Ahurani
Encyclopedia
Ahurani is the Avestan language name of a Zoroastrian
(class of) divinity associated with "the waters" (āpō
). In scripture, the expression ahurani appears both in the singular and in the plural, and may - subject to context - either denote a specific divinity named Ahurani, or a class of divinities that are ahuranis.
The Avestan feminine suffix -ani denotes "companion, wife, mate", hence ahurani means "partner of ahura." The ahura of the name may or may not be a reference to Ahura Mazda
or to the other Ahura
s. Following recent scholarship (see Ahura
for details), it is now generally supposed that there was once been a divinity whose proper name was *Ahura, and from whom the various ahuras of the Avesta
receive this epithet.
, the ahuranis are invoked in the plural, as "companions of the ahura
." In these verses of great antiquity and linguistically as old as the Gathas
, they are also said to be "created by Ahura Mazda
" (Yasna 38.4).
).
In Yasna 68, which is a "hidden" (since not explicitely dedicated to them) Yasht
, the "ahuric one of (the) Ahura," appears to represent water in all its variations: rivers, wells, lakes, seas, snow and rain (Yasna 68.6). As such, the single divinity appears to be synonymous with the *apas, the group of Indo-Iranian
divinities of the waters.
In other verses, the waters are themselves revered as the ahuranis (Yasna 38.3). The ahuranis enlighten thought, speech and actions (Yasna 68.4). This is in line with the Indo-Iranian tradition of identifying water with wisdom (Avestan: mazda
). The ahuranis as described as bringers of fertility and peace. In Yasna 68.1-2 (cf. Ab-Zohr
, "offering to water"), the celebrant priest offers the ahuranis a libation of milk and butter (representing animal creation).
. This may be because in later Zoroastrianism Aredvi Sura Anahita dominates as divinity of the waters, and it is to her that the hymn to the waters (the Aban Yasht) is dedicated.
There appear to be historic parallels between the Avestan ahuranis and the RigVedic
varunanis, the "wives of Varuna
." These parallels are one of the points of comparison for the theory that Ahura Mazda and Varuna both descend from a common predecessor (see Ahura Mazda
for details).
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...
(class of) divinity associated with "the waters" (āpō
Aban
Apas is the Avestan language term for "the waters", which—in its innumerable aggregate states—is represented by the Apas, the hypostases of the waters....
). In scripture, the expression ahurani appears both in the singular and in the plural, and may - subject to context - either denote a specific divinity named Ahurani, or a class of divinities that are ahuranis.
The Avestan feminine suffix -ani denotes "companion, wife, mate", hence ahurani means "partner of ahura." The ahura of the name may or may not be a reference to 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...
or to the other Ahura
Ahura
Ahura is an Avestan language designation for a particular class of Zoroastrian divinities.-Etymology:Avestan ahura derives from Indo-Iranian *asura, also attested in an Indian context as RigVedic asura...
s. Following recent scholarship (see Ahura
Ahura
Ahura is an Avestan language designation for a particular class of Zoroastrian divinities.-Etymology:Avestan ahura derives from Indo-Iranian *asura, also attested in an Indian context as RigVedic asura...
for details), it is now generally supposed that there was once been a divinity whose proper name was *Ahura, and from whom the various ahuras 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,...
receive this epithet.
In the Yasna Haptanghaiti
In the Yasna HaptanghaitiYasna Haptanghaiti
The Yasna Haptanghaiti , Avestan for "Worship in Seven Chapters," is a set of 7 hymns within the greater Yasna collection, that is, within the primary liturgical texts of the Zoroastrian Avesta.-Age and importance:...
, the ahuranis are invoked in the plural, as "companions of the ahura
Ahura
Ahura is an Avestan language designation for a particular class of Zoroastrian divinities.-Etymology:Avestan ahura derives from Indo-Iranian *asura, also attested in an Indian context as RigVedic asura...
." In these verses of great antiquity and linguistically as old as the Gathas
Gathas
The Gathas are 17 hymns believed to have been composed by Zarathusthra himself. They are the most sacred texts of the Zoroastrian faith.-Structure and organization:...
, they are also said to be "created by 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...
" (Yasna 38.4).
In the Younger Avesta
In the Younger Avesta, the expression appears in the singular: Ahurani bears gifts of health, prosperity, renown, and for the well-being of the soul (Yasna 68.3-4). In Yasna 68.11, the devotee asks Ahurani for a long life and a welcome in the radiant abode of the righteous (i.e. paradise, cf. ashavanAshavan
Avestan ashavan is a Zoroastrian theological term. It literally means "possessing aša", hence "possessing truth" or "possessing righteousness", but has further implications:...
).
In Yasna 68, which is a "hidden" (since not explicitely dedicated to them) Yasht
Yasht
The s are a collection of twenty-one hymns in Younger Avestan. Each of these hymns invokes a specific Zoroastrian divinity or concept. Yasht chapter and verse pointers are traditionally abbreviated as Yt....
, the "ahuric one of (the) Ahura," appears to represent water in all its variations: rivers, wells, lakes, seas, snow and rain (Yasna 68.6). As such, the single divinity appears to be synonymous with the *apas, the group of Indo-Iranian
Indo-Iranians
Indo-Iranian peoples are a linguistic group consisting of the Indo-Aryan, Iranian, Dardic and Nuristani peoples; that is, speakers of Indo-Iranian languages, a major branch of the Indo-European language family....
divinities of the waters.
In other verses, the waters are themselves revered as the ahuranis (Yasna 38.3). The ahuranis enlighten thought, speech and actions (Yasna 68.4). This is in line with the Indo-Iranian tradition of identifying water with wisdom (Avestan: 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...
). The ahuranis as described as bringers of fertility and peace. In Yasna 68.1-2 (cf. Ab-Zohr
Ab-Zohr
The Ab-Zohr is the culminating rite of the greater Yasna service, the principal Zoroastrian act of worship that accompanies the recitation of the Yasna liturgy....
, "offering to water"), the celebrant priest offers the ahuranis a libation of milk and butter (representing animal creation).
In tradition
Ahurani(s) are not included in any list of yazatas, nor do they/does she have a day-name dedication in the Zoroastrian calendarZoroastrian 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...
. This may be because in later Zoroastrianism Aredvi Sura Anahita dominates as divinity of the waters, and it is to her that the hymn to the waters (the Aban Yasht) is dedicated.
There appear to be historic parallels between the Avestan ahuranis and the RigVedic
Rigveda
The Rigveda is an ancient Indian sacred collection of Vedic Sanskrit hymns...
varunanis, the "wives of Varuna
Varuna
In Vedic religion, Varuna is a god of the sky, of water and of the celestial ocean, as well as a god of law and of the underworld...
." These parallels are one of the points of comparison for the theory that Ahura Mazda and Varuna both descend from a common predecessor (see 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...
for details).