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Isfandiyar


Esfandiyār (Persian: اسفندیار‎‎), also translated as Sepandiār or, Sepandiyar, Esfandyar, Isfandiar, Isfandiyar or Esfandiar, is a legendary Iranian hero. He was the son and the crown prince of the Kayanian King Goshtasp (Middle Persian: Wishtasp, Avestan: Vishtaspa) and brother of the immortal Pashotan (Middle Persian: Peshotan, Avestan: Peshotanu).

Esfandiyār is best known from the tragic story of a battle with Rostam described in Ferdowsi's epic Shahnameh (Epic of Kings). It is one of the longest episodes in Shahnameh, and is one of its literary highlights.

The Perso word 'Sepandiār' is derived from Middle Persian 'Spandadat' or 'Spandyat' (the variance is due to ambiguities inherent in the Pahlavi script), which in turn derives from Avestan Spentodata meaning "Given by/through bounty" or "Given by (the) holy" (See Amesha Spenta for other meanings of spenta).

According to the epic Shahnameh, Esfandiyār was the Crown Prince and a Divine Warrior of ancient Iran (or Persia) who supported the prophet Zartosht (Zarathustra), enabling him to spread the religion of Zoroastrianism. He also fought against many apostates and enemies of Zartosht to do so. In return, Zartosht gave Esfandiyār a chain and armor from Heaven. The armor made him invincible and the chain had the power to bind anyone, even a demon or evil magician, making them unable to escape. Zartosht also gave a Divine blessing to the prince and declared that anyone who would spill the blood of Esfandiyār (killed him) shall suffer a cursed life of bad omens until the day he dies and even after death would be condemned to hell.


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