ARDIBEHIST YAST

 

I Zarathustra said :

“Say to me just how the right Words, are, o Ahura Mazda ! In order that I may increase  ASHA with hymns of praise, with performance of the Word, with Invocations, Holy Words, Sacrifice,  Blessings and Adoration, so that I may once abide in the Shining, Luminous Space, in the beautiful Abodes [heaven], as reward for the Sacrifice and Invocation of You, Who Is : The Ahuras." 

[And Ahura Mazda spoke the right words :]

II" I proclaim ASHA ;  and since I proclaim ASHA, then easy should be the Way to the Abode of the Amesha Spentas, which Ahura Mazda keeps with Good Thoughts, which Ahura Mazda keeps with Good Words, which Ahura Mazda keeps with Good Deeds ! 

III The invocation of ASHA [=The ASHEM VOHU] is the Greatest of Holy Spells, it is the Best of Holy Spells, is the very Best of All Spells, is the very Fairest of All Spells, is the most dependable among Holy Spells, is the most resolute of All Spells, is the Victorious One amongst Holy Spells, is the Healing One amongst Holy Spells, is the Best Healing of All Spells ! 

IV One may heal with Goodness ;  one may heal with The Law ;  one may heal with the Knife ; one may heal with Herbs ; one may heal with the Wise Word.

V Amongst the remedies, this one is the healing one, that heals with the Wise Word ;  this one it is, that will best drive away sickness from the body of the Faithful ; for this one is the Best healing of all remedies.

VI Sickness always fled away before it, death fled away, the Deva fled away, the Deva’s work fled away ; the brood of the beast fled away ;  pride fled away ;  scorn fled away ; hot fever fled away ; slander fled away ; discord fled away : the evil fled away the most lying words of falsehood fled away.”

VII Then [, in reaction] Angra Mainyu exclaimed :

Woe is me ! Here is ASHA,  who will smite all sicknesses; who will smite all deaths ; who will smite the oppressors of men ; who will smite pride ; who will smite scorn ; who will smite hot fevers ; who will smite all slanders ; who will smite all discords ; who will smite the worst of evil ; who will smite the most lying words of falsehood.” 

VIII [And Ahura Mazda concluded:]

" I bless the invocation and Prayer, the strength and vigour of ASHA."