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Recommended Reading
Avesta -- Zoroastrian Archives Updated Mar. 21, 2012


  FEZANA published a Nawruz prayer book: Hama-Anjuman Prayers for Naurooz In English, Farsi and Gujarati. This is a humble effort to bring all our Zarathushti Groups together in a common prayer environment.

If you need a copy of the book, please contact: Soli P. Dastur at: dastur [at] comcast [dot] net. Donations for printing and postage are encouraged.

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"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 has been normalized in these archives to facilitate searches.

Avesta
(Ancient scriptures of Zoroastrianism)
  • Yasna: Sacred Liturgy and Gathas/Hymns of Zarathushtra...
  • Khorda Avesta: Book of Common Prayer...
  • Visperad: Extensions to the Liturgy...
  • Vendidad: Myths, code of purification, religious observances...
  • Fragments...



spacer The Hymns of Atharvan Zarathushtra 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.

spacer Khorda Avesta (Gujarati) edited by K. E. Kanga, kindly contributed and scanned by Soli Dastur. (For help, see instructions.)

spacer Khorda Avesta (English) edited by K. E. Kanga, kindly contributed and scanned by Soli Dastur. (For help, see instructions.)

  • spacer Also available as a PDF
spacer Khorda Avesta (Persian) with text, translation, and commentary by Mobed Azargoshasp (3rd ed. 1354).

Middle Persian/Pahlavi
(Sacred literature preserved in the middle-Persian language)
  • Arda Viraf: visit to Heaven & Hell
  • Bundahishn Zoroastrian cosmology...
  • Greater Bundahishn
  • Chidag Andarz i Poryotkeshan: (Catechism)
  • Counsels of Adarbad Mahraspandan: Advice on living a good life
  • Dadestan-i Denig ("Religious Decisions")...
  • Denkard: A Ninth Century compendium of Zoroastrian wisdom...
  • Epistles of Manushchihr (A.D. 881)
  • Menog-i Khrad ("The Spirit of Wisdom")...
  • Pazand Texts...
  • Rivayat of Adur-Farnbag
  • Rivayat of Farnbag-Srosh
  • Sayings of Adarbad Mahraspandan: More advice on living a good life
  • Selections of Zadspram, a summary of Zoroastrian legend and beliefs...
  • Shayest Ne-Shayest ("Proper and Improper")...
  • Shkand-gumanig Vizar ("Doubt-dispelling Exposition"), a Zoroastrian apologetic...
  • Zand-i Vohuman Yasht, A Zoroastrian Apocalypse...
  • About the Style of Letter Writing
  • Ahriman's Utterance to the Divs (Drayishn-i Ahriman o Divan)
  • Explanation of Chess and arrangement of Vin-Artakhshir
  • Gatha Hymns recited for the departed (Gasan awar vitartakan Khvanend)
  • Kârnâmag î Ardashîr î Babagân Epic adventures of Ardashir, founder of the Sasanian Dynasty
  • Kartir's inscription on the Kabah of Zartusht, 3rd century royal inscription
  • Kartir's inscription at Naqsh-i Rajab
  • The Nature and Wisdom of a Fortunate Man
  • Yavisht i Friyan: a Pahlavi retelling of an ancient tale
  • Pahlavi Vendidad (excerpts)
  • The Yatkar-i-Zariran or Memoirs of Zarir

Index Locorum

Other
  • Antia, Dr. Kersey: Argument for Acceptance and other articles
  • Dabestan-e Madaheb ("School of religious doctrines"): 17th century description of religions and occult practices of India
  • Dhalla, History of Zoroastrianism (1938), part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5, part 6, part 7
  • Dhalla, Saga of a Soul -- An Autobiography, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5
  • Drower, Peacock Angel (1941)
  • Kerr, Sam: Sassanian Dynasty -- Historical Perspective and other articles
  • Life of Zarathushtra told in pictures
  • Meherjirana: The Geneology of the Naosari Priests, courtesy of Ervad Noshir Hormuzdiar. spacer
  • J.J. Modi's My Travels Outside Bombay: Iran, Azerbaijan, Baku translated and kindly contributed by Soli Dastur.
  • J.J. Modi's Religious Ceremonies and Customs of the Parsees (Bombay, 1922)
  • Old Persian Texts (Complete) ("Ahura Mazda came to my aid")
  • Pazand Book of Jamaspi: Prophecies of the last Millennium
  • Persian Rivayats (15th to 18th century epistles)... spacer
  • Qissa-i Sanjan History of emigration of Zoroastrians to India
  • Sad Dar ("a hundred subjects")...
  • `Ulema-i Islam
  • The Woodcutter and his Fortune (Mushkel Aasan) [HTML] [PDF]
  • Poems

Example of Avestan script

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Example of Pahlavi script

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Example of Old Persian script

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Information on Zoroastrianism

  • Brief overview and Frequently Asked Questions
  • Religious timeline, by Dr. Pallan Ichaporia
  • Fire in Avesta. Ervad Gustad Panthaki (Used with permission)
  • Atash Neyayesh. Ervad Brigadier Behram Maneckshah Panthaki (Used with permission)
  • Upcoming events
  • Glossary of Zoroastrian terms
  • Angels in Zoroastrianism
  • Religious calendar, see also
    • Zoroastrian calendar calculator (Shahanshai, Kadmi, and Fasli dates for any calendar year. Kindly contributed by Soli Dastur.
    • 2011 and 2012 religious calendar
    • Festival of Mihragan
    • Festival of Tiragan
    • Festival of Sadeh
  • S. H. Taqizadeh: Old Iranian Calendars
  • Ancient Zoroastrian millenium prophecies: comet to destroy earth
  • Farohar or Fravashi: What is it?
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Resources

  • The Zoroastrian Shop
  • Sudrehs, Daglis, and more by Golab Momenkhani spacer
  • Phetas and pagdis
  • Other suppliers of religious supplies
  • Names: Avestan, Old Persian, Irani, and Parsi
  • Zoroastrian associations and organizations
  • Journal of The Research & Historical Preservation Committee of FEZANA
  • Periodicals
  • Books and tapes... and Forthcoming

Rituals

  • The Kusti ritual: A Zoroastrian's most basic daily observance
  • The Kusti ritual: per Qadimi tradition
  • Afrinagan: a ceremony of blessing...
  • Baj, Dron, and ritual power
  • Baresman -- its consecration and ceremony
  • Birth
  • Funeral ceremonies
  • Jashan (Festival): a photo
  • Marriage
  • The Navjote ritual: (Sudre-Pooshi) Initiation
  • The Padyab and Nahn rituals of purification
  • Ritual Implements
  • The Wedding ceremony

Information on Avestan language

spacer Teach Yourself Avesta Language by Dr. Ervad Ramiyar Parvez Karanjia (2005) spacer
spacer Bejon N. Desai: Learning Avesta Compendium Copyright © 2003 Bejon N. Desai. Used with permission kindly acquired by the help of Nader M. Patel, Mumbai, and scanned by Soli Dastur.
spacer Bejon N. Desai: Learning Avesta Manual Copyright © 2004 Bejon N. Desai. Used with permission kindly acquired by the help of Nader M. Patel, Mumbai, and scanned by Soli Dastur.
spacer Kanga's Avesta Grammar Kindly contributed by Soli Dastur.
spacer Kanga's Avesta-Gujarati-English Dictionary Kindly contributed by Soli Dastur.
spacer Kanga's English-Avesta Dictionary Kindly contributed by Soli Dastur.
spacer Sunjana's Pahlavi Grammar Kindly contributed by Sam Kerr and Soli Dastur.

  • Overview of the Avestan language
  • Pronunciation and writing
  • Fonts
  • Vocabulary
  • Bharucha: Lessons in Avesta (1907)
  • Indo-European language tree
  • Dictionary...
  • Avestan cognates and mnemonics
  • Weapons in the Avesta


"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

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