sign in sign up
<<
Home , Pishdadian dynasty, Salm (Shahnameh), Tur (Shahnameh)

International Journal of Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Science (IJASHSS) Available online at http://www.ijashss.com Volume 5, Issue 2 (2016) pp. 111-116 Original Article The Life and Death of Feridun in -name Susan Fotohi Member of Faculty of Farhangian University, Campus of Bent-Al-Hoda Sadr Kurdistan Received: 19 March 2016, Revised: 18 April 2016, Accepted: 25 April 2016 ABSTRACT In this essay “Feridun” as one of the ancient Pishdadian kings whose life and fate has been mentioned in Pahlavi and Zarathustra-language books is comprehensively analyzed based on different aspects like his children, ethics, personality traits, fame summarizing dominant conceptions of Shah-name and his activities within it. Keywords: Shah-name, , Feridun.

Introduction “Feridun” is called “Fartan” is Pahlavi rock so as to hit it on his head. They roll it books and introduced as one of Pishdadian down and due to God’s order, the roaring 1kings in Shah-name. In national stories, sound of rolling rock made him wake up his father’s name is Atbin. is made of and he stops the stone by using magic. His writers’ inflection error1and semantically brothers come to know that is God’s will false. He was murdered by Zohak. and Feridun forgives them and doesn’t Feridun’s mother was called mention their faulty action. 4 leaving him in a plain to a guard In this essay, Feridun’ ethics, children, possessing a milch cow. Faranak asks him spiritual status and fame in Shah-name, his to nurture her infant with that cow’s milk. role in creating goodness and badness in The guard gave this infant to a religious world and raising long disputes between man living in mountains after he becomes and will be explored by paying 3 years old.2 Feridun had two younger attention to this fact that ’s family brothers called Kianush and Purmaye (Iranian) and Tor’s family (Turanian) both helping him at the initiation of revolt and were descendants of Feridun. by his order offer making a cow-head cudgel by experienced iron smiths. 3 Feridun in Zarathustra Feridun’s brothers, when seeing his Feridun in Zarathustra is called affluence and happiness, draw a plant to “Thraetaona” constituted of two parts. The murder him so that when Feridun is first part is “Thrita” which means “three” sleeping on mountain side, they both go on and second section is “Vetavanat” that mountain top and pull up a big piece of signifies “Such” the equivalent of which is “Aton” in Pahlavi language and “Adon” in

Comprehensive Dictionary of Shah-name, p. 152 . So the meaning of 1 Masaheb Dictionary, First Volume, p.43 2 Shah-name, Joll Moll, First Volume, p. 40-41 Above, p.46-47 3 4 111 | Page

Fotohi Int. J. Adv. Stu. Hum. Soc. Sci. 2016, 5(2):111-116

Feridun in “Three Adons” or “Three Such” Trans: He is bred from lion’s den/you 5 should know that you can’t fight him His father’s name was Atoie which is You can’t fight side by side with equivalent of Sanskrit word “Aptya”. In him/nobody can organize arms like him Zarathustra he is usually called “Atoyane”. among the Turks This is an adjective meaning “Of Atoya A fighter that is descendant of Feridun/ is dynasty” which originates from Pahlavi a brave man never given birth to before language. 6 2-On the subject of majesty: Trans: May the creator stay permanent in Feridun’s Dynasty in Zarathustra poise/ which offered him every talent Feridun’s dynasty and Family line is May his head remain proud and his body mentioned in “Bandeheshn” book, chapter sturdy/ His personality higher than that of 31 article 7 which says: “Feritun Aspian is cosmos son of Portora Aspian, son of Sok Tura 3-On the subject of Domination over Aspian, Son of Portura Aspian, Son of Tura Zahak: Aspian, Son of Spidtura Aspian, Son of Trans: A common man was asked on his Kafrtura Aspian, Son of Ramktura Aspian, family/that who you are descended from. Son of Vanfar Ghashn Aspian, Son of Jam, He said: I am from God/ that rubbed Son of Vaive Naghan, Son of Aspian Portu Zahak’s descendants from ruling power Dainat”. 7 4- On passing Arvand river to dominate Zahak’s capital city: Reigning Regions of Feridun’s Sons in Trans: Feridun, on hearing that, got Zarathustra angry/and wasn’t scared of sea depth He got resolute right on that spot/and got In Zarathustra, the regions reigned by this on that speedy ship 3 sons have been named too. In “Farvardin His mind got kin on fighting/ and slid the Yasht”, article 143 the following sentences ship into the water have been written: “Peace and Blessing be His fellowmen got resolute/ and headed upon the good men and chaste women of towards the sea Turan. Peace and Blessing be upon good They got to the beach with firm men and chaste women of Sairime Lands. minds/from which they headed towards Based on written materials in books, , city and Iraj each have ascribed their names to their ruling lands.” 8 On his fighting ability The Fame of Feridun in Shah-name Trans: The brave men all acted like sturdy lions/all determined on revenge on Iraj 1-In terms of familial nobility, it was an In the interior red swords showed up/all honor for one to be considered as his showing wars within with swollen swords descendant: On division of world among his sons: Trans: the wound of sword and god’s 5 Above, p.48 wrath/ will result in one individual coming Turanian in Historical Perspective till Conversion to Islam, 6 out p.19-20

7 Poshtha, First Volume, p. 193 And like wise Feridun which did offer/ Above, P.194 lands to Tur, Iraj and Salm 8 112 | Page

Fotohi Int. J. Adv. Stu. Hum. Soc. Sci. 2016, 5(2):111-116

Condolence of son’s death (Iraj) daughters of Yamin king for the three of them. Trans: Feridun which shed tears with pain Feridun tests them in order to get aware of and sorrow/ his eyes got full of water their intentions and forget the nasty drops like a sea. fantasies murmured on their intentions to Saturated with Iran’s sorrow, full of kingly murder one another. Feridun names them sorrow/ so poignant that moon didn’t rise based on their reactions and then divided up due to that. the known world among them. He called On making of Cow-head club that is his the older son which ran to stay away from special weapon “Salm”, the younger son which goes straight on to fight the Dragon “Tur” Trans: Draw on that club the face of and the youngest son that has both /worshipper of moon and sun. features and fights without hurry “Iraj”. He The cow head/was ordered to be cut on it also called Salm’s wife as “Arezo”, Tur’s too wife as “Mah Azade Khoi” and Iraj’s wife as “Sahi”.9 On wisdom Feridun and His Children Trans: I saw him riding with high majesty/ wise and of grandeur The events happening with Feridun’s It was as if the Creator/ had bestowed him family is like opposition of goodness and evil surfacing as the murder of the On worshipping God innocent and retribution of the sinful people.This opposition is particularly Trans: God! You created a good universe/ shown within the whole period of the end of which can’t be seen from sky. sportsmanship the two stages of which Who can worship something other than begin with Iraj’s death and decease of you/sending his soul to hell? Siavash.10 Due to this, the God-worshipping Feridun/ In fact the seed of enmity between Iran got to such a position in life. and Turan initiated with division of On sportsmanship Feridun’s territory among his sons. He gave the East and Rome to Salm, Turan and Trans: No strongman like you have been China to Tur and Iran Cities and Naize- born on the Earth so high in levels varan plain to Iraj. Firdausi says that he chose Iraj for reigning over Iran because of Feridun’ Racial Origins conceiving him a finer ruler.11 Before dividing his throne among his sons, When Feridun was 16 years old, he visited Feridun ordered astrologists to look for his mother to ask of his racial origins. fortune of his sons. It was defined that Faranak replied him by saying that he is a fortune of Salm and Tur was inundated descendant of Tahmors. with peace and happiness while that of Iraj Feridun’s Children manifested nothing but revolt and war.24It

Feridun had three sons two of which-Salm Shah-name, Hamidian, 8th Volume, p. 370 and Tur-were given birth by Shahr-Naz 9 Shah-name, Joll Mole, p. 69 and Iraj born by Arnavaz which later chose 10 Life and Death of Sportsmen in Shah-name, p. 149 11 113 | Page

Fotohi Int. J. Adv. Stu. Hum. Soc. Sci. 2016, 5(2):111-116 might be due to fear of his bad fortune that Trans: I wanted the truth held in Feridun kept Iraj by his side. World/wasn’t looking for separation in After a while, the feeling of jealousy brotherhood. showed up in both brothers and both tried Did people of ancient Iran accept a new to send a reproofing message to their order different from the initial one? Could father. it end in rebellion? It might seem that Feridun just advised them in reply giving the throne of Iran to Toraj had two threatening to react harshly to them. 12 reasons: private and public. The public Then he talks with Iraj of their jealousy reason meant the future of different parts and Iraj decides to meet them to find a way of throne namely Iranian people preferred out of it.13 Iraj to his brothers due to his virtue and Feridun’s brothers helping him in the favorable behavior. Evidence proves this beginning got jealous and rolled down a point. When Iraj goes to see his brothers, huge piece of rock so that it might fall on soldiers of both armies praise and regard him and end his life. him as the only one suitable for the It is as if one of nature’s laws that the evil kingdom. Iraj has got a charismatic feature part never understands the essence of the which gest other to him. In addition, Iraj good part and finally being rejected from was preferred to his brothers by Feridun the realm of the good due to their innate and other authorities. In Dragon fighting, nature even if brotherhood holds among only Irj showed up with favorable them. This reminds one of Adam’s sons outcome. He sought the middle way, was stories (Abel and Cain) or Jacob’s sons. brave and wise all of which shows a Firdausi while recounting these stories complete man. The private reason is reminds us of this point that spread of related to Feridun’s affection for Iraj. It jealousy, self-condescension and lack of seems that Feridun loved Iraj more due to affection will cause human beings to even his aptitude, acuteness and being younger. sacrifice brothers to get to the intended The astrologists’ ideas seeing Iraj’s fate full result. of war and misery led to feeling more sympathy for Iraj by his father.14 Feridun’s Reasons for Division of World But Feridun caused disunion among these among his Sons territories finally resulting in Iraj’s murder Feridun mentions the getting together of a through his act of division of his throne group of tribe elderly men when creating Iran, Turan and Sarman creating answering Salm and Tur’s message on permanent enmity among two nephews unfair division of the known world in namely and .In ancient which the act of drawing boundaries world of legends this events doesn’t raise between their lines occurred through their blasphemy for Feridun due to his observations and advice. Did astrologists resolutions still depicting a good fame for and authorities of ancient Iran decide to let him. 15 Iraj satay and send the two other sons Finally was ruthlessly killed by Tur when away? Feridun ambiguously touches the visiting his brothers. Iraj had one daughter subject by these lines that:

Life and Death of Sportsmen in Shah-name, p. 161 14 23-Shah-name, Joll Mol, 1st Volume, p. 70 28-Twenty One Article on Shah-name and Firdausi, p. 12 15 Above, p. 10 333-334 13 114 | Page

Fotohi Int. J. Adv. Stu. Hum. Soc. Sci. 2016, 5(2):111-116 which was married to her nephew, of 2-Lack of Stability in World: On Feridun’s Jamshid’s dynasty, by Feridun’s order. death, it is admitted that material world They then had a son which feridun named remains loyal to novody. as “Manuchehr” and raised by him which 3-Totalitarian Domination of Pre- at last was bestowed the throne and destination over World: Feridun was a treasures. 16 knowledgeable man aware of the revelations, magic and a half-prophet that Spiritual State of Feridun is predestined to have descendants Feridun was a virtuous man receiving committing sin and evil deeds. His tragedy revelation before war with Zahak so as to is familial.18 be taught magic, good deeds and keys to 4-Retribution: Feridun, Manuchehr and solve problems. He was a privileged man.17 other Iranian authorities believe that they He is generally regarded a just king fighting against evil and they should fighting against unfair deeds and that is punish the criminals.19 why in adolescence tries to revolt against Contradiction: Shah-name is manifesting a Zahak with help of Kaveh. He ends years of colorful show of contradiction. Within this cruelties done by a foreign government literary work, good and bad, sorrow and against Iranian people. He held justice to a happiness and perfection and defect are level that he never forgave the sinners nor intertwined as it is epitomized in Feridun’s gave up their retribution even if those life. He has both good and bad children liable to punishment might be his sons. But living side by side. he shows his forgiveness when coming to Revenge and Necessity of taking it: know that his brothers had planned to Revenge is the permanent theme of Shah- murder him. He survived that plot but name because war is not left out in any doesn’t take revenge or doesn’t mention it section of this book and is fought for to them. He was harshly strict in giving retribution. Feridun takes revenge on his back people their rights so that he orders two sons through Manuchehr punishing Manuchehr to take revenge on his uncles them for their crimes. for murder of his father. But one can’t say Ambiguity in World: There is a kind of that he was ruthless and unrelenting. He ambiguity in worldly deeds as it is evident was genuinely upset due to murder of in unfair division of Feridun’s throne Salm and Tur too. among his sons. No satisfactory answer is In fact, Feridun in Shah-name was an given to them. emblem of good deeds which later on Fame Seeking: All sportsmen in Shah- causes evil and good deeds at the same name try to obtain fame therefore they try time. So the principal concepts in Shah- to murder others just as Salm and Tur kill name are summarized in his actions, their brother. namely: 1-Death and Nihilism: Feridun has to leave Conclusion the world against his majesty and power Feridun in Shah-name is among kings and offering his throne to another. sportsmen of Zarathustra type fighting against Evil. He is of well-famed kings in this literary work praised by the poet for

Shah-name, Jole Moll, 1st Volume, p. 83-85 Life and Death of Sportsmen in Shah-name, p. 171 16 18 Above, p. 48 Life and Death of Sportsmen, p. 171 17 19 115 | Page

Fotohi Int. J. Adv. Stu. Hum. Soc. Sci. 2016, 5(2):111-116 his justice and epitomized as somebody Bayat. (1988). Turanian from Initiation of that should be carefully understood by History to Conversion to Islam, 1st Edition, readers. Although he is among good men Iranshahr Publication. Iran. but later becomes source of sharp division of Goodness and Evil. Firdausi shows the Poordavod, E., (1990). Poshtha, 2nd unavoidability of existence of Edition, 1st and 2nd Volume, Tahori-Library contradiction in worldly affairs and Publication, Tehran, Iran. believes that though Tur and Salm are of Rastgar Manaii. (1990). Twenty one Article Feridun’s dynasty, but this doesn’t on Shah-name, 1st Edition, Navid preclude them from fighting one another. Publication, Iran. One could say that Firdausi has summarized the common conception of Zanjani, M. (1992). Comprehensive Goodness and Evil in life and death of Dictionary of Shah-name, 1st Edition, Ataii Feridun as source of contradictions Publication, Tehran, Iran. emerging. In fact, Feridun’s story is an introduction to all other stories. His effect Firdausi, A. (1994). Revised by Said is almost felt till the end of story and even Mohammadian, 9th Edition, 1st Volume, within the story of Iranian’s fighting with Dad Publication, Tehran, Iran. foreigners acting as a sign of victory and Firdausi, A. (1990). Revised by Jole Mole, power. 5th Edition, Islamic-Revolution Education Reference Publication, Tehran, Iran.

Eslami nadoshan, M.A., (1970). Life and Masaheb, G.H. (1960). Encyclopedia, 1st Death of Sportsmen in Shah-name, 2nd Edition, 1st Volume, Franklin Publication, Edition, Ibn-Sina Publication, Tehran. New York.

How to cite this article: Susan Fotohi, The Life and Death of Feridun in Shah-name. International Journal of Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Science, 2016, 5(2), 111-116. http://www.ijashssjournal.com/article_83789.html

116 | Page