The Zend-Avesta, Part III

Preface: Explains the translator’s task, the difficulty of translating the Gathas, the role of Pahlavi and Sanskrit commentaries, the limits of literal translation, and the need for comparative philological method. Introduction: Discusses the special character of the Gathas, their difference from later Avestan materials, the theology of Ahura Mazda, the doctrine of good and evil spirits, Zarathustra’s historical role, the possible geographical and chronological setting of early Zoroastrianism, and the value of Pahlavi tradition for interpretation. Abbreviations: Lists abbreviations used for scholars, manuscripts, editions, languages, and reference works. The Gathas — Yasna XXVIII–XXXIV, XLIII–LI, LIII: Presents the oldest hymnic materials attributed to Zarathustra and his immediate circle. Main themes include Ahura Mazda, Asha, Vohu Manah, divine sovereignty, moral choice, dualism, the struggle against the Lie, and the hope for spiritual reward. Yasna I–XXVII, XXXV–XLII, LII, LIV–LXXII: Contains liturgical texts, prayers, invocations, sacrificial formulas, and ritual recitations associated with Zoroastrian worship. Visparad I–XXIII: Supplements the Yasna liturgy and expands ritual invocations connected with Zoroastrian ceremonial worship. Âfrînagân I–III: Presents blessing texts and liturgical formulas used in acts of benediction and religious commemoration. Gâhs I–V: Contains prayers associated with the divisions of the day and the sacred ordering of time. Miscellaneous Fragments: Provides additional Avestan fragments preserved outside the main textual divisions.