AHURA MAZDA IS SAID TO BE THE worthiest being that can be invoked in prayer. He is slow to anger, but should never be provoked to wrath. He is all-pervasive, being the creator of everything that exists. He is the father of all the great embodiments of truth, the good mind, and right-mindedness. He is the judge over all the actions of the living. Nothing escapes him as he is all-seeing and can never be deceived. He is all-powerful and exists entirely by himself, having no second or equal. He dwells in various worlds described as worlds of truth or reality, and stands at the ultimate goal to which all creation advances. He has fashioned this Earth to give joy to mankind, in his wisdom. He is truth-tongued and is the teacher of mankind from the very beginning, through Vohu Manah. He is to be worshipped, not out of fear but out of love and friendliness. Here, then, are all the verses from the Gathas which bring out these attributes:
AHUNAVAITI – Yas. 28.9
Never, O Lord, O Truth, and O Pure Mind, may we provoke to anger. May we come to you with hymns of praise, for you are the best to invoke in prayer.
AHUNAVAITI – Yas. 29.6
Thereupon spoke God, who pervades everything with His wisdom: Is not a single powerful person or a protector who is righteous known to you? Is this why I made you the protector of all things created by me?
AHUNAVAITI – Yas. 31.8
May I think of You as first and last – the be all and end all of everything – always. As the father of the highest mind. May I behold You in my mind’s eye as the true creator of truth and the Lord over the actions of the living.
AHUNAVAITI – Yas. 31.13
These questions are asked openly or secretly. When for a small act of violence one undergoes the highest penance, this is observed by You clearly, along with the truth.
AHUNAVAITI – Yas. 32.16
This is the true teaching of a teacher who is followed correctly. You have power over those who plan to menace me. Therefore, I will restrain violent and evil persons from hurting your devotees.
AHUNAVAITI – Yas. 34.7
Where are your devotees, O Lord, whose minds are filled with understanding; who, in times of ill fortune and trouble, teach us about our true inheritance which liberates our minds from the thought of the misery brought about by retribution? Nobody other than You do I acknowledge. Therefore, protect mankind through truth.
USTAVAITI – Yas. 43.3
Surely, the best will come to him who teaches us about the path of righteousness, which leads to bliss, both mental and physical, leading to the world of reality where God dwells. May Your devotee, who is wise and good, be one with You, O God.
USTAVAITI – Yas. 43.5
I have realised that You are holy, O Lord, when I recognised that You were the first, even before life came into being. You have ordained that all words and deeds will bear fruit. Misery to those who are evil, and blessings of well-being to those who are good. Thus shall it be till the ultimate goal of creation is reached.
USTAVAITI – Yas. 43.6
At which goal You stand, O Lord, with the holy spirit, Your power and the Pure Mind, through all of whom life advances along the path of truth. These are pointed out by right-mindedness’s teaching – the doing of Your will, which can be thwarted by no one.
USTAVAITI – Yas. 44.1
This do I ask You, tell me truly, O Lord:
How should your devotees worship you? Let your assistant truth, O God, point out this to me – until the revelations of the Pure Mind arrive to all mankind.
USTAVAITI – Yas. 44.3
This do I ask You, tell me truly, O Lord:
Which Being, our Father, first created truth? Which Being laid down the path of the sun and the stars? Through which Being does the moon wax and wane alternately? All this and other things I do wish to know, O Lord.
USTAVAITI – Yas. 44.4
This do I ask You, tell me truly, O Lord:
Which Being supports the Earth and the other worlds? Which Being created the waters and the plants? Which Being moves the wind and dark clouds? Which Being, O Lord, is the creator of the Pure Mind?
USTAVAITI – Yas. 44.5
This do I ask You, tell me truly, O Lord:
Who created light and darkness? Who created sleep and wakefulness? Who created dawn, day and night? All these instruct the wise about life’s purpose.
USTAVAITI – Yas. 44.6
This do I ask You, tell me truly, O Lord:
I will ask whether this is indeed true – right-mindedness, working through good deeds, increases truth. Right-Mindedness promises this through Your power and through the Pure Mind. For whom did you fashion this abundant and joy-giving Mother Earth?
USTAVAITI – Yas. 44.7
This do I ask You, tell me truly, O Lord: Who created Your precious power and right-mindedness? Who, with his living breath, made the son follow the father? Thus would I clearly recognize You, O Lord, as the creator of the holy spirit and everything else.
USTAVAITI – Yas. 45.4
And I will explain about the best there is in life. Because of following the path of truth, God has revealed it to me. He is the father of the active and good mind and his daughter, right-mindedness, makes us do good deeds. God, who is all-seeing, is never deceived.
USTAVAITI – Yas. 45.6
And I will explain about the greatest of all, praising His wisdom and truth. Through the holy spirit may God listen to us. Through the Pure Mind may I become devoted to Him. May He in His wisdom guide me onwards to the highest.
USTAVAITI – Yas. 45.10
Him, through devotion to right-mindedness, will I seek – who is forever known as the Lord who is the great creator. For, through Truth and the Pure Mind, He has promised, through His power, perfection and immortality, will be given to all persons, as also strength of character and life renewed.
USTAVAITI – Yas. 46.9
Who is Your foremost devotee who will teach me to regard You as worthy of worship – as holy judge over our actions. And Truth has revealed You as the creator of Mother Earth. I wish for truth and for your pure mind.
SPENTA MAINYU – Yas. 48.9
When will I know that You rule over all, O Lord, and Truth, despite those who plot against it and threaten me? Tell me truly and reveal this to me through the Pure Mind. The saviour should know what is in store for him.
VOHU KSHATREM – Yas. 51.3
Let all those who do good deeds come together to foster Mother Earth. God and Truth speak the language of revelation that comes from the highest mind – from the beginning have You been the teacher.