ALL ABOUT ZARATHUSTRA & ZOROASTRIAN RELIGION

1. 1. Zarathustra and Zoroastrianism:
      • Zarathustra is one of the earliest prophets, and his teachings formed the religion known as Zoroastrianism.
      • He retreated to the mountains for spiritual answers and received revelations from the Lord Ahura Mazda.
      • “The Gathas,” composed in the extinct Avesta language, are Zarathustra’s celestial songs and the core of Zoroastrianism.

      
      
      
      

   2. Core Teachings:
      • The religion’s main tenets are “Good Thoughts, Good Words, and Good Deeds.”
      • It emphasizes righteousness for its own sake and living by uprightness, truth, and purity.
   3. Optimistic Perspective:
      • Zarathustra taught that life is not a struggle but an opportunity to develop one’s higher nature.
      • His teachings are optimistic, contrasting with other religions that may view human suffering more pessimistically.
   4. The Presence of Evil:
      • Zarathustra explained evil using the analogy of a shadow cast by a lamp, indicating that evil is simply the absence of light.
      • One should constantly fight against evil and have faith in Divine Justice.

      
      
      
      

   5. Relation to Sahaja Yoga:
      • Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi discusses similar concepts in Sahaja Yoga, particularly regarding the negativity experienced when disconnected from reality.
      • Zoroastrianism encourages repentance and self-improvement without guilt or self-punishment.
   6. Judgment Day:
      • Zoroastrianism speaks of a day of judgment, “Fresho-Kareti,” when the absolute truth will be revealed.
   7. Parsi Community and Zoroastrianism:
      • The Parsis are descendants of people from Persia who migrated to India to preserve their religion.
      • Today, Parsis are primarily found in Mumbai, though they have spread globally.

      
      
      
      

   8. Zoroastrianism vs. Parsi Identity:
      • Zoroastrianism is a religion, while Parsi refers to a race.
      • Zoroastrians can be found in various countries, including Iran, Pakistan, and regions of Central Asia.
   9. Challenges in Modern Practice:
      • Many Zoroastrian scriptures are lost or written in extinct languages, leading to misinterpretations.
      • The deeper teachings are often overshadowed by rituals and traditions, losing their original purpose.
   10. Misconceptions about Fire Worship:
       • Zoroastrians are often mistakenly called fire-worshippers; the fire in their temples symbolizes spiritual fire.
   11. Religion as Man-Made:
       • The article argues that religion is man-made, built around divine teachings suited to specific times and circumstances.
       • Being born into a religion does not necessarily equate to deep knowledge or understanding of it.
   12. Collective Consciousness:
       • Today, the true religion is collective consciousness or spiritualism, which is internal rather than imposed externally.
       • Sahaja Yoga actualizes the promises of all religions, unifying their spirit and teachings

Author – Digital creator Armaity Bhabha