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252 ZOROASTER AND THE ZEND-AVESTA. inan, that pre-existent mythic elements may have gathered around the name of a man, born on earth, and by-and-by surrounded the human face with the aureole of a god, may of course be maintained, but only on condition that one may distinctly express what was the real work of Zoroaster. That he raised a new religion against the Vedic religion, and cast down into hell the gods of older days can no longer be maintained, since the gods, the ideas, and the worship of Mazdeism (i.e., Zoroastrianism) are shown to emanate directly from the old religion, and have nothing more of a reaction against it than Žend has against Sanskrit.” (Darmesteter, S.E., vol. iv.)
THE DOCTRINES OF ZOROASTER.
The most special feature of Zoroaster's teaching is the dualistic principle, according to which Ahura Mazda (Ormuzd), the good spirit, is constantly antagonised by Ormuzd and Angra Mainyu (Ahriman), the evil spirit, who
Ahriman. is the originator of everything evil. The latter is to be ultimately expelled from the world, and man must take an active part in the struggle, his conduct being regulated by the code revealed to Zoroaster by Ormuzd. Ormuzd and Ahriman are believed to have been co-existent, and opposed in the earliest period known
to the Gathas; but the ultimate triumph of Dualism. Ormuzd indicates essential if latent inferiority in Ahriman. It must not be taken that other spirits were not believed in by Zoroaster; but as far as one can judge, his special teaching relates to the supremacy and greatness of Ormuzd and his final victory.
As regards conduct in this world, Zoroaster enforces the doctrine that no one can occupy a position of indifference; he must be either on the side of good or of Importance evil. The only proper course was to choose
attached the good, and to follow it in thought, word, to thoughts. and deed. This was announced clearly in the first gatha; and we must concede to Zoroaster the great merit of seeing the importance of the thoughts, and tracing evil to that source. When we remember how
