Hymn of Anāhitā

The Hymn of Anāhitā is a religious poem that praises the goddess Anāhitā, an important figure in the Zurvanite religion of ancient Eura. Anāhitā is known as the "she who possesses waters," and is associated with fertility, purification, and nourishment. She is believed to have the power to bestow fertility on both the land and its inhabitants, and is seen as a key figure in ensuring the continued health and prosperity of the land.

In the hymn, Anāhitā is described as a beautiful, strong maiden who drives a chariot drawn by four horses: wind, rain, clouds, and sleet. This imagery underscores her role as a water goddess, with the horses representing the various forms of precipitation that she controls. As a goddess of fertility, Anāhitā is also associated with the mythical river that bears her name, which is described as "as great in bigness as all these waters which flow forth upon the earth."

In Zurvanite worship, Anāhitā is often hailed both as a goddess and as the river itself, with hymns and prayers being offered to her in both capacities. As a yazatā, or divine being, in the Zurvanite pantheon, Anāhitā is seen as an important intermediary between the mortal world and the divine realm, and her worship is considered to be crucial to the well-being of the land and its people.

The Zurvanites make offerings to Anāhitā at atashkadeh, or temples, dedicated to her. These offerings can include food, drink, and other items of value, as well as prayers and hymns of praise. The Zurvanites also hold festivals and other religious events in honour of Anāhitā, in which she is the focus of attention and reverence.

The text of the Hymn of Anāhitā

Babkhi text	Istvanistani translation
اناهیتا، خدای زیبا و روشن، از نور دوران کهن اورا می‌آید، تو آن هستی که به ما آب می‌دهی، و با قدرت تو ما رشد و گلیم می‌شویم.	Anahita, goddess fair and bright, Born of ancient Eura's ancient light, Thou art the one who brings us water, And with thy power we thrive and flourish.
با راستای چهار پره سریع، باد، باران، ابرها، و برف، مسیرت، تو منبع همه برنجمانیم، آن که درختان و دامان را رشد می‌دهی.	With chariot drawn by four swift horses, Wind, rain, clouds, and sleet thy courses, Thou art the source of all our bounty, The one who makes our crops and herds thrive.
تو تمیز کننده بیماری مردان، و با رحمت تو بارداری ها را به باد می‌دهی، تو مایع گلبه را از سینه می‌کشی، و همه را با حضورت رشد می‌دهی.	Thou purifiest the seed of men, And blesses wombs of women with thy grace, Thou makest milk flow from the breast, And nurtures all with thy embrace.
اناهیتا بزرگ، رودهای خدایانه، همه آبهایی که بر زمین از آید، همین اندازه، تو هم پروردگار و هم روده درستی، و به تو ما قداستهای جدید می‌دهیم.	Great Anahita, river divine, As great in size as all the waters that flow, Thou art both goddess and river true, And to thee we offer hymns anew.
با تو راهنما و نگهبان خود، تو را معبود می‌کنیم، يزده پروردگار، و قدرت تو را در همه چیزی که می‌کنیم و همه چیزی که هستیم، دعوت می‌کنیم.	With thee as our guide and guardian, We worship thee, divine yazata, And pray for thy blessings to be upon us, In all that we do and all that we are.

See also

• Hymn of Mitra