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Avesta (Gathas) · 1 of 2 · tr. L.H. Mills

Vahishtoishti Gatha, Yasna LIII, Section 1a

1. That best prayer has been answered 1 , the prayer of Zarathu s tra Spitâma, that Ahura Mazda might 2 grant him those boons, (the most wished-for) which flow from the good Order, even a life that is prospered 3 for eternal duration, and also those who deceived 4 him (may He likewise thus grant him) as the good Faith's disciples in word and in deed 5 . 2. And may Kavi Vî s tâspa, and the Zarathu s trian Spitâma 6 , and Frashao s tra too with them, offer propitiation to Mazda in thought, word, and deed, and p. 191 [paragraph continues] Yasna confessions 1 as they render Him praise, making straight paths 2 (for our going), even that Faith of the Saoshya n t which Ahura will found 3 . (The master of the feast.) 3 4 . And him will they give Thee, O Pouru k ista, Haê k a t -aspid and Spitâmi! young 5 (as thou art) of the daughters of Zarathu s tra, him will they 6 give thee as a help in the Good Mind's true service, of Asha's and Mazda's, as a chief and a guardian 7 . Counsel well then (together 8 ), with the mind of Ârmaiti, most bounteous and pious; and act with just action. (She answers.) 4. I will love 9 and vie with him, since from (my) father 10 he gained (me). For the master and toilers, and for the lord-kinsman (be) the Good Mind's bright p. 192 blessing 1 , the pure for the pure ones, and to me (be 2 ) the insight (which I gain from his counsel 3 ). Mazda grant it, Ahura for good conscience for ever. (The priestly master of the feast.) 5. Monitions for the marrying I speak to (you) maidens, to you, I who know them; and heed ye my (sayings): By these 4 laws of the Faith which I utter obtain ye the life of the Good Mind (on earth and in heaven). (And to you, bride and bridegroom 5 ), let each one the other in Righteousness cherish; thus alone unto each shall the home-life be happy. 6. [Thus real are these things, ye men and ye women 6 !] from the Lie-demon protecting, I guard o’er my (faithful), and so (I) grant progress (in weal and in goodness). And the hate of the Lie (with the hate of her) bondsmen (?) I pray from the body, (and so would expel it 7 ). For to those who bear Vayu 8 , (and bring him to power), his shame 9 mars the glory. To these evil truth-harmers by these means he reaches. Ye thus slay the life mental (if ye follow his courses 10 ). p. 193 7. But yours be the recompense, (O ye righteous women!) of this great cause. For while lustful desire heart-inflamed from the body 1 there beyond goeth down where the spirit of evil reaches (to ruin, still) ye bring forth the champion 2 to help on the cause, (and thus conquer temptation). So your last word is 'Vayu'; (ye cry it in triumph 3 ). 8. And thus let the sinners by these means be foiled 4 ; and consumed 5 be they likewise. Let them shriek in their anger.
Themes
Ahura Mazda Principlecosmology

The divine ordering principle of truth and light.

Ahura Mazda is the central divine figure invoked repeatedly as the grantor of boons and the recipient of propitiation.

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Angra Mainyu Principlecosmology

The principle of cosmic disorder and falsity.

The 'Lie-demon', 'spirit of evil', and 'evil truth-harmers' represent the opposing cosmic principle of disorder.

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Asha Cosmic Ordercosmology

Truth as the fundamental structure of reality.

The text explicitly references 'Good Order', 'Righteousness', and 'Asha' as the foundation of life and faith.

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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 structures reality around the opposition of Truth/Good Mind versus Lie/Evil Spirit.

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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 triad of 'thought, word, and deed' is explicitly cited as the mode of offering propitiation and discipleship.

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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 answering prayers and granting boons rather than an abstract principle.

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Prayerpraxis

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

The text opens with an answered prayer and concludes with petitions to Mazda, making it a central activity.

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