Epic Lore & Biography

The Kayanian monarch, son of Esfandiyar the Bronze-Bodied, famous for his stature, prowess, and martial renown. Mihrak's daughter compares Shapur's noble traits to Bahman.

Shahnameh Distichs Featuring this Entity (40)

یکی نام بهمن دوم مهرنوش / سیم نام او بد دلافروز طوش

“The first named Bahman, the second Mehrnush, and the third was named heart-brightening Tous.”

Goshtasp • Daquiqi's Speech: Jamasp Summons Esfandiyar and Returns to Court بیت #24437

به شاه جهان گفت بهمن پسر / که تا جاودان سبز بادات سر

“Bahman the son said to the prince of the world: 'May your head remain green and thriving forever!'”

Goshtasp • Daquiqi's Speech: Jamasp Summons Esfandiyar and Returns to Court بیت #24439

گرانمایه فرزند گفتا چرا / چه کردی تو با خسرو کشورا

“The noble son said: 'Why? What have you done against the ruler of the realm?'”

Goshtasp • Daquiqi's Speech: Jamasp Summons Esfandiyar and Returns to Court بیت #24444

پذیره شدش گرد فرزند شاه / همی بود تا او بیامد ز راه

“The prince's son went forth to meet him, waiting until he arrived from the road.”

Goshtasp • Daquiqi's Speech: Jamasp Summons Esfandiyar and Returns to Court بیت #24452

همه لشکرش را به بهمن سپرد / وزانجا خرامید با چند گرد

“He entrusted his entire army to Bahman, and set off from there with a few warriors.”

Goshtasp • Daquiqi's Speech: Jamasp Summons Esfandiyar and Returns to Court بیت #24468

چو آگاهی آمد به بهمن که شاه / ببستست آن شیر را بی‌گناه

“When word reached Bahman that the king had bound that guiltless lion,”

Goshtasp • Goshtasp's Journey to Zabulistan and Arjasp's Preparation for Invasion بیت #24529

ز بهمن شنیدم که از گلستان / همی رفت خواهی به زابلستان

“'I heard from Bahman that from this flower-garden, you intend to march unto Zabulistan,'”

Esfandyar • Katayoun's Warning to Esfandiyar: The Peril of Rostam, the King's Command, and a Mother's Nocturnal Lament بیت #26076

بفرمود تا بهمن آمدش پیش / ورا پندها داد ز اندازه بیش

“He commanded Bahman to step forward, and bestowed upon him counsel beyond measure.”

Esfandyar • Esfandiyar’s Embassy: The Words to Bahman and the Ultimatum to Rostam بیت #26140

بدو گفت اسپ سیه بر نشین / بیارای تن را به دیبای چین

“He said to him: 'Mount a sable horse, and adorn your body in Chinese silk.'”

Esfandyar • Esfandiyar’s Embassy: The Words to Bahman and the Ultimatum to Rostam بیت #26141

سخنهای آن نامور پیشگاه / چو بشنید بهمن بیامد به راه

“When Bahman heard the words of that illustrious prince, he set out upon the road.”

Esfandyar • Bahman’s Arrival in Zabulistan and Meeting with Zal بیت #26206

بپوشید زربفت شاهنشهی / بسر بر نهاد آن کلاه مهی

“He donned the royal brocade of kingship and placed upon his head the crown of greatness.”

Esfandyar • Bahman’s Arrival in Zabulistan and Meeting with Zal بیت #26207

خرامان بیامد ز پرده‌سرای / درفشی درفشان پس او به پای

“Stately he emerged from the pavilion, with a radiant banner unfurled behind him.”

Esfandyar • Bahman’s Arrival in Zabulistan and Meeting with Zal بیت #26208

جهانجوی بگذشت بر هیرمند / جوانی سرافراز و اسپی بلند

“The world-seeker crossed the Helmand River—a exalted youth upon a tall charger.”

Esfandyar • Bahman’s Arrival in Zabulistan and Meeting with Zal بیت #26209

که آمد نبرده سواری دلیر / به هرّای زرین سیاهی به زیر

“Crying, 'A battle-tested knight hath arrived, with golden harness and a dark steed beneath him!'”

Esfandyar • Bahman’s Arrival in Zabulistan and Meeting with Zal بیت #26211

پس پشت او خوار مایه سوار / تن‌آسان گذشت از لب جویبار

“Behind him rode a few warriors, crossing lazily and easily from the bank of the stream.”

Esfandyar • Bahman’s Arrival in Zabulistan and Meeting with Zal بیت #26212

بیامد ز دیده مر او را بدید / یکی باد سرد از جگر برکشید

“He came up to the watchtower and looked upon him, drawing a cold sigh from his liver.”

Esfandyar • Bahman’s Arrival in Zabulistan and Meeting with Zal بیت #26214

چنین گفت کین نامور پهلوست / سرافراز با جامهٔ خسروست

“He said, 'This is an illustrious paladin, proud and adorned in royal garments.'”

Esfandyar • Bahman’s Arrival in Zabulistan and Meeting with Zal بیت #26215

ز لهراسپ دارد همانا نژاد / پی او برین بوم فرخنده باد

“'He surely traces his lineage to Lohrasp; blessed be his footsteps upon this auspicious realm!'”

Esfandyar • Bahman’s Arrival in Zabulistan and Meeting with Zal بیت #26216

هم‌اندر زمان بهمن آمد پدید / ازو رایت خسروی گسترید

“At that very instant Bahman appeared, and from him radiated the glory of royal majesty.”

Esfandyar • Bahman’s Arrival in Zabulistan and Meeting with Zal بیت #26218

ندانست مرد جوان زال را / بیفراخت آن خسروی یال را

“The youth did not know Zal, and raised his royal neck in pride.”

Esfandyar • Bahman’s Arrival in Zabulistan and Meeting with Zal بیت #26219

چو نزدیکتر گشت آواز داد / بدو گفت کای مرد دهقان‌نژاد

“As he drew nearer, he called out, saying, 'O man of rustic lineage!'”

Esfandyar • Bahman’s Arrival in Zabulistan and Meeting with Zal بیت #26220

بدو گفت زال ای پسر کام جوی / فرود آی و می خواه و آرام جوی

“Zal said to him, 'O ambition-seeking youth! Dismount, ask for wine, and seek repose.'”

Esfandyar • Bahman’s Arrival in Zabulistan and Meeting with Zal بیت #26223

تو با این سواران بباش ارجمند / بیارای دل را به بگماز چند

“'Be honored alongside these riders, and adorn thy heart with goblets of wine.'”

Esfandyar • Bahman’s Arrival in Zabulistan and Meeting with Zal بیت #26225

چنین داد پاسخ که اسفندیار / نفرمودمان رامش و میگسار

“He answered, 'Esfandiyar did not command us toward ease and winemaking.'”

Esfandyar • Bahman’s Arrival in Zabulistan and Meeting with Zal بیت #26226

گزین کن یکی مرد جوینده راه / که با من بیاید به نخچیرگاه

“'Select a guide who knows the path to come with me to the hunting grounds.'”

Esfandyar • Bahman’s Arrival in Zabulistan and Meeting with Zal بیت #26227

بدو گفت دستان که نام تو چیست / همی بگذری تیز کام تو چیست

“Dastan said to him, 'What is thy name? Thou passest so swiftly; what is thy desire?'”

Esfandyar • Bahman’s Arrival in Zabulistan and Meeting with Zal بیت #26228

چنین داد پاسخ که من بهمنم / نبیرهٔ جهاندار رویین تنم

“He answered, 'I am Bahman, the grandson of the invincible lord of the world!'”

Esfandyar • Bahman’s Arrival in Zabulistan and Meeting with Zal بیت #26230

چو بشنید گفتار آن سرفراز / فرود آمد از باره بردش نماز

“When he heard the words of that exalted prince, Zal dismounted from his steed and paid him reverence.”

Esfandyar • Bahman’s Arrival in Zabulistan and Meeting with Zal بیت #26231

بخندید بهمن پیاده ببود / بپرسیدش و گفت بهمن شنود

“Bahman smiled and dismounted on foot; he greeted him and listened to what Zal said.”

Esfandyar • Bahman’s Arrival in Zabulistan and Meeting with Zal بیت #26232

بسی خواهشش کرد کایدر بایست / چنین تیز رفتن ترا روی نیست

“Zal entreated him greatly, saying, 'Stay here! It is not fitting for thee to press on so hastily.'”

Esfandyar • Bahman’s Arrival in Zabulistan and Meeting with Zal بیت #26233

بدو گفت فرمان اسفندیار / نشاید گرفتن چنین سست و خوار

“Bahman replied, 'The command of Esfandiyar must not be treated laxly or lightly.'”

Esfandyar • Bahman’s Arrival in Zabulistan and Meeting with Zal بیت #26234

گزین کرد مردی که دانست راه / فرستاده با او به نخچیرگاه

“So Zal chose a man who knew the way and sent him along with Bahman to the hunting grounds.”

Esfandyar • Bahman’s Arrival in Zabulistan and Meeting with Zal بیت #26235

همی رفت پیش اندرون رهنمون / جهاندیده‌ای نام او شیرخون

“The guide rode ahead—an experienced, battle-tested man named Shirkhun.”

Esfandyar • Bahman’s Arrival in Zabulistan and Meeting with Zal بیت #26236

به انگشت بنمود نخچیرگاه / هم‌اندر زمان بازگشت او ز راه

“He pointed out the hunting ground with his finger and immediately turned back upon his path.”

Esfandyar • Bahman’s Arrival in Zabulistan and Meeting with Zal بیت #26237

یکی کوه بد پیش مرد جوان / برانگیخت آن باره را پهلوان

“A mountain stood before the young prince, and the warrior urged his swift horse up its slopes.”

Esfandyar • Bahman at Rostam's Hunting Ground: The Boulder's Flight and the Feast of the Wild Ass بیت #26238

نگه کرد بهمن به نخچیرگاه / بدید آن بر پهلوان سپاه

“Bahman looked down upon the hunting grounds and beheld the vast frame of the army's supreme champion.”

Esfandyar • Bahman at Rostam's Hunting Ground: The Boulder's Flight and the Feast of the Wild Ass بیت #26239

به دل گفت بهمن که این رستمست / و گر آفتاب سپیده دمست

“Bahman said to his heart: 'Is this Rostam, or is it the radiant sun of dawn down on earth?'”

Esfandyar • Bahman at Rostam's Hunting Ground: The Boulder's Flight and the Feast of the Wild Ass بیت #26244

به گیتی کسی مرد ازین سان ندید / نه از نامداران پیشی شنید

“'No one in the world has ever seen such a man, nor heard tell of such a giant among ancients.'”

Esfandyar • Bahman at Rostam's Hunting Ground: The Boulder's Flight and the Feast of the Wild Ass بیت #26245

بترسم که با او یل اسفندیار / نتابد بپیچد سر از کارزار

“'I fear that even the valiant Esfandiyar will not be able to stand against him in battle.'”

Esfandyar • Bahman at Rostam's Hunting Ground: The Boulder's Flight and the Feast of the Wild Ass بیت #26246

من این را به یک سنگ بیجان کنم / دل زال و رودابه پیچان کنم

“'I shall take his life with a single heavy boulder, wringing the hearts of Zal and Rudabeh in grief.'”

Esfandyar • Bahman at Rostam's Hunting Ground: The Boulder's Flight and the Feast of the Wild Ass بیت #26247