Character · The Shahnameh · Volume II

Gurazmگرزم

goo-RAZM

A noble at Goshtasb's court whose slander brings about Esfandiyar's imprisonment.

In the poem: First at C6.10, Goshtasb Hears Jamasp’s Prophecy; last at C8.16, Esfandiyar Vaunts His Lineage
Named: 18 times, in 8 sections
Main stories: C6 Goshtasb, Zardosht, and the War with Arjasp (16); C8 The Tragedy of Rostam and Esfandiyar (2)
Plates: Vol II: VI

Genealogical plate: The House of Lohrasp — Volume II, Plate VI: The House of Lohrasp. Tap to open the genealogies.

In the poem’s own words

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

C6.10

Goshtasb Hears Jamasp’s Prophecy

At the Jihun, Goshtasb makes Jamasp read the stars. Under oath of safety, the sage foretells the whole battle: Ardeshir, Shidasp, his own son Girami, Nivzar and finally Zarir will fall, Esfandiyar will kill Bidarfesh and Arjasp will flee. Goshtasb faints with grief.

C6.10.112
I will forbid Zarir to join the fray; Gurazm shall lead the troops on battle day.

Gurazm named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes

C6.22

Gurazm Slanders Esfandiyar

Gurazm, a kinsman of Goshtasb who hates the heir, waits for the prince’s name to come up at court and then tells the Shah privately that Esfandiyar means to chain him and take the throne. Goshtasb sickens with suspicion and sends Jamasp to fetch his son.

C6.22.2
There was a noble named Gurazm at court,A war-worn man, renowned in field and fort.
C6.22.5
Wherever Esfandiyar’s name was heard,Gurazm would answer with a scornful word.
C6.22.8
Gurazm came forward, sat before the king,And sought a way to broach a bitter thing.

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

C6.29

Goshtasb Flees before Arjasp

Beaten, Goshtasb retreats up a mountain by its one path and is besieged, his men burning brushwood and killing their horses. Jamasp reads the stars: only Esfandiyar can save him. Goshtasb confesses he was deceived by Gurazm and sends Jamasp through the enemy lines.

C6.29.24
I bound him guiltless, to my heart’s despair,Deceived by Gurazm’s false and slanderous snare.

Gurazm named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes

C6.30

Jamasp Visits Esfandiyar

Nush Azar nearly kills Jamasp for his Turanian cap. Esfandiyar refuses his father’s message, and Lohrasp, his sisters, his father’s plight and his dead brothers all leave him unmoved; only Farshidvard’s name breaks him. He snaps his own fetters, faints, then calls for arms.

C6.30.24
Though guiltless, I was bound and cast away;Gurazm must be the Shah’s own son today.
C6.30.26
Goshtasb wronged me through Gurazm’s evil word;Ahriman smiled at what that slander stirred.
C6.30.59
Wherever he stood, in battle or in hall,He cursed Gurazm as source of every fall.

Gurazm named 4 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

C6.31

Farshidvard Comes before Esfandiyar

Esfandiyar rides out by night with Bahman, Nush Azar and Jamasp, vowing fire-temples and wells if he is granted vengeance. He finds his brother Farshidvard dying, shrouds him under a tree, curses the dead Gurazm, and cuts through Turkish scouts to reach his father.

C6.31.28
No one has seen or heard such grief as this,Which Gurazm loosed from rancor’s black abyss.
C6.31.49
Where battle’s heat had burned with fiercest flame,He saw Gurazm, the man of fatal name.

Gurazm 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.

C6.32.6
Gurazm, that man of malice and deceit,Made love for you within my heart retreat.
C6.32.13
The monarch knows that when I crossed the field,And saw Gurazm, by death and dust concealed,

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

C8.2

Esfandiyar Demands the Kingdom

Before the court Esfandiyar recites his service: the oath against the idol-worshippers, the battle with Arjasp, the chains his father put on him, the Seven Stages, the sisters brought home. He ends by asking what pretext is left for withholding the throne.

C8.2.15
Yet at Gurazm’s request, amid your cheer,You shamed me while you drank at the banquet here.

Gurazm named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes

C8.16

Esfandiyar Vaunts His Lineage

Esfandiyar answers with his own line, from Goshtasb through Lohrasp, Aurand, Kay Pashin and Kay Qobad to Fereydoon, and through his Roman mother to Salm. He recounts his war for the Faith, his Seven Stages, and the taking of the Ruyin Dezh.