The palace of Kay Us (1)

Text
The legendary Iranian king Kay Ūs had built, according to Denkart 9.22.4 in the midst of the Elburz mountains seven abodes, one of gold, two of silver, two of steel, and two of crystal. From this fortress of seven castles he kept a tight rein on the Mazanian demons and prevented them from destroying the world. The structure had a magic quality: “Every man enfeebled by old age, whose soul was attuned to bodily suffering, upon reaching this place and going quickly all about it had his age fade away and his strength and youth return to him - orders were given not to turn men away from this gate - and he would present the appearance of a youth of fifteen.”

These features are also found in the 32nd chapter of the Greater Bundahišn which describes the dwellings erected by the Kayanids. It is reported there that the abode of Kay Ūs was comprised of a house of gold, in which he lived himself, two of crystal which were the stables for his horses, and two of steel for his flocks. It also had a magic quality: “therefrom issued all tastes, and waters of the springs giving immortality, which smite old age - that is, when a decrepit man enters by this gate, he comes out as a youth of fifteen years from the other gate - and also dispel death.”

Sources (list of abbreviations)
Dēnkart, Sūtkar Nask 9.22.4
Bundahišn (Greater) 32.11

Bibliography

Amar Annus

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