Encyclopedia of Zoroastrianism. Avesta.

The Avesta is the sacred scripture of Zoroastrianism, an ancient Iranian religion founded by the prophet Zarathustra (Zoroaster) between 1500 and 1000 BCE. Composed in the Avestan language, it encapsulates the spiritual and moral teachings of Zoroastrianism, emphasizing a dualistic cosmology of good and evil. At its core are the Gathas, seventeen hymns attributed to Zarathustra himself, which form the oldest and most revered section. These poetic compositions, written in Old Avestan, praise Ahura Mazda, the Wise Lord and supreme deity, and articulate a vision of ethical living guided by Asha (truth and order) against Druj (falsehood and chaos).

The Avesta, originally an oral tradition, was later transcribed during the Sassanian Empire (224-651 CE) into a comprehensive collection of 21 books, or “nasks.” However, much was lost following invasions, notably by Alexander the Great and later Muslim conquests, leaving only fragments today. Its surviving sections—such as the Yasna (liturgical texts), Yashts (hymns to deities), Vendidad (laws and purity rites), and Khorda Avesta (daily prayers)—reflect a rich tapestry of rituals, cosmogony, and legal codes. The Avesta’s influence extends beyond Zoroastrianism, shaping concepts like judgment after death and the messianic struggle between good and evil, which resonate in later monotheistic faiths.