GATHAS – TEACHINGS OF ZARATHUSHTRA
ZARTHOSTI DIN
The be all and end all of life, according to the teachings of Zarathushtra is to try to reach a state of perfection for ourselves and then help the world in its progress towards perfection. To find the centre of ourselves and open the doors to the kingdom of heaven for others.
Zarathushtra taught us that life should be considered as an eternally divine spirit, that this world too, should be as important as the kingdom of heaven and to that end we should live on planet earth – a full and useful life – bringing happiness to others and perfection to ourselves.
Zarathushtra does not ask us to suffer first to be happy in the afterworld, he does not ask us to give up this world to attain bliss, as this world was created for man by Ahura Mazda himself. Zarathushtra in fact states that man should live a full and useful life, to fight on the side of good, to make the world a happy place by establishing a veritable kingdom of heaven upon this earth and thus be happy ourselves.
In the first para of the Gathas itself Zarathushtra prays to the Almighty Ahura Mazda for receiving the gifts of Righteousness and Good Mind so that he may then bring happiness and joy to the whole of creation.
Hear the words where he he talks of hands outstretched in prayer – something the whole world accepts universally as an expression of gratitude. It is of not much import as to the source ....as all things good come from the one and only Supreme Being ……..but for long have Zarathushtra’s words lain dormant. The credit of sharing all knowledge first – of the One God – belongs to Zarathushtra and to Zarathushtra alone. He had laid the entire foundation for all subsequent world religions to follow. It is time for the world and Zoroastrians in particular to wake up and acknowledge this fact. To their own importance in spreading their religion and not allowing it to fade away.
The thoughts expressed by Zarathushtra read thus –
In humble obeyance, with hands outstretched,
I pray to Thee, my Lord, Ahura,
O Invisible Benevolent Spirit !
Grant to me in this hour of joy,
All righteousness of action, all wisdom of the Good Mind.
That I may bring joy to the Soul of Creation.
IN PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS
The key to perfection and happiness has been shared in another verse of the Gathas where Zarathushtra tells us “that happiness is the result of the perfection to which it is linked.” The right method of obtaining happiness according to him may be summarised in one sentence which is the opening para of the Ushtavad Gatha. The sentence is very easy to understand and achieve ‘HAPPINESS IS THE LOT (GIFT) OF HIM WHO WORKS FOR THE HAPPINESS OF OTHERS.’ Scatter happiness far and wide and it will come back to you ….. multiplied a thousand times. And then he teaches you the methodology for reaching that perfection and bliss.
Zarathushtra preached that Ahura Mazda is our creator, the Supreme Being and when we connect ourselves to him our life is less stormy. He also taught that within each and every one of us there is a Divine Spark – call it intelligence, conscience or what you will. It is this “divine part” within us which is responsible for making us what we are and what we are capable of becoming.
Zarathushtra further said that it is only this divine spark in us that can make even this earthly life as perfect as possible allowing us to progress towards our ultimate goal of meeting Ahura Mazda in eternal friendship. It is, therefore, the duty of all men and women to recognise this divine essence within us – to recognise our capabilities and potentialities – and thus to elevate ourselves such that we may reach a state of perfection in this world and live a life of joy here too. To show us the path to achieving such a perfection, Zarathushtra has but line. This one sentence says it all :
Aevo panto yo ashahe
which translated means :
“There is only one path and that is
the path of Truth"
the path of Truth"
And then Zarathushtra proceeds to show us the way to this path.
THE SIMPLEST OF ALL MAXIMS
For every living person who wishes to live a life in accordance with Ahura Mazda should be aware that not much is expected of him. If scholarly books and time to study them immediately is not available Zarathushtra has simplified the direction you need to take in your life with unfailing accuracy……..to keep you on the path of Truth. This knowledge is equally applicable to the wisest philosopher, to the poorest of poor, and yes to every man living on this earth whether he be a follower of Zarathushtra or not. This knowledge is applicable as the “first truth” of our world since its inception and it is complete and precise.(this is where the knowledge contained in the Law of Attraction and Zarathushtra's teachings become one). You need not worry as to your capacity to remember and follow it for God’s ways have always been easy. Rearrange the complete order and direction of your life through the trinity of these three simple words “Humata, Hukhta and Huvereshta” and however much science and knowledge may advance and evolve…..these fundamental principles will forever remain unchanged and unchangeable for all eternity as long as man exists. Translated into English they mean “Good thoughts, good words and good deeds. It is the “hu” in the words which means “good”.
As I said earlier this maxim is for the general man and Zoroaster continues to share more details with us for the man who wishes to know more. For the man who wishes to know more the way to attain perfection, happiness and eternal bliss is through the philosophy of the 6 Amesha Spentas or the 6 divine attributes of Ahura Mazda himself.
1 Asha Vahista – Truth and Righteousness
2 Vohu Manah – The Good Mind
3 Kshathtra Vairya –Holy Power
4 Spenta Armaiti – Love and Devotion
5 Haurvatat – Health and Perfection
6 Ameratat – Immortality
Zarathushtra taught us that each and every mortal can and should achieve these divine attributes of God on this very earth. All he needs to do is develop himself or herself and all others. Such a person would be blessed with perfection and happiness in this life itself. We often erroneously believe that life on this earth is not as important as life in the hereafter. In fact life on this earth is of equal importance.
ASHA VAHISTA
Most things on this earth are governed by very precise laws and Zarathushtra taught that the very first attribute of Ahura Mazda is ‘TRUTH’ or ‘RIGHTEOUSNESS’ or as he called it ‘ASHA VAHISTA’. Within the connotation of ‘ASHA VAHISTA’ is the idea of the unchanging mind and unchangeable law which not only makes all life….but also the entire universe progress towards its goal for perfection. The laws governing evolution of nature, progress of the world, the law whereby movement and life of the whole universe is sustained is included within the meaning of the word “Asha Vahista” . Zarathushtra expressed this great thought more than 4,000 years ago and it was echoed by Tennyson in a famous poem of his where he said –
“THAT GOD WHO ALWAYS LIVES AND LOVES
ONE GOD, ONE LAW, ONE ELEMENT,
AND ONE FAR-OFF DIVINE EVENT
TO WHICH THE WHOLE CREATION MOVES”
Now as far as humans are concerned, this part of Ashaa Vahista which we need to incorporate in our Thinking is the Divine quality of Truth and Righteousness. To expand and explain further on the meaning of Truth it needs to be understood that generally speaking most persons consider themselves to be truthful and it is easy to be so when our interests are not at stake – but it is only that man who will stick to truth( in thought, word and deed) in the most critical situations who is truly considered truthful. There is a beautiful passage in the Gathas where Zarathushtra beseeches Ahura Mazda for the help of Truth at supremely crucial moments. Once we make the effort to be Truthful and Righteous at critical junctures that the battle is truly won. And your ability to do this should come as no great surprise as truth is an innate part of us. The divine spark within each and every one of is of the essence of Truth and all that is required to develop it is to manifest this divine attribute into our lives. As Browning said –
“Truth is within ourselves. It takes no rise from outward things, whatever you may believe. There is an inmost centre in ourselves where truth abides in fullness; and to know , Rather consists in finding out a way whence the imprisoned Splendour may escape, Than by effecting entrance for a light supposed to be without.”
And let it be said of the whole Iranian race that history has recorded the fact that in the times of the Achaemenian Kings, the whole irnian nation was famous for its quality of Truthfulness.
Historians from amongst their national enemies like Herodotus, who have not spared the Iranians from slander even though undeserved, could not however withhold their appreciation opf the quality of righteousness and truthfulness among the Iranians. A very interesting fact recorded by these historians states that the Iranians hated to go to the marketplace and bargain with the shopkeepers lest it should make them untruthful. It is also a recorded fact that when Cyrus conquered Lydia, the Greeks sent him a message to be careful and not attack them. Cyrus replied that when he decided to fight the Greeks, it would not bother him as he did not care 2 straws for a nation that daily told a hundred lies at the marketplace.
It was Darius the Great who left a mandate to all nations and their rulers in his rock inscriptions – that if they wanted to keep their country and their nation safe and well-established, they should abstain from falsehood and follow the path of truth.
Throughout the history of the world no nation has such a proud record as the ancient Persians during early Achaemenian times for their great love for Truth and it was not the accident of a reigning sovereign setting an example of speaking the Truth for a time but it was a national characteristic and it was solely due to the teaching of their Prophet.
VOHU MANA – THE GOOD MIND
The second divine attribute of the Almighty which we must aspire to incorporate in ourselves is Vohu Mana, the Good Mind. This means a mind always working for the welfare and good of oneself as well as others. The Avesta teaches us that the Mind has an innate intellect as well as an acquired wisdom. Every Zoroastrian should therefore further his God-given intelligence through education to achieve wisdom. Hence it is the religious duty of every man and woman to engage in serious study and universal education to achieve the light of wisdom. This knowledge is of utmost importance to every Zoroastrian. Its amazing powers to balance the mind and protect its owner from any passing misfortune is to be experienced to be thoroughly understood. With the light of wisdom to guide one’s life a man is safe and protected in whatever he does or wherever he goes. He can never err. All this is enfolded within the expression Vohu Mana or the Good Mind.
The Gathas contain certain passages of great historical interest. They refer to the wedding of Pouruchista, he daughter of Zarathushtra to Jamasp the wise minister of King Vishtasp. The bride prays to the Almighty for the light of the Good Mind and Jamasp is praised as possessing the wealth of the Good Mind, that is wisdom divine. And the holy prophet while performing their marriage ceremony tells the marrying couple that through them all men and women could achieve a happy home life who were inclined towards truth, wisdom and love alone.
With the presence in ourselves of these divine attributes – one of Truth and Righteousness and the second of the Good Mind guided throughout by the light of wisdom, beginning with a serene and peaceful mind – we are well and truly on the road to eventual perfection.
HOLY POWER AND THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN
