Dictionary of Proper Names

Selected from Glossary and Index of Proper Names in Sri Aurobindo’s Works (1989/1996)

Z

Zephyr Greek god of the westerly winds. He is a gentle bringer of peace.

Zeus son of Cronos, whom he overthrew. He decrees all that shall be, subject only to the mysterious power of Ananke. Lord of the heavens, he has as his special manifestations in Nature: thunder, lightning & the tempest. He is the universal Father.

Dr Ziauddin Ziauddin Ahmad (1878-1947): taught mathematics at M.A.O. College, Aligarh (U.P.), first pro-vice-chancellor (1920-28) & vice-chancellor (1935-47).

Zobeidah or Zubaidah (d.831), wife of Harun-al-Rashid.

Zola, Emile Zola-Edouard-Charles-Antoine (1840-1902), French novelist & critic.

Zollverein German customs union, founded in 1834; it created a free-trade area throughout much of Germany & was a key step towards German reunification.

Zones, Joe probably, Joe Gans (1874-1910), a Negro boxer known as “Old Master”.

Zarathustra (c.628-c.551 BC), Persian religious teacher & reformer; he received a vision from Ahura Mazda, the Wise Lord, who appointed him to preach the Truth.

Zoroastrian adherent of the religion founded by Zarathustra, followers of Avesta or Zend-Avesta. Practically wiped out by Mohammedanism in Persia, it survives there in isolated areas but more prosperously in India where followers are known as Parsis.

Zuleikha Potiphar’s wife who tempted Joseph. Some call her Rail, but the name by which she is best known is Zoleikha.