The Process of Becoming a Hero in Iranian and Indian Myths: A Comparative Study of Zal and Vyasa Based on Common Archetypes

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Ph.D. student of Persian Language and Literature, Oroumiyeh University, Oroumiyeh, Iran

2 Professor, Department of Persian Language and Literature, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Urmia University.

10.22111/jllr.2026.53116.3361

Abstract

This study aims to conduct a comparative analysis of the process of becoming a hero in Iranian and Indian myths, and to conduct a comparative study of two prominent figures, Zal in Ferdowsi's Shahnameh and Vyasa in Mahabharata. The present study was conducted with a qualitative approach and comparative-analytical method, based on Carl Gustav Jung's analytical psychology theory and Joseph Campbell's "Hero's Journey" model. The findings show that despite the cultural, historical, and religious differences between the two civilizations of Iran and India, Zal and Vyasa have common structures in the fundamental stages of the hero-making process. These stages include miraculous birth and abandonment in infancy, upbringing by beings or superhuman forces (Simorgh and Rishis), facing existential crises, and passing through symbolic tests of growth and maturity. The results of the analysis indicate that these commonalities are a reflection of common archetypes in the collective unconscious of man and represent a universal structure in the mythological narratives of the ancient East. Finally, the article explains the central role of these heroes in representing the values, beliefs, and cultural identity of the two civilizations of Iran and India and emphasizes the importance of comparative studies in understanding the common human heritage.

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Journal of Lyrical Literature Researches

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 30 June 2026

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