Pun and Verbal Artistry in Fifth Chepter of Mathnavi - e- Moulvi: Types, Examples & Stylistic Analysis

Abstract

This study presents a stylistic analysis of Pun and verbal artistry (Sana'at-e-Tajnis) in the fifth chapter (Daftar Panjum) of Mathnavi-e-Manavi by Maulana Jalal-ud-Din Rumi. The Mathnavi is considered a masterpiece of Persian didactic-mystical poetry, renowned for its profound meaning and exceptional linguistic beauty. Among its many rhetorical devices, Tajnis (paronomasia/pun) holds a significant place as a tool for creating musicality, semantic depth, and aesthetic pleasure. The primary objective of this research is to identify, classify, and analyze the various types of Tajnis employed by Rumi in the fifth Daftar. This research adopts a qualitative textual and stylistic approach. All verses of the fifth chapter were closely examined, and instances containing Tajnis were extracted, coded, and categorized according to the classical principles of Persian rhetoric (Ilm-e-Badi). The findings reveal that Rumi has skillfully utilized different types of Tajnis, including Tajnis-e-Taam, Tajnis-e-Muharraf, Tajnis-e-Khatti, and Tajnis-e-Ishtiqaq. The study demonstrates that Rumi's use of pun is not merely for ornamental purposes; rather, it serves to reinforce mystical concepts, create semantic ambiguity (Iham), enhance memorability, and produce phonological harmony. This artistry shows the perfect fusion of form and meaning in Rumi's style.