Avesta: The Religious Books of the Parsees
Original Authors: Various
Translator: Arthur H. Bleeck Credit: Muncherjee Hormusjee Cama
Original Date Written: Approximately 1500-500 BCE (Avestan period)
Book Information: This book is not available in the public domain as it was published in 2001 and is protected by copyright. If you prefer to own a physical copy or support the author/publisher, you can purchase it through the Amazon link provided.
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This Elibron Classics book is a facsimile reprint of an 1864 edition by Muncherjee Hormusjee Cama, Hertford, with the author/editor being Arthur Henry Bleeck.
The Avesta is the primary collection of religious texts of Zoroastrianism, composed in the Avestan language. It contains the cosmogony, law, and liturgy of Zoroastrianism, as well as the teachings of the prophet Zarathushtra (Zoroaster). The extant Avesta is all that remains of a much larger body of scripture, which was largely destroyed when Alexander the Great conquered Persia. The present Avesta was assembled from remnants and standardized under the Sasanian kings (3rd–7th century CE).
The Avesta is divided into five parts:
Yasna: The chief liturgical part of the canon, containing the rite of the preparation and sacrifice of haoma. It includes the Gāthās, a collection of songs or hymns thought to be the very words of Zarathushtra.
Visp-rat: A lesser liturgical scripture containing homages to various Zoroastrian spiritual leaders.
Vendidad (Vidēvdāt): The main source for Zoroastrian law, both ritual and civil, and includes an account of creation and the first man, Yima.
Yashts: Twenty-one hymns rich in myth, dedicated to various yazatas (angels) and ancient heroes.
Khūrda Avesta (Little Avesta): A group of minor texts, hymns, and prayers for specific occasions.
The Avesta provides a comprehensive understanding of Zoroastrian beliefs, rituals, and laws, offering insights into one of the world's oldest monotheistic religions. As a foundational text of Zoroastrianism, it has significantly influenced other major world religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The hymns, prayers, and laws within the Avesta provide a window into the spiritual and cultural practices of ancient Persia and the enduring legacy of Zoroastrianism.