Kush Nama

[1][2] A critical edition of the poem based on unique manuscript of the work is found in a collection held in the British Museum (OR 2780) and published in a critical edition by Professor Jalal Matini, and in an English translation by Kaveh L Hemmat.

[3] The manuscript collection contains five epic poems: Asadi Tusi's Garshasp-nama, Ahmad Tabrizi's Shāhanshāh-nāma, Tārikh-e Changiz Khān va Jāneshinānash "The History of Genghis Khan and his Successors", the Bahman-nama, and the Kush-nama.

The work encompasses events that take place during the reigns of the mythical kings of Iran, the evil Zahhak and the heroic Faridun.

In a section at the beginning, the story deals with the heroism, triumphs, deceit and philandering of the character Kush the Tusked.

In order to circumvent this prediction, Zahhak sends his brother Kush to Čin (parts of China and Central Asia in Persian mythology) to get rid of Jamshid's off-springs.

Based on the advice of this book, Jamshid's descendants remain hidden, roaming the forests and stay away from the reach of Kush.

The chronicle advises that whenever he finds himself in trouble, he should seek refuge with the king of Māchin (inner China in Persian literature).

Abtin is warmly received by Teyhur and he stays in the island which is referenced as Basilā, Kuh and Jazira in the book.

When the child reaches the age of four, his father, inspired by a dream, entrusts Faridun to a person by the name of salkat, the commander of a fortress in Damavand which Zahak has not been able to capture.

Fereydun, shackles Zahhak's hand and foot, and puts a yoke around his neck, imprisoning him the mount Damavand.

After vanquishing Zahhak, Fereydun decides to put an end to Kush the Tusked' tyranny in Chin.

But once those troops leave, the armies from south return and attack the inhabitants of North Africa and Egypt.

Kush seeks forgiveness from Fereydun, and swears to be a loyal servant of the King of Iran.

He kills the Iranian members of his army, and orders each home to have an effigy of him and that it be worshipped daily.

However, Manuchehr the son of Iraj seeks vengeance for his father and with a large army goes to battle against Tur, Salm and Kush.

However, the great legendary hero Rustam is sent to the area and defeats the armies of Abyssinia and Nubia.

This part of the epic is very close to Ferdowsi's version of Rustam's mission to Mazandaran (Abyssinia and Nubia).

The owner finds the idea laughable and Kush eventually abandons his claim to divinity.

In return, the owner, who was also an expert physician performs surgery on his so that the face of Kush is restored to human form.