Nasu (Zoroastrianism)

Nasu (Also; Druj Nasu, Nasa, Nas, Nasuš) is the Avestan name of the female Zoroastrian demon ('' daeva'') of corpse matter. She resides in the north ('' Vendidad''. 7:2), where the Zoroastrian hell lies. Nasu takes the form of a fly, and is the manifestation of the decay and contamination of corpses (''nasa'') ('' Bundahishn''. 28:29). When a death occurs, Nasu inhabits the corpse and acts as a catalyst for its decomposition. Nasu appears in various texts within the Avesta, notably the '' Vendidad'', as the ''Vendidad'' gives particular focus to demons, purification rituals, and the disposal of corpses and other dead matter. Nasu is commonly considered “the greatest polluter of Ahura Mazda’s world.” Belief in Nasu has greatly influenced Zoroastrian funeral rites and burial ceremonies, as well as the general disdain for corpse matter that is harbored within Zoroastrian practitioners.

Etymology

''Druj'', meaning “demoness,” is commonly used as a prefix for Nasu and other female '' daeva''s. ''Druj'' is a feminine Avestan language word meaning “falsehood,” the opposition of ''asha'', or “truth.” ''Druj'' is the root for the adjective ''drəguuaṇt'', meaning “owner of falsehood,” which “ esignatesall beings who choose ''druj'' over ''asha''." ''Druj'' is used in various texts of the Avesta, with varying meanings. Depending upon the context, ''druj'' may refer to specific demons, or as a general term for that which is false, immoral, or unclean.

The Avestan words ''nasu'' and ''nasa'' refer to corpses, or other solid dead matter such as nails and hair. Therefore, Nasu’s name literally means “corpse matter.”

In the ''Vendidad''

Contamination of the dead

Directly after death, as soon as the soul has left a corpse, “the ''druj'' Nasu rushes upon” the body, “in the shape of a raging fly, with knees and tail sticking out, droning without end” (''Vd.'' 7:2). As soon as Nasu takes hold of a corpse, the body instantly becomes contaminated. If one comes into contact with a corpse, Nasu will emerge from the body and infect them, rendering them “unclean … for ever and ever” (''Vd.'' 3:14). Nasu continues to inhabit the corpse until the '' sagdīd'' ritual is performed, during which a dog must look at the corpse, or until a carrion-eating bird or dog consumes the body, which causes her to return to her home in the north (''Vd.'' 7:3).

Contamination of the living

Besides contaminating corpses upon death, Nasu also contaminates those who interact with corpse-matter in specific ways. In ''Vendidad'' 3:14, Ahura Mazda explains to the prophet Zoroaster that one must never carry a corpse on their own, lest Nasu’s infection transfers to them. If one carries a corpse alone, Nasu emerges “from the nose … , the eye, the tongue, the sexual organs, and the hinder parts” of the deceased, and “rushes upon he corpse bearer… nd stains himeven to the end of the nails, and he is unclean, thenceforth, forever and ever” (''Vd.'' 3:14). In this case, there is no way to purify the infected individual. In order to avoid the spread of contamination, he must live in an enclosure where “the ground is the cleanest and the dryest and the least passed through by flocks and herds, by the fire of Ahura Mazda, by the consecrated bundles of ''Baresma'', and by the faithful” (''Vd.'' 3:15). There, other Zoroastrians must provide him with “the coarsest food” and “the most worn-out clothes,” until he ages into an old man (''hana'') (''Vd.'' 3:18-19). Once he is elderly, the infected must be beheaded, and his corpse is offered to the vultures. At this point, “he is absolved by his repentance” (''Vd.'' 3:20-21).

Nasu also attacks humans who consume the corpse of a dog or human, or those who put a corpse in water or fire. These individuals are considered unclean forever, with no option of repentance (''Vd.'' 7:23-26). Nasu will also attack humans and dogs who are nearby a person at the time of their death (''Vd.'' 5:27).

Purification

In some cases, a living individual who has been defiled by Nasu has a chance at regaining purity, if the proper purification rites are performed (''Vd.'' 9:42). However, if the ritual is performed by an unqualified purifier, Nasu will grow stronger, and the contamination will heighten (''Vd.'' 9:48).

In fargard 10 of the ''Vendidad'', Ahura Mazda recommends recitation of certain verses from the Gathas