Angra Mainyu - The Destructive Spirit
The spirit of evil, falsehood, and destruction opposing Ahura Mazda.
Angra Mainyu (later called Ahriman) is the destructive spirit who chose evil. He creates disease, death, suffering, and all bad things. He is not a separate god but a created spirit who freely chose evil.
The Destructive Spirit chose the worst, bringing suffering into the world.
Angra Mainyu's choice explains the existence of evil.
Avesta
Written about in
- What Zoroastrianism says about good and evil
The destructive spirit, later called Ahriman, is named as the source of disease, death and suffering. He is a created being who chose evil, not an equal and opposite god.
- What Zoroastrianism says about illness and the body failing
Angra Mainyu is a created spirit who freely chose evil, not a rival god — so the illness has an author, and that author is not equal to Mazda. What this offers a sick person is an enemy rather than a lesson.