Ushtavad Gatha

Yasna 44

Verse 1:

This do I ask Thee humbly, O Ahura and wish you to tell me truly. How should we worship Thee? My heart is full of love for Thee, O Mazda! Let one who knows Thee well show me the right path. May we enjoy Thy help through truth and righteousness, O my Lord, and may our hearts be enlightened with pure and deep meditation.

Verse 2:

This do I ask Thee, O Ahura and wish you to tell me truly. What is the best and the highest goal of spiritual life? What is the reward of the person who strives to reach that goal? He is our leader, O Mazda, who is holy because of his truth and righteousness. He is, indeed, the flower of humanity, the guardian of our race, the soul healing and a true friend.

Verse 3:

This do I ask Thee, O Ahura and wish you to tell me truly. Who has been the Creator and First Father of the Truth? Who laid down the path of sun and stars? Who made the moon to wax and wane betimes. All these and many other things besides I wish to know O, Mazda.

Verse 4:

This do I ask Thee, O Ahura and wish you to tell me truly. What power doth hold the earth and the heavens apart and prevents the later from falling down? Who is the creator of water and plants? Who imparts swiftness to the wind and wafts from far the dark clouds charged with rain? Who is the Creator inspiring Vohuman, O Mazda?

Verse 5:

This do I ask Thee, O Ahura and wish you to tell me truly. Who is the Creator of light and darkness? What architect has fashioned sleep and awakening, rest and activity? Who has created the dawn, the day and the night, teaching the wise man to fulfill his daily duties properly.

Verse 6:

This do I ask Thee, O Ahura and wish you to tell me truly. Are the problems which I explain true indeed. . Does love and faith towards God increase by good work, truth and righteousness? Does Khashathra increase through pure mind? For whom hast thou created this fruitful and joy bringing Mother Earth?

Verse 7:

This do I ask Thee, O Ahura and wish you to tell me truly. Who created in us the faith in God and the power to serve our brothers? Who made the son dutiful to his father, and placed the love and respect of farther in the hearts of children. I shall try, O Mazda, to recognize Thee as Lord Supreme through the holy spirit (Wisdom).

Verse 8:

This do I ask Thee, O Ahura and wish you to tell me truly, enabling me to think over what has been inspired by Thee, O Mazda. I wish, my Lord, to realize Thy teachings through Vohuman and to enjoy perfection in life through truth and purity. How and by performing what sorts of goodness would my soul attain peace and joy?

Verse 9:

This do I ask Thee, O Ahura and wish you to tell me truly. In what manner should I dedicate my whole self to Thee for performing the holy service with full power? I would realize this truth through religious knowledge. Thy devotee, O Mazda, shall at last dwell in Thine abode, i.e. the paradise, through truth, pure mind and serving humanity.

Verse 10:

This do I ask Thee, O Ahura and wish you to tell me truly. Do thou advise me about thy inspiring faith which is the best blessing for all the living beings. The faith which is in accord with truth and helps the progress of the world. Do enlighten, O my Lord, in our hearts the light of faith or Armaiti, so that through its light our actions may turn towards truth and righteousness. Do guide us, O Mazda, so that our yearning may be to reach Thee.

Verse 11:

This do I ask Thee, O Ahura and wish you to tell me truly. How shall Armaiti (faith towards God) and kindness dwell in the hearts of those to whom Thy inspiring faith have been proclaimed. I am well aware, my Lord, that you have chosen me as the first teacher for fulfilling this hard task. I shall, therefore, regard those who obey Thy rules as Thy friends and others us Thy enemies.

Verse 12:

This do I ask Thee, O Ahura and wish you to tell me truly. On which side should I stand, the true or false? Should I confer with false ones who commit evil actions, or with those who suffer from wicked persons? Has not the minds and hearts of the False Ones been covered with black covers of untruth that they spurn Thy precious gifts?

Verse 13:

This do I ask Thee, O Ahura and wish you to tell me truly. How should we drive away the demon of untruth from ourselves? We shall keep afar from irreligious persons and those who lack faith. O my Lord, we shall keep away also from those who have ceased their relation with truth and wisdom, and show no interest for Vohuman, and make no attempt to follow the said special qualifications.

Verse 14:

This do I ask Thee, O Ahura and wish you to tell me truly. How should I deliver the liar unto the hands of a truthful person, so that by learning Thy holy words, his soul may be cleanse. By complete defeat of the followers of untruth and frustration of their hopes, we shall drive away their deceit and hatred and make them ineffective.

Verse 15:

This do I ask Thee, O Ahura and wish you to tell me truly. Since Thou art able through Asha to ward me off from the harms of deceivers and hate of liars, when both hosts stand opposite each other and invoke Thy help. Then O Mazda, to which side shall Thou grant the crown of victory and where, according to Thine own laws, to the worshippers of Mazda, or to the followers of untruth.

Verse 16:

This do I ask Thee, O Ahura and wish you to tell me truly. Who is that brave and victorious person who would give us the necessary protection through Lord's teachings? Show me the wise and the soul-healing leader through inspirations, and grant him clear insight and full obedience of Thy laws through Sraosha. Do grant, my Lord, the said two gifts to any one whom you love.

Verse 17:

This do I ask Thee, O Ahura and wish you to tell me truly. How shall I attain my ecstatic goal, guided by Thee, which is reaching Mazda and becoming one with Him? When shall I be able, my Lord, to lead the people to perfection and eternity through Asha and Thy heavenly message which is the best guide.

Verse 18:

This do I ask Thee, O Ahura and wish you to tell me truly. How can I earn through Asha, truth and purity, that desired reward which is the control of ten mares (1) of senses led by the horse of thought and reach the real and eternal illumination? When shall I enjoy, O Mazda, perfection and eternity, so that I may grant the said two great gifts to the people of the world for their salvation.

Verse 19:

This do I ask Thee, O Ahura and wish you to tell me truly. When the speaker of truth and needy gets cold repulse from rich people instead of help and reward, what punishment has been assigned by Thee for such negligence? I am well aware of the punishment which awaits them, according to Thy Law, after death and the day of resurrection.

Verse 20:

I ask Thee ,O Mazda, How it is possible for the Daevas to become kind severance, the persons who fight for their selfish ends and for satisfying their wishes. The have flung all earth to hatred and anger with the help of Kavis, Karapans and Usikhsh (2). Would they ever strive to cause the advance and security of the world through Asha and bring about peace and love for all.

(1) In this verse, we come across words like mares, horses and camel which are used by Zoroaster as rewards which he entreats from God. Although the words mean various animals apparently, but actually they have some spiritual ideas. As a matter of fact, the ten sense, like hearing, seeing, tasting, smelling, touching, walking, ability, understanding, etc. are taken as mares which lead mankind towards bad fortune and wretchedness. It is only the strong stallion of mind that can control the said mares and reach the camel, or the true and eternal light, and receive the real illumination as recompense.

(2) Kavis, Karapans and Usikhsh are opponents and enemies of Zoroaster. They where head priests of the worshippers of untruth.

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This page was last updated on Friday, February 11, 2005.