Javad Choupanian, Professor of Ferdowsi Univeristy Mashhad
“Anahita remains immaculate in Iran”

By Ashkan Khosrowpour, Amordad correspondent
TEHRAN (Amordadnews): “When “Anahita” mixed with non-Iranian cultures, Anahita was lowered to a very low level of conduct outside Iran, while in Iran we have not mixed “Anahita” with superstitions.”
In the monthly gathering of the ‘Great Iran Club’ held in the ‘Rasaneh’ Cultural Centre, Dr Javad Choupanian, in addition to the above statement, pointed out to some sections of Avesta where Anahita is described and said: “In Iranian scripts Anahita, the Goddess of Water, is a lady with golden crown and shoes, riding 4 horses, a beautiful and slim lady. This is how Iranians looked upon their goddess, a spiritual look, but not like the Greek and Romans who looked with unclean eyes upon this lady as a holy prostitute!
Choupanian was of the opinion that worshiping Anahita during the period after the prophecy of Zarathustra, was not inconsistent with worshiping Ahura Mazda, the only God. Western Iranologists think that the religion of Zarathushtra is same as Mitraism, while there is evidence that according to Zarathushtra, worshiping Mitra and other Gods has nothing to do with worshiping Ahura Mazda. Choupanian believes that Zarathushtra’s insight is a unique insight by which he believes that Ahura Mazda (the wise and the creator) is of the highest level of power  and his power is shown in ‘good thoughts’, ‘peace’, ‘wisdom’, and ‘eternity’. He knows God to be one and so has down  ranked all other gods and goddesses.
Choupanian pointed out to the return of some groups of Iranians to the past customs, after Zarathushtra, and said: “if we note that Mehr and Anahita have been worshipped in the era after Zarathushtra, all these worships and beliefs have led towards the worship of Ahura Mazda. This is contrary to the opinion of westerners who say that Zarathushtra preached dual gods.

Translation by Rowshan Lohrasbpour