ĀSNATAR

 

ĀSNATAR (Pahl. āsnadār, lit. “washer”), one of the eight Zoroastrian priests (ratu) necessary for the performance of the yasna ritual. According to Nīrangistān 75, it was the āsnatar’s function to wash and to strain and filter the haoma juice. At the ritual, his station within the sacrificial area was the center of the western side between the hāvanan (q.v.) on his left and the ātrəvaxš (q.v.) on his right. Today the āsnatar is reckoned as one of the “invisible” priests, his functions having been taken over by the rāspīg.

 

Bibliography:

AirWb. cols. 341-42.

Modi, Ceremonies, pp. 316-19.

D. D. P. Sanjana, ed., Nirangistan, Bombay, 1894, fol. 156A. 8-13.

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 آسنتر asnatar aasnatar

(W. W. Malandra)

Originally Published: December 15, 1987

Last Updated: August 17, 2011

This article is available in print.
Vol. II, Fasc. 7, p. 778