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374
IZADS

message, mankind are reminded to repent of sins they may have unconsciously committed as in that case they would be forgiven.[1] One should reverence the sun during the day, for not to do so is sin.[2] It is proper to invoke it even if it is not visible owing to cloudiness;[3] otherwise by not thus reverencing it, the good works that a man does that day lose their value for him.[4]

Tishtar

He retains his position as the genius of rain. The Pahlavi writers reproduce the account of Tishtar's fight with Aposh from the Avestan Yasht 8, which celebrates his work.[5] The Yasht spoke of the help that Ormazd gave Tishtar when he was routed in his first combat with his adversary and invoked the Supreme Being for help and strength. The Dadistan adds that besides Ormazd the archangels and the guardian spirits also carried help to him.[6] Vohuman, Ardvisur, Vat, Hom, and Din are spoken of as his associates.[7] Tishtar seizes rain water from the ocean,[8] carries seeds of plants with it and scatters them all over the world. This angel of rain removes the hot winds that parch the dry lands and spreads prosperity all around by means of his fertilizing waters.

Ormazd has created the glorious Tishtar, the giver of profit and prosperity, the maker of rain for the help of the stars that further the creation of Ormazd. He is invoked to further the growth of trees and plants upon the seven Zones by abundant rain to prevent the harm that the Evil Spirit and his infernal crew bring upon earth.[9]

  1. ↑ Gs. 154–157.
  2. ↑ SLS. 7. 1, 3.
  3. ↑ Ib., 5.
  4. ↑ SLS. 7. 6.
  5. ↑ Bd. 7. 3–10; Zsp. 6. 3, 4, 9–11, 13.
  6. ↑ 93. 13.
  7. ↑ Dk., vol. 3, p. 146.
  8. ↑ Mkh. 62. 41, 42.
  9. ↑ Sitāyish-i Tishtar in Pāzend Texts, p. 254, 255.
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