Mardas, a Cannibal of Good Nature

In this paper, the writer examines the character of Marda¦ s, father of Zè a¤ h¤ h¦ak, and admires his piety and humanity. The specific question the paper addresses is whether piety and humanity are the characteristics of Mard¦as, or are they, in fact, the old characteristics of Zè a¤ h¤ h¦ak, the three-headed dragon, which conforms to the Rig Veda. To do so, the writer first takes a glance at the mythical characteristics of the §S¦ahn¦ameh, and then explains the transformations made to render the mythical themes more rational.