Pahlavans & Sakastan 7. Garshasp, Saam & Zal in the Shahnameh

In nine parts: » 1. Introduction » 2. Timur's Account » 3. Lineage & Nation » 4. Thraetaona & Thrita. Keresaspa & Urvakhshaya. Varena, Rangha & Patashkhvargar » 5. Trita, Visvarupa & Ahi in the Vedas » 6. Battles with Dragon-Snakes » 7. Garshasp, Saam & Zal in the Shahnameh » 8. End Times. The Renovation of the World » 9. Religion in Sakastan

Related Reading
» Saka
» The Pahlavan Heroes - Their Story in Brief
» The Shahnameh

Shahnameh Quotes
Translation by Warner & Warner
Feridoon summoned all his paladins and nobles...
The leaders were Karan, the son of Kawa,
The chief Shirwi, the fierce and lion-like,
Garshasp the noble swordsman,
Saam the champion,the son of Nariman;
Kubad, Kishwad - he of the golden helm
And many more Illustrious men - the safeguards of the world.
(Even though Garshasp is Saam's grandfather, they are depicted in the Shahnameh as contemporaries.)

Such chiefs as Saam the son of Nariman,
Garshasp, son of Jamsheed.

Feridoon returning home sent word to Saam, the son Of Nariman,
"Come presently,"
For Saam had come from Hindustan
To help to fight against the sorcerers,
And brought withal a mighty store of gold and precious things
Above whatever the Shah required of him.

The famous monarch Feridoon seated Saam the great pahlavan beside him,
And said, "I put my grandson (Minuchehr) in your charge,
For I must now depart (from this world). Help him in all
And make him show a prowess like your own."
Then the great Shah lightly laid the young man's hand
In that of the world-pahlavan's.

Thereat rose Saam, the chief of pahlavans,
And said to Minuchehr: "O judge most just!
I from the Shahs have gotten eyes to see,
And see you as just.
My part then is to applaud.
You are the Shah of Iran by long descent.

Sit at your ease and take pleasure here.
Henceforward all the warfare is for us;
Yours are the throne, the wine-cup, and the banquet.
The fathers of my clan were pahlavans -
The shelter of the Shahs and of the great -
And from Garshasp to famous Nariman were chiefs and swordsmen.
I will encompass the earth and put your foes in bonds.
Your grandfather made me paladin,
Your love and counsel have made me wise."
The Shah (Minuchehr) returned the praise and bestowed many a kingly gift,
And then Saam with the pahlavans withdrew
And so departed on his homeward way,
While all the world conformed to righteous sway.

(Saam) gave to him (his son Zal) the name of Zal-i-Zar,
Though the Simurgh (the Phoenix-like bird) called him at first Dastan.
(Dastan is name given to Zal in the Bundahishn. The accommodation made by Ferdowsi is that Dastan was Zal's given name and Zal was a later name.)

Minuchehr sat down with great rejoicing on his throne,
And placed the royal crown upon his head.
On this side sat Karan, on that side Sam,
Both were glad and well content.

With kettledrums upon the elephants
they (Saam, Zal and their retinue) started for Zabulistan. The towns and villages turned out to gaze
As Sam approached Nimruz.
Sistan was decked throughout like Paradise;
Its bricks were gold and all its soil pure musk.
(The mention of Nimruz which if not far and to the east of present-day Zabul, might indicate it was Saam's destination, home and capital. Another mention of Nimruz as well as Zal's original name, Dastan, is as follows:)
The son of Saam is monarch of Nimruz, and other kings call him 'Dastan.'

Saam informs an assembly of the head mobed (magus) and nobles:
"Our monarch (Minuchehr) in his wisdom has ordered,
That I should march upon Mazandaran against the Kargasars (a wild tribe their name meaning 'vulture-heads'.
I take with me a mighty army;
My son - my own heart's blood and partner of my life - will stay here."

He turned to Zal and said, "Be peaceful, just, and liberal,
hold Zabulistan as home and all things there as subject to your will.
(Sam appoints Zal as regent to rule in his stead.)

Pahlavans & Sakastan pages:
» 1. Introduction
» 2. Timur's Account
» 3. Lineage & Nation
» 4. Thraetaona & Thrita. Keresaspa & Urvakhshaya. Varena, Rangha & Patashkhvargar
» 5. Trita, Visvarupa & Ahi in the Vedas
» 6. Battles with Dragon-Snakes
» 7. Garshasp, Saam & Zal in the Shahnameh
» 8. End Times. The Renovation of the World
» 9. Religion in Sakastan