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.
The speaker asks to what land to turn, since no kinsman, peer, or laborers conciliate him, and asks how to conciliate the Lord's grace. He tells Mazda he cannot attain his wish, his flocks and following are scant, and asks to be taught the Good Mind's wealth. He asks when the day's enlighteners and the Saoshyants come, and chooses the Living Lord as exhorter. The evil man holds back the bearers of Righteous Order; whoever hurls him from power serves the Kine. He who withholds reproof goes to the abode of the Lie. He asks whom Mazda set as his guard, naming only Ahura, His Fire and Mind. He asks that the harm-doer's wrath return to him. He asks who will teach him worship. Whoever, man or woman, gives gifts of life he will lead to the Judge's Bridge; the Karpan and Kavi fall into the Lie's abode. Those arising among the Turanian Fryâna who further Piety dwell with Ahura. Whoever propitiates Zarathushtra Spitâma receives life. Asked who is his friend, Zarathushtra names Kavi Vîshtâspa. He addresses the Haêkat-aspas, Frashaoshtra, and Gâmâspa Hvôgva, promising gifts to the sanctified and oppression to oppressors, as Mazda commanded.
Ushtavaiti Gatha, Yasna XLVI, Section 1aUshtavaiti Gatha, Yasna XLVI, Section 1bUshtavaiti Gatha, Yasna XLVI, Section 1c