“Contrastive Study of the Formal Structures in Iranian-Indian Myth of the Image of Universe”

Purposes of Study: The main aim in the study is compare and contrast the actual contents and the formal structures that are involved in the myth of universe in Indian and Iranian mythologies. Two questions will be replay: What are the divisions of universe? And what are the divisions of regions in the earth in both myths? The Indo-Iranian myths are a branch of Aryan myths. The term Aryan has generally been used historically to denote the Indo-Iranians because Aryan is the self designation of the Indo-Iranian languages and their speakers, viz. The Rig Veda was composed in Vedic Sanskrit, which is very similar to Avesta.

Methods: Data collection for this article has done with documentary approach. The Primary sources involved Avesta and Rig Veda and secondary sources (include: 41 books, related article and internet documents) were reviewed. After data gathered from those, the data analysis has been done.

Fidings & Results: Comparison of two myths is done with following mythical three indices: 1. Structure (trinity) 2. Binary oppositions 3. Archetypal patterns Universe in Avesta like Rv. is divided into three parts horizontally: the above or light world which is the spiritual world and the Ahura-mazda (god) place. The under or darkness world which is the place of Ahriman(demon). Finally the empty space between mentioned there two worlds which in Avesta called Tohigi (vacuum). After distribution of universe, earth is also divided into many parts. In some cases divided into four or five section, but generally seven regions (residential area). In Av. The great mythological mountain (Alborz) around the regions, while in Hindu myths ocean or great sea covers the earth and Sumeru (Meru) maybe Pumirs in north east Kashmir) Mount which is considered to be the center of all the physical, metaphysical and spiritual universe. In the Av. and Rv. There is a significantly point that, presence of the binary oppositions obey a linear and reduction process, from the transcendental type to Cosmic, geographic and the last sociologic type. There is a major difference between the Vedic and Avestan myth. In Av. Contrast of the light world and the darkness world, according to the Zoroastrian dualism philosophy is a kind of the divine manifestation of numbers which are significant with the use of symbolic aspect. Number three, seven and multiples of these numbers in the tradition of myth have symbolic image. Circle and wheel were the complete geometric shape for Aryan people, even were sacred. In both myths, all over the world, earth, and heaven were thought to circle and round.

Conclusion: Degree of development of the two societies, Iran and India, in that era caused their mythical vision became an organization and a centralized system of intellectual, which because of the common roots are very similar to each other.