Qiran and a sorcerer from Mahrukh’s camp proceeded onwards while their remaining companions beseeched the Almighty God with these words:
“Might and grandeur are for Almighty God alone
And His dominion and property are they
All governments, regardless of their kind are His alone
And from His blessing and conferring exist
In the name of those God-fearing souls
Who gave their lives in His path
You alone have power over life, O Merciful One!
You are the One who is the Reviver of the Dead
Give us refuge from the enemy’s grasp
And from their power keep us safe.”
While they busied themselves praying, Qiran brought the sorcerer into the mountain pass and asked him to create a magic peacock. After the sorcerer created one from wax, Qiran put a jewel-studded saddle on it, reined its beak with a pearl-strung cord, and adorned its neck with beautiful jewels. Then Qiran disguised himself in Afrasiyab’s likeness and sat astride the magic peacock. He said to the sorcerer, “Begin reciting a spell that makes the magic peacock fly. Make whirlwinds rise and showers of fire and stone fall along the way so that the portents of a distinguished sorcerer’s arrival appear before Sharara as I approach her.” At Qiran’s orders, the sorcerer changed into an attendant’s dress, held Qiran’s stirrups, and recited a spell that caused whirlwinds to rise and fire and stones to shower down from the sky. The magic peacock rose into the air with Qiran in the saddle and the sorcerer alongside.
Sharara was on her way to Heyrat’s camp when the signs of a mighty sorcerer’s approach manifested themselves. She stopped and looked up as the fire showers fell to await his arrival. Before long, the false Afrasiyab, sporting a jewel-studded crown and wearing a sumptuous dress, appeared in her view astride a magic peacock. Seeing the emperor approach, Sharara stepped out of the blaze and came forward to pay her respects.
The false Afrasiyab stayed his peacock and said, “Well done, O Princess! There are no words to describe the amazing speed with which you clinched victory over the rebels.” With these words, he jumped down from the magic peacock. The sorcerer who accompanied him put an end to the spells that caused the whirlwinds and the rain of fire and stones. Sharara presented salvers laden with rich offerings, spread a gold brocade carpet in honor of the false Afrasiyab and ordered her attendants to set up her pavilion in that place.
While Sharara’s attendants got busy carrying out her commands, the false Afrasiyab said to her, “I made a pilgrimage to the Dome of Sameri and learned a spell that can reveal the events that will take place from now up to twelve years into the future. If you sit down with closed eyes and recite “O Sameri!” thrice, I will teach the spell to you.”
Sharara felt greatly honored by the false emperor’s attentions and kindnesses. She sat down with eyes closed in a pure and clean spot in that wilderness and chanted the refrain, “O Sameri!” Qiran, who stood beside her, hefted his cleaver in his hand and struck out with all the leisure in the world, smashing Sharara’s skull and making her brains fly out. Qiran then made his war cry and escaped. Sorceress Sharara Blazing-Flame thrashed about on the ground and was dispatched hellward. Her magic spirits cried out and her attendants ran to her aid. In the meanwhile, the wall of fire that enclosed Mahrukh, Bahar, Nafarman and others disappeared and a voice called out, “I was killed! Sharara Blazing-Flame was my name!”
When Amar heard this, he said to Mahrukh, “There, O Mahrukh, that ill-begotten sorceress was killed! Do not let her army escape alive now.” Mahrukh and all her companions took their magic coconuts and magic citrons, grew magic wings and fell on Sharara’s camp, which was already in upheaval at the proclamation of her death.
Thousands were killed and rolled in gore and dust in the very first charge of Mahrukh’s warriors. Surkh Mu Wonder-Mane let her hair loose and thousands upon thousands of stars rained down shattering the skulls and bones of Sharara’s men like a shower of meteors. Then Princess Bahar threw her magic bouquet at them. Spring manifested itself and a cold, refreshing breeze, which was like the breath of the Messiah, began to blow. The flower buds bloomed at once into flowers and vast gardens full of flowers and aromatic herbs appeared. Sharara’s sorcerers fell under her spell. Then magic swords fell on them from the air,
The enemy skulls with arrows were riddled
Like a rose-filled garden all paths in red were bathed
Every severed head was like a fresh cut flower
That forest their bouquet became
Covered all in blood every sorcerer
The envy of the rose garden became
The springtide was a sword for their rose garden
That was harvested in springtime
Wherever one looked one saw harvesting in progress
The dead lay drowning in blood
The destroyer of the garden of life
The flower of cruelty and tyranny bloomed
Well acquainted with the garden of the world, I
Never saw in autumn’s midst such a spring
The surviving sorcerers from Sharara’s army escaped weeping and wailing toward Afrasiyab’s court.
Earlier, when Empress Heyrat had heard of the arrest of Mahrukh, Amar and others, she headed for Sharara’s camp. She was on her way when her sorceress-aide Yaqut presented herself and said, “I received news that Sharara has been killed and Mahrukh has returned victorious and triumphant.” Heyrat returned to her camp after receiving this inauspicious news.
After Mahrukh returned from the battlefield, she gathered her dispersed army. Her companions, who prayed for her in the mountains, began to arrive after receiving news of her success. Kettledrums sounded notes of triumph and victory.
Mahrukh stayed in those environs for one day to organize her army anew. The following day the marching drums were beaten and the army advanced with great majesty and ceremony and reached its old campsite within view of Heyrat’s camp. Mahrukh’s triumph-incarnate army set up their tents. The pavilions of the nobles and commanders were raised and the camp came alive with the bustle of old.
Queen Mahrukh resumed her seat on the throne and said to Bahar, “One of your attendants removed Princess Khubsurat the Beauty from the battlefield and took her into the safety of the mountains; send for her now. Since we have as many friends as we do enemies, the princess must be brought back to the camp before any trouble finds her.” In deference to Mahrukh, who had personally ordered her, Bahar departed to bring back Khubsurat the Beauty herself.
SORCERER NAAG THE SERPENT
Now hear of what passed with Princess Khubsurat. Bahar’s attendant, Mehran, brought her to the banks of a river near the mountainside to enjoy the sights. It so happened that one of Afrasiyab’s subjects, a sorcerer named Naag the Serpent, lived in those parts. He recognized Princess Khubsurat and approached Mehran and said, “O Mehran, there is no pleasure in killing you for you are a mere attendant, but Khubsurat is the daughter of Empress Heyrat and I will certainly take her back to the court.”
Naag the Serpent recited a spell whereupon a black snake came out of the ground and coiled around Mehran. It was so venomous a snake that merely from its coiling around her skin Mehran fell unconscious. Naag the Serpent then caught Khubsurat and headed on his way.
In the meanwhile, the trickster girl Sarsar also arrived on the scene and witnessed Naag capturing Princess Khubsurat. She said to herself, God knows what sorcerer Naag intends to do with the princess. I should snatch her from him lest he should dishonor her in any way. Sarsar approached Naag and hit him in the face with an egg of oblivion. As soon as Naag fell unconscious Sarsar cut off his head. His magic spirits clamoured and cried out, “I was killed! Naag the Serpent was my name!”
Mehran regained consciousness at the death of Naag and headed in search of Khubsurat. In the meanwhile, Sarsar made Princess Khubsurat unconscious, made her into a bundle, and brought her to her pavilion. She said to her companions Saba Raftar and Shamima, “Ke
ep watch to make sure nobody takes away this bundle.” Then she went to Heyrat’s court and said to the empress, “I can bring Princess Khubsurat the Beauty before you as a captive if you give me your word that you will not kill her.” Heyrat said, “I would never harm her for she is my own daughter. Quickly capture her and bring her to me.” After receiving the empress’s assurance, Sarsar returned to her pavilion, picked up the bundled up Khubsurat and headed out.
Qiran, who was present in Heyrat’s camp in disguise, saw Sarsar carrying a bundle and reckoned that it must be one of his own commanders. He called out, “O mistress, you would surely die if you took another step.” Sarsar drew her short sword and fell upon Qiran. A great commotion rose in the camp as the fight broke out.
In the meanwhile, Princess Bahar arrived at the mountainside in search of Khubsurat and came upon the corpse of Naag the Serpent. Bahar saw no one around and realized that Khubsurat had fallen into trouble. She decided to search for her in Heyrat’s camp and upon arrival beheld Sarsar with a bundle over her shoulders, fighting Qiran. Bahar recited a spell that made Sarsar’s feet stick to the ground. Princess Bahar flew away with Khubsurat and also took Sarsar along with a magic claw.
In the meanwhile, Qiran decided that it would not do to stay in Heyrat’s camp any longer and escaped from there.
SORCERER ALLAMA THE WISE
When Bahar arrived in the wilderness with Khubsurat and Sarsar, she came across one of Emperor Afrasiyab’s attendants, sorcerer Allama, who was on his way to Heyrat’s camp to deliver the emperor’s message. On an impulse, he challenged Bahar but when she turned to face him, he realized that he would not be able to fight her. Sorcerer Allama had with him a little soil from Jamshed’s grave, which he threw on Bahar, making her fall unconscious. Allama carried Bahar, Sarsar and Princess Khubsurat in a bundle to Heyrat’s court.
Burq the Frank, who was present in the wilderness, saw all this from afar and ran to Mahrukh’s camp where he gave the whole account to sorcerer Shakeel. Hearing of his beloved’s capture, in a frenzied state Shakeel rushed to aid her with tears in his eyes. His mother, Queen Mahrukh, could not bear to see him leave in such a distressed state. Overcome by maternal love, she followed him.
In the meanwhile, the trickster girls had departed in search of their leader, Sarsar. Seeing Mahrukh coming, Saba Raftar disguised herself as trickster Zargham.
She approached Queen Mahrukh in Zargham’s disguise and made her unconscious with an egg of oblivion. Saba Raftar now bundled up Mahrukh but, as she headed for her camp, she ran into Qiran, who had come from there. He recognized Saba Raftar in Zargham’s disguise and rushed at her, cleaver in hand. Saba Raftar dropped Mahrukh and escaped. Qiran restored Mahrukh to consciousness and the two of them headed onwards.
In the meanwhile, sorcerer Shakeel had intercepted sorcerer Allama, who was carrying away Princess Khubsurat. The two sorcerers invoked their magic and recited spells and charms against each other. Now, one sank into the earth by reciting a magic spell; now, the other flew heavenwards by magic. The smoke from the magic fires rose; the waves of the magic sea roared.
Sarsar, who witnessed their magic combat, found a chance to make Shakeel unconscious with an egg of oblivion. Sorcerer Allama now put Shakeel under magic incarceration and carried him toward Heyrat’s camp. But Sarsar arrived first in Heyrat’s camp and the empress received news that sorcerer Allama was bringing her daughter along with her lover and Princess Bahar. Heyrat immediately came out and proceeded on her conveyance to receive Allama.
In the meanwhile, it occurred to sorcerer Allama that, rather than take his prisoners to Heyrat’s court alive, he should behead them, lest some misfortune should intercept him on the way and the prisoners be set free. Allama stopped near a mountain to carry out his plan.
When Shakeel had departed from camp to rescue Khubsurat from Allama, Amar Ayyar had also left after him. He arrived at the same mountain where Allama had stopped, appeared before him in a sorcerer’s disguise and accosted him, saying, “O shameless wretch, why have you caught these women who embody someone’s honor? You seem a most consummate rascal!” Sorcerer Allama asked him, “Who are you?” Amar answered, “The emperor has made me the custodian of this place. I am its master.” Allama answered, “Don’t be so cross. I only have the emperor’s fugitives Shakeel, Bahar and Khubsurat in my custody.” Amar said with a laugh, “I did not recognize you earlier. In fact, your wife is my sister-in-law by relation. You must share a meal with me at my house before proceeding onwards.”
Allama made excuses and said with great politeness, “O brother, let us kill these fugitives first.” Amar said, “Let me see a glimpse of Shakeel’s face. I want to see for myself the comely face that made Princess Khubsurat renounce her own family.” Allama had cast a spell to make his prisoners invisible to the human eye for fear of Mahrukh’s sorcerers intercepting him. He removed it, cast many spells on Shakeel to render him completely powerless, and then showed his face to Amar.
When Amar saw his face he said to Allama, “Give him to me so that I may cut off his head.” He then led Shakeel by his hand to a secluded corner and said to him, “I am the father of four and have been born from fifteen wombs. Make me an offering so that I may spare your life.” Shakeel marvelled at this speech and wondered how the sorcerer could have been born from fifteen wombs since everyone is born from just one. Then he realized it might be Amar. Overjoyed, Shakeel replied, “I will pay you five thousand rupees if you release me.” Amar made him take a pledge then returned to Allama and said, “I feel pity for him; he is already dying in separation from his beloved. Must you kill him?” Allama replied, “I will spare him only if he submits his allegiance to Emperor Afrasiyab.” Amar said, “Let me go and persuade him.” He returned to Shakeel and said, “It is entirely likely that after your release you may not pay me the sum you promised. I would then have no recourse to force you to pay. Therefore, I would prefer that you give me Khubsurat’s bracelet.” Shakeel now became certain that it was Amar and realized that he would be presently released. He was most pleased and said, “What of her bracelet? I am your slave and my beloved is your slave girl. You are free to take all her jewelry.”
At these words, Amar also realized that Shakeel had finally recognized him. He returned to Allama and said, “You were right. These rebels are very headstrong and would not consent to submitting to the emperor. Bring me some large stones from the bottom of the mountain and let us smash their heads and make them die a most painful death.” Allama said, “Keep guard on them while I fetch the stones.” He went down the mountain and fetched some stones.
As he was on his way up, Amar took out a stone from his zambil and rolled it down toward Allama. The sorcerer’s head broke into a hundred pieces when the stone hit him. Stones and fire showered from the sky and the noises of his magic spirits rose at his dying.
All the prisoners were released and Shakeel started for the camp with his beloved.
SORCERER ZALIM KOHI THE CRUEL
It so happened that a sorcerer named Zalim Kohi the Cruel lived on the mountain where Amar killed sorcerer Allama the Wise. Upon hearing the noises resulting from Allama’s death, he rushed to the scene and captured Amar with a spell. At that moment, Princess Bahar hurled a steel magic ball at him and shattered Zalim’s spine. His magic spirits made hellish noises as he died. A whirlwind rose from the ground and carried the corpses of both sorcerers Allama and Zalim toward Afrasiyab.
Princess Bahar turned to go back to her camp but Heyrat, accompanied by a few distinguished sorcerers, appeared on the scene and barred her way. She and Bahar began exchanging magic blows and then Mahrukh, with the trickster Qiran, arrived and joined the fight.
Bahar broke a garland from around her neck and threw it at the enemy. Suddenly, a cold breeze blew and a refreshing and bracing garden crowded with roses and jasmine appeared. The redolence of the flowers overpowered the senses of all of Heyrat’s companions. The scenery became more lush and verdant every moment.
I
n that very pasture a garden appeared
Which seemed of Paradise borne
Although it was in appearance a garden
It was in reality a tilism
Like the hand of the bountiful philanthropist
No branch was empty of flower or fruit
Colorful was the expanse with its myriad-colored flowers
And the fruit varieties that from branches hung
Beyond count or number in that garden grew
Both seasonal and out of season fruit
Empress Heyrat too, fell under the spell. She swayed drunkenly and stepped into the garden singing the praises of flowers. She plucked a rose and was about to inhale its fragrance when a ringdove came flying and with her claws took the rose out of Heyrat’s hand. The ringdove raised its head and spoke to Heyrat, saying, “O Sovereign of the World! you are the Empress of the Tilism. Do not allow yourself to fall under Bahar’s spell. Beware! Consider every flower in this garden worse than a thorn or you will come to terrible harm from the adverse seasons of the world, and the branch of inauspicious accidents will sprout a new calamity.”
These words of warning from the ringdove brought Heyrat to her senses. She realized she would have lived to rue the day had she smelled the rose. The empress invoked her magic to come out of the tilism and confronted Bahar.
Suddenly, Afrasiyab felt the need to consult Heyrat over some matter and dispatched a magic claw to fetch her. Bahar and Heyrat had exchanged a few magic blows when the magic claw swooped down and carried Heyrat away to Afrasiyab. She saluted the emperor and gave him a detailed account of all that had passed.
Hoshruba Page 49