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 -tī 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
