CHAPTER XXI
AMESHA SPENTAS
The archangels. The higher celestial beings that had not expressly acquired a distinguishing name of their own in the Gathas are now designated as the Amesha Spentas, or 'Holy Immortal Ones.' They are thus addressed for the first time in the Haptanghaiti, or the Yasna of Seven Chapters, the earliest prose composition of the Avestan period, though still made in the Gathic dialect.[1] They are all created by Ahura Mazda.[2] Plutarch and Strabo refer to them in their works.[3] With the godhead at the pinnacle they form a heptad and are henceforth mentioned as the seven Holy Immortal Ones.[4] Severally they are both male and female.[5] Vohu Manah, Asha Vahishta, and Khshathra Vairya are conceived of as masculine beings, though neuter in grammatical gender; Spenta Armaiti is pictured as a feminine concept; and Haurvatat and Ameretat are treated as masculine beings, though their grammatical gender is feminine. In a paramount degree they are all of one thought, one word, and one deed; their father and lord is the creator Ahura Mazda.[6] They look into one another's souls;[7] and they each have their special Fravashi.[8] Garonmana, the highest heaven, is their dwelling-place, and there they occupy the golden seats that belong to spirits in the realm supernal.[9] Their sacred names are the most mighty, most glorious, and the most victorious of the spells.[10] To utter their name is synonymous with efficacy and power. Yasht 2 is devoted to their praise.
- ↑ Ys. 39. 3; 42. 6.
- ↑ Yt. 1. 25.
- ↑ Is. et Os. 47; Strabo, p. 732; Thomas, Strabo and the Ameshaspands in J. J. Madressa Jubilee Volume, p. 173-176.
- ↑ Yt. 2. 13; 13. 83; 19. 16; For seven Babylonian Igigis and seven Elamite deities, see Gray, The Foundations of the Iranian Religions, p. 17.
- ↑ Ys. 4. 4; 24. 9; 39. 3; Vsp. 9. 4.
- ↑ Yt. 13. 83; 19. 16.
- ↑ Yt. 13. 84; 19. 17.
- ↑ Ys. 23. 2.
- ↑ Vd. 19. 32, 36.
- ↑ Yt. 1. 3.
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