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Avesta (Gathas) · 2 of 3 · tr. L.H. Mills

Ushtavaiti Gatha, Yasna XLVI, Section 1b

And as to him who (now by evil power) delivers up my settlements to harm, let not his burning (wrath) in deeds attain 7 me. But bearing back 8 the (evil will and evil influence of such), let these things come (back) to him in anger. Let that to his body come which holds from 9 welfare; but let no (help) p. 139 at all (approach him, which may) keep him back from misery. (And let this happen as I speak) from (vengeful) hate, O Lord! 9. But who is the freely helping one who will teach me foremost 1 how we may adore Thee, Thou the well to be invoked 2 as in Thy deeds, the holy 3 , bountiful Ahura? What (words) the Kine's creator 4 spake for Thee by aid of, and to aid, the Righteous ritual Order, these words of Thine, (Thy people coming) with Thy Good Mind, are seeking 5 now (to gain and learn from) me 6 , O Mazda Lord! p. 140 10. Whoever, man or woman, shall give to me those (gifts) of life which Thou hast known 1 as best, O Mazda! and as a holy blessing through (Thy) Righteous Order, a throne (established) with (Thy) Good Mind, (with these I shall go forth; yea, those) whom I shall (accompany and so) incite 2 , to the homage of such as You 3 (on earth), forth to the Judge's Bridge (itself) with all of them shall I lead on 4 (at last). 11. (And they and I have every need for help, for now) the Karpan and the Kavi will join in governments 5 to slay the life of man with evil deeds, they whom their own souls and their own conscience will becry 6 . And when they approach there where the Judge's Bridge (extends, unlike the believing ones of God, who go so firmly forth with me as guide and helper, these shall miss their path and fall 7 ), and p. 141 in the Lie's abode for ever shall their habitation 1 be. 12. (But for the penitent there is yet hope; for all our former foes shall not thus fall, as from the K inva t Bridge to woe, for) when from among the tribes and kith of the Turanian, even among the more powerful ones of the Fryâna, those shall arise 2 who further on the settlements of Piety with energy and zeal, with these shall Ahura dwell together through His Good Mind (in them), and to them for joyful grace deliver His commands 3 . 13. Yea, he who will propitiate Zarathu s tra Spitâma 4 with gifts midst men, this man is fitted for the proclamation, and to him Ahura Mazda will give the (prospered) life. And he will likewise cause the settlements to thrive in mental goodness. We think 5 him, therefore, Your good companion to (further and maintain) Your Righteousness (and meet for Your approach). p. 142 (A voice from among the Chiefs.) 14. (But where is such an one?) Whom hast thou Zarathu s tra 1 ! thus a holy friend for the great (effort of the) cause? Who is it who thus desires to speak it forth? (Zarathu s tra answers. Aye, such an one have.) It is our Kavi Vî s tâspa 2 , the heroic; (and not he alone, but all) whom thou shalt (as in Thy prophet) meet 3 in the assembly, O Ahura Mazda!
Themes
Ahura Mazda Principlecosmology

The divine ordering principle of truth and light.

Ahura Mazda is invoked repeatedly as the supreme Lord, creator, and source of Good Mind throughout the passage.

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Asha Cosmic Ordercosmology

Truth as the fundamental structure of reality.

The 'Righteous ritual Order' (Asha) is central to the worship, ethical framework, and divine commands described.

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Cosmic Dualismtheology

Ontological opposition between two primal principles (light/darkness, truth/lie, spirit/matter) as the fundamental structure of reality.

The passage fundamentally contrasts Truth/Good Mind with evil power and the Lie's abode as opposing cosmic principles.

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Eschatological Judgmentsoteriology

Final, collective cosmic judgment as an event in which the wicked are sentenced and the cosmos restored; distinct from psychopomp_journey (individual passage at death) and emphasising verdict where Zoroastrian frashokereti emphasises restoration.

The Judge's Bridge and the final fate of souls (habitation in Lie's abode or with Ahura) are central themes.

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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.

References to 'Good Mind', 'Righteous Order', and 'deeds' align with the Zoroastrian ethical triad of right thought, word, and action.

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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 depicted as actively listening, speaking, and dwelling with the faithful.

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Prayerpraxis

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

The entire text is structured as a direct address and petition to Ahura Mazda.

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Psychopomp Journeycosmology

Guided passage of the soul through afterlife realms.

The speaker promises to lead followers to the Judge's Bridge, guiding their passage through the afterlife.

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Related passages · 3 parallels
gnosticism|Pistis Sophia|Document FIRSTv
Deliver me because of my enemies; for thou art (he) who knoweth my reproach with my shame and my disgrace: all those who afflict me (are) in thy presence. My heart looked out for a reproach with wretchedness; I looked out for him who will…”
Both passages express a plea for divine intervention against enemies and a desire for protection and deliverance. They share themes of invoking higher powers for justice and redemption, though they come from different religious traditions.
gnosticism|Pistis Sophia|Document SECONDt
O Lord, my God, if I did this (thing) if there is violence in my hands, if I repaid to those who repaid to me evil (things), may I perish by my enemy, being empty: and may my enemies persecute my soul and seize it: and trample my life down…”
Both passages express a plea for divine intervention against enemies and a call for justice. They share themes of invoking divine protection, the consequences for wrongdoers, and the hope for redemption or deliverance.
jewish_mysticism|The Book of Enoch (1 Enoch, Charles translation)|Chapter XCIX
XCIX. Woes pronounced on the Godless, the Lawbreakers: evil Plight of Sinners in the last Days: further Woes . CHAPTER XCIX. 1. Woe to you who work godlessness, And glory in lying and extol them: Ye shall perish, and no happy life shall be…”
Both passages share themes of divine justice, the fate of the wicked, and the protection of the righteous. They also emphasize the importance of adhering to divine laws and the consequences of deviating from them.