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64
MAZDA'S MINISTERING ANGELS

be a manifest help unto the faithful, but a veritable harm unto the foe.[1] The noble truth of the prophetic words of Zarathushtra will, in this manner, be vindicated when, at the final Dispensation, divine judgment shall be meted out to man through the red fire of Mazda.[2]

Ashi

The feminine abstraction of sanctity. Ashi represents sanctity and destiny, or reward In one passage she is given the epithet vanghuhi, 'good,'[3] which in the Later Avesta is inseparably associated with her name. She represents the life of piety and its concomitant result. Zarathushtra invokes Asha to come with Ashi.[4] She apportions Mazda*s ordinances, about which the prophet desires to learn.[5] He invokes her in his crusade against Druj, or the Lie.[6] Whoso, through the power that Ashi confers upon him, deprives the wicked of his possessions, reaps the rewards that Mazda has promised.[7]

In an eschatological sense, she forms the reward assured in heaven to those who have led a life of sanctity upon earth It is with the accompaniment of Ashi's recompense that Sraosha approaches the seat of judgment to reward the righteous and wicked souls.[8] Zarathushtra asks Ahura Mazda to manifest unto him the incomparable things of his Divine Kingdom which are rewards of Vohu Manah,[9] and seeks to know the reward that will be his in the Good Kingdom.[10]

Ashi's sphere of activity grows in the later development of her cult and, in addition to representing the reward of the pious in heaven, she stands also for the earthly prize of those who are diligent. She becomes the genius of fortune, and the eager eyes of her numerous votaries are always turned to her for her favour. This new phase of her activity will receive attention in the place assigned to her in our treatment of the Later Avestan period.

Geush Tashan and Geush Urvan

The Fashioner of animal life. The Gathas speak of three beings, Geush Tashan, 'the Creator of the Bull or Cow,' Geush Urvan, 'the Soul of the Bull or Cow,' and Gav Azi, 'the Bull

  1. Ys. 34. 4.
  2. Ys. 31. 19.
  3. Ys. 51. 10.
  4. Ys. 51. 10.
  5. Ys. 34. 12.
  6. Ys. 31. 4.
  7. Ys. 50. 3.
  8. Ys. 43. 12.
  9. Ys. 33. 13.
  10. Ys. 48. 8.