Hamidreza Ardestanirostami
Abstract
According to Ferdowsi's Shahnameh, after overcoming Zahhak, Freidun decides to kill him twice but each time the holy Sorush prevents Freidun from doing so. Instead the holy Sorush orders ...
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According to Ferdowsi's Shahnameh, after overcoming Zahhak, Freidun decides to kill him twice but each time the holy Sorush prevents Freidun from doing so. Instead the holy Sorush orders Freidun to shackle Zahhak. There are many interpretations about this order. The researcher believes that based on a Zurvani principle the holy Sorush orders shackling of Zahhak. Based on Zurvani texts, Zurvan appoints Ahriman as the ruler of the universe for 9000 years and also gives Ahriman something from its dark essence to create the material world, that is greed, without which the universe is not made. In Zurvanism the material creation comes from Ahriman, and both greed and the material world are made by evil. Zahhak in Shahnameh is the symbol of the material world and the embodiment of greed, without which the material world will be destroyed. The killing of Zahhak is the ending of the world and the breaking of the given promise to Ahriman. Therefore, Sorush (the opponent of greed), who according to Sorush Yasht is the protector of the covenant between Ashavan and Darvand orders Freidun not to break the agreement between Zurvan and Ahriman by killing of Zahhak.
Keywords: Greed, Ahriman, Zurvan, Sorush, Zahhak, Freidun
