Epic Lore & Biography

King of Turan and leader of the Chionites, bitter foe of Zoroastrianism. He sacked Balkh and killed Lohrasp, but fled when Esfandiyar broke his chains and was eventually slain in Ruyin-Dezh.

Shahnameh Distichs Featuring this Entity (40)

ز گشتاسپ و ارجاسپ بیتی هزار / بگفتم سرآمد مرا روزگار

“'I composed a thousand couplets concerning Goshtasp and Arjasp when my life reached its end.'”

Goshtasp • Ferdowsi's Dream of Daqiqi بیت #23548

مگر شاه ارجاسپ توران خدای / که دیوان بدندی به پیشش به پای

“Save King Arjasp, the ruler of Touran, before whom the demons stood in waiting.”

Goshtasp • Daquiqi's Prologue: Lohrasp's Abdication, Coronation of Goshtasp, and the Birth of Esfandiyar and Peshotan بیت #23573

گزیتش نپذرفت و نشنید پند / اگر پند نشنید زو دید بند

“He accepted not the tribute and paid no heed to counsel; and since he heeded no advice, he was bound to see bondage.”

Goshtasp • Daquiqi's Prologue: Lohrasp's Abdication, Coronation of Goshtasp, and the Birth of Esfandiyar and Peshotan بیت #23574

وزو بستدی نیز هر سال باژ / چرا داد باید به هامال باژ

“Furthermore, Goshtasp demanded tribute from him every year; why indeed should one yield tribute to a peer?”

Goshtasp • Daquiqi's Prologue: Lohrasp's Abdication, Coronation of Goshtasp, and the Birth of Esfandiyar and Peshotan بیت #23575

چو ارجاسپ بشنید گفتار دیو / فرود آمد از گاه گیهان خدیو

“When Arjasp heard the words of the demon, the lord of the world stepped down from his throne.”

Goshtasp • Zarathustra's Counsel to Refuse Tribute and Arjasp's Fury بیت #23639

یکی نامه بنوشت خوب و هژیر / سوی نامور خسرو و دین پذیر

“Arjasp wrote a eloquent and fine letter to the renowned king who had accepted the new faith.”

Goshtasp • Arjasp's Ultimatum: The Threatening Epistle to King Goshtasp بیت #23665

ز ارجاسپ سالار گردان چین / سوار جهان‌دیده گرد زمین

“'From Arjasp, leader of the Turanian heroes, the battle-tested knight of the earth.'”

Goshtasp • Arjasp's Ultimatum: The Threatening Epistle to King Goshtasp بیت #23670

که ارجاسپ سالار ترکان چین / یکی نامه کردست زی من چنین

“'Arjasp, ruler of the Turks of China, has written such a letter unto me.'”

Goshtasp • The Arrival of Arjasp's Letter to Goshtasp and the Iranian Council بیت #23734

که پاسخ کنم جادو ارجاسپ را / پسند آمد این شاه گشتاسپ را

“'I shall write the reply to Arjasp the sorcerer!' And King Goshtasp approved of his request.”

Goshtasp • Daqiqi's Verse: Goshtasp's Fierce Reply to Arjasp and the Threat of War بیت #23749

نوشتند نامه به ارجاسپ زشت / هم اندر خور آن کجا او نوشت

“They wrote a letter to ugly Arjasp, fittingly matched to the missive he had sent.”

Goshtasp • Daqiqi's Verse: Goshtasp's Fierce Reply to Arjasp and the Threat of War بیت #23753

دبیرش مران نامه را برگشاد / بخواندش بران شاه جادو نژاد

“His scribe unrolled the scroll and read it aloud before that king of sorcerer lineage.”

Goshtasp • Goshtasp's Defiant Message and the Massive Turanian Invasion بیت #23776

زی ارجاسپ ترک آن پلید سترگ / کجا پیکرش پیکر پیر گرگ

“Unto Arjasp the Turk, that gross evil creature whose form is like that of an old wolf,”

Goshtasp • Goshtasp's Defiant Message and the Massive Turanian Invasion بیت #23780

چو سالار پیکند نامه بخواند / فرود آمد از گاه و خیره بماند

“When the ruler of Paykand read the letter, he descended from his throne and remained bewildered.”

Goshtasp • Goshtasp's Defiant Message and the Massive Turanian Invasion بیت #23804

دگر ترک بد نام او هوش دیو / پیامش فرستاد ترکان خدیو

“Yet another Turk was named Hosh-e Div; to him, the Lord of the Turks sent a stern command.”

Goshtasp • Goshtasp's Defiant Message and the Massive Turanian Invasion بیت #23820

چو آگاهی آمد به گشتاسپ شاه / که سالار چین جملگی با سپاه

“When word reached King Goshtasp that the ruler of China had set out with his entire host,”

Goshtasp • Daqiqi's Narrative: Goshtasp's Awareness of Arjasp's Attack and the Mobilization of Iran بیت #23826

چو بشنید کو رفت با لشکرش / که ویران کند آن نکو کشورش

“When he heard that Arjasp had marched with his army to devastate that fair realm,”

Goshtasp • Daqiqi's Narrative: Goshtasp's Awareness of Arjasp's Attack and the Mobilization of Iran بیت #23828

سوی مرزدارانش نامه نوشت / که خاقان ره راد مردی بهشت

“He wrote letters to his frontier lords, saying: 'The Khaqan has abandoned the path of noble chivalry.'”

Goshtasp • Daqiqi's Narrative: Goshtasp's Awareness of Arjasp's Attack and the Mobilization of Iran بیت #23830

سوی رزم ارجاسپ لشکر کشید / سپاهی که هرگز چنان کس ندید

“He marched his army to battle Arjasp—an army such as no man had ever seen before.”

Goshtasp • Daqiqi's Narrative: Goshtasp's Awareness of Arjasp's Attack and the Mobilization of Iran بیت #23844

پس ارجاسپ شاه دلیران چین / بیاراست لشکرش را همچنین

“Then Arjasp, the brave king of China, arrayed his host in similar fashion.”

Goshtasp • Daqiqi's Narrative: The Array of the Iranian and Turanian Armies بیت #23990

خود و صدهزاران سواران گرد / نموده همه در جهان دستبرد

“He himself, with a hundred thousand valiant riders, all proven warriors in the world,”

Goshtasp • Daqiqi's Narrative: The Array of the Iranian and Turanian Armies بیت #23997

چو ارجاسپ دانست کان پورشاه / سپه را همی کرد خواهد تباه

“When Arjasp realized that the king's son was bent on laying his army waste,”

Goshtasp • The Battle of Zarir, His Treacherous Fall, and Goshtasp's Bitter Mourning بیت #24088

چو ارجاسپ دید آن چنان خیره شد / که روز سپیدش شب تیره شد

“When Arjasp saw this, he was so bewildered that his bright day turned into dark night.”

Goshtasp • The Battle of Zarir, His Treacherous Fall, and Goshtasp's Bitter Mourning بیت #24103

به ارچاسپ گفت ای بلند آفتاب / به زور و به تن همچو افراسیاب

“He said to Arjasp, 'O exalted sun of power, equal in physical strength to Afrasiab himself!'”

Goshtasp • The Battle of Zarir, His Treacherous Fall, and Goshtasp's Bitter Mourning بیت #24114

ازو شاد شد شاه و کرد آفرین / بدادش بدو بارهٔ خویش و زین

“The king rejoiced at his words and praised him, bestowing upon him his own horse and saddle.”

Goshtasp • The Battle of Zarir, His Treacherous Fall, and Goshtasp's Bitter Mourning بیت #24118

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

چو ارجاسپ آن دید کامدش پیش / ابا نامداران و مردان خویش

“When Arjasp saw what was unfolding before him among his nobles and men,”

Goshtasp • Esfandiyar Divides the Host and Arjasp's Flight بیت #24282

چو دانست خاقان که ماندند بس / نیارد شدن پیش او هیچ‌کس

“The Khaqan realized that few were left, and no one dared to stand before him.”

Goshtasp • Esfandiyar Divides the Host and Arjasp's Flight بیت #24285

همانگاه اندر گریغ اوفتاد / بشد رویش اندر بیابان نهاد

“At that moment he fell into flight, turning his face toward the open desert.”

Goshtasp • Esfandiyar Divides the Host and Arjasp's Flight بیت #24287

بفرمود و گفت ای گو رزمسار / یکی بر پی شاه توران بتاز

“He commanded him, saying: 'O battle-proven hero, ride hard upon the trail of the King of Turan!'”

Goshtasp • Goshtasp's Triumphant Return, the Pursuit of Arjasp, and the Adornment of the Realm بیت #24333

به نفرین شد ارجاسپ ناآفرین / چنین است کار جهان آفرین

“'Unholy Arjasp was fallen under curse; such is the working of the Creator of the World.'”

Goshtasp • Goshtasp's Triumphant Return, the Pursuit of Arjasp, and the Adornment of the Realm بیت #24349

چو آگاه شد قیصر آن شاه روم / که فرخ شد آن شاه و ارجاسپ شوم

“When Caesar, the King of Rome, learned that the glorious King was victorious and sinister Arjasp defeated,”

Goshtasp • Goshtasp's Triumphant Return, the Pursuit of Arjasp, and the Adornment of the Realm بیت #24351

پس آگاهی آمد به سالار چین / که شاه از گمان اندرآمد به کین

“Then news came to the Lord of Chin that the King, out of suspicion, had moved to vengeance,”

Goshtasp • Goshtasp's Journey to Zabulistan and Arjasp's Preparation for Invasion بیت #24534

مهان را همه خواند شاه چگل / ابر جنگ لهراسپشان داد دل

“The King of Chegel summoned all his nobles and heartened them for war against Luhrasp.”

Goshtasp • Goshtasp's Journey to Zabulistan and Arjasp's Preparation for Invasion بیت #24542

شه چینش گفتا به ایران خرام / نگهبان آتش ببین تا کدام

“The Shah of Chin told him: 'Hasten to Iran, and see who is guarding the sacred fire.'”

Goshtasp • Goshtasp's Journey to Zabulistan and Arjasp's Preparation for Invasion بیت #24551

بشد همچنان پیش خاقان بگفت / به رخ پیش او بر زمین را برفت

“He returned to the Khaqan and reported, bowing his face low to the earth before him.”

Goshtasp • Goshtasp's Journey to Zabulistan and Arjasp's Preparation for Invasion بیت #24554

چو ارجاسپ آگاه شد شاد گشت / از اندوه دیرینه آزاد گشت

“When Arjasp learned of this, he rejoiced and was freed from his ancient grief.”

Goshtasp • Goshtasp's Journey to Zabulistan and Arjasp's Preparation for Invasion بیت #24555

سران را همه خواند و گفتا روید / سپاه پراگنده گرد آورید

“He summoned all his chieftains and said: 'Go, gather the scattered army!'”

Goshtasp • Goshtasp's Journey to Zabulistan and Arjasp's Preparation for Invasion بیت #24556

کنون رزم ارجاسپ را نو کنیم / به طبع روان باغ بی خو کنیم

“Now let us renew the story of Arjasp’s war, and with a flowing nature make the garden clear of weeds.”

Goshtasp • Arjasp's Command to Kahram: The Raid on Balkh, the Fall of Luhrasp, and the Burning of the Sacred Temple بیت #24592

بفرمود تا کهرم تیغ‌زن / بود پیش سالار آن انجمن

“He commanded Kahram, the swordsman, to stand before the commander of that assembly.”

Goshtasp • Arjasp's Command to Kahram: The Raid on Balkh, the Fall of Luhrasp, and the Burning of the Sacred Temple بیت #24593

که ارجاسپ را بود مهتر پسر / به خورشید تابان برآورده سر

“For he was Arjasp’s eldest son, lifting his head high unto the radiant sun.”

Goshtasp • Arjasp's Command to Kahram: The Raid on Balkh, the Fall of Luhrasp, and the Burning of the Sacred Temple بیت #24594