Yasna 30 — Ahunavaiti Gatha

30.1. Now I shall proclaim to those who seek the things even the knowing should hear: praises for Ahura and acts of worship through Vohu Manah, and the good reflections of Asha, and those joys that shall be seen in the lights.

30.2. Hear with your ears what is best; with a lucid mind look upon it. Each man, each woman, choose between the two courses for your own body. Before the great event, awaken to this teaching of ours.

30.3. Now the two Spirits at the beginning, twins who were heard in a vision, are the Better and the Bad—in thought, in word, in deed. Between them the beneficent discerned rightly, but not the maleficent.

30.4. And when these two Spirits came together, at the beginning they established life and nonlife, and how existence shall be at the end: the worst existence for the deceitful, but Best Mind for the righteous.

30.5. Of these two Spirits, the deceitful one chose to accomplish what is worst; but the most bounteous Spirit chose Asha—he who clothes himself in the hardest stones—and so did those who, with truthful deeds, gladly satisfy Ahura Mazda.

30.6. Between these the daēvas did not discern rightly, for delusion came over them as they deliberated. Since they chose Worst Mind, they rushed together into Fury, by which mortals afflict existence.

30.7. But to that one came Dominion, with Vohu Manah and Asha; and Ārmaiti gave enduring form and breath. Among these, he shall be yours, as the first in the testing by metal.

30.8. And when retribution for their offenses comes, then, Mazda, through Vohu Manah, Dominion shall be found for you—for those, Ahura, who deliver Deceit into the hands of Asha.

30.9. And may we be among those who make this existence fresh and new. Mazda and the Ahuras, come here with protection and with Asha, so that our minds may become one where insight stands in doubt.

30.10. Then indeed the destruction of Deceit’s flourishing shall come down; and the swiftest shall be yoked to the good dwelling of Vohu Manah, of Mazda, and of Asha—those who win a good name.

30.11. When you understand those ordinances that Mazda has given to mortals—both happiness and suffering, the long harm for the deceitful and saving power for the righteous—then through these radiant happiness shall follow.

30.12. With outstretched hands, in homage, I first ask this of you, Mazda, through the Bounteous Spirit, for help: all deeds through Asha, and the wisdom of Vohu Manah, by which you may satisfy the soul of the Cow as well. (..) With outstretched hands, in homage, I first ask this of you, Mazda, through the Bounteous Spirit, for help: all deeds through Asha, and the wisdom of Vohu Manah, by which you may satisfy the soul of the Cow as well. As the Ahū is to be chosen, so is the Ratu, by virtue of Asha itself. The deeds of Vohu Manah are assigned to Mazda, and Dominion over existence to Ahura, whom they appoint as pastor for the poor. As the Ahū is to be chosen, so is the Ratu, by virtue of Asha itself. The deeds of Vohu Manah are assigned to Mazda, and Dominion over existence to Ahura, whom they appoint as pastor for the poor. As the Ahū is to be chosen, so is the Ratu, by virtue of Asha itself. The deeds of Vohu Manah are assigned to Mazda, and Dominion over existence to Ahura, whom they appoint as pastor for the poor. As the Ahū is to be chosen, so is the Ratu, by virtue of Asha itself. The deeds of Vohu Manah are assigned to Mazda, and Dominion over existence to Ahura, whom they appoint as pastor for the poor. Asha is good; it is best. Radiant happiness is, radiant happiness belongs to the one who embodies Asha for Best Asha. (..) Asha is good; it is best. Radiant happiness is, radiant happiness belongs to the one who embodies Asha for Best Asha. Asha is good; it is best. Radiant happiness is, radiant happiness belongs to the one who embodies Asha for Best Asha. We worship the At̰-tā-vaxšyā-hāiti. Whose beings Mazda Ahura knows, according to Asha, to be better in worship—those, both male and female, we worship.

30.1. Now I will proclaim to those who seek the things that the knowing one must know: praises for Ahura, worship through Vohu Manah, and the good understanding that comes with Asha, as well as the joys that will be seen through the lights.

30.2. Listen with your ears to the best things. Look upon them with a clear Manah. For the decision, let each man choose for his own person before the great event. Be awake to make this known to us.

30.3. Now the two primal Mainyus, who appeared in vision as twins, are the better and the bad in thought, word, and deed. Between these two, those of good understanding chose correctly, not those of bad understanding.

30.4. And when these two Mainyus came together, they first established life and nonlife, and how existence will be at the end: the worst existence for the deceitful, but the best Manah for the one possessing Asha.

30.5. Of these two Mainyus, the deceitful one chose to perform the worst things, but the most Spenta Mainyu chose Asha—he who clothes himself in the hardest stones—and so did those who satisfy Ahura Mazda with true deeds, committing themselves to him.

30.6. The daevas did not choose correctly between these two, because deception came over them as they deliberated. When they chose the worst Manah, they rushed together into Fury, through which they afflict mortal existence.

30.7. To that person came Dominion, together with Vohu Manah and Asha; and Armaiti gave enduring life and bodily form. At the reckoning with metal, he will be foremost among those who belong to you.

30.8. And when punishment for their offenses comes, Mazda, your Dominion will then be recognized through Vohu Manah. Ahura, it will be proclaimed to those who deliver Deception into the hands of Asha.

30.9. And may we be among those who make this existence fresh. May the Mazdas and Ahuras bring aid to me through Asha, so that our thoughts may be united where discernment is unsettled.

30.10. Then the collapse of Deception’s prosperity will come. Those who win good renown will be joined to the good dwelling of Vohu Manah, Mazda, and Asha.

30.11. Mortals, when you understand the rules that Mazda has established—the happiness and suffering, the long-lasting harm for the deceitful and the benefits for those possessing Asha—then, through these, happiness will follow.

30.12. With this reverence, my hands outstretched, I first ask you, Mazda, for the support of Spenta Mainyu: through Asha, all the deeds and the wisdom of Vohu Manah by which you may satisfy the soul of the Cow. (..) With this reverence, my hands outstretched, I first ask you, Mazda, for the support of Spenta Mainyu: through Asha, all the deeds and the wisdom of Vohu Manah by which you may satisfy the soul of the Cow. As the lord is to be chosen, so is the judge, in accordance with Asha. The deeds of existence belonging to Vohu Manah are assigned to Mazda, and Dominion to Ahura, whom they appoint as pastor for the needy. As the lord is to be chosen, so is the judge, in accordance with Asha. The deeds of existence belonging to Vohu Manah are assigned to Mazda, and Dominion to Ahura, whom they appoint as pastor for the needy. As the lord is to be chosen, so is the judge, in accordance with Asha. The deeds of existence belonging to Vohu Manah are assigned to Mazda, and Dominion to Ahura, whom they appoint as pastor for the needy. As the lord is to be chosen, so is the judge, in accordance with Asha. The deeds of existence belonging to Vohu Manah are assigned to Mazda, and Dominion to Ahura, whom they appoint as pastor for the needy. Asha is good; it is best. It is happiness; happiness is for the one whose Asha is for best Asha. (..) Asha is good; it is best. It is happiness; happiness is for the one whose Asha is for best Asha. Asha is good; it is best. It is happiness; happiness is for the one whose Asha is for best Asha. We worship this Hāiti, “Now I will proclaim.” We worship those male and female beings whom Ahura Mazda knows, through Asha, to be better in worship.