- Khordeh Avesta
The Khordeh Avesta ("little Avesta") is both a selection of
verse s from the other collections, as well as three sub-collections that do not appear elsewhere. Taken together, the "Khordeh Avesta" is considered theprayer book for general lay use. In a wider sense, the term "Khordeh Avesta" includes all material other than the Yasna, the Visparad and the Vendidad, as it is only the ceremonies contained in these three books that are reserved for the priests.:The "Khordeh Avesta" is divided into 4 sections:
# Five introductory chapters, accompanied by excerpts from different parts of the "Yasna".
# Five "Niyayishn"s "praises," addressed to the sun, Mithra, the moon, the waters, and the fire. In the main, the material overlaps with that of the "Yasht"s. The "Niyayishn" to fire derives from "Yasna" 62.
# Five "Gahs" "moments of the day," addressed to the five divisions of the day.
# Four "Afrinagans" "blessings," each recited on a particular occasion: the first in honor of the dead, the second on the five epagomenal days that end the year, the third is recited at the six seasonal feasts, and the fourth at the beginning and end of summer.
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