Airyaman ishya

The airyaman ishya ("airyaman išya", "airyəmā išyō") is Zoroastrianism's fourth of the four Gathic Avestan invocations.

Name

The prayer is named after its opening words, "ā airyəmā išyō". In present-day Zoroastrian usage, the "airyama" of these opening words are considered to be an invocation of the divinity "Airyaman", the "yazata" of healing. The opening words may however have originally been an appeal to the "the community" (or "tribe"harvnb|Brunner|1984|p=695.] ), which would reflect the etymologically derived meaning of "airyaman."harvnb|Boyce|1984|pp=694-695.]

In relation to the other formulas

Like the other three formulas, the "airyaman ishya" is in Gathic Avestan. While the first three formulas are located at "Yasna" 27.13-27.15, immediately preceding the Gathas, the "airyaman ishya" - at "Yasna" 54.1 - provides the closure. Also unlike the first three, the theological exegesis of the "airyaman ishya" is not embedded in the "Yasna" liturgy itself. Like the "yenghe hatam", the third of the four formulas, the "airyaman ishya" is a prayer.harvnb|Windfuhr|2001|p=563.] Both it and the "yenghe hatam" are without the enigmatic "pronounced magical character"harvnb|Humbach|1991|p=1.] of the first two formulas.

In other scripture

In "Yasht" 3.8, 11 and 15, the "airyaman ishya" is described as the weapon with which to put the demon ("daeva") Taromaiti "heresy" to flight.harvnb|Dhalla|1938|p=270.] The "airyaman ishya" is the greatest, best, fairest, most fearful, most firm most victorious, and the most healing" of all formulas ("Yasht" 3.5harvnb|Dhalla|1938|p=200.] )

Since its incantation was considered the most effective form of healing ("Yasht" 3.6), the "airyaman ishya" was accorded special status in the religion.harvnb|Brunner|1984|p=695.] "Vendidad" 20.12 notes its efficacy against "all sickness and death, all sorcerers and witches, all whores belonging to the Lie." The "Yasna" verse immediately following the prayer considers the "airyaman ishya" "the greatest uttering of "asha"." ("Yasna" 54.2)

Like the "ahuna vairya" invocation (the first of the four great formulas), the "airyaman ishya" is "the most excellent, the most mighty, the most efficacious, the most smiting, the most victorious, the most healing, the greatest" of the formulas. ("Yasht" 1.1-1.3, 3.5-3.6 and 11.3harvnb|Dhalla|1938|p=200.] ) Also like the "ahuna vairya", the "airyaman ishya" has the power to elicit good thoughts, words and deeds, and so further "asha" and weaken the "druj". ("Visperad" 24.0-2).

In Zoroastrian tradition

In the medieval texts of the 9th-12th century, the "airyaman ishya" is described to be the prayer that will be recited by the "saoshyans" to bring about the final renovation of the world. This eschatological role is already alluded to in Avestan texts, and the concepts of "asha" "Truth", "ashi" "Recompense" and "airyaman" (see translation below, the three words are also etymologically related) all have an eschatological aspect.

Besides being recited (four times) during the "Yasna" ceremony, the prayer is also part of the "Ashirvad", the blessings invoked during a Zoroastrian marriage ceremony.

tructure and content

The "airyaman ishya" has 24 words in total, divided into two halves of 30 syllables each, distributed as 11,12,7 + 11,7,12.

Like all Gathic Avestan verses, the prayer is altogether ambiguous and translations vary significantly. One transliterationharvnb|Windfuhr|2001|p=566.] and translationharvnb|Brunner|1984|p=695.] reads:

References

Bibliography

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