Khormusta in mythology and epos of the Buryats
B.S. Dugarov
As known, Khormusta is the Supreme deity in religious-mythological tradition of Mongolian peoples. The name of this deity ascends to the name of main Zoroastrian deity – Akhuramazda, who symbolized power and spiritual influence of ancient Iran in the whole nomadic space of Eurasia. Probably, Khormusta took his place in the cultural complex of Turk Mongolian tribal units in epoch of an early middle ages. During the period of Borte-Chino’s descendants’ eminence on historical arena of Central Asia images of Khormusta and Khukhe Munkhe Tengri (Eternal Blue Heaven) – the main shamanistic deity of the Mongols of that time – were mixed, in consequence first of them began to be perceived as the leading uranic deity of the whole Mongolian fame.
In connection with spreading and establishment of the Buddhism on the territory of Mongolia formerly indivisible in its basic features mythology of the Mongolian peoples has undergone a number of essential changes. Khormusta in lamaistic interpretation was at the head of 33 “tengri”-godheads, living on top of the world mountain Sumeru and carrying on constant war with “asura”-demons, here we can see an identification of Khormusta with Indra – the Supreme deity of ancient Indian mythology. In the system of Buddhist mythology of the Mongols Khormusta’s function of fulminator actually passed to Shagzhamun (Shakyamuni), Ochirvani and Tsamba, which are Supreme godheads of the Indian Tibetan origin.
On the northern periphery of Mongolian ethnic cultural space – in Buryat mythological tradition – Khormusta got another destiny. By force of historical circumstances buryat mythology maintained shamanistic basis, it was peculiar for the ancient Mongols’ world-outlook. It is accepted to consider, that in the Buryat-Mongolian ethnic circle Khormusta after long period of adaptation took over a number of features and functions of Esege Malaan Tengri – Supreme deity, which, in opinion of the academician B. Rinchen, is a version of Khukhe Munkhe Tengri – the central character of ancient Mongolian pantheon. According to dual views of the Buryats, Khormusta is a leader of western 55 light “tengri”-godheads in a counterbalance to 44 eastern dark “tengri”-godheads, which are headed by Atai Ulaan Tengri. Khormusta is also considered as a protector of smith’s craft and the father of celestial first smith Bozhintoi. This significant cult, which is connected to fire and metal, has found reflection in shamanic singing the praises, Khormusta is also mentioned there. Khormusta, personifying the heaven by its natural function, sends on the ground warm rain.
Mythological image of Khormusta more fully is presented in Buryat version of the epos about Geser. It maintained in its contents many archaic images and motives, which are primary inherent to epic tradition of Altay ethnic cultural range. The remarkable feature of this epos is so-called mythological prologue. Here the description of divine inhabitants of the Upper world (Deede zambi) and "portrait" characteristics of main (first of all of Chormusta) shamanistic deities are given. His image is depicted rather distinctly, his regal family, which consists of 3 sons and 3 daughters, his 33 epic heroes, 3 armies of horsemen and 300 leaders are mentioned. Khormusta lives just as real steppe khan, for which the higher pleasure is hunting. His military attributes and clothes are listed in details. He has two horses: light ("sagaan sharga morin") for trips along the Upper world and prophetic bay horse which is as big as a mountain (" belgen kheyer morin") for ridings along the Middle world.
Besides an epos "Abai Geser", Khormusta appears in mythological prologue of legend "Khukherdei mergen". Here he is also a leader of 55 western “tengries”, who wins the struggle for authority on the heaven against his constant opponent Atai Ulaan Tengri – the head of east 44 “tengries”. In conclusion it should be stressed, that Khormusta as general Mongolian deity is the leading character of Buryat mythology and celestial father of Geser in epos.
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