Ashavan (Avestan: 𐬀𐬴𐬀𐬬𐬀𐬥 ašavan) is a Zoroastrian theological term. It literally means "possessing/mastering aša" and has been interpreted as "possessing/mastering truth" or "possessing/mastering righteousness", but has further implications:
It is an epithet of Ahura Mazda[1] (Yasht 1.12). The term may then be applied to anything within the domain of Ahura Mazda and/or Aša (i.e. all of Creation), and excludes only that which is drəgvant "possessing lie" (YAv: drvant).[2]
With respect to mortals and in an eschatological and sotereological context, ašavan is also a quality that can be acquired in life. Then, having acquired the qualities of an ašavan, one becomes an ašavan (through "blessed union with aša") after death.[3] (See also: aša: in eschatology and sotereology). This soteriological meaning of ašavan is also evident in Xerxes' daiva inscription,[4] an Old Persian text (XPh, early 5th century BCE). This next-world meaning of ašavan is preserved in Middle Iranian languages as Pahlaviahlav.
Ašavan may be used to denote any follower of the "Good Religion." This is the most common use of ašavan, applicable to any who walk the "path of truth" (Yasna 68.12 and 68.13). In this context, Ašavan is frequently translated as "righteous person" or "blessed person." This general meaning of ašavan is preserved in Middle Iranian languages as Pahlaviardav.
The linguistic cognate of Avestan ašavan is Vedic ऋतावन् ṛtā́van, which, however, has some functional differences vis-à-vis the Zoroastrian term:
The dichotomy of the ašavan and the drəgvant is not attested in the Vedas.[5]
In Zoroastrianism any mortal may strive to possess aša, but in the Vedas, ṛtá is hidden from ordinary mortals and only initiated seers are allowed to possess it (become ṛtā́vans).[4]
That the souls of the dead dwell in the radiant quarters of Asha (Yasna 16.7) has a Vedic parallel in which the seat of truth is located in the other world.[6]
Duchesne-Guillemin, Jacques (1963), "Heraclitus and Iran", History of Religions, 3 (1): 34–49, doi:10.1086/462470, S2CID 62860085.
Gershevitch, Ilya (1955), "Word and Spirit in Ossetic", Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, 17 (3): 478–489, doi:10.1017/S0041977X0011239X, S2CID 194030467.
Gershevitch, Ilya (1964), "Zoroaster's Own Contribution", Journal of Near Eastern Studies, 23 (1): 12–38, doi:10.1086/371754, S2CID 161954467.
Gnoli, Gerardo (1987), "Ašavan", Encyclopaedia Iranica, vol. 2, New York: Routledge & Kegan Paul, pp. 705–706.
Gray, Louis H. (1926), "List of the Divine and Demonic Epithets in the Avesta", Journal of the American Oriental Society, 46: 97–153, doi:10.2307/593793, JSTOR 593793.
February 18, 2024
ashavan, avestan, 𐬀𐬴𐬀𐬬𐬀𐬥, ašavan, zoroastrian, theological, term, literally, means, possessing, mastering, aša, been, interpreted, possessing, mastering, truth, possessing, mastering, righteousness, further, implications, epithet, ahura, mazda, yasht, term, th. Ashavan Avestan 𐬀𐬴𐬀𐬬𐬀𐬥 asavan is a Zoroastrian theological term It literally means possessing mastering asa and has been interpreted as possessing mastering truth or possessing mastering righteousness but has further implications It is an epithet of Ahura Mazda 1 Yasht 1 12 The term may then be applied to anything within the domain of Ahura Mazda and or Asa i e all of Creation and excludes only that which is dregvant possessing lie YAv drvant 2 With respect to mortals and in an eschatological and sotereological context asavan is also a quality that can be acquired in life Then having acquired the qualities of an asavan one becomes an asavan through blessed union with asa after death 3 See also asa in eschatology and sotereology This soteriological meaning of asavan is also evident in Xerxes daiva inscription 4 an Old Persian text XPh early 5th century BCE This next world meaning of asavan is preserved in Middle Iranian languages as Pahlavi ahlav Asavan may be used to denote any follower of the Good Religion This is the most common use of asavan applicable to any who walk the path of truth Yasna 68 12 and 68 13 In this context Asavan is frequently translated as righteous person or blessed person This general meaning of asavan is preserved in Middle Iranian languages as Pahlavi ardav The linguistic cognate of Avestan asavan is Vedic ऋत वन ṛta van which however has some functional differences vis a vis the Zoroastrian term The dichotomy of the asavan and the dregvant is not attested in the Vedas 5 In Zoroastrianism any mortal may strive to possess asa but in the Vedas ṛta is hidden from ordinary mortals and only initiated seers are allowed to possess it become ṛta vans 4 That the souls of the dead dwell in the radiant quarters of Asha Yasna 16 7 has a Vedic parallel in which the seat of truth is located in the other world 6 References editCitations Gray 1926 p 101 Gnoli 1987 p 705 Gershevitch 1955 p 483 a b Gnoli 1987 p 706 Duchesne Guillemin 1963 pp 46 47 Gershevitch 1964 p 18 Works citedDuchesne Guillemin Jacques 1963 Heraclitus and Iran History of Religions 3 1 34 49 doi 10 1086 462470 S2CID 62860085 Gershevitch Ilya 1955 Word and Spirit in Ossetic Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies 17 3 478 489 doi 10 1017 S0041977X0011239X S2CID 194030467 Gershevitch Ilya 1964 Zoroaster s Own Contribution Journal of Near Eastern Studies 23 1 12 38 doi 10 1086 371754 S2CID 161954467 Gnoli Gerardo 1987 Asavan Encyclopaedia Iranica vol 2 New York Routledge amp Kegan Paul pp 705 706 Gray Louis H 1926 List of the Divine and Demonic Epithets in the Avesta Journal of the American Oriental Society 46 97 153 doi 10 2307 593793 JSTOR 593793 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Ashavan amp oldid 1184015858, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
