PY 37.1

Y 5

(P)Y5 being a copy of (P)Y 37, the two chapters are in principle identical. However, beside the expected variant readings in the text of the two chapters, a number of more significant differences stand out in the manuscripts.

In the revised IrPY manuscript R413, for instance, (P)Y 5.2a and b form one cola. Another of the revised IrPY manuscripts, T6, has a very different scheme of cola division: Y 5.1a, 5.1b–c, whereby parts of PY 5.1c are missing; Y 5.2a–b, 5.2c–5.3a, 5.3b, 5.3c–5.4c and 5.5a–b. Among the InPY manuscripts, K5 M1 have Y 5.1a–b, 5.1c.

In all the manuscripts collated here, the repetition instructions and the stanza and line counts are missing at the end of (P)Y 5. These are usually found in the manuscripts of the IrPY and are reserved for the OAv. chapters. Even in those manuscripts that abbreviate (P)Y 37, namely F2 R413 T6 E7, the instructions only occur at the end of (P)Y 37.

The most significant difference between (P)Y5 and (P)Y 37 lies in the fact that Pt4 Mf4 E7, K5 J2 M1 append the Av. yeŋ́hē hātąm and its Zand to the end of (P)Y 5. As Cereti (1995: 197) points out, already West (1880: 214, fn. 3) observed that two thirds of the stanzas of the Yasna close with the yeŋ́hē hātąm prayer.

The OAv. formula iϑā āt̰yazamaidē as well as its abbreviated form iϑā, occur in a number of MP texts, evoking Y 5.1 or Y 37.1 (see Table 15.1). The demonstrative adverb iϑā is also attested in four Gāϑic passages. Conflicting analyses of the function of iϑā in both MP and OAv. texts necessitate a review of the material.

iϑā in MP literature

iϑā āt̰yazamaidē and iϑā are frequently quoted in MP passages discussing the drōn ceremony. They are found, for instance, in N 10, PRDd 57 and PRDd 58. N 10.49 stipulates that the ritual texts are to be recited standing up. The passage makes a concession for cases in which this might not be possible, but exempts the recitation of iϑā āt̰yazamaidē from that rule.