GAYOMART

Avestan Gayo Maretan (Mortal Life) in later Zoroastrian creation literature, the first man, and the progenitor of mankind. Gayomart's spirit, with that of the primeval ox, lived for 3,000 years during the period in which creation was only spiritual. His mere existence immobilized Ahriman, the evil spirit who wanted to invade creation. Then Ahura Mazda created Gayomart incarnatewhite and brilliant, shining like the sunand put in him and the primeval ox, alone of all created things, a seed whose origin was in fire. Ahura Mazda gave Gayomart the boon of sleep for respite from the onslaught of Ahriman. But after 30 years of attacks, Ahriman destroyed Gayomart. His body became the Earth's metals and minerals. Gold was his seed, and from it sprung the human race.