The Saga of Siavash

Language: English

Information about this story:

A presentation of the research institute “Andishe Online Germany (AOG)”.

Excerpt from the book “The Miracle of Guadalupe”

Author: Faramarz Tabesh

Date of completion/publication of the original Persian version: April 04, 2021/April 12, 2021

Publication date of the English version: May 21, 2024

The following text was translated from German into English by Faramarz Tabesh.

This short story is a free interpretation of the beautiful saga of Siavash [1], the legendary Persian prince who embodied integrity and honesty and a symbol of self-fighting against the ego. It is an excerpt from the epic Shahnameh [2] by Hakim of Tus [3], Ferdowsi the Great [4].

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In the main story of Shahnameh, Siavash is killed on the orders of Afrasiab [5] and by the hand of one of Afrasiab’s acquaintances (Gorvi), based on a conspiracy initiated by Garsivaz (Afrasiab’s brother). But in this short story, I have changed the narrative slightly and Considered Kaykawus [6], the father of Siavash, his killer. Because I believe that Kaykawus’ weakness towards Sudabeh [7], his wife, made Siavash flee to Afrasiab. In this context, even Rostam blamed Kaykawus.

However, the true story is the one Ferdowsi [8] the Great in Shahnameh has narrated.

F. Tabesh

The Saga of Siavash

In the large, majestic bedroom on the north side of the palace, there was a huge window through which the light of the moon shone in and illuminated part of the room. The window also allowed a light breeze to blow inside.

The royal bed in the hall faced the window, and the moon was clearly visible from this angle.

The hall’s ceiling was very high, and the scent of perfume, always kept in a special perfume dispenser, filled the hall.

The halls´ floor was covered with an exquisite Persian carpet, the colors of which were elaborately designed. On this carpet stood a beautiful table, a unique product of Persian inlay masters, which could attract the attention of all onlookers, even those unfamiliar with this unique art.

A relatively large crystal vase with many flowers was on the table. On some walls of the room, paintings by famous Iranian painters completed this hall’s beauty and splendor.

On the royal bed lay Kaykawus, half-naked, holding a wooden goblet of pure wine, eyes half-closed, gazing at the moon and its radiance.

Suddenly, the vast bedroom door opened with a soft sound, and Kaykawus saw the tall figure of a woman in the light of the burning torches and immediately recognized who she was.

Sudabeh walked slowly and seductively towards the king’s bed, stood right next to it, took her white silk top, tossed it aside, and took her place beside her husband with a smooth movement.

The scent of perfume emanating from the woman’s body gradually completed the man’s drunkenness, induced by the pleasant weather, the beautiful light of the moon, and the intoxicating effect of pure wine.

This state reached its climax when the woman leaned her half-naked body against the man.

Sudabeh knew precisely what she was doing, what effect these feminine actions had on her husband, and what she was trying to achieve with this enchantment.

As Sudabeh continued her game, she hesitated for a few moments to allow the effect she had deliberately created, together with the intoxication caused by the wine and the surroundings, to flow into Kaykawus’ veins and, from there, to take hold of all aspects of his psyche. Then, at the right moment, she put her mouth to the man’s ear and whispered to him softly, with feminine seduction, a reversed and heavily manipulated story.

In her fake narration, she claimed Siavash had declared his love for her.

When Kaykawus heard his wife’s story, he became increasingly angry. The effect of the scene Sudabeh had prepared for him prevented him from thinking about this story and analyzing it rationally.

Everything that had caressed the man’s soul until then suddenly turned dark at the end of the woman’s demonic story and turned into great anger.

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To read the rest of the story on the Research Institute Andishe Online Germany- AOG website, click here.

© Faramarz Tabesh 2024–2025. All rights reserved.