The Gathas and the Younger Avesta:
by Dr. Pallan R. Ichaporia
The Gathas, together with vast Avestan literature suffered two major catastrophes, It happened when the last achemenid emperor Darius was defeated and the accursed Alexander burnt the Zoroastrian scriptures and again in 650 CE, the restored scriptures were destroyed by invading Arabs. The extant Gathas that we have inherited, are the fragmented and truncated parts of the original extensive ones. The original corpus had exegesis written in prose after each poetic verse. This can be seen in the statement from Yasna 57.6 where the Sraosha Yazata is alluded as the first to recite five Gathas of Zarathushtra in prose and poetry with exegesis. The extant Gathas have verses which are so abrupt from each other and lack smooth flow of the thoughts and ideas from one verse to another, and are not like RgVedic verses which are systematically connected to one another in an orderly fashion. But one must note that each verse of the Gathas is complete in itself.
Of special interest is the lost teachings of Zarathushtra from the Gathas which are fortunately preserved in the Later Avesta. Numerous examples can be sighted (see my previous postings). I have previously pointed out that sequential mentioning of the Good Thoughts , Good Words and Good Deeds, the bedrock of Zarthushtra's teachings is missing from the Gathas but can be seen for the first time in the Yasna Haptanghaiti, the prose text in the gathic language now generally taken as the composition of the prophet himself and where Ahura Mazda is addressed as the blessed, abundant YAZATA (Y41.3), and worshipped. The Avestan word for worship is "YAZAMAIDE" (Y37.1). These two words 'Yazata' and 'Yazamaide" not only occur in Old Avestan Yasna haptanghaiti but in every paragraphs of the extant Young Avestan scriptures
Another important example that can be sighted is the absence of the idea of body resurrection in the Gathas which is so fundamental to Zoroastrianism and must have been the integral part of the Zarathushtra's teachings. This teaching is lost in the Gathas but preserved in Zamyad Yasht, paragraph19 (Yasht 19 of the younger Avesta), (see, Humbach-Ichaporia, Zamyad Yasht, Text, Translation and Commentary, Harrassowitz,1998) and in Vendidad 18,51 (Cf. Albert de Jong, Traditions of the Magi, 1997).
In order to emphasize the above fact, let us begin by giving the thoughts from the Gatha Ahunavaiti which are alluded and expanded in the later Avesta. This article will amply show that ideas in the Younger Avesta flow from the Gathas, disproving many erroneous notions floated to perspicaciously undermine non-gathic scriptures by some in propagating that Zoroastrianism is found only in the Gathas, and rest of Avesta has historical value only, and should be discarded. Another faulty idea we often come across, is that the religion of Zarathushtra has no need for rituals and priests. If all these wrong premises are accepted, then we will witness unimmaginable destructive results which will exceed the devastation brought by invading Arab in 650 CE. Zoroastrians and particularly our children who fall for such reformistic teachings will put themselves at the great risk and will hasten the end of their religion, their traditions and their rituals which have survived three millennia.
Now let us examine the Gathic ideas and lost Gathic teachings found in the Younger Avesta - All the citations are from Ahunavaiti Gatha.
Ahnavaiti Gatha Y28.9: 'yoi ve yoithema daseme stutam'
"We who are standing at offering of praises to you
(Ahura Mazda)
The above is expanded in non-gathic Yasna 11.9: "We are standing and offering one, two, three, four, five six, seven , eight, nine times praises to you" (Ahura Mazda)
Ahunavaiti Gatha Y28.11: "O Mazda Ahura, teach me with your mouth, in accordance with your spirit, how ...... the first existence came into being?"
Question: How this first existence came into being?
Answer: Answer is not found in the Gathas. No explanation given anywhere in the Gathas. Answer and explanation are lost. (one can find both in Hormazd Yasht 1.26)
Answer: From Hormazd Yasht, pargraph 26 (Yasht 1,26):
"Through my (i.e Ahura Mazda) wisdom and intelligence the first existence came into being".
One can refer to Ahunavaiti Gatha Ha 30.4 to complete the understanding of the end of such existence:
Ahunavaiti Gatha 30.4: "....and in this manner the existence will be in the end"
Question: How-(in this manner)?
Answer: The answer comes from above citation in Hormazd Yasht i.e through Ahura Mazda's wisdom and intelligence the existence will end
Ahunavaiti Gatha Y28.4 "For as long as I can and able I shall look out in search for truth.
Same is reflected in Frang i Om, 4 : "I must search for truth as long as I am able"
Ahunavaiti Gatha Y30.10 "For then destruction will come down upon deceit through its elimination"
Further explained in the Westergard Avestan Fragments (name Westergard is attached because he descovered these fargments):
"The destruction and deceit both will be eliminated"
Ahunavaiti Gatha Yasna 30.11 "O you mortals, when you observe the rules that Mazda has established for good behavior and about where not to go, and when you consider the long-lasting harm which is (in store) for the deceitful, and also the benefits for the truthful, then (you will realize) by those (rules) the things desired will be there "
Question: Which are these rules?
Answer: Answers not found in the Gathas but is preserved in Vispered 13.1
Answer: (From Vispered 13.1) "These rules are: The reverence for the Manthras (HolyWords), Amesha Spentas and the sayings of Zarathushtra, and these (rules) are for the benefits of truthful"
Ahunavaiti Gatha Y31.18a ."...manthrascha gushta sasnaoscha"
"...listen to your manthras and teachings"
Here Zarathushtra wants "No adherent of the deceitful LISTEN TO YOUR MANTHRAS AND TEACHINGS"
Question: Who was the first to listen to Zarthushtra's teachings and manthras" ?
Answer: The Gathas have lost the answer but the answer is saved in the Younger Avesta, in Fravardin Yasht, paragraph 95
(Yasht 13.95)..
Answer: From Fravardin Yasht, paragraph 95:
"Maidyoimaonghahe arstyehe ...yo paoriyo Zarathsushtrai manthemcha gsuta sasnaoscha"
"(The truthful) Maidyoimah s/o Araste was the very first to listen to the manthras and teachings of Zarathsuhtra"
Question: Was there any other man who listened to God's manthras and teachings?
Answer: Lost in the Gathas but we have an answer from the Fravadin Yasht paragraph 87: "Gaya Merethan (the first mortal) who first listened to God's manthras and teachings"
Please take a note that Gaya Merethen was never alluded as the messenger of God in the manner as the Prophet Zarathushtra is known (Please note here there is no question of Gaye Merethen listening to Zarthushtra's teachings and manthras which Zarathushtra heard from Ahura Mazda, because Gaya Merethan predates Zarathushtra but Gaya Merethan had listened to God.)
Ahunavaiti Gatha Y31.20 "long period of darkness, foul food and word 'woe' - to such an existence , your religious views will lead you, O deceitful ones, because of your actions"
Question: Are there any particular deceitful ones ?
Answer: No answer is found but such answer is elaborated in the Vendidad Fragard 5, paragraph 62 ".....the heretics because of their religious views and because of their actions will be lead to dark existence"
Further expansion of this Gathic idea is in Vendidad Fragard 7, paragraph 22: "O dceietful heretic ones, your actions and your religious view will lead you ultimately to worst existence"
Ahunavaiti Gatha Y32.2: "We choose your holy and good right- midedeness (Armaity).Let it be ours"
Further reflected in Yasna 12.2 "Let holy and good right- minedednes (Armaity) be mine"
Ahunvaiti Gatha 32.6; "hata-marane" = "You who remember" (this is about Ahura Mazda)
Further cited in Hormazd Yasht as Ahura Mazda's sixteenth name: "hata.marenis" = "He who remembers"
Ahunavaiti Gatha Y32.15: "The (truthful) will be cared by these two (integrity and immortality) in the house of good thought"
In Vendidad 3.29 and Vistasp Yasht 35 the same idea is alluded :
"He /she will be taken care of, by his/her attainment of good name" (the good name comes from being righteous).
Ahunavaiti Gatha Y33.1 "the staightest action following the laws of first existence"
Question: Which are the laws of first existence?
Answer: Only found in the following Young Avestan Yasna 54.2, Yasna 55.6, Yasna 58.9, Yasna 59.33 and Yasna71.18: "the strightest action" is "Stoat Yasnas and Stoat Yasnas are the laws of first existence"
Ahunavaiti Gatha: Y33.6: where Zarathushtra declares himself as a priest:
"ye zaota asha arezus"
(Zarathushtra) "As a leading priest strightforward in truth"
Zarathustra's priesthood is further confirmed in young Avesta "Khordad Yasht, paragarph 4 (Yasht 4,5)" "ye zaota Zarathushtro" = Zarathushtra who is the leading priest"
In Avesta "Zaota"=leading or first officiating priest, Pahlavi "Zot" (zwt), Gujerati "Joti"
Ahunavaiti Gatha Y33.7: "(O Mazda) with truth and good thoughts for which I (i.e. Zarathushtra) am heard far beyond the faithful offereres. Let the bright reverantial gifts be manifest among us"
The same idea is alluded in Vendidad 17.7 "O Zarathushtra, with truth and good thoughts you are heard far beyond"
Further in Pursishniha 36 "Let reverential gifts become evident to us"
(Pursishniha is a Pahlavi book where questions are asked and answers are given).
Ahunavaiti Gatha: Y34.5 "..We have declared you (i.e.Ahura Mazda) to be superior to all 'daevas' (false gods), beasts, and (evil) mortals"
Further elaborated in Yasna 19.2 and Yasna 19.4: "Superior to sky, superior to water, superior to land, superior to fire, superior to righteous men, superior to evil men, superior to 'daevas' (false gods), beasts, and superior to all"
Note: Here Ahura Mazda is superior to all including righteous men, which is not alluded in the Gathas It is definite that this expanded praise for Ahura Mazda is lost in the Gathas and found intact in non-Gathic Yasna.
Ahunavaiti Gatha Y34.7 "...In Truth, I do not know any other than you, so protect us"
In Yasna 58,5 we find this idea expanded: "(O Ahura Mazda ) You protect us, protect Amesha Spentas, protect good rulers"
When the Gathas say that "let good rulers rule over us' they do not specifically indicate male and female rulers, which is only alluded in Yasna Hapatanghaiti "Let good rulers, male and female rule over us' Even more of this is seen in the Younger Avesta Y58.5, where protection for such good rulers is requested.
Ahunavaiti Gatha, Y30.9: "Thus may we be those who make existence brilliant"
Ahunavaiti Gatha Y34.15: "Through your power make real existence brillaint in value"
Question 1: Who are "those"? Gathas do not elaborate
Question 2: Is there anything else which will make existence brilliant in value. (Answer is lost in the Gathas)
Answer 1: (a) From Yasht 19.11 (Zamyad Yasht) "The victorious benefactors will make the existence brilliant"
(saoshyantam verethrajanem=victorious benefactors)
(b) From Yasht 13.9 (Fravadin Yasht): "The benefactors make existence brilliant"
(c) FromYasht 19.9 (Zamyad Yasht): The Amesha Spentas will give existence which is brilliant in value'
(Amesha Spenta are the six emanations of Ahura Mazda; and these are Good Thought (vohu manah), Truth (asha), Good Dominion (vohu xshthra), Holy Right Mindedness (spenta armaiti), Integrity (haurvatat) and Immortality (ameretat).
Answers 2: We find the answer to Question 2 in the Younger Avesta Yasna 55.8 : "Staota Yesniya which get the existence (which is ) brilliant in value"
Explanation: Staota Yesniya (plural), the parts of Yasna liteurgy will also make the existence brilliant in value i.e by constantly praying Staota Yesniya and following prophet's teachings
"Ferasha' ="brilliant" is the Gathic word. The Young Avesta word is 'Frasha' = "brilliant"
This idea of 'frasha' is very well depicted in Zamyad Yasht paragraph 10, " Ahura Mazda created the creatures, many and good, many and wonderful, many and brilliant (frasha), many and bright" (see Humbach-Ichaporia "Zamyad Yasht, 1998)
In Vendidad Fragard 1 and Paragraph 20, 'frasha=brilliant" is said of places "lands and regions, beautiful, deep, esteemed, brilliant and bright"
Above are the citations from Ahunavaiti Gatha elaborated, and expanded in the Younger Avesta. We will explore the remaining Gathas from time to time to show you, dear readers the real value of our Young Avestan Scriptures which include non-Gathic parts of Yasna, the Yashts, Vispered, Vendidad, Niyaeshes and Avestan fragments.
(All the Gathic translations are from Humbach-Ichaporia, "The Heritage of Zarathushtra, A New Translation of His Gathas, Heodelberg University, 1994, (Second edition in the Press).
Translation from Zamyad Yasht is from -Humbach-Ichaporia, "Zamyad Yasht, Yasht 19 of Young Avesta, Text, Translation and Commentary, Harrassowitz, 1998.)
IRANICA
The Problem of Evil seen outside Zoroastrianism.
If God is all powerful, almighty and perfectly good, why is there evil in the world? This challenge was made by Epicurus in 341-270 BCE, (Mardan Farrukh in the nine century CE may have read about it, and the identical question he raised in the "Sikand Gumanik Vijar" was not at all original). The challange of Epicurus has been repeated over the centuries either as a response to the Teleological Argument for God's existence or more radically to attack theism. The book of Job is one of the earliest treatments of the question.
Attempts to show that evil in the world can be reconciled with God's power and goodness are known as theodicies (* theodicy). Modern treatments of the problem distinguish between moral and natural ( or physical) evil. The most common theodicy in response to the former is the "Freedom of Choice" (sounds familiar on Z-alias). Thus moral evil is regarded as the result of human freedom, a price worth paying because of freedom is an intrinsic good or because its good effects outweigh its bad ones. Strategies about natural evil are more diverse, it too is sometime treated as a result of the fall of Adam and Eve and of an angel from high heaven in semetic religions.. More commonly it is seen as a neccessary feature of a world which is to serve as an arena for character-building or 'soul making'. Many thinkers consider that the only satisfactory solution to the problem of evil would be an escatological one.
THE GATHIC THOUGHTS IN THE YOUNG AVESTA (2)
Many ideas in the Young Avesta flow from the Gathas
I am giving the following short article to emphasis the fact that that the ideas and doctrine of the Younger Avesta flows from the Gathas. Some parallels from RgVeda. are also cited.
Of special interest is to show the readers that there exists continuity of the Gathic teachings to the Young Avesta and even to the Pahlavi lietrature. The Young Avesta ( Yasna, Yashts, Vendidad and Niyaeshes) has neither perverted anyone, nor there is any praise in it for evil and lie, but only reverence for Ahura Mazda, his ministerial angels, the Yazatas and Amesha Spentas and Truth.
So with the above surmise we will examine thoughts from Ushtavaiti Gatha as seen in the Young Avesta (Note : Young Avesta includes Yashts, Yasna, Vispered and Vendidad)
Ushtavaiti Gatha 43.2
.....vangheus mayao manangho
THE BLESSINGS OF GOOD THOUGHT
Yasna 10.12
...te baeshaza irrathare vangheus
THY REMEDIES ARE LINKED WITH THE BLESSINGS OF GOOD THOUGHT
Ushtavaiti Gatha Y43.7
hyat ma vohu pairi jasat manangha
WHEN ONE ATTENDS ME WITH GOOD THOUGHT
(here 'me' is Ahura Mazda)
Yasna 60.12 (also Hoshbam prayer)
daresame thava pairi thava jamyama
WE WISH TO SEE YOU AND WE WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND YOU
(here "you" is for Ahura Mazda)
Similar thought from RgVeda 9.98.70:
yo devan visvan....pairi madena saha gachati
WHO ATTENDS ALL GODS (devas) WITH EXHILARATION)
Ushtavaiti Gatha Y43.8
..thava..staomi..ufiacha
I PRAISE AND EXTOL THEE
Yasna 17.18
(fravashyo) staomi zbayemi ufiemi
I PRAISE, CALL AND EXTOL (FRAVASHIS)
Yasht 13.15 (Fravardin Yasht)
ko no stavat ko yazayte ko ufiat
WHO WILL PRAISE, WHO WILL WORSHIP, WHO WILL EXTOL?
Ushtavaiti Gatha 44.3
ke ya mao uxshyeiti nerefsaitti thavat
THROUGH WHOM THE MOON WAXES AND WANES?
Yasht 7.2
kat mao uxshyeiti, kat mao nerefsaitti,
panchadasa mao uxshyeiti, panchadasa mao nerefsaitti
HOW LONG THE MOON WAXES? HOW LONG MOON WANES? FIFTEEN (DAYS) MOON WAXES, FIFTEEN (DAYS) MOON WANES.
Ushtavaiti Gatha 44.10
tam daenam ya hatam vahista
THAT RELIGION (OR RELIGIOUS VIEW) WHICH IS THE BEST FOR THOSE WHO EXIST
Reinterpretation in FravardinYasht 13.91
daenayai yat haitinam vahistayai
THE RELIGION (OR RELIGIOUS VIEW) WHICH IS THE BEST AMONG THE EXISTING (RELIGIONS OR RELIGIOUS VIEWS)
Ushtavaiti Gatha Y44.13
katha drujem nisa ahmat nish nasma
HOW CAN WE DRIVE DECEIT OUT OF OURSELVES?
(Answer is given in nongathic Yasna 61.5)
Yasna 61.5
katha drujem nis ahmat nasma
HOW CAN WE DRIVE DECEIT OUT OF OURSELVES?
nish nashama saoshyanto drujem
WE CAN DRIVE (DECEIT) OUT, BY ACTING AS A BENEFACTOR
katha nish.nashma
HOW CAN WE DRIVE (IT) OUT (AS A BENEFACTOR)
yatha him janama...vishpaish hacha karshvan yais hapta
BY CASTING OUT OF ALL THE SEVEN CONTINENTS
Further answer is given in Zamyad Yasht 19,12
nish tat paiti druxsj nashaite yadhat aivi chit jagamat
DECEIT WILL BE DRIVEN OUT TO THAT PLACE FROM WHERE IT ORIGINALLY COME FROM
Which is that place, the answer is lost in the extant Gathas and also in the entire extant Avesta, but is preserved in the Pahlavi Bundahishn
DECECIT WILL BE FINALLY DRIVEN OUT TO THE PLACE FROM WHERE IT HAS ORIGINATED, WHICH IS THE DARK ABYSMAL ABODE OF AHRIMAN (ANGRA MAINYU).
Ushtavaiti Gatha Y43.3
at hvo vengheus vahyona na aibi jamyat
MAY THAT MAN ATTAIN BETTER THAN GOOD
Yasna 59.31
jamyat vo vanghaot vanghu
MAY YOU ATTAIN BETTER THAN GOOD.
Uushtavaiti Gatha 45.7
yehya sava ishaonti radangho
(The truthful one) WHOSE BENEFITS THE BOUNTEOUS ONES IMPLEMENT
Yasna 7.24 ashyano paiti jamyat yehya sava ishaonti radangho
WITH TRUTH WE APPROACH ONE WHOSE BENEFITS BOUNTEOUS ONES IMPLEMENT
Very interesting gathic idea is seen in Vispered 18.2
vispayumcha ushtatateim yazamaide, ya narsh sadra dravato
BOUNTEOUS BENEFITS ARE REVERED, (BUT) WHICH ARE 'WOES' FOR HERETICS
Now some paralles between Ushtavaiti Gatha and Rgveda
Ushtavaiti Gatha (Y43.16)
xveng daresoi xshathroi xyat armaitis
IN THE (FULL) VIEW OF THE SUN, MAY ARMAITI (RIGHT-MINDEDENESS) BE IN POWER
RgVeda 5.66.2: ksatram....svarna.....darsatam
IN FULL VIEW ........ IN POWER
Ushatavaiti Gatha: Y44.3
kasna xveng stermcha dat advanem
WHO CREATED THE COURSE OF THE SUN AND THE STARS?
RgVeda 1.71.9
adhvanah.....suryah
THE COURSE ....OF SUN
RgVeda 10,179.2
suro advanah
THE COURSE OF SUN
RgVeda 1.24.8
chakara suryaya panthem anvetava u
(Varuna has made) THE COURSE FOR THE SUN TO TRAVEL
Ushtavaiti Gatha Y44.4
kasna dereta zamcha ade
WHO HOLDS THE EARTH DOWN BELOW?
RgVeda 7.99.3
dadharta pritvim abhitah
(DEVA) FIRMLY HELD THE EARTH FROM BELOW
Ushtavaviti Gatha 44,4
............ ke apo urvaraoscha
.............WHO PRESERVES THE WATER AND PLANTS?
RgVeda 7.34.23
.............apa osadih
.......(rich). WATER AND (may) PLANTS (grow)
Ustavaiiti Gatha Y44.4
vatai dvan maibyascha yaoget asu
WHO YOKES THE SWIFT TEAMS TO THE WIND AND CLOUDS?
RgVeda 1.118.4
yuktasa asavah
YOKES THE SWIFT (FALCONS)
RgVeda 5.58.7
vatan hy asvan ayuyujre
YOKED TO THE WIND (THE POLE)
Ushtavaiti Gatha Y44.4
kasna dereta zamcha ada nabaoscha
avapastoish ke apo urvaraoscha
WHO HOLDS THE EARTH DOWN BELOW?
WHO (PREVENTS) SKIES FROM FALLING?
WHO(PRESERVES) THE WATERS AND THE PLANTS?
Parallel (answer) exists inRgVeda 2.17.5
adharyat prithivim...astabhat...dayam avasrasah
HE HOLDS THE EARTH, HE SUPPORTS THE SKIES FROM FALLING.
Ushtavaiti Gatha Y44.9
yam hudanaosh paytise ....
A GENEROUS PERSON....
RgVeda 1.136.3
danunas paiti
A GENEROUS LORD
Ushtavaiti Gatha Y44.4
kasna dereta zamcha ada nabaoscha
avapastoish ke apo urvaraoscha
WHO HOLDS THE EARTH DOWN BELOW?
WHO (PREVENTS) SKIES FROM FALLING?
WHO(PRESERVES) THE WATERS AND THE PLANTS?
Parallel (answer) exists inRgVeda 2.17.5
adharyat prithivim...astabhat...dayam avasrasah
HE HOLDS THE EARTH, HE SUPPORTS THE SKIES FROM FALLING.
The religion of Zarathushtra has survived three millennia and none has ever succeeded in subverting it. Two powerful heretics Mazdak and Mani, have come and gone but Zoroastrianism is still the living religion. It has survived and will survive by its inheritant strength. Even the accursed Alexander could not destroy it and has met his doom. Similarly marauding Arabs could not demolish it. The religion that has stood so much distress must have true revelations from God.
"FRAJAFT PAD DARUT UD SHATIH UD RAMISHNIH"
"Ending with tranquillity, and joy and in peace"
Dr. Pallan R. Ichaporia.