Shahnameh - The Book of Kings (Synopsis, Part XVI)

Isfedndiyar

Lohurasp reigned in wisdom and equity for 120 years, and all were content but for Gushtasp his son, who was rebellious and angry that this father would not grant him sovereignty. And so he ran away to the land of Roum, and went to the city that his ancestor Silim had built, and the King gave him his daughter to wed after he did great deeds. And Lohurasp, learning of this, sought to win his son back. He entreated him by stepping down from the throne, and Gushtasp ruled worthily and justly.

During Gushtasp’s reign as Shah, Zerdusht appeared, as the prophet of the Most High. And the people were given a good faith, and purged the remnants of Ahriman. Zerdusht also planted trees throughout the land, and whoever at the leaves was learned in all that regarded the life to come, and whoever ate the branches was perfect in wisdom and faith. And Zerdusht also brought the Zendavesta, and of following its precepts would come everlasting life.

But Arjasp, who sat on the throne of Afrasiyab, thought this new religion vile and sent to Gushtasp a plea to return to the faith of their fathers, threatening war if he did not. And Gushtasp, who had converted, said to make ready his army. Gushtasp readied his own army, which numbered more than the grass, and the commander was Gushtasp’s own son Isfendiyar, a hero of renown with a bounteous heart and a clever tongue.

And so Turan and Iran battled, and Iran overcame, and Isfendiyar returned home and demanded a blessing. But Gushtasp told him he must first convert all the lands to the faith of Zerdusht.

But while Isfendiyar was gone, his evil foe Gurjam spoke ill to the Shah of his son, and caused Gushtasp to fear that his son would try to grasp his power. And upon Isfendiyar’s return he was bound into chains and thrown into the dungeon, and Arjasp was pleased to hear of it. And the army Arjasp gathered fell upon Balkh before anyone knew, and the old Shah Lohurasp was killed and Gushtasp’s daughters captured. Arjasp burned the temples of Zerdusht and it took much time for the Shah to hear of this. And while he brought his army together, they were defeated by the Turans, and the Shah fled to consult his nobles, one of whom counseled him to release Isfendiyar.

But Isfendiyar was upset that his father kept him in chains until he was needed, and refused to help until he was told the whole tale of Gurjam’s interference. But he still ignored them until he was told that his brother was held by Arjasp.

So Isfendiyar jumped down and demanded his chains be removed, and went and defeated Arjasp, King of Turan. But Gushtasp did not want to give over the throne, and cried out that it was not meet for Isfendiyar to speak of promises while his sisters still remained in the grasp of Arjasp, and charged him with their rescue.

But Isfendiyar did not know the road, and Gushtasp told him a Mubid had revealed it to him, and gave him directions, with the safe path taking three months, the desert path taking two, and the dangerous path taking but a week. Isfendiyar chose the shortest path, saying that no man could be taken before his time, and would not be deterred by the nobles or Mubids speaking against it. And through the seven stages of the path he encountered danger at each stage, from wolves to Deevs to dragons, to magicians, a mighty bird, heavy snow, and finally the fortress itself.

Seeing the impossibility of taking the mighty brass fortress, he knew that only wile and guile would serve him, and disguised himself as a merchant with 160 warriors hidden in chests amongst the camels laden with treasure that the army just happened to have with them. And Arjasp allowed him entrance, and Isfendiyar found his sisters to be slaves, and he asked a boon of Arjasp to provide a feast to show his gratitude. And when the nobles were overcome with wine, Isfendiyar released the men from their chests, and struck down Arjasp and hung his sons from the gallows. And the army was allowed entrance, treasure was taken, sisters were rescued, and the Shah was pleased upon his return.