Concept of Xrad (Wisdom) Versus Ᾱz (Greed), and its Role in Iranshahri's Thought

The contrast between Ᾱz (greed) and Xrad (wisdom) is one of the oldest, most fundamental and everlasting Iranian concepts which has had a very effective role in forming Iranian's political and religious thought; however, unfortunately, it has not been noticed well. Although other faces of this concept (i.e. the contrast between Spenta-Mainyu and Angra-Mainyu, Hormazd and Ahriman, Aša and Druj, etc.) have been researched more, it seems the exact perception of them depends on the understanding and perception of the contrast between Ᾱz and Xrad. This research, relying on national stories, with historical research method, attempts to show the role of this concept in Iranian cosmology and its contribution to form Iranshahri's thought. The results of this research indicate that the contrast between Ᾱz and Xrad is a human face of Iranian dualism, because it manifests inside human beings more than other places. Thus, Xrad is divine essence or Farr-e Īzadī (divine glory) inside humans, and it is best guide to go along Aša or rightness rout and reaching redemption, and in contrast, Ᾱz is a devil which tries to mislead humans. This encounter become manifest in the form of contrast between Dād (justice) and Bi-dād (injustice) in politics and ruling as well. The kings whose guide is Xrad, are just and they have Farr, but the kings who Ᾱz overcomes them, are oppression and so they do not have Farr and legitimacy. In particular, this idea has appeared in the myth of Jamšid and Ẓaḥḥāk.