ᛟThe Old Ways

The Zoroastrian Path · morning prayer

Dawn Salutation — Hailing the Light of Mithra

 ·  Duration: 10 min

A Morning Prayer to Mithra and Ahura Mazda — Mithra, the yazata of light, covenants, and the sun, is said to rise before the sun itself — scanning the world for those who honor their word and their devotion. The dawn salutation is one of the oldest Zoroastrian practices, greeting the light as a living divine presence and renewing one's covenant with Asha (righteousness) at the start of each day.

What you need

  • An east-facing window or outdoor space
  • Clean clothes (bathed if possible)
  • Optional: a candle if dawn is not visible

The rite, step by step

  1. 1

    Preparation

    Wash your hands and face before this practice. Face east — toward the rising sun, or toward light if the sun is not visible. Stand or sit upright. Take three slow breaths. You are about to greet the cosmos as it greets you.

  2. 2

    The Praise of Light

    Raise your hands, palms forward, in the ancient gesture of prayer. Say aloud: 'Ashem Vohu vahishtem asti. Ushta asti. Righteousness is good; it is the best. Happy is the person who is righteous for the sake of the best righteousness.' Repeat three times, slowly.

  3. 3

    Hail Mithra

    Gaze toward the light. Say: 'I hail Mithra, the radiant, the wide-pasturing, who first of the heavenly yazatas reaches over the Hara, before the immortal swift-horsed sun. Who first seizes the beautiful, gold-painted mountain tops. From there the most beneficent one surveys the whole land of the Aryans. I offer this day's first thoughts to Mithra.'

  4. 4

    Set Your Intention

    State one concrete intention for the day — one way you will uphold Asha. It must be specific and honest: 'Today I will [specific act of truth, kindness, or justice].' Mithra is the witness. Keeping your word is the practice.

  5. 5

    The Ahunavar

    Close with the most sacred Zoroastrian prayer, the Yatha Ahu Vairyo: 'As is the will of the Lord, so it is for the righteous. The gifts of Vohu Mana come from deeds done for Mazda. The kingdom of Ahura Mazda is established for those who relieve the poor.' Bow slightly as you finish.

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