Hinduism-Zoroastrianism relations

There are direct links between Hinduism and Zoroastrianism. Many analysts of Hinduism claim that Hinduism embraces elements of all contemporary religions,[1][2] Hence scriptures of Hinduism such as Vedas and Puranas, along with Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism, have incorporated and adopted significantly elements from the Avesta of Greek religion and Zoroastrianism: Asura from Ahura, Deva from Daeva, Hindu monotheism from Ahura Mazda, Varuna, Vishnu and Garuda from Agni, the heavenly juice from the drink called Soma-Haoma, the contemporary Indian and Persian war of Devasuras from Arya, Arya from Mithra, Mitra from Mithra, Dyaushpita and Jupiter from Jupiter, Yagya to Yagya, Narasanga to Narasangasa, Indra, Gandharva to Gandharva, Vajra, Vayu, Mantra, Yama, Ahuti, Hamta to Sumati etc.[3][4]

Cognate terms

Rigveda manuscript page (1.1.1–9)
Yasna 28.1 (Bodleian MS J2)

The following is a list of cognate terms that may be gleaned from comparative linguistic analysis of the Rigveda and Avesta. Both collections are from the period after the proposed date of separation (c. 2nd millennium BC) of the Proto-Indo-Iranians into their respective Indic and Iranian branches.[5][6][7]

Vedic Sanskrit Avestan Common meaning
āp āp "water," āpas "the Waters"[7]
Apam Napat, Apām Napāt Apām Napāt the "water's offspring"[7]
aryaman airyaman "Arya-hood" (lit:** "member of Arya community")[7]
Asura Mahata/Medha (असुर महत/मेधा) Ahura Mazda "The Supreme Lord, Lord of Wisdom"[8][9]
rta asha/arta "active truth", extending to "order" and "righteousness"[7][6]
atharvan āθrauuan, aθaurun Atar "priest"[6]
ahi azhi, (aži) "dragon, snake", "serpent"[7]
daiva, deva daeva, (daēuua) a class of divinities
manu manu "man"[7]
mitra mithra, miθra "oath, covenant"[7][6]
asura ahura another class of spirits[7][6]
sarvatat Hauruuatāt "intactness", "perfection"[10][11]
Sarasvatī (Ārdrāvī śūrā anāhitā, आर्द्रावी शूरा अनाहिता) Haraxvati/Haraxvaitī (Ārəduuī Sūrā Anāhitā) a controversial (generally considered mythological) river, a river goddess[12][13]
sauma, soma haoma a plant, deified[7][6]
svar hvar, xvar the Sun, also cognate to Greek helios, Latin sol, Engl. Sun[10]
Tapati tapaiti Possible fire/solar goddess; see Tabiti (a possibly Hellenised Scythian theonym). Cognate with Latin tepeo and several other terms.[10]
Vrtra-/Vr̥tragʰná/Vritraban verethra, vərəθra (cf. Verethragna, Vərəθraγna) "obstacle"[7][6]
Yama Yima son of the solar deity Vivasvant/Vīuuahuuant[7]
yajña yasna, object: yazata "worship, sacrifice, oblation"[7][6]
Gandharva Gandarewa "heavenly beings"[7]
Nasatya Nanghaithya "twin Vedic gods associated with the dawn, medicine, and sciences"[7]
Amarattya Ameretat "immortality"[7]
Póṣa Apaosha "demon of drought"[7]
Ashman Asman "sky, highest heaven"[10]
Angira Manyu Angra Mainyu "destructive/evil spirit, spirit, temper, ardour, passion, anger, teacher of divine knowledge"[7]
Manyu Maniyu "anger, wrath"[7]
Sarva Sarva "Rudra, Vedic god of wind, Shiva"[10]
Madhu Madu "honey"[7]
Bhuta Buiti "ghost"[7]
Mantra Manthra "sacred spell"[7]
Aramati Armaiti "piety"
Amrita Amesha "nectar of immortality"[7]
Amrita Spanda (अमृत स्पन्द) Amesha Spenta "holy nectar of immortality"
Sumati Humata "good thought"[10][7]
Sukta Hukhta "good word"[7]
Narasamsa Nairyosangha "praised man"[7]
Vayu Vaiiu "wind"[7]
Vajra Vazra "bolt"[7]
Ushas Ushah "dawn"[7]
Ahuti azuiti "offering"[7]
púraṁdhi purendi[7]
bhaga baga "lord, patron, wealth, prosperity, sharer/distributor of good fortune"[7]
Usij Usij "priest"[7]
trita thrita "the third"[7]
Mas Mah "moon, month"[7]
Vivasvant Vivanhvant "lighting up, matutinal"[7]
Druh Druj "Evil spirit"[7]
Ahi Dasaka Azhi Dahaka "biting serpent"[14]

References

  1. ↑ Swamy, Subramanian (2006). Hindus Under Siege: The Way Out. Har-Anand Publications. p. 45. ISBN 978-81-241-1207-6. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  2. ↑ "Zoroastrianism and Hinduism". Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia. 20 September 2024. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  3. ↑ Muesse, Mark W. (2011). The Hindu Traditions: A Concise Introduction. Fortress Press. p. 30-38. ISBN 978-1-4514-1400-4. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  4. ↑ Griswold, H. D.; Griswold, Hervey De Witt (1971). The Religion of the Ṛigveda. Motilal Banarsidass Publishe. p. 1-21. ISBN 978-81-208-0745-7. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  5. ↑ Cite error: The named reference Gnoli was used but no text was provided for refs named (see the help page).
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 Muesse, Mark W. (2011). The Hindu Traditions: A Concise Introduction. Fortress Press. pp. 30–38. ISBN 978-1-4514-1400-4. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  7. ↑ 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 7.11 7.12 7.13 7.14 7.15 7.16 7.17 7.18 7.19 7.20 7.21 7.22 7.23 7.24 7.25 7.26 7.27 7.28 7.29 7.30 7.31 7.32 7.33 7.34 7.35 7.36 Griswold, H. D.; Griswold, Hervey De Witt (1971). The Religion of the Ṛigveda. Motilal Banarsidass Publishers. pp. 1–21. ISBN 978-81-208-0745-7. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  8. ↑ The Sacred Books of the East: The Zend-Avesta, pt. I. Clarendon Press. 1880. p. LVIII. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  9. ↑ Mani, Chandra Mauli (2005). A Journey Through India's Past. Northern Book Centre. p. 10. ISBN 978-81-7211-194-6. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 Muir, John (1874). Original Sanskrit Texts on the Origin and History of the People of India, Their Religion and Institutions. Vol. 2. Trübner. p. 224. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  11. ↑ Bonar, Horatius (1884). The Life and Work of the Rev. G. Theophilus Dodds: Missionary in Connection with the McAll Mission, France. R. Carter. p. 425. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  12. ↑ Kainiraka, Sanu (2016). From Indus to Independence: A Trek Through Indian History. Vol. I: Prehistory to the Fall of the Mauryas. Vij Books India. ISBN 978-93-85563-14-0. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  13. ↑ Kala, Aporva (2015). Alchemist of the East. Musk Deer. ISBN 978-93-84439-66-8. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  14. ↑ Braga, Teófilo (2013). Formação do Amadis de Gaula (in Brazilian Portuguese). Imprensa Portugueza. p. 36. Retrieved 6 February 2021.