What is Yazata in Zoroastrianism?
The term yazata is already used in the Gathas, the oldest texts of Zoroastrianism and believed to have been composed by Zoroaster. In these hymns, yazata is used as a generic, applied to Ahura Mazda as well as to the Amesha Spentas.
How many Zoroastrians are there?
Zenos (1889, p. 2) estimates exactly 75 million 25. Cowley (1999 and 2001, p. 17) estimates possibly 80 million 26. Cook (1904, p. 277) estimates exactly 80 million 27. ^ "Zoroastrianism". jewishencyclopedia.com. 2012. Retrieved 23 February 2012. . ^ Duchesne-Guillemin 1988, p. 815. ^ e.g., Boyce 1982, p. 202.
Who are the lesser yazatas?
Amongst the lesser Yazatas being invoked by name by the poet of the Gathas are Sraosha, Ashi, Atar, Geush Tashan, Geush Urvan, Tushnamaiti, and Iza, and all of which "win mention in his hymns, it seems, because of their close association with rituals of sacrifice and worship". [5]
Is Sraosha the most popular yazata?
Amongst the Muslims of Iran, Sraosha came to be "arguably the most popular of all the subordinate Yazatas", for as the angel Surush, only he (of the entire Zoroastrian pantheon) is still venerated by name. [14]
What time does Yazad presiding over the day?
What time is Yazad's fourth watch?
What is the name of the star associated with Ursa Major?
Where is Aredvi Sura Anahita?
See 1 more
About this website
How many deities are in Zoroastrianism?
One God. Zoroastrians believe in one God, called Ahura Mazda (meaning 'Wise Lord').
How many holy immortals are there in Zoroastrianism?
In Zoroastrianism, the Amesha Spenta (Avestan: 𐬀𐬨𐬆𐬱𐬀 𐬯𐬞𐬆𐬧𐬙𐬀, romanized: Aməša Spəṇta—literally "Immortal (which is) holy/bounteous/furthering") are a class of seven divine entities emanating from Ahura Mazda, the highest divinity of the religion.
What are the 3 main beliefs of Zoroastrianism?
Zoroastrian theology includes foremost the importance of following the Threefold Path of Asha revolving around Good Thoughts, Good Words, and Good Deeds. There is also a heavy emphasis on spreading happiness, mostly through charity, and respecting the spiritual equality and duty of both men and women.
How many Avesta are there?
It consists of 72 sections called the Ha-iti or Ha. The 72 threads of lamb's wool in the Kushti, the sacred thread worn by Zoroastrians, represent these sections.
Which is world's oldest religion?
The word Hindu is an exonym, and while Hinduism has been called the oldest religion in the world, many practitioners refer to their religion as Sanātana Dharma (Sanskrit: सनातन धर्म, lit.
Is Ahura Mazda God?
Ahura Mazda is the god of Zoroastrianism (from ancient Persia, now Iran.) Zoroaster was one of the first monotheists; his Ahura Mazda was the one true god, bringer of both light and darkness. Ahura Mazda had various personified aspects, and darkness and evil was personified as Angra Mainyu.
Is Zoroaster a prophet of Allah?
Zoroaster is not mentioned in the Qurʾan, but the Qurʾan affirms that each nation has been sent a prophet of its own (16:36) in its own language (14:4). This provided a model through which Zoroaster could be seen as a prophet.
Who is the oldest known God?
Inanna is among the oldest deities whose names are recorded in ancient Sumer. She is listed among the earliest seven divine powers: Anu, Enlil, Enki, Ninhursag, Nanna, Utu, and Inanna.
Who is God of Parsi?
Parsis at a glance: They were escaping religious persecution. Zoroastrian is one of the world's oldest religions. Zoroastrians believe in one God, called Ahura Mazda.
Does Zoroastrianism have a Bible?
Avesta, also called Zend-avesta, sacred book of Zoroastrianism containing its cosmogony, law, and liturgy, the teachings of the prophet Zarathushtra (Zoroaster).
What is the holy book of Zoroaster?
What are the key sacred texts of Zoroastrianism? These religious ideas are encapsulated in the sacred texts of the Zoroastrians and assembled in a body of literature called the Avesta.
How many followers exist in Zoroastrianism today?
Zoroastrianism now has an estimated 100,000 to 200,000 worshipers worldwide, and is practiced today as a minority religion in parts of Iran and India.
Where were the immortals from 300 real?
In real life, the Persian Immortals was the name given by Herodotus to an elite heavily-armed infantry queued unit of ten thousand soldiers in the army of the Achaemenid Empire. In real life, they wore colorful clothing and carried spears and shields made of wicker.
Do Zoroastrians have a holy book?
What are the key sacred texts of Zoroastrianism? These religious ideas are encapsulated in the sacred texts of the Zoroastrians and assembled in a body of literature called the Avesta.
Is there an afterlife in Zoroastrianism?
Zoroastrians believe that human beings are comprised of a mortal body and an immortal soul. After a person has died, the soul leaves the body and remains within the material world for three days and three nights.
Who is the God of Zoroastrianism?
According to Zoroastrian tradition, Zoroaster had a divine vision of a supreme being while partaking in a pagan purification rite at age 30. Zoroaster began teaching followers to worship a single god called Ahura Mazda.
Category:Yazatas - Wikipedia
Pages in category "Yazatas" The following 37 pages are in this category, out of 37 total. This list may not reflect recent changes ().
Names of the Zoroastrian Gods - Godchecker
Names from Zoroastrian Mythology: Godchecker's mighty alphabetical index list of Zoroastrian deity names – includes alternative names, titles, akas and nicknames of the Gods, Goddesses and spirits.
Angels in Zoroastrianism - The Spiritual Life
Angels In Zoroastrianism. There are different angels in Zoroastrianism.For example, each person has one guardian angel, called Fravashi.They patronize human beings and other creatures and also manifest God’s energy.
THE DAEVAS IN ZOROASTRIAN SCRIPTURE presented to - UM System
1 A Note on the Translations Used For the English translation of the Gathas I cited for my thesis, I used M.L. West’s The Hymns of Zarathustra. For the rest of the Yasna, I used L. H. Mills’ translation, and for the Vendidad and Khordah Avesta I used James Darmesteter’s. For the three major
HAFT AMAHRASPAND YAŠT – Encyclopaedia Iranica
HAFT AMAHRASPAND YAŠT, or simply Haf-tān yašt (Panaino, 1994, p. 168), the second hymn of the Avestan corpus. It is dedicated to the seven Zoroastrian entities (see AMƎŠA SPƎNTA) and recited on the first seven days of the month (see CALENDARS i, pp. 660-63; Narten, pp. 9-10, 24).The text is a later compilation with respect to the so-called Great Yašts, and in particular belongs to a ...
What is the Zoroastrian yazata?
The 9th–12th century texts of Zoroastrian tradition observe the yazata s (by then as Middle Persian yazad s) in much the same way as the hymns of the Younger Avesta. In addition, in roles that are only alluded to in scripture, they assume characteristics of cosmological or eschatological consequence.
What is Yazata in Zoroastrian?
Yazata ( Avestan: 𐬫𐬀𐬰𐬀𐬙𐬀 ) is the Avestan word for a Zoroastrian concept with a wide range of meanings but generally signifying (or used as an epithet of) a divinity . The term literally means "worthy of worship or veneration", and is thus, in this more general sense, also applied to certain healing plants, primordial creatures, the fravashis of the dead, and to certain prayers that are themselves considered holy. The yazata s collectively are "the good powers under Ahura Mazda ", who is "the greatest of the yazata s".
What is the yazata in the Gathas?
The term yazata is already used in the Gathas, the oldest texts of Zoroastrianism and believed to have been composed by Zarathustra himself. In these hymns, yazata is used as a generic, applied to Ahura Mazda as well as to the "divine sparks" that are in later tradition the Amesha Spentas. In the Gathas, the yazata s are effectively what the daeva s are not; that is, the yazata s are to be worshipped while the daeva s are to be rejected.
What are the yazatas in the Avesta?
In the Younger Avesta, the yazata s are unambiguously divine, with divine powers though performing mundane tasks such as serving as charioteers for other yazata s. Several yazata s are given anthropomorphic attributes, such as cradling a mace or bearing a crown upon their heads, or not letting sleep interrupt their vigil against the demons.
What is the stem form of Yazata?
As the stem form, yazata- has the inflected nominative forms yazatō, pl. yazatåŋhō. These forms reflect Proto-Iranian *yazatah and pl. *yazatāhah. In Middle Persian the term became yazad or yazd, pl. yazdān, continuing in New Persian as izad .
Who interpreted the Zoroastrian scripture in Christian terms?
In the 1860s and 1870s, the linguist Martin Haug interpreted Zoroastrian scripture in Christian terms, and compared the yazata s to the angels of Christianity. In this scheme, the Amesha Spentas are the arch-angel retinue of Ahura Mazda, with the hamkars as the supporting host of lesser angels.
Who invoked Yazatas?
Amongst the lesser Yazatas being invoked by name by the poet of the Gathas are Sraosha, Ashi, Atar, Geush Tashan, Geush Urvan, Tushnamaiti, and Iza, and all of which "win mention in his hymns, it seems, because of their close association with rituals of sacrifice and worship".
Why did Zoroaster pray to the Yazata?
Persons who remember the yazata through ritual offerings receive their favour and prosper. Zoroaster prayed to them to grant him strength for his mission.
Why was Yazata created?
Yazata, in Zoroastrianism, member of an order of angels created by Ahura Mazdā to help him maintain the flow of the world order and quell the forces of Ahriman and his demons. They gather the light of the Sun and pour it on the Earth. Their help is indispensable in aiding man to purify and elevate himself. They teach him to dispel demons and free ...
What did Zoroaster pray to?
Zoroaster prayed to them to grant him strength for his mission. The principal yazata s are mostly ancient Iranian deities reduced to auxiliary status: Ātar (Fire), Mithra, Anahita, Rashnu (The Righteous), Sraosha, and Verethraghna.
How many Zoroastrians are there in Iran?
Iran's figures of Zoroastrians have ranged widely; the last census (1974) before the revolution of 1979 revealed 21,400 Zoroastrians. Some 10,000 adherents remain in the Central Asian regions that were once considered the traditional stronghold of Zoroastrianism, i.e., Bactria (see also Balkh ), which is in Northern Afghanistan; Sogdiana; Margiana; and other areas close to Zoroaster's homeland. In Iran, emigration, out-marriage and low birth rates are likewise leading to a decline in the Zoroastrian population. Zoroastrian groups in Iran say their number is approximately 60,000. According to the Iranian census data from 2011 the number of Zoroastrians in Iran was 25,271.
What are the two main schools of thought of Zoroastrianism?
Today Zoroastrianism can be divided in two main schools of thought: reformists and traditionalists. Traditionalists are mostly Parsis and accept, beside the Gathas and Avesta, also the Middle Persian literature and like the reformists mostly developed in their modern form from 19th century developments. They generally do not allow conversion to the faith and, as such, for someone to be a Zoroastrian they must be born of Zoroastrian parents. Some traditionalists recognize the children of mixed marriages as Zoroastrians, though usually only if the father is a born Zoroastrian. Reformists tend to advocate a "return" to the Gathas, the universal nature of the faith, a decrease in ritualization, and an emphasis on the faith as philosophy rather than religion. Not all Zoroastrians identify with either school and notable examples are getting traction including Neo-Zoroastrians/Revivalists, which are usually reinterpretations of Zoroastrianism appealing towards Western concerns, and centering the idea of Zoroastrianism as a living religion and advocate the revival and maintenance of old rituals and prayers while supporting ethical and social progressive reforms. Both of these latter schools tend to center the Gathas without outright rejecting other texts except the Vendidad. The Ilm-e-Khshnoom and the Pundol Group are Zoroastrian mystical schools of thought popular among a small minority of the Parsi community inspired mostly by 19th-century theosophy and typified by a spiritual ethnocentric mentality.
What is the Avesta?
The Avesta is a collection of the central religious texts of Zoroastrianism written in the old Iranian dialect of Avestan. The history of the Avesta is speculated upon in many Pahlavi texts with varying degrees of authority, with the current version of the Avesta dating at oldest from the times of the Sasanian Empire. According to Middle Persian tradition, Ahura Mazda created the twenty-one Nasks of the original Avesta which Zoroaster brought to Vishtaspa. Here, two copies were created, one which was put in the house of archives and the other put in the Imperial treasury. During Alexander's conquest of Persia, the Avesta (written on 1200 ox-hides) was burned, and the scientific sections that the Greeks could use were dispersed among themselves. However, there is no strong evidence historically towards these claims and they remain contested despite affirmations from the Zoroastrian tradition, whether it be the Denkart, Tansar-nāma, Ardāy Wirāz Nāmag, Bundahsin, Zand i Wahman Yasn or the transmitted oral tradition.
What is the significance of Zoroastrianism in Iran?
Even after the rise of Islam and the loss of direct influence, Zoroastrianism remained part of the cultural heritage of the Iranian language -speaking world, in part as festivals and customs, but also because Ferdowsi incorporated a number of the figures and stories from the Avesta in his epic Shāhnāme, which is pivotal to Iranian identity. One notable example is the incorporation of the Yazata Sraosha as an angel venerated within Shia Islam in Iran.
What was the dominant religion in the Armenian lands?
As late as the Parthian period, a form of Zoroastrianism was without a doubt the dominant religion in the Armenian lands. The Sassanids aggressively promoted the Zurvanite form of Zoroastrianism, often building fire temples in captured territories to promote the religion.
Where was Zoroastrianism founded?
Zoroastrianism was founded by Zoroaster (or Zarathushtra) in ancient Iran. The precise date of the founding of Zoroastrianism is uncertain and dates differ wildly from 2000 BCE to "200 years before Alexander". Zoroaster was born in either Northeast Iran or Southwest Afghanistan. He was born into a culture with a polytheistic religion, which included excessive animal sacrifice and the excessive ritual use of intoxicants, and his life was defined heavily by the settling of his people and the constant threats of raids and conflict. Zoroaster's birth and early life are little documented but speculated heavily upon in later texts. What is known is recorded in the Gathas —the core of the Avesta, which contains hymns thought to be composed by Zoroaster himself. Born into the Spitama clan, he refers to himself as a poet-priest and prophet. He had a wife, three sons, and three daughters, the numbers of which are gathered from various texts.
When did Zoroastrianism start?
With possible roots dating back to the Second Millennium BCE, Zoroastrianism enters written history in the 5th century BCE. It served as the state religion of the ancient Iranian empires for more than a millennium, from around 600 BCE to 650 CE, but declined from the 7th century CE onwards following the Muslim conquest of Persia of 633–654 and subsequent persecution of the Zoroastrian people. Recent estimates place the current number of Zoroastrians at around 110,000–120,000 at most, with the majority living in India, Iran, and North America; their number has been thought to be declining.
Who is Yazad associated with?
A star Yazad, associated with Ursa Major.
What are the angels in Zoroastrianism?
Zoroastrianism recognizes various classes of spiritual beings besides the Supreme Being (Ahura Mazda): The Amesha Spentas, Yazatas, and Fravashis. In practice (cf. Sad Dar, chapter 26 ), Zoroastrians pick a patron angel for their protection, and throughout their lives are careful to observe prayers dedicated to that angel.
What does Yazad mean?
Yazad personifying the wind or atmosphere (Var. Gowad, Govad) (Indo-Iranian in origin)
What time does Yazad presiding over the day?
Yazad presiding over the period of the day (gah) from noon to mid-afternoon
What is the meaning of the Sasanian angel and heart?
Sasanian angel and heart (8th ce. C.E.) Lit 'adorable ones', a created spiritual being, worthy of being honored or praised. Like the Amesha Spentas they personify abstract ideas and virtues, or concrete objects of nature. The Yazatas are ever trying to help people, and protect us from evil (cf. Dk3, ch. 66).
What is the meaning of Yazatas?
Yazatas (Phl. Yazads) (“Angels”): Lit ‘adorable ones’, a created spiritual being, worthy of being honored or praised. Like the Amesha Spentas they personify abstract ideas and virtues, or concrete objects of nature. The Yazatas are ever trying to help people, and protect us from evil (cf. Dk3, ch. 66).
What are the three spiritual beings that Zoroastrianism recognizes?
Zoroastrianism recognizes various classes of spiritual beings besides the Supreme Being (Ahura Mazda): The Amesha Spentas, Yazatas, and Fravashis. In practice (cf. Sad Dar, chapter 26), Zoroastrians pick a patron angel for their protection, and throughout their lives are careful to observe prayers dedicated to that angel. Faravahar.
What are the angels in Zoroastrianism?
Angels in Zoroastrianism. In Zoroastrianism there are different angel-like figures. For example, each person has one guardian angel, called Fravashi. They patronize human beings and other creatures, and also manifest God’s energy. The Amesha Spentas have often been regarded as angels, although there is no direct reference to them conveying ...
What does Ahura Mazda advise Zarathushtra?
Ahura Mazda advises Zarathushtra to invoke them for help whenever he finds himself in danger (Yt13.19-20). If not for their guardianship, animals and people could not have continued to exist, because the wicked Druj would have destroyed them all (Yt13.12-13).
What time does Yazad presiding over the day?
Rapithwin: Yazad presiding over the period of the day (gah) from noon to mid-afternoon
What time is Yazad's fourth watch?
Uzerin: Yazad presiding over the fourth watch (gah) of each day (from 3 p.m. to sunset).
What is the name of the star associated with Ursa Major?
Haptoiringa: A star Yazad, associated with Ursa Major.
Where is Aredvi Sura Anahita?
Aredvi Sura Anahita: lit. 'strong, immaculate Anahita', female Yazad personifying water. She resides in the starry regions. Her hymn is preserved in Yasht 5. Also known as Aban Yazad. (Var: Arduisur)
Overview
In tradition
The 9th–12th century texts of Zoroastrian tradition observe the yazatas (by then as Middle Persian yazads) in much the same way as the hymns of the Younger Avesta. In addition, in roles that are only alluded to in scripture, they assume characteristics of cosmological or eschatological consequence.
For instance, Aredvi Sura Anahita (Ardvisur Nahid) is both a divinity of the waters as well as a rus…
Etymology
Yazata is an Avestan-language passive adjectival participle derived from yaz-; "to worship, to honor, to venerate", from Proto-Indo-European *yeh₂ǵ- (“to worship, revere, sacrifice”). The word yasna or yagna– "worship, sacrifice, oblation, prayer" – comes from the same root. A yaza+ ta is accordingly "a being worthy of worship", "an object of worship" or "a holy being".
As the stem form, yazata- has the inflected nominative forms yazatō, pl. yazatåŋhō. These forms r…
In scripture
The term yazata is already used in the Gathas, the oldest texts of Zoroastrianism and believed to have been composed by Zarathustra himself. In these hymns, yazata is used as a generic, applied to Ahura Mazda as well as to the "divine sparks" that are in later tradition the Amesha Spentas. In the Gathas, the yazatas are effectively what the daevas are not; that is, the yazatas are to be worshipped while the daevas are to be rejected.
In the present day
In the 1860s and 1870s, the linguist Martin Haug interpreted Zoroastrian scripture in Christian terms, and compared the yazatas to the angels of Christianity. In this scheme, the Amesha Spentas are the arch-angel retinue of Ahura Mazda, with the hamkars as the supporting host of lesser angels.
At the time Haug wrote his translations, the Parsi (i.e. Indian Zoroastrian) community was under i…
Notes
1. ^ Pokorny, in his comparative dictionary on Indo-European languages, considers Yazata-, yaz-, yasna, Sanskrit yájati and yajñá, and Greek ἅγιος (hagios) all to be derivatives of a Proto-Indo-European (PIE) root i̪agʲ- (i̪ag´-) "religiös verehren" ("religiously venerate"), though some, partially derivative, authorities, such as Calvert Watkins' PIE Roots appendix to The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, give no indication that Greek term is still considered a reflex …
See also
• Uthra-Mandaean light beings that compare to Yazata
Further reading
• Peterson, Joseph H. (June 4, 2003), Angels in Zoroastrianism, Herndon: avesta.org
Summary
Zoroastrianism or Mazdayasna is an Iranian religion and one of the world's oldest organized faiths, based on the teachings of the Iranian-speaking prophet Zoroaster (also known as Zaraθuštra in Avestan or as Zartosht in Persian). It has a dualistic cosmology of good and evil within the framework of a monotheistic ontology and an eschatology which predicts the ultimate conquest of evil by go…
Overview
Zoroastrians believe that there is one universal, transcendent, all-good, and uncreated supreme creator deity, Ahura Mazda, or the "Wise Lord" (Ahura meaning "Lord" and Mazda meaning "Wisdom" in Avestan). Zoroaster keeps the two attributes separate as two different concepts in most of the Gathas yet sometimes combines them into one form. Zoroaster also claims that Ahura Mazda is omniscient but not omnipotent. In the Gathas, Ahura Mazda is noted as working throu…
Terminology
The name Zoroaster (Ζωροάστηρ) is a Greek rendering of the Avestan name Zarathustra. He is known as Zartosht and Zardosht in Persian and Zaratosht in Gujarati. The Zoroastrian name of the religion is Mazdayasna, which combines Mazda- with the Avestan word yasna, meaning "worship, devotion". In English, an adherent of the faith is commonly called a Zoroastrian or a Zarathustrian. An older expression still used today is Behdin, meaning "The best religion|beh < Middle Persian …
History
The roots of Zoroastrianism are thought to lie in a common prehistoric Indo-Iranian religious system dating back to the early 2nd millennium BCE. The prophet Zoroaster himself, though traditionally dated to the 6th century BCE, is thought by many modern historians to have been a reformer of the polytheistic Iranian religion who lived in the 10th century BCE. Zoroastrianism as a religion …
Relation to other religions and cultures
The religion of Zoroastrianism is closest to Vedic religion to varying degrees. Some historians believe that Zoroastrianism, along with similar philosophical revolutions in South Asia were interconnected strings of reformation against a common Indo-Aryan thread. Many traits of Zoroastrianism can be traced back to the culture and beliefs of the prehistorical Indo-Iranian period, that is, to the …
Religious text
The Avesta is a collection of the central religious texts of Zoroastrianism written in the old Iranian dialect of Avestan. The history of the Avesta is speculated upon in many Pahlavi texts with varying degrees of authority, with the current version of the Avesta dating at oldest from the times of the Sasanian Empire. According to Middle Persian tradition, Ahura Mazda created the twenty-one Nasks of the original Avesta which Zoroaster brought to Vishtaspa. Here, two copies were create…
Zoroaster
Zoroastrianism was founded by Zoroaster (or Zarathushtra) in ancient Iran. The precise date of the founding of the religion is uncertain and estimates vary wildly from 2000 BCE to "200 years before Alexander". Zoroaster was born - in either Northeast Iran or Southwest Afghanistan - into a culture with a polytheistic religion, which featured excessive animal sacrifice and the excessive ritual use of intoxicants, and his life was influenced profoundly by the attempts of his people to f…
Principal beliefs
Humata, Huxta, Huvarshta (Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds), the Threefold Path of Asha, is considered the core maxim of Zoroastrianism especially by modern practitioners. In Zoroastrianism, good transpires for those who do righteous deeds for its own sake, not for the search of reward. Those who do evil are said to be attacked and confused by the druj and are responsib…