Transliterated Text:

sraotâ gêushâish vahishtâ
avaênatâ sûcâ mananghâ
âvarenå vîcithahyâ
narêm narem xvaxyâi tanuyê
parâ mazê ýånghô
ahmâi nê sazdyâi baodañtô paitî.

Translated Text:

Hear the best with your ears
and ponder with a bright mind.
Then each man and woman, for his or her self,
select either of the [following] two.
Awaken to this Doctrine of ours
before the Great Event of Choice ushers in.

Commentary:

Freedom of choice is for all—men and women alike. Zarathushtra is about to expound on his doctrine of good and evil. He wants every person to hear the best, not superfluous and superstitious sayings. Although it may be the best, it must be studied with a clear mind and then a choice must be made between the two.He recommends that before the great choice for the way of life is made, one should take into consideration the Divine Doctrine presented by him and his companions. The choice of good as presented by him would eventually mean choosing the Good Religion.

Pondering Point:

“Even the best teachings must be studied clearly by the audience (men and women) with due consideration and in complete freedom without coercion. Zarathushtra does not force his Divine Message and only proposes his ideas.”

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