Amar made his ablution with water from the spring and offered his prayers. He broke into tears thinking of his mercenary act and, deeming that this holy site was a place where prayers would be granted, he supplicated to God with all sincerity. In the midst of his weeping and importuning he was overtaken by sleep of a sudden, and beheld a group of ancients standing around him, regarding him with affection.
One among them who was tall of stature gave Amar a lion skin, and said, “Put this on! It is called the dev-jama.58 Once you have dressed yourself in it, you shall become immune to any and all calamities and will be safeguarded from the harm of all demons and malignant jinns. The zambil59 that you see with it can accommodate the entire contents of the world in it, will produce all that you may wish for, and will safeguard what you vouchsafe to its care. Such is the miraculous power of this zambil that when you place your hand on it and recite, ‘Grandfather Aadam! May I acquire such and such an aspect!’ you shall presently convert to that form. Moreover, you will be able to speak and comprehend all the languages of the world. Learn ye now that I am Aadam!”
The second ancient gave Amar a goblet, and said, “Commit to memory the Most Great Name written on this, as it will be of great value to you! Learn ye now that I am Ishaq, the prophet of God!”
The third ancient introduced himself as Prophet Daud. Giving Amar a do-tara,60 he said to him, “When you shall play this do-tara and sing, you will surpass even the greatest musician, and even if your audience is alien to the science of music, their hearts will be overwhelmed by your singing, and they will adore you and love you with a great passion!”
The fourth ancient gave his name as Prophet Saleh and, stroking Amar’s back with his hand, said to him, “Nobody will ever outpace you, and the finest charger will be unable to match your speed! You shall run faster than the wind, and never tire!”61
As Prophet Saleh was saying these words, a throne descended from the heavens on which an ancient was seated. Amar’s eyes were bedazzled upon beholding the face of this ancient, and he was awed and overcome by his majesty. The other four prophets greeted him with great reverence and honor. Amar asked them, “Who is this personage?” And they replied, “He is the Last Prophet of Time, Muhammad the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him)!”
Amar made obeisance, and with folded arms spoke thus: “Sire! I plead you to grant my wish that the Angel of Death not extract my soul, that I may not die until I myself ask for my death three times!” Then Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him!) said, “Should it be Allah’s pleasure, your wish shall be granted!”
Then Amar woke up, and saw lying around him all the gifts that he had received from the prophets. Amar gathered all those gifts and displayed them before Saalim, who said, “Send Hamza here, too, Amar, so that he may also receive what is apportioned to him by destiny!” Then Amar left, and on his way back, he put his hand on the zambil to try it out, and called out, “O Grandfather Aadam! Make me tall and change the color of my skin to a hue darker than pitch.”
Immediately Amar noticed that he had risen in height, and when he held a mirror to his face, he was himself terrified by his features.
He entered the camp of the faithfuls and started playing on his do-tara. Whoever heard its sound left their work unattended, and followed in his train. People brought news to Hamza who ordered that the Indian be presented before him, and found him to be of a form exceedingly strange. Riveted by his singing and music, Hamza and all his nobles became so engrossed that they lost command of their senses and were thrown into reverie as if somebody had cast a spell over them.
After Amar finished his song and stopped playing, Hamza asked him, “Where have you come from, stranger, and what is your name?” Amar answered, “I go by the name Mahmud Siyah-Tan! I am a denizen of this very land, and am known to the Khusrau of India, who rewards me according to his liberality, albeit always short of my expectations, thus obliging me to solicit before other princes!” The Sahibqiran ordered his men, saying, “Take this Indian to our treasury, and allow him to take all he can carry!” Thereupon Sultan Bakht Maghrebi took Amar to Hamza’s treasury, and asked him to collect his reward.
Amar started bringing each and every chest out of the treasury, whereupon Sultan Bakht Maghrebi said, “All this is worth hundreds of cart-loads. Take only what you can carry!” Amar replied, “Rest assured that I am only doing what I was bid!”
Thinking that the Indian was perhaps a lunatic, Sultan Bakht Maghrebi kept quiet. The other employees of the treasury also watched in silence, while Amar spread his net and piled up all those chests on it. When he slung the entire load over his shoulder and made to head out, those assembled became bereft of their senses from marveling.
Sultan Bakht Maghrebi stopped Amar from leaving, saying, “Wait a while until I have informed my commander.” Amar put down his load and sat there to wait. Sultan Bakht then narrated the whole episode to Hamza, and said, “O Sahibqiran, he seems to be some jinn or a ghol of the desert, or else he is some wizard. He tied up all the chests in the treasury in a net and, carrying them all upon his shoulders, walked with a light foot! I held him up with the ruse of obtaining your leave before he departs.”
Hamza discerned that this could only be Amar, returned with some new artifice. He then went himself, and said to Amar, “What a surprise, my friend, that you picked us to be the target of this trickery!” Amar could not hold back his laughter then. Amar related his whole adventure, and said, “Saalim has sent for you, and he has put away gifts for you as well!”
Hamza rested that night, and in the morning headed for the vale with Amar and other nobles. He came upon an arena where a body of men were guarding exercise equipment. When Amir asked them to whom the arena belonged, they replied, “It is the arena of the Khusrau of India!” Hamza turned to Amar and said, “Let me show a display of my strength to these people!”
Then Hamza stepped into the arena, but when he could not lift the mace, Hamza became most distraught and cried out, “O Almighty God! When I am unable to lift up Landhoor’s mace, it is certain that combat with him will be most perilous!”
Then Hamza left the arena despairing, and after visiting Saalim, went to the mountain and made his pilgrimage to Aadam’s footprint and offered prayers at that site. In the course of his penultimate prostration, all of a sudden he was overtaken by stupor and fell into a deep sleep.
In his sleep he witnessed a throne descending from the heavens and lighting up the place with its brilliance. On that throne a group of ancients of illuminated aspects were seated. One among them, who was of a tall stature, greeted Hamza by his name and said, “O Hamza, take this armlet and wear it. Your arm will never be lowered by your adversary then, nor will anyone ever prevail against your arm’s might. And even should your adversary be a thousand yards tall, by virtue of this blessed armlet your sword will yet surmount his head. But do not ever be the first to sound the war drums, never take precedence in seeking combat, and not until your adversary has first dealt you three blows should you deal him one yourself! Never kill one of noble soul, offer reprieve to the one who asks for it, do not pursue a retreating enemy, and never break the heart of one down in spirits! Never turn a mendicant empty-handed from your door. Never give yourself airs of vanity, and never be a braggart, nor let yourself be the agency through which the least injury is inflicted on the weak and humble. And take heed when you bellow your war cry, as its sound will travel sixteen farsangs, and instill great fear in the hearts of those who hear it!”
After imparting these injunctions Prophet Aadam embraced Hamza, and other prophets showed him their favor also, whereupon Amir’s eyes opened in ecstasies of joy. He returned to Saalim, who congratulated Amir and said, “This traveler to the land of Death awaited you only, as guiding and initiating you on your destiny was entrusted to me[?]. Adieu, as I must now depart for the final leg of my journey!”
Having said this, Saalim recited the Act of Faith, and was entered into Heaven.
After Amir had attende
d to Saalim’s burial, he headed to Landhoor’s arena. He lifted up the mace weighing one thousand and seven hundred Tabrizi maunds with ease upon reciting, “In the name of Allah!” as if it were a twig, and removed it to another corner of the arena. Then he returned joyously to his camp.
The guards carried news of this incident to Landhoor’s ears, who presently arrived at the arena. He marveled greatly upon finding the mace placed in another corner, and reasoned that someone who was his equal in might had arrived on the island.
Now hear of Amar, who entered Landhoor’s camp in the guise of a Khorasani, with the do-tara in his hand. The mace bearer asked him, “Who are you, what is your trade, whence have you come and from what land?” Amar answered, “I have come to these lands with the son-in-law of the Emperor of the Seven Climes, and the fame of the liberality of the Khusrau of India has brought me to his august threshold.” The king ordered that the Khorasani be brought into his presence.
Amar’s appearance greatly intrigued Landhoor. He asked Amar, “What is your name, of which country are you a native, and where are you domiciled?” Amar made answer: “I am known as Baba Zud Burd, and I call Khorasan my home!” Landhoor said, “A matchless name you have, and it appears that you assault men and plunder their property!” Amar replied, “The only strikes this vassal makes are with a plectrum on the cords of my instrument; and I plunder only the hearts of my audience, and make them mellow!” Landhoor was greatly delighted by this quip and ordered Amar to sing, and Amar complied with his request
As Amar began to sing, the whole assembly was thrown into raptures. While the assembly was engrossed in his song, Amar’s greedy eyes were glued to the four emerald peacocks affixed to the four corners of Landhoor’s throne.
Greatly pleased by Amar’s singing, Landhoor said, “Ask me for anything, O Baba Zud Burd! Speak what you most desire!” Amar replied, “Naushervan’s son-in-law has bestowed much on your vassal, and freed me from all material concerns!” After a while, Landhoor again said to him, “You must ask for something, as I wish to reward you for bringing such delight to my heart with your singing!” Amar answered, “Your slave does not crave gold and riches, but desires instead to be your cupbearer, should the permission be granted!”
Landhoor signaled to the head cupbearer who handed Amar the goblet and ewer. After the cup had been passed for some two or three rounds, and Amar saw that Landhoor’s eyes showed the effects of intoxication and signs of losing control of his senses, he stretched out his hand and plucked out one of the emerald peacocks, and hid it under his arm. Landhoor saw him from the corner of his eye, and said, “What is this you are doing, O Zud Burd! Why did you put the peacock in your bag?” Amar winked at him, and said, “Be quiet lest someone hear this and the thing become known!”
Then Landhoor laughed out loud and said to Amar, “O Baba Zud Burd! Little do I care should someone hear me, since the goods belong to me and it is not I who steals them! But since even your theft is so deliciously audacious, I willingly grant you the other three peacocks as well.”
Amar made obeisance and, after putting away the peacocks, thought of lining his pockets further. Without the Khusrau catching him this time, he mixed four mithcals62 of an inebriant in the wine ewer, and poured out two cups each for Landhoor and all his courtiers. Hardly a moment had passed before the eyes of all those present became glazed, and with resounding thuds they fell unconscious on the floor. Without loss of time Amar began his pillaging and looting. Then he made his way out, and reaching his camp before long, sat dragonlike upon all the treasure he had gathered.
It so happened that just then Amir Hamza ordered a search to be made to determine Amar’s whereabouts. The members of the search party said to Amar, “Come along with us as the Sahibqiran has sent for you, and ordered us to produce you before him, however and wherever we find you!”
When Amar was led before Hamza with all these goods and effects, Amir laughed, thinking that Amar must have robbed someone again. He asked his friend, “How did you come into these possessions?” When Amar replied that everything was a gift from the Khusrau of India, the Sahibqiran did not believe him, and had all the effects put away into safekeeping for the night.
The following morning, Hamza said to Aadi, “Convey my regards to the Khusrau of India and take to him all these things, in addition to the other gifts that I shall also give into your care. Also, give the Khusrau this message from me: ‘Amar visited your court last night in disguise and he maintains that the Khusrau of India made him a gift of all these effects, but as I do not believe his account I am returning all these goods back to you. And should you deign to accept my small token as a gift—it would afford me great joy. And I beseech you to inform me if Amar is guilty of any offense, so that I may chastise him accordingly!’ ”
In Landhoor’s court, meanwhile, the Khusrau of India and the nobles of his court regained their senses when the sun of the new day rose. Upon beholding the whole court looted bare, they looked for Baba Zud Burd, and made inquiries as to his whereabouts. As Landhoor was busy conducting these inquiries, he noticed a note tied to his neck. After reading its message, he discovered that it was in fact Amar who had visited him the previous night in the guise of Baba Zud Burd.
When Aadi arrived, Landhoor received him with honor and seated him above all his nobles, and accepted from him the gifts sent by the Sahibqiran. As to the things stolen by Amar from his court, however, he declared that he had conferred their possession to Amar.
Landhoor said to Aadi, “After offering him my humble greetings, convey this message to Amir Hamza: ‘Even if the tiniest shadow of spite passed over my heart against Amar, it has now been forgotten. I request that he, too, not let it cloud his heart. I would be beholden to Hamza if he would send Amar to visit me without a disguise!’ ” After speaking, Landhoor conferred a robe of honor on Aadi and gave him leave to depart.
When he returned, Aadi narrated all that he had seen and heard, and upon hearing this Hamza was greatly pleased, and said to Amar, “O Baba Zud Burd! The Khusrau of India desires to see you in your real person, and has returned your booty as a gift.” Amar was in seventh heaven when he heard these words, and headed for Landhoor’s court after stashing away all the goods.
Along his way Amar saw a group of merchants who were also headed for the Khusrau’s court. They were carrying very many excellent and choice objects, and one of the merchants had a crown, which was studded with such a marvel of jewels that nobody had seen or heard the likes of them. Amar donned the garb of a merchant, and followed along in their entourage. When the party reached the threshold of Landhoor’s court, they were ordered to enter and display their goods.
Landhoor was most delighted when the crown was presented before him, and said “Reward these merchants over and above the cost of the crown! I shall wear this crown on my head this instant!” When Amar overheard this, he said, “We must first be paid the price of the crown, then the Khusrau may freely put it on his head!”
At these words, Landhoor instantly returned the crown and said to the keeper, “Bring it to me once its price has been paid to the merchants. I would never dream of acquiring anyone’s property by force!” The broker took the crown to the merchants, and asked them to name its price. Amar took the crown from his hand, and said, “I shall judge its worth once I have appraised it in the sunlight—as one must speak judiciously regarding business matters in the court of kings!”
Amar stepped out of the Hall of Audience and, peering intently in the sky, spoke thus, “What a dark cloud is rising in the skies! I imagine it is the harbinger of a severe dust storm, as a great mist is upon us!” Thus speaking Amar stepped to one side, and then made away, giving them all the slip.
The news was immediately conveyed to the Khusrau who mounted his elephant and went in pursuit, and intercepted Amar, who tried to hide himself in a thicket. But finding no escape from there, he was distressfully looking around when he beheld a hut, with a man inside grinding a hand mill. Amar immediately ba
rged into his house, and said, “The Khusrau has had a dream, and philosophers have interpreted that the king will be delivered from the evil boded in his dream, if he beats a drum with a head made of a miller’s scalp. A party is on their way here to catch you, and they bring the executioner along!”
When he heard that, the poor man almost died of fright. He asked Amar, “How can I escape from the power of these tyrants?” Amar replied, “Give me your waistcloth so that I may wear it and sit here grinding the hand mill in your stead. You must dive into this pool here. If someone comes looking for you I will divert them from your house by some trick!” The miller immediately handed his waistcloth and dress to Amar, and dived into the pool stark naked and settled there without moving.
Soon Landhoor arrived and told Amar that a man of such and such a description had entered his house and to tell him where he was hiding. Amar replied, “That man jumped into the pool and has been hiding there!” Landhoor then undressed and jumped into the pool after him, and Amar picked up his dress and headed to the office of the royal treasurer.
When he found the treasurer, he showed him Landhoor’s dress, and said to him, “The Khusrau of India has sent me with this token to collect two hundred tomans from you and return to him posthaste to bring him the money!” The treasurer handed him the two hundred tomans without asking any questions, and Amar headed for his camp.
Now, when Landhoor tried to get the miller out of the pool, the miller banged his head against the stones of the pool. After inflicting this injury on himself, he said to Landhoor, “Now my scalp is damaged and shall be of no use! You must look for another miller now, and fit out the drum with his scalp, and present it to the Khusrau so that he may drum it and ward off the evil boded by his dream!” Landhoor wondered what insanity might have come over him to utter such crazy words.
When the miller got out of the pool Landhoor saw that he was not the person he had been looking for. Landhoor stepped from the pool and asked the people gathered outside if they had seen anyone come out of the house and pass their way. They replied, “We did not see anyone pass here except for the man whom Your Excellency sent with his robe to collect two hundred tomans from the treasurer. He passed by here again after collecting the money from the treasurer. But we know not where he lives!” At this, Landhoor understood that it was Amar, and he marveled at his ingenuity. After changing into a new robe, he mounted his elephant, and headed in a straight line toward Hamza’s camp by himself.
The Adventures of Amir Hamza Page 18