The mythical sources of Rudabeh

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Graduate of Epic Literature, Qom University, Qom, Iran. Professor of Bint Al-Huda College, Qom.

2 Graduate of Persian language and literature, Mazandaran University, Mazandaran, Iran

Abstract

The Indians and Iranians lived together for a long time before separating from their original homeland and had a common Indo-Iranian culture, language, religion and mythology. Given the mutual cultural influence of Iran and India on each other, it is sometimes possible to trace the roots of Indian myths in Iran as well. By reviewing the story of Zal and Rudabeh in Shahnameh and searching for the codes that are clearly manifested in Rudabeh's character, we find that this character, in its depth of construction, may reach a mythical origin and background. By examining the characteristics of this savage lady and studying her actions in the Shahnameh on the one hand, as well as tracing the identical and repetitive mythological roots in the lower layers of her personality, it is possible to reach an ancient theme in the patriarchal societies of prehistoric times. That praise and authority of the model of the goddess - the grandmother of water, fertility and love - had a vast territory. That goddess has appeared in each of the ancient lands and geographical regions with similar actions and deeds and with different names. The present article, which has been done by descriptive-analytical method, seeks to find common and identical features between the goddess Sersuti in India and Rudabeh in Ferdowsi's Shahnameh. Rudabeh, with its important characteristics such as: alien descent, maternal selfishness, sperm maintenance, immortality, contact with water, moon, snake, mountain, mythical birds,

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