Epic "Manas". The Great Campaign. The Death of Manas

The Death of Manas.

In Talas that night, Kanikei woke up in fear from a terrible dream.

The heavy-horned gray bull
Roars by the riverbank.
Is my sultan Alma really lost?
The white falcon Akshumkar, who chased the raven,
Suddenly lost his wings.
Has Chubak, my sultan's friend,
Met with terrible misfortune?
Has my priceless Syrgak really died?
The tall chinar
Helplessly bent towards Kybla,
By the golden throne, on which my sultan sat,
When he was the khan of eighteen nations,
One leg broke.
Has my Kokdjal's buudan-horse really perished?

Thus she wept and lamented, and her tears flowed like ten streams. She went to Bakai and, handing him the reins of Taibuurula, sent him with the horse to Manas. Bakai rode day and night, and when their paired count reached twelve, he reached Manas, who was fighting on foot surrounded by the Chinese. Bakai handed him Taibuurula. Mounting Taibuurula, Manas was filled with courage again, and, defeating the Chinese, approached Beijin once more.

But the Chinese had tightly locked all the gates and did not let Manas in. The height of the fortress wall of Beijin reached forty arshins. No matter what Manas tried, he could not enter Beijin. Finally, when he had broken the gates of Beijin and was preparing to enter it again with his army, a thunderous voice was heard:

- Manas, do not enter Beijin, turn back!

Hearing this voice, Manas turned back towards Talas. He arrived at the site of the recent battles and found there the bodies of Alma and Syrgak. Manas grieved deeply:

The only son of Aziz-khan,
Pressing your cheek to your cheek,
Your aykel Manas carries you ahead of him in the saddle.

Not ceasing his lamentations, Manas began to pour out his sorrow:

You were a perfect pair, like twins,
Now that you have both perished,
Can I live without sorrow?
Leaving Akula under the enemy's bullet,
Sending Almambet to the other world,
Losing my khan Chubak,
Breaking all my wings,
How can I return to Talas now?
I was a bulat that broke stones,
Now I am bent with grief.
Having lost all my mountain eagles,
I am now left alone!
I want to step proudly on the earth,
But my legs are giving way,
And I crawl like a snake.
Separated from my twins,
I am left without a tail and mane,
Plucked like a kulan.

Thus Manas wept mournfully when suddenly, starved of grass and water, the horse of Almambet, Sarala, came to him.

Seeing him, Bakai loaded the remains of Almambet onto him.

- I have loaded you with a precious burden! Carry Alma's body to Talas! - said to the horse.

The Kyrgyz warriors, who survived the brutal battles, with their swift trotters, beautiful girls, and rich spoils, scattered in different directions to their homes. Manas regained his composure, donned his battle armor, gallantly mounted his horse, and set off to the aiyl.

Kanikei spoke:

From the leopard-kelbes of Beijin
Have you returned healthy, my padishah?
Have you given away all your eagles,
Have you, my padishah, gifted them to Beijin?
How many swift-footed horses with shining coats,
How many mighty batyrs have galloped across this land.
Not only men like Chubak and Almambet,
Even Hazret-Ali, the mighty lion, has died!

Thus Kanikei greeted Manas with words of comfort. When Manas asked to hold his son, she thought: "No child that Manas looks at will survive. He has a sacred birthmark near his eye, so his gaze brings misfortune to children!" - and did not give him his son.

Then she took a whip, pressed it to the forehead of Semetey, and then let Manas smell it. He then felt a new strength returning to him. Approaching the yurts of Alma and Chubak, he said to Aruuka:

I sent Akula across the field, ayash!
My only Almambet
With a golden topknot and a belt with tassels, ayash!
I sent him as a sacrifice, ayash!
My wing has broken, ayash!
With the one who was my support,
I have been separated from Khan Chubak, ayash!
I conquered Beijin, I took much spoils, ayash!
Even if one were to search deliberately, one would not find such a batyr
As Syrgak, whom I have lost, ayash!
My wing was torn off by the enemy's bullet, ayash!
I have distanced myself from my kabylans,
A dark night has descended upon my soul, ayash!
Over Beijin, which Suleiman did not reach, ayash,
I have accepted the khan's power, ayash!
Desiring to rule and dominate there,
I have lost my twins, ayash!
I entered Beijin and returned back, ayash!
I have been separated from my mountain eagles, ayash,
I have burned my wings with fire, ayash!
All my kabylans
I have given to Kakanu, ayash!
Two twins, like lambs,
I have lost both together, ayash!
How can I still walk alone, not dying, ayash
Why have I not perished, why have I not died, ayash,
When Almambet, Chubak, and Syrgak were alive?

Thus Manas lamented while sitting on his horse. Then Aruuka, Burulcha, and Birmskal, loudly moaning, came out and stood before Manas, and said to him:

- Our moon batyr, have you suffered much in battle?
Ayash-jan, have you returned to us unharmed?
Have you given away all your batyrs,
Ayash-jan, as a gift to China?
Ayash-jan, have you returned healthy from Beijin?
Ayash, fighting without counting the days for six months,
Have you given away all your mountain eagles
As a gift to the enemy?

Thus they greeted Manas. Seeing them, Manas, still crying, said again:

- Ah, why did I not perish when I was mighty,
When, chasing the white maral, I turned him into a domestic animal with strength!
When the whole world was turned upside down,
When I brought chaos to the universe,
When Almambet and Chubak became giants!
Ah, why did I not perish at the height of glory,
When I was not only mowing down the Chinese, but the whole world
Cutting and conquering for myself!
Now I have acquired a sad fame,
And Almambet and Chubak have been taken by the enemy!

Thus, inconsolably tossing about, Manas moaned, and no one dared to say a word of comfort to him. He lost consciousness from grief and fell from his horse. Then Kanikei came out and said:

- My Tora, tears have never helped to heal grief. Not only Almambet and Chubak, but also Iskander and Suleiman and our forefather Adam, and Hazret Alisher, they all perished. How many khans like you have passed through the world! Grief will not dissipate from lamentations. Sobs will not bring back the past. Regret will bring no benefit.

- Stop! - thus she comforted him, took him by the hand, and led him into his yurt.

At that moment, the wounds on Manas's back and neck festered again. Then Bakai moved Manas from Kanikei to the jailoo at the eternal snows. Kanikei sent Shuutu to Medina, Mior, and Baghdad to bring back a medicine called "Apy-upu." After the medicines were rubbed into Manas's wounds, he felt himself fully restored and moved back to Talas. One day he mounted Taibuurula and set out in search of Sarala.

And suddenly he saw Sarala with the body of Almambet. How many waters he crossed, how many passes he traversed, how many days he did not graze grass, did not drink water! His tail and mane were burnt off, his legs were giving way from fatigue, and there was not a single whole spot left on his back.

In such a worn-out state, he brought his master's body whole and unharmed. Manas and Bakai buried Almambet's remains on the sacred hill of Chechtibe and brought a sacrifice in his memory. Since then, Chechtibe has become a great mazar. When Manas was returning to Talas, he thought with sadness:

- My Alma was the handle of my axe,
Who will be able to set another as strong again?
The way to Beijin, where a black night descended upon us,
Who will lead it as skillfully again?
My bloody bulat, my jelek,
Almambet my, a gift received from China!
If misfortune descends upon our heads,
Who will be my support in a difficult moment?
My support in the swift descent from the mountain,
A bright ray in misfortune, oh my Alma,
Have I really lost
My impregnable fortress?
Oh my lion, my mountain eagle, my Alma!

With tears, Manas dismounted from his horse at Alma's yurt and lost consciousness. Blood gushed from his throat mixed with bile.

Kanikei, seeing this, was frightened and cried.

- Not noticing the wound on your waist, I must have gone blind. My forehead, it seems, is flat and foolish; it seems there is no happiness for me in this world. If you close your eyes forever, your son is too small to become the ruler of the people. All your relatives and brothers are hostile to us. What will be the fate of your dark-skinned widow, your lonely Kanikei? Where will she bow her unfortunate head?

When the moon does not rise in the sky,
My padishah, what to do in the night darkness?
Your son is too young.
If your priceless eyes close,
My padishah, what will be our fate?
Kokdjal, my Tora, lift your head!
Tell me, do you have a reliable person?
If suddenly you close your eyes,
My padishah, do you have someone to bury you?
To connect the severed,
Do you have a devoted sage?
Do you have a blood brother, someone close to you?
You have much gold and many tilleys,
Do you have a just person to share all this?
The one taking you, Azrail, has already approached.
Do you have a close batyr?
Do you have someone,
Who will turn your horse's head?
If the weight of worries falls on our heads.

The Kazakh warriors who lost their khan Kökchö moved towards Saryarka. The Turkmen, left without Muzburchak, moved towards the Chambylbel pass. The warriors of the Sarynogoy tribe, left without Bokmurun, moved towards Tashkent. Weakened by terrible wounds, exhausted from the heavy grief after losing loved ones, Manas fell unconscious. Bakai laid him on a tabyt and loaded him onto Taibuurula. The sorrowful caravan moved towards Talas. But Bakai thought:

- If we arrive in our aiyls without warning in such a state, the people will lose their hearts from grief. - And, writing a letter, he sent a messenger to Talas, Yrchiuula. The letter said:

- We have conquered Beijin. Manas, Almambet, and Chubak have been raised to khanship. Konurbai has been captured alive, and we are now moving home. Gather all the Kyrgyz people, prepare a festive toi! Set up the yurts of Chubak and Almambet side by side at the foothills of Talas, door to door.

Kanikei fulfilled everything that was said in the letter, and soon the Kyrgyz people began to gather joyfully and lively to meet the batyrs. Not long before, Kanikei had given birth to a son - her firstborn Semetey.

But Kanikei did not participate in the general joy and sensed something ominous. She gathered her hair on top, took the newborn Semetey in her arms, and went out to meet Manas on the road.

When the caravan approached Kanikei, she thought that the sight of the unconscious Manas would bring the people down, pulled on the reins of his horse into a hollow, pinched Semetey, and made him cry loudly.

Do you have, my kabylan, a steadfast man
Who could hold your banner?
If your falcon eyes close,
Tell me, who, without burdening himself with service,
Will serve you in your last hour?

Manas awakened and spoke his will:

- If I die, call to read the janazah the elder Koshoy, Tyoshtyuk, who is in Alai, the maiden Saykal, who is in Turfan, Kokberu, the son of Uruma, call from Crimea, and Aykodjo from Andijan.

If the enemy approaches my borders, let Tyoshtyuk be the protection of the people. He vowed to serve me after my death. Long ago, when I conquered Turfan, I and Saykal read the order. She vowed to serve me one last service. Many khans have been burdened by my power. They will want to take revenge on me, digging up my grave, and throw my corpse to the dogs. Therefore, consult with Bakai and bury my body in an unknown place, telling no one about it except him.

For a woman who has lost her Tora, there is no better support than her parents. After burying me, do not look at what you leave in Talas, much gold, silver, and livestock. Take Semetey and go with him to Bukhara, to your father Temir-khan. Do not expect good from my six scoundrel relatives - Abike, Kökbösh, and other brothers. Until Semetey turns twelve, let your elder brother Ismail raise him, and let the boy not know who his parents are.

Manas's illness worsened; with every breath, he spat whole cups of blood, so that six deep pits filled with blood.

At Manas's request, Kanikei covered him with an akolpok, laid at his feet and head an albars, akkelte, and syrnayzu, and all his weapons. She seated Azhibai on Taibuurula and sent him as a messenger to Koshoy, Tyoshtyuk, Kokberu, and Saykal.

Azhibai informed Kokberu that he had been to Crimea. His son Koenaly declared:

- I will also go to my father-ayash, and if he is still alive, I will see him; if he has already died, I will faithfully serve him one last service.

Koenaly himself informed Koshoy, Tyoshtyuk, and Aykodjo, gathered forty ishans, and forcibly drove them to Manas's aiyl.

Azhibai arrived at Saykal and said that Manas lay dying. She replied to him:

- Do I owe anything to Manas? - and shamefully drove him away.

For the second time, a messenger came to her from Koenaly, the son of Kökbösh, a friend of Manas. He forcibly brought Saykal to Manas and made her wear black clothes.

Kanikei, while Manas was still alive, ordered thirteen thousand goats to be slaughtered, and from their rendered fat, strong bricks were made. From these bricks, a tomb was erected for Manas. Kanikei, bitterly crying, spoke thus:

Seven thousand erkeces were slaughtered nearby,
And from their fat, bricks were made.
Let seven long centuries pass by,
But let the tomb of my unattainable
Stand unbroken!
Six thousand erkeces were slaughtered a second time,
And from their fat, bricks were made.
Let six long centuries pass by,
But let the tomb of my aykel
Stand, unbroken!

Kanikei summoned a master from Mecca and ordered to make an image of Manas, his forty choro, and paintings of the great campaign on the inner walls of the tomb. Before his death, Manas left all his will. To Bakai and Koshoy he said:

- You now do not live as you did with me. Do not wander to places where there is much merriment, where there is noise and discord. Now for you, there is no better fate than to graze camels.

After this, Manas died. Kanikei did not bury him in the tomb. But in the Ichkilik gorge, she secretly ordered to dig a deep cave, to line its walls with yakhont, and at the entrance to make a support depicting Manas.

After Manas's death, all his animals mourned.

Taburuul, Jelmayan, Kumayik - all were beside themselves. The dogs howled, the camels groaned, the horses did not graze grass. Akshumkar broke the silk thread and, soaring in circles, disappeared into the air.

Abike, Kökbösh, and other brothers, pretending to be sad, arrived with lamentations at the funeral toi.

Kanikei, Koshoy, Tyoshtyuk, Kökbösh, Koenaly, at night, under the cover of darkness, secretly took Manas's body to the mountains and buried him in the cave. In the tomb, they placed an image of a man wrapped in white felt.

- Until Manas's son turns twelve, we will guard his people; we will arrange for him a solemn memorial service, - swore Koshoy, Tyoshtyuk, Kökbösh, Koenaly, Saykal, and dispersed to their lands.

When they returned home, long-time enemies of Manas, the batyrs Janaly and Karach, heard that he had died, and his friends, including Koenaly, were returning from the funeral. At the Chambylbel pass, they blocked their way. In the battle with them, Koenaly perished, whom it seems the evil eye of Manas caught up with. From grief over his son, Kökbösh could not come to Kanikei. Koshoy and Tyoshtyuk did not come either, and the maiden Saykal died immediately upon her return.

When forty days had passed since Manas's death, Abike came to Bakai and said:

- Bakai aba! At the three lower khans, men are dying; some quarrel has arisen there; it would be good to go there to reconcile them.

Bakai replied to him:

- Abike, my son,
Perish with your feast!
How can I go to that?
So that they say about me: "Devilish Bakai!"
How can I go to your games?
Be gone with your gathering!
My son, how can I go to the gathering?
Deprived of my happiness,
I will become a victim of slander and rumors, saying:
- "It seems he is still the same smiling Bakai."
- Yesterday my happiness, the lion Manas, bequeathed to me:
- "Disheveled your rare beard,
Flaring your eyes like a raven,
Do not fly into battles anymore!"

Thus said Bakai and did not go with Abike.

After Manas's death, Kökbösh took over the khanship, and the forty choro of Manas settled in the aiyl by Kökbösh's yurt and began to serve him.

The Epic "Manas". The Great Campaign. The Wounding of Manas and the Return of the Kyrgyz to Talas. Part-3