Ahura

Avestan "ahura" signifies a lord or ruler, likely derived from an Indo-Iranian root related to "master" or "owner." It appears in the Gathas, the oldest Zoroastrian hymns attributed to Zoroaster himself, distinguishing divine beings from daevas (demons).

The same as Asura, the holy, the Breath-like. Ahura Mazda, the Ormuzd of the Zoroastrians or Parsis, is the Lord who bestows light and intelligence, who.se symbol is tiie Sun (See "Ahura Mazda"), and of whom Ahriman, a European form of "Angra ^^lainyu" iq.v.), is the dark aspect.

The term "Ahura" resonates with a profound sense of divine sovereignty, a concept that echoes across many spiritual traditions, though its specific manifestation in Zoroastrianism is particularly striking. In Ahura Mazda, we encounter not merely a creator but a source of wisdom and light, a cosmic intelligence that illuminates existence. This is not a distant, abstract deity, but one intimately involved in the moral and existential struggle of the universe. Mircea Eliade, in his studies of comparative religion, often pointed to the significance of cosmic dualism in ancient faiths, and Zoroastrianism presents one of its most potent expressions. The juxtaposition of Ahura Mazda with Angra Mainyu, the embodiment of darkness and destruction, creates a dynamic tension that defines the Zoroastrian worldview. This is a universe where free will plays a crucial role, and where the choices of individuals contribute to the ongoing battle between good and evil. For the modern seeker, "Ahura" offers a contemplation of divine order and the inherent ethical responsibilities that accompany spiritual awareness. It prompts reflection on the nature of light and darkness not as mere opposites, but as forces whose interplay shapes reality and our place within it. The ancient wisdom embodied in this term invites us to consider the active participation required in cultivating the divine within and around us.