Parsi mythology originated in Persia. The Persian myths bear a very strong resemblance to the Vedic myths.
The earliest deities represented the universal cosmic forces of nature, both beneficial as well as fearful. It was a nature worshipping cult and often was part of its myths. In due course it evolved into a cosmic conflict between the good and evil.
The earliest information about Persian mythology comes from Zoroastrianism's sacred book, the Zend-Avesta or Avesta. Much of the original Zend-Avesta was lost after Alexander the Great conquered Persia in 334 B.C. What survives is a set of writings gathered and arranged between A.D. 200 and 600.
The driving forces of Persian mythology were two powerful gods, sometimes presented as twin brothers. Ahura Mazda was the creator, a god of light, truth, and goodness. His enemy Ahriman, the spirit of darkness, lies, and evil, created only destructive things such as vermin, disease, and demons. The world was their battlefield. Ahura Mazda, the Wise Lord, was the supreme deity of Persian mythology. The Zoroastrians identified him with purifying fire and tended fires on towers as part of their worship.
The ancient Persian pantheon also included gods and goddesses associated with war, the sun, law and order, water and fertility, etc. There were also gods who appeared in the form of animals. However, Zoroaster reduced the role of these and other traditional deities and emphasized Ahura Mazda as supreme god, leading toward monotheism.
Persian mythology was amongst the first to include eschatological myths. Death in Persian mythology involved a journey into the afterlife. The soul of the dead person had to cross a bridge called Chinvat. Good souls found the bridge to be a wide and comfortable beam leading to heaven. For the wicked, it was a razor-sharp blade from which they fell headlong into hell.
Their myths spoke about the end of the world. The detail imagery is quite exquisite, but then that we will leave it for another day. Today on the occasion of the Parsi New Year, we talk of good things and leave the end of the world for an unknown future!!
The earliest deities represented the universal cosmic forces of nature, both beneficial as well as fearful. It was a nature worshipping cult and often was part of its myths. In due course it evolved into a cosmic conflict between the good and evil.
The earliest information about Persian mythology comes from Zoroastrianism's sacred book, the Zend-Avesta or Avesta. Much of the original Zend-Avesta was lost after Alexander the Great conquered Persia in 334 B.C. What survives is a set of writings gathered and arranged between A.D. 200 and 600.
The driving forces of Persian mythology were two powerful gods, sometimes presented as twin brothers. Ahura Mazda was the creator, a god of light, truth, and goodness. His enemy Ahriman, the spirit of darkness, lies, and evil, created only destructive things such as vermin, disease, and demons. The world was their battlefield. Ahura Mazda, the Wise Lord, was the supreme deity of Persian mythology. The Zoroastrians identified him with purifying fire and tended fires on towers as part of their worship.
The ancient Persian pantheon also included gods and goddesses associated with war, the sun, law and order, water and fertility, etc. There were also gods who appeared in the form of animals. However, Zoroaster reduced the role of these and other traditional deities and emphasized Ahura Mazda as supreme god, leading toward monotheism.
Persian mythology was amongst the first to include eschatological myths. Death in Persian mythology involved a journey into the afterlife. The soul of the dead person had to cross a bridge called Chinvat. Good souls found the bridge to be a wide and comfortable beam leading to heaven. For the wicked, it was a razor-sharp blade from which they fell headlong into hell.
Their myths spoke about the end of the world. The detail imagery is quite exquisite, but then that we will leave it for another day. Today on the occasion of the Parsi New Year, we talk of good things and leave the end of the world for an unknown future!!
I did not know that Parsi mythology originated in Persia and I did not know much about Persian mythology. But I know one beautiful thing came from Persia is sher, shayaris and ghazals. It came in 11th century.
ReplyDeleteI am glad my article has helped someone learn something! utkarsh
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