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Chinvat Bridge
Chinvat Bridge
Chinvat Bridge
The Chinvat Bridge (Avestan Cinvat Peretm, "bridge of judgement" or "beam-shaped bridge"[1]) in Zoroastrianism is the bridge which separates the world of the living from the world of the dead. All souls must cross the bridge upon death. The Bridge's appearance varied depending on the observer's asha, or righteousness. As related in the text known as the Bundahishn, if a person had been wicked, the bridge would appear narrow and the demon Vizaresh would emerge[2] and drag their soul into the druj-demana (the House of Lies), a place of eternal punishment and suffering similar to the concept of Hell.[3] However, if a person's good thoughts, words and deeds in life were many, the bridge would be wide enough to cross, and the Daena, a spirit representing revelation, would appear and lead the soul into the House of Song. Those souls that successfully cross the bridge are united with Ahura Mazda. Often, the Chinvat Bridge is identified with the rainbow, or with the Milky Way galaxy, such as in Professor C.P. Tiele's "History of Religion ".[4] However, other scholars such as C.F. Keary and Ferdinand Justi disagree with this interpretation, citing descriptions of the Chinvat Bridge as straight upward, rather than curvilinear.[5][6] Three divinities were thought to be guardians of the Chinvat Bridge: Sraosha (Obedience), Mithra (Covenant) and Rashnu (Justice).[7] Alternate names for this bridge include Chinwad, Cinvat, Chinvar or Chinavat.[8] The concept of the Chinvat bridge is similar to that of the As-Sirt in Islam.
In Scripture
In the 71st chapter of the Avestan text, the Yasna, there is a description of the Chinvat Bridge.
atha vashi ashum idha angh ashava frapraynghe urvnem tar cinvat peretm vahishtahe anghush ashava jas ushtavaitm gthm srvay ushtattem nimraomn, (zt u rsp,) usht ahmi ... gam manangh! - [9] As thou dost desire, O holy (one)! so shalt thou be, holy shalt thou-cause [thy] soul to pass over the Chinvat Bridge; holy shalt thou come into Heaven. Thou shalt intone the Gatha Ushtavaiti, [9] reciting the salvation hail. - Avesta.org translation
Chinvat Bridge
30. 'Then comes the beautiful, well-shapen, strong and well-formed maid, with the dogs at her sides, one who can distinguish, who has many children, happy, and of high understanding. 'She makes the soul of the righteous one go up above the Hara-berezaiti Chinwad bridge she places it in the presence of the heavenly gods themselves. - [11]
References
[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] http:/ / www. sacred-texts. com/ earth/ pf/ pf21. htm http:/ / www. avesta. org/ pahlavi/ bund24. html#chap28 http:/ / www. heritageinstitute. com/ zoroastrianism/ death/ index. htm#chinvat Tiele, C.P. History of Religion. London and Boston, 1877: p. 177. C. F. Keary, Primitive Belief. Lond., 1882: p. 292. Rawlinson, The Seven Great Monarchies of the Ancient Eastern World: Parthia and Sassania. Gorgias Press LLC, 2002. ISBN 1-931956-47-2 [7] http:/ / www. heritageinstitute. com/ zoroastrianism/ death/ index. htm#chinvat [8] http:/ / www. avesta. org/ zglos. html#Glos_C [9] http:/ / www. avesta. org/ yasna/ y54to72s. htm [10] http:/ / www. avesta. org/ vendidad/ vd19. htm [11] http:/ / www. avesta. org/ vendidad/ vd19sbe. htm#section5
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