Pahlavi Texts

Published between 1880 and 1897 as part of Max Muller’s Sacred Books of the East series, this five-volume translation of Pahlavi texts was the work of Edward William West (1824-1905). Largely self-taught, West developed his knowledge of ancient oriental languages in India, where he worked as a civil engineer. After returning to Europe, West focused on the study of sacred Zoroastrian texts and prepared these translations of Pahlavi manuscripts. His writings and editions are still referenced today in Indo-Iranian studies. Volume 3 contains the Dina-i Mainog-i Khirad (‘Opinions of the Spirit of Wisdom’ - a series of enquiries and answers relating to the worship of Ahura Mazda); the Sikand-gumanik Vigar (‘Doubt-dispelling Exposition’ - a controversial ninth-century Zoroastrian apologetic, designed to prove the correctness of the fundamental doctrine of Mazda-worship); and the Sad Dar, a Persian rather than Pahlavi text, offering valuable discussion of ‘a hundred subjects’ connected to Zoroastrianism.