Epic Lore & Biography

Illustrious Pishdadian king who bound Zahhak in Mount Damavand. Bahram Gur invokes his memory before the Indian minister as a pillar of cosmic order and justice.

Shahnameh Distichs Featuring this Entity (40)

کجا نام او آفریدون بود / زمین را سپهری همایون بود

“His name shall be Fereydun, and he shall be an auspicious heaven unto the earth.”

Zahhak • The Nightmare of Zahhak and the Mobads' Prophecy بیت #663

نشان فریدون به گرد جهان / همی باز جست آشکار و نهان

“He searched throughout the world for traces of Fereydun, both openly and in secret.”

Zahhak • The Nightmare of Zahhak and the Mobads' Prophecy بیت #677

خجسته فریدون ز مادر بزاد / جهان را یکی دیگر آمد نهاد

“Auspicious Fereydun was born of his mother, giving the world a new nature and hope.”

Zahhak • The Birth of Fereydun and the Wondrous Cow Barmayeh بیت #680

ببالید برسان سرو سهی / همی تافت زو فر شاهنشهی

“He grew tall like an upright cypress, and from him gleamed the divine radiant glory of kingship.”

Zahhak • The Birth of Fereydun and the Wondrous Cow Barmayeh بیت #681

جهانجوی با فر جمشید بود / به کردار تابنده خورشید بود

“The seeker of the world possessed the glory of Jamshid, shining brightly like the resplendent sun.”

Zahhak • The Birth of Fereydun and the Wondrous Cow Barmayeh بیت #682

جهان را چو باران به بایستگی / روان را چو دانش به شایستگی

“He was as vital to the world as rain, and as worthy to the soul as wisdom itself.”

Zahhak • The Birth of Fereydun and the Wondrous Cow Barmayeh بیت #683

بسر بر همی گشت گردان سپهر / شده رام با آفریدون به مهر

“The revolving heavens turned above him, yielded in affection and harmony to Fereydun.”

Zahhak • The Birth of Fereydun and the Wondrous Cow Barmayeh بیت #684

فریدون که بودش پدر آبتین / شده تنگ بر آبتین بر زمین

“The father of Fereydun was Aptin, for whom the earth had become narrow and dire.”

Zahhak • The Birth of Fereydun and the Wondrous Cow Barmayeh بیت #690

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

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

پدروارش از مادر اندر پذیر / وزین گاو نغزش بپرور به شیر

“'Receive him like a father from his mother, and nourish him with the milk of this wondrous cow.'”

Zahhak • The Birth of Fereydun and the Wondrous Cow Barmayeh بیت #700

که چون بنده در پیش فرزند تو / بباشم پرستندهٔ پند تو

“'I shall serve before your child like a humble bondman, executing your counsel with all devotion.'”

Zahhak • The Birth of Fereydun and the Wondrous Cow Barmayeh بیت #703

سه سالش همی داد زان گاو شیر / هشیوار بیدار زنهارگیر

“For three years he nourished him with the milk of that cow, acting as a watchful, vigilant guardian.”

Zahhak • The Birth of Fereydun and the Wondrous Cow Barmayeh بیت #704

سبک سوی خان فریدون شتافت / فراوان پژوهید و کس را نیافت

“Swiftly he rushed toward Fereydoun's dwelling; he searched exceeding long, but found no soul.”

Zahhak • Sh5 بیت #720

چو بگذشت از آن بر فریدون دو هشت / ز البرز کوه اندر آمد به دشت

“When twice eight years had passed over Fereydun, he came down from Mount Alborz into the plain.”

Zahhak • Fereydun at Sixteen: The Secret of His Lineage and Father's Fate بیت #722

بر مادر آمد پژوهید و گفت / که بگشای بر من نهان از نهفت

“He came unto his mother, seeking truth, and said: 'Unveil for me what has been kept hidden.'”

Zahhak • Fereydun at Sixteen: The Secret of His Lineage and Father's Fate بیت #723

فریدون چو بشنید بگشاد گوش / ز گفتار مادر برآمد به جوش

“When Fereydun heard this, he gave ear, and his mind boiled at his mother's words.”

Zahhak • Fereydun at Sixteen: The Secret of His Lineage and Father's Fate بیت #745

چنان بُد که ضحاک را روز و شب / به نام فریدون گشادی دو لب

“So it came to pass that day and night, Zahhak opened his lips only to speak the name of Fereydun.”

Zahhak • Kaveh the Blacksmith, the Kavian Banner, and the Forging of the Ox-Headed Mace بیت #756

بر آن برز بالا ز بیم نشیب / شده ز آفریدون دلش پر نهیب

“From his tall stature, for fear of falling low, his heart became filled with dread of Fereydun.”

Zahhak • Kaveh the Blacksmith, the Kavian Banner, and the Forging of the Ox-Headed Mace بیت #757

به سال اندکی و به دانش بزرگ / گوی بدنژادی دلیر و سترگ

“'Young in years, but great in wisdom; a brave, formidable champion of ill lineage.'”

Zahhak • Kaveh the Blacksmith, the Kavian Banner, and the Forging of the Ox-Headed Mace بیت #762

کسی کاو هوای فریدون کند / دل از بند ضحاک بیرون کند

“'Whosoever longs for Fereydun’s cause must free their heart from Zahhak’s thrall!'”

Zahhak • Kaveh the Blacksmith, the Kavian Banner, and the Forging of the Ox-Headed Mace بیت #805

بدانست خود کافریدون کجاست / سر اندر کشید و همی رفت راست

“Well he knew where Fereydun abode; he set his face and marched directly toward him.”

Zahhak • Kaveh the Blacksmith, the Kavian Banner, and the Forging of the Ox-Headed Mace بیت #809

فریدون چو گیتی بر آن گونه دید / جهان پیش ضحاک وارونه دید

“When Fereydun saw the world in such a plight, and perceived that fortune turned against Zahhak,”

Zahhak • Kaveh the Blacksmith, the Kavian Banner, and the Forging of the Ox-Headed Mace بیت #820

فریدون سبک ساز رفتن گرفت / سخن را ز هر کس نهفتن گرفت

“Fereydun quickly made ready for departure, keeping his counsel hidden from all.”

Zahhak • Kaveh the Blacksmith, the Kavian Banner, and the Forging of the Ox-Headed Mace بیت #827

فریدون بریشان زبان برگشاد / که خرم زیید ای دلیران و شاد

“Fereydun addressed them, saying: 'Live happily and in gladness, O brave brothers!'”

Zahhak • Kaveh the Blacksmith, the Kavian Banner, and the Forging of the Ox-Headed Mace بیت #830

هر آن کس کز آن پیشه بُد نام‌جوی / به سوی فریدون نهادند روی

“All those who sought renown in that craft turned their steps toward Fereydun.”

Zahhak • Kaveh the Blacksmith, the Kavian Banner, and the Forging of the Ox-Headed Mace بیت #834

جهان‌جوی پرگار بگرفت زود / وزان گرز پیکر بٕدیشان نمود

“The world-seeker swiftly took up a compass, and sketched before them the shape of the mace.”

Zahhak • Kaveh the Blacksmith, the Kavian Banner, and the Forging of the Ox-Headed Mace بیت #835

فریدون به خورشید بر برد سر / کمر تنگ بستش به کین پدر

“Fereydun raised his head to the sun and tightly girded his waist to avenge his father.”

Zahhak • Fereydun's March Against Zahhak بیت #842

برون رفت خرم به خرداد روز / به نیک اختر و فال گیتی فروز

“He set forth in high spirits on the day of Khordad, guided by a favorable star and a world-illuminating omen.”

Zahhak • Fereydun's March Against Zahhak بیت #843

سپاه انجمن شد به درگاه او / به ابر اندر آمد سر گاه او

“The host assembled at his royal court, and the summit of his throne reached up into the clouds.”

Zahhak • Fereydun's March Against Zahhak بیت #844

کیانوش و پرمایه بر دست شاه / چو کهتر برادر ورا نیک خواه

“Kiyanush and Purmayeh stood at the king's side, devoted as younger brothers and filled with goodwill.”

Zahhak • Fereydun's March Against Zahhak بیت #846

همی رفت منزل به منزل چو باد / سری پر ز کینه دلی پر ز داد

“Swift as the wind he pressed from stage to stage, his head filled with vengeance, his heart with justice.”

Zahhak • Fereydun's March Against Zahhak بیت #847

به اروندرود اندر آورد روی / چنان چون بود مرد دیهیم‌جوی

“He turned his course toward the Arvand River, as fits a valiant seeker of the crown.”

Zahhak • Fereydun's March Against Zahhak بیت #848

دگر منزل آن شاه آزادمرد / لب دجله و شهر بغداد کرد

“The next encampment of that noble king was on the banks of the Tigris, in the city of Baghdad.”

Zahhak • Fereydun's March Against Zahhak بیت #850

بران رودبان گفت پیروز شاه / که کشتی برافگن هم اکنون به راه

“The victorious king said to the river-guard: 'Launch the boats into the water this instant.'”

Zahhak • Fereydun's Crossing of the Arvand and the Storming of Gang-i Dizh-Hukht بیت #852

نیاورد کشتی نگهبان رود / نیامد بگفت فریدون فرود

“The river-guardian brought no boat, nor did he bow to Fereydun's command.”

Zahhak • Fereydun's Crossing of the Arvand and the Storming of Gang-i Dizh-Hukht بیت #855

فریدون چو بشنید شد خشمناک / ازان ژرف دریا نیامدش باک

“When Fereydun heard this, he grew enraged; he had no fear of that deep sea.”

Zahhak • Fereydun's Crossing of the Arvand and the Storming of Gang-i Dizh-Hukht بیت #858

ز یک میل کرد آفریدون نگاه / یکی کاخ دید اندر آن شهر شاه

“From a mile away Fereydun looked out and saw a high palace in that royal city,”

Zahhak • Fereydun's Crossing of the Arvand and the Storming of Gang-i Dizh-Hukht بیت #867

کس از روزبانان به در بر نماند / فریدون جهان آفرین را بخواند

“None of the day-guards remained at the portal; Fereydun invoked the Creator of the World.”

Zahhak • Fereydun's Crossing of the Arvand and the Storming of Gang-i Dizh-Hukht بیت #877