Rostam Nameh

Roj Ardibehesht Mah Ardibehesht, 1383 Yz.

The name of Rostam is forever linked with the name of Babrebiyan. What is the Babrebiyan? The literal meaning of the word is disputed, but the first part ‘babr’ means ‘tiger’ in Persian. According to old sources, the Babrebiyan was the old, hardened and preserved hide of a special animal. This hide had been carefully preserved and then endowed with magical powers which made it, as per the Shah Nameh, water-proof, weapon-proof, fire-proof, dark-coloured and ...

Roj Ashtad Mah Fravardin, 1383 Yz.

“Ba ruze homayun Zav-e nik-bakht;

Beyaamad bar-aamad bar-afraaze Takht”

It was a magnificently glorious day, when the good-fortuned Zav came and ascended the majestic throne (of Iran)!”

After the murder of Padshah Navdar by Afrasiab, the Mobed Council of Iran met, under the guidance and leadership of Zaal. How were the Kings of old appointed? Was it merely a father to son succession? No. The first and most important requisite of the Padshah was the ...

“Chu dasht az peya gasht chun pernayaan;

Be-bastand gordaane Turan meyaan”

When the fields turned green with abundant jungle grass, the Turanian nobles and warriors tightened their waistbands and girded their loins!”

With this poetic verse, Firdausi begins the description of the first war between the Iranians and the Turanians. This war, as many later on which we shall see, were started without any provocation by the Turanians, in the old hope of taking revenge for the killing of ...

Roj Rashne Mah Spendarmad, 1382 Yz.

“Ba khune Nariman kamar-ra be-band;

Berav taaziaan taa ba Kuh-e- Sepand”

Zaal said: “Now gird your loins and tie your cummerbund to take the revenge of Nariman; and quickly march towards the fort of Mount Sepand!”

Mount Sepand was situated in a range of mountains in Iran. There existed a very old and unique fort on this mountain which had, over the years, become the residence of many sorcerers and evil followers of the ...

Roz Dae-pa-Meher Mah Dae, 1382 Yz.

“Badu goft kay bacche narrah-sheer, bar-aavardah changaal-o gashteh delir;

Badin kudki nist hamtaa-e tu, ba-farro ba-mardi-o baalaa-e tu”

Zaal said: “Oh son of a male lion, your hands have grown big and you have become brave; even in your childhood, there is none to match your glory, your manhood and your presence!”

 These words of exclamation are not merely a father praising his son, but the realization of a great warrior, than one even more ...

Roj Jamyad Mah Adar, 1382 Yz.

“Zaban bar kushadand bar Shaharyar, ke kardim ba charkhe gardun shumar;  

Chunin amad az rahe akhtar padid, ke an aab-e raoshan bekhahad daveed; 

Azin dokhte Mehrab-o az pure Saam, gavi purmanesh zayad-o neknaam

Padidar gardad gavi zurmand, ke nabvad chunu zire ...