Aka Manah/Akem Manah/Akoman/Akvan

Aka Manah

Aka Manah, known in Middle Persian as Akoman and in New Persian as Akvan, is a significant daeva, or demon, in Zoroastrian tradition. The name itself derives from the Avestan language, meaning "Evil Mind," "Evil Purpose," or "Evil Intention." He is the personification of malevolent thoughts and sensual desires, and is famously depicted as the force sent by Ahriman (Angra Mainyu) to seduce the prophet Zoroaster. His existence is intrinsically linked to the cosmic struggle between good and evil, with his eternal opponent being Vohu Manah, the "Good Mind."

In Scripture and Tradition

The concept of "akem manah" appears as early as the Gathas, the oldest Zoroastrian texts attributed to Zoroaster himself. Here, it can refer to a human attribute or a characteristic of the daevas. In later texts of the Younger Avesta, Aka Manah is unambiguously a demonic entity, an ally of Angra Mainyu. He is described as battling for the possession of khvarenah (divine glory) and is prophesied to be vanquished by Vohu Manah during the final renovation of the world. In the Vendidad, Aka Manah poses ninety-nine questions to Zoroaster in an attempt to weaken his faith, but the prophet remains steadfast.

Pahlavi texts further elaborate on Akoman's role. He is considered the second of Ahriman's primary creations, designed to oppose Ohrmuzd's (Ahura Mazda's) creation, and mirrors the hierarchy of the Amesha Spentas by opposing Vohu Manah. Akoman is closely associated with "non-peace" (Anashtih) and "lust" (Varun/Varan). He is credited with blunting the ability to make righteous decisions, causing evil intent, and making mortals focus on others' flaws while ignoring their own. The crying of newborn infants is attributed to Akoman frightening them with visions of the final renovation. He is considered the most dreadful of all demons, responsible for introducing discord and physical evil into the world by perverting human thoughts.

Appearance and Legends

In Ferdowsi's epic Shahnameh, Akvan is given a more concrete, albeit monstrous, appearance. He is described as having long hair, blue eyes, and a head resembling an elephant's, complete with a mouth full of tusks rather than teeth. One notable legend recounts Akvan trapping the hero Rostam while he slept, carrying him into the sky, and tricking him into choosing between being thrown onto a mountain or into the sea. Rostam, aware of the demon's perverse nature, chooses the mountain, leading Akvan to throw him into the sea. Rostam survives and later confronts and beheads the demon. Other references, such as the "Stone of Akvan," suggest the existence of further legends that have not fully survived.