Epic Lore & Biography

The mythical, wise avian entity of Mount Alborz who raised Zal. Possessing cosmic secrets, she revealed Esfandiyar's sole vulnerability (his eyes) to Rostam and instructed him how to fashion the lethal tamarisk arrow, enabling Rostam to defeat the bronze-bodied champion.

Shahnameh Distichs Featuring this Entity (40)

به جایی که سیمرغ را خانه بود / بدان خانه این خرد بیگانه بود

“To the place where the Simorgh made her home, this helpless babe was brought as a stranger.”

Manoochehr • The Tale of the Birth of Zal, Sam's White-Haired Child بیت #2011

چو سیمرغ را بچه شد گرْسنه / به پرواز بر شد دمان از بنه

“When the Simorgh's chicks grew hungry, she flew up swiftly from her nest.”

Manoochehr • The Tale of the Birth of Zal, Sam's White-Haired Child بیت #2018

فرود آمد از ابر سیمرغ و چنگ / بزد برگرفتش از آن گرم سنگ

“The Simorgh swooped down from the clouds and gripped him in her talons, lifting him from the burning stone.”

Manoochehr • The Tale of the Birth of Zal, Sam's White-Haired Child بیت #2023

ببردش دمان تا به البرز کوه / که بودش بدانجا کنام و گروه

“She carried him swiftly to Mount Alborz, where her nest and nestlings dwelt.”

Manoochehr • The Tale of the Birth of Zal, Sam's White-Haired Child بیت #2024

نگه کرد سیمرغ با بچّگان / بر آن خرد خون از دو دیده چکان

“The Simorgh and her young looked upon that little child, whose eyes were dripping tears of blood.”

Manoochehr • The Tale of the Birth of Zal, Sam's White-Haired Child بیت #2027

شکاری که نازک‌تر آن برگزید / که بی‌شیر مهمان همی خون مزید

“It selected the tenderest prey for him, so that the milkless guest sucked blood instead of milk.”

Manoochehr • The Tale of the Birth of Zal, Sam's White-Haired Child بیت #2029

تو را دایه گر مرغ شاید همی / پس این پهلوانی چه باید همی

“If a wild bird must serve as nurse for thy child, of what use is all thy knightly prowess?”

Manoochehr • The Tale of the Birth of Zal, Sam's White-Haired Child بیت #2051

نشیمی از او برکشیده بلند / که ناید ز کیوان بر او بر گزند

“Upon it was built a high nest, so elevated that Saturn itself could work it no harm.”

Manoochehr • The Tale of the Birth of Zal, Sam's White-Haired Child بیت #2060

بدان سنگ خارا نگه کرد سام / بدان هیبت مرغ و هول کنام

“Sam gazed up at that hard granite rock, awestruck by the majestic terror of the Bird and its dread nest.”

Manoochehr • The Tale of the Birth of Zal, Sam's White-Haired Child بیت #2062

چنین گفت سیمرغ با پور سام / که ای دیده رنج نشیم و کنام

“Thus spoke the Simurgh to the son of Sam: 'O child who hast endured the hardship of nest and lair!'”

Manoochehr • The Tale of the Birth of Zal, Sam's White-Haired Child بیت #2069

به سیمرغ بنگر که دستان چه گفت / که سیر آمدستی همانا ز جفت

“Behold what Dastan said to the Simurgh: 'Hast thou indeed grown weary of thy companion?'”

Manoochehr • The Tale of the Birth of Zal, Sam's White-Haired Child بیت #2073

دلش کرد پدرام و برداشتش / گرازان به ابر اندر افراشتش

“She made his heart joyful and lifted him up, soaring proudly into the clouds.”

Manoochehr • The Tale of the Birth of Zal, Sam's White-Haired Child بیت #2083

فرو برد سر پیش سیمرغ زود / نیایش همی بآفرین برفزود

“Sam swiftly bowed his head before the Simurgh, showering endless praise and blessings upon her.”

Manoochehr • The Tale of the Birth of Zal, Sam's White-Haired Child بیت #2086

پس از کار سیمرغ و کوه بلند / و زان تا چرا خوار شد ارجمند

“Then Sam recounted the tale of the Simorgh, the lofty mountain, and how the rejected child became noble.”

Manoochehr • The Triumph of Zal: Royal Reception, Cosmic Prophecy, and Governance of Zabolistan بیت #2129

سرانجام گیتی ز سیمرغ و زال / پر از داستان شد به بسیار سال

“Until the world was filled for many years with tales of the Simorgh and Zal.”

Manoochehr • The Triumph of Zal: Royal Reception, Cosmic Prophecy, and Governance of Zabolistan بیت #2132

برو بر نشیمی چو کاخ بلند / ز هر سوی بر او بسته راه گزند

“'Upon it sat a nest like a lofty palace, barred from harm on every side.'”

Manoochehr • The Triumph of Zal: Royal Reception, Cosmic Prophecy, and Governance of Zabolistan بیت #2135

بدو اندرون بچهٔ مرغ و زال / تو گفتی که هستند هر دو همال

“'Within it were the bird's fledglings and Zal; you would say they were companions together.'”

Manoochehr • The Triumph of Zal: Royal Reception, Cosmic Prophecy, and Governance of Zabolistan بیت #2136

تو این بندهٔ مرغ پرورده را / به خواری و زاری برآورده را

“'Forgive this servant raised by a bird, brought up in misery and distress.'”

Manoochehr • The Triumph of Zal: Royal Reception, Cosmic Prophecy, and Governance of Zabolistan بیت #2142

بزد پرّ سیمرغ و بر شد به ابر / همی حلقه زد بر سر مرد گبر

“The Simorgh flapped its wings and ascended into the clouds, circling over the head of the armored warrior.”

Manoochehr • The Triumph of Zal: Royal Reception, Cosmic Prophecy, and Governance of Zabolistan بیت #2146

ز کوه اندر آمد چو ابر بهار / گرفته تن زال را بر کنار

“It descended from the mountain like a spring raincloud, carrying Zal in its embrace.”

Manoochehr • The Triumph of Zal: Royal Reception, Cosmic Prophecy, and Governance of Zabolistan بیت #2147

به پیش من آورد چون دایه‌ای / که در مهر باشد ورا مایه‌ای

“It brought him before me like a loving nurse, overflowing with deep affection.”

Manoochehr • The Triumph of Zal: Royal Reception, Cosmic Prophecy, and Governance of Zabolistan بیت #2148

گرانمایه سیمرغ برداشتش / همان آفریننده بگماشتش

“'The noble Simurgh raised him up, for the Creator Himself had appointed his keeping.'”

Manoochehr • The Triumph of Zal: Royal Reception, Cosmic Prophecy, and Governance of Zabolistan بیت #2193

که پروردهٔ مرغ باشد به کوه / نشانی شده در میان گروه

“'One who was nurtured by a mountain bird, and became a spectacle among the people?'”

Manoochehr • Rudabeh Reveals Her Heart to Her Handmaidens بیت #2334

همان زال کو مرغ پرورده بود / چنان پیر سر بود و پژمرده بود

“'Was this not the same Zal reared by a bird, whom you called old-headed and withered?'”

Manoochehr • The Return of the Maidens and the Secret Chamber of Rudabeh بیت #2465

پدر بود در ناز و خز و پرند / مرا برده سیمرغ بر کوه هند

“My father dwelt in luxury, silk, and brocade, while the Simurgh carried me off to the Mount of Hind.”

Manoochehr • Zal's Missive to Sam: A Plea for Love and Destiny بیت #2593

یکی مرغ پرورده‌ام خاک خورد / به گیتی مرا نیست با کس نبرد

“'I am a bird-reared child who eats the dust; I have no quarrel with anyone in this world.'”

Manoochehr • Zal's Appeal to Sam and the Letter of Intercession to King Manuchehr بیت #2919

چو پروردهٔ مرغ باشد به کوه / نشانی شده در میان گروه

“'One who was nurtured by a bird upon the mountain height, becoming a renowned marvel among all folk—'”

Manoochehr • Zal's Appeal to Sam and the Letter of Intercession to King Manuchehr بیت #3009

و گر بازگردانم از پیش زال / برآرد به کردار سیمرغ بال

“And if I turn it back from Zal, he will spread his wings in fury like the Simorgh!'”

Manoochehr • Sindokht's Embassy to Sam: The Brave Diplomacy of Kabul بیت #3074

که پروردهٔ مرغ بی‌دل شدست / از آب مژه پای در گل شدست

“'For he who was raised by the Bird has lost his heart, and his feet are stuck in the mud of tears.”

Manoochehr • Sindokht's Embassy to Sam: The Brave Diplomacy of Kabul بیت #3127

همان پر سیمرغش آمد به یاد / بخندید و سیندخت را مژده داد

“Then he remembered the feather of the Simorgh; he smiled and brought good tidings to Sindokht.”

Manoochehr • The Arduous Birth of Rostam and the Summoning of the Simorgh بیت #3418

یکی مجمر آورد و آتش فروخت / وزآن پر سیمرغ لختی بسوخت

“He brought a censer and struck a fire, and burned a fragment of the Simorgh's feather.”

Manoochehr • The Arduous Birth of Rostam and the Summoning of the Simorgh بیت #3419

هم اندر زمان تیره گون شد هوا / پدید آمد آن مرغ فرمان روا

“In that very instant, the air turned dark, and that sovereign bird appeared in the sky.”

Manoochehr • The Arduous Birth of Rostam and the Summoning of the Simorgh بیت #3420

چو ابری که بارانش مرجان بود / چه مرجان که آرایش جان بود

“Descended like a cloud whose rain was pure coral—a coral that was the very adornment of the soul.”

Manoochehr • The Arduous Birth of Rostam and the Summoning of the Simorgh بیت #3421

برو کرد زال آفرین دراز / ستودش فراوان و بردش نماز

“Zal offered long praises unto her, praising her greatly and bowing down in reverence.”

Manoochehr • The Arduous Birth of Rostam and the Summoning of the Simorgh بیت #3422

چنین گفت با زال کین غم چراست / به چشم هژبر اندرون نم چراست

“The Simorgh spoke to Zal: 'Why is this grief? Why is there moisture in the eyes of a lion-hero?'”

Manoochehr • The Arduous Birth of Rostam and the Summoning of the Simorgh بیت #3423

بدو مال ازان پس یکی پر من / خجسته بود سایهٔ فر من

“'Thereafter rub one of my feathers upon it; auspicious is the shadow of my Divine Glory.'”

Manoochehr • The Arduous Birth of Rostam and the Summoning of the Simorgh بیت #3439

بگفت و یکی پر ز بازو بکند / فگند و به پرواز بر شد بلند

“She spoke, plucked a feather from her wing, dropped it, and soared aloft into high flight.”

Manoochehr • The Arduous Birth of Rostam and the Summoning of the Simorgh بیت #3443

بشد زال و آن پر او برگرفت / برفت و بکرد آنچه گفت ای شگفت

“Zal went and picked up her feather, and went forth to perform what she wondrously had commanded.”

Manoochehr • The Arduous Birth of Rostam and the Summoning of the Simorgh بیت #3444

بسیمرغ بادا هزار آفرین / که ایزد ورا ره نمود اندرین

“'A thousand blessings be upon the Simorgh, to whom God revealed the path in this miracle!'”

Manoochehr • The Arrival of Sam to Meet Rostam, the Grand Banquet, Fatherly Counsel, and His Return to the West بیت #3535

بکردار سیمرغ ازین دیده‌گاه / برم آگهی سوی ایران سپاه

“'Like the Simurgh from this watchtower, I shall speed the news unto Iran's army.'”

Kamoos • The Vision of Siyavash and the Host of Khaqan of Chin بیت #13487