Ahurani

Ahuraniis theAvestanlanguage name of aZoroastrian(class of) divinity associated with "the waters" (āpō). In scripture, the expressionahuraniappears both in the singular and in the plural, and may - subject to context - either denote a specific divinity named Ahurani, or a class of divinities that areahuranis.

TheAvestanfeminine suffix-anidenotes "companion, wife, mate", henceahuranimeans "partner ofahura."Theahuraof the name may or may not be a reference toAhura Mazdaor to the otherAhuras.Following recent scholarship (seeAhurafor details), it is now generally supposed that there was once been a divinity whose proper name was *Ahura, and from whom the variousahuras of theAvestareceive this epithet.

In scripture

In theYasna Haptanghaiti

In theYasna Haptanghaiti,theahuranis are invoked in the plural, as "companions of theahura."In these verses of great antiquity and linguistically as old as theGathas,they are also said to be "created byAhura Mazda"(Yasna38.4).

In the Younger Avesta

In the Younger Avesta, the expression appears in the singular: Ahurani bears gifts of health, prosperity, renown, and for the well-being of the soul (Yasna68.3-4). InYasna68.11, the devotee asks Ahurani for a long life and a welcome in the radiant abode of the righteous (i.e. paradise, cf.ashavan).

InYasna68, which is a "hidden" (since not explicitly dedicated to them)Yasht,the "ahuricone of (the) Ahura, "appears to represent water in all its variations: rivers, wells, lakes, seas, snow and rain (Yasna68.6). As such, the single divinity appears to be synonymous with the*apas,the group ofIndo-Iraniandivinities of the waters.

In other verses, the waters are themselves revered as theahuranis (Yasna38.3). Theahuranis enlighten thought, speech and actions (Yasna68.4). This is in line with the Indo-Iranian tradition of identifying water with wisdom (Avestan:mazda). Theahuranis as described as bringers of fertility and peace. InYasna68.1-2 (cf.Ab-Zohr,"offering to water" ), the celebrant priest offers theahuranis a libation of milk and butter (representing animal creation).

In tradition

Ahurani(s) are not included in any list ofyazatas,nor do they/does she have a day-name dedication in theZoroastrian calendar.This may be because in later ZoroastrianismAredvi Sura Anahitadominates as divinity of the waters, and it is to her that the hymn to the waters (theAban Yasht) is dedicated.

There appear to be historic parallels between the Avestanahuranis and theRigVedicvarunanis, the "wives ofVaruna."These parallels are one of the points of comparison for the theory that Ahura Mazda and Varuna both descend from a common predecessor (seeAhura Mazdafor details).

Bibliography

• Boyce, Mary (1975),A History of Zoroastrianian, Vol. I,Leiden/Köln: Brillp. 51.
• Boyce, Mary (1983), "Aban",Encyclopaedia Iranica,vol. 1, New York: Routledge and Kegan Paulp. 58.
• Dhalla, Maneckji Nusservanji (1938),History of Zoroastrianism,New York: OUPpp. 230–231.
• Jordan, Michael (2002), "Ahurani",Encyclopedia of Gods,London: Kyle Cathie
• Schlerath, Bernfried (1983), "Ahurānī",Encyclopaedia Iranica,vol. 1, New York: Routledge and Kegan Paulp. 688.