The Bustan of Sadi / Translated from the Persian with an introduction

NOTES

[1] I.e. the Bustan.

[2] I.e. its ten chapters.

[3] Lit. “bone”; used metaphorically in the sense of “a truth.”

[4] One of the kings of Persia in whose reign Sadi flourished. His full name was Atabak Muzaffar-ud-Din Abu Bakr-hin-Sa’d-hin-zangi.

[5] I.e. Abu Bakr.

[6] Naushiravan the Just was the twentieth king of the fourth dynasty of Persia, and contemporary with the Roman Emperor Justinian. The Prophet Muhammad was born in his reign.

[7] A title of the kings of Persia. It was originally applied to Naushiravan.

[8] Lit. “silver.”

[9] Darius Codomanus was the last king of Persia. He waged many wars with Alexander the Great, who finally defeated him at Arbela. The unfortunate king was afterwards killed by one Bessus, governor of Bactriana, 331 B.C.

[10] One of the kings of Persia. He was called Qazal because of the redness of his hair. Arsalan means “a lion.”

[11] Name of a lofty mountain situated in Hamdan, north-west of Isfahan.

[12] I.e. shows one thing and sells another of inferior quality. The expression is commonly used to denote a hypocrite.

[13] To do either is considered an act of virtue among Muhammadans.

[14] By reason of the opportunity it presented to bestow his charity.

[15] It is impossible to convey the beauty of this line in English. The Persian words here used to express “food” and “kiss” are written alike, except for one diacritical mark, and the word “change” literally means “making an error in writing and changing the diacritical points.”

[16] Hatim Tai was an Arabian chief who was renowned for his generosity. He was born in Yaman, in Arabia Felix, and lived some time before Muhammad in the sixth century. Many legends have been woven round his life and character.

[17] Horse-flesh was formerly eaten in parts of the East.

[18] I.e. their love for God is insatiable.

[19] I.e. the fire of love.

[20] “Gold” refers to “life,” and “Friend” to “God.” The meaning is that one should devote one’s life to religion, and thus gain an entrance to the presence of the Deity.

[21] Bayazid Bastami was a celebrated saint of Bustan, in Persia. He died A.D. 261.

[22] Abul Mahfuz, surnamed Maruf, was a celebrated saint of Kareh, a village in Baghdad. He was the son of a fire-worshipper, and was born A.D. 813, during the reign of Caliph Mamun, son of the celebrated Harun-ar-Rashid.

[23] Abu-al-Hasan Kushyar was a celebrated astronomer and the tutor of Anicenna.

[24] Luqman was a famous Greek philosopher, and is supposed by some to have been the author of Æsop’s Fables.

[25] Bakhtyar literally means “fortunate”; the play on the word is, therefore, obvious.

[26] “Darkness” and “light” are used metaphorically in the sense of “falseness” and “truth.”

[27] Khwarazm is situated to the east of the Caspian Sea, near the mouth of the Oxus.

[28] I.e. in this transient and fleeting world.

[29] Korah, the cousin of Moses and the proverbial miser of the Easterns.

[30] I.e. if you possess merit.

[31] A famous hero; the Hercules of the Persians.

[32] The grandfather of Rustam, and, like him, a celebrated hero.

[33] Faridun was the seventh king of Persia, his reign commencing about 750 B.C. He was the boast of the Persians and a model of every virtue.

[34] A celebrated temple in Guzerat demolished by Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni in A.D. 1024.

[35] I.e. engage in good works while you still have time.

[36] Muhammad commanded that sand should be used for ablution before prayer when water was unobtainable, as is more often than not the case in the desert.

[37] Name of a village on the road to Mecca.

[38] The angel who examines the dead in their graves.

[39] I.e. your native land.

Printed by Hazell, Watson & Viney, Ld., London and Aylesbury.

THE WISDOM OF THE EAST SERIES

Edited by L. CRANMER-BYNG and Dr. S. A. KAPADIA

Drawing of the sun rising in the east

THE SERIES AND ITS PURPOSE

The object of the Editors of this Series is a very definite one. They desire above all things that, in their humble way, these books shall be the ambassadors of good-will and understanding between East and West—the old world of Thought and the new of Action. In this endeavour, and in their own sphere, they are but followers of the highest example in the land. They are confident that a deeper knowledge of the great ideals and lofty philosophy of Oriental thought may help to a revival of that true spirit of Charity which neither despises nor fears the nations of another creed and colour. Finally, in thanking press and public for the very cordial reception given to the “Wisdom of the East” Series, they wish to state that no pains have been spared to secure the best specialists for the treatment of the various subjects at hand.

NEW VOLUMES

In the Press

THE RUBÁ’IYÁT OF HAFIZ. Translated with Introduction by Syed Abdul Majid, LL.D. Rendered into English Verse by L. Cranmer-Byng. 1/- net.

A CHINESE QUIETIST. From the Mystical Philosophy of Liehtsze. Translated by Lionel Giles, M.A. 2/- net.

Just Out

THE BUSTAN OF SADI. From the Persian. Translated with Introduction by A. Hart Edwards. 2/- net.

THE ALCHEMY OF HAPPINESS. By Al Ghazzali. Rendered into English by Claud Field. 2/- net.

THE SINGING CARAVAN. Some Echoes of Arabian Poetry. By Henry Baerlein. 2/- net.

THE WISDOM OF THE APOCRYPHA. With an Introduction by C. E. Lawrence, Author of “Pilgrimage,” etc. 2/- net.

THE BURDEN OF ISIS. Being the Laments of Isis and Nephthys. Translated from the Egyptian with an Introduction by James Teackle Dennis. 1/- net.

THE MASTER-SINGERS OF JAPAN. Being Verse Translations from the Japanese Poets. By Clara A. Walsh. 2/- net.

THE PATH OF LIGHT. Rendered for the first time into English from the Bodhi-charvavatara of Santi-Deva. A Manual of Maha-Yana Buddhism. By L. D. Barnett, M.A. Litt.D. 2/- net.

THE SPLENDOUR OF GOD. Being Extracts from the Sacred Writings of the Bahais. With Introduction by Eric Hammond. 2/- net.

A LUTE OF JADE. Being Selections from the Classical Poets of China. Rendered with an Introduction by L. Cranmer-Byng, 2/- net.

THE CONFESSIONS OF AL GHAZZALI. Translated for the first time into English by Claud Field, M.A. 1/- net.

THE HEART OF INDIA. Sketches in the History of Hindu Religion and Morals. By L. D Barnett, M.A., Litt.D., Professor of Sanskrit at University College, London. 2/- net.

THE BOOK OF FILIAL DUTY. Translated from the Chinese of the Hsiao Ching by Ivan ChÊn, first Secretary to the Chinese Legation. 1/- net.

THE DIWAN OF ABU’L-ALA. By Henry Baerlein. 1/- net.

BRAHMA-KNOWLEDGE: An Outline of the Philosophy of the Vedanta. As set forth, by the Upanishads and by Sankara. By L. D. Barnett, M.A., Litt.D., Professor of Sanskrit at University College, London. 2/. net.

THE CONDUCT OF LIFE; or, The Universal Order of Confucius. A translation of one of the four Confucian Books, hitherto known as the Doctrine of the Mean. By Ku Hung Ming, M.A. (Edin.). 1/- net.

THE TEACHINGS OF ZOROASTER. Translated with Introduction by Dr. S. A. Kapadia, Lecturer, University College, London. 2/- net.

THE PERSIAN MYSTICS.

I. JalÁlu’d-dÍn RÚmÍ. By F. Hadland Davis. 2/- net.

II. JÁmÍ. By F. Hadland Davis. 2/- net.

THE WAY OF THE BUDDHA. Selections from the Buddhist texts, together with the original Pali, with Introduction by Herbert Baynes, M.R.A.S. 2/- net.

THE SAYINGS OF CONFUCIUS. A new Translation of the greater part of the Confucian Analects, with Introduction and Notes by Lionel Giles, M.A. (Oxon.), Assistant in the Department of Oriental Books and Manuscripts of the British Museum. 2/- net.

MUSINGS OF A CHINESE MYSTIC. Selections from the Philosophy of Chuang Tzu. With Introduction by Lionel Giles, M.A. (Oxon.), Assistant at the British Museum. 2/- net.

THE AWAKENING OF THE SOUL. From the Arabic of Ibn Tufail. Translated with Introduction by Paul BrÖnnle, Ph.D. 1/6 net.

THE RELIGION OF THE KORAN. With Introduction by Sir Arthur N. Wollaston, K.C.I.E. 1/- net.

THE WISDOM OF ISRAEL: Being Extracts from the Babylonian Talmud and Midrash Rabboth. Translated from the Aramaic with an Introduction by Edwin Collins. 1/- net.

SA’DI’S SCROLL OF WISDOM. By Shaikh Sa’di. With Introduction by Sir Arthur N. Wollaston, K.C.I.E. 1/- net. With Persian Script added. 2/- net.

THE INSTRUCTION OF PTAH-HOTEP AND THE INSTRUCTION OF KE’GEMNI. The Oldest Books in the World. Translated from the Egyptian with Introduction and Appendix by Battiscombe G. Gunn. 1/- net.

THE ROSE GARDEN OF SA’DI. Selected and Rendered from the Persian with Introduction by L. Cranmer-Byng. 1/- net.

THE CLASSICS OF CONFUCIUS.

I. The Book of History (Shu-King). By W. Gorn Old. 1/- net.

II. The Book of Odes (Shi-King). By L. Cranmer-Byng. 1/- net.

THE SAYINGS OF LAO TZU. From the Chinese. Translated with Introduction by Lionel Giles, of the British Museum. 1/- net.

WOMEN AND WISDOM OF JAPAN. With Introduction by S. Takaishi. 1/- net.

ARABIAN WISDOM. Selections and Translations from the Arabic by John Wortabet, M.D. 1/- net.

THE DUTIES OF THE HEART. By Rabbi Bachye. Translated from the Hebrew with Introduction by Edwin Collins. Hollier Hebrew Scholar, U.C.L. 1/- net.

ROMANCE OF THE EAST SERIES

Edited by L. Cranmer-Byng

Crown 8vo. 2s. 6d. net each

In this series the great store-houses of Oriental romance will be opened for the first time to the public. Tales from the Sanskrit, from the Chinese, from every language of the East possessing a great literature will appear in due course. From these vivid narratives of old-world romance it will be possible for the reader to glean much information concerning the lives and manners and customs of vanished races, and the greatness of Empires that have passed away.

TALES OF THE CALIPHS. From the Arabic

Translated by Claud Field

TALES WITHIN TALES. From the Fables of Pilpai

Translated by Sir Arthur Wollaston, K.C.I.E.

THE GOLDEN TOWN. From the Sanskrit of Soma Deva

Translated by Dr. L. D. Barnett

Works added to the Series will be announced in due course

LONDON
JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET, W.

Clyx.com