Bushyasta
Bushyasta is the Zoroastrian demon of sloth, known by the epithet "the long-handed." She is the personification of laziness and idleness, striving to prevent the righteous from performing productive tasks and causing the faithful to forget their prayers. While named in scripture, she is not described in great detail compared to other demons.
Key Facts
- ›Bushyasta is the Zoroastrian demon (daeva) of sloth.
- ›Her stock epithet is "the long-handed."
- ›She is described as "gaunt" and "yellow, golden, green."
- ›Bushyasta rushes from the north murmuring "Sleep on, O men!" to encourage idleness.
- ›She is listed as one of the "co-operators" of Angra Mainyu's Archdemons in the Bundahishn.
- ›She is charged by Ahriman with "the weakening of the breath."
BūšYāSta, BūšIiąStā, Bushasp
Sloth, Laziness, Idleness, Procrastination, Weakening of the Breath
Lulling the World Back To Sleep, Causing Forgetfulness of Prayer, Inducing Unnatural Lethargy
Avesta, Bundahishn, Shayest Na Shayest, Dadestan-I Denig, Hadhokht Nask
Angra Mainyu, Aeshma, Apaosha, AžI Dahaka, Arshtat, Mithra
Laziness, Idleness, Sin, Procrastination
Mithra
About Bushyasta
Bushyasta: The Zoroastrian Demon of Sloth
Bushyasta is a significant figure in Zoroastrian demonology, embodying the concept of sloth and idleness. Her name, derived from the Avestan words for sloth, directly reflects her primary domain. She is consistently depicted as an adversary to the righteous (ashavan), actively working to impede their spiritual and productive endeavors.
Scripture and Epithets
In the Avestan scriptures, Bushyasta is most famously known by her stock epithet, "the long-handed." This descriptive phrase likely alludes to her ability to reach out and grasp individuals, pulling them into lethargy. She is also described as "gaunt" and, in some texts like Yasht 18, as "yellow, golden, or green." Her presence is noted in key texts such as the Vendidad and the Yashts, where she is identified as a daeva, a class of malevolent supernatural beings in Zoroastrianism.
Role and Influence
Bushyasta's primary objective is to foster laziness and procrastination. She is said to "lull the world back to sleep" and specifically "makes the faithful forget in slumber the hour of prayer." Before dawn, she is described rushing from the north, whispering encouragements to sleep and sin. She is also listed among the demons who flee from the power of Mithra's mace, indicating her subjugation to divine forces. In later Zoroastrian tradition, such as the Bundahishn, she is positioned as a "co-operator" (hamkar) of Angra Mainyu's Archdemons, mirroring the celestial hierarchy of the Amesha Spentas and Yazatas. Aži Dahaka is mentioned as a fiend whose deeds are thwarted by a hero roused from lethargy induced by Bushyasta. Furthermore, she is tasked by Ahriman with "the weakening of the breath."
Symbolic Significance
Bushyasta's influence extends to the dualistic worldview of Zoroastrianism, representing one of the many destructive forces that oppose the benevolent creator, Ahura Mazda. Her association with "weakening of the breath" suggests a broader spiritual and physical enervation. While not as elaborately detailed as some other demons, her consistent presence in scripture highlights the Zoroastrian emphasis on diligence, righteousness, and the active rejection of sloth as a spiritual danger.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Bushyasta in Zoroastrianism?
Bushyasta is the Zoroastrian demon representing sloth, laziness, and idleness. She is characterized by her epithet "the long-handed" and her desire to keep people from productive work and prayer.
What are Bushyasta's physical descriptions?
Scriptures describe Bushyasta as "long-handed" and "gaunt." She is also depicted as "yellow, golden, green."
How does Bushyasta influence people?
Bushyasta actively encourages procrastination and slumber, urging people to "Sleep on, O men!" She aims to keep the righteous from their duties and makes the faithful forget their prayers in their sleep.
What is Bushyasta's role in the hierarchy of demons?
In later traditions like the Bundahishn, Bushyasta is identified as one of the "co-operators" (hamkars) of Angra Mainyu's six Archdemons. She is also tasked by Ahriman with "the weakening of the breath."
Is Bushyasta a prominent demon in Zoroastrian texts?
While Bushyasta is specifically mentioned in Zoroastrian scripture and tradition, she is not among the demons described in great detail. She is one of the few daevas explicitly named, but her narrative is less developed than some others.
Related Demons
Aeshma
Aeshma is the demon of "wrath" in Zoroastrianism, known by the epithet "of the bloody mace." As a hypostatic entity, he represents fury and rage, and is a significant adversary within the Zoroastrian cosmology. He is notably opposed by Sraosha, the principle of religious obedience, and is considered a messenger of Angra Mainyu, the destructive spirit.
Ahriman/Angra Mainyu
Ahriman, also known as Angra Mainyu, is the "destructive spirit" in Zoroastrianism, serving as the primary adversary to the supreme deity Ahura Mazda or the "holy spirit," Spenta Mainyu. He is notable for representing cosmic evil, chaos, and destruction, a concept that has influenced later religious thought.
Aka Manah/Akem Manah/Akoman/Akvan
Aka Manah, also known as Akoman or Akvan, is a prominent daeva in Zoroastrianism, representing the concept of "Evil Mind" or "Evil Purpose." He is characterized as the malevolent force of sensual desire, sent by Ahriman to tempt the prophet Zoroaster and to sow discord and evil intent. His eternal adversary is Vohu Manah, the "Good Mind," and he is considered one of the most dreaded demons.