Tishtrya- Persian GodDeity"The Brilliant Star"
Also known as: Tir, تیر, Tištrya, and Tištar
Description
Yazata of the star Sirius and bringer of rain, who annually transforms into a white horse to battle the drought demon Apaosha at the cosmic sea Vourukasha. His victory depends on the prayers and sacrifices of the faithful.
Mythology & Lore
The White Horse
The Tishtrya Yasht (Yasht 8) describes Tishtrya's annual battle with Apaosha, the demon of drought. Both combatants take the form of horses. Tishtrya appears as a white stallion with golden ears and golden caparison. Apaosha manifests as a terrible black horse, bald and stripped of mane and tail.
The battle takes place at Vourukasha, the cosmic sea from which all earthly waters originate. For three days and nights the horses fight. Initially Apaosha drives Tishtrya back, and the star-yazata complains to Ahura Mazda that he lacks strength because humans have not offered proper worship. When the faithful provide sacrifice, Tishtrya gains the strength of ten horses, ten camels, ten bulls, ten mountains, and ten rivers. He defeats Apaosha and releases the waters that bring rain to the earth.
Star and Season
Tishtrya is identified with Sirius, whose heliacal rising coincided with the rainy season in ancient Iran. In Middle Persian his name appears as Tir, and the fourth month of the Zoroastrian calendar bears it. The Tir festival, coinciding with the onset of rains, honors the yazata. The Bundahishn assigns Tishtrya leadership among the stars of the western quarter.
Relationships
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