AVESTA: YASNA (English): Chapters 0-8Avesta -- Zoroastrian Archives Contents Prev Part 1 (Ha 0-8) Next Avestan Glossary Avesta: Yasna (sacred liturgy) Translated by L. H. Mills (from Sacred Books of the East, American Edition, 1898) except as noted. Notes in square brackets [] were added by JHP. YASNA 0 - introduction. [Not included in Mills ed. Translation of y0.4-6 is from Dhalla, pp. 9 ff. They are in the Old Avesta dialect. = Y11.17 = Ny1.3 = Ny2.3.] (In the name of God) 1. Ashem Vohu (1 & 3). I profess myself a Mazda-worshipper and a Zoroastrian, opposing the Daevas, accepting the Ahuric doctrine. For Hawan.... 2. To Fire, the son of Ahura Mazda. To you, O Fire, son of Ahura Mazda. With propitiation, for worship, adoration, propitiation, and praise. 3. 'Yatha Ahu Vairyo', the zaotar should say to me 'Atha ratush ashatchit hacha', the knowing Ashavan should say. Ashem Vohu ...(3). Yatha Ahu Vairyo ...(2). 4. I praise good thoughts, good words, and good deeds and those that are to be thought, spoken, and done. I do accept all good thoughts, good words, and good deeds. I do renounce all evil thoughts, evil words, and evil deeds. 5. I proffer to you, O Amesha Spentas, sacrifice and prayer, with thought, with word, with deed, with [my] being, with the very life of my body. 6. I praise Asha. Ashem Vohu ...(3). 7. [=y1.23 = y3.24 = y14.4 = y27.12 = y62.12.] 8. .... 9. [=y22.24 = y24.29.] 10. [=y22.25 = y24.30.] 11. [=y22.26 = y24.31.] 12. [=y24.32.] 13. .... 15. [=y27.13.] YASNA 1. [Adapted from Mills.] 1. I announce (and) carry out (this Yasna) for the creator Ahura Mazda, the radiant and glorious, the greatest and the best, the most beautiful (?) (to our conceptions), the most firm, the wisest, and the one of all whose body is the most perfect, who attains His ends the most infallibly, because of his Asha, to him who disposes our minds aright, who sends His joy-creating grace afar; who made us, and has fashioned us, and who has nourished and protected us, who is the most bounteous Spirit! 2. I announce (and) carry out (this Yasna) to Vohu Mano, and to the Highest Asha, and to Khshathra Vairya, and to Spenta Armaiti, and to the two, the Haurvatat and Ameretat, to the body of the Kine, and to the Kine's Soul, and to the Fire of Ahura Mazda, that one who more than (all) the Amesha Spentas has made most effort (for our succor)! 3. I announce (and) carry out (this Yasna) for Asnya, the masters of Asha, to Hawan, Asha-sanctified, master of Asha; and I celebrate, and I carry out (this Yasna) for Savanghi and for Visya, Asha-sanctified, master(s) of Asha. I announce (and) carry out (this Yasna) for Mithra of wide pastures, of the thousand ears, and of the myriad eyes, the Yazad of the spoken name, and for Raman Khwastra. 4. I announce (and) carry out (this Yasna) for Rapithwin, the Asha-sanctified master of Asha, and for Fradat-fshu, and for Zangtuma, the holy master(s) of Asha; and I celebrate and carry out (this Yasna) to Asha the Best, and to the Fire of Ahura Mazda. 5. I announce (and) carry out (this Yasna) for Uzerin the Asha-sanctified master of Asha, and for Fradat-vira and Dakhyuma, the Asha-sanctified master(s) of Asha, and for that lofty Ahura Napat-apam (the son of waters), and for the waters which Ahura Mazda made. 6. I announce (and) carry out (this Yasna) for Aiwisruthrem (and) Aibigaya, the Asha-sanctified master(s) of Asha, and for the Zarathushtrotema, and for him who possesses and who gives that prosperity in life which furthers all. And I celebrate and carry out (this Yasna) for the fravashis of the saints, and for those of the women who have many sons ['Men and herds?'], and for a prosperous home life which continues without reverse throughout the year, and for that Might which is well-shaped and stately ['Well-grown'], which strikes victoriously, Ahura-made, and for that Victorious Ascendency (which it secures). 7. I announce (and) carry out (this Yasna) for Ushahin, the Asha-sanctified master of Asha, and for Berejya (and) Nmanya, the Asha-sanctified master(s) of Asha, and for Sraosha, companion of Ashi, possessing rewards, victorious, who furthers the world, and the very straight Rashnu and Arshtad, who further the world, who augment the world. 8. I announce (and) carry out (this Yasna) for the Mahya, the monthly festivals, masters of Asha, for the new and the later [Literally, 'the moon within,' showing little light.] moon, the Asha-sanctified master of Asha, and for the full moon which scatters night. 9. I announce (and) carry out (this Yasna) for the Yairya, yearly feasts, the Asha-sanctified masters of Asha. I celebrate and carry out (this Yasna) for Maidyozarem, the Asha-sanctified master of Asha, and for Maidyoshahem, the Asha-sanctified master of Asha, and for Paitishahem, and for Ayathrem the advancer, and the spender of the strength of males, the Asha-sanctified master of Asha, and for Maidyarem, the Asha-sanctified master of Asha, and for Hamaspathmaidyem, the Asha-sanctified master of Asha; yea, I celebrate and carry out this Yasna for the seasons, masters of Asha. 10. I announce (and) carry out (this Yasna) for all those who are the thirty three masters of Asha, which, coming the nearest, are around about Hawan, and which (as in their festivals) were instituted by Ahura Mazda, and were promulgated by Zarathushtra, as the masters of Asha Vahishta. 11. I announce (and) carry out (this Yasna) for the two, for Ahura and Mithra, the lofty, and the everlasting, and the Asha-sanctified, and for all the stars which are Spenta Mainyu's creatures, and for the star Tishtrya, the resplendent and glorious, and for the Moon which contains the seed of the Kine, and for the resplendent Sun, the swift-horsed, the eye of Ahura Mazda, and for Mithra the province ruler. And I celebrate and carry out this Yasna for Ahura Mazda (once again, and as to him who rules the month), the radiant, the glorious, and for the Fravashis of the saints. 12. I announce (and) carry out (this Yasna) for you, o Fire, son of Ahura Mazda, together with all the fires, and for the good waters, even for all the waters made by Mazda, and for all the plants which Mazda made. 13. I announce (and) carry out (this Yasna) for the Bounteous Manthra, the Asha-sanctified and effective, the revelation given against the Daevas; the Zoroastrian revelation, and for the long descent ['The long tradition;' so Spiegel.] of the good Mazdayasnian Faith. 14. I announce (and) carry out (this Yasna) for the mountain Ushi-darena, the Mazda-made, with its sacred brilliance, and for all the mountains glorious with sanctity [Observe the impossibility of the meaning 'comfort,' or mere 'well-being' here.], with their abundant Glory Mazda-made, and for that majestic Glory Mazda-made, the unconsumed [Or possibly 'the unseized,' the Pahlavi agrift(?); Ner. agrihitam; hvar, to eat, may have meant 'seize' originally.] Glory which Mazda made. And I announce and carry out (this Yasna) for Ashi the good, the blessedness (of the reward), and for Chisti, the good religious Knowledge, for the good Erethe (Rectitude?), and for the good Rasastat (persisting zeal?), and to the Glory and the Benefit which are Mazda-made. 15. I announce (and) carry out (this Yasna) for the pious and good Blessing of the religious man, the Asha-sanctified, and for the curse of wisdom, the swift and redoubted Yazad of potency (to blight). 16. I announce (and) carry out (this Yasna) for these places and these lands, and for these pastures, and these abodes with their springs of water(?)[1][2], and for the waters, land, and plants, and for this earth and for yon heaven, and for the Asha-sanctified wind, and for the stars, moon, and sun, and for the eternal stars without beginning, and self-disposing, and for all the Asha-sanctified creatures of Spenta Mainyu, male and female, the regulators of Asha. [1] The Pahlavi with its afkhvar points here perhaps to a better text. Recall awzhdatemja, awzhdaungho, awrem. [2] Bailey, xxxviii (avO-xvarena): "hay-rack, manger" 17. I announce (and) carry out (this Yasna) for that lofty lord who is the Asha (itself), and for the masters of the days in their duration, and of the days during daylight, for the moons, the years, and the seasons which are masters of Asha at the time of Hawan. 18. I announce (and) carry out (this Yasna) for the fravashis of the saints, the redoubted, which overwhelm (the evil), for those of the saints of the ancient lore, for those of the next of kin, and for the fravashi of (my) own soul! 19. I announce (and) carry out (this Yasna) for all the masters of Asha, and for all the yazads, the beneficent, who dispose (of all) aright, for those both heavenly and earthly, who are (meet) for our sacrifice and homage because of Asha Vahishta[1]. [1] Hum2 118 (Yazata%ibyO ... YOi he#ti YasnyAja VahmyAja aCAT haja YaT VahictAT): "the Yazatas who are worthy of worship and worthy of glorification in accordance with best truth" 20. O Hawan, Asha-sanctified master of Asha, and Savanghi, Rapithwin, and Uzerin, and Aiwisruthrem, (and) Aibigaya, (you who aids life!) if I have offended you, and you, o Ushahin, Asha-sanctified master of Asha! 21. If I have offended you, whether by thought, or word, or deed, whether by act of will, or without intent or wish, I earnestly make up the deficiency of this in praise to you. If I have caused decrease in that which is your Yasna, and your homage, I announce (and carry out) to you (the more for this)! 22. Yea, all ye masters, the greatest ones, Asha-sanctified masters of Asha, if I have offended you by thought, or word, or deed, whether with my will, or without intending error, I praise you (now the more) for this. I announce to you (the more) if I have caused decrease in this which is your Yasna, and your praise. 23. I would confess myself a Mazda-worshipper, of Zarathushtra's order, a foe to the Daevas, devoted to the lore of Ahura, for Hawan, the Asha-sanctified master of Asha, for (his) sacrifice, homage, propitiation, and praise, for Savanghi and for Visya, the Asha-sanctified master of Asha, for (his) sacrifice, homage, propitiation and praise, and for the sacrifice, homage, propitiation and praise of the masters of the days in their duration, and of the days during daylight, for those of the monthly festivals, and for those of the yearly ones, and for those of the seasons! YASNA 2. [Adapted from Mills.] 1. I desire the libations [Zaothras] for this Yasna; I desire the Baresman for this Yasna. I desire the Baresman for this Yasna; I desire the libations for this Yasna. I desire the libations together with Baresman for this Yasna; I desire the Baresman together with the libations for this Yasna. With this libation I desire this Baresman for this Yasna. With this Baresman I desire this libation for this Yasna. This Baresman with the libation I desire for this Yasna. I desire for this Yasna this Baresman with this libation and with its kusti, and spread with Asha. 2. With this libation and Baresman I desire for this Yasna the Ashawan Ahura Mazdah, the master of Asha. I desire for this Yasna the well-ruling, judicious Amesha Spentas. 3. With this libation and Baresman I desire for this Yasna the Asha-sanctified Asnya, the master of Asha. I desire for this Yasna the Asha-sanctified Hawan, the master of Asha. I desire for this Yasna the Savanghi and the Asha-sanctified Visya, the master of Asha. With this libation and Baresman I desire for this Yasna Mithra of the wide pastures, of the thousand ears, of the ten-thousand eyes, the Yazad of the spoken name. I desire for this Yasna Raman Khwastra. 4. With this libation and Baresman I desire for this Yasna the Asha-sanctified Rapithwin, the master of Asha. I desire for this Yasna the Fradat-fshav and the Asha-sanctified Zantuma, the master of Asha. With this libation and Baresman I desire for this Yasna Asha Vahishta and Atar, the Son of Ahura Mazda. 5. With this libation and Baresman I desire for this Yasna the Asha-sanctified Uzerin, the master of Asha. I desire for this Yasna the Fradat-vira and the Asha-sanctified Dahyuma, the master of Asha. With this libation and Baresman I desire for this Yasna the high Lord, the kingly and brilliant Apam-Napat, of swift-horses, and likewise the water, Mazda-made and holy. 6. With this libation and Baresman I desire for this Yasna the Asha-sanctified Aiwisruthrem Aibigaya the master of Asha. I desire for this Yasna the Fradat-vispam-hujyatay and the Asha-sanctified Zarathushtro-tema, the master of Asha. With this libation and Baresman I desire for this Yasna the good, mighty, bountiful Fravashis of the Asha-sanctified. I desire for this Yasna the women who have many sons. And I desire for this Yasna the Yairya Hushitay; and I desire for this Yasna the well-formed, stately Ama; and I desire for this Yasna the Ahura-given Verethraghna; and I desire for this Yasna the triumphing Uparatat. 7. With this libation and Baresman I desire for this Yasna the Asha-sanctified Ushahina, the master of Asha. I desire for this Yasna the Berejya and the Asha-sanctified Nmanya, the master of Asha. With this libation and Baresman I desire for this Yasna Sraosha, companion of Ashi, fair of form, victorious, furthering the world, Asha-sanctified, the master of Asha. I desire for this Yasna the straightest Rashnu, and I desire for this Yasna Arshtat, who furthers the settlements, and causes them to increase. 8. With this libation and Baresman I desire for this Yasna the Asha-sanctified Mahya (Monthly festivals), the master of Asha. I desire for this Yasna the Asha-sanctified Antaremah, the master of Asha. I desire for this Yasna the Pereno-mah and the Asha-sanctified Vishaptatha, the master of Asha. 9. With this libation and Baresman I desire for this Yasna the Asha-sanctified Yairya (Yearly festivals), the master of Asha. I desire for this Yasna the Asha-sanctified Maidyozarem, the master of Asha. With this libation and Baresman I desire for this Yasna the Asha-sanctified Maidyoshahem, the master of Asha. With this libation and Baresman I desire for this Yasna the Asha-sanctified Paitishahem, the master of Asha. With this libation and Barasman I desire for this Yasna Ayathrem, the promoter, who spends the strength of males, Asha-sanctified, the master of Asha. With this libation and Baresman I desire for this Yasna the Asha-sanctified Maidyarem, the master of Asha. With this libation and Baresman I desire for this Yasna the Asha-sanctified Hamaspathmaidyem, the master of Asha. With this libation and Baresman I desire for this Yasna the Asha-sanctified Yairya (Yearly festivals), the masters of Asha. 10. With this libation and Baresman I desire for this Yasna all of the masters of Asha, the thirty-three who come the nearest round about our Hawans, who are masters of Asha Vahishta, which were inculcated by Mazda, and spoken forth by Zarathushtra. 11. With this libation and Baresman I desire for this Yasna Ahura (and) Mithra, the lofty, eternal, and Asha-sanctified two. I desire for this Yasna the Stars and Moon and Sun (and) - with the Baresman-Plants - and Mithra, the governor of all the provinces. With this libation and Baresman I desire for this Yasna the radiant and glorious Ahura Mazda. With this libation and Baresman I desire for this Yasna the good, heroic, bountiful Fravashis of the Asha-sanctified. 12. With this libation and Baresman I desire for this Yasna you, the Asha-sanctified Atar, the Son of Ahura Mazda, the master of Asha, with all Fires. With this libation and Baresman I desire for this Yasna the good, best, Mazda-made, Asha-sanctified Water. I desire for this Yasna all the Mazda-made Asha-sanctified Waters. I desire for this Yasna all the Mazda-made, Asha-sanctified Plants. 13. With this libation and Baresman I desire for this Yasna the bounteous Manthra, the most glorious. I desire for this Yasna the law instituted against the Daevas. I desire for this Yasna the Zoroastrian law. I desire for this Yasna the long tradition. I desire for this Yasna the good Mazdayasnian Religion. 14. With this libation and Baresman I desire for this Yasna Mount Ushi-darena, Mazda-made, the Yazad possessing the ease of Asha. I desire for this Yasna all mountains possessed of ease of Asha, full of ease[1], Mazda-made, Asha-sanctified, the masters of Asha. I desire for this Yasna the strong, Mazda-made khwarrah of the Kavis. I desire for this Yasna the strong, Mazda-made ungraspable khwarrah. With this libation and Baresman I desire for this Yasna the good Ashi, the brilliant, tall, vigorous, fair of form, self-sufficient. I desire for this Yasna the Mazda-made khwarrah; I desire for this Yasna the Mazda-made prosperity. [1] Bailey 18 (VIsp@ garayO aCa-qA+r@ pouru-qA+r@): "All the mountains possessed of easeful life, abounding therein." 15. With this libation and Baresman I desire for this Yasna the pious and good Blessing. I desire for this Yasna the pious, Asha-sanctified Man, and I desire for this Yasna the strong, brave Yazad Damoish Upamana. 16. With this libation and Baresman I desire for this Yasna these Waters and Lands and Plants; I desire for this Yasna these places, districts, and pastures, and these dwellings with their springs of water, and this land-ruler, who is Ahura Mazda. 17. With this libation and Baresman I desire for this Yasna all the greatest masters: the day-lords, the month-lords, those of the years, and of the seasons, and the good, mighty, beneficent Fravashis of the Asha-sanctified. 18. With this libation and Baresman I desire for this Yasna all the Asha-sanctified Yazatas. I desire for this Yasna all the masters of Asha: Hawan at his time, and Savanghi and Visya at their times, and all the greatest masters at their times. YASNA 3 THE YASNA ADVANCES TO THE NAMING OF THE OBJECTS OF PROPITIATION. 1. With a Baresman brought to its appointed place accompanied with the Zaothra at the time of Hawan, I desire to approach the Myazda-offering with my praise, as it is consumed, and likewise Ameretat (as the guardian of plants and wood) and Haurvatat (who guards the water), with the (fresh) meat[1], for the propitiation of Ahura Mazda, and of the Bountiful Immortals, and for the propitiation of Sraosha (who is Obedience) the blessed, who is endowed with sanctity, and who smites with the blow of victory, and causes the settlements to advance. Hum 93: "with reverence I fetch integrity and immortality, and (the flesh of) the munificent cow, (to serve as) repast (and) sacrificial food" 2. And I desire to approach Haoma and Para-haoma with my praise for the propitiation of the Fravashi of Spitama Zarathushtra, the saint. And I desire to approach the (sacred) wood with my praise, with the perfume, for the propitiation of thee, the Fire, O Ahura Mazda's son! 3. And I desire to approach the Haomas with my praise for the propitiation of the good waters which Mazda created; and I desire to approach the Haoma-water, and the fresh milk with my praise, and the plant Hadhanaepata, offered with sanctity for the propitiation of the waters which are Mazda-made. 4. And I desire to approach this Baresman with the Zaothra with my praise, with its binding and spread with sanctity for the propitiation of the Bountiful Immortals. And I desire with (?) my voice the thoughts well thought, and the words well spoken, and the deeds well done, and the recital of the Gathas as they are heard. And I desire to approach the well-said Mathras with my praise, and this (higher) lordship with this sanctity, and this exact regulation (of the Ratu), and the reverential prayer for blessings (spoken at the fitting hour); and I desire to approach them for the contentment and propitiation of the holy Yazads, heavenly and earthly, and for the contentment of each man's soul. 5 [1]. And I desire to approach the Asnya with my praise, the lords of the ritual order, and the Havani and Savanghi and Visya, the holy lords of the ritual order. And I desire to approach with the Yasht of Mithra of the wide pastures, of the thousand ears, of the myriad eyes, the Yazad of the spoken name, and with him Raman Hvastra. [1] y3.5-19 = y22.5-19. 6. And I desire to approach Rapithwina with my praise, the holy lord of the ritual order, and Fradat-fshu and Zantuma, and Righteousness the Best, and Ahura Mazda's Fire. 7. And I desire to approach Uzayeirina, and Fradat-vira and Dahvyuma* with my praise, with that lofty Ahura Napt-apam, and the waters Mazda-made, 8. And Aiwisruthrima, and Aibigaya, and Fradat-vispam-hujaiti, and Zarathushtrotema with the Yasht of the Fravashis of the saints, and of the women who have many sons, and the year long unchanged prosperity, and of Might, the well-shaped and stately, smiting victoriously, Ahura-made and of the Victorious Ascendency (which it secures). 9. And I desire to approach Ushahina, Berejya, and Nmanya with the Yasht of Sraosha (Obedience) the sacred, the holy, who smites with the blow of victory, and makes the settlements advance, and with that of Rashnu, the most just, and Arshtat who furthers the settlements, and causes them to increase. 10. And I desire to approach the monthly festivals, the lords of the ritual order, and the new moon and the waning moon, and the full moon which scatters night, 11. And the yearly festivals, Maidhyo-zaremaya, Maidhyo-shema, Paitishahya, and Ayathrima the breeder who spends the strength of males, and Maidhyairya, and Hamaspathmaedhaya, and the seasons, lords of the ritual order, (12) and all those lords who are the three and thirty, who approach the nearest at the time of Havani, who are the Lords of Asha called Vahishta (and whose services were) inculcated by Mazda, and pronounced by Zarathushtra, as the feasts of Righteousness, the Best. 13. And I desire to approach Ahura and Mithra, the lofty and imperishable two, the holy, and with the Yasht of those stars which are the creatures of Spenta Mainyu, and with the Yasht of the star Tistrya, the radiant, the glorious, and with that of the moon which contains the seed of cattle, and with that of the resplendent sun, the eye of Ahura Mazda, and of Mithra, province-lord of the provinces, and with that of Ahura Mazda (as He rules this day) the radiant, the glorious, and with that of the Fravashis of the saints, (who rule this month), 14. And with thy Yasht, the Fire's, O Ahura Mazda's son! with all the fires, and to the good waters with the Yasht of all the waters which are Mazda-made, and with that of all the plants which Mazda made. 15. And I desire to approach with the Yasht of the Mathra Spenta, the holy, the effective, the law composed against the Daevas, the Zarathushtrian, and with that of the long descent of the Religion which Mazda gave. 16. And I desire to approach with the Yasht of Mount Ushi-darena, Mazda-made, and of all, glorious with sanctity, and abundant in brilliance, and with that of the Kingly Glory, Mazda-made; yea, with that of the unconsumed glory which Mazda made, and with that of Ashi Vanguhi, and Chishti Vanguhi, and with that of the good Erethe, and the good Rasastat, and the good Glory, and of the Benefit which Mazda gave. 17. And I desire to approach with the Yasht of the good and pious Blessing of the pious man and of the saint, and with that of the awful and swift Curse of the wise, the Yazad-curse, (18) and to these places, regions, pastures, and abodes, with their water-springs, and with that of the waters, and the lands, and the plants, and with that of this earth and yon heaven, and with that of the holy wind and of the stars, moon, and sun, and with that of the stars without beginning, self-determined and self-moved, and with that of all the holy creatures which are those of Spenta Mainyu, male and female, regulators of the ritual order, (19) and with that of the lofty lord who is Righteousness (himself, the essence of the ritual), and with that of the days in their duration, and of the days during daylight, and with that of the monthly festivals, and the yearly festivals, and with those of the several seasons which are lords of the ritual at the time of Havani. 20. And I desire to approach the meat-offering with a Yasht, and Haurvatat (who guards the water), and Ameretatat (who guards the plants and wood), with the Yasht of the sacred flesh for the propitiation of Sraosha (Obedience) the blessed and the mighty, whose body is the Mathra, of him of the daring spear, the lordly, the Yazad of the spoken name. 21. And I desire to approach both Haoma and the Haoma-juice with a Yasht for the propitiation of the Fravashi of Zarathushtra Spitama, the saint, the Yazad of the spoken name. And I desire to approach the wood-billets with a Yasht, with the perfume for the propitiation of thee, the Fire, O Ahura Mazda's son! the Yazad of the spoken name. 22. And I desire to approach with a Yasht for the mighty Fravashis of the saints, the overwhelming, the Fravashis of those who held to the ancient lore, and of those of the next of kin. 23. And I desire to approach toward all the lords of the ritual order with a Yasht, toward all the good Yazads, heavenly and earthly, who are (set) for worship and for praise because of Asha Vahishta (of Righteousness the Best). 24. I will confess myself a Mazdayasnian, of Zarathushtra's order, a foe to the Daevas, devoted to the lore of the Lord for Havani, the holy lord of the ritual order, for sacrifice, homage, propitiation, and for praise, and for Savanghi and Visya, the holy lord(s) of the ritual order, and for the sacrifice, homage, propitiation, and praise of the day-lords of the days in their duration, and of the days during daylight, and for the month-regulators, and the year-regulators, and for those of the (several) seasons, for their sacrifice, and homage, their propitiation, and their praise. (The Zaotar speaks): As the Ahu to be (revered and) chosen, let the priest speak forth to me. (The Ratu responds): As the Ahu to be (revered and) chosen, let him who is the Zaotar speak forth to me. (The Zaotar again): So let the Ratu from his Righteousness, holy and learned, speak forth! YASNA 4. THE OFFERING TAKES PLACE. 1. These good thoughts, good words, and good deeds, these Haomas, meat-offerings, and Zaothras, this Baresman spread with sanctity, this flesh, and the two, Haurvatat (who guards the water) and Ameretatat (who guards the plants and wood), even the flesh, the Haoma and Haoma-juice, the wood-billets, and their perfume, this sacred lordship and chieftainship, and the timely prayer with blessing, and the heard recital of the Gathas, and the well-said Mathras, these all we offer, and make known with celebrations (here)[1]. [1] Hum2 131 (ima humatAja hUxtAja hvarctAja ... pairi dademahI Aja Va%DayamahI): "these (our) well-thought (thoughts) etc. we offer and dedicate;" 2. Yea, these do we announce with celebrations, and we present them to Ahura Mazda[1], and to Sraosha (Obedience) the blessed, and to the Bountiful Immortals, and to the Fravashis of the saints, and to their souls, and to the Fire of Ahura Mazda, the lofty lord of the entire creation of the holy, for sacrifice, homage, propitiation, and praise. [1] Hum2 131 (AaT dIc Ava%DayamahI ahurAija mazdAi): "thus, we dedicate them to Ahura Mazda" 3. Yea, further, we present (them to the Bountiful Immortals with an especial gift) these thoughts well thought, these words well spoken, these deeds well done, these Haomas, Myazdas, Zaothras, and this Baresman spread with sanctity, the flesh, and Haurvatat (who guards the water), and Ameretatat (who guards the plants and wood), even the flesh, Haoma and Parahaoma, the wood-billets, the perfume, and this their lordship and their sanctity, and this chieftainship, this prayer for blessing, the heard recital of the Gathas, and the well-said Mathras. 4. We offer with our celebrations, and we announce them (of a verity) to the Bountiful Immortals, those who exercise their rule aright, and who dispose (of all) aright, the ever-living, ever-helpful, the male divinities among their number who dwell with the Good Mind, [and the female ones as well]. 5. And we announce them in our celebrations as more propitious for this house, and for the furtherance of this house, of its herds, and of its men[1], of those now born, and of those yet to be born, the holy, yea, for the furtherance of that house of which these (men) are thus. [1] Hum2 172 (frada+Ai ... pasv&mja nar&mja): "to promote cattle and men" 6. And we present these offerings to the good Fravashis of the saints who are mighty and overwhelming for the succor of the saints. 7. Yea, we present these hereby to the Creator Ahura Mazda, the radiant, the glorious, and the heavenly spirit, for the sacrifice, homage, propitiation, and praise of the Bountiful Immortals (all). 8. And we present these hereby to the Day-lords of the ritual order, to Havani, to Savanghi, and to Visya, the holy lords of the ritual order, for sacrifice, homage, propitiation, and for praise, and to Mithra of the wide pastures, and the thousand ears, and the myriad eyes, the Yazad of the spoken name, 9. And to Rapithwina, Fradat-fshu, and Zantuma, the holy lords of the ritual order, and to Righteousness the Best, and to Ahura Mazda's Fire, 10. And to Uzayeirina, Fradat-vira, and Dahvyuma, the holy lords of the ritual order, and to that lofty lord Napat-apam, and to the water Mazda-made, 11. And to Aiwisruthrima, the life-furtherer, and to Fradat-vispam-hujyaiti and Zarathushtrotema, the holy lords of the ritual order, and to the Fravashis of the saints, and to the women who bring forth many sons, and to the Prosperous home-life which endures without reverse throughout the year, and to Force, well-shaped and stately, and to the Blow of victory which Mazda gives, and to the Victorious Ascendency which it secures, for their sacrifice, homage, their propitiation, and their praise, 12. And to Ushahina, with Berejya and Nmanya, and Sraosha (Obedience) the blessed, smiting with the blow of victory and furthering the settlements, and to Rashnu, the most just, and to Arstat, furthering the settlements, and causing them to increase. 13. And these we announce and we present hereby to the Month-lords of the ritual order, to the new moon and the waning moon (the moon within), and to the full moon which scatters night, the holy lord of the ritual order, for (their) sacrifice, homage, their propitiation, and their praise. 14. And these we announce hereby and we present to the Yearly festivals, to Maidhyo-zaremaya, Maidhyo-shema, Patishahya, and to Ayathrima, to Maidhyairya, Hamaspathmaedhaya, and to the Seasons as holy lords of the ritual order, for sacrifice, homage, propitiation, and for praise. 15. And these we announce and we present hereby to all those lords who are the three and thirty lords of the ritual order, who approach the nearest around about our Havani, and which are the festivals of Righteousness the Best, inculcated by Mazda, and uttered forth by Zarathushtra for their sacrifice, homage, propitiation, and praise. 16. And these we announce and we present to Ahura and to Mithra, the lofty, and imperishable, and holy two, to the stars, the creatures of Spenta Mainyu, and to the star Tistrya, the radiant, the glorious, and to the Moon which contains the seed of cattle, and to the resplendent Sun, of the swift horses, Ahura Mazda's eye, and to Mithra, the lord of provinces, for their sacrifice, homage, their propitiation and their praise; yea, these we present hereby to Ahura Mazda (as he rules this day) and to the Fravashis of the saints (as they rule this month), for their sacrifice, homage, their propitiation and their praise. 17. And these we announce hereby to thee, the Fire, O Ahura Mazda's son! with all the fires for thy sacrifice, homage, propitiation, and praise, and to the good waters for the sacrifice, homage, propitiation, and praise of all the waters Mazda-made, and to all the plants which Mazda made, 18. And to the Mathra Spenta, the holy, the effective, the law against the Daevas, the Zarathushtrian statute, and to the long descent of the good Mazdayasnian religion. 19. And these we announce and we present hereby to Mount Ushi-darena, Mazda-made, brilliant with sanctity, and to all the mountains shining with their holiness, abundantly luminous, and Mazda-made, and to the Kingly glory, the unconsumed glory Mazda-made, and to the good Blessedness, and the good Religious-knowledge, and the good Rectitude, and to the good Rasastat, and to the Glory and the Benefit which Mazda created. 20. And these we offer and present to the pious and good Blessing of the pious, and to the swift and dreadful Yazad, the Curse of wisdom. 21. And to these places, pastures, and dwellings with their springs of water, their rivers, to the lands and to the plants, to this earth and yon heaven, to the holy wind, to the stars, moon, and sun, to the stars without beginning, self-disposed, and to all the holy creatures of the Spenta Mainyu, male and female (the rulers as they are of the ritual order). 22. And these we announce and we present hereby to that lofty lord who is Asha, the ritual righteousness itself, to the Day-lords, and the Month-lords, the Year-lords, and the Seasons who are the lords of the ritual at the time of Havani, and for their sacrifice, homage, their propitiation and their praise. 23. Yea, these we announce and we present to Sraosha, the blessed and mighty, whose body is the Mathra, him of the daring spear, the lordly one, and to the holy Fravashi of Zarathushtra Spitama, the saint. And these we announce and we present to thee, the Fire, O Ahura Mazda's son! for thy sacrifice, homage, thy propitiation, and thy praise. 24. And these we announce and we present to the Fravashis of the saints, the mighty and overwhelming, of the saints of the ancient lore, and of the next of kin. 25. And these we announce and we present hereby to all the good Yazads, earthly and heavenly, who are (meet) for sacrifice, homage, propitiation, and for praise, because of Asha Vahishta (who is Righteousness the Best). We worship the Bountiful Immortals who rule aright, and who dispose of all aright. 26. And that one of beings (do we worship) whose superior (service) in the sacrifice Ahura Mazda knows, and from his righteousness (which he maintains, and those of all female beings do we worship) whose (higher service is thus likewise known; yea, all) male and female beings do we worship (who are such)![1] [1] This prayer is known as the Yenghe Hatam. It is one of the three holiest prayers, and is in the Old Avesta dialect (aka 'Gathic'). Boyce (Textual Sources, p. 57) translates it thus: Those Beings, male and female, whom Lord Mazda knows the best for worship according to truth, we worship them all. YASNA 5 (This chapter is identical with Yasna 37. ) YASNA 6. THE SACRIFICE CONTINUES WITH FULLER EXPRESSION 1. We worship the Creator Ahura Mazda with our sacrifice, and the Bountiful Immortals who rule aright, and who dispose of all aright. 2. And we worship the Asnya with our sacrifice, and Havani, Savanghi and Visya, the holy lords of the ritual order, and Mithra of the wide pastures, of the thousand ears, and myriad eyes, the Yazad of the spoken name, and we worship Raman Hvastra. 3. And we worship Rapithwina with our sacrifice, and Fradat-fshu, and the Zantuma, and Righteousness the Best, and the Fire, Ahura Mazda's son, holy lords of the ritual order. 4. And we worship Uzayeirina, and Fradat-vira, and Dahvyuma*, the holy lord of the ritual order, and that kingly Ahura, the radiant Napat-apam, of the fleet horses, and the water holy, and Mazda-made. 5. And we worship Aiwisruthrima and Aibigaya in our sacrifice, the holy lord of the ritual order, and Fradat-vispam-hujyaiti and the Zarathushtrotema, the holy lord of the ritual order, and the good, heroic, bountiful Fravashis of the saints, and the women who bring forth many sons, and the Prosperous home-life which endures without reverse throughout the year, and Force which is well-shaped and stately, and the Blow which brings the victory, which is Ahura-given, and the Victorious Ascendency (which it secures). 6. And we worship Ushahina with our sacrifice, and Berejya, and Nmanya, and Sraosha (Obedience) the blessed and the stately who smites with victory, and makes the settlements advance, and Rashnu, the most just, and Arshtat who makes the settlements advance and causes them to increase, the holy lords of the ritual order. 7. And we worship the Mahya in our sacrifice, the new moon and the waning moon (the moon within) and the full moon which scatters night, the holy lord of the ritual order. 8. And we worship the Yearly festivals in our sacrifice, Maidhya-zaremaya, Maidhyo-shema, Paitishhahya, and Ayathrima, the furtherer (or breeder), the spender of virile strength, and Maidhyairya, the holy lord of the ritual order, and Hamaspathmaedhaya, and the Seasons (in which they are). 9. And we worship with our sacrifice all the lords of the ritual order, who are the thirty and three who approach the nearest around about us at Havani, who are the lords of Righteousness the Best, and whose observances were inculcated by Ahura Mazda, and uttered forth by Zarathushtra. 10. And we worship Ahura and Mithra with our sacrifice, the lofty, and imperishable, and holy two, and the stars, moon, and sun, among the plants of the Baresman, and Mithra, the province-lord of all the provinces, even Ahura Mazda, the radiant, the glorious, and the good, valiant, and bountiful Fravashis of the saints. 11. And we worship thee, the Fire, Ahura Mazda's son, together with all the fires, and the good waters, the best and Mazda-made, and holy, even all the waters which are Mazda-made and holy, and all the plants which Mazda made. 12. And we worship the Mathra Spenta with our sacrifice, the glorious and of a truth, the law revealed against the Daevas, the Zarathushtrian law, and we worship with our sacrifice its long descent, and the good Mazdayasnian Religion. 13. And we worship Mount Ushi-darena, the Mazda-made, the glorious Yazad, shining with holiness, and all the mountains that shine with holiness, with abundant brilliance, Mazda-made, the holy lords of the ritual order. And we worship the mighty Kingly glory Mazda-made, the mighty glory, unconsumed and Mazda-made, and the good Sanctity, the brilliant, the lofty, the powerful and the stately, delivering (men) with its inherent power. Yea, we worship the Glory, and the Benefit which are Mazda-made. 14. And we worship the pious and good Blessing with our sacrifice, and the pious man, the saint, and that Yazad, the mighty Curse of wisdom. 15. And we worship these waters, lands, and plants, these places, districts, pastures, and abodes with their springs of water, and we worship this lord of the district with our sacrifice, who is Ahura Mazda (Himself). 16. And we worship all the greatest lords, the Day-lords in the day's duration, and the Day-lords during daylight, and the Month-lords, and the Year-lords. 17. And we worship Haurvatat (who guards the water) and Ameretatat (who guards the plants and the wood), and Sraosha (Obedience) the blessed and the stately, who smites with the blow of victory, and makes the settlements advance, the holy lord of the ritual order. 18. And we worship Haoma with our sacrifice and the Haoma-juice. And we worship the sacred Fravashi of Zarathushtra Spitama the saint. And we worship the wood-billets, and the perfume and thee, the Fire, Ahura Mazda's son, the holy lord of the ritual order. 19. And we worship the good, heroic, bountiful Fravashis of the saints. 20. And we worship all the holy Yazads, and all the lords of the ritual order at the time of Havani, and Savanghi, and all the greatest lords at their (proper) time. (The Yenhe hatam follows.) 21. The Ratu. As an Ahu (revered and) to be chosen, the priest speaks forth to me. The Zaotar. So let the Ratu from his Righteousness, holy and learned, speak forth! YASNA 7. PRESENTATION OF OFFERINGS BY THE PRIEST WITH THE OBJECT OF PROPITIATION NAMED. 1. With a complete and sacred offering [Ashi] I offer and I give this meat-offering, and (with it) Haurvatat (who guards the water), and Ameretatat (who guards the plants and the wood), and the flesh of the Kine of blessed gift[1], for the propitiation of Ahura Mazda, and of the Bountiful Immortals (all, and) for the propitiation of Sraosha (Obedience) the blessed, endowed with sanctity, who smites with the blow of victory, and who causes the settlements to advance. Hum 93: "truthfully I offer integrity and immortality and (the flesh of) the munificent cow"; Hum2 98 (daD&mi qare+em myazdem haurvata ameretAta gAuc hud@): "as sacrificial repast and food I offer integrity [water], immortality [plants], and the munificent cow [flesh]" 2. And I offer the Haoma and Haoma-juice with a complete and sacred offering for the propitiation of the Fravashi of Zarathushtra Spitama the saint, and I offer the wood-billets with the perfume for Thy propitiation, the Fire's, O Ahura Mazda's son! 3. And I offer the Haomas with a complete and sacred offering for propitiation [to the good waters] for the good waters Mazda-made. And I offer this Haoma-water with scrupulous exactness and with sanctity, and this fresh milk, and the plant Hadhanaepata uplifted with a complete and sacred offering for the propitiation of the waters which are Mazda-made. 4. And I offer this Baresman with its Zaothra (and with its binding) for a girdle spread with complete sanctity and order for the propitiation of the Bountiful Immortals, and I offer with my voice the thoughts well-thought, the words well-spoken, and the deeds well-done, and the heard recital of the Gathas, the Mathras well-composed and well-delivered, and this Lordship, and this Sanctity, and this ritual mastership, and the timely Prayer for blessings, with a complete and sacred offering for the propitiation of the holy Yazads, heavenly and earthly, and for the contentment of the individual soul! 5. And I offer to the Asnya with a complete and sacred offering, as lords of the ritual order, and to Havani, and to Savanghi and Visya, holy lords of the ritual order, and to Mithra of the wide pastures, of the thousand ears, and myriad eyes, the Yazad of the spoken name, and to Raman Hvastra. 6. And I offer with a complete and sacred offering to Rapithwina, the holy lord of the ritual order; and I offer to Fradat-fshu and to the Zantuma, and to Asha Vahishta (who is Righteousness the Best) and to Ahura Mazda's Fire. 7. And I offer with a complete and sacred offering to Uzayeirina, Fradat-vira, and to the Dahvyuma*, the holy lord of the ritual order, and to that lofty Ahura Napat-apam, and to the waters which Mazda created. 8. And I offer with a complete and sacred offering to Aiwisruthrima, the life-furtherer, and to Fradat-vispam-hujyaiti, and to the Zarathushtrotema, and to the Fravashis of the saints, and to the women who have many sons, and to the Prosperous home-life which endures (without reverse) throughout the year, and to Force, the well-shaped and stately, and to the Blow which smites with victory Ahura-given, and to the Victorious Ascendency (which it secures). 9. And I offer with a complete and sacred offering to Ushahina, the holy lord of the ritual order, and to Berejya, and Nmanya, and to Sraosha (Obedience) the blessed, endowed with sanctity, who smites with the blow of victory, and makes the settlements advance, and to Rashnu the most just, and to Arshtat who furthers the settlements and causes them to increase. 10. And I offer with a complete and sacred offering to the Mahya, lords of the ritual order, to the new and the waning moon (the moon within), and to the full moon which scatters night, holy lords of the ritual order. 11. And I offer with a complete and sacred offering to the Yearly festivals, the lords of the ritual order, to Maidhyo-zaremaya, and Maidhyo-shema, to Paitishahya, and to Ayathrima the furtherer (the breeder), the spender of the strength of males, and to Maidhyairya and Hamaspathmaedhaya, holy lords of the ritual order, and I offer with sanctity to the several seasons, the lords of the ritual order. 12. And I offer with a complete and sacred offering to all those lords who are the thirty and three, who approach the nearest round about our Havani, and who are the lords of Asha (the ritual by-eminence), of Righteousness who is (the Best), whose observances are inculcated as precepts by Mazda, and uttered forth by Zarathushtra. 13. And I offer with a complete and sacred offering to Ahura and Mithra, the lofty and imperishable, and holy two, and to the stars which are the creatures of Spenta Mainyu, and to the star Tishtrya, the radiant, the glorious, and to the Moon which contains the seed of cattle in its beams, and to the resplendent Sun of the fleet horses, the eye of Ahura Mazda, and to Mithra, the lord of the provinces. And I offer with a complete and sacred offering to Ahura Mazda, the resplendent, the glorious, (who rules this day), and to the Fravashis of the saints (who name the month). 14. And I offer with a complete and sacred offering to thee, the Fire, O Ahura Mazda's son! together with all the fires, and to the good waters, even to the waters which are Mazda-made, and to all the plants which Mazda made. 15. And I offer with a complete and sacred offering to the Mathra Spenta, the holy, the effective, revealed against the Daevas, the Zarathushtrian law, and to the long descent of the good Religion, of the Mazdayasnian faith. 16. And I offer with a complete and sacred offering to Mount Ushi-darena, the Mazda-made, brilliant with holiness, and to all the mountains shining with holiness, of abundant brightness, and which Mazda made, and to the Royal glory unconsumed and Mazda-made. And I offer with a complete and sacred offering to Ashi Vanguhi, and to Chishti Vanguhi, and to Erethe, and to Rasastat, and to the Glory (and the) Benefit which Mazda made. 17. And I offer with a complete and sacred offering to the good and pious Prayer for blessings of the pious man, and to that Yazad, the swift and dreadful Curse of the wise. 18. And I offer with a complete and sacred blessing to these places, districts, pastures, and abodes with their springs of water, and to the waters and the lands, and the plants, and to this earth and yon heaven, and to the holy wind, and to the stars, and the moon, even to the stars without beginning (to their course), the self-appointed, and to all the holy creatures of Spenta Mainyu, be they male or female, regulators (as they are) of the ritual order. 19. And I offer with a complete and sacred blessing to that lofty lord who is Righteousness (the Best) and the Day-lords, the lords of the days during their duration, and to those of the days during daylight, and to the Month-lords, and the Year-lords, and to those of the seasons, the lords who are lords of the ritual, and at the time of Havani. 20. And I offer the Myazda meat-offering with a complete and sacred offering, and Haurvatat (who guards the water), and Ameretatat (who guards the wood), and the flesh of the Kine of blessed gift, for the propitiation of Sraosha (Obedience) the blessed, whose body is the Mathra, him of the daring spear, the lordly, the Yazad of the spoken name. 21. And I offer the Haoma and the Haoma-juice for the propitiation of the Fravashi of Zarathushtra Spitama the saint, the Yazad of the spoken name. And I offer the wood-billets with the perfume for Thy propitiation, the Fire's, Ahura Mazda's son, the Yazad of the spoken name. 22. And I offer with a complete and sacred offering to the Fravashis of the saints, the mighty and overwhelming, to those of the saints of the ancient lore, and to those of the next of kin. 23. And I offer with a complete and sacred offering to all the lords of the ritual order, and to all the good Yazads heavenly and earthly who are (meet) for sacrifice and homage because of Asha who is Vahishta (of Righteousness who is the Best). 24. May that approach to us, and with a sacred blessing (O Lord!) whose benefits the offerers are seeking for. Thy praisers and Mathra-speakers, O Ahura Mazda! may we be named; we desire it, and such may we be. What reward, O Ahura Mazda! adapted to myself Thou hast appointed unto souls, 25. Of this do Thou Thyself bestow upon us for this world and for that of mind; (yea, do Thou bestow) so much of this as that we may attain to Thy ruling protection and to that of Righteousness for ever. 26. We sacrifice to the Ahuna-vairya and to the veracious word correctly uttered, and to the good and pious prayer for blessings, and to the dreadful curse of the wise, the Yazad, and to Haurvatat and Ameretatat, and to the flesh of the Kine of blessed gift, and to the Haoma and Haoma-juice, and to the wood-billets, and the perfume, for the praise of the pious and good prayer for blessings. (The Yenghe hatam:) 27. (To that one) of beings do we sacrifice whose superior (fidelity) in the sacrifice Ahura Mazda knows through his Righteousness (within him, yea, even to those female saints do we sacrifice) whose (superior sanctity is thus known. We sacrifice to all) both males and females whose (superiority is such). (The Ratu speaks.) As an Ahu (revered and) to be chosen, he who is the Zaotar speaks forth to me. (The Zaotar.) So let the Ratu from his Righteousness, holy and learned, speak forth! YASNA 8. OFFERING OF THE MEAT-OFFERING IN PARTICULAR. THE FAITHFUL PARTAKE. 1. A blessing is Righteousness (called) the Best. It is weal; it is weal to this (man), When toward Righteousness Best there is right. I offer the Myazda (of the) meat-offering with a complete and sacred offering; and I offer Haurvatatat (who guards the water), and Ameretatat (who guards the plants and the wood), and the flesh of the blessed Kine; and I offer the Haoma and the Haoma-juice, the wood-billets and the perfume for the praise of Ahura Mazda, and of the Ahuna-vairya, the veracious word, and for that of the pious and beneficent Prayer for blessings, and for the redoubted Curse of the wise, and for the praise of the Haoma, and of the Mathra of the holy Zarathushtra; and may it come to us with sacred fullness (to accept and to recompense our gift). 2. (The Ratu speaks.) Eat, O ye men, of this Myazda, the meat-offering, ye who have deserved it by your righteousness and correctness. 3. O ye Bountiful Immortals, and thou, the Mazdayasnian law, ye just men and just women, and ye Zaothras, whoever among these Mazdayasnians would call himself a Mazdayasnian desiring to live in the practice of the liberality of Righteousness [for by sorcery the settlements of Righteousness are ruined], do ye cause (such an one) to be (still further) taught[1], (ye), who are the waters, the plants, and the Zaothras! [1] Hum2 159 (mazdayasnO aoJanO aCah= rA+ma JIctayamnO): "pretending to be a Mazdayasnian (but) *hating (those who are) *dependent on truth" 4. And whoever of these Mazdayasnians, adults, when he invokes with earnestness, does not adhere to these words, and (so) speaks, he approaches to that (word) of the magician; (but, as against that magician's word) 'a blessing is Righteousness (called) the Best.' 5. May'st Thou, O Ahura Mazda! reign at Thy will, and with a saving rule over Thine own creatures, and render Ye the holy (man) also a sovereign at his will over waters, and over plants, and over all the clean and sacred (creatures) which contain the seed of Righteousness. Strip ye the wicked of all power![1] [1] Hum2 90 (xCayamnem aCavanem dAyata axCayamnem drva#tem): "cause You the truthful one to be in control (of himself), the deceitful one not to be in control (of himself)" 6. Absolute in power may the holy be, bereft of all free choice the wicked ! Gone (may he be), met as foe, carried out from the creatures of Spenta Mainyu, hemmed in without power over any wish! ---------- 7. I will incite, even I who am Zarathushtra, the heads of the houses, villages, Zantus, and provinces, to the careful following of this Religion which is that of Ahura, and according to Zarathushtra, in their thoughts, their words, and their deeds.[1] [1] Hum2 183 (haxCaya ... fratem& ... ai*h@ da%nay@ anumataya%ja anuxtaya%ja anuvarctaya%ja): "I would spur on the authorities ... to follow this religion with thoughts, word, and actions" 8. I pray for the freedom and glory of the entire existence of the holy (man) while I bless it, and I pray for the repression and shame of the entire existence of the wicked. 9. Ashem Vohu ... (3). Propitiation to Haoma who brings righteousness (to us) for sacrifice, homage, propitiation, and for praise. (The Zaotar?) As the Ahu to be (revered and) chosen, the Zaotar speaks forth to me. (The Ratu.) As an Ahu to be (revered and) chosen, the Zaotar speaks forth to me. (The Zaotar.) So let the Ratu from his Righteousness, holy and learned, speak forth! 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