Ashem Vohu
Ashem Vohu (/ˈʌʃɛm ˈvɔːhuː/, Avestan: 𐬀𐬴𐬆𐬨 𐬬𐬊𐬵𐬏 aṣ̌əm vohū) is a very important prayer in Zoroastrianism. The Ashem Vohu, after the Ahunavar is considered one of the basic, yet meaningful and powerful mantras in the religion. It is considered a lesson and praise of those who embrace Asha, along with being a sacred blessing for the aforementioned. It is also at the end of most of the prayers in the Khordeh Avesta, except a certain few, most notably the Fravarane.[1]
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Ashem vohu, Ahunavar, Yenghe hatam, and Airyaman ishya form four pillars of the Gathic canon, part of the group of Zoroastrian texts composed in the archaic dialect of the Avestan language.
Prayer
- aṣ̌əm vohū vahištəm astī
- uštā astī uštā ahmāi
- hyat̰ aṣ̌āi vahištāi aṣ̌əm
IPA Transliteration:
- aʃəm vohuː vahiʃtəm astiː
- uʃtaː astiː uʃtaː ahmaːi
- hjat aʃaːi vahiʃtaːi aʃəm
Translation:
There are many translations that all differ significantly due to the complexity of Avestan and the concepts involved.
For example:
- "Righteousness is best (of all that is) good.
- As desired, what is being desired
- is truth for him who (represents) best truth."
- or:
- “Asha is true joy most supreme.
- Happiness embrace those who embrace Asha
- And are full of praise for Asha Vahishta.”
- or:
- "Truth is best (of all that is) good.
- As desired, as desired, truth
- is for him who (represents) best truth."[2]
- or:
- "Holiness (Asha) is the best of all good:
- it is also happiness.
- Happy the man who is holy with perfect holiness!"[3]
- or:
- "Righteousness is the best good and it is happiness.
- Happiness is to her/him who is righteous
- for the sake of the best righteousness."[4]
See also
References
- Boyce 2001, p. 38
- The Heritage of Zarathushtra - A new translation of His Gathas, Humbach & Ichaporia
- "AVESTA: KHORDA AVESTA: Part 1". www.avesta.org. Retrieved 2019-07-16.
- Kanga, Ervad Kawasji Eduljee. English Translation of Gujarati Khordeh Avesta. p. 1.
The main point to be noted in the translation is that the word "Holiness", can also be replaced with Righteousness and its main origin term "Asha".
Bibliography
- Boyce, Mary (2001). Zoroastrians:Their Religious Beliefs and Practices. Routledge.