Aeshma

The lexical form appears in Gathic/Old Avestan as aēšəma and in Younger Avestan as Aeshma (𐬀𐬉𐬴𐬨𐬀), originally a word for a quality of fury that, over time, becomes personified in Zoroastrian scripture and commentarial tradition. In the Zoroastrian cosmology Aeshma is a messenger/agent of Angra Mainyu and occupies a commander role among hostile beings; later Middle Persian forms include eshm/kheshm and the term persists into New Persian (خشم). Textual references in the Yasna, Yashts, and Vendidad portray him as the named adversary of Ahuric hypostases and of ritual order (sources summarized in modern reference works).

Canonical sources supplied here do not give a detailed anthropomorphic iconography; descriptions are conveyed primarily through epithets. His standard epithet is 'of the bloody mace' (Avestan xrvi.dru-), contrasting with Ahuric epithets for divine mace-bearers. A later passage gives an epithet translated as 'having his body forfeited' (Yasht 19.97) though the precise meaning is uncertain in the cited summaries. Beyond violent and bloody imagery implied by these epithets, the provided material contains no sustained physical depiction.

Aeshma functions as the hypostasis and active agent of wrath: he distracts from proper worship and 'distorts the intention and meaning of sacrifice' by fomenting brutality against cattle, violence in war, and drunkenness (Yasna 10.8; Yasht 17.5 as summarized). He is represented as placed in a demonic hierarchy under Angra Mainyu and called a commander in later tradition (Zatspram 34.32 cited in summaries). Scriptural passages and later Rivayats attribute improperly performed Yasna rites to his influence; he flees before Mithra in some texts (Yasna 57.10; Yasht 10.97), is opposed and driven off by Sraosha (Yasht 11.15; Yasna 57.25), can be repelled by recitation of prayer (Vendidad 11.9), and will be overthrown or flee at the final renovation before the saoshyant (Yasht 19.95).