EsfandiyÃÂr is a legendary hero from Iranian national history and one of the characters of Ferdowsi's Shahnameh (The Book of Kings). He was the son and the crown prince of the Kayanian King Goshtasp and Queen KatÃÂyoun. He was the grandchild of Kay Lohrasp.
EsfandiyÃÂr is best known for the tragic story of a battle with Rostam described in Ferdowsi's epic Shahnameh. It is one of the longest episodes in Shahnameh and is one of its literary highlights.
The Persian word 'SepandiÃÂr' is derived from or 'Spandyat' (the variance is due to ambiguities inherent in the Pahlavi script), which in turn derives from meaning "Given by Spenta Armaiti" which is later personified as sepandarmaz (óþÃÂïçñàð), but in original Avestan meant "creative harmonious thought" (usually referring to the physical laws of nature), but in time had come to mean holy or "Given by (the) holy" (See Amesha Spenta for other meanings of spenta).
According to the epic Shahnameh, EsfandiyÃÂr was the Crown Prince and a Divine Warrior of ancient Iran who supported the prophet Zarathustra, enabling him to spread the religion of Zoroastrianism. He also fought against many apostates and enemies of Zarathustra to do so. In return, Zarathustra gave EsfandiyÃÂr a chain and armor from Heaven. The armor made him invulnerable and the chain had the power to bind anyone, even a demon or evil magician, making them unable to escape. Zarathustra also gave a Divine blessing to the prince and declared that anyone who spills the blood of EsfandiyÃÂr shall suffer a cursed life of bad omens until the day he dies, and even after death would be condemned to hell.
EsfandiyÃÂr's father, Goshtasp, had promised to give him the throne if he manages to repel an invasion in far-off provinces. EsfandiyÃÂr successfully carries out the order. Upon his return, Goshtasp informs him that during his absence the king of Turan: ArjÃÂsp had rebelled and attacked Iran's capital and abducted EsfandiyÃÂr's two sisters. Goshtasp sends EsfandiyÃÂr on another mission to suppress the rebellion and retrieve the abducted princesses.
EsfandiyÃÂr sets out in haste passing through a difficult and dangerous path with 7 different battles which would be known later as 7 labors of EsfandiyÃÂr. These are:
1. Slaying two monstrous wolves.
2. Slaying two man-eating lions.
3. Slaying a Dragon.
4. Killing a wicked enchantress.
5. Fighting and killing a Simurgh and its two offspring.
6. Braving a three-day-long storm.
7. Crossing a desert.
EsfandiyÃÂr then successfully infiltrates the Fortress of ArjÃÂsp known as Roin Dej. (lit. Invincible Fortress) EsfandiyÃÂr then kills Arjaasb, rescues his sisters and conquers the fortress. Upon EsfandiyÃÂr's return to Iran, Goshtasp, who did not want to part with his throne, hedges once again.
Although Goshtasp is aware of a prediction that foretells the death of EsfandiyÃÂr at the hand of Rostam, he compels the young hero to go and bring the aging Rostam in chains for his arrogance and disrespect toward the king, promising that upon completing this mission he will give the throne to EsfandiyÃÂr and retire. EsfandiyÃÂr initially protests, reminding his father of Rostam's fame, great age, and services to the dynasty, but eventually complies with his father's wishes and sets out towards Rostam's home.
Upon reaching the home of Rostam, EsfandiyÃÂr delivers the message, but Rostam refuses to comply to be put in chains, only agreeing to accompany the young prince to his father's palace. EsfandiyÃÂr insists, but Rostam, making numerous other concessions, stands his ground and the two eventually meet in single combat. In the subsequent battle, the invincible EsfandiyÃÂr is unaffected by Rostam's blows while Rostam is seriously wounded by EsfandiyÃÂr's arrows, which had diamond arrowheads and could easily pierce through Rostam's armor. Pleading respite to dress his wounds, Rostam withdraws.
Rostam's father ZÃÂl who was raised by the legendary bird Simurgh (apparently there were two different Simurghs in Shahnameh, one which is slain in 7 labours of EsfandiyÃÂr and the other one which raised ZÃÂl and lived in mountains of Iran) summons Simurgh by burning a feather given to him from Simurgh herself to ask help for curing his son. Simurgh benevolently cures both Rostam and his horse Rakhsh who was also wounded by EsfandiyÃÂr's arrows. Rostam then learns from the Simurgh that the only weapon that can affect EsfandiyÃÂr is a special double-headed arrow, made from the branch of a tamarisk tree near the Persian Gulf which must be shot through his eyes.
Simurgh also warns Rostam about the fate that awaits the killer of EsfandiyÃÂr and asks Rostam to consider surrendering to the Prince, and since he is a divine prince there would be no shame in surrendering to him. But Rostam refuses to accept either the shame of surrendering or being chained by anyone. Upon making this decision, Simurgh carries Rostam to the tamarisk tree, where he fashions the double head arrow with a feather of Simurgh and a twig of the tamarisk tree. When the battle resumes the next morning, EsfandiyÃÂr is blinded by a shot through the eye.
Before dying, EsfandiyÃÂr tells Rostam to take his son Bahman under his wing and not to blame himself: it was the false promise of his father and the Arrow of Simurgh that killed him. EsfandiyÃÂr tells Rostam that Goshtasp should be guilty as the real murderer.