azhi

Azhi, also known as Azhi Dahaka or Zahhak, is a figure from Zoroastrian mythology. He is depicted as a monstrous and tyrannical king, often described as having three mouths, six eyes, and three heads. Two of these heads are said to be serpentine or dragon-like, and from his shoulders sprout two snakes that feed on human brains.

In the Avesta, the sacred texts of Zoroastrianism, Azhi Dahaka is a prominent antagonist. He is associated with the evil spirit Ahriman and represents chaos, destruction, and tyranny. His reign is characterized by extreme cruelty and the subjugation of humanity.

The myth of Azhi Dahaka features prominently in the Shahnameh, the epic poem of Persia by Ferdowsi. In this narrative, Azhi Dahaka is a king who was seduced by Ahriman. Ahriman granted him the two snakes growing from his shoulders, which required a daily sacrifice of two young men's brains to appease them. This horrific practice led to widespread suffering and fear.

Eventually, Azhi Dahaka was overthrown by Fereydun, a heroic prince who defeated him in battle. Fereydun then imprisoned Azhi Dahaka in the mythical Mount Damavand, where he is said to remain chained, awaiting his ultimate defeat at the end of time. The story of Azhi Dahaka serves as a potent symbol of the struggle between good and evil within Zoroastrian cosmology.