Abū-Muḥammad Muṣliḥ al-Dīn bin Abdallāh Shīrāzī, better known by his pen-name as Saʿdī or Saadi, was one of the major Persian poets of the medieval period. He is not only famous in Persian-speaking countries, but he has also been quoted in western sources and was admired by Ralph Waldo Emerson. He is recognized for the quality of his writings, and for the depth of his social and moral thoughts.
His best known works are Bostan ("The Orchard") completed in 1257 and Gulistan ("The Rose Garden") in 1258. Bustan is entirely in verse (epic metre) and consists of stories aptly illustrating the standard virtues recommended to Muslims (justice, liberality, modesty, contentment) as well as of reflections on the behaviour of dervishes and their ecstatic practices.
Gulistan is mainly in prose and contains stories and personal anecdotes. The text is interspersed with a variety of short poems, containing aphorisms, advice, and humorous reflections. Saadi demonstrates a profound awareness of the absurdity of human existence. The fate of those who depend on the changeable moods of kings is contrasted with the freedom of the dervishes.
This edition of Gulistan is specially formatted with a Table of Contents.
