The Light Prevails

Desirous of destroying, and because of his malicious nature, he rushed in to destroy that light of Aûharmazd unassailed by fiends, and he saw its bravery and glory were greater than his own; so he fled back to the gloomy darkness, and formed many demons and fiends; and the creatures of the destroyer arose for violence.

Aûharmazd, by whom the creatures of the evil spirit were seen, creatures terrible, corrupt, and bad, also considered them not commendable (bûrzisnîk). Afterwards, the evil spirit saw the creatures of Aûharmazd; they appeared many creatures of delight (vâyah), enquiring creatures, and they seemed to him commendable, and he commended the creatures and creation of Aûharmazd.

Then Aûharmazd, with a knowledge of which way the end of the matter would be, went to meet the evil spirit, and proposed peace to him, and spoke thus: ‘Evil spirit! Bring assistance unto my creatures, and offer praise! So that, in reward for it, ye (you and your creatures) may become immortal and undecaying, hungerless and thirstless.’

And the evil spirit shouted thus: ‘I will not depart, I will not provide assistance for thy creatures, I will not offer praise among thy creatures, and I am not of the same opinion with thee as to good things. I will destroy thy creatures for ever and everlasting; moreover, I will force all thy creatures into disaffection to thee and affection for myself.’

And the explanation thereof is this that the evil spirit reflected in this manner, that Aûharmazd was helpless as regarded him, therefore He proffers peace; and he did not agree, but bore on even into conflict with Him. And Aûharmazd spoke thus: ‘you are not omniscient and almighty, O evil spirit! So that it is not possible for thee to destroy me, and it is not possible for thee to force my creatures so that they will not return to my possession.’

Then Aûharmazd, through omniscience, knew that: If I do not grant a period of contest, then it will be possible for him to act so that he may be able to cause the seduction of my creatures to himself. As even now there are many of the intermixture of mankind who practise wrong more than right.

And Aûharmazd spoke to the evil spirit thus: ‘Appoint a period! So that the intermingling of the conflict may be for nine thousand years.’ For he knew that by appointing this period the evil spirit would be undone.