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 good Government of Ahura is to be chosen as bringing happiness; it opposes oppressive actions through holy Order; the speaker asks the Great Creator to help produce that Sovereign Power. He asks two blessings of the Great Creator and His Righteous Order, and of Piety, requesting Sovereign Rule over wealth. He speaks for all who assemble to hear Ahura Mazda, their foremost guide. They cry asking where the lord of thrift stands, and whence come Righteousness, Âramaiti, Best Mind, and Sovereign Power. The tiller of the earth asks this, striving to gain the sacred Kine. The speaker declares that Ahura Mazda gives better than good, and sends worse than evil on the withholder. He asks for Immortality and Welfare through the Good Mind, and vows to declare woe to the wicked and salvation to the righteous, announcing by the flaming Fire the sword of justice; may Ahura bless His saint. He who seeks to destroy his life is a son of the Lie. He asks who is loyal to the Spitâma, Zarathushtra, whom paederast and Kavi-follower never won. The righteous man's conscience crushes the wicked on the Kinvat Bridge; the Karpans deliver beings to the Home of the Lie. Zarathushtra declared the reward: Ahura Mazda comes first into Garôdman. Kavi Vîstâspa reached wisdom; Frashaoshtra the Hvôgva presented an endeared form; the speaker addresses Gâmâspa the Hvôgva and Maidhyô-mâh the Spitâma. The Immortals grant blessedness. Ahura Mazda knows who gives him the best gift; he will worship those who lived and live by their names.
Vohu Khshathra Gatha, Yasna LI, Section 1aVohu Khshathra Gatha, Yasna LI, Section 1bVohu Khshathra Gatha, Yasna LI, Section 1c