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	Avesta -- Zoroastrian Archives

Today is day 35 of the holy year: month Ardwahisht, day Spandarmad, year
AY 1376

"Zoroastrianism is the oldest of the revealed world-religions, and it
has probably had more influence on mankind, directly and indirectly,
than any other single faith." - Mary Boyce, /Zoroastrians: Their
Religious Beliefs and Practices/ (London: Routledge and Kegan Paul,
1979, p. 1)

"Zoroaster was thus the first to teach the doctrines of an individual
judgment, Heaven and Hell, the future resurrection of the body, the
general Last Judgment, and life everlasting for the reunited soul and
body. These doctrines were to become familiar articles of faith to much
of mankind, through borrowings by Judaism, Christianity and Islam; yet
it is in Zoroastrianism itself that they have their fullest logical
coherence....? - Mary Boyce, Op. Cit. p. 29.

We provide the complete text of the extant */Avesta/*, the most ancient
scriptures of Zoroastrianism, as well as many Pahlavi scriptures. It
also includes information about the Avestan language, and other useful
information for students of Zoroastrian religion. Most of the texts in
these archives are extremely rare.

*NOTE:* Spelling of Zoroastrian technical terms <zwords.html> has been
normalized in these archives to facilitate searches.

*Avesta*
(Ancient scriptures of Zoroastrianism)

* Yasna: <yasna/yasna.htm> Sacred Liturgy and Gathas/Hymns of
Zarathushtra...
* Khorda Avesta: <ka/ka_tc.htm> Book of Common Prayer...
* Visperad: <visperad/vr_tc.htm> Extensions to the Liturgy...
* Vendidad: <vendidad/vd_tc.htm> Myths, code of purification,
religious observances...
* Fragments... <fragment/frag_tc.htm> 

/The Hymns of Atharvan Zarathushtra/ <chatterj_opf_files/slideshow.htm>
by Jatindra Mohan Chatterji. Chatterji's translation of the Gathas,
kindly contributed by the Calcutta Parsi Anjuman and Sohrabji Panthaky,
and scanned by Soli Dastur.

/Khorda Avesta/ (Gujarati) <kanga/ka_gujarati_opf_files/slideshow.htm>
edited by K. E. Kanga, kindly contributed and scanned by Soli Dastur.
(For help, see instructions <ka/ka_inst.htm>.)

/Khorda Avesta/ (English) <kanga/ka_english_opf_files/slideshow.htm>
edited by K. E. Kanga, kindly contributed and scanned by Soli Dastur.
(For help, see instructions <ka/ka_inst.htm>.)

	*Middle Persian/Pahlavi*
(Sacred literature preserved in the middle-Persian language)

* Arda Viraf <mp/viraf.html>: visit to Heaven & Hell
* Bundahishn <mp/bundahis.html> Zoroastrian cosmology...
* Greater Bundahishn <mp/grb.htm>
* Chidag Andarz i Poryotkeshan <mp/catechis.html>: (Catechism)
* Counsels of Adarbad Mahraspandan <mp/adarbad1.htm>: Advice on
living a good life
* Dadestan-i Denig <mp/dd.htm> ("Religious Decisions")...
* Denkard <denkard/denkard.htm>: A Ninth Century compendium of
Zoroastrian wisdom...
* Epistles of Manushchihr (A.D. 881) <mp/epm.htm>
* Menog-i Khrad <mp/mx.html> ("The Spirit of Wisdom")...
* Pazand Texts... <mp/pazand.htm>
* Rivayat of Adur-Farnbag <mp/adurfarn.html>
* Rivayat of Farnbag-Srosh <mp/farnbsro.html>
* Sayings of Adarbad Mahraspandan <mp/adarbad2.htm>: More advice on
living a good life
* Selections of Zadspram <mp/zadspram.html>, a summary of
Zoroastrian legend and beliefs...
* Shayest Ne-Shayest <mp/shayest.html> ("Proper and Improper")...
* Shkand-gumanig Vizar <mp/shkand.html> ("Doubt-dispelling
Exposition"), a Zoroastrian apologetic...
* Zand-i Vohuman Yasht <mp/vohuman.html>, A Zoroastrian Apocalypse...
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* About the Style of Letter Writing <mp/style.htm>
* Ahriman's Utterance to the Divs (Drayishn-i Ahriman o Divan)
<mp/drayishn.htm>
* Explanation of Chess and arrangement of Vin-Artakhshir
<mp/chatrang.htm>
* Gatha Hymns recited for the departed (Gasan awar vitartakan
Khvanend) <mp/gasanawa.htm>
* Kārnāmag ī Ardashīr ī Babagān <mp/karname.htm> Epic adventures of
Ardashir, founder of the Sasanian Dynasty
* Kartir's inscription on the Kabah of Zartusht <mp/kz.html>, 3rd
century royal inscription
* Kartir's inscription at Naqsh-i Rajab <mp/knr.htm>
* The Nature and Wisdom of a Fortunate Man <mp/fortunat.htm>
* Yavisht i Friyan <mp/yf.html>: a Pahlavi retelling of an ancient tale
* Pahlavi Vendidad (excerpts) <mp/pahlvend.htm>
* The Yatkar-i-Zariran or Memoirs of Zarir <mp/zarir.htm> 

Index Locorum <mp/pahlcit.html>

	*Other*

* Dabestan-e Madaheb ("School of religious doctrines")
<dabestan/dabestan.htm>: 17^th century description of religions
and occult practices of India
* Dhalla, /History of Zoroastrianism/ (1938) <dhalla/dhalla1.htm>,
part 2 <dhalla/history2.htm>, part 3 <dhalla/history3.htm>, part 4
<dhalla/history4.htm>, part 5 <dhalla/history5.htm>, part 6
<dhalla/history6.htm>, part 7 <dhalla/history7.htm>
* Dhalla, /Saga of a Soul -- An Autobiography/ <dhalla/saga.htm>,
part 2 <dhalla/saga2.htm>, part 3 <dhalla/saga3.htm>, part 4
<dhalla/saga4.htm>, part 5 <dhalla/saga5.htm>
* Drower, /Peacock Angel/ (1941) <yezidi/peacock.htm>
* The Game of Asha <other/ashagame.htm>, adapted from the Shah Nama
of Firdausi
* Life of Zarathushtra <other/z2.htm> told in pictures
* J.J. Modi's My Travels Outside Bombay: Iran, Azerbaijan, Baku
<modi/baku.htm> translated and kindly contributed by Soli Dastur.
* J.J. Modi's /Religious Ceremonies and Customs of the Parsees/
(Bombay, 1922) <ritual/rcc.htm>
* Old Persian Texts (/Complete/) <op/op.htm> ("Ahura Mazda came to
my aid")
* Pazand Book of Jamaspi <mp/jamaspi.htm>: Prophecies of the last
Millennium
* Persian Rivayats <rivayats/rivayats.htm> (15th to 18th century
epistles)...
* Qissa-i Sanjan <other/qsanjan.htm> History of emigration of
Zoroastrians to India
* Sad Dar <mp/saddar.html> ("a hundred subjects")...
* `Ulema-i Islam <mp/ulema.htm>
* The Woodcutter and his Fortune (Mushkel Aasan) <other/mishfinl.htm> 

Example of Avestan script <gifs/samples.htm>

<gifs/samples.htm>

Example of Pahlavi script

Example of Old Persian script

Information on Zoroastrianism

* *Brief overview and Frequently Asked Questions* <zfaq.html>
* Religious timeline, by Dr. Pallan Ichaporia <timeline.htm>
* Ancient Zoroastrian millenium prophecies <zcomet.html>: comet to
destroy earth
* Upcoming events <zevents.html>
* Angels in Zoroastrianism <angels.html>
* Glossary of Zoroastrian terms <zglos.html>
* Religious calendar, <zcal.html> see also
o Zoroastrian calendar calculator <zcal.xls> (Shahanshai,
Kadmi, and Fasli dates for any calendar year. Kindly
contributed by Soli Dastur.
o 2005 <zcal2005.htm> and 2006 religious calendar <zcal2006.htm>
o Festival of Mihragan <mihragan.htm>
o Festival of Tiragan <tiragan.htm>
o Festival of Sadeh <sadeh.htm>
* S. H. Taqizadeh: /Old Iranian Calendars/ <taqizad.htm>

Resources

* *The Zoroastrian Shop* <zsupply.htm>
* *Phetas and pagdis* <phetas.htm>
* Other suppliers of religious supplies <zsuppliers.htm>
* *Names*: Avestan, Old Persian, Irani, and Parsi <znames.htm>
* Zoroastrian associations and organizations <zgroups.html>
* Journal of The Research & Historical Preservation Committee of
FEZANA <frj.htm>
* Periodicals <magazine.htm>
* Books and tapes... <zbooks.html> and Forthcoming <fbooks.html>

Rituals

* The Kusti ritual: <ritual/ritualk.htm> A Zoroastrian's most basic
daily observance
* The Kusti ritual: <ritual/nk_qadimi.htm> per Qadimi tradition
* Afrinagan <afrin/asb.htm>: a ceremony of blessing...
* Baj, Dron, and ritual power <ritual/rcc15.htm>
* Baresman -- its consecration and ceremony <ritual/barsom.htm>
* Birth <ritual/rcc.htm#chap1>
* Funeral ceremonies <ritual/funeral.htm>
* Jashan paper by Soli Dastur
<ZYNA%20Jashan/0000%20Hamaa%20Anjuman%20Jashan%20Miami%20ZYNA%20Congress%2020051229.htm>
(HTML version)
* Jashan paper by Soli Dastur
<ZYNA%20Jashan/0000%20Hamaa%20Anjuman%20Jashan%20Miami%20ZYNA%20Congress%2020051229.doc>
(Microsoft Word version)
* Jashan presentation by Soli Dastur
<ZYNA%20Jashan/20051229%20ZYNA%20Hamaa%20Anjuman%20Jashan.ppt>
(Powerpoint presentation)
* Jashan presentation by Soli Dastur
<ZYNA%20Jashan/20051229%20ZYNA%20Hamaa%20Anjuman%20Jashan.htm>
(HTML version)
* Jashan (Festival) <ritual/jashan.htm>: a photo
* Marriage <ritual/rcc.htm#chap2>
* The Navjote ritual <ritual/navjote.htm>: Initiation
* The Padyab and Nahn <ritual/rcc2.htm> rituals of purification
* Ritual Implements <ritual/alat.htm>
* The Wedding ceremony <ritual/zwedding.htm> 

Information on Avestan language

/Teach Yourself Avesta Language/ <language/Combined_Avesta_Grammar.pdf>
by Dr. Ervad Ramiyar Parvez Karanjia (2005)
Bejon N. Desai: /Learning Avesta Compendium/
<Desai%20Learning%20Avesta%20Compendium/Desai%20Learning%20Avesta%20Compendium_opf_files/slideshow.htm>
Copyright © 2003 Bejon N. Desai. Used with permission kindly acquired by
the help of Nader M. Patel, Mumbai, and scanned by Soli Dastur.
Bejon N. Desai: /Learning Avesta Manual/
<Desai%20Learning%20Avesta%20Manual/Desai%20Learning%20Avesta%20Manual_opf_files/slideshow.htm>
Copyright © 2004 Bejon N. Desai. Used with permission kindly acquired by
the help of Nader M. Patel, Mumbai, and scanned by Soli Dastur.
Kanga's /Avesta Grammar/ <kanga/grammar_opf_files> Kindly contributed by
Soli Dastur.
Kanga's /Avesta-Gujarati-English Dictionary/
<kanga/dictionary_opf_files> Kindly contributed by Soli Dastur.
<kanga/english.opf> Kanga's /English-Avesta Dictionary/
<kanga/english.htm> Kindly contributed by Soli Dastur.
Sunjana's /Pahlavi Grammar/ <sunjana_opf_files> Kindly contributed by
Sam Kerr and Soli Dastur.

* Overview of the Avestan language <alang.htm>
* Pronunciation and writing <language/writing.htm>
* Vocabulary <language/vocab.htm>
* Bharucha: /Lessons in Avesta/ (1907) <language/lessons.htm>
* Indo-European language tree <ietree.html>
* Dictionary... <avdict/avdict.htm>
* Avestan cognates and mnemonics <cognates.htm>
* Weapons in the Avesta <avdict/weapons.htm>

//
/"May your mind be master of its vow; may your soul be master of its
vow; and may you live on in the joy of your soul all the nights of your
life." /

Vd. 18.27