Videvdad (Vendidad)

Wheel of Heaven Translation

Fargard 2: Yima, the evil winters, and the Vara

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Established or uncontested across mainstream sources, or a direct description of the project itself.

The Vendidad (Vīdēvdād, "the law against the demons") is the only book of the Sasanian Avesta canon that survives complete. Most of its twenty-two chapters, called fargards, are priestly law on purity and its breach. The second fargard is different: it is a narrative about Yima, the first king, and the earliest Iranian account of a refuge built against the destruction of the world.

In this fargard Ahura Mazda offers Yima, son of Vivanghat, the Religion; Yima declines to carry it, and receives rule over the world instead. Under his rule there is neither cold nor heat, disease nor death, and three times the earth grows too crowded and Yima enlarges it. Then Ahura Mazda warns him of the evil winters to come, with frost, deep snow and the flood of meltwater after them, and instructs him to build the Vara, an enclosure "the length of a race-course on each of its four sides", and to bring into it the seeds of people, animals, plants and fires, the greatest, best and fairest of each, keeping out every mark of Angra Mainyu. The fargard ends with the Vara's self-created lights and the life of those within it.

This is a translation of Fargard 2 only. The English follows Geldner's Avestan text and numbering. Square brackets mark a repeated formula that the source abbreviates and the translation restores, angle brackets mark a word the editors supply, and "(?)" marks a word whose meaning is uncertain. The notes compare the Vara with Noah's ark and the boat of the Mesopotamian flood stories, a parallel scholars have discussed since Darmesteter and whose origin remains disputed. Verses with a note end in a bracketed marker [ ]; select it to open the note.

See also the Genesis translation, Atra-hasis and the Gilgamesh flood tablet.

About this translation

Edition: Romanized Avestan text after Karl F. Geldner, Avesta: the Sacred Books of the Parsis (1886–96, public domain), via avesta.org (Joseph H. Peterson), with Geldner's verse numbering; James Darmesteter's translation (Sacred Books of the East 4, American ed. 1898, public domain) used as the reference. The English translation, notes and glossary are released CC0.
Coverage: Fargard 2 translated (41 verses, Geldner's numbering 1–43, with verses 12–14 printed as one abbreviated unit). The other twenty-one fargards are not translated.
Review status: Reviewed and signed off.

Videvdad 2 — Yima, the evil winters, and the Vara

Zarathushtra asked Ahura Mazda: 'O Ahura Mazda, most beneficent Spirit, Maker of the material world, righteous one! With whom among mortals, other than me, Zarathushtra, did you first converse, you who are Ahura Mazda? To whom did you teach the Religion, that of Ahura, that of Zarathushtra?'

peresat zarathushtrô ahurem mazdãm, ahura mazda mainyô spênishta dâtare gaêthanãm astvaitinãm ashâum kahmâi paoiryô mashyânãm aperese-tûm ýô ahurô mazdå anyô mana ýat zarathushtrâi, kahmâi fradaêsayô daênãm ýãm âhûirîm zarathushtrîm.

Then Ahura Mazda said: 'With Yima the fair, of the good herds, O righteous Zarathushtra. With him, first among mortals, other than you, Zarathushtra, did I, who am Ahura Mazda, converse; to him I taught the Religion, that of Ahura, that of Zarathushtra.'

âat mraot ahurô mazdå, ýimâi srîrâi hvãthwâi ashâum zarathushtra ahmâi paoiryô mashyânãm aperese azem ýô ahurô mazdå anyô thwat ýat zarathushtrât, ahmâi fradaêsaêm daênãm ýãm âhûirîm zarathushtrîm.

Then I said to him, O Zarathushtra, I who am Ahura Mazda: 'Consent, O fair Yima, son of Vivanghat, to be my rememberer and bearer of the Religion.' Then the fair Yima answered me, O Zarathushtra: 'I was not made, I was not taught, to be rememberer and bearer of the Religion.'

âat hê mraot zarathushtra azem ýô ahurô mazdå, vîsangha mê ýima srîra vîvanghana meretô beretaca daênayâi, âat mê aêm paityaoxta ýimô srîrô zarathushtra, nôit dâtô ahmi nôit cistô meretô beretaca daênayâi.

Then I said to him, O Zarathushtra, I who am Ahura Mazda: 'If, O Yima, you do not consent to be my rememberer and bearer of the Religion, then make my world increase, then make my world grow; then consent to be the protector, the keeper, and the overseer of my world.'

âat hê mraom zarathushtra azem ýô ahurô mazdå, ýezi mê ýima nôit vîvîse meretô beretaca daênayâi âat mê gaêthå frâdhaya âat mê gaêthå varedhaya âat mê vîsâi gaêthanãm thrâtâca haretâca aiwyâxshtaca.

Then the fair Yima answered me, O Zarathushtra: 'I will make your world increase, I will make your world grow; I will consent to be the protector, the keeper, and the overseer of your world. Under my rule there shall be neither cold wind nor hot, neither disease nor death.'

âat mê aêm paityaoxta ýimô srîrô zarathushtra, azem tê gaêthå frâdhayeni azem tê gaêthå varedhayeni azem tê vîsâne gaêthanãm thrâtâca haretâca aiwyâxshtaca, nôit mana xshathre bvat aotô vâtô nôit garemô nôit axtish nôit mahrkô.

Then I, who am Ahura Mazda, brought him two implements: a golden suwra and a goad inlaid with gold.

âat hê zaya frabarem azem ýô ahurô mazdå suwrãm zaranaênîm ashtrãmca zaranyô- paêsîm.

Yima is to bear the kingly rule.

ýimô asti berethe xshathrayå.

Then three hundred winters of Yima's rule were completed, and this earth of his became full of flocks and herds and men and dogs and birds and red blazing fires; and the flocks and herds and men found no room on it.

âat ýimâi xshathrâi thrisatô-zima hañjaseñti, âat hê îm zå bvat perene pasvãmca staoranãmca mashyânãmca sûnãmca vayãmca âthrãmca suxrãm saociñtãm nôit hîm gâtvô viñden pasvasca staorâca mashyâca.

Then I warned Yima: 'O fair Yima, son of Vivanghat, this earth is full, crowded with flocks and herds and men and dogs and birds and red blazing fires; the flocks and herds and men find no room.'

âat ýimâi paiti-vaêdhaêm, ýima srîra vîvanghana perene îm zå hañgata pasvãmca staoranãmca mashyânãmca sûnãmca vayãmca âthrãmca suxrãm saociñtãm nôit hîm gâtvô viñdeñti pasvasca staorâca mashyâca.

Then Yima went forth toward the lights, southward, on the path of the sun. He pressed this earth with the golden suwra and pierced it with the goad, saying: 'O dear Spenta Armaiti, move forward and spread apart, in reverence, to bear flocks and herds and men.'

âat ýimô frashûsat raocå â upa rapithwãm hû paiti adhwanem, hô imãm zãm aiwishvat suwrya zaranaênya avi dim sifat ashtraya uityaojanô, fritha speñta ârmaite fraca shva vîca nemangha barethre pasvãmca staoranãmca mashyânãmca.

Then Yima made this earth expand by one third beyond what it had been before; and flocks and herds and men went forth upon it, according to their own wish and pleasure, in whatever way it pleased him.

âat ýimô imãm zãm vîshâvayat aêva thrishva ahmât masyehîm ýatha para ahmât as, tem ithra fracareñta pasvasca staorâca mashyâca hvãm anu ushtîm zaoshemca ýatha kathaca hê zaoshô.

Then six hundred winters of Yima's rule were completed, and this earth of his became full [of flocks and herds and men and dogs and birds and red blazing fires; and the flocks and herds and men found no room on it. (v. 13:) Then I warned Yima: 'O fair Yima, son of Vivanghat, this earth is full, crowded with flocks and herds and men and dogs and birds and red blazing fires; the flocks and herds and men find no room.' (v. 14:) Then Yima went forth toward the lights, southward, on the path of the sun. He pressed this earth with the golden suwra and pierced it with the goad, saying: 'O dear Spenta Armaiti, move forward and spread apart, in reverence, to bear flocks and herds and] men.'

âat ýimâi xshathrâi xshvash-satô-zima hañjaseñti, âat hê îm zå bvat perene ... mashyânãmca.

Then Yima made this earth expand by two thirds beyond what it had been before; and flocks and herds and men went forth upon it, according to their own wish and pleasure, in whatever way it pleased him.

âat ýimô imãm zãm vîshâvayat dva thrishva ahmât masyehîm ýatha para ahmât as, tem ithra fracareñta pasvasca staorâca mashyâca hvãm anu ushtîm zaoshemca ýatha kathaca hê zaoshô.

Then nine hundred winters of Yima's rule were completed, and this earth of his became full of flocks and herds and men and dogs and birds and red blazing fires; and the flocks and herds and men found no room on it.

âat ýimâi xshathrâi nava-satô-zima hañjaseñti, âat hê îm zå bvat perene pasvãmca staoranãmca mashyânãmca sûnãmca vayãmca âthrãmca suxrãm saociñtãm, nôit hîm gâtvô viñden pasvasca staorâca mashyâca.

Then I warned Yima: 'O fair Yima, son of Vivanghat, this earth is full, crowded with flocks and herds and men and dogs and birds and red blazing fires; the flocks and herds and men find no room.'

âat ýimâi paiti-vaêdhaêm, ýima srîra vîvanghana perene îm zå hañgata pasvãmca staoranãmca mashyânãmca sûnãmca vayãmca âthrãmca suxrãm saociñtãm, nôit hîm gâtvô viñdeñti pasvasca staorâca mashyâca.

Then Yima made this earth expand by three thirds beyond what it had been before; and flocks and herds and men went forth upon it, according to their own wish and pleasure, in whatever way it pleased him.

âat ýimô imãm zãm vîshâvayat thribyô thrishvaêibyô ahmât masyehîm ýatha para ahmât as, tem ithra fracareñta pasvasca staorâca mashyâca hvãm anu ushtîm zaoshemca ýatha kathaca hê zaoshô!

He who is the Maker, Ahura Mazda, convened an assembly with the spiritual Yazatas — he, renowned in Airyana Vaejah of the Good Daitya. He who is Yima the radiant, of the good herds, convened an assembly with the best of mortals — he, renowned in Airyana Vaejah of the Good Daitya.

hañjamanem frabarata ýô dadhvå ahurô mazdå hathra mainyaoibyô ýazataêibyô srûtô airyene vaêjahi vanghuyå dâityayå, hañjamanem frabarata ýô ýimô xshaêtô hvãthwô hathra vahishtaêibyô mashyâkaêibyô srûtô airyene vaêjahi vanghuyå dâityayå.

To that assembly came he who is the Maker, Ahura Mazda, with the spiritual Yazatas — he, renowned in Airyana Vaejah of the Good Daitya. To that assembly came he who is Yima the radiant, of the good herds, with the best of mortals — he, renowned in Airyana Vaejah of the Good Daitya.

â-tat hañjamanem paiti-jasat ýô dadhvå ahurô mazdå hathra mainyaoibyô ýazataêibyô srûtô airyene vaêjahi vanghuyå dâityayå, â-tat hañjamanem paiti-jasât ýô ýimô xshaêtô hvãthwô hathra vahishtaêibyô mashyâkaêibyô srûtô airyene vaêjahi vanghuyå dâityayå.

Then Ahura Mazda said to Yima: 'O fair Yima, son of Vivanghat! Upon the material world the evil winters shall come, from which comes fierce, deadly frost; upon the material world the evil winters shall come, from which the cloud shall first snow down snowflakes on the highest mountains, on the heights, an aredvi deep.

âat aoxta ahurô mazdå ýimâi, ýima srîra vîvanghana avi ahûm astvañtem akhem zimô jangheñtu ýahmat haca staxrô mrûrô zyå, avi ahûm astvañtem akhem zimô jangheñtu ýahmat haca paurvô snaodhô vafra snaêzhât barezishtaêibyô gairibyô bãshnubyô areduyå.

And a third of the cattle, O Yima, shall go away from here: those that are in the most dreadful of places, and those on the heights of the mountains, and those in the depths of the river valleys, in sheltered dwellings.

thrizhatca idha ýima gêush apa-jasat ýatca anghat thwyãstemaêshu asanghãm ýatca anghat bareshnush paiti gairinãm ýatca jãfnushva raonãm paxrumaêshu nmânaêshu.

Before the winter, this land would bear pasture, before the waters are to flood it after the melting of the snow; and it will seem a wonder, O Yima, in the material world, if the footprint of a sheep is seen here.

parô zimô aêtanghå danghush anghat beretô vâstrem tem âfsh paurva vazaidhyâi pasca vîtaxti vafrahe abdaca idha ýima anguhe astvaite sadayât ýat idha pasêush anumayehe padhem vaênâite.

Then make the Vara, the length of a race-course on each of its four sides; bring there the seeds of flocks and herds and men and dogs and birds and red blazing fires. Then make the Vara, the length of a race-course on each of its four sides, as a dwelling for men; the length of a race-course on each of its four sides, as a fold for cattle.

âat tem varem kerenava caretu-drâjô kemcit paiti cathrushanãm hathra taoxma upa-bara pasvãmca staoranãmca mashyânãmca sûnãmca vayãmca âthrãmca suxrãm saociñtãm, âat tem varem kerenava caretu-drâjô kemcit paiti cathrushanãm narãm aiwi-xshôithne caretu-drâjô kemcit paiti cathrushanãm gavãm gâvayanem.

There make the waters flow along a course a hathra in length; there settle birds, by the golden-green, by the food that is eaten and never fails. There establish dwellings: a chamber and a pillared porch and a front enclosure and a surrounding enclosure.

hathra âpem frâtat-caya hâthrô-masanghem adhwanem hathra marekhå avastaya, avi mat zairi-gaonem mat hvairyeite ajyamnem, hathra nmânå avastaya katemca fraskembemca fravâremca pairi-vâremca.

There bring the seeds of all men and women who are, on this earth, the greatest and best and fairest; there bring the seeds of all kinds of cattle that are, on this earth, the greatest and best and fairest.

hathra vîspanãm narãm nâirinãmca taoxma upa-bara ýôi heñti ainghå zemô mazishtaca vahishtaca sraêshtaca, hathra vîspanãm gêush saredhanãm taoxma upa-bara ýôi heñti ainghå zemô mazishtaca vahishtaca sraêshtaca.

There bring the seeds of all plants that are, on this earth, the tallest and most fragrant; there bring the seeds of all foods that are, on this earth, the most delicious and most fragrant. Make them in pairs, to be inexhaustible, all of them, for as long as those men shall be in the Varas.

hathra vîspanãm urvaranãm taoxma upa-bara ýôi heñti ainghå zemô barezishtaca hubaoidhitemaca, hathra vîspanãm hvarethanãm taoxma upa-bara ýôi heñti ainghå zemô hvarezishtaca hubaoidhitemaca, tê kerenava mithwaire ajyamnem vîspem â ahmât ýat aête narô varefshva anghen.

Let there be there no one humped in front, no one humped behind, no impotent(?) one, no lunatic(?), no malicious(?) one, no liar(?), no spiteful(?) one, no jealous(?) one, no one with misshapen teeth, no leper whose body is set apart, nor any other of the marks that are the mark of Angra Mainyu, laid upon mortals.

mâ athra frakavô mâ apakavô mâ apâvayô mâ haredhish mâ driwish mâ daiwish mâ kasvîsh mâ vîzbârish mâ vîmîtô-dañtânô mâ paêsô ýô vîteretô-tanush mâdha-cim anyãm daxshtanãm ýôi heñti angrahe mainyêush daxshtem mashyâishca paiti nidhâtem.

In the foremost part of the place make nine passages, in the middle part six, in the lowest three. To the passages of the foremost part bring a thousand seeds of men and women, of the middle part six hundred, of the lowest three hundred. And ⟨stroke⟩ over the Varas with the golden suwra, and seal up that Vara: a door, a window self-shining from within.'

fratemem dainghêush nava perethwô kerenava madhemô xshvash nitemô tishrô, fratemem perethwô hazangrem narãm nâirinãmca taoxma upa-bara madhemô xshvash sata nitemô tishrô sata, aiwica tê varefshva suwrya zaranaênya apica tem varem mareza dvarem raocanem hvâraoxshnem añtare-naêmât.

Then Yima thought: 'How shall I make the Vara of which Ahura Mazda has spoken to me?' Then Ahura Mazda said to Yima: 'O fair Yima, son of Vivanghat, tread this earth apart with your heels, knead it apart with your hands, in the way that men now spread out soft earth.'

âat mãsta ýimô, kutha tê azem varem kerenavâne ýâ mê aoxta ahurô mazdå, âat aoxta ahurô mazdå ýimâi, ýima srîra vîvanghana ainghå zemô pâshnâbya vîspara zastaêibya vîxadha mãnayen ahe ýatha nû mashyâka xshivisti zemê vîshâvayeiñte.

Then Yima did so, as Ahura Mazda wished of him: he trod this earth apart with his heels, he kneaded it apart with his hands, in the way that men now spread out soft earth.

âat ýimô avatha kerenaot ýatha dim ishat ahurô mazdå ainghå zemô pâshnâbya vîsparat zastaêibya vîxadhat mãnayen ahe ýatha nû mashyâka xshivisti zemê vîshâvayeiñte.

Then Yima made the Vara, the length of a race-course on each of its four sides; there he brought the seeds of flocks and herds and men and dogs and birds and red blazing fires. Then Yima made the Vara, the length of a race-course on each of its four sides, as a dwelling for men; the length of a race-course on each of its four sides, as a fold for cattle.

âat ýimô varem kerenaot caretu-drâjô kemcit paiti cathrushanãm, hathra taoxma upa-barat pasvãmca staoranãmca mashyânãmca sûnãmca vayãmca âthrãmca suxrãm saociñtãm, âat ýimô varem kerenaot caretu-drâjô kemcit paiti cathrushanãm narãm aiwi-xshôithne caretu-drâjô kemcit paiti cathrushanãm gavãm gâvayanem.

There he made the waters flow along a course a hathra in length; there he settled birds, by the golden-green, by the food that is eaten and never fails. There he established dwellings: a chamber and a pillared porch and a front enclosure and a surrounding enclosure.

hathra âpem frâtat-cayat hâthrô-masanghem adhwanem hathra marekhå avastayat avi mat zairi-gaonem mat hvairyeite ajyamnem, hathra nmânå avastayat katemca fraskembemca fravâremca pairi-vâremca.

There he brought the seeds of all men and women who are, on this earth, the greatest and best and fairest; there he brought the seeds of all kinds of cattle that are, on this earth, the greatest and best and fairest.

hathra vîspanãm narãm nâirinãmca taoxma upa-barat ýôi heñti ainghå zemô mazishtaca vahishtaca sraêshtaca, hathra vîspanãm gêush saredhanãm taoxma upa-barat ýôi heñti ainghå zemô mazishtaca vahishtaca sraêshtaca.

There he brought the seeds of all plants that are, on this earth, the tallest and most fragrant; there he brought the seeds of all foods that are, on this earth, the most delicious and most fragrant. He made them in pairs, to be inexhaustible, all of them, for as long as those men shall be in the Varas.

hathra vîspanãm urvaranãm taoxma upa-barat ýôi heñti ainghå zemô barezishtaca hubaoidhitemaca, hathra vîspanãm hvarethanãm taoxma upa-barat ýôi heñti ainghå zemô hvarezishtaca hubaoidhitemaca, tê kerenaot mithwaire ajyamnem vîspem â ahmât ýat aête narô varefshva anghen.

There was there no one humped in front, no one humped behind, no impotent(?) one, no lunatic(?), no malicious(?) one, no liar(?), no spiteful(?) one, no jealous(?) one, no one with misshapen teeth, no leper whose body is set apart, nor any other of the marks that are the mark of Angra Mainyu, laid upon mortals.

nôit athra frakavô nôit apakavô nôit apâvayô nôit haredhish nôit driwish nôit daiwish nôit kasvîsh nôit vîzbârish nôit vîmîtô-dañtânô nôit paêsô ýô vîteretô-tanush naêdha-cim anyãm daxshtanãm ýôi heñti angrahe mainyêush daxshtem mashyâishca paiti nidhâtem.

In the foremost part of the place he made nine passages, in the middle part six, in the lowest three. To the passages of the foremost part he brought a thousand seeds of men and women, of the middle part six hundred, of the lowest three hundred. And he ⟨stroked⟩ over the Varas with the golden suwra, and he sealed up that Vara: a door, a window self-shining from within.

fratemem dainghêush nava perethwô kerenaot madhemô xshvash nitemô tishrô fratemem perethwô hazangrem narãm nâirinãmca taoxma upa-barat madhemô xshvash sata nitemô tishrô sata, aiwica hô varefshva suwrya zaranaênya apica hô varem marezat dvarem raocanem hvâraoxshnem añtare-naêmât.

O Maker of the material world, righteous one! What, then, are those lights, O righteous Ahura Mazda, that shine there in those Varas which Yima made?

dâtare gaêthanãm astvaitinãm ashâum cayô âat aête raocå anghen ashâum ahura mazda ýô avatha â-raocayeite aêtaêshva varefshva ýô ýimô kerenaot.

Then Ahura Mazda said: 'Self-created lights and lights created in the world. For only once is the setting and rising of the stars and the moon and the sun seen.

âat aoxta ahurô mazdå, hvadhâtaca raocå stidhâtaca, hakeret zî irixtahe sadhayaca vaênaite starasca måsca hvareca.

And they consider to be a day what is a year. Every forty years, from two human beings two human beings are born, a pair, female and male; and so too for those of the kinds of cattle. And these men live the fairest life in those Varas which Yima made.'

taêca ayare mainyeñte ýat ýâre, cathwaresatem aiwi-gâmanãm dvaêibya haca nerebya dva nara us-zayeiñte mithwana strica nairyasca atha aêtaêshãm ýôi gêush saredhanãm, taêca narô sraêshta gaya jvaiñti aêtaêshva varefshva ýô ýimô kerenaot.

O Maker of the material world, righteous one! Who spread the Mazda-worshipping Religion in those Varas which Yima made? Then Ahura Mazda said: 'The bird Karshipta, O Spitama Zarathushtra.'

dâtare gaêthanãm astvaitinãm ashâum, kô avatha daênãm mâzdayasnîm vî-barat aêtaêshva varefshva ýô ýimô kerenaot, âat aoxta ahurô mazdå, vîsh karshipta spitama zarathushtra.

O Maker [of the material world], righteous one! Who is their lord and master? Then Ahura Mazda said: 'Urvatat-nara, O Zarathushtra, and you, who are Zarathushtra.' Ashem vohu …

dâtare ... ashâum, kô aêshãm asti anghuca ratushca, âat mraot ahurô mazdå, urvatat-narô zarathushtra tûmca ýô zarathushtrô! ashem vohû...!!

Editorial history

Review record. chapter-2.json carries status: stable at version 1.0.0, with a named human reviewer and a humanRuling dated 2026-10-31. The sign-off package (chapter-2-signoff-package.md) records 35 of 41 verses approved by the reviewer, three revised at sign-off (among them verse 22, "the cloud shall first snow down snowflakes"), and three ruled by the human reviewer: the six uncertain words of the exclusion list (verses 29 and 37) keep Darmesteter's renderings marked "(?)", and one interpretive apparatus entry was accepted for the commentary at verse 25. Reviewers found no lens leakage in the translated lines.

Production. The Translation Program's first Avestan text. The English translation was drafted by Claude, edited through the Wheel of Heaven Translation Program pipeline (Translator → Editor → Reviewer), and signed off by the named human reviewer. Darmesteter's reference translation was checked line by line against the Avestan; where it errs (verse 19 "two-thirds" for "three thirds", the omitted "a third" at verse 23 and "once" at verse 40) the notes say so. Central glossary v2.74.0 added the program's first Avestan entries, among them the Indo-Iranian identity of Yima with the Vedic Yama.

Method. The Wheel of Heaven lens lives in the apparatus (glossary entries and per-verse commentary), not in the translated text. Accuracy comes before the lens, and every divergence from the standard translation tradition is recorded with a claim_type label and a philological rationale. Methodology: Source-Text Translation; translation roadmap.

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Videvdad 2 — Yima, the evil winters, and the Vara

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