For the student of ancient Iranian documents, this time-honored source for using the sacred texts of the Zoroastrians, this glossary and index is an historical dictionary of an unusual sort. The materials from three works provide the basis for this glossary: the Pahlavi text of Arda Viraf, the tale of Gosht-I Fryano, the Hadokht Nask, and extracts from the Din-Kard and Nirangistan. Arda Viraf is of the genre of dream-journey literature in the context of a Zoroastrian believer. Gosht-I Fryano, which accompanies Arda Viraf on some ancient manuscripts, is the story of Akhtya of the Aban Yasht and the quandaries he poses to Yoishto-yo-Fryananam. Akhtya, when faced with enigmas himself is unable to solve them. The Hadokht Nask discusses what becomes of a soul after death. The Din-Kard are versions of the Gatha that deal with doctrines, traditions, and tenets of Zoroastrianism. The Nirangistan is the ritual code. All of these documents pertaining to Zoroastrian belief and practice are facilitated by this historic glossary. Based on the edition of E. W. West, the text was revised by Martin Haug. A work of scholarly erudition in the nineteenth century, this book, now difficult to find, has now claimed a place among Gorgias Historical Dictionaries.

Martin Haug (1827-1876) was a German orientalist with an academic record including the Universities of Stuttgart, Tübingen, Göttingen, Bonn, Heidelberg, and Munich. He spent some years in India as professor of Sanskrit at Poona. He wrote several important reference books regarding the languages of India and Persia.