Angra Mainyu
Proper noun
Meaning
Angra Mainyu
(Zoroastrianism) Avestan language name of Zoroastrianism's hypostasis of the "destructive spirit". The Middle Persian equivalent is Ahriman.
Synonyms
Related terms
Examples
Ahura Mazda will ultimately prevail over the evil Angra Mainyu or Ahriman, at which point the universe will undergo a cosmic renovation and time will end.
"At the beginning of creation, the recital of the Ahuna Vairya prayer by Ahura Mazdā put Angra Mainyu to flight (Y. 19. 15).
Angra Mainyu and his daevas (spirits) which attempt to attract humans away from the path of righteousness ( asha ) would eventually be destroyed.sfn History Achaemenid Empire The Behistun Inscription contains many references to Ahura Mazda.
Angra Mainyu created Aži Dahāka (Y. 9.8); but he recoiled in fear from Mithra’s mace (Yt. 10.97 and 134).
Following Haug, the Bombay Parsis began to defend themselves in the English language press; the argument being that Angra Mainyu was not Mazda's binary opposite, but his subordinate, who—as in Zurvanism also—chose to be evil.
Angra Mainyu created an opposite, evil being for each good being, except for humans, which he found he could not match.