Joy and Happiness in the Ancient Iranian texts

One of the most fundamental tenets of ancient Iranian philosophy and mysticism, especially in the Yazd-e-Masna religion, is happiness, bliss and attention to joyful and exciting emotions. In these texts, words within the 'semantic field' of ‘happiness’ have the highest frequency. Ahuramazda is a God of happiness, Zarathustra himself is a happy prophet and a messenger of happiness. Believers speak happily in their prayers. The gods Mehr, Ashi, Tishter, and Anahita bring happiness to the people and the ultimate wish is the wish of happiness. In this study, by providing an analysis of words that are semantically similar to ‘happiness’ and emphasizing the meanings and roots of the two Middle Persian words (šādīh) and (rāmišn) in Avesta, ancient Persian inscriptions, Manichaean and Middle Persian Zoroastrian texts, we will try to follow the concept of happiness in these texts and paint a vivid image of what these texts have to offer when it comes to ‘happiness’. In addition, by proving the importance and place of these concepts in ancient Iranian thought, we will present new findings regarding this topic. In short, happiness in ancient Iranian texts begins with the material world and ascends to heaven. It is a feeling that is associated with worldly pleasures, satisfaction and wisdom, working and self-actualization, good thoughts, plenty, peace, truth, benevolence, prayers and religious practices, and ultimately happiness after death and immortality.