Jahi
Encyclopedia
Jahi is the Avestan language
name of Zoroastrianism's
demoness of "lasciviousness." As a hypostatic
entity, Jahi is variously interpreted as "hussy," "rake," "libertine
," "courtesan" and "one who leads a licentious life." Her standard epithet is "the Whore."
In Zoroastrian tradition, Jahi appears as Middle Persian
Jeh (Jēh, J̌ēh), characterized as the consort of Ahriman
and the cause of the menstrual cycle
.
, the devotee rejects the temptations of the "polluting whore" who "sits down devouring Haoma's sacrificial offering" (Yasna
10.15). In the hymn to Asha
, the Holy Word (manthra spenta) is an effective remedy against Jahi and other noxious creatures (Yasht 3.9). In the hymn to Ashi
(not to be confused with Asha), "Fortune" wails about how shamed she is by Jahi's improper actions (Yasht 17.57-58).
In Vendidad
18.62, Jahi is characterized as causing Ahura Mazda
"the most grief". "Her gaze takes the colors away from a third of [world]" (Vendidad 18.64). Vendidad 21.1 contains an oblique reference to Jahi's cosmological role as the killer of Gav-aevo.data (MP
: Gawi ewdad), the primordial creature from whose seed all animal creation originates.
In the Sudgar Nask, an Avestan text that has not survived but the contents of which are summarized in Denkard
9, fire
is sickened by the stench and filth of Jahi and by the irritant "owing to the hussy who, dropping her knee on to the fire-stand, arranged her curls; the falling of damp and moisture from her head, with the hair and filth therefrom" (9.1.10.6).
In the Bundahishn
, a Zoroastrian account of creation finished in the 11th or 12th century CE, Ohrmazd
and Ahriman
already co-exist at the beginning of time, but Ahriman is not immediately aware of Ohrmazd. During the first 3000 years (the first cosmic age), Ahriman espied the light of Ormuzd but "seeing valor and supremacy superior to his own, he fled back to the darkness and fashioned many demons — a creation destructive and ready for battle" (Bundahishn 4.12). Ohrmazd, being omniscient, knows of the inevitability of the attack and creates fire (Adur
) "with his thought", with which the universe would subsequently be suffused with goodness (life). Upon being attacked, Ohrmazd recites the Ahunawar
invocation, thus revealing His ultimate victory to Ahriman, who then falls back confounded for another 3000 years (Bundahishn 1.15).
Towards the end of the second cosmic age (the second 3000 years), Ahriman, who until then has resisted the exhortations of his demons, is roused from his impotence by Jeh's beguiling devices, who promises to destroy the creatures of Ohrmazd (Bundahishn 3.1-7). Incited, Ahriman defiles her with a kiss, and from this act Jeh is thenceforth afflicted with menstruation (Bundahishn 3.6-8).
In Zadspram 34.31, Jeh is appointed by Ahriman for the defilement of females, and it is this defilement that causes women to have their menses. In Shayest-ne-Shayest 3.29, Jeh's gaze is said to be powerful enough to kill.
Avestan language
Avestan is an East Iranian language known only from its use as the language of Zoroastrian scripture, i.e. the Avesta, from which it derives its name...
name of Zoroastrianism's
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...
demoness of "lasciviousness." As a hypostatic
Hypostasis (linguistics)
In linguistics, a hypostasis , is a relationship between a name and a known quantity, as a cultural personification of an entity or quality...
entity, Jahi is variously interpreted as "hussy," "rake," "libertine
Libertine
A libertine is one devoid of most moral restraints, which are seen as unnecessary or undesirable, especially one who ignores or even spurns accepted morals and forms of behavior sanctified by the larger society. Libertines, also known as rakes, placed value on physical pleasures, meaning those...
," "courtesan" and "one who leads a licentious life." Her standard epithet is "the Whore."
In Zoroastrian tradition, Jahi appears as Middle Persian
Middle Persian
Middle Persian , indigenously known as "Pârsig" sometimes referred to as Pahlavi or Pehlevi, is the Middle Iranian language/ethnolect of Southwestern Iran that during Sassanid times became a prestige dialect and so came to be spoken in other regions as well. Middle Persian is classified as a...
Jeh (Jēh, J̌ēh), characterized as the consort of Ahriman
Angra Mainyu
Angra Mainyu is the Avestan-language name of Zoroastrianism's hypostasis of the "destructive spirit". The Middle Persian equivalent is Ahriman.-In Zoroaster's revelation:...
and the cause of the menstrual cycle
Menstrual cycle
The menstrual cycle is the scientific term for the physiological changes that can occur in fertile women for the purpose of sexual reproduction. This article focuses on the human menstrual cycle....
.
In scripture
In the hymn to HaomaHaoma
Haoma is the Avestan language name of a plant and its divinity, both of which play a role in Zoroastrian doctrine and in later Persian culture and mythology. The Middle Persian form of the name is hōm, which continues to be the name in Modern Persian and other living Iranian languages.Sacred haoma...
, the devotee rejects the temptations of the "polluting whore" who "sits down devouring Haoma's sacrificial offering" (Yasna
Yasna
Yasna is the name of the primary liturgical collection of texts of the Avesta as well as the name of the principal Zoroastrian act of worship at which those verses are recited. The Yasna, or Izeshne, is primarily the name of the ceremony in which the entire book is recited and appropriate...
10.15). In the hymn to Asha
Asha
Asha is the Avestan language term for a concept of cardinal importance to Zoroastrian theology and doctrine. In the moral sphere, aša/arta represents what has been called "the decisive confessional concept of Zoroastrianism." ...
, the Holy Word (manthra spenta) is an effective remedy against Jahi and other noxious creatures (Yasht 3.9). In the hymn to Ashi
Ashi
Rav Ashi was a celebrated Jewish religious scholar, a Babylonian amora, who reestablished the academy at Sura and was first editor of the Babylonian Talmud...
(not to be confused with Asha), "Fortune" wails about how shamed she is by Jahi's improper actions (Yasht 17.57-58).
In Vendidad
Vendidad
The Vendidad or Videvdat is a collection of texts within the greater compendium of the Avesta. However, unlike the other texts of the Avesta, the Vendidad is an ecclesiastical code, not a liturgical manual.-Name:...
18.62, Jahi is characterized as causing 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...
"the most grief". "Her gaze takes the colors away from a third of [world]" (Vendidad 18.64). Vendidad 21.1 contains an oblique reference to Jahi's cosmological role as the killer of Gav-aevo.data (MP
Middle Persian
Middle Persian , indigenously known as "Pârsig" sometimes referred to as Pahlavi or Pehlevi, is the Middle Iranian language/ethnolect of Southwestern Iran that during Sassanid times became a prestige dialect and so came to be spoken in other regions as well. Middle Persian is classified as a...
: Gawi ewdad), the primordial creature from whose seed all animal creation originates.
In the Sudgar Nask, an Avestan text that has not survived but the contents of which are summarized in Denkard
Denkard
The Dēnkard or Dēnkart is a 10th century compendium of the Mazdaen Zoroastrian beliefs and customs. The Denkard is to a great extent an "Encyclopedia of Mazdaism" and is a most valuable source of information on the religion...
9, fire
Atar
Atar is the Zoroastrian concept of holy fire, sometimes described in abstract terms as "burning and unburning fire" or "visible and invisible fire" ....
is sickened by the stench and filth of Jahi and by the irritant "owing to the hussy who, dropping her knee on to the fire-stand, arranged her curls; the falling of damp and moisture from her head, with the hair and filth therefrom" (9.1.10.6).
In tradition
Bundahishn
Bundahishn, meaning "Primal Creation", is the name traditionally given to an encyclopædiaic collections of Zoroastrian cosmogony and cosmology written in Book Pahlavi. The original name of the work is not known....
, a Zoroastrian account of creation finished in the 11th or 12th century CE, Ohrmazd
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...
and Ahriman
Angra Mainyu
Angra Mainyu is the Avestan-language name of Zoroastrianism's hypostasis of the "destructive spirit". The Middle Persian equivalent is Ahriman.-In Zoroaster's revelation:...
already co-exist at the beginning of time, but Ahriman is not immediately aware of Ohrmazd. During the first 3000 years (the first cosmic age), Ahriman espied the light of Ormuzd but "seeing valor and supremacy superior to his own, he fled back to the darkness and fashioned many demons — a creation destructive and ready for battle" (Bundahishn 4.12). Ohrmazd, being omniscient, knows of the inevitability of the attack and creates fire (Adur
Atar
Atar is the Zoroastrian concept of holy fire, sometimes described in abstract terms as "burning and unburning fire" or "visible and invisible fire" ....
) "with his thought", with which the universe would subsequently be suffused with goodness (life). Upon being attacked, Ohrmazd recites the Ahunawar
Ahuna Vairya
Ahuna Vairya is the Avestan language name of the most sacred of the Gathic hymns of the Avesta, the revered texts of Zoroastrianism....
invocation, thus revealing His ultimate victory to Ahriman, who then falls back confounded for another 3000 years (Bundahishn 1.15).
Towards the end of the second cosmic age (the second 3000 years), Ahriman, who until then has resisted the exhortations of his demons, is roused from his impotence by Jeh's beguiling devices, who promises to destroy the creatures of Ohrmazd (Bundahishn 3.1-7). Incited, Ahriman defiles her with a kiss, and from this act Jeh is thenceforth afflicted with menstruation (Bundahishn 3.6-8).
In Zadspram 34.31, Jeh is appointed by Ahriman for the defilement of females, and it is this defilement that causes women to have their menses. In Shayest-ne-Shayest 3.29, Jeh's gaze is said to be powerful enough to kill.