Epic Lore & Biography

The elusive, deceitful demon previously slain by Rostam. In this section, the massive boulder he had set over Bizhan's dungeon pit proves immovable by seven Iranian heroes, until Rostam tears it from the earth and hurls it across the wilderness to the borders of Chin.

Shahnameh Distichs Featuring this Entity (17)

جز اکوان دیو این نشاید بُدن / ببایستش از باد تیغی زدن

“This can be none other than Akvan Div; he must be struck down with a blade swift as the wind.”

Akvan • The Tale of Akvan Div بیت #15557

چو اکوانش از دور خفته بدید / یکی باد شد تا بر او رسید

“When Akvan saw him sleeping from afar, he transformed into a roaring wind to reach his side.”

Akvan • The Tale of Akvan Div بیت #15571

چو رستم بجنبید بر خویشتن / بدو گفت اکوان که ای پیلتن

“As Rostam stirred in mid-air, Akvan called to him, saying: 'O elephant-bodied warrior!'”

Akvan • The Tale of Akvan Div بیت #15574

ز رستم چو بشنید اکوان دیو / برآورد بر سوی دریا غریو

“When Akvan Div heard these words from Rostam, he let out a great roar toward the sea.”

Akvan • The Tale of Akvan Div بیت #15587

بدان چشمه آمد کجا خفته بود / بران دیو بدگوهر آشفته بود

“He returned to the spring where he had been sleeping, his mind deeply enraged at that evil-natured demon.”

Akvan • The Tale of Akvan Div بیت #15600

گوان خوان و اکوان دیوش مخوان / که بر پهلوانی بگردد زیان

“Call him a champion and call him not Akvan Div, lest injury be done to chivalry.”

Akvan • The Tale of Akvan Div بیت #15655

بمی رستم آن داستان برگشاد / وز اکوان همی کرد بر شاه یاد

“Over wine, Rostam opened his lips to tell the story, recalling for the king all that happened with Akvan.”

Akvan • The Tale of Akvan Div بیت #15676

که گوری ندیدم بخوبی چنوی / بدان سرافرازی و آن رنگ و بوی

“"Never had I seen a wild ass of such grace," he said, "with such majestic stature, color, and scent.”

Akvan • The Tale of Akvan Div بیت #15677

چو خنجر بدرید بر تنش پوست / بروبر نبخشود دشمن نه دوست

“Yet when my dagger ripped open its hide, neither friend nor foe could take pity on its ghastly form.”

Akvan • The Tale of Akvan Div بیت #15678

سرش چون سر پیل و مویش دراز / دهن پر زدندانهای گراز

“Its head was like an elephant's head, its hair long, and its mouth bristling with wild boar tusks.”

Akvan • The Tale of Akvan Div بیت #15679

دو چشمش کبود و لبانش سیاه / تنش را نشایست کردن نگاه

“Its two eyes were blueish-gray and its lips jet-black; one could hardly bear to gaze upon its hideosity.”

Akvan • The Tale of Akvan Div بیت #15680

بدان زور و آن تن نباشد هیون / همه دشت ازو شد چو دریای خون

“No monster possesses such immense strength or frame; the entire plain became like a sea of blood from it.”

Akvan • The Tale of Akvan Div بیت #15681

سرش کردم از تن بخنجر جدا / چو باران ازو خون شد اندر هوا

“I severed its head from its body with my dagger, and its blood spurted high into the air like rain."”

Akvan • The Tale of Akvan Div بیت #15682

دو هفته بران گونه بودند شاد / ز اکوان وز بزم کردند یاد

“For two weeks they remained joyful in this manner, recalling the defeat of Akvan amid festive banqueting.”

Akvan • The Tale of Akvan Div بیت #15688

چو این داستان سربسر بشنوی / از اکوان سوی کین بیژن شوی

“When thou hast heard this tale from end to end, thou shalt turn from Akvan to the story of Bizhan's vengeance.”

Akvan • The Tale of Akvan Div بیت #15704

ببر پیل و آن سنگ اکوان دیو / که از ژرف دریای گیهان خدیو

“Take elephants and bring that boulder of Akvan Div, which the sovereign of the world cast from the deep ocean,”

Bizhan • Piran's Intercession: Saving Bizhan from the Gallows and Imprisonment in the Deep Pit بیت #16118

چو آمد بر سنگ اکوان فراز / بدان چاه اندوه و گرم و گداز

“When he reached the heavy boulder of Akvan Div resting over that pit of sorrow, heat, and agony...”

Bizhan • The Lifting of Akvan's Boulder and the Deliverance of Bizhan بیت #16782