Library
All Collections Home

Vendidad (Videvdad)

The Vendidad (Videvdad, " Law Rejecting the Daevas") is the main source for Zoroastrian law, both ritual and civil. It is the only volume of the Sasanian Avesta to survive in the extant Avesta collection.|||Avestan manuscripts, the oldest dating from the 13th century CE.|||Composed in the Sasanian era, though based on earlier traditions.|||Canonical in Zoroastrianism. Not recognized by any other religious tradition.|||The main source for Zoroastrian law. Consists of two introductory sections recounting how the law was given to human beings, followed by 18 sections of rules.|||Darmesteter, J. The Zend-Avesta, Part I: The Vendidad. Sacred Books of the East, 1880.|||Vendidad — Wikipedia|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vendidad|Background and scholarly discussion.|||Vendidad — Sacred Texts|https://www.sacred-texts.com/zor/sbe04/index.htm|Full public-domain translation.|||" The Law Rejecting the Daevas, revealed by Ahura Mazda to Zarathushtra." — Vendidad 1

Collection: Other Ancient Religious Texts Canon: varies

Canon Status

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

Date & Provenance

Composed in the Sasanian era, though based on earlier traditions.

Language & Manuscripts

Avestan manuscripts, the oldest dating from the 13th century CE.

Why It Matters for Study

The main source for Zoroastrian law. Consists of two introductory sections recounting how the law was given to human beings, followed by 18 sections of rules.

" The Law Rejecting the Daevas, revealed by Ahura Mazda to Zarathushtra." — Vendidad 1

Read the Text & External Resources

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

  • " The Law Rejecting the Daevas, revealed by Ahura Mazda to Zarathushtra." — Vendidad 1 " The Law Rejecting the Daevas, revealed by Ahura Mazda to Zarathushtra." — Vendidad 1

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, Part I: The Vendidad. Sacred Books of the East, 1880.
Vendidad — Wikipedia|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vendidad|Background and scholarly discussion.
Vendidad — Sacred Texts|https://www.sacred-texts.com/zor/sbe04/index.htm|Full public-domain translation.