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 |
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اناهیتا، خدای زیبا و روشن، |
Anahita, goddess fair and bright, Born of ancient Eura's ancient light, |
با راستای چهار پره سریع، |
With chariot drawn by four swift horses, Wind, rain, clouds, and sleet thy courses, |
تو تمیز کننده بیماری مردان، |
Thou purifiest the seed of men, And blesses wombs of women with thy grace, |
اناهیتا بزرگ، رودهای خدایانه، |
Great Anahita, river divine, |
با تو راهنما و نگهبان خود، |
With thee as our guide and guardian, We worship thee, divine yazata, |