Arshtat
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Arshtat[pronunciation?](Avestan:𐬀𐬭𐬱𐬙𐬁𐬝) is theAvestan languagename of aZoroastrianprinciple and signifies either "justice"[1]or "honesty."[2]As a substantive,arshtatdesignates the divinity Arshtat, thehypostasisof "Rectitude" and "Justice". Her standing epithet is "world-furthering" or "world-promoting."
In scripture
[edit]Although there is ayashtnominally dedicated to Arshtat (Yasht 18), this hymn does not mention her, and it has been supposed that "the occurrence ofarš-'correct' may have been the reason "for the dedication.[3]
Arshtat is closely allied with "the most upright"Rashnu,the "Judge." The two appear as advandvacompound "Rashnu-Arshtat" inYasna1.7 and 2.7, inYasht10.139 and 12.40, and inSirozeh1.18 and 2.18.[4]This is an eschatological identification, and in the liturgy recited on the third day after death she is invoked with Rashnu,Sraosha"Obedience" andMithra"Covenant", together the three guardians of theChinvat bridge.[5]
InSirozeh1.26 and 2.26,[6]Arshtat is invoked as the divinity presiding over the 26th day of the month (cf.Zoroastrian calendar). Both verses associate her with the mythical Mount Ushidarena[6]the "keeper of intelligence" that in Zoroastrian tradition is whereZoroasterspent his years in isolation.Yasna16.6 states the 26th day of the month is sacred to her.
Arshtat is once (Visperad7.2) identified withDaena[5][7](generally translated as "Religion" ).
In tradition
[edit]
Arshtat's eschatological role is carried forward into the 9th–14th century texts of Zoroastrian tradition, where she appears asMiddle PersianAshtad.
Arshtat is an assayer of deeds at theChinvat bridge,the bridge of judgement that all souls must cross. inBundahishn(37.10–14), Arshtat plays this role together with theAmesha SpentaAmeretat,of whom Arshtat is ahamkar"co-operator"; and in theBook of Arda Wiraz(5.3), she stands there withMithra,Rashnu,Vayu-Vata,andVerethragna.[5]
In the apocalypticZand-i Wahman yasn(7.19-20), Arshtat—together with Nairyosangha, Mithra, Rashnu, Verethregna,Sraoshaand a personifiedKhwarenah—assists the heroPeshyotan.[5]
References
[edit]- ^Gershevitch 1959,p. 286ff.
- ^Bartholomae 1904,col. 205.
- ^Skjærvø 1987,p. 826 citing
Lommel 1927,p. 166. - ^Dhalla 1938,p. 176.
- ^abcdGnoli 1987,p. 826.
- ^abDhalla 1938,p. 193.
- ^Dhalla 1938,p. 178.
- ^Dani, Ahmad Hasan; Harmatta, János.History of Civilizations of Central Asia.Motilal Banarsidass Publ. pp. 327–328.ISBN978-81-208-1408-0.
Bibliography
[edit]- Bartholomae, Christian (1904),Altiranisches Wörterbuch,Strassburg: Trübner(fasc., 1979, Berlin: de Gruyter)
- Dhalla, Maneckji Nusservanji (1938),History of Zoroastrianism,New York: OUP
- Gershevitch, Ilya (1959),The Avestan Hymn to Mithra,Cambridge: University Press
- Gnoli, Gerardo (1987), "Aštād",Encyclopaedia Iranica,vol. 2, New York: Routledge & Kegan Paul:826
- Lommel, Herman (1927),Die Yašts des Awesta,Göttingen/Leipzig: J. C. Hinrichs
- Skjærvø, Prods Oktor (1987), "Aštād Yašt",Encyclopaedia Iranica,vol. 2, New York: Routledge & Kegan Paul:826
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