Zahak the Dragon King (epic tale )rev. 1/2000 *Note: this is a rough prose translation; the original is poetry.

ZAHAK THE DRAGON KING translated from the Farsi

by Parviz Lashgari & Deirdre Lashgari [© 1991 by Deirdre Lashgari] –from Firdawsi’s Shahnameh,

the Iranian national epic, “The Book of Kings”-­

PRELUDE: JAMSHID (Summary) [Jamshid brought great prosperity to the land of Iran, teaching the people such arts as spinning and weaving. He also developed technologies like the mining of metals for weapons.

Noticing that people work better with a division of labor, Jamshid divided the people into four groups. Spiritual leaders were the first group. He sent them into the mountains, where they devoted themselves to worship and songs of praise. The second group was made up of warriors, “protectors of the nation and the royal crown.” The third was farmers, “through whom the world prospers.” And in the fourth group were the craftsmen, “whose souls are filled with images.”]

He ordered demons [“impure devs”] to mix water with clay for the building of houses. He brought geometrical shapes into architecture, and had lofty palaces built. He mined rubies and other precious stones and discovered many perfumes, as well as medicine and cures for illness. By inventing the ship, he made it possible to travel from land to land by water.]

(Translation) When Jamshid observed all his accomplishments, he acknowledged no power above himself. lie constructed a great throne studded with jewels, so high that it shone in the sky like the sun. Then he sat as ruler upon his throne. The world lay about him, and the Divine Presence was with him. People showered jewels on him, and they called that day NoRuz, the New Day. Henceforth, each year at this time the king and his people would cleanse their bodies of pain and their hearts of ill-will and resentment. With the king on his throne, the nobles would summon dancers and wine. This celebration remains with us as a tradition from those first days.

Three hundred years passed thus without death or sickness or pain or fighting. From this throne which he had built on the backs of the devs, Jamshid ruled for many years in peace, with kindness toward his people.

Then he proclaimed, “I find no one in the world as great as I am. I have brought art into being. Who but I has had such a throne? I blessed the world and removed its pain. Eating, sleeping, and comfort — all these you owe to me. Your clothes and your good fortune come from me. I have brought glory, crown, and kingdom. Who says there is any other god but me? Medicine has made life good. No one before me could eliminate sickness and death. Who among all kings, past or to

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come, has my power to wipe out death? The consciousness and soul which inhabit your bodies are of my giving. Those vvho follow Ahriman [the Spirit of Darkness] do not follow me. Now that you know that I have brought all this into being, do not delay in calling me ‘Creator of all things.”‘

Hearing this, all the wise men bent their heads. No one could speak. At Jamshid’s words, the Divine Presence departed from him. The world grew full of gossip and backbiting. Twenty-three years passed in his kingdom, and his army had scattered. That poet spoke well who said, “When you become a king, seek to be a servant.” He who grows ungrateful to God will find anxiety rushing from all directions to fill his heart.

Day became dark for Jamshid when the Divine Presence, the world-lighting sun, drew apart from him. Then the king realized that God was displeased with him, and he became frightened. The Lord of righteousness was disappointed with him, and there was no remedy or cure. Jamshid wept tears of blood and begged God for mercy. But the Divine Presence had left him. Lamentation was on his face …. [More on Jamshid later.)

ZAHAK In that time there lived in the land of those who throw spears a man named Mardas. He was a king and a good man, who feared God and knew the nature of the cold wind of death. Mardas, this great man of the Arabs, was supreme in justice and wisdom. His flocks increased a thousand-fold. Goats, camels, and sheep he gave to the people who milked them, along with cows, noble Arabian horses, and other animals. Whoever needed milk or anything else, he reached out his hand to help them.

This righteous man had a son named Zahak. This young hero was called Bivar-Asp, or “Ten Thousand Horses” in the old [Pahlavi] language. From day and from night he had received two portions, meant for greatness not for hate. But he showed nothing of love or human affection. lie was brutal, mean, and irreligious. Eblis [the Spirit ofEvil] appeared to Zahak one day in the guise of a righteous man, and he conquered the heart of the young prince through the appearance of goodness. The young man, ignorant of the stranger’s ill deeds, entrusted to him his willing ear, his mind, his heart, and his pure soul. Thus he threw himself into misery.

When Eblis understood that the young man’s heart had been won, he was pleased. For a long time, he spoke eloquent and beautiful words to the youth, whose mind was empty of wisdom. Then Eblis said, “I have many secrets to tell you, which no one knows but me.”

The youth said, “Speak without delay, 0 righteous one. Teach us.” “First you must give me a promise. Then I will speak openly and truly.” The young man was simple of heart, so hl: swore, as Eblis required, that he would listen to whatever Eblis told him, and would not repeat it to anyone. Ehlis said, “Why should anyone but you be king, 0 renowned one? When there is a son like you, why should there be a father? You must take my advice. This old man will hang on forever, and you’ll never have a chance to be king. Consider the wealth [sar-mayeh] of his court. His place suits you well. If you remain

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faithful to what I tell you, you will become king of the world. When Zahak heard this, his heart grew heavy with the thought of shedding his father’s blood. He told Eblis, “This is not proper. Give me other instructions, because this is not good.”

Eblis said, “If you fail to carry out what I tell you, you’ll betray your oath to me. This oath and my halter will fall over your neck; and you will become small, while your father is great.” Thus he conquered the mind of the youth, and Zahak accepted his command.

He asked, “Tell me how I must accomplish this act.” Eblis responded, “Twill find you a way. I will make your head as high as the sun. Keep quiet, and I will do all that’s required. Just don’t unsheath the sword of speech.”

The king had a pleasant garden, and woke in the night to bathe in that hidden garden before going to worship. Since he was devout, he never carried a light with him. The evil demon had dug a deep pit and covered it with leaves and branches, and then left. During the night, when the king came to the garden, he fell into the pit. His fortune shattered and he was destroyed. That generous-hearted believer, who knew well the conf1ict between Good and Evil, heaved a bitter sigh. He had brought up his child with attention and affection, and had bestowed gold on him. He had been happy because of his son. Now this son, evil and shameless, had broken this bond oflove and affection and joined in spilling his father’s blood.

I have heard this saying from a wise man: “Even if the son were a lion, he would not be so cruel as to kill his father, unless he had conspired with his mother.” The son who abandons the tradition of his father is a stranger, not a son. Zahak the shallow [sabok-mayeh, or “light in substance”] thus assumed the place ofhis father and the crown of the Arabs. When Eblis saw that Zahak bad levied no taxes upon the people, he set another trap for him.

Eblis told him, “When you followed me, you gained all the power in the world. If you now listen to me and follow my orders, and make me another promise, the whole world will fall under your rule — men and beasts, birds and fish.” Eblis then switched to another strategem. He disguised himself as a young man, eloquent of tongue, perceptive of heart, and pure of body. He went to Zahak’s home and said, “May the king be satisfied with me. I am a famous cook.” When Zahak heard this, he gave Eblis the key to the royal kitchen, and put him in charge.

At that period the human body grew slowly, because there were fewer foods. So the evil Ahriman [Spirit of the Lie, the Evil which Eblis embodies] gave Zahak the idea of killing animals. First the cook gave him the yolk of eggs, and for a time kepl him in health. Then he made foou from all kinds of animals, from~ birds and four-footed animals. He nourished Zahak like a ferocious lion to make him more savage. Whatever he commanded Zahak, Zahak would do, even placing his soul in pawn at his command. Zahak ate all this new food, and praised the cook. And the taste of the food became good to that unfortunate man. The deceiver said, “May you live forever, 0 majestic King! I will make a dish

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for you tomorrow that will nourish you completely.” He departed, spent the night considering what he should prepare the next day to surprise him.

Next morning, when the blue dome of sky displayed its golden jewel, he cooked a partridge, and approached expectantly. The king of the Arabs placed his hand on the table to eat, and in the emptiness of his mind he bestowed his affection on the cook.

On the third day, the cook decorated the table with fowl and lamb of different varieties. On the fourth day, when he had set the table, he brought food prepared from the spine of the cow, seasoned with saffron and rosewater as well as vintage wine and musk-butter. When Zahak stretched out his hand and ate, he was amazed how skilled and wise the cook was, and said, “Tell me your fondest wish, and I will grant it.”

The cook said, “0 King, may you live forever and always be king. My heart is wholly filled with your love. The wealth of my soul is in beholding your face. I have only one thing to request, though I realize I am in no position to ask. That is, that you permit me to kiss both your shoulders, and to touch them with my eyes and face.

When Zahak heard the man’s wish, he had no way of knowing his secret intent. So he said, “I grant it. Your name will be famous.” Thus he permitted the demon to become one with him. As soon as Eblis kissed him, the demon vanished, a wonder such as no one had ever seen. And from Zahak’s shoulders grew two black snakes.

Zahak became distraught, and asked everywhere for a remedy. At last, he cut the snakes off. But wonder of wonders, like the cut trunk of a tree, those two snakes grew back again. Wise doctors gathered around him, each offering a different opinion. They searched all fields, including that of magic, but could find no cure.

Then Eblis appeared once again before Zahak, in the guise of a doctor. He said, “This sickness has a cure. Wait, and you will see that there is a painless remedy. Prepare food, and quiet the snakes by feeding them. There is no other way. Give them nothing but the brains of men. This is your prescription. Your pain and its cure are lamentable. Each day you must kill two men at once, and feed their brains to the snakes.” Through this advice, the chief of the demons intended to pursue his work in secret, destroying all people on earth.

[back to J amshid] Meanwhile in Iran there was trouble, with fighting in every comer of the country. The bright day was darkened. The people had turned away from Jamshid, and the Divine Presence had been obscured before him. He turned toward crookedness and unwisdom. In each comer of the land, some ambitious man raised an army and fought, his heart emptied oflove for Jamshid. Jamshid’s armies left one by one, and turned to the land of the Arabs, where they heard there was a king with the body of a dragon. So the knights of Iran journeyed to Zahak and called him “King of Iran.”

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The dragon king carne swift as the wind to Iran and placed a crown on his head. Then he assembled an army of Iranians and Arabs and other champions from different lands, and went to Takht-e Jamshid [the “Throne of Jamshid,” capital of the land]. There he put on the universe like a ring on his hand. Jarnshid’s fortune was going badly, and the new Icing harassed him sorely. Finally, Jamshid went to Zahak and handed over to him the throne and the crown, greatness and treasure and army.

After Jamshid gave his crown and throne to Zahak, he disappeared and was not seen for a hundred years. After a hundred years, that unrighteous king reappeared one day in the Sea of China. Zahak captured him there and gave him no mercy. He cut Jamshid in half, freeing the world from all fear of him. Jamshid had hidden for a time from the breath of the dragon, but in the end could not escape him . .Jarnshid’s kingdom and govemment and throne vanished; and with its going, the world went dark. … Jamshid had lived 700 years, and left much of good and evil behind him.

What’s the use oflong life if it reveals no secret to you? Life nourishes you with nectar, and you hear nothing but sweet songs. The One who spreads love and compassion does not desire you to follow the way of Evil, but for you to be happy, and to share with Him your innermost thoughts. The Other will draw the brain from your body, and anguished blood will pound in your heart. Thus it is with this transient world. Seek to plant only the seeds of good. I weary of this temporary abode. 0 God, release me from this sorrow.

When Zahak became king, he reigned for a thousand years. The tradition of the Wise Men [Magi, priests of the Zoroastrians] disappeared. The greed of demons spread through the earth. Art became debased, and sleight of hand was admired. Righteousness was hidden; Hurtfulness and the Lie were everywhere. The demons stretched out their hands toward evil. There was no sign of goodness, except in hiding.

Two ladies from the house of Jamshid –both sisters of Jamshid and crowns of womanhood — were dragged from the court, trembling like willow leaves. Shahnaz and Arnavaz were carried off to the house of Zahak and delivered over to that dragon. He led them into the path of evil, and taught them sorcery and magic. The whole world was his, and he knew nothing but plundering, burning, killing, and the teaching of evil.

Each night two men, from the hills or elsewhere, were taken by the cook, the “feeder,” to the king’s kitchen. From them he prepared a cure for the king, killing them and drawing out their brains to feed the dragon.

Two righteous men in the royal house, one called Garmael the seer and the other Armael the believer, met to talk over diverse things –the unjust king and his army, and his nasty habit of feeding his snakes with the brains of the people. One of them said, “We should go as cooks to the king’s court, and see whether we can find a way to save at least one of the men they are about to kill.”

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They went and asked for jobs as cooks. They were hired, and king’s kitchen came under the authority of these wise-hearted men. When the time for slaughter arrived, two young men were seized and dragged to the cooks. The hearts of the two cooks were filled with grief, their eyes were filled with tears, and their minds were filled with indignation. They looked at each other. Seeing no alternative, they killed one of the men and mixed his brain with the brain of a sheep. Then they told lhe one who had been saved, “Listen, so you will know our secret. If you are not in the city of prosperity, at least you will know the joy and freedom of the plains and mountains.”

In place of the young man’s brain, they made food for the dragon from the brain of animals. In this way, 30 men each month were saved by these two men. When their number reached 200, the cooks secretly gave them goats and sheep and showed them the way to the [mountain] fields. The Kurds are descended from these 200 men, though they no longer remember their forefathers ….

When 40 years yet remained of Zahak’s life, behold what God made to pass through his head. One long night, when he was sleeping with Arnavaz in his chambers, this vision was revealed to him. Three warriors suddenly appeared in the palace of the kings, one young and two older. They were as tall as birch trees, and had the grandeur of kings. Their belts were fastened like those of champions, and they walked like kings. In their hands they held clubs adorned with the image of a cow. They rushed toward Zahak, challenging him to battle; and they beat him with weapons the color of cows. The younger hero fastened him in chains, binding his hands like two stones. He put a halter around Zahak’s neck, and ran toward Mount Demavand dragging him, with a crowd of people following.

Zahak tossed and turned in his bed. His heart was distraught. He cried out in his sleep with such force that the walls trembled in that palace of a hundred pillars. The two beautiful women woke at his cry. Arnavaz said, “0 King, what has terrified you so? Please tell me. I won’t tell a soul. You’re sleeping in the safety of your own house. How can it be that you are so frightened of your own soul? The whole world lies under your domination. Everything, from the height ofthe moon to the back of the fish, belongs to you.”

The king told the women, “So strange a thing should not remain secret. When you hear, you will despair for my soul.”

Arnavaz told the king, “Unlock your secret’s treasure-room. Perhaps we can help you.”

So the king told them everything, from the beginning.

The woman said, “There is a solution, since you are king and glory of the world. Demons and fairies, birds and beasts, are under the authority of your royal ring. Gather astrologers and learned men from all the nations of the world, and tell them your secret. Seek from them the solution to your problem. Discover who it is who controls your mind, whether he be from the race of men or of demons or fairies. When you know who rules your mind, then you will know what evil to fear.”

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The kmg approved of this advice. When the mountaintop, which had been dark as the wings of a crow, was suddenly kindled, and the sun threw a powder of gold over the dome of blue, the king called together the learned men whose hearts were awake to wisdom. Anxiously, he told them his dream and asked them for a cure. “Without delay, throw light on my path. Privately reveal the good and evil of the spheres, and tell me who will have my crown and royal belt when I am gone. Tell me your secrets. Otherwise, you will lose your heads.”

Their lips grew dry and their eyes damp, while their tongues were filled only with words for each other. “If we tell him the truth, our lives will be dragon meat.”

Three days went by, and no one dared reveal the tmth. On the fourth day, the king grew angry and said, “Do you choose to be alive or dead? If you won’t reveal your secrets, you die.”

All the sages sat with their heads hanging, their eyes bloodshot, and their hearts divided.

Among those learned men was one who was wise and righteous, and his name was Vazirak. Taking a few steps forward and strengthening his heart with boldness, he let his tongue speak.

“All mothers bring only death into this world; so abandon your illusions. There were many kings before you who deserved the throne and crown. They experienced great sorrow and great joy, and at last they met their end. When their long days were over, they died. Even so it is revealed that you will not long remain on your throne. There is one in your kingdom who will bow your head and bury your royal fortune. His name is Afaridun [“the Created”]. For the earth, he will be a joyful portion.

“He has not yet been born. When his many-talented mother has borne him, he will be fruitful as a tree. Once grown, he will seek your crown and your throne. He will then be like a birch tree. He will beat you over the head with a club covered with cow’s skin. He will place you in chains, and will carry you from your palace to the mountains.”

Zahak the unclean replied, “Why should he harrass me? Why should he put me in chains? What’s the cause of his hatred toward me? II

The wise man said, “If you have wisdom, you should know that no one does violence without reason. You have hurled down the wisdom of his father; and for that reason, hatred will be stored up in his heart against you.”

From fear, Zahak fell from his high throne unconscious on the floor. When he recovered and was once more seated on the throne, he ordered a search for Faridun. He could neither eat nor sleep nor rest. His bright day had turned darkness.

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[Afaridun, or Paridun] Faridun the fortunate was born into a very different world. He grew like a cypress, surrounded with the aura ofkingship [farrah]. In his actions, he was like the sun; in his skill, like rain. Complete wisdom was in his soul. The spheres revolved toward the fortune of Faridun.

The cow whose name was Por-Mayeh [“full of substance or leaven”], highest of cows, came from the womb like a peacock in full glory — to every mind a different color. Wisdom had gathered over her head. No one had ever seen a cow like that in all the world, nor had anyone heard the elders tell of such a wonder.

Zahak sent queries into the world in search of Faridun, but no one could find him.

Faridun’s father was Aptin. Because of Zahak, the world seemed oppressive and burdensome to him. He decided to flee, but found himself suddenly in the jaws of a lion: men of unrighteousness seized him and can·ied him to Zahak.

Faridun’s mother, Farang, was beautiful and wise. Just as she learned what had befallen her husband, Faridun was born, bearing royal glory [kwarr]. Her heart filled with love for her son. Weeping, she ran toward the fields to find the famous Por-Mayeh, the cow of splendor. Weeping tears of blood, she said, “Take this small child from me. Keep him safe for a time. Accept him like a father, and nourish him with the milk ofPor-Mayeh.”

The secret voice ofPor-Mayeh replied thus, “So long as I am with your son, I will honor your wish.”

Farang left her son there, and he was nursed three years on the milk of Por-Mayeh.

By this time, word ofPor-Mayeh had reached Zahak.

One morning, the mother came running and again spoke to Por-Mayeh, keeper of the pasture. “The Creator has awakened within me in the form of Wisdom. My sweet-tongued child is all I have. We are in danger, and I must break with this land of sorcerors and go with my son to India. I will flee crowds of people. Perhaps we will seek refuge in the mountain of Alborz.”

Having spoken these words of lamentation, she took her son and went toward Alborz. There on top of the mountain they found a holy man, a hermit who had withdrawn from the sorrow of the world.

Farang said to him, “0 man of righteousness, I am a poor woman from the land of Iran. Know that this son of mine will be a king in the world. He will cut off the head of Zahak and bury his powers under the earth. It would be fitting if you would become his guardian and protect his soul and mind. His body has been nourished by Por-Mayeh. Now his soul needs to be nourished with Wisdom.” Meanwhile, the evil Zahak learned where Por-Mayeh was grazing in that green pasture. He came like a drunken elephant and destroyed her, killing all other

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