Armenian National Epic «Sasna Tsrer»

The epic of Sasna Tsrer is the pinnacle of Armenian folklore, serving as an encyclopedia of pre-Christian, cosmic, and esoteric knowledge in its profound layers. The structural and symbolic foundation of the epic is based on the number "40," which in ancient Eastern and Armenian cosmology represents the alternation of cosmic cycles, the period of trials, and the spiritual transition to a new level. This numerical code is regularly repeated at all key points of the epic; Great Mher rules Sasun for exactly forty years, the ritual of feeding and caring for the horse of Davit of Sasun, Kurkik Jalali, lasts for forty days, and the Maruta High Virgin Mary Monastery founded by Davit has forty columns, forty chapels, and forty abbots. Even the enemy side of the heroes, the Misra system, carries this code; the source of the power of the Prince of Misra is a father covered with the hides of forty buffaloes, and the main striking force of his army consists of forty demons and sorcerers with forty branches. From an esoteric perspective, "40" symbolizes the threshold necessary to overcome the weight of the material world and achieve spiritual purity, as well as the cycles of movement of the Sun and star constellations in the sky. The cosmic nature of the epic reaches its peak in the character of Little Mher, who, as the embodiment of the ancient Aryan god Mihr (of light and justice), is imprisoned in the Agravak Stone due to the injustices of the material world. His waiting for the earth