Each stanza of this song contains the translation in italics, a brief commentary, and a closing thought to ponder.
Try reading on stanza each day and pondering upon its meaning.
DEVOTION TO DUTY
Song 6.1 (Yasna 33.1)
According to the Primal Principles of Life
the leader shall do full justice
to the wrongful and to the righteous,
as well as to the person
whose falsity is combined
with his probity.
The leader, chosen by people, should be impartial. He should base his justice on the Primal Principles of Life and then deal with the wrongful, the righteous, and the person who is both. It is this impartiality that brings true justice and wins others over to righteousness.
We must choose impartial leaders who will judge ALL according to their behavior.
Song 6.2 (Yasna 33.2)
And whoever foils the wrongful
by word, thought, or action;
or who, if approached by a visitor,
teaches him good things,
advances in his convictions
to the satisfaction of Divine Wisdom.
Wrong must not succeed and survive. One should correct it by thinking over the problem, speaking to and dealing with, the wrongful. Wrong must be corrected especially if one is approached by a visiting person. One should be both a teacher and preacher. Such a person would, at the same time, promote their conviction and faith, and also please the Divine through wise instruction.
Seek to prevent unethical people from doing harmful actions, and kindly offer insight to those who seek your wisdom.
Song 6.3 (Yasna 33.3)
Whoever is very good to the righteous
whether it be a relative, or a member of the community,
or, O Lord, a member of the fellowship,
or serves the living world with zeal,
lives indeed in the domain of righteousness
and good mind.
One who lives a life of righteousness and good mind and who sincerely serves another righteous person, whoever they are – a relative, a community member, a fellowship member or a world citizen – lives in the domain of righteousness and good mind.
Doing good for any good person, regardless of the status of that person in the community, is a meritorious act.
Song 6.4 (Yasna 33.4)
Wise One, I am one who venerates away
inconsideration and evil mind from You;
perverse-mind from the family;
related wrong from the fellowship;
revile from the fellowship;
and extremely evil counseling from the world settlements.
Zarathushtra vows that his revelation will revolutionize society by eliminating the evil and superstitious conceptions that people hold of the Wise One, the improper thinking among family members, the wrong practice within the community, abuse and hatred among kindred human beings, and every harmful recommendations ruling world wide, resulting in a thorough and ethical cleansing.
Seek to drive away the ills that pervade society by relying on ever growing wisdom and spiritual growth.
Song 6.5 (Yasna 33.5)
I shall listen to Your Inspiring Voice,
the greatest of all voices,
to reach my final goal:
a long life in the dominion of good mind,
and a straight walk along the paths of righteousness
to the serene abode of the Wise Lord.
To remove social ills and reach his final goal, Zarathushtra listens to the Divine Voice, the greatest of all inspirations, for guidance. The result—a long life of good wisdom in peace and order, and a straight, unwavering walk on the righteous path to reach Wisdom.
Listen to Divine Wisdom. The Divine has created many wonderful things that lead to a productive and fulfilling life.
Song 6.6 (Yasna 33.6)
I am the true invoker
who, through righteousness,
perceives You with the best mind.
It is with such mental satisfaction
that I wish to work as an adviser for the settled people.
Therefore, Wise Lord, I am longing
to have Your vision and communion.
As opposed to the mumbling ritualistic priests, Zarathushtra is simple and sincere in invoking and perceiving God through righteousness and his best mind. This gives him mental satisfaction that stimulates him to guide the people who are settled with positive and productive activities. That makes him more desirous of perceiving divine wisdom for further inspiration.
Call on Divine Wisdom to learn how to best advance and advise your society.
Song 6.7 (Yasna 33.7)
Come to me, O Best One, O Wise One,
in person and in sight
through righteousness and good mind
so that I am heard beyond the Fellowship.
Let our reverential offerings
be clearly manifested among us.
Zarathushtra is now invoking Divine wisdom, his best support, to come in his vision through righteousness and good mind—a true mental perception. He wants clear guidance to spread the divine message beyond the then small circle of his companions and he wants his prayers answered to shape his success in propagating his divine mission.
Sometimes we need to find the wisdom in the minute workings of life if we wish to affect change on a large scale.
Song 6.8 (Yasna 33.8)
See for Yourself my intentions
which I am pursuing through good mind.
They are, Wise One, reverence and praising words
for You through righteousness.
Grant me the steadfastness of immortality
and the substantiality of wholeness.
Having defined his mission, Zarathushtra continues his invocation. He has his intentions which he pursues through good mind. All he intends is to properly venerate and praise the Wise One. He prays for stable immortality and true perfection.
Your intentions should be clear to others through your actions, if done through the Good Mind.
Song 6.9 (Yasna 33.9)
Wise One, it is Your intention
that these two promoters of righteousness
be the refreshing splendid goals
achieved through the best mind.
The growth of these two associates
make souls harmonize.
Wholeness and immortality, as twin goals, promote righteousness. They are the wonderful objects which can be achieved by using our best of thoughts. It is these twin goals which unite our souls to achieve them, and this is what God wishes us to attain.
Beneficial common goals unite our souls.
Song 6.10 (Yasna 33.10)
Wise One, make all those enjoying a good life,
who have been, who are now,
and who shall be,
share Your pleasure.
Promote our physical enlightenment
through good mind, dominion, and righteousness.
Persons of past, present, and future who enjoy a good productive life are, in fact, sharing divine pleasure, because their physical illumination is promoted through good mind, self-reliance, and righteousness. Zarathushtra prays for this very favor for all of us.
Those who live by Divine Wisdom, live with Divine Wisdom.
Song 6.11 (Yasna 33.11)
Most powerful Wise Lord,
Serenity, world-promoting Righteousness,
Good Mind, and Dominion,
listen to me, be gracious to me
for whatever rewards You grant.
The Wise One, the most-powerful, awards wholeness and immortality through the Principles of Life—serenity, world-promoting righteousness, good mind and dominion. Praying with poetical fervor, Zarathushtra addresses all and prays for grace and blessing.
The attributes of Lord Wisdom are priceless blessings by themselves.
Song 6.12 (Yasna 33.12)
Lord Wise, rise within me,
grant me courage through serenity,
good gifts of prayers
through the most progressive mentality,
full vigor through righteousness,
and felicity through good mind.
Zarathushtra is meditating. He wants to feel the Divine invigorating his self by granting him courage through peace of mind and body, inspiration to move forward through his best thinking faculty, full strength through proper and precise acts, and the joy at the resulting success through good mind. A sincere prayer to succeed in his mission and enjoy the result.
Success comes through inspiration, serenity, clear understanding, and planned precision.
Song 6.13 (Yasna 33.13)
To support me, Wide-watching Lord,
reveal to me the force of Your sovereignty,
the blessings of good mind.
Show me through progressive serenity,
righteous conceptions.
The meditation continues: The Divine who watches all, show me your dominion that would bless and enlighten my good mind with vision. Feeling calm and serene, I gain right conceptions.
By seeking Wisdom, we may understand what a good, beneficial rule would look like; one achieved from a worldview informed by the laws of reality.
Song 6.14 (Yasna 33.14)
Now as a dedication, I, Zarathushtra
offer to the Wise One
the very life-breath of myself
and the first fruits of my good mind,
deeds and words, gained through righteousness,
with my ear to the divine voice;
in fact, my whole strength.
At the end of his meditating prayers, Zarathushtra makes an offering to Mazda: His very life; the fruits of his thoughts, words, and deeds based on wise righteousness; listening to divine guidance; and all the power he has—to serve his divine mission.
Throughout his life, Zarathushtra dedicated himself to Lord Wisdom and the perfection of reality; so too should we all.
We invite your comments on these Gathas so that our insights might teach one another.
Next Installment: The Gathas – Song 7
Previous Installment: The Gathas – Song 5
Source: The Gathas - Zarathushtrian Assembly See the index on the left of the page for the Song labeled in the title of this article.
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