Here are some parallelisms between the 101 Names of Ahura Mazda in Zoroastrianism and the 72 Names of God in Kabbalistic Jewish tradition. While these traditions come from different religious backgrounds—Zoroastrianism and Judaism—both lists reflect similar concepts of divine attributes, spiritual powers, and cosmic principles that govern the universe. Here are a few key parallel themes and concepts between the two:
1. Divine Attributes and Qualities
Both the 101 Names of Ahura Mazda and the 72 Names of God describe different attributes of the divine, emphasizing qualities like wisdom, truth, power, and protection.
- Ahura Mazda is called Harvespa-Khoda (Lord of All) and Harvespa-Tava (Omnipotent), which parallel the 72 Names that emphasize God’s omnipotence and lordship over creation, such as Aleph-Lamed-Dalet (א.ל.ד), which represents protection and defense.
- In both traditions, divine wisdom is emphasized. In Zoroastrianism, Mazda literally means Wisdom, and this theme recurs across many names like Vohu Manah (Good Mind). In the 72 Names, the name Yod-Lamed-Yod (י.ל.י) is associated with silent strength and healing, also emphasizing the mind’s role in aligning with divine wisdom.
2. Protection and Defense
Both lists include names that highlight the divine’s role as protector and defender of creation. These names are invoked for protection from evil, negative forces, and dangers.
- In Zoroastrianism, names like Khorehe-Shata (Bestower of Light) and Dadar (Creator of the Universe) emphasize protection from darkness and chaos, reflecting Ahura Mazda’s role in defeating Angra Mainyu (the spirit of evil).
- In Kabbalah, the 72 Names contain names such as Samekh-Yod-Tet (ס.י.ט), which is used for banishing evil and protection from harm. This parallels Zoroastrian names invoking Ahura Mazda’s role in maintaining cosmic order and fighting evil.
3. Healing and Restoration
Both lists include names that are invoked for healing, restoration, and the preservation of life. The idea that divine energy can heal physical and spiritual wounds is present in both Zoroastrianism and Kabbalistic Judaism.
- Zoroastrian names like Ameretat (Immortality) and Haurvatat (Perfection and Wholeness) emphasize health, completeness, and the eternal nature of life. These are directly related to spiritual and physical healing.
- In the 72 Names, Mem-Heh-Shin (מ.ה.ש) is a name associated with healing and restoration, reflecting similar ideas of wholeness and the renewal of life found in the 101 Names.
4. Order and Cosmic Law
In both traditions, the divine is seen as the upholder of cosmic order, protecting the world from chaos and ensuring the proper balance between good and evil.
- In Zoroastrianism, Asha Vahishta (Best Truth or Righteousness) represents the principle of Asha, the divine order that governs the universe and keeps it in balance. Ahura Mazda is the protector of Asha, constantly fighting Druj (falsehood and chaos) with the help of the Amesha Spentas and Yazatas.
- In the 72 Names, there are invocations related to divine justice and righteousness, such as Lamed-Kaf-Bet (ל.כ.ב), which is used to overcome adversity through justice and truth. This reflects the concept of Asha in Zoroastrianism, where righteousness and truth are seen as central to maintaining the divine order.
5. Divine Light
Both lists emphasize the importance of divine light as a symbol of truth, purity, and the victory of good over evil. In both traditions, light is closely associated with the creator and the cosmic struggle against darkness and falsehood.
- In Zoroastrianism, Khvare-Shata (Luminous Lord) and Atar (Divine Fire) reflect the centrality of light and fire in Zoroastrian worship, symbolizing purity and the presence of Ahura Mazda. Fire is the symbol of Asha (truth) and the medium through which worshipers connect to the divine.
- In the 72 Names, names such as Aleph-Kaf-Aleph (א.כ.א) represent divine guidance and light, connecting the practitioner to the wisdom of God and dispelling darkness, much like the symbolic role of fire and light in Zoroastrianism.
6. Creation and Sustenance
Both lists reflect the role of the divine as the creator and sustainer of life. These names celebrate the ability of the divine to create, sustain, and nourish the world and its inhabitants.
- In Zoroastrianism, names like Fradat-Gadman (Supreme Creator of Good Creation) and Parvardigar (Nourisher and Sustainer) highlight Ahura Mazda’s role as the creator and the one who maintains all life. This is particularly evident in the care Ahura Mazda shows for the natural elements—fire, water, earth, and air.
- The 72 Names also contain references to creation and sustenance, such as Bet-Yod-Kaf (ב.י.כ), which invokes patience and endurance in the face of challenges, reflecting God’s nurturing qualities. The name Aleph-Shin-Lamed (א.ש.ל) is also associated with mental clarity, an essential aspect of sustaining life and creation in balance.
7. Victory over Evil
Both traditions place a heavy emphasis on divine victory over evil forces, celebrating the power of good to overcome evil in the cosmic struggle.
- In Zoroastrianism, the name Verethragna (The Destroyer of Enemies) is directly associated with victory in battles against evil, representing Ahura Mazda’s power to protect and preserve righteousness by defeating the forces of chaos, particularly Angra Mainyu and the Daevas (demons).
- In the 72 Names, names like Samekh-Aleph-Lamed (ס.א.ל), which invoke abundance and prosperity, are often used to overcome challenges posed by negative forces and evil spirits, reflecting similar beliefs about divine victory over chaos.
Conclusion: Shared Themes in Divine Names
The 101 Names of Ahura Mazda and the 72 Names of God in Kabbalah share several thematic parallels:
- Both lists describe divine attributes related to wisdom, protection, light, healing, and the cosmic battle between good and evil.
- They both emphasize the role of divine light and truth as central forces in the cosmic struggle to maintain order.
- Both traditions use these names as invocations in prayers, meditations, and rituals to connect practitioners to divine energy and to influence the physical and spiritual realms.
Although these lists come from different religious contexts, the similarities in the roles and qualities attributed to the divine in both Zoroastrianism and Kabbalah reflect shared spiritual concerns about maintaining cosmic balance, protecting against evil, and promoting truth, healing, and light.