Object · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II

Babr-e Bayanببر بیان

BABR-e ba-YAHN

Rostam’s invulnerable battle-coat of tiger skin; also called simply the babr.

In the poem: First at B4.4, Kay Kavus Writes to Zal and Rostam; last at C8.26, Rostam Faces Esfandiyar Again
Named: 27 times, in 23 sections
Main stories: B5 The Seven Labors of Rostam (6); B14 The Great Battle with the Khan of Chin (5); B8 The Tragedy of Rostam & Sohrab (4)

In the poem’s own words

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

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.

B4.4.27
Fasten your Babr-e Bayan firm and tight;Cast sleep and every other thought from sight.
B4.4.52
He donned his Babr-e Bayan for the road,While Zal invoked God’s blessing as he rode.

Babr-e Bayan named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

B5.1

Rakhsh Fights a Lion

Riding hard for Mazandaran, Rostam catches and roasts a Gur-e-Khar, then sleeps in a reed-bed while Rakhsh grazes. A lion attacks, and Rakhsh kills it. Rostam wakes and scolds his horse for fighting alone.

B5.1.22
Had it slain you, what would my helm avail,My jowshan, Babr-e Bayan, if you fail?

Babr-e Bayan named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes

B5.3

Rostam Fights a Dragon

An unseen dragon twice approaches in the night. Twice Rakhsh wakes Rostam, who sees nothing and threatens to kill the horse. The third time God reveals the beast; Rostam demands its name and, with Rakhsh biting its shoulder, cuts off its head.

B5.3.15
My Babr-e Bayan, sword, and gorz I bear;On foot toward Mazandaran I shall fare.
B5.3.18
He wrapped his Babr-e Bayan round him tight,And slept a third time in the depth of night.

Babr-e Bayan 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.

B5.5.8
His clothes were drenched with sweat; he longed for rest,And stripped the Babr-e Bayan from his breast.
B5.5.11
When helm and Babr-e Bayan both were dry,He donned them once again beneath the sky.

Babr-e Bayan named 2 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.

B5.6.1
In royal helm and Babr-e Bayan sweat-stained,He sought out Arzhang where the Divs all reigned.

Babr-e Bayan named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes

B7.2

Rostam Battles the Turanians

Giv rides to hold the bridge, but Afrasiab’s army has already crossed. Rostam and the champions charge. Afrasiab sends Piran with ten thousand men, and Rostam cuts them down until Afrasiab thinks of retreat.

B7.2.7
Then Rostam donned Babr-e Bayan for fight,And mounted raging Rakhsh in armor bright.

Babr-e Bayan named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes

B8.2

Rostam Goes on a Chase

Rostam rides out to hunt near the Turanian border, roasts a Gur-e-Khar and falls asleep. Turanian riders capture Rakhsh, though the stallion kills three of them. Rostam wakes, finds his horse gone and follows its tracks on foot towards Samangan.

B8.2.27
My quiver, gorz, my helmet and my blade,Babr-e Bayan cannot give Rakhsh’s aid.

Babr-e Bayan named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes

C1.4

Akvan Flings Rostam into the Sea

Akvan digs out the ground beneath the sleeping Rostam, lifts him into the air, and asks whether he would rather fall on mountains or into the sea. Rostam asks for the mountains; the Div throws him into the water. He swims ashore, recovers Rakhsh, and scatters Afrasiab’s herdsmen.

C1.4.35
He rested, loosed the girdle from his side,And by the spring the Babr-e Bayan dried.
C1.4.36
When Babr-e Bayan and kamand were both dry,The savage Lion armed, his wrath still high.

Babr-e Bayan named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

All 23 sections that name Babr-e Bayan