Editorial

The Persian Department has been working day and night to foster better understanding of Iranology. The focus is not just on the understanding of the language, but to provide proficiency in all language skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing). A spacious, well-equipped library is provided, where most of the literature on Persian language can be found. Persian Department is now on the verge of achieving another milestone i.e. the publication of its first academic biannual journal Anahita, a journal of Persian language, literature, art and cultural studies.

Anahita, a Persian goddess was adopted by Zoroastrian pantheon. Anahita means the 'immaculate one' or 'spotless' or 'faultless'. Her connection to water reflects purity, strength and independence. Her power brought fertility to humans and animals, making land fertile and productive. Anahita has been shown and depicted in different forms, sometimes covered with precious jewels of gold, sometimes as a woman with a golden crown surrounded by a hundred stars and eight rays. Other than a woman adorned with jewels and garments, she is also considered as a tall, powerful warrior maiden. As a water goddess, she is pure and strong. Many temples and shrines were made for Anahita. Other than water, Anahita was also associated with magic; many magi-priest magicians would gather for her worship to offer holy spells for her in sacred times. She had different names in different places like Anat, Anath, Anaitis, Athene, Cybele, Aphrodite and so on. Her modern Parsee name Anahid means Venus. She had been worshipped as a deity of love, earth, nature, battle and desire standing on a lion with a flower in her hand. In Egypt she was depicted as the warrior figure with an axe, spear and crown.

Naming the journal Anahita, signifies the hope that it will embody the qualities of purity and productivity symbolized by the deity named Anahita.

Research is an essential part of any educational field and I hope this academic journal will open more opportunities for Persian scholars and students who are interested in this language, its literature and research.