Yasna XVI. The Sacrifice Continues with Increased Fulness of Expression

The Zend Avesta, Part III (SBE31), L.H. Mills, tr. [1886], at sacred-texts.com

YASNA XVI (SP. XVII).

THE SACRIFICE CONTINUES WITH INCREASED FULNESS OF EXPRESSION.

1. We worship Ahura Mazda, the holy lord of the ritual order, who disposes (all) aright, the greatest Yazad, who is also the most beneficent, and the one who causes the settlements to advance, the creator of good creatures; yea, we worship Him with these offered Zaothras, and with truthfully and scrupulously delivered words; and we worship every holy Yazad of the heaven (as well)!

2. And we worship Zarathustra Spitâma in our sacrifice, the holy lord of the ritual order with these Zaothras, and with faithfully delivered words; and we worship every holy earthly Yazad as we worship him; and we worship also the Fravashi of Zarathustra Spitâma, the saint. And we worship the utterances of Zarathustra and his religion, his faith and his lore.

3. And we worship the former religions of the world ² devoted to Righteousness which were instituted

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at the creation, the holy religions of the Creator Ahura Mazda, the resplendent and glorious. And we worship Vohu Manah (the Good Mind), and Asha Vahista (who is Righteousness the Best), and Khshathra-vairya, the Kingdom to be desired, and the good and bountiful Âramaiti (true piety in the believers), and Haurvatât and Ameretatât (our Weal and Immortality).

4. Yea, we worship the Creator Ahura Mazda and the Fire, Ahura Mazda's son, and the good waters which are Mazda-made and holy, and the resplendent sun of the swift horses, and the moon with the seed of cattle (in his beams ¹); and we worship the star Tistrya, the lustrous and glorious; and we worship the soul of the Kine of blessed endowment, (5) and its Creator Ahura Mazda; and we worship Mithra of the wide pastures, and Sraosha (Obedience) the blessed, and Rashnu the most just, and the good, heroic, bountiful Fravashis of the saints, and the Blow-of-victory Ahura-given (as it is). And we worship Râman Hvâstra, and the bounteous Wind of blessed gift, (6) and (its) Creator Ahura Mazda, and the good Mazdayasnian Religion, and the good Blessedness and Arstât.

And we worship the heaven and the earth of blessed gift, and the bounteous Mãthra, and the stars without beginning (to their course), self-disposing as they are.

7. And we worship the glorious works of Righteousness in which the souls of the dead find satisfaction and delight [(Pâzand) which are the Fravashis

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of the saints], and we worship (Heaven) the best world of the saints, shining, all glorious.

8. And we worship the two, the milk-offering and the libation, the two which cause the waters to flow forth ¹, and the plants to flourish, the two foes who meet the Dragon ¹ demon-made; and who are set to meet, to defeat, and to put to flight, that cheat ², the Pairika, and to contradict the insulting malice of the Ashemaogha (the persecuting heretic) and that of the unholy tyrant full of death ³.

9. And we worship all waters and all plants, and all good men and all good women. And we worship all these Yazads, heavenly and earthly ⁴, who are beneficent and holy.

10. And we worship thee (our) dwelling-place who art the (earth, our) bounteous Âramaiti ⁵, and Thee, O Ahura Mazda, O holy Lord of this abode ⁶! which is the home of healthy herds and healthy men, and of those who are both endowed with health and lover(s) of the ritual right.

(Response of the individual worshipper (?).) Wherefore whichever of persons, or whatever of bodily influences, is most helpful and preserving in that abode (thus owned by Mazda) let this meet me in mine abode, and there may it abide for summer and for winter. (Or ⁷ let that one meet me in all my house,

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in whom are what of influences are the most mighty power for the body and the person's life; yea, let that one meet me there, and there abide for summer and for winter (for my help)!)

Footnotes

255:2 So the Pahlavi translator, probably reading angheus; otherwise p. 256 'of the conscience that loves the right.' In Yast XIII, 118 the word is a proper name through an error.

256:1 Possibly in allusion to the menses. The moon is masc.

257:1 We cannot mistake a connection here with yó áhim gaghâ´na—avâ´srigat sártave saptá síndhûn.

257:2 Or is it possible that a plague of mice is meant, mûs being here indeclinable?

257:3 Ordering the execution of many of his subjects.

257:4 Gaêthyâka with J3, K11.

257:5 Later association of Â. and the earth.

257:6 Originally recited in private houses.

257:7 Alternative.