Esfandiyār

The Persian word 'Sepandiār' is derived from Middle Persian: Spandadāt or 'Spandyat' (the variance is due to ambiguities inherent in the Pahlavi script), which in turn derives from Avestan: Spəntōδāta- meaning "Given by Spenta Armaiti" which is later personified as sepandarmaz (سپندارمذ), but in original Avestan meant "creative harmonious thought" [citation needed] (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, Esfandiyār was the Crown Prince and a Divine Warrior of ancient Iran who supported the prophet Zarathustra, enabling him to spread the religion of Zoroastrianism.

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 Esfandiyār shall suffer a cursed life of bad omens until the day he dies and even after death would be condemned to hell.

Esfandiyār's father, Goshtasp, had promised to give him the throne if he manages to repel an invasion in far-off provinces.

Although Goshtasp is aware of a prediction that foretells the death of Esfandiyār 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 Esfandiyār and retire.

Esfandiyār insists, but Rostam, making numerous other concessions, stands his ground and the two eventually meet in single combat.

and then Rostam learns from the Simurgh that the only weapon that can affect Esfandiyār is a shot to the eyes from a special double-headed arrow, made from the branch of a tamarisk tree near the Persian Gulf.

Before dying, Esfandiyār 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.