Haft Amahraspand Yasht
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| Haft Amahraspand Yasht | |
|---|---|
 First page of the Haft Amahraspand Yasht in Darmesteter's French translation[1] | |
| Information | |
| Religion | Zoroastrianism |
| Language | Avestan |
| Period | Avestan period |
| Verses | 15 |
The Haft Amahraspand Yasht or Haf-tan Yasht is the second hymn of the Yashts, a collection of 21 yashts. It is named after and dedicated to the Amesha Spentas.[2]
Haft Amahraspand is a compound term of Middle Persian haft, with the meaning seven,[3] and amahraspand, the Middle Persian term for the Amesha Spenta.[4] It therefore means the seven Amesha Spentas. The hymn is also known as Haf-tan Yasht or Haptan Yasht meaning Yasht of the Seven.[5]
Within the Yasht collection
Within the collection of 21 Yashts, the Haft Amahraspand Yasht is the second hymn. Overall, the literary quality of the yasht is considered inferior.[6] It is performed on the first seven days of the month, which are dedicated to the Amesha Spenta.[7]
There are a number of features which set it apart from the other yashts. First, while most yashts are dedicated to a single divinity, the Haft Amahraspand Yasht, as well as the Frawardin Yasht, is dedicated to several divinities.[8] Furthermore, unlike most other yashts, it is not derived from the Bagan yasht, but must have been drawn from another source.[9] Finally, the text does not follow the metrical pattern and the division into kardas as most other yashts.[10]
