Epic Lore & Biography

Mehrnush is an ancient sage and wool-clad ascetic quoted by King Anushirvan. His famous proverb cautions that anyone who rejoices in the death of their father will be denied joy and longevity.

Shahnameh Distichs Featuring this Entity (15)

یکی نام بهمن دوم مهرنوش / سیم نام او بد دلافروز طوش

“The first named Bahman, the second Mehrnush, and the third was named heart-brightening Tous.”

Goshtasp • Daquiqi's Speech: Jamasp Summons Esfandiyar and Returns to Court بیت #24437

برادرش گریان و دل پر ز جوش / جوانی که بد نام او مهرنوش

“His brother wept, his heart boiling with anguish—a youth whose name was Mehr-Nush.”

Esfandyar • The Deaths of Nush-Azar and Mehr-Nush and the Wrath of Esfandiyar بیت #27003

غمی شد دل مرد شمشیرزن / برانگیخت آن بارهٔ پیلتن

“Grief seized the heart of that swordsman; he spurred his elephant-bodied steed.”

Esfandyar • The Deaths of Nush-Azar and Mehr-Nush and the Wrath of Esfandiyar بیت #27004

برفت از میان سپه پیش صف / ز درد جگر بر لب آورده کف

“He rode forth from the middle of the host to the front rank, foam on his lips from the agony in his liver.”

Esfandyar • The Deaths of Nush-Azar and Mehr-Nush and the Wrath of Esfandiyar بیت #27005

برآویخت با او همی مهرنوش / دو رویه ز لشکر برآمد خروش

“Mehr-Nush clashed with him, and shouts arose from both armies.”

Esfandyar • The Deaths of Nush-Azar and Mehr-Nush and the Wrath of Esfandiyar بیت #27007

گرامی دو پرخاشجوی جوان / یکی شاهزاده دگر پهلوان

“Two noble, battle-seeking youths—one a prince, the other a champion hero.”

Esfandyar • The Deaths of Nush-Azar and Mehr-Nush and the Wrath of Esfandiyar بیت #27008

در آوردگه تیز شد مهرنوش / نبودش همی با فرامرز توش

“In the battle-field Mehr-Nush pressed hard, but he lacked the power to overcome Faramarz.”

Esfandyar • The Deaths of Nush-Azar and Mehr-Nush and the Wrath of Esfandiyar بیت #27010

بزد تیغ بر گردن اسپ خویش / سر بادپای اندرافگند پیش

“Faramarz struck his blade upon Mehr-Nush's horse's neck, bringing the swift steed's head down before him.”

Esfandyar • The Deaths of Nush-Azar and Mehr-Nush and the Wrath of Esfandiyar بیت #27011

فرامرز کردش پیاده تباه / ز خون لعل شد خاک آوردگاه

“Faramarz destroyed him on foot; the soil of the battle-field turned ruby-red with blood.”

Esfandyar • The Deaths of Nush-Azar and Mehr-Nush and the Wrath of Esfandiyar بیت #27012

دو پور تو نوش‌آذر و مهرنوش / به خواری به سگزی سپردند هوش

“Your two sons, Nush-Azar and Mehr-Nush, have shamefully yielded their lives to the Sistani!”

Esfandyar • The Deaths of Nush-Azar and Mehr-Nush and the Wrath of Esfandiyar بیت #27016

ز نوش‌آذر گرد وز مهر نوش / خروشیدنی بود با درد و جوش

“For the brave Nush-Azhar and Mehr-Nush, there arose a wailing filled with grief and passion.”

Esfandyar • The Wounding of Rostam and Rakhsh, the Night Truce, and Esfandiyar's Mourning بیت #27098

چو تابوت نوش‌آذر و مهرنوش / ببینی تو در آز چندین مکوش

“'When you behold the coffins of Nush-Azhar and Mehr-Nush, strive no longer in such greed!'”

Esfandyar • The Wounding of Rostam and Rakhsh, the Night Truce, and Esfandiyar's Mourning بیت #27108

دو جنگی چو نوش‌آذر و مهرنوش / که از درد ایشان برآمد خروش

“'For two such warriors as Nush-Azar and Mehr-Nush, whose agonizing loss raised cries of grief,'”

Bahman • Bahman's Accession to the Throne and the Gathering of Vengeance Against Sistan بیت #27954

هم از کین نوش‌آذر و مهر نوش / دو شاه گرامی دو فرخ سروش

“'And also for the vengeance of Nush-Azar and Mehr-Nush, two glorious kings, two noble angels.'”

Bahman • Bahman's Message of Vengeance, Rejection of Zal's Apology, and the Plunder of Zabulistan بیت #27984

بدین داستان زد یکی مهرنوش / پرستار با هوش و پشمینه پوش

“Upon this tale, Mehrnush once uttered a proverb—a wise and wool-clad servant:”

Anooshirvan • Anushirvan's Mandate to Ram-Barzin: Preserving Royal Blood while Crushing Rebellion بیت #38397