The Knight in the Panther's Skin
Shota Rustaveli
A 12th-century Georgian epic poem, considered one of the greatest achievements of Georgian literature. Set across fictionalized Arabia, India, and Persia, it weaves themes of friendship, love, and devotion into an allegorical masterpiece.
A bilingual, stanza-linked digital edition of Georgia’s national epic. Based on the Wardrop (1912) English translation with parallel Georgian text from the critical edition.
Wardrop translation, 1912 · Public domain
Table of Contents
48 chapters · Translated by Marjory Scott Wardrop (1912)
New here? Start at Chapter 1
- →Chapter 0
Prologue
The poet's invocation: praise of God, tribute to Queen Tamar, and a meditation on love, poetry, and the origins of this tale—a Persian story retold in Georgian verse.
- →Chapter 1Start here
Story of Rostevan, King of the Arabians
Rostevan, aging King of Arabia with no male heir, declares his daughter T'hinat'hin his successor; during a royal hunt, his retinue spots a weeping stranger knight clad in a panther's skin by a riverbank, who vanishes before he can be engaged.
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The Seeing by the King of the Arabs of the Knight clad in the Panther's Skin
Rostevan's men attempt to speak to the grief-stricken knight in the panther's skin, but he is so lost in sorrow he does not hear them; when Rostevan himself approaches, the knight flees, leaving the king troubled and dispatching Avtandil to find him.
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Here is the Letter of Avt'handil to his Knights
Avtandil writes a letter to his knights and vassals announcing his secret departure on a quest, appointing Shermadin as regent in his absence and instructing all to obey him until Avtandil returns or three years pass.
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Departure of Avt'handil in Quest of Tariel
Avtandil sets out alone across foreign lands seeking the mysterious knight, spending nearly three years searching without success, grieving equally for his mission's failure and his separation from T'hinat'hin.
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The Telling of his Tale by Tariel when he first told it to Avt'handil
Avtandil finds Tariel weeping in a cave tended by the slave-maiden Asmath, and Tariel begins to tell his story: how his father came to serve the great Indian king P'harsadan and Tariel rose to the rank of Amirbar at the Indian court.
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Tale of Tariel's falling in Love when he first fell in Love
Tariel recounts the fateful moment when King P'harsadan led him to his daughter's garden, where through a curtain held aside by Asmath he glimpsed Nestan-Darejan and was instantly and irreversibly struck by love for her.
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First Letter written by Nestan-Daredjan to her Lover
Nestan-Darejan sends her first letter to Tariel through Asmath, rebuking him for fainting with grief and urging him to prove his love through heroic deeds — specifically by defeating the rebellious Khatavian tributaries.
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First Letter written by Tariel to his Beloved
Tariel writes back to Nestan-Darejan declaring his overwhelming love and gratitude, while Asmath arranges their secret meetings under the pretense that Tariel visits Asmath herself.
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Tariel writes a Letter and sends a Man to the Khatavians
Tariel sends a warning letter to the Khatavian king demanding submission, then secretly visits Nestan-Darejan; the Khatavians reply with defiance, and Tariel assembles the armies of India to march against them.
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The Letter written by the King of the Khatavians to Tariel in Reply
The Khatavian king Ramaz sends a proud, defiant reply to Tariel's ultimatum; Tariel marshals the vast Indian armies and departs on campaign, pausing only to receive a secret midnight summons from Nestan-Darejan before leaving.
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Letter of Tariel to the King of the Indians when he triumphed over the Khatavians
Tariel defeats and captures King Ramaz of Khataet'hi, returns to India in triumph with great spoils, and is reunited with Nestan-Darejan's armlet and letter; the Indian kings then reveal they wish to name him their heir.
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Letter of Nestan-Daredjan written to her Beloved
Nestan-Darejan writes Tariel a tender second letter praising his victory and beauty, sending him the veils she has adorned and enclosing her armlet as a love-token; Tariel, reading it, collapses in an ecstasy of grief and joy.
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Tariel's Letter in Answer to his Beloved
Tariel writes to Nestan-Darejan rejoicing in her armlet and returning the promised veil; however, the Indian king and queen announce their intention to marry Nestan-Darejan to the Khorazmian prince Khvarazmsha, which Tariel furiously rejects.
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Tariel hears Tidings of the Loss of Nestan-Daredjan
Tariel learns through a distraught Asmath that after he killed Nestan-Darejan's would-be Khorazmian bridegroom in rage, the king had her spirited away as punishment; Tariel searches desperately by land and sea for years but cannot find her.
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Story of Nuradin P'hridon when Tariel met him on the Seashore
On a seashore, Tariel encounters P'hridon, a wounded knight fleeing enemies; Tariel stops him, hears his grievance, and offers to help — the two become sworn brothers.
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Tariel's aid to P'hridon, and their Victory over their Foes
Tariel helps P'hridon defeat his treacherous cousins in a sea battle and land assault, displaying extraordinary ferocity; P'hridon is restored to his kingdom and hails Tariel as king of kings, though Tariel remains sunk in grief.
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P'hridon tells Tariel Tidings of Nestan-Daredjan
P'hridon recounts how he once saw from a cape a beautiful maiden being transported by sea in a covered boat — whom Tariel recognises as Nestan-Darejan; Avtandil weeps with them at the tale, then departs.
- →Chapter 18
Story of Avt'handil's return to Arabia after he had found and parted from Tariel
Avtandil returns to Arabia, is joyfully received by Shermadin, and pours out the story of finding Tariel; tormented by divided loyalties between his king and his oath to the grief-stricken Tariel, he steels himself to return.
- →Chapter 19
Avt'handil's Request to King Rostevan, and the Vizier's Discourse and Entreaty
Avtandil visits the vizier and confides his need to seek leave from Rostevan to return to Tariel; the vizier intercedes with the king, but Rostevan angrily refuses to grant permission.
- →Chapter 20
Avt'handil's Discourse with Shermadin when he stole away
Avtandil tells Shermadin he will steal away secretly without the king's blessing, defending his decision as the highest act of friendship despite knowing Rostevan will be furious.
- →Chapter 21
Testament of Avt'handil to King Rostevan when he stole away
Avtandil writes his last will and testament to King Rostevan, invoking philosophy and scripture to justify abandoning his post, entrusting Shermadin to the king's care and asking forgiveness.
- →Chapter 22
Avt'handil's Prayer in the Mosque and his Flight
Avtandil offers a fervent prayer to God for protection on his journey, then slips out of the city alone before dawn; Rostevan wakes to find him gone.
- →Chapter 23
King Rostevan hears of Avt'handil's Secret Flight
Rostevan discovers Avtandil's flight through Shermadin, who delivers the written testament; the king, after initial fury, commands his court to mourn, pray for Avtandil's safe return, and care for the poor.
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Avt'handil's Second Departure and Meeting with Tariel
Avtandil rides back to find Tariel, weeping for T'hinat'hin as he goes; Tariel finishes relating his grief-maddened years searching for Nestan-Darejan, including killing a panther in helpless rage.
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Here is the Going of Tariel and Avt'handil to the Cave, and their seeing of Asmath
Avtandil and Tariel return together to the cave, where Asmath greets them with tears of relief; Tariel instructs Avtandil on the road to P'hridon's at Mulghazanzar, and the two part after a last night by the shore.
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The Going of Avt'handil to P'hridon's to meet him at Mulghazanzar
Avtandil rides alone toward the sea for seventy days, weeping for both T'hinat'hin and Tariel; he encounters sailors who confirm he is near P'hridon's realm and direct him onward.
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Avt'handil's Arrival at P'hridon's when he had parted from Tariel
Avtandil arrives at P'hridon's court in Mulghazanzar; together they travel to the seashore where P'hridon once saw Nestan-Darejan land briefly from a boat, and both men shed tears at the spot.
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Avt'handil's Departure from P'hridon to seek Nestan-Daredjan
Avtandil travels disguised as a merchant along the seashore seeking news of Nestan-Darejan; after a hundred days he meets the merchant Usen leading a distressed caravan and sails with them toward the city of Gulansharo.
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Story of Avt'handil's Arrival in Gulansharo
Avtandil arrives at Gulansharo, the great City of the Sea; still disguised as a caravan chief, he is directed to lodge with the merchant's wife Fatman, whose household becomes his base of operations.
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Avt'handil's Arrival at P'hatman's; her Reception of him and her Joy
Fatman, wife of the merchant Usen, receives Avtandil warmly and is immediately captivated by his beauty; Avtandil sells his goods and conceals his true identity while lodging in her house.
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P'hatman becomes enamoured of Avt'handil; writes him a Letter and sends it
Fatman's infatuation with Avtandil grows unbearable; unable to suppress it, she writes him a passionate love letter confessing her feelings and threatening to die if he does not respond.
- →Chapter 32
The Letter of Love written by P'hatman to Avt'handil
Avtandil privately disdains Fatman's advances but calculates that feigning love will induce her to share whatever secrets she holds about Nestan-Darejan; he writes a consenting reply.
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Avt'handil's Letter in Answer to P'hatman's
Fatman invites Avtandil to visit her alone; when he arrives a jealous intruder named Chachnagir appears and threatens her violently; Fatman begs Avtandil to kill him, and then she promises to tell all.
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Here is the Slaying of the Chachnagir and his Two Guards by Avt'handil
Avtandil silently kills Chachnagir and his guards and returns to announce the deed to Fatman; relieved and grateful, she promises to tell him the full story of Nestan-Darejan.
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P'hatman tells Avt'handil the Story of Nestan-Daredjan
Fatman recounts how on New Year's Day she found Nestan-Darejan weeping and hidden in her garden's seaside mansion, secretly sheltered her, but two sorcerer slaves later seized the princess and carried her to the fortress of Kadjet'hi.
- →Chapter 36
Story of the Capture of Nestan-Daredjan by the Kadjis, told by P'hatman to Avt'handil
Fatman describes how she learned from overheard conversations of wandering slaves that the Kadji queen had imprisoned Nestan-Darejan in the castle of Kadjet'hi; Avtandil proposes sending Fatman's sorcerer slave to make contact.
- →Chapter 37
Letter written by P'hatman to Nestan-Daredjan
Fatman writes a letter to Nestan-Darejan via her sorcerer slave, explaining that a heroic knight has come seeking her and asking for details of the Kadji garrison; the sorcerer flies invisibly to Kadjet'hi and delivers it.
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The Letter written by Nestan-Daredjan to P'hatman
Nestan-Darejan writes back describing her captivity among numberless Kadji guards and urging that any rescuer not attempt the impossible; she sends a cutting from Tariel's own veil as a token.
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The Letter written by Nestan-Daredjan to her Beloved
Nestan-Darejan writes a second, heart-rending letter directly to Tariel lamenting their separation and the cruelty of Fate; Avtandil, having gathered all the intelligence he needs, writes P'hridon a full report.
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Avt'handil's Letter to P'hridon
Avtandil writes P'hridon reporting that Nestan-Darejan is held in Kadjet'hi and asking him to stand ready to aid Tariel; he then departs Gulansharo by ship to rejoin Tariel, leaving a tearful Fatman behind.
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Avt'handil's Departure from Gulansharo, and his Meeting with Tariel
Avtandil travels back across the sea to find Tariel; the two brothers-in-arms are joyfully reunited and inside the cave they discover an immense hidden treasure of arms and gems left by Tariel's father.
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Tariel and Avt'handil go to P'hridon
Tariel and Avtandil ride to P'hridon's territory and playfully raid his horse-herd, luring him out in battle array; P'hridon recognises his sworn brothers and the three reunite in jubilation, then sail together toward Kadjet'hi.
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The Council of P'hridon, Avt'handil and Tariel as to the Assault on the Castle of Kadjet'hi
The three heroes debate how to assault the impregnable castle of Kadjet'hi; Avtandil proposes to enter alone disguised as a merchant, secretly armed, to open the gates from within — a plan the others reluctantly accept.
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The Going of Tariel to the King of the Seas and to P'hridon's
The assault on Kadjet'hi succeeds: Tariel storms the walls, Avtandil opens the gates, and the Kadji defenders are routed; Nestan-Darejan is freed at last, and the reunited lovers weep and embrace.
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The Wedding of Tariel and Nestan-Daredjan by P'hridon
P'hridon celebrates the wedding of Tariel and Nestan-Darejan at Mulghazanzar with eight days of magnificent festivities, presenting the couple with priceless gems; the three heroes then depart together toward Arabia.
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Tariel goes again to the Cave and sees the Treasure
The party stops at Tariel's former cave, where Asmath hosts them and they revisit the treasure; they proceed to Arabia, where Rostevan abdicates and publicly names Avtandil king, commanding his armies to swear loyalty.
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Here is the Marriage of Avt'handil and T'hinat'hin by the King of the Arabs
Rostevan celebrates the wedding of Avtandil and T'hinat'hin in Arabia with lavish feasting; news then arrives of the Indian king's death, and Tariel and Nestan-Darejan depart to rule India together, bringing the poem to its close.