Airyaman ishya
Encyclopedia
The airyaman ishya is Zoroastrianism's
fourth of the four Gathic Avestan
invocations.
, the yazata
of healing. The opening words may however have originally been an appeal to "the community" (or "tribe"), which would reflect the etymologically derived meaning of airyaman.
. While the first three formulas are located at Yasna 27.13-27.15, immediately preceding the Gathas
, the airyaman ishya - at Yasna 54.1 - provides the closure. Also unlike the first three, the theological exegesis of the airyaman ishya is not embedded in the Yasna liturgy itself. Like the yenghe hatam, the third of the four formulas, the airyaman ishya is a prayer. Both it and the yenghe hatam are without the enigmatic "pronounced magical character" of the first two formulas.
3.8, 11 and 15, the airyaman ishya is described as the weapon with which to put the demon (daeva
) Taromaiti "heresy" to flight. The airyaman ishya is the greatest, best, fairest, most fearful, most firm most victorious, and the most healing" of all formulas (Yasht 3.5)
Since its incantation was considered the most effective form of healing (Yasht 3.6), the airyaman ishya was accorded special status in the religion. Vendidad 20.12 notes its efficacy against "all sickness and death, all sorcerers and witches, all whores belonging to the Lie." The Yasna verse immediately following the prayer considers the airyaman ishya "the greatest uttering of asha
." (Yasna 54.2)
Like the ahuna vairya
invocation (the first of the four great formulas), the airyaman ishya is "the most excellent, the most mighty, the most efficacious, the most smiting, the most victorious, the most healing, the greatest" of the formulas. (Yasht 1.1-1.3, 3.5-3.6 and 11.3) Also like the ahuna vairya, the airyaman ishya has the power to elicit good thoughts, words and deeds, and so further asha and weaken the druj. (Visperad 24.0-2).
to bring about the final renovation of the world. This eschatological role is already alluded to in Avestan texts, and the concepts of asha
"Truth", ashi
"Recompense" and airyaman
(see translation below, the three words are also etymologically related) all have an eschatological aspect.
Besides being recited (four times) during the Yasna
ceremony, the prayer is also part of the Ashirvad, the blessings invoked during a Zoroastrian marriage ceremony.
Like all Gathic Avestan verses, the prayer is altogether ambiguous and translations vary significantly. One transliteration and translation reads:
Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism is a religion and philosophy based on the teachings of prophet Zoroaster and was formerly among the world's largest religions. It was probably founded some time before the 6th century BCE in Greater Iran.In Zoroastrianism, the Creator Ahura Mazda is all good, and no evil...
fourth of the four Gathic Avestan
Avestan language
Avestan is an East Iranian language known only from its use as the language of Zoroastrian scripture, i.e. the Avesta, from which it derives its name...
invocations.
Name
The prayer is named after its opening words, ā airyə̄mā išyō. In present-day Zoroastrian usage, the airyama of these opening words are considered to be an invocation of the divinity AiryamanAiryaman
In the Avesta, ' is both an Avestan language common noun as well as the proper name of a Zoroastrian divinity.The common noun is a theological and social term literally meaning "member of community or tribe." In a secondary development, the common noun became the proper name of a divinity...
, the yazata
Yazata
Yazata is the Avestan language word for a Zoroastrian concept. The word has a wide range of meanings but generally signifies a divinity...
of healing. The opening words may however have originally been an appeal to "the community" (or "tribe"), which would reflect the etymologically derived meaning of airyaman.
In relation to the other formulas
Like the other three formulas, the airyaman ishya is in Gathic AvestanAvestan language
Avestan is an East Iranian language known only from its use as the language of Zoroastrian scripture, i.e. the Avesta, from which it derives its name...
. While the first three formulas are located at Yasna 27.13-27.15, immediately preceding the Gathas
Gathas
The Gathas are 17 hymns believed to have been composed by Zarathusthra himself. They are the most sacred texts of the Zoroastrian faith.-Structure and organization:...
, the airyaman ishya - at Yasna 54.1 - provides the closure. Also unlike the first three, the theological exegesis of the airyaman ishya is not embedded in the Yasna liturgy itself. Like the yenghe hatam, the third of the four formulas, the airyaman ishya is a prayer. Both it and the yenghe hatam are without the enigmatic "pronounced magical character" of the first two formulas.
In other scripture
In YashtYasht
The s are a collection of twenty-one hymns in Younger Avestan. Each of these hymns invokes a specific Zoroastrian divinity or concept. Yasht chapter and verse pointers are traditionally abbreviated as Yt....
3.8, 11 and 15, the airyaman ishya is described as the weapon with which to put the demon (daeva
Daeva
Daeva in Avestan language meaning "a being of shining light", is a term for a particular sort of supernatural entity with disagreeable characteristics. Equivalents in Iranian languages include Pashto dêw , Baluchi dêw , Persian dīv , Kurdish dêw...
) Taromaiti "heresy" to flight. The airyaman ishya is the greatest, best, fairest, most fearful, most firm most victorious, and the most healing" of all formulas (Yasht 3.5)
Since its incantation was considered the most effective form of healing (Yasht 3.6), the airyaman ishya was accorded special status in the religion. Vendidad 20.12 notes its efficacy against "all sickness and death, all sorcerers and witches, all whores belonging to the Lie." The Yasna verse immediately following the prayer considers the airyaman ishya "the greatest uttering of asha
Asha
Asha is the Avestan language term for a concept of cardinal importance to Zoroastrian theology and doctrine. In the moral sphere, aša/arta represents what has been called "the decisive confessional concept of Zoroastrianism." ...
." (Yasna 54.2)
Like the ahuna vairya
Ahuna Vairya
Ahuna Vairya is the Avestan language name of the most sacred of the Gathic hymns of the Avesta, the revered texts of Zoroastrianism....
invocation (the first of the four great formulas), the airyaman ishya is "the most excellent, the most mighty, the most efficacious, the most smiting, the most victorious, the most healing, the greatest" of the formulas. (Yasht 1.1-1.3, 3.5-3.6 and 11.3) Also like the ahuna vairya, the airyaman ishya has the power to elicit good thoughts, words and deeds, and so further asha and weaken the druj. (Visperad 24.0-2).
In Zoroastrian tradition
In the medieval texts of the 9th-12th century, the airyaman ishya is described to be the prayer that will be recited by the saoshyansSaoshyant
Saoshyant is a figure of Zoroastrian eschatology who brings about the final renovation of the world, the Frashokereti. The Avestan language name literally means "one who brings benefit," and is also used as common noun.-In scripture:...
to bring about the final renovation of the world. This eschatological role is already alluded to in Avestan texts, and the concepts of asha
Asha
Asha is the Avestan language term for a concept of cardinal importance to Zoroastrian theology and doctrine. In the moral sphere, aša/arta represents what has been called "the decisive confessional concept of Zoroastrianism." ...
"Truth", ashi
Ashi
Rav Ashi was a celebrated Jewish religious scholar, a Babylonian amora, who reestablished the academy at Sura and was first editor of the Babylonian Talmud...
"Recompense" and airyaman
Airyaman
In the Avesta, ' is both an Avestan language common noun as well as the proper name of a Zoroastrian divinity.The common noun is a theological and social term literally meaning "member of community or tribe." In a secondary development, the common noun became the proper name of a divinity...
(see translation below, the three words are also etymologically related) all have an eschatological aspect.
Besides being recited (four times) during the Yasna
Yasna
Yasna is the name of the primary liturgical collection of texts of the Avesta as well as the name of the principal Zoroastrian act of worship at which those verses are recited. The Yasna, or Izeshne, is primarily the name of the ceremony in which the entire book is recited and appropriate...
ceremony, the prayer is also part of the Ashirvad, the blessings invoked during a Zoroastrian marriage ceremony.
Structure and content
The airyaman ishya has 24 words in total, divided into two halves of 30 syllables each, distributed as 11,12,7 + 11,7,12.Like all Gathic Avestan verses, the prayer is altogether ambiguous and translations vary significantly. One transliteration and translation reads:
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Zoroaster Zoroaster , also known as Zarathustra , was a prophet and the founder of Zoroastrianism who was either born in North Western or Eastern Iran. He is credited with the authorship of the Yasna Haptanghaiti as well as the Gathas, hymns which are at the liturgical core of Zoroastrianism... Vohu Manah Vohu Manah is the Avestan language term for a Zoroastrian concept, generally translated as "Good Purpose" or "Good Mind", referring to the good moral state of mind that enables an individual to accomplish his duties... |
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Daena Daena is a Zoroastrian concept representing insight and revelation, hence "conscience" or "religion." Alternately, Daena is considered to be a divinity, counted among the yazatas.-Nomenclature:... will merit a precious reward Ashi Rav Ashi was a celebrated Jewish religious scholar, a Babylonian amora, who reestablished the academy at Sura and was first editor of the Babylonian Talmud... of Truth Asha Asha is the Avestan language term for a concept of cardinal importance to Zoroastrian theology and doctrine. In the moral sphere, aša/arta represents what has been called "the decisive confessional concept of Zoroastrianism." ... that Mazda Ahura Mazda Ahura Mazdā is the Avestan name for a divinity of the Old Iranian religion who was proclaimed the uncreated God by Zoroaster, the founder of Zoroastrianism... will apportion. |