Epic Lore & Biography

Bidarafsh was a feared Turanian sorcerer-champion who used a poison-dipped blade to murder Zarir from behind and steal the royal Jamshidi banner. During the counter-offensive, he battled young Bastur, but attempted to flee when Prince Esfandiyar arrived. He hurled his venomous sword at Esfandiyar's face, but Esfandiyar caught it and ran a spear straight through his liver, severing his head and reclaiming Zarir's gear and the sacred royal banner.

Shahnameh Distichs Featuring this Entity (26)

یکی نام او بیدرفش بزرگ / گوی پیر و جادو ستنبه سترگ

“One was named Bidarafsh the Great, an aged champion, formidable and versed in sorcery.”

Goshtasp • Arjasp's Ultimatum: The Threatening Epistle to King Goshtasp بیت #23663

چو از پیش او کینه‌ور بیدرفش / سوی بلخ بامی کشیدش درفش

“Then the vengeful Bidarafsh advanced his banner toward the radiant city of Balkh.”

Goshtasp • The Arrival of Arjasp's Letter to Goshtasp and the Iranian Council بیت #23717

چو غارتگری داد بر بیدرفش / بدادش یکی پیل پیکر درفش

“To Bidarafsh he assigned the task of plunder, granting him a banner emblazoned with the image of an elephant.”

Goshtasp • Goshtasp's Defiant Message and the Massive Turanian Invasion بیت #23817

فرستادشان سوی آن بیدرفش / که کوس مهین داشت و رنگین درفش

“He sent them to Bidarafsh, who held the great drum and the colorful banner.”

Goshtasp • Daqiqi's Narrative: The Array of the Iranian and Turanian Armies بیت #23992

بدو داد یک دست زان لشکرش / که شیر ژیان نامدی همبرش

“He assigned one wing of the army to him, whom no ferocious lion could equal.”

Goshtasp • Daqiqi's Narrative: The Array of the Iranian and Turanian Armies بیت #23993

بیامد پس آن بیدرفش سترگ / پلید و بد و جادوی و پیر گرگ

“Then came forward Bidarafsh the mighty—foul, evil, a sorcerer, and an old wolf of war.”

Goshtasp • The Battle of Zarir, His Treacherous Fall, and Goshtasp's Bitter Mourning بیت #24113

چو شد جادوی زشت ناباکدار / سوی آن خردمند گرد سوار

“When that ugly, reckless sorcerer set out toward the wise and valiant horseman,”

Goshtasp • The Battle of Zarir, His Treacherous Fall, and Goshtasp's Bitter Mourning بیت #24120

نیارست رفتنش بر پیش روی / ز پنهان همی تاخت بر گرد اوی

“He dared not approach Zarir face-to-face; instead, he crept secretly around him from behind.”

Goshtasp • The Battle of Zarir, His Treacherous Fall, and Goshtasp's Bitter Mourning بیت #24123

فرود آمد آن بیدرفش پلید / سلیحش همه پاک بیرون کشید

“That vile Bidarafsh dismounted and stripped off all of Zarir's weapons and armor.”

Goshtasp • The Battle of Zarir, His Treacherous Fall, and Goshtasp's Bitter Mourning بیت #24127

سوی شاه چین برد اسپ و کمرش / درفش سیه افسر پرگهرش

“He brought Zarir's charger, belt, Black Banner, and jewel-adorned crown to the King of China.”

Goshtasp • The Battle of Zarir, His Treacherous Fall, and Goshtasp's Bitter Mourning بیت #24128

سر جادوان جهان بیدرفش / مر او را بیفگند و برد آن درفش

“"Bidarafsh, chief of the world's sorcerers, struck him down and bore away that royal banner!"”

Goshtasp • The Battle of Zarir, His Treacherous Fall, and Goshtasp's Bitter Mourning بیت #24140

کجا باشد آن جادوی بیدرفش / که بردست آن جمشیدی درفش

“'Where is that sorcerer Bidarafsh who carried off the royal Jamshidi banner?'”

Goshtasp • Daquiqi's Recital: Bastur's Vengeance and the Slaying of Bidarafsh by Esfandiyar بیت #24240

کجا رفت آن بیدرفش گزین / هم‌اکنون سوی منش خوانید هین

“'Where has the chosen Bidarafsh gone? Call him to me this very instant!'”

Goshtasp • Daquiqi's Recital: Bastur's Vengeance and the Slaying of Bidarafsh by Esfandiyar بیت #24248

بخواندند و آمد دمان بیدرفش / گرفته به دست آن درفش بنفش

“They summoned him, and Bidarafsh arrived roaring, holding that purple banner in his hand.”

Goshtasp • Daquiqi's Recital: Bastur's Vengeance and the Slaying of Bidarafsh by Esfandiyar بیت #24249

نشسته بران بارهٔ خسروی / بپوشیده آن جوشن پهلوی

“Mounted upon that royal steed, clad in magnificent Pahlavi armor,”

Goshtasp • Daquiqi's Recital: Bastur's Vengeance and the Slaying of Bidarafsh by Esfandiyar بیت #24250

خرامید تا پیش لشکر ز شاه / نگهبان مرز و نگهبان گاه

“He marched to the front of the King's host—a guardian of the frontier and the throne.”

Goshtasp • Daquiqi's Recital: Bastur's Vengeance and the Slaying of Bidarafsh by Esfandiyar بیت #24251

گرفته همان تیغ زهر آبدار / که افگنده بد آن زریر سوار

“Carrying the very sword steeped in poison, with which he had felled Zarir the rider.”

Goshtasp • Daquiqi's Recital: Bastur's Vengeance and the Slaying of Bidarafsh by Esfandiyar بیت #24252

بگشتند هر دو به ژوپین و تیر / سر جادوان ترک و پور زریر

“They clashed with javelin and arrow—the chief of Turkic sorcerers and the son of Zarir.”

Goshtasp • Daquiqi's Recital: Bastur's Vengeance and the Slaying of Bidarafsh by Esfandiyar بیت #24253

همی تاختش تا بدیشان رسید / سر جادوان چون مر او را بدید

“He spurred his steed until he reached them; when the chief of sorcerers saw him,”

Goshtasp • Daquiqi's Recital: Bastur's Vengeance and the Slaying of Bidarafsh by Esfandiyar بیت #24255

برافگند اسپ از میان نبرد / بدانست کش بر سر افتاد مرد

“He turned his horse out of the battle line, knowing that a true warrior had come upon him.”

Goshtasp • Daquiqi's Recital: Bastur's Vengeance and the Slaying of Bidarafsh by Esfandiyar بیت #24256

بینداخت آن زهر خورده به روی / مگر کس کند زشت رخشنده روی

“He hurled that poison-dipped blade at Esfandiyar's face, hoping to ruin his shining countenance.”

Goshtasp • Daquiqi's Recital: Bastur's Vengeance and the Slaying of Bidarafsh by Esfandiyar بیت #24257

زدش پهلوانی یکی بر جگر / چنان کز دگر سو برون کرد سر

“He struck him a heroic blow in the liver, such that the weapon pierced out through his back!”

Goshtasp • Daquiqi's Recital: Bastur's Vengeance and the Slaying of Bidarafsh by Esfandiyar بیت #24259

چو آهو ز باره در افتاد و مرد / بدید از کیان زادگان دستبرد

“Like a hunted deer he tumbled from his charger and died, experiencing the deadly art of Kianid blood.”

Goshtasp • Daquiqi's Recital: Bastur's Vengeance and the Slaying of Bidarafsh by Esfandiyar بیت #24260

ازان جادوی پیر بیرون کشید / سرش را ز نیمه‌تن اندر برید

“He stripped them off that old sorcerer and severed his head from his body!”

Goshtasp • Daquiqi's Recital: Bastur's Vengeance and the Slaying of Bidarafsh by Esfandiyar بیت #24262

نکو رنگ بارهٔ زریر و درفش / ببرد و سر بی‌هنر بیدرفش

“He took the fair-colored steed of Zarir, the banner, and the head of the worthless Bidarafsh.”

Goshtasp • Daquiqi's Recital: Bastur's Vengeance and the Slaying of Bidarafsh by Esfandiyar بیت #24263

سر پیر جادوش بنهاد پیش / کشنده بکشت اینت آیین و کیش

“He placed the head of the old sorcerer before him: 'The killer has been slain—such is the righteous law and faith!'”

Goshtasp • Daquiqi's Recital: Bastur's Vengeance and the Slaying of Bidarafsh by Esfandiyar بیت #24267