Investigating the Relationship between the Human and Supernatural Aspects of Gandarw Dragon Based on Its Ties with Water

جستارهای نوین ادبی

Article 1, Volume 46, Issue 2 - Serial Number 181, September 2013, Pages 29-50   

Document Type: Research Article

DOI: 10.22067/jls.v46i2.18145

Authors

Jalal-al-din Gorgij^* ; Farzad Ghaemi

Abstract

Gandarw is a dragon that Garshasp, the legendary Iranian paladin, killed him beside the Farakhkart sea. He appears as a dragon in the Avesta and Pahlavi books but he is viewed as a human being in the books of the Islamic period. Gandarw possesses divine attributes and is deemed to be a demigod in the Indian mythological traditions. As yet, there has not been any significant work to adequately address the relationship between both the human and supernatural aspects of the dragon and also the relationship between Gandarw and the Indic Gandharva. The present research is an attempt to study Gandarw as an aquatic creature and to relate its human aspect with water. It also intends to examine its role as a totem for ancient peoples in the Indo-European civilization.

Keywords

Gandarw; "Pishine" sea; Farakhkart sea; Gandharva tribe; Water