Arshtat
Divinity of rectitude. Arshtat or Arshti is the female genius of truth. She does not play any prominent part in the Younger Avestan period. She co-operates with Mithra, Sraosha, and Rashnu in the judgment of the dead. Although the 18th Yasht is dedicated to Arshtat and bears her name, there is not in it a single mention of her by name; the entire hymn treats only of the Aryan Glory. In two Sirozah passages (1.26: 2.26) Mount Ushidarena, literally meaning 'the keeper of intelligence,' is invoked in company with Arshtat; and tradition points to this mountain as the place where Zarathushtra retired to meditate on the eternal problems of life and commune with the divine. As noted above, Arshtat is generally invoked with Rashnu;[1] and she is called the world-increasing and the world-profiting.[2] In one instance she is identified with the Mazdayasnian religion.[3] The faithful invoke her excellence.[4]
As conjectured by Foy,[5] and established by Jackson,[6] after a careful examination of the Old Persian Inscription on the Behistan rock,[7] the name of this angel occurs in the very short list of Zoroastrian divinities known to the Achaemenian kings. The twenty-sixth day of the month is sacred to her.[8]
Erethe and Rasanstat
Minor divinities of truth. By the names of Erethe and Rasanstat are designated two minor female angels presiding over truth. Nothing is known about them excepting that they are invoked by name along with Chisti and Ashi Vanghuhi.[9] They are given the epithet 'good.' Erethe is once called courageous.[10]
- ↑ Ys. 1. 7; 2. 7; Yt. 10. 139; 12. 40; Sr. 1. 18; 2. 18.
- ↑ Ys. 1. 7; 2. 7; Vsp. 7. 2; Yt. 10. 139; 11. 16; 13. 18; Sr. 1. 26; 2. 26.
- ↑ Vsp. 7. 2.
- ↑ Ys. 57. 34.
- ↑ KZ. 35. 45; ZDMG. 54. 364, n. 1.
- ↑ Persia Past and Present, p. 203-205, New York, 1906.
- ↑ Bh. 4. 64.
- ↑ Ys. 16. 6; Sr. 1. 26; 2. 26.
- ↑ Ys. 1. 14; 3. 16; 4. 19; Vsp. 9. 4; Sr. 1. 25.
- ↑ Vsp. 9. 4.
