Answer · confidence: partial
Can only Ahura Mazda be worshiped in the Gathas, or just the top god?
Research question: Do the primary Gathic texts exclude other divine beings from worship, or do they only rank Ahura Mazda highest among them?
The records show that the Gathas present Ahura Mazda as the Highest Being and Creator, with Spenta-mainyu and Ako-mainyu absorbed into his higher Unity 2. The Gathas also treat the pre-Zoroastrian daevas not merely as demons but as false gods 10, and they do not show sacrifices to Mitra or Anahita, which appear in other texts 7. The records do not directly state whether the Gathas forbid worship of other divine beings, and the absence of named deities does not by itself prove monotheism 9. The evidence therefore leans toward ranking Ahura Mazda highest rather than a clear exclusion of other divine beings, though the Amesha Spentas are described as divinities and as objects of worship in later passages 1213.
Checked 2026-10-21. Only documented and supported facts are used.
Dig deeper on this questionSources
[1] supported
The divine being Spenta-mainyu is sometimes identified with Ahura Mazda and sometimes distinguished from Him, suggesting he is a distinct entity who can rise to the level of the Highest Godhead.
"He is sometimes identified with Ahura Mazda, (Yasna XLTII, 2), sometimes he is distinguished from Him (Yasna XLV, 6; XLVII, 1) ; he must hence be a divine being who sometimes rises to the level of the Highest Godhead ; sometimes he is distinct from Him, and leads a separate existence."Zarathushtra in the Gathas, and in the Greek and Roman classics [electronic resource] (1897)
[2] supported
The philosophy of Zarathushtra characterizes Ahura Mazda as the Highest Being and Creator, while Spenta-mainyu and Ako-mainyu are represented as twins absorbed in the higher Unity of Ahura Mazda.
"The Highest Being, the Godhead, is plainly Ahura Mazda. ... Both Spenta-mainyu and Ako-mainyu are hence represented as tw^ins (JYasna XXX, 3); they do not exist alone for themselves, but each in relation to the other; both are absorbed in tiie higher Unity, Ahura Mazda."Zarathushtra in the Gathas, and in the Greek and Roman classics [electronic resource] (1897)
[3] supported
The text notes that the name 'Auramazdd' appears as a single word in old Persian Cuneiform Inscriptions of the Achasmenian dynasty, indicating a development in the naming of the Godhead over different historical epochs.
"If we further consider the fact that in the old Persian Cuneiform Inscriptions of the Achasmenian dynasty occurs the name of God, Auramazdd, as a single word which is only inflected at the end, it certainly follows hence that we have to deal here with the results of development in different historical epochs."Zarathushtra in the Gathas, and in the Greek and Roman classics [electronic resource] (1897)
[4] supported
In the translated Gathas, Ahura Mazda is presented as the one who appoints and gives the prophet his place, with Zarathushtra described as the man chosen by Mazda.
"Him the place of my prophet give I’."The Gathas Of Zarathushtra (1900) (1900)
[5] supported
The author argues that the two original spirits in Gathic thought are 'principles' or 'things' rather than 'beings'.
"not 'beings', but 'principles', 'things'"The Gâthas of Zarathushtra (Zoroaster) in metre and rhythm : being a second edition of the metrical versions in the author's edition of 1892-94 ... (1900)
[6] supported
The source suggests that in some early texts, the term 'the Ahura' referred to another figure, Vouruna, rather than to Ahura Mazda.
"they meant not Ahura Mazda, but *Vouruna"A history of Zoroastrianism, page 378
[7] supported
Mitra and Anahita, though lesser than Ahura Mazda, also receive sacrifices, a feature not observed in the Gathas and Yasna Haptanghaiti of the Old Avesta.
"embora menores que Ahura Mazda, também recebem sacrifícios (Skjærvø, 2006, p. 2), elementos não observado no Antigo Avesta — os Gathas e o Yasna Haptanghaiti —"Zoroastrismo esculpido na fôrma monoteísta (2023)
[8] supported
The author asks whether Mazdah, unlike the other divinities, had no opponent, and argues that such an isolation would seem improbable.
"Did Mazdah alone of all the other divinities, have no opponent?"The hymns of Zoroaster, usually called the Gathas, page 422
[9] supported
The absence of named other deities in the Gathas does not by itself prove monotheism, because the Gathas are hymns to Ahura Mazda, so mentioning other divinities by name is not necessarily expected.
"o que não justifica por si só uma evidência monoteísta, já que os Gathas são hinos a Ahura Mazda, ou seja, a menção a outras divindades, especialmente pelo nome, não é necessariamente esperada"Zoroastrismo esculpido na fôrma monoteísta (2023)
[10] supported
The Gathas were the first to treat the pre-Zoroastrian Indo-Iranian gods (daevas) not merely as demons but as false gods.
"Pela primeira vez, as antigas divindades indo-iranianas pré-zoroástricas eram tratadas não apenas como demônios, mas como falsas."Zoroastrismo esculpido na fôrma monoteísta (2023)
[11] supported
Ahura Mazda is the greatest of these divine beings, which the source describes as the Iranians' name for him meaning 'Lord'.
"The greatest of them, known to the Iranians as Ahura Mazda, ‘Lord"Textual sources for the study of Zoroastrianism, page 186
[12] supported
In the Young Avesta, the Amesha Spentas are described as divinities, so interpretations that strip them of divine status are not easily accepted.
"à luz do Jovem Avesta essas afirmações não se confirmam, as Amesa Espenta são divindades."Zoroastrismo esculpido na fôrma monoteísta (2023)
[13] supported
Yasna XVI also lists the abstract attributes Vohu Manah, Asha Vahista, Khshathra-vairya, Aramaiti, Haurvatat and Ameretat as objects of worship.
"And we worship Vohu Manah (the Good Mind), and Asha Vahista (who is Righteousness the Best), and Khshathra-vairya, the Kingdom to be desired"Book, page 466
[14] supported
Six personified attributes of Ahura Mazda are described in the Gathas as both abstract divine dispositions and personal beings, and only later were they called Archangels.
"He has six personified attributes (so one might state it), later, but not in the Gathas, described as Archangels, while in the Gathas they are at once the abstract attributes of God"Book, page 466