ALL ABOUT ZARATHUSTRA & ZOROASTRIAN RELIGION
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- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Judgment Day:
- Zoroastrianism speaks of a day of judgment, “Fresho-Kareti,” when the absolute truth will be revealed.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Misconceptions about Fire Worship:
- Zoroastrians are often mistakenly called fire-worshippers; the fire in their temples symbolizes spiritual fire.
- 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.
- 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
- Zarathustra and Zoroastrianism:
Author – Digital creator Armaity Bhabha
