Namaeh Farhangistan

Namaeh Farhangistan

Explanatory Notes and Emendations on Verses from Sa'di's Būstān

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 Professor, Department of Persian Language and Literature, Faculty of Language and Literature, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran
2 Department of Persian Language and Literature, Faculty of Language, University of Sulaymaniyah, Iraq
Abstract
Numerous editions and emendations of Sa'di's Būstānhave been published so far, accompanied by critical explanations and annotations of verses, vocabulary, and idioms. Despite the efforts made to date in elucidating and amending the verses of Sa'di's Būstān, some verses of this work still need to be explained, annotated, and revised based on the available ancient manuscripts. Considering the comprehensiveness and popularity of Yousefi's emendation and explanation of Būstān, the verses discussed in this article are quoted based on that edition. Having presented the verses and Yousefi's notes, we then compare and critique other emendations of these verses that are either taken from printed editions of Būstān or articles and research books on critical reading of Būstān. We also highlight a few instances of commentators' errors or omissions, emphasizing the necessity of paying attention to the rhetorical nuances in verse explication. In one case, we refer to the use of "khātamat" in the theological terminology of Būstān to illustrate the need for precision in the application of specific terminology. Moreover, new meanings are proposed for words and expressions such as "āzādmardī" (free man), "jaft" (solid and strong), and "rāh-e rāst" (right path) in the context of Būstān and based on extratextual evidence. These meanings differ from those provided by commentators and emendators of Būstān. In another case, we also propose a conjectural emendation: the verse "To dar rahe ney zin qabl vapasi" is emended to "To bar bi-raheyi zin qabl vapasi" (You return from this path before reaching it).
Keywords
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Volume 24, Issue 6 - Serial Number 100
Nameh Farhangestan (Literary Studies)
January and February 2026
Pages 123-144

  • Receive Date 08 June 2024
  • Revise Date 11 July 2024
  • Accept Date 19 September 2025