Horse · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II, III

Rakhshرخش

RAKHSH

Rostam's horse, rose-colored and dappled, chosen from the herds of Zabul. Wounded with Rostam by Esfandiyar and healed by the Simorgh, it dies with him in Shaghad's pit.

In the poem: First at B2.2, Rostam Catches Rakhsh; last at D6.6, Ardavan Pursues Ardeshir and Golnar
Named: 198 times, in 79 sections
Main stories: B5 The Seven Labors of Rostam (41); B8 The Tragedy of Rostam & Sohrab (32); C8 The Tragedy of Rostam and Esfandiyar (30)

In the poem’s own words

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

B4.4

Kay Kavus Writes to Zal and Rostam

The blinded Kavus sends word to Zal, admitting his folly. Zal sends Rostam to rescue him by the shorter and more dangerous of two roads. Rostam swears to destroy the Divs, puts on his Babr-e Bayan and rides off on Rakhsh while Rudabeh weeps.

B4.4.21
Saddle up Rakhsh and seek revenge today;Let your world-conquering sword prepare the way.
B4.4.38
Though hard the road, its trials shall be crossed;Blessed Rakhsh shall bear you, never lost.
B4.4.49
By God I swear, the One who reigns on high,I will not turn Rakhsh’s foot or backward fly,

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

B5.1

Rakhsh Fights a Lion

Riding hard for Mazandaran, Rostam catches and roasts a Gur-e-Khar, then sleeps in a reed-bed while Rakhsh grazes. A lion attacks, and Rakhsh kills it. Rostam wakes and scolds his horse for fighting alone.

B5.1.1
Then Rostam, world-illuming, left his sire,And urged brave Rakhsh along with fierce desire.
B5.1.5
Gur-e-Khar in countless numbers strayed;He pressed his thighs; swift Rakhsh their speed outweighed.
B5.1.10
He found a meadow green with grazing spread,And slipped the bridle free from Rakhsh’s head.

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

B5.2

Rostam Finds a Spring

Crossing a burning desert, Rostam collapses with thirst and prays. A ram appears and leads him to a spring. He blesses the animal, bathes Rakhsh, hunts and eats, and before sleeping tells Rakhsh never again to fight without waking him.

B5.2.4
Rakhsh labored on beneath the crushing glare,While thirst consumed his rider with despair.
B5.2.29
He took the saddle from brave Rakhsh’s back,Then washed away the dust of that hard track.
B5.2.30
He washed him in the spring’s clear water bright,Until Rakhsh shone like sunlight to the sight.

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

B5.3

Rostam Fights a Dragon

An unseen dragon twice approaches in the night. Twice Rakhsh wakes Rostam, who sees nothing and threatens to kill the horse. The third time God reveals the beast; Rostam demands its name and, with Rakhsh biting its shoulder, cuts off its head.

B5.3.3
It saw the hero sleeping on the plain,With restless Rakhsh beside him, tugging rein.
B5.3.7
It turned on Rakhsh; the stallion, filled with dread,Rushed to his lord and stamped beside his bed.
B5.3.11
Again the dragon issued from the night;Rakhsh pawed beside his lord with all his might.

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

B5.5

Rostam Takes Ulad Captive

Rostam crosses a land of total darkness and lets Rakhsh graze in a planted field. He tears off the ears of the angry watchman, routs the local lord Ulad and his men, catches Ulad with his kamand and forces him to guide him to Kavus and the White Div.

B5.5.4
He loosed the rein and trusted Rakhsh to tread,Where sight was lost and every landmark fled.
B5.5.5
No height from stream appeared within his sight,So Rakhsh alone must choose the road that night.
B5.5.10
He slipped the bridle free from Rakhsh’s rein,And let him graze among the ripened grain.

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

B8.2

Rostam Goes on a Chase

Rostam rides out to hunt near the Turanian border, roasts a Gur-e-Khar and falls asleep. Turanian riders capture Rakhsh, though the stallion kills three of them. Rostam wakes, finds his horse gone and follows its tracks on foot towards Samangan.

B8.2.3
He girt himself, filled high his arrow case,Then mounted Rakhsh and turned him toward the chase.
B8.2.6
His face grew bright; a sudden joy took hold,He laughed as Rakhsh sprang forward fierce and bold.
B8.2.13
Meanwhile proud Rakhsh roamed freely without rein,And grazed at will across the grassy plain.

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

C1.4

Akvan Flings Rostam into the Sea

Akvan digs out the ground beneath the sleeping Rostam, lifts him into the air, and asks whether he would rather fall on mountains or into the sea. Rostam asks for the mountains; the Div throws him into the water. He swims ashore, recovers Rakhsh, and scatters Afrasiab’s herdsmen.

C1.4.38
But glossy Rakhsh was nowhere in the field;Then Rostam’s heart with furious anger reeled.
C1.4.39
He took the saddle up, and bridle too,And followed Rakhsh’s track till evening grew.
C1.4.43
Afrasiab’s herdsman slept within the glade,While Rakhsh among the royal horses strayed.

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

C8.25

The Simorgh Comes to Rostam’s Aid

Zal burns the Simorgh’s feather. The bird draws out the arrowheads and heals Rostam and Rakhsh, warns that Esfandiyar’s killer is doomed in both worlds, then leads Rostam to a tamarisk beside the sea and teaches him to make the fatal arrow.

C8.25.14
And Rakhsh, it seems, is near to dying too,So sharply have the arrows pierced him through.
C8.25.18
Now let me see both Rakhsh and Rostam here,That proud world-giving chief, whom men revere.”
C8.25.20
Give orders too that Rakhsh be brought along,And bring him straight to me; do not be long.”