Bundahishn
Encyclopedia
Bundahishn, meaning "Primal Creation", is the name traditionally given to an encyclopædiaic collections of Zoroastrian
cosmogony
and cosmology
written in Book Pahlavi. The original name of the work is not known.
Although the Bundahishn draws on the Avesta
and develops ideas alluded to in those texts, it is not itself scripture. The content reflects Zoroastrian scripture, which in turn reflects both ancient Zoroastrian and pre-Zoroastrian beliefs. In some cases, the text alludes to contingencies of post-7th century Islamic Iran
, and yet in other cases (e.g. in the idea that the moon is further away than the stars) reiterates scripture even though science had by then determined otherwise.
s has a different first line, and the first translation of that version adopted the name Zand-Ākāsīh, meaning "Zand-knowing", from the first two words of its first sentence.
Most of the chapters of the compendium date to the 8th and 9th centuries, roughly contemporary with the oldest portions of the Denkard
, which is another significant text of the "Pahlavi" (i.e. Zoroastrian Middle Persian
) collection. The later chapters are several centuries younger than the oldest ones. The oldest existing copy dates to the mid-16th century.
The Bundahishn survives in two recension
s. A shorter was found in India, and is thus known as the Lesser-, or Indian Bundahishn. A copy of this version was brought to Europe by Abraham Anquetil-Duperron
in 1762. A longer version was brought to India from Iran by T.D. Anklesaria around 1870, and is thus known as the Greater- or Iranian Bundahishn or just Bundahishn. The greater recension (the name of which is abbreviated GBd or just Bd) is about twice as long as the lesser (abbreviated IBd).
The two recensions derive from different manuscript traditions, and in the portions available in both sources, vary (slightly) in content. The greater recension is also the older of the two, and was dated by West to around 1540. The lesser recension dates from about 1734.
Traditionally, chapter-verse pointers are in Arabic numerals for the lesser recension, and Roman numerals
for the greater recension. The two series' are not synchronous since the lesser recension was analyzed (by Duperrron in 1771) before the extent of the greater recension was known. The chapter order is also different.
and Angra Mainyu
for the hegemony of the world. According to the text, in the first 3,000 years of the cosmic year, Ahura Mazda created the Fravashi
s and conceived the idea of his would-be creation. He used the insensible and motionless Void as a weapon against Angra Mainyu, and at the end of that period, Angra Mainyu was forced to submission and fell into a stupor for the next 3,000 years. Taking advantage of Angra Mainyu's absence, Ahura Mazda created the Amesha Spentas (Bounteous Immortals), representing the primordial elements of the material world, and permeated his kingdom with Ard (Asha
), "Truth" in order to prevent Angra Mainyu from destroying it. The Bundahishn finally recounts the creation of the primordial bovine, Ewagdad (Avestan Gavaevodata
), and Gayomard (Avestan Gayomaretan), the primordial human.
Following MacKenzie, the following chapter names in quotation marks reflect the original titles. Those without quotation marks are summaries of chapters that have no title. The chapter/section numbering scheme is based on that of B.T. Anklesaria for the greater recension, and that of West for the lesser recension. The chapter numbers for the greater recension are in the first column and in Roman numerals, and the chapter numbers for the lesser recension are in the second column, and are noted in Arabic numerals and in parenthesis.
1. Ohrmazd produced illumination between the sky and the earth, the constellation
stars and those also not of the constellations, then the moon, and afterwards the sun, as I shall relate.
2. First he produced the celestial sphere
, and the constellation stars are assigned to it by him; especially these twelve whose names are Varak
(the Lamb), Tora
(the Bull), Do-patkar
(the Two-figures or Gemini), Kalachang
(the Crab), Sher
(the Lion), Khushak
(Virgo), Tarazhuk
(the Balance), Gazdum (the Scorpion), Nimasp
(the Centaur or Sagittarius), Vahik (Capricorn), Dul
(the Water-pot), and Mahik
(the Fish);
3. which, from their original creation, were divided into the twenty-eight subdivisions
of the astronomers, of which the names are Padevar, Pesh-Parviz, Parviz, Paha, Avesar, Beshn, Rakhvad, Taraha, Avra, Nahn, Miyan, Avdem, Mashaha, Spur, Husru, Srob, Nur, Gel, Garafsha Varant, Gau, Goi, Muru, Bunda
, Kahtsar, Vaht, Miyan, Kaht.
4. And all his original creations, residing in the world, are committed to them; so that when the destroyer arrives they overcome the adversary and their own persecution, and the creatures are saved from those adversities.
5. As a specimen of a warlike army, which is destined for battle, they have ordained every single constellation of those 6480 thousand small stars as assistance; and among those constellations four chieftains
, appointed on the four sides, are leaders.
6. On the recommendation of those chieftains the many unnumbered stars are specially assigned to the various quarters and various places, as the united strength and appointed power of those constellations.
7. As it is said that Tishtar
is the chieftain of the east, Sataves
the chieftain of the west, Vanand
the chieftain of the south, and Haptoring
the chieftain of the north.
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...
cosmogony
Cosmogony
Cosmogony, or cosmogeny, is any scientific theory concerning the coming into existence or origin of the universe, or about how reality came to be. The word comes from the Greek κοσμογονία , from κόσμος "cosmos, the world", and the root of γίνομαι / γέγονα "to be born, come about"...
and cosmology
Cosmology
Cosmology is the discipline that deals with the nature of the Universe as a whole. Cosmologists seek to understand the origin, evolution, structure, and ultimate fate of the Universe at large, as well as the natural laws that keep it in order...
written in Book Pahlavi. The original name of the work is not known.
Although the Bundahishn draws on the Avesta
Avesta
The Avesta is the primary collection of sacred texts of Zoroastrianism, composed in the Avestan language.-Early transmission:The texts of the Avesta — which are all in the Avestan language — were composed over the course of several hundred years. The most important portion, the Gathas,...
and develops ideas alluded to in those texts, it is not itself scripture. The content reflects Zoroastrian scripture, which in turn reflects both ancient Zoroastrian and pre-Zoroastrian beliefs. In some cases, the text alludes to contingencies of post-7th century Islamic Iran
Islam in Iran
The Islamic conquest of Persia led to the end of the Sassanid Empire and the eventual decline of the Zoroastrian religion in Persia. However, the achievements of the previous Persian civilizations were not lost, but were to a great extent absorbed by the new Islamic polity...
, and yet in other cases (e.g. in the idea that the moon is further away than the stars) reiterates scripture even though science had by then determined otherwise.
Structure
The traditionally given name seems to be an adoption of the sixth word from the first sentence of the younger of the two recensions. The older of the two recensionRecension
Recension is the practice of editing or revising a text based on critical analysis. When referring to manuscripts, this may be a revision by another author...
s has a different first line, and the first translation of that version adopted the name Zand-Ākāsīh, meaning "Zand-knowing", from the first two words of its first sentence.
Most of the chapters of the compendium date to the 8th and 9th centuries, roughly contemporary with the oldest portions of the Denkard
Denkard
The Dēnkard or Dēnkart is a 10th century compendium of the Mazdaen Zoroastrian beliefs and customs. The Denkard is to a great extent an "Encyclopedia of Mazdaism" and is a most valuable source of information on the religion...
, which is another significant text of the "Pahlavi" (i.e. Zoroastrian Middle Persian
Middle Persian
Middle Persian , indigenously known as "Pârsig" sometimes referred to as Pahlavi or Pehlevi, is the Middle Iranian language/ethnolect of Southwestern Iran that during Sassanid times became a prestige dialect and so came to be spoken in other regions as well. Middle Persian is classified as a...
) collection. The later chapters are several centuries younger than the oldest ones. The oldest existing copy dates to the mid-16th century.
The Bundahishn survives in two recension
Recension
Recension is the practice of editing or revising a text based on critical analysis. When referring to manuscripts, this may be a revision by another author...
s. A shorter was found in India, and is thus known as the Lesser-, or Indian Bundahishn. A copy of this version was brought to Europe by Abraham Anquetil-Duperron
Abraham Hyacinthe Anquetil-Duperron
Abraham Hyacinthe Anquetil-Duperron was the first professional French scholar of Indian culture. He conceived the institutional framework for the new profession. He inspired the founding of the Ecole francaise d'extreme orient a century after his death and, later still, the founding of the...
in 1762. A longer version was brought to India from Iran by T.D. Anklesaria around 1870, and is thus known as the Greater- or Iranian Bundahishn or just Bundahishn. The greater recension (the name of which is abbreviated GBd or just Bd) is about twice as long as the lesser (abbreviated IBd).
The two recensions derive from different manuscript traditions, and in the portions available in both sources, vary (slightly) in content. The greater recension is also the older of the two, and was dated by West to around 1540. The lesser recension dates from about 1734.
Traditionally, chapter-verse pointers are in Arabic numerals for the lesser recension, and Roman numerals
Roman numerals
The numeral system of ancient Rome, or Roman numerals, uses combinations of letters from the Latin alphabet to signify values. The numbers 1 to 10 can be expressed in Roman numerals as:...
for the greater recension. The two series' are not synchronous since the lesser recension was analyzed (by Duperrron in 1771) before the extent of the greater recension was known. The chapter order is also different.
Content
The Bundahishn is the concise view of the Zoroastrianism's creation myth, and of the first battles of the forces of Ahura MazdaAhura 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...
and Angra Mainyu
Angra Mainyu
Angra Mainyu is the Avestan-language name of Zoroastrianism's hypostasis of the "destructive spirit". The Middle Persian equivalent is Ahriman.-In Zoroaster's revelation:...
for the hegemony of the world. According to the text, in the first 3,000 years of the cosmic year, Ahura Mazda created the Fravashi
Fravashi
A fravashi is the guardian spirit mentioned in the Avesta of an individual, who sends out the urvan into the material world to fight the battle of good versus evil...
s and conceived the idea of his would-be creation. He used the insensible and motionless Void as a weapon against Angra Mainyu, and at the end of that period, Angra Mainyu was forced to submission and fell into a stupor for the next 3,000 years. Taking advantage of Angra Mainyu's absence, Ahura Mazda created the Amesha Spentas (Bounteous Immortals), representing the primordial elements of the material world, and permeated his kingdom with Ard (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" in order to prevent Angra Mainyu from destroying it. The Bundahishn finally recounts the creation of the primordial bovine, Ewagdad (Avestan Gavaevodata
Gavaevodata
Gavaevodata is the Avestan language name of the primordial bovine of Zoroastrian cosmogony and cosmology, one of Ahura Mazda's six primordial material creations and the mythological progenitor of all beneficent animal life....
), and Gayomard (Avestan Gayomaretan), the primordial human.
Following MacKenzie, the following chapter names in quotation marks reflect the original titles. Those without quotation marks are summaries of chapters that have no title. The chapter/section numbering scheme is based on that of B.T. Anklesaria for the greater recension, and that of West for the lesser recension. The chapter numbers for the greater recension are in the first column and in Roman numerals, and the chapter numbers for the lesser recension are in the second column, and are noted in Arabic numerals and in parenthesis.
| I. | (1) | The primal creation of Ohrmazd and the onslaught of the Evil Spirit. |
| I A. | n/a | "On the material creation of the creatures." |
| II. | (2) | "On the fashioning forth of the lights." |
| III. | n/a | "On the reason for the creation of the creatures, for doing battle." |
| IV. | (3) | "On the running of the Adversary against the creatures." |
| IV A. | (4) | The death of the Sole-created Bovine Gavaevodata Gavaevodata is the Avestan language name of the primordial bovine of Zoroastrian cosmogony and cosmology, one of Ahura Mazda's six primordial material creations and the mythological progenitor of all beneficent animal life.... . |
| V. | (5) | "On the opposition of the two Spirits." |
| V A. | n/a | "On the horoscope of the world, how it happened." |
| V B. | n/a | The planets. |
| VI. | n/a | "On the doing battle of the creations of the world against the Evil Spirit." |
| VI A. | (6) | "The first battle the Spirit of the Sky did with the Evil Spirit." |
| VI B | (7) | "The second battle the Water did." |
| VI C. | (8) | "The third battle the Earth did." |
| VI D. | (9) | "The fourth battle the Plant did." |
| VI E. | (10) | "The fifth battle the Sole-created Ox did." |
| VI F. | n/a | "The sixth battle Gayōmard did." |
| VI G. | n/a | "The seventh battle the Fire did." |
| VI H. | n/a | "The 8th battle the fixed stars did." |
| VI I. | n/a | "The 9th battle the spiritual gods did with the Evil Spirit." |
| VI J. | n/a | "The 10th battle the stars unaffected by the Mixing did." |
| VII. | n/a | "On the form of those creations." |
| VIII. | (11) | "On the nature of the lands." |
| IX. | (12) | "On the nature of the mountains." |
| X. | (13) | "On the nature of the seas." |
| XI. | (20) | "On the nature of the rivers." |
| XI A. | (20) | "On particular rivers." |
| XI B. | (21) | The seventeen kinds of "water" (of liquid). |
| XI C. | (21) | The dissatisfaction of the Arang, Marv, and Helmand rivers. |
| XII. | (22) | "On the nature of the lakes." |
| XIII. | (14) | "On the nature of the 5 kinds of animal." |
| XIV. | (15) | "On the nature of men." |
| XIV A. | n/a | "On the nature of women." |
| XIV B. | (23) | On negroes. |
| XV. | (16) | "On the nature of births of all kinds." |
| XV A. | (16) | Other kinds of reproduction. |
| XVI. | (27) | "On the nature of plants." |
| XVI A. | (27) | On flowers. |
| XVII. | (24) | "On the chieftains of men and animals and every single thing." |
| XVII A. | n/a | On the inequality of beings. |
| XVIII. | (17) | "On the nature of fire." |
| XIX. | n/a | "On the nature of sleep." |
| XIX A. | n/a | The independence of earth, water, and plants from effort and rest. |
| XX. | n/a | On sounds. |
| XXI. | n/a | "On the nature of wind, cloud, and rain." |
| XXII. | n/a | "On the nature of the noxious creatures." |
| XXIII. | n/a | "On the nature of the species of wolf." |
| XXIV. | (18-19) | "On various things, in what manner they were created and the opposition which befell them." XXIV. A-C. (18) The Gōkarn tree, the Wās ī Paṇčāsadwarān (fish), the Tree of many seeds. XXIV. D-U. (19) The three-legged ass, the ox Haδayãš, the bird Čamroš, the bird Karšift, the bird Ašōzušt, the utility of other beasts and birds, the white falcon, the Kāskēn bird, the vulture, dogs, the fox, the weasel, the rat, the hedgehog, the beaver, the eagle, the Arab horse, the cock. |
| XXV. | (25) | "On the religious year." |
| XXVI. | n/a | "On the great activity of the spiritual gods." |
| XXVII. | (28) | "On the evil-doing of Ahreman and the demons." |
| XXVIII. | n/a | "On the body of men as the measure of the world (microcosm)." |
| XXIX. | (29) | "On the chieftainship of the continents." |
| XXX. | n/a | "On the Činwad bridge and the souls of the departed." |
| XXXI. | n/a | "On particular lands of Ērānšahr Etymology of Iran The name of Iran derives immediately from Middle Persian Ērān, Pahlavi ʼyrʼn, first attested in this form in the inscription that accompanies the investiture relief of Ardashir I at Naqsh-e Rustam... , the abode of the Kays." |
| XXXII. | n/a | "On the abodes which the Kays made with splendor, which are called wonders and marvels." |
| XXXIII. | n/a | "On the afflictions which befell Ērānšahr in each millennium." |
| XXXIV. | (30) | "On the resurrection of the dead and the Final Body." |
| XXXV. | (31-32) | "On the stock and the offspring of the Kays." |
| XXXV A. | (33) | "The family of the Mobads." |
| XXXVI. | (34) | "On the years of the heroes in the time of 12,000 years." |
Zoroastrian astronomy
Excerpt from Chapter 2:- On the formation of the luminaries.1. Ohrmazd produced illumination between the sky and the earth, the constellation
Constellation
In modern astronomy, a constellation is an internationally defined area of the celestial sphere. These areas are grouped around asterisms, patterns formed by prominent stars within apparent proximity to one another on Earth's night sky....
stars and those also not of the constellations, then the moon, and afterwards the sun, as I shall relate.
2. First he produced the celestial sphere
Celestial sphere
In astronomy and navigation, the celestial sphere is an imaginary sphere of arbitrarily large radius, concentric with the Earth and rotating upon the same axis. All objects in the sky can be thought of as projected upon the celestial sphere. Projected upward from Earth's equator and poles are the...
, and the constellation stars are assigned to it by him; especially these twelve whose names are Varak
Aries (constellation)
Aries is one of the constellations of the zodiac, located between Pisces to the west and Taurus to the east. Its name is Latin for ram, and its symbol is , representing a ram's horns...
(the Lamb), Tora
Taurus (constellation)
Taurus is one of the constellations of the zodiac. Its name is a Latin word meaning 'bull', and its astrological symbol is a stylized bull's head:...
(the Bull), Do-patkar
Gemini (constellation)
Gemini is one of the constellations of the zodiac. It was one of the 48 constellations described by the 2nd century astronomer Ptolemy and it remains one of the 88 modern constellations today. Its name is Latin for "twins", and it is associated with the twins Castor and Pollux in Greek mythology...
(the Two-figures or Gemini), Kalachang
Cancer (constellation)
Cancer is one of the twelve constellations of the zodiac. Its name is Latin for crab and it is commonly represented as such. Its symbol is . Cancer is small and its stars are faint...
(the Crab), Sher
Libra (constellation)
Libra is a constellation of the zodiac. Its name is Latin for weighing scales, and its symbol is . It is fairly faint, with no first magnitude stars, and lies between Virgo to the west and Scorpius to the east.-Notable features:]...
(the Lion), Khushak
Virgo (constellation)
Virgo is one of the constellations of the zodiac. Its name is Latin for virgin, and its symbol is . Lying between Leo to the west and Libra to the east, it is the second largest constellation in the sky...
(Virgo), Tarazhuk
Libra (constellation)
Libra is a constellation of the zodiac. Its name is Latin for weighing scales, and its symbol is . It is fairly faint, with no first magnitude stars, and lies between Virgo to the west and Scorpius to the east.-Notable features:]...
(the Balance), Gazdum (the Scorpion), Nimasp
Sagittarius (constellation)
Sagittarius is a constellation of the zodiac, the one containing the galactic center. Its name is Latin for the archer, and its symbol is , a stylized arrow. Sagittarius is commonly represented as a centaur drawing a bow...
(the Centaur or Sagittarius), Vahik (Capricorn), Dul
Aquarius (constellation)
Aquarius is a constellation of the zodiac, situated between Capricornus and Pisces. Its name is Latin for "water-bearer" or "cup-bearer", and its symbol is , a representation of water....
(the Water-pot), and Mahik
Pisces (constellation)
Pisces is a constellation of the zodiac. Its name is the Latin plural for fish, and its symbol is . It lies between Aquarius to the west and Aries to the east...
(the Fish);
3. which, from their original creation, were divided into the twenty-eight subdivisions
Lunar mansion
A lunar mansion is a segment of the ecliptic through which the moon moves in its orbit around the earth, often used by ancient cultures as part of their calendar system...
of the astronomers, of which the names are Padevar, Pesh-Parviz, Parviz, Paha, Avesar, Beshn, Rakhvad, Taraha, Avra, Nahn, Miyan, Avdem, Mashaha, Spur, Husru, Srob, Nur, Gel, Garafsha Varant, Gau, Goi, Muru, Bunda
Beta Aquarii
Beta Aquarii is a triple star in the constellation Aquarius. It has the traditional name Sadalsuud, from an Arabic expression سعد السعود sa‘d al-su‘ūd, the "luck of lucks"...
, Kahtsar, Vaht, Miyan, Kaht.
4. And all his original creations, residing in the world, are committed to them; so that when the destroyer arrives they overcome the adversary and their own persecution, and the creatures are saved from those adversities.
5. As a specimen of a warlike army, which is destined for battle, they have ordained every single constellation of those 6480 thousand small stars as assistance; and among those constellations four chieftains
Royal stars
The four Royal stars or Guardians of the Sky were a group of stars noticed by the Persian astrologers, and mentioned by Zarathustra , around 3000 BC and used as a rudimentary season calendar....
, appointed on the four sides, are leaders.
6. On the recommendation of those chieftains the many unnumbered stars are specially assigned to the various quarters and various places, as the united strength and appointed power of those constellations.
7. As it is said that Tishtar
Royal stars
The four Royal stars or Guardians of the Sky were a group of stars noticed by the Persian astrologers, and mentioned by Zarathustra , around 3000 BC and used as a rudimentary season calendar....
is the chieftain of the east, Sataves
Royal stars
The four Royal stars or Guardians of the Sky were a group of stars noticed by the Persian astrologers, and mentioned by Zarathustra , around 3000 BC and used as a rudimentary season calendar....
the chieftain of the west, Vanand
Royal stars
The four Royal stars or Guardians of the Sky were a group of stars noticed by the Persian astrologers, and mentioned by Zarathustra , around 3000 BC and used as a rudimentary season calendar....
the chieftain of the south, and Haptoring
Royal stars
The four Royal stars or Guardians of the Sky were a group of stars noticed by the Persian astrologers, and mentioned by Zarathustra , around 3000 BC and used as a rudimentary season calendar....
the chieftain of the north.