The Gathas of Asho Zarathushtra
An
overview (Continued from Part I) |
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by Dr. Jimmy Nadershaw Sidhva |
In addition to Spenta Mainyu, the Good or Holy Spirit, a number of other good
or benevolent beings are described in the Gathas. These are the Amesha Spentas
(Ameshaspands) or Holy Immortals, and the Yazatas (Yazads) or the Worshipful or
Adorable Ones.
The Amesha Spentas are seven in number (Haft Ameshaspands),
and in the Gathic verses are described as follows:
1) Ahura Mazda, the
Ominscient Creator, who is the sole and supreme Godhead, and is described as the
“Father” of the other Amesha Spentas.
2) Asha Vahishta (Ardibehesht Ameshaspand)
is the Highest Righteousness, and is often referred to as Asha, Truth or Righteousness.
The Path of Asha is the Righteous Path which the Urvan or soul has to follow,
and not stray from, to reach its ultimate heavenly abode, Garothman.
3)
Vohu Mano (Behman Ameshaspand) is the Amesha Spenta of the Good Mind, who teaches
the Urvan to love its fellow beings, as well as the animal creations of Ahura
Mazda.
4) Khshathra Vairya (Sheherevar Ameshaspand) represents the Divine
Power of Ahura Mazda. It is also used to describe the Domain or Sovereignty of
Ahura Mazda.
5) Spenta Armaiti (Asfandarmad Ameshaspand) is the Amesha
Spenta of Holiness of Devotion, and is also sometimes personified in the Gathas
as Mother Earth herself.
6) Haurvatat (Khordad Ameshaspand) is the Amesha
Spenta of Perfection, and when the Urvan achieves Perfection by following the
Path of Asha, helped by Vohu Mano, Kshathra Vairya and Spenta Armaiti, it will
attain:
7) Ameretat (Amardad Ameshaspand) or Immortality. Haurvatat and
Ameretat are often referred to as a divine pair at a number of places in the Gathas.
After the Amesha Spentas come the Yazatas and Yazads, of whom only two are mentioned
in the Gathas – Sraosha Yazata (Sarosh Yazad) and Atar (Adar Yazad).
Sraosha
represents obedience, and teaches the soul humility. Derived as the name Sraosha
is from the root “Sru” meaning to hear, and thence to heed and obey. Sarosh Yazad
awakens obedience in the soul or Urvan to the laws of Asha.
Adar Yazad
is symbolically referred to in the Atash Niyaesh as the “Son of God” – Atharsh
Puthra Ahurahe Mazdao. Verse four of Ha thirty four of the Yasna, a part of Gatha
Ahunavaiti, is devoted to Adar Yazad, invoking its blessings, and acknowledging
that it is always present to give real help to the faithful.
(To
be continued)
Dr. Jimmy Nadershaw Sidhva
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