Avesta (Gathas)

The work opens with the Ahunavaiti Gatha (Yasna XXVIII–XXXIV), in which the speaker stretches forth his hands to Ahura Mazda, praying for Righteousness, the Benevolent Mind, and gifts for both worlds, and asking long life for Zarathushtra and grace for Vishtaspa and Frashaoshtra (XXVIII). The Soul of the Kine cries to Ahura and Asha for a guardian, and Ahura names Zarathushtra Spitama her master (XXIX). The primeval spirits, a better and a worse pair, are described choosing Righteousness and evil (XXX), while the speaker declares doctrines against those serving the Lie (XXXI), addresses the Daêvas as seed of the Evil Mind, and vows to drive out the Karpans and Kavis (XXXII), acts by primeval laws and offers his body's life (XXXIII), and returns Mazda's gifts to Ahura (XXXIV). The Ushtavaiti Gatha (XLIII–XLVI) has the speaker conceive Ahura as bountiful and answer the messenger's question (XLIII), pose the repeated "This I ask Thee" concerning creation and judgment (XLIV), proclaim the two first spirits and Mazda's teaching (XLV), and lament his want of kin before naming Kavi Vîshtâspa his friend (XLVI). The Spenta Mainyu Gatha (XLVII–L) treats Ahura's gifts through the bountiful Spirit (XLVII), the saint's smiting of the Demon-of-the-Lie (XLVIII), Zarathushtra's struggle with Bendva and Frashaoshtra's headship (XLIX), and his prayer to be named Ahura's praiser (L). The Vohu Khshathra Gatha (LI) chooses the good Government of Ahura, and the Vahishtoishti Gatha (LIII) answers Zarathushtra's best prayer, addresses his daughter Pouruchista, and closes asking where the Lord is who will smite the wicked.