Being · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II, III

Soroushسروش

so-ROOSH

The angel who brings Izad’s messages and warnings to kings.

In the poem: First at A1.1, The Greatness of Kioumars and the Envy of Ahriman; last at E6.25, Soroush Saves Khosrow from Bahram
Named: 28 times, in 23 sections (including 7 where the name may belong to Soroush)
Main stories: C4 The Final Afrasiab Wars and the Disappearance of Kay Khosrow (7); B10 Vengeance for Siavash and the Retrieval of Kay Khosrow (4); A1 The First Kings: Kioumars (2)

In the poem’s own words

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

A1.1

The Greatness of Kioumars and the Envy of Ahriman

Kioumars, the first king, rules from the mountains in leopard skins, and all creatures bow before him. Only Ahriman envies him, and his son plots against Kioumars’s own son, Siamak, until Soroush comes to warn the king.

A1.1.29
Then blessed Soroush came in pari guise,Clad in leopard skin before the Shah’s eyes.

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

A1.2

Siamak and the Black Div

Siamak goes out bare-bodied to fight the Black Div, son of Ahriman, and is torn apart. Kioumars and all creation mourn him for a year, until Soroush commands vengeance.

A1.2.17
Then blessed Soroush brought greeting: “Cease your cry,Rise up, take arms, and let your sorrow die.

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

A5.9

Fereydoon Binds Zahhak

Zahhak climbs into his palace by kamand and attacks, but Fereydoon strikes him down with the ox-headed gorz. Soroush forbids the killing. Fereydoon restores the order of warriors and craftsmen, then carries Zahhak to Mount Damavand and chains him in a bottomless cave.

A5.9.24
He raised the gorz again above his head,Then Soroush cried, “You must not strike him dead.
A5.9.56
Again came Soroush, calling from the sky:“Do not yet kill him; he must not yet die.

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

A6.3

The King of Yemen Answers Jandal

Sarv agrees to the marriages on condition that the princes come to Yemen first. Fereydoon sends them off, warning that Sarv will seat his daughters in a misleading order and ask which is the eldest, and he tells them the answer.

A6.3.23
Were Soroush himself such brides to find,He might bow down before their noble kind.

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

B9.43

Piran Visits Siavash-Gard

Returning from his campaign, Piran visits Siavash-Gard, marvels at the city and at Farangis, and feasts there for a week. At Afrasiab’s court he reports the tribute he has gathered and praises Siavash’s city in glowing terms, to the king’s delight.

B9.43.32
Where Siavash sits like sunlight on the throne,Soroush-blessed, with wisdom, farr full shown.
B9.43.42
Soroush must have revealed that radiant scene,For even the sun knows no such lord serene.
B9.43.47
If Soroush came descending from the sphere,He could not match the farr and wisdom here.

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

B10.15

Gudarz’s Dream of Kay Khosrow

Soroush appears to Gudarz in a dream and reveals that Kay Khosrow lives in Turan and that only Giv can find him. Gudarz sends Giv on the quest. Giv’s wife, Rostam’s daughter Banu-gashasp, asks leave to visit her father.

B10.15.2
Upon that flying cloud Soroush drew near,And bade old Gudarz open both his ears:
B10.15.20
By God’s command Soroush appeared on high,On wind and rain to wash grief from the sky.

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

C4.62

Kay Khosrow Vanishes in the Snow

The army escorts Khosrow to a mountain, where a hundred thousand Iranians beg him to stay. He sends most of them home, keeps five chiefs, rides on to a spring, bathes and prays, and tells them that at sunrise he will be gone and snow will close the road.

C4.62.23
Where are your wisdom, judgment, senses clear?To Fereydoon Soroush did not appear.
C4.62.43
Then comes the hour in which I pass away,With blessed Soroush guiding me that day.

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

E6.25

Soroush Saves Khosrow from Bahram

Bahram’s elephant is shot from under him and he fights on foot. Khosrow rides out with fourteen chosen men, who scatter; chased into a blind cave, he prays and is carried to safety by Soroush. Bahram, seeing it, despairs of his fortune, and Khosrow renews the battle.

E6.25.124
Before that prayer had wholly left his breath,Soroush appeared and saved him out of death.
E6.25.129
“Soroush. Now safe, be free of grief and fear;You shall be king; your sovereign days draw near.

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

All 23 sections that name Soroush