IJBPAS, May, 2015, 4(5): 2875-2884 ISSN: 2277–4998

SAADI AND

ABDOUL HOSSIN MILANI Assistant professor of Shahid Chamran University of Ahwaz, Iran *Corresponding Author: E Mail: [email protected] ABSTRACT One of the famous temples in is Somnath temple that has an outstanding position among Hindus; this temple later was narrated in imagination description of many poets especially in Bostan (orchard book) by Persian poet Saddi. The most interesting events that there is in travel of Saadi is his journey and seeking about Somnath temple that has been described in chapter eight of Bostan Saadi. Saadi in this chapter described his journey to India; it may be a fiction of the poet. Keywords: Somnath, Saadi, Idol, Hindu INTRODUCTION Saadi journey the most of his life and the content. In literature, journey was not description of his travels is observed important among poets since many of them throughout the works of Saadi. These preferred to spiritual journey (journey to their descriptions not only have been repeated by spirit) instead journey to a place. Some of poet in various shapes but also they were in them such as Hafiz and Nezami traveled very company with emotions and situations of the low while Saadi journeyed to different places poet’s life. Journey has an extensive and described his journeys among his works. figurative meaning that contains enduring Although description of journey is observed feature of human such as experiment, in all works of saadi, Bostan and Gulistan are resistance and patient. In any state, nearest works to personal emotion of characteristic of Saadi is expressed with passenger. Explanation of Saadi’s journey to various forms of excitements related to Somnath is in chapter eight of Bostan and

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chapter five of Golestan while there is doubt Concept of Somnath word whether it is real travel or not. This article Somnath in is pronounced Somnatha; tries to explain journey of Saadi to India and it a synthesis of Someh –words that means perversion of idolaters in chapter eight of moon and lord (Malalhend). The root of the Bostan. In addition, it attempts to express word is Hindu and its synthesis meaning reasons of being unrealistic journey and means moon and idol since in India moon is viewpoint of Saddi toward the place or places. called “Soma” and idol is called “” A review on Saddi’s life and journeys (Dehkhoda Dictionary). Abu al Rayhan al- Abu- Muhammad Muslih al-Din Abdallah Biruni said about this name: Shiraz was born in 1210 in Shiraz. His father “It has been quoted that Prjapati’s girls died when he was 12 years old. He began his married with moon and after atime, moon had education in Shiraz and during Mongol a tendency toward one of the girls called invasion and campaign of Kharazmian Rohini. It led to compliant other girls near dynasty, he left there to Baghdad. Dolatshah their father against moon. Parjapati advised Samarghandi was a biographer who had more that moon that you should pay attention than 14 journeys to Mecca (Matini, 1985).It is toward all girls equal, but moon did not obvious that Saadi studied in Baghdad at observe partjapati’s advice and he was caught Nizamiyya center of knowledge he journeyed by Parjapati imprecation. The face of moon during 1249 that it took 30 years. He wrote became stained and he repented his behavior, Bostan and Gulistan when he returned to however, Parjapat said that I cannot change Shiraz in 1279. There are some discrepancies my imprecation. Moon asked: “how can I about geographical ranges of his travels. clean the stain from my face?” He answered:” Some authors believe that he was journeying you should worship one of the lords that are from east to India and from west to Africa. the Somnath idol”. So the moon worshiped Others reject claim about Journey of Saddi to Linga Meha- Deva (one of the lords)”. Kashgar and Somnath that has been expressed Somnath temple in chapter 8 of Bostan and Chapter 5 of Somnath temple located in at north Gulistan. In following sections the study is western part of India that in this temple is discussed about Somnath, place of Somnath placed famous idol that is called god . and Somnath in Bostan. Indians used water of Ganges River to wash

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idle of the temple, while it has 600 mile on its head; there were golden trays full of distance from the River. It was assumed that precious stones in front of the idol. The idol the source of this River is in the heaven. and its chair placed on a high and round Somnath temple was a big idol temple that platform and in each stair of the temple has 14 golden cupola and 2000 persons from placed various idols in shape of men. Brahman was occupied in this place. Also, Between the idols were small ladders that there was a golden chain that had hung in this servants and doorkeepers went up and down temple; in a specific time, servants of temple by them. Figure of the idols were similar to moved this chain and bells began to chime; some Hindu rulers and great ones. Many so, all people came to temple to worship. A jewels were vowed for idol; even hundred big ceremony was celebrated during lunar villages were bestowed to the idol. According eclipse that more than hundred Hindu were the Hindus’ beliefs, the idol was provider, participating in this ceremony. Always 300 receptive, resuscitative and perspicacious. barbers, 300 musical performers and 500 They went on pilgrimage to the idol and were dancers were ready to serve round- the – bestowing precious gifts to it, so that much clock. Gardizi believes that Somnath temple wealth was collecting every year. This idol for Hindu is like Mecca for Muslims. Hindus was washing with water, milk and honey were going on a pilgrimage to the temple every day. from far distances. Position of Somnath in This temple had fifty- six columns and in this Trimurti Hindu contains: place, big idol called Somnath was worshiped 1- Brahma: is creation God that is called that was considered as a portrait of Mahadiva as lord of lords; Hindus worship this and it was said that Mahadiva created this Lord less than other Lords since they idol. This idol was built from stone, its length believe he has no work in the earth was 520 Cm (17.06037 FT) that 312 cm of it after creation of the world. Status of was obvious and 208 cm of it was under Brahma was designed with four head ground. Others believe the le idol was 5 m. and four faces that most of the time it quoted from Gardizi, this idol is placed on a placed on a white duck. golden chair and his head covered with musk. 2- Shiva: is a God of destruction. He In addition, sapphire and gem necklaces were destroys all things that are alive and it

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is called greater lord. His sculpture has Shiva and Vishna. “Linga” is four hands while he dances. His dance associated with Shiva and it is a shows his role on creation and symbol in Hinduism. There is the destruction. scripture of Linga and its temple in 3- Vishnu:’ is preserver and maintainer India that one of them is 12 idol- of the world that is considered as the temples in Somnath temple. Hindus source of charities and donations. Ten believe that sprit after separation from manifestation of this God for people body serves under Somnath idol, and that is named “Krishna” contain: Fish, then the same idol again revives the turtle, boar, half-man, half- lion, sprit in another shape. Also it was dwarf, Rama, Buddah, the founder of believed that sea worships Somnath Buddhism law in the world who is the and its tide crates because of Somnath. latest manifestation of Vishnu God. Invasion of Mahmud of Ghazbi to His name is “Kalki”. He has a sword other temples was justified by Hindus from fire and he will go with a white on the ground that the Somnath idol horse. He establishes right in the was anger from the temple. A group of world and destroys false. Hinduism Shiva worshipers that is called Vat- has many sects and they live together Linga (it means protector of Linga) in peace, while there is class system or hung a small sculpture of Linga on “caste” in the society. It is a social their neck. This sculpture was inside stratification. According the idea of the small cover. There are interesting this system the repetition cycle of life points about some of the worship and sprite that is called “Samsara” is ceremonies in some of the Shiva’s performed. The regulation of cause sects for example: Sakti sects believe and effects that is called “Karma” that divine force is in the spirit of the frequently takes place in this system. women; for this reason, they The followers of each sect emphasize worshiped the wife or wives of Shiva. on each aspect of religion and usually In their temple nude women were refer to one of Lords. Large dancing and performed the acts that populations belong to followers of were forbidden in Hinduism.

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End of Somnath temple: that pieces did not send to Mecca and Mahmud of Ghaznavi was the first Medina or other place):” after breaking Muslim that entered to Indian the Somnath idol, the upper section of it Subcontinent. He fought against Indian with golden necklace was sent to Ghazni. and he returned to Ghazni after any One of them was fixed on the Ghazni invasion. He in one of his invasion that square and other was fixed on the general has been done to obtain enormous wealth gate of Ghazni since people could cleanse ad Somnath temple plundered treasures mud and dirtiness of their shoes by it”. He full of gold and precious stones. He said in the other note that now the head of destroyed huge idol- temples that later Somnath idol is in the Ghazni Square imagination description of it narrated in while, Gardezi said:”after breaking the various works of historians such as Al- Somnath idol, pieces of it was sent to kamelibn Athir and Nokhbeh dahr Ghazni city and the general gate of Shamsi. When a vast army of thirty Ghazni but he did not speak about Gazni thousand persons of Ghaznavids attacked square and etc (Gardezi,1984). Somnath temple, Hindus entreated It seems that Hindus intended to react Somnath idol that prevents from against Mahmud. So, he was defeated Mahmud’s attack but the idol was unable when he returned from Somnath. For this to do this act. The great ones escaped reason, he led an army to Indian in order from city and they did not return to city to revenge from them that it was the last until army of Mahmud was in the town. attack of Mahmud to India. Some people remained in the town to After this era, any trace from the end of confront the Mahmud but many people Somnath idol in Mecca and medina or were killed. Gazni was observed; it is not known that Mahmud after breaking of the greater whether this city in conflagration was Idol, he divided it into 4 sections: he sent ruined or it was another end. 2 parts of it to Mecca and Medina and the Saadi in somnath temple others two parts was sent to Ghazni. Saddi in chapter eight of Bostan defined Al- Biruni that lived in the same era said his journey to India and it is not known to about pieces of sculpture. (He believed what extent it is true. Maybe it is a fiction

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story that was created to define Saadi’s I was destitute of aid.” ideas. In this story, Saadi came to When he saw the situation, came to chief Somnath temple. If the travel of Saadi is of Magi and defined about pretty face and true, surely the temple was rebuilt later stature of the idol: and he came to new Somnath temple. “I am pleased with the figure of the idol, The interesting event that Saadi defined It appearance was strange in my slight. from his journey in Bostan is his But I recently arrive in this place, excursion and curiosity in “Somnath And a stranger cans seldom recognition temple” that its description is in eighty between evil and good. verses of chapter 8 of Bostan that it You are an aware person, begans with following verse: So, tell me what reality is there in the “At Somnath, I saw an ivory idol, form of the idol, for I am foremost among It was set with jewels such the Manat.” worshippers?” Saddi saw that many caravans from every The face of chief glowed with happiness country brought travels to idol side; and because of his words and said to him: if people entreated idol with supplication to you want to find reality, stay in temple grant their needs. He was wondered and tonight that you can see how this idol can he pondered why people were raise his hands to God. worshipping an intimate object? He said: Saadi stayed in the temple, while he “I cannot answer to this question” observed the action of worshipers, (Bostan, chapter8). especially the servant of temple. In the At first, Saadi expressed his wonder with morning, a multitude of people came his friend (one of the servant) but his again into the temple. Suddently the idol friend instead a true answer, became raise his hand to sky. angry: “When the crowed had left, “The Magi was angered at my words, The Magi looked smilingly to me “. He become my foe, When he saw his level of ignorance, he And alerted the idolaters contrived a new plan: Of What I had said, “I shed hypocritical tears Such a drowning man, I am sorry for what I said”.

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When the servants saw this action of with his imagination and at the end he Saadi, they ran toward him and led him by reached to his desire conclusions. For this the arms reverently toward the ivory idol: reason, the words and different concepts “I kissed the hand the little idol” has been used instead of each other. When he attracted their trust toward Another case that is doubtful in Saadi’s himself, he stayed in the temple and began journey to India is description of Saadi to investigate about the idol. He realized about ivory ideal. Hindus never create idol that a servant of the temple servants was from ivory since they believe elephant is a back of the curtain which was behind the holy animal and creation of ideal from idol and he had the end of a rope in his ivory is prohibited in their religious hand. When the rope was pulled, the (Mahdi Razavi, 2007). hands of the idol raised toward sky. When At Somnath, I saw an ivory idol, Brahman of temple found that Saadi It was fixed with jewels such the Manat.” realized this trick, he was ashamed. Also, there are serious problem to believe “Brahman was ashamed of me” his journey. In this event, Saadi played the Saadi described the end of the story as main role to kill the Indian Brahman and following: it seems that he did not know where I came to India after that resurgence Somnath was since he arrived to India Then I left to Yemen, after escape from Somnath. I passed all the hard “I came to India after that resurgence But today my mouth becomes sweet”. Then, I left to Yemen, It is no doubt that Saadi is master of I passed all the hard locution especially in his odes but in this But today my mouth becomes sweet” story some terms and words such as Historians such as Eghbal ashtiani who pagan, Brahman, fire worshipper, consider Bostan and Gulistan as an ethical archbishop and clergy is used instead of set are at a loss to understand some story each other. In view of Saadi, Zoroastrian Saadi has the main role in ethical events. Magi prays without ablution. With this They confuse whether the events are definition, it seems that there was no considered as a real story or they are journey and he intended to create a story classified as fiction story. Edward Brown

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considers the above events of Bostan and first chapter of Gulistan. Since the Gulistan as a real event and his ethical travelers had the main role of the story deficiency that is concluded from the and he would be punished for his lies, he events has been explained as follows:” said to Malak: “if you listen to empty Saadi is characterized as ethical poets in word from your slave, you do not view of many people. Although from one offended since worldly- wise is lying too view it is true, it should be considered that much”. his moralities are different with common The Malak’s command who pardoned the ethical theories in west”. strange passenger because of his true Unfortunately, some people who accept confession is a humorous warning of possibility of saadi’s storytelling have Saadi to readers in order to know that he simplistic perception for example they sometimes used from witticism during the accept that Saadi could not go to Somnath story. In addition, there is a warning in since if he went to Somnath; he must Bostan and Gulistan that nothing should know where India was. In this regard, they be considered as apparent meaning. believe Saddi mixed reality and CONCLUSION imagination with each other. Based on Somnath temple and its great idol had the their view, he used eloquence in his story; main important situation among Hindus in addition, his careful attention to literary especially Shiva worshipers. This device prevents to recognize reality from situation is comparable with situation of imagination (Eghbal Ashtiani, 1937). Mecca and Media. Lake of resistance of Since application of rhythm and creation Hindus against Mahmud was arising from of a story with importance of witticism their belief against great idol. Saadi in and eloquence in this works is conformed Bostan with narration of a story expressed to the description of common authorities, his idea about this place. It seems that it does not mean that Saadi imitated priests of Somnath temple established this Balkhi (The famous essayist in Persian place to misuse belief of people. It was language (Matini, 1985). cleared with 2 servants inside the idol and Saadi used more humorous expression to a servant behind the scene in order to raise point the fictional nature of his story in the hand of the idol. However what

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