3434 TRADITIONTRADITION ANDAND DOCTRINEDOCTRINE 2.22.2 VERSESVERSES FROMFROM THETHE GATI-[ASGATHAS See 1.1.1.2, and on the doctrine of the Heptad 1.3.2. Various attempts have been made to rearrange the (grouped formallyformally inin thethe yasnayasna liturgy)liturgy) inin chronological order; but these have failed, partly because the prophet clearly added verses to some of his hymns at different times. The rearrangementrearrangement here has been made simply in an attempt to present their doctrinal content as clearly as possible. The concordance with thethe order isis asasfollows: follows: versesverses from Y. 28=28 = 2.2.16;292.2.16; 29 = 11; 30=2;30 = 2; 31 = 7;7;32= 32 = 4;33=5;34=6;43=9;4; 33 = 5; 34 = 6; 43 = 9; 44=44 = 1; 45=3;46=45 = 3; 46 = 13;47=13; 47 = 15;48=8;49=15; 48 = 8; 49 =10;50= 10; 50 =I2;51 12; 51= =14;53= 14; 53 =17. 17. On the alternating use of ‘Thou’'Thou' and ‘You’'You' in addressing Mazda see 1.3.2.1. The archaic ‘Thou’,*Thou', thus unavoidable in the English translation,translation, may serve as a reminder that the Gathas are older linguistically than thethe passages in 2.1, though the latter are older in content, see 1.1.1.5. As far as possible one English rendering is used consistently for the name of each member of the Heptad; but where (usually translated as Truth) is rendered by Order, or KKhshathrahshathra (usually as Power) by Dominion or Kingdom, the AAvestanvestan word appears inin brackets,brackets, forfor clarityclarity's’s sake.sake.

2.2.12.2.1 VersesVerses frofromm YasnaYasna 4444 Literary parallels to this gatha, with rhetorical questions similarly addressed to a divine or supernatural being, exist in the Norse Edda; and the verses have been taken to represent an ancient lndo-EuropeanIndo-European poetic tradition,tradition, developed to express what were felt to be solemn, divinely inspired truths.truths. Verse 16, without the opening formula, forms part of the ‘Kemna\Kemna Mazda’,Mazda', see 3.5.13.5.1.. (3)(3) ThisThis I askask Thee,Thee, telltell meme truly,truly, LordLord.. WhoWho iinn thethe beginning,beginning, atat creation,creation, waswas FatherFather ofof OrdeOrderr (Asha)?(Asha)? WhWhoo establishedestablished thethe coursecourse ofof sunsun andand stars?stars? ThroughThrough whomwhom doesdoes thethe moomoonn wax,wax, thenthen wane?wane? ThisThis andand yetyet more,more, OΟ MazdaMazda,, I seekseek toto know.know. (4)(4) ThisThis I askask Thee,Thee, telltell meme truly,truly, Lord.Lord. WhoWho hashas upheldupheld thethe earthearth fromfrom belowbelow,, andand ththee heavensheavens fromfrom falling?falling? WhoWho (sustains)(sustains) thethe waterswaters andand plantsplants?? WhoWho harnessedharnessed swiftswift steedssteeds toto windwind andand clouds?clouds? Who,Who, OΟ Mazda,Mazda, iiss CreatorCreator ofof GoodGood Purpose?Purpose? (5)(5) ThisThis I askask Thee,Thee, telltell meme truly,truly, Lord.Lord. WhatWhat craftsmancraftsman createdcreated lighlightt andand darknessdarkness?? WhatWhat craftsmacraftsmann createdcreated botbothh sleepsleep andand activity?activity? ThroughThrough whowhomm exisexistt dawn,dawn, noonnoon andand eve,eve, whichwhich remindremind thethe worshipperworshipper ofof hihiss duty?duty?...... (7(7)) ThiThiss I asaskk TheeThee,, teltelll meme trulytruly,, LordLord.. WhoWho fashionedfashioned honourehonouredd DevotioDevotionn togethertogether withwith Power?Power? WhoWho mademade ththee sonson respectfulrespectful iinn heedheed toto thethe fatherfather?? BByy thesethese (questions),(questions), OΟ Mazda,Mazda, I helphelp (men)(men) toto discerndiscern TheeThee asas CreatorCreator ofof allall thingsthings throughthrough thethe I-IolyHoly Spirit.Spirit...... (16)(16) ThisThis I askask Thee,Thee, teltelll meme trulytruly,, LordLord.. WhWhoo wilwilll bebe victoriouvictoriouss ttoo protectprotect througthroughh ThyThy teachingteaching thosethose whowho areare thethe progenyprogeny inin mymy house?house? AsAs HealerHealer ofof thethe world,world, promisepromise ttoo uuss a judge.judge. TheThenn lelett HearkeninHearkeningg comecome totc himhim withwith GoodGood Purpose,Purpose, OΟ MazdaMazda —- toto himhim whomsoeverwhomsoever ThoThouu dostdost wish.wish.

Source: Mary Boyce, Textual Sources for the Study of , Textual Sources for the Study of Religion (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1984). FROMFROM THETHE GATHASGATHAS 3355 2.2.22.2.2 VersesVerses fromfrom YasnaYasna 3030 has an Adversary, here called, in v. 5, ‘Dregvant’,\Dregvant', thethe Deceitful or Wicked One, i.e. one who upholds ‘drug’,'drug', the lie or falsehood,falsehood, opposed to ‘asha’.'asha'. In v. 6 he is named the Deceiver. Wicked men also are called ‘dregvant’,'dregvant', opposed to the just, 'ashavan‘ashavan’. '. ‘Worst'Worst Existence’Existence' is a termterm for , i.e. a place for retributive punishment (seemingly a new concept thenthen in religious thought). The ‘(House'(House of) Best Purpose’Purpose' is a name for heaven,heaven, parallel to the traditional ‘House'House of Song’Song' (cf. 2.2.3.8 eett pass.).pass.,). ‘Hardest'Hardest stone’,stone', v. 5., is the substance of the sky, see 1.2.6. The , v. 6, are shown by the tradition to be IndraIndra and other warlike divinities, cf. 2.3.1.55.2.3.1.55. Fury or Wrath, Aeshma,Aeshma, is aa greatgreat demon;demon; forfor thethe prophet, itit isis suggested,suggested, hehe hypostatised the battle-fury of war bands, cf. 1.2.7,1.2.7,1.3.1.1.3.1. On the see 1.2.3, 1.3.3. Devotion ‘gave'gave body and breath’,breath', v. 7, as guardian of earth. AtAt the last day the world will be ‘made'made frasha-’,frasha-', v. 9, i.e. transfigured,transfigured, made freefree once more from evil, made wonderful.wonderful. (1)(1) TrulTrulyy foforr seekersseekers I shallshall speakspeak ofof thosethose thingthingss toto bbee pondered,pondered, eveneven byby oneone whwhoo alreadyalready knows,knows, withwith praispraisee andand worshiworshipp foforr ththee LordLord ofof GoodGood Purpose,Purpose, thethe excellentlyexcellently WiseWise One,One, andand forfor TruthTruth...... (2)(2) HearHear withwith youryour earsears thethe bestbest thingsthings.. ReflecReflectt withwith clearclear purpose,purpose, eacheach manman forfor himself,himself, onon thethe twotwo choiceschoices foforr decision,decision, beingbeing alertalert indeedindeed toto declaredeclare yourselvesyourselves forfor HimHim beforebefore thethe greatgreat requital.requital. (3)(3) TrulyTruly therethere areare twotwo primalprimal Spirits,Spirits, twintwinss renownedrenowned toto bebe inin conflict.conflict. In thoughtthought andand word,word, iinn actact theythey araree two:two: thethe betterbetter andand ththee badbad.. AndAnd thosthosee whowho actact wellwell havehave chosenchosen rightlrightlyy betweenbetween thesethese two,two, notnot soso thethe evildoers.evildoers. (4)(4) AnAndd whewhenn thesethese twotwo SpiritsSpirits firstfirst camecame togethertogether thetheyy createcreatedd liflifee andand not-life,not-life, andand howhow atat thethe endend WorstWorst ExistencExistencee shallshall bebe foforr ththee wickedwicked,, butbut (the(the HousHousee ofof)) BesBestt PurposPurposee forfor ththee jusjustt man.man. (5)(5) OfOf thesethese twotwo SpiritsSpirits thethe WickedWicked OneOne chosechose achievinachievingg thethe worsworstt thingsthings.. TheThe MosMostt HolHolyy Spirit,Spirit, whowho isis cladclad inin hardesthardest stone,stone, chosechose right,right, andand (so(so dodo those)those) whowho shalshalll satisfsatisfyy LorLordd MazdMazdaa continuallycontinually withwith rightfurightfull acts.acts. (6)(6) TheThe DaevasDaevas indeedindeed diddid notnot choosechoose rightlrightlyy betweebetweenn thesethese two,two, foforr thethe DeceiverDeceiver approachedapproached themthem asas thetheyy conferred.conferred. BecausBecausee theythey chosechose worstworst purposepurpose,, thetheyy thethenn rusherushedd ttoo FuryFury,, witwithh whomwhom thetheyy havehave afflictedafflicted thethe worldworld andand mankindmankind.. (7)(7) WithWith PowerPower HeHe camecame ttoo thithiss worldworld,, bbyy GoodGood PurposePurpose andand bbyy Truth.Truth. ThenThen enduringenduring DevotioDevotionn gavegave bodybody andand breathbreath...... (8)(8) ThenThen whenwhen retributioretributionn comecomess forfor thesethese sinners,sinners, thenthen,, MazdaMazda,, PowePowerr shalshalll bebe presentpresent foforr TheeThee witwithh GoodGood PurposePurpose,, toto declaredeclare himselfhimself foforr thosethose,, LordLord,, whwhoo shalshalll deliverdeliver thethe LiLiee intintoo ththee handshands ooff Truth.Truth. (9)(9) AnAndd thenthen may wwee bebe thosethose whwhoo shallshall transfigurtransfiguree thithiss world.world. OΟ MazdaMazda (and(and youyou other)other) LordsLords (Ahuras),(Ahuras), bebe presentpresent toto mmee witwithh supportsupport anandd truth,truth, ssoo thatthat thoughtthoughtss may bbee concentratedconcentrated wherewhere understandingunderstanding falters.falters . . . (11)(11) OΟ men! whenwhen youyou learlearnn ththee commandscommands whichwhich MazdaMazda hashas given,given, anandd botbothh thrivingthriving anandd not-thrivingnot-thriving,, anandd whatwhat lonlongg tormenttorment (is)(is) forfor ththee wickedwicked andand salvationsalvation foforr thethe justjust —- thenthen wilwilll itit bebe asas iiss wishedwished withwith thesethese things.things. 3636 TRADITIONTRADITION ANDAND DOCTRINEDOCTRINE 2.2.2.2.33 VersesVerses frofromm YasnaYasna 4545 In v. 2 the Adversary is called Angra Mainyu, thethe ‘Hostile’\Hostile' or ‘EvilΈνίΙ Spirit’.Spirit'. This became his proper name, YAv. Anra MMainyu,ainyu, Pahl.Pähl. .Ahriman. (1)(1) ThenThen shallshall I speak,speak, nownow givegive earear andand hearkenhearken,, bothboth yoyouu whowho seekseek frofromm neanearr andand youyou frofromm farfar ...... (2)(2) ThenThen shallshall I speakspeak ofof thethe twotwo primalprimal SpiritsSpirits ooff existence,existence, ofof whomwhom thethe VerVeryy HolHolyy thusthus spokspokee ttoo thethe EvilEvil OneOne:: 'Neithe‘Neitherr ourour thoughtthoughtss nornor teachingsteachings nornor wills,wills, neitherneither ourour choiceschoices nornor wordswords nornor acts,acts, notnot ourour inneinnerr selvesselves nornor ourour soulssouls agree’.agree'. (3)(3) ThenThen shallshall I speakspeak ofof thethe foremosforemostt (doctrine)(doctrine) ofof thisthis existence,existence, whicwhichh MazdaMazda ththee Lord,Lord, HHee withwith knowledge,knowledge, declareddeclared toto meme.. ThoseThose ooff youyou whwhoo dodo nonott actact uponupon thisthis manthramanthra,, eveevenn asas I shallshall thinkthink anandd speakspeak it,it, forfor themthem therethere shallshall bebe woewoe atat thethe enendd ofof lifelife.. (4)(4) TheThenn shallshall I speakspeak ooff thethe bestbest thingthingss ofof thisthis existence.existence. I knowknow MazdMazdaa whowho createdcreated iitt inin accordaccord withwith truttruthh toto bbee ththee FatherFather ofof activeactive GoodGood PurposePurpose.. AnAndd HiHiss daughtedaughterr iiss DevotioDevotionn ofof googoodd action.action. TheThe all-seeingall-seeing LorLordd iiss notnot toto bebe deceived.deceived. (5)(5) ThenThen shallshall I speaspeakk ofof whatwhat thethe MostMost HolyHoly OneOne toldtold me,me, thethe wordword toto bebe listenedlistened toto asas besbestt foforr menmen.. ThoseThose whowho shallshall givegive forfor mmee hearkeninhearkeningg andand heeheedd ttoo HimHim,, shallshall attainattain wholenesswholeness anandd immortality.immortality. MazdaMazda iiss LorLordd througthroughh actactss ofof thethe GoodGood SpiritSpirit...... (8)(8) HimHim shalshalll I seekseek ttoo turturnn ttoo uuss bbyy praisepraisess ofof reverencereverence,, foforr trultrulyy I havehave nownow seenseen withwith mymy eyeseyes (the(the House)House) ofof GoodGood Purpose,Purpose, andand ooff googoodd actact andand deed,deed, havinhavingg knownknown throughthrough TruthTruth HimHim whowho isis LordLord Mazda.Mazda. TheThenn letlet uuss laylay upup supplicationssupplications ttoo HimHim inin thethe HouseHouse ofof Song.Song. (9)(9) HimHim shalshalll I seeseekk ttoo requitrequitee forfor usus withwith googoodd purposepurpose,, HimHim whwhoo leftleft toto ourour willwill (the(the choicchoicee betweenbetween)) holyholy andand unholy.unholy. MayMay LordLord MazdaMazda byby HiHiss powerpower makmakee uuss activeactive foforr prosperingprospering ourour cattlecattle andand men,men, throughthrough thethe fairfair affinityaffinity ofof goodgood purposepurpose withwith truth.truth. (10)(10) HimHim shallshall I seekseek ttoo glorifyglorify forfor usus withwith sacrificessacrifices ofof devotion,devotion, HimHim whowho isis knownknown inin thethe soulsoul asas LordLord MazdaMazda;; foforr HHee hahass promisedpromised byby HiHiss truthtruth anandd goodgood purpospurposee thathatt therethere shallshall bebe wholenesswholeness anandd immortalitimmortalityy withinwithin HiHiss kingdokingdomm (khshathra)(khshathra),, strengthstrength anandd perpetuitperpetuityy withinwithin HisHis house.house.

2.2.42.2.4 VersesVerses frofromm YasnYasnaa 3232 For the ‘seventh'seventh region of earthearth',’, v. 3, see 1.2.6.3. The ‘Bad'Bad Spirit',Spirit’, v. 5, is yetyet another term for the Adversary. The ‘karapan’'karapan' (Pähl,(Pahl. karb) v. 12,I2, isis generally held to be a working priest of the old religion, naturally hostile to Zarathushtra. The ‘kavi’'kavi' (Pähl,(Pahl. kayag), v. 15, appears to be a chieftain or princely ruler, cf. 1.2.7.1.2.7. (3)(3) BuButt alalll youyou DaevasDaevas,, andand hehe whowho greatlygreatly worshipworshipss youyou,, areare thethe seedseed ofof BadBad PurposePurpose,, ththee LiLiee anandd ArroganceArrogance.. HatefuHatefull totooo youryour actsacts,, bbyy whicwhichh yoyouu havehave becomebecome knowknownn inin ththee seventseventhh regioregionn ooff earth.earth. (4(4)) In thathatt youyou ordainordain thosthosee (acts)(acts) whichwhich worstworst memenn commitcommit,, thetheyy shallshall bbee calledcalled ‘beloved'beloved ooff thethe Daevas’,Daevas', retreatingretreating fromfrom GoodGood PurposePurpose,, departingdeparting fromfrom LordLord Mazda’sMazda's willwill andand frofromm Truth.Truth. (5)(5) TherebyThereby youyou havhavee defraudeddefrauded mankindmankind ofof goodgood lifelife andand immortality,immortality, muchmuch asas youyou (have(have defraudeddefrauded yourselves),yourselves), youyou DaevaDaevass andand ththee BaBadd SpiritSpirit...... (11)(11) ThoseThose wickewickedd onesones whowho appeaappearr inin grandeurgrandeur asas chieftainschieftains anandd theirtheir ladies,ladies, they tootoo indeedindeed havehave ruineruinedd life,life, stealingstealing propertyproperty fromfrom itsits inheritor.inheritor. SoSo too,too, O FROMFROM THETHE GATHASGATHAS 3737 Mazda,Mazda, thosethose whowho havehave deflecteddeflected ththee jusjustt fromfrom bestbest purpose.purpose. (12)(12) BecauseBecause ooff thatthat teachingteaching wherebywhereby theythey deflecteddeflected manman fromfrom thethe bestbest act,act, MazdaMazda declareddeclared illill thingsthings forfor themthem whowho withwith theirtheir habithabit ofof pleasurpleasuree havehave ruinedruined thethe lifelife ofof thethe cow,cow, becausebecause ofof whomwhom thethe richrich karapankarapan chosechose thethe dominiondominion (khshathra(khshathra)) ofof tyrantstyrants andand ththee Lie,Lie, ratherrather thanthan Truth;Truth; (13)(13) byby whichwhich dominiodominionn ththee destroyersdestroyers ofof thisthis worldworld beheldbeheld theirtheir richesriches inin thethe HouseHouse ofof WorstWorst PurposePurpose - asas diddid thosethose whowho inin theirtheir greedgreed lamentedlamented atat ththee messagemessage ofof ThyThy manthra-maker,manthra-maker, OΟ Mazda,Mazda, (a(a greed)greed) whichwhich guardedguarded themthem fromfrom beholdinbeholdingg TruthTruth . . . . (15)(15) BByy thesethese thingthingss thethe companycompany ofof thethe karapans,karapans, andand ththee kavis,kavis, areare beingbeing ruinedruined togethertogether withwith thosethose thetheyy ensnare.ensnare. TheyThey shallshall notnot bebe broughtbrought toto thosethose rulingruling overover lifelife atat willwill inin thethe HousHousee ofof GoodGood Purpose.Purpose.

2.2.52*2.5 VersesVerses fromfrom YasnYasnaa 3333 The symbolism of the pastor or herdsman, v.ν. 6, appears to be that of the man who nurtures good purpose, since , Good Purpose, is guardianguardian of cattle. Evidently the symbols of cattle and herdsman were as powerful forfor the ancient Iranians as those of sheep and shepherd have been forjewsfor Jews and Christians. Verses 12—14 are constantly recited, since they form thethe beginning of thetheAtash A tash NNyayesh,yayesh, cf.cf 4.1.1.4.1.1. (1)( 1) InIn accordaccord withwith thethe lawslaws ofof thethe foremostforemost existence,existence, thethe JudgmentJudgment shallshall thusthus enactenact thethe straighteststraightest dealingsdealings forfor thethe wickewickedd asas wellwell asas forfor ththee justjust manman,, anandd foforr hihimm whoswhosee falsehoodfalsehood andand honestyhonesty araree assesseassessedd aass equalequal.. (2(2)) TheThenn hehe whowho shallshall workwork illill toto thethe WickedWicked One,One, byby wordword oror thoughtthought oorr byby hihiss hands,hands, oorr enlightenenlighten a guestguest iinn whatwhat isis goodgood - allall suchsuch shallshall fulfilfulfil thethe wishwish andand bebe inin thethe affectionaffection ofof LordLord Mazda.Mazda. (3)(3) HeHe whowho isis ververyy googoodd toto thethe justjust man,man, Lord,Lord, whetherwhether hehe bbee a kinsmakinsmann oror ononee ofof thethe communitycommunity oror clan,clan, oror (simply)(simply) oneone servingserving thethe cowcow withwith zeal,zeal, hehe shallshall bebe iinn thethe pasturepasture ofof TruthTruth andand GoodGood Purpose.Purpose. (4)(4) I whowho sacrificesacrifice,, OΟ Mazda,Mazda, shallshall turnturn fromfrom TheeThee lacklack ofof hearkeninghearkening andand badbad purpose,purpose, thethe contemptcontempt ofof ththee family,family, andand ththee lie, veryvery near,near, ofof ththee community,community, ththee scofferscofferss amongamong thethe clanclan —- anandd frofromm thethe pasturepasture ofof thethe cowcow thethe WorsWorstt Counsellor.Counsellor. (5(5)) I amam hehe who,who, atat thethe haltinghalting (of(of thesethese things),things), willwill invokeinvoke foforr TheeThee Hearkening,Hearkening, greatestgreatest ofof all.all. I shalshalll attaiattainn foforr uuss herehere thethe long-livelong—livedd dominiondominion (khshathra)(khshathra) ofof GoodGood PurposePurpose,, ththee pathpathss straighstraightt iinn accordaccord withwith truttruthh whereiwhereinn LordLord MazdaMazda dwellsdwells.. (6)(6) TheThe priestpriest officiating,officiating, uprightupright througthroughh truthtruth,, embodieembodiess ththee BestBest SpiritSpirit.. TherebTherebyy hhee iiss alliealliedd withwith thatthat purposepurpose bbyy whicwhichh hehe hahass learntlearnt toto perforperformm thethe dutiesduties ooff pastor.pastor. BByy thithiss I amam eager,eager, LorLordd Mazda,Mazda, ttoo beholbeholdd anandd taktakee counselcounsel witwithh TheeThee . . . . (11(11)) Mazda,Mazda, ThouThou whowho araree mosmostt mightmightyy Lord,Lord, anandd Devotion,Devotion, anandd world-furtheringworld-furthering Truth,Truth, andand GoodGood PurposePurpose,, andand PowerPower —- hearhear YoYouu me,me, havhavee mercmercyy oonn meme,, atat eacheach apportioninapportioningg ooff boons!boons! (I2)(12) AriseArise foforr meme,, LordLord!! BByy ththee MosMostt HolHolyy Spirit,Spirit, OΟ Mazda,Mazda, taketake toto ThyselThyselff mightmight throughthrough devotion,devotion, swiftnesswiftnesss throughthrough googoodd gift-offerings,gift-offerings, potentpotent forceforce througthroughh truth,truth, protectionprotection througthroughh goodgood purposepurpose.. (13)(13) ThoThouu whwhoo seestseest afarafar,, reveareveall toto mmee foforr support,support, LordLord,, ththee incomparableincomparable thingsthings ooff YouYourr kingdokingdomm (khshathra)(khshathra),, whicwhichh areare thethe recompensrecompensee (ashi(ashi)) foforr goodgood purpose.purpose. Instruct,Instruct, ΟO HolyHoly DevotionDevotion,, ourour innerinner FROFROMM THTHEE ZANZANDD OFOF LOSLOSTT AVESTAAVESTANN TEXTTEXTSS 4545 FrashaoshtraFrashaoshtra accompanyaccompany theirtheir knowledgeknowledge (khshnem)(khshnem) anandd sacrificessacrifices continuallycontinually withwith wordswords anandd actactss ofof (good)(good) purposepurpose forfor ththee venerationveneration ofof Mazda,Mazda, makingmaking straightstraight thethe pathspaths foforr thethe religioreligionn ooff ththee Saoshyant,Saoshyant, whichwhich thethe LordLord hashas ordainedordained.. (3)(3) DoDo thouthou persevere,persevere, Pouruchista,Pouruchista, descendantdescendant ofof HaechataspaHaechataspa andand SpitamaSpitama,, youngestyoungest ofof Zarathushtra'Zarathushtra’ss daughtersdaughters . . . . (4)(4) HerHer indeedindeed shallshall I joinjoin inin marriagemarriage amonamongg you,you, herher whowho shalshalll serveserve fatherfather andand husband,husband, pastorspastors andand kindredkindred.. IfIf sheshe isis justjust ttoo ththee just,just, LorLordd MazdaMazda willwill grantgrant herher thethe sunnsunnyy heritageheritage ofof GoodGood PurposePurpose ...... foforr thethe sakesake ooff thethe GoodGood Religion,Religion, foforr eveeverr . . . . (7)(7) ThenThen indeeindeedd therethere shallshall bbee rewarrewardd foforr yoyouu alalll forfor thisthis ‘maga’'maga' . . . . IIff youyou abandoabandonn thisthis 'maga'‘maga’,, thethenn thertheree shallshall bbee ththee worwordd ‘woe’'woe' foforr yoyouu atat ththee endend . . . . (9)(9)...... Such,Such, Mazda,Mazda, iiss ThyThy power,power, byby whichwhich ThoThouu givestgivest whatwhat isis thethe betterbetter toto thethe honesthonest poorpoor man.man.

2.3.2.3. PASSAGEPASSAGESS FROMFROM THTHEE ZANZANDD OOFF LOSTLOST AVESTANAVESTAN TEXTSTEXTS

The following selections are fromfrom the Greater , see 1.1.1.14. InIn them what appear to be glosses andand extensionsextensions toto thethe actualactual translationtranslation ofof thethe lost texts are omitted without indication. The finalfinal redaction of those texts must have taken place many generations after the composition of the Gathas, for they show scholastic developments of Zarathushtra'sZarathushtra’s great vision. Thus in 2.3.1 what appears to have been Zarathushtra’sZarathushtra's own adaptation of the ancient Iranian creation myth (see 1.2.6) has been furtherfurther developed through priestly speculation, notably about the 'world‘world year'year’ (see(see 1.8). The influenceinfluence of the is also plainplain inin 2.3.3.112.3.3.11 ff.ff (see 1.71.7 for it and for all the names of the divinities concerned). The myth of man’sman's creation in 2.3.6 is probably older thanthan Zarathushtra, while 2.3.7 setssets out clearly what appear to have been his own wholly original concepts (often(often alluded to in the Gathas) of a Last Day and a Last Judgment,judgment, with resurrection of the body (see 1.2.5) postponed until the time when AhuraAhura Mazda'sMazda ’s kingdom (khshathra) will come on an earth made once more perfect, as He had created it. Middle Persian Druj (2.3.3.23—4) representsrepresents Avestan Drug, ‘the'the Lie',Lie’, cf. 2.2.2. Amahraspand (2.3.1.53—4 etet pass.)pass.j is a dialect variant ofofAmashaspand,Amashaspand, both representingAvestanrepresenting Avestan .Spenta.

2.3.12.3.1 FromFrom ththee GreateGreaterr BundahishnBundahishn,, chch.. 1.1. AboutAbout OhrmazdOhrmazd,, AhrimanAhriman andand ththee spiritspirit creationcreation (l—5)(1-5) IItt iiss thuthuss revealedrevealed inin ththee GoodGood ReligionReligion thatthat OhrmazdOhrmazd waswas onon highhigh inin omniscienceomniscience andand goodness.goodness. FoForr boundlesboundlesss timetime HHee wawass everever iinn thethe lightlight.. ThatThat lightlight iiss thethe spacespace andand placplacee ooff Ohrmazd.Ohrmazd. SomSomee calcalll iitt EndlessEndless Light.Light . . . AhrimanAhriman waswas abasedabased iinn slownesslownesss ooff knowledgknowledgee andand thethe luslustt toto smitesmite.. ThThee lustlust toto smitesmite wawass hihiss sheatsheathh andand darknessdarkness hishis place.place. SomSomee calcalll iitt EndlesEndlesss DarknessDarkness.. AndAnd betweenbetween thethemm waswas emptinessemptiness.. (6-10(6-10)) TheyThey botbothh werweree limitedlimited anandd limitlesslimitless:: foforr thatthat whichwhich isis oonn high,high, whichwhich isis calledcalled EndlessEndless Light,Light,...... andand thatthat whichwhich iiss 4466 TRADITIONTRADITION ANDAND DOCTRINEDOCTRINE abased,abased, whichwhich isis EndlesEndlesss DarknesDarknesss —- thosethose werewere limitless.limitless. (But)(But) aatt ththee borderborder botbothh werewere limited,limited, inin thatthat betweenbetween themthem waswas emptiness.emptiness. ThereThere waswas nono connexionconnexion betweenbetween thethe two.two. ThenThen bothboth twotwo SpiritsSpirits werewere inin themselvesthemselves limited.limited. OnOn accountaccount ofof thethe omniscienceomniscience ofof Ohrmazd,Ohrmazd, allall thingthingss werweree withinwithin thethe knowledgeknowledge ofof Ohrmazd,Ohrmazd, ththee limitelimitedd anandd ththee limitlesslimitless;; forfor HeHe knekneww thethe measuremeasure ofof whatwhat isis withinwithin thethe twotwo Spirits.Spirits. (11-12)(11-12) ThenThen thethe entireentire kingshikingshipp ofof thethe creationcreation ofof Ohrmazd,Ohrmazd, iinn ththee futurefuture bodybody foforr eveeverr anandd ever,ever, thatthat iiss limitless.limitless. TheThe creationcreation ooff AhrimanAhriman,, atat thethe timtimee whenwhen thethe futurefuture bodybody willwill be,be, shallshall bebe destroyeddestroyed.. ThatThat trulytruly iiss limited.limited. (13-14)(13-14) OhrmazOhrmazdd byby HisHis omniscienceomniscience knewknew thatthat ththee EviEvill SpiritSpirit existed,existed, whatwhat hehe plotteplottedd iinn hihiss enviousnessenviousness ttoo do,do, howhow hehe woulwouldd commingle,commingle, whatwhat ththee beginningbeginning,, whatwhat thethe end;end; whatwhat andand howhow manymany thethe tooltoolss witwithh whichwhich HHee wouldwould makmakee anan end.end. AnAndd HHee createdcreated iinn ththee spirispiritt statestate thethe creaturescreatures HHee woulwouldd needneed asas thosthosee toolstools.. ForFor 3,0003,000 yearyearss creatiocreationn remaineremainedd iinn ththee spirispiritt state.state. (15-17)(15-17) TheThe EvilEvil Spirit,Spirit, onon accounaccountt ofof hishis slownesslownesss ofof knowledge,knowledge, waswas notnot awarawaree ofof thethe existenceexistence ofof Ohrmazd.Ohrmazd. ThenThen hhee arosearose frofromm thethe deep,deep, andand camecame toto thethe boundaryboundary andand behelbeheldd ththee light.light. WhenWhen hhee sawsaw thethe intangibleintangible lightlight ofof OhrmazdOhrmazd hehe rusherushedd forwardforward.. BecauseBecause ofof hishis luslustt toto smitesmite andand hishis enviousenvious naturenature hehe attackedattacked toto destroydestroy it.it. ThenThen hehe sawsaw valourvalour andand supremacysupremacy greatergreater thanthan hishis own.own. HeHe crawled backback toto darknessdarkness andand shapedshaped manymany devs,devs, thethe destructivedestructive creationcreation.. AndAnd hhee roserose forfor battlebattle.. (18-19)(18-19) WheWhenn OhrmazOhrmazdd sawsaw thethe creaturescreatures ofof thethe EvilEvil Spirit,Spirit, theythey appearedappeared toto HiHimm frightfulfrightful andand putridputrid andand evil;evil; andand HHee desiredesiredd themthem notnot.. WheWhenn ththee EviEvill SpiritSpirit sasaww thethe creaturescreatures ooff OhrmazdOhrmazd theythey appeareappearedd toto hihimm mosmostt profoundprofound andand fullfullyy informedinformed.. AnAndd hehe desireddesired thethe creaturescreatures anandd creationcreation ooff Ohrmazd.Ohrmazd. (20-3)(20-3) TheThenn Ohrmazd,Ohrmazd, inin spitespite ofof HisHis knowledgeknowledge ofof creationcreation andand thethe endend ofof thethe affair,affair, approachedapproached thethe EvilEvil SpiritSpirit andand profferedproffered peacepeace andand said:said: ‘Evil'Evil SpiritSpirit!! AiAidd mymy creatures,creatures, anandd givegive praisepraise,, soso thatthat inin recompenserecompense forfor thatthat youyou may bebe immortaimmortall ....'. .’.. TheThe EvilEvil SpiritSpirit snarled:snarled: ‘IΊ shallshall nonott aidaid youyourr creaturescreatures andand I shallshall notnot givegive praise,praise, butbut I shalshalll destroydestroy youyou andand youryour creaturescreatures forfor eveeverr anandd ever.ever. AnAndd I shalshalll persuadepersuade allall youyourr creaturescreatures toto hathatee youyou andand toto lovlovee me.me.’' (24-5)(24-5) AndAnd OhrmazdOhrmazd said:said: 'Yo‘Youu areare notnot all-powerfulall-powerful,, EvilEvil Spirit; ssoo yoyouu cannotcannot destroydestroy meme,, andand youyou cannotcannot soso influencinfluencee mymy creaturescreatures thathatt thetheyy willwill notnot returnreturn toto beingbeing mine.’mine.' ThenThen OhrmazdOhrmazd inin HisHis omniscienceomniscience knew:knew: ‘IfTf I dodo nonott setset a timetime forfor thatthat battlebattle ofof his,his, thenthen ...... hhee wilwilll bebe ableable eternallyeternally ttoo makmakee strifstrifee anandd a statestate ofof mixturmixturee foforr mymy creatures.creatures. AndAnd iinn thethe MixturMixturee hhee willwill bbee ableable toto leadlead mymy creaturescreatures astrayastray anandd makemake thethemm hishis own.’own.' (26—7)(26-7) ThenThen OhrmazOhrmazdd saidsaid ttoo ththee EvilEvil Spirit:Spirit: ‘Set'Set a time,time, soso thatthat accordingaccording toto thisthis bonbondd wewe maymay postponpostponee battlebattle foforr 9,009,0000 years.’years.' FoForr HHee knekneww thatthat throughthrough thisthis settingsetting ofof a timtimee HHee wouldwould destroydestroy ththee EviEvill SpiritSpirit.. TheThenn thethe EviEvill Spirit,Spirit, notnot beingbeing ablablee toto foreseeforesee thethe end,end, agreedagreed ttoo thatthat pactpact.. (28)(28) ThiThiss tootoo OhrmazdOhrmazd knewknew inin HiHiss omniscienceomniscience,, thatthat withiwithinn thesthesee 9,0009,000 years,years, 3,003,0000 yearyearss wilwilll ggoo accordingaccording toto ththee willwill ofof OhrmazdOhrmazd;; 3,003,0000 yearsyears,, iinn thethe MixtureMixture,, wilwilll gogo accordinaccordingg toto thethe wilwilll ofof botbothh OhrmazdOhrmazd andand AhrimanAhriman;; andand atat ththee lastlast battlebattle iitt willwill bbee possiblpossiblee ttoo makemake AhrimanAhriman powerlesspowerless,, anandd ttoo wardward offoff thethe assaultassault fromfrom HisHis creatures.creatures. (29)(29) ThenThen OhrmazdOhrmazd recitedrecited aloudaloud thethe Ahunvar.Ahunvar. AnAndd HeHe showedshowed toto thethe EvilEvil SpiritSpirit HisHis ownown FROMFROM THETHE ZANDZAND OOFF LOSTLOST AVESTANAVESTAN TEXTSTEXTS 4747 finalfinal victory,victory, andand thethe powerlessnesspowerlessness ofof ththee EvilEvil Spirit,Spirit, andand ththee destructiondestruction ofof thethe devs,devs, anandd alsalsoo thethe resurrectionresurrection andand ththee futurefuture bodybody,, anandd ththee freedomfreedom ofof creationcreation fromfrom thethe AssaultAssault forfor everever anandd ever.ever. (30-2)(30-2) WhenWhen thethe EvilEvil SpiritSpirit sawsaw hishis ownown powerlessnesspowerlessness,, togethertogether withwith thethe destructiondestruction ofof thethe devs,devs, hehe fellfell prostrateprostrate andand unconscious.unconscious. HeHe fellfell backback againagain intointo hell,hell, eveneven asas HeHe sayssays inin thethe scripturesscriptures thatthat whenwhen HeHe hahadd spokespokenn oneone thirdthird,, thethe EvilEvil SpiritSpirit crouchedcrouched inin fear;fear; whenwhen HeHe hadhad spokenspoken twotwo thirds,thirds, thethe EvilEvil SpiritSpirit sanksank uponupon hihiss knees;knees; whenwhen HeHe hadhad spokenspoken itit all, ththee EvilEvil SpiritSpirit becambecamee powerlespowerlesss toto dodo evilevil ttoo ththee creaturescreatures ooff OhrmazdOhrmazd.. ForFor 3,003,0000 yearsyears hehe laylay prostrate.prostrate. (34-5(34-5)) BeforeBefore creatiocreationn OhrmazdOhrmazd waswas notnot LordLord.. AndAnd afteafterr creationcreation HHee waswas LordLord,, seeking benefit,benefit, wisewise,, freefree fromfrom harmharm,, makingmaking reckoninreckoningg openly,openly, holy,holy, observingobserving allall things.things. AndAnd firstfirst HHee createdcreated ththee essencessencee ofof ththee yazatasyazatas,, namelynamely goodnessgoodness,, thatthat spiritspirit wherebywhereby HHee madmadee himselhimselff betterbetter,, sincesince HiHiss lordshilordshipp waswas througthroughh creation.creation. (36-7)(36-7) WheWhenn HeHe ponderedpondered upouponn creation,creation, OhrmazOhrmazdd sawsaw bbyy HiHiss clearclear visiovisionn thatthat ththee EviEvill SpiritSpirit wouldwould neveneverr turnturn frofromm thethe AssaultAssault;; thethe AssaulAssaultt wouldwould notnot bebe mademade powerlespowerlesss exceptexcept throughthrough creationcreation;; creationcreation couldcould nonott develodevelopp exceptexcept throughthrough time;time; butbut ifif HHee createdcreated time,time, Ahriman’sAhriman's creationcreation tootoo woulwouldd developdevelop.. AndAnd havinghaving nono otherother course,course, inin orderorder toto makemake thethe AssaultAssault powerless,powerless, HeHe createdcreated timetime.. (39-42)(39-42) ThenThen fromfrom LimitlessLimitless TimeTime HeHe createdcreated TimeTime ooff longlong dominion.dominion. SomeSome callcall itit LimiteLimitedd Time.Time...... AlAlll thatthat whichwhich OhrmazdOhrmazd createdcreated limitedlimited,, wawass fromfrom thethe limitlesslimitless.. ThusThus fromfrom thethe creation,creation, whenwhen HeHe createdcreated creaturescreatures,, untiluntil thethe end,end, whewhenn thethe EvilEvil SpiritSpirit wilwilll bebe helplesshelpless,, iiss a periodperiod ofof 12,0012,0000 years.years. ThatThat iiss limited.limited. AfterwardAfterwardss thethe creaturescreatures ofof OhrmazdOhrmazd wilwilll joinjoin ththee limitlesslimitless,, soso thathatt theythey willwill abideabide inin puritypurity witwithh OhrmazOhrmazdd foforr everever.. (44)(44) OhrmazOhrmazdd fashionedfashioned forthforth ththee formform ofof HiHiss creaturecreaturess fromfrom HiHiss ownown selfself,, fromfrom thethe substancesubstance ooff lightlight -— iinn thethe forformm ofof fire,fire, brightbright,, white,white, round,round, visiblevisible afar.afar. (47-9)(47-9) TheThe EvilEvil SpiritSpirit shapedshaped hishis creationcreation fromfrom thethe substancesubstance ofof darkness,darkness, thatthat whichwhich waswas hishis ownown selfself,, inin ththee formform ofof a toad,toad, black,black, ashen,ashen, worthyworthy ofof hellhell,, sinfulsinful asas iiss ththee mostmost sinfulsinful noxiounoxiouss beastbeast.. AnAndd firstfirst hehe createcreatedd thethe essencessencee ooff ththee devs,devs, namelynamely wickedness,wickedness, forfor hehe createdcreated thatthat creationcreation wherebywhereby hehe mademade himselfhimself worseworse,, sincesince throughthrough iitt hehe wilwilll becomebecome powerlesspowerless.. (49-50)(49-50) FromFrom thethe substancesubstance ooff darknessdarkness,, whichwhich isis EndlesEndlesss DarknessDarkness,, hhee createdcreated lyinlyingg speech.speech. FromFrom lyinglying speechspeech thethe wickednesswickedness ofof thethe EvilEvil SpiriSpiritt waswas manifest...manifest. . . .. FromFrom thethe substancesubstance ooff lightlight OhrmazdOhrmazd createdcreated truetrue speech;speech; andand fromfrom truetrue speechspeech thethe holinessholiness ofof thethe CreatoCreatorr waswas manifest.manifest. (5(53-43-4)) AndAnd OhrmazdOhrmazd partepartedd HimselHimselff amonamongg thethe AmahraspandsAmahraspands whenwhen HHee createdcreated thethem.m . . . FirstFirst HHee createcreatedd ththee Amahraspands,Amahraspands, originallyoriginally six,six, andand thethenn thethe rest.rest. OfOf thethe AmahraspandsAmahraspands ...... HHee firstfirst createdcreated Vahman,Vahman, throughthrough whomwhom movement waswas givegivenn ttoo thethe creationcreation ofof Ohrmazd,Ohrmazd,... . . foforr ththee goodgood religionreligion ofof thethe Mazda-worshippersMazda-worshippers waswas withwith him.him...... ThenThen HeHe fashionefashionedd ArdvahishtArdvahisht,, thenthen Shahrevar,Shahrevar, thenthen SpendarmadSpendarmad,, thethenn HordadHordad andand AmurdadAmurdad.. TheThe seventhseventh waswas HimselfHimself,, OhrmazdOhrmazd.. (55(55)) TheThe EviEvill Spirit,Spirit, aggressivelaggressivelyy inclinedinclined,, shapedshaped ofof thethe chiefchief devsdevs firstfirst AkomanAkoman,, thenthen Indar,Indar, thenthen SSavol,a vol, thenthen Nanhaith,Nanhaith, thenthen Taromad,Taromad, thenthen TurizTuriz andand Zairiz;Zairiz; thenthen thethe restrest ofof ththee devs.devs. TheThe seventhseventh waswas himself,himself, thethe EviEvill SpiritSpirit.. (59(59)) AnAndd atat creatiocreationn thethe 4848 TRADITIONTRADITION ANDAND DOCTRINEDOCTRINE motherhoodmotherhood andand fatherhoodfatherhood ofof creaturescreatures belongebelongedd toto Ohrmazd;Ohrmazd; forfor whenwhen HeHe nourishenourishedd ththee creaturescreatures spiritually,spiritually, thatthat wawass motherhoodmotherhood,, anandd whenwhen HHee createdcreated themthem materially,materially, thathatt waswas fatherhood.fatherhood.

2.3.2.3.22 FromFrom thethe GreaterGreater Bundahishn,Bundahishn, ch.ch. la1a.. AboutAbout ththee materiamateriall creationcreation (1—4(1-4)) WhenWhen thethe EvilEvil SpiritSpirit waswas helplesshelpless inin prostration,prostration, hehe laylay prostrateprostrate foforr 3,0003,000 years.years. DurinDuringg thethe helplessneshelplessnesss ooff ththee EviEvill SpiritSpirit,, OhrmazdOhrmazd createdcreated thethe creationcreation materially.materially. First,First, HHee createdcreated ththee SkySky asas a defencedefence;; secondsecond,, HeHe createdcreated Water,Water, toto defeadefeatt ththee demondemon ooff thirst;thirst; third,third, HeHe createcreatedd thethe all-solidall-solid Earth;Earth; fourthfourth,, HHee createdcreated ththee Plant,Plant, ttoo helhelpp thethe beneficenbeneficentt AnimalAnimal;; fifth,fifth, HHee createdcreated ththee beneficentbeneficent Animal,Animal, ttoo helphelp thethe JustJust ManMan;; sixth,sixth, HeHe createcreatedd ththee JusJustt ManMan,, toto smitsmitee thethe EvilEvil SpiritSpirit togethertogether witwithh thethe devsdevs anandd toto makemake thethemm powerless.powerless. AnAndd thethenn HHee createdcreated FirFiree andand linkedlinked ititss brilliancbrilliancee ttoo thethe EndlesEndlesss LightLight.. (5-6)(5-6) AndAnd I shallshall describdescribee theirtheir nature.nature. FirstFirst,, HHee createcreatedd SkySky,, brightbright,, visible,visible, highhigh,, itsits boundsbounds afar,afar, mademade ooff shininshiningg metal.metal. AndAnd HeHe joinejoinedd itsits toptop ttoo thethe EndlesEndlesss Light,Light, andand createdcreated alalll creationcreation withiwithinn thethe skysky,, liklikee a castlcastlee oror forfortt iinn whicwhichh areare storedstored allall ththee weaponsweapons neededneeded foforr a strugglestruggle.. TheThe SpiriSpiritt ofof thethe SkySky accepteacceptedd iitt aass a strongstrong fortressfortress againsagainstt ththee EvilEvil SpiritSpirit,, ssoo thathatt hhee wilwilll nonott alloalloww himhim ttoo escape.escape. LikLikee a heroicheroic warriowarriorr whwhoo hashas puputt oonn armouarmourr ssoo thatthat hhee maymay bebe fearlesslfearlesslyy victoriousvictorious inin battlebattle,, soso thethe SpiritSpirit ofof thethe SkySky isis cladclad inin thethe sky.sky. AndAnd toto helphelp thethe skysky HHee createdcreated joyjoy.. NoNoww indeedindeed iinn thethe MixtureMixture creationcreation abidesabides throughthrough joy.joy. (7-I0)(7-10) SecondSecond,, HeHe createdcreated WaterWater.. AnAndd toto helphelp WateWaterr HeHe createdcreated windwind anandd rain.rain. Third,Third, afterafter WaterWater HeHe createdcreated Earth,Earth, roundround,, veryvery broad,broad, withoutwithout hillhill oorr daldalee ...... ,, setset exactlyexactly iinn thethe middlemiddle ofof thisthis skysky.. AndAnd HeHe createdcreated iinn ththee EarthEarth thethe substancsubstancee ooff ththee mountains,mountains, whicwhichh afterwardsafterwards waxedwaxed andand grewgrew outout ooff ththee earth.earth. AndAnd toto helphelp EarthEarth HHee createdcreated ironiron,, coppercopper,, sulphur,sulphur, borax,borax, chalkchalk,, allall thethe productsproducts ofof thethe harhardd earth.earth. BeneatBeneathh thithiss EarthEarth therethere iiss watewaterr everywhereeverywhere.. (11(11)) FourthFourth,, HeHe createdcreated ththee PlantPlant.. AtAt firstfirst itit gregreww inin ththee middlmiddlee ooff thithiss earth,earth, severalseveral feetfeet high,high, withoutwithout brancbranchh oror barkbark oror thornthorn,, moismoistt andand sweetsweet.. AnAndd iitt hahadd iinn ititss essenceessence thethe vitalvital forcforcee ooff alalll plantsplants.. AnAndd ttoo helhelpp ththee PlantPlant HHee createcreatedd waterwater anandd fire;fire;...... throughthrough theirtheir powerpower itit keptkept growing.growing. (12(12)) FifthFifth,, HHee fashionedfashioned thethe Uniquely-Uniquely- createdcreated BulBulll iinn EranveEranvejj iinn thethe middlmiddlee ofof ththee world,world, onon ththee banbankk ofof thethe riverriver VehVeh Daiti.Daiti. IItt wawass whitwhitee anandd brighbrightt liklikee ththee moonmoon,, anandd iitt waswas threthreee measuremeasuredd rodrodss inin height.height. AndAnd toto helphelp iitt HHee createdcreated waterwater andand plants,plants, forfor iinn thethe MixtureMixture itsits strengthstrength anandd growtgrowthh areare fromfrom these.these. (13)(13) SixthSixth,, HHee createdcreated GayomardGayomard,, brightbright asas ththee sun,sun, anandd fourfour measuredmeasured rodsrods iinn height,height, onon thethe bankbank ofof thethe riverriver Daiti,Daiti, wherewhere iiss thethe middlemiddle ofof ththee worldworld -— GayomardGayomard uponupon thethe leftleft side,side, thethe BullBull uponupon thethe righrightt side.side. AnAndd ttoo helhelpp hihimm HHee createcreatedd sleep,sleep, ththee givegiverr ofof repose.repose.

2.3.32.3.3 FroFromm thethe GreaterGreater Bundahishn,Bundahishn, ch.ch. 3.3. TheThe materialmaterial creation,creation, continuedcontinued (7-9)(7-9) SeventSeventhh (H(Hee created)created) FireFire,, whosewhose radianceradiance iiss fromfrom thethe EndlessEndless Light,Light, thethe placeplace ofof Ohrmazd.Ohrmazd. AndAnd HeHe distributeddistributed FireFire withinwithin thethe wholewhole creation.creation. AndAnd HeHe commandedcommanded FirFiree toto serveserve mankindmankind duringduring thethe Assault,Assault, preparingpreparing foodfood andand FROMFROM THETHE ZANDZAND OOFF LOSTLOST AVESTANAVESTAN TEXTTEXTSS 4949 overcominovercomingg cold.cold. (10(10)) AndAnd HeHe appointedappointed andand stationestationedd ththee AmahraspandAmahraspandss forfor workingworking togethetogetherr duringduring thethe battlebattle ofof creation,creation, soso thatthat whenwhen thethe AssaultAssault camecame eacheach oneone laidlaid holholdd ofof hishis ownown adversaryadversary iinn thethe struggle.struggle. (11-13)(11-13) AndAnd I shallshall speakspeak furthefurtherr ofof theirtheir naturenature.. TheThe firstfirst ofof ththee invisiblinvisiblee beingsbeings isis Ohrmazd.Ohrmazd. AndAnd ofof thethe physicalphysical creationscreations HeHe verilyverily tooktook mankindmankind forfor HisHis own.own. AnAndd HiHiss fellowfellow workersworkers areare thethe threethree ‘Dai’s’'Dai's' (Creators),(Creators), ofof oneone place,place, oneone religion,religion, oneone time.time. AllAll areare calledcalled Creator,Creator, beinbeingg thethe spiritspirit fromfrom whichwhich allall creationcreation proceeds.proceeds. AndAnd HHee createcreatedd manman inin fivefive partsparts:: body,body, breathbreath,, soulsoul,, formform anandd fravahrfravahr.. ThuThuss bodybody iiss thethe physicalphysical part;part; breatbreathh thathatt whicwhichh isis connectedconnected witwithh ththee windwind;; soulsoul thatthat whichwhich,, togethertogether withwith ththee consciousnesconsciousnesss inin ththee body,body, hears,hears, sees,sees, speakspeakss anandd knowsknows;; forformm iiss thatthat whichwhich isis iinn ththee stationstation ofof ththee sun;sun; anandd ththee fravahrfravahr thatthat whicwhichh iiss inin ththee presencepresence ofof OhrmazdOhrmazd thethe Lord.Lord. ForFor thathatt reasonreason HHee createdcreated himhim thus,thus, soso thatthat whenwhen durinduringg thethe AssaulAssaultt memenn die,die, ththee bodbodyy rejoinsrejoins thethe earthearth,, thethe breatbreathh thethe wind,wind, thethe forformm thethe sun,sun, andand thethe soulsoul thethe fravahr,fravahr, ssoo thatthat thethe devsdevs shoulshouldd notnot bebe ableable toto destrodestroyy thethe soul.soul. (14(14)) ThThee seconsecondd ofof thethe invisiblinvisiblee beingbeingss iiss VahmanVahman.. AndAnd ofof thethe physicaphysicall creationcreationss hhee tootookk foforr hihiss owownn allall kindskinds ofof cattle.cattle. AnAndd foforr aiaidd anandd fellow- workinworkingg therethere werewere givegivenn himhim MahMah anandd GosGoshh andand RamRam.. AnAndd hehe createcreatedd cattlcattlee iinn fivefive parts:parts: body,body, breath,breath, soul,soul, formform andand spirit,spirit, sosothat that duringduring thethe AssaultAssault GoshGosh UrunUrun may receivereceive ththee seedseed ofof beneficentbeneficent animalsanimals frofromm thethe MoonMoon (Mah)(Mah),, andand withwith thethe helhelpp ofof thethe goodgood RamRam maymay propagatepropagate themthem iinn ththee world;world; andand whenwhen theythey die,die, *th*thee bodybody rejoinsrejoins thethe earth,earth, thethe breathbreath ththee wind,wind, thethe soulsoul GoshGosh Urun,Urun, thethe forformm thethe moon,moon, anandd thethe spiritspirit Vahman,Vahman, soso thatthat thethe devsdevs shouldshould notnot bebe ableable toto destroydestroy itit.. (15)(15) TheThe thirthirdd ofof thethe invisibleinvisible beingsbeings isis Ardvahisht.Ardvahisht. AndAnd ooff thethe physicalphysical creationcreationss hehe tooktook firefire foforr hishis own.own. AndAnd foforr aiaidd anandd fellow-workinfellow—workingg therethere werweree givengiven himhim Adar,Adar, SroshSrosh andand Vahram,Vahram, foforr thatthat reasoreasonn thathatt duringduring thethe AssaulAssaultt VahraVahramm shoulshouldd establishestablish anandd sesett firefire withiwithinn thethe househouse,, anandd givegive iitt a strongholdstronghold.. WheWhenn iitt goegoess out,out, througthroughh VahramVahram iitt rejoinsrejoins Srosh,Srosh, throughthrough SroshSrosh AdarAdar,, throughthrough AdarAdar Ardvahisht,Ardvahisht, soso thathatt thethe devsdevs shouldshould notnot bbee ableable toto destroydestroy itit.. (16)(16) TheThe fourthfourth ofof ththee invisibleinvisible beingbeingss iiss ShahrevarShahrevar.. AndAnd ooff ththee physicalphysical creationcreationss hhee tootookk forfor himselhimselff metal.metal. AndAnd foforr aiaidd anandd fellow-workinfellow-workingg thertheree werewere givengiven himhim KhvarKhvar,, Mihr,Mihr, AsmanAsman andand AnagranAnagran,, ssoo thathatt througthroughh thisthis fellowfellow-- workingworking duringduring ththee AssaulAssaultt ththee devsdevs shoulshouldd nonott bebe ableable ttoo overcomovercomee metal.metal. (17)(17) ThThee fifthfifth ofof thethe invisibleinvisible beingsbeings iiss Spendarmad.Spendarmad. AndAnd ofof thethe physicaphysicall creationscreations sheshe tootookk foforr herselherselff earthearth.. AnAndd foforr aiaidd anandd fellow-workingfellow-working therethere werewere givengiven herher AbanAban,, Din,Din, ArArdd anandd MahraspandMahraspand.. ThrougThroughh thisthis fellow-workinfellow-workingg iitt (the(the earth)earth) iiss keptkept iinn goodgood order.order. (18)(18) ThThee sixthsixth ofof thethe invisibleinvisible beingsbeings iiss Hordad.Hordad. AndAnd ofof thethe physicaphysicall creationscreations sheshe tootookk foforr herselfherself waterwater.. AndAnd forfor aidaid anandd fellow-workingfellow-working thertheree werewere givengiven heherr TirTir andand VadVad andand thethe FravahrsFravahrs —- TirTir iiss ththee samesame asas TishtarTishtar - soso thatthat throughthrough thethe helphelp ofof thethe FravahrsFravahrs sheshe takestakes thethe waterwater andand entrustsentrusts itit unseeunseenn toto ththee WinWindd (Vad).(Vad). TheThe WinWindd guideguidess andand sendsendss ththee watewaterr swiftlswiftlyy ttoo thethe regionsregions.. BByy meanmeanss ofof ththee cloudsclouds,, withwith thesethese fellowfellow workers,workers, sheshe causescauses itit toto rain.rain. (19(19)) TheThe seventhseventh ofof thethe invisibleinvisible beingsbeings isis Amurdad.Amurdad. AndAnd ofof thethe physicalphysical creationcreationss sheshe tooktook forfor herselfherself plantsplants.. AndAnd forfor aidaid anandd fellow-workinfellow-workingg thertheree werewere 5050 TRADITIONtradition ANDand DOCTRINEdoctrine givengiven herher RashnRashn andand AshtaAshtadd anandd Zam-yazaZam-yazadd - thethe threthreee KhwarrahsKhwarrahs whowho areare thertheree atat thethe ChinvatChinvat BridgeBridge,, whowho duringduring thethe AssaultAssault judgjudgee thethe soulssouls ofof menmen foforr theirtheir goodgood andand evilevil deeds.deeds. (20-1(20-1)) lnnumerableInnumerable otherother invisiblinvisiblee beingsbeings ooff creatiocreationn werewere arrayedarrayed toto helphelp them.them...... AndAnd HeHe divideddivided alsoalso thethe dayday intointo fivefive periodsperiods (gah).(gah). AndAnd forfor eacheach perioperiodd HeHe appointedappointed a spirit:spirit: thusthus thethe spiritspirit HavanHavan keepskeeps thethe periodperiod frofromm daybreadaybreakk aass hishis own,own, thethe spiritspirit RapithwinRapithwin noon,noon, ththee spirispiritt UzerinÜzerin thethe periodperiod tilltill sunset,sunset, thethe spiritspirit AiwisruthrimAiwisruthrim thethe firstfirst parpartt ooff thethe nightnight,, thethe spirispiritt UshahinUshahin thethe perioperiodd till dawn.dawn. AndAnd HHee assigneassignedd themthem alsoalso ttoo helphelp (othe(otherr divindivinee beings)beings);; foforr HHee appointedappointed HavaHavann toto helphelp MihrMihr,, RapithwiRapithwinn Ardvahisht,Ardvahisht, UzerinÜzerin BurBurzz YazadYazad [i.e[i.e.. AhurAhuraa Berezant]Berezant],, AiwisruthrimAiwisruthrim thethe fravahrsfravahrs ooff ththee just,just,...... andand UshahinUshahin SroshSrosh.. ForFor HHee knewknew thatthat whewhenn thethe AssaultAssault came,came, thethe dayday wouldwould bebe divideddivided intointo thesthesee fivefive periodsperiods.. UntiUntill thethe comincomingg ofof ththee AssaulAssaultt itit waswas alwayalwayss noonnoon.. (23-4)(23-4) DuringDuring ththee noon-perionoon-periodd OhrmazdOhrmazd withwith thethe AmahraspandsAmahraspands solemnisedsolemnised a spirituaspirituall yasna.yasna. DuringDuring thethe celebrationcelebration ofof thethe yasnayasna HeHe createdcreated allall creations;creations; andand HHee consulteconsultedd witwithh thethe fravahrsfravahrs ofof men.men. HeHe bestowedbestowed thethe wisdowisdomm ofof allall knowledgknowledgee upouponn (th(thee fravahrfravahrss of)of) menmen,, andand said:said: 'Whic‘Whichh seemseemss toto youyou thethe moremore profitableprofitable,, thatthat I shouldshould fashionfashion youyou foforr thethe materiamateriall world,world, andand thatthat youyou shouldshould struggle,struggle, embodied,embodied, witwithh thethe DrujDruj,, andand destrodestroyy thethe Druj;Druj; anandd thatthat atat thethe endend I shouldshould restorerestore youyou,, wholewhole anandd immortal,immortal, andand recreaterecreate yoyouu iinn thethe physicalphysical state,state, foforr everever immortal,immortal, unageingunageing,, freefree fromfrom enemies;enemies; oror thatthat youyou shouldshould bebe protectedprotected foforr everever fromfrom thethe Assault?’Assault?' AndAnd thethe fravahrsfravahrs ofof menmen sawsaw byby thethe wisdomwisdom ofof allall knowledgknowledgee thethe evilevil whicwhichh woulwouldd comcomee upouponn thethemm iinn ththee worldworld throughthrough thethe DruDrujj andand Ahriman;Ahriman; yetyet forfor thethe sakesake ofof freedofreedomm iinn thethe endend fromfrom thethe enmityenmity ofof thethe Adversary,Adversary, andand restoration,restoration, wholewhole anandd immortal,immortal, inin thethe futurfuturee bodybody forfor everever andand everever,, theythey agreeagreedd toto ggoo intointo thethe world.world.

2.3.42.3.4 FroFromm thethe GreaterGreater Bundahishn,Bundahishn, chch.. 44.. ConcerninConcerningg thethe rushingrushing ofof ththee AssaulAssaultt uponupon creationcreation (10-11)(10-11) TheThenn thethe EviEvill SpiritSpirit roserose upup withwith thethe powerfulpowerful devsdevs toto attackattack thethe lightslights.. AndAnd hhee sawsaw thethe Sky,Sky, whicwhichh hadhad appearedappeared ttoo themthem iinn ththee spirispiritt statstatee whenwhen iitt hahadd nonott yetyet beebeenn createdcreated materially.materially. jealouslyJealously hehe assailedassailed it.it. LikeLike a snaksnakee hehe rusherushedd upouponn thethe SkySky beneathbeneath ththee EartEarthh andand soughtsought ttoo cleavecleave it.it. OOnn thethe dayday OhrmazdOhrmazd iinn thethe montmonthh FravardinFravardin,, aatt noonnoon,, hhee rusherushedd in.in. AndAnd ththee SkySky fearefearedd himhim asas ththee sheepsheep thethe wolf.wolf. ThenThen hehe camecame toto thethe Water,Water, ofof whichwhich I saidsaid thatthat itit isis setset belowbelow ththee EarthEarth.. TheThenn hhee boreboredd intintoo thethe middlemiddle ofof ththee Earth.Earth. HeHe entered,entered, andand camcamee ttoo thethe Plant.Plant. TheThenn hehe camecame toto ththee BullBull andand Gayomard.Gayomard. ThenThen hehe camecame toto thethe FireFire.. LikeLike a flyfly hehe rusherushedd upouponn allall creationcreation.. AndAnd hehe madmadee thethe worlworldd atat middaymidday quitequite darkdark,, aass iiff iitt werweree blackblack night.night. HHee mademade ththee skskyy dardarkk belobeloww andand aboveabove thethe earth.earth. (13. .. .28).28) AndAnd hehe broughtbrought a bitterbitter tastetaste toto thethe Water.Water. AndAnd hehe loosedloosed noxious creaturecreaturess uponupon ththee Earth.Earth. AndAnd hhee broughtbrought poisopoisonn toto thethe Plant,Plant, andand straightwaystraightway itit withered.withered. AndAnd hhee loosedloosed painpain andand sicknesssickness uponupon thethe BullBull andand Gayomard.Gayomard. BeforeBefore hishis comincomingg toto thethe Bull,Bull, OhrmazdOhrmazd gavegave a narcoticnarcotic toto thethe BullBull toto eat,eat, soso thatthat itsits sufferingsuffering andand distressdistress wouldwould bebe lessless fromfrom hishis blow.blow. StraightwayStraightway FROMfrom THEthe ZANDzand oOFf LOSTlost AVESTANavestan TEXTStexts 5151 itit becambecamee weaweakk andand illill,, andand ththee paipainn leftleft itit,, andand itit dieddied.. BeforeBefore hihiss comingcoming toto Gayomard,Gayomard, OhrmazdOhrmazd broughtbrought sleepsleep toto GayomardGayomard.. AnAndd ththee EvilEvil SpiritSpirit thought:thought: ‘IΤ havehave mademade allall thethe creationcreation ofof OhrmazdOhrmazd powerlesspowerless exceptexcept Gayomard.’Gayomard.' AndAnd hehe loosedloosed AstvihadAstvihad upouponn Gayomard,Gayomard, withwith a thousandthousand death-bringindeath-bringingg devs.devs. ThenThen hehe camecame toto ththee FireFire andand mingledmingled withwith itit smokesmoke andand darknessdarkness.. AndAnd soso hhee defiledefiledd thethe wholewhole creationcreation.. HellHell waswas inin thethe middlemiddle ofof thethe earthearth wherewhere thethe EvilEvil SpiritSpirit hadhad boredbored throughthrough thethe earthearth andand rushedrushed inin throughthrough it.it. SoSo thethe thingsthings ofof thethe materialmaterial worldworld appeareappearedd iinn duality,duality, turningturning,, opposites,opposites, fights,fights, uupp andand downdown,, andand mixture.mixture.

2.3.52.3.5 FromFrom thethe GreaterGreater Bundahishn,Bundahishn, eh.ch. 5.5. ConcerninConcerningg thethe antagonismantagonism ofof thethe twtwoo SpiritsSpirits (I-2)(1-2) ThusThus AhrimaAhrimann iiss againsagainstt OhrmazdOhrmazd,, AkomanAkoman againstagainst VahmanVahman,, IndarIndar againstagainst ArdvahishtArdvahisht,, SavolSavol againstagainst Shahrevar,Shahrevar, NanhaitNanhaithh ...... againstagainst SpendarmadSpendarmad,, TurizTuriz againstagainst HordadHordad andand ZairizZairiz againstagainst Amurdad,Amurdad, EshmEshm againstagainst Srosh.Srosh. FalsehooFalsehoodd anandd deceitdeceit areare againstagainst Truthfulness,Truthfulness, ththee sorcerer’ssorcerer's spellspell againstagainst thethe holholyy manthramanthra,, excessexcess anandd deficiencdeficiencyy againsagainstt rightright measure.measure. BadBad thought,thought, worwordd anandd deeddeed areare againstagainst goodgood thought,thought, wordword andand deed,deed,... . . aimlessaimless lustlust againstagainst innateinnate wisdom,wisdom,...... idlenessidleness againstagainst diligence,diligence, slothsloth againstagainst (needful)(needful) sleep,sleep, vengefulnessvengefulness againstagainst peace,peace, painpain againstagainst pleasure,pleasure, stenchstench againstagainst fragrance,fragrance, darknessdarkness againstagainst lightlight,, poisonpoison againstagainst ambrosia,ambrosia, bitternessbitterness againstagainst sweetnesssweetness,, parsimonparsimonyy againstagainst generositygenerosity,, avariceavarice againsagainstt discriminatediscriminate giving,giving, winterwinter againstagainst summer,summer, coldcold againstagainst heatheat ...... defilemendefilementt againstagainst cleannesscleanness,, pollutionpollution againsagainstt purification,purification, discontendiscontentt againstagainst contentment.contentment. AndAnd otherother devilishdevilish spiritsspirits areare againstagainst otheotherr divindivinee spirits...spirits. . . .-. (3)(3) LikewisLikewisee amonamongg thethe physicalphysical creations,creations, helhelll iiss againsagainstt ththee sky,sky, droughtdrought againstagainst water,water, impurityimpurity andand noxiounoxiouss creaturescreatures ... againstagainst ththee earth,earth, insectsinsects againstagainst plants,plants, hungerhunger andand thirsthirstt againstagainst beneficentbeneficent animals,animals, deathdeath andand sicknesssickness andand ...... diversdiversee illsills againstagainst mankindmankind,, extinguishingextinguishing andand blowinblowingg ououtt againstagainst fire.fire...... ThThee liolionn andand predatorypredatory wolf-speciewolf-speciess araree againstagainst thethe dogdog andand cattlecattle,, ththee toatoadd againstagainst fishes,fishes, ththee owlowl andand otherother noxiousnoxious wingedwinged creaturescreatures againstagainst birds.birds. WickeWickedd apostatesapostates areare againsagainstt justjust men,men, thethe whorwhoree againstagainst women,women,...... thethe demondemon ofof destructiondestruction againsagainstt life-prolonginlife-prolongingg lineage.lineage.

2.3.62.3.6 FromFrom thethe GreaterGreater Bundahishn,Bundahishn, ch.ch. 14.14. OOnn ththee naturenature ooff mankindmankind (2. .. .4.4)) WhenWhen sicknessicknesss camcamee upouponn GayomardGayomard,, hhee felfelll upouponn hihiss lefleftt sideside.. AndAnd deatdeathh entereenteredd ththee bodbodyy ofof GayomarGayomardd fromfrom ththee lefleftt side.side. (Thereafter)(Thereafter),, untiluntil Frashegird,Frashegird, deatdeathh comescomes toto allall creaturescreatures.. (5-6)(5-6) WheWhenn inin passinpassingg awayaway GayomarGayomardd emittedemitted seedseed,, thatthat seedseed waswas purifiedpurified througthroughh thethe lighlightt ofof ththee sun.sun. TwTwoo partsparts NeryosangNeryosang guarded,guarded, anandd oneone partpart SpendarmadSpendarmad received,received, andand iitt remaineremainedd foforr fortfortyy yearyearss inin thethe earth.earth. AnAndd afteafterr fortyforty yearyearss MashyaMashya andand MashyanagMashyanag grewgrew upup ououtt ooff ththee earthearth inin ththee formform ofof a ‘rivas’'rivas' plantplant,, witwithh a singlesingle stestemm anandd fifteenfifteen leavesleaves,, iinn suchsuch a wayway thathatt theitheirr handshands werewere restinrestingg onon theirtheir shoulders,shoulders, andand ononee wawass joinejoinedd toto ththee otherother,, anandd thetheyy werewere ofof thethe samesame heightheight