A Comparative Analysis of the Transformation of Demons in Shahnameh and Mahabharat

The present article is an attempt to trace ancient myths of the two ancient cultures of Iran and India in epic literature in a comparative way, focusing on the works of Mahabharat from India and Shahnameh from Iran in respect with the subject of the transformation of demons. Demons, major evil creatures in the two epic works, share many similarities. Yet, they have developed differently after the separation of the Indian and Iranian peoples. One similarity is their supernatural ability of transformation, which is more various and noticeable in Mahabharat, while this ability of the demons seems more polished and compendious in Shahnameh.