Avesta (Gathas) · 3 of 3 · tr. L.H. Mills

Ushtavaiti Gatha, Yasna XLIII, Section 1c

when with the Good Mind's grace Thy Sraosha (Obedience) approached me, (and said): Let the quiet and long-enduring better mind with understanding teach (thee); let not a foremost 5 man p.

106 conciliate the wicked (as sycophant desiring aid), for with that (quiet mind of faith), Thy saints have brought full many a sinner unto Thee (as convert, and in penitence 1 ).

16.

Thus, O Ahura Mazda!

this Zarathu s tra loves 2 the Spirit 3 , and every man most bounteous prays 4 (beside him): Be Righteousness life-strong, and clothed with body.

In that (holy) Realm which shines (with splendour) as the sun, let Piety be present; and may she through the indwelling of Thy Good Mind give us blessings in reward for deeds 5 !

Themes

◆Ahura Mazda Principlecosmology

The divine ordering principle of truth and light.

The passage directly addresses Ahura Mazda and invokes his attributes like Sraosha and Good Mind as central to the divine order.

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◆Anthropomorphismtheology

Attributing human characteristics, emotions, or form to the divine; embodied divine imagery.

Abstract concepts like Righteousness and Piety are personified as being clothed with a body or referred to as 'she'.

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◆Asha Cosmic Ordercosmology

Truth as the fundamental structure of reality.

The text explicitly prays for Righteousness (Asha) to be life-strong and present in the holy realm.

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◆Good Thought Word Deedethics

The Zoroastrian triad of right thought, right speech, and right action as the foundation of ethical life; truth-in-living.

The text references the Good Mind (thought), prayer/teaching (word), and blessings for deeds (action), reflecting the Zoroastrian ethical triad.

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◆Living Godtheology

The divine conceived as active, present, and dynamic—not an abstract principle but a personal responsive reality.

Ahura Mazda is portrayed as personally responsive, with Sraosha approaching the prophet and blessings given in return for deeds.

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◆Prayerpraxis

Direct address to the divine, whether petitionary, contemplative, or liturgical; speech and silence offered upward.

The passage contains direct address to the divine ('O Ahura Mazda!') and mentions that men pray bounteously.

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