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PODCAST

Shahnameh Quest

Rug Entertainment

Hosted by Arsalan Akhavan, Shahnameh Quest is a journey through the Persian Book of Kings, one story at a time. Featuring accessible retellings in English, with occasional commentary and bonus episodes.

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All Episodes

8:43

Battle: Manuchehr vs. Salm & Tur, Part 1

Shahnameh Quest ·

2025/09/21

Arsalan retells the first part of the epic battle between Prince Manuchehr and the envious brothers Salm and Tur, which seals Tur’s fateful demise.

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6:59

The Failed Bribe: Salm and Tur Seal Their Fate

Shahnameh Quest ·

2025/09/14

Arsalan retells how Salm and Tur’s plea for forgiveness after Iraj’s murder is answered with King Fereydun’s wrath.

en-us

5:59

Daughter of Iraj, Mother of Manuchehr: A Bloodline...

Shahnameh Quest ·

2025/09/07

Arsalan retells the birth of Manuchehr by Iraj's daughter, and his destiny to avenge the murder of his grandfather, Prince Iraj, and become heir to the righteous King Fereydoun.

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6:33

Iraj's Funeral & King Fereydoun's Plea

Shahnameh Quest ·

2025/08/31

Arsalan retells the tragic aftermath of Iraj’s murder, as King Fereydoun mourns his son and makes a desperate plea to God for justice against the treacherous brothers Salm and Tur.

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4:11

Commentary: Feeling the Shahnameh

Shahnameh Quest ·

2025/08/24

Arsalan invites listeners to pause and explore how the Shahnameh's stories resonate with them personally.

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12:11

Salm, Tur & Iraj: a Battle Between Brothers

Shahnameh Quest ·

2025/08/17

Arsalan retells how Fereydoun’s division of the world among his three sons Salm, Tur, and Iraj drives the eldest two to conspire against and ultimately kill their younger brother.

en-us

3:50

Turan: Iran's Rival Nation

Shahnameh Quest ·

2025/08/10

Arsalan gives an overview of Turan, Iran’s rival nation in the Shahnameh, exploring its cultural, geographical, and thematic importance to the rest of the epic.

en-us

7:05

Fereydoun's Sons & the Three Brides of Yemen

Shahnameh Quest ·

2025/08/03

Arsalan retells how Fereydoun's three sons pass the tests devised by King Sarv of Yemen to marry his three daughters.

en-us

6:04

The Death of Zahhak

Shahnameh Quest ·

2025/07/27

Arsalan retells the fall of Zahhak the Serpent King at the hands of Fereydoun, and the dawn of a new age as good is restored to the Earth.

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14:01

Battle: Fereydoun vs. Zahhak

Shahnameh Quest ·

2025/07/20

Arsalan retells how Fereydoun reaches Zahhak the Serpent King’s dark fortress, liberates Jamshid’s imprisoned sisters, and sparks the long-awaited showdown between the forces of good and evil.

en-us

4:34

Commentary: Right and Wrong in the Shahnameh

Shahnameh Quest ·

2025/07/13

Arsalan explores how the early myths of the Shahnameh evolve from a supernatural battle between good and evil into a more nuanced, human-driven drama of moral choice.

en-us

8:04

Kaveh the Blacksmith

Shahnameh Quest ·

2025/07/06

Arsalan retells the story of Kaveh the Blacksmith, who bravely defied Zahhak the Serpent King and sparked the peoples' rebellion toward freedom and justice under Fereydoun's grace and leadership.

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4:24

Fereydoun & the Sacred Cow's Sacrifice

Shahnameh Quest ·

2025/06/29

Arsalan retells the story of Fereydoun’s narrow escape from Zahhak’s army, and his years in hiding—nourished by the milk of the sacred cow Barmayeh.

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4:54

Zahhak's Nightmare

Shahnameh Quest ·

2025/06/22

Arsalan retells the evil reign of Zahhak the Serpent King, and how ominous nightmare shakes him to his core, foreshadowing his downfall.

en-us

6:45

Rise of Zahhak the Serpent King

Shahnameh Quest ·

2025/06/15

Arsalan retells how Zahhak — once a noble Arabian prince — is possessed by Iblis the Devil and transformed into the evil Serpent King.

en-us

6:42

King Jamshid's Glory and Disgrace

Shahnameh Quest ·

2025/06/08

Arsalan retells the story of King Jamshid, whose glory led the world to its greatest heights and inspired the first Nowruz—until his pride invited God's punishment.

en-us

6:29

Commentary: Ferdowsi as a World-Builder

Shahnameh Quest ·

2025/06/01

Arsalan explores how Ferdowsi’s world-building lays the foundation for the Shahnameh’s rich moral complexity and the narrative dilemmas that shape the epic.

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5:03

King Tahmures: The Dīv-Binder

Shahnameh Quest ·

2025/05/25

Arsalan retells the legend of King Tahmures, the magician king who bound Ahriman’s Dīv army and brought dazzling innovations to industry and the arts.

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4:05

King Hushang Builds Civilization & Discovers Fire

Shahnameh Quest ·

2025/05/18

Arsalan retells how King Hushang laid the foundations of civilization and discovered fire, inspiring the ancient Feast of Sadeh.

en-us

8:54

King Kayumars & the Fall of Prince Siyamak

Shahnameh Quest ·

2025/05/11

Arsalan retells the birth of King Kayumars's court and the tragic death of Prince Siyamak at the hands of Ahriman's son, The Black Div.

en-us

42 results

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