Ahuna Vairya - Translation and Interpretation

Translation and Interpretation

Even though several translations and interpretations exist, the overall meaning of the prayer remains obscure. The terseness of the language and lack of grammatical structure make a literal translation from the old Avestan language difficult (See also: difficulties in translating the Gathas). Translations based on middle Persian translations (and commentaries) of the hymn also exist and can differ greatly from those based on the gathic Avestan.

Transliteration of the Avestan text in Latin script by Shams-ul-`Ulama Maneckji Dhalla (which is not significantly different from the 1896 version by Karl Geldner):

athā ahu vairyo athā ratush ashāt chit hachā

vangheush dazdā manangho shyaothananām angheush Mazdāi

khshathremchā ahurāi â yim dregubyo dadat vāstārem

Dastur Dhalla also notes that a corrupt form of the prayer is commonly used:

athāu veryo thāre tose sāde chide chāvanghoise dezdā manengho sotthenanām

anghyos Mazdāe khosetharamchāe orāe āiyem daregobyo daredar vāstārem

A simple translation from the Pahlavi by Darmesteter:

the will of the Lord is the law of righteousness.

the gifts of the Good Mind to the deeds done in this world for Mazda.

he who relieves the poor makes Ahura king.

A translation from the Old Avestan by Windfuhr:

Whereas he shall be chosen by the world, so, according to Truth,

the judgement of deeds done by the world in Good Faith (Mind) is yielded to Mazda,

and the Power of the Ahura whom they shall assign as pastor to the poor.

Humbach, Elefenbein and Skjærvø translate it as:

As judgment is to be chosen by the world,

so the judgment (which is) in accord with the truth,

(which is to be passed) on the actions of good throughout the world,

is assigned to the Wise (Lord) (Mazdāi),

and the power (is assigned) to the (Wise) Lord (ahurāi)

whom they established as shepherd to the needy.

Given what Russell has termed the "syntactic density" of the prayer, scholarly agreement on a definitive translation, or even close approximation of its meaning, remains unlikely.

Other interpretations are listed in the further reading section below.