Character · The Shahnameh · Volume II

Rashnavadرشنواد

rash-na-VAHD

Homahyi's sepahbod, who leads her army against Rum and discovers Darab.

In the poem: First at D2.3, Darab Questions His Parentage and Fights the Romans; last at D2.6, Homahyi Recognizes Her Son
Named: 14 times, in 4 sections
Main stories: D2 Homahyi and the Founding of Darab’s Line (14)

In the poem’s own words

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

D2.3

Darab Questions His Parentage and Fights the Romans

Darab bars the door, draws a sword on his foster mother, and learns the truth. He buys a horse and arms and enrolls in Rashnavad’s army against a Roman raid. At the muster Homahyi wonders at his bearing, and her milk rises.

D2.3.29
A chief named Rashnavad was at the head;From sepahbods he sprang, a leader bred.
D2.3.31
Then Rashnavad called warriors to array,Prepared the muster ground and gave their pay.

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

D2.4

How Rashnavad Learned of Darab

A storm scatters the army and Darab shelters under a ruined arch. Three times a voice from the ruin calls him Iran’s Shah and Ardeshir’s son. Rashnavad has him woken; the arch falls the instant he rides clear, and he tells the chief everything.

D2.4.1
A mighty wind arose; the storm aheadHad filled the sepahbod Rashnavad with dread.
D2.4.13
Then Rashnavad thought, “What is this I hear?Is thunder or the roaring wind so near?”
D2.4.25
When Rashnavad beheld that wondrous feat,He studied Darab from his head to feet.

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

D2.5

Darab Fights the Roman Army

Darab leads the scouts, breaks the Roman lines in two battles, and comes back with a cross in his fist. Offered the pick of the spoil, he takes one spear. The Iranians burn Roman towns until Caesar’s envoy asks for terms.

D2.5.12
Then Rashnavad bestowed the highest praise:“May you be with the Shah’s troops all your days.
D2.5.26
When Rashnavad beheld what he had done,His heart rejoiced to see the field was won.
D2.5.46
At last to Rashnavad an envoy came:“Let justice guide your course and be your aim.

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

D2.6

Homahyi Recognizes Her Son

Caesar’s tribute comes in and the army turns home. Rashnavad questions the foster parents, writes the whole story to Homahyi, and sends the ruby. She reads it, weeps, admits that she cast her son into the Farat for the crown’s sake, and gives alms.

D2.6.3
Iran’s men journeyed home with joy and pride;Darab and Rashnavad rode side by side.
D2.6.7
Rashnavad asked the pair, when they appeared,How they had found the infant they had reared.
D2.6.12
Then Rashnavad took pen and scroll in hand,And wrote to Homahyi across the land: