Gavaevodata
Encyclopedia
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.
The primordial beast is killed in the creation myth, but from its marrow, organs and cithraThe precise meaning of this word in this context is unknown. It is traditionally translated as "seed", which in the sense of "prototype" carries the connotation of a particular physical form or appearance. But the word can also mean "seed" in the sense of a "race, stock", which Gavaevodata – as the primordial animal – is the apical ancestor of. the world is repopulated with animal life. The soul of the primordial bovine – Geush urvan – returned to the world as the soul of livestock.
Gavaevodata is only alluded to in the surviving texts of the Avesta
, referred to by name in only two hymns. In other instances, for example in Yasht 13.85, the primordial beast is mentioned among the six material creations, but not by name.
In verse 3 of the litany to the moon (Mah Niyayesh 3), Gavaevodata is invoked as (or together with) the "bovine of many species" in the care of the moon Mah
, specifically måŋha- gaociθra- "the moon that keeps in it the cithra of cattle," which is a stock epithet of Mah (Yasht 7.3, 7.5, 7.6, GBd VIe.2-3, VII.5-6 etc.)
In the 30 hymns to the divinities of the Zoroastrian calendar
month, Gavaevodata is again invoked in the verses nominally dedicated to the Moon. In both Siroza 1.12 and 2.12, Mah is again referred to as "the Moon containing the cithra of cattle," and Gavaevodata is again referred to as (or in the company of) the "Bovine of many species."
gaw i ew-dad or ewazdad or ewagdad, and retains the same literal meaning as the Avestan language form.
As also for all other Zoroastrian cosmological beliefs, the primary source of information on the primordial ox is the Bundahishn
, a 9th century century text. In this text, the primordial ox is a hermaphrodite
, having both milk (Ibd 43.15) and semen (Ibd 94.4). It is "white, bright like the moon, and three measured poles in height" (Gbd Ia.12). The uniquely-created ox lived its life on the river Veh.Daiti (Gbd Ia.12), and on the opposite bank lived Gayomart/d (Avestan Gayo maretan), the mythical first human.
Gawi ewdad's role in the creation myth runs as follows: During the first three-thousand year period, Ahura Mazda
's (Ormuzd) fashioned the bovine as His fourth or fifthThe primordial bovine is either the fifth or the fourth creation, depending on which enumeration is followed. The number of material creations varies as well, and is either six or seven, subject to whether fire is included as the seventh and last of the material creations. The Greater Bundahishn has Gawi ewdad as the fifth of seven creations. of six primordial material creations. At the beginning of the second three-thousand year period, Angra Mainyu
(Ahriman) attacked the world, and the Creator responded by placing the primordial plant, bovine, and human in the respective heavenly spheres of the stars, moon and sun (IBd 7). But Ahriman assaulted the sky and Ormuzd fed the bovine "medicinal mang" (mang bēšazMiddle Persian mang refers to either henbane (e.g. Hyoscyamus niger) or datura (Datura stramonium
) or hemp (e.g. Cannabis sativa
).) to lessen its suffering (GBd IV.20). The bull immediately became feeble, and then dies.Henning (Zoroaster: Politician or Witch Doctor, p. 32) suggests that the author meant a euthanasiac was administered. For contra, see .
But as it lay dying its chihr was rescued and carried to "the moon station."The "moon station" being referred to is the station of the moon known in Middle Persian as pesh Parwez "before (in front of) Parwez," with Parwez being the Middle Persian equivalent of Avestan paoiryaeinyas, the Pleiades
. In the care of the moon, the chihr of the beast was purified and became the male and female pairs of the animals "of many species." After the ox's death, fifty-five kinds of grain and twelve kinds of medicinal plants grew from its marrow (Ibd 10). In another passage (Ibd 93.11, cf an equivalent passage in Zadspram), the Bundahishn speaks of sesame, lentils, leeks, grapes, mustard and marjoram issuing from various other parts of its body. For example, lentils from the liver and mustard from the lungsFor the reconstruction of the Avestan word for mustard (identified in Zoroastrian tradition with healthy lungs), and its homophonic similarity to the Middle Persian word for lungs, see (Selected Papers II, pp. 597-599). (Ibd 14.1, Gbd XIII.2In several translations (e.g. the Anklesaria or West Bundahishns) of Middle Persian texts, Middle Persian sipandan "mustard" is mis-translated as "(wild) rue." This is due to a confusion of mustard (Middle Persian sipandan) with s(i)pand
, which is so-called "Syrian rue.").
Goshorun (from Avestan geush urvan), the soul of the primordial bovine, escaped to the star, moon and sun stations where she lamented the destruction of the world. She was not placated until Ormuzd shows her the fravashi
of the yet-unborn Zoroaster
(whose protection she would receive). Contented with the promise of protection, Goshorun then agreed to be "created back to the world in livestock." (Gbd IVa.2ff, Ibd 46.3ff., Denkard
9).
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...
name of the primordial bovine of Zoroastrian
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 and cosmology, one of Ahura 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...
's six primordial material creations and the mythological progenitor of all beneficent animal life.
The primordial beast is killed in the creation myth, but from its marrow, organs and cithraThe precise meaning of this word in this context is unknown. It is traditionally translated as "seed", which in the sense of "prototype" carries the connotation of a particular physical form or appearance. But the word can also mean "seed" in the sense of a "race, stock", which Gavaevodata – as the primordial animal – is the apical ancestor of. the world is repopulated with animal life. The soul of the primordial bovine – Geush urvan – returned to the world as the soul of livestock.
In scripture
Although Avestan gav- "cow" is grammatically feminine, the word is also used as a singular for the collective "cattle." In English language translations Gavaevodata is often referred to as a in gender-neutral 'primordial ox'. Other translations refer to Gavaevodata as a bull (cf. Boyce 139). The -aevo.data of the name literally means "created as one" or "solely created" or "uniquely created."Gavaevodata is only alluded to in the surviving texts of 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,...
, referred to by name in only two hymns. In other instances, for example in Yasht 13.85, the primordial beast is mentioned among the six material creations, but not by name.
In verse 3 of the litany to the moon (Mah Niyayesh 3), Gavaevodata is invoked as (or together with) the "bovine of many species" in the care of the moon Mah
Mah
' or ' is the Avestan language word for both the moon and for the Zoroastrian divinity that presides over and is the hypostasis of the moon....
, specifically måŋha- gaociθra- "the moon that keeps in it the cithra of cattle," which is a stock epithet of Mah (Yasht 7.3, 7.5, 7.6, GBd VIe.2-3, VII.5-6 etc.)
In the 30 hymns to the divinities of the Zoroastrian calendar
Zoroastrian calendar
This article treats of the reckoning of days, months and years in the calendar used by adherents of the Zoroastrian faith. Zoroastrian religious festivals are discussed elsewhere, but have a fixed relationship to Nawruz, the New Year festival, whose timing is discussed below...
month, Gavaevodata is again invoked in the verses nominally dedicated to the Moon. In both Siroza 1.12 and 2.12, Mah is again referred to as "the Moon containing the cithra of cattle," and Gavaevodata is again referred to as (or in the company of) the "Bovine of many species."
In tradition
The mythology of the "uniquely created bovine" that is only alluded to in the extant Avesta appears fully developed in the 9th-11th century Middle Persian texts of Zoroastrian tradition. In these texts, Avestan Gavaevodata appears as Middle PersianMiddle 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...
gaw i ew-dad or ewazdad or ewagdad, and retains the same literal meaning as the Avestan language form.
As also for all other Zoroastrian cosmological beliefs, the primary source of information on the primordial ox is the Bundahishn
Bundahishn
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....
, a 9th century century text. In this text, the primordial ox is a hermaphrodite
Hermaphrodite
In biology, a hermaphrodite is an organism that has reproductive organs normally associated with both male and female sexes.Many taxonomic groups of animals do not have separate sexes. In these groups, hermaphroditism is a normal condition, enabling a form of sexual reproduction in which both...
, having both milk (Ibd 43.15) and semen (Ibd 94.4). It is "white, bright like the moon, and three measured poles in height" (Gbd Ia.12). The uniquely-created ox lived its life on the river Veh.Daiti (Gbd Ia.12), and on the opposite bank lived Gayomart/d (Avestan Gayo maretan), the mythical first human.
Gawi ewdad's role in the creation myth runs as follows: During the first three-thousand year period, Ahura 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...
's (Ormuzd) fashioned the bovine as His fourth or fifthThe primordial bovine is either the fifth or the fourth creation, depending on which enumeration is followed. The number of material creations varies as well, and is either six or seven, subject to whether fire is included as the seventh and last of the material creations. The Greater Bundahishn has Gawi ewdad as the fifth of seven creations. of six primordial material creations. At the beginning of the second three-thousand year period, 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:...
(Ahriman) attacked the world, and the Creator responded by placing the primordial plant, bovine, and human in the respective heavenly spheres of the stars, moon and sun (IBd 7). But Ahriman assaulted the sky and Ormuzd fed the bovine "medicinal mang" (mang bēšazMiddle Persian mang refers to either henbane (e.g. Hyoscyamus niger) or datura (Datura stramonium
Datura stramonium
Datura stramonium, known by the common names Jimson weed, devil's trumpet, devil's weed, thorn apple, tolguacha, Jamestown weed, stinkweed, locoweed, datura, pricklyburr, devil's cucumber, Hell's Bells, moonflower and, in South Africa, malpitte and mad seeds, is a common weed in the...
) or hemp (e.g. Cannabis sativa
Cannabis sativa
Cannabis sativa is an annual herbaceous plant in the Cannabaceae family. Humans have cultivated this herb throughout recorded history as a source of industrial fibre, seed oil, food, recreation, spiritual enlightenment and medicine...
).) to lessen its suffering (GBd IV.20). The bull immediately became feeble, and then dies.Henning (Zoroaster: Politician or Witch Doctor, p. 32) suggests that the author meant a euthanasiac was administered. For contra, see .
But as it lay dying its chihr was rescued and carried to "the moon station."The "moon station" being referred to is the station of the moon known in Middle Persian as pesh Parwez "before (in front of) Parwez," with Parwez being the Middle Persian equivalent of Avestan paoiryaeinyas, the Pleiades
Pleiades (star cluster)
In astronomy, the Pleiades, or Seven Sisters , is an open star cluster containing middle-aged hot B-type stars located in the constellation of Taurus. It is among the nearest star clusters to Earth and is the cluster most obvious to the naked eye in the night sky...
. In the care of the moon, the chihr of the beast was purified and became the male and female pairs of the animals "of many species." After the ox's death, fifty-five kinds of grain and twelve kinds of medicinal plants grew from its marrow (Ibd 10). In another passage (Ibd 93.11, cf an equivalent passage in Zadspram), the Bundahishn speaks of sesame, lentils, leeks, grapes, mustard and marjoram issuing from various other parts of its body. For example, lentils from the liver and mustard from the lungsFor the reconstruction of the Avestan word for mustard (identified in Zoroastrian tradition with healthy lungs), and its homophonic similarity to the Middle Persian word for lungs, see (Selected Papers II, pp. 597-599). (Ibd 14.1, Gbd XIII.2In several translations (e.g. the Anklesaria or West Bundahishns) of Middle Persian texts, Middle Persian sipandan "mustard" is mis-translated as "(wild) rue." This is due to a confusion of mustard (Middle Persian sipandan) with s(i)pand
Harmal
Harmal is a plant of the family Nitrariaceae, native from the eastern Mediterranean region east to India. It is also known as Wild Rue or Syrian Rue because of its resemblance to plants of the rue family....
, which is so-called "Syrian rue.").
Goshorun (from Avestan geush urvan), the soul of the primordial bovine, escaped to the star, moon and sun stations where she lamented the destruction of the world. She was not placated until Ormuzd shows her 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...
of the yet-unborn Zoroaster
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...
(whose protection she would receive). Contented with the promise of protection, Goshorun then agreed to be "created back to the world in livestock." (Gbd IVa.2ff, Ibd 46.3ff., 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...
9).