Epic Lore & Biography

The legendary lady of Kabul and Zabolistan, wife of Zal and mother of Rostam. After Zal's release, her grief-stricken laments for Rostam broke Pashotan's heart and hastened the Iranian army's departure.

Shahnameh Distichs Featuring this Entity (40)

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

ز سر تا به پایش به کردار عاج / به رخ چون بهشت و به بالا چو ساج

“'From head to foot like pure ivory, in face like paradise, and in stature like a tall boxwood tree.'”

Manoochehr • Zal’s Journey to Kabul and the Spark of Love for Rudabeh بیت #2255

بر  آن سفت سیمنش مشکین کمند / سرش گشته چون حلقهٔ پای‌بند

“'Upon her silver shoulders rest musky tresses, their ends curled like fetters.'”

Manoochehr • Zal’s Journey to Kabul and the Spark of Love for Rudabeh بیت #2256

رخانش چو گلنار و لب ناردان / ز سیمین برش رسته دو ناروان

“'Her cheeks are like pomegranate blossoms, her lips like seeds, and from her silver chest spring two pomegranate-like breasts.'”

Manoochehr • Zal’s Journey to Kabul and the Spark of Love for Rudabeh بیت #2257

دو چشمش به سان دو نرگس به باغ / مژه تیرگی برده از پر زاغ

“'Her two eyes are like twin narcissi in a garden, her lashes stealing blackness from the raven's wing.'”

Manoochehr • Zal’s Journey to Kabul and the Spark of Love for Rudabeh بیت #2258

دو ابرو به سان کمان طراز / بر او توز پوشیده از مشک ناز

“'Her eyebrows like a fine bow, overlaid with fine musk.'”

Manoochehr • Zal’s Journey to Kabul and the Spark of Love for Rudabeh بیت #2259

بهشتیست سرتاسر آراسته / پر آرایش و رامش و خواسته

“'She is a paradise adorned from end to end, filled with beauty, peace, and delight.'”

Manoochehr • Zal’s Journey to Kabul and the Spark of Love for Rudabeh بیت #2260

دو خورشید بود اندر ایوان او / چو سیندخت و رودابهٔ ماه روی

“Two suns shone bright within his hall: Sindokht and the moon-faced Rudabeh.”

Manoochehr • The Praise of Zal and the Awakening of Rudabeh's Love بیت #2295

شگفتی به رودابه اندر بماند / همی نام یزدان بر او بر بخواند

“Mehrab remained in utter wonder at Rudabeh, reciting the holy name of God over her.”

Manoochehr • The Praise of Zal and the Awakening of Rudabeh's Love بیت #2297

چو بشنید رودابه آن گفت‌گوی / برافروخت و گلنارگون کرد روی

“When Rudabeh heard this discourse, her face lit up and turned red as a pomegranate blossom.”

Manoochehr • The Praise of Zal and the Awakening of Rudabeh's Love بیت #2314

دلش گشت پرآتش از مهر زال / از او دور شد خورد و آرام و هال

“Her heart caught fire with love for Zal; eating, rest, and peace departed from her.”

Manoochehr • The Praise of Zal and the Awakening of Rudabeh's Love بیت #2315

چو رودابه گفتار ایشان شنید / چو از باد آتش دلش بردمید

“When Rudabeh heard their words, her heart flared with anger like fire fanned by wind.”

Manoochehr • Rudabeh Reveals Her Heart to Her Handmaidens بیت #2339

مگر شاه را نزد ماه آوریم / به نزدیک او پایگاه آوریم

“'Perchance we may bring the king to the moon, and establish his place near her.'”

Manoochehr • Rudabeh Reveals Her Heart to Her Handmaidens بیت #2354

لب سرخ رودابه پرخنده کرد / رخان معصفر سوی بنده کرد

“Rudabeh's red lips broke into a wide smile, and she turned her saffron-blushing face toward her bondswomen.”

Manoochehr • Rudabeh Reveals Her Heart to Her Handmaidens بیت #2355

پرستندگان را سوی گلستان / فرستد همی ماه کابلستان

“'The Moon of Kabulistan sends these handmaidens out into the rose garden.'”

Manoochehr • The Five Maidens of Rudabeh and the Praise of Her Beauty to Zal بیت #2365

که ماهیست مهراب را در سرای / به یک سر ز شاه تو برتر بپای

“'For within Mehrab's palace dwells a moon who stands higher than your king in every way.'”

Manoochehr • The Five Maidens of Rudabeh and the Praise of Her Beauty to Zal بیت #2381

کنون کار رودابه و کام زال / به جای آمد و این بود نیک فال

“"Now the desire of Rudaba and the wish of Zal shall be fulfilled; indeed, this is a happy omen."”

Manoochehr • The Five Maidens of Rudabeh and the Praise of Her Beauty to Zal بیت #2409

سه دیگر چو رودابهٔ ماه روی / یکی سرو سیمست با رنگ و بوی

“"And thirdly, none equals moon-visaged Rudaba, a silver cypress endowed with radiant hue and fragrance."”

Manoochehr • The Five Maidens of Rudabeh and the Praise of Her Beauty to Zal بیت #2424

شدند اندر ایوان بتان طراز / نشستند و با ماه گفتند راز

“The Taraz idols entered the hall, sat down, and shared their secret with the moon-faced lady.”

Manoochehr • The Return of the Maidens and the Secret Chamber of Rudabeh بیت #2451

نهادند دینار و گوهر به پیش / بپرسید رودابه از کم و بیش

“They laid coins and precious gems before her, while Rudabeh asked them of every detail.”

Manoochehr • The Return of the Maidens and the Secret Chamber of Rudabeh بیت #2452

که چون بودتان کار با پور سام / به دیدن به است ار به آواز و نام

“'How went your meeting with Sam's son? Is he grander to look upon than in fame and report?'”

Manoochehr • The Return of the Maidens and the Secret Chamber of Rudabeh بیت #2453

چنین گفت با بندگان سرو بن / که دیگر شدستی به رای و سخن

“The cypress-tall lady spoke to her handmaids: 'How completely you have altered your words and thought!'”

Manoochehr • The Return of the Maidens and the Secret Chamber of Rudabeh بیت #2464

همی گفت و لب را پر از خنده داشت / رخان هم چو گلنار آگنده داشت

“She spoke thus while her lips were filled with laughter, her cheeks glowing red like pomegranate blooms.”

Manoochehr • The Return of the Maidens and the Secret Chamber of Rudabeh بیت #2468

یکی خانه بودش چو خرم بهار / ز چهر بزرگان برو بر نگار

“She possessed a chamber like joyful spring, painted with the countenances of noble rulers.”

Manoochehr • The Return of the Maidens and the Secret Chamber of Rudabeh بیت #2471

از آن خانهٔ دخت خورشید روی / برآمد همی تا به خورشید بوی

“From the chamber of the sun-faced maiden, sweet scent rose all the way to the sun.”

Manoochehr • The Return of the Maidens and the Secret Chamber of Rudabeh بیت #2476

برآمد سیه چشم گلرخ به بام / چو سرو سهی بر سرش ماه تام

“Upon the roof appeared the black-eyed blossom-cheeked maid, like a tall cypress surmounted by the full moon.”

Manoochehr • The Secret Rendezvous: Rudabeh's Golden Tresses and the Oath of Love بیت #2480

چو از دور دستان سام سوار / پدید آمد آن دختر نامدار

“When from afar Dastan, the son of knightly Sam, appeared, that renowned maiden saw him.”

Manoochehr • The Secret Rendezvous: Rudabeh's Golden Tresses and the Oath of Love بیت #2481

پری روی گفت سپهبد شنود / سر شعر گلنار بگشاد زود

“The fairy-faced maiden listened to the prince, and swiftly unbound her pomegranate hair.”

Manoochehr • The Secret Rendezvous: Rudabeh's Golden Tresses and the Oath of Love بیت #2492

چو بر بام آن باره بنشست باز / برآمد پری روی و بردش نماز

“When he stood upon the roof of the fortress, the fairy-faced maiden stepped forward and bowed in reverence.”

Manoochehr • The Secret Rendezvous: Rudabeh's Golden Tresses and the Oath of Love بیت #2502

بدو گفت رودابه من همچنین / پذیرفتم از داور کیش و دین

“Rudabeh replied: 'I likewise pledge before the Judge of faith and religion,'”

Manoochehr • The Secret Rendezvous: Rudabeh's Golden Tresses and the Oath of Love بیت #2521

دلم گشت با دخت سیندخت رام / چه گوینده باشد بدین رام سام

“"My heart has found peace with Sindokht's daughter; yet what will the famous Sam say to this?"”

Manoochehr • Zal's Missive to Sam: A Plea for Love and Destiny بیت #2558

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

میان سپهدار و آن سرو بن / زنی بود گوینده شیرین سخن

“Between the commander and that cypress-statured maiden stood a woman of sweet eloquence.”

Manoochehr • Sindokht Discovers the Secret Love of Zal and Rudabeh بیت #2670

پیام آوریدی سوی پهلوان / هم از پهلوان سوی سرو روان

“She carried messages to the hero, and brought back his tidings to the flowing cypress.”

Manoochehr • Sindokht Discovers the Secret Love of Zal and Rudabeh بیت #2671

بدو گفت نزدیک رودابه رو / بگویش که ای نیک دل ماه نو

“He said to her, 'Go to Rudabeh and tell her: O pure-hearted new moon!'”

Manoochehr • Sindokht Discovers the Secret Love of Zal and Rudabeh بیت #2673

به نزدیک رودابه آمد چو باد / بدین شادمانی ورا مژده داد

“She came like the wind to Rudabeh and gave her the joyful news.”

Manoochehr • Sindokht Discovers the Secret Love of Zal and Rudabeh بیت #2678

پری روی بر زن درم برفشاند / به کرسی زر پیکرش برنشاند

“The fairy-faced maiden showered coins upon the woman and seated her upon a chair adorned with gold.”

Manoochehr • Sindokht Discovers the Secret Love of Zal and Rudabeh بیت #2679

بدین حجره رودابه پیرایه خواست / بدو دادم اکنون همینست راست

“'Rudabeh asked for ornaments in this chamber, and I supplied them to her; that is the whole truth.'”

Manoochehr • Sindokht Discovers the Secret Love of Zal and Rudabeh بیت #2690

سپردم به رودابه گفت این دو چیز / فزون خواست اکنون بیارمش نیز

“She replied, 'I delivered those two items to Rudabeh, and she has ordered more, which I must now fetch.'”

Manoochehr • Sindokht Discovers the Secret Love of Zal and Rudabeh بیت #2693

چو آن جامه‌های گرانمایه دید / هم از دست رودابه پیرایه دید

“When she discovered the sumptuous garments and the ornaments from Rudabeh's hands...”

Manoochehr • Sindokht Discovers the Secret Love of Zal and Rudabeh بیت #2699