Epic Lore & Biography

Fierce apex beasts inhabiting the wilderness of Iran. In this section, a male and female lion haunting the thickets of Jaz are confronted and slain by Bahram Gur with his single sword blade.

Shahnameh Distichs Featuring this Entity (23)

دران نیستان بیشهٔ شیر بود / که پیلی نیارست ازو نی درود

“Now that reed thicket was a fierce lion's lair, where even an elephant dared not harvest a single reed.”

Kay Kavus • The First Khan: Hunting the Wild Ass and Rakhsh's Battle with the Lion بیت #4883

چو یک پاس بگذشت درنده شیر / به سوی کنام خود آمد دلیر

“When one watch of the night had passed, the ferocious lion returned boldly to its lair.”

Kay Kavus • The First Khan: Hunting the Wild Ass and Rakhsh's Battle with the Lion بیت #4884

بر نی یکی پیل را خفته دید / بر او یکی اسپ آشفته دید

“Upon the reeds he saw an elephant-like man asleep, and standing over him an agitated horse.”

Kay Kavus • The First Khan: Hunting the Wild Ass and Rakhsh's Battle with the Lion بیت #4885

نخست اسپ را گفت باید شکست / چو خواهم سوارم خود آید به دست

“The lion said to himself: 'First I must break the horse, so that the rider himself will be easily captured.'”

Kay Kavus • The First Khan: Hunting the Wild Ass and Rakhsh's Battle with the Lion بیت #4886

سوی رخش رخشان برآمد دمان / چو آتش بجوشید رخش آن زمان

“Roaring like fire, he leapt toward radiant Rakhsh; whereupon Rakhsh boiled over like a cauldron.”

Kay Kavus • The First Khan: Hunting the Wild Ass and Rakhsh's Battle with the Lion بیت #4887

دو دست اندر آورد و زد بر سرش / همان تیز دندان به پشت اندرش

“Rakhsh brought down both forehooves upon the lion's head, sinking his razor teeth deep into its back.”

Kay Kavus • The First Khan: Hunting the Wild Ass and Rakhsh's Battle with the Lion بیت #4888

همی زد بران خاک تا پاره کرد / ددی را بران چاره بیچاره کرد

“He smashed the beast upon the earth until he tore it to pieces, rendering helpless the predator through his cunning and force.”

Kay Kavus • The First Khan: Hunting the Wild Ass and Rakhsh's Battle with the Lion بیت #4889

چو بیدار شد رستم تیزچنگ / جهان دید بر شیر تاریک و تنگ

“When sharp-clawed Rostam awoke, he saw the world made dark and narrow for the slain lion.”

Kay Kavus • The First Khan: Hunting the Wild Ass and Rakhsh's Battle with the Lion بیت #4890

سرم گر ز خواب خوش آگه شدی / ترا جنگ با شیر کوته شدی

“'Had my head awakened from sweet sleep, thy battle with the lion would have been cut short.'”

Kay Kavus • The First Khan: Hunting the Wild Ass and Rakhsh's Battle with the Lion بیت #4895

کمان را به زه کرد مرد دلیر / پدید آمد اندر زمان نره شیر

“The brave hero strung his bow, and instantly a mighty male lion appeared before him.”

Bahgoor • Bahram Gur's Hunt in the Lions' Thicket and the Granting of the Estate to Mihr-Bandad بیت #34464

یکی نعره زد شیر چون در رسید / بزد دست شاه و کمان درکشید

“The lion uttered a deafening roar as it charged, whereupon the king reached for his bow and drew back the string.”

Bahgoor • Bahram Gur's Hunt in the Lions' Thicket and the Granting of the Estate to Mihr-Bandad بیت #34465

بزد تیر و پهلوش با دل بدوخت / دل شیر ماده بدوبر بسوخت

“He loosed an arrow that pinned the lion's flank to its heart; seeing this, the female lion's heart burned with grief and fury.”

Bahgoor • Bahram Gur's Hunt in the Lions' Thicket and the Granting of the Estate to Mihr-Bandad بیت #34466

همان ماده آهنگ بهرام کرد / بغرید و چنگش به اندام کرد

“The lioness then launched herself at Bahram, roaring loudly and extending her sharp claws towards him.”

Bahgoor • Bahram Gur's Hunt in the Lions' Thicket and the Granting of the Estate to Mihr-Bandad بیت #34467

یکی تیغ زد بر میانش سوار / فروماند جنگی دران کارزار

“The royal rider struck her middle with his sword, cleaving her in two, leaving the beast spent in that battle.”

Bahgoor • Bahram Gur's Hunt in the Lions' Thicket and the Granting of the Estate to Mihr-Bandad بیت #34468

خداوند گاو و خر و گوسفند / ز شیران شده بددل و مستمند

“'I own cattle, donkeys, and sheep, yet I was left heart-broken and impoverished by those fierce lions.'”

Bahgoor • Bahram Gur's Hunt in the Lions' Thicket and the Granting of the Estate to Mihr-Bandad بیت #34475

بران جایگه نیز یابیم شیر / شکاری بود گر بمانیم دیر

“'In that domain we shall also find lions; it will yield rich game if we tarry long.'”

Bahgoor • Bahram Gur's Reflections on Mortality, the Lion-Slaying at Jaz, and the Royal Edict بیت #35312

بیابان سراسر پر از گور دید / همه بیشه از شیر پرشور دید

“He saw the desert entirely filled with wild asses, and all the thickets roaring with lions.”

Bahgoor • Bahram Gur's Reflections on Mortality, the Lion-Slaying at Jaz, and the Royal Edict بیت #35321

چنین گفت که‌اینجا شکار منست / که از شیر بر خاک چندین تنست

“He said: 'This is indeed my hunting ground, where so many lions lie slain upon the earth!'”

Bahgoor • Bahram Gur's Reflections on Mortality, the Lion-Slaying at Jaz, and the Royal Edict بیت #35322

بخسپید شادان‌دل و تن‌درست / که فردا بباید مرا شیر جست

“He slept with a joyous heart and healthy body, saying: 'Tomorrow I must seek out the lions!'”

Bahgoor • Bahram Gur's Reflections on Mortality, the Lion-Slaying at Jaz, and the Royal Edict بیت #35323

نخستین به شمشیر شیر افگنیم / همان اژدهای دلیر افگنیم

“'First with the sword we shall slay the lion, and overthrow the brave dragon-like beast.'”

Bahgoor • Bahram Gur's Reflections on Mortality, the Lion-Slaying at Jaz, and the Royal Edict بیت #35325

چو این بیشه از شیر گردد تهی / خدنگ مرا گور گردد رهی

“'When this thicket is purged of lions, my poplar arrows shall find their prey in the wild ass.'”

Bahgoor • Bahram Gur's Reflections on Mortality, the Lion-Slaying at Jaz, and the Royal Edict بیت #35326

همانگاه بیرون خرامید شیر / دلاور شده خورده از گور سیر

“At that moment, out strode a mighty lion, emboldened after feeding to satiety on a wild ass.”

Bahgoor • Bahram Gur's Reflections on Mortality, the Lion-Slaying at Jaz, and the Royal Edict بیت #35328

ولیکن به شمشیر یازم به شیر / بدان تا نخواند مرا نادلیر

“'Yet I shall strike the lion with my sword alone, so that none may brand me a coward!'”

Bahgoor • Bahram Gur's Reflections on Mortality, the Lion-Slaying at Jaz, and the Royal Edict بیت #35330