Angra Mainyu

Who is Angra Mainyu?

Angra Mainyu ('Destructive Spirit'), known as Ahriman in the Shahnameh, is the uncreated principle of evil and darkness — the eternal adversary of Ahura Mazda. Not worshipped but cosmologically essential: understanding Ahriman means understanding the nature of the Druj (the Lie) that must be resisted. In Zoroastrian cosmology, Ahriman's power is real but temporary — he will be defeated at the final renovation of the world (Frashokereti).

Then Ahriman the Evil, when he saw how the Shah's honour was increased, waxed envious, and sought to usurp the diadem of the world. So he bade his son, a mighty Deev, gather together an army to go out against Kaiumers.