ĀBƎRƎT (Phl. ĀBURD, ĀB-BURDĀR), one of the eight Zoroastrian priests (ratu) necessary for the performance of the yasna ritual. As the name indicates, it was his function to bring (bar) the water (āp) for the ritual. The office of the water-bringer also bore the title dānuwāza, “bearing river (water).” According to Nərangistān 79 the ābərət, together with another priest, the sraošāwarəz, had no fixed station within the sacrificial area, but could move about. However, it is elsewhere indicated (Visperad 3.1) that his proper station was the southeast corner of the sacrificial area. Today the ābərət is reckoned as one of the “invisible” priests, his functions having been taken over by the rāspīg (q.v.).
Bibliography:
AirWb., cols. 329, 734.
Modi, Ceremonies, pp. 316-19.
D. D. P. Sanjana, Nirangistan, Bombay, 1894, fols. 156b, lines 3-6; 159b, line 12.
(W. W. Malandra)
Originally Published: December 15, 1982
Last Updated: July 15, 2011
This article is available in print.
Vol. I, Fasc. 2, p. 210
W. W. Malandra, “ĀBƎRƎT,” Encyclopædia Iranica, I/2, p. 210; an updated version is available online at http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/aberet-one-of-the-eight-zoroastrian-priests-of-the-yasna-ritual (accessed on 25 January 2014).
