Yasna 43 – The Good Mind
Vohu Manah, which literally means “the good mind”, is almost as important as Asha, and recurs throughout the Gathas. It is through Vohu Manah that God’s revelations are made known to Zarathustra. Since life on Earth, and in the hereafter, has to do with the mind/spirit, it is Vohu Manah whose gifts are most precious.
Then shall I recognize thee as strong and holy, Mazda, when by the hand in which thou thyself dost hold the destinies that thou wilt assign to the Liar and the Righteous, by the glow of thy Fire whose power is Right, the might of Good Thought shall come to me.
As the holy one I recognized thee, Mazda Ahurā, when I saw thee in the beginning at the birth of Life, when thou made actions and words to have their results ~ evil for the evil, a good Destiny for the good — through thy wisdom when creation shall reach its goal.
At which goal thou wilt come with thy holy Spirit, O Mazda, with Dominion, at the same with Good Thought, by whose action the settlements will prosper through Right. Their judgments shall Piety proclaim, even those of thy wisdom which none can deceive.
As the holy one I recognized thee, Mazda Ahura, when Good Thought came to me. To his question, ‘For which wilt thou decide?’ [I made reply] : ‘At the gift of adoration to thy Fire, I will bethink me of Right so long as I have power…’
And thus Zarathushtra himself, O Ahurā, chooses that spirit of thine that is holiest, Mazda. May Right be embodied, full of life and strength! May Piety abide in the Dominion where the sun shines! May Good Thought give destiny to men according to their works!
