In these Gathas there is a unity of thought and feeling suggesting strongly unity of authorship.  There is general agreement that the one author to whom at least the great bulk of the Gathas is due is Zarathustra himself.  Roth, L.H.  Mills, and other scholars date the Gathas as they would the Vedas, somewhere between B.C. 1200 and 1500, and they therefore fix upon the same date for the work of Zarathustra himself.  Other Avestan scholars (A.V.W.  Jackson, etc.) fix the date of Zarathustra’s life, and therefore of the Gathas, some time near B.C. 600.  If the latter opinion is held, it is probable that the substance of the Gathas is much older than the form which they take in the Avesta.]

GATHA I, Yasnas 28-34, 29, which is earlier than 28.

THE CALL OF ZARATHUSTRA.  The afflicted people cry out aloud to thee, O Ahura-Mazda, and also to the Asha, the author of the divine order.  Why were we made to be exposed to the attacks of suffering and of sin?  The divine one asked Asha “Hast thou appointed a guardian over this people to defend them from evil?” Said Asha:  “There is no man in this world that has to bear his lot of suffering and to resist moral adversaries, but the great Creator knows all about his life, and demands from him all that he is capable of.  No man can choose anyone who is able to secure justice and happiness in the world.”  “But I,” said Ahura-Mazda, “have chosen one for this great task, it is Zarathustra, the prophet and priest.”  On hearing of his divine appointment, Zarathustra prayed to his god, saying, “Do thou, O all-wise one, aid me, directing my thoughts, choosing for me my words, and guiding my steps, for without thee I can do nothing.”

28.  ZARATHUSTRA’S PRAYER FOR HELP.  Teach me, O loftiest one, thy ways, and encourage me by thy promises to observe thy ceremonies.  When shall I become acquainted with thine own pure mind, and know what is truly good?  When shall I realise thee in my own soul, and have fellowship with thee without the mediation of man or angels?  I do not ask for riches, or booty, or worldly prosperity, but for righteousness.

GRATITUDE FOR BLESSINGS ALREADY RECEIVED. Thou hast granted my requests, and given me the boon which I asked for.  May I never offend thee, nor be ungrateful!  Supply my lot with what thou knowest to be best, and not with what I desire.  Make thou clear to me the laws which govern thy kingdom, that I may be a safe guide to others.

30.  THE CREED WHICH ZARATHUSTRA IS TO PREACH.  I announce to all who desire to know, the true doctrine about the Creation.  Let all that listen give heed and shape their ways according to this teaching:—­There were at the beginning two spirits and nothing more—­a better principle and a worse.  This pair existed independently each of the other.  The good spirit (Ahura-Mazda) made all that he created perfect and just, like himself, but the evil spirit (Ahriman) created things that were evil.  Why have the Daevas-worshippers perverted the truth and gone astray from the right path?  Because the creator of evil has taken possession of them.  All such as make their thoughts, words, and deeds conform to the will of the good spirit have an eternal reward, and their salvation has already begun.  But such as yield to the evil impulses prompted by Ahriman shall abide eternally in woe and misery.