Object · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II

rudرود

ROOD

A lute-like stringed instrument.

In the poem: First at A9.2, Sahm Comes to Meet Rostam; last at C6.25, Arjasp Prepares the Second War
Named: 26 times, in 26 sections
Main stories: B9 The Story of Siavash (7); B8 The Tragedy of Rostam & Sohrab (4); C2 The Tale of Bijan and Manijeh (3)

In the poem’s own words

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

A9.2

Sahm Comes to Meet Rostam

Sahm comes to Zabul to see his grandson and finds him enthroned on an elephant. Rostam asks for arms, a month of feasting follows, and the drunken Mehrab boasts. Before leaving, Sahm counsels Zal to be just and loyal and says that he feels his own end approaching.

A9.2.33
They drank their wine to music of the rud;Each sang in turn a song of joyful mood.

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

B1.1

Nohzar Accedes to the Throne

Nohzar takes Manuchehr’s throne but soon turns greedy and harsh, and the realm falls into turmoil. The nobles offer the crown to Sahm, who refuses it, rebukes them, and comes to court to set the young Shah back on the path of justice.

B1.1.45
A week with rud and wine they passed in cheer,Till former grief no longer lingered near.

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

B2.1

Afrasiab Invades after Garshasp’s Death

Zav’s son Garshasp reigns briefly and dies. Pashang, still estranged from Afrasiab over Aghriras, orders him to invade again. The Iranians turn to Zal, who is too old to fight and offers instead his young son Rostam, arming him with Sahm’s ancestral gorz.

B2.1.61
Your years are meant for feasting, rud, and wine,For heroic songs where cups and music shine.

rud named 1 time 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.

B5.7.73
For one full week they feasted, cup in hand,With wine and rud resounding through the land.

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

B5.11

Kavus Returns to Iran

Kavus returns in triumph and opens his treasuries. He loads Rostam with gifts and grants him Nimruz by charter before Rostam rides home to Zal. He then makes Tus commander of the army, gives Isfahan to Gudarz, and rules in feasting and justice.

B5.11.3
With wine and rud and musicians in array,They filled the land with song throughout the day.

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

B6.1

Kavus Wars with Hamavaran

Kavus tours his empire from Turan and Chin to Makran, defeats the king of Barbar, receives homage at Mount Kaf and feasts with Rostam in Zabul. When Mesr and Sham rebel, he crosses the sea and defeats the allied kings; Hamavaran submits.

B6.1.27
A month with rud and wine they passed in play,And loosed the hawk and cheetah on their prey.

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

B6.3

Hamavaran’s King Imprisons Kavus

The king of Hamavaran invites Kavus to a feast. Sudabeh warns of a trap, but Kavus goes; after a week of revelry he and his champions are seized and imprisoned in a mountain fortress. Sudabeh denounces her father and chooses to share Kavus’s prison.

B6.3.16
With rud and song they wove a festive sound,Like warp and woof in music interwound.

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

B8.3

Rostam Arrives at the City of Samangan

The king of Samangan comes out on foot to meet Rostam and promises to find Rakhsh. His anger soothed, Rostam accepts the king’s hospitality, feasts with wine and music, and is led to a perfumed bed.

B8.3.25
The rud-players gathered, music filled the room,So Tahamtan might cast away his gloom.
B8.3.26
Wine flowed; the rud gave music to the night,Dark-eyed Taraz beauties, rose-cheeked, bright.

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

All 26 sections that name rud