Yasna 31 — Ahunavaiti Gatha

31.1. Keeping these ordinances in mind, we proclaim words unheard by those who, through the ordinances of Deceit, destroy the living world of Asha—but best for those who are faithful to Mazda.

31.2. If by these words the better path is not plainly visible to the soul, I shall come before you all as the judge whom Ahura Mazda knows for the two factions, so that we may live according to Asha.

31.3. That satisfaction which you give through Spirit and fire, and through Asha, to both factions, and the ordinance for those with understanding—tell that to us who would know, Mazda, with the speech of your mouth, so that I may bring all the living to choose.

31.4. When Asha is invoked—and Mazda and the Ahuras, and Reward and Ārmaiti—then, through Best Mind, I shall seek mighty Dominion for myself, through whose increase we may overcome Deceit.

31.5. Tell me, so that I may discern what is better for me, and know what has been given through Asha. Let me keep in mind, through Vohu Manah, what must be remembered—what shall be and what shall not be, Mazda Ahura.

31.6. The best shall belong to the one who, knowing, tells me the true mantra of the wholeness and immortality of Asha. To Mazda belongs such Dominion as shall increase for him through Vohu Manah.

31.7. He who first conceived that the radiant spaces should be filled with lights—he, through wisdom, is the creator of Asha, by which he upholds Best Mind. By your Spirit, Mazda, make these grow—you who even now remain the same, Ahura.

31.8. Then I recognized you first, Mazda, in my mind, as the beginning and father of Vohu Manah, when I grasped you with my eyes as the true creator of Asha, the Ahura of existence in its deeds.

31.9. Yours was Armaiti; yours the Fashioner of the Cow, the insight of Mainyu, Ahura Mazda—when you gave her paths, whether toward the herdsman or toward one who would be no herdsman.

31.10. Then, from these, she chose for herself the herdsman, the cattle-tending lord of Asha, the fosterer of Vohu Manah. Not the non-herdsman, Mazda, though he shared in eloquent speech.

31.11. Since in the beginning, Mazda, you fashioned for us living beings and Daēnās through your Mind, and understanding with life-breath embodied; since you made actions and teachings, so that one may make one’s choices freely—

31.12. There each raises a voice, false-speaking or truth-speaking, knowing or unknowing, according to heart and mind. Armaiti, following close, questions the two Mainyus where uncertainty remains.

31.13. Whatever open matters one seeks to know, Mazda, and whatever secret matters; or if one incurs the greatest penalty for a small offense—you watch all these with radiant eyes, beholding them through Asha.

31.14. These things I ask you, Ahura: what now comes, and what shall come; what recompenses are appointed from the gifts for the follower of Asha, and what, Mazda, for the deceitful—how these shall stand at the completion.

31.15. This I ask: what penalty is for the one who breeds dominion for the deceitful, for one of evil action, Ahura—who finds no livelihood except by harming the herdsman’s livestock and people, though they have done him no deceit?

31.16. This I ask: how shall that generous one, seeking dominion over house, settlement, or land, further it through Asha, becoming like you, Ahura Mazda? When shall he be, and with what actions?

31.17. Which chooses the greater good—the follower of Asha or the deceitful? Let the knowing speak to the knowing. Let the unknowing no longer deceive. Be for us, Ahura Mazda, the revealer of Vohu Manah.

31.18. Let none of you listen to the formulas and teachings of the deceitful, for he will deliver house, clan, settlement, and land to misery and destruction. Therefore cut them down with the weapon.

31.19. Let one listen who has conceived Asha—the knowing healer of existence, Ahura, commanding his tongue at will for words rightly spoken. By your red fire, Mazda, let the destinies of the two parties be decided for the good.

31.20. Whoever comes to the follower of Asha shall have splendor hereafter. But long life in darkness, foul food, and cries of woe—to such an existence shall your own actions and your Daēnā lead you, deceitful ones.

31.21. Ahura Mazda grants fullness and immortality, abundance through Asha, independence in Dominion, and the enduring strength of Vohu Manah to the one who is his ally in Mainyu and in actions.

31.22. These things are clear to the generous one, to the one who understands through Vohu Manah. By Dominion he upholds Asha in word and action. He shall be your most vigorous servant, Ahura Mazda.

31.23. With reverence I seek first the help of your Spenta Mainyu, Mazda—through Asha, all actions; through Vohu Manah, the insight by which you may satisfy the soul of the Cow.:: (..) With reverence I seek first the help of your Spenta Mainyu, Mazda—through Asha, all actions; through Vohu Manah, the insight by which you may satisfy the soul of the Cow.:: As the Lord is to be chosen, so is the Judge, in accord with Asha. Establish the actions of existence through Vohu Manah, and the Dominion for Mazda and Ahura, whom they appoint as herdsman for the poor.:: As the Lord is to be chosen, so is the Judge, in accord with Asha. Establish the actions of existence through Vohu Manah, and the Dominion for Mazda and Ahura, whom they appoint as herdsman for the poor.:: As the Lord is to be chosen, so is the Judge, in accord with Asha. Establish the actions of existence through Vohu Manah, and the Dominion for Mazda and Ahura, whom they appoint as herdsman for the poor.:: As the Lord is to be chosen, so is the Judge, in accord with Asha. Establish the actions of existence through Vohu Manah, and the Dominion for Mazda and Ahura, whom they appoint as herdsman for the poor.:: Asha is good; it is best.:: Radiance is; radiance belongs to the one for whom Asha is for the best Asha.:: (..) Asha is good; it is best.:: Radiance is; radiance belongs to the one for whom Asha is for the best Asha. Asha is good; it is best.:: Radiance is; radiance belongs to the one for whom Asha is for the best Asha. We worship the Tā Və Urvātąm section.:: Whose among existing beings Ahura Mazda knows as better in worship, according to Asha—those, both male and female, we worship.

31.1. Remembering these rules of yours, we proclaim words unheard by those who, through the rules of Deception, destroy the living world of Asha—but words best for those who are devoted to Mazda.

31.2. If the better path is not clearly visible to the soul through these words, I will come before all of you as the judge Ahura Mazda knows for the two sides, so that we may live in accordance with Asha.

31.3. Mazda, declare to us with your tongue what satisfaction you grant through Mainyu, fire, and Asha to the two contending sides—what rule is given to those who understand—so that I may win over all the living.

31.4. When Asha is invoked, and the Mazdas and Ahuras, and Reward and Armaiti are present, I will seek best Manah for myself and mighty Dominion, through whose growth we may overcome Deception.

31.5. Tell me what is to be discerned: what is better for me according to Asha, what is to be known through Vohu Manah, and what I am to keep in mind and give to the one who judges me rightly. Mazda Ahura, tell me both what will not be and what will be.

31.6. The best will belong to the one who, knowing it, tells me the true sacred utterance of Asha’s Wholeness and Immortality. For Mazda will have that Dominion which grows for him through Vohu Manah.

31.7. He who first conceived that the luminous spaces should be filled with light—he, through wisdom, fashioned Asha, by which he upholds best Manah. Mazda, through the same Mainyu, make these grow—you who even now remain the same, Ahura.

31.8. Then I recognized you in thought as the first, Mazda, when I understood you to be the father of Vohu Manah; when I grasped you with my eyes as the true creator of Asha and as Ahura in the deeds of existence.

31.9. Yours was Armaiti, and yours was the fashioner of the Cow. Yours, Ahura Mazda, was the wisdom of the mind when you gave her paths: either she would go to the herdsman, or to one who would not be a herdsman.

31.10. Then, from these, she chose for herself the herdsman—the livestock-tending lord who possesses Asha—one enriched by Vohu Manah. Mazda, the non-herdsman, even when he strives well, receives no share.

31.11. When, Mazda, at the beginning you fashioned for us living beings and conceptions through your mind, and wisdom as well; when you gave embodied life its breath; and when you established actions and teachings, so that one declares one’s choices according to one’s will—

31.12. then one raises one’s voice, whether speaking falsely or speaking honestly, whether knowing or unknowing, according to one’s heart and mind. Armaiti, following closely, questions both spirits wherever there is uncertainty.

31.13. Whatever open matters one examines, Mazda, and whatever hidden matters one investigates; or when someone incurs the greatest penalty for a slight offense—you watch all these things with your bright eyes, beholding them through Asha.

31.14. I ask you about these things, Ahura: those that are now coming and those that will come; the compensations assigned through Asha for the truthful, and those, Mazda, for the deceitful; and how these things will be when completed.

31.15. I ask this: what punishment is there for the one who generates dominion for the deceitful person of harmful action, Ahura—the one who finds no livelihood except by harming the livestock and the people of a herdsman who practices no deception?

31.16. I ask this: how will that generous person, striving to advance through Asha the dominion of a household, settlement, or land, become like you, Mazda Ahura? When will he be so, and through what actions?

31.17. Which of the two—the one possessing Asha or the deceitful one—chooses what is greater? Let one who knows speak to one who knows. Let no unknowing person mislead us any longer. Be for us, Mazda Ahura, the revealer of Vohu Manah.

31.18. Therefore, let none of you listen to the formulas and instructions of the deceitful one, because he will bring household, clan, settlement, or land into distress and destruction. So cut them down with the weapon.

31.19. Let one listen who has understood Asha—the knowing, life-healing Ahura, who rules his tongue at will for words spoken correctly. Through your glowing fire, Mazda, let the two parties be clearly distinguished in the good contest.

31.20. Whoever approaches the one possessing Asha will afterward have brightness for a dwelling; but the deceitful person’s own conception and actions lead him into long-lasting darkness, foul food, and cries of woe—to that existence.

31.21. Ahura Mazda grants fullness and immortality, abundance arising from Asha, self-mastery, the support of Dominion, and the enduring strength of Vohu Manah to the one who is his ally in spirit and actions.

31.22. These things are clear to the generous person who understands them through Vohu Manah. By Dominion he upholds Asha in word and action. He, Mazda Ahura, will be your most effective servant.

31.23. With reverence I seek this first from you, Mazda: the support of Spenta Mainyu, together with Asha, all actions, and the wisdom of Vohu Manah, by which you will satisfy the soul of the Cow.:: (..) With reverence I seek this first from you, Mazda: the support of Spenta Mainyu, together with Asha, all actions, and the wisdom of Vohu Manah, by which you will satisfy the soul of the Cow.:: As the lord is to be chosen, so is the judge, in accord with Asha. Establish the actions of existence through Vohu Manah for Mazda, and Dominion for Ahura, whom they appoint as herdsman for the needy.:: As the lord is to be chosen, so is the judge, in accord with Asha. Establish the actions of existence through Vohu Manah for Mazda, and Dominion for Ahura, whom they appoint as herdsman for the needy.:: As the lord is to be chosen, so is the judge, in accord with Asha. Establish the actions of existence through Vohu Manah for Mazda, and Dominion for Ahura, whom they appoint as herdsman for the needy.:: As the lord is to be chosen, so is the judge, in accord with Asha. Establish the actions of existence through Vohu Manah for Mazda, and Dominion for Ahura, whom they appoint as herdsman for the needy.:: Asha is good; it is best.:: Happiness exists—happiness for the one for whom there is Asha for the sake of best Asha.:: (..) Asha is good; it is best.:: Happiness exists—happiness for the one for whom there is Asha for the sake of best Asha. Asha is good; it is best.:: Happiness exists—happiness for the one for whom there is Asha for the sake of best Asha. We worship the portion belonging to your alliances.:: We worship those male and female beings whose excellence Ahura Mazda knows, in accordance with Asha, to be worthy of worship.