A Study of the Philosophy of Zurvan in Religious Thoughts based on Pahlavi Andarznameh (Books of Advice)

Zurvan is the name of one of the ancient gods who, in Pahlavi texts, was referred to as the god of Time, and in the Middle Era appears as the only god; in other words, Zurvan assumes a totally independent identity above Ahuramazda and Ahriman (the Devil), and affects the Zoroastrian concept of duality. Such an idea has been observed in other nations’ myths as well, and Time has always been the creator god of the universe in man’s view. The presence of Zurvanism and Zurvan’s role in Iran and Iranian thoughts was so significant that even Mani, who used to name his great god after the god of each region, chose Zurvan as the name for his god of greatness. Accordingly, this study examines the effect of Zurvan on Iranian way of thinking and Zoroastrian religion and its reflections in the Middle Persian texts. Pahlavi texts and specially Pahlavi aphorisms are valid and reliable references that show the religious approaches in this period and, through a descriptive and analytic approach, this study investigates some teachings and elements in Zurvanism such as fatalism, the role of stars in man’s destiny, misogyny, and appealing to prayers and sacrifice