Epic Lore & Biography

The arrogant demon-king who rules Mazandaran from his golden throne. He rejects Kay Kavus's ultimatum delivered by Rostam, threatening Iran with destruction, despite the crippling of his greatest champion Kalahur.

Shahnameh Distichs Featuring this Entity (22)

خبر شد سوی شاه مازندران / دلش گشت پر درد و سر شد گران

“News reached the King of Mazandaran; his heart filled with grief and his head grew heavy.”

Kay Kavus • Kavus's Invasion of Mazandaran, the Sack of the Land, and his Sorcerous Blindness بیت #4778

بر شاه رو گفت و او را بگوی / که ز آهرمن اکنون بهانه مجوی

“He commanded: 'Go to the King of Mazandaran and say to him, "Seek no further excuse from Ahriman!”

Kay Kavus • Kavus's Invasion of Mazandaran, the Sack of the Land, and his Sorcerous Blindness بیت #4809

چو ارژنگ بشنید گفتار اوی / سوی شاه مازندران کرد روی

“When Arzhang heard his words, he turned his face toward the King of Mazandaran.”

Kay Kavus • Kavus's Invasion of Mazandaran, the Sack of the Land, and his Sorcerous Blindness بیت #4813

سپرد او به شاه و سبک بازگشت / بدان برز کوه آمد از پهن دشت

“He delivered all to the king and swiftly returned, coming back to that lofty mountain from the vast plain.”

Kay Kavus • Kavus's Invasion of Mazandaran, the Sack of the Land, and his Sorcerous Blindness بیت #4815

کنون گردن شاه مازندران / همه خرد بشکن بگرز گران

“Now break the neck of the King of Mazandaran completely with your heavy mace!'”

Kay Kavus • Kay Kavus's Desperate Letter to Zal and Rostam's Farewell بیت #4838

بدو گفت کاین نامهٔ پندمند / ببر سوی آن دیو جسته ز بند

“Kavus said to him: 'Carry this counsel-filled letter to that demon who has escaped his bounds.'”

Kay Kavus • Kay Kavus's Letter of Ultimatum to the King of Mazandaran and the Mission of Farhad بیت #5241

بدان شهر بد شاه مازندران / هم آنجا دلیران و کندآوران

“In that city dwelt the King of Mazandaran, surrounded by valiant and formidable champions.”

Kay Kavus • Kay Kavus's Letter of Ultimatum to the King of Mazandaran and the Mission of Farhad بیت #5245

چو بشنید کز نزد کاووس شاه / فرستاده‌ای باهش آمد ز راه

“When he heard that an intelligent envoy had arrived from King Kay Kavus,”

Kay Kavus • Kay Kavus's Letter of Ultimatum to the King of Mazandaran and the Mission of Farhad بیت #5246

ز لشکر یکایک همه برگزید / ازیشان هنر خواست کاید پدید

“The king selected them one by one from the army, seeking to display their martial prowess.”

Kay Kavus • Kay Kavus's Letter of Ultimatum to the King of Mazandaran and the Mission of Farhad بیت #5248

ببردند فرهاد را نزد شاه / ز کاووس پرسید و ز رنج راه

“They brought Farhad before the king, who inquired about Kavus and the hardships of his journey.”

Kay Kavus • Kay Kavus's Letter of Ultimatum to the King of Mazandaran and the Mission of Farhad بیت #5254

چو آگه شد از رستم و کار دیو / پر از خون شدش دیده دل پرغریو

“When the king learned of Rostam and the fate of the demon lords, his eyes filled with blood and his heart with turmoil.”

Kay Kavus • Kay Kavus's Letter of Ultimatum to the King of Mazandaran and the Mission of Farhad بیت #5256

چو آن نامهٔ شاه یکسر بخواند / دو دیده به خون دل اندر نشاند

“When he had read the king's letter completely from end to end, his two eyes wept the blood of his heavy heart.”

Kay Kavus • Kay Kavus's Letter of Ultimatum to the King of Mazandaran and the Mission of Farhad بیت #5260

به شاه آگهی شد که کاووس کی / فرستادن نامه افگند پی

“Word reached the King of Mazandaran that Kay Kavus had dispatched a messenger with a missive.”

Kay Kavus • Rostam's Embassy to Mazandaran: A Display of Might and the Return of Tidings بیت #5287

چو بشنید سالار مازندران / ز گردان گزین کرد چندی سران

“When the ruler of Mazandaran heard this, he chose several chieftains from among his brave warriors.”

Kay Kavus • Rostam's Embassy to Mazandaran: A Display of Might and the Return of Tidings بیت #5290

یکی شد بر شاه مازندران / بگفت آنچ دید از کران تا کران

“One of them went swiftly to the King of Mazandaran and recounted all that he had witnessed.”

Kay Kavus • Rostam's Embassy to Mazandaran: A Display of Might and the Return of Tidings بیت #5299

پذیره شدن را فرا پیش خواند / به مردیش بر چرخ گردان نشاند

“The king summoned him forward to meet the envoy, exalting his manhood to the turning heavens.”

Kay Kavus • Rostam's Embassy to Mazandaran: A Display of Might and the Return of Tidings بیت #5302

بدو گفت پیش فرستاده شو / هنرها پدیدار کن نو به نو

“The king said to him, 'Go before the envoy and display your prowess anew time and again.”

Kay Kavus • Rostam's Embassy to Mazandaran: A Display of Might and the Return of Tidings بیت #5303

بیاورد و بنمود و با شاه گفت / که بر خویشتن درد نتوان نهفت

“He brought his hand, showed it, and spoke to the king: 'One cannot hide such excruciating pain from oneself.”

Kay Kavus • Rostam's Embassy to Mazandaran: A Display of Might and the Return of Tidings بیت #5311

تهمتن بیامد هم اندر زمان / بر شاه برسان شیر ژیان

“Presently Tahamtan arrived before the king, bold and menacing like a fierce lion.”

Kay Kavus • Rostam's Embassy to Mazandaran: A Display of Might and the Return of Tidings بیت #5316

نگه کرد و بنشاند اندر خورش / ز کاووس پرسید و از لشکرش

“The king looked upon him, seated him at the banquet, and inquired of Kavus and his host.”

Kay Kavus • Rostam's Embassy to Mazandaran: A Display of Might and the Return of Tidings بیت #5317

چو پیغام بشنید و نامه بخواند / دژم گشت و اندر شگفتی بماند

“When the king heard the message and read the letter, he grew dark with anger and remained lost in wonder.”

Kay Kavus • Rostam's Embassy to Mazandaran: A Display of Might and the Return of Tidings بیت #5324

منم شاه مازندران با سپاه / بر اورنگ زرین و بر سر کلاه

“Yet I am the King of Mazandaran with my mighty host, seated upon a golden throne with crown on head.”

Kay Kavus • Rostam's Embassy to Mazandaran: A Display of Might and the Return of Tidings بیت #5327