History of Zoroastrianism

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

History of Zoroastrianism History of Zoroastrianism by Maneckji Nusservanji Dhalla High Priest of the Parsis, Karachi, India idha apãm vijasâiti vanghuhi daena mâzdayasnaish vispâish avi karshvãn yâish hapta. "Henceforth from now may spread The Good Mazdayasnian Religion Over all the zones that are seven." NEW YORK OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS LONDON TORONTO, 1938 TO KHAN BAHADUR KAVASJI HORMASJI KATRAK, O.B.E. at hvo vangheush vahyo nâ aibijamyât ye nâo erezush savangho patho sîshoit ahyâ angheush astvato mananghaschâ haithyeng âstîsh yeng â shaetî ahuro aredro thwâvãns huzentushe spento mazdâ. "May that man attain to better than the good Who helps teaching us the upright paths of blessedness Of this material world and that of the spirit -- The veritable universe wherein pervades Ahura -- That faithful, wise, and holy man is like unto thee, O Mazda." Zarathushtra CONTENTS PAGE BIBLIOGRAPHY xix ABBREVIATIONS xxix INTRODUCTION xxxi PRE-GATHIC PERIOD From the earliest times to about 1000 B.C. CHAPTER I. THE SOURCES 3 The data of information -- The Avestan Nasks -- The Pahlavi, Pazend and Persian sources -- Parsi- Sanskrit and Gujarati sources -- Oriental sources -- Occidental sources -- Inscriptions, coins and tablets as the last source of information. II. AIRYANA VAEJAH 8 The Stem-land of the Aryans -- The Indo- Europeans -- The Indo-Iranians. THE GATHIC PERIOD About 1000 B.C. III. ZARATHUSHTRA 11 Zarathushtra doubts to know -- Zarathushtra seeks silent, solitary seclusion -- Zarathushtra yearns to see Ahura Mazda -- Zarathushtra longs to commune with Ahura Mazda -- Zarathushtra is fined with an intense fervour of enthusiasm for prophetic work -- People marvel at the new prophet -- Zarathushtra definitely breaks with the religion of his forefathers -- The hostile Daevayasnian priests -- Friendless and forlorn, Zarathushtra flees to Ahura Mazda -- Zarathushtra's teachings win the ear of the royal court -- Zarathushtra's mission. IV. TOWARDS MONOTHEISM. 27 Gods in evolution. V. AHURA MAZDA 30 Ahura Mazda is the name Zarathushtra gives to God -- Ahura Mazda is the Being par excellence -- The nature of Ahura Mazda -- The transcendental immanence of Ahura Mazda -- Ahura Mazda is the creator -- Ahura Mazda is the lord of wisdom -- Ahura Mazda is the law- giver and judge. VI. SPENTA MAINYU 36 Spenta Mainyu is the self-revealing activity of Ahura Mazda. VII. MAZDA'S MINISTERING ANGELS 39 Amesha Spentas in the making -- Vohu Manah -- The first in Ahura Mazda's creation -- Vohu Manah is Ahura Mazda's Good Thought. VIII. PRAYERS AND RITUALS 68 IX. LIFE IS A BLESSING 75 X. EVIL 81 XI. LIFE AFTER DEATH 96 XII. THE FINAL DISPENSATION 108 THE AVESTAN PERIOD From about 800 B.C. to about A.D. 200 at the latest INDIA LEAVES INDO-IRANIAN RELIGION XIII. 115 BEHIND IRAN GOES BACK TO INDO-IRANIAN XIV. 125 RELIGION PROMULGATION OF THE FAITH OF XV. 129 ZARATHUSHTRA ZARATHUSHTRA IN THE YOUNGER XVI. 139 AVESTA XVII. THE YOUNGER AVESTAN RELIGION 145 XVIII. THE IDEA OF GOD IN THE MILLENNIUM 150 XIX. AHURA MAZDA 125 XX. SPENTA MAINYU 125 XXI. AMESHA SPENTAS 162 XXII. YAZATAS 173 XXIII. FRAVASHIS 232 XXIV. PERSONIFIED ABSTRACTIONS 244 XXV. BAGHAS 246 XXVI. PRAYERS AND RITUALS 248 XXVII. EVIL 257 XXVIII. DEATH AND BEYOND 278 XXIX. THE RENOVATION 288 THE PAHLAVI PERIOD From the third to the ninth century ZOROASTRIANISM UNDER THE FOREIGN XXX. 293 YOKE XXXI. THE BIRTH OF CHRISTIANITY 298 XXXII. MITHRAISM 302 XXXIII. ZARATUSHT IN THE PAHLAVI WORKS 309 ZOROASTRIANISM AS TAUGHT BY THE XXXIV. 318 PAHLAVI WORKS XXXV. THE ACTIVE PROPAGANDA OF THE 325 FAITH XXXVI. SECTS 330 XXXVII. HERESIES 338 XXXVIII. OHRMAZD 350 XXXIX. AMSHASPANDS 357 XL. IZADS 368 XLI. FAROHARS 375 XLII. PRAYERS AND RITUALS 379 XLIII. EVIL 384 XLIV. LIFE AFTER DEATH 407 XLV. THE RENOVATION 423 A PERIOD OF DECADENCE From the seventh to the eighteenth century DOWNFALL OF THE SASANIANS, AND XLVI. 437 THE AFTERMATH XLVII. EXODUS TO INDIA 423 ZARTUSHT DURING THE PERSIAN XLVIII. 449 PERIOD XLIX. PERSIAN WORKS ON ZOROASTRIANISM 457 L. MYSTICS AND MYSTICISM 461 LI. RELIGIOUS CONTROVERSIES 470 AN EPOCH-MAKING ERA IN THE LII. 472 HISTORY OF ZOROASTRIAN RESEARCHES PROSELYTIZING COMES TO BE VIEWED LIII. 474 WITH DISFAVOUR GUJARATI LITERATURE BEARING UPON LIV. 477 ZOROASTRIANISM A PERIOD OF REVIVAL Nineteenth century and after LV. MODERNISM VERSUS TRADITIONALISM 481 THE REVIVAL OF LEARNING AMONG THE LVI. 483 PARSIS INTRODUCTION OF THE WESTERN LVII. METHOD OF IRANIAN SCHOLARSHIP IN 486 INDIA CHRISTIAN MISSIONARIES ATTACK LVIII. 491 ZOROASTRIANISM LIX. THE REFORM MOVEMENT 495 LX. PARSI THEOSOPHISTS 502 LXI. CONCLUSION 509 [xix] BIBLIOGRAPHY Aerpatastan. Translated from the Avesta-Pahlavi texts by S.J. Bulsara. Bombay, 1915. Andarz-i Atarpat-i The Pahlavi text, edited and translated by Peshutan Dastur Behramji Maraspand. Sanjana. Bombay, 1885. Andarz-i-Khusro-i- The Pahlavi text, edited and translated by Peshutan Dastur Behramji Kavatan. Sanjana; Bombay, 1885. Anquetil du Perron. Zend-Avesta, Ouvrage de Zoroastre, contenant les Idées Theologiques, Physiques et Morales de ce Législateur, les Cérémonies du Culte Religieux qu'i1 a etabli, et plusieurs Traits Importants relatifs a l'ancienne Histoire des Perses. 3 vols. Paris, 1771. Aogemadaecha. The Pazand and Sanskrit texts, edited and translated into German by Wilhelm Geiger. Erlangen, 1878. Aogemadaecha. Translated into English by James Darmesteter. In Sacred Books of the East, Vol. 4, second edition. Aogemadaecha. The Pahlavi Texts of, Edited by B. N. Dhabhar in Indo-Iranian Studies in honour of Dastur D. P. Sanjana, p.117-130. London, 1925. Arda Viraf. The Pahlavi text, edited and translated by Hoshangji Jamaspji Asa, Martin Hang, and E. W. West. Bombay, 1872. Arda Viraf Nameh. The Original Pahlavi Text with Persian version of Zartosht Behrain in verse, edited by Kaikhusru J. Jamasp Asa. Bombay, 1902 Avesta. The Sacred Books of the Parsis. Edited by Karl F. Geldner. Stuttgart, 1885-1896. (For Yt. 22-24 and the Avestan Fragments see N. L. Westergaard's Zendavesta, Copenhagen, 1852-1854.). Avesta. Translated into French by C, de Harlez. Livre Sacré du Zoroastrisme. 2 éd. Paris, 1881. Avesta. Translated into French by James Darmesteter. Le Zend-Avesta, 3 vols. Paris, 1892, 1893. (Annales du Musée Guimet, vols. 21, 22, 24). Avesta. Translated into English by James Darmesteter and L. H. Mills. In Sacred Books of the East, vols, 4, 23, 31. Avesta. Translated into German by Fritz Wolff. Strassburg, 1910. (For the German translation of the Gathas see Christian Bartholomae's Die Gatha's des Awesta, Strassburg; 1905. See also the English rendering of Bartholomae's German translation in Early Zoroastrianism by J. H. Moulton, London, 1913). Avesta, Pahlavi, and Ancient Persian Studies in Honour of the late Shams-ul Ulama Dastur Peshotanji Behramji Sanjana. Strassburg, 1904. Ayuso, F. G. Los pueblos Iranios y Zoroastro. Madrid, 1874. Bahman Yasht. Translated from the Pahlavi text by E. W. West. In Sacred Books of the East, vol. 5. Balsara, P. P. Ancient Iran. Its contribution to Human progress. Bombay, 1936. Bartholomae, Altiranisches Wörterbuch. Strassburg, 1904. Christian. Benveniste, Emile. the Persian Religion according to the chief Greek Texts. Paris, 1929. Bharucha, Sheriarji A Brief Sketch of the Zoroastrian Religion and Customs. Bombay, D. 1893. Bilimoria, N. F. Zoroastrianism in the Light of Theosophy. Bombay, 1896. Böklen, E. Die Verwandtschaft der jüdisch-christlichen mit der parsischen Eschatologie. Göttingen, 1902. Bousset, W. Die Religion des Judentums in neutestamentlichen Zeitalter. Berlin, 1903. Bradke, P. von. Dyaus, Asura, Ahura Mazda. Halle, 1885. Brodbeck, A. Zoroaster. Leipzig, 1893. Buch, M. A. Zoroastrian Ethics. Baroda, 1919. Bundahishn. Translated from the Pahlavi text by E. W. West. In Sacred Books of the East, vol. 5. Bundahishn. An Untranslated Chapter of the Bundehesh. Edited and translated by Jivanji Jamshedji Modi, in Journal of the Bombay Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society. Bombay, 1902. Bundahishn. Edited by T. D. and B. T. Anklesaria. Bombay, 1908. Cama Memorial Edited by J. J. Modi. Bombay, 1900. Volume. Carter, G. W. Zoroastrianism and Judaism. Boston, 1918. Casartelli, L. C. The Philosophy of the Mazdayasnian Religion under the Sassanids. Translated from the French by Firoz Jamaspji Jamasp Asa. Bombay, 1889. Chatterjee, J. M. the Ethical Conceptions of the Gatha. Navsari, 1932. Cheyne, T. K. Book of Psalms, its origin, and its relation to Zoroastrianism. In Semitic Studies in Memory of Rev. Dr. A. Kohut. Berlin, 1897. Clemen, C. Fontes Historiae Religionis Persicae. Bonn, 1920. Clemen, C. Die Griechischen und Lateinischen Nachrichten über die Persische Religion. Giessen, 1920. Collected Sanskrit Part 1. Khorda-Avesta. Part 2. Ijisni. Part 3. Mainyoi Khard. Part 4. Writings of the Skanda Gumani Gujara. Edited by Sheriarji D. Bharucha. Bombay, Parsis. 1906-1913. Cumont, Franz. Texts et monuments relatifs au culte de Mithra. 2 vols. Paris, 1893. Cumont, Franz. The Mysteries of Mithra. Translated from the French by T. J. McCormack. Chicago, 1903. Dabistan. Translated from the origina1 Persian by Shea and Troyer. 3 vols. Paris, 1843. Dadachanji, F. K. Light of the Avesta and the Gathas. Bombay, 1913. Dadistan-i Dinik. Translated from the Pahlavi text by E. W. West. In Sacred Books of the East, vol. 18. Darmesteter, James. Haurvatat et Arneretat. In Bibliothèque de l'Ecole des Hautes Etudes, vol. 23. Paris, 1875. Darmesteter, James. Ormazd et Ahriman. Paris, 1877. Dastur, M. N. The Moral and Ethical Teachings of Zarathushtra. Bombay, 1928. Dawson, M. M. The Ethical Religion of Zoroaster. New York, 1931 Desatir. Published by Mulla Firuz Bin Kaus. Persian and English. 2 vols. Bombay, 1818. Dhalla, M. N. Zoroastrian Theology. New York, 1914. Dina i Mainu i Khrat. Edited by Darab P. Sanjana. Bombay, 1895. Dinkard. Books 3-9. Edited and translated from the Pahlavi text by Peshutan and Darab Sanjana. Vols. 1-19. Bombay. 1874-1919. Dinkard. Books 7-9. Translated from the Pahlavi text by E. W. West. In Sacred Books of the East, vols. 37, 47. Dinkard [Denkard]. The Complete Text.
Recommended publications
  • Consciousness” in Zarathushtra’S Teachings
    THE PHILOSOPHICAL CONCEPT OF “CONSCIOUSNESS” IN ZARATHUSHTRA’S TEACHINGS Zarathushtra, a visionary giant, must be credited as the father of modern philosophical thought and opinions. Through his poetic hymns he transmits the prophetic notions of his Divine Revelation, leaving behind words of profound psycho-social significance, which have triggered off an endless chain of philosophical discussions on the matters of the mind and human conscious senses. The modern meaning of the word “Consciousness” is perceived differently in different disciplines. For the philosophical purpose of this paper let us make the meaning simple. The most fundamental aspect of “Consciousness” is the ability to sense existence/being. It is a notion that is recognised with the world around us and in our personal experience. It, naturally, follows on the appraisal that accompanies the experience of existence. The core sense of being “Conscious” involves a subjective condition of Access Consciousness, which occurs when we are able to access /to perceive through our senses the world around us in a generalised state of alertness or arousal. We are, therefore, able to respond /to imagine i.e. when we are not in deep sleep, in coma or under anaesthesia. Another form, a Phenomenal Consciousness occurs when we are aware that we have a subjective experience or feeling of phenomena /happenings /events around us. A third sense of (Objective) Consciousness is the awareness of a particular object or event of a conscious state. Zarathushtra’s words impart a clear insight into the reality of being. His concept of Reality is a physical world (‘out there’) of perceptual consciousness, which truly exists as our personal presence on earth.
    [Show full text]
  • Mah Tir, Mah Bahman & Asfandarmad 1 Mah Asfandarmad 1369
    Mah Tir, Mah Bahman & Asfandarmad 1 Mah Asfandarmad 1369, Fravardin & l FEZAN A IN S I D E T HJ S I S S U E Federation of Zoroastrian • Summer 2000, Tabestal1 1369 YZ • Associations of North America http://www.fezana.org PRESIDENT: Framroze K. Patel 3 Editorial - Pallan R. Ichaporia 9 South Circle, Woodbridge, NJ 07095 (732) 634-8585, (732) 636-5957 (F) 4 From the President - Framroze K. Patel president@ fezana. org 5 FEZANA Update 6 On the North American Scene FEZ ANA 10 Coming Events (World Congress 2000) Jr ([]) UJIR<J~ AIL '14 Interfaith PUBLICATION OF THE FEDERATION OF ZOROASTRIAN ASSOCIATIONS OF '15 Around the World NORTH AMERICA 20 A Millennium Gift - Four New Agiaries in Mumbai CHAIRPERSON: Khorshed Jungalwala Rohinton M. Rivetna 53 Firecut Lane, Sudbury, MA 01776 Cover Story: (978) 443-6858, (978) 440-8370 (F) 22 kayj@ ziplink.net Honoring our Past: History of Iran, from Legendary Times EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Roshan Rivetna 5750 S. Jackson St. Hinsdale, IL 60521 through the Sasanian Empire (630) 325-5383, (630) 734-1579 (F) Guest Editor Pallan R. Ichaporia ri vetna@ lucent. com 23 A Place in World History MILESTONES/ ANNOUNCEMENTS Roshan Rivetna with Pallan R. Ichaporia Mahrukh Motafram 33 Legendary History of the Peshdadians - Pallan R. Ichaporia 2390 Chanticleer, Brookfield, WI 53045 (414) 821-5296, [email protected] 35 Jamshid, History or Myth? - Pen1in J. Mist1y EDITORS 37 The Kayanian Dynasty - Pallan R. Ichaporia Adel Engineer, Dolly Malva, Jamshed Udvadia 40 The Persian Empire of the Achaemenians Pallan R. Ichaporia YOUTHFULLY SPEAKING: Nenshad Bardoliwalla 47 The Parthian Empire - Rashna P.
    [Show full text]
  • De Oud-Germaanse Religie (§§ 570 - 598) (De Vries) 1
    Dit document vormt een onderdeel van de website https://www.religies-overzichtelijk.nl Hier vindt u tevens de koppelingen naar de andere teksten en de indexen, de toelichtingen en de afkortingen Laatste bewerking: 26-09-2020 [l] De Oud-Germaanse religie (§§ 570 - 598) (De Vries) 1 1 De schepping van de wereld en de mensen volgens de Germaanse overlevering .............. 4 1.1 (§ 570-6) Inleiding tot de schepping van de wereld en de mensen volgens de Germaanse overlevering .......................................................................................................... 5 1.2 De scheppingsmythen ..................................................................................... 6 1.2.1 De mythe van Ýmir (SnE) ........................................................................... 7 1.2.1.1 (§ 570-1) Episode 1: de toestand vóór de schepping en het onstaan van Ýmir ........ 8 1.2.1.2 (§ 570-2) Episode 2: Auðumla en de schepping der goden ................................ 9 1.2.1.3 (§ 570-3) Episode 3: de slachting van Ýmir en de schepping van de wereld ......... 10 1.2.2 (§ 570-4) De mythe van de schepping van Askr en Embla (SnE) ........................... 11 1.2.3 (§ 570-5) De mythe van Odins vestiging in Ásgarðr (SnE) ................................... 12 1.3 De toestand vóór de schepping ....................................................................... 13 1.3.1 (§ 571-1) De toestand vóór de schepping in de literatuur .................................. 14 1.3.2 (§ 571-2) Verklaring van de overlevering t.a.v. de toestand vóór de schepping ....... 15 1.4 (§ 572) Het ontstaan van leven uit de polariteit van hitte en koude ........................... 16 1.5 (§ 573) De schepping van reuzen, goden en mensen uit een tweegeslachtelijk oerwezen 17 1.6 (§ 574) De voorstelling van de melk schenkende oerkoe ......................................... 18 1.7 (§ 575) De schepping van de wereld uit het lichaam van Ýmir .................................
    [Show full text]
  • On the Good Faith
    On the Good Faith Zoroastrianism is ascribed to the teachings of the legendary prophet Zarathustra and originated in ancient times. It was developed within the area populated by the Iranian peoples, and following the Arab conquest, it formed into a diaspora. In modern Russia it has evolved since the end of the Soviet era. It has become an attractive object of cultural produc- tion due to its association with Oriental philosophies and religions and its rearticulation since the modern era in Europe. The lasting appeal of Zoroastrianism evidenced by centuries of book pub- lishing in Russia was enlivened in the 1990s. A new, religious, and even occult dimension was introduced with the appearance of neo-Zoroastrian groups with their own publications and online websites (dedicated to Zoroastrianism). This study focuses on the intersectional relationships and topical analysis of different Zoroastrian themes in modern Russia. On the Good Faith A Fourfold Discursive Construction of Zoroastrianism in Contemporary Russia Anna Tessmann Anna Tessmann Södertörns högskola SE-141 89 Huddinge [email protected] www.sh.se/publications On the Good Faith A Fourfold Discursive Construction of Zoroastrianism in Contemporary Russia Anna Tessmann Södertörns högskola 2012 Södertörns högskola SE-141 89 Huddinge www.sh.se/publications Cover Image: Anna Tessmann Cover Design: Jonathan Robson Layout: Jonathan Robson & Per Lindblom Printed by E-print, Stockholm 2012 Södertörn Doctoral Dissertations 68 ISSN 1652-7399 ISBN 978-91-86069-50-6 Avhandlingar utgivna vid
    [Show full text]
  • ABMBNIA (Varmio) B. H. KENNETT. ARMENIA
    HI ABMBNIA (Varmio) •with any such supposition. It ia a safe inference indistinguishable. la timea of need c? danger from 1 S 67fl;, 2 S (33rr- that the recognized method man requires a god that ia near, and nofc a god of carrying the Ark in early times was in a sacred that is far off. It ia bjy BO means a primitive con- cart (i.e, a cart that had been used for no other ception which we find an the dedicatory prayer put purpose) drawn by COTVS or bulls.* The use of into the mouth of Solomon (1K 84*1*), that, if people horned cattle might possibly denote that the Ark go out to battle against their enemy, and they was in some way connected with lunar worship; prayto their God towards the house which is built in any case, Jiowever, they probably imply that to His name, He will make their prayer and the god contained in the Ark was regarded aa the supplication hoard to the heaven in which He god of fertility (see Frazer, Adonis, Attu, Osiris, really dwells,* Primitive warriors wanted to have pp. 46,80),f At first sight it is difficult to suppose their goda in their midst. Of what use was the that a aerpent could ever be regarded aa a god of Divine Father (see Nu 2129) at home, when his sona fertility, but "whatever the origin of serpent-worship were in danger in the field ? It waa but natural, may be—and we need not assume that it has been therefore, that the goda should be carried out everywhere identical — there can be little doubt wherever their help waa needed (2S 5ai; cf.
    [Show full text]
  • ZOROASTRIANISM Chapter Outline and Unit Summaries I. Introduction
    CHAPTER TEN: ZOROASTRIANISM Chapter Outline and Unit Summaries I. Introduction A. Zoroastrianism: One of the World’s Oldest Living Religions B. Possesses Only 250,000 Adherents, Most Living in India C. Zoroastrianism Important because of Influence of Zoroastrianism on Christianity, Islam, Middle Eastern History, and Western Philosophy II. Pre-Zoroastrian Persian Religion A. The Gathas: Hymns of Early Zoroastrianism Provide Clues to Pre- Zoroastrian Persian Religion 1. The Gathas Considered the words of Zoroaster, and are Foundation for all Later Zoroastrian Scriptures 2. The Gathas Disparage Earlier Persian Religions B. The Aryans (Noble Ones): Nomadic Inhabitants of Ancient Persia 1. The Gathas Indicate Aryans Nature Worshippers Venerating Series of Deities (also mentioned in Hindu Vedic literature) a. The Daevas: Gods of Sun, Moon, Earth, Fire, Water b. Higher Gods, Intar the God of War, Asha the God of Truth and Justice, Uruwana a Sky God c. Most Popular God: Mithra, Giver and Benefactor of Cattle, God of Light, Loyalty, Obedience d. Mithra Survives in Zoroastrianism as Judge on Judgment Day 2. Aryans Worship a Supreme High God: Ahura Mazda (The Wise Lord) 3. Aryan Prophets / Reformers: Saoshyants 97 III. The Life of Zoroaster A. Scant Sources of Information about Zoroaster 1. The Gathas Provide Some Clues 2. Greek and Roman Writers (Plato, Pliny, Plutarch) Comment B. Zoroaster (born between 1400 and 1000 B.C.E.) 1. Original Name (Zarathustra Spitama) Indicates Birth into Warrior Clan Connected to Royal Family of Ancient Persia 2. Zoroaster Becomes Priest in His Religion; the Only Founder of a World Religion to be Trained as a Priest 3.
    [Show full text]
  • Frigg, Astghik and the Goddess of the Crete Island
    FRIGG, ASTGHIK AND THE GODDESS OF THE CRETE ISLAND Dedicated to the goddesses-mothers of Armenia and Sweden PhD in Art History Vahanyan V. G., Prof. Vahanyan G. A. Contents Intrоduction Relations between Frigg and the Goddess of the Crete Island Motifs in Norse Mythology Motifs in Armenian Mythology Artifacts Circle of the World Afterword References Introduction According to conventional opinion, the well-known memorial stone (Fig. 1a) from the Swedish island Gotland (400-600 AC) depicts goddess Frigg holding snakes. The unique statuettes of a goddess holding snakes are discovered on Crete (Fig. 1b), which date to c. 1600 BC1. The depiction of Frigg embodies a godmother with her legs wide open to give birth. In Norse mythology Frigg, Frige (Old Norse Frigg), Frea or Frija (Frija – “beloved”) is the wife of Odin. She is the mother of the three gods Baldr, Hodr and Hermodr. a b Fig. 1. (a) Memorial stone from the Swedish island Gotland (400-600 AC) depicting Frigg holding snakes. (b) Goddess holding snakes, Crete (c. 1600 BCE) The Swedish stone from Gotland island depicts the godmother, who is sitting atop the mountain before childbirth (Fig. 1а). Her hands are raised and she is holding two big snakes-dragons. The composition symbolizes the home/mountain of dragons (volcanic mountain). The composite motif of the depiction on the memorial stone, according to the 1 The findings belong to Crete-Minoan civilization and are found in the upper layers of the New Palace in Knossos. Two items are discovered (Archaeological Museum, Heraklion) authors, stems to the archetypes in the Old Armenian song “The birth of Vahagn” 2.
    [Show full text]
  • The Majority of the Mithraic Monuments And
    THE ORIGINS OF MITHRAIC MYSTERIES AND THE IDEA OF PROTO-MITHRAISM In Memory of the late Professor Osamu Suzuki (1905-1977) HIDEO OGAWA Professor, Keio University I The majority of the Mithraic monuments and inscriptions have been known from the western half of the Roman Empire.(1) The eastern half, includ- ing Greece, the Near East, North Africa, Egypt and South Russia, have given less evidences. This would not be so surprising, if Mithras had been a native god of the Romans or of a western province. But such is not the case. With the exception of S. Wikander,(2) most scholars have supported the eastern origin of the god Mithras and his mystery cult. This thesis was stated in the most typical way by Franz Cumont.(3) His speculations have been the starting point of almost all subsequent Mithraic studies. I do not want to re- capitulate his theory in length here, but confine myself in describing the main line of it with an emphasis upon his methodology concerning the problem of Mithraic origins. According to Cumont, the Avestan origin of Mithras is obvious. In the days of the Persian empire, magi (perhaps with official support) transplanted from Iran the worship of Mithras and Anahita in Asia Minor, North Syria and Armenia. Anahita was identified there with various local mother godesses such as Cybele. The cult of Mithras at first absorbed the astronomical ideas in Mesopotamia as the monuments of Nemrud-Dagh so indicate. Then, later, under the Greek influence in the Hellenistic period the cult was organized as an independent sectarian reli- gion.
    [Show full text]
  • Denkard Book 9
    DENKARD, Book 9 Details of Nasks 1-3, 21 (The Original Gathic Texts) Translated by Edward William West From Sacred Books of the East, Oxford University Press, 1897. Digitized and converted to HTML 1997 Joseph H. Peterson, avesta.org. Last updated Mar 2, 2021. 1 Foreword The Denkard is a ninth century encyclopedia of the Zoroastrian religion, but with extensive quotes from materials thousands of years older, including (otherwise) lost Avestan texts. It is the single most valuable source of information on this religion aside from the Avesta. This volume contains detailed contents of the Gathic Nasks of the Ancient Canon, much of which is now lost in the original Avesta. Note however, that (as Dr. West says) “it is abundantly clear to the practised translator that Avesta phrases often underlie the Pahlavi passages which seem to be quoted at length from the original Nasks, especially in Dk. 9; but, for some of the details mentioned, there may be no older authority than a Pahlavi commentary, and this should be ever borne in mind by the sceptical critic in search of anachronisms.” I have added some comments in {} and [[]], mainly to facilitate searches. Spelling of technical terms have also been normalized to conform with other texts in this series. Wherever possible I have used the spellings of F.M. Kotwal and J. Boyd, A Guide to the Zoroastrian Religion, Scholars Press, 1982. The original S.B.E. volumes used a system of transliteration which was misleading to the casual reader, and no longer adopted. As an example “chinwad” (bridge) (Kotwal and Boyd) was transliterated in S.B.E.
    [Show full text]
  • 17 Zoroastrianism
    17 Zoroastrianism This statement was prepared by the Athravan Education Trust and Zoroastrian Studies, the two main academic bodies responsible to the Zoroastrian faith for theological developments and study. Whoever teaches care for all these seven creations, does well and pleases the Bounteous Immortals; then his soul will never arrive at kinship with the Hostile Spirit. When he has cared for the creations, the care of these Bounteous Immortals is for him, and he must teach this to all mankind in the material world. —Shayasht ne Shayast (15:6)1 These actions, according to Zoroastrianism, will lead toward “making the world wonderful,” when the world will be restored to a perfect state. In this state the material world will never grow old, never die, never decay, will be ever living and ever increasing and master of its wish. The dead will rise, life and immortality will come, and the world will be restored to a perfect state in accordance with the Will of Ahura Mazda (Lord of Wisdom). The role of humanity in the world is to serve and honor not just the Wise Lord but the Seven Bounteous Creations of the sky, water, earth, plants, animals, man, and fire—gifts of God on High to humanity on earth. The great strength of the Zoroastrian faith is that it enjoins the caring of the physical world not merely to seek spiritual salvation, but because 1. The Shayasht ne Shayast is a compilation of miscellaneous laws dealing with proper and improper behavior. 145 146 FAITH IN CONSERVATION human beings, as the purposeful creation of God, are seen as the natural motivators or overseers of the Seven Creations.
    [Show full text]
  • In the Alphabetic Order Q Follows A, a Follows E, C Follows C, 1J Follows N, S Follows S, I Follows Z
    INDEX [In the alphabetic order q follows a, a follows e, c follows c, 1J follows n, s follows s, i follows z. In arranging words no distinction has been made between long and short vowels. Pahlavi anrllater forms are generally given in square brackets after the Avestan ones, ancl are entered separately only when there is a significant difference between the two.l Aban see Apas 273· A ban Niyayes 52; 271-2. Airyaman 56-7; his part at Fraso.kar<Jti, Aban Yast 73· 57. 242, 291. abstract divinities 23-4; 58, 59; 203. Airyanam Vaejah [f:ranve)] 144-5; 274- Aditi 55· S· Adityas 55; 83. Airyama isyo 56; 261; 263; 265. Adurbad i Mahraspandan 35; 288. Aiwisriithra [Aiwisriithrim] the 4th watch Aesma demon of Wrath, 87; companion ( giih) of the 24-hour day, from sunset till of the daevas, 201; flees at the last day midnight, 124; under the guardianship of before the Saosyant, 283; the Arabs are the fravasis, 124, 259. of his seed, 288. Aka Manah 283. aethrapati [erbad, herbad] 12. Akhtya 161. Afrasiyab see FralJrasyan *Ala demon of purpureal fever, 87 n. 20. afrinagan an "outer" religious ceremony, Amahraspand see Amasa Spanta 168; legends connected with the offerings Amestris xog; 112. made at it, 281. amaratat ,..., Ved. amrtatva-, "long life" after-life pagan belief in it beneath the or "immortality" II5 n. 32. earth, xog-xo, II2, IIS; in Paradise, no- Amaratat [Amurdad] personification of 12; Zoroastrian beliefs, 235-42, 328. "Long Life" and "Immortality", one of the Agni identified with Apam Napat, 45-6; 7 great Amasa Spantas (q.v.), 203; dis­ the nature of his primary concept, 69-70.
    [Show full text]
  • Zoroastrianism the Zend-Avesta the Vendidad
    ZOROASTRIANISM THE ZEND-AVESTA THE VENDIDAD TRANSLATED BY JAMES DARMESTETER Formatting by William B. Brown Table Of Contents Table Of Contents..................................................... i THE ZEND-AVESTA PART I................................................ 1 THE VENDIDAD ....................................................... 1 INTRODUCTION.......................................................... 1 CHAPTER I. THE DISCOVERY OF THE ZEND-AVESTA. ....................... 1 CHAPTER II. THE INTERPRETATION OF THE ZEND-AVESTA. ................. 9 CHAPTER III. THE FORMATION OF THE ZEND-AVESTA. .................... 11 CHAPTER IV. THE ORIGIN OF THE AVESTA RELIGION. .................... 24 CHAPTER V. THE VENDÎDÂD. .......................................... 37 VENDIDAD. FARGARD I. .............................................. 47 Introduction ...................................................... 47 VENDIDAD. FARGARD I. .............................................. 49 FARGARD II. Yima (Gamshêd). ....................................... 51 Chapter 1........................................................ 51 Chapter II....................................................... 53 FARGARD III. The Earth. ........................................... 55 Chapter I........................................................ 55 Chapter II....................................................... 56 Chapter III...................................................... 56 Chapter IV....................................................... 58 FARGARD IV. Contracts
    [Show full text]