Zoroastrianism

Zoroastrianism

The founder of Zoroastrianism was the Persian prophet Zarathushtra also called Zoroaster, who lived about 8,500 years ago.

Zoroaster was born in about 6,400 B.C. in response to the prayers of Mother Earth (Geusurra) to rid her of evil spirits. At the age of 20, he entered into solitude and spent 10 years in deep meditation. At the end of this, he had a communion with Ahura Mazda (the Supreme Consciousness). In this communion he got the revelation of the Gaathaas, just like the Vedas were revealed to the Aaryans while they were in communion with God. He then preached to the people what was revealed to him and this religion came to be known as Zoroastrianism.

Like Hinduism, Zoroastrianism lays stress on the worship of Sun and Fire performance of the Homa ceremony. It believes that God is one – the wise Ahura Mazda is the creator and the nourisher of the Universe who resides in the heart of human beings as eternal righteousness and truth. The Lord uses his power to destroy evil and falsehood in the world. Good thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds- Humata, Hukhta and Huarshta are the main teachings on which the religion of Zarasthustra is based. It lays stress on 5 virtues namely:

1. Goodness
2. Concord
3. Peace
4. Charity
5. Holiness

The sacred fire symbolises the most beautiful body of God. The physical fire is an outward symbol of inner fire. God is formless and so is the fire. Zoroastrians believe in the sanctity of Nature.

They believe that Nature is but a vast garment of God. Earth, Air, Light and Water are 4 Sacred Elements. Hence human beings should do nothing to pollute Nature’s sanctity. This belief extends even to disposal of the dead: they believe burial of the dead causes pollution in the earth and burning causes desecration of the fire. Hence dead bodies are consigned to the Tower of Silence under the direct rays of the Sun, to be devoured by birds of prey.

Zoroaster laid down seven steps called Amesha Spentas (for human beings to follow). They are –

1. Faith in Ahura Mazda – Devotion to God.
2. Cultivation of an innocent loving mind or Vohu-mano.
3. Vohu-Mano enables man to distinguish between good & evil and guides him towards Asha (Good words & Good deeds).
4. Under the influence of piety and benevolence man forms a good society.
5. Good thoughts, words and deeds endow man with divine strength- i.e. a power to rule like a king (strong will) or Shahervar.
6. The consequence of the above four leads to perfection peace and equanimity (equal mindedness in joy and sorrow) i.e. Khordad.
7. All this paves the path to Ameretat i.e. ultimate happiness or liberation of the human soul.

Sudreh and Kusti

Every parsee Zoroastrian wears a Sudreh, the sacred garment and a belt – like kusti. He is invested with these two in the childhood (between 7 and 11 years) by the priest at a special Navjote ceremony. Sudreh is a garment that stands for purity and cleanliness. It reminds one that the deeds done everyday are recorded for the final judgement.

The Kusti is a bond between the wearer and Ahura Mazda. It is woven out of wool and Kusti form the uniform of a parsee Zoroastrian.

Zoroastrian scriptures

The main Holy Scripture of this religion are written in Avesta, pazand language. The main Scriptures are Gaathaas, Yasna, Visparad, Khordeh-Avesta, Patet, are Zoroastrians who arrived in India 1200 years ago from Persia. They were fleeing persecution at the hands of Arab conquerors invading Persia. They landed in Diu, off the coast of Gujarat in India, carrying a holy flame from their Temple in Persia. From Diu, they went ot Sanjan in Gujarat, where the local Hindu ruler granted them land and they began a new life. They were free to follow their own religion and erected their first Fire Temple there. They were called Parsis– to denote the region from where they had come– Pars (Persia).

In conclusion, it can be stated that though Parsees form numerically a very insignificant community in India, they have preserved their identity so long due to their steadfast faith in their religion and their insistence on preserving the purity of blood.