Ahura Mazda

==Zoroaster's revelation==
According to Zoroastrian tradition, at the age of 30, Zoroaster received a revelation: while fetching water at dawn for a sacred ritual, he saw the shining figure of the [[Amesha Spenta]], [[Vohu Manah]], who led Zoroaster to the presence of Ahura Mazda, where he was taught the cardinal principles of the "Good Religion" later known as [[Zoroastrianism]]. As a result of this vision, Zoroaster felt that he was chosen to spread and preach the religion.{{sfn|Nigosian|1993|p=12}} He stated that this source of all goodness was the Ahura, worthy of the highest worship. He further stated that Ahura Mazda created spirits known as [[Yazata|''yazata''s]] to aid him. Zoroaster proclaimed that some Iranian gods were ''[[daeva]]s'' who deserved no worship. These "bad" deities were created by [[Ahriman|Angra Mainyu]], the destructive spirit. Angra Mainyu was the source of all sin and misery in the universe. Zoroaster claimed that Ahura Mazda used the aid of humans in the cosmic struggle against Angra Mainyu. Nonetheless, Ahura Mazda is Angra Mainyu's superior, not his equal. Angra Mainyu and his ''daevas'', which attempt to attract humans away from the Path of [[Asha]], would eventually be defeated.{{Sfn|Andrea|Overfield|2000|p=86}}