Suggestions for Correcting Asadi’s Shahnameh (Zarrinqabaname)

Asadi’s Shahnameh (Zarrinqabaname) is one of the longest epic poems putting aside Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh, which deals with the heroism of Zarrinqaba and the Rostam family in the era of the Prophet Suleiman (Solomon) and the kingdom of Kaykhosrow. The author of this poem and the time of its composition are unknown, but based on stylistic evidence, it can be guessed that this work was written after the ninth century. The familiarity of epic literature researchers with the manuscript version of this poem goes back to recent years; in 2014, this work was published with the introduction, correction and commentary of Sajjad Aidenloo (a researcher of epic literature). The publication and introduction of this nearly-unknown poem by Sajjad Aidenloo is an important and valuable job that makes the scope of research in the field of heroic texts by researchers in this field wider and more accurate. Since the researchers of epic literature need revised and elaborate texts, the author of this study offers some suggestions in reviewing some parts of this book to be examined and used in later editions of this work.

Asadi’s Shahnameh (Zarrinqabaname) is one of the less-known heroic-folk poems that, according to its corrector, was written in the Safavid era. The manuscript version of this poem has apparently not been known to any of the early epic scholars. Prior to the publication of this poem, for the first time in 1994, Soltani Gerd Faramarzi, in his book Simorgh, in the realm of Iranian culture, briefly introduced it. Zarrinqabaname, with 23123 couplets, is the longest published poem after Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh. In this poem, Solomon (Suleiman) the Prophet sends an envoy named Zarrinqaba to the court of Iran during the reign of Kaykhosrow and asks him to invite the king and the Persian heroes to the religion of God. Zarrinqaba, who is an iron hero, comes to Iran with an army of elves and fairies and captures a number of Iranian heroes. Kaykhosrow gets help from Rostam, who is in India. Rostam hastens to Iran and then to the court of the Prophet Solomon. In the court of Solomon, Rostam answers the religious questions asked and satisfies Solomon. The Prophet of God instructs Rostam to imprison the demon Efrit on Qaf Mountain. Rostam is initially caught in the spell of the Efrit, but finally frees himself and imprisons her and brings her to Solomon. During Rostam's battle with demons of Mount Qaf, seven divisions from India, China, Mazandaran, Rome, etc., are fighting the Iranian division and a number of Rostam's descendants. At the end of the poem, Rostam defeats the enemies and finally defeats Zarrinqaba, his grandson and Jahangir's son. The end of the story leads to peace and reconciliation. The name and address of the poet are not mentioned in the text, but in the version of the National Library and in the second manuscript of the Library of the Parliament, the name of the poet is mentioned as "Asadi". The poem of Zarrinqabaname has been corrected in recent years by Sajjad Aidenloo, a hardworking researcher on epic literature. Aidenloo has used the following three manuscripts correcting Zarrinqabaname: 1- The manuscripts of the National Library of Iran, numbered 1609, which is the basis for the correction of the poem of Zarrinqabaname and is marked with the abbreviation "ک". This copy was written by a scribe named Mohammad Baqer Qazvini on 5 Shawwal 1271 AH in Lahijan. 2- The first copy of the Library of the Parliament, which is registered under number 1170. This version is marked in the correction of the poem of Zarrinqabaname with the abbreviation "م". 3- The second manuscript of the Library of the Parliament with the abbreviation "م ا " numbered as13581. Since the version of the National Library with the abbreviation " ک" is older and more authentic than the other two versions, it is taken as the basis for correcting Zarrinqabaname along with two other versions.

One of the important trends in the last few decades has been the correction of poetic and prose epic texts that are part of the heritage in epic literature. Zarrinqabaname is also one of these epic texts that can be taught as a textbook on ‘Persian Epic Texts’ and ‘Research in Versions and Corrections of Epic Texts’ in the PhD course on epic literature. Since such sources need accurate and complete correction, the author of this study considers the method of scientific-critical correction and offers suggestions that a proofreader can use in the second edition.فاصله حذف شود. The present research was done using the descriptive-analytical method, known as the library method.

The points that need to be considered in the correction of Zarrinqabaname are the following: 1- The time of composing the poem: As the time of composing Zarrinqabaname is probably from the early ninth century AH to the beginning of the Qajar dynasty, it is better to reconsider the exact time of composing this poem in the tenth century. 2- Modifying the titles and their exact placement: In the printed version of Zarrinqabaname, nearly most of the titles are not in their original place and this confuses the readers. Therefore, it is necessary to modify each of the titles and put them in their original place. 3- Correct recording of verses: In Zarrinqabaname edited by Aidenloo, there are verses that have apparently not been recorded and corrected properly and the text needs to be revised. 4- Printed errors:One of the most important issues that should be considered in the next editions of Zarrinqabaname is to eliminate many typographical and printed errors. 5- Interpretation and explanation of words and verses:In the comments on Zarrinqabaname, in some cases, the meanings of words and verses are presented which, in the opinion of the author, need to be revised. 6- Editing the verses: In correcting Zarrinqabaname, in many cases, the rules of correctness have not been observed and in the places where these rules have been used, sometimes they have not been used correctly.

The poem Zarrinqabaname, which until recently was one of the least-known texts in epic literature, was corrected and published in 2014 by Sajjad Aidenloo. As in recording and correcting this book, there are items that need to be reviewed, the author of this article suggested the following points: A) Since most of the titles in the text of the poem are transliterated, it is necessary for all of them to be in their original place. B) Correction of many typographical errors that have caused the text to be misread. C) Reviewing the recording of some verses. D) Reviewing and correcting the description of some words and verses. E) Proper editing of the text.