Epic Lore & Biography

The loving mother of Esfandiyar and queen of Goshtasp who had previously warned her son against going to Zabulistan. Upon the return of his iron coffin, she ran out barefoot in deep mourning, casting dust upon her head.

Shahnameh Distichs Featuring this Entity (40)

یکی بود مهتر کتایون به نام / خردمند و روشن‌دل و شادکام

“The eldest among them was named Katayoun, wise, bright-hearted, and joyful.”

Lohrasp • Katayoun's Vision, Her Choice of the Stranger Goshtasp, and Caesar's Wrath بیت #22863

کتایون چنان دید یک شب به خواب / که روشن شدی کشور از آفتاب

“One night, Katayoun beheld a vision in her sleep: the entire realm shone as if illuminated by the sun.”

Lohrasp • Katayoun's Vision, Her Choice of the Stranger Goshtasp, and Caesar's Wrath بیت #22864

یکی دسته دادی کتایون بدوی / وزو بستدی دستهٔ رنگ و بوی

“Katayoun offered him a bouquet of flowers, and received from his hand a garland of sweet scents and colors.”

Lohrasp • Katayoun's Vision, Her Choice of the Stranger Goshtasp, and Caesar's Wrath بیت #22868

کتایون بشد با پرستار شست / یکی دسته گل هر یکی را به دست

“Katayoun walked in with sixty handmaidens, each carrying a cluster of blossoms.”

Lohrasp • Katayoun's Vision, Her Choice of the Stranger Goshtasp, and Caesar's Wrath بیت #22872

برفتند بیدار دل بندگان / کتایون و گل رخ پرستندگان

“The vigilant attendants stepped forth again, alongside Katayoun and her rose-cheeked maidens.”

Lohrasp • Katayoun's Vision, Her Choice of the Stranger Goshtasp, and Caesar's Wrath بیت #22883

که مردی گزین کرد از انجمن / به بالای سرو سهی در چمن

“"She has chosen a man from the assembly, tall as a upright cypress in a blooming meadow!”

Lohrasp • Katayoun's Vision, Her Choice of the Stranger Goshtasp, and Caesar's Wrath بیت #22888

چو بشنید قیصر بر آن برنهاد / که دخت گرامی به گشتاسپ داد

“When Caesar heard of her choice, he resolved to give his cherished daughter to Goshtasp.”

Lohrasp • The Marriage of Goshtasp and Katayoun: Exile, Poverty, and Friendship with Hishoy بیت #22900

بدو گفت با او برو همچنین / نیابی ز من گنج و تاج و نگین

“He said to her, 'Go with him thus; from me you shall receive neither treasure, nor crown, nor signet ring.'”

Lohrasp • The Marriage of Goshtasp and Katayoun: Exile, Poverty, and Friendship with Hishoy بیت #22901

چنین گفت با دختر سرفراز / که ای پروریده بنام و بناز

“He spoke thus to the exalted maiden: 'O maiden nurtured in renown and luxury,'”

Lohrasp • The Marriage of Goshtasp and Katayoun: Exile, Poverty, and Friendship with Hishoy بیت #22903

کتایون بدو گفت کای بدگمان / مشو تیز با گردش آسمان

“Katayoun said to him, 'O suspicious one, do not rage against the turning of the heavens.'”

Lohrasp • The Marriage of Goshtasp and Katayoun: Exile, Poverty, and Friendship with Hishoy بیت #22907

برفتند ز ایوان قیصر به درد / کتایون و گشتاسپ با باد سرد

“Katayoun and Goshtasp left Caesar's palace in sorrow, breathing cold sighs of grief.”

Lohrasp • The Marriage of Goshtasp and Katayoun: Exile, Poverty, and Friendship with Hishoy بیت #22909

کتایون بی‌اندازه پیرایه داشت / ز یاقوت و هر گوهری مایه داشت

“Katayoun possessed endless adornments, abundant in rubies and all manner of precious jewels.”

Lohrasp • The Marriage of Goshtasp and Katayoun: Exile, Poverty, and Friendship with Hishoy بیت #22913

برآسود گشتاسپ و چیزی بخورد / بیامد به نزد کتایون چو گرد

“Goshtasp rested and ate, then returned swiftly like a dust-cloud to Katayoun.”

Lohrasp • The Marriage of Goshtasp and Katayoun: Exile, Poverty, and Friendship with Hishoy بیت #22925

کتایون و آن مرد ناسرفراز / مرا داشتند از چنان کار باز

“'Katayoun and that disgraced man [Goshtasp] have deterred me from such matters.'”

Lohrasp • Mirin's Proposal, Caesar's Trial of the Monstrous Wolf, and Goshtasp's Ride to the Forest of Fasiqon بیت #22934

ز کار کتایون خود آگاه بود / که با نیو گشتاسپ همراه بود

“Mirin was already aware of Katayoun's story and how she was wedded to the brave Goshtasp.”

Lohrasp • Mirin's Proposal, Caesar's Trial of the Monstrous Wolf, and Goshtasp's Ride to the Forest of Fasiqon بیت #22954

چو آمد ز دریا به آرام خویش / کتایون بینادلش رفت پیش

“When he returned from the seashore to his dwelling, wise-hearted Katayun came forth to greet him.”

Lohrasp • Goshtasp Slays the Forest Dragon-Wolf and the Deceit of Mirin بیت #23061

بدو گفت جوشن کجا یافتی / کز ایدر به نخچیر بشتافتی

“She said to him: 'Where didst thou acquire this mail, when thou didst hasten hence unto the hunt?'”

Lohrasp • Goshtasp Slays the Forest Dragon-Wolf and the Deceit of Mirin بیت #23062

کتایون می‌ آورد همچون گلاب / همی‌خورد با شوی تا گاه خواب

“Katayun brought wine fragrant as rosewater, and drank with her lord until it was time to sleep.”

Lohrasp • Goshtasp Slays the Forest Dragon-Wolf and the Deceit of Mirin بیت #23065

کتایون بدو گفت امشب چه بود / که هزمان بترسی چنین نابسود

“Katayun asked him: 'What hath befalled thee tonight, that thou art startled thus in futile dread?'”

Lohrasp • Goshtasp Slays the Forest Dragon-Wolf and the Deceit of Mirin بیت #23068

کتایون بدانست کو را نژاد / ز شاهی بود یک‌دل و یک‌نهاد

“Katayun realized then that his blood was of royal stock, noble of mind and pure of essence.”

Lohrasp • Goshtasp Slays the Forest Dragon-Wolf and the Deceit of Mirin بیت #23070

کتایون بدو گفت خیره مگوی / به تیزی چنین راه رفتن مجوی

“Katayun replied: 'Speak not so rashly, nor seek to set out upon such a path in headlong haste.'”

Lohrasp • Goshtasp Slays the Forest Dragon-Wolf and the Deceit of Mirin بیت #23075

وزان جایگه شاد و خرم برفت / به سوی کتایون خرامید تفت

“And from that place he departed joyful and glad, walking swiftly toward Katayun.”

Lohrasp • The Slaying of the Saqila Dragon by Gushtasp, His Triumph in Caesar's Arena, and the Crowning of Farrokhzad بیت #23214

چنین تا برآمد برین روزگار / بیامد کتایون آموزگار

“Thus time passed in this manner, until Katayun, the wise counselor, approached Goshtasp.”

Lohrasp • The Slaying of the Saqila Dragon by Gushtasp, His Triumph in Caesar's Arena, and the Crowning of Farrokhzad بیت #23240

ز قیصر ستم بر کتایون رسید / که مردی غریب از میان برگزید

“'From Caesar injustice fell upon Katayoun, merely because she chose a stranger from among the crowd.'”

Lohrasp • The Slaying of the Saqila Dragon by Gushtasp, His Triumph in Caesar's Arena, and the Crowning of Farrokhzad بیت #23268

کنون آن گرامی کتایون کجاست / مرا گر ستمگاره خواند رواست

“'Where now is beloved Katayoun? If she brands me a tyrant, she is truly justified.'”

Lohrasp • The Slaying of the Saqila Dragon by Gushtasp, His Triumph in Caesar's Arena, and the Crowning of Farrokhzad بیت #23276

به سوی کتایون فرستاد گنج / یکی افسر و سرخ یاقوت پنج

“He sent treasures to Katayun: a crown and five red rubies,”

Lohrasp • The Coronation of Goshtasp, the Arrival of Caesar and Katayun, and Lohrasp's Abdication بیت #23505

کتایون چو آمد به نزدیک شاه / غو کوس برخاست از بارگاه

“When Katayun drew near to the king, the thunder of drums echoed from the royal court.”

Lohrasp • The Coronation of Goshtasp, the Arrival of Caesar and Katayun, and Lohrasp's Abdication بیت #23515

کتایون قیصر که بد مادرش / گرفته شب و روز اندر برش

“Katayoun, daughter of Caesar, who was his mother, held him in her arms night and day.”

Esfandyar • Esfandiyar's Claim to the Crown and Jamasp's Dark Prophecy بیت #25926

ترا بانوی شهر ایران کنم / به زور و به دل جنگ شیران کنم

“I shall make you the sovereign lady of Iran, fighting like ferocious lions with strength and heart.”

Esfandyar • Esfandiyar's Claim to the Crown and Jamasp's Dark Prophecy بیت #25937

غمی شد ز گفتار او مادرش / همه پرنیان خار شد بر برش

“His mother grew grieved at his words; all her fine silk felt like thorns against her chest.”

Esfandyar • Esfandiyar's Claim to the Crown and Jamasp's Dark Prophecy بیت #25938

پر از شرم و تشویر شد مادرش / ز گفته پشیمانی آمد برش

“His mother grew full of shame and distress, filled with regret over what she had spoken.”

Esfandyar • Esfandiyar's Claim to the Crown and Jamasp's Dark Prophecy بیت #25948

کتایون چو بشنید شد پر ز خشم / به پیش پسر شد پر از آب چشم

“When Katayoun heard this, she was filled with wrath; she went before her son with eyes brimmed with tears.”

Esfandyar • Katayoun's Warning to Esfandiyar: The Peril of Rostam, the King's Command, and a Mother's Nocturnal Lament بیت #26074

چنین گفت با فرخ اسفندیار / که ای از کیان جهان یادگار

“She spoke thus to the auspicious Esfandiyar: 'O glorious remembrance of the Kianian monarchs!'”

Esfandyar • Katayoun's Warning to Esfandiyar: The Peril of Rostam, the King's Command, and a Mother's Nocturnal Lament بیت #26075

ز گیتی همی پند مادر نیوش / به بد تیز مشتاب و چندین مکوش

“'Heed your mother's counsel in this world; do not hasten toward evil nor strive so fiercely.'”

Esfandyar • Katayoun's Warning to Esfandiyar: The Peril of Rostam, the King's Command, and a Mother's Nocturnal Lament بیت #26078

مرا خاکسار دو گیتی مکن / ازین مهربان مام بشنو سخن

“'Do not make me wretched in both worlds; hear the counsel of this loving mother!'”

Esfandyar • Katayoun's Warning to Esfandiyar: The Peril of Rostam, the King's Command, and a Mother's Nocturnal Lament بیت #26090

چنین پاسخ آوردش اسفندیار / که ای مهربان این سخن یاددار

“Esfandiyar answered her thus: 'O affectionate mother, remember well these words:'”

Esfandyar • Katayoun's Warning to Esfandiyar: The Peril of Rostam, the King's Command, and a Mother's Nocturnal Lament بیت #26091

ببارید خون از مژه مادرش / همه پاک بر کند موی از سرش

“His mother wept blood from her eyelashes and pulled the hair cleanly from her head.”

Esfandyar • Katayoun's Warning to Esfandiyar: The Peril of Rostam, the King's Command, and a Mother's Nocturnal Lament بیت #26099

به مادر چنین گفت پس جنگجوی / که نابردن کودکان نیست روی

“Then the warrior prince said to his mother: 'Leaving the children behind is not proper.'”

Esfandyar • Katayoun's Warning to Esfandiyar: The Peril of Rostam, the King's Command, and a Mother's Nocturnal Lament بیت #26105

ز پیش پسر مادر مهربان / بیامد پر از درد و تیره‌روان

“Full of grief and with a darkened spirit, the affectionate mother departed from her son's presence.”

Esfandyar • Katayoun's Warning to Esfandiyar: The Peril of Rostam, the King's Command, and a Mother's Nocturnal Lament بیت #26109

همه شب ز مهر پسر مادرش / ز دیده همی ریخت خون بر برش

“All night long, out of motherly love, she poured tears of blood from her eyes onto her breast.”

Esfandyar • Katayoun's Warning to Esfandiyar: The Peril of Rostam, the King's Command, and a Mother's Nocturnal Lament بیت #26110