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The First Book of the Avesta: S_tūdgar

S_tūdgar is the first of the Avesta codex and second of the Gāθic division. It is possible to suggest a possible connection of the name with Av. stūtō garō with the meaning of ‘the collection of praises (and) invocations’.

The S_tūd^egar contains twenty-two chapters. A separate chapter begins with a Gāθic phrase, illustrates it with ethical and theological remarks, with sometimes allusions to the legends.

A concise description of the lost S_tūd^egar is found in the eighth book of the Dēnkird M 680:

‘Homage to the Fortune of the Good Daēnā Māzdayasni.

The S_tūd^egar is, essentially, about the strength of the “pure praise” (= Avesta), the first Word (= book) of Ahura Mazdā, for (our) thought, speech and action; (about) the abstinence from the law of the evil people who are obstinately adversary; the praise of the virtues and pious works which are of the same substance as the good daēnā, and should be taken; and the blame of the defects and impious works which are of the same seed as the evil daēnā, and should be abandoned; concerning the worship of the Savant Immortals in the world of thought and their protection in the world of living beings, and also much information about the things of the world of thought. About the ancient history and also that which will happen in the Renovation.’

A synopsis of each of the twenty-two chapters of the S_tūd^egar nask is found in the ninth book of the Dēnkird.

See: Avesta: S_tūdgar Nask

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