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Avesta

The Avesta is the primary collection of religious literature of Zoroastrianism, composed in the Avestan language. It includes the Yasna, Visperad, Yashts, Vendidad, and minor texts.|||Avestan manuscripts, the oldest surviving copies dating from the 13th century CE. The texts we're transmitted orally for centuries before being written down.|||The Gathas, the oldest part, are attributed to Zoroaster (c. 1500–1000 BCE). The Younger Avesta was composed over several centuries. The Sasanian Avesta was codified in the 3rd–7th centuries CE.|||Canonical in Zoroastrianism. Not recognized by any other religious tradition.|||The scripture of Zoroastrianism. Its religious core is the Gathas, hymns attributed to Zoroaster. The extant Avesta is all that remains of a much larger collection.|||Darmesteter, J. The Zend-Avesta. Sacred Books of the East, 1880–1887.|||Boyce, M. A History of Zoroastrianism. Brill, 1975–1991.|||Avesta — Sacred Texts|https://www.sacred-texts.com/zor/|Full public-domain translation.;; Avesta — Wikipedia|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avesta|Background and scholarly discussion.|||" The will of the Lord is the law of holiness." — Yasna 1 (Ahuna Vairya)

Collection: Other Ancient Religious Texts Canon: varies

Canon Status

Canonical in Zoroastrianism. Not recognized by any other religious tradition.

Date & Provenance

The Gathas, the oldest part, are attributed to Zoroaster (c. 1500–1000 BCE). The Younger Avesta was composed over several centuries. The Sasanian Avesta was codified in the 3rd–7th centuries CE.

Language & Manuscripts

Avestan manuscripts, the oldest surviving copies dating from the 13th century CE. The texts we're transmitted orally for centuries before being written down.

Why It Matters for Study

The scripture of Zoroastrianism. Its religious core is the Gathas, hymns attributed to Zoroaster. The extant Avesta is all that remains of a much larger collection.

" The will of the Lord is the law of holiness." — Yasna 1 (Ahuna Vairya)

Read the Text & External Resources

Public-domain translations and scholarly databases where the text can be read online or downloaded.

  • " The will of the Lord is the law of holiness." — Yasna 1 (Ahuna Vairya) " The will of the Lord is the law of holiness." — Yasna 1 (Ahuna Vairya)

External links open in a new tab. Sources are chosen for public-domain or open-access availability; always verify edition and translation when citing in academic work.

Further Reading

Darmesteter, J. The Zend-Avesta. Sacred Books of the East, 1880–1887.
Boyce, M. A History of Zoroastrianism. Brill, 1975–1991.
Avesta — Sacred Texts|https://www.sacred-texts.com/zor/|Full public-domain translation.;; Avesta — Wikipedia|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avesta|Background and scholarly discussion.