New Naqqaliشاهنامه
Character · one of the people named Jamasp

Jamasp (Goshtasb’s minister)جاماسپ

jah-MAHSP

Goshtasb’s chief minister and star-reader, who foretells the fates of Zarir and Esfandiyar and brings Esfandiyar out of prison.

In the poem
First at C6.6, Arjasp Sends Envoys to Goshtasb; last at C9.8, Bahman Receives the Kingdom
Named
50 times, in 21 sections, counting only the books Jamasp (Goshtasb’s minister) appears in
Same name
Jamasp (brother of Qobad); see everyone named Jamasp
Pictures
10 panels · identity sheets

How we draw Jamasp (Goshtasb’s minister)

The identity sheet the illustrator works from. Tap to open full size. More in the Art section.
Jamasp, identity sheet: Old sage-vizier
Old sage-vizier

In the pictures

Jamasp (Goshtasb’s minister) in 10 woodcut panels of the illustrated poem, in story order. Tap one to see it with the couplets it illustrates.
Goshtasb Flings the Answer at the EnvoysC6.7Goshtasb Flings the Answer at the EnvoysJamasp Reads the Stars by the JihunC6.10Jamasp Reads the Stars by the JihunGoshtasb Swoons at the ProphecyC6.10Goshtasb Swoons at the ProphecyJamasp Meets Esfandiyar at the HuntC6.23Jamasp Meets Esfandiyar at the HuntGoshtasb Besieged on the MountainC6.29Goshtasb Besieged on the MountainJamasp Bows to the Chained PrinceC6.30Jamasp Bows to the Chained PrinceEsfandiyar Breaks His Own FettersC6.30Esfandiyar Breaks His Own FettersJamasp Reads Esfandiyar's FateC8.1Jamasp Reads Esfandiyar's FateGoshtasb Receives His Grandson BahmanC8.30Goshtasb Receives His Grandson BahmanGoshtasb Gives Bahman the KeysC9.8Goshtasb Gives Bahman the Keys

In the poem’s own words

The 8 sections that name Jamasp (Goshtasb’s minister) most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Jamasp (Goshtasb’s minister). Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.
C6.6

Arjasp Sends Envoys to Goshtasb

Arjasp drills his envoys in court etiquette and sends them to Balkh. Goshtasb reads the letter in fury and summons Jamasp, the Mobadan, Zardosht and Zarir, spreads the Zand-Avesta open, and asks his council how to answer.

  • C6.6.17
    He called Jamasp, his counselor of worth,Whose wisdom guided him in rule on earth.
  • C6.6.25
    Goshtasb addressed Jamasp and brave Zarir,And his own son, assembled now to hear:
Jamasp (Goshtasb’s minister) named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
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.

  • C6.10.3
    He sat upon the throne and called his guide, Jamasp, the sage who counseled at his side.
  • C6.10.11
    The old Jamasp grew sorrowful and pale; Then spoke before the Shah his bitter tale:
  • C6.10.115
    Jamasp replied, “If they should fail to standWith Kayanian crowns before your fighting band,
Jamasp (Goshtasb’s minister) named 3 times 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.

  • C6.22.37
    He summoned wise Jamasp, experienced, old,His chief minister, trusted, firm, and bold.
  • C6.22.42
    I send Jamasp, who served in former days,And knew Shah Lohrasp’s court and all its ways.
  • C6.22.43
    When you behold him, gird yourself and ride;On swift steeds come with Jamasp at your side.
Jamasp (Goshtasb’s minister) named 4 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C6.23

Jamasp Comes to Esfandiyar

Hunting when the summons comes, Esfandiyar laughs bitterly and tells his son Bahman that his father has turned against him. Jamasp arrives with the letter and says a Div has clouded the Shah’s mind, but advises obedience. Esfandiyar leaves his troops to Bahman and rides to court.

  • C6.23.2
    Across the hunting ground, he heard a shout:“The Shah has sent Jamasp!” the voice rang out.
  • C6.23.16
    Jamasp, the world’s bright lamp, now came to bringThe prince the royal orders of the king.
  • C6.23.20
    The sage Jamasp replied, “He thrives in cheer,”Then kissed the prince’s head and drew him near.
Jamasp (Goshtasb’s minister) named 4 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.

  • C6.29.11
    The Shah laid hand on head in deep dismay,And called Jamasp to find some saving way.
  • C6.29.14
    Jamasp arose and answered, “Righteous king,Trust Heaven’s turning and the truth I bring.
  • C6.29.18
    Jamasp replied, “O Shah, give me your ear;Hear now the word that wisdom makes most clear.
Jamasp (Goshtasb’s minister) named 6 times 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.

  • C6.30.4
    When he perceived Jamasp upon the way,A dark Turanian cap on full display,
  • C6.30.15
    He knew Jamasp as he approached the wall,Then hurried down to seek the prince’s hall.
  • C6.30.16
    He told his glorious father, “At the gateJamasp has come; he stands outside to wait.”
Jamasp (Goshtasb’s minister) named 10 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C8.1

Esfandiyar Presses His Claim

Drunk and bitter, Esfandiyar tells his mother he means to claim the crown his father promised, and dismisses her counsel with a proverb against women. When the demand reaches Goshtasb, Jamasp reads the charts: the prince will die in Zabulistan by Rostam’s hand.

  • C8.1.30
    He called Jamasp and those who read the skies,Lohrasp’s diviners, men of counsel wise.
  • C8.1.34
    Jamasp, the sage of Iran, heard and readThe ancient charts, his heart grown sick with dread.
  • C8.1.48
    Jamasp replied, “Will grief not fall on me,O king, when I reveal what I foresee?
Jamasp (Goshtasb’s minister) named 4 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C8.30

Rostam Sends Bahman Back to Iran

Bahman grows up in Zabul under Rostam’s teaching. Rostam writes to Goshtasb and is pardoned. Years later Jamasp urges the Shah to send for his grandson; Rostam loads him with treasure and escorts him on his way, and Goshtasb names him Ardeshir.

  • C8.30.31
    Jamasp, well versed in good and ill, had knownThat Bahman would inherit crown and throne.
  • C8.30.37
    The counsel pleased the Shah; he gave commandTo wise Jamasp to write with his own hand:
  • C8.30.40
    Our grandson, dearer than our life, has grownMore famed than wise Jamasp for knowledge shown.
Jamasp (Goshtasb’s minister) named 3 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
All 21 sections that name Jamasp (Goshtasb’s minister)
  1. C6.6 Arjasp Sends Envoys to Goshtasb
  2. C6.7 Zarir Replies to Arjasp
  3. C6.10 Goshtasb Hears Jamasp’s Prophecy
  4. C6.11 Goshtasb and Arjasp Prepare for Battle
  5. C6.13 Girami and Nivzar Are Slain
  6. C6.14 Zarir Is Slain by Bidarfesh
  7. C6.20 Goshtasb Returns to Balkh
  8. C6.22 Gurazm Slanders Esfandiyar
  9. C6.23 Jamasp Comes to Esfandiyar
  10. C6.29 Goshtasb Flees before Arjasp
  11. C6.30 Jamasp Visits Esfandiyar
  12. C6.31 Farshidvard Comes before Esfandiyar
  13. C8.1 Esfandiyar Presses His Claim
  14. C8.2 Esfandiyar Demands the Kingdom
  15. C8.16 Esfandiyar Vaunts His Lineage
  16. C8.19 Rostam Returns to His Palace
  17. C8.23 Rostam Flees to the Heights
  18. C8.28 Esfandiyar’s Last Wishes
  19. C8.29 Bishutan Brings Esfandiyar Home
  20. C8.30 Rostam Sends Bahman Back to Iran
  21. C9.8 Bahman Receives the Kingdom

On the maps

Story maps that show Jamasp (Goshtasb’s minister) or tell a part of the story that names Jamasp (Goshtasb’s minister).
C6.25–C6.32The Second War: The Fall of Balkh

Where he appears

Named mentions by book, from the Universe Registry, the index behind this site, in the books where this Jamasp appears. Titles and epithets are not counted.
C6Goshtasb, Zardosht, and the War with Arjasp36C8The Tragedy of Rostam and Esfandiyar13C9Rostam and Shaghad1

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