Character · The Shahnameh · Volume I

Sindokhtسیندخت

seen-DOKHT

Mehrab’s wife, mother of Rudabeh.

In the poem: First at A8.2, Rudabeh and Her Handmaidens; last at A9.1, A Hero Is Born
Named: 36 times, in 10 sections
Main stories: A8 The Story of Zal and Rudabeh (31); A9 The Birth and Early Feats of Rostam; Manuchehr’s Closing Counsel (5)
Spouses: Mehrab
Children: Rudabeh
Plates: Vol I: VII

Genealogical plate: The House of Sahm — Volume I, Plate VII: The House of Sahm. Tap to open the genealogies.

In the poem’s own words

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

A8.2

Rudabeh and Her Handmaidens

Mehrab praises Zal to his wife Sindokht, and Rudabeh, listening, falls in love. She confides in her five Turkish handmaidens, who scold her for loving a white-haired outcast reared by a bird, then, seeing her resolve, swear to bring him to her.

A8.2.4
The other, Sindokht, in her counsel wise,His cherished queen, the light before his eyes.
A8.2.9
Then Sindokht smiled, her teeth like pearls revealed,Her purpose hidden, and her thoughts concealed:

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

A8.9

Rudabeh’s Mother Is Not Pleased

Zal sends a go-between to Rudabeh with Sahm’s reply, and Rudabeh sends back gifts. Sindokht catches the woman, finds the gifts and beats her. Rudabeh confesses her love; Sindokht thinks Zal worthy but fears the Shah’s anger, and is left in despair.

A8.9.13
But Sindokht saw the woman pass within,And spoke at once, her voice both sharp and thin:
A8.9.17
Her face grew pale with fear at Sindokht’s sound,She bent before her and she kissed the ground.
A8.9.20
Sindokht replied: “Then show me what you sold,And ease my doubt; bring forth the gems and gold.”

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

A8.10

Mehrab Is Not Pleased

Sindokht breaks the news to Mehrab through a parable of a tree whose fruit turns to poison. Mehrab draws his sword to kill Rudabeh, but Sindokht tells him Sahm already knows and makes him swear to spare her. Rudabeh is brought before him, cursed but unharmed.

A8.10.1
Mehrab returned, well pleased by Zal’s regard,And found Sindokht prostrate, her countenance marred.
A8.10.31
Sindokht sprang up and clasped his waist, afraid:“Wait now and hear me; let your hand be stayed.
A8.10.56
Sindokht, in fear that rage might take its toll,Replied, “First promise me to keep control.

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

A8.15

Mehrab Storms before Sindokht

Hearing that Sahm is coming against Kabul, Mehrab threatens to kill Sindokht and Rudabeh to appease the Shah. Sindokht persuades him to let her go to Sahm herself, makes him swear to spare Rudabeh, and loads a vast caravan of gifts.

A8.15.2
He summoned Sindokht; all the wrath that stirredAgainst her child he poured on her in word:
A8.15.7
Sindokht sank down, yet reason held her mind;She weighed the storm, a path through it to find.
A8.15.24
Sindokht replied: “If life be what you seek,Then treasure counts for nothing, hear me speak:

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

A8.16

Sindokht and Sahm Come to an Agreement

Disguised as a warrior-envoy, Sindokht brings Mehrab’s gifts to Sahm, who has them credited to Rudabeh. She pleads for Kabul’s innocent people, wins his oath of safety, and only then reveals who she is. Sahm accepts the match and sends her home with gifts and an escort.

A8.16.20
Sindokht rejoiced; she saw good fortune rise,And knew that evil faded from her eyes.
A8.16.86
Sindokht returned and bowed before the chief,Then spoke at length, her heart released from grief.
A8.16.90
He gave rich robes and gifts for Mehrab’s share,And gifts for Sindokht, splendid, rich, and rare.

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

A8.21

Manuchehr’s Answer to Sahm’s Letter

Manuchehr writes graciously to Sahm, granting his wish, and Zal sends word ahead. The news reaches Kabul, where Mehrab rejoices and gives Sindokht his treasury. She adorns the palace, dresses Rudabeh as a bride and decks the city for Zal’s coming.

A8.21.24
Then Mehrab called Sindokht before his sight:“O fortunate in counsel, wise and bright,
A8.21.28
Sindokht withdrew and sought her daughter’s side,And told the news with joy she could not hide:
A8.21.34
Then Sindokht turned to set the palace fair,And decked it out beyond what words declare:

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

A8.22

Zal Returns to Kabul, Sahm and Rudabeh

Zal returns to Sahm, who tells him of his pact with Sindokht. Father and son ride to Kabul, where Mehrab welcomes them. Zal and Rudabeh marry amid weeks of feasting. Afterwards Sahm gives Zal the rule of Sistan and marches against the Gorgasaran.

A8.22.7
He spoke of Sindokht, smiling as he toldThe words that she had brought from Kabul’s hold:
A8.22.8
“A message came from Kabul to my hall;A woman, Sindokht, bore and told it all.
A8.22.39
Then Sindokht came in ceremonial array,Three hundred girded attendants led the way.

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

A9.1

A Hero Is Born

Rudabeh’s pregnancy brings her near death. Zal burns the Simorgh’s feather, and the bird tells him to have a skilled Mobad drug Rudabeh with wine and deliver the child through her side. Rostam is born, a silk effigy of him delights Sahm, and the boy grows prodigiously.

A9.1.5
Sindokht drew near and said with anxious tone,“My child, what grief has made your spirit groan?”
A9.1.12
Sindokht tore out her perfumed raven hair,And struck her face in helpless, wild despair.
A9.1.17
His pain grew lighter; hope returned instead,He smiled and gave Sindokht good news ahead.