The Athravans and the Indo-Iranian Schism

The Athravans of Zoroastrianism are often associated with the ancient Indo-Iranian people, who were part of a larger Proto-Indo-Iranian group before the Indo-Iranian schism. This division, which occurred around 1500 BCE, led to the early Indo-Iranians splitting into two main groups: the Indo-Aryans, who migrated into the Indian subcontinent, and the Iranic peoples, which included the Zoroastrians.

The Athravans are considered to be the Zoroastrian priests responsible for performing rituals and maintaining the spiritual practices of Zoroastrianism. They are believed to have retained certain elements of Indo-Iranian religious practices and beliefs, suggesting a connection to the pre-Vedic Indo-Iranian traditions.

The Vedic Legacy in the Atharvaveda

The Atharvaveda, one of the four Vedas in Hinduism, contains hymns and rituals that reflect a range of beliefs, some of which may have roots in the pre-Vedic Indo-Iranian traditions shared with Zoroastrianism. While the Atharvaveda is primarily a Vedic text, it is possible that some elements within it echo this earlier Indo-Iranian heritage.

Common Themes: Both the Atharvaveda and Zoroastrian texts address similar themes such as rituals, blessings, and cosmological concepts, suggesting a shared cultural background.

Linguistic and Ritual Parallels: Certain terms and ritual practices may show parallels, indicating a common heritage before the schism.

In conclusion, the Athravans can be seen as having emerged from a common Indo-Iranian heritage, aligning with the Iranic side during the schism. Their legacy, along with earlier Indo-Iranian practices, is reflected in some aspects of the Atharvaveda, although the two traditions evolved distinctly over time.

Proto-Indo-Iranian Connection and Diversion

According to one view, the priestly lineage of Atharavans could have emerged from the Proto-Indo-Iranians. As the Proto-Indo-Iranians branched into the Indic and Iranic branches, a portion of the Atharavans ended up with the Indic branch, forming the Indic Atharvans, while the other portion remained with the Iranic branch, forming the Iranic Athravans.

While the Indic Atharvans later became assimilated into the broader Brahminic tradition, the Iranic Athravans became more dominant. This is evident from the fact that the Athravan priestly lineage was the source of Mazdaic priests in Zoroastrianism. The spread of Mazdaism ensured the rise of the Athravan priesthood, making the Iranian Athravans more likely to assimilate other priestly lineages than to be assimilated themselves.

Strong Connection Between Athravans and Mazdaism

The strong connection between the Iranic Athravans and Mazdaism is evident in the Avesta, where Athravan serves as the most general term for a Mazdaic priest, similar to the Hindu term Brahmin. This is reflected in the following verses:

“O Zarathushtra! let not that spell [i.e. mantra] be shown to any one except by the father to his son or by the brother to his brother from the same womb or by the Athravan to his pupil. These are words that are awful and powerful, awful and assembly-ruling, awful and victorious, awful and healing: these are words that save the head that was lost and chant away the uplifted weapon.”

“Offer up sacrifice O Spitama Zarathushtra! unto this spring of mine Ardvi Sura Anahita.... Whom Ahura Mazda the merciful ordered thus saying: The Athravans who read and the pupils of the Athravans will beg of thee knowledge and prosperity the Victory made by Ahura and the crushing Ascendant.”

The Avesta also highlights the importance of certain priestly rites, such as the preservation of the sacred-nectar rites of Haoma, the universal sacred-thread initiation ceremonies, and the focus on fire mediation. These practices contrast with the gradual decline in Vedic traditions of Soma and the consecrated nectar of Haoma in Hindu traditions.

While the Hindu Soma rites are today semi-forgotten, the preparation of the consecrated nectar of Haoma still represents the holiest Mazdaic rite. Additionally, the sacred-thread initiation ceremony is no longer observed in Hindu traditions but remains a fundamental ritual for every Mazdaist, and is the necessary prerequisite for participation in other rituals.

A ceremonial fire is the predominant medium for the contact with the divine in Mazdaism. Students of the religious school Dadar Athornan Institute, managed by the Parsee priestly organization Athornan Mandal, continue to preserve the legacy of the Athravans.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Athravans of Zoroastrianism can be seen as having emerged from a common Indo-Iranian heritage and aligning with the Iranic side during the Indo-Iranian schism. Despite the distinct paths taken by the Indic and Iranic branches, certain practices and traditions, such as the Atharvaveda and the Athravan priesthood, continue to reflect the shared heritage of both cultures.