In Zoroastrianism, Ahriman or Anga Mainyu was among the high-ranking enemies of Ahura Mazda, with Ahura Mazda leading the battle for good, and Ahriman leading the side of evil, and therefore sometimes considered equal to Satan. All Zoroastrians are encouraged to actively participate in the fight between good and evil but have the choice to choose a side.
Mazdaism
Ahriman emerges in the second strand of Zoroastrianism that emerged from the teachings of Mazdaism, which considered Ahura Mazda the equivalent of Mithra. This is when he was made the creator and leader of the daevas or demons. In Zoroaster’s revelation, Angra Mainyu is a more a general force that a specific being.
Ahura Mazda and Ahriman are separated by a void, limiting them both in space. Ahura Mazda wanted to free himself of his limitations but knew that this would initiate a struggle with Ahriman. Nevertheless, Ahura Mazda chose to expand and create the world.
Ahriman saw his light across the void and lusted for it, so he created the evil things, daevas, to fight against all that is good. Ahura Mazda tried to end the war by offering Ahriman a truce if he chose to worship the good. Ahriman refused, so Ahura Mazda showed him his inevitable fate to be defeated. This stunned Ahriman, causing him to fall into a void for a period of time. When he awakened, he reengaged in war with Ahura Mazda.
Zeranism
In the Zeranism tradition, there is one ur-principle called Zurvan, who is the All and contains all good and evil and is infinite. He then wishes for a son, and gives birth to two sons, Ahura Mazda, as the product of love and desire, and Ahriman, out of momentary doubt.
The brothers went on to create the world, with Ahriman creating evil to counter Ahura Mazda’s good. Ahriman created the serpent in the river, winter, the locusts that bring devastation, plunder, sin, ants and ant hills, the sin of unbelief, tears and wailing, the sin of price, the evil work of witchcraft, and the daevas that lead men astray. It is said he created 99,999 diseases.
Hriman attempted to main the prophet Zoroaster, sending the demon Buiti to kill him, but the prophet chanted the Ahuna-Vairya, forcing the demon to flee. Ahriman himself also tried to lead the prophet off the path of righteousness, but he resisted the temptation.
Eventually, Ahriman will be defeated by the coming of a Saoshyant or Savior. After this, the world will be restored, the dead will arise, and life and importability will become one.
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