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* These two prayers Ashem Vohu and Yathă Ahu Vairyo are pre-Zarathushtra in age. They are the sacred Verses (Mantra's) of the Creator Hormazd.  Yenghe Hătăm is the sacred Verse (Mantra) of the Prophet Zarathushtra

(ref : Yasna Ha XIX XX XXI,) These three Hăs-Chapters are known as Baghăn Yasht.

 

 

 

Ashem Vohu and translation

(It is enjoined to chant  this  prayer with full comprehension 

Ashem1
Righteousness1

 Vohu2  

Vashistem3

asti4  

is4  

the best3

good2  

Ushtă5

 asti,6

(and it) is6

 happiness.5

Ushtă7
Happiness7  
ahmăi,8 
(is) to him,
Hyat9
who9 (is) 
  ashăi10
righteous10
Vahishtăi11 for the sake of the best11
  ashem.12 righteousness.12

Ashem Vohu should be recited in proper meter 

with proper comprehension. 

Ref : --first Frakart-chapter of the Hădhokht Nask=

 

Ashem1 Vohu2  Vashistem3 asti4 
Ushtă 5 asti,6 Ushtă7 ahmăi,8 
Hyat9 ashăi10 Vahishtăi11 ashem.12 

 


English Translaion

Righteousness1 is4  the best3 good2  
(and it) is6 happiness.5
Happiness7 (is) to him, who9 (is) righteous12
  for the sake of the best11 righteousness.10

 

 

Benefits of reciting One ashem vohu

At time of death

REF : first Frakart-chapter of the Hădhokht Nask=.

The entire region Khvaniratha, which is the greatest and most excellent amongst the Seven Regions of the Earth.
When a person at the end of life recites  one Ashem Vohu prayer sincerely, with proper comprehension One recital of Ashem Vohu is worth the entire region Khvaniratha, which is the greatest and most excellent amongst the Seven Regions of the Earth.  He forsakes all wicked thoughts from his mind.   Ref : --
When a person waking up and rising up from sleep recites Ashem Vohu ,   One recital of Ashem Vohu recited  should be truly regarded as worth ten thousand recitals on other occasions, Ref : --first Frakart-chapter of the Hădhokht Nask=.
 
gain share of meritorious deeds Those Zoroastrians who do not know any other prayer are enjoined to recite "Yathă" and "Ashem" with a view to gaining a share of meritorious deeds. 
 
He who recites the .... Prayer of the Avesta     attains to  meritorious deeds    (ref : Yasna Hă XIX) with full comprehension
in the proper metre
with proper intonation,
intoned without interruption
and without omission
"Asha = Righteousness' is to be understood as truth * These two prayers Ashem Vohu and Yathă Ahu Vairyo are pre-Zarathushtra in age. They are the sacred Verses (mantra's) of the Creator Hormazd Himself.  Yasna Hă XX gives the Commentary on Ashem Vohu 

 

Discussion and commentary

(It is enjoined to chant  this  prayer with full comprehension 

for this verb employed is Srăvaya (Sanskrit:. Srăvaya), i.e. to chant.) (ref : Yasna Hă XIX)

Ashem Vohu should be recited 

with proper comprehension

One must act according to it. 

One must  recite it.after relinquishing all wicked thoughts from the mind.  It is futile to recite Ashem Vohu on one hand and to utter falsehood and deceive on the other hand.

Ref : --first Frakart-chapter of the Hădhokht Nask=

Explanation :- The significance of the term `Righteousness' is to be understood as truth, holiness and pristine purity. In our Holy Avesta `Righteousness' is highly praised. For this the words "Staomi ashem : (i.e., I praise Righteousness) are introduced. Purity of the mind and the body is the most excellent wealth and happiness of this world. That happiness which is highest in the matter of truth is attained to that person. The foremost thing which mankind ought to acquire after having born in this world is Truth. (see Yazishn Hă 48, stanza 5).

* These two prayers Ashem Vohu and Yathă Ahu Vairyo are pre-Zara-thushtra in age.

 They are the sacred Verses of the Creator Hormazd Himself. (See Yasna Ha XIX, paras 1-4 and 14; Yasna Hă XX.3). Yasna Hă XIX is an Avestan Commentary on the Yathă Ahu Vairyo ; Yasna Hă XX gives the Commentary on Ashem Vohu

Yenghe Hătăm is the sacred Verse of the Prophet Zarathushtra (See Yasna Hă XXI, para 1).

These three well-known prayers are adored with their specific names.   ;   .  These three prayers, specially "Yathă" and "Ashem" are frequently recited in our holy Avestan Scriptures. Those Zoroastrians who do not know any other prayer are enjoined to recite "Yathă" and "Ashem" with a view to gaining a share of meritorious deeds. 

Yasna Hă XIX is an Avestan Commentary on the Yathă Ahu Vairyo
Yasna Hă XX gives the Commentary on Ashem Vohu 
and Yasna Hă XXI gives the Commentary of the Yenghe Hătăm
Baghăn Yasht. These three Hăs-Chapters are known as Baghăn Yasht.
The foremost thing which mankind ought to acquire after having born in this world is Truth. 

(see Yazishn Hă 48, stanza 5).

 

Ashem Vohu

Translated by James Darmesteter (From Sacred Books of the East, American Edition, 1898., Vol 3, p 216.)

 
Holiness (Asha) is the best of all good: it is also happiness.
Happy the man who is holy with perfect holiness!
http://www.avesta.org/ka/ashems.htm