Character · The Shahnameh · Volume II

Hohmهوم

HOHM

A pious hermit living in a mountain cave, who captures the fugitive Afrasiab.

In the poem: First at C4.41, Hohm Captures Afrasiab; last at C4.44, The Death of Afrasiab and Garsivaz
Named: 17 times, in 4 sections
Main stories: C4 The Final Afrasiab Wars and the Disappearance of Kay Khosrow (17)
Plates: Vol II: III

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

In the poem’s own words

The 4 sections that name Hohm most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Hohm. Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.

C4.41

Hohm Captures Afrasiab

Starving and sleepless, Afrasiab hides in a cave near Barda. The hermit Hohm, of Fereydoon’s line, hears a lament come up out of the mountain, climbs down after dark, wrestles the fugitive to the ground, binds his arms and drags him away.

C4.41.15
The name of that illustrious man was Hohm,A man of prayer who made the wild his home.
C4.41.17
As Hohm, in woolen robes, was deep in prayer,A wailing from the cavern stirred the air:
C4.41.24
Hohm heard the lamentation’s Turkish sound,And left his prayer, forsaking sacred ground.

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

C4.42

Afrasiab Escapes from Hohm

Afrasiab pleads his kinship and his ruin until Hohm, in pity, loosens the cord; he twists free and vanishes into the lake. Gudarz, riding by, takes him for a fisherman, hears the whole story, prays at the fire, and carries word to Kavus and Khosrow.

C4.42.1
Now thus it was when Hohm had bound him tight,He dragged the fallen monarch into light.
C4.42.4
Hohm answered, “Here you cannot hide your fame;The whole world rings and echoes with your name.
C4.42.14
Hohm answered, “Wicked man, your end draws near;I doubt that you have long to linger here.

Hohm named 7 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

C4.43

Kavus and Khosrow Come to Hohm

The two Shahs come to Hohm, who proposes a lure: torture Garsivaz until his brother answers. Raw ox-hide is sewn round Garsivaz’s shoulders, and his cries bring Afrasiab wading into the shallows, where the brothers lament their lost greatness to each other across the water.

C4.43.1
The two crowned monarchs, troubled and intent,Went straight to Hohm, on anxious purpose bent.
C4.43.2
When Hohm beheld the two crowned Shahs appear,He paid them reverence with a heart sincere.
C4.43.6
Hohm answered, “May your just rule bring increase;May all your realm be prosperous in peace.

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

C4.44

The Death of Afrasiab and Garsivaz

While the brothers talk, Hohm casts his kamand, drags Afrasiab ashore and hands him to the Shahs. Afrasiab asks to see his daughter; Khosrow answers with the roll of his murders and cuts his throat. Garsivaz is cut in two beside him.