Zarathustra's message to humanity-8

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The 15 verses below form the final Yasna /chapter, Yasna 34 of the Ahunavaity (Sacred Word)Gatha. The Ahunavaity is the first of 5 Gathas. (Details of how these Gathas are arranged are given in "Zarathustra's message to humanity 7 and 3.)

The Ahunavaity Gatha, Yasna 34, verses 1 to 15.


Zarathustra says he brings a message to mankind, expressed not just with words, but which can be better understood and lived by the doing of good deeds; adhering to this message will ensure immortality and righteous living for mankind in God's perfect kingdom; but, he asserts, all these good intentions should first be offered to God:

These deeds and these words are,
for thine worship whereby Immortality,
with Righteousness I do bring to mankind,
and Thy Dominion of Perfection, O Mazda, I bring,
these are yours, O Ahura,
may we offer these (to you)most ardently.


Zarathustra affirms our thoughts should be for God, pure/good thinking comes naturally to good people, their actions are truthful; and Zarathustra hints good actions are hymns to God!:

Our thoughts are for Thee alone,
all these enlightened through Pure Mind,
are the good thoughts of righteous people
whose souls work with Righteousness,
they approach near to Thee
O Mazda, singing hymns in Thy praise.

Again, Zarathustra pleads, all righteous work is done with devotion to God alone; he hopes all mankind will achieve perfection by being truthful. Only by this can right thinking persons, succeed to get closer to God for all time:

And what is yours, Ahura, to Thee
and to Righteousness we will render with adoration,
may all the living in Thy Dominion
achieve perfection through Truth,
and Thy exalted presence near them
is assured for all time to the right thinking, O Mazda.

Ahura Mazda's infinite symbol in the Universe is Fire, greatly beneficial to the good person; before whom the deeds of the wicked stand fully exposed:

And Thy Fire, O Ahura,
mighty through Truth, we yearn for,
most to be desired, filled with power,
ever helpful to those with faith;
but, O Mazda, to the followers of Untruth
He sees through them at a mere glance!

Your Dominion is supreme! How deeply I desire
to serve Thee, O Mazda, and be in union with Thee,
with Truth and with Love!
so I may shelter the poor,
and reveal You, as above all else, (You) are apart from,
and far from the Daevas and wicked men.


Zarathustra realizes God is Righteousness and Pure Mind-Love; the prophet urges God to unfetter his soul, throw out all doubts, and guide him throughout his life, worshiping God and singing his praises:

Since Thou art so, truly indeed,
O Mazda, Righteousness and Love,
grant me in all stages of my earthly life,
as Your worshiper
and Your praiser,
freedom from all the fetters of the soul.

Zarathustra wants to seek out those who know of all religious teachings from ancient teachers, and who abide by these even in times of distress. We don't know if he found these ancient knower's of truth, but he, instead, turns to God and asks for His shelter:

Where, O Mazda, are these devotees,
who comprehend Pure Mind Love,
through Teachings from truth of the ancients,
in woe and even in distress, and have found enlightenment?
None other but Thee do we recognize,
through Truth, therefore do Ye shelter us.


Zarathustra knows the corrupt are in fear and guilt, they use oppressive means on the weak and defy God, but all goodness/Godliness is far from them-they are the actual losers:

Indeed of our actions, they fear,
amongst these peril is near at hand,
they use strong means to oppress the weak,
defying Thy Law, O Mazda,
those who heed not Righteousness
Pure Mind Love is far from them.

Being devoted to God, Zarathustra reveals, is greatly treasured by the wise ones, but the wicked are defiant with their gross ignorance of good thinking; all good is lost on them, they are the real ignorants:

Thus Bountiful Devotion
is prized highly, O Mazda, by Thine enlightened sage,
but held in defiance by the evil doer,
his ignorance of Pure Mind so causeth;
from such indeed Devotion withdraws with Truth also,
just as the unlettered evil doer does from us.

But again, Zarathustra is concerned for those who stray from God, he earnestly hopes good people will convince them to become devoted to God- a change of heart; if they regret their bad deeds and seek the truth (just plain confession and no desire to be good won't work!) they then have the gates of heaven ( in Zoroastrianism, the House of Pure Mind,) opened to them:

But to these the workings of Pure Mind Love
the enlightened one exhorts to uphold,
and reveals Bountiful Devotion
is ever the root of Eternal Commands (of Ahura);
and, O Ahura, they all will retrace their steps
back to Thy Kingdom, O Mazda, through enlightenment!

Perfection and Eternity lead to enlightenment- strive to be perfect, with good deeds; this will lead the person to an eternal life in the Kingdom of God; there, one has to continue, devotedly, to know the higher truths, and fill our souls with power, which will lead to the defeat of evil:

And both these, Divine Perfection
and Eternity, lead to enlightenment,
through the Kingdom of Pure Mind;
and Bountiful Devotion joined with Truth assures
Life renewed and the Soul filled with power,
surely through these, O Mazda, our opponents will be overcome!

Zarathustra inquires of God what is His desire and His commandments; only His blessings can lead to enlightenment. And, following the path of truth leads to a pure mind:

What are Thine commandments, what Thy Will,
whether to sing Thine praises, or to worship Thee,
declare this to us, for our enlightenment;
let the blessings of Thy instructions be our due,
show us the path of Righteousness,
leading to realization of Pure Mind.

The path of love, revealed by the wisdom of the righteous saviors, turned into righteous deeds, leads to the ultimate reward- being near God. Inspired with love, good deeds are more righteous-this is a teaching understood by the wise:

That path, O Ahura,
of Love, which Thou has revealed,
the Wisdom of the Saviours,
that every good righteous deed leads us further-
this teaching is for the Wise,
and the reward, O Mazda, is reaching You, the destined goal!

This reward of being close to You, God, that gives strength to the soul, for good work done with pure intentions. Deeds that serve the world fulfill His divine plan and truth increases thereby:

This reward, O Mazda, surely,
be given to that soul which strengthens the body,
for deeds done through Pure Mind;
those who indeed serve this beneficent Earth,
and Your divine Plan,
through Thine Will shall fulfill Truth.

Therefore, O Mazda, reveal the noblest
words and deeds of Your teachings;
I yearn to pray to Thee through
Love and through Truth;
through Your Power, O Ahura,
regenerate my life as best You desire.

Concluding, in this last verse of the Ahunavaity Gatha, Zarathustra yearns that God reveal His teachings-both words and actions that bear out these words. He wants to pray to the Divinity with love and truth, and indeed, God's spiritual power will renew life.