Book Title: Comparative and Critical Study of Mantrashastra
Author(s): Mohanlal Bhagwandas Jhaveri, K V Abhayankar
Publisher: Sarabhai Manilal Nawab
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INTRODUCTION some of the older Indo Iranian Deities, whose worship was revived in post-zoroastrian ages. Asha Vahishta then became the Archangel of Fire. Nairyosangha is the Messenger of the Supreme Ahura mazda to mankind. Atar-Verethraghna becomes in later language Atash Behrām meaning the most sacred Zoroastrian Fire Temple.
CULT OF MITHRA In later Achaemenian days the cult of Mithra developed into a definite school of religious thought in Irān and grew into an important esoteric school of occultism. Certain mystic rites and ceremonies were early associated with this cult. The cult spread throughout the Greek and later the Roman world and all over Europe. Even in far off England shrines of Mithra have been found. The worship of the ancient Aryan Sun-God was a very dominant cult in the early days of Christianity and influenced the new religion as well. Airyaman is the Deity associated with Mithra and Varuņa in the Veda where he is invoked during marriage ceremony and a short hymn dedicated to him is still used among the Parsis today as an essential part of the marriage ceremony.
Another Aryan Deity whose worship was revived in the later Avesta days was Verethraghnä (Vedic, Vțitrahan), the slayer of the Arch-Fiend Vțitra. He is the Angel of Victory. Later He is called Behrām.
FRAVASHIS Parsis thus worship besides the Supreme Being several Deities and offer hymns of praise to them (Yashts). They also invoke the Fravashis of the departed, for the Fravashis of the good are regarded as the guardians of creation. The Fravashi is the highest and the eternal principle in all beings. The Yazatas and the Amesha-Spentas and even Ahura Mazda have their Fravashis. They are said to be archetypal souls clothed in ethereal forms. This worship has its parallel in the Hindu worship of Pitsis and the Roman worship of the Manes.
