Epic Lore & Biography

King of Kabul and Sind, father of Rudabeh and maternal grandfather of Rostam. Descended from Zahhak, he ruled Kabul with prudence. Rostam highlights Mehrab's royal stature and line to validate the magnificence of his maternal pedigree.

Shahnameh Distichs Featuring this Entity (40)

یکی پادشا بود مهراب نام / زبر دست با گنج و گسترده کام

“There was a ruler named Mehrab, triumphant, rich in treasures, and of exalted desires.”

Manoochehr • Zal’s Journey to Kabul and the Spark of Love for Rudabeh بیت #2236

به بالا به کردار آزاده سرو / به رخ چون بهار و به رفتن تذرو

“In stature like a noble cypress tree, in countenance like spring, and in gait like a pheasant.”

Manoochehr • Zal’s Journey to Kabul and the Spark of Love for Rudabeh بیت #2237

دل بخردان داشت و مغز ردان / دو کتف یلان و هش موبدان

“He bore the heart of the wise, the mind of chieftains, the shoulders of heroes, and the intellect of Mobads.”

Manoochehr • Zal’s Journey to Kabul and the Spark of Love for Rudabeh بیت #2238

ز ضحاک تازی گهر داشتی / به کابل همه بوم و برداشتی

“He was of the lineage of Zahhak the Arab, and he held sway over all the lands of Kabul.”

Manoochehr • Zal’s Journey to Kabul and the Spark of Love for Rudabeh بیت #2239

همی داد هر سال مر سام ساو / که با او به رزمش نبود ایچ تاو

“Yearly he paid tribute to Sam, for he had no power to stand against him in war.”

Manoochehr • Zal’s Journey to Kabul and the Spark of Love for Rudabeh بیت #2240

چو آگه شد از کار دستان سام / ز کابل بیامد به هنگام بام

“When word reached him of Zal, son of Sam, he came forth from Kabul at early dawn.”

Manoochehr • Zal’s Journey to Kabul and the Spark of Love for Rudabeh بیت #2241

چو آمد به دستان سام آگهی / که مهراب آمد بدین فرهی

“When news came to Zal, son of Sam, that Mehrab approached in such grandeur,”

Manoochehr • Zal’s Journey to Kabul and the Spark of Love for Rudabeh بیت #2245

گسارندهٔ می می آورد و جام / نگه کرد مهراب را پور سام

“The cupbearer poured the wine, and the son of Sam gazed intently upon Mehrab.”

Manoochehr • Zal’s Journey to Kabul and the Spark of Love for Rudabeh بیت #2249

خوش آمد هماناش دیدار او / دلش تیز تر گشت در کار او

“His appearance truly pleased him, and his interest grew keen regarding him.”

Manoochehr • Zal’s Journey to Kabul and the Spark of Love for Rudabeh بیت #2250

چو مهراب برخاست از خوان زال / نگه کرد زال اندر آن برز و یال

“When Mehrab rose from Zal's table, Zal gazed upon his tall stature and broad shoulders.”

Manoochehr • Zal’s Journey to Kabul and the Spark of Love for Rudabeh بیت #2251

پس پردهٔ او یکی دخترست / که رویش ز خورشید روشن‌ترست

“'Behind his curtain dwells a maiden whose countenance is brighter than the sun.'”

Manoochehr • Zal’s Journey to Kabul and the Spark of Love for Rudabeh بیت #2254

برون رفت مهراب کابل خدای / سوی خیمهٔ زال زابل خدای

“Mehrab, the lord of Kabul, stepped out toward the tent of Zal, the lord of Zabul.”

Manoochehr • Zal’s Journey to Kabul and the Spark of Love for Rudabeh بیت #2266

بر پهلوان اندرون رفت گو / به سان درختی پر از بار نو

“The warrior entered into the prince's presence like a tree laden with fresh fruit.”

Manoochehr • Zal’s Journey to Kabul and the Spark of Love for Rudabeh بیت #2268

دل زال شد شاد و بنواختش / از آن انجمن سر برافراختش

“Zal’s heart was gladdened and he honored him, exalting his head above all the assembly.”

Manoochehr • Zal’s Journey to Kabul and the Spark of Love for Rudabeh بیت #2269

بدو گفت مهراب کای پادشا / سرافراز و پیروز و فرمان روا

“Mehrab said to him: 'O King, exalted, victorious, and sovereign ruler!'”

Manoochehr • Zal’s Journey to Kabul and the Spark of Love for Rudabeh بیت #2271

نبینید کز کاخ کابل خدای / به زین اندر آرد بشبگیر پای

“'Do you not see that the lord of Kabul rides out from the palace into the saddle at dawn?'”

Manoochehr • The Return of the Maidens and the Secret Chamber of Rudabeh بیت #2449

همه کاخ مهراب مهر منست / زمینش چو گردان سپهر منست

“"All the palace of Mehrab has become my desire; his land is like the revolving heaven to me."”

Manoochehr • Zal's Missive to Sam: A Plea for Love and Destiny بیت #2557

که ضحاک مهراب را بد نیا / دل شاه ازیشان پر از کیمیا

“For Zahhak was the ancestor of Mehrab, and the King's heart was filled with bitterness toward them.”

Manoochehr • Zal's Missive to Sam: A Plea for Love and Destiny بیت #2564

ترا مژده از دخت مهراب و زال / که باشند هر دو به شادی همال

“'Good tidings to you regarding the daughter of Mehrab and Zal, for they shall be joyfully matched together!”

Manoochehr • Sam's Council with the Astrologers and the Prophecy of Rostam's Birth بیت #2646

چو در کابل این داستان فاش گشت / سر مرزبان پر ز پرخاش گشت

“When this story became public knowledge in Kabul, the heart of the marchlord overflowed with fury.”

Manoochehr • Mehrab's Wrath and Sindokht's Diplomatic Mission to Sam بیت #3021

برآشفت و سیندخت را پیش خواند / همه خشم رودابه بر وی براند

“He flew into a rage, summoned Sindokht before him, and vented all his anger about Rudabeh upon her.”

Manoochehr • Mehrab's Wrath and Sindokht's Diplomatic Mission to Sam بیت #3022

بدو گفت کاکنون جزین رای نیست / که با شاه گیتی مرا پای نیست

“He said to her: 'Now I see no other choice, for I cannot withstand the King of the world.'”

Manoochehr • Mehrab's Wrath and Sindokht's Diplomatic Mission to Sam بیت #3023

وزان پس دوان دست کرده به کش / بیامد بر شاه خورشید فش

“Then running with arms folded across her chest, she came before the sun-bright king.”

Manoochehr • Mehrab's Wrath and Sindokht's Diplomatic Mission to Sam بیت #3029

بدو گفت بشنو ز من یک سخن / چو دیگر یکی کامت آید بکن

“She said to him: 'Hear one word from me, and after that, do whatever your heart desires.'”

Manoochehr • Mehrab's Wrath and Sindokht's Diplomatic Mission to Sam بیت #3030

بدو گفت مهراب کز باستان / مزن در میان یلان داستان

“Mehrab said to her: 'Refrain from spinning ancient tales among heroes!'”

Manoochehr • Mehrab's Wrath and Sindokht's Diplomatic Mission to Sam بیت #3034

بگو آنچه دانی و جان را بکوش / وگر چادر خون به تن بر بپوش

“'Say what you know to save your life, or else put on a veil of blood!'”

Manoochehr • Mehrab's Wrath and Sindokht's Diplomatic Mission to Sam بیت #3035

بدو گفت مهراب بستان کلید / غم گنج هرگز نباید کشید

“Mehrab said to her: 'Take the key! Never grieve over treasure.'”

Manoochehr • Mehrab's Wrath and Sindokht's Diplomatic Mission to Sam بیت #3040

پرستنده و اسپ و تخت و کلاه / بیارای و با خویشتن بر به راه

“'Equip servants, horses, throne, and crown, and set forth upon your journey.'”

Manoochehr • Mehrab's Wrath and Sindokht's Diplomatic Mission to Sam بیت #3041

مگر شهر کابل نسوزد به ما / چو پژمرده شد برفروزد به ما

“'Lest the city of Kabul burn around us, or having withered, flare up against us once more.'”

Manoochehr • Mehrab's Wrath and Sindokht's Diplomatic Mission to Sam بیت #3042

یکی سخت پیمان ستد زو نخست / پس آنگه به مردی ره چاره جست

“First she extracted a firm vow from him; then valiantly sought the path of resolution.”

Manoochehr • Mehrab's Wrath and Sindokht's Diplomatic Mission to Sam بیت #3047

ز مهراب گرد آوریده پیام / به نزد سپهبد جهانگیر سام

“Bearing a message gathered from Mehrab the valiant, unto the world-conquering General Sam.”

Manoochehr • Sindokht's Embassy to Sam: The Brave Diplomacy of Kabul بیت #3065

گنهکار گر بود مهراب بود / ز خون دلش دیده سیراب بود

“If there was a sinner, it was Mehrab alone, whose eyes were quenched with his own heart's blood.”

Manoochehr • Sindokht's Embassy to Sam: The Brave Diplomacy of Kabul بیت #3086

تو مهراب را کهتری گر همال / مر آن دخت او را کجا دید زال

“Art thou a handmaid of Mehrab or his equal? And where did Zal behold his daughter?”

Manoochehr • Sindokht's Embassy to Sam: The Brave Diplomacy of Kabul بیت #3092

بزد نای مهراب و بربست کوس / بیاراست لشکر چو چشم خروس

“Mehrab sounded the pipes and bound the war drums, arraying his army like the colorful plumage of a rooster.”

Manoochehr • Arrival of Sam and Zal in Kabul, The Royal Wedding of Zal and Rudabeh, and Transfer of Sovereign Rule بیت #3360

همی رفت ازین گونه تا پیش سام / فرود آمد از اسپ و بگذارد گام

“In this magnificent fashion he rode until reaching Sam; he dismounted his horse and stepped forward.”

Manoochehr • Arrival of Sam and Zal in Kabul, The Royal Wedding of Zal and Rudabeh, and Transfer of Sovereign Rule بیت #3365

بفرمود تا رفت مهراب پیش / ببستند عقدی برآیین و کیش

“He commanded Mehrab to step forward, and they solemnized the marriage contract according to holy rite and custom.”

Manoochehr • Arrival of Sam and Zal in Kabul, The Royal Wedding of Zal and Rudabeh, and Transfer of Sovereign Rule بیت #3384

چو سیندخت و مهراب و پیوند خویش / سوی سیستان روی کردند پیش

“Sindokht, Mehrab, and their kin turned their faces toward Sistan in convoy.”

Manoochehr • Arrival of Sam and Zal in Kabul, The Royal Wedding of Zal and Rudabeh, and Transfer of Sovereign Rule بیت #3395

پس آنگاه سیندخت آنجا بماند / خود و لشکرش سوی کابل براند

“Afterward, while Sindokht remained there for a time, Mehrab and his army set off back toward Kabul.”

Manoochehr • Arrival of Sam and Zal in Kabul, The Royal Wedding of Zal and Rudabeh, and Transfer of Sovereign Rule بیت #3399

خود و گرد مهراب کابل خدای / پذیره شدن را نهادند رای

“He and the heroic Mehrab, lord of Kabul, agreed to ride forth together to welcome Sam.”

Manoochehr • The Arrival of Sam to Meet Rostam, the Grand Banquet, Fatherly Counsel, and His Return to the West بیت #3502

فرود آمد از باره مهراب و زال / بزرگان که بودند بسیار سال

“Mehrab, Zal, and all the aged elders dismounted from their steeds to greet the grand champion.”

Manoochehr • The Arrival of Sam to Meet Rostam, the Grand Banquet, Fatherly Counsel, and His Return to the West بیت #3510