Cursing the daēvas as an Example of Verbal Aggression in the Zoroastrian “Declaration of Faith”?

Abstract

This article examines the notion of verbal aggression evident in Zoroastrian prayers. Although one may be surprised that a declaration of Zoroastrian faith, called Fravarānē (Yasna 12), begins with the words “I hate / abhor / am disgusted” instead of “I believe,” cursing (nifrīn kunišn) the demons is a pious religious act.