Epic Lore & Biography

The wise, devoted, and pious mother of Fereydun who rescued her infant son from Zahhak's agents and hid him in secret pastures and Mount Alborz. Upon learning of Zahhak's downfall and her son's ascension, she washed herself in purification, bowed low in prayer to Yazdan, secretly distributed wealth to the poor for a week, and sent her vast treasures, jeweled armaments, and golden-trapped Arab steeds as a blessing to King Fereydun.

Shahnameh Distichs Featuring this Entity (11)

خردمند مام فریدون چو دید / که بر جفت او بر چنان بد رسید

“When Fereydun’s wise mother saw that such evil misfortune had befallen her spouse,”

Zahhak • The Birth of Fereydun and the Wondrous Cow Barmayeh بیت #694

فرانک بدش نام و فرخنده بود / به مهر فریدون دل آگنده بود

“Her name was Faranak, blessed and noble, her heart overflowing with love for Fereydun.”

Zahhak • The Birth of Fereydun and the Wondrous Cow Barmayeh بیت #695

پر از داغ دل خستهٔ روزگار / همی رفت پویان بدان مرغزار

“With a wounded heart grieved by fate, she journeyed swiftly toward that lush meadow.”

Zahhak • The Birth of Fereydun and the Wondrous Cow Barmayeh بیت #696

به پیش نگهبان آن مرغزار / خروشید و بارید خون بر کنار

“Before the keeper of that meadow she wept aloud, shedding tears of grief upon her lap.”

Zahhak • The Birth of Fereydun and the Wondrous Cow Barmayeh بیت #698

بدو گفت کاین کودک شیرخوار / ز من روزگاری بزنهار دار

“She said to him, 'Take this suckling child into your protection for a time.'”

Zahhak • The Birth of Fereydun and the Wondrous Cow Barmayeh بیت #699

و گر باره خواهی روانم تراست / گروگان کنم جان بدان کت هواست

“'And if you require a recompense, my soul is yours; I shall pledge my very life for whatever you desire.'”

Zahhak • The Birth of Fereydun and the Wondrous Cow Barmayeh بیت #701

پرستندهٔ بیشه و گاو نغز / چنین داد پاسخ بدان پاک مغز

“The keeper of the meadow and the splendid cow thus gave answer to that pure-minded lady:”

Zahhak • The Birth of Fereydun and the Wondrous Cow Barmayeh بیت #702

فرانک بدو گفت کای نامجوی / بگویم تو را هر چه گفتی بگوی

“Faranak spoke to him: 'O seeker of renown, I shall tell you all that you have asked.'”

Zahhak • Fereydun at Sixteen: The Secret of His Lineage and Father's Fate بیت #726

فرانک نه آگاه بد زین نهان / که فرزند او شاه شد بر جهان

“Faranak was unaware of this secret—that her son had become the monarch of the world.”

Fereydoon • The Five-Hundred-Year Reign of Fereydun and the Founding of Mehregan بیت #1057

پس آگاهی آمد ز فرخ پسر / به مادر که فرزند شد تاجور

“Then news of her blessed son reached the mother—that her child had been crowned king.”

Fereydoon • The Five-Hundred-Year Reign of Fereydun and the Founding of Mehregan بیت #1059

چو آن خواسته دید شاه زمین / بپذرفت و بر مام کرد آفرین

“When the king of the earth saw those treasures, he accepted them and praised his mother.”

Fereydoon • The Five-Hundred-Year Reign of Fereydun and the Founding of Mehregan بیت #1075