Character · The Shahnameh · Volumes II, III

Zardoshtزردشت

zar-DOSHT

The prophet whose faith Goshtasb adopts and who brings the Zand-Avesta.

In the poem: First at C4.46, The Death of Kay Kavus; last at E6.28, Khosrow Takes Bahram’s Camp
Named: 30 times, in 20 sections (including 13 where the name may belong to Zardosht)
Main stories: C6 Goshtasb, Zardosht, and the War with Arjasp (10); E6 Khosrow Parviz (5); C8 The Tragedy of Rostam and Esfandiyar (4)

In the poem’s own words

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

C4.46

The Death of Kay Kavus

Kavus thanks God for having lived to see the revenge taken, and dies. He is dried, wrapped and seated on an ivory throne in a tower ten kamands high, which is then sealed. Khosrow mourns forty days, takes the crown, and reigns sixty years.

C4.46.22
For king or Zardosht, earth becomes the bed,A brick the pillow underneath his head.

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

C6.3

Zardosht Appears before Goshtasb

A tree rises in Goshtasb’s hall: it is Zardosht, who brings fire from Paradise and the Good Religion. Goshtasb, Zarir and Lohrasp accept it, the Mobadan are sent out, fire-temples rise, and a cypress from Paradise is planted at Kishmar.

C6.3.4
That blessed tree was Zardosht, who had slainThe evil Ahriman and checked his reign.
C6.3.25
From Paradise a noble cypress rose;Zardosht set it where the sacred fire glows.
C6.3.41
Adopt the path Zardosht revealed as true,And cast Chin’s worshiped idols far from you.

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

C6.4

Goshtasb Refuses Tribute to Arjasp

The aged Zardosht rules that the Faith forbids paying tribute to Chin, and Goshtasb cancels it. A Div carries the news to Arjasp, who sickens with rage, denounces Zardosht to his council as an old magician, and drafts a letter of threats and gifts.

C6.4.1
Time passed; Zardosht grew old beneath its weight,And came to speak of faith and royal state.

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

C6.6

Arjasp Sends Envoys to Goshtasb

Arjasp drills his envoys in court etiquette and sends them to Balkh. Goshtasb reads the letter in fury and summons Jamasp, the Mobadan, Zardosht and Zarir, spreads the Zand-Avesta open, and asks his council how to answer.

C6.6.20
He called Zardosht, his prophet, to draw near,His Mobad, and his chosen chief, Zarir.

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

C8.19

Rostam Returns to His Palace

Leaving the tent, Rostam addresses it as the house of Jamshid, Kavus and Kay Khosrow, shamed by its present tenant. Esfandiyar answers with a roll of those who sit in it now. Bishutan pleads once more, and the prince will not hear him.

C8.19.15
On one side sits Zardosht; from ParadiseHe came with Zand-Avesta’s wise advice.
C8.19.38
Then all our cares and labors go to waste,And Zardosht’s faith lies openly disgraced.

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

D10.1

Bahram Goor’s Accession and First Commands

Crowned, Bahram gives thanks and on each of his first eight days addresses the chiefs: on God and resurrection, on contentment, on defending the realm, on dealing harshly with the harsh. On the eighth he has Javanuy write to every province announcing his justice and his faith.

D10.1.45
I follow Zardosht’s faith, the prophet’s way,And from my fathers’ path will never stray.
D10.1.46
I set Zardosht’s old faith before my view,And Abraham, the prophet firm and true.

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

E5.2

Hormizd’s Slaughter of the Ministers

Hormizd turns on his father’s men. He starves and kills Izad Gashasp, poisons the High Mobad Zardosht for visiting him, traps Simah Barzin through Bahram Azarmihan and kills both. A sealed scroll of his father’s foretells his own blinding and death.

E5.2.14
The priest was named Zardosht, both good and wise,A just and quiet man in all men’s eyes.
E5.2.47
When Zardosht had returned from prison home,A spy went quickly where the Shah would roam.
E5.2.76
When Zardosht saw the envoy, tears ran downHis cheeks; he sent this message to the crown:

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

E6.5

Khosrow and Bahram Parley

Across the Nahravan the king and the rebel abuse and argue with each other at length. Khosrow offers him command of Iran; Bahram offers a gibbet. They dispute whether kingship comes by blood, merit or conquest, trading precedents from Ardeshir to Rostam, until Khosrow laughs and turns back.

E6.5.163
I hold them by the Faith that Zardosht broughtFrom Paradise, with wisdom nobly taught.
E6.5.254
Zardosht has spoken in the Zand; his loreWe may not lessen, nor may we add more.
E6.5.255
Zardosht has said: who leaves the holy roadHas lost all awe of God, all inward goad.