Character · The Shahnameh · Volume II

Gorgsarگرگسار

gorg-SAR

An aged Turk, Arjasp's commander, captured by Esfandiyar and made his guide to Turan.

In the poem: First at C6.7, Zarir Replies to Arjasp; last at C7.9, Esfandiyar’s Guile at the Ruyin Dezh
Named: 46 times, in 12 sections
Main stories: C7 Esfandiyar’s Seven Stages and the Ruyin Dezh (34); C6 Goshtasb, Zardosht, and the War with Arjasp (12)

In the poem’s own words

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

C6.8

The Envoys Bear Goshtasb’s Answer

The envoys return in disgrace and Arjasp has the reply read aloud: Goshtasb boasts of his lineage, his lions, Zarir and Esfandiyar, and throws back the musk. Arjasp musters Turan, dividing the army among Kuhram, Andariman, Gorgsar, Bidarfesh, Khashash and Hushdiv.

C6.8.52
There was an aged Turk, Gorgsar by name,Had seen long years before this summons came.
C6.8.54
To Bidarfesh, old Gorgsar’s brother bold,He gave the wolf-marked banner, his to hold.

Gorgsar named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

C6.32

Esfandiyar Reaches Goshtasb

Goshtasb welcomes his son and promises him the crown. At dawn the armies close; Esfandiyar cuts down hundreds, takes the boastful Gorgsar with his kamand, and Arjasp flees by camel toward Khallokh. Spared, Gorgsar offers to guide the prince to the Ruyin Dezh.

C6.32.43
A Turkish warrior came before the king;Gorgsar had words of confidence to bring.
C6.32.54
He gave Gorgsar the troops to lead in fight;Hope rose within the warriors, burning bright.
C6.32.91
Arjasp saw this and called Gorgsar in ire:“Our countless warriors perish in his fire.

Gorgsar named 8 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

C7.2

The Wolves of the First Stage

The dehqan begins the tale. Esfandiyar leaves Balkh with Gorgsar as guide, questions him over wine about the roads to the Ruyin Dezh, chooses the shortest, then rides ahead alone and kills the two giant wolves of the first stage.

C7.2.3
He told of Ruyin Dezh, the road ahead,And how Gorgsar the prince along it led.
C7.2.5
He came to Balkh, then left his father’s side,And took Gorgsar toward Turan as his guide.
C7.2.9
They brought Gorgsar, as ordered, bound and sore,Still worn by all the misery he bore.

Gorgsar named 9 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

C7.4

The Dragon of the Third Stage

Warned of a dragon whose breath draws fish from the sea, Esfandiyar has a wheeled box built and hung about with swords. The dragon swallows cart and horses, is pinned on the blades, and he hacks it dead, fainting in its venomous fumes.

C7.4.1
Esfandiyar called Gorgsar, steeped in spite,A luckless man who wished him ill outright.
C7.4.4
Gorgsar replied, “O king of high renown,May evil never bring your fortune down.
C7.4.46
The troops praised God and bowed; Gorgsar’s heart bledTo see the prince alive whom he thought dead.

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

C7.5

The Witch of the Fourth Stage

Warned of a witch, Esfandiyar rides ahead with wine and a tanbur and sings of his loneliness. The witch comes to him as a Turkish beauty; he throws Zardosht’s chain around her neck, forces her true shape into view, and kills her.

C7.5.3
He summoned Gorgsar, bitter and distressed;The grieving captive came at his behest.
C7.5.7
Gorgsar replied, “O prince whom stars defend,Good fortune is your ever-faithful friend.
C7.5.55
That feat made Gorgsar burn with raging ire;From his own crown there rose a tongue of fire.

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

C7.6

The Simorgh of the Fifth Stage

Gorgsar describes a Simorgh that carries off elephants. Esfandiyar drives the bladed cart to its mountain; the bird tears its wings on the swords, and he cuts it apart while its young shriek above a plain hidden by the carcass.

C7.6.3
He told the executioner, “Now bringBound Gorgsar, shamed and wretched, to your king.”
C7.6.21
The warrior-chief urged all the army on,And pondered Gorgsar’s words till night was gone.
C7.6.48
Gorgsar heard news and shook with grief and fear,And wept, his face turned livid, tear on tear.

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

C7.7

The Snow of the Sixth Stage

Gorgsar foretells a blizzard and then a waterless desert. The Iranians beg the prince to turn back and he rebukes them; snow buries the camp for three days until Bishutan’s prayer clears the sky, and the army marches on stripped of baggage.

C7.7.1
Esfandiyar, illustrious and strong,Called bound Gorgsar before the gathered throng.
C7.7.6
Gorgsar then raised his voice and made reply:“Famed prince, God was your helper from the sky.
C7.7.28
The Iranians heard Gorgsar and felt pain,And said, “Noble prince, from ruin refrain.

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

C7.8

The River of the Seventh Stage

The army fords a river Gorgsar swore was desert. When the captive curses him, Esfandiyar splits his head and throws him to the fish. From a height he sees the Ruyin Dezh, despairs, and kills two Turks after they describe its garrison.

C7.8.5
The prince seized both its thighs and pulled it clear;Gorgsar, his enemy, looked on in fear.
C7.8.10
Gorgsar replied, “Your army’s overthrowWould shine for me with sun and moon’s bright glow.
C7.8.13
He said, “Gorgsar, when I have won the day,You shall command the Dezh; cast fear away.