The Parsis

Essays on their Sacred Language, Writings and Religion

This is the most detailed and authentic study on the Parsis, their sacred languages and writings, called Zoroastrian studies, and their Religion. The author has done a commendable job in making it a richly documented work, which successfully projects the magnificent panorama of the cultural and religious richness of the Parsis and their writings and literature.

The book is divided into different chapters, giving details of the History of the Researches into the Sacred Writings and Religion of the Parsis; Greek, Roman, Armenian, Mohammedan and European Researches; Zoroastrian studies, languages of the Parsi Scriptures; languages of Avesta, Pahlavi and Pazand; and the Pahlavi literature; the Zend-Avesta or the scriptures of the Parsis- The Nasks, Yasna, Gathas, the later Yasna, Visparad, Yashta, shorter texts, and brief survey of Avesta literature. The last chapter is a detailed study of the Zoroastrian Religion and its relationship with Brahmanical doctrines. The book also has detailed Appendixes which gives translations from Avesta, Pahlavi and Parsi ceremonies.