Epic Lore & Biography

The bronze-bodied Kayanian prince and heroic champion of Iran. In this chapter, the beauty and bold stature of newborn Ormazd are compared to Esfandiyar.

Shahnameh Distichs Featuring this Entity (40)

یکی نامور فرخ اسفندیار / شه کارزاری نبرده سوار

“One was the famous and glorious Esfandiyar, a battle-tested king and invincible warrior,”

Goshtasp • Daquiqi's Prologue: Lohrasp's Abdication, Coronation of Goshtasp, and the Birth of Esfandiyar and Peshotan بیت #23569

جهان پهلوان بود آن روزگار / که کودک بد اسفندیار سوار

“He was the supreme world-champion in those days, while warrior Esfandiyar was still but a child.”

Goshtasp • The Arrival of Arjasp's Letter to Goshtasp and the Iranian Council بیت #23730

همان چون بگفت این سخن شهریار / زریر سپهدار و اسفندیار

“As soon as the King had spoken these words, Zarir the commander and prince Esfandiyar,”

Goshtasp • Daqiqi's Verse: Goshtasp's Fierce Reply to Arjasp and the Threat of War بیت #23741

زریر گرانمایه و اسفندیار / چو جاماسپ دستور ناباک‌دار

“Noble Zarir and prince Esfandiyar, along with Jamasp, the fearless vizier,”

Goshtasp • Daqiqi's Verse: Goshtasp's Fierce Reply to Arjasp and the Threat of War بیت #23751

ز دانا سپهبد زریر سوار / ز جاماسپ و ز فرخ اسفندیار

“Deeply impressed by wise Zarir, the general, by Jamasp, and by blessed Esfandiyar,”

Goshtasp • Daqiqi's Verse: Goshtasp's Fierce Reply to Arjasp and the Threat of War بیت #23756

ازیشان دو گرد گزیده سوار / زریر سپهدار و اسفندیار

“Among them are two elite champions: Zarir the Commander and the mighty Esfandiyar.”

Goshtasp • Goshtasp's Defiant Message and the Massive Turanian Invasion بیت #23795

به جان زریر آن نبرده سوار / به جان گرانمایه اسفندیار

“'By the life of Zarir, that battle-proven knight, and by the life of noble Esfandiyar,'”

Goshtasp • Jamasp's Prophecy of the Great War and the Fate of Iranian Champions بیت #23865

به پیش اندر آید گرفته کمند / نشسته بر اسفندیاری سمند

“He rides forward holding his lasso, mounted upon a steed noble as Esfandiyar's.”

Goshtasp • Jamasp's Prophecy of the Great War and the Fate of Iranian Champions بیت #23903

بگرید برو زار و گردد نژند / برانگیزد اسفندیاری سمند

“He weeps bitterly over him in grief, and urges forward his swift Esfandiyari steed.”

Goshtasp • Jamasp's Prophecy of the Great War and the Fate of Iranian Champions بیت #23909

بیاید پس آن فرخ اسفندیار / سپاه از پس پشت و یزدانش یار

“Then the glorious Esfandiyar will step forth, with the army at his back and God as his helper.”

Goshtasp • Jamasp's Prophecy of the Great War and the Fate of Iranian Champions بیت #23934

گریزد سرانجام سالار چین / از اسفندیار آن گو بافرین

“At last, the ruler of Turan flees before Esfandiyar, that praised and legendary warrior.”

Goshtasp • Jamasp's Prophecy of the Great War and the Fate of Iranian Champions بیت #23940

بدادش جهاندار پنجه هزار / سوار گزیده به اسفندیار

“The ruler gave fifty thousand elite horsemen to Esfandiyar.”

Goshtasp • Daqiqi's Narrative: The Array of the Iranian and Turanian Armies بیت #23983

بدو داد یک دست زان لشکرش / که شیری دلش بود و پیلی برش

“He assigned one wing of the army to him, who had the heart of a lion and the chest of an elephant.”

Goshtasp • Daqiqi's Narrative: The Array of the Iranian and Turanian Armies بیت #23984

پس آگاهی آمد به اسفندیار / که کشته شد آن شاه نیزه گزار

“News came to Esfandiyar that the spear-wielding prince had been slain.”

Goshtasp • Daqiqi's Tale: Esfandiyar Learns of Zarir's Death and Takes up the Sacred Banner بیت #24157

کی نامور دست بر دست زد / بنالید ازان روزگاران بد

“When that illustrious prince heard this, he clapped his hands in sorrow and wept for the evil turn of time.”

Goshtasp • Daqiqi's Tale: Esfandiyar Learns of Zarir's Death and Takes up the Sacred Banner بیت #24161

درفش و سرلشکر و جای خویش / برادرش را داد و خود رفت پیش

“He passed his banner, the army's command, and his position to his brother, and advanced to the front himself.”

Goshtasp • Daqiqi's Tale: Esfandiyar Learns of Zarir's Death and Takes up the Sacred Banner بیت #24165

به قلب اندر آمد به جای زریر / به صف اندر استاد چون نره شیر

“He stepped into the heart of the battle, taking Zarir's place, standing in line like a fierce lion.”

Goshtasp • Daqiqi's Tale: Esfandiyar Learns of Zarir's Death and Takes up the Sacred Banner بیت #24166

به پیش اندر آمد میان را ببست / گرفت آن درفش همایون به دست

“He stepped forward, girt his waist, and took that blessed, auspicious banner into his hand.”

Goshtasp • Daqiqi's Tale: Esfandiyar Learns of Zarir's Death and Takes up the Sacred Banner بیت #24167

برادرش بد پنج دانسته راه / همه از در تاج و همتای شاه

“He had five brothers skilled in the path, all worthy of crowns and equal to kings.”

Goshtasp • Daqiqi's Tale: Esfandiyar Learns of Zarir's Death and Takes up the Sacred Banner بیت #24168

همه ایستادند در پیش اوی / که لشکر شکستن بدی کیش اوی

“They all stood before him, heroes whose creed was breaking the enemy host.”

Goshtasp • Daqiqi's Tale: Esfandiyar Learns of Zarir's Death and Takes up the Sacred Banner بیت #24169

به آزادگان گفت پیش سپاه / که ای نامداران و گردان شاه

“He spoke to the freeborn chieftains before the army: 'O renowned warriors and king's champions!”

Goshtasp • Daqiqi's Tale: Esfandiyar Learns of Zarir's Death and Takes up the Sacred Banner بیت #24170

بدین اندرون بود اسفندیار / که بانگ پدرش آمد از کوهسار

“While Esfandiyar spoke thus, his father's voice resounded from the mountain heights:”

Goshtasp • Daqiqi's Tale: Esfandiyar Learns of Zarir's Death and Takes up the Sacred Banner بیت #24178

به دین خدا ای گو اسفندیار / به جان زریر آن نبرده سوار

“By the sacred faith of God, O heroic Esfandiyar, and by the soul of Zarir, that brave rider,”

Goshtasp • Daqiqi's Tale: Esfandiyar Learns of Zarir's Death and Takes up the Sacred Banner بیت #24181

که چون بازگردم ازین رزمگاه / به اسفندیارم دهم تاج و گاه

“When I return from this battlefield, I shall grant the crown and throne to Esfandiyar!”

Goshtasp • Daqiqi's Tale: Esfandiyar Learns of Zarir's Death and Takes up the Sacred Banner بیت #24184

سپه را همه پیش رفتن دهم / ورا خسروی تاج بر سر نهم

“I shall give full command of the host to him and place the royal crown of kingship upon his head.”

Goshtasp • Daqiqi's Tale: Esfandiyar Learns of Zarir's Death and Takes up the Sacred Banner بیت #24185

چنانچون پدر داد شاهی مرا / دهم همچنان پادشاهی ورا

“Just as my father passed the kingship unto me, I shall likewise surrender sovereignty to him!'”

Goshtasp • Daqiqi's Tale: Esfandiyar Learns of Zarir's Death and Takes up the Sacred Banner بیت #24186

چو اسفندیار آن گو تهمتن / خداوند اورنگ با سهم و تن

“When Esfandiyar, that mighty brave hero and possessor of majestic power,”

Goshtasp • Esfandiyar's Assault and Bastur's Grief Over Zarir's Body بیت #24187

وزان سوی دیگر گو اسفندیار / همی کشتشان بی‌مر و بی‌شمار

“On the other side, the hero Esfandiyar was slaying them without measure or count.”

Goshtasp • Daquiqi's Recital: Bastur's Vengeance and the Slaying of Bidarafsh by Esfandiyar بیت #24243

پس آگاه کردند زان کارزار / پس شاه را فرخ اسفندیار

“Then they informed the glorious Esfandiyar, the King's son, of that battle.”

Goshtasp • Daquiqi's Recital: Bastur's Vengeance and the Slaying of Bidarafsh by Esfandiyar بیت #24254

همی تاختش تا بدیشان رسید / سر جادوان چون مر او را بدید

“He spurred his steed until he reached them; when the chief of sorcerers saw him,”

Goshtasp • Daquiqi's Recital: Bastur's Vengeance and the Slaying of Bidarafsh by Esfandiyar بیت #24255

بینداخت آن زهر خورده به روی / مگر کس کند زشت رخشنده روی

“He hurled that poison-dipped blade at Esfandiyar's face, hoping to ruin his shining countenance.”

Goshtasp • Daquiqi's Recital: Bastur's Vengeance and the Slaying of Bidarafsh by Esfandiyar بیت #24257

نیامد برو تیغ زهر آبدار / گرفتش همان تیغ شاه استوار

“The poison-soaked sword did not harm him; Esfandiyar firmly caught that royal blade.”

Goshtasp • Daquiqi's Recital: Bastur's Vengeance and the Slaying of Bidarafsh by Esfandiyar بیت #24258

زدش پهلوانی یکی بر جگر / چنان کز دگر سو برون کرد سر

“He struck him a heroic blow in the liver, such that the weapon pierced out through his back!”

Goshtasp • Daquiqi's Recital: Bastur's Vengeance and the Slaying of Bidarafsh by Esfandiyar بیت #24259

فرود آمد از باره اسفندیار / سلیح زریر آن گزیده سوار

“Esfandiyar dismounted from his horse and unclasped the armor of Zarir from that chosen rider.”

Goshtasp • Daquiqi's Recital: Bastur's Vengeance and the Slaying of Bidarafsh by Esfandiyar بیت #24261

ازان جادوی پیر بیرون کشید / سرش را ز نیمه‌تن اندر برید

“He stripped them off that old sorcerer and severed his head from his body!”

Goshtasp • Daquiqi's Recital: Bastur's Vengeance and the Slaying of Bidarafsh by Esfandiyar بیت #24262

نکو رنگ بارهٔ زریر و درفش / ببرد و سر بی‌هنر بیدرفش

“He took the fair-colored steed of Zarir, the banner, and the head of the worthless Bidarafsh.”

Goshtasp • Daquiqi's Recital: Bastur's Vengeance and the Slaying of Bidarafsh by Esfandiyar بیت #24263

که پیروز شد شاه و دشمن فگند / بشد بازآورد اسپ سمند

“'The Prince is victorious and has struck down the enemy! He has retrieved the golden steed!'”

Goshtasp • Daquiqi's Recital: Bastur's Vengeance and the Slaying of Bidarafsh by Esfandiyar بیت #24265

شد آن شاهزاده سوار دلیر / سوی شاه برد آن سمند زریر

“That brave riding prince departed, leading the steed of Zarir to the King.”

Goshtasp • Daquiqi's Recital: Bastur's Vengeance and the Slaying of Bidarafsh by Esfandiyar بیت #24266

سر پیر جادوش بنهاد پیش / کشنده بکشت اینت آیین و کیش

“He placed the head of the old sorcerer before him: 'The killer has been slain—such is the righteous law and faith!'”

Goshtasp • Daquiqi's Recital: Bastur's Vengeance and the Slaying of Bidarafsh by Esfandiyar بیت #24267

چو بازآورید آن گرانمایه کین / بر اسپ زریری برافگند زین

“When that noble hero sought to exact his vengeance, he threw his saddle upon his golden steed.”

Goshtasp • Esfandiyar Divides the Host and Arjasp's Flight بیت #24268