[yah-zah-tuh] 
| any of the lesser ancient Iranian gods. |
yazata
in Zoroastrianism, member of an order of angels created by Ahura Mazda to help him maintain the flow of the world order and quell the forces of Ahriman and his demons. They gather the light of the Sun and pour it on the Earth. Their help is indispensable in aiding man to purify and elevate himself. They teach him to dispel demons and free himself of the future torments of hell. Persons who remember the yazata through ritual offerings receive their favour and prosper. Zoroaster prayed to them to grant him strength for his mission.
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