The Holy Word: Selections from Zoroastrianism’s Ormazd Yast, Part 2 of 2

Let us continue with selections from the “Ormazd Yast,” a hymn of praise to Ahura Mazda.

ORMAZD YAST

“[Zarathustra said:] ‘Who is he who will smite the fiend in order to maintain Thy ordinances? Teach me clearly Thy rules for this world and for the next, that Sraosha may come with Vohu-Manô and help whomsoever Thou please. Hail to the Glory of the Kavis! Hail to the Airyanem Vaêgah! Hail to the Saoka, made by Mazda! Hail to the waters of the Dâitya! Hail to Ardvi, the undefiled well! Hail to the whole world of the holy Spirit! Yathâ ahû vairyô: The will of the Lord… Ashem Vohû: Holiness is the best of all good… We worship the Ahuna Vairya. We worship Asha-Vahista, most fair, undying, and beneficent. We worship Strength and Prosperity and Might and Victory and Glory and Vigour. We worship Ahura Mazda, bright and glorious. […]

We worship the memory of Ahura Mazda, to keep the Holy Word. We worship the understanding of Ahura Mazda, to study the Holy Word. We worship the tongue of Ahura Mazda, to speak forth the Holy Word. We worship the mountain that gives understanding, that preserves understanding; [we worship it] by day and by night, with offerings of libations well-accepted. We worship that creation [of Ahura’s], Spenta-Ârmaiti; and the holy creations of that creature and of Asha [Vahista], that are foremost in holiness. Here I take as Lord and Master the greatest of all, Ahura Mazda; to smite the fiend Angra Mainyu, to smite Aêsma of the wounding spear; to smite the Mâzainya fiends; to smite all the Daêvas and the Varenya fiends; to increase Ahura Mazda, bright and glorious; to increase the Amesha-Spentas; to increase the star Tistrya, the bright and glorious; to increase the faithful men; to increase all the holy creatures of the Beneficent Spirit. Ashem Vohû: Holiness is the best of all good. [Give] unto that man brightness and glory, give him health of body, give him sturdiness of body, give him victorious strength of body, give him full welfare of wealth, give him a virtuous offspring, give him long, long life, give him the bright, all-happy, blissful abode of the holy Ones. […]

A thousand remedies, ten thousand remedies! (three times.) Come to me for help, O Mazda! […]’”