After completing the work on "The Comprehensive Dictionary of New Persian" and "A Guide to the Writing of New Persian," both of which were great strides on the path of the knowledge and literacy revolution, little Kourosh's mind turned to a more ambitious and even more sacred project; a project that not only had linguistic and scientific aspects but also encompassed deeper dimensions of religious and political power and could unite the soul of a nation. He knew well that among his people, there were many stories, hymns, and religious teachings that were passed down orally from generation to generation or on scattered and perishable materials. Kourosh realized the importance of compiling a single, accessible religious text to create deep cultural and religious solidarity in his future empire; a text that could bring the light of Ahura Mazda into the home of every Persian and Mede.
He remembered how, in the modern era, sacred texts played an unparalleled role in shaping the identity and unity of nations and how they could gather a nation around a common ideal. In this ancient era, the teachings of the Avesta, the holy book of the Zoroastrians, were mostly transmitted orally by priests, or were written on hide and papyrus, which were very limited, vulnerable, and inaccessible to the general public. Kourosh decided, for the first time, to compile this great treasure of ancient wisdom completely and uniformly, on his new paper and in his New Persian language, and to name it the "Achaemenid Avesta"; a work that was destined to be the guiding light for his people.
Among the various sections of the ancient Avesta, Kourosh, with his intelligence and insight, realized the special importance of the "Yashts." The Yashts were hymns and religious stories that praised the ancient deities, including Mithra and Anahita, and had deep roots in the beliefs of the people. He knew that this section, unlike other parts of the Avesta which included complex rituals, prayers, and specific devotions for the priests, was much more suitable for the first public dissemination and for attracting the common people. The Yashts, with their simpler language and narrative content, could easily spread among the people and draw their hearts towards Ahura Mazda and the teachings of the Avesta, without the religious complexities alienating them from the faith.
This task required an unprecedented effort, precise coordination, and immense perseverance. Kourosh enlisted his trusted nurses and young scribes, who had now gained more skill in paper production and the use of the new language. He tasked them with traveling throughout the Persian and Median lands and collecting every part of the Yashts from the priests, the wise, and the guardians of oral traditions, from hymns of praise to the epic tales of the deities, and bringing them to the workshop. This process was like assembling the pieces of a huge puzzle that had been scattered for centuries, with each piece holding a part of the soul of this land.
After the collection, the arduous work of rewriting and standardization began. Kourosh supervised this process with unparalleled precision. He made sure that the teachings were transcribed completely and accurately, using the rules of "A Guide to the Writing of New Persian" and the vocabulary of "The Comprehensive Dictionary of New Persian," onto the sheets of paper. His goal was to create a work that was both religiously authentic and served as a powerful tool for promoting his new language and script. This small workshop had now become the cradle of a religious and linguistic revolution; a place where sacred words were being given new life with modern tools.
The compilation of the "Achaemenid Avesta" with a focus on the Yashts not only had deep religious significance but also had broad political dimensions. With a single, accessible sacred text, Kourosh could expand his religious and political influence throughout the land. This book would become a symbol of his rule, which was both supported by Ahura Mazda and established religious order in the country. The people, by having this holy book written in their own language, would achieve a greater sense of common identity, and their bond with the government and its ideals would deepen.
This project helped Kourosh to make his name resonate not only as a ruler or an inventor but also as a spiritual leader and a guardian of ancient wisdom throughout the lands under his influence, from Anshan to Media. Every priest and every tribe that benefited from this codified and accessible Avesta would, unwittingly, also learn Kourosh's new language and script. This was an intelligent strategy for spreading the New Persian language and culture under the guise of a religious project.
The "Achaemenid Avesta," inspired by the fount of eternal light of Ahura Mazda and the ancient wisdom of the Iranians, was the first tangible step towards a deeper connection between religion and state in Kourosh's empire. This book was a symbol of enlightenment, justice, and order; values that Kourosh dreamed of for his thousand-year reign, presented to the people in the form of poetry, stories, and religious hymns. With the completion of this great project, Kourosh was approaching the next stage of his knowledge revolution: the dissemination of these books and the new language among all the people, so that wisdom and awareness, like the sun, would shine upon the entire empire.