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C.D. Warner, et al., comp.
The Library of the World’s Best Literature. An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.

Invocation to Rain

By The Avesta (c. Sixth Century B.C.)

Vendidad xxi. 2: Translation of James Darmesteter

“COME on, O clouds, along the sky, through the air, down on the earth, by thousands of drops, by myriads of drops,” thus say, O holy Zoroaster! “to destroy sickness altogether, to destroy death altogether, to destroy altogether the sickness made by the Gaini, to destroy altogether the death made by Gaini, to destroy altogether Gadha and Apagadha.

“If death come at eve, may healing come at daybreak!

“If death come at daybreak, may healing come at night!

“If death come at night, may healing come at dawn!

“Let showers shower down new waters, new earth, new trees, new health, and new healing powers.”