Yasna 44 — Ushtavaiti Gatha

44.1. This I ask you—tell me truly, Ahura: how shall my reverence be offered to one like you? Mazda, may one such as you declare it to a friend such as me. Through Asha, may a friend give us friendly aid, so that Vohu Manah may come to us.

44.2. This I ask you—tell me truly, Ahura: how may one win the foremost good of the best existence? The life-giving one who upholds it through Asha is the healer of existence for all, an ally understanding the worlds, Mazda.

44.3. This I ask you—tell me truly, Ahura: who by generation was the first father of Asha? Who set the path of the sun and stars? Through whom does the moon wax, and through whom wane? These things, Mazda, and others, I desire to know.

44.4. This I ask you—tell me truly, Ahura: who held the earth below and the skies from falling? Who made the waters and the plants? Who yoked swift motion to wind and clouds? Who, Mazda, is the fashioner of Vohu Manah?

44.5. This I ask you—tell me truly, Ahura: what master craftsman made light and darkness? What master craftsman made sleep and waking? Who made dawn, noon, and night, which call the mindful person to his purpose?

44.6. This I ask you—tell me truly, Ahura, whether what I now proclaim is indeed true: does Armaiti, through deeds, strengthen Asha? For whom have you fashioned Khshathra through Vohu Manah? For whom did you shape the joy-bringing Cow, rich in pasture?

44.7. This I ask you—tell me truly, Ahura: Who fashioned the blessings together with Khshathra and Armaiti? Who made the son mindful of the father in discernment? By these questions I seek to recognize you, Ahura Mazda, as the creator of all through Spenta Mainyu.

44.8. This I ask you—tell me truly, Ahura: so that I may keep in mind the teachings that are yours, Mazda, and the words I seek through Vohu Manah, and so that through Asha I may rightly understand existence—by what shall my soul come to delight and reach that?

44.9. This I ask you—tell me truly, Ahura: How shall I bring to flourishing that Daena which the beneficent master of Khshathra taught me as a saving vision—the master dwelling with you, Mazda, in the same abode with Asha, vigorous through Vohu Manah?

44.10. This I ask you—tell me truly, Ahura: that Daena which is best for those who exist, which, moving with Asha, shall make my living world thrive, and through the words and deeds of Armaiti shall set things rightly through discerning insight—toward you rise my desires, Mazda.

44.11. This I ask you—tell me truly, Ahura: How shall Armaiti come to those, Mazda, for whom your Daena is proclaimed? I was established by you as the first among these. All others I regard with the hostile spirit’s hatred.

44.12. This I ask you—tell me truly, Ahura: Who is aligned with Asha among those whom I question, and who with the Lie? Is the hostile one this man, or is that man hostile—the liar who strives against your saving power? Why is he not regarded as the hostile one?

44.13. This I ask you—tell me truly, Ahura: How shall we drive the Lie away from us, down and away—to those who, swollen with refusal to hear, do not strive to join Asha and do not take delight in the counsel of Vohu Manah?

44.14. This I ask you—tell me truly, Ahura: How shall I deliver the Lie into Asha’s hands, to crush her through the mighty formulas of your teaching, to work a violent breaking among the lie-bound, Mazda, and bring anguish and ruin upon them?

44.15. This I ask you—tell me truly, Ahura: If through Asha you hold protection and mastery for me, when the two opposing hosts come together in conflict under those bonds you, Mazda, have established—where, and to whom, will you grant victory?

44.16. This I ask you—tell me truly, Ahura: Who, through your teaching, is the victory-winner who protects all who live? Reveal clearly to me the healer of existence, the one appointed to judge. Let Sraosha come to him through Vohu Manah, Mazda—to whomever you wish, whoever he may be.

44.17. This I ask you—tell me truly, Ahura: How, Mazda, may I reach the goal with you and attain full union with you, so that my voice may be powerful, awakening through Haurvatat and Ameretat by that formula which offers abundance in accord with Asha?

44.18. This I ask you—tell me truly, Ahura: How through Asha shall I win that reward—ten mares with a stallion and a camel—which, Mazda, shall come to me together with Haurvatat and Ameretat, as you have established them for these?

44.19. This I ask you—tell me truly, Ahura: The one who will not give that reward to the winner who, as an upright-speaking man, earns it for himself—what shall be his first recompense for this? I know the final one that shall be his.

44.20. Were the Daevas ever good rulers, Mazda? I ask this of those who take counsel on their behalf—those through whom the Karapan and the Usij give the cow over to Wrath, and through whom the Kavi makes it cry out in lamentation. They do not tend her through Asha, to make the pasture thrive.

44.21. Radiance for the one through whom radiance comes to anyone at all. Ruling at will, may Ahura Mazda grant it. Enduring strength, together with life-force, I desire from you; I desire to uphold Asha. Give me this, Armaiti: the rewards of splendor, a life in Vohu Manah. (repeat) Radiance for the one through whom radiance comes to anyone at all. Ruling at will, may Ahura Mazda grant it. Enduring strength, together with life-force, I desire from you; I desire to uphold Asha. Give me this, Armaiti: the rewards of splendor, a life in Vohu Manah. Asha is good; it is best. Radiance is; radiance for the one whose Asha is for the Best Asha. (repeat) Asha is good; it is best. Radiance is; radiance for the one whose Asha is for the Best Asha. Asha is good; it is best. Radiance is; radiance for the one whose Asha is for the Best Asha. We worship the “This I Ask You” chapter. We worship those beings, male and female, whom Ahura Mazda knows to be better for worship in accordance with Asha.

44.1. This I ask you; tell me truly, Ahura: how should reverence like mine be directed to one such as you, Mazda? May a friend like you teach it to a friend like me. May Asha give us friendly support, so that Good Mind may come to us.

44.2. This I ask you; tell me truly, Ahura: how will the first stage of the best existence be made fruitful for the one who seeks it? For he is bountiful through Asha, healing for everyone, watching over all through the Spirit, a friend of existence, Mazda.

44.3. This I ask you; tell me truly, Ahura: who was the first father of Asha by generation? Who established the paths of the sun and the stars? Through whom does the moon wax and then wane? I desire to know these things from you, Mazda, and other things as well.

44.4. This I ask you; tell me truly, Ahura: who held the earth below and the heavens above so that they would not fall? Who made the waters and plants? Who yoked swift motion to the wind and the clouds? Who, Mazda, is the creator of Good Mind?

44.5. This I ask you; tell me truly, Ahura: what skilled maker created light and darkness? What skilled maker created sleep and wakefulness? Who made dawn, noon, and night, which call the discerning person to his duty?

44.6. This I ask you; tell me truly, Ahura, whether what I am about to proclaim is indeed true: Ārmaiti strengthens Asha through deeds; through Good Mind you assign Dominion to them. For whom did you fashion the joy-bringing, fertile Cow?

44.7. This I ask you; tell me truly, Ahura: Who fashioned the blessed creations together with Dominion? Who, through Armaiti, made a son respectful toward his father? Through these questions I seek to recognize you, Mazda, as the creator of all through Spenta Mainyu.

44.8. This I ask you; tell me truly, Ahura, so that I may keep in mind the teachings that are yours, Mazda, and the words I should ask through Vohu Manah, and so that, through Asha, I may know how life can be made ready. Toward what will my soul come, and in what will it delight?

44.9. This I ask you; tell me truly, Ahura: How may I bring life to that Daena which the master of beneficent Dominion seeks to promote—the one upright through Dominion, dwelling with Asha and Vohu Manah, and eager for your rewards, Mazda?

44.10. This I ask you; tell me truly, Ahura, about that Daena which is best for those who exist, which, following Asha, would make my living world prosper through the words and actions of Armaiti. Through the insight of my understanding, they seek you, Mazda.

44.11. This I ask you; tell me truly, Ahura: How will Armaiti spread among those, Mazda, for whom your Daena is desired? I was the first to acknowledge myself as yours among them. I regard all others as belonging to the hostile spirit and therefore with hatred.

44.12. This I ask you; tell me truly, Ahura: Among those whom I question, who is Ashavan, aligned with Asha, and who is possessed by the Lie? Which of the two is hostile—the one who is hostile, or the one who treats me, your beneficiary, as an enemy? Should he not be considered the hostile one?

44.13. This I ask you; tell me truly, Ahura: How shall we drive the Lie away from us and cast it down upon those who, full of disobedience, do not strive to unite themselves with Asha and do not take pleasure in counsel with Vohu Manah?

44.14. This I ask you; tell me truly, Ahura: How shall I deliver the Lie into Asha’s hands, so that Asha may crush it through the formulas of your teaching? How shall I cause a powerful breach among the followers of the Lie, so that, Mazda, ruin and distress come upon them?

44.15. This I ask you; tell me truly, Ahura: If, through Asha, you have power to protect me when the two opposing armies meet in conflict under those obligations that you, Mazda, established, then where and to whom among them will you grant victory?

44.16. This I ask you; tell me truly, Ahura: Who is victorious and protects through your teaching? Clearly reveal to me the healer of existence, the appointed judge. Then let Sraosha come to him through Vohu Manah, Mazda—to whomever you wish, whoever he may be.

44.17. This I ask you; tell me truly, Ahura: How, Mazda, may I reach my goal in union with you and become powerful enough that my voice may be effective, so that through the formula that accords with Asha, Wholeness and Immortality may be awakened?

44.18. This I ask you; tell me truly, Ahura: How shall I win through Asha that reward—ten mares with a stallion and a camel—which, Mazda, is to come to me together with Wholeness and Immortality, just as you have established them for your own?

44.19. This I ask you; tell me truly, Ahura: What first punishment will befall the man who does not give the reward to the one who has earned it—the man who, true in speech, secures it for him? I know what will befall him at the end.

44.20. By what discernment, Mazda, were the Daevas good rulers? I ask this about those who rush to satisfy them, those through whom the Karapan and the Usij handed the Cow over to Fury, and through whom the Kavi made it wail in lamentation. They did not tend it with Asha so that the pasture might prosper.

44.21. Happiness to the one through whom happiness comes. May Ahura Mazda, ruling as he wills, grant it to anyone. I seek lasting strength from you. Through Asha, may I uphold that strength. Give me this, Armaiti: the rewards of wealth and a life of Vohu Manah. (..) Happiness to the one through whom happiness comes. May Ahura Mazda, ruling as he wills, grant it to anyone. I seek lasting strength from you. Through Asha, may I uphold that strength. Give me this, Armaiti: the rewards of wealth and a life of Vohu Manah. Asha is good; it is best. Happiness is; happiness comes to the one whose Asha is for the best Asha. (..) Asha is good; it is best. Happiness is; happiness comes to the one whose Asha is for the best Asha. Asha is good; it is best. Happiness is; happiness comes to the one whose Asha is for the best Asha. We worship the section “This I ask you.” Among existing beings, Ahura Mazda knows whom it is good to worship, according to Asha. We worship all such men and women.