Avesta (Gathas)
§ About this work
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.
Throughout, the speaker repeatedly addresses Ahura Mazda with "This I ask Thee." First he asks how praise of the One like Mazda is offered and how help draws near through the Good Mind. He asks how to serve the supreme one of the better world. He asks who was the first father of Righteous Order, who gave the sun and stars their way, and who set the moon's waxing and waning. He asks who sustains the earth and clouds, who made the waters and plants, who yoked the storm-clouds to the wind, and who inspires good thoughts. He asks who made lights and darkness, sleep and waking, the Auroras, noontides, and midnight. He asks whether Piety increases orderliness, and for whom the Mother-kine was made. He asks who fashioned Âramaiti and who made the son revere the father. He asks about pondering revelations, hallowing the Faith, and the best Faith, declaring he looks upon other Gods with hate. He asks who is righteous and who evil, how to banish and deliver the Demon-of-the-Lie, to which host Mazda gives the day, who smites with victory, how to reach conference, how to gain the prize of ten mares and a camel, what sentence befalls the withholder, and whether Daêva-worshippers reign, noting the Karpan and Usig gave the Kine to Rapine.
Ushtavaiti Gatha, Yasna XLIV, Section 1aUshtavaiti Gatha, Yasna XLIV, Section 1bUshtavaiti Gatha, Yasna XLIV, Section 1c