The dog Sirius (Sura) is another watchman of the heavens; but he is fixed to one place, at the bridge Chinevat, keeping guard over the abyss out of which Ahriman comes.

When Ormazd had completed these preparations in the heavens, the first of the four ages drew to an end, and Ahriman saw, from the gloomy depths of his kingdom, what Ormazd had done.  In opposition to this light creation, he created a world of darkness, a terrible community, equal in number and power to the beings of light.  Ormazd, knowing all the misery that Ahriman would cause, yet knowing that the victory would remain with himself, offered to Ahriman peace; but Ahriman chose war.  But, blinded by Ormazd’s majesty, and terrified by the sight of the pure Fravashis of holy men, he was conquered by Ormazd’s strong word, and sank back into the abyss of darkness, where he lay fettered during the three thousand years of the second period.

Ormazd now completed his creation upon the earth.  Sapandomad was guardian spirit of the earth, and the earth, as Hethra, was mother of all living.  Khordad was chief of the seasons, years, months, and days, and also protector of the water which flowed from the fountain Anduisur, from Albordj.  The planet Tistrya was commissioned to raise the water in vapor, collect it in clouds, and let it fall in rain, with the aid of the planet Sitavisa.  These cloud-compellers were highly reverenced.  Amerdad was general deity of vegetation; but the great Mithra was the god of fructification and reproduction in the whole organic world; his work was to lead the Fravashis to the bodies they were to occupy.

Everything earthly in the light-world of Ormazd had its protecting deity.  These guardian spirits were divided into series and groups, had their captains and their associated assistants.  The seven Amshaspands (in Zend, Amesha-cpentas) were the chief among these, of whom Ormazd was first.  The other six were Bahman, King of Heaven; Ardibehescht, King of Fire; Schariver, King of the Metals; Sapandomad, Queen of the Earth; Amerdad, King of Vegetables; and Khordad, King of Water.

So ended the second age.  In it Ormazd had also produced the great primitive Bull, in which, as the representative of the animal world, the seeds of all living creatures were deposited.

While Ormazd was thus completing his light-creation, Ahriman, in his dark abyss, was effecting a corresponding creation of darkness,—­making a corresponding evil being for every good being created by Ormazd.  These spirits of night stood in their ranks and orders, with their seven presiding evil spirits, or Daevas, corresponding to the Amshaspands.