Being · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II

White Divدیو سپید

DEEV-e se-PEED

The Div lord of Mazandaran, killed by Rostam in the seventh trial.

In the poem: First at B4.3, Kay Kavus Ventures to Mazandaran; last at C8.24, Rostam Consults His Family
Named: 38 times, in 17 sections
Main stories: B5 The Seven Labors of Rostam (20); B4 The War with Mazandaran (7); C8 The Tragedy of Rostam and Esfandiyar (4)

In the poem’s own words

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

B4.3

Kay Kavus Ventures to Mazandaran

Kavus leaves Milad to guard Iran and marches to Mazandaran. Giv sacks a city of dazzling wealth, but the king of Mazandaran summons the White Div, who blinds the Shah and his army with sorcerous darkness, takes them captive and sends their treasure to the king.

B4.3.36
Tell the White Div: ‘A force from Iran’s landHas come to plunder all at their command.
B4.3.40
When Sanja heard, he sped without delay,And reached the White Div by the shortest way.
B4.3.41
The White Div said: “Let not your spirit fall;My strength shall rise and overwhelm them all.

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

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.

B4.4.30
Let Arzhang and the White Div lose all hope;No life remains where your great weapons cope.
B4.4.48
No Arzhang, Sanja, White Div shall I spare;Nor Pulad Ghandi, Bid, this much I swear.

White Div named 2 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.

B5.5.52
“If you speak truth and harbor no deceit,And guide me where the White Div keeps his seat,
B5.5.62
The house of Bid, the White Div’s secret place,I shall reveal if mercy grants me grace.
B5.5.63
To Kavus is a hundred farsangs’ road;A hundred more to the White Div’s abode.

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

B5.6

Rostam Fights the Div Arzhang

Rostam storms Arzhang Div’s camp, tears off his head and scatters the Divs. Guided by Ulad, he reaches the blinded, captive Kavus, who tells him the way to the White Div’s cave and that only that Div’s blood can cure their blindness.

B5.6.30
If White Div learns that Arzhang has been slain,And you are here, the male Divs flood the plain.
B5.6.32
Go now toward the White Div’s dark abode;With body, sword, and arrows bear the road.
B5.6.36
Within, the White Div gives them hope and dread;Strike down their chief, and all their strength lies dead.

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

B5.7

Rostam Slays the White Div

At noon, while the Divs sleep, Rostam enters the White Div’s cave, wakes him and, after a long and bloody wrestle, hurls him down and tears out his liver. The blood restores the Iranians’ sight. They sack Mazandaran, and Kavus decides to send its king a letter.

B5.7.13
Like shining Sun he rode where White Div lay,And pressed toward the cavern without delay.
B5.7.28
Like raging lion Rostam struck awayOne thigh and leg from White Div in the fray.
B5.7.36
The White Div thought: “Sweet life is lost to me;If I escape this dragon, none shall see.

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

B5.8

Kavus’s Letter to Mazandaran

Kavus sends Farhad with a letter calling on the king of Mazandaran to submit. The king’s champions try to crush the envoy’s hand, but Farhad does not flinch. The king refuses in fury, and Kavus decides to send Rostam with a second letter.

B5.8.15
But if defiance is the path you tread,Join Arzhang and White Div among the dead.”
B5.8.35
When he heard tell of Arzhang fallen low,And of the White Div struck by fatal blow,
B5.8.67
The White Div’s spirit gives the vultures cheer:Your brain shall be their feast when I draw near.”

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

B6.5

Rostam’s Message to Hamavaran

Rostam sends comfort to Kavus and a warning to the king of Hamavaran, who defies him. Rostam crosses by sea and routs the first army. The king calls in the kings of Barbar and Mesr, and Kavus secretly tells Rostam to fight without regard for his safety.

B6.5.13
How Pulad Ghandi, Bid, were struck aside,And how the White Div perished in his pride.”

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

B8.18

Rostam and Sohrab Meet in Combat

Rostam and Sohrab fight with short spears, swords, gorz and arrows, then grapple, but neither can unseat the other. Sohrab strikes Rostam’s shoulder and mocks his age. Each then ravages the other’s army, and they part at nightfall to fight again at dawn.