Character · The Shahnameh · Volume II

Manijehمنیژه

ma-nee-ZHEH

Afrasiab's daughter, who loves Bijan and feeds him in his pit.

In the poem: First at C2.4, Gorgin Tricks Bijan; last at C2.26, Afrasiab Comes against Rostam
Named: 28 times, in 11 sections
Main stories: C2 The Tale of Bijan and Manijeh (28)
Parents: Afrasiab
Spouses: Bijan
Plates: Vol II: III, Vol II: V

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

C2.4

Gorgin Tricks Bijan

Envious of Bijan’s triumph, Gorgin praises him over wine, then describes a garden two days off where Afrasiab’s daughter Manijeh keeps her spring feast with a hundred maids. He proposes they carry the women off, and Bijan, young and eager for fame, is caught.

C2.4.28
Manijeh, Afrasiab’s daughter bright,Will make the garden blaze with solar light.

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

C2.5

Bijan Seeks Manijeh

In the Irman meadows Gorgin reports that Manijeh has come. Bijan puts on his father’s crown and the jeweled gifts of his house, rides to the grove and watches the feast. Manijeh sees him, sends her nurse with questions, and after messages pass she invites him in.

C2.5.4
Soon Gorgin heard Manijeh had come near;The plain took color like a cock’s eye, clear.
C2.5.37
She gave Manijeh’s message clear and true;Both Bijan’s cheeks like roses opening grew.
C2.5.50
When Bijan spoke, the nurse turned back and went,And to Manijeh’s ear the secret sent:

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

C2.6

Bijan Goes to Manijeh’s Tent

Manijeh clasps Bijan, unbinds his girdle, has him bathed in musk and rosewater, and clears the tent for a feast of music, wine and scattered gold. Three days and nights pass in gladness, and then sleep and drink take him.

C2.6.2
On foot he paced toward Manijeh’s tent,The free-souled girl’s, and all on longing bent.
C2.6.4
Manijeh came and clasped him to her breast,And loosed the royal girdle from her guest.

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

C2.7

Manijeh Carries Bijan to Her Palace

Rather than let him go, Manijeh has Bijan drugged, laid in a curtained litter, veiled as a woman and smuggled into her palace, then revived. They feast until the gatekeeper learns who he is and tells Afrasiab, who rages and sends Garsivaz to seize whoever is found.

C2.7.5
Manijeh, seeing Bijan’s face gone dim,Called her attendants once again to him.
C2.7.19
Manijeh said to him: “Keep your heart glad,And count as wind the things you have not had.
C2.7.34
Confounded by Manijeh’s deed and shame,He called the marshal Kurukhan by name.

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

C2.8

Bijan Is Brought before Afrasiab

Garsivaz breaks into the revel, finds Bijan among the women and taunts him. Bijan draws a hidden khanjar but yields on oath and is bound. Before Afrasiab he blames a pari for carrying him off; the king rejects the tale and orders a gallows set at the gate.

C2.8.51
No guilt in this was ever mine, not one;Nor is Manijeh stained in what was done.

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

C2.10

Bijan Is Put in Bonds

Bijan is riveted in chains and cast headfirst into a pit sealed with Akvan’s stone. Manijeh’s palace is stripped and she is driven barefoot to the pit-mouth, where she scrapes a small opening, begs bread from door to door, and feeds him.

C2.10.8
Then leave him there to madness, grief, and night,And ride to Manijeh’s palace in your might.
C2.10.22
Manijeh was left bare, without a veil,Barefoot, bareheaded, and her face grown pale.
C2.10.25
Manijeh stayed, with anguish in her breast,And blood-drops on her cheeks, and found no rest.

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

C2.22

Manijeh Seeks Out Rostam

Hearing of a caravan from Iran, Manijeh begs the merchant for news of Bijan. Rostam shouts her away to protect his disguise, then has her fed, questions her gently, and hides his signet ring inside a roast bird for her to carry down into the pit.

C2.22.1
News reached Manijeh of the caravan;To seek the merchant, into town she ran.
C2.22.20
Manijeh looked at Rostam, and she wept;Across her breast the blood-red tear-streams swept.
C2.22.36
I am Manijeh, Afrasiab’s child, whose faceNo sun had seen unveiled in any place.

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

C2.23

Bijan Learns Rostam Is Coming

Manijeh carries the merchant’s food to the pit and Bijan finds Rostam’s ring hidden in it. He laughs, swears her to secrecy, and sends her back with a password. Rostam tells her to burn a fire by night to mark the pit-mouth.

C2.23.1
Manijeh hurried to the pit and pressedThe dishes that she carried to her breast.
C2.23.6
Manijeh said: “Among the caravanThere is a merchant, a widely known man.
C2.23.17
He laughed in royal gladness from the pit,Until Manijeh heard, amazed by it.