YASHTS

Y A S H T S

HORMAZD YASHT

Khshnaothra Ahurahe Mazdāo. Ashem Vohū 1.

Pa nāme yazdān Hormazd Khodāe awazūni gorje khoreh awazāyād; Dādār Hormazd rayōmand khorehmand mīnōān mīnō beretum berasād.ly

Az hamā gunāh patet pashemānum: az harvastīn dushmata duzhukhta duzhvarshta, men pa getī manīd, oem goft, oem kard, oem jast oem būn būd ested, az ān gunāh manashnī gavashnī kunashnī, tanī ravānī getī mīnōānī okhe avākhsh pashemān pa sē gavashnī pa patet hom. Khshnaothra Ahurahe Mazdāo, tarōidīte angrahe mainyēush: haithyāvarshtām hyat vasnā ferashōtemem. Staomi Ashem: Ashem Vohū 1.

Ferastuye humatōibyaschā hukhtoibyaschā hvarshtōibyaschā, mānthvōibyaschā vakhedhvōibyaschā varshtvōibyaschā. Aibigairyā daithe vīspā humatāchā hūkhtāchā hvarshtāchā. Paitirichyā daithe vispā dushmatāchā duzhūkhtāchā duzhvarshtāchā. Ferā ve rāhī, Ameshā Spentā, yasnemchā vahmemchā, ferā mananghā, ferā vachanghā, ferā shyaothanā, ferā anghuyā, ferā tanvaschit khvakhyāo ushtanem. lzStaomi Ashem. Ashem Vohū 3.

Fravarāne Mazdayasnō Zarathushtrish vidaevō Ahura-tkaēshō (Gāh according to the period of the day) frasastayaēcha. Ahurahe Mazdāo raevatō khvarenanguhato makhshnaothra yasnāicha vahmāicha khshnaothrāicha frasastayaēcha, yathā Ahū Vairyō zaota frā-me mrūte, athā ratush ashātchit hacha frā ashava vīdhvāo mraotū.

(1) Peresat1 Zarathushtrō2 Ahurem Mazdām3 Ahura Mazda4 mainyō5 spēnishta6 dātare7 gaēthanām8 astvaitinām9 ashāum10, misvānahe gātvō11 khvadhātahe12. Kat13 asti14 mānthrahe spentahe15 amavastemem16, kat17 verethravastemem18, mbkat khvarenanguhastemem19 kat20 yāskerestemem21, (2) kat22 vārethraghnyōtemem23, kat24 baeshazyōtemem25, kat26 tbaēshō-taurvayānstemem27 daēvanām28 mashyānāmcha29; kat30 vīspahe31 anghēush32 astvatō33 mana34 asti35 vijaghmishtem36; kat37

ly i.e. may the Creator Hormazd (who is) the keeper of treasures, (and) glorious, the Spirit amongst the Spirits and the most exalted come (to my help)!

lz For the translation of this para, see Khorshed Nyāyesh.

ma i.e. for the worship of (the Creator) Hormazd, the keeper of treasures and glorious, etc. (see Khorshed Nyāyesh, above).

mb In this paragraph the word “Kat” is employed before every adjective, but I have translated it only once.

vīspahe38 anghēush39 astvatō40 anghvām41 asti42 vimarezishtem43.

(1) (The Prophet) Zarathushtra2 asked1 (the Creator) Hormazd3, O, Most Beneficent6 Spirit5, Righteous10 Creator7 Ahura Mazda4 of the corporeal9

world8 (and) of the natural12 mcHameshtagehān11! Which13 (part) of the Holy “Spell15 is most courageous16, victorious18, glorious19, efficacious21, fiendsmiting23, most health-giving25, and destroying effectively (best)27 the malice of the daevas28 and (wicked) men29?md Which30 (part) (of the Holy Spell) is most reaching36 (helping) the mind34, (and) purifying43 the soul41 in the entire corporeal world?

(3) Āat1 mraot2 Ahurō Mazdāo3 ahmākem4 nāma5, Spitama6 Zarathushtra7, yat8 Ameshanām Spentanām9. Tat10 asti11 mānthrahe12 spentahe13 amavastemem14, tat15 verethravastamem16, tat17 khvarenanguhastemem18, #tat19 yāskerestemem20, (4) tat21 vārethraghnyōtemem22, tat23 baeshazyōtemem24, tat25 tbaēshō-taurvayānstemem26, daēvanām27 mashyānāmcha28; tat29 vīspahe30 anghēush31 astvatō mana asti34 vyaghmishtem35, metat36 vīspahe37 anghēush38 astvatō39 anghvām40 asti41 vimarezishtem42.

(3) The1 (the Creator) Hormazd3 then replied: O,! Spitaman Zarathushtra7! the names5 of us4, (our names) the Bountiful Immortals9.

Explanation: (According to the above sentence, the Creator Hormazd Himself is considered as an Amshaspand: see p. 4 for further explanation).

That10 (part) of the Holy13 Spell12 is11 most courageous14, victorious16, glorious18, efficacious20, (4) most fiend-smiting22, most health-giving24 (and) effectively destroying the malice26 of the daevas27 and (wicked) men28; that29

(part of the Holy Spell) is41 most reaching35 (i.e. helping) the mind33 in the entire30 corporeal32 world31 (and) most purifying42 the soul40.

Explanation: Mānthra Spenta, i.e. beneficent or holy spell. The original meaning of mānthra (Sanskrit mantra) is “secret mysteries of the Zoroastrian

mc “Hameshtagehān” is known as a place between heaven and hell. For those persons whose good deeds and sins are equal, the fixed place in that world beyond is called, “hameshtagtehān”. According to the suggestion of Dr. Roth (as communicated by Darmesteter) reference to Hameshtagehān is found in the Gathas (in Yasna Hā 33.1), see my Gāthā Bā Māeni, yazishn Hā 33, Stanza 1 and its explanation. The original meaning of Hameshtagehān, which is called in Avesta “misvāna gātu” is the place of “mediocre profit”. These words occur in Vendidad fargard 19, para 36, and in the khshnuman of Mino Anerān. In this khshnuman, the word “Hameshtagehān” occurs along with “Endless Lights”, Garothmān Heaven and the Chinvat Bridge. Here the words, “misvanānhe gātvo khvadhātahe” presumably seems to have been added later on. Prof. Westergaard and Dr. Geldner have not given these words in the text in their Avestan Editions, but have taken them in the footnotes: Drs. Spiegel, Harlez and Darmesteter have therefore left these words untranslated.

md Removing or dismissing (the wicked) thought, (Darmesteter).

me In this paragraph the word tat occurs before every adjective, but I have translated it only once.

HORMAZD YASHT

Religion”, “mysterious excellences of the Zoroastrian Religion”. A reference about this we find in Vispered Kardāh 13, first paragraph, thus: “Ashem vīspem mānthrem yazamaide: Zarathushtrem hadhamānthrem yazamaide”, i.e. we worship the entire mānthra as holy; we worship Zarathushtra who is one with mānthras or the composer of the mānthras. In several later books it is stated that some writings of the Prophet Zarathushtra were so mysterious that even the great sages could not comprehend their meaning. Moreover, many famous Persian writers call him, “Paegambare Ramz-gu” (i.e. Prophet who reveals the secrets). We have no certain evidence at present as to how many these mānthras were originally given by him.

(5) Āat1 aokhta2 Zarathushtrō3 frōit4 me5 tat6 nāma7 framrūidhi8, ashāum9 Ahura Mazda10, yat11 te12 asti13 mazishtemcha14, vahishtemcha15 sraēshtemcha16,

yāskerestememcha17,

vārethraghnyōtememcha18, baēshazyōtememcha19, tbaēshō-taurvayānstememcha20, daēvanām21 mashyānāmcha22. (6) mfYatha23 azem24 taurvayeni25 vīspe26 daēva27 mashyānscha28, yatha29 azem30 taurvayeni31 vīspe32 yātavō33 pairikāoscha34, yat mām35 naē36 chish37 taurvayāt38, nōit39 daēvō40, naēdha41 mashyo42, nōit43 yātavō44 naēdha45 pairikāo46.

(5) Zarathushtra3 then1 said2: O Holy9 Ahura Mazda10! tell8 me5 indeed4

that6 name7 of Thine12 which11 is13 the greatest14, best15, excellent16, most efficacious17, fiend-smiting18 the most healing19 (and) destroying the malice20

of the daevas21 and men22 positively; (6) so that23 (i.e. with the help of that name) I24 may overcome25 all26 the daevas27 and (wicked) men28: so that29 I30

may overcome31 all32 wizards33 and witches34: that35 no36 one37, neither39 the daevas40 nor41 men42, neither43 the wizards44 nor45 the witches46, may afflict38

me35.

(7) Āat1 mraot2 Ahurō Mazdāo3, frakhshtya4 nāma5 ahmi6, ashāum7 Zarathushtra8: bityō9 vānthvyō10; thrityō11 avitanyō12; tūirya13 Asha14 Vahishta15; pukhdha16 vīspa17 vohū18 Mazda-dhāta19 asha-chithra20; khshtvō21 yat22 ahmi23 khratush24; haptathō25 khratumāo26 ashtemō27 yat28 ahmi29 chistish30; nāumō31 chistivāo32. (8) Dasemō33 yat34 ahmi35 spānō36; aēvandasō37 spananguhāo38; dvadasō39 Ahurō40; thridasō41 sēvishtō42; chathradasō43 imat44 vīdvaēshtvō45; panchadasa46 avanemna47; khshvash-dasa48 hāta49 marenish50; haptadasa51 vīspa52 hishas53; ashtadasa54 baēshazya55; navadasa56 yat57 ahmi58 dātō59; vīsānstemō60 ahmi61 yat62 ahmi63 Mazdāo64 nāma65.

(7) Ahura Mazda3 then1 replied2: (My) first6 name5, O Holy Zarathushtra8! is mg“I exist”4; (My) second9 (name) is pertaining to herd10 (or protecting

mf Dr. Geldner takes this para sixth as a verse of seven lines: every line ends at comma.

mg i.e. I am ever (and always existing living). But if we take the meaning of “frakhshtya” from the root “peres” (= to ask), then the meaning of frakhshtya4 nāma5 ahmi6 can alternatively be:- (my first) name5, (I) am6 worthy of being asked or inquired4 (i.e. every one desires to ask or in-

herds of cattle and multitudes of men): (My) third11 (name) the mhAll- Pervading12; (My) fourth13 (name) Supreme15 Righteousness14; (My) fifth16

(name) All Good Things18 created by Mazda19, containing the seed of righteousness20; (My) sixth21 (name) is that22 (I) Myself am23 Wisdom24; (My) seventh25 (name) Endowed with Wisdom26; (My) eighth27 (I Myself) am29

Knowledge30; (My) ninth31 (name) Endowed with Knowledge32;

(8) (My) tenth33 (name) is (I myself) am35 Increase36 (growth) (or Prosperity)36; (My) eleventh37 (name) the Increaser38; (My) twelfth39 (name) Ahura40 (i.e. the bestower of life): (My) thirteenth41 (name) the most Beneficent42; (My) fourteenth43 (name) without Opponent45: (My) fifteenth46

(name) the miInvincible47; (My) sixteenth48 (name) the One Who maintains account50 of (the deeds of) mjmen49; (My) seventeenth51 (name) the All52- Seeing53; (My) eighteenth54 (name) the Healer55; (My) nineteenth56(name) (I) am58 the Creator59; twentieth60 Omniscient64.

(9) Yazaēsha1 mām2 Zarathushtra3 paiti asni4 paiti khshafne5 yasōberetābyō6 zaothrābyō7. Jasāni8 te9 avanghaēcha10 rafnanghaēcha11 Azem12 yō13 Ahurō Mazdāo14; jasāiti15 te16 avanghaēcha rafnanghaēcha18 yō19 vanghush20 Sraoshō21 Ashyō22; jasāonti23 te24 avanghaēcha25 rafnanghaēcha26 yāo27 āpō28, yāoscha29 urvarāo30, yāoscha31 ashāunām32 fravashayō33.

(9) O Zarathushtra3! thou shouldst worship1 Me2 by day4 and by night5

(i.e. every time) with libations7 brought for yasna6. I12 who13 am Ahura Mazda14 will come8 for thy9 help10 and joy11; He who19 is good20 and holy Srosh (yazata) will come for thy16 help17 and joy18; the waters28 and the plants30 and the Fravashis33 of the righteous (people)32 will come23 for thy24

help25 and joy26.

(10) mkYezi1 vashi2 Zarathushtra3, avāo4 tbaeshāo5 taurvayō6, daēvanām mashyānāmcha8, yāthvām9 pairikanāmcha10, sāthrām11 kaoyām12 karafnāmcha13, mairyanāmcha14 bizangranām15, ashemaoghanāmcha16 bizangranām17, vehrkanāmcha18, chathvare-zangranām19.

(11) Haēnayāoscha20 perethu-ainikayāo21, perethu-drafshayāo22, eredhvō-drafshayāo23, uzgereptōdrafshayāo24, khrūrem25 drafshem26

quire about Me) or taking it in other way - the One of whom the questions pertaining the religion, are asked, i.e. by the Prophet and greatdivine sages: see Vendidad 18.60; Vendidad 22.19; Yazishna Hā 43.10.

mh “Powerful” (Darmesteter): “A constitutor of beings” (Harlez).

mi Original meaning “not smitten”.

mj The giver of reward or punishment in that world in accordance with the good or wicked deeds performed in this world after weighing in the balance, cf. hātā-marāne (Yazishn Hā 32. stanza 6).

mk Dr. Geldner takes the entire tenth paragraph as a verse of 8 lines: each line ends at Comma (,).

HORMAZD YASHT

barentayāo27, atha28 imāo29 nāmenish30 drenjayō31, framrava32, vīspāish33 ayāncha34 khshafnascha35.

(10) If1 thou wishest2, Zarathushtra3! to destroy6 this4 malice5 (which is) of the daevas7, (wicked) men8, the wizards9, witches10, of the tyrants11, the mlkiks12, the karaps13, of the biped15 mmserpents16, (i.e. men having nature of a serpent), the two-legged17 mnAshmogs16, the four-footed19 wolves18, (11) (and) of the moarmies20 in wide battle array21, mpwith broad banners22, uplifted banners23, banners raised on high24, (and) banners (bearing)27 cruel25

weapons, then28 shouldst thou recite aloud32 these29 names30 every33 day34, every night35.

(12) Pāyushcha1 ahmi2, dātācha3 thrātācha4 ahmi5, znātācha6 mainyushcha7 ahmi8 spentōtemō9; baēshazaya10 nāma11 ahmi12, baēshazayōtema13 nāma14 ahmi15; āthrava16 nāma17 ahmi18, āthravatema19 nāma20 ahmi21; Ahura22 nāma23 ahmi24, Mazdāo25 nāma26 ahmi27; ashava28 nāma29 ahmi30, ashavastema31 nāma32 ahmi33; khvarenangha34 nāma35 ahmi36; khvarenanguhastema37 nāma38 ahmi39; pourudarshta40 nāma41 ahmi42, pourudarshtema43 nāma44 ahmi45; dūraēdarshta46 nāma47 ahmi48, dūraē-darshtema49 nāma50 ahmi51.

(12) (The Creator Hormazd says): I am2 the Protector1, I am5 the Creator3

and the Nourished, I am8 the Discerner (or prognosticator) and the Most Beneficent9 Spirit7. I am12 the Healer10, the Best Healer13, I am18 Athravan16

(i.e. Mobed-Dastur), the Best Athravan19; I am24 Ahura22 (i.e. Giver of Life): I am27 Mazda25 (i.e. Omniscient); I am30 the Righteous28, the Most Righteous31; I am36 the Glory34 by name35, I am39 the Most Glorious37: I am42 the All Seeing40 omniscient.

(13) Spashta1 nāma2 ahmi3, vīta4 nāma5 ahmi6; dāta7 nāma8 ahmi9, pāta10 nama11 ahmi12, thrāta13 nāma14 ahmi15; znāta16 nāma17 ahmi18, znōishta19 nāma20 ahmi21; fshumāo22 nāma23 ahmi24; fshushōmānthra25 nāma26 ahmi27; ise-khshathrō28 nāma29 ahmi30; ise-khshathryōtema31 nāma32 ahmi33; nāmōkhshathro34 nāma35 ahmi36; nāmō-khshathryōtemō37 nāma38 ahmi39.

(13) I am3 the Watcher1 and the mqAll-Pervading4 by name5: I am6 the Bestower9; I am12 the Protector10; I am15 the Nourisher13 and the Discerner16

ml Kiks and karaps: See glossary.

mm or “of the sinners, of the thieves”, (Darmesteter).

mn Ashmog, i.e. distorter of truth, heretic.

mo “Of the hordes with the wide front”, (Harlez and Darmesteter).

mp The Persian equivalent of the word “drafsh” is “derafsh”, the meanings of which are flag and a piercing weapon”: from this in some place the meaning of “drafsh” can be “spear: bannered spear”.

mq Or lover, doer of good, friend (root vi = to love).

(i.e. Omniscient); I am21 the Most-Discerning19; I am24 the Increaser22, I am27

the Hymn of mrProsperity25 and the Ruler at Will28 by name29: I am33 the Most Ruling at Will31; I am36 the most renowned msRuler by name35.

(14) Adhavish40 nāma41 ahmi42, vīdhavish43 nāma44 ahmi45: paitipāyush46 nāma47 ahmi48, tbaēshō-taurvāo49 nāma50 ahmi51: hathravana52 nāma53 ahmi54, vīspavana55 nāma56 ahmi57: vīspatash58 nāma59 ahmi60, vīspa-khvāthra62 nāma63 ahmi64: pouru65-khvāthra66 nāma67 ahmi68, khvāthravāo69 nāma70 ahmi71.

(14) I am42 the Non-deceiver40, I am45 mtFar from the Deceiver43: 1 am48

the muEquable Protector46. I am51 the Destroyer of Malice49: I am54 the mvSmiter at one stroke52: I am57 One who smites everybody55 every wrong door: I am60 the Modeller of all58. I am64 All61-Light62 (or Comfort62): I am68

Full65-Light60 (or Comfort-happiness)66: I am71 One Possessing Light69 by name70.

(15) Verezi-saoka72 nāma73 ahmi74, verezi-savāo75 nāma76 ahmi77; sēvī78 nāma79 ahmi80, sūrāo81 nāma82 ahmi83, sēvishta84 nāma85 ahmi86; asha87 nāma88 ahmi89, bereza90 nāma91 ahmi92: khshathraya93 nāma94 ahmi95; khshathrayōtemō96 nāma97 ahmi98: hudhānush99 nāma100 ahmi1, hudhānushtemō2 nāma3 ahmi4; dūraē-sūka5 nāma6 ahmi7. Tāoscha8 imao9 nāmenish10.

(13) I am74 mwBrilliant in Work72 by name73, I am77 Useful-in-Work 75: I am80 the Beneficent78: I am83 the Valiant81, I am86 the Most Profitable84 by name85: I am89 Righteousness87, I am92 the Exalter90; I am95 the Sovereign93 by name94, I am98 the Greatest Sovereign96; I am1 Possessed of Good Wisdom99; I am4 Possessed of Best Wisdom2 by name3: I am7 mxHaving-a-piercing- Look5. Such9 (are) these8 Names10 (of mine).

(16) Yascha4 me5 aētahmi6 anghavō7 yat8 astvainti9, Spitama10 Zarathushtra11, imāo12 nāmenish13 drenjayō14 framrava15, paiti16 vā17 asni18 paiti19 vā20 khshafne21; (17) framrava22 us vā hishtō23, nī vā1 paidhyamnō24; nī vā paidhyamno25, us vā hishtō26; aiwyāonghanem27 vā28 aimyāonghayamnō29, aiwyāonghanem30 vā31 būjyamno32; frā33 vā34 shūsa35 hacha36 gātaot36 frā37 vā38 shūsa39 vā38 shūsa39 hacha zantaot40,

mr The Fshushō-mānthra is also the name of Yazishn Hā 58.

ms Or famous King, ruler with glory.

mt Or one who cannot be deceived by anyone; “Smasher of deceit”, (Harlez).

mu Sanskrit prati = equally. Besides, if we take “paiti” equivalent to Sanskrit prati, meaning, “lord, husband, master” in the paiti-pāyush, then it can mean “protector of the master or chiefs”.

mv or subjugator - conqueror at one stroke.

mw i.e. active in work “He who can benefit at His Wish” (Darmesteter); “producer of every benefit” (Harlez); “profitable or beneficial” (Justi).

mx “He who does good for a long time,” (Darmesteter).

HORMAZD YASHT

frā41 vā42 shūsa43 hacha danghaot44, ava-jasa45 dakhyūm ā46. (18) Nōit47 dim48 nara49 anghe50 ayān51, noit52 anghāo53 khshapō54, aēshmō55 drūtahe56 drukhsh57 mananghō58 avasyāt59. Nōit60 akavō61, nōit62 chakavō63, nōit64 ishavō65, nōit66 kareta67, nōit68 vazra69, nōit70 visenti71 asāno72 avasyāt73.

(16) O Spitama10 Zarathushtra11! Whoever4 in this6 corporeal7 world8

(having) remembered14 these12 Names13 of Mine5 doth recite aloud15 every16

day18 or20 every19 night21.

Explanation: (At what time one should recite aloud, is stated below).

(17) (Whoever) may recite aloud22 (these Names of Mine) whether getting up21 or sitting down24, sitting down25 or getting up26, while girding29

the Sacred Girdle27 or28-31 myungirding32, whether going35 out33 from (his own) place36, or the village40, or the country44 (and) arriving45 at (some other) country46, (18) unto that48 person49 during that50 day51 (and) during that53

night54 (i.e. at whatever time he prays), the cruel56-minded58 mzDruj57 (called) Eshma55 shall not47 harm59; neither60 hooks61 (or piercing weapon61) nor62

naslings63, neither64 arrows66 nor swords67, neither clubs69 nor70 stones72 will nbstrike71 and harm73 (the person).

(19) Vīsānstacha1 imāo2 nāmenīsh3 parshtascha4 pairi-vārascha5 vīsente6, pairi7 mainyaoyāt8 drujat9, varenyayāteha10 dravānithyāt11, ziziyūshatcha12 kayadhāt13 vispō-mahrkāatcha14 pairi15 drvatat16 yat17 angrāt mainyaot18; mānayen ahe yatha19 hazangrem narām21 ōyum22 narem23 aiwyākhshayōit24.

Just as19 a thousand men keep watch24 over one22 man23, (in the same way) these2 names3 (of the Creator Hormazd mentioned above) serve6 as admonition1 and support4 and protection5 (for the reciter) against7 the invisible8 Druj9 and the Varenian10, wicked11 and the sinful person13, bent on destruction12, and against15 the wicked16 fiend, full of plagues, Angra Mainyu18.

(19) Kē verethrem-jā thwā pōi senghā yoi henti; Chithrā mōi dām ahumbish ratūm chīzdi, At hōi vohū Seraoshō jantū mananghā, Mazdā ahmāi yahmāi vashī kahmāichīt.nc

my Its meaning can be “tying the girdle” or “untying the girdle”.

mz If we take “aēshmō-drutahe” as a compound word according to Dr. Geldner’s Edition, then it would mean the Druj rushing with the angry thought.

na quoits (Darmesteter)

nb Original meaning by “piercing”. If we consider the word “visenti” as an irregular adjective of the word “asāno”, the meaning of “visenti asāno” can be “piercing stones” “sling-stones” (Darmesteter).

nc For the explanation, see the translation of “Kem nā Mazdā”.

(20) Nemem1 kavaēm2 khvarenō3, nemō4 airyene vaejahi5, nemō6 saoke7 Mazdadhāite8, nemō9 ape10 dāityayao11, nemō12 Areduyāo13 āpō14 anāhitayāo15, nemem16 vīspayāo17 ashaonō18 stōish19. Yathā Ahū Vairyō 10. Ashem Vohū 10.

(21) ndHomage1 to the Kayanian2 Glory3, Homage4 (be) unto nethe Iran- Vej5, Homage (be) unto nfSaoka7 created by Hormazd8, Homage9 (be) unto the ngRiver10 Vehdāiti11, Homage12 (be) unto the River14 Ardvi Sura13, the Undefiled15, Homage16 (be) unto the entire17 Creation19 of Holy (Hormazd)18.

(22) Ahunem Vairīm20 yazamaide21: Ashem Vahishtem22 sraēshtem23 Ameshem Spentem24 yazamaide25. Amemcha26 thrimemeha27 aojascha28 verethremcha29, khvarenascha30 zavarecha31 yazamaide32. Ahurem Mazdām33 raēvantem34 khvarenanguhantem35 yazamaide36.

Yenghe hātām āat yesne paiti vanghō, Mazdāo Ahurō vaētha ashāt hachā, yāonghāmcha tānschā tāoschā yazamaide.

(22) We praise21 Ahunavar20; we praise25 Ardibehesht22 (who is) the fairest23 Amshaspand24 (or Holy Immortal); we praise32 courage26 and prosperity27, activity28 (or efficacy) and victory29, glory30 and strength31. We worship36 the Glorious35 Hormazd33, Keeper of the Treasures34.

(To recite in bāz) Ahura Mazda Khodāe, avazūnie mardum, mardum sardagān hamā sardagān, hambāyaste vehān, oem behedīn māzdayasnān āgāhī āstavānī nekī rasānad; aedūn bād. (Recite aloud) Yathā Ahū Vairyō 2.

(24) Yasnemcha vahmemcha aojascha zavarecha āfrināmi, Ahurahe Mazdāo raēvatō khvarenanguhatō. Ashem Vohū 1.

(24) nhNipāyōish1 mashīm2 urvathem3 yavaetāīte4 Zarathushtra5 aurvathāt6 parō7 dushmainyaot8. Mā9 tem10 urvathem11 frāyavayōish12 snathāi13, mā14 duz-beretēe15 zyānām16 apayatēe17: mā18 yasōish19 aom20 narem21 dāitīm22, yō23 nā24 mazishtem25 yasnem26 yazāite27 kasishtem28

nd “Neme,” instead of “nemo” seems to be the case attraction owing to Kavaem (Darmesteter).

ne i.e. the foremost abode of the Aryan people; the province situated in the North of the Mountain Balurtag, between the rivers Oxus and Zekzartis.

nf The original meaning of the word “Saoka” is sharpness, activity of the mind, brightness of intellect, splendour - brilliance of wisdom (root such = Sanskrit shuch = to shine): profit, prosperity, happiness (root su = Persian sud = to profit). Metaphorically it should be understood as the yazata presiding over these virtues.

ng The meaning of the Avesta word “Āp” like Persian “Āb” is also river, in addition to “water”. About the River Vehdāiti, see Vendidad, fargard I, para 3.

nh The portion from “Nipāyōish mashīm” up to the end of this yasht is known as the remaining paragraphs of the Bahman yasht. Dr. West published the English translation of the entire Pahlavi Bahman Yasht along with the translation of Bundehesh in 1880 A. D. Dr. Spiegel had published the German translation of a few passages of the Pahlavi Bahman Yasht.

HORMAZD YASHT

yasnāt29 frāyatāt30 ahma31 yān32 Ameshe Spente33.

(24) (The Creator Hormazd speaks to the Prophet Holy Zarathushtra): O Zarathushtra5! Thou shouldst always4 protect1 the man2 friendly3 (with you) from7 evil-minded8 enemy6. Do not9 let that10 friend11 remain any longer12, for the stroke13 (of the enemy): (do) not14 (deliver him) to suffering pain15 from the injuryni (O Zarathushtra) do not18 bring harm19 unto that20 religious22

man21 who23 out of the fixed30 yazishna consecrates (i.e. performs the yasna) with the shorter28 (or) longer25 yazishna26 in honour of us31 who32 (are) the Ameshāspand33 (i.e. Holy Immortals)33.

(25) njIdha1 asti2 Vohu Manō3, mana4 dāmi5 Zarathushtra6. Idha7 Ashem Vahishtem8, mana9 dāmi10 Zarathushtra11. Idha12 Khshathrem Vairīm13, mana dāmi14 Zarathushtra16. Idha17 Spenta Ārmaitish18, mana19 dāmi20 Zarathushtra21, idha22 Haurvata23 Ameretāta24, yōi25 stō26 mizdem27 ashāunām28, parō-asti29 jasentām30, mana31 dāmi32 Zarathushtra33. (26) Vaēthācha34 tat-cha35 kathacha36, āi37 Ashāum38 Zarathushtra39: mana40 khrathwācha41 chisticha42 yāish43 ā anghush44 paouruyō45 bavat46, yathācha47 anghat48 apemem49 anghush50.

(25) nkHere1 (or this1) Behman3 (Amshaspand), O Zarathushtra6! is2 My4

Creation5;nl O Zarathushtra11! Ardibehesht8 (Ameshaspand) (is) My9

Creation10: O Zarathushtra16! here12 Sheherevar13 (Amshaspand) (is) My14

Creation15; O Zarathushtra21! Aspandarmad18 (Amshaspand) (is) My19

Creation20; Khordad23 and Amardad24 (Ameshāspand) who25 nmare26 the reward27 of the righteous28 (people) whilst going30 to the Spiritual World29, (are also) My31 Creations32, O Zarathushtra33! (26) O Holy Zarathushtra! Know thou34 now36 that35 (it is through My40 Sense41 and Wisdom42 the world44 was (created in the) beginning45, will nnremain48 up to the end49 in the same way i.e. the world has the beginning and the end.

(27) Hazangrem baēshazanām, baēvare baēshazanām; hazangrem baēshazanām, baēvare baēshazanām; hazangrem baēshazanām, baēvare

ni Or alternatively: (Do) not14 (allow that friend to remain) in calamity,17 of harm16 which is difficulty to bear15.

nj Dr. Geldner takes the whole 25th paragraph in verse form of 12 lines. Every line ends at comma (,) and full-stop (.).

nk In the sense of English, “here”. French Voici and Persian “inak”.

nl As the meaning of creation, the word dāmi also occurs in the Gathas; see yasna 43.5; yasna 51.1. Also in the same meaning there occurs “dām”; see yasna 71.6; yasht VI.2; the meaning of dāmi also means “wisdom” (see paragraph 36 of this yasht) and dāmi-dāta (Behram yasht, para 54; Ashishvangh Yasht, para 60).

nm Its significance seems to be; to the souls of the righteous people Khordād and Amardād Amshaspānds render assistance in giving happiness in Heaven, see Hā of the Gāthas-yasna Hā 32.15; yasna Hā 45.5.

nn For comparison, see Yazishna Hā 28.11; yazishna Hā 30.4.

baēshazanām. Jasa me avanghe Mazda, jasa me avanghe Mazda, jasa me avanghe Mazda, Amahe hutāshtahe huraodhahe, verethraghnahe ahura-dhātahe, vanaintyāoscha uparatāto, Spentahecha Ārmatoish.no

(28) Ārmaiticha Spentaya20 aēshām21 tbaēshō22 schindayadhwem23; pairi24 ushi25 vārayadhwem26; hām27 gava28 nidarezayadhwem29; hām39 zanva31 zem-bayadhwem32; aipi33 derezvanem34 darezavayadhwem35. Kat36 ashava37 Mazda38 vanat39 drvantem40. Ashava41 vanat42 drujīm43, ashava44 vanat45 drvantem46.

(28) Through Spandarmad20 you cut asunder23 their21 (i.e. of wicked men) malice22, cover26 all around24 (their) minds25 (i.e. darken), bind ye29 together27

(their) both the hands28, bruise ye32 (their) knees31 (and) npfetter35 (them) with fetters34.

Explanation:- (Here it is not known as to who speaks in this way and to whom he speaks, but it appears that the Prophet Zarathushtra addresses his disciples).

O Hormazd38! will the righteous37 (man) nqsmite39 the follower of untruth40 (i.e. wicked and sinful man)? The answer:- (Yes) the righteous41

(man) shall smite42 the Druj43; the righteous44 (man) shall smite45 the follower-of-untruth46 (i.e. wicked-sinful man).

Ushi1 Ahurahe Mazdāo2 yazamaidie3, darethrāi4 mānthrahe spentahe5; khratūm6 Ahurahe Mazdāo7 yazamaide8, marethrāi9 mānthrahe spentahe10; hizvām11 Ahurahe Mazdāo12 yazamaide13, fravākāi14 mānthrahe spentahe15; aom16 gairīm17 yazamaide18, yim19 ushidām20 ushi-daranem21, paiti22 asni23 paiti24 kshafne25, yasō-beretābyo26 zaothrābyo27.

We praise3 the Divine-Intelligence1 of (the Creator) Ahura-Mazda2 nrfor comprehending4 the Holy Word5. We praise8 the Divine-Wisdom6 of Ahura Mazda7 for remembering9 the Holy Word10. We praise13 the Divine-tongue11

of Ahura Mazda12 for reciting14 the Holy Word15. We praise18 this16

Mountain17 which19 is nsUshi-Darena, the giver of intelligence20, every22 day23

no For the translation of this para, see page 19 and (do thou cause me to reach the help) of Spandarmad (Spentahecha Ārmatōish).

np Bind or seal their tongues (Prof. Darmesteter). This savant compares the word “derezvan” with Pahlavi “huzvan” (Zabān).

nq This sentence is quoted here in the Later Avesta form from the Gathas (yasna Hā 48.2).

nr Or for keeping in mind; original meaning for grasping.

ns The Mount “Ushi-Darena” is situated in the province of “Sajestan” in the Eastern direction of Iran, which is called in Avesta “Vaekereta”, and it was called by the ancient Greek people as “Drangiana”. In Pahlavi this Mount is known as “Hush-dāshtār”. The original meaning of this word is “keeper of intelligence”. This name was given for the reason that from that Mountain Holy Zarathushtra received the Divine intelligence; on that mountain the Holy Prophet conversed with Ahura Mazda as regards religious matters. In the Yazisha Hā First the Holy Scrip-

HORMAZD YASHT

(and) every24 night25, with libations27 brought for the Consecration of the yazishn26.

(29) Āat1 aokhta2 Zarathushtrō3, upa4 thwā azem6 maire7 anudadhayāt8, Spentayāo Ārmatōish10 dōithrābya11 avāstrayat12

ntmairyō13. (30) Hazangrem baēshazanām, baēvare baēshazanām; hazangrem baēshazanām, baēvare baēshazanām; hazangrem baēshazanām, baēvare baēshazanām.

Ahe25 narsh26 ashaonō27 fravashīm28 yazamaide29, yō30 Asmōkhvanvāo31 nāma32. Adhāt33 anyaēsham34 ashaonām35 frakhshti36 yazāi37, fravareta38 gaokerenahe39 sūrahe40 Mazda-dhatahe41. Gaokerenem42 sūrem43 Mazda-dhātem44 yazamaide45. (31) Ushi Ahurahe Mazdāo yazamaide, darethrāi mānthrahe spentahe; khratūm Ahurahe Mazdāo yazamaide, marethrāi mānthrahe spentahe; hizvām Ahurahe Mazdāo yazamaide, fravākāi mānthrahe spentahe; aom gairīm yazamaide, yim ushi-dām ushi-darenem, paiti asni paiti khshafne, yasō-beretābyō zaothrābyō.nu Ashem Vohū 1. (Recite three times).

(30) We worship29 the Fravashi28 of that25 righteous27 man26, who30 (was) nvAsmo-khvanvant31 by name32. I worship37 (the Fravashi of that person called Asmo-khvanvant) more than other righteous (persons) as a lover of the powerful40 nwGaokerena (i.e. White Haoma). We praise45 the powerful Gaokerena42 created by Hormazd44.

(32) Dāmim1 yazamaide2 yām3 Ārmaitim spentām5. Yehe6 dāthre7 ashahecha8, ashaonām9, asha-paoiryanāmcha10 nxdāmanām11.

(32) nyWe praise2 wisdom1 which3 is the bountiful5 perfect (mentality)4

whose6 mental endowment creation7 of (Hormazd/is creation11 of righteousness8) and of the righteous9 (people) who (are) most righteous10.nz

tures of the Zoroastrian Religion are revered with this Mount.

nt This paragraph is complicated. Instead of “upa thwā azem maire anudadhayāt”, Prof. Darmesteter approving the reading “Zamerena duye” given in the footnote translates as under; “O sinner! (i.e. O Ahriman!) I will throw thee back into the earth”. “By means of the two eyes 11

of Spenta9 Armaiti10.”

nu For its translation, see this Yasht, verse 28.

nv The name of “Asmo-khvanvant” comes first amongst those famous men and women whose Fravashis are revered in the Fravartin yasht, kardas 25-27. Prof. Darmesteter regards this personage as one of the first disciples of the Prophet Zarathushtra.

nw For the explanation of “Gaokerena” see the notes given in my translation of the Vendidad, fargard XX, para 4.

nx Words from “Dāmīm yazamaide” up to “asha-paoirynāmcha dāmanām” also occur in Vispered Kardāh XIX para 2.

ny Or alternately:- We praise2 the bountiful5 perfect mentality4 (or politeness) which3 (is) the creation1 (of Hormazd).

nz The reason for praising wisdom and perfect mindedness is, that its origin arises from right-