Yusufjonova O‘g‘ilxon
My views
In the “Explanatory Dictionary of the Language of Alisher Navoi’s Works,” a brief explanation is given: “Qaqnus – the name of a mythical bird.” We find more detailed information in the “Dictionary of Navoi’s Works”: “Qaqnus – Persian-Tajik. An abstract bird. According to legend, there are many holes in its beak, and music was supposedly invented from the sounds emanating from these holes.” However, this word is not Persian-Tajik. Since the sound “q” does not exist in Persian, any word containing this sound in that language is clearly borrowed from another tongue. Another authoritative dictionary identifies this word as “Greek.”
In the 17th article of Fariduddin Attar’s epic, we read: “Qaqnus is a bird found in India. It has a long beak with many holes, like a flute. A unique sound emerges from each hole. It lives for about a thousand years. It knows in advance when it will die.” Upon sensing the end of its life, it gathers twigs and firewood in one place. Then, standing atop this heap, it cries out with such intense sorrow and lamentation over its departing life that all birds and beasts gather around it. Moved by this wailing, many renounce the world, some die on the spot, and others fall unconscious. Then, the phoenix begins to flap its wings. Suddenly, fire breaks out, the heap ignites, and it turns into a great bonfire. The phoenix itself is consumed by this fire. The heap turns to embers, and the embers turn to ash. After the ash cools, a chick unexpectedly emerges from within. The phoenix had no mate and no offspring; it lived alone. After burning to ash, a young phoenix appeared in its place.
As Hudhud tells this tale, he transitions into a moral lesson: “No one can escape death. No trick or tactic works to avoid it. No one in this world is exempt from death. Therefore, one must seek ‘bread’ in life. However, the hardship of seeking ‘bread’ is very heavy.” Through this story, the author expresses at least three ideas:
Death is a certainty: No one can escape it, so one should not fear it.
Resurrection after death: This idea is represented by the young phoenix emerging from the ashes.
The symbolic search for “bread”: One must prepare for death and gather provisions for the afterlife while alive.
The phoenix did not spend its life in vain—it gathered twigs and firewood. The heap burned, and the bird burned with it. Ash was formed, and from that ash, a new phoenix arose. Life did not come to a halt.
Yusufjonova O‘g‘ilxon
Uzbekistan
