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.)reflective paper for a story ” ZAHAK THE DRAGON KING “