mazandaran. This journey is called "Rostam's Seven Labours".
***KHAN = stage, course , labour.***
***SHAH = name of iranian kings.***
1.
FIRST STAGE: How Rakhsh fought with a lion
He rapidly pursued his way, performing two days' journey in one, and Soon came to a forest full of wild asses, Oppressed with hunger, he succeeded in Securing one of them, which he roasted over a fire, lighted by sparks produced by striking the point of his Spear, and kept in a blaze with dried grass and branches of trees.
After regaling himself, and satisfying his hunger, he loosened the bridle of Rakhsh, and allowed him to graze; and choosing a safe place for repose during the night, and taking care to have his Sword under his head, he went to Sleep among the reeds of that wilderness.In a short space a fierce lion appeared, and attacked Rakhsh with great violence; but Rakhsh very speedily with his teeth and heels put an end to his furious assailant.
Rostam, awakened by the confusion, and seeing the dead lion before him, said to his favourite companion:" Ah! Rakhsh, why so thouohtless grown, To fight a lion thus alone:For had it been the fate to bleed, And not your foe, my gallant steed! How could your master have conveyed His helm, and battle axe, and blade, Kamand, and bow, and buberyan, Unaided, to Mazanderan? Why didn't you give the alarm, And save yourself from chance of harm, By neighing loudly in my ear; But though your bold heart knows no fear, From such unwise exploits refrain, Nor try a lions strength again"[ Saying this, Rostam laid down to sleep, and did not awake till the morning dawned.As the sun rose, he remounted Rakhsh, and proceeded on his journey towards Mazanderan.
1.
FIRST STAGE: How Rakhsh fought with a lionHe rapidly pursued his way, performing two days' journey in one, and Soon came to a forest full of wild asses, Oppressed with hunger, he succeeded in Securing one of them, which he roasted over a fire, lighted by sparks produced by striking the point of his Spear, and kept in a blaze with dried grass and branches of trees.
After regaling himself, and satisfying his hunger, he loosened the bridle of Rakhsh, and allowed him to graze; and choosing a safe place for repose during the night, and taking care to have his Sword under his head, he went to Sleep among the reeds of that wilderness.In a short space a fierce lion appeared, and attacked Rakhsh with great violence; but Rakhsh very speedily with his teeth and heels put an end to his furious assailant.
Rostam, awakened by the confusion, and seeing the dead lion before him, said to his favourite companion:" Ah! Rakhsh, why so thouohtless grown, To fight a lion thus alone:For had it been the fate to bleed, And not your foe, my gallant steed! How could your master have conveyed His helm, and battle axe, and blade, Kamand, and bow, and buberyan, Unaided, to Mazanderan? Why didn't you give the alarm, And save yourself from chance of harm, By neighing loudly in my ear; But though your bold heart knows no fear, From such unwise exploits refrain, Nor try a lions strength again"[ Saying this, Rostam laid down to sleep, and did not awake till the morning dawned.As the sun rose, he remounted Rakhsh, and proceeded on his journey towards Mazanderan.
2. 
SECOND STAGE: How Rostam found a Spring
He had to face all dizzy as he was A desert waterless, a heat intense That dried the birds to powder; plain and waste Were as they had been scorched thou wouldn't have said.
Rakhsh was exhausted, while his rider's tongue Failed through the heat and drought, and Rostam, clutching A double headed dart, went staggering Like one bemused, and saw no means of safety.
He looked up saying:" O all righteous Judge! Thou bring'st all toil and hardship on my head, And if Thou findest pleasure in my pains My hoard is great indeed! I fare in hope That God will grant deliverance to the Shah, And that the Ruler of the world will free The Iranians from the clutches of the Div, Unscathed. They sinned, and Thou hast cast them out, But still they are your slaves and worshippers." This said, that elephantine form became Weak and distraught with thirst, and fell, with tongue All cracked and blistered, on the burning dust.Anon a well fed ram passed by. The hero On seeing thought:" Where is its watering place? In sooth God's mercy is extended to me!" Then in the Worldlord's strength rose to his feet And followed up the ram, with scimitar In one hand while the other grasped the reins, Until lie saw the spring, for thither went That stately yarn. Then Rostam looked toward heaven, And said:" O Judge, that ever speakest sooth! The ram hath left no tracks about the spring! It is no desert sheep of flesh and blood!" When hardships press on thee, in your concern Flee unto God, the Just One; they who turn Away from Him have wisdom still to learn.
He blessed that ram and said:" Ne'er may mishap From circling heaven be thine; green be your pastures, May cheetah never mark thee for its prey; Snapped be the bow and dark the soul of him That shooteth at thee who hath rescued Rostam, Else were he thinking of his shroud; but now He is not in the mighty dragon's maw As yet, or in the clutches of the wolf, So that the fragments of his clothes and limbs Should serve as tokens to his enemies." His praises offered he unsaddled Rakhsh, Washed him, and made him shining as the sun.Then Rostam much refreshed filled up his quiver And as he hunted dropped an onager Huge as an elephant, removed the entrails, The hide, and feet, lit up a blazing fire, And having washed the carcase roasted it.
This done he feasted, breaking up the bones, And having quenched his thirst prepared for sleep.
He said to Rakhsh:" Fight not and make no friends. If any foe approacheth run to me, But venture not to counter divs and lions." He lay and slept, his lips in silence bound, While Rakhsh till midnight grazed and strayed around.
SECOND STAGE: How Rostam found a SpringHe had to face all dizzy as he was A desert waterless, a heat intense That dried the birds to powder; plain and waste Were as they had been scorched thou wouldn't have said.
Rakhsh was exhausted, while his rider's tongue Failed through the heat and drought, and Rostam, clutching A double headed dart, went staggering Like one bemused, and saw no means of safety.
He looked up saying:" O all righteous Judge! Thou bring'st all toil and hardship on my head, And if Thou findest pleasure in my pains My hoard is great indeed! I fare in hope That God will grant deliverance to the Shah, And that the Ruler of the world will free The Iranians from the clutches of the Div, Unscathed. They sinned, and Thou hast cast them out, But still they are your slaves and worshippers." This said, that elephantine form became Weak and distraught with thirst, and fell, with tongue All cracked and blistered, on the burning dust.Anon a well fed ram passed by. The hero On seeing thought:" Where is its watering place? In sooth God's mercy is extended to me!" Then in the Worldlord's strength rose to his feet And followed up the ram, with scimitar In one hand while the other grasped the reins, Until lie saw the spring, for thither went That stately yarn. Then Rostam looked toward heaven, And said:" O Judge, that ever speakest sooth! The ram hath left no tracks about the spring! It is no desert sheep of flesh and blood!" When hardships press on thee, in your concern Flee unto God, the Just One; they who turn Away from Him have wisdom still to learn.
He blessed that ram and said:" Ne'er may mishap From circling heaven be thine; green be your pastures, May cheetah never mark thee for its prey; Snapped be the bow and dark the soul of him That shooteth at thee who hath rescued Rostam, Else were he thinking of his shroud; but now He is not in the mighty dragon's maw As yet, or in the clutches of the wolf, So that the fragments of his clothes and limbs Should serve as tokens to his enemies." His praises offered he unsaddled Rakhsh, Washed him, and made him shining as the sun.Then Rostam much refreshed filled up his quiver And as he hunted dropped an onager Huge as an elephant, removed the entrails, The hide, and feet, lit up a blazing fire, And having washed the carcase roasted it.
This done he feasted, breaking up the bones, And having quenched his thirst prepared for sleep.
He said to Rakhsh:" Fight not and make no friends. If any foe approacheth run to me, But venture not to counter divs and lions." He lay and slept, his lips in silence bound, While Rakhsh till midnight grazed and strayed around.
3. THIRD STAGE: How Rostam fought with a Dragon 
A dragon, such an one as, thou hadn't said, No elephant could ' scape, came from the waste. Its haunt was there; no div dared pass thereby.
It came, beheld the atheling asleep, A charger near him, and was wroth. It thought:" What do I see? Who dareth to sleep here?" Because no lions, divs, or elephants Dared pass that way or, if they did, escaped not The clutches of that dragon fierce and fell.It turned on glossy Rakhsh, who ran to Rostam, Stamped with his brazen hoofs upon the ground, Whisked with his tail, and gave a thundering neigh.
The hero woke up furious, looked about Upon the waste, perceived not that fell dragon, And wreaked his wrath on Rakhsh for waking him.He slept again, again the worm approached Out of the gloom; Rakhsh ran to Rostam's couch, And kicked the earth about and trampled it.The sleeper woke, his cheeks rose red with passion, Looked round and, seeing nothing but the gloom, Said to affectionate and watchful Rakhsh:" Thou canst not blink the darkness of the night Yet wakest me again impatiently! If thou disturb me more I will behead thee With my sharp scimitar, and carry it, My helmet, and my massive mace, on foot.I said: ' Should any lion come at thee I will encounter it. ' I never said: Rush on me in the night! ' Leave me to slumber." Then for the third time with his tiger skin Upon his breast he set himself to sleep.
The fearsome dragon roared and, thou hadn't said, Breathed fire. Rakhsh left the pasturage forthwith, But dared not to approach the paladin.Yet was his heart distracted by his fears For Rostam with that dragon, till at length, O'ermastered by affection for his lord, He rushed swift as a blast to Rostam's side And neighed and fretted, pawed upon the ground, And stamped the earth to pieces with his hoofs.Then Rostam, wakened from his sweet repose, Raged at his docile steed; but now the Maker Willed that the dragon should be seen, and Rostam, Perceiving it amid the gloom, unsheathed The keen sword at his girdle, thundered out Like spring clouds, and filled earth with battle fire.
Then said he to the dragon:" Tell your name; Earth is no longer thine, yet must not I Rob your dark form of life, your name untold." The laidly dragon said:" None scapeth me.
For centuries this waste hath been my home, And mine its firmament; no eagle dareth To fly across or star to dream thereof." It further said:" What is your name, for she Will have to weep that bare thee?"" I am Rostam," He answered," sprung from Zal the son of Sam And Nariman withal. I am myself A host, and trample earth ' neath dauntless Rakhsh.
Thou shalt behold my prowess; I will lay your head in dust." The dragon closed with him, And in the end escaped not though it strove So fiercely with the elephantine hero That thou hadst said:" He will be worsted." Rakhsh, On seeing the dragon's might, and how it battled With Rostam, laid his ears back, joined the fray, Bit at the dragon's shoulders, tore its hide As though he were a lion, and amazed The valiant paladin, who with keen glaive Smote off the dragon's head; blood jetted out In rivers, and its carcase hid the earth.The matchless one, astonied at the sight, Invoked God's name and bathed him in the spring.
Desiring conquest through God's strength alone He said:" O righteous Judge! me Thou hast given Grace, might, and wisdom; what care I for lion, Div, elephant, parched desert, and blue sea? When I am wroth all foes are one to me.
A dragon, such an one as, thou hadn't said, No elephant could ' scape, came from the waste. Its haunt was there; no div dared pass thereby.
It came, beheld the atheling asleep, A charger near him, and was wroth. It thought:" What do I see? Who dareth to sleep here?" Because no lions, divs, or elephants Dared pass that way or, if they did, escaped not The clutches of that dragon fierce and fell.It turned on glossy Rakhsh, who ran to Rostam, Stamped with his brazen hoofs upon the ground, Whisked with his tail, and gave a thundering neigh.
The hero woke up furious, looked about Upon the waste, perceived not that fell dragon, And wreaked his wrath on Rakhsh for waking him.He slept again, again the worm approached Out of the gloom; Rakhsh ran to Rostam's couch, And kicked the earth about and trampled it.The sleeper woke, his cheeks rose red with passion, Looked round and, seeing nothing but the gloom, Said to affectionate and watchful Rakhsh:" Thou canst not blink the darkness of the night Yet wakest me again impatiently! If thou disturb me more I will behead thee With my sharp scimitar, and carry it, My helmet, and my massive mace, on foot.I said: ' Should any lion come at thee I will encounter it. ' I never said: Rush on me in the night! ' Leave me to slumber." Then for the third time with his tiger skin Upon his breast he set himself to sleep.
The fearsome dragon roared and, thou hadn't said, Breathed fire. Rakhsh left the pasturage forthwith, But dared not to approach the paladin.Yet was his heart distracted by his fears For Rostam with that dragon, till at length, O'ermastered by affection for his lord, He rushed swift as a blast to Rostam's side And neighed and fretted, pawed upon the ground, And stamped the earth to pieces with his hoofs.Then Rostam, wakened from his sweet repose, Raged at his docile steed; but now the Maker Willed that the dragon should be seen, and Rostam, Perceiving it amid the gloom, unsheathed The keen sword at his girdle, thundered out Like spring clouds, and filled earth with battle fire.
Then said he to the dragon:" Tell your name; Earth is no longer thine, yet must not I Rob your dark form of life, your name untold." The laidly dragon said:" None scapeth me.
For centuries this waste hath been my home, And mine its firmament; no eagle dareth To fly across or star to dream thereof." It further said:" What is your name, for she Will have to weep that bare thee?"" I am Rostam," He answered," sprung from Zal the son of Sam And Nariman withal. I am myself A host, and trample earth ' neath dauntless Rakhsh.
Thou shalt behold my prowess; I will lay your head in dust." The dragon closed with him, And in the end escaped not though it strove So fiercely with the elephantine hero That thou hadst said:" He will be worsted." Rakhsh, On seeing the dragon's might, and how it battled With Rostam, laid his ears back, joined the fray, Bit at the dragon's shoulders, tore its hide As though he were a lion, and amazed The valiant paladin, who with keen glaive Smote off the dragon's head; blood jetted out In rivers, and its carcase hid the earth.The matchless one, astonied at the sight, Invoked God's name and bathed him in the spring.
Desiring conquest through God's strength alone He said:" O righteous Judge! me Thou hast given Grace, might, and wisdom; what care I for lion, Div, elephant, parched desert, and blue sea? When I am wroth all foes are one to me.
To Be Continued ...
SHAHNAMEH, tras: A.E.Warner, Vol2
No comments:
Post a Comment