Epic Lore & Biography

Rostam's swift, intelligent, and colossal rose-spotted steed. During the ambush of Kabul, Rakhsh fell into the blade-lined pits alongside Rostam and died. In this section, Faramarz draws Rakhsh's body from the pit, washes it, wraps it in fine silk, and loads it onto elephants to be brought back to Zabulistan for a honorable burial.

Shahnameh Distichs Featuring this Entity (40)

چنان دید روشن روانم به خواب / که رخشنده شمعی بر آمد ز آب

“Thus my luminous soul beheld in sleep: a brilliant candle rising up from the waters.”

The Beginning • In Praise of Sultan Mahmud بیت #187

سیه گشت رخشنده روز سپید / گسستند پیوند از جمّشید

“The shining white day turned to dark night, and the people severed their bonds of loyalty to Jamshid.”

Jamshid • The Fall of Jamshid بیت #547

بدان برترین نام یزدان پاک / به رخشنده خورشید و بر تیره خاک

“By the supreme name of pure God, by the radiant sun, and by the dark earth,”

Fereydoon • The Malice of Salm and Tur بیت #1322

دو سنگی دو جنگی دو شاه زمین / میان کیان چون درخشان نگین

“'Two steadfast, valiant kings of the earth, who gleam like brilliant gems among royal crowns,'”

Fereydoon • Fereydun's Letter to Salm and Tur بیت #1386

نشسته برو شهریاری چو ماه / ز یاقوت رخشان به سر بر کلاه

“Seated upon it was a monarch bright as the moon, wearing a crown radiant with rubies.”

Fereydoon • Salm and Tur Learn of Manuchehr بیت #1657

چنین تا شب تیره سر بر کشید / درخشنده خورشید شد ناپدید

“Thus it continued until pitch night raised its head, and the shining sun vanished from sight.”

Fereydoon • The First Battle of Manuchehr Against Salm and Tur بیت #1772

چو از روز رخشنده نیمی برفت / دل هر دو جنگی ز کینه بتفت

“When half of the shining day had passed, the hearts of both warriors burned with hatred.”

Fereydoon • The Midnight Raid and the Slaying of Tur بیت #1776

ز گَرد‌ِ سواران هوا بست میغ / چو برق درخشنده پولاد تیغ

“From the dust of the horsemen, a dark cloud blanketed the air, while steel swords flashed like lightning.”

Fereydoon • The Midnight Raid and the Slaying of Tur بیت #1789

درخشیدن آتش و باد خاست / خروش سواران و فریاد خاست

“Flashing fire gleamed, violent winds arose, and the roar of warriors and screams echoed everywhere.”

Fereydoon • The Infiltration and Fall of the Sea Fortress بیت #1863

منوچهر یک هفته با درد بود / دو چشمش پر آب و رخش زرد بود

“For one full week Manuchehr abode in grief, his two eyes filled with tears, his countenance pale.”

Manoochehr • The Ascension of Manuchehr to the Kiani Throne بیت #1942

نشیم تو رخشنده گاه من است / دو پرّ تو فرّ کلاه من است

“'Thy nest is my radiant throne, and thy two wings are the glory of my royal crown.'”

Manoochehr • The Tale of the Birth of Zal, Sam's White-Haired Child بیت #2074

رخش پژمرانندهٔ ارغوان / جوان سال و بیدار و بختش جوان

“'His cheek puts the blooming red pomegranate flower to shame; young in years, alert in mind, and young in fortune.'”

Manoochehr • The Praise of Zal and the Awakening of Rudabeh's Love بیت #2309

چنین گفت با بندگان خوب چهر / که با ماه خوبست رخشنده مهر

“Thus spoke the fair maiden to the servants: 'It is fitting for the radiant sun to match with such a moon.'”

Manoochehr • The Five Maidens of Rudabeh and the Praise of Her Beauty to Zal بیت #2389

گرانمایه سیندخت را خفته دید / رخش پژمریده دل آشفته دید

“He found the noble Sindokht resting, her cheeks withered and her heart deeply troubled.”

Manoochehr • Mehrab's Discovery of the Secret Romance and His Wrath upon Sindokht and Rudabeh بیت #2733

یکی اندر آید دگر بگذرد / گذر نی که چرخش همی بسپرد

“'One enters while another departs; nay, not mere passing, for time tramples us down.'”

Manoochehr • Mehrab's Discovery of the Secret Romance and His Wrath upon Sindokht and Rudabeh بیت #2747

به شادی درآمد شب دیریاز / چو خورشید رخشنده بگشاد راز

“The long night turned to joy, until the shining sun unveiled its secret.”

Manoochehr • Sam’s Audience with King Manuchehr: Tales of War and the Royal Decree Against Kabul بیت #2831

منوچهر برخاست از تخت عاج / ز یاقوت رخشنده بر سرش تاج

“Manuchehr rose from his ivory throne, a glowing ruby crown upon his head.”

Manoochehr • Sam’s Audience with King Manuchehr: Tales of War and the Royal Decree Against Kabul بیت #2842

نشست از بر تازی اسپ سمند / چو زرین درخشنده کوهی بلند

“He then mounted a golden-hued Arabian steed, towering like a shining mountain of gold.”

Manoochehr • Zal's Appeal to Sam and the Letter of Intercession to King Manuchehr بیت #2902

ازان ترس کو هوش و زور آفرید / درخشنده ناهید و هور آفرید

“Fear Him who created wisdom and strength, who fashioned the shining Venus and the bright Sun!”

Manoochehr • Sindokht's Embassy to Sam: The Brave Diplomacy of Kabul بیت #3089

شکم گشت فربه و تن شد گران / شد آن ارغوانی رخش زعفران

“Her womb grew swelling-large and her frame grew heavy; her rosy cheeks turned yellow as saffron.”

Manoochehr • The Arduous Birth of Rostam and the Summoning of the Simorgh بیت #3408

چنان شد که رخشان ستاره شود / جهان بر ستاره نظاره شود

“He shone so brightly as a gleaming star that the entire world turned its eyes to behold that luminary.”

Manoochehr • The Miraculous Birth of Rostam, His Naming, Effigy to Sam, and Prodigious Growth بیت #3494

نگهبان کشور به هنگام شاه / ازویست رخشنده فرخ کلاه

“He was the protector of the realm during the King's life, and from him shines the glorious royal crown.”

Nozar • The Ascension of Nowzar, His Tyranny, and Sam's Noble Intervention بیت #3616

هنوز آهنی نیست زنگار خورد / که رخشنده دشوار شایدش کرد

“It is not yet an iron so consumed by rust that polishing it back to radiance would be impossible!”

Nozar • The Ascension of Nowzar, His Tyranny, and Sam's Noble Intervention بیت #3637

درخشیدن تیغ الماس گون / شده لعل و آهار داده به خون

“The gleam of diamond blades turned ruby-red, drenching and steeping the steel in warm blood.”

Nozar • The Battle of Dehestan: The Death of Qobad and the Fury of Qaran بیت #3787

روان چنان شهریار جهان / درخشنده بادا میان مهان

“'May the soul of that world-sovereign shine radiantly among the greatest of spirits!'”

Nozar • Mourning for Nowzar, the Rescue of Captives by Aghriras and Kashvad, and Their Return to Zabulistan بیت #4069

تنش پرنگار از کران تا کران / چو داغ گل سرخ بر زعفران

“His body was dappled from edge to edge, like red rose spots sprinkled upon saffron.”

Garshasp • Rostam's Quest for a Steed and the Taming of Rakhsh بیت #4246

همی رخش خوانیم بورابرش است / به خو آتشی و به رنگ آتش است

“We call him Rakhsh; he is rose-dappled, fiery in temper and in color like fire itself.”

Garshasp • Rostam's Quest for a Steed and the Taming of Rakhsh بیت #4252

خداوند این را ندانیم کس / همی رخش رستمش خوانیم و بس

“We know no owner for him; we call him only Rostam's Rakhsh, and nothing more.”

Garshasp • Rostam's Quest for a Steed and the Taming of Rakhsh بیت #4253

بینداخت رستم کیانی کمند / سر ابرش آورد ناگه ببند

“Rostam cast his royal lasso and suddenly caught the rose-dappled colt by the neck.”

Garshasp • Rostam's Quest for a Steed and the Taming of Rakhsh بیت #4256

بیازید چنگال گردی بزور / بیفشارد یک دست بر پشت بور

“The hero stretched forth his mighty hand and pressed with strength upon the back of the bay colt.”

Garshasp • Rostam's Quest for a Steed and the Taming of Rakhsh بیت #4262

به زین اندر آورد گلرنگ را / سرش تیز شد کینه و جنگ را

“He put the saddle upon the rose-dappled beast, and its heart grew eager for strife and war.”

Garshasp • Rostam's Quest for a Steed and the Taming of Rakhsh بیت #4269

دل زال زر شد چو خرم بهار / ز رخش نوآیین و فرخ سوار

“The heart of Zal Zar became joyful as green spring, at this novel Rakhsh and auspicious rider.”

Garshasp • Rostam's Quest for a Steed and the Taming of Rakhsh بیت #4274

تهمتن ز رخش اندر آمد چو باد / چو بشنید از وی نشان قباد

“When Tahamtan heard tidings of Qobad, he dismounted from Rakhsh like the wind.”

Garshasp • Rostam's Quest to Mount Alborz: The Finding of Kay Qobad and the Defeat of Qalun بیت #4331

که از سوی ایران دو باز سپید / یکی تاج رخشان به کردار شید

“'That from the direction of Iran came two white falcons, bearing a crown as radiant as the sun.'”

Garshasp • Rostam's Quest to Mount Alborz: The Finding of Kay Qobad and the Defeat of Qalun بیت #4359

چو بیدار گشتم شدم پرامید / ازان تاج رخشان و باز سپید

“'When I awoke, I became full of hope because of that radiant crown and white falcon.'”

Garshasp • Rostam's Quest to Mount Alborz: The Finding of Kay Qobad and the Defeat of Qalun بیت #4361

من و رخش و کوپال و برگستوان / همانا ندارند با من توان

“'With me, Rakhsh, my heavy mace, and horse-armor, surely the enemy lacks the power to withstand me.'”

Garshasp • Rostam's Quest to Mount Alborz: The Finding of Kay Qobad and the Defeat of Qalun بیت #4373

بگفت این و از جای برکرد رخش / به زخمی سواری همی کرد پخش

“He spoke this and spurred Rakhsh forward, casting down a horseman with every single blow.”

Garshasp • Rostam's Quest to Mount Alborz: The Finding of Kay Qobad and the Defeat of Qalun بیت #4374

برانگیخت آن رخش رویینه سم / برآمد خروشیدن گاو دم

“He spurred that bronze-hoofed Rakhsh, as the bellowing sound of cow-horn trumpets rose.”

Kay Qobad • Rostam's Battle with Afrasiab and the Turanian Defeat بیت #4427

برآمد خروشیدن دار و کوب / درخشیدن خنجر و زخم چوب

“The clamor of weapons and blows resounded; daggers flashed and heavy maces struck.”

Kay Qobad • Rostam's Battle with Afrasiab and the Turanian Defeat بیت #4446

نهادند مهد از بر پنج پیل / ز پیروزه رخشان بکردار نیل

“They mounted a royal litter upon five elephants, gleaming blue with turquoise like the waters of the Nile.”

Kay Qobad • The Peace of Pashang and Kay Qobad: Turanian Retreat and Royal Honors بیت #4557