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Opposed
to Ahura Mazda was Aingra Mainyu or Ahriman, the "Angry Spirit,"
the chief deity of evil. Both deities had underlings and partners. The
chief allies of Ahura Mazda were the "Amentas Spenta." Created
by the "Wise Lord," these "Bounteous" or "Holy
Immortals" included Mithra.
Owing
to Best thought, word, and deed,nspired through righteousness
Ahura- Mazda doth give unto us happiness, immortality (heaven), prosperity,
and perfect-mindedness through Spenta-Mainyu (Beneficent-spirit.) (Spentomad-Gatha-Ha-47.1
There was a hymn to Mithra in the Zarathustrian
holy work, the Avesta. It is a beautiful hymn or Yast. In it, Ahura Mazda
addresses the prophet Zarathustra, saying that when he created Mithra,
he made him as worthy of worship as himself. This accolade is given to
no other Amenta Spenta or Yazata.The cult of Mithra was so important that
Zarathustra had to give its God special concessions to convert its members.
But there is another theological reason for the special attention given
to Mithra by Zarathustra...
Among
living beings, who(is) better in acts of worship, of such Ahura Mazda
(Himself) is aware. On account of their holiness -all such, both men and
women,
do we revere. (Baz-Yenghe-Hatam)
Mithra is a much more fully developed image than the rather ethereal Mitra.
It is Mithra wears the Phrygian cap, Persian trousers, and a cape. His
hat is star speckled (from textual evidence his chariot is similarly decorated).
Rays of light emerge from Mithra's head much like a halo. His choke collar
is a serpent.
After Zoroaster died, his religion became corrupted by the Magi, or celibate
priesthood who took over his religion and mediated between man and Ahura-Mazda.
This priesthood introduced
many pre-Zoroastrian gods into the religion. Ahura-Mazda, the sun god
Mithras, and the most important archangel, Spenta Mainyu (holy spirit).
This formed a holy trinity. However, the Persians had no images of their
gods and considered the use of them as a sign of folly.
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