Character · The Shahnameh · Volume III

Bandviبندوی

ban-DOO-yee

Khosrow Parviz's maternal uncle, who with his brother Gostaham blinds Hormizd and stands by Khosrow in his flight.

In the poem: First at D12.7, Anooshirvan Overthrows Mazdak’s Faith; last at E10.10, The Plot against Yazdegard
Named: 80 times, in 25 sections
Main stories: E6 Khosrow Parviz (72); E5 Hormizd, Son of Anooshirvan (4); E8 Shiruyeh’s Coup and the End of the Great Reign (2)
Plates: Vol III: VII

Genealogical plate: The House of Goshnasp — Volume III, Plate VII: The House of Goshnasp. Tap to open the genealogies.

In the poem’s own words

The 8 sections that name Bandvi most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Bandvi. Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.

E6.6

Gurdiyeh’s Counsel and Khosrow’s Purpose

A Turk’s kamand takes Khosrow’s crown before Gostaham cuts the rope; Bahram, furious that his parley was broken, withdraws. Gurdiyeh presses him again with fables and the example of Sahm. Khosrow plans a night attack, tells too many men, and is talked out of it.

E6.6.8
While Bandvi loosed a shaft of whistling fire,To pierce the treacherous raider in his ire.
E6.6.80
He called for Gostaham and Bandvi then,And Gordvi, seasoned chief of fighting men.
E6.6.95
Shapur, Andiyan, Bandvi, proved in field,With fierce Nastooh, the hero-scorching shield;

Bandvi named 3 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

E6.8

Khosrow Leaves His Father and Flees

Khosrow tells the blinded Hormizd of his defeat and proposes Arab allies; Hormizd sends him to Rum and the Caesar’s kinship instead. As Bahram’s dragon banner appears, Khosrow rides for Rum; Bandvi and Gostaham turn back, strangle Hormizd with a bowstring, and rejoin him.

E6.8.24
To Bandvi, Gostaham, and Gordvi thenHe said, “We dwell with toil and grief again.
E6.8.32
Bandvi replied, “O king, take no alarm;He will not see our dust or do us harm.
E6.8.56
Bandvi and Gostaham fled from the place,And reached Khosrow with fear upon each face.

Bandvi named 3 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

E6.9

Bahram’s Pursuit and Bandvi’s Rescue

Bahram sends six thousand horsemen after the king. Khosrow rests at a Christian shrine on unleavened bread, watercress and date wine; when the pursuers appear, Bandvi puts on the royal robes, shows himself on the roof as the king, and buys a day’s delay while Khosrow escapes.

E6.9.20
His head lay on Bandvi’s lap in trust,His soul grief-pierced, his fortune turned to dust.
E6.9.25
Then loyal Bandvi, friend in need, replied:“That chief draws near, with armed men at his side.”
E6.9.27
Bandvi replied, “I know what course to take,Though death may be the payment for your sake.

Bandvi named 10 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

E6.10

Bandvi Is Taken to Bahram Chubin

Bandvi tells the pursuers from the roof that Khosrow is long gone, and asks quarter to speak to their chief. Young Bahram takes him alive; Bahram Chubin rages at both, spares Bandvi’s life, and has him chained in the young man’s keeping.

E6.10.1
When earth grew sun-hued, eloquent BandviClimbed to the roof where all the ranks could see.
E6.10.2
“Young Bahram, Pahlevan,” cried Bandvi then,“Look on these walls, and hear my words again!
E6.10.10
“What profit comes if Bandvi now is slain?His death will bring us neither news nor gain.

Bandvi named 6 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

E6.12

The Plot against Bahram Chubin

In prison Bandvi works on young Bahram until the young man makes him swear on the Zand-Avesta, frees him, and plots to kill Chubin at polo. The plotter’s wife, in love with Chubin, betrays him; Chubin feels the hidden armor, cuts him down, and Bandvi flees toward Mawsil.

E6.12.1
For seventy days Bandvi, a cheetah bound,Lay prisoned where Bahram held guarded ground.
E6.12.3
Still scheming in his bonds, Bandvi beganTo lure the youth with every practiced plan.
E6.12.17
He brought the Zand-Avesta to his side,And made Bandvi swear by the words inside.

Bandvi named 13 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

E6.22

Bandvi Meets Khosrow on the Road

Khosrow musters at Duk, gives the legions to Niyatus, and rides toward Khanjast, where he finds Bandvi alive and Mawsil of Armenia waiting. He hears how Bandvi escaped, rewards Mawsil, prays at the fire of Azargashasp, and returns to camp as Nimruz’s troops arrive.

E6.22.11
Bandvi, the Shah’s own uncle, shared his train,A kinsman trusted, loyal to his reign.
E6.22.15
He answered, “King, unless my eyes mislead,My brother Bandvi rides the piebald steed.
E6.22.22
They praised him deeply, made obeisance low;The Shah gave Bandvi welcome after woe.

Bandvi named 5 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

E6.29

Maryam Reconciles Niyatus and Bandvi

At the victory feast Khosrow, dressed in Roman robes, murmurs the Zoroastrian grace while Bandvi holds the barsom. Niyatus throws down his bread in protest, Bandvi strikes him, and the Romans arm. Maryam goes to their camp and reconciles them before the quarrel becomes a battle.

E6.29.5
He smiled, advanced, and sat before the board;With barsom held, Bandvi approached his lord.
E6.29.9
Then Bandvi rose, defending Iran’s grace,And struck the Roman lord across the face!
E6.29.17
“Bandvi the worthless, with a shameful blow,Has struck God’s servant; this you surely know.

Bandvi named 10 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

E6.45

Gostaham Rebels and Weds Gurdiyeh

Hearing that Khosrow has killed his brother Bandvi, Gostaham raises the north in revolt and lives off raids. Gurdiyeh reaches him with her warriors after her flight from Chin. Yalan-sina sounds her out, and she agrees to marry Gostaham because he is Iranian.

E6.45.4
He heard that Khosrow, drunk, had Bandvi slain;His brother’s death consumed his heart with pain.
E6.45.24
He spoke of grief for Bandvi, newly slain,And wiped the blood-tears from his eyes like rain.
E6.45.26
He said, “The Shah has slain Bandvi; my dayHas darkened, and my fortune ebbed away.