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INTRODUCTION
appears from the Rgvedi that the fire cult was started in ancient times by the Rsis of Bhrgu, Atharvan and Angiras Kulas; that Bhțgus were against the worship of Indra introduced by Angiras; that Bhřgus and Atharvans, the spiritual guides of the faction of Aryans which left India and ultimately went to Irān, stuck to the ancient fire cult and Soma-cult; and that Zarathustra although a reformer retained fire-worship and the worship of Soma of the Vedic Gods like Agni, Sürya, Mitra, Aryamā, Varuņa (Asura Varuna) and others as subordinate to the Supreme Being called Ahura Mazda. The 'Devas' of the Veda were however degraded to the position of the Demons and Asura Varuņa became the Supreme Being-Ahura Mazda, while the other leading Vedic deity Indra was reduced to the position of the chief lieutenant of the Evil One.
MANTRAS The 61st chapter (Ha) of Yasna refers to the miraculous powers of the three small prayers viz. Ahuna-Vairya, Ashem Vohu and Yenghe Hātām; they are used by the Parsis even this day. It says that they are very effective in overcoming magicians, evil spirits, thieves, robbers, atheists, the wicked and the liars. The most ancient and according to many pre-Zoroastrian in date is the prayer known as Ahuna-Vairya. It is said that "if this prayer is repeated properly even once in the correct rhythm and intonation, and with a clear understanding of its meaning, it is equal in efficacy to the repetition of a hundred other hymns put together. Zarathushtra Himself is said to have chanted this prayer in order to defeat the Evil Spirit when he came to tempt Him. And again and again the Avesta states that "the Ahuna-Vairya protects the Self (tanu)"-P. 68. 'The Religion of Zarathushtra'. It embodies within itself the essentials of Zoroaster's Teaching, and that is the reason according to Dr. Taraporewala why such special efficacy is attached to it. The curious reader would do well to persue the said very instructive work of Dr. Taraporewala (specially p. 68 et seq.) as it treats of the inner meaning of the hymn
