The handmaiden’s master went with her to the pond to learn the truth, taking others along. When she saw her hideous reflection in the water, however, she still insisted that she was beautiful which convinced everyone that she had become possessed.
Mehr-Nigar continued onward and on the second day arrived at a mendicant’s abode. He was the chief of a group of beggars. Upon encountering Mehr-Nigar he asked her story. Mehr-Nigar replied, “I am a weaver’s daughter. My father has taken a wife in his old age and this stepmother has driven me away from the house. Now I wander around in a state of ruin and distress.” When he heard Mehr-Nigar’s account he said to her, “I declare you my daughter. Just do me the favor of distributing the food and the collection among the mendicants and make this your daily duty.” Mehr-Nigar offered thanks to God and expressed her gratitude to the mendicant.
Now hear of Amar Ayyar, King of All Tricksters. In his search for Mehr-Nigar, he followed all the clues and and finally found his way to the abode of the head of the mendicants. He recognized Mehr-Nigar from afar, doling out food to the mendicants. Amar disguised himself as an old man and approached her. When Mehr-Nigar started serving him, Khvaja Amar became tearful and said to her, “O princess, I am not a mendicant but your slave, Amar. I am remorseful for what I did and I profess myself your humble slave.” When Mehr-Nigar recognized Amar she rushed into his embrace and began crying. Hearing her crying the chief rushed there, calling out, “What has happened, my child, that you cry so inconsolably?” Mehr-Nigar told him, “This man is my father.” The beggar gave Amar five hundred rupees and told him to use that for her dowry. Amar then left with Mehr-Nigar.
On the way back to his fortress, he put the money in his zambil and drugged Mehr-Nigar to render her unconscious. Then he made her into a bundle and carried her on his back to the fort.
Hurmuz and Faramuz had received intelligence from their ayyars that Mehr-Nigar had come into their camp one night dressed as a man and had ridden away for some unknown destination on one of their horses tied at the post. They also learned that Amar had gone in search of her. The princes conferred and decided that there was no way for Amar and the princess to return to their fort without entering the mountain pass. They ordered the ayyars of their camp to lay an ambush there and when they saw Amar returning with Mehr-Nigar, they should snatch her from him.
They ambushed Amar when he entered the pass and Jahandar and Jahangir Kabuli also joined them with their armies. Then Amar prayed to God for help.
All of a sudden Naqabdar Naranji-Posh arrived there with his forty thousand troops to assist Amar by the order of God Almighty. He killed Zhopin’s brothers, Jahangir and Jahandar Kabuli, and routed the entire army of Hurmuz and Faramurz. Many an infidel was killed and Hurmuz and Faramurz returned to their camp in a state of dejection. Meanwhile, Naqabdar Naranji-Posh returned to his abode after seeing Amar to his castle. Later, Amar apologized to Mehr-Nigar all over again and had his offense pardoned by her.
Before we return to their account, a few words from the story of the Sahibqiran, the Conqueror of the World.
Amir Hamza frantically forged a path through the plains for forty days and forty nights after leaving Gulistan-e Irum. On the forty-first day, when he came to his senses, he saw before him a castle that was under siege by devs who were standing at its gates. Amir bellowed his powerful war cry and challenged their commander. He killed him and routed the army of devs.
A race of gao-pas inhabited that castle and their king’s name was Tulu Gao-Pa. He came out of the castle, embraced Amir, and took him inside the fort with great respect and deference. He organized a feast in Amir’s honor and waited upon him with great awe and reverence. After the feast was over, Amir said to him, “Would you be able to take me to my world?” He answered, “I am willing to defy Aasman Peri and take the risk if you agree to take my daughter in marriage.” Amir answered, “I am not inclined to marry anyone as I am not attracted to the people of this land!” Tulu Gao-Pa answered, “If you refuse my daughter’s hand in marriage, then pray instead kill for me the monster Rukh who is my enemy.” Amir replied, “I agree to the second condition. Take me to the beast who is your enemy.” King Tulu Gao-Pa sent his men to accompany Amir Hamza to show him this creature from afar and give him the directions to his abode. When they arrived at a white hill Amir asked them, “What regal and majestic personage is it who lives here?” His companions answered, “This is not a hill but the egg of the selfsame Rukh. It seems that he has gone away to feed.”
When the bird returned to sit on the egg and spread his wings to settle down on his perch, Amir said in his heart, This is a mighty and powerful bird and it would be well-nigh impossible to overpower it. It is also certain that this creature travels to the world of humans. I should catch his legs and scream loudly to frighten it into flying away, and he will head for the world of humans. Deciding on this course of action, Amir caught hold of Rukh’s leg and made a cry that frightened the bird into flying away with him. However, when the bird reached the Caspian Sea, he pecked at Amir’s hand with his beak so hard that Amir’s hold weakened and he lost his grip on the bird’s leg.
The prophets Khizr and Ilyas caught Amir in their arms before he could fall into the sea. They carried Amir, who had lost consciousness from the fall, out of harm’s way and laid him down safely on the shore to let him rest.
Now hear of Aasman Peri. One day she inquired of Abdur Rahman, “Pray find out where Amir is, and whether he has returned to his world or is still within our dominions.”
Abdur Rahman drew the horoscope and wrote down the results, and then read them out. Upon hearing Abdur Rahman’s account, Aasman Peri cried bitterly. She sent Quraisha at the head of an intrepid army toward the fort of the gao-pas with orders that no living creature should be left alive in their city. Aasman Peri herself flew toward the Caspian Sea, but finding holy Khizr and Ilyas there she turned away mortified with shame and hid herself from their sight.
When Amir came to, he complained to Khizr and Ilyas about Aasman Peri. They said, “O Amir! Though a lot has transpired of the decree of fate, more yet remains! Do not worry and torment yourself.” Amir said to them, “O holy personages! Pray send me back to the castle of the gao-pas!” Prophet Khizr conveyed Amir to the fort of the gao-pas, carrying out his wishes. Amir saw that the whole city was deserted: A deathly quiet prevailed there and not even a bird was to be seen. Amir Hamza asked Khizr, “O holy one, where have the inhabitants of this place disappeared? Verily, the very sight of this city makes me shudder with fear.” Khvaja Khizr replied, “Whatever passed with you here was discovered by Aasman Peri and she sent Quraisha here with an army to lay ruin to this fort and kill every single inhabitant.” Khizr then disappeared and Amir stayed all by himself in that city for three days.
On the fourth day he headed out of the city and into the plains. After another four days of traveling he saw a fort with some signs of life. As he approached, it looked as if it were the fort of Ctesiphon. When he went inside he saw the same buildings that he had seen in Ctesiphon but did not see any people and found every building empty of human presence. He encountered a towering dev of mighty build standing there who sniggered upon catching sight of Amir Hamza and said, “O human! It is my greatest wish to populate this city. I have had it constructed on the model of the city of Ctesiphon in the world of humans. I have already brought two humans to populate it and will bring more of them in the future. Because you have come here by yourself and God has sent you into this city I will appoint you the king of this city.”
Amir asked him, “Do you at all recognize me or know my name?” The dev answered, “How could I recognize you when I have never before set eyes on you?” Amir said, “My title is the Quake of Qaf.” The dev asked, “Were you the one who killed Ifrit and Ahriman?” Amir answered, “I have killed scores of devs, not just Ifrit and Ahriman!” The dev said, “I will avenge the blood of the devs of Qaf on you.” He flung a millstone at Amir’s head. Amir deflected his attack and with one m
ighty blow of his sword, dispatched that unfortunate soul to Hell.
After killing the dev Amir went into the courtyard, where he saw two beautiful and comely boys whose names were Khvaja Aashob and Khvaja Bahlol. When Amir asked their particulars, they replied, “Our father was a merchant. When he died, a dev who lived here kidnapped us and the tyrant kept us incarcerated here. Now tell us, who are you?” Amir answered, “I am called the Sword of God, the Hand of God, the Proxy of the Beneficent, the Quake of Qaf, and the Latter-day Suleiman. I have come from the world of men and have killed many a dev—including the one who kidnapped you. Have no worries now, for I shall take you to the world of humans.”
Amir Hamza left the castle along with the boys and sat down under a leafy tree to eat the bread-cake given him by Khizr. Some time had passed when a dev carrying a box tree on his shoulder came up to Amir and challenged him. Amir found out that his name was Maymar Dev and he had constructed the replica of Ctesiphon and all the buildings of Qaf. When he learned of Amir’s identity, he attacked Amir and brought the box tree down on Amir’s head. Amir foiled this attack and dealt him an unwavering sword thrust that sliced him in two like a cucumber, with not a fiber remaining attached between the two parts.
The boys were delighted to see this display of Amir’s might and valor, and said jocularly, “Bravo, O Terror of God! You are indeed a strong and mighty person! We, too, will change our names to match yours.”
In this manner they proceeded onward making pleasantries. Amir gave them the names of Jahandar Qalandar and Jahangir Qalandar.
When it was noon Amir spread the wolves’ skins under a shady tree and sat down to rest. He was overtaken by sleep and was soon lost to slumber. The boys went for a bath in the river that flowed by the tree. Suddenly a dev appeared from the forest, and upon seeing him, Bahlol said to Aashob, “Do you remember the formula for killing the dev, brother? Let us now go forward, you and I, and kill him.” They consulted together and then shouted at the dev in challenge, “Here, O carrion eater! Where do you think you are headed? Do you not know that we are the Arm of God and the Sword of God and know all too well how to deal with your race?” After challenging the dev they went forth to skirmish with him. But as the dev kept advancing toward them without paying any heed to their words and did not turn, they took fright. They hastily woke up Amir Hamza and told him all that had happened.
Amir saw that a mighty dev was advancing on them. He cut off the dev’s head with his dagger and then told the two boys, “Beware and be warned never again to try such capers!” After that, Amir headed onward in the company of the boys.
On the fifth day they saw a big ship being put to sea. Amir approached Khvaja Saeed Bazargan who owned the ship and was sailing to the world of humans. He agreed to take Amir and the boys aboard if Amir consented to marry his daughter. At first he would not consent but Khvaja Aashob and Khvaja Bahlol finally persuaded him to do so.
The boys rushed to Khvaja Saeed Bazargan and said, “Now you may marry your daughter to him and arrange for the wedding ceremony.” The merchant married Amir to his daughter and Khvaja Bahlol and Khvaja Aashob to two other girls. Amir Hamza and the two boys slept with their wives that night.
In the morning when Amir woke up he found Aasman Peri sleeping by his side and discovered that the merchant was none other than Khvaja Abdur Rahman. Because Amir had divorced8 Aasman Peri in anger, Khvaja Abdur Rahman had found a way of uniting them again, and made it permissible for Amir to sleep with Aasman Peri again.
Aasman Peri fell to Amir’s feet and began begging and vowing her submissiveness to him. Abdur Rahman also touched Amir’s feet and importuned him. Amir was then forced to return with Aasman Peri to Gulistan-e Irum along with the two boys, and there Aasman Peri held celebrations for six months.
One day Amir again said to Aasman Peri, “O Aasman Peri! Pray give me your leave now, as my heart has become oppressed from my sojourn in Qaf and I have suffered gravely from separation from my family and friends.” Aasman Peri said, “Tomorrow morning I will send you off, God willing, but do tell me if you will ever come here again and offer me an opportunity to see your face.” Amir answered, “O Queen of Qaf! Just as my heart longs for Mehr-Nigar in her absence here, it will crave you when I am back in my world and will long to behold your face.” Aasman Peri was most pleased by Amir’s words. In the morning when she ascended her throne, she sent for the four devs who always carried Amir’s throne. First she gave them a reward and then had many gifts of Qaf loaded on another throne, and said to Amir, “Please ascend the throne in the name of God and prepare to depart.”
Before Amir could ascend the throne, a great hue and cry suddenly broke out in a din like that of Judgment Day. When they looked they saw four hundred devs and jinns who used to attend Shahpal coming toward them in great anxiety. They were throwing ashes on their head and had torn their tunics in grief. Aasman Peri panicked at the sight of this and the world darkened before her eyes. She asked them, “What is the matter?” They submitted themselves to her, saying, “The emperor has departed from this world for the Eternal Kingdom!” From the shock of this terrible news Aasman Peri fell from her throne and gave herself to weeping and wailing, beside herself with grief. The whole of Gulistan-e Irum rang with lamentations and their mourning.
Aasman Peri yielded to Amir with folded arms. “Although you have stayed here already for seventeen years, please stay another forty days for my sake and bear the separation from your near and dear ones while I take my father’s body for burial in Shehristan-e Zarrin. I shall inter him in our ancient burial grounds and commemorate the forty-day mourning ritual and grieve for his demise. Upon my return from there I will send you off and give you leave to go.” Amir answered, “Very well! You may go and I will stay here and do what you ask me to do.” Aasman Peri said, “Do not become sad in my absence and leave and inflict on me the wound of your separation. I am leaving Salasal Perizad here with you. If you ever feel restive ask her for the keys and visit the Forty Wonders of Suleiman to entertain yourself so that your heart does not feel oppressed and you remain in good cheer.”
She then departed for Shehristan-e Zarrin with Shahpal’s body.
Now hear of the Sahibqiran. He passed two days with great difficulty indoors, but on the third day he prepared to head outdoors as he could no longer suffer to remain within. Salasal Perizad said to him, “Until the Queen of the Skies returns after acquitting herself of her duties to the deceased, you may go and visit the Forty Wonders of Suleiman.” He handed Amir a key and led him to the door of a building. Amir opened the lock and the moment he set foot inside, the door of that chamber closed behind him. After a moment the darkness subsided and he beheld a vast field. As he went onward and looked about, he saw a sumptuously decorated bejeweled throne. On that throne lay an apple that was half red and half green. Amir picked it up and smelled it and immediately fell unconscious and lost use of his senses. In his dream he saw a magnificent castle that was beautifully constructed. He went inside and entered a captivating garden where moonfaced damsels were promenading about. A comely maiden who was the envy of the stars was giving audience upon a luxurious throne. Upon beholding her, Amir immediately became enamored of her and pledged his life and soul to her on the spot.
That moonfaced beauty arranged a festive assembly in Amir’s honor and waited on him hand and foot. Her father arrived in the meanwhile and saw Amir sitting beside his daughter. He saluted Amir and kissed his feet. Amir embraced him and said, “Dear friend, how did you recognize me?” He answered, “We had heard from our forefathers that the Quake of Qaf would arrive here at some time in the future to regard the Wonders of Suleiman and lay low many devs with his lustrous sword.” Amir was greatly pleased to hear this. That man married Amir to his daughter and made him his son-in-law. The Sahibqiran passed seven years there and two sons were born to him in that period.
One day Amir was sitting with his beloved by the side of the pond when she said to him, “O Quake of Qaf! My anklet has fall
en into the pond. I would be grateful if you could fetch it for me.” As Amir dived into the pond, he suddenly started and discovered he was standing in the same chamber where he had entered this place, and found Salasal Perizad standing before him. Surprised at this turn of events, Amir looked around and said to him, “I would like to go into that chamber again, because my heart longs to see my boys.” Salasal Perizad said, “Your honor! These are the Wonders of Suleiman. All this talk of your sons and wife is a dream. You were away for less than an hour. All that you saw was an illusion and a dream. One encounters such marvels in a tilism. Tomorrow you may go and visit the second chamber, where new marvels await you, and you will derive ever greater pleasure from visiting it.” Then Salasal Perizad locked the chamber and escorted Amir back to the palace.
The next day, Amir opened the second chamber and went inside. After walking some distance he saw a woman’s portrait propped upon a throne. As Amir picked up the portrait to look at it, he swooned and fell on the throne, having lost consciousness. In that state he saw a garden in which many beautiful women were gathered and the one whose beauty had made him lose consciousness was dancing amidst a group of women who were playing music and singing. Amir also saw a number of ghols standing in a corner of the garden. When they saw Amir they rushed at him wielding maces. Amir drew the Aqrab-e Suleimani and attacked them, unnerving and confusing their host. The shock also made Amir open his eyes and he saw there was neither garden nor ghols before him, but Salasal Perizad stood in the same chamber.
Amir marveled at this and returned to the palace, followed by Salasal Perizad, who took care to lock the second chamber. On the third day he visited the third chamber and went inside. After walking there for some distance, he lost his way and came upon a desert, a great wasteland where the sun was blazing. He wandered there for seven days and seven nights and on the eighth day he saw a dev of strange shape and form. He caught Amir by his cummerbund and flew toward the sky with him, and when he reached the Milky Way, he flung Amir back to Earth. Amir’s eyes opened then and he saw neither the desert nor the dev but instead Salasal Perizad waiting for him in the same chamber. Amir asked him for an explanation of that chamber and he answered, “These chambers are full of wonders. However, they do not pose any danger to your safety.” In short, Amir visited thirty-nine chambers for thirty-nine days. On the fortieth day he asked Salasal Perizad to open the fortieth chamber for him so he could visit it as well. He answered, “I cannot open the door of this chamber, for I do not have the authority to do so. It is the Zandan-e Suleimani.” When Amir insisted, he told him that he did not have the key. Then Amir snatched the key ring from him, found the key to the fortieth door, and went inside. Salasal Perizad rushed off to tell Aasman Peri that Amir had opened the fortieth chamber despite his objections and had gone in.
The Adventures of Amir Hamza Page 39