Yasna 53 — Vahishtoishti Gatha

Homage to you, Gāthās possessing Asha.

53.1. The best wish has been proclaimed for Zarathushtra Spitama, because Ahura Mazda granted him attainments from Asha for all enduring time: a good and happy life—and also for those who practiced and learned the words and deeds of the good Daena. (Twice.)

The best wish has been proclaimed for Zarathushtra Spitama, because Ahura Mazda granted him attainments from Asha for all enduring time: a good and happy life—and also for those who practiced and learned the words and deeds of the good Daena.

53.2. And now may they serve him with mind, with words and deeds, for Mazda’s satisfaction and praise. King Vishtaspa, Zarathushtra Spitama, and Frashaoshtra have openly chosen the worship and the straight paths of the Daena that Ahura established for the life-renewing ones.

53.3. And you, Pouruchista—youngest daughter of Zarathushtra, of the Haechataspa and Spitama line—Mazda has appointed for you, as companion, one devoted to Vohu Manah, to Asha, and to Mazda. Therefore take counsel with your own understanding; work with the most beneficent Armaiti, and act with generous wisdom.

53.4. Him, then, I shall cherish and choose—the one who, as father and husband, is appointed for the pastoral people, and also for the household: an Asha-possessing woman among those who possess Asha. May the radiant inheritance of Vohu Manah come to me. May Ahura Mazda grant it for the good Daena, for all enduring time.

53.5. I shall speak to the maidens being married, and to you bridegrooms, giving warning: hold these things in mind; understand them through your Daenas. Let each contend to surpass the other through Asha and Vohu Manah—for that shall bring a good gain.

53.6. So it is in truth, men—and likewise, women. The Lie brings an evil preference upon the one who comes to embrace it. His soul’s own joy is lost to those borne away by passing breath. Bad food shall come to the deceitful; misery to those who scorn Asha. By these acts you destroy your mindful life.

53.7. And the reward of this Maga shall be yours as long as your deepest zeal remains firmly joined—beyond what is spoken and heard—where the Mainyu of the deceitful is powerless. But if you abandon this Maga, then at the final word: grief shall be yours.

53.8. Through these things may the evildoers be exposed to mockery, all of them to derision. Under good rulers let there be restraint upon the violent and the bloodthirsty; through these let peace be established for settled communities and clans. Let the greatest bind them in fetters of death—and let it come swiftly.

53.9. Through evil choices the crooked servant seeks to corrupt your true men, scorning them and defiling their bodies.

Where is an Asha-possessing lord who will deny them life and freedom of movement? This, Mazda, is your Dominion: through it may you give what is better to the upright poor.

(..)

Through evil choices the crooked servant seeks to corrupt your true men, scorning them and defiling their bodies.

Where is an Asha-possessing lord who will deny them life and freedom of movement? This, Mazda, is your Dominion: through it may you give what is better to the upright poor.

Through evil choices the crooked servant seeks to corrupt your true men, scorning them and defiling their bodies.

Where is an Asha-possessing lord who will deny them life and freedom of movement? This, Mazda, is your Dominion: through it may you give what is better to the upright poor.

53.10. The best wish has been proclaimed for Zarathushtra Spitama, because Ahura Mazda granted him attainments from Asha for all enduring time: a good and happy life—and also for those who practiced and learned the words and deeds of the good Daena.

The best wish has been proclaimed for Zarathushtra Spitama, because Ahura Mazda granted him attainments from Asha for all enduring time: a good and happy life—and also for those who practiced and learned the words and deeds of the good Daena.

Asha is good, is best.Radiance is; radiance for the onewho, for best Asha, is of Asha.

(..)

Asha is good, is best.Radiance is; radiance for the onewho, for best Asha, is of Asha.

Asha is good, is best.Radiance is; radiance for the onewho, for best Asha, is of Asha.

We worship the Vahishtoishti chapter.We worship the Vahishtoishti Gāthā, possessing Asha, as the measure of Asha.We worship the verses set together in the Vahishtoishti Gāthā.

Whosever beings Ahura Mazda knows as good in worship, according to Asha—those men and those women we worship.

Homage to you, Gathas aligned with Asha.

53.1. The best wish of Zarathushtra Spitama has been proclaimed: that Ahura Mazda grant him rewards through Asha for his entire lifetime—a good existence—and that those who serve and heed him do so through the words and deeds of the good Daena. (Twice):

The best wish of Zarathushtra Spitama has been proclaimed: that Ahura Mazda grant him rewards through Asha for his entire lifetime—a good existence—and that those who serve and heed him do so through the words and deeds of the good Daena.

53.2. May they attend him with their minds, words, and deeds, for Mazda’s satisfaction and praise. Kavi Vishtaspa, the Zarathushtrian Spitama, and Frashaoštra committed themselves to the acts of worship and to the straight paths of the gift—the Daena that Ahura established for the benefactors.

53.3. And you, Pourucista, youngest daughter of Zarathushtra Spitama of the Haechataspa line: Mazda has appointed for you as master the one who adheres to Good Mind and to Asha. Therefore consult with your own understanding, and act most beneficently and generously through Armaiti.

53.4. I will indeed love and choose him whom she recognized as father and husband, as lord for the herding people, and also for the household. May radiant fellowship with those aligned with Asha, through Good Mind, bind me. May Ahura Mazda grant it to the good Daena for my entire lifetime.

53.5. I will speak these words to the young women entering marriage, and to you men as well: keep them in mind and understand them through your Daenas. Let each of you, through Asha, surpass the other in Good Mind. That will indeed be a good gain.

53.6. Let this truly apply to men and likewise to women. Let the one who follows the Lie see the retaliation coming from the Lie. I call the Lie’s advance upon him as its own father. Bad food will come to the body handed over to the far-carrying winds. Comfort will be lost by the deceitful, by those who abuse what was given. Through these things you destroy the existence of the mind.

53.7. And this will be your reward from this Maga as long as vital strength remains, founded on deepest conviction: what is declared both openly and beyond. Where the spirit of the deceitful person fails, you will lose that Maga through separation. Then, at the final turning, the last word will be yours.

53.8. Through these things, let all wrongdoers become objects of contempt and derision. Let them cry out under good rulers. Let peace put an end to murderous and bloodthirsty men, and let it bring settled peace to the inhabited communities. Let the greatest and strongest of mortals hold them in restraints, and let it happen quickly.

53.9. Through bad choices, fury harms your people with violence, injury, and ruin of the body. Where is the Ahura aligned with Asha who will take away their power over life, their hostility, and their arbitrary violence? That, Mazda, is your Dominion, through which you will give a better condition to the poor person who lives rightly.

(..)

Through bad choices, fury harms your people with violence, injury, and ruin of the body. Where is the Ahura aligned with Asha who will take away their power over life, their hostility, and their arbitrary violence? That, Mazda, is your Dominion, through which you will give a better condition to the poor person who lives rightly.

Through bad choices, fury harms your people with violence, injury, and ruin of the body. Where is the Ahura aligned with Asha who will take away their power over life, their hostility, and their arbitrary violence? That, Mazda, is your Dominion, through which you will give a better condition to the poor person who lives rightly.

53.10. The best wish of Zarathushtra Spitama has been proclaimed: that Ahura Mazda grant him rewards through Asha for his entire lifetime—a good existence—and that those who serve and heed him do so through the words and deeds of the good Daena.

The best wish of Zarathushtra Spitama has been proclaimed: that Ahura Mazda grant him rewards through Asha for his entire lifetime—a good existence—and that those who serve and heed him do so through the words and deeds of the good Daena.

Asha is good; it is best. Happiness exists; happiness belongs to the one for whom Asha is for the best Asha.

(..)

Asha is good; it is best. Happiness exists; happiness belongs to the one for whom Asha is for the best Asha.

Asha is good; it is best. Happiness exists; happiness belongs to the one for whom Asha is for the best Asha.

We worship the Vahishtoishti section.

We worship the Vahishtoishti Gatha, aligned with Asha, as the model of Asha.

We worship the sections belonging to the Vahishtoishti Gatha.

Ahura Mazda knows, according to Asha, whose beings are good in worship. We worship all such women and all such men.