Jamasp Namag 04 - The Wicked Invaders
Jamasp Namag, Chapter 4 Translated by E.W. West (Sacred Books of the East, Vol. 5, 1880)
Chapter 4. On the Rulers before King Vishtasp
King Vishtasp asked Jamasp the astrologer: Who were the first ruling monarchs and kings? What was the faith of each of those kings? What kind of religion and justice and leadership and kingship did they have? What did they do in paying homage to the name of Dadar Ohrmazd?
Jamasp the astrologer replied to him that the first monarch was Gayomard Gilshah. For three thousand years he was without opposition (i.e., any affliction from the evil spirit). For thirty years he lived under opposition and grief. His work and justice were such as those revealed in the religion. His knowledge was good. In the same way he met with opposition in bringing forth mankind. At the time of his passing off (i.e. death) he said thus: “It is good for me that for the sake of piety and goodness, opposition, came to me. From him the seed passed to the tree. The tree accepted it, and it passed off to the earth. The earth accepted it. It remained in the earth for thirty years. Then in the form (kêrêf) of the plant rovâs, it grew up from the earth. From them were first born a noble woman and a man. And by (means of) the valuable association of the woman with man, was born Hooshang (as a pair of) a man and a woman. He (Hooshang) ruled for forty years over the seven lands [haft keshwar]. Hooshang was (called) Peshdad because it was he who first promulgated the justice of God. He struck seven heshâim [Aêshma] Eshm (i.e., demons). He overthrew one Druj. From Hooshang were born a woman and a man (by name) Vivangan. That (female) Vivangan was like a fairy. He (i.e., the male Vivangan) took her in to the snare of his jurisdiction, and Tahmurasp was born. A male, Spedivar was born from Tahmurasp.
He ruled over the seven countries (of the world) for thirty years. He kept the body of Ahriman like baggage under his thighs (i.e., rode over him).
For thirty years he (i.e., Ahriman) could not commit any sin (i.e., harm). He (Tahmurasp) killed many (devs) demons, and fairies and devils, and he separated the demons from all connection and company of men.
From Vivangha were born a man and woman — were born Jama and Jamai. And Jamshed (Jama) was (possessed) of a good retinue, full of glory, of laborious habits, liberal, and successful. He took the seven countries (of the world) under his sovereignty. (He ruled) over men and demons seven hundred and seventeen years and seven months and five days.. Clouds, wind, (and) rain were under his command. He gave the demons, the devils and the Drujs in the complete service of man (i.e., he subdued them for the good of mankind). The demons prepared food for men. Men were living in a state of easiness, fulfilling their desires. In the rulership of that Jamshed, there was neither cold nor heat, neither old age nor plague, (or untimely death), nor envy given by the demons. He (Jamshed) kept them away from work (i.e., counteracted their influence). He deprived of sight seven fairies, who, like a star which moves in its revolution, wandered from stars to stars. He imprisoned them and made them blind with one eye. Again he took a promise from them. He arranged cold and heat, (and) everything according to (a) measure (i.e., moderately). He made the world more prosperous. For complete 717 years and 7 months he was thankful to God. For 100 years he went away with the woman Jamai secretly to the sea in despair. Then, after being both grateful and well-asked for., when he became a speaker of untruth, when his splendor and glory were displeased with him, misfortune overtook him. The accursed Az-Dahak Zohak, whom they call Baevar-aspa, with the prince Spediver and with may demons caught him, slew him, and took up one thousand rays from it (i.e., Jamshed’s Glory).
The sovereignty of Az-Dahak Zohak, who had three tongues, six eyes, one thousand artifices, (continued) for 1000 years over the seven lands, the seven countries, (and) over demons (and) men. He spread sins and evils and mischiefs among men. He caught every day two young persons and killed them, and satiated with the brains of these persons the two serpents which he had on his neck. Then he himself ate bread. He spread among men, mischief, much injustice, (and) unworthy deeds. At the end of 1000 years, less one day and a half, came Faridoon Athwyan, a relation of Jam Jamshed. In revenge for Jam he made Baevar-asp prisoner, and in the most surprising way bound him in fetters in Mount Damawand.
The good and glorious Faridoon took the sovereignty in the country of Khwaniras over demons and men for five hundred years. He accepted the religion from God. He learned from God, charms and mystic formulae and remedies. He introduced in the creation of God, much of friendliness and health. He ordered men that all men may live well, and go and toil after their own work. (He said to them), “You have no business with demons. (Have) neither work, nor food, nor company, nor friendship (with them). Live and behave among yourselves, one with another, in peace, unanimity and good bearing. Adopt regular justice. Turn from improper (ways), because you have no business whatever with demons.”
At times a freebooter and plunderer keeps the sea at his foot, and comes to the country of Khwaniras. From these people (i.e., the people of the country) the plunderers took away cooked food and victuals. Then people came to Faridoon complaining against the people of Mazendaran. They said, “Az-Dahak was a very bad king (sunk) in every kind of pleasure. He kept back the enemy of Muruv [Merv?]. He cannot keep you away.” Then Faridoon went in the vicinity of Mazdendaran. He said to them (i.e., to the freebooters of the place), “Do not take away men from this country, go to the path of the pure (i.e., keep away from injuring the people).” They said, “We will not go away from here, we will not leave (this place) when (i.e., as long as) you are alive here.” Faridoon, when he heard (words) in this way, by the splendor and glory of the angel (Yazad) Eshiaja (?) stood supreme. Wind (lit. air) began to blow up. From that (i.e., as a result of that) wind began to blow [doubtful]. From that, a promontory of stones (arose) from every direction. Each (promontory i.e., heap) was more than a thousand mounds. They threw each hill (i.e., the heap of stones) one over another, and that Mazendaran disappeared from that country21 (i.e., the freebooters were expelled from the country).
From Faridoon were born three sons. Salm, Tuj, and Airik were their names. Then he called all the three before him, and said to each of them, “I am going to divide the whole world among you. Everyone of you may ask what appears best to you, so that I may give it to you.” Salm (asked for) much pomp. Tuj for comfort. From Airik, over whom there was so much of Kayan Khwarrah, the desire was that of religious justice. Faridoon said, “Whatever is your wish shall be given to you.” He gave to Salm the land of Hurem up to the edge of the sea. He gave Turkestan till the edge of the sea to Tuj. To Airik came the country of Iran with India up to the edge of the sea. Faridoon at once there and then took off (the Glory) from his own head and placed it on the head of Airik. He said, “My glory has sat on the bead of Airik till the morning of the day when resurrection will be performed. May you (Airik) live always with your children, and may the kingship and sovereignty continue over the children of Salm and Tuj.” When Salm and Tuj saw (the state of) affairs in this way, they said, “What is this that our father Faridoon has done! He has given the chiefship neither to the eldest son, nor to the middle son, but has given it to the youngest son.” From that time they sought for a remedy. They killed Airik, their own brother, and his good young children by his wife, named Vizak, so that no child may remain alive. Then Faridoon brought up the woman (i.e., Airik’s wife) secretly. The woman remained concealed from (her) relations in a mountain for 330 years. Three thousand men went under the chieftainship of Manashviar and at the command of (the angel) Neryosang, they came to the country of Iran. They asked for revenge for Airik. They killed Salem and Tuj. Manashviar of Airik sat on the throne of the country of Iran. They called him Manashviaran because his face resembled (Mânaêt) that of Airik. They said that his face resembled well the face of Airik.
He ruled for 120 years. Under his sovereignty the world was prosperous, virtuous and without fear (from anyone). In the midst of the sovereignty of Manashviar, the demon, Frasiyav Tur, took away the sovereignty for twelve years. Manashviar-i-Eraj lived in the mountain of Padashkhar. Then Spandarmad went to the earth complaining. They (used) many remedies and contrivances of good abstinence, and other good means, and the land was taken back from Frasiyav.
After Manashviar, Huzuba Tukhmaspan ruled for five years. Kay Kobad for one hundred years. Kay Kaus one hundred and fifty years. Kay Khosraw Siavakhshan sixty years. Kay Lohrasp one hundred and twenty years. From Kay Lohrasp the sovereignty came to you.