This is the tale of Hushang from Abolqasem Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh, compiled from the Public Domain and adapted by Keyon Hejazi.
The just and wise Hushang, now master of the world, set the crown on his head and ruled in his grandsire’s place. He reigned for forty years, a mind filled with insight, and a heart with justice.
Passing, one day, toward the mountain’s side,
Attended by his procession, surprised he saw
Something in essence terrible—its eyes
Wells of blood; its dreadful mouth sent forth
Volumes of smoke that darkened all the air.
Fixing his gaze upon its hideous, serpentine form,
He seized a stone, and with prodigious force
Hurling it, chanced to strike a jutting rock,
Whence sparks arose, and presently a fire
Overspread the plain, in which the serpent perished.
Thus, Hushang found the element which shed
Light through the world. The shah1 bowed deeply,
Praising the great presence of asha,2 for the good bakht3
Bestowed on humanity, and reverent, then he said,
“This, the symbol of purity and asha and great energy;
Nourish this gift, and let our mantras4 toward it go!”
It was in the evening of that day of luminous spark that Hushang lighted an immense atash,5 and having gathered a royal celebration, he called it the Festival of Sadeh.6 After mastering fire, he set out to learn the ways of water, and he taught river and streamlet to supply the towns and irrigate the fields for the purpose of cultivation. He, too, taught humanity the art of blacksmithing, and of bread making and cookery—for, in the age before him, humankind had nothing for food but fruit, and the leaves of trees and the skins of animals for clothing.
Then ate they their own bread, for it was good,
And they were grateful to their benefactor;
The land was loved and rejoiced, for smiling
With cultivation; all the world far and wide
Remembering the virtues of Hushang Shah.
Thus, Hushang was met with a peaceful death to mark the end of his forty years of prosperous and just reign, and was succeeded by his son, Tahmuras.
Read more Shahnameh retellings.
In Iran, an emperor or king was historically regarded as a shah.
Asha (alt. arta) is the ancient concept of a fundamental force, like gravity, that exists to varying degrees in all things. It is the essence of light, good, and truth.
Derived from the Old Persian “baga” (lit. distributor), a term used for various gods of antiquity, bakht represents one’s lot or fortune. In ancient Iranian tradition, fate was not at odds with the concept of free will. Rather, people were assumed to have full responsibility for their actions, and their bakht was the result of those actions.
Mantras (alt. manthras) are incantations or inspired utterances. While etymologically and functionally related to mantras in the Vedic tradition, both represent independent, parallel developments with likely prehistoric roots.
Atash (alt. atar) refers to both fire and fire altars, which are symbols of purity and asha. While most fire temples were destroyed during later conquests of Iran, the city of Yazd is home to the oldest burning atash. Kindled around 470 CE, it has been burning for over 1,500 years and has never once been extinguished.
Sadeh (lit. hundred) is an Iranian festival that dates back to ancient times. It’s a midwinter holiday that honors fire and seeks to defeat the forces of darkness and druj. It is celebrated 50 days and 50 nights before Nowruz: the Iranian New Year.
Another wonderfully nuanced adaptation! The serpent plays such a fascinating role in IE mythologies, and this story adds another dimension to that rich tapestry. Thanks for sharing! I will have to check out the translation you mentioned…
This is so cool. Slaying the serpent in order to bestow civilisation to humanity. Have you read the Enuma Elish? I can see some parallels in the symbolism.
Are there any translations of the Shahnameh you would recommend? I might have to get myself a copy.