New Naqqaliشاهنامه
Esfandiyar Catches the Poisoned Javelin
Book C6 · Goshtasb, Zardosht, and the War with Arjasp

Esfandiyar Catches the Poisoned Javelin

From C6.17, Nastur and Esfandiyar Slay Bidarfesh. It illustrates C6.17.19–23:

  • C6.17.19
    When that chief sorcerer saw who came so fast,He turned his charger from the fight aghast.
  • C6.17.20
    He hurled his poisoned weapon through the air,To strike the prince’s face, so bright and fair.
  • C6.17.21
    It missed; Esfandiyar caught it in flight,Then drove it through the warlock with his might.
  • C6.17.22
    He pierced the warlock’s liver with one blow;The point burst out behind in crimson flow.
  • C6.17.23
    Then Bidarfesh fell headlong from his steed,And learned the might of Kayanian blood and deed.

In the picture

BidarfeshEsfandiyar
Read it in the poemIn the Illustrated PoemAll panels of Book C6
Previous · C6.16Nastur Finds Zarir SlainNext · C6.18Arjasp Flees at Evening

Woodcut panels, identity sheets and banners © 2026 New Naqqali LLC, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0: share and adapt them for non-commercial use, with credit to New Naqqali. Rights & permissions.