Avesta

Avesta is the primary collection of religious texts of Zoroastrianism, one of the world's oldest monotheistic religions. The Avesta's core texts, which date back to the second millennium BCE, are written in the Avestan language, an early Iranian language closely related to Old Persian. The Avesta is not a single document but rather a compilation of various texts of different ages, which include hymns, prayers, rituals, and liturgical texts. The most significant portions of the Avesta are the Yasna, the Visperad, the Vendidad, and the Yashts.

Composition

The Avesta is divided into several parts, with the most important being:

• Yasna: A collection of 72 chapters, which includes the Gathas, hymns believed to have been composed by Zoroaster (Zarathustra) himself. The Yasna is the primary liturgical collection of Zoroastrianism, used during the main worship ceremony.
• Visperad: A collection of supplements to the Yasna, which includes detailed rituals and ceremonies to be performed during specific religious festivals.
• Vendidad: A legal and mythological text, which contains prescriptions for ritual purity and the laws against demons and pollution.
• Yashts: A collection of hymns in praise of various deities and legendary figures within the Zoroastrian pantheon.
• Siroza: A litany to the 30 divinities presiding over the days of the month.
• Khordeh Avesta: A smaller book containing daily prayers and confessions.

Language and Transmission

The Avesta was originally transmitted orally, a practice that continued even after its compilation. The language of the Avesta, Avestan, is closely related to Old Persian but is more archaic. Over time, the language became incomprehensible to most Zoroastrians, and translations and commentaries, primarily in Pahlavi, were produced to make the texts accessible.

Historical Context

The Avesta's compilation is believed to have occurred over several centuries, with its oldest parts, the Gathas, attributed to Zoroaster himself, who is thought to have lived between 1500 and 1000 BCE. The religion and its scriptures evolved significantly over time, especially during the Sassanian Empire (224-651 CE), when Zoroastrianism was the state religion of Persia. This period saw the collection and preservation of the Avesta texts, as well as the production of significant commentaries and theological works.

Significance

The Avesta is crucial for understanding Zoroastrianism, its theology, cosmology, and rituals. It provides insights into the religious practices and social norms of ancient Persian societies. The texts also have a broader historical significance, offering perspectives on the development of early monotheistic religious thought and its influence on other world religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Preservation and Study

The survival of the Avesta texts has been precarious, with significant portions lost over the centuries, especially following the Muslim conquest of Persia. The remaining texts have been preserved through the efforts of Zoroastrian communities, particularly those in India (the Parsis) and Iran. In recent years, scholarly interest in the Avesta has grown, with translations and studies contributing to the understanding of ancient Persian culture and Zoroastrianism's place in the history of religions.