Epic Lore & Biography

The cosmic source of darkness and evil. In this section, Katayoun declares that Esfandiyar's stubborn refusal to avoid fighting Rostam serves only the malice and desire of dark Ahriman.

Shahnameh Distichs Featuring this Entity (40)

به گیتی نبودش کسی دشمنا / مگر بدکنش ریمن آهرمنا

“He had no enemy in all the world, save for the malicious, deceitful Ahriman.”

Kyumars • The Dawn of Kingship: The Reign of Kyumars and the Fall of Siamak بیت #246

به رشک اندر آهرمن بدسگال / همی رای زد تا ببالید بال

“In malignant envy evil-minded Ahriman plotted continuously until his strength expanded.”

Kyumars • The Dawn of Kingship: The Reign of Kyumars and the Fall of Siamak بیت #247

سیامک بیامد برهنه تنا / بر آویخت با پور آهرمنا

“Siamak stepped forward unarmored, grappling directly with the spawn of Ahriman.”

Kyumars • The Dawn of Kingship: The Reign of Kyumars and the Fall of Siamak بیت #259

برفت اهرمن را به افسون ببست / چو بر تیز رو بارگی بر نشست

“He went forth and bound Ahriman through holy incantations, mounting him as a fleet courser.”

Tahmoores • Tahmuras the Demon-Binder بیت #362

زمان تا زمان زینش بر ساختی / همی گرد گیتی‌ش بر تاختی

“Time and again he saddled him, riding upon his back all around the world.”

Tahmoores • Tahmuras the Demon-Binder بیت #363

چنان بد که ابلیس روزی پگاه / بیامد به سان یکی نیک‌خواه

“Thus it came to pass that one early dawn, Iblis appeared in the guise of a well-wisher.”

Jamshid • Merdas the Pious Arab and His Wicked Son Zahhak بیت #469

دل مهتر از راه نیکی ببرد / جوان گوش گفتار او را سپرد

“He beguiled the young prince's heart away from goodness, and the youth lent his ear to Satan's words.”

Jamshid • Merdas the Pious Arab and His Wicked Son Zahhak بیت #470

بدو گفت پیمانت خواهم نخست / پس آنگه سخن برگشایم درست

“Iblis said to him: 'First I require your solemn oath, and only then shall I speak my mind fully.'”

Jamshid • Merdas the Pious Arab and His Wicked Son Zahhak بیت #471

بدو گفت جز تو کسی کدخدای / چه باید همی با تو اندر سرای

“Said Iblis to him: 'Except for you, why should anyone else be master in this royal court?'”

Jamshid • Merdas the Pious Arab and His Wicked Son Zahhak بیت #474

چه باید پدر کش پسر چون تو بود / یکی پندت از من بباید شنود

“'Why should a father linger when he has a son like you? Listen to this single piece of advice from me.'”

Jamshid • Merdas the Pious Arab and His Wicked Son Zahhak بیت #475

بر این گفتهٔ من چو داری وفا / جهاندار باشی یکی پادشا

“'If you remain faithful to my words, you shall become the sovereign ruler of the world.'”

Jamshid • Merdas the Pious Arab and His Wicked Son Zahhak بیت #478

به ابلیس گفت این سزاوار نیست / دگر گوی کاین از در کار نیست

“He said to Iblis: 'This is improper! Speak of something else, for this is unworthy of being done.'”

Jamshid • Merdas the Pious Arab and His Wicked Son Zahhak بیت #480

بدو گفت گر بگذری زین سخن / بتابی ز سوگند و پیمان من

“Iblis replied: 'If you turn away from my counsel and break the oath and covenant you made with me,'”

Jamshid • Merdas the Pious Arab and His Wicked Son Zahhak بیت #481

سر مرد تازی به دام آورید / چنان شد که فرمان او برگزید

“Thus he entrapped the mind of the Arab youth, until Zahhak resolved to follow Satan's command.”

Jamshid • Merdas the Pious Arab and His Wicked Son Zahhak بیت #483

بدو گفت من چاره سازم ترا / به خورشید سر برفرازم ترا

“Iblis said: 'I shall devise the scheme for you, and raise your head unto the sun.'”

Jamshid • Merdas the Pious Arab and His Wicked Son Zahhak بیت #485

بیاورد وارونه ابلیس بند / یکی ژرف چاهی به ره بر بکند

“Wicked Iblis brought forth an inverted trap, digging a deep pit right upon the king's path.”

Jamshid • Merdas the Pious Arab and His Wicked Son Zahhak بیت #489

پس ابلیس وارونه آن ژرف چاه / به خاشاک پوشید و بسترد راه

“Then the perverse demon covered that deep pit with dry twigs and leaves, concealing all trace of the trap.”

Jamshid • Merdas the Pious Arab and His Wicked Son Zahhak بیت #490

بگوی آن دو ناپاک بیهوده را / دو اهریمن مغز پالوده را

“Say to those two impure, foolish men, those two Ahrimans devoid of wisdom:”

Fereydoon • The Malice of Salm and Tur بیت #1315

سرش را بریده به زار اهرمن / تنش را شده کام شیران کفن

“'His head severed painfully by evil forces, and his body left to be shroud in the bellies of wild lions.'”

Fereydoon • Section 11 - Fereydun's Blinding Grief for Iraj بیت #1510

و دیگر که فرمان ناپاک دیو / ببرد دل از ترس گیهان خدیو

“And moreover, the command of the foul Demon robbed our hearts of fear for the Lord of the Universe.”

Fereydoon • Salm and Tur Learn of Manuchehr بیت #1578

سوم دیو کاندر میان چون نوند / میان بسته دارد ز بهر گزند

“And third, the Demon who, like a swift courier, stands ever girt to do harm between men.”

Fereydoon • Salm and Tur Learn of Manuchehr بیت #1583

بکوشید کاین جنگ آهرمنست / همان درد و کین است و خون خستنست

“Strive hard, for this battle is against Ahriman; it is pure pain, vengeance, and the shedding of blood.”

Fereydoon • The Covenant of the Iranian Host بیت #1746

همه نزد من سر به سر کافرند / و ز آهرمن بدکنش بدترند

“'All such men in my sight are utterly faithless, and worse than evil-doing Ahriman.'”

Manoochehr • The Ascension of Manuchehr to the Kiani Throne بیت #1963

اگر من گناهی گران کرده‌ام / و گر کیش آهرمن آورده‌ام

“If I have committed a heavy sin, or if I have inclined toward the faith of Ahriman,”

Manoochehr • The Tale of the Birth of Zal, Sam's White-Haired Child بیت #2004

که با اهرمن جفت گردد پری / که مه تاج بادت مه انگشتری

“'That a fairy should pair with a demon! May you have neither crown nor signet ring!'”

Manoochehr • Mehrab's Discovery of the Secret Romance and His Wrath upon Sindokht and Rudabeh بیت #2799

ز تو چشم آهرمنان دور باد / دل و جان تو خانهٔ سور باد

“'May the eye of Ahriman be far from thee, and may thy heart and soul be a house of joy!'”

Manoochehr • Manuchehr's Reply to Sam, Zal's Return with Royal Honors, and the Decking of Kabul بیت #3321

ندانست کاو جادوی ریمنست / نهفته به رنگ اندر اهریمنست

“He knew not that she was a deceitful sorceress—an Ahrimanic beast concealed beneath alluring colors.”

Kay Kavus • The Fourth Labor: Rostam and the Enchantress بیت #5006

توانگر شد از داد و از ایمنی / ز بد بسته شد دست اهریمنی

“The world grew wealthy through justice and peace, and the hand of Ahrimanic evil was bound fast.”

Kay Kavus • Kavus's Triumphant Return to Iran, Bestowal of Honors upon Rostam, and the Reign of Justice بیت #5501

چنان بد که ابلیس روزی پگاه / یکی انجمن کرد پنهان ز شاه

“Thus it came to pass that one morning Ahriman convened a secret assembly away from the King.”

Hamavaran • The Flight of King Kay Kavus to Heaven and His Fall بیت #5877

به دیوان چنین گفت کامروز کار / به رنج و به سختیست با شهریار

“He spoke to the demons: 'Today our affairs are bound in hardship because of this Monarch.'”

Hamavaran • The Flight of King Kay Kavus to Heaven and His Fall بیت #5878

یکی دیو باید کنون نغزدست / که داند ز هرگونه رای و نشست

“'We now require an expert and subtle demon who understands every trick and manner of mind.'”

Hamavaran • The Flight of King Kay Kavus to Heaven and His Fall بیت #5879

نشست از بر تخت کاووس شاه / که اهریمنش برده بد دل ز راه

“King Kavus sat upon the throne, his heart completely astray through Ahriman's deceit.”

Hamavaran • The Flight of King Kay Kavus to Heaven and His Fall بیت #5908

نه من با پدر بیوفایی کنم / نه با اهرمن آشنایی کنم

“'Neither shall I act unfaithfully toward my father, nor shall I forge a bond with Ahriman.'”

Siavosh • The Ordeal by Fire: Sudabeh's Treachery and Siyavash's Immaculate Triumph بیت #7474

به کاووس گویم که این از منند / چنین کشته بر دست اهریمنند

“I shall tell Kay Kavus that these were mine, thus slain at the hands of demonic forces.”

Siavosh • The Ordeal by Fire: Sudabeh's Treachery and Siyavash's Immaculate Triumph بیت #7580

که این هر دو کودک ز جادو زنند / پدیدند کز پشت اهریمنند

“"These two infants belong to the witch; it is evident that they descend from Ahriman's lineage."”

Siavosh • The Ordeal by Fire: Sudabeh's Treachery and Siyavash's Immaculate Triumph بیت #7630

چنین بود اندیشهٔ پهلوان / که اهریمن آمد برِ این جوان

“'The hero thought within his heart that Ahriman himself had come disguised unto this youth.'”

Siavosh • Giv's Seven-Year Quest: Finding Kay Khosrow and the Battle Against Piran's Forces بیت #10405

که از بند آهرمن بد بجست / به یزدان زد از هر بدی پاک دست

“"Who escaped the bonds of evil Ahriman and stretched his hands in purity toward God."”

Siavosh • Kai Khosrow's Letter on the Spear, the Conquering of Bahman Fortress, and the Coronation by Kavus بیت #10884

گر این دژ بر و بوم آهرمنست / جهان آفرین را به دل دشمنست

“"If this fortress and land belong to Ahriman, making it an enemy in heart to the Creator,"”

Siavosh • Kai Khosrow's Letter on the Spear, the Conquering of Bahman Fortress, and the Coronation by Kavus بیت #10889

همان من نه از دست آهرمنم / که از فر و برزست جان و تنم

“"For I am not born of Ahriman's hand; my body and soul are forged of divine majesty and stature."”

Siavosh • Kai Khosrow's Letter on the Spear, the Conquering of Bahman Fortress, and the Coronation by Kavus بیت #10894

جهان شد پر از خوبی و ایمنی / ز بد بسته شد دست اهریمنی

“The world grew full of goodness and security, and Ahriman's hands were bound from working evil.”

Kkhosro • The Justice of Kay Khosrow, the Arrival of Rostam and Zal from Nimruz, and the Tearful Reunion in Memory of Siyavash بیت #10984