Epic Lore & Biography

The Kianian monarch and father of Dara and Iskandar. Following his death, his son Dara opened his immense hereditary treasuries to bestow gold and weapons upon the army and consolidate his imperial rule.

Shahnameh Distichs Featuring this Entity (40)

سیم روز داراب کردند نام / کز آب روان یافتندش کنام

“On the third day they named him Darab, for he was found upon the running water.”

Homa • The Finding of Darab in the Chest, His Upbringing by the Washerman, and His Pursuits of Learning and Chivalry بیت #28194

ببردند داراب را در کنار / نکردند جز گوهر و زر به بار

“They carried Darab in their arms, loading nothing except the gold and precious jewels.”

Homa • The Finding of Darab in the Chest, His Upbringing by the Washerman, and His Pursuits of Learning and Chivalry بیت #28201

تو داراب را پاک و نیکو بدار / بدان تا چه بار آورد روزگار

“'Keep Darab pure and well-tended, to see what fruit Destiny shall bring forth.'”

Homa • The Finding of Darab in the Chest, His Upbringing by the Washerman, and His Pursuits of Learning and Chivalry بیت #28211

بدو گفت کاین جامه برزن به سنگ / که از پیشه جستن ترا نیست ننگ

“He said to Darab, 'Beat this cloth against the stone! Seeking a craft is no shame upon you.'”

Homa • The Finding of Darab in the Chest, His Upbringing by the Washerman, and His Pursuits of Learning and Chivalry بیت #28217

چو داراب زان پیشه بگریختی / همی گازر از دیده خون ریختی

“Whenever Darab fled from that washerman's trade, the washerman would weep tears of blood from his eyes.”

Homa • The Finding of Darab in the Chest, His Upbringing by the Washerman, and His Pursuits of Learning and Chivalry بیت #28218

به گازر چنین گفت کای باب من / چرا تیره گردانی این آب من

“Darab said to the washerman, 'O my father, why do you muddy this clear stream of my life?'”

Homa • The Finding of Darab in the Chest, His Upbringing by the Washerman, and His Pursuits of Learning and Chivalry بیت #28223

به گازر چنین گفت روزی که من / همی این نهان دارم از انجمن

“One day he said to the washerman: 'I keep this secret hidden from the assembly.'”

Homa • Darab Discovers His Royal Lineage and Enlists in Rashnawad's Army بیت #28235

نجنبد همی بر تو بر مهر من / نماند به چهر تو هم چهر من

“'No affection for you stirs within me, nor does my countenance resemble yours.'”

Homa • Darab Discovers His Royal Lineage and Enlists in Rashnawad's Army بیت #28236

شگفت آیدم چون پسر خوانیم / به دکان بر خویش بنشانیم

“'It fills me with wonder that you call me son, and seat me beside yourself at the shop.'”

Homa • Darab Discovers His Royal Lineage and Enlists in Rashnawad's Army بیت #28237

در خانه را تنگ داراب بست / بیامد به شمشیر یازید دست

“Darab securely barred the door of the house, drew his sword, and stepped forward.”

Homa • Darab Discovers His Royal Lineage and Enlists in Rashnawad's Army بیت #28241

به زن گفت کژی و تاری مجوی / هرآنچت بپرسم سخن راست گوی

“He said to the woman: 'Seek no deceit or obscurity; whatever I ask of you, speak the truth.'”

Homa • Darab Discovers His Royal Lineage and Enlists in Rashnawad's Army بیت #28242

شما را که باشم به گوهر کیم / به نزدیک گازر ز بهر چیم

“'Whose son am I, and of what origin? Why am I staying with this washerman?'”

Homa • Darab Discovers His Royal Lineage and Enlists in Rashnawad's Army بیت #28243

ز صندوق وز کودک شیرخوار / ز دینار وز گوهر شاهوار

“She spoke of the chest, the suckling babe, the dinars, and the royal jewels.”

Homa • Darab Discovers His Royal Lineage and Enlists in Rashnawad's Army بیت #28247

چو بشنید داراب خیره بماند / روان را به اندیشه اندر نشاند

“When Darab heard this, he was astonished, and immersed his soul in deep thought.”

Homa • Darab Discovers His Royal Lineage and Enlists in Rashnawad's Army بیت #28251

بدو گفت زین خواسته هیچ ماند / وگر گازر آن را همه برفشاند

“He asked her: 'Is any of that wealth left, or did the washerman squander it all?'”

Homa • Darab Discovers His Royal Lineage and Enlists in Rashnawad's Army بیت #28252

که باشد بهای یکی بارگی / بدین روز کندی و بیچارگی

“'Enough to pay for a steed in these days of helplessness and slowness?'”

Homa • Darab Discovers His Royal Lineage and Enlists in Rashnawad's Army بیت #28253

بدو داد دینار چندانک بود / بماند آن گران گوهر نابسود

“She gave him whatever dinars remained, along with that precious, untouched gem.”

Homa • Darab Discovers His Royal Lineage and Enlists in Rashnawad's Army بیت #28255

به دینار اسپی خرید او پسند / یکی کم‌بها زین و دیگر کمند

“With the dinars he bought a desirable horse, a simple saddle, and a lasso.”

Homa • Darab Discovers His Royal Lineage and Enlists in Rashnawad's Army بیت #28256

خرامید داراب نزدیک اوی / پراندیشه بد جان تاریک اوی

“Darab journeyed to him, his dark soul full of anxious thoughts.”

Homa • Darab Discovers His Royal Lineage and Enlists in Rashnawad's Army بیت #28258

همی داشتش مرزبان ارجمند / ز گیتی نیامد بروبر گزند

“The border warden held him dear, and no harm from the world befell him there.”

Homa • Darab Discovers His Royal Lineage and Enlists in Rashnawad's Army بیت #28259

چو بشنید داراب شد شادکام / به نزدیک او رفت و بنوشت نام

“When Darab heard this, he rejoiced, went to him, and had his name written in the rolls.”

Homa • Darab Discovers His Royal Lineage and Enlists in Rashnawad's Army بیت #28266

چو داراب را دید با فر و برز / به گردن برآورده پولاد گرز

“When she beheld Darab with his royal splendor and stature, bearing a heavy steel mace on his shoulder,”

Homa • Darab Discovers His Royal Lineage and Enlists in Rashnawad's Army بیت #28271

تو گفتی همه دشت پهنای اوست / زمین زیر پوینده بالای اوست

“You would say the entire plain was filled by his presence, and the earth shrank beneath his swift stride.”

Homa • Darab Discovers His Royal Lineage and Enlists in Rashnawad's Army بیت #28272

چو دید آن بر و چهرهٔ دلپذیر / ز پستان مادر بپالود شیر

“When she saw that noble chest and captivating face, milk began to flow from the mother's breasts.”

Homa • Darab Discovers His Royal Lineage and Enlists in Rashnawad's Army بیت #28273

بپرسید و گفت این سوار از کجاست / بدین شاخ و این برز و بالای راست

“She inquired and said: 'From where comes this horseman with such a limb, shoulder, and upright stature?'”

Homa • Darab Discovers His Royal Lineage and Enlists in Rashnawad's Army بیت #28274

نماید که این نامداری بود / خردمند و جنگی سواری بود

“'He appears to be a famous man, a wise and warlike horseman.'”

Homa • Darab Discovers His Royal Lineage and Enlists in Rashnawad's Army بیت #28275

دلیر و سرافراز و کنداور است / ولیکن سلیحش نه اندرخور است

“'He is brave, exalted, and mighty, yet his armor is not fitting for him.'”

Homa • Darab Discovers His Royal Lineage and Enlists in Rashnawad's Army بیت #28276

چو داراب را فرمند آمدش / سپه را سراسر پسند آمدش

“As Darab appeared so splendid to her, she approved of the army in its entirety.”

Homa • Darab Discovers His Royal Lineage and Enlists in Rashnawad's Army بیت #28277

غمی بود زان کار داراب نیز / ز باران همی جست راه گریز

“Young Darab too was troubled by the tempest, seeking a way to escape the heavy rain.”

Homa • The Tempest, the Ruined Arch, and the Unveiling of Darab بیت #28286

نه خرگاه بودش نه پرده‌سرای / نه خیمه نه انباز و نه چارپای

“He possessed no royal tent, no pavilion, no companion, nor any beast of burden.”

Homa • The Tempest, the Ruined Arch, and the Unveiling of Darab بیت #28289

بران طاق آزرده بایست خفت / چو تنها تنی بود بی‌یار و جفت

“Beneath that crumbling arch he was forced to sleep, for he was a solitary traveler without friend or mate.”

Homa • The Tempest, the Ruined Arch, and the Unveiling of Darab بیت #28290

چو دارا به اسپ اندر آورد پای / شکسته رواق اندر آمد ز جای

“As soon as Darab placed his foot upon his horse's stirrup, the fractured vault collapsed to the earth!”

Homa • The Tempest, the Ruined Arch, and the Unveiling of Darab بیت #28306

چو سالار شاه آن شگفتی بدید / سرو پای داراب را بنگرید

“When the king's commander beheld this marvel, he gazed in awe upon Darab from head to foot.”

Homa • The Tempest, the Ruined Arch, and the Unveiling of Darab بیت #28307

به داراب دادند و پرسید زوی / که ای شیردل مهتر نامجوی

“These were given to Darab, and Rashnavad asked him: 'O lion-hearted, noble seeker of renown,'”

Homa • The Tempest, the Ruined Arch, and the Unveiling of Darab بیت #28316

چو بشنید داراب یکسر بگفت / گذشته همی برگشاد از نهفت

“When Darab heard this, he related everything in full, revealing all his past secrets.”

Homa • The Tempest, the Ruined Arch, and the Unveiling of Darab بیت #28318

یکایک به سالار لشکر بگفت / ز خواب و ز آرام و خورد و نهفت

“One by one he recounted all to the commander of the host—his life, upbringing, and hidden origins.”

Homa • The Tempest, the Ruined Arch, and the Unveiling of Darab بیت #28321

سپهبد طلایه به داراب داد / طلایه سنان را به زهر آب داد

“The commander gave the vanguard to Darab; the vanguard dipped their spear-heads in venom.”

Homa • Darab's Triumph over the Romans, Rashnawad's Acclaim, and the Caesar's Tribute بیت #28325

چو داراب دید آن سپاه نبرد / به پیش اندر آمد به کردار گرد

“When Darab saw that battling host, he stepped forward like a warrior bound for glory.”

Homa • Darab's Triumph over the Romans, Rashnawad's Acclaim, and the Caesar's Tribute بیت #28329

ازان لشکر روم چندان بکشت / که گفتی فلک تیغ دارد به مشت

“He slew so many of the Roman army that you would say heaven itself held a blade in its hand.”

Homa • Darab's Triumph over the Romans, Rashnawad's Acclaim, and the Caesar's Tribute بیت #28330

همی رفت زان گونه بر سان شیر / نهنگی به چنگ اژدهایی به زیر

“He moved like a ferocious lion—a crocodile in claw, a dragon beneath.”

Homa • Darab's Triumph over the Romans, Rashnawad's Acclaim, and the Caesar's Tribute بیت #28331