Book Title: Comparative and Critical Study of Mantrashastra
Author(s): Mohanlal Bhagwandas Jhaveri, K V Abhayankar
Publisher: Sarabhai Manilal Nawab
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PARSIS AND MANTRAS : YAZATAS
355 usually given is thirty-three like that of the Vedic gods. The Yazatas are regarded as Powers subordinate to Ahura Mazda, the Supreme God, and as the servants of His Will. While some of them are only personifications of Divine Attributes, others represent the Elements i. e. the Powers of Nature or the original Indo-Irānian Deities.
Among these Sraosh stands for obedience to the Divine Law and is the Guardian Angel of Humanity, for Obedience to the Law of Mazda is the highest protection humanity could have. He guards night and day all the creatures of Mazda holding uplifted His double weapon. The most efficacious of His weapons are the Holy Chants (Manthras), His body is the Holy Chants (Tanumānthra). He is the special Guardian of the Zoroastrian flock. His aid is invoked at night when the powers of evil stalk abroad, and the cock, who ushers in the day is the bird sacred to Sraosha. He is very closely associated with the human soul after death. Rashnu and Mithra are the two Divinities closely associated in later Avesta with Sraosh in the task of judging the souls of the departed. Ashi Vanguhi (Holy Blessings) has been constantly associated with Sraosh. In later ages the blessings were uuderstood more in the material sense of riches and Ashi became a sort of Goddess of Fortune actually translated as Lakshmi in the Sanskrit version of the Avesta texts by Nairyosang (circa 1200 A. D.). Her aid has been invoked by the great prophets and Heroes of Irān. She is also the guardian of Matrimony.
Among the Powers of Nature invoked in the Avesta are the Fire or Atar, the waters or Aradvisūra, Anāhita, the Wind or Rāman (the ancient Vāyu) and the Earth or Zam. Anāhita is mentioned as the patron of the King of Kings side by side with Ahura Mazda and Mithra (or Mitra-the sun). The image of Anāhita was worshipped in Persia as recorded by Greek writers. In the Yasht (hymn of praise) dedicated to Rāman, the list of His suppliants is headed by Ahura Himself. Hvarekshaětra-later Khurshid-the Sun, Māongha-the moon, Ushahina (or Ushah or the Dawn), Tishtrya or the Dog-star are
