Gathas Analysis Homework

Yasna 30:

This Gatha conveys that a person should live his or her life with morals.  The first stanza of this Gatha brings up the "Sacred Truth," that one must be truthful to another to live a moral life.  The second stanza serves to persuade the reader to heed the warnings of Ahura, the almighty creator.  The rest of the poem then serves to tell a story of the Twin Spirits, Good and Evil.  While Evil performed tasks and was in constant denial, Good performed positive actions, which pleased Ahura.  In life, the  people who do good will  be rewarded by Ahura, while the people who do bad will be punished.  Ultimately, the people who represent Good will arise and go to heaven, in contrast to evil-doers.


Yasna 18:

The main focus of the second Gatha is retribution and consequence.  When Ahura creates the "Kingdom of Heaven," those who followed the footsteps of Good will be rewarded and sent to the Kingdom of Heaven, while the evil-doers will be punished. Gods and divine spirits will be there to help people achieve the prospect of going to the "Kingdom of Heaven," but only if they speak the truth.  The speaker then mentions to the reader that following the words of the "Wise Lord" will result in both happiness and pain.  The speaker then re-stresses the fact that doers of "Evil and bliss" will endure long suffering, while followers of the Truth will achieve salvation.

Yasna 33:

The third Gatha seems to stress the methods by which people will be ultimately judged.  The Ratu, or the judge, will "deal perfect justice to all".  Rather than addressing what will happen to those who support Good, the speaker states that those who "oppose Evil by thought or word" will make a worthy offering to the god Ahura Mazda.  The speaker then brings up the concept of social status, and states that those who have a "Good Mind" will be either a "noble, or a peasant, or a dependent".  To keep evil away is important, because it will impose a negative influence on a person.  The speaker lastly says to the reader that Sraosha, or Inspiration, will be one's "greatest aid," signifying the importance of Inspiration and creativity in ancient Persia.

Yasna 25:

In the final Gatha, the speaker implores Ahura Mazda to accept their prayers and therefore be blessed by Ahura Mazda.  The speaker then speaks to Mazda, praying for perfection, immortality, promotion or truth, and the "most exalted Abode".  The reader after praises Ahura Mazda, crediting him with "all the felicities of life." The speaker proceeds to mention all the good he has done do deserve the blessings of Ahura Mazda.  Lastly, the speaker pleads to Ahura Mazda that their prayers result in their souls being pure, and they, therefore, going to the "Kingdom of Heaven."  Zarathustra, the creator of the religion of Zoroastrianism, has even dedicated his life to the almighty Ahura Mazda, so there is no reason for all not to dedicate themselves to Ahura Mazda.