Sraosha

Avestan sources present Sraosha as a high-ranking yazata who stands under Ahura Mazda within the Zoroastrian divine order and is repeatedly associated with the Amesha Spentas. Texts portray him as established in the early Gathic material as the propagator of conscience and teacher of Mazda's religion; later tradition identifies him as one of the three guardians of the Chinvat bridge and as the unique companion who escorts the soul across the bridge to judgment (Yasna 56–57; Yasht 11; Vendidad references).

Avestan hymns offer laudatory epithets rather than fixed iconography: he is described as strong, sturdy, active, swift, stately, mighty, and awe-inspiring (Gathic/Yasna epithets such as Yasna 57.13; Yasna 56–57). The provided sources do not supply detailed, consistent corporeal or iconographic attributes (wings, colors, specific garments) in the primary Avestan texts cited.

Sraosha's functions in the texts include teaching and propagating the religion of Ahura Mazda to mankind (Yasna 57.24; Yasht 11.14), guarding humanity and households (Yasht 11.7, 11.20), propitiating haoma with sacrifice and overseeing correct ritual (Yasna 56–57), acting as a psychopomp and guardian at death—one of the three custodians of the Chinvat bridge who alone accompanies the soul across it—and combating hostile powers (called the 'fiend-smiter', opponent of Aeshma; Yasna 57.12, 57.19–22). Ritual speech and sacred formulae associated with Sraosha (e.g., recitation of Yasna sections, the Ahuna Vairya manthra) are presented as his means of opposing evil.