Pleasure (hušnūdī) and gratification (hūnsandī) in ancient Iranian texts

hušnūdī and hūnsandī are among the most fundamental concepts in ancient Iranian worldview, a way of looking at the world in which all degrees of happiness have a high significance and one of the most genuine forms of happiness arises from a feeling of hušnūdī and hūnsandī. Considering the importance of these concepts in ancient Iranian texts, conducting research on the meaning and concepts of these words from Avesta to new Persian can help us to understand the ancient Iranian worldview. Using a descriptive-analytical approach, the present study attempts to find the origins of these two words and trace the journey of the concepts around them in Avesta and Pahlavi texts. After studying several examples, it can be understood that hušnūdī and hūnsandī both emerge frequently in ancient Iranian texts and their meaning equals to happiness and satisfaction, respectively. In Avesta and Pahlavi texts, the need to get the gratification of Ahuramazda and deities has repetitively been emphasized and gratification here equals to happiness and satisfaction. In addition, many words can be found which are similar to the word satisfaction and are connected with satisfaction, happiness, work and endeavor, selflessness and most important of all, wisdom. In this point of view, we are encouraged to try to make the earth a better place and, at the same time, not become attached to it. In addition, due to the existence of destiny-oriented worldviews, wisdom is sometimes used synonymously with illuminated meanings such as avoiding avarice, and world’s unreliability.