Gatha

This I ask You, tell me truly, Lord. Who is the foremost creator and parent of righteousness? Who made the sun and the stars in their paths? Who makes the moon wax and wane? I am, Wise One, eager to know all this and more.

This I ask You, tell me truly, Lord. Who holds the earth below, who keeps the sky from breaking away? Who creates the waters and who the plants? Who lends the wind and clouds speed? Who is the creator, Wise One, of good mind?

This I ask You, tell me truly, Lord. Which artist fashioned the light and the darkness? Which artist planned sleep and awakening? Who made the dawn, day, and dusk that remind the wise of the ultimate goal?

This I ask You, tell me truly, Lord. Are the things I speak forth indeed true? Does serenity, by its actions, promote righteousness? For whom has dominion been arranged through good mind? For whom did You create the fruitful, joy-bringing world?

This I ask You, tell me truly, Lord. Who fashioned precious serenity with dominion? Who made the child lovingly attentive to the parent? It is by these questions, Wise One, that I am able to recognize You as the Creator of all by Your progressive mind.

This I ask You, tell me truly, Lord. In order to bear Your directives in mind, Wise One, the words which I ask through good mind and the facts about life to be correctly understood through righteousness are: What shall my soul ultimately attain?

This I ask You, tell me truly, Lord. How shall I enliven for myself the religion the Master of Beneficent Sovereignty teaches me? How to be prompt, like You, Wise One, with lofty rules and live in the same abode with righteousness and good mind?

This I ask You, tell me truly, Lord. That religion is the best for the living which promotes the world through righteousness, and polishes words and actions in serenity. Therefore, the yearnings of my mind are for You, Wise One.

This I ask You, tell me truly, Lord. How does serenity come to those to whom, Wise One, Your religion is taught? I recognize You to be the beginning. All others I consider [unacceptable].

This I ask You, tell me truly, Lord. Who, among those I confer, is righteous, who wrongful? Who sides with evil, and who is evil himself? Why should I not consider the person, who is wrongfully set against Your gains, to be evil?