HĄM.VAINTĪ

 

HĄM.VAINTĪ, Zoroastrian divinity “Victory.” Louis H. Gray (Foundations, p. 148) wrote: “Normally the distinctive epithet of Āxšti, Hąm-vaintī (‘Conquering’) is mentioned as a separate war-goddess in Yt. xi, 15; but the text here is doubtful, and the existence of the deity is highly questionable.” But the grammatical analysis as abstract noun formed with - and irregular full grade, suggests that it is a personification of the latest layer of the Avestan texts. Hąm.vaintī is only attested as a companion with Āxšti “Peace” (AirWb, col. 311).

 

Bibliography:

Karl Friedrich Geldner, Studien zum Avesta, Strassburg and London, 1882, p. 119.

Stig Wikander, Vayu, Lund, 1942, pp. 16 ff.

Jean Kellens, Les noms-racines de l’Avesta, Wiesbaden, 1974, pp. 44 ff.

 

(Bernfried Schlerath)

Originally Published: December 15, 2003

Last Updated: December 15, 2003