Epic Lore & Biography

Bahram Gur was the famous Sasanian monarch who had previously established a boundary stone pillar and written treaty on the banks of the River Oxus (Jayhun). His covenant stood as a sacred border between Iran and Turan, which Piruz disastrously broke.

Shahnameh Distichs Featuring this Entity (40)

جز از گوی و میدان نبودیش کار / گهی زخم چوگان و گاهی شکار

“He had no work save ball and polo field; at times wielding the mallet, and at times the hunt.”

Bezehgar • Bahram Gur’s Hunt with Azadeh: The Impossible Shot and the Fate of the Harpist بیت #33677

چنان بد که یک روز بی‌انجمن / به نخچیرگه رفت با چنگ زن

“It so befell that one day, apart from any retinue, he went to the hunting ground with a harpist.”

Bezehgar • Bahram Gur’s Hunt with Azadeh: The Impossible Shot and the Fate of the Harpist بیت #33678

به پشت هیون چمان برنشست / ابا سرو آزاده چنگی به دست

“He rode upon the back of a swift, prancing camel, accompanied by that cypress-like, harp-playing beauty.”

Bezehgar • Bahram Gur’s Hunt with Azadeh: The Impossible Shot and the Fate of the Harpist بیت #33680

دلارام او بود و هم کام اوی / همیشه به لب داشتی نام اوی

“She was his heart's comfort and his soul's desire; he kept her name forever upon his lips.”

Bezehgar • Bahram Gur’s Hunt with Azadeh: The Impossible Shot and the Fate of the Harpist بیت #33681

همان زیر ترکش کمان مهره داشت / دلاور ز هر دانشی بهره داشت

“Beneath his quiver he carried a pellet-bow; the young hero was skilled in every art.”

Bezehgar • Bahram Gur’s Hunt with Azadeh: The Impossible Shot and the Fate of the Harpist بیت #33685

به پیش اندر آمدش آهو دو جفت / جوانمرد خندان به آزاده گفت

“Before them appeared two pairs of gazelles; the noble youth smiled and said to Azadeh:”

Bezehgar • Bahram Gur’s Hunt with Azadeh: The Impossible Shot and the Fate of the Harpist بیت #33686

که ای ماه من چون کمان را به زه / برآرم به شست اندر آرم گره

“"O my moon, when I draw the string of my bow and notch the arrow,”

Bezehgar • Bahram Gur’s Hunt with Azadeh: The Impossible Shot and the Fate of the Harpist بیت #33687

کدام آهو افگنده خواهی به تیر / که ماده جوانست و همتاش پیر

“Which gazelle wouldst thou have me strike down with an arrow? For the female is young and her mate is old."”

Bezehgar • Bahram Gur’s Hunt with Azadeh: The Impossible Shot and the Fate of the Harpist بیت #33688

بدو گفت آزاده کای شیرمرد / به آهو نجویند مردان نبرد

“Azadeh said to him, "O lion-hearted man, brave heroes do not battle gazelles in ordinary fashion.”

Bezehgar • Bahram Gur’s Hunt with Azadeh: The Impossible Shot and the Fate of the Harpist بیت #33689

کمان را به زه کرد بهرام گور / برانگیخت از دشت آرام شور

“Bahram Gur strung his bow; he raised a clamor of excitement in the quiet plain.”

Bezehgar • Bahram Gur’s Hunt with Azadeh: The Impossible Shot and the Fate of the Harpist بیت #33695

دو پیکان به ترکش یکی تیر داشت / به دشت اندر از بهر نخچیر داشت

“He carried a double-barbed arrow in his quiver, crafted specifically for the hunt in the desert.”

Bezehgar • Bahram Gur’s Hunt with Azadeh: The Impossible Shot and the Fate of the Harpist بیت #33696

هم‌انگه چو آهو شد اندر گریز / سپهبد سروهای آن نره تیز

“The moment the male gazelle turned to flee, the prince aimed at the sharp horns of the beast,”

Bezehgar • Bahram Gur’s Hunt with Azadeh: The Impossible Shot and the Fate of the Harpist بیت #33697

همان در سروگاه ماده دو تیر / بزد همچنان مرد نخچیرگیر

“Likewise, into the place of horns upon the female's head, the master hunter loosed two arrows,”

Bezehgar • Bahram Gur’s Hunt with Azadeh: The Impossible Shot and the Fate of the Harpist بیت #33700

هیون را سوی جفت دیگر بتاخت / به خم کمان مهره در مهره ساخت

“He spurred his camel toward the other pair, and fitted a pellet into the notch of his pellet-bow.”

Bezehgar • Bahram Gur’s Hunt with Azadeh: The Impossible Shot and the Fate of the Harpist بیت #33702

بخارید گوش آهو اندر زمان / به تیر اندر آورد جادو کمان

“The gazelle scratched its ear at once; and instantly the prince drew his magical bow.”

Bezehgar • Bahram Gur’s Hunt with Azadeh: The Impossible Shot and the Fate of the Harpist بیت #33704

بزد دست بهرام و او را ز زین / نگونسار برزد به روی زمین

“Bahram reached out his hand, cast her down from the saddle, and hurled her headlong to the ground.”

Bezehgar • Bahram Gur’s Hunt with Azadeh: The Impossible Shot and the Fate of the Harpist بیت #33706

هیون از بر ماه‌چهره براند / برو دست و چنگش به خون درفشاند

“He drove the camel over the moon-faced maiden, trampling her hands and harp into crimson blood.”

Bezehgar • Bahram Gur’s Hunt with Azadeh: The Impossible Shot and the Fate of the Harpist بیت #33707

چنین گفت کای بی‌خرد چنگ‌زن / چه بایست جستن به من برشکن

“He spoke thus: "O foolish harpist! Why didst thou seek to set a trap and breaking-test for me?”

Bezehgar • Bahram Gur’s Hunt with Azadeh: The Impossible Shot and the Fate of the Harpist بیت #33708

اگر کند بودی گشاد برم / ازین زخم ننگی شدی گوهرم

“Had my draw been slow or my aim unsteady, this wound would have brought shame upon my royal lineage!"”

Bezehgar • Bahram Gur’s Hunt with Azadeh: The Impossible Shot and the Fate of the Harpist بیت #33709

چو او زیر پای هیون در سپرد / به نخچیر زان پس کنیزک نبرد

“Having trampled her beneath the feet of the camel, he never took a maiden with him to the hunt again.”

Bezehgar • Bahram Gur’s Hunt with Azadeh: The Impossible Shot and the Fate of the Harpist بیت #33710

دگر هفته با لشکری سرفراز / به نخچیرگه رفت با یوز و باز

“The next week, with a proud army he rode, to the hunting ground with cheetahs and falcons.”

Bezehgar • Bahram Gur's Hunt: Slaying Lion and Onager with a Single Arrow and Displaying Might to the Arabs بیت #33711

همی خواست منذر که بهرام گور / بدیشان نماید سواری و زور

“Monzer desired that Bahram Gur should show them his skill in horsemanship and power.”

Bezehgar • Bahram Gur's Hunt: Slaying Lion and Onager with a Single Arrow and Displaying Might to the Arabs بیت #33718

چو بهرام‌گور آن شترمرغ دید / به کردار باد هوا بردمید

“When Bahram Gur saw those ostriches, he galloped forward like the rushing wind.”

Bezehgar • Bahram Gur's Hunt: Slaying Lion and Onager with a Single Arrow and Displaying Might to the Arabs بیت #33720

هم‌انگه چون منذر به ایوان رسید / ز بهرام رایش به کیوان رسید

“When Monzer reached the palace, his joy and pride in Bahram reached up to Saturn.”

Bezehgar • Bahram Gur's Hunt: Slaying Lion and Onager with a Single Arrow and Displaying Might to the Arabs بیت #33729

سواری چو بهرام با یال و کفت / بلند اشتری زیر و زخمی شگفت

“A rider like Bahram with majestic neck and shoulders, atop a tall camel, executing a wondrous shot.”

Bezehgar • Bahram Gur's Hunt: Slaying Lion and Onager with a Single Arrow and Displaying Might to the Arabs بیت #33732

همه نامداران فروماندند / به بهرام بر آفرین خواندند

“All the chieftains were filled with wonder, and sang praises unto Bahram.”

Bezehgar • Bahram Gur's Hunt: Slaying Lion and Onager with a Single Arrow and Displaying Might to the Arabs بیت #33737

وزان پس هنرها چو کردی به کار / همی تاختندی بر شهریار

“Thereafter, whenever he accomplished acts of prowess, horsemen were galloped to report to the King.”

Bezehgar • Bahram Gur's Hunt: Slaying Lion and Onager with a Single Arrow and Displaying Might to the Arabs بیت #33738

پدر آرزو کرد بهرام را / چه بهرام خورشید خودکام را

“The father longed for Bahram—that self-willed sun of a prince.”

Bezehgar • Bahram's Return to Istakhr and Monzer's Counsel of Patience بیت #33739

به منذر چنین گفت بهرام شیر / که هرچند مانیم نزد تو دیر

“Bahram the lion-hearted spoke thus to Monzer: 'However long we dwell beside thee...'”

Bezehgar • Bahram's Return to Istakhr and Monzer's Counsel of Patience بیت #33740

همان آرزوی پدر خیزدم / چو ایمن شوم در برانگیزدم

“'...my father’s yearning will surely call me back, urging me home as soon as safety reigns.'”

Bezehgar • Bahram's Return to Istakhr and Monzer's Counsel of Patience بیت #33741

چو نعمان که با شاه همراه بود / به نزدیک او افسر ماه بود

“And Noman set forth beside the prince, bearing a moon-like crown of honor before him.”

Bezehgar • Bahram's Return to Istakhr and Monzer's Counsel of Patience بیت #33745

چنین تا به شهر صطخر آمدند / که از شاه‌زاده به فخر آمدند

“Thus they journeyed until they reached the city of Istakhr, taking pride in escorting the royal prince.”

Bezehgar • Bahram's Return to Istakhr and Monzer's Counsel of Patience بیت #33746

ازان پس چو آگاهی آمد به شاه / ز فرزند و نعمان تازی به راه

“News was brought to King Yazdegerd that his son and Noman of Arabia were approaching upon the road.”

Bezehgar • Bahram's Return to Istakhr and Monzer's Counsel of Patience بیت #33747

بیامد هم‌انگاه نزد پدر / چو دیدش پدر را برآورد سر

“Bahram straightway presented himself before his father, lifting his head in reverence as he beheld him.”

Bezehgar • Bahram's Return to Istakhr and Monzer's Counsel of Patience بیت #33748

به پیش کیی تخت او سرفراز / بیامد شتابان و بردش نماز

“Before the exalted royal throne he stepped swiftly forward and paid obeisance.”

Bezehgar • Bahram's Return to Istakhr and Monzer's Counsel of Patience بیت #33749

چو بهرام را دید بیدار شاه / بدان فر و آن شاخ و آن گردگاه

“When the vigilant king beheld Bahram, with his glorious aura, majestic posture, and powerful shoulders,”

Bezehgar • Bahram's Return to Istakhr and Monzer's Counsel of Patience بیت #33750

شگفتی فروماند از کار اوی / ز بالا و فرهنگ و دیدار اوی

“He marvelled in astonishment at his stature, his high culture, and his noble countenance.”

Bezehgar • Bahram's Return to Istakhr and Monzer's Counsel of Patience بیت #33751

فراوان بپرسید و بنواختش / به نزدیک خود جایگه ساختش

“He questioned him warmly and showered him with favors, assigning him an exalted seat by his side.”

Bezehgar • Bahram's Return to Istakhr and Monzer's Counsel of Patience بیت #33752

به برزن درون جای نعمان گزید / یکی کاخ بهرام را چون سزید

“He appointed a worthy lodging in the city for Noman, and allocated a splendid palace suited for Bahram.”

Bezehgar • Bahram's Return to Istakhr and Monzer's Counsel of Patience بیت #33753

فرستاد نزدیک او بندگان / چو اندر خور او پرستندگان

“He assigned dutiful servants and attendants to him, fitting for his noble station.”

Bezehgar • Bahram's Return to Istakhr and Monzer's Counsel of Patience بیت #33754