each individual should use his or her own wisdom to make choices and decisions in life, and each individual has the responsibility to constantly develop his or her knowledge. A wise person will always choose the truth, the right path, or Asha. Whenever truth is embedded in a human being’s thoughts, words and deeds, then he will follow the philosophy and teachings of holy Zarathustra. In the past, whenever a Zoroastrian youth decided to become a Mobed (Zoroastrian religious leader or priest), he first had to learn the religious teachings and philosophy of Zarathustra, and then write parts of the Avesta by hand with pen and ink. He then had to hand over his/her religious manuscript to his professor, and to read the Avestan hymns from that manuscript with the special melody of Avestan recitation. This tradition was widespread among Mobeds until five hundred years ago and some samples of these old manuscripts are now being examined by the Avestan scholars in reputable universities around the world. In this book, Mobed Koorosh Niknam has also written the Avestan text of Zarathustra’s hymns in a beautiful calligraphy with a reed pen and ink. He has then recited the hymns in the special melody. What is special about this project, is that the recitation of the holy Avesta was for the first time accompanied by traditional music. Arash Shahryari played the Tanboor (a musical instrument with two strings, originally from Kurdistan) while Mobed Niknam recited the Gathas. The blend of the recitation and the tune from the Kurdish Tanboor was proposed and supported by Mr. Mohammad Reza Darvishi, an Iranian musician and researcher. He believes that there is a close resemblance and connection between classical chants and beautiful music of the Dotar, the two stringed musical instrument of western Iran such as that of Kermanshah and Kurdistan. The Persian calligraphy of this book was written by Mr. Mahmood Rahbaran. This book has been published with the help and effort of Behjat publication group.

each individual should use his or her own wisdom to make choices and decisions in life, and each individual has the responsibility to constantly develop his or her knowledge. A wise person will always choose the truth, the right path, or Asha. Whenever truth is embedded in a human being’s thoughts, words and deeds, then he will follow the philosophy and teachings of holy Zarathustra. In the past, whenever a Zoroastrian youth decided to become a Mobed (Zoroastrian religious leader or priest), he first had to learn the religious teachings and philosophy of Zarathustra, and then write parts of the Avesta by hand with pen and ink. He then had to hand over his/her religious manuscript to his professor, and to read the Avestan hymns from that manuscript with the special melody of Avestan recitation. This tradition was widespread among Mobeds until five hundred years ago and some samples of these old manuscripts are now being examined by the Avestan scholars in reputable universities around the world. In this book, Mobed Koorosh Niknam has also written the Avestan text of Zarathustra’s hymns in a beautiful calligraphy with a reed pen and ink. He has then recited the hymns in the special melody. What is special about this project, is that the recitation of the holy Avesta was for the first time accompanied by traditional music. Arash Shahryari played the Tanboor (a musical instrument with two strings, originally from Kurdistan) while Mobed Niknam recited the Gathas. The blend of the recitation and the tune from the Kurdish Tanboor was proposed and supported by Mr. Mohammad Reza Darvishi, an Iranian musician and researcher. He believes that there is a close resemblance and connection between classical chants and beautiful music of the Dotar, the two stringed musical instrument of western Iran such as that of Kermanshah and Kurdistan. The Persian calligraphy of this book was written by Mr. Mahmood Rahbaran. This book has been published with the help and effort of Behjat publication group.