The Gathas The Hymns of Zarathushtra

By D. J. Irani

Forward To The Divine Songs of Zarathushtra

Rabindranath Tagore
The most important of all outstanding facts of Iranian history is the religious reform brought about by Zarathushtra. He was the first man we know who gave a definitely moral character and direction to religion, and at the same time preached the doctrine of monotheism, which offered an eternal foundation of reality to goodness as an ideal of perfection. All religions of the primitive type try to keep men bound with regulations of external observances. These, no doubt, have the hypnotic effect of vaguely suggesting a realm of right and wrong but the dimness of their light produces phantasms leaving men to aberrations. Zarathushtra was the greatest of all the pioneer prophets who showed the path of freedom to men, the freedom of moral choice, the freedom from blind obedience to unmeaning in!unctions, freedom from the multiplicity of shrines which draw our worship away from the single"minded chastity of devotion. To most of us it sounds like a truism to"day when we are told that the moral goodness of a deed comes from the goodness of intention. #ut it is a truth which once came to a man like a revelation of light in the darkness and has not yet reached all the obscure corners of humanity. There are men we still see around us who fearfully follow, hoping thereby to gain merit, the path of blind formalisms, which have no living moral source in the mind. This will make us understand the greatness of Zarathushtra. Though surrounded by believers in magical rites, he proclaimed in those dark days of unreason, that religion has its truth in its moral significance, not in external practices of imaginary value that it is to uphold man in his life of good thoughts, good words and good deeds.

The outer expression of truth reaches its white light of simplicity through its inner reali$ation. True simplicity is the physiognomy of perfection. In the primitive stage of spiritual growth, when man is dimly aware of the mystery of the infinite in his life and the world, when he does not fully know the inward character of his relationship with this truth, his first feeling is either that of dread or of a greed of gain. This drives him into wild exaggeration in worship, into fren$ied convulsion of ceremonialism. #ut in Zarathushtra%s teachings, which are best reflected in his &athas, we have hardly any mention of the ritualism of worship. 'onduct and its moral motives, such as (ohumano. Asha and Aramaiti, have received almost the sole attention in them. The orthodox )ersian form of worship in ancient Iran included animal sacrifices and offering of haoma to the daevas. That all this should be discountenanced by Zarathushtra not only shows his courage, but the strength of his reali$ation of the *upreme #eing as *pirit. +e are told that it has been mentioned by )lutarch, -Zarathushtra taught the )ersians to sacrifice to Ahura .a$da %vows and thanksgivings.%- The distance between faith in the efficacy of bloodstained magical rites and cultivation of moral and spiritual ideals as the true form of worship is immense. It is ama$ing to see how Zarathushtra was the first among men who crossed this distance with a certainty of reali$ation which imparted such a fervour of faith in his life and his words. The truth which tilled his mind was not a thing borrowed from books or received from teachers. He did not come to it by following a prescribed path of tradition. It flashed upon him as an illumination of his entire life, almost like a communication to his personal self, and he proclaimed the utmost immediacy of his knowledge in these words, !hen I "on"eived of Thee# $ %a&da# as the very First and the 'ast# as the most (dorab)e $ne. as the Father of Good Thought# as the *reator of Truth and Right# as the 'ord Judge of our a"tions in )ife# then I made a +)a"e for Thee in my very eyes ,
/asna, 01"2. 3Translation by 4. 5. Irani.6

It was the direct stirring of his soul which made him say," Thus do I announ"e the Greatest of a)). I weave my songs of +raise for Him through Truth# he)+fu) and benefi"ent to a)) that )ive. 'et (hura %a&da )isten to them with His Ho)y S+irit# for the Good %ind instru"ted me to adore Him- by His !isdom )et Him tea"h me about what is best. " /asna, 27"8. The truth which is not reached through the analytical process of reasoning, and does not depend for proof on some corroboration of outward facts, or the prevalent faith and practice of the people""the truth, which comes like an inspiration out of context with its surroundings, brings with it an assurance that it has been sent from a divine source of wisdom that the individual who has received it is specially chosen and therefore has his responsibility as the messenger of &od. Zarathushtra felt this sacredness of his mission and believed himself to be the direct medium of communication of 4ivine Truth. *o long as man deals with his &od as the dispenser of benefits to the worshipper, who knows the secret of propitiating him, he tries to keep him for his own self or for the tribe to which he belongs. #ut directly the moral or spiritual nature of &od is apprehended, this

knowledge is thrown open to all humanity and then the idea of &od, which once gave unity only to a special people, transcends limitations of race and gathers together all human beings within one spiritual circle of union. Zarathushtra was the first prophet who emancipated religion from the exclusive narrowness of the tribal &od, the &od of a chosen people, and offered it to the universal man. This is a great fact in the history of religion. The .aster said, when the enlightenment came to him, .eri)y I be)ieve Thee# $ (hura %a&da# to be the Su+reme Benevo)ent /roviden"e# when Sraosha "ame to me with the Good %ind# when first I re"eived and be"ame wise with Thy words0 (nd though the tas1 be diffi"u)t# though woe may "ome to me# I sha)) +ro")aim to a)) man1ind Thy message# whi"h Thou de")arest to be the best. "/asna, 20"
11.

He prays to .a$da, This I as1 Thee# te)) me tru)y# $ (hura# the re)igion that is best for a)) man1ind,,the re)igion# based on truth# whi"h shou)d +ros+er a)) that is mine# the re)igion whi"h estab)ishes our a"tions in order and 2usti"e by the Divine Songs of /erfe"t /iety# whi"h has# for its inte))igent desire of desires# the desire for Thee# $ %a&da0 "/asna, 22"19. +ith the undoubted assurance and hope of one who has got a direct vision of Truth he speaks to the world, Hear1en unto me# 3e# who "ome from far and near0 'isten# for I sha)) s+ea1 forth now- +onder we)) over a)) things# weigh my words with "are and ")ear thought. 4ever sha)) the fa)se tea"her destroy this wor)d for a se"ond time- for his tongue stands mute# his "reed e5+osed. "/asna, 27"1. I think it can be said without doubt that such a high conception of religion, uttered in such a clear note of affirmation, with a sure conviction that it is a truth of the ultimate ideal of perfection which must be revealed to all humanity, even at the cost of martyrdom, is uni:ue in the history of religion belonging to such a remote dawn of civilisation. There was a time when along with other Aryan peoples the )ersians also worshipped the elemental gods of nature, on whose favour they depended for the good things of life. #ut such favour was not to be won by any moral duty performed or by any service of love. In fact, it was the crude beginning of the scientific spirit trying to unlock the hidden sources of power in nature. #ut through it all there must have been some current of deeper desire which constantly contradicted the cult of power and indicated a world of inner good infinitely more precious than material gain. Its voice was not strong at first, nor was it heeded by the ma!ority of the people but its influence, like the life within the seed, was silently working. Then comes the great teacher and in his life and mind the hidden fire of truth suddenly bursts out in a flame. The best in the people works for long obscure ages in hints and whispers till it finds its voice, which can never again be silenced. ;or that voice becomes the voice of mankind, no longer confined to a particular time or people. It works across intervals of silence and oblivion, depression and defeat, and comes out again and again with its con:uering call. It is a call to the fighter""the fighter against

untruth""against all that lures away man%s spirit from its high mission of freedom into the meshes of materialism. And Zarathushtra%s voice is still a living voice, not a mere matter of academic interest for historical scholars who deal with the dead facts of the past. It is not a voice which is only to guide a small community of men in the daily details of their life. ;or have we not seen that Zarathushtra was the first of all teachers who, in his religious teachings, sent his words to all human races across the distance of space and time< He was not like a man who by some chance of friction had lighted a lamp, and knowing that it could not be shared by all, secured it with a miser%s care for his own domestic use. #ut he was the watcher in the night, who stood on the lonely peak facing the =ast and broke out singing the poems of light to the sleeping world when the sun came out on the brim of the hori$on. He declared that the sun of truth is for all, that its light is to unite the far and the near. *uch a message always arouses the antagonism of those whose habits have become nocturnal, whose vested interest is in the darkness. And there was a bitter fight in the lifetime of the prophet between his followers and others who were addicted to the ceremonies that had tradition on their side and not truth. +e are told that -Zarathushtra was descended from a kingly family,- and also that the first converts to his doctrines were of the ruling caste. #ut the priesthood, -the >avis and the >arapans, often succeeded in bringing the rulers over to their side.- *o we find that, in this fight, the princes of the land divided themselves into two opposite parties, as we find in India in the >urukshetra war. -+ith the princes have the >avis and the >arapans united, in order to corrupt man by their evil deeds.- Among the princes that stood against Zarathushtra, as his enemies, the mighty #endva might be included, who is mentioned in /asna, 2?, 1"@. ;rom the context we may surmise that he stood on the side of the infidels. A family or a race of princely blood were probably the &rehma 3/asna, 0@, 1@"126. Aegarding them it is said that they -having allied with the >avis and the >arapans, have established their power in order to overpower the prophet and his partisans. In fact, the opposition between the pious and the impious, the believers and the unbelievers, seem very often to have led to open combat. The prophet prays to Ahura that he may grant victory to his own, when both the armies rush together in combat, whereby they can cause defeat among the wicked, and procure for them strife and trouble.There is evidence in our Indian legends that in ancient India also there have been fights between the representatives of the orthodox faith and the >shatriyas, who, owing to their own special vocation, had a comparative freedom of mind about the religion of external observances. The proofs are strong enough to lead us to believe that the monotheistic religious movement had its origin and principal support in the kingly caste of those days, though a great number of them fought to oppose it. I have discussed in another place the growth in ancient India of the moral and spiritual element in her religion which had accompanied the Indian Aryan people from the time of the Indo"Iranian age, showing how the struggle with its antagonistic force has continued all through the history of India. I have shown how the revolution which accompanied the teachings of Zarathushtra, breaking out into severe fights, had its close analogy in the religious revolution in India whose ideals are still preserved in the #hagavadgita.

It is interesting to note that the growth of the same ideal in the same race in different geographical situations has produced results that, in spite of their unity, have some aspect of difference. The Iranian monotheism is more ethical, while the Indian is more metaphysical in its character. *uch a difference in their respective spiritual developments was owing, no doubt, to the more active vigour of life in the old )ersians and the contemplative :uietude of mind in the Indians. This distinction in the latter arises in a great measure out of the climatic conditions of the country, the easy fertility of the soil and the great stretch of plains in Borthern India affording no constant obstacles in physical nature to be daily overcome by man, while the climate of )ersia is more bracing and the surface of the soil more rugged. The Zoroastrian ideal has accepted the challenge of the principle of evil and has enlisted itself in the fight on the side of Ahura .a$da, the great, the good, the wise. In India, although the ethical side is not absent, the emphasis has been more strongly laid on sub!ective realisation through a stoical suppression of desire, and the attainment of a perfect e:uanimity of mind by cultivating indifference to all causes of !oy and sorrow. Here the idea, over which the minds of men brooded for ages, in an introspective intensity of silence, was that man as a spiritual being had to realise the truth by breaking through his sheath of self. All the desires and feelings that limit his being are keeping him shut in from the region of spiritual freedom. In man the spirit of creation is waiting to find its ultimate release in an ineffable illumination of Truth. The aspiration of India is for attaining the infinite in the spirit of man. Cn the other hand, as I have said before, the ideal of Zoroastrian )ersia is distinctly ethical. It sends its call to men to work together with the =ternal *pirit of &ood in spreading and maintaining >shatra, the >ingdom of Aighteousness, against all attacks of evil. This ideal gives us our place as collaborators with &od in distributing His blessings over the world. *)ear is this a)) to the man of wisdom as to the man who "arefu))y thin1s- he who u+ho)ds Truth with a)) the might of his +ower# he who u+ho)ds Truth the utmost in his word and deed# he# indeed# is thy most va)ued he)+er# $ %a&da (hura0"/asna, 01"@@. It is, in fact, of supreme moment to us that the human world is in an incessant state of war between that which will save us and that which will drag us into the abyss of disaster. Cur one hope lies in the fact that Ahura .a$da is on our side if we choose the right course. The law of warfare is severe in its character it allows no compromise. - Bone of you,- says Zarathushtra, -shall find the doctrine and precepts of the wicked because thereby he will bring grief and death in his house and village, in his land and peopleD Bo, grip your sword and cut them downD-"/asna, 01, 1E. *uch a relentless attitude of fight reminds us of the Cld Testament spirit. The active heroic aspect of this religion reflects the character of the people themselves, who later on spread their con:uests far and wide and built up great empires by the might of their sword. They accepted this world in all seriousness. They had $est in life and confidence in their own strength. They belonged to the western half of Asia, and their great influence travelled through the neighbouring civilisation of India and towards the +estern 'ontinent. Their ideal was the ideal of the fighter. #y the force of their will and deed of

sacrifice they were to con:uer haurvatat, welfare in this world, and ameratat, immortality in the other. This is the best ideal of the +est, the great truth of fight. ;or )aradise has to be gained through con:uest. That sacred task is for the heroes, who are to take the right side in the battle and the right weapons.

Introdu"tion The Gathas of Zarathushtra

6.D. Irani

WHAT ARE THE GATHAS? The &athas are the hymns composed by Zarathushtra, the )rophet or the founder of the religion of ancient Iran, who lived around 1099 #'=. The verses are composed in the metrical forms of ancient Indo"Iranian religious poetry. It is in a very condensed style of versification, in which standard grammatical construction is more absent than present. In extent the &athas constitute a small book containing about 8999 words, in about 1099 lines set in @0E verses which are collected in 1F chapters, each called a Haiti, or in the more usual later term, HA. The 1F Ha%s of the &athas were, some time later, incorporated into a long prayer, or liturgy, recited at a ceremony. The /asna recitation has F@ chapters. The Ha%s are identified by their numberings as chapters of the /asna. There are five ma!or sections of the 1F Ha%s of the &athas listed here, 1. Ahunavaiti, consisting of Ha%s @E"02 of the /asna, containing 199 verses. @. Gshtavaiti, consisting of Ha%s 20"28 of the /asna, containing 88 verses. 0. *penta .ainyu, consisting of Ha%s 2F"79 of the /asna, containing 21 verses. 2. (ohu >hshathra, consisting of Ha 7 1 of the /asna, containing @@ verses. 7. (ahishto Ishti, consisting of Ha 70 of the /asna, containing ? verses. The language of the &athas is one belonging to the old Indo"Iranian group which was part of the =astern families of the Indo"=uropean languages. This language is called &athic, and because it is incorporated into the /asna scripture which is part of the Avesta, it is also called Cld Avestan. .uch of our grasp of the &athic language, both in vocabulary and grammar comes from its close affinity with the early form of (edic *anskrit.

THE CONTENT OF THE GATHAS. The verses of the &athas are addressed to the 4ivinity, Ahura .a$da, and also to the public that has come to hear the )rophet. *pecific aspects of his theology appear in every Ha, but we do not have a systematic presentation of the doctrine in any one location. Zarathushtra expounds aspects of his teachings in many different places in the &athas. In others, he exhorts his audience to live a life as Ahura .a$da has directed. ;rom these fre:uent passages we can reconstruct the theology with reasonable accuracy. Then there are some verses, devotional in character, addressed to Ahura .a$da, to the divine essences of Truth, the &ood".ind, and the *pirit of )iety and #enevolence. There are also verses which refer to episodes and crises in the mission of the )rophet. #ut the theology is interwoven in every Ha.

THE THEOLOGY OF THE GATHAS. It is important, as a preliminary consideration, to note that the type of religion preached by Zarathushtra is what may be called reflective religion. It is a fusion of a (iew of the +orld and a +ay of Hife offered to the prospective believer to be adopted upon due reflection as worthy of acceptance. A believer is one who chooses to encounter the world as the religious view declares it to he, and importantly, commits himself or herself In the +ay of Hife presented therein. +hat then is the religious view of Zarathushtra in the &athas< Zarathushtra conceives of the world we live in as a theater of conflict between two diametrically opposed moral spirits 3mainyus6, they stand for mental attitudes in the psychological domain, and also opposing moral vectors in all of creation. They are the *pirit of &oodness 3*penta .ainyu6, and the *pirit of =vil 3Angre .ainyu, not so named in the &athas, but in the later literature6. Their characters are defined in relation to the pivotal concept of Zarathushtra%s theology, Asha, usually translated as Truth. Truth, in this context means the Gltimate Truth, that is, the Ideal form of existence of the world as envisioned by Ahura .a$da. The form the world would have had but for the *pirit of =vil, and hence the form the world ought to have. Acting in accordance with Truth is the right thing to do, hence Asha is also translated as Aighteousness. Indeed, since Zarathushtra%s theology is always pro!ected with a moral dimension, Asha always carries the !oint meaning of Truth and Aighteousness. Thus we comprehend the world as an intrinsically good, divine creation, contaminated by evil, but capable of being perfected by the actions of humans by reason of their capacity of moral choice. Human action can promote good and re!ect evil leading to its ultimate banishment from the world, though it may continue to exist as a conceptual possibility.

;rom this follows the +ay of Hife in Zarathushtra%s theology. According to it, each human being possesses, perhaps cultivated to different degrees, the :uality of the &ood" .ind, (ohu".ana, in itself a divine creation. The &ood".ind enables us to grasp Asha, the Ideal Truth it also enables us to see any aspect of the world and recogni$e it for what it is, i.e. the way and the extent to which it is flawed. This is grasped by seeing reality and reali$ing how it deviates from its ideal state, i.e. Asha. This form of moral awareness is what is termed good"thought. ;rom this good"thought one is inspired to do the right thing, to right the wrong, to perfect the state of imperfection. +hen the appropriate course of action is formulated and articulated it is called good word. The inspiration that leads to action is *penta Armaity, translated in the religious context as )iety or 4evotion, and in the moral context as #enevolence or Aight".indedness. This spirit is another aspect of 4ivinity, it inclines us to move from right conceptions to right actions. +e thereby, with courage and confidence put our well"thought"out and well" formulated intentions into actions. This is called good"deed. Here we can crystalli$e the oft"repeated trilogy of Zoroastrianism, &ood"thoughts, &ood"words, and &ood"deeds. The conse:uence of actions according to this way of life is that, being in accord with Asha, it brings the world toward perfection in any way and to whatever extent it may be. In the social world we bring about a change toward a worthy social order. And as the social order is transformed to an ideal form we achieve the ideal dominion in which the right"minded person is happy and contented. This ideal social state is referred to by the &athic term >hshathra (airya, another divine aspect. The individual who lives in accordance with this way of life reaches a state of well"being, a state of psychic and spiritual integrity which one might plausibly characteri$e as perfection in this earthly state. This state is referred to by the &athic term Haurvatat. A person who has lived such a life comes, upon death, to a state of immortal bliss, known by the &athic term, Ameretat. Hife after death in the &athas is viewed as a state, the character of which is a conse:uence of the moral :uality of one%s life. The notion of the final !udgment upon the person is expressed dramatically in the crossing of the #ridge of the *eparator 3chinvad peretu6, where the virtuous cross to the Abode of *ongs, the heavenly abode, and exist in a state of -#est 'onsciousness.- The wicked fall away into the House of ;alsehood, existing in a state of -+orst 'onsciousness,- detached from Truth. The focus of &athic teaching is one of a world afflicted with suffering, ine:uity, and imperfection, the goal being to transform it and bring it to perfection, that is, in consonance with Truth, by the comprehending power of the &ood".ind. *uch a perfecting world would progressively bring satisfaction to all the good creation. And it would inaugurate the desired kingdom, >hshathra (airya, where the ideal society would manifest peaceful social existence in which all interests would be harmoni$ed and balanced in a !ust order, for that is an implication of Asha. This achievement depends on enlightened human thinking and right"minded human resolve. These are the religious

goals according to the &athas, and bringing them about, the commandment of Ahura .a$da.

THE NON-THEOLOGICAL CONTENT OF THE GATHAS. The &athas are religious hymns. Among them are some addressed to Ahura .a$da expressing the )rophet%s veneration for the Holiness of the 4ivinity, who is ;ather of the &ood".ind, the Truth, and the *pirit of #enevolence. There are other (erses where the )rophet re:uests for himself and his disciples these very gifts which would enable them to lead holy lives. There are other verses which are :uasi"biographical. They are all related. in one way or another, with Zarathushtra%s mission to announce to humanity the teachings of Ahura .a$da to direct us to act in the &reat 'ause, vi$., to promote the Truth 3Asha6, perfecting the +orld and thereby perfecting ourselves. +hen he announces the message of Ahura" .a$da, he is repudiated in his homeland, abandoned by his kinsmen. There are verses which express this repudiation and the resulting doubts regarding the success of his mission. He asks for assurance from Ahura .a$da, and significantly, sees the self"validating power of Truth through the translucence of the &ood .ind. There are times when the )rophet is re!ected by the powerful, and times when his teachings are attacked. He asks not only for his effort%s confirmation from Ahura .a$da, but also the repudiation of his opponents and oppressors as purveyors of evil. *ince the various Ha%s of the &athas were composed at different periods in the life of the )rophet we obtain from them reflections of his aspirations and anxieties about the effectiveness of his mission. He never doubted its validity or its ultimate vindication. +e find that in the later part of his life he feels assured of success and a tone of contentment and assurance pervades the later compositions. #ut even there, as in the last Ha, where he officiates at the wedding of his youngest daughter, he enunciates parts of the doctrine he could not be any other than the untiring preacher of the religion of .a$da.

NOTES ON GATHIC TERMS AND THEOLOGICAL CONCEPTS *ince many of the theological concepts appear from time to time in their &athic terms in the translations of the verses, they are listed here together with other &athic concepts with their meanings, in their proper groupings, Ahura Mazda meaning the +ise Hord, is the 4ivinity of &athic theology. He is the 'reator and the *ource of &oodness. The two opposed *pirits, )rinciples, or .entalities,

1. Spen a Ma!n"u, meaning the bountiful or progressive spirit in the ethical dualism, it is the &ood"*pirit. @. An#re Ma!n"u is the spirit of destruction or opposition. In the doctrine of ethical dualism it is the =vil *pirit. Although the concept is used, this term itself does not appear in the &athas. It was employed a little later in the Avestan literature. The A$e%ha Spen a%, 3again, the term not used in the &athas, but very early in the history of the religion6 means the bountiful immortals. They are six abstract concepts, essences as some would say, in terms of which the theology is constructed. They are aspects of Ahura .a$da, through which He is known. Ahura .a$da establishes their independent existence in the ideal realm of #eing. *ometimes they are personali$ed and venerated as such in the &athas. *ometimes Ahura .a$da is characteri$ed as their father. *ome of these essences we can incorporate in our own lives, e.g. the &ood".ind, and )iety or #enevolence. Cthers are to be viewed as ideals which may be actuali$ed in concrete existence by the actions of right"thinking humans. Here we should note that the distinction between an ideal realm of existence, and a physical realm of existence is made in the &athas. The six Amesha *pentas are the following, 1. A%ha &ah!%h a' The Highest 3#est6 Truth, also the Highest form of Aighteousness. This Truth describes how the +orld ought to be in its ideal form. 'onse:uently, the intention to actuali$e it is Aighteous Intention, and action according to it the highest form of Aighteousness. @. &(hu-Mana' The &ood".ind. The mental capacity to comprehend Asha, to understand the nature of our actual world, and recogni$e the resulting disparity between the ideal and the real. It is thus the instrument of moral cognition. 0. Spen a Ar$a! "' The Holy Attitude. Theologically, it is the attitude of )iety toward the *ource of #eing and the Gltimate Truth =thically, it is the attitude of #enevolence, a concern for the &ood. It may be characteri$ed as Aight" .indedness. 2. )h%ha hra-&a!r"a' The Ideal 4ominion. It is the ideal social 3and political6 structure of the human world. In human terms, we may call it the ideal society. In theological terms, it is the >ingdom of Heaven. 7. Haur*a a ' The state of complete +ell"being, physical and spiritual integrity. In its full form it is a state of perfection on earth. 8. A$ere a ' The state of Immortal #liss. Sra(%ha' The concept of Hearing, i.e. receiving a divine message however, since what is heard is a communication from the 4ivinity, the concept also implies acceptance or obedience.

There are three non"theological terms"which appear in several of the &athic verses, they are )a*!+ )arpan+ and ,%!#. They are all used in a pe!orative sense. In &athic vocabulary, >avi meant a chief of a tribe, or a prince, a ruler and military chief of the socio"political organi$ation among the Indo"Iranians. >arpan meant a mumbling priest, a priest whose function was to utter sacred words, usually not comprehensible to the laity, which were supposed to have magical effects in promoting the interest of the rulers. Gsig was probably the ritual performing priest who prepared and executed the sacrifice and offerings. These were activities of the cults prevalent in Zarathushtra%s time, cults which he repudiated and displaced with the religion of Ahura .a$da.

S"n(p%!% (- he Ga ha%
Though the general theology pervades all the verses of the &athas, certain specific topics dominate some of the Has. To familiari$e the reader with these topics a brief synopsis of each Ha is provided. In the /asna, the first Ha of the &athas is numbered @E. However, conceptually, Ha @? should be the first, because it is an introduction to the revelation incorporated in the &athas. It is a dramatic mythologic account of a conference in the abode of Ahura .a$da, where Zarathushtra is chosen as the one to bring the wisdom of Ahura .a$da for the guidance of human life upon this earth, the teachings which came to be called the religion of good conscience. This Ha is therefore appropriately listed as Ahunavaiti 1, and the earlier, i.e., / @E, is to be listed as Ahunavaiti @. The rest of the &athas are listed consecutively as they are in the /asna.

Ahuna*a! ! . I/ @?J reflects a time of strife. of political and military conflict, where tribes of pastoralists raided one another%s herds of cattle. These activities were accompanied by sacrifice re:uiring slaughter of cattle. In this atmosphere of violence and insecurity, the soul of the cow, representing all good living creation, complains to the 4ivinity and asks for protection. After some discussion in the 'elestial 'ouncil, Zarathushtra is chosen as the one to bring to humanity the wisdom of Ahura .a$da. The upshot of these considerations is that the way of life offered in these teachings incorporating the wisdom of the 'reator is the only protection for the welfare of creation. Ahuna*a! ! / I/ @EJ opens with a prayer presaging the &athic message. Zarathushtra seeks through Ahura .a$da%s Holy *pirit, the gift of Truth in thought and action so that he may bring !oy to the soul of creation. The first verse, the opening, of this Ha is the most celebrated verse in the &athas. In the rest of the Ha, the two dominant concepts of &athic theology, Truth and the &ood .ind, are repeatedly invoked. They will enable the

wise and the good to heal an afflicted world and improve it by the elimination of deception and violence of the evil"doers. Ahuna*a! ! 0 I/ 09J. This Ha presents some of the central themes of the theology. Zarathushtra, in the first verse, declares that he is about to announce the divine teachings. The next verse informs his audience that they should listen to his words with an enlightened mind, and then decide upon a way of life. This is the theme of choice, fundamental to the faith. +e humans have free will, we must choose, and bear the responsibility for that choice. +hat are the fateful alternatives of that choice< These are presented in subse:uent verses. That is the doctrine of &ood and =vil. ;or Zarathushtra, &ood and =vil existed as such, and each one of us had to choose the good or the evil alternative in every situation in life. &ood is chosen by the clarity of our recognition of the Truth and our innate Aightmindedness. =vil, since it is action contrary to the Ideal Truth, is chosen because one is in a state of deception and evil is destructive of the Aighteous Crder in this world, a world which ought to evolve to perfection. =vil ultimately will perish. The righteous will achieve the state of #est 'onsciousness through their right choices, and the opposite will be the state of the evil"doers. Ahuna*a! ! 1 I/ 01J is a reinforcement of the theology of the last Ha. Zarathushtra affirms his belief that the teachings he offers are for the benefit of all humanity. ;ollowing his personal commitment to the teachings, he asks for insight into his own mission, in:uiring how he and his disciples can be more acceptable to Ahura .a$da, and what the devout may rightfully expect. Ahuna*a! ! 2 I/ 0@J. This Ha is concerned with the evil"doer. The evil"doers Zarathushtra focuses on were the practitioners of the earlier cult of tribal aggrandi$ement. They had rituals of military preparation which not only excused but !ustified human and animal slaughter. These worshippers are being condemned. The first verse indicates that they have copied some modes of worship of the .a$da /asnie community. This has Zarathushtra making an appeal to Ahura .a$da that he and his supporters be accepted as the authentically religious. Gpon receiving an affirmative response in the second verse, Zarathushtra provides detailed account of their evil actions, their destructive social practices, and their resulting evil fate in after"life. Ahuna*a! ! 3 I/ 00J. This is a particularly personal Ha. The verses, in a very devotional poetic form, are addresses to Ahura .a$da. This Ha was composed probably early in the )rophet%s career. He is asking for an inspiration from Ahura .a$da, assuring him of the +isdom he has already received. #ut he desires aid and insight into how he might propagate the ;aith. There are several verses of venerative prayer in this Ha, but the last verse is a particularly striking one. ;or there he offers the breath of his life, his good thoughts and good work as if they were sacrificial offerings to Ahura .a$da. +hat a contrast from traditional practiceD Ahuna*a! ! 4 I/ 02J. This is another Ha addressed to the 4ivinity. Zarathushtra expresses his dedication to Ahura .a$da who has established the moral order in creation, and has offered the righteous believers perfection here and immortal bliss in the life to

come. He asks for the blessing of protection for his followers, and in:uires about the proper form of worship. The essential form of worship is, of course, the life of good thought, word, and deed. However, for a religious community a common mode of worship is also valuable, perhaps even necessary. Zarathushtra ends this Ha with a commitment to the teachings, with expressions of veneration, and a plea that the 4ivinity may regenerate this existence towards its intended perfection. ,%h a*a! ! . I/ 20J. This Ha, poetically addressed to Ahura .a$da, is essentially meant for the ears of his audience. The early verses express confidence in the gift of happiness to those who deserve it, with an attached re:uest for a long and worthy life of the &ood .ind. It is followed by a description of one who, through Truth, attains an end better than good. And then we have glimpses into Zarathushtra%s reception of the revelation through .a$da%s #ountiful *pirit and inspiration through the &ood .ind, and finally into his vivid reali$ation of Ahura .a$da as the supreme creator, and founder of the Aighteous Crder. ,%h a*a! ! / I/ 22J. This Ha is different in tone and content, but not in theology, from the rest of the &athas. The Ha is known as -the Kuestions to the Hord,- as each of the verses, except the last, begins with a :uestion to the Hord. The opening verse is a re:uest to Ahura .a$da to let us know how He should be venerated, the implication being that earlier forms of worship were unacceptable, or at least, inappropriate. The next verse asks for the source of the #est =xistence. It is declared that one who strives to bring this about through righteousness is a healer of existence. He seems to be suggesting that social amelioration through righteousness is the highest form of veneration. The Ha in a series of verses goes on to in:uire about who created aspects of the natural order, the principles of the moral and social order, and the values and ideals of existence. These are, of course, rhetorical :uestions the obvious answer being, Ahura .a$da. It is relevant to note that in the pre"Zoroastrian religious culture there were a host of divinities performing these functions. These :uestions raised by Zarathushtra are an indirect repudiation of that pantheon. The last fourth of the Ha deals with the still active group of unbelievers and opponents. Zarathushtra asks how shall their evil be overcome. He seeks assurance that evil shall be handed over to the good. 'learly these reflections are set in a time of social change and cultural turmoil. ,%h a*a! ! 0 I/ 27J. This Ha is addressed to the public gathered to listen to Zarathushtra. In the first verse he asks them to ponder over his teachings with care and clear thought. He is anxious to have the new revelation established, and the prevailing magical practice repudiated. The false teaching is not described, but we know that it was the practice of tribal warfare and the elevation of aggrandi$ement. This Ha contains no new idea. Zarathushtra praises the 4ivinity for providing this illuminating message. He assures humanity of the blessings of )erfection and Immortality for living a good life. The Ha ends on a note of confidence that to a person living such a life in reverence to the .a$da, the Hord shall be a friend, or brother, or even fatherD ,%h a*a! ! 1 I/ 28J. This Ha is a poetic reflection on Zarathushtra%s mission. In the early days of his ministry the reaction of those who first heard his message was negative. That,

of course, is understandable because Zarathushtra was repudiating the tribal religion of con:uest. +e read his poignant expression at being abandoned, and yet his firm conviction in the ultimate vindication of his teachings. The verses manifest his resolve in efforts to promulgate the divine message and repudiate the violent cult of the evil"doers. He says -he who looks upon evil with tolerance is no other than evil.- He is looking for followers who will do right for the sake of Aight, and thus work for the establishment of the Aighteous Crder. He is encouraged by the leader of a neighboring tribe accepting his teachings He recalls how an Iranian prince and his court accepted the ;aith. He even preaches to his own clan which had earlier repudiated him. The Ha ends on a happy note of the progressive acceptance of the religious teachings, and the hope of a &reat Aenovation when all of creation will be purged of evil. Spen a Ma!n"u . I/ 2FJ. In this short Ha we are presented with a dis:uisition on *penta .ainyu. It is mainyu. i.e., the spiritual attitude, or mentality, or vector in creation, often translated as spirit, which however should not be interpreted as an entity with a personality. *ince it is *penta it is Holy, or #ountiful, or (irtuous no matter how translated, it represents the good pole in the underlying duality of the theology. The verses here make the theological point that this spirit comes from Ahura .a$da and is the one that inspires and activates the Aight"thinking who receive the gifts of )erfecting Integrity and ultimately, Immortality. ;rom it the evil are.remote and thus suffer the conse:uences of alienation and loss of salvation. Spen a Ma!n"u / I/ 2EJ. The Ha probably was composed in a period of social and political uncertainty. Zarathushtra asks Ahura .a$da for assurance that the righteous will be vindicated. Although the :uestion is rhetorical, the affirmative response is elaborated by a reinforcement of the teachings already propounded. The good existence shall come by human effort dedicated to righteousness. There is the wish that the righteous with wisdom and right"mindedness rule us thereby bringing peace and prosperity. The contrast between the good and the evil is reformulated. It is through wisdom and understanding that the practice of evil shall be averted. And one who can bring about this form of action to human practice is declared to be a benefactor, a savior of humanity. Spen a Ma!n"u 0 I/ 2?J. This Ha, as some others before, deals with the conflict between the righteous and the unrighteous. Zarathushtra is being opposed by a powerful figure of the establishment, #andva, entrenched in the politics of aggrandi$ement. Zarathushtra asks for Ahura .a$da%s help through the good mind, and reiterates the teachings regarding opposition to evil and furthering the good. These reflections refer to some important historical event, for at some crucial time Zarathushtra sought the illumination of Truth for ;rashaoshtra, one of the politically influential among the faithful, and instructed another member of the court, 5amaspa, to be right"following and keep away ;rom the evil liar. Spen a Ma!n"u 1 I/ .79J. This is a powerful poetic expression of the )rophet%s reverence for Ahura .a$da, with a feeling of conviction regarding the support he expects from Him. The Ha evinces the )rophet%s sense of vindication, as well as his acceptance

by Ahura .a$da. The Ha ends with a reaffirmation of the commitment to restore this existence to its ideal state envisioned in the Truth and reali$ed by the &ood .ind. &(hu )h%ha hra I/ 71J. This Ha, as its name indicates, is concerned with the -desired dominion- or, to put it in contemporary idiom, the -ideal state- or -ideal society.Achieving such a social order is the responsibility of rulers. The early verses indicate the fundamental virtues they must possess, vi$. the dedication to Truth. Bext are listed the necessary attributes of the &ood .ind and Aightmindedness. A leadership so e:uipped will bring security, harmony and happiness to society. It is the establishment of the Aighteous Crder of Asha that Zarathushtra is invariably proposing as our religio"social, collective obligation. *uch a goal is thwarted by the evil"doers whose self"interest and greed violate the establishment of the ob!ective social right. They shall receive their appropriate recompense as the conse:uence of their evil. &ah!%h ( I%h ! I / 70J. This last Ha of the &athas deals with religious implications surrounding a specific event in the life of the )rophet "" the marriage of his youngest daughter. The theological message, presented in the &athas over and over, is again presented in the sermon Zarathushtra addresses to the marrying couple and others who are also about to marry or are contemplating marriage. #efore the marriage ceremony, however, Zarathushtra calls upon his daughter to make her choice with the counsel of enlightened understanding and piety. *ubse:uent to the choice, Zarathushtra admonishes the bride and groom to live righteous lives and cherish each other for then they would receive the blessed conse:uences of the &ood +ork.

(hunuvaiti Gatha 3asna 78

1. ,n ( Thee+ O L(rd+ he S(u5 (- Crea !(n 6r!ed' 7F(r 8h($ d!d% Th(u 6rea e $e+ and 8h( %( -a%h!(ned $e? Feud% and -ur"+ *!(5en6e and he !n%(5en6e (- $!#h ha*e (ppre%%ed $e9 N(ne ha*e I ( pr( e6 $e %a*e Thee9 C($$and -(r $e hen he :5e%%!n#% (- a %e 5ed+ pea6e-u5 5!-e.7 @. Thereup(n+ he Crea (r a%;ed A%ha' 7Wh($ 8!5 Th(u ha*e a% %a*!(ur -(r he 8(r5d+ ( :e ! % pr( e6 (r and uph(5der (- (rder? Wh( 8! h h!% %a#a6! " and zea5 $a" :r!n# pr(%per! "9

Wh($ 8!5 Th(u ha*e a% ! % 5(rd+ 8h( 8!55 repe5 *!(5en6e+ and d!%pe5 he -(r6e% (- E*!5?7 0. Thu% ( he L(rd d( h A%ha+ he Tru h+ rep5"' 7N( #u!de !% ;n(8n 8h( 6an %he5 er he 8(r5d -r($ 8(e+ N(ne 8h( ;n(8% 8ha $(*e% and 8(r;% Th" 5(- " p5an%. The $(% p(8er-u5 O- :e!n#% !% he ( 8h(%e he5p I %ha55 #( (n an !n*(6a !(n.7 2. Mazda ;n(8% :e% 8ha 8(r;% ha*e :een 8r(u#h :" he perpe ra (r% (- E*!5 and he!r -(55(8er%9 And He ;n(8% 8ha %ha55 :e 8r(u#h :" he$ e*er herea- er. The L(rd+ Ahura !%+ he %(5e d!%6erner9 F(r u%+ 5e ! :e a% He (rda!n%. 7. And hu% 8e 8(+ $" %(u5 and he %(u5 (- 6rea !(n+ pra"ed 8! h hand% (u % re 6hed ( he L(rd9 And hu% 8e 8( ur#ed Mazda 8! h he%e en rea !e%' 7Le n( de% ru6 !(n (*er a;e he r!#h -5!*!n#+ Le n( he d!5!#en #((d %u--er a he hand% (- e*!5.7 8. Then+ hu% %pa;e Ahura Mazda+ he L(rd (- under% and!n# and 8!%d($' 7A% here !% n( r!#h e(u% %p!r! ua5 5(rd (r %e6u5ar 6h!e-+ S( ha*e I+ a% Crea (r+ $ade hee <=ara hu%h ra> he pr( e6 (r and #u!de+ F(r he 8e5-are (- he 8(r5d and ! % d!5!#en pe(p5e'7 F. The W!%e L(rd+ 8! h he %p!r! (- Tru h and R!#h e(u%ne%%+ $ade he%e h(5" h"$n%+ The ?ene*(5en Pr(*!den6e #a*e he%e ea6h!n#% -(r he 8e55-:e!n# (- he 8(r5d and ! % r!#h e(u% pe(p5e. Wh($ ha% Th(u+ O Mazda+ (rda!ned+ *er!5" ( #!*e -(r h+ hr(u#h he G((d M!nd+ he%e :(un !e% ( $(r a5%? E. <Thu% %pa;e Ahura Mazda>' 7The (ne 8h( a5(ne ha% hear;ened ( $" pre6ep % !% ;n(8n a% =ara hu%h ra Sp! a$a9 F(r h!% Crea (r and -(r Tru h he 8!%he% ( ann(un6e he H(5" Me%%a#e+ Where-(re %ha55 I :e% (8 (n h!$ he #!- (- e5(@uen %pee6h.7 ?. Thereup(n he S(u5 (- Crea !(n 6r!ed' 7In $" 8(e% I ha*e (: a!ned -(r he5p he -ee:5e *(!6e (- an hu$:5e $an+ When I 8!%hed -(r a $!#h " (*er-5(rdA Whene*er %ha55 I #e (ne ( #!*e $e he5p 8! h p(8er and 8! h -(r6e?7

19. O Ahura Mazda+ and O Sp!r! (- Tru h and R!#h A D( Ye #ran $e and $" -(55(8er% %u6h au h(r! " and p(8er hr(u#h Tru h+ Tha 8! h he G((d M!nd+ 8e $a" :r!n# he 8(r5d pea6e and happ!ne%%+ O- 8h!6h+ Th(u+ O L(rd+ ar !ndeed he -!r% p(%%e%%(r. 11. When %ha55 Tru h+ he G((d M!nd+ and he H(5" P(8er+ ha% en ( $e !n -u55+ $" L(rd? D( Th(u a%%!#n he$ ( $e -(r he #rea d!%pen%a !(n. And *er!5"+ #ran n(8 ( u%+ Th" de*( ed %er*an %+ Th" #ra6!(u% he5p -(r h!% Grea Cau%eA

(hunuvaiti Gatha 3asna 79

1. In hu$:5e ad(ra !(n+ 8! h hand% (u % re 6hed I pra" ( Thee+ O MazdaA F!r% (- a55+ hr(u#h Th" H(5" %p!r! *(u6h%a-e ( $e A55 r!#h e(u%ne%% (- a6 !(n+ a55 8!%d($ (- he G((d M!nd+ Tha I $a" here:" :r!n# B(" ( he S(u5 (- Crea !(n. @. O W!%e L(rd+ :" *!r ue (- he G((d M!nd+ $a" I rea6h Th" Pre%en6e. Gran $e he :5e%%!n#% !n :( h 8(r5d%+ he 6(rp(rea5 and he %p!r! ua5+ a a!na:5e hr(u#h R!#h e(u%ne%%9 Th" re8ard% 8h!6h :r!n# :ea !-!6 happ!ne%% ( he -a! h-u5 :5e%%ed 8! h he$. 0. A% ne*er :e-(re+ I %ha55 8ea*e $" %(n#% -(r Thee+ O Mazda Ahura+ And -(r Thee+ O Sp!r! % (- Tru h and he G((d M!nd+ Then+ %ha55 Ar$a! "+ he Sp!r! (- ?ene*(5en6e+ $a;e he !$per!%ha:5e D($!n!(n (- Hea*en -5(ur!%h. F(r ha per-e6 !(n+ 6($e "e a55 ( $" !n*(6a !(n%.

2. I %ha55 a;e he a8a;ened %(u5 ( he eCa5 ed a:(de 8! h he he5p (- he G((d M!nd9 )n(8!n# he :5!%%-u5 re8ard% (- he W!%e L(rd -(r r!#h e(u% deed%9 A% 5(n# a% ! ha*e p(8er and a$ a:5e+ I %ha55 ea6h a55 ( %ee; -(r Tru h and R!#h . 7. O A%ha+ e@u!pped 8! h he ;n(85ed#e (- Tru h and R!#h e(u%ne%%+ When %ha55 I %ee Thee+ and &(hu-Mana ((A And hr(u#h ha In%p!ra !(n <Sra(%ha>+ 8hen %ha55 I :e !n he pre%en6e (- he M(% ?ene-!6en MazdaA W! h he pr(65a$a !(n (- he%e %a6red 8(rd% %ha55 8e $a;e he e*!5 (ne% urn (8ard Thee O H(5" MazdaA 8. C($e+ O E erna5 W!%e Sp!r! + hr(u#h he G((d M!nd+ W! h he 5(n# 5a% !n# #!- (- R!#h e(u%ne%% *(u6h%a-ed !n Th" %u:5!$e 8(rd%. Gran un ( =ara hu%h ra+ and ( u% a55 Th" #ra6!(u% he5p+ O Ahura+ Where:" 8e $a" (*er6($e he e*!5 (- 8r(n#-d(er%. F. Gran $e+ O Tru h+ he :5e%%!n# 8h!6h !% he -ru! (- he G((d M!nd. Gran $e+ O P!e "+ ( $e and ( &!%h a%pa+ (ur de%!re -(r e--e6 !*ene%%+ And #ran + O Mazda+ %(*ere!#n L(rd+ Tha re6! !n# Th" h(5" 8(rd% (- re*e5a !(n I $a" $a;e Th" -e5!6! (u% $e%%a#e heard. E. O Th(u+ ?e% One+ !n a66(rd 8! h he H!#he% Tru h+ The :e% :5e%%!n#+ I :e%ee6h (- Thee -(r n(:5e Fra%ha(%h ra and -(r $e. And $a"e% Th(u #ran ( u%+ -(r a55 !$e+ he #!- (- he G((d M!nd. ?. And :5e%%ed 8! h he%e :(un !e%+ 8e 8h( ha*e a58a"% (--ered (ur %(n#% (- pra!%e ( Thee+ We %ha55 n( d!%p5ea%e Thee+ O Mazda+ Or Ye+ O Tru h+ and he ?e% M!nd9 Ye+ 8h( are he $(% he5p-u5 ( pr($( e he D($!n!(n (- ?5e%%edne%%. 19. Th(%e 8h($ Th(u ;n(8e% a% -u55 8(r h"+ :" rea%(n (- he!r R!#h e(u%ne%% and G((d M!nd+ F(r h(%e+ d( Th(u -u5-!55 he!r de%!re -(r a a!n$en + O Mazda Ahura.

F(r I 8e55 ;n(8 ha he 8(rd% (- he%e %(n# (--er!n#% ( Thee d!re6 ed ( r!#h e(u% end% W!55 ha*e he!r :5!%%-u5 e--e6 . 11. And hr(u#h he%e d!*!ne %(n#%+ -(r e*er$(re %ha55 I pre%er*e R!#h e(u%ne%% and G((d M!nd -(r he pe(p5e. T( ena:5e $e ( appr!%e a55+ ea6h $e O Mazda Ahura+ Thr(u#h Th!ne (8n Sp!r! and Th!ne (8n W(rd%+ he pr!n6!p5e (- 6rea !(n (- he -!r% eC!% en6e.

(hunuvaiti Gatha 3asna :;

1. O "e+ 6($!n# ( %ee; 8!%d($+ n(8 %ha55 I pr(65a!$ ( "(u he $e%%a#e (- he W!%e Crea (r+ The h"$n% un ( Ahura+ and he (--er!n#% (- he G((d M!nd+ The endur!n# %a6red Tru h+ And he #5(r!(u% *!%!(n (- he Hea*en5" L!#h % a a!na:5e hr(u#h Tru h %u:5!$e. @. Hear;en 8! h "(ur ear% ( he%e :e% 6(un%e5%+ Re-5e6 up(n he$ 8! h !55u$!ned Bud#$en . Le ea6h (ne 6h((%e h!% 6reed 8! h ha -reed($ (- 6h(!6e ea6h $u% ha*e a #rea e*en %. O "e+ :e a8a;e ( he%e+ $" ann(un6e$en %. 0. In he :e#!nn!n# here 8ere 8( pr!$a5 %p!r! %+ T8!n% %p(n ane(u%5" a6 !*e+ The%e are he G((d and he E*!5+ !n h(u#h + and !n 8(rd+ and !n deed. ?e 8een he%e 8(+ 5e he 8!%e 6h((%e ar!#h . ?e #((d+ n( :a%eA 2. And 8hen he%e T8!n Sp!r! % 6a$e (#e her a -!r% + The" e% a:5!%hed L!-e and he Den!a5 (- L!-e9 And %( %ha55 ! :e !55 he 8(r5d 8!55 5a% .

The 8(r% eC!% en6e %ha55 :e he 5( (- he -(55(8er% (- e*!5+ And he % a e (- ?e% -C(n%6!(u%ne%% :e he re8ard (- he r!#h e(u%. 7. O- he%e T8!n Sp!r! %+ he E*!5 (ne 6h((%e% d(!n# he 8(r% + Wh!5e he $(% :(un !-u5 H(5" Sp!r! (- G((dne%%+ 65( h!n# ! %e5- !n he !$per!%ha:5e hea*en%+ 6h((%e% Tru h and R!#h e(u%ne%%. And %( 8!55 h(%e 8h( 8(u5d p5ea%e Ahura Mazda 8! h r!#h e(u% deed%+ per-(r$ed 8! h -a! h !n Tru h. 8. ?e 8een he%e 8( Sp!r! % he De$(n-8(r%h!per% 6(u5d n( d!%6ern ar!#h . T( he$ De6ep !(n 6a$e a he !$e (- de6!%!(n+ And he" 6h(%e he W(r% M!nd. W! h *!(5en6e hen he" ru%hed (#e her+ L!-e+ !n he 8(r5d+ ( de% r(". F. And ( %upp(r h!% 5!-e 6($e% Ar$a! "+ he %p!r! (?ene*(5en6e and R!#h -$!ndedne%%. T(#e her 8! h he Sp!r! (- H(5" P(8er+ he G((d M!nd+ and Tru h+ Tha he %(u5+ pa%%!n# hr(u#h he e% (- ru h+ %ha55 :e 8! h Thee+ O L(rd. E. And 8hen here 6($e h he u5 !$a e re r!:u !(n -(r he e*!5 (ne%+ Then+ a Th" Ord!nan6e+ %ha55 he G((d M!nd e% a:5!%h he )!n#d($ (- Hea*en+ O AhuraA F(r h(%e 8h( 8!55 de5!*er ,n ru h !n ( he hand% (- Tru h. ?. S( $a" 8e :e 5!;e h(%e $a;!n# he 8(r5d pr(#re%% (8ard per-e6 !(n9 Ma" Mazda and he D!*!ne Sp!r! % he5p u% and #u!de (ur e--(r % hr(u#h Tru h9 F(r a h!n;!n# $an !% 8here W!%d($ !% a h($e. 19. Then ru5" 6($e h he :5(8 (- de% ru6 !(n up(n ,n ru h9 Wh!5e h(%e (- #((d ren(8n %ha55 :e re6e!*ed !n he pr($!%ed a:(de+ The :5e%%ed a:(de (- he G((d M!nd+ (- Tru h+ and (- he W!%e L(rd. 11. O "e $(r a5%+ $ar; he%e 6($$and$en %+ The 6($$and$en % he W!%e L(rd ha% #!*en -(r happ!ne%% and -(r pa!n' L(n# %u--er!n# -(r he d(er (- E*!5+ and :5!%%

-(r he -(55(8er (- Tru h+ The !55u$!na !(n (- %a5*a !(n -(r he R!#h e(u% e*er a- er.

(hunuvaiti Gatha 3asna :<

1. O "e+ $!nd-u5 ( 5earn+ I pr(65a!$ ( "(u h!% $e%%a#e+ ,nheard a% "e :" h(%e 8h( are de% r("!n# he 6!*!5!za !(n (- he R!#h e(u%+ 8! h e*!5 8a"% (- he Sp!r! (- ,n ru h+ The $e%%a#e+ $(% 8e56($e ( Th" -(55(8er% ded!6a ed ( Thee+ O MazdaA @. A% "(u rea5!ze n( he e erna5 ru h%+ and re6(#n!ze n( he :e er 5!-e+ I 6($e ( "(u a55 ( #u!de "(u !n he r!#h %e5e6 !(n :e 8een he 8( %!de% Tha 8e $a" hen6e 5!*e !n a66(rdan6e 8! h Tru h and R!#h . 0. Te55 $e+ O Mazda Tha 8h!6h Th(u %ha5 :e% (8 :" Th" Sp!r! and F!re+ The :5e%%!n# Th(u %ha5 a%%!#n hr(u#h Tru h -(r h(%e a6 !n# 8! h d!%6ern$en + The H(5" La8 -(r he!r en5!#h en$en . G!*e ! !n Th" (8n !n%p!red 8(rd Tha I $a" here:" :r!n# ! % rea5!za !(n ( a55. 2. A% "(u hear (ur pra"er+ O L(rd+ G!*e u% he Tru h+ G!*e u% he he5p (- he D!*!ne Sp!r! %+ G!*e u% he :5e%%!n# (- Ar$a! "+ he Sp!r! (- ?ene*(5en6e+ And hr(u#h he 8(r; (- he ?e% M!nd+ #!*e u% he $!#h " D($!n!(n+ Tha 8e $a" (*er6($e+ here:"+ he E*!5 Sp!r! (- ,n ru h.

7. De65are ( $e+ 8ha Th(u ha% + hr(u#h R!#h + app(!n ed -(r $e a% he :e er p(r !(n9 Tea6h $e+ 8! h he he5p (- he G((d M!nd+ ( ;n(8 and rea5!ze $" % a e+ And appr!%e $e+ O Mazda Ahura+ (- a55 h!n#% ha are ( :e and n( ( :e. 8. H!% !% !ndeed he ?e% S a e 8h( de65are% ru5" he $e%%a#e (- h(5" 8!%d($' The $e%%a#e (- he per-e6 !(n (- :e!n# and r!#h -u5 !$$(r a5! "+ O- MazdaD% )!n#d($ 8h!6h e*er -5(ur!%he% hr(u#h he G((d M!nd. F. He 8h( !n he F!r% ?e#!nn!n# hu% h(u#h ' Le he #5(r!(u% hea*en% :e 65( hed !n 5!#h 9 He :" H!% %upre$e under% and!n# 6rea ed he pr!n6!p5e% (- Tru h and L!#h 9 Ena:5!n# $(r a5% here:" ( $a!n a!n he G((d M!nd. O W!%e L(rd+ O e*er- he-%a$e Ahura+ :" Th" H(5" Sp!r! $a;e he%e rea5$% -5(ur!%h. E. N( (n5" d!d I 6(n6e!*e (- Thee+ O Mazda A% he *er" F!r% and he La% + A% he Fa her (- he G((d M!nd+ A% he *er! a:5e Crea (r (- Tru h and R!#h . A% he L(rd Eud#e (- (ur a6 !(n% !n 5!-e+ I :ehe5d he%e 8! h $" *er" e"e%A ?. Th!ne 8a% Ar$a! "+ he Sp!r! (- ?ene*(5en6e+ Th!ne 8a% he W!%d($ 8h!6h 6rea ed L!-e+ Th!ne 8a% he D!*!ne Sp!r! 8h!6h e% a:5!%hed 6h(!6e ?e 8een he d!5!#en pr( e6 (r (- 6rea !(n+ and he n( d!5!#en . 19. O- he%e 8(+ d!d Crea !(n 6h((%e he d!5!#en 6a 5e- end!n# pr( e6 (r. A% a r!#h e(u% $a% er and (ne p(%%e%%!n# he G((d M!nd. The de6e!*!n# !d5er+ he n(n-pr( e6 (r+ ha% n( %hare !n he H(5" Me%%a#e. 11. ?" Th" per-e6 In e55!#en6e+ O Mazda Th(u d!d% -!r% 6rea e u% ha*!n# :(d!e% and %p!r! ua5 6(n%6!en6e%+ And :" Th" Th(u#h #a*e (ur %e5*e% he p(8er (h(u#h + 8(rd+ and deed. Thu% 5ea*!n# u% -ree ( 6h((%e (ur -a! h a (ur (8n 8!55.

1@. He 5!- % up h!% *(!6e+ :e he he %pea;er (- ru h (r he %pea;er (- -a5%eh((d+ He 8h( ;n(8% and he 8h( ;n(8% n( + Ea6h a66(rd!n# ( h!% hear and $!nd+ Ma" Ar$a! " appea5 ( he %p!r! % 8a*er!n# !n d(u: . 10. D(6 r!ne% and deed%+ 65ear5" $an!-e% (r d!$5" re6(#n!zed+ Th(%e 8h!6h !$p(%e #rea penan6e -(r a r!-5!n# (--en%e9 The%e a55+ hr(u#h Th" Tru h+ d( n( e%6ape Th" per6ep !*e *!%!(n. 12. Th!% I a%; Thee+ AhuraA O- he e*en % happen!n#+ and he e*en % ( happen+ Wha re@u! a5%+ !n a66(rd 8! h he!r deed%+ are app(!n ed -(r he ru h-u5 r!#h e(u%+ and 8ha -(r he 5"!n# %!nner%? 17. Th!% I a%; Thee+ AhuraA Wha !% he penan6e (rda!ned -(r (ne 8h( %ee;% ( a6h!e*e %(*ere!#n " -(r he L!ar9 F(r (ne (- e*!5 deed% 8h( %ee;% n( h!% 5!*!n# 8! h(u har$ ( he -5(6; (- he %hepherd9 And (- he #((d 8h( 5!% en n( ( he *(!6e (- ,n ru h? 18. And h!% I a%; Thee+ O Mazda AhuraA The ru h-u5 r!#h e(u% % r!*!n# ( e% a:5!%h he d($!n!(n Tha 8!55 -ur her he 8e55-:e!n# (- h!% h(u%e+ h!% pr(*!n6e+ and h!% 6(un r"+ H(8 %ha55 h!% %p!r! :e 5!;e un ( Thee? When %ha55 he :e 8(r h" (- Thee? Wha a6 !(n% (- h!% %ha55 :e $(% a66ep a:5e ( Thee? 1F. Le h!$ ha ;n(8%+ e55 h!$ ha 8(u5d ;n(8+ 8h!6h (- he 6reed% !% :e er+ The :e5!e- (- he r!#h e(u% (r (- he 5!ar? Le n( he unen5!#h ened de6e!*e an" $(reA ?e Th(u ( u%+ O Mazda Ahura+ he :e% (8er (- G((d Th(u#h . 1E. Then 5e n(ne #!*e ear ( he 8(rd% (- he e*!5 5!ar+ The 5!ar :r!n#!n# 8(e and de% ru6 !(n ( h(u%e and 65an+ ( he pr(*!n6e and he 5and. Re%!% h!$+ hen+ 8! h -(r6e. 1?. L!% en un ( he e55er (- Tru h+ a hea5er (- eC!% en6e+ L!% en un ( h!$ 8h( h!n;% (- R!#h e(u%ne%%+ L!% en un ( h!$ he en5!#h ened and he ;n(8!n#+ Wh(+ % and!n# :e-(re Th" h(5" F!re+

8! h h!% p(8er-u5 8(rd% and -5(8!n# (n#ue+ Re*ea5% he ru h ( he 6(n end!n# %!de%. @9. The -(55(8er (- he r!#h e(u% %ha55 a a!n he A:(de (- L!#h 9 ?u he 8h( de6e!*ed he #((d and he r!#h e(u%+ F(r h!$ %ha55 he -u ure :e 5(n# 5!-e (- $!%er" and dar;ne%%+ 8(e and de%pa!r+ O "e (- e*!5 5!*e%A Y(ur (8n deed% 8!55 5ead "(u ( h!% dar; eC!% en6e. @1. T( h!$+ 8h( !% Th" rue -r!end !n %p!r! and !n a6 !(n+ O Mazda AhuraA T( h!$ %ha5 Th(u #!*e he per-e6 !(n (- !n e#r! " and !$$(r a5! "9 T( h!$ %ha5 Th(u #!*e perpe ua5 6($$un!(n 8! h Tru h and he H(5" D($!n!(n+ And ( h!$ %ha5 Th(u #!*e he %u% a!n!n# p(8er (he G((d M!nd. @@. C5ear !% h!% a55+ ( he $an (- 8!%d($+ a% ( (ne 8h( h!n;% 8! h 6are' He 8h( uph(5d% Tru h 8! h a55 he $!#h (- h!% p(8er+ He 8h( uph(5d% Tru h he u $(% !n h!% 8(rd and deed+ He+ !ndeed+ !% Th" $(% *a5ued he5per+ O Mazda AhuraA

(hunuvaiti Gatha 3asna :7

1. The -(55(8er% (- he 6(un%e5 (- ,n ru h !n he 6($$un! " and he 65an Pra"ed -(r %upre$e :5!%%+ e*en a% 8e d(. Ma" 8e :e h" $e%%en#er% Ma" 8e repe5 he e*!5 (- Th" 5"!n# (pp(nen %A @. The L(rd Mazda !n%p!r!n# 8! h he G((d M!nd+ The L(rd Ahura ru5!n# !n h!% D!*!ne S(*ere!#n "+ The L(rd M(% H!#h+ pr( e6 (r (- Tru h and R!#h +

Thu% d!d rep5"' 7F(r "(ur -5(ur!%h!n#+ We ha*e 6h(%en ( a66ep "(ur #((d de*( !(n7 0. O "e+ e*!5 (ne%+ Y(u are pr(du6 % (- he E*!5 M!nd And (- arr(#an6e and per*er%! "9 And %( are h(%e 8h( h(n(r "(uA Y(ur e*!5 deed% ha*e 5(n# :een ;n(8n !n he %e*en re#!(n% (- he ear h. 2. F(r+ "e 5!ar% 6(n-(und he hu$an $!nd+ and $a;e $en a6 he!r 8(r% + Ma;e $en %pea; a% 5(*er% (- E*!5+ Separa ed -r($ he G((d M!nd+ Far re$(*ed -r($ he 8!55 (- Ahura Mazda+ Depar !n# -r($ he pa h (- Tru h and R!#h . 7. And hu% he 5!ar% de-rauded hu$an! " (- a 5!-e (happ!ne%% and !$$(r a5 :5!%%9 F(r he E*!5 One prea6he% 8! h E*!5 M!nd and E*!5 W(rd E*!5 a6 !(n% ( he 5"!n# %(u5 pr($!%!n# %upre$a6"+ ?u :r!n#!n# ! ( ru!n. 8. The%e e*!5-d(er%+ a a!n!n# n( (r!e " :" he!r a##re%%!(n Sha55 %ure5" re6e!*e he!r due+ :e-(re Thee+ O Ahura+ L(rd (- he ?e% ,nder% and!n#+ e*er $!nd-u5 (- $anD% de%er %. F(r he re!#n (- R!#h %ha55 :e h(n(red 8hen Tru h pre*a!5% !n Th" rea5$%+ O MazdaA F. The%e %!nner%+ n(ne (- he$+ ;n(8 he end !n % (re -(r he$. N(ne (- he$ ;n(8 (- he de% ru6 !(n (- e*!5 8! h he -5((d (- #5(8!n# $e a5. The -!na5 end !% !ndeed ;n(8n ( Thee+ O M(% W!%e L(rdA E. And (ne (- %u6h %!nner% 8a% Y!$a+ he %(n (- &!*ah*an + Wh( ( #ra !-" $en %an6 !(ned he -5e%h (- he C(8. Fr($ a$(n# he%e+ 5e $e % and apar In Th" d!%6r!$!na !n# Bud#$en + O Mazda. ?. The ea6her (- e*!5 de% r("% he ,nder% and!n#+ He de% r("% he de%!#n (- 5!-e+ Sna 6he% a8a" he :5e%%ed rea5!za !(n (- he G((d M!nd. W! h he%e deep5" -e5 8(rd% pr(6eed!n# -r($ $" %p!r! + I 6r" ( Thee+ O Mazda+ and he Sp!r! (- Tru hA

19. He 8h( a:h(r% and %hun% he 5!#h (- he Sun+ He 8h( re-u%e% ( :eh(5d 8! h re%pe6 he 5!*!n# 6rea !(n (- G(d+ He 8h( 5ead% he #((d ( 8!6;edne%%+ He 8h( $a;e% he $ead(8% 8a er5e%% and he pa% ure% de%(5a e+ He 8h( 5e % -5" h!% 8eap(n a#a!n% he !nn(6en + An ene$" (- $" -a! h+ a de% r("er (- Th" pr!n6!p5e% !% he+ O L(rdA 11. The -a:r!6 (- $" 5!-e 8(r; he" de% r("+ The e*!5 d(er%+ eC (55ed a% $a% er% and $!% re%%e%+ Wh( d!%p(%%e%% per%(n% (- he!r r!#h -u5 her! a#e And h(%e 8h( 8!55 re ard he #((d and ru h-u5 -r($ he rea5$ (- he G((d M!nd+ O Mazda. 1@. T( h(%e 8h( de er $en -r($ he :e% a6 !(n+ T( h(%e 8h( de% r(" 8! h a 6a55(u% hear + T( h(%e 8h( p5a6e he e*!5 and he 8!6;ed a:(*e Tru h and R!#h + T( h(%e 8h( "earn -(r he ru5e (- he L!e+ D( h Mazda de65are' 7E*!5 are "(u a55.7 10. The%e e*!5-d(er%+ Wh( %ha55 d8e55 !n he a:(de (- he W(r% M!nd+ Wh( "earn -(r !55-#( en #a!n+ and %ee he -r($ d!%6(n en + Wh( 8an (n5" de% r(" 5!-e9 A8a" -r($ Th" Pr(phe D% $e%%a#e+ The" %ha55 n( :eh(5d he &!%!(n (- Tru h. 12. The e*!5 Greh$a and he r!:a5 6h!e-% F(r 5(n# ha*e de%!#ned ( pr($( e he L!e+ T( %a6r!-!6e he C(8 and de%(5a e he #((d 5!*!n# 6rea !(n+ )!nd5!n# he -!re (- dr!n; !n he!r a!d. 17. Th" $e%%a#e %ha55 und( he 8(r; (- he e*!5-d(er%+ N( $(re %ha55 he 8!6;ed )a*!%+ and he )arpan%+ ru5e (*er he 5!*e% (- he r!#h e(u%. ?u he #((d %ha55 :e e%6(r ed hr(u#h Per-e6 !(n and I$$(r a5! " T( he Rea5$ (- he ?e% Men a5 EC!% en6eA 18. F(55(8!n# he en5!#h en!n# d(6 r!ne !% -(r u% !ndeed he % a e (- eC6e55en6e+ E*en 8hen he *en#e-u5 har$ (- he 8!6;ed hrea en u%. The p(8er (- Th" ea6h!n#+ O Mazda Ahura+ %ha55 a*er ha har$ -r($ :e-a55!n# (n Th" de*( ee%.

(hunuvaiti Gatha 3asna ::

1. In a66(rdan6e 8! h he Pr!$e*a5 La8% (- h!% eC!% en6e+ The Ra u <Eud#e> %ha55 dea5 per-e6 Bu% !6e ( a559 T( he #((d 8h( 6h(%e he Tru h+ T( he e*!5 8h( 6h(%e Fa5%eh((d+ And ( h(%e !n 8h($ #((d and e*!5 are $!Ced. @. He 8h( (pp(%e% E*!5 :" h!% h(u#h (r 8(rd+ Or :" he 8(r; (- h!% (8n 8( hand%+ He 8h( !n% ru6 % pe(p5e ( he!r #((d+ Ma;e% a 8(r h" (--er!n# (- -a! h ( Th" Purp(%e+ O Ahura MazdaA 0. He 8h( !% $(% #((d ( he r!#h e(u%+ ?e he a n(:5e+ (r a pea%an + (r a dependen + He 8h( zea5(u%5" $a;e% he #((d 5!*!n# 6rea !(n -5(ur!%h+ He %ha55 6($e ( d8e55 8! h Tru h !n he rea5$ (he G((d M!nd. 2. I a$ he 8h( :" de*( !(n and pra"er %ha55 )eep d!%(:ed!en6e and he E*!5 M!nd -ar -r($ Thee+ O Mazda+ )eep !n%(5en here%" a8a" -r($ he n(:5e%+ The d!% ru% %pread :" %5anderer%+ -r($ he 6($$un! "+ And he e*!5 (- de% ru6 !(n -r($ he pa% ure% (- 6a 5e. 7. I !n*(;e Th" Sra(%ha <In%p!ra !(n> a% he #rea e% (a55 a!d% a he C(n%u$$a !(n+ T( a a!n L!-e E erna5 !n Th" )!n#d($ (- he G((d M!nd+ T( a a!n he % ra!#h pa h (- Tru h 8here!n Th(u d8e55e h+ O Mazda AhuraA 8. I+ 8h( a% Th" % ead-a% pr!e% + ha*e 5earned he % ra!#h pa h (- A%ha <Tru h and R!#h e(u%ne%%>+ And 8(u5d 5earn -r($ he ?e% M!nd h(8 :e% ( d( 8ha %h(u5d :e d(ne+

There-(re I a%; (- Thee+ M" L(rd+ ?5e%% $e 8! h Th" &!%!(n and #ran $e a 6(n%u5 a !(n 8! h TheeA F. C($e h! her ( $e+ !n Th!ne (8n %e5-+ O MazdaA C($e un$!% a;a:5"+ O Th(u ?e% One+ 8! h The Sp!r! (- Tru h and The G((d M!ndA Le $" $e%%a#e :e heard :e"(nd he 5!$! % (he 6($$un! " (- adheren %. Le he :r!55!an (--er!n#% (- re*eren !a5 pra"er% :e $an!-e% ( a55. E. D( Th(u $a;e ;n(8n ( $e+ he ,5 !$a e G((d+ he -!na5 end+ Tha I $a" :r!n# ! a:(u 8! h he he5p (- he G((d M!nd. A66ep + O Mazda+ he h($a#e (- Th" -a! h-u5 8(r%h!pper+ A66ep + O Tru h+ $" h"$n (- pra!%e -(r Thee+ Gran ( u%+ O Sp!r! % (- Dea h5e%% Wea5 and I$$(r a5! "+ "(ur (8n 8( :5e%%!n#%. ?. And 8! h he :5e%%!n#% (- he%e 6($rade Sp!r! % (Per-e6 !(n and I$$(r a5! "+ Le a55 ad*an6e ( Thee+ O MazdaA Le a55 pr($( e he 6au%e (- Tru hA Le a55 ad*an6e ( he $(% eCa5 ed A:(de (W!%d($ 8! h a $!nd :e% -! ed -(r ! A Sure !% he %upp(r (- he%e T8a!n+ 8h(%e %p!r! % 8(r; (#e her. 19. A55 he -e5!6! !e% (- 5!-e+ 8h!6h ha*e :een+ 8h!6h are+ and 8h!6h %ha55 :e+ C($e ( u% hr(u#h Th" D!*!ne Gra6e+ O Mazda9 Thr(u#h Th" H(5" P(8er+ 5e (ur per%(n% ad*an6e ( he 8!%hed--(r :ea ! ude+ W! h he he5p (- he G((d M!nd+ 8! h he he5p (- Tru h A 11. Hear;en un ( $e+ O M(% ?ene*(5en Ahura MazdaA O "e Sp!r! % (- P!e " and Tru h ha :5e%% (ur eC!% en6eA O "e G((d M!nd+ and he D($!n!(n (- Hea*enA ?e #ra6!(u% un ( u% a% 8e re6e!*e (ur re6($pen%eA 1@. Ar!%e -(r $e+ O AhuraA Thr(u#h $" de*( !(n #!*e $e % ead-a% ne%% (- purp(%e+ Thr(u#h Th" M(% ?(un e(u% Sp!r! $a;e $e pure !n #((dne%%+ Thr(u#h he Sp!r! (- R!#h e(u%ne%% #ran $e he 6(ura#e (- %p!r! ua5 $!#h + And hr(u#h he G((d M!nd #!*e $e he ru% (- he pe(p5e.

10. W! h Th" d!*!ne #ra6e+ O L(rd. Ma;e 8!de he *!%!(n (- $" $!nd9 Ma;e $an!-e% Th" e*er5a% !n# a r!:u e%9 Ma;e ;n(8n he :5e%%!n#% (- Th" )!n#d($ (Hea*en+ and he B("(u% re6($pen%e (he G((d M!nd+ O H(5" Ar$a! "+ !n%p!re (ur 6(n%6!(u%ne%% 8! h he ,5 !$a e Tru h. 12. T( he L(rd Mazda+ a% an (--er!n#+ =ara hu%h ra ded!6a e% he 8(r;% (- h!% 5!-e+ e*en h!% *er" %e5-. The n(:5e% e%%en6e (- h!% G((d Th(u#h . T( Tru h+ he 6(n%e6ra e% (:ed!en6e ( ! % pr!n6!p5e% In 8(rd and deed+ and a55 he $!#h (- h!% %p!r! ua5 au h(r! ".

(hunuvaiti Gatha 3asna :=

1. The deed%+ he 8(rd%+ he 8(r%h!p+ F(r 8h!6h Th(u ha% e% a:5!%hed I$$(r a5! "+ R!#h e(u% eC!% en6e and he )!n#d($ (- Per-e6 !(n9 A55 he%e deed% and 8(rd% and 8(r%h!p I ded!6a e -!r% (- a55 ( Thee+ O L(rd MazdaA @. In%p!red :" he G((d M!nd+ he%e deed% 6($e -r($ he #((d %p!r! (- he *!r u(u% per%(n+ Wh(%e %(u5 -(55(8% he pa h (- Tru h+ Appr(a6h!n# Th" Pre%en6e+ O Mazda+ %!n#!n# h"$n% (- Th" pra!%e. 0. T( Thee+ and ( Tru h 8e ender (ur (--er!n#% (re*eren !a5 ad(ra !(n. In Th" )!n#d($ $a" a55 he 5!*!n# a6h!e*e he!r

de% !n" (- per-e6 !(n hr(u#h he G((d M!nd. F(r+ !ndeed+ he ad*an6e$en ( Th" eCa5 ed pre%en6e !% -(re*er %e6ure a$(n# he r!#h h!n;!n#+ O MazdaA 2. Th" %a6red -!re+ O Ahura+ $!#h " hr(u#h Tru h+ $(% %8!- and p(8er-u5+ Ma" ! % he5p-u5 rad!an6e :e a :r!n#er (- B(" ( he #((d9 ?u -(r he $a5!6!(u% 8!6;ed+ $a" ! % p(8er he!r e*!5 d!%65(%eA 7. Wha !% Th" p(8er? Wha !% h" d($a!n+ O Mazda+ H(8 6an (neD% a6 !(n% Bu% !-" Th" pr( e6 !(n+ O Mazda? Indeed+ hu%' Thr(u#h R!#h e(u%ne%%+ and hr(u#h he ?ene*(5en M!nd+ and :" pr( e6 !n# Th" p((r. We 8!55 de65are Th" eCa5 a !(n ( a55 -- e*en ( he p(8er% (- e*!5 and he 8!6;ed de% r("er% a$(n# $en. 8. A% Th(u ar ru5" hu%+ O Mazda+ The *er" ?e!n# (- Tru h and he G((d M!nd+ Then #!*e $e a %!#n dur!n# h!% eC!% en6e (- $!ne+ Tha I $a" appr(a6h 8! h 6(n-!den B("+ !n *enera !(n+ %!n#!n# (- Th" #5(r". F. Where are h(%e+ O Mazda+ 8! h au hen !6 en5!#h en$en (- he G((d M!nd+ Wh( e*en !n !$e% (- 8(e W(u5d :" Th" rea%ured d(6 r!ne% %pread he 5!#h ? N(ne d( I ;n(8 ( her han Thee9 Pr( e6 u%+ hen+ hr(u#h Tru h. E. F(r he e*!5 -(e% :" he!r h(% !5e a6 !(n% ha*e %pread -ear9 M!%er" and ru!n ha*e he" :r(u#h (n $an". ,n$!nd-u5 (- Th" 6($$and%+ he p(8er-u5 (ppre%% he 8ea;+ O MazdaA The" h!n; n( + a5a%+ (- Tru h and R!#h + Fr($ he G((d M!nd he" a58a"% re$a!n a-ar. ?. Th(%e 8h( %purn he :(un !-u5 Sp!r! (- P!e " )n(8!n# h(8 pre6!(u% ! !% ( h!ne !n! !a e+ W!6;ed are he" :" he!r !#n(ran6e and ne#5e6 (he G((d M!nd9 Fr($ he$ Tru h urn% a8a"+ a% -r($ u% -5ee he :ea% % (- pre".

19. The $an (- under% and!n# 8!55 6a55 -(r he deed% (- he G((d M!nd+ A -ru! -u5 re%u5 (- a -a! h-u5 5!-e9 He 8h( ;n(8% he zea5 (- Ar$a! " !% a 6rea !*e -(55(8er (- Tru h and R!#h + Wh!6h are !ndeed he $!#h "-!n-5uen6e% (- Th" )!n#d($ (- Hea*en+ O Mazda. 11. Th" 8!n Sp!r! % (- Per-e6 !(n and !$$(r a5! " %u% a!n (ur a%p!ra !(n. The zea5(u% Ar$a! " 8! h Tru h+ %ha55 a%%ure he per$anen6e (- Th" )!n#d($ (- he G((d M!nd. ?" he%e d!*!ne -(r6e%+ O Mazda+ d(% Th(u :5e%% he -(e% (- Th" -(e%. 1@. Wha are Th" 6($$and$en %+ and 8ha d(% Th(u de%!re+ O Mazda? Wha (- !n*(6a !(n+ 8ha (- 8(r%h!p? Spea; -(r h+ $" L(rd+ ha I $a" hear TheeA Tha I $a" ;n(8 8ha 8!55 :e% (8 (n u% Th" :5e%%ed re8ard%. Tea6h $e hr(u#h he G((d M!nd+ he n(:5e pa h (Tru h and R!#h . 10. I !% he Pa h (- he G((d M!nd 8h!6h Th(u ha% $an!-e% ed ( $e+ O AhuraA Where:" he 8e55-d(er%+ !n a66(rdan6e 8! h he ea6h!n# (- he Sp!r! ua5 Gu!de%+ a6 !n# !n har$(n" 8! h Tru h a5(ne+ Sha55 pa%% (n8ard ( he a%%!#ned re8ard (- 8h!6h Th(u ar he :e% (8er+ O MazdaA 12. Th!% pre6!(u% re8ard (- Th!ne+ O Mazda+ Th(u #!*e% :" 8a" (- he G((d M!nd+ Th(u #!*e% ( *!#(r(u% :(d!5" 5!-e (- h!$ 8h( 8(r;% -(r and end% ( Th" Crea !(n+ Wh( -ur her% Th" :ene-!6en p5an :" he p(8er (h!% under% and!n#+ Gu!ded :" Th" Sp!r! (- Tru h. 17. Ma;e ;n(8n ( $e+ O Mazda+ he :e% ea6h!n#% and a6 !(n%+ A6 ua ed :" he G((d M!nd+ and !n%p!red :" Tru h+ A% I eCpre%% $" a%p!ra !(n !n $" %(n#% (- *enera !(n -(r Thee. ?" Th" S(*ere!#n Au h(r! " d( Th(u re#enera e h!% eC!% en6e+ hr(u#h Th" #ra6!(u% W!55+ O AhuraA

>shtavaiti Gatha 3asna =:

1. Happ!ne%% :e he 5( (- h!$ 8h( 8(r;% -(r he happ!ne%% (- ( her%. Ma" he L(rd #ran h!$ hea5 h and enduran6e. F(r he e--(r ( uph(5d Tru h+ I :e%ee6h he%e *er" #!- % -r($ TheeA Ma"e% Th(u+ hr(u#h Ar$a! "+ he Sp!r! (- R!#h $!ndedne%%+ ?5e%% $e 8! h he per-e6 !(n (- a 5!-e #u!ded :" he G((d M!ndA @. And $a" 8e ha*e he ?e% he L(rd :e% (8%9 A% 8e % r!*e -(r en5!#h ened purp(%e+ $a" 8e a a!n ! A Thr(u#h Th" M(% H(5" Sp!r! + O Mazda+ In%p!re u% 8! h Tru h+ re*ea5ed hr(u#h he G((d M!nd+ And :5e%% u% 8! h h!n#% #((d+ -(r a55 he da"% (- a 5(n# 5!-eA 0. He 8h( ea6he% ( her% he r!#h e(u% pa h (- ru h and happ!ne%%+ ?( h !n he $a er!a5 8(r5d and a5%( he %p!r! ua5+ The pa h 5ead!n# ( Th" a:(de+ O Ahura9 He a a!n% an end :e er han #((d. A #ener(u% and en5!#h ened he5per+ a -a! h-u5 8(r h" (- Thee+ !% he+ O Mazda 2. &er!5" I re#ard Thee a% he H(5" and P(8er-u5 ?ene-a6 (r+ O Mazda. F(r Th(u :e% (8e h up(n he r!#h e(u% a% 8e55 a% he 8!6;ed he!r re6($pen%e+ Fr($ he -5a$!n# %p5end(ur (- Th" F!re+ $!#h " hr(u#h A%ha <Tru h>+ The p(8er (- he G((d M!nd 6($e% ( $e+ O Mazda. 7. &er!5" I :e5!e*ed Thee+ O Mazda Ahura+ ( :e he Supre$e ?ene*(5en Pr(*!den6e. F(r I :ehe5d Thee a% he pr!$e*a5 %(ur6e (- 6rea !(n. F(r :" Th" per-e6 8!%d($ Th(u %ha5 render Bu% re6($pen%e -(r a55 a6 !(n%+

G((d ( he #((d+ e*!5 ( he e*!5+ A he 5a% urn!n# (- 6rea !(n. 8. Then a he 5a% + %ha5 Th(u 6($e+ 8! h Th" ?(un !-u5 Sp!r! + O MazdaA W! h Th" S(*ere!#n P(8er+ and 8! h Th" G((d M!nd+ The G((d M!nd 8h!6h :r!n#% pr(%per! " ( he 8(r5d. R!#h ded!6a !(n %ha55 ea6h he E erna5 La8% (- Th" W!%d($+ The W!%d($ 8h!6h n(ne 6an de6e!*e. F. &er!5" I :e5!e*ed Thee+ O Mazda+ a% he Supre$e ?ene*(5en Pr(*!den6e. When he Sp!r! (- he G((d M!nd 6a$e and a%;ed $e' Wh( ar Th(u? Wh(%e ar Th(u? H(8 d(% Th(u pr(p(%e ( en5!#h en he pe(p5e and an%8er he!r @ue% !(n!n#%? E. I rep5!ed'--7F!r% 5"+ . a$ =ara hu%h ra7 7A *er! a:5e (pp(nen (- he e*!5-d(er+ :u a p(8er-u5 -r!end (- he #((d+ a$ I7 S( 5(n# a% I 6an %!n# $" %(n#% (- pra!%e -(r Thee+ O MazdaA S( 5(n# %ha55 I % r!*e ( en5!#h en and a8a;en a55 ( he rea5!za !(n (- Th" E erna5 D($!n!(n.7 ?. &er!5" I :e5!e*ed Thee+ O Mazda Ahura+ ( :e he Supre$e ?ene*(5en Pr(*!den6e. When he G((d M!nd 6a$e ( $e and a%;ed' 7Wha 8(u5d% h(u 6h((%e?7 ?e-(re Th" F!re !n *enera !(n+ I rep5!ed' 7S( -ar a% ! !% !n $" p(8er+ I %ha55 6her!%h he #!- (- R!#h e(u%ne%%.7 19. And #ran $e R!#h e(u%ne%%+ -(r *er!5" I !n*(;e ! (- TheeA Earne% 5" I "earn ( pr(6eed !n 5!-e 8! h Ar$a! " he Sp!r! (- R!#h $!ndedne%%. Tea6h u% h(8 ( @ue% !(n Thee+ -(r Th" an%8er% 6(n%(5e u%+ The an%8er% 8h!6h 5end % ren# h ( he Leader% !n he!r pra"er-u5 8!%he%. 11. &er!5" I :e5!e*ed Thee O Mazda Ahura+ ( :e he Supre$e ?ene*(5en Pr(*!den6e+ When he G((d M!nd 6a$e ( $e 8! h en5!#h en$en + When -!r% I re6e!*ed and :e6a$e 8!%e 8! h Th" 8(rd%+ And h(u#h he a%; :e d!--!6u5 + and hard%h!p $a" 6($e $" 8a"+

I %ha55 pr(65a!$ Th" $e%%a#e+ 8h!6h Th(u de65are% ( :e he :e% . 1@. And 8hen Th(u d!d% !n% ru6 $e !n R!#h e(u%ne%%+ Th" 6($$and ( #( -(r h and pr(65a!$ Th" re*e5a !(n 8a% n( unheeded9 E*en :e-(re he %u:5!$e en5!#h en$en 6($!n# 8! h Th" $e%%en#er Sra(%ha+ ?r!n#!n# u% he de% !n" (- (ur appr(pr!a e re8ard%. 10. &er!5" I :e5!e*ed Thee+ O Mazda Ahura+ ( :e he Supre$e ?ene*(5en Pr(*!den6e+ When he G((d M!nd 6a$e ( $e a%6er a!n!n# he a!$ (- $" a%p!ra !(n+ Gran $e+ 8ha n(ne ha% "e (: a!ned -r($ Thee+ The 8a" ( a 5(n# 5!-e (- :5e%%ed eC!% en6e -(r he G((d Crea !(n %u:Be6 ( Th" D($!n!(n. 12. A% he 8!%e and p(8er-u5 L(rd 8(u5d #!*e ( a -r!end+ %( #!*e $e Th" :5!%%-pr(du6!n# 8!%d($+ O MazdaA End(8ed 8! h Th" Au h(r! "+ 8! h Th" Sp!r! (- R!#h e(u%ne%%+ I % and 8! h a55 he -(55(8er% (- Th" ea6h!n#% T( pr(65a!$ he $e%%a#e (- Th" h(5" 6reed. 17. &er!5" I :e5!e*ed Thee+ O Mazda Ahura+ ( :e he Supre$e ?ene*(5en Pr(*!den6e+ When he G((d M!nd 6a$e ( $e and (5d $e a%%ur!n#5"+ Tha a re-5e6 !*e+ 6(n en ed $!nd !% he :e% p(%%e%%!(n. Le n( a 5eader 6($pr($!%e 8! h+ (r pr(p! !a e e*!5-d(er%+ F(r he" rea he r!#h e(u% a% ene$!e%. 18. Thu% pra"%+ O Ahura Mazda+ =ara hu%h ra and h(%e 8h( 6h((%e ( -(55(8 Th" M(% ?ene*(5en Sp!r! 9 Ma" R!#h e(u%ne%% :e6($e !n6arna e !n he -a! h-u5 8! h endur!n# *!#(rA In he re%p5enden6e (- Th" %un-5! rea5$% $a" Ar$a! "+ he Sp!r! (- R!#h $!ndedne%% re%!deA Ma" ! #ran re6($pen%e ( he r!#h e(u% !n a66(rdan6e 8! h he!r deed%+ hr(u#h he G((d M!nd.

>shtavaiti Gatha 3asna ==

1. Th!% I a%; Thee+ e55 $e ru5"+ O Ahura9 In pra!%e (- (ne 5!;e Thee+ O Mazda+ h(8 %ha55 I *enera e Thee? Ma" n( (ne 5!;e Thee+ ea6h ! ( a -r!end 5!;e $e? And $a" he -r!end5" he5p (- A%ha+ he Tru h+ 6($e ( u% hr(u#h he G((d M!ndA @. Th!% I a%; Thee+ e55 $e ru5"+ O Ahura9 Wha !% he %(ur6e (- he ?e% EC!% en6e? H(8 %ha55 (ne 8h( %ee;% ! + re6e!*e he :5e%%ed re6($pen%e? Sure5" %u6h a h(5" (ne hr(u#h R!#h e(u%ne%%+ I% a hea5er (- eC!% en6e+ :ene-!6en un ( a55+ a #enu!ne -r!end+ O Mazda? 0. Th!% I a%; Thee+ e55 $e ru5" O Ahura9 In he :e#!nn!n#+ 8h( 8a% he -a her and 6rea (r (A%ha+ he Tru h? Wh( de er$!ned he pa h% (- he %un and he % ar%? Wh(+ :u Thee+ %( arran#ed he $((n ( 8aC and 8ane? Th!%+ O Mazda+ and $u6h $(re+ I -a!n 8(u5d ;n(8. 2. Th!% I a%; Thee+ e55 $e ru5"+ O Ahura9 Wh( %( :a5an6ed he ear h and hea*en% ( ;eep he$ apar ? Wh( 6rea ed he 8a er% and he p5an %? Wh( "(;ed %8!- ne%% ( he 8!nd% and $( !(n ( he 65(ud%? Wh( !% he Crea (r (- he G((d-M!nd+ O Mazda? 7. Th!% I a%; Thee+ e55 $e ru5"+ O Ahura9 Wha #rea ar !-!6er 6rea ed 5!#h and dar;ne%%? Wha ar !-!6er pr(du6ed he phen($ena (- %5eep and 8a;e-u5 a6 !*! "? Wh( $ade he da8n+ n((n+ and n!#h Wh!6h 6a55 he en5!#h ened ( he!r du !e%? 8. Th!% I a%; Thee+ e55 $e ru5"+ O Ahura9 Whe her 8ha I n(8 ann(un6e !% *er!5" he ru h+

D( h Ar$a! "+ hr(u#h he :ene*(5en6e (- (ur a6 !(n%+ -ur her he 6au%e (- Tru h? D( h he )!n#d($ (- Hea*en re% (n he -(unda !(n (- he G((d M!nd? F(r 8h($ ha% Th(u 6rea ed h!% r!6h5" end(8ed 8(r5d? F. Th!% I a%; Thee+ e55 $e ru5"+ O Ahura9 Wh( e% a:5!%hed :5e%%ed Ar$a! "+ he %p!r! (?ene*(5en6e+ !n he eCa5 ed d($!n!(n? Wh(+ 8! h -(re%!#h + $ade he %(n re*eren !a5 ( he -a her? Thu% I %ee; ( 6($prehend Thee+ O Mazda+ Thr(u#h he ?ene*(5en Sp!r! + he G!*er (- a55A E. Th!% I a%; Thee+ e55 $e ru5"+ O Ahura9 Wha !% Th" $e%%a#e -(r $" en5!#h en$en + O Mazda+ In he pr!n6!p5e% 8h!6h I %ee; -r($ he G((d M!nd+ Tha I $a" under% and he purp(%e (- eC!% en6e hr(u#h Tru h? H(8 %ha55 $" %(u5 r!%e ( he e*er #rea er a a!n$en (- he G((d? ?. Th!% I a%; Thee+ e55 $e ru5"+ O Ahura9 H(8 %ha55 I :r!n# ( per-e6 !(n he !n%!#h !n ( he Fa! h+ Wh!6h Th(u+ L(rd (- Supre$e W!%d($ ha% !n% ru6 ed $e 8! h Th" Au h(r! "? Ma" ! :e+ ha 8e+ Th" -(55(8er%+ d8e55 8! h Tru h and he G((d M!nd !n Th" a:(deA 19. Th!% I a%; Thee+ e55 $e ru5"+ O Ahura9 The Fa! h ha !% he :e% -(r a55 ha are+ Tha 8h!6h+ :a%ed (n Tru h+ %h(u5d pr(%per a55 eC!% en6e+ Tha 8h!6h e% a:5!%he% R!#h e(u% and Eu% a6 !(n% !n%p!red :" P!e "+ And 8h!6h ha% -(r ! % !n e55!#en a%p!ra !(n Rea5!za !(n (- Thee+ O MazdaA 11. Th!% I a%; Thee+ e55 $e ru5"+ O Ahura9 T( h(%e ( 8h($ Th" Fa! h %ha55 :e ann(un6ed+ H(8 %ha55 Ar$a! "+ he Sp!r! (- R!#h $!ndedne%% 6($e ( he$? I+ Th" pr(phe + -r($ he -!r% 8a% (rda!ned :" Thee+ -(r h!% a%;. A55 ( her%+ I %ee+ are (- a5!ena ed %p!r! . 1@. Th!% I a%; Thee+ e55 $e ru5"+ O Ahura9 Wh( a$(n# h(%e 8! h 8h($ I d!%6(ur%e+ !% r!#h e(u% and 8h( a 5!ar?

W! h 8h!6h (- he 8( !% he $a5e*(5en Sp!r! (- ,n ru h? Or !% he h!$%e5- he ,nr!#h e(u% 8h( (pp(%e% Th" :5e%%!n#%? H(8 !% ! ha he !% n( h(u#h ( :e he har$-u5 E*!5-One? 10. Th!% I a%; Thee+ e55 $e ru5"+ O Ahura9 H(8 %ha55 8e d!%pe5 he Sp!r! (- ,n ru h -r($ a$(n# u%? Le ! :e 8! h he un-a! h-u5 and he d!%(:ed!en + Wh( % r!*e n( ( :e he 6($pan!(n% (- Tru h+ Wh( 6are n( ( 5!% en ( he 6(un%e5% (- he G((d M!nd. 12. Th!% I a%; Thee+ e55 $e ru5"+ O Ahura9 H(8 %ha55 I de5!*er E*!5 !n ( he hand% (R!#h e(u%ne%%? H(8 %ha55 I render ! !ne--e6 !*e hr(u#h he h(5" 8(rd% (- Th" Tea6h!n#? H(8 %ha55 I -ru% ra e he -(55(8er% (- E*!5+ O Mazda+ Tha he" 6($e ( he!r :5!nd eC !n6 !(n ? 17. Th!% I a%; Thee+ e55 $e ru5"+ O Ahura9 I- Th(u ru5e% hr(u#h Tru h and $ean ( pr( e6 $e+ When he 8( h(% %+ !n h(% !5! "+ %ha55 65a%h!n# $ee + Then+ -(r he Pr!n6!p5e% 8h!6h Th(u de%!re% ( $a!n a!n Wh!6h (- he 8( 8!55 :e #ran ed *!6 (r"? 18. Th!% I a%; Thee+ e55 $e ru5"+ O Ahura9 Wh( %ha55 :e *!6 (r!(u%+ and Sha55+ hr(u#h Th" Pr!n6!p5e%+ pr( e6 he 5!*!n#? A%%ure $e :" a *!%!(n+ 8h($ d(e% Th(u 8!%h ( :e he Bud#e ha hea5% he 8(r5d+ Then 5e Sra(%ha+ he Sp!r! (- O:ed!en6e+ 6($e ( h!$ 8! h he G((d M!nd+ O Mazda+ And ( a55 h(%e 8h($ Th(u 8!%he% + 8h(%(e*er he" :eA 1F. Th!% I a%; Thee+ e55 $e ru5"+ O Ahura9 H(8 %ha55 I a a!n $" a%p!ra !(n ( rea6h Thee? H(8 6an I a a!n Th" Per-e6 !(n+ O Mazda+ and $a;e $" *(!6e e--e6 ua5? Thr(u#h he%e d!*!ne %(n#%+ re6e!*!n# he!r #u!d!n# 5!#h -r($ Tru h+ Ma" a55 :e 5ed up ( he 8( #!- % (- We55-:e!n# and I$$(r a5! "A 1E. Th!% I a%; Thee+ e55 $e ru5"+ O Ahura9 H(8+ !ndeed+ %ha55 I earn he -!na5 re8ard hr(u#h Tru h and R!#h ? Sha55 I (: a!n en $are% 8! h a % a55!(n and a 6a$e5?

H(8 %ha55 I :r!n# ( a55 $an;!nd he #!- % (Per-e6 !(n and I$$(r a5! " a% ann(un6ed :" Thee? 1?. Th!% I a%; Thee+ e55 $e ru5"+ O Ahura9 He 8h( 8!55 n( #!*e due re6($pen%e ( he (ne 8h( 8!55 earn ! + E*en un ( he Tru h-u5 $an 8h( -u5-!5% h!% 8(rd and 8(r;+ Wha pena5 " %h(u5d he pa" -!r% here? F(r I ;n(8 8e55 8ha he !% ( re6e!*e a he 5a% + herea- er. @9. Ha*e he Dae*a% e*er :een #((d ru5er%+ O Mazda? &er!5"+ I a%; (- h(%e 8h( :e-r!end he$. ?" he!r a!d+ he )arpan and ,%!#+ #!*e he 8(r5d up ( *!(5en6e+ Thr(u#h he$ he )a*!% #r(8 % r(n# 8! h ra!d and rap!ne+ Car!n# n( ha he pa% ure% (- he 8(r5d 8(u5d hr!*e hr(u#h Tru hD% 5a8 (- (rder and pr(#re%%.

>shtavaiti Gatha 3asna =?

1. Hear;en un ( $e+ O "e 8h( 6($e -r($ near and -r($ -arA L!% en ( $e+ a% I %pea; -(r h n(8+ P (nder (*er he%e ea6h!n#% 8! h 6are and 65ear h(u#h . Ne*er %ha55 he Fa5%e Tea6her de% r(" eC!% en6e a %e6(nd !$e+ F(r h!% (n#ue % and% $u e+ h!% 6reed % and% eCp(%ed. @. I %ha55 e55 "(u n(8 (- he T8( Sp!r! % a he :e#!nn!n# (- Crea !(n. The H(5!er (- he 8( hu% %pea;% ( he E*!5 One' 7Ne! her (ur h(u#h % n(r (ur ea6h!n#%+ Ne! her !n en !(n% n(r 6h(!6e%+ Ne! her (ur 8(rd% n(r (ur deed%+ Ne! her (ur 6(n%6!en6e% n(r (ur %(u5% e*er a#ree'D

0. I %ha55 e55 "(u n(8 (- he F!r% Pr!n6!p5e (- L!-e 8h!6h Ahura Mazda+ he A55-)n(8!n#+ de65ared ( $e. &er!5"+ h(%e (- "(u 8h( 8!55 n( -u5-!5 he re@u!re$en % (- he %a6red $e%%a#e+ The h(5" 8(rd% a% I 6($prehend and de65are he$+ F(r he$ %ha55 he end (- eC!% en6e :e $!%er". 2. I %ha55 e55 "(u n(8 (- 8ha !% :e% !n h!% 5!-e9 Tha !% ( a6 !n 6(n%(nan6e 8! h he Sp!r! (Tru h+ he h(5" A%ha+ There:" rea5!z!n# Mazda 8h( 6rea ed h!$+ Mazda+ he -a her (- &(hu-Mana+ he e*er a6 !*e G((d M!nd+ Mazda+ he -a her (- Ar$a! "+ (- :ene*(5en6e and zea59 The a55 %ee!n# L(rd 8h($ n(ne 6an de6e!*e. 7. I %ha55 e55 "(u n(8 8ha he M(% H(5" de65ared ( $e+ A% he 8(rd ha !% :e% -(r $(r a5% ( hear' 7T( he$ 8h( %ha55 #!*e heed ( Me 8! h ded!6a !(n+ I %ha55 6($e 8! h he :5e%%!n#% (Per-e6 !(n and I$$(r a5! " -(r a6 !(n% (he!r G((d Sp!r! .7 S( %a!d Ahura Mazda. 8. Thu% d( I ann(un6e he Grea e% (- AI5+ I %!n# h!% pra!%e hr(u#h h!% Tru h+ :ene-!6en ( a55. Le Mazda Ahura hear;en un ( he$ 8! h h!% H(5" Sp!r! + F(r he G((d M!nd ha% !n% ru6 ed $e ( rea5!ze H!$. ?" H!% W!%d($ 5e H!$ #u!de $e ( he u5 !$a e End. F. Th(%e 8h( are 5!*!n#+ h(%e 8h( ha*e :een+ and h(%e 8h( are "e ( :e+ Sha55 a a!n (ne (- he a8ard% He (rda!n%. In !$$(r a5! " %ha55 he %(u5 (- he r!#h e(u% :e e*er !n %p5end(r. ?u !n $!%er" he %(u5 (- he 8!6;ed %ha55 %ure5" :e. The%e 5a8% ha h Mazda Ahura (rda!ned hr(u#h H!% S(*ere!#n Au h(r! ". E. W! h $" %(n#% (- pra!%e and *enera !(n I %ee; he a66ep an6e (- $" L(rdA F(r n(8 !ndeed I %ee H!$ !n $" e"e%+ a% he L(rd (- he G((d Sp!r! + he L(rd (- G((d W(rd and Deed. I ha*e rea5!zed H!$ hr(u#h Tru h+ He 8h( !%

Mazda AhuraA &er! " I %ha55 render H!$ h($a#e !n he H(u%e (- S(n#%. ?. H!$ 8! h (ur #((d $!nd 8e %ee; ( pr(p! !a e+ Wh( #a*e u% d!%6ern$en hr(u#h 8h!6h 8e re6e!*e 8ea5 and 8(e. Ma" Ahura Mazda hr(u#h h!% S(*ere!#n Au h(r! " pr(%per (ur pea%an r"+ (ur 8(r;$en+ and (ur herd%. And he G((d M!nd e% a:5!%h he ru5e (- he h(5" 5a8 (- Tru h. 19. H!$+ 8! h he%e (ur %(n#% (- de*( !(n+ 8e %ha55 eCa5 + H!$+ -a$ed -(r e*er a% Mazda Ahura+ he W!%e Crea (rA F(r *er!5"+ hr(u#h h!% Sp!r! (- R!#h e(u%ne%% and he G((d M!nd+ He ha% (rda!ned+ Tha Per-e6 !(n and I$$(r a5! " %ha55 :e !n H!% D($!n!(n And *! a5! " !n perpe u! " !n H!% H(u%eA 11. Wh(%( %hun% he e*!5 5!ar and he $(r a5% 8h( den" he L(rd+ Wh(%( re*ere% H!$+ he M(% H!#h+ hr(u#h he H(5" Fa! h (- H!% app(!n ed %a*!(r+ T( h!$+ O Mazda+ %ha5 Th(u :e a -r!end+ :r( her+ (r e*en -a herA

>shtavaiti Gatha 3asna =@

1. T( 8ha 5and %ha55 I urn+ and 8h! her urn!n# %ha55 I #(? F(r $" ;!n%$en and $" peer% ha*e de%er ed $e. N( he pe(p5e+ n(r he!r 8!6;ed ru5er%+ -a*(r $e. H(8 %ha55 I %a !%-" Thee+ O Ahura Mazda? @. I ;n(8+ Mazda+ 8h" I a$ a $an -(!5ed !n h!% 8!%h. I ha*e :u (n5" a -e8 8! h $e+ and %6an !er % !55 are $" $ean% -(r he!r %upp(r . ?eh(5d+ $" L(rd+ I addre%% $" appea5 ( Thee+

Gran $e Th" #ra6!(u% he5p+ a% a -r!end $!#h #!*e ( a -r!end. Gran $e+ hr(u#h Tru h+ he a6@u!%! !(n (- he r!6he% (- he G((d M!nd. 0. When+ O Mazda+ %ha55 he da" da8n -(r e% a:5!%h!n# he 6au%e (- Tru h? When %ha55 he 8!%e Sp!r! ua5 Gu!de% %pread e--e6 !*e5" Th" %u:5!$e ea6h!n#%? T( 8h(%e he5p 8!55 6($e he 8!%d($ (- he G((d M!nd? F(r $e+ !ndeed+ 8h( ha% 6h(%en Thee a% $" !n% ru6 (r+ O Ahura MazdaA 2. The e*!5-d(er h(5d% :a6; he pr(%per! " (- he -(55(8er% (- Tru h+ In-a$(u% !% he+ dan#er(u% !n h!% deed%A Wh(%( dr!*e% h!$ -r($ he ;!n#d($+ re$(*e% h!$ -r($ pe(p5e%D 5!*e%+ Sha55 #( -(r h prepar!n# he 8a" -(r he !dea5 5!-e. 7. One !n a p(%! !(n (- p(8er hr(u#h d!*!ne (rd!nan6e (r hu$an 6(*enan + -(55(8er (- Tru h+ ,p(n en6(un er!n# a % ran#er+ re6(#n!zed a% a -(55(8er (- Fa5%eh((d+ Sh(u5d re*ea5 ( h!$ he n(:5e 5!-e (- re6 ! ude. Pr( e6 h!$ -r($ de% ru6 !(n+ O Mazda AhuraA 8. ?u he 8h( 8!55 n( he5p ( ran%-(r$ E*!5+ Sha55 :e 8! h h(%e !n he a:(de (- he L!e+ F(r he 8h( 5((;% up(n e*!5 8! h (5eran6e !% n( ( her han e*!5. And !ndeed r!#h e(u% !% he 8h( %upp(r % he r!#h e(u%. The%e are Th" La8% %!n6e he da8n (- 6rea !(n+ O Ahura. F. When e*!5 $ar;% $e a% he (:Be6 (- ! % a%%au5 + Wh( %ha55 :e he pr( e6 (r (- (ne 5!;e $e+ Wh(+ :u Th" Sa6red F!re and Th" Th(u#h . &er!5" hr(u#h he!r p(8er-u5 -(r6e %ha55 Tru h and R!#h e(u%ne%% 6($e !n ( he!r (8n. O Ahura+ :r!n# h!% ( -u55 rea5!za !(nA E. Sh(u5d (ne :e !n en up(n :r!n#!n# har$ ( ha 8h!6h !% (ur%+ Ma" n( he -(r$ (- %u6h de*a% a !(n rea6h u%A ?u :a6; up(n h!$+ 5e he har$ re6(!5. The e*!5 (- h!% a6 !(n% %ha55 ;eep h!$ -ar -r($ he G((d L!-e+ ?u n( -r($ !55+ O Mazda.

?. Where !% he -a! h-u5 $an 8h( heed% $e a% he -!r% ( ea6h Tha + *er!5"+ Th(u ar he H!#he% ( !n*(;e+ In *er" deed+ he ?(un !-u5 Pr(*!den6e+ The H(5" L(rdA Wh( 8!55 hear+ hr(u#h he G((d M!nd Wha Tru h $ade ;n(8n ( $e+ The Tru h re*ea5ed :" he Crea (r Supre$eA 19. Wh(e*er+ $an (r 8($an+ d(e% 8ha Th(u+ O Mazda Ahura+ ;n(8e% ( :e he :e% !n L!-e. Wh(e*er d(e% r!#h -(r he %a;e (- R!#h + Wh(e*er !n au h(r! "+ #(*ern% 8! h he a!d (- he G((d M!nd9 I %ha55 :r!n# a55 he%e ( B(!n !n %(n#% (- Th" Pra!%e+ F(r h+ %ha55 I 8! h he$ 6r(%% he ?r!d#e (- Eud#$en . 11. The )arpan% and he )a*!% ha*e "rann!zed (*er hu$an! "+ The!r e*!5 a6 !(n% are de% ru6 !*e (- L!-e. &er!5"+ he 6(n%6!en6e (- %u6h a (ne %ha55 (r$en h!% %(u5. And hu%+ 8hen he" %ha55 6($e ( he ?r!d#e (- Eud#$en + The!r a:(de+ -(r end5e%% a#e%+ %ha55 :e !n he H(u%e (- he L!e. 1@. When a$(n# he ;!n%$en and de%6endan % (- he ren(8ned Turan!an+ Fr"ana+ R!#h ar!%e%+ When hr(u#h he %p!r! ua5 zea5 (- Ar$a! "+ he" -ur her he 8e5-are (- he 6(un r"+ Then %ha55 Ahura Mazda :r!n# he$ he !55u$!na !(n (- he G((d M!nd+ And %h(8 he$ he pa h (- Re#enera !(n. 10. He 8h( %ha55 p5ea%e Sp! a$a =ara hu%h ra+ :" h!% n(:5e a6 !(n%+ He !ndeed !% 8(r h" h!$%e5- ( pr(65a!$ he d(6 r!ne% (- Th" Fa! h+ O AhuraA H!$ %ha55 Ahura Mazda :5e%% 8! h G((d L!-e+ He %ha55 -5(ur!%h hr(u#h he G((d M!nd+ &er!5"+ he !% a -a! h-u5 -r!end (- Th!ne+ O Tru h A 12. 7O =ara hu%h ra+ 8ha $an !% h" -a! h-u5 -r!end -(r he 6(n%u$$a !(n (- he Grea Cau%e? Wh( 8!%he% ( ha*e h" $!%%!(n ann(un6ed?7 &er!5"+ he !% )!n# &!%h a%paA Th(%e 8h($ Th(u %ha5 #a her !n Th" A:(de+ O Mazda Ahura+ Th(%e %ha55 I addre%% 8! h 8(rd% (- he G((d M!nd. 17. O "e Sp! a$a%+ de%6endan % (- Hae6ha a%pa+ I de65are ( "(u' W! h 8!%d($ d!% !n#u!%h 8e55 :e 8een R!#h and Wr(n#.

Le "(ur deed% ad*an6e he R!#h + In 6(n-(r$! " 8! h he pr!$e*a5 5a8% (- Ahura Mazda. 18. O Fra%ha(%h ra+ (- he 65an (- H*(#*a+ G( h(u 8! h h(%e -a! h-u5 8h($ 8e :( h ha*e 6h(%en -(r he 8(r5dD% !55u$!na !(n+ Where De*( !(n and =ea5 %ha55 :e un! ed 8! h Tru h+ Where he G((d M!nd h(5d% he p(8er (- S(*ere!#n "+ There+ 8here he %p5end(r (- L(rd Mazda a:!de%. 1F. I %ha55 ann(un6e !n *er%e+ ra her han pr(%e+ O Ea$a%pa H*(#*a+ He 8h( render% pra"er% and deed% !n per-e6 (:ed!en6e Sha55+ -r($ Mazda Ahura and he Sp!r! (- Tru h+ re6e!*e pr( e6 !(n+ When he Bu% are %epara ed -r($ he unBu% . 1E. He 8h( !% 8! h $e !n (ur h!#he% a%p!ra !(n+ On h!$ %ha55 I :e% (8+ hr(u#h he G((d M!nd+ he :e% !n $" p(8er9 ?u (r$en %ha55 :e up(n h!$ 8h( ( u% !% a (r$en !n# (ppre%%(r. O L(rd Mazda and O Sp!r! (- Tru h+ % r!*!n# hu% ( a66($p5!%h Y(ur 8!%h+ I% he de6!%!(n (- $" under% and!n#. And hu% d( I 8!55. 1?. He+ 8h( -(55(8!n# Tru h+ %ha55 8(r; -(r $e+ =ara hu%h ra+ T( :r!n# u% (8ard he Grea Ren(*a !(n+ !n a66(rdan6e 8! h Th" purp(%e+ F(r h!$ %ha55 :e a55 h(n(r and 6(n en !n h!% 8(r5d+ And a -! !n# % a e !n he 5!-e :e"(nd. A%+ *er!5"+ Th(u ha% re*ea5ed ( $e+ O A55-;n(8!n# MazdaA

S+enta %ainyu Gatha 3asna =A

1. F(r he ?e% M!nd+ and -(r he ?e% 8(rd and deed a6 ua ed :" Tru h+ Fr($ he ?(un !-u5 %p!r! (- he L(rd Mazda+ Ma" He !n S(*ere!#n Au h(r! " and hr(u#h he %p!r! (- R!#h -$!ndedne%% ?e% (8 up(n u% H!% 8( #rea :5e%%!n#%+ Per-e6 !n# !n e#r! " here and I$$(r a5! " herea- er. @. The :e% 8(r; (- h!% ?(un !-u5 %p!r! + he -u5-!5% End(8ed 8! h he G((d M!nd+ %pea;% 8(rd (- 8!%d($+ W(r;% 8! h h!% hand% a% pr($p ed :" a6 !*e ?ene*(5en6e+ In%p!red :" he !n%!#h ha Th(u+ O Mazda+ ar he Fa her (- Tru h. 0. Th(u ar he H(5" L(rd (- h!% ?5e%%ed %p!r! + O MazdaA F(r !n 6(n%u5 a !(n 8! h he G((d M!nd+ Th(u ha% 6rea ed h!% 8(r5d -(r (ur %a !%-a6 !(n+ And pr(*!ded he pr( e6 !(n (- Ar$a! "D% :ene*(5en6e ( :r!n# u% pea6e. 2. ?" h!% ?(un !-u5 %p!r! + O Mazda+ The e*!5-5!ar% -ee5 a--5!6 ed+ :u n( %( he r!#h e(u%. Whe her a $anD% p(%%e%%!(n :e #rea (r %$a55 Le h!$ e*er a%p!re ( r!#h e(u%ne%% and a:Bure he 8!6;ed. 7. ?" h!% ?(un !-u5 %p!r! (- Th!ne+ O Mazda+ Th(u ha% a%%!#ned a55 ha !% :e% ( he #((d9 ?u -ar -r($ Th" Gra6e %ha55 he e*!5 ha*e h!% p(r !(n+ The L!ar+ a:!d!n#+ :" h!% (8n deed%+ !n he h($e (he E*!5 M!nd. 8. ?" h!% ?(un !-u5 %p!r! (- Th!ne+ O Mazda And hr(u#h Th" H(5" F!re+ Th(u %ha5 app(r !(n #((d and e*!5 ( he 8( 6(n end!n# par !e%+ W! h Tru h and R!#h -$!nded Bu% !6e % and!n# :" Th" %!de+ &er!5"+ h!% %ha55 6au%e $an" ( hear Th" Me%%a#e.

S+enta %ainyu Gatha

3asna =9

1. When a he !$e (- a8ard!n#+ $en+ 8! h he he5p (Tru h %ha55 *an@u!%h he L!e9 When de6ep !(n% and un ru h%+ -(r 5(n# de6r!ed+ (-a5%e #(d% and :a%er $en % and eCp(%ed+ Then+ a he !$e (- %a5*a !(n+ here %ha55 :e -u55 ad(ra !(n (- Th" G5(r" A @. Te55 $e+ O Ahura+ -(r Th(u ar he a55-;n(8!n#+ Sha55 he r!#h e(u% (*er6($e he e*!5 -(e+ E*en :e-(re he #rea 6r!%!% (*er a;e% u%? F(r ha 8ere !ndeed a :5e%%ed e*en -(r he 8(r5dD% re#enera !(n. 0. O ?ene*(5en + O$n!%6!en MazdaA T( he $an under% and!n# Th" Me%%a#e Th(u d(% :e% (8 he pr(-(und rea%ure (- Th" Tea6h!n#%9 Tha 8h!6h Th(u ha% e% a:5!%hed hr(u#h Tru hA W! h an !n e55!#en6e !n%p!red :" he G((d M!nd+ &er!5"+ (ne :e6($e% 8(r h" (- Thee+ O MazdaA 2. Th(%e 8h(%e $!nd% $(*e ( up5!- !n# h(u#h % And h(%e ( her% 8h(%e $!nd% urn ( 8ha !% :a%e+ The!r 8(rd% and deed% 8!55 re-5e6 he!r h(u#h %9 F(r he!r 6h(!6e% 8!55 -(55(8 he!r %en !$en %. The!r end% 8!55 :e d!--eren + a% Th" W!%d($ de65are%. 7. Le h(%e 8h( ;n(8 h(8 ( ru5e 8e55+ and n( he e*!5 ru5er%+ ru5e u%A Le he$ ru5e u% 8! h 8!%d($ - ru5e u% 8! h %;!55 O P!e "A O Th(u+ :r!n# hu$an! " ( per-e6 !(n+ and #!*e ha55(8ed :5e%%!n# -(r ! % -u ure 5!-eA Le $an :e a6 !*e+ zea5(u%5" 6ar!n# -(r h!% 5and and 6rea ure% %( ha he" $a" -5(ur!%h. 8. F(r Ar$a! "+ he h(5" %p!r! (- R!#h $!ndedne%%+ 8! h he p(8er (- de er$!ned h(u#h + Sha55 :5e%% u% 8! h pea6e+ pr(%per! " and *!#(r (- %p!r! . F(r her+ d!d Ahura Mazda $a;e he p5an % #r(8+

hr(u#h Tru hD% 5a8 (- Na ure+ A he !$e (- he (r!#!na !(n (- L!-e. F. O "e+ 8h( 8(u5d :e :(und :" he G((d M!nd+ and % r!*e ( %pread he Tru h+ O "e+ 8h( de%!re ( %u% a!n he H(5" Cau%e+ Suppre%% a55 an#er and *!(5en6e+ A:and(n a55 !55-8!55 and % r!-eA Su6h :ene*(5en $en %ha55 :e !n Th" A:(de+ O Ahura. E. W!55 he B(" (- Th" #((d ;!n#d($ (- Hea*en+ ?e he :5e%%ed % a e app(!n ed -(r $e+ O AhuraA Wha $an!-e% a !(n (- Th" Tru h %ha55 :e 8e56($ed :" he p!(u% And !n%p!re he$ ( % r!*e -(r he #rea deed% (- he G((d Sp!r! ? ?. When %ha55 I ;n(8+ O Mazda+ h(8 d(% Th(u ru5e 8! h ru h and Bu% !6e+ O*er h(%e 8h( (ppre%% and 6a% $e !n -ear and d(u: ? Le he %6he$e (- G((d Th(u#h :e $ade ;n(8n ( $e+ Sh(u5d n( he %a*!(r- (-:e ;n(8 8ha he :5e%%ed (u 6($e %ha55 :e? 19. When %ha55 #((d $en 6($e ( under% and and %pread Th" W!%d($+ O Mazda? When %ha55 he" re$(*e he -!5 h" e*!5 (- !n (C!6a !(n? The e*!5 :" 8h!6h he 8!6;ed %a6r!-!6er% and he e*!5 5(rd% (- he 5and% Ma;e de%(5a e he 8(r5dA 11. When+ O Mazda+ %ha55 P!e " 6($e 8! h Tru h !n (ur 5and%+ When %ha55 happ" 5!-e !n pea6e-u5 pa% ure% 6($e ( u% hr(u#h #((d ru5e? Wh( %ha55 :r!n# pea6e ( u% -r($ 6rue5 and 8!6;ed $en? T( 8h($ %ha55 he 8!%d($ (- he G((d M!nd 6($e? 1@. Su6h are he %a*!(r% (- he ear h+ Wh(+ !n%p!red :" he G((d M!nd+ 6au%e :e er$en + ?" a6 !(n% !n une 8! h he 5a8% (- Tru h and Bu% !6e. The" are !ndeed app(!n ed :" Thee ( d!%pe5 *!(5en6e+ O MazdaA

S+enta %ainyu Gatha 3asna =8

1. T( $e 8h( ha% endea*(red ( 8!n (*er he d!%a--e6 ed ( he 6au%e (- Tru h+ T( $e+ he (pp(%!n# ?and*a ha% :een a % u::(rn -(eA C($e ( $e 8! h Th" #!- (- he5p-u5 #ra6e+ O MazdaA Thr(u#h Th" G((d-M!nd !n%p!re u% ( (*er6($e h!% e*!5A @. The ea6h!n#% (- h!% e*!5 ?and*a ha% 5(n# h!ndered $e !n $" 8(r;. Th!% har$-u5 $an ha% -a55en a8a" -r($ Tru h and R!#h A He 6are% n( ha Ar$a! "D% r!#h -$!ndedne%% :r!n#% pr(%per! "+ I$per*!(u% !% he ( he !n-5uen6e (- he G((d M!ndA 0. A66(rd!n# ( Th" Fa! h+ O Mazda+ he 6h(!6e (R!#h e(u%ne%% !% ! % (8n *!nd!6a !(n+ The 6h(!6e (- e*!5+ ! % (8n und(!n#9 Hen6e d( I %ee; and % r!*e -(r he -e55(8%h!p (G((d Th(u#h + And ren(un6e a55 a%%(6!a !(n 8! h he -(55(8er (- E*!5. 2. Th(%e 8h( :" he!r e*!5 (n#ue !n6rea%e d!%6(rd+ And h(%e 8! h !55 purp(%e 8h( %pread *!(5en6e and d!%%(5u !(n+ Th(%e 8h( %ee; ( 8(r; 8! h e*!5-d(er% and n( 8! h he #((d+ &er!5"+ he" 8(u5d e% a:5!%h he here%" (- ,n ru h+ he per*er ed %"% e$ (- he e*!5A 7. ?u he 8h( 6her!%he% Th" Wa" 8! h he G((d M!nd I% h!$%e5- a pr($( er (- a:undan6e and pr(%per! "+ A -(55(8er (- he 8!%d($ (- Tru h+ an !n !$a e (P!e " !% he+ O MazdaA &er!5"+ he %ha55 :e !n Th" )!n#d($ (- Hea*en+ 8! h a55 ha !% 8! h!n+ O AhuraA 8. I :e%ee6h Thee+ O Mazda+ re*ea5 Th" H(5" P5an+ Le Tru h de65are Th" D!*!ne W!%d($+ S( ha 8e $a" e*er 6h((%e and a6 ar!#h And $a;e he ru h% (- Th" Fa! h 8!de5" ;n(8n.

F. D( h(u 5!% en ( h!%. O AhuraA Le h!$ a5%( 5!% en 8h( !% end(8ed 8! h he G((d M!nd+ Le h!$ hear (( 8h( !% !n%p!red :" he Sp!r! (- Tru h. Wh( a$(n# $" ;!n%$an+ 8h( a$(n# $" -r!end%+ %ha55 5!*e :" Th" La8% And :r!n# re6(#n! !(n (- Th" Fa! h a$(n# he pe(p5e? E. D( h(u :e% (8 (n Fra%ha(%h ra a :ene-!6en a55!an6e 8! h Tru h+ &er!5"+ h!% I (( a%; (- Thee+ O Mazda Ahura+ And ( u%+ :e% (8 Th(u he G((d !n Th" H(5" )!n#d($+ Ma" 8e :e+ -(r a55 !$e+ Th" !n%p!red $e%%en#er%A ?. Le he pre6ep (r :(rn ( :r!n# de5!*eran6e hear h!% (rd!nan6e. The $an (- Tru h %ha55 n( 8(r; (r ru5e !n -e55(8%h!p 8! h he e*!5-5!ar. S(u5% par a;!n# (- R!#h + %ha55 re6e!*e he eC6e55en re8ard A he Bud#$en + O Ea$a%paA 19. And h!%+ O Mazda+ re% !n Th" 6are The #((d-$!nded and he %(u5% (- he r!#h e(u% 8! h he %p!r! (- P!e " and *enera !(n+ Pr( e6 ed !n Th" #rea D($!n!(n 8! h und"!n# p(8er. 11. T( he 8!6;ed ru5er%+ T( he $en (- e*!5 deed%+ (- e*!5 8(rd%+ (- e*!5 h(u#h %9 The!r depra*ed %(u5% %ha55 #( ( $ee he$ 8! h ha 8h!6h !% -(u5. In he H(u%e (- he L!e+ he" %ha55 *er!5" -!nd he!r a:(de. 1@. H(8 8!5 Th(u 6($e ( $" he5p O Tru h+ T( =ara hu%h ra 8h( a$ !n*(;!n# Thee? Wha ha% Th(u -(r $e+ O G((d M!nd? And (n $e+ 8h( 8! h %(n#% (- pra!%e ha% :een !n Th" #ra6e O Mazda Ahura+ ?e% (8 ha 8h!6h !% he ?e% .

S+enta %ainyu Gatha 3asna ?;

1. On 8h($ 6an I 6(un -(r he5p? On 8h($ 6an I depend ( pr( e6 $" p(%%e%%!(n%? On 8h($ :u (n Th" Tru h+ And (n Th"%e5-+ O Mazda Ahura+ 8hen !n*(;ed 8! h he En5!#h ened M!ndA @. Te55 $e+ O Mazda+ h(8 %h(u5d he" a6 and 8(r; Wh( 6are -(r h!% B("-#!*!n# 8(r5d 8! h ! % pa% ure%? L!*!n# upr!#h 5!*e% under he re6urr!n# %p5end(r (he %un+ apar -r($ he repud!a (r%+ L!*!n# (rdered 5!*e% !n har$(n" 8! h he 5a8 (- Tru h+ The%e %ha55 reap he ?5e%%ed Re8ardA 0. The re%(5u e (ne 8h( $(*ed :" he pr!n6!p5e% (- Th" Fa! h EC end% he pr(%per! " (- (rder ( h!% ne!#h:(r% And 8(r;% he 5and he e*!5 n(8 h(5d de%(5a e+ Earn% hr(u#h R!#h e(u%ne%%+ he ?5e%%ed Re6($pen%e Th" G((d M!nd ha% pr($!%ed !n Th" )!n#d($ (- Hea*en. 2. W! h Tru h $(*!n# $" hear + W! h ?e% Th(u#h !n%p!r!n# $" $!nd+ W! h a55 he $!#h (- %p!r! ua5 -(r6e 8! h!n $e+ I *enera e Thee+ O Mazda+ 8! h %(n#% (- Th" pra!%eA And a he La% + 8hen I %ha55 % and a Th" #a e I %ha55 hear he e6h( (- $" pra"er% -r($ Th" A:(de (- S(n#%. 7. T( Th" Pr(phe !n%p!red :" Th" Tru h+ O Mazda+ T( Th" Pr(phe re*ea5!n# Th" Me%%a#e !n h"$n%+ D( Th(u 6($e 8! h Th" Gra6e+ O L(rdA D( Th(u #!*e h!$ Th" hand (- $an!-e% he5p+ Tha he $a" :r!n# en5!#h en$en and :5!%%. 8. A% I 5!- $" *(!6e !n %(n#% (- Th" *enera !(n+ A6 ua ed :" Tru h ( d!re6 $" %pee6h ( he r!#h pa h (- 8!%d($9 G!*e ( =ara hu%h ra+ O Mazda+ he !n%p!ra !(n (he G((d M!nd ( enun6!a e Th" (rd!nan6e. F. Y(;ed are he arden % eed% (- Th" *enera !(n+ A% 8e appr(a6h Th" rea5$+ O Mazda+ C($e+ Grea P(8er+ un ( $e 8! h Th" %p!r! (Tru h and Th" G((d M!nd+ Ha% en hu% un ( $" he5pA

E. S!n#!n# h"$n% (- Th" pra!%e+ O L(rd+ And 8! h hand% (u % re 6hed %ha55 I appr(a6h Thee. In ad(ra !(n+ 8! h en5!#h en$en -r($ Tru h and he G((d M!nd I %ha55 *er!5" rea6h Th" Pre%en6e+ O MazdaA ?. W! h he%e h"$n% %ha55 I 6($e ( Thee+ O L(rdA T( Th" Tru h+ a!ded :" he deed% (- he G((d M!nd+ See;!n# earne% 5" he re8ard (- he :ene-!6en + and re6e!*!n# ! + I %ha55 :e $a% er (- $" (8n de% !n". 19. The #((d deed% ha 8e %ha55 per-(r$ a% h(%e 8e ha*e per-(r$ed+ The h!n#% ha are pre6!(u% ( he e"e !55u$!ned :" he G((d-M!nd+ The rad!an6e (- he %un %h!$$er!n# d(8n 8h!6h hera5d% he da"+ The" a55+ !n a66(rd 8! h Tru h+ e% !-" ( Th" #5(r"+ O Mazda AhuraA 11. The p(e (- Th" pra!%e+ I 6a55 $"%e5-+ O Mazda A And %( %ha55 I re$a!n+ O Tru h+ a% 5(n# a% $" p(8er 5a% %+ Le he W(r5d-Crea (r he5p $e hr(u#h he G((d M!nd+ Thr(u#h H!% Gra6e 5e ha :e d(ne 8h!6h %ha55 $(% pr($( e he Grea Cau%eA

.ohu,6hshathra Gatha 3asna ?<

1. A r!#h e(u% #(*ern$en !% (- a55 he $(% ( :e 8!%hed -(r+ ?ear!n# (- :5e%%!n# and #((d -(r une !n he h!#he% . Gu!ded :" he 5a8 (- Tru h+ %upp(r ed :" ded!6a !(n and zea5+

I :5(%%($% !n ( he ?e% (- Order+ a )!n#d($ (- Hea*enA T( e--e6 h!% I %ha55 8(r; n(8 and e*er $(re. @. Gran Th(u ( $e+ O Mazda+ Th" Ru5e (- R!#h e(u%ne%% Wh!6h -r($ he :e#!nn!n# ha% :een Th!ne. And Th(u+ O %p!r! (- R!#h $!ndedne%%+ #ran $e he p(8er (- 8!55+ And *(u6h%a-e Th" :5e%%!n#% (n h!$ 8h( rea5!ze% Thee !n e*er %er*!n# 8! h he G((d M!nd. 0. A55 he%e+ !ndeed+ #a her un ( Thee+ O Mazda+ The" 8h( ha*e d(ne Th" 8(r;+ Wh(%e a6 !(n% a66(rd 8! h he Tru h+ Wh(%e 8(rd% pr(6eed -r($ he G((d M!nd+ Wh(%e In%p!rer ar Th(u -r($ he *er" :e#!nn!n#A 2. Where %ha55 8e -!nd %e6ur! " -r($ hrea (- har$? Where+ 6($pa%%!(n -(r (ur pre6ar!(u% % a e? When %ha55 Tru h 6($e !n ( ! % (8n? Where !% he p(8er (- H(5" ?ene*(5en6e? Where !% he !55u$!na !(n (- he G((d M!nd? And 8h! her+ O Mazda+ !% Th" D($!n!(n? 7. A55 he%e @ue% !(n% d( 8e a%;+ Tha re6e!*!n# #u!dan6e -r($ Tru h+ 8e $a" 8(r; -(r he 8e5-are (- 6rea !(n+ E*er 8!%e !n ded!6a !(n+ E*er upr!#h !n a6 !(n+ A6;n(85ed#!n# he Tea6her (- Tru h app(!n ed -(r he Bu% 8e55-:e!n# (- he pe(p5e. 8. A he 5a% urn!n# (- 5!-e+ T( he -a! h-u5 $a;!n# he r!#h 6h(!6e a66(rd!n# ( H!% n(r$+ D( h Ahura Mazda+ he L(rd Bud#e+ !n H!% %(*ere!#n P(8er+ ?e% (8 an end :e er han #((d. ?u ( h!$ 8h( %ha55 n( %er*e he 6au%e (- #((d He #!*e h an end 8(r%e han :ad. A he 5a% urn!n# (- 5!-e. F. O Fa%h!(ner (- he W(r5dA O Crea (r (- he 8a er% and p5an %A Gran Th(u ( $e Th" :5e%%!n#% (- Per-e6 !(n and I$$(r a5! "A O M(% ?(un !-u5 Sp!r! + #ran $e he % ren# h endur!n# ( :r!n# ( rea5!za !(n Th" ann(un6ed purp(%e+ W! h he he5p (- he G((d M!nd.

E. On Th" :eha5- hen %ha55 I %pea; -(r h+ O Mazda+ A% (ne ha ;n(8% ( h(%e 8h( 8(u5d ;n(8' 7E*!5 !% he p(r !(n (- he 8!6;ed+ ?u :5!%% -(r he (ne 8h( % and% :" R!#h e(u%ne%%+7 Le h!% $e%%a#e :e ann(un6ed 8! h B(" ( he 8!%eA ?. W! h 8ha under% and!n# %ha5 Th(u+ O Mazda+ #!*e Bud#$en ( he 8( 6(n end!n# %!de%+ Thr(u#h Th" -!re+ a (;en (- he -!na5 $(5 en e% ? Le here :e a %!#n (- he %epara !(n' The de% ru6 !(n (- he e*!5+ -r($ he :5e%%edne%% (he r!#h e(u%+ 19. He 8h( % r!*e% ( de% r(" $e+ O Mazda+ W! h(u 6au%e and 8! h(u Bu% !6e+ An (--%pr!n# (- e*!5 !% he+ $a5e-!6en ( a55 ha 5!*e. Here I !n*(;e he %p!r! (- Tru h T( 6($e ( $e 8! h Th" n(:5e re8ard+ O MazdaA 11. Where !% he $an+ O Mazda Wh( %ha55 6($e a% -r!end (- Sp! a$a =ara hu%h ra+ Wh( %ha55 a;e 6(un%e5 8! h Tru h+ Wh( end(8ed 8! h he zea5 (- ?(un e(u% Ar$a! "+ Wh( !n%p!red :" he G((d M!nd+ Sha55 :e -! -(r he %pread (- he Grea Cau%e? 1@. On h!% :r!d#e (- ran%!en ear h5" 5!-e N( -(55(8er% (- he 8!6;ed 5(rd% ha*e p5ea%ed =ara hu%h ra Sp! a$a9 Th" %er*an a%p!r!n# -(r 5(- " a a!n$en W!55 %ee; 8! h %!n6er! " ( repe5 he!r e--(r %. 10. The Wr(n# (- he 8!6;ed %ha55 per!%h :e-(re he R!#h (- he ru h-u5. S and!n# a he ?r!d#e (- Eud#$en + The e*!5 %(u5 :eh(5d% he pa h (- he r!#h e(u%+ ?u he e*!5 (- h!% a6 !(n%+ he 8(rd% (- h!% e*!5 (n#ue+ pr(*e ( :e h!% -e er%+ In -ear+ he -!nd% ha he -a!5%. 12. The e*!5 )arpan% d( n( prea6h he 5a8% (- %e 5ed and pea6e-u5 5!-e. The" 6au%e %u--er!n# ( he ear h and ! % 6rea ure%+ The!r deed% and he!r d(6 r!ne% %ha55 6(n%!#n he$ a 5a% ( he H(u%e (- he L!e.

17. The A:(de (- S(n#% 8here Ahura Mazda 8a% he -!r% pre%en6e+ I% he ?5e%%ed Re8ard+ de%!#na ed :" $e+ =ara hu%h ra+ F(r he %upp(r er% (- he Grea Cau%eA I %ha55 :e :e% (8ed up(n "(u I- "(u a66ep he en5!#h en$en (- he G((d M!nd+ I- "(u read he pa h (- Tru h. 18. The )!n# &!%h a%pa+ hr(u#h r!#h e(u% p(8er+ ha% a a!ned he #ra%p (- he Grea Cau%e. The !n%p!red W!%d($ (- he d(6 r!ne ha% rea6hed h!$+ The W!%d($ (- he G((d Fa! h 8h!6h H(5" Ahura Mazda de*!%ed hr(u#h he ,n!*er%a5 La8 (- Tru h. Le hu%+ he ha!5 (- %a5*a !(n :e pr(65a!$ed. 1F. T( $e+ ha% Fra%ha(%h ra H*(#*a $an!-e% ed he ded!6a !(n (- h!$%e5- ( he Cau%e. Ma" Mazda Ahura :e% (8 (n h!$ he pr(-(unde% ru h% (- he #((d Fa! h+ Ma" Mazda #ran h!$ he W!55 ( pr($u5#a e he Cau%e (- Tru h%. 1E. Ea$a%pa H*(#*a a%p!r!n# ( en5!#h ened p(8er hr(u#h Tru h+ Ha% 6h(%en -(r h!$%e5- he W!%d($ (- Th" Fa! h9 And %( 6h((%!n#+ d(e% he a a!n he )!n#d($ (he G((d M!nd. Gran O L(rd+ ha 8e $a" %( ea6h pe(p5e A% e*er ( %ee; he!r pr( e6 !(n !n Thee. 1?. O Ma!d"($aha (- he Sp! a$a -a$!5"+ e*en a% "(u+ The $an 8h( 8! h 8!%d($+ a6h!e*!n# !n%!#h !n ( he Fa! h+ Sha55 ded!6a e h!% 5!-e hr(u#h -ru! -u5 deed% ( a :e er eC!% en6e -(r a55+ And !n% ru6 he$ !n he La8% (- Tru h and R!#h + rda!ned :" Mazda9 Tha $an ha% !ndeed %er*ed he Grea Cau%eA @9. O "e a55+ 8(r;!n# 8! h (ne 8!55+ Le Tru h+ G((d Th(u#h and R!#h $!ndedne%%+ Thr(u#h 8h!6h "(u pr(#re%% ( per-e6 !(n+ ?r!n# ( "(u he 8!%hed--(r happ!ne%%A O Mazda+ a8a! !n# h!% ?5!%% -r($ Thee+ Our re*eren h($a#e 8e (--er un ( TheeA

@1. The $an (- de*( !(n !% :ene-!6en ( a55. He !% :ene-!6en :e6au%e (- h!% 8!%d($+ ?e6au%e (- h!% rea5!za !(n (- ru h+ ?e6au%e (- he #((dne%% !n h!% h(u#h %+ !n h!% 8(rd%+ !n h!% a6 %. ,n ( h!$ Ahura Mazda %ha55 #ran he )!n#d($ (he G((d M!nd+ And *er!5"+ h!% :5e%%!n# I (( 5(n# -(rA @@. The #((d per%(n% (- r!#h e(u% 8(r%h!p+ Th(%e 8h( ha*e :een :e-(re and h(%e 8h( eC!% n(8+ Wh($ Ahura Mazda ;n(8e% 8e55+ I !n*(;e he$ !n $" pra"er% :" he!r na$e%+ And %ha55 appr(a6h he$ 8! h deep re*eren6e.

.ahishto,Ishti Gatha 3asna ?:

1. The h!#he% a%p!ra !(n% (- =ara hu%h ra Sp! a$a a a!n -ru! !(n+ O Mazda+ When h(u d(% #ran h!$ -(r h!% r!#h e(u%ne%% ?5!%%-u5 eC!% en6e endur!n# -(r a55 !$e%9 When a55+ a 5a% + urn ( h!$ T( a66ep and pra6 !6e he pr!n6!p5e% (- he G((d Re5!#!(nA @. Le he$ ad*an6e !n h(u#h + 8(rd+ and deed T(8ard he %a !%-a6 !(n (- Mazda 8! h re*eren !a5 8(r%h!p+ )!n# &!%h a%pa+ Fra%ha(%h ra+ and he %u66e%%(r% (=ara hu%h ra Sp! a$a. Ma" he" ea6h a55 ( ;eep ( he e% a:5!%hed % ra!#h pa h+ Ann(un6ed :" he %p!r! ua5 pre6ep (r%+ and (rda!ned :" Ahura+ 0. T( P(uru6h!% a+ %6!(n (- he 65an% (- Hae6ha a%pa and Sp! a$a+ Y(un#e% (- he dau#h er% (- =ara hu%h ra+ Gran he 6(n% an a!d (- he G((d M!nd+ The % r(n# %upp(r (- Th" Tru h+

Tha %he $a" a;e 6(un%e5 8! h en5!#h ened under% and!n#+ And 8! h de*( !(n a6 8e55 a% 8!%d($ $a" d!re6 A 2. <P(uru6h!% a'> &er!5" ha*e I+ a% a r!#h e(u% (ne+ 6h(%en h!$+ And %ha55 h(n(r -a her and hu%:and+ And :e r!#h e(u% ( n(:5e% and pea%an %. F(r r!#h e(u%ne%% 5e (ur her! a#e :e he rad!an6e (he G((d M!nd+ Ma" Mazda Ahura #ran he :5e%%!n# (- he G((d Fa! h -(r a55 !$eA 7. <=ara hu%h ra'> The%e 8(rd% d( I addre%% ( "(u $a!den% 8h( are :e!n# $arr!ed+ The%e 6(un%e5% d( I #!*e ( "(u+ :r!de#r(($%+ Heed he$ !n "(ur $!nd% and 5a" he$ ( hear . Le ea6h 6her!%h he ( her 8! h R!#h e(u%ne%%. Then %ure5" he re8ard (- a happ" 5!-e %ha55 :e "(ur%. 8. Th!%+ !ndeed !% he 6a%e+ O "e $en and 8($enA N( happ!ne%% 6an :e "(ur% !- he %p!r! (Fa5%eh((d d!re6 % "(ur 5!*e%. Ca% (-- -r($ "(ur %e5*e% he :(nd% ha 6ha!n "(u ( ,n ru h. Sa !%-a6 !(n 5!n;ed 8! h d!%h(n(r (r 8! h har$ ( ( her% !% a pr!%(n -(r he %ee;er9 The -a! h5e%%-e*!5 :r!n# %(rr(8 ( ( her% and de% r(" he!r (8n %p!r! ua5 5!*e% herea- er. F. O "e+ $en and 8($enA When -a! h-u5 zea5 !n%p!re% "(ur 5!-e+ When a!n ed h(u#h % and !n en !(n% are r(( ed (u + When he e*!5 8! h!n "(u !% de% r("ed -(r e*er+ Then %ha55 he ?5e%%ed Re8ard :e "(ur% -(r he G((d W(r;. And !- "(u -a!5+ 7A5a%+ A5a%7 %ha55 :e "(ur -!na5 8(rd%A E. Le he e*!5-d(er% % and -(!5ed !n he!r 8!%h+ Le he$ :e a:and(ned ( 6(n-u%!(n and ru!nA Le h(%e (- *!r u(u% pr!n6!p5e% -ru% ra e he$+ pre*en he!r har$+ And $a;e 8a" -(r he ad*en (- happ!ne%% and pea6e (n (ur hu$:5e d8e55!n#%A Le he Grea ,ph(5der (- *!r ue :r!n# he e*!5

( nau#h . And 5e ! :e @u!6;A ?. The $en (- e*!5 6reed (r$en Th" -(55(8er%+ O L(rdA The" %e he$%e5*e% ( 6(nde$n he 8(r h"+ ( de%p!%e he #((d. Where !% he r!#h e(u% 5(rd%h!p ha 8!55 %$! e he$ and depr!*e he$ (- he!r -reed($? O Mazda+ Th!ne !% he %(*ere!#n P(8er Where:" Th(u %ha5 #!*e he r!#h -5!*!n# and need" he!r u5 !$a e :e er p(r !(nA

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