THE MYTHOPOETIC ROOTS OF THE BIRTH MOTIF AND ITS UNIVERSALITY IN EPIC THINKING

This article examines the mythopoetic roots of the birth motif—one of the most ancient layers of human thought—and its philosophical universality within epic consciousness. Drawing on examples from Uzbek folk epics such as Alpamysh, Gorogli, and Rustamkhon, the study shows that the birth process is portrayed not merely as a biological event but as a metaphysical phenomenon intertwined with symbols of divine will, light (nur), water, and sacred prayer (duo). The article compares scenes of creation in Uzbek dastans with those in world epics (Indian, Greek, Persian), revealing their shared archetypal foundations and distinct national interpretations.