Epic Lore & Biography

The white-haired wise champion of Zabolistan, son of Sam and father of Rostam. Following Rostam's death, Bahman invaded Zabolistan and imprisoned Zal, but through Pashotan's advice, Bahman released him from fetters, allowing Zal to mourn his son.

Shahnameh Distichs Featuring this Entity (40)

به سیمرغ بنگر که دستان چه گفت / که سیر آمدستی همانا ز جفت

“Behold what Dastan said to the Simurgh: 'Hast thou indeed grown weary of thy companion?'”

Manoochehr • The Tale of the Birth of Zal, Sam's White-Haired Child بیت #2073

ببیند یکی روی دستان سام / به دیدار ایشان شود شادکام

“Thus he might gaze upon Zal, the son of Sam, and rejoice in beholding their countenance.”

Manoochehr • The Triumph of Zal: Royal Reception, Cosmic Prophecy, and Governance of Zabolistan بیت #2110

چو بر پهلوان آفرین خواندند / ابر زال زر گوهر افشاندند

“When they had showered praises upon the champion, they sprinkled precious jewels over Zal of the Golden Hair.”

Manoochehr • The Triumph of Zal: Royal Reception, Cosmic Prophecy, and Governance of Zabolistan بیت #2181

بیامد پر اندیشه دستان سام / که تا چون زید تا بود نیک نام

“Dastan, son of Sam, arrived filled with profound reflection, considering how he might live so as to leave behind a good name.”

Manoochehr • The Triumph of Zal: Royal Reception, Cosmic Prophecy, and Governance of Zabolistan بیت #2221

چنان بد که روزی چنان کرد رای / که در پادشاهی بجنبد ز جای

“Thus it befell that one day he formed the resolve to march out across the realm.”

Manoochehr • Zal’s Journey to Kabul and the Spark of Love for Rudabeh بیت #2230

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

پذیره شدش زال و بنواختش / به آیین یکی پایگه ساختش

“Zal went out to receive him, welcoming him warmly and assigning him a high place of honor according to custom.”

Manoochehr • Zal’s Journey to Kabul and the Spark of Love for Rudabeh بیت #2246

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

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

چنین گفت با مهتران زال زر / که زیبنده‌تر زین که بندد کمر

“Zal the Golden-Haired spoke thus to his nobles: 'Who is more fitting than he to gird his waist?'”

Manoochehr • Zal’s Journey to Kabul and the Spark of Love for Rudabeh بیت #2252

برآورد مر زال را دل به جوش / چنان شد کزو رفت آرام وهوش

“This description set Zal's heart seething, so that peace and reason abandoned him.”

Manoochehr • Zal’s Journey to Kabul and the Spark of Love for Rudabeh بیت #2261

شب آمد پر اندیشه بنشست زال / به نادیده برگشت بی‌خورد و هال

“Night fell, and Zal sat full of agonizing thoughts, transformed by love for one unseen, unable to eat or rest.”

Manoochehr • Zal’s Journey to Kabul and the Spark of Love for Rudabeh بیت #2262

در بار بگشاد دستان سام / برفتند گردان به زرین نیام

“Zal, son of Sam, opened his audience hall, and the warriors went forth with swords in golden scabbards.”

Manoochehr • Zal’s Journey to Kabul and the Spark of Love for Rudabeh بیت #2264

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

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

بپرسید کز من چه خواهی بخواه / ز تخت و ز مهر و ز تیغ و کلاه

“He asked him: 'Ask whatever you desire of me—be it throne, favor, sword, or crown!'”

Manoochehr • Zal’s Journey to Kabul and the Spark of Love for Rudabeh بیت #2270

چنین داد پاسخ که این رای نیست / به خان تو اندر مرا جای نیست

“Zal replied: 'This is not fitting; there is no place for me in your home.'”

Manoochehr • Zal’s Journey to Kabul and the Spark of Love for Rudabeh بیت #2274

چو دستان سام از پسش بنگرید / ستودش فراوان چنان چون سزید

“As Dastan, son of Sam, gazed after him, he praised him abundantly as was his due.”

Manoochehr • Zal’s Journey to Kabul and the Spark of Love for Rudabeh بیت #2280

به گیتی در از پهلوانان گرد / پی زال زر کس نیارد سپرد

“'In all the world, among giant heroes, none can match the footsteps of Zal Zar.'”

Manoochehr • The Praise of Zal and the Awakening of Rudabeh's Love بیت #2305

پر از پور سامست روشن دلم / به خواب اندر اندیشه زو نگسلم

“'My bright heart is filled with thoughts of Sam's son; even in sleep, my mind does not sever from him.'”

Manoochehr • Rudabeh Reveals Her Heart to Her Handmaidens بیت #2322

به بالای من پور سامست زال / ابا بازوی شیر و با برز و یال

“'For my height and match, Zal, son of Sam, is worthy—with the arm of a lion and with grandeur and shoulder.'”

Manoochehr • Rudabeh Reveals Her Heart to Her Handmaidens بیت #2344

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

نگه کرد دستان ز تخت بلند / بپرسید کاین گل پرستان کی َند

“Dastan looked down from his high throne and asked: 'Who are these flower-worshipers?'”

Manoochehr • The Five Maidens of Rudabeh and the Praise of Her Beauty to Zal بیت #2363

شه نیمروزست فرزند سام / که دستانش خوانند شاهان به نام

“'He is the King of Nimruz, son of Sam, whom kings call Dastan by name.'”

Manoochehr • The Five Maidens of Rudabeh and the Praise of Her Beauty to Zal بیت #2378

بدیشان سپردند زر و گهر / پیام جهان پهلوان زال زر

“They delivered to her the gold, jewels, and the message of the world's champion, Zal-e Zar.”

Manoochehr • The Five Maidens of Rudabeh and the Praise of Her Beauty to Zal بیت #2404

پرستنده شد سوی دستان سام / که شد ساخته کار بگذار گام

“The maiden attendant hurried unto Dastan, son of Sam, saying: 'The work is prepared; step forth now!'”

Manoochehr • The Secret Rendezvous: Rudabeh's Golden Tresses and the Oath of Love بیت #2478

سپهبد سوی کاخ بنهاد روی / چنان چون بود مردم جفت جوی

“The commander turned his face toward the palace, even as a lover seeking his matched beloved.”

Manoochehr • The Secret Rendezvous: Rudabeh's Golden Tresses and the Oath of Love بیت #2479

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

سپهبد کزان گونه آوا شنید / نگه کرد و خورشید رخ را بدید

“When the commander heard that sweet voice, he looked up and beheld that sun-faced maid.”

Manoochehr • The Secret Rendezvous: Rudabeh's Golden Tresses and the Oath of Love بیت #2485

نگه کرد زال اندران ماه روی / شگفتی بماند اندران روی و موی

“Zal gazed up at that moon-faced maid, marvelling at such beauty of face and hair.”

Manoochehr • The Secret Rendezvous: Rudabeh's Golden Tresses and the Oath of Love بیت #2497

کمند از رهی بستد و داد خم / بیفگند خوار و نزد ایچ دم

“He took his own lasso from his attendant, gave it a turn, cast it aloft without a sound.”

Manoochehr • The Secret Rendezvous: Rudabeh's Golden Tresses and the Oath of Love بیت #2500

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

گرفت آن زمان دست دستان به دست / برفتند هر دو به کردار مست

“She took the hand of Dastan in her own hand, and both walked as though intoxicated with love.”

Manoochehr • The Secret Rendezvous: Rudabeh's Golden Tresses and the Oath of Love بیت #2503

شگفت اندرو مانده بد زال زر / برآن روی و آن موی و بالا و فر

“Zal the Fair remained astonished at her face, her locks, her stature, and her divine splendor.”

Manoochehr • The Secret Rendezvous: Rudabeh's Golden Tresses and the Oath of Love بیت #2507

همان زال با فر شاهنشهی / نشسته بر ماه بر فرهی

“And Zal sat beside that moon with royal Glory, surrounded by majesty and splendor.”

Manoochehr • The Secret Rendezvous: Rudabeh's Golden Tresses and the Oath of Love بیت #2510

سپهبد چنین گفت با ماه‌روی / که ای سرو سیمین بر و رنگ بوی

“The commander said unto that moon-faced maid: 'O silver-breasted cypress of sweet fragrance!'”

Manoochehr • The Secret Rendezvous: Rudabeh's Golden Tresses and the Oath of Love بیت #2513

جز از پهلوان جهان زال زر / که با تخت و تاجست وبا زیب و فر

“Save for the world's champion, Zal-e Zar, who possesses throne, crown, beauty, and divine glory.”

Manoochehr • The Secret Rendezvous: Rudabeh's Golden Tresses and the Oath of Love بیت #2523

بدیدند مر پهلوان را پگاه / وزان جایگه برگرفتند راه

“They beheld the champion at dawn and from that place took their way.”

Manoochehr • Zal's Missive to Sam: A Plea for Love and Destiny بیت #2529

سپهبد فرستاد خواننده را / که خواند بزرگان داننده را

“The commander sent his herald to summon the wise and learned elders.”

Manoochehr • Zal's Missive to Sam: A Plea for Love and Destiny بیت #2530