Sacred Magic in the Mazdasena Religion An Analysis of the Relitionship between Rituals Mysticism and Manthra

Subject Areas : Religions of Ancient Iran

Zahra Malaki ¹ , Mahmoud reza Esfandiar ² , Fatemeh Soleimani kooshali ³

1 -
2 - Associate professor of comparative Religion and Mysticism, central Tehran branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran (Corresponding Athor)
3 - Assistant Professor, Islamic Studies, Islamshahr Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

Received: 2025-09-08 Accepted : 2025-11-03 Published : 2025-11-16

Keywords: Sacred Magic, Zoroastrianism, Manthra, Religious Rituals, Mystical Experience, Asha.,

Abstract :

This article analyzes the role of sacred magic in Zoroastrianism, exploring its relationship with religious rituals and mystical experiences. Although Avestan and Pahlavi texts condemn magic as a tool of malevolent deception and Ahrimanian destruction, a thorough analysis reveals a positive and sacred form of magic—termed "sacred magic"—integral to Zoroastrianism. Rooted in manthras (sacred words), religious rituals, and spiritual practice, sacred magic serves to counter evil forces, uphold divine order (asha), and facilitate mystical experiences. The findings show that within Zoroastrianism’s dualistic framework, every Ahrimanian force has a corresponding spiritual (minoo) counterpart, rendering sacred magic not only acceptable but a vital dimension of religious and mystical experience. By integrating rituals, mystical experiences, and the power of manthras, sacred magic contributes to realizing divine order and opposing cosmic corruption. Using a descriptive-analytical approach and drawing on Avestan and Pahlavi texts, including Bundahishn, Dinkard, Zadspram, and Arda Viraf Nameh, this study re-evaluates sacred magic as an authentic dimension of Zoroastrianism.

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In this article, an analysis of the role of sacred magic in Zoroastrianism is presented, exploring its relationship with religious rituals and mystical experiences. Despite the condemnation of magic in Avestan and Pahlavi texts as a tool of malevolent deception and Ahrimanian destruction, with a deeper analysis, a meticulous examination of these texts reveals the presence of a positive and sacred form of magic—here termed "sacred magic"—embedded within the core of Zoroastrianism. This sacred magic relies on manthras (sacred words), religious rituals, and spiritual conduct, serving as a means to counter evil forces, uphold divine order (asha), and facilitate mystical experiences. The findings indicate that within the dualistic framework of Zoroastrianism, for every Ahrimanian force, there exists a corresponding spiritual (minoo) counterpart. Consequently, sacred magic is not only accepted but constitutes an essential dimension of religious and mystical experience. Through the integration of rituals, mystical experiences, and the power of sacred words (manthras), this concept contributes to the realization of divine order and the opposition to cosmic corruption. Employing a descriptive-analytical method and drawing on Avestan and Pahlavi texts, this article seeks to re-examine sacred magic as an authentic dimension of Zoroastrianism. Boyer, Pascal. (2001). Religion Explained: The Evolutionary Origins of Religious Thought. Basic Books
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