Vanant
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The name of a star in Eastern or Zoroastrian religion, Vanant may have its origins in the Sumero-Akkadian Vanand ('victorious, presented with the grace of the Gods'). In Persian mythology, Vanant is the star of the west, a guardian of goodness and conqueror of evil. It is variously identified with Altair, Fomalhaut, or Vega.
Persian mythology includes 24 Yashts (or Yasts), prayers to specific deities. Vanant Yasht is believed to be a potent remedy for driving out evil.
One translation of the Vanant Yast is as follows [1]:
0.
May Ahura Mazda be rejoiced!....
Ashem Vohu: Holiness is the best of all good....
I confess myself a worshipper of Mazda, a follower of Zarathushtra,
one who hates the Daevas and obeys the laws of Ahura;
For sacrifice, prayer, propitiation, and glorification unto [Havani],
the holy and master of holiness....
Unto the star Vanant, made by Mazda,
Be propitiation, with sacrifice, prayer, propitiation, and glorification.
Yatha ahu vairyo: The will of the Lord is the law of holiness....
1.
We sacrifice unto the star Vanant, made by Mazda, the holy and
master of holiness.
I will sacrifice unto Vanant, strong, invoked by his own name, healing,
in order to withstand the accursed and most foul Khrafstras of the most
abominable Angra Mainyu.
2.
Yatha ahu vairyo: The will of the Lord is the law of holiness....
I bless the sacrifice and prayer, and the strength and vigour of the
star Vanant, made by Mazda.
Ashem Vohu: Holiness is the best of all good....
[Give] unto that man brightness and glory, .... give him the bright,
all-happy, blissful abode of the holy Ones.
[edit] References
- Dobrev, Peter. "Inscriptions and Alphabet of the Proto-Bulgarians: Proto-Bulgarian Runic Inscriptions." Accessed 13 May 2006.
- Bhadha, Ervad (Dr.) Hoshang J. "Effect of Wearing Cap on Zarathustri Urvaan." Accessed 13 May 2006.
- Avesta -- Zoroastrian Archives: Vanant Yasht, translated by James Darmesteter (From Sacred Books of the East, American Edition, 1898.)
- Wright, Anne. The Fixed Stars(website). Accessed 13 May 2006.
