One Destination with Two Ways: Taking a Look at the Story of the Virtuous Woman in Attar's Elahi-Nameh ['Yek maqsad, do raah: Negahi be dastan-e Zan-e parsa dar Elahi-Nameh-ye Attar']

Abstract

The first long story in Attar's Elahi Nameh (The Book of God) narrates the vicissitudes of the life of the virtuous woman who unwillingly goes on a horrifying journey beset with unequal struggles and breathtaking trials. This story has a narrative procedure and occasionally homiletic signs get it to be an ethical narrative. In fact, it is an allegorical story of the woman in mazes of multiple valleys of the Way. She begins her mystical journey and passes the horrible valleys of reproach and stoning. And, eventually, she reaches the kingdom of God and unites with Him. In the current paper, the story of the virtuous woman is investigated from allegorical perspective. Furthermore, beyond the superficial processes of events, profound signs and secrets of the story are excavated Show more