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TIMESTAMPS

GLOSSARY of Zoroastrian terms

Abbreviations:

Ar.

Arabic

Av.

Avestan

Guj.

Gujarati

OP.

Old Persian

Paz.

Pazand

Pers.

Persian

Phl.

Pahlavi

Skt.

Sanskrit

A

-----

Aban (Phl., Pers.):

water; name of a yazad presiding over water; name of the tenth day of the month according to the Zoroastrian religious calendar; name of the eighth month.

ab-zohr (Phl.):

lit. "libation to the waters"; a section of the Yasna. (Y62.11-Y70).

Achaemenian:

the dynasty which ruled Iran from the time of Cyrus the Great (559 B.C.) to the invasion of Alexander the Great (330 B.C.) (Var. 'Achaemenid')

Adar:

fire; yazad presiding over fire; name of the ninth day of the month according to the Zoroastrian religious calendar. (Var: Pah. 'atash, atesh, adur', Av. 'Atar')

Adar Burzin (Phl.):

one of the three greatest sacred fires of Zoroastrianism (the other two being 'Adar Farnbag' and 'Adar Gushasp'). It was placed in a temple by Kay Vishtasp himself, after it had 'revealed many things visibly, in order to propagate the faith' (GBd 18.14). (Var: 'Adur Burzen-Mihr')

Adarbad Mahraspandan (Phl.):

a Zoroastrian High priest, prime minister of Shapur II (309-379 A.C.)

Aeshma:

See Eshm.

Afrasiyab (Pers.):

a Turanian king who repeatedly attempted to overthrow the Iranians. (Var: 'Franrasyab')

afrin (Phl.):

lit. 'blessing, benediction', specific prayers of blessing (in Pazand).

afrinagan (Phl.):

a multi-part ceremony of blessing; specific prayers in the Avesta which are recited during afrinagan ceremonies; a ceremonial vessel in which the sacred fire is tended. (Var: 'afringan, afargan')

agiary (Guj.):

lit. 'place of fire', a fire temple. The more traditional term is 'Dar-e Mihr' (Var: 'agiari')

Ahriman (Phl.):

the Devil, lit. 'Hostile/Destructive Spirit'. (Var: Phl. 'Ahreman', GAv. 'Angra Mainyu', YAv. 'Anra Mainyu').

Ahu (Av.):

spiritual lord or master, often found in conjunction with 'ratu'.

Ahunawad:

name of the first Gatha; name of the first Gatha day.

Ahunwar (Phl.):

the holiest prayer of the Zoroastrians. It begins with the Av. phrase 'yatha ahu vairyo'. (Var: 'Ahunvar, Ahunawar', Av. 'Ahuna vairyo').

Ahura Mazda (Av.):

God, lit. 'Wise Lord', the Supreme Being of the Zoroastrians. (Var: Phl. 'Ohrmazd')

Airyaman:

yazad of friendship and healing.

Airyanem Vaejah (Av.):

See Eranvej.

Alburz:

a cosmic mountain, aka 'Haraiti' or 'Hara Berezaiti'; an actual mountain range in northern Iran.

Amahraspand (Phl.):

lit. 'Beneficent Immortals', the highest spiritual beings created by Ahura Mazda. Sometimes referred to as 'archangels'. Their names are (Phl.): Vohuman, Ardwahisht, Shahrewar, Spandarmad, Hordad, Amurdad. (Var. 'Amashaspand, Amahraspand', Av. 'Amesha Spenta')

Ameretat (Av.)

see Amurdad.

Amesha Spenta (Av.)

See Amahraspand.

Amurdad (Phl.):

lit. 'Immortality', the Amahraspand presiding over the Earth; name of the seventh day of the month according to the Zoroastrian religious calendar; name of the fifth month. (Var: Av. 'Ameretat', Phr. 'Amardad')

Anagran:

lit. 'endless light', name of a yazad; name of the thirtieth day of the month according to the Zoroastrian religious calendar; (Var. Aneran)

Andarz (Phl.)

(lit. 'gnomic, precept') collection of aphorisms, especially of pragmatic advice or moral instruction

Aneran:

See Anagran.

Angra Mainyu:

See Ahriman.

anjoman (Pers.):

association (Var: 'anjuman')

anosharawan (Phl.):

soul of deceased person, as opposed to Zinda-rawan, a living soul. (Var: 'anosheh-ravan')

ard:

lit. 'good blessings, rewards', name of the yazad presiding over blessings; name of the twenty-fifth day of the month according to the Zoroastrian religious calendar. (Var: 'Ashishwangh, Arshishwang', Av. 'Ashi Vanghuhi')

ardafrawash (Phl.):

lit. 'Asha-possessing farohar', i.e. the farohar (guardian angel) of a holy person.

Ardashir (Pers.):

a king of ancient Iran, founder of the Sasanian dynasty.

Arda Viraf (Pers.):

a priest of the early Sasanian period, author of a Pahlavi book which describes his visions of heaven and hell (Var: Phl. 'Ardag Wiraz')

Ardibehesht (Pers.):

see Ardwahisht.

Ardwahisht (Phl.):

the Amahraspand presiding over Asha and fire; name of the third day of the month according to the Zoroastrian religious calendar; name of the second month (Var. Av. 'Asha Vahishta', Phl. 'Ashwah, Urdwah, Urdibehesht')

Aredvi Sura Anahita (Av.):

lit. 'strong, immaculate Anahita', name of a female yazad; name of a mythical river. (Var: Arduisur)

Arezahi:

See karshwar.

Arsacid:

a royal dynasty founded by Ashk. It is also known as the Parthian dynasty (247 B.C.-226 C.E.)

Asha (Av.):

a fundamental concept of Zoroastrianism; there is no adequate translation, although the following are often used: World-order, Truth, Right, righteousness, holiness; Ardwahisht (Skt. 'rta')

Asha Vahishta (Av.):

see Ardwahisht.

ashavan:

lit. 'possessing Asha', a righteous or just person or being.

ashem vohu (Av.):

one of the most sacred prayers of Zoroastrianism, which praises Asha.

Ashk (Phl.):

founder of the Arsacid dynasty (Var: 'Arshak', Greek 'Arsaces')

Ashtad (Phl.):

lit. 'rectitude, justice', name of a yazad presiding over justice; name of the twenty-sixth day of the month according to the Zoroastrian religious calendar. (Var. 'Arshtat')

Asman (Phl.):

lit. 'sky', name of the yazad presiding over the sky; name of the twenty-seventh day of the month according to the Zoroastrianism religious calendar.

Astwihad (Phl.):

a demon of death. (Var: Phl. 'Astvihad, Astovidad', Av. 'Astovidhotu, Asto-widhatu')

Aspandyar (Parsi Pers.):

an early hero of the Zoroastrian religion, son of Kay Vishtasp. (Var. Pers. 'Ispandiyar, Isfandiyar')

atash (Phl., Pers.):

See Adar.

Atash Adaran (Pers.):

the middle grade of consecrated fire.

Atash Bahram (Pers.):

lit. 'victorious fire', the highest grade of consecrated fire.

Atash Dadgah (Pers.):

the lowest grade of consecrated fire.

athornan (Paz.):

a man of priestly class (Var: 'athrawan, athravan').

Avesta (Pers.):

the holy scriptures of Zoroastrianism (Var: Phl. 'abestag, abistag'); the language of the Avesta (Var. 'Avestan');

ayathrem:

feast (gahambar) of bringing home the herds.

Az (Phl., Pers.):

the demon of greed.

B

-----

baga (Pers.):

God.

Bahman (1) (Pers.):

see Vohuman.

Bahman (2) (Pers.):

name of an Achaemenian king.

Bahram (1) (Pers.):

See Warharan.

Bahram (2) (Pers.):

name of several kings in Iranian history.

Baj (Pers.)

ritual silence, lit. 'framing', a ritual utterance or prayer which frames an action with the power of the manthra; a high liturgical service (Dron service); the monthly or anniversary day of the deceased.

bandagi (Pers.):

prayer.

barashnom (Phl.):

a major ritual of purification lasting nine days. (Var. 'bareshnum, barashnum, barashnum-i no shab').

baresman (Av.):

see barsom.

barsom (Phl.):

a bundle of twigs, tied together with a date-palm cord, held by the priest during high liturgies. Current practice is to substitute metal wires; grass laid out for the yazads to sit on. (Var. Av. 'baresman')

behdin (Pers.):

lit. 'of the Good Religion', a Zoroastrian, especially a lay person.

behesht (Pers.):

paradise.

Bhagaria (Guj.):

a group of priests noted for upholding ancient traditions. They are headquartered in Navsari.

bhandar

the central well of the dakhma

Bharucha (Guj.):

a group of priests headquartered in Bharuch.

bi-namaz

lit. 'without prayer', a term for women in menses.

boy (Phl.):

lit. 'offering incense', a ceremony of offering sandalwood and frankincense to the consecrated fire during each of the five watches of the day. (Var. 'bui, nirang-i bui dadan, boy dadan')

Bundahishn (Phl.):

a ninth-century Pahlavi text.

Bushasp (Phl.):

the demon of sloth (Var: Av. 'Bushyasta')

C

-----

Chechast (Phl.)

mythical lake.

Chinwad (Phl.):

a bridge which souls of the dead cross, and where they are judged (Var: Chinvat, Chinvar, Av. Chinavat)

D

-----

daena (Av.):

See den.

daeva (Av.):

See dew.

Dahm (Phl.)

a yazad honored on the fourth day after death; the plural, 'dahman' is synonymous with hamkar.

Dahman Afrin

embodiment of Prayer

Daitya (Av.):

a sacred river in Eranvej.

dakhma (Av.):

a tower-like structure on which dead bodies are exposed, also known as 'tower of silence'.

Damawand (Phl., Pers.):

a famous mountain in Iran tied with Zoroastrianism. (Var: 'Demavand')

Dar-e Mihr (Pers.):

a lesser fire temple; the area of a fire temple where high liturgies are performed. Lit. 'Place of Mihr (Var. 'Dar-i Mihr')

dashtan (Phl., Pers.):

menstruation.

dastur (Pers.):

a high priest (Var: Phl. 'dastwar')

dawar (Pers.):

a judge. (Var: Phl. 'dadwar')

Day-pe-Adar:

name of the eighth day of the month according to the Zoroastrian religious calendar.

Day-pe-Den:

name of the twenty-third day of the month according to the Zoroastrian religious calendar.

Day-pe-Mihr:

name of the fifteenth day of the month according to the Zoroastrian religious calendar.

den/din (Phl., Pers.):

1. 'religion', 2. 'inner self/conscience', name of the yazad presiding over the religion; name of the twenty-fourth day of the month according to the Zoroastrian religious calendar. (Var: Av. Daena).

Denkard (Phl.)

a ninth-century Pahlavi text, comprising a major survey of the religion.

dew (Phl.):

a demon. (Var: 'dev', Av. 'daeva', OP. 'daiva')

dharma-shala (Guj.):

charitable institution.

dibache (Pers.)

lit. 'preface', an preliminary prayer (in Pazand) which names the spiritual being that a ceremony is dedicated to. It also names the benefactor and person in whose honor the ceremony is performed.

dozakh (Pers.):

hell.

dron (Phl.):

consecrated flat unleavened bread; a service in which bread is consecrated. (Var: 'darun', Av: 'draona, draonangha').

druj (Av.):

embodiment of evil and pollution, demon of the lie, falsehood. (Var: 'drug', OP. 'drauga')

druj i nasush (Phl.):

the corpse demon.

duwazdah homast (Phl.):

a high liturgy consisting of 12 sections, where Vendidad and Yasna is recited. (Var. 'dwazdah-homast, dvazdeh-homast, davazdah hamast')

E

-----

Eranvej:

lit. 'Iranian expanse', home of the Aryans. (Var. 'Eran-wez', Av. 'Airyanem Vaejah, Airyana Waejah')

ervad (Parsi Guj.):

a priest, originally a title used for higher ecclesiastics, currently used to refer to a priest who has undergone the first stage of initiation into priesthood (nawar). (Var: Phl. 'erbad', 'herbad', Av: 'aethrapati')

Eshm:

demon of Fury/Wrath. (Var. Av. 'Aeshma', Phl. 'Xeshm')

F

-----

fargard (Phl.)

lit. 'chapter, section', a term designating sections of the Vendidad and other books of the Avesta. Compare with kardah. (Var. 'fragard')

Faridoon (Pers.):

name of a heroic king of ancient Iran who flourished centuries before Zarathushtra. (Var: Av. 'Thraetaona', Pers. 'Fariydun')

farohar (Pers.):

guardian angel, guardian spirits of the living and dead. (Var: Phl. 'frohar, fravard, fravahr', Av. 'fravashi')

farokhshi (Guj.):

Parsi name for a ceremony dedicated to the farohars.

farziyat (Ar.):

obligatory prayers said in each of the five watches ('gahs') of the day.

Fasli (Pers., Ar.):

Zoroastrians who follow a religious calendar which intercalculates one day every four years, patterned after the Gregorian calendar. (Compare with Qadimi and Shahanshahi.)

Firdausi (Pers.):

author of the Persian epic Shah-nama (Book of Kings) in which many Zoroastrian myths are recorded.

fireshte (Pers.):

a spiritual being/angel, used interchangeable with yazad. (Var. 'fireshta, fereshte')

Fradadhafshu:

see karshwar.

Frashegird:

lit. 'making wonderful', renovation of the universe, the last judgment. (Var: Av. 'Frasho-kereti')

fravashi (Av.):

See farohar.

Frawardigan (Phl.):

the last ten days of the religious calendar, during which the farohars of the departed are remembered, aka All-Souls days, Mukhtad. (Originally 'rozan Frawardigan'.)

Frawardin:

name of the nineteenth day of the month according to the Zoroastrian religious calendar; name of the first month.

G

-----

gah (Phl., Pers.):

one of the five watches or periods of the day (named 'ushahin', 'hawan', 'rapithwin', 'uzerin', and 'aiwisruthrem'); also 'place' or 'area'. (Var: 'geh')

gahambar (Phl., Pers.):

six major seasonal festivals, named 'maidyozarem' (mid-spring), 'maidyoshahem' (mid-summer), 'paitishahem' (bringing in the corn), 'ayathrem' (homecoming of cattle), 'maidyarem' (mid-winter), and 'hamaspathmaidyem' (coming of the whole group [of farohars]). (Var. 'gahanbar')

Gaokerena:

mythical cosmic tree.

garothman (Parsi Guj.):

the 'House of Song', i.e. heaven. (Var: Av. 'Garo-nmana', Phl. 'garodman')

Gatha (Av.):

the five sacred hymns of Zarathushtra (Yasna chapters 28-34, 43-51, 53), part of the Avesta; the five supplementary days at the end of the Zoroastrian religious calendar and the fireshtes presiding over them.

gaw (Phl., Pers.):

name of a yazad personifying cattle; an ox, bull or cow.

Gayomard (Phl.):

lit. 'mortal life', mythical first man according to some Phl. texts. (Var: Av. 'Gayo-maretan')

geh-sarnu (Parsi Guj.):

recitation of the Gathas during a funeral service. (Var: Phl. 'geh-sarna, gahan-srayishn')

gehân

an iron bier on which a dead body is removed

getig (Phl.):

material existence; the world. (Compare with 'menog'.)

getig-kharid (Pers.):

a ceremony of redemption, consisting of the recital of nine Yasna services.

giriban (Pers.):

a small pocket on the throat of the sudre (sacred shirt), also known as "kissa-e kerfa" (the bag of good deeds) (Pers.).

God:

see Ahura Mazda.

Godavara (Guj.):

one of the Gujarat ecclesiastical groups of priests, serving a large rural area, headquartered in Anklesar.

gomez (Phl.):

(unconsecrated) bull's urine.

Goshorun:

lit. 'the soul of the cow (or settlement)'; name of the fourteenth day of the month according to the Zoroastrian religious calendar; (Av. Geush Urvan)

Gowad:

See Wad.

H

-----

hamaspathmaidyem (Av.):

lit. 'coming of the whole group [of farohars]', feast of All Souls. (Var. Hamaspathmaedaya)

hamazor (Phl.):

a ritual greeting.

hamistagan (Phl.):

purgatory, a neutral place between heaven and hell where souls go when their good deeds equal their evil deeds. (Var: 'Hameshta-gehan')

hamkar (Phl.):

lit. 'co-workers', associates of the yazad which presides over the day. The term 'dahman' is also used.

haoma (Av.):

name of a plant with medicinal and spiritual properties; name of the yazad presiding over the haoma plant. (Var: Phl. 'hom').

Hara:

Mythical mountain. (Var: 'Hukairya')

Hathra:

a measure equal to one-half of a charetu, or about 3.5 furlongs.

Haurvatat (Av.):

see Hordad.

Hawan (Phl.):

name of the second watch (gah) of each day (sunrise to midday, i.e., 12 noon); a yazad presiding over the second watch. (Var. 'havan', Av. 'havani')

herbad:

See ervad.

hom (Phl.):

see haoma.

Hooshang (Pers.):

a mythological ruker of ancient Iran, founder of the Peshdadian dynasty, He is credited with the discovery of fire. (Var. 'Hushang', Av. 'Haoshanha')

Hordad (Phl.):

lit. 'Perfection or Health', name of an Amahraspand; name of the sixth day of the month according to the Zoroastrian religious calendar; name of the third month. (Var: Av. 'Haurvatat')

Hormazd (Pers.)

name of various kings of the Parthian and Sasanian dynasties.

Hoshedarmah

one of the future Soshyants.

Hukairya:

See Hara.

I

-----

Ilm-i Khshnoom:

an occult movement within Zoroastrianism.

Indar:

Name of a demon. (Var: Skt. 'Indra')

Iranshah (Pers.)

the oldest sacred fire (Atash Bahram) in India, now in Udvada.

J

-----

Jamasp (Phl.):

an early hero of the Zoroastrian religion. He was King Vishtasp's Prime Minister, and the son-in-law of Zarathushtra. (Var: Av. 'Jamaspa')

Jamshed (Pers.):

a famous king of ancient Iran. (Var: 'Jamshid', Av. 'Yima Khshaeta')

jashan (Phl. Pers.):

a frequently-performed religious service, in which an afrinagan ceremony is performed. (Var: 'jashn', Parsi 'jasan').

jizya:

poll tax levied from non-Muslims.

K

-----

kabiseh:

intercalculation done to keep calendar consistent with seasons

karb:

priest of the old religion. (Var: Av. 'Karapan').

karapan (Av.):

See karb.

kardah:

A section or division of most Yashts and other books of the Avesta. Compare with fargard.

karshwar (Pah.):

one of the seven continents of the earth, named 'Arezahi' (West), 'Sawahi' (East), 'Fradadhafshu' (Southeast), 'Widadhafshu' (Southwest), 'Wouru-bareshti' (northwest), 'Wourujareshti' (Northeast), and 'Xwaniratha' (central). Eranvej is located in the latter.

kay:

See Kayanian.

Kayanian:

a prehistoric dynasty of ancient Iran. (Var: 'kay, kayag, kavi', Av. 'kavaya')

Kay Kaus (Phl.):

a Kayanian king. (Var: Av. 'Kavi Usan')

Kay Khosraw (Pers.):

a Kayanian king, grandson of Kay Kaus. (Var: Av. 'Kavi Haosravah')

Kay Kobad (Pers.):

founder of the Kayanian dynasty. (Var: Av. 'Kavi Kavata.')

Kay Vishtasp (Phl.):

king of ancient Iran, patron of Zarathushtra. (Var: Av. 'Vishtaspa', Pers. 'Gushtasp')

kem na mazda (Av.):

an exorcism prayer from the Avesta.

Kersasp (Phl.):

a king of ancient Iran. (Var: 'Garshasp', Av. 'Keresaspa')

Khambata (Guj.):

a group of priests, headquartered in Khambat.

kheshm (Phl., Pers.):

the a demon of wrath.

Khorda Avesta (Pers.):

the 'Small Avesta', a prayer book with excerpts from the Avesta.

Khordad-sal (Pers.):

the sixth day of the year.

Khorshed (Parsi Pers.):

See Khwarshed.

Khshathra Vairya (Av.):

see Shahrewar.

khshnuman (Phl.):

lit. 'dedication', a dedicatory section (in Avesta) naming the yazad in whose honor a ceremony is performed. There are two types of khshnumans, nani ("shorter"), and wadi ("longer").

khwarrah (Phl.):

divine grace or glory. (Var: Phl. 'farrah', Av. 'khvarenah', 'khwarenah').

Khwarshed:

'the shining sun'; name of the yazad presiding over the Sun; name of the eleventh day of the month according to the Zoroastrian religious calendar; (Var: Pers: Khurshid)

khwetodas (Phl.):

next-of-kin marriage. (Var: Av. 'khvaetvadatha')

kriya (Skt.):

ritual action.

kusti (Pers.):

sacred cord worn around the waist by Zoroastrians; the short ritual of untying and retying the kusti.

L

-----

Lohrasp (Phl.):

a king of ancient Iran, father of Kay Vishtasp. (Var: Av. "Aurvat-aspa")

M

-----

magus:

a priest (pl. magi). Compare with "mobed".

mah (Phl., Pers.):

moon; month; name of the twelfth day of the month according to the Zoroastrian religious calendar; name of the yazad presiding over the Moon.

Mahraspand:

lit. 'Holy Word', name of a yazad who embodies the Holy Word; name of the twenty-ninth day of the month according to the Zoroastrian religious calendar. (Var: Av. 'Manthra Spenta')

maidyarem:

mid-winter feast (gahambar).

maidyoshahem:

mid-summer feast (gahambar).

maidyozarem:

mid-spring feast (gahambar).

Mani (Phl., Pers.):

founder of Manichaeism, a Gnostic religion with Zoroastrian elements, considered an arch-heretic (lived from 216 A.C.-275 A.C.)

manthra (Av.):

Holy Word; specific passages of the Avesta with specific poetic and spiritual properties. Compare with Mahraspand.

maratab (Ar.):

a ceremony which qualifies a priest to perform higher rituals. Compare with nawar. (Var. 'martab')

margarzan (Phl.):

mortal sin.

Mashye-Mashyane (Phl.):

the first human couple, sprung from the seed of Gayomard, the first man.

Mazda (Av.):

see Ahura Mazda.

Mazdayasni (Av.):

another term for the Zoroastrian religion, lit. "worship of Mazda".

menog (Phl.):

spiritual existence; spiritual world. (Compare with getig.) (Var: Av. 'mainyu')

Mihr (Phl., Pers.):

yazad presiding over the contract; name of the sixteenth day of the month according to the Zoroastrian religious calendar; name of the seventh month.

Mihragan (Phl.):

a festival honoring the yazad Mihr, celebrated on the 16th day of the seventh month.

Minocheher (Pers.):

a king of ancient Iran. (Var: 'Manuchihr', Av. 'Manuschithra')

mobed (Pers.):

a Zoroastrian priest, orig. head priest ('Magu-paiti', master of Magi).

Mukhtad (Pers.?):

see Frawardigan.

myazd (Phl.):

a ceremonial food offering.

N

-----

nahn:

ablution, a ritual washing of the entire body, a higher form of purification than padyab.

namaskar (Guj.):

a short prayer of homage. (Var: 'nemaskar')

Nam Stayishn (Phl.):

name of a Pazand prayer praising Ohrmazd, part of the Khorda Avesta.

nasa (Pers.):

dead matter, pollution; demon of putrefaction. (Var: Av. 'nasu', Phl. 'nasush')

nask (Phl.):

lit. 'book, volume,' one of the 21 volumes into which the Avesta was divided in ancient times; a religious service

navjote (Parsi Guj.):

initiation into the Zoroastrian religion, a ceremony of investiture of the sudre and kusti. Also called 'sedra pushun'.

Navsari (Pers., Guj.):

a town in Gujarat India, a stronghold of Zoroastrianism.

nawar (Phl.):

a four day ceremony which qualifies a candidate for the priesthood. Compare with maratab,

Nawruz (Pers.):

New Years Day. (Var: 'Noruz', 'No Roz')

Neryosang (Phl., Pers.):

name of a yazad. (Av. 'nairyosangha')

nirang (Phl.):

lit. 'formula, spell', a short ritual accompanied by Avestan or Pazand prayers; consecrated gomez.

nirang-i kusti bastan (Pers.):

formula for retying the kusti, this short ritual is a necessary prelude to longer prayer.

nirangdin (Phl.):

name of the most exalted and elaborate of Zoroastrian high liturgies.

niyayesh (Pers.):

one of five Zoroastrian litanies from the Avesta, part of the daily prayers. (Var: 'nyayesh, nyayishn')

nyayesh:

see niyayesh.

O

-----

Ohrmazd (Phl.):

God, the supreme being; name of the first day of the month according to the Zoroastrian religious calendar. (Var: Ormazd, Av. 'Ahura Mazda')

Old Persian:

language of the Achaemenian empire, recorded in cuneiform inscriptions.

Osta:

lit. 'disciple', a candidate for priesthood. (Av. 'havishta')

Osti:

a woman of priestly family.

P

-----

padan (Pers.)

a white cloth mask used by a priest during ceremonies to keep his breath from directly touching the fire.

padyab (Pers.):

a ritual washing of the exposed parts of the body. Compare with nahn.

padyab-kusti (Pers.):

a ritual ablution followed by the ritual untying and retying of the kusti.

paewand

a ritual connection. To hold a "paiwand" means to be in close contact or touch This is done by holding a piece of cloth or cotton tape by two persons to show that they are associated or joined in doing a thing.

Pahlavi

the Middle Persian language, used between 300 B.C. and 950 A.C, in which many Zoroastrian writings are preserved.

pairika (Av.):

witch, sorceress; shooting star.

paitishahem:

feast (gahambar) of bringing in the harvest.

panchayat:

local association of Zoroastrians.

Palash (Parsi Pers.):

a Parthian king (51-80A.C.). (Var. Greek 'Vologeses I', Phl. 'Walakhsh')

panj tay (Pers.):

a ceremony performed with a 'five-wire' barsom, which is prerequisite for performing any high liturgy for the day. (Var: 'baj of panch tai')

panthak (Guj.):

priestly jurisdiction.

Paoiryo-tkaesha (Av.):

lit. 'primitive doctrine', forerunner of Zoroastrianism. Alternately, one of the first teachers of the Zoroastrianism. (Var: Phl. 'poryotkesh')

Parsis:

Zoroastrians who settled in India. Sg: Parsi. (Var: 'Parsees')

Parthian:

a royal dynasty ruling Iran from 250 B.C.-226 A.C.

patet (Phl.):

prayer of penance (in Pazand).

paywand (Phl.):

lit. 'connection,' ritual contact between persons serving as a shield against pollution.

Pazand (Phl.):

Pahlavi texts in which Aramaic elements are replaced with their Iranian equivalents, transcribed in the Avestan script.

Peshdadian:

the first dynasty of ancient Iran.

Peshotan (Pers.):

an early hero of Zoroastrianism, he was the son of Kay Vishtasp.

Pesho-tanu (Av.):

a 'mortal-sin'; an individual who has committed a mortal sin.

Porseh Ceremony

Memorial Service

Pourushasp (Phl.):

name of Zarathushtra's father. (Var: Av. 'Paourushaspa')

Q

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Qadimi (Pers., Ar.):

one of the three movements within Zoroastrianism which observe different religious calendars (the other two are called Fasli and Shahanshahi). The Qadimi calendar is one month ahead of the Shahanshahi.

R

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Ram:

lit. 'joy', name of a yazad; name of the twenty-first day of the month according to the Zoroastrian religious calendar.

Rapithwin (Av.):

the period of the day (gah) from noon to mid-afternoon; a yazad presiding over the Rapithwin gah. During five months of the year it is replaced by a second Hawan.

Rashn (Phl.):

lit. 'truth, justice', name of a yazad; name of the eighteenth day of the month according to the Zoroastrian religious calendar; (Av. Rashnu).

Rashnu (Av.):

see Rashn.

raspi (Pers.)

assistant priest.

ratu (Av.)

judge, often found in conjunction with 'Ahu'. (Var. Phl. 'rad')

rawan (Phl.):

soul. (Var: Av. 'urvan')

riman (Phl., Pers.):

something that has become polluted by contact with dead matter; a ceremony of purification, used by Parsees in place of barashnom to purify lay persons.

Rivayat (Ar.):

a collection of letters in Persian from Iranian priests in response to questions by their Indian counterparts on a variety of religious topics, written between 1478 and 1773 C.E..

Rustam (Pers.):

a hero of ancient Iran.

S

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sada (Pers.)

lit. 'pure, simple,' Avestan texts without Pahlavi commentaries.

sagdid (Phl.):

lit. 'a dog's gaze', this term refers to the practice of exposing a corpse to the gaze of a dog, which is believed to drive away some of the power of the druj.

sagri (Guj.):

a small building near a dakhma where a fire is kept burning.

Sanjana (Guj.):

a group of priests headquartered in Udvada.

Saoshyant (Av.)

see Soshyant.

Sasanian:

the Zoroastrian dynasty which ruled Iran from circa 226 A.C.-651 A.C. (Var: 'Sasanid')

satum:

meal offering ritual prayer for dead.

Second Hawan:

the third watch (gah) of each day (noonday to 3 p.m.) during part of the year. Compare with Rapithwin.

sedra-pushun:

see navjote.

Shahanshahi (Pers.):

one of the three movements within Zoroastrianism which observe different religious calendars (the other two are called Fasli and Qadimi.)

Shahrewar (Phl.):

lit. 'Desirable Dominion', the Amahraspand presiding over metals; name of the fourth day of the month according to the Zoroastrian religious calendar; name of the sixth month. (Var: Av. 'Khshathra Vairya')

siroza, siruza (Pers.):

lit. '30 days', a prayer from the Avesta which honors 30 yazads.

Soshyant (Phl.)

the (World) Savior. (Var: Av. 'Saoshyant')

Spandarmad (Phl.):

lit. 'Holy Devotion', the Amahraspand presiding over the earth; name of the fifth day of the month according to the Zoroastrian religious calendar; name of the twelfth month. (Var: Av. 'Spenta Armaiti')

spenta (Av.)

holy, beneficent.

Spenta Armaiti (Av.):

see Spandarmad.

Spenta Mainyu (Av.):

Holy Spirit. (Var: Phl. 'Spenamino')

Spentomad:

name of the third Gatha; name of the third Gatha day.

Spozgar (Paz.):

demon of thunderstorms.

Srosh (Phl.):

lit. 'Hearkening'; name of a yazad; name of the seventeenth day of the month according to the Zoroastrian religious calendar; a spirit being who guards the soul for three days after death (Var: Av. 'Sraosha')

stum (Parsi Guj.):

a prayer recited on meals in honor of the dead. (Var: 'satum')

sudre (Pers.):

sacred shirt. (Var: 'sudra, sudreh')

sudre-kusti (Pers.):

sacred shirt and girdle.

Syamak (Phl.):

a hero of ancient Iran, son of Gayomard, the first king of Iran. (Var: 'Siyamak')

syaw (Parsi Guj.):

a suit of white clothes consecrated during the Dron service. (Var: 'siav, shiav')

Syawakhsh (Phl.):

name of an ancient Iranian hero, son of Kay Kaus.

T

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Tahmurasp (Pers.):

name of an ancient Iranian hero, son of Hooshang.

tana

the ceremony of laying the foundation for a new Dakhma.

tanapuhr (Phl.):

a mortal sin, or a good deed which can balance a mortal sin.

tan-dorosti (Paz., Pers.):

a prayer of benediction (in Pazand).

Tir (Phl.):

see Tishtar.

Tiragan:

Religious celebration in honor of Tishtar.

Tishn (Phl.):

demon of thirst.

Tishtar (Phl.):

the star Sirius; name of the yazad presiding over Sirius; name of the thirteenth day of the month according to the Zoroastrian religious calendar; name of the fourth month. (Var: Phl. 'Tir')

Tur (Pers.):

name of an ancient Iranian hero, one of the three sons of Faridoon.

Tura, Turanian:

a foreign tribe mentioned in the Avesta, probably originally Scythian, later applied to all Central Asian nomads.

U

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urvan:

soul.

Ushahin:

name of the first watch (gah) of each day (from midnight to daybreak).

Ushtawad:

name of the second Gatha; name of the second Gatha day.

uthamnu (Guj.):

a communal service performed on the third night after death. (Var. 'Uthamna')

Uzerin:

the fourth watch (gah) of each day (from 3 p.m. to sunset).

V

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Vanant (Av.)

Yazad of the Star Vega.

Vendidad (Pers.):

one of the books of the Avesta; a high liturgical service in which the Vendidad is recited.

Vishtasp (Phl.):

see Kay Vishtasp.

Vispa Humata (Av.):

a short prayer from the Khorda Avesta focussing on good thoughts, words, and deeds.

Visperad (Phl., Pers.):

one of the books of the Avesta; a high liturgical service dedicated to Ahura Mazda.

Vohuman (Phl.):

lit. 'Good Mind', one of the Amahraspands; name of the second day of the month according to the Zoroastrian religious calendar; name of the 11th month. (Var. Av. 'Vohu Manah')

Vohu Manah (Av.):

see Vohuman.

Vourukasha (Av.):

lit. 'of many bays', mythical ocean.

W

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Wad:

lit. 'wind, atmosphere', name of the yazad presiding over the wind; name of the twenty-second day of the month according to the Zoroastrian religious calendar. (Var. Gowad, Govad).

wahisht (Phl.):

paradise.

Wahishtoisht:

name of the fifth Gatha; name of the fifth Gatha day.

warasyo (Parsi Guj.):

a consecrated white bull. Its hair is used for ritual purposes. (Var: 'varasyo', Av. 'varesa')

Warharan:

lit. 'victory', name of a yazad; name of the twentieth day of the month according to the Zoroastrian religious calendar. (Var: Pers. Bahram, Behram.)

Wohukhshathra:

name of the fourth Gatha; name of the fourth Gatha day.

Y

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Yasht (Phl.):

one of the hymns of the Avesta honoring various spiritual beings.

Yasna (Av.):

one of the books of the Avesta; the name of a high liturgical service in which the text of the Yasna is recited

yatha ahu vairyo (Av.):

the first phrase of the Ahunwar prayer.

yazad (Phl.):

a created spiritual being, worthy of being honored or praised. Used interchangeably with fireshte. (Var: Ijad, Av. 'Yazata')

Yazdegird (Phl.):

the last Sasanian king. The Zoroastrian calendars numbers the year based on his reign, and uses the label 'A.Y.' for 'after Yazdegird'.

yenghe hatam (Av.):

one of the most sacred prayers of Zoroastrianism.

Yima (Av.)

See Jamshed.

yozdathregar ( Av.):

lit. 'purifier', the priest who administers the barashnom ceremony of purification. (Var: Av. 'yaozdathragar')

Z

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Zam:

lit. 'earth', yazad presiding over the earth; name of the twenty-eighth day of the month according to the Zoroastrian religious calendar. (Var. 'Zamyad')

Zand:

translation and exegesis. The term 'Zand-Avesta' or 'Zend-Avesta' refers to an edition of the Avesta which has Zand interspersed with the Avesta text. (Var. Zend.)

Zaothra:

libation (Var: Phl. 'zohr')

Zarathushtra (Av.):

name of the founder of Zoroastrianism. (Var: Parsi Guj. 'Zarthosht', Phl. 'Zartosht, Zardusht', Greek 'Zoroaster')

Zarthosht (Parsi Guj.):

see Zarathushtra.

Zend-Avesta:

see Zand.

Zinda-rawan (Pers.):

lit. 'living soul' (as distinguished from anosharawan, the soul of a deceased person); a ceremony honoring the yazad Srosh on behalf of a living person. (Var, 'Zenda-ravan')

Zohak (Pers.):

a mythical tyrant. (Var. 'Zahhak', Av. 'Azi Dahaka')

Zoroaster (Greek):

see Zarathushtra.

Zoroastrianism:

the religion founded by Zarathushtra (12th century B.C.?), the oldest of the great prophetic religions.

zot (Phl.):

officiating priest.