Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • The sacred scriptures of Zoroastrianism, the ancient Iranian religion founded by the prophet Zoroaster (Zarathustra). The Avesta is a collection of liturgical texts, hymns, prayers, and ritual instructions. It is written in the Avestan language, an ancient Iranian language.

Usage

• The Avesta is the primary source for understanding Zoroastrian theology, cosmology, and ritual practice.
• Scholars study the Avesta to learn about ancient Iranian culture and language.
• The oldest existing manuscripts of the Avesta date from the 13th century AD, though the texts themselves are much older.

Examples

• The Avesta contains the , hymns traditionally attributed to Zoroaster himself.
• Priests recite passages from the Avesta during Zoroastrian ceremonies.
• A central concept found in the Avesta is the cosmic struggle between good and evil.

Advanced Usage

• The Avestan language: The language in which the Avesta is composed. It is closely related to Sanskrit.
• Avestan alphabet: The special script developed to write the Avestan language and preserve the Avesta texts.

Variants and Related Words

• Zend-Avesta: An older term sometimes used to refer to the Avesta along with its commentary (Zend). In modern scholarship, "Avesta" is the preferred term for the core scriptures.
• Avestan (adjective): Pertaining to the Avesta or its language. (e.g., , ).

Synonyms

• Zoroastrian scriptures
• Zend (archaic, and often refers to the commentary)

Notes

• The Avesta is not a single, unified book but a compilation of different texts composed over many centuries. Its current form was compiled during the Sasanian Empire (3rd to 7th centuries AD).

Noun

1. a collection of Zoroastrian texts gathered during the 4th or 6th centuries