Song 9.20 (Yasna 44.20)
Transliterated Text:
cithenâ mazdâ huxshathrâ daêvâ ångharê at ît peresâ ýôi pishyeiñtî aêibyô kãm ýâish gãm karapâ usixshcâ aêshemâi dâtâ ýâcâ kavâ ãnmênî urûdôyatâ nôit hîm mîzên ashâ vâstrem frâdainghê.
Translated Text:
How could false gods be good rulers? I ask this because those who indulge in lust, with which the mumbling priests, particularly the sacrificing Usigs ( a famous family), have delivered the world to fury, and the princes, in their stubbornness, have forced it to lament, and do not reward it through righteousness so as to promote a settled life.
Summary Substance:
When priests and princes, worshippers of “daevas”, false gods, join forces to exploit people, they make life miserable; they are driven by their greed and lust for wealth. Among those who were opposed to the Message, were these ritualistic priests, especially the Usig family of the Rig Vedic fame for their sacrificial rites, and the ruthless princes. Yet they propagated that their exploiting actions were in the name of good gods. Zarathushtra, an advocate for peaceful settled life, questions their legitimacy. He has his own plan to spread his Divine Doctrine and promote a stable life of righteousness.
Pondering Point:
“Deceitful religious and political leaders exploit life for their personal gain.”