Khvaæt-dát is a very important Zoroastrian theological concept. Khvaæt comes from the root Khva/xva; Proto Indo Europen sve/swe, SELF. The second part, Avestan Dát, Old Church Slavonic dati, Latin datus, dare, Proto Indo European dau/do-means “to give.” (Also compare to Old Irish dan, Lithuanian duonis, “gift, what is given.”)

Khvaæt-dát literally means “giving, establishing, bringing forth to existence through own self.” The concept of Khvaæt-dát appears in the following passages in the poetic gathas; Yasna 45.4 the entire poem, Yasna 53.4, 2^nd and 3^rd rhymed verse line and the ancient commentaries of the same, also briefly in Yasna 34.12, 3^rd rhymed verse line and Yasna 39.5, 1^st rhymed verse line.

In the poetic gathas Khvaæt-dát has two meanings, one refers to the pouring forth of existence from the splendid and brilliant SELF of Ahúrá Manzdá (See also Yasna 31.7, the entire poem,) the other refers to the creating a godlike humanity among one’s own lineage and kin.

Accordingly, the material universe is a diffusion from the very OWN essence of Ahúrá Manzdá, the Luminous Force of Mind, Imagination and Genius. All existence therefore is light, mind energy, imagination and ingenuity in its core, since it derives itself from the SELF of Ahúrá Manzdá. Luminosity and Genius diffuses its marvelous essence and through pouring out its OWN SELF unleashes evermore of its wondrous powers, virtues and talents, (See Yasna 31.7, the entire poem.)

Just as creation is a giving from the OWN SELF of Divine Genius and Excellence; so shall the good and virtuous beget/create only among themselves, to bring about a divine humanity, a unique race of god-men marked by goodness, virtue and wisdom, (See Yasna 53.4, 2^nd and 3^rd rhymed verse line and the ancient commentaries of the same.)

According to Yasna 53.4, 2^nd and 3^rd rhymed verse line, the criteria for being among the OWN SELF Khvaæt (Persian Khvodi) of God or khvaudá is to be exemplary of ashá or arthá; to be exemplary of excellence, virtue, luminosity and knowledge. Ashá or arthá is almost identical to Greek arête. (See also Yasna 39.5, 1^st rhymed verse line and the ancient commentaries of the same.)

Khvaæt-dát becomes in a sense “dedication of self” to the best one can become and to eternal progress, the “dedication of self to become like God;” for Manzdá is all the mind-powers, genius and excellence that is yet to be, (See Yasna 33.10, 2^nd rhymed verse line and the ancient commentaries of the same.)

Zoroastrianism has always laid great emphasis on empowering the unknown powers of mind, on triumph of the spirit, on developing talent, nobility and virtue in one’s own kin and blood, and in aligning our energies with only the noble, virtuous and excellent in the seven climes of the earth, (See hamazoor bim formula.)

This “dedication of self” to become like God, to the best one can become and to eternal progress, to see the potential of becoming divine in every atom or universe is Khvaæt-dát.

ardeshir