Zoroastrian Divine Beings, by Amesha Spentas

Zoroastrian Divine Beings, by Amesha Spentas. According to Zoroastrianism, Ahura Mazda, the ultimate deity, established the Amesha Spentas, or “Holy Immortals,” as a collection of celestial beings to help in the construction, upkeep, and defense of the universe. These entities are fundamental to Zoroastrian theology and cosmology, personifying various facets of the divine.

The Seven Spentas of Amesha
Traditionally, there are seven Amesha Spentas, each of which is connected to particular facets of creation and ethical attributes. They represent the divine qualities and act as a bridge between Ahura Mazda and the material world, assisting in upholding cosmic order (asha). The seven Amesha Spentas are as follows:

Good Mind, or Vohu Manah:

Function: Stands for knowledge, sound judgment, and the rationality principle.
Creation: Connected to all useful animal species.
Moral quality: Encourages making moral decisions with an open mind.

Best Truth or Best Order, or Asha Vahishta:

Function: Represents justice, truth, and divine order.
Creation is linked to fire, a symbol of holiness and purity.
Moral Qualities: Promotes leading a life that is in line with justice and truth.

Known as Desirable Dominion, Kshathra Vairya

Play: Stands for both the ideal of equitable governance and heavenly might.
Origin: Symbolizing sturdiness and strength, it is connected to metals and minerals.
Moral Characteristic: Supports the advancement of social justice and the defense of the vulnerable.

Spending on Holy Devotion, or Armaiti:

Function: Represents piety, devotion, and the protective facets of the divine.
Creation: Linked to fertility in agriculture and the land.
Moral Attribute: Encourages acts of humility and loving devotion.

Wholeness or perfection, or haurvatat:

Function: Stands for wholeness, well-being, and the integrity of the creative process.
Creation: Linked to water, which is necessary for both cleanliness and life.
Promotes the pursuit of both bodily and spiritual well-being as a moral quality.

Ameretat, or eternal life:

Function: Signifies the soul’s eternal essence and eternal existence.
Creation: Associated with plants, signifying development and nutrition.
Moral Qualities: Encourages the pursuit of afterlife and spiritual immortality.

Mainyu Spenta (Holy Spirit):

Function: Frequently seen as Ahura Mazda’s creative side, representing heavenly might and kindness.
Creation: Includes both the spiritual world and all of creation.

Moral Qualities: Promotes involvement in the struggle against evil and alignment with the will of God.

Zoroastrian Divine Beings, by Amesha Spentas. According to Zoroastrianism, Ahura Mazda, the ultimate deity, established the Amesha Spentas, or

Use and Importance. The role of the Amesha Spentas in Zoroastrianism is complex.

Creation and Protection: They each supervise particular aspects of the natural and spiritual domains, helping Ahura Mazda to create and maintain the universe.

Moral Counsel: Zoroastrians look to the Amesha Spentas as models of heavenly qualities to help them in their moral and spiritual pursuits. Every Amesha Spenta represents a certain moral attribute that followers want to imitate.

Intermediaries: They serve as a bridge for communication between Ahura Mazda and humanity, preserving the divine order in the process.

Praying and Being Devoted

The Amesha Spentas are revered in Zoroastrian tradition via festivals, ceremonies, and prayers. They are called upon for their wisdom, defense, and favors. Zoroastrians seek to uphold asha (cosmic order) and the final victory of good over evil by associating their words, acts, and thoughts with the values embodied by the Amesha Spentas.

Impact on Subsequent Religious Traditions

Zoroastrianism’s belief in supernatural entities acting as moral exemplars and mediators has impacted Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, among other religions. In these faiths, angels and saints frequently have comparable duties and characteristics.

Zoroastrian theology revolves around the Amesha Spentas, which stand for the moral and divine virtues that sustain the universe. Inspiring Zoroastrians to live moral lives and pursue spiritual development, they offer a framework for doing good acts, good thoughts, and good words. The Amesha Spentas guarantee the upholding of heavenly order and the final victory of light over darkness through their responsibilities in creation and protection.