Page:History of Zoroastrianism.djvu/427

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EVIL

created evil for the ruin of the good creation, he strives to wrest the supremacy from the hands of Ormazd,[1] for the idea of revenge eats like a canker into his heart. A righteous person of firm resolve can put him to flight, for he is a coward, just as the prophet Zoroaster routed him. In the beginning of creation when Ahriman first saw the angels and their prowess he fled precipitately back to the darkness of hell;[2] when next he beheld Ormazd's creation, he became languid, and when he learnt Ormazd's design of renovation he was stupefied, and fell on his knees;[3] yet he remained resolute in his wicked purpose and has never ceased to vent his rage upon humanity.

When Ahriman contemplates any harm to Ormazd, it recoils upon himself, and proves of advantage to his adversary; but when Ormazd does anything for his own advantage, it turns out of advantage to himself, and harm to Ahriman.[4] He is able to mar the doings of Ormazd, but in only so far as it does not ultimately turn out for harm to Ormazd, for the final victory rests with Ormazd.[5] It is said that Ormazd had created Yım, Faridun, and Kaus immortal, but that Ahriman rendered them mortal;[6] yet when Ahriman contrived to make the monstrous Zohak, the wicked Afrasiab, and the accursed Sikandar immortal, Ormazd did not permit him to do it, as that would have meant incalculable harm to the good creation.[7]

Ahriman lures man to destruction by deceit. He is the arch-deceiver,[8] corrupting man's nature, and beguiling him into wickedness and sin.[9] He lurks about to overtake man in his unguarded moments, and has stationed his sentinels for the purpose. Woe unto the man who is found weak in the moment of temptation. Ahriman desires that man shall not actually recognize him, for if he once appraised the Evil Spirit at his true value, he would not follow him on the path of Wickedness.[10] Ahriman seduces man to give up the religion of Ormazd and embrace his evil faith, and exults when this object is achieved.[11]

  1. ↑ Bd. 28. 1.
  2. ↑ Bd. 6. 1.
  3. ↑ Dk., vol. 11, bk. 6. 258, p. 100.
  4. ↑ Dd. 94. 8; Dk., vol. 10, bk. 6. 12, p. 4.
  5. ↑ Mkh. 8. 24-26.
  6. ↑ Mkh. 8. 27, 28.
  7. ↑ Mkh. 8. 29, 30.
  8. ↑ Dk, vol. 1, p. 22.
  9. ↑ Dd. 37. 8; Mkh. 45.8; Dk., vol. 8, p. 462; vol. 9, p. 624.
  10. ↑ Bd. 28. 40; Mkh. 40. 26, 27; Dk., vol. 10, bk. 6. 31, p. 10.
  11. ↑ Bd. 28. 4–6.
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