The Gathas are the oldest and most sacred hymns of the Zoroastrian tradition, attributed to the prophet Zarathustra himself. Composed in the archaic Old Avestan language, c. late 2nd–early 1st millennium BCE. They form the theological core of the Avesta and articulate Zarathustra’s teachings on ethics, cosmic order, truth, and the nature of the divine.

This online edition presents the seventeen hymns in English translation, arranged according to their traditional placement within the five Gathic sections of the Yasna liturgy. The Gathas are poetic, philosophical, and often enigmatic, offering insight into the earliest expressions of Zoroastrian thought — including the struggle between truth (asha) and falsehood (druj), the moral responsibility of human beings, and the call to choose righteousness through good thoughts, good words, and good deeds.

Because the Gathas were historically preserved within the Yasna ritual, they were not transmitted as a standalone book. Modern digital editions, such as this one, extract the hymns for ease of study and devotional reading. This resource provides a clear, accessible presentation of the text for newcomers, students of religion, and readers interested in the earliest Indo‑Iranian spiritual literature.