Temptation Of Zarathushtra

Start your weekend with positive vibes with inspirational excerpts from the acclaimed book, ‘Homage Unto Ahura Mazda’ by Dasturji Dr. Maneckji Naserwanji Dhalla of Karachi.

Dasturji Dr. Manekji Naserwanji Dhalla
Dasturji Dr. Manekji Naserwanji Dhalla

In his empire of evil, Angra Mainyu, the Evil Spirit, laid a wager that who so of the host of hell successfully tempted Zarathustra to his fall, would be raised high in rank in the region of darkness. Buiti, the adept in the art of luring man to apostasy, took it. With a hundred devices and mischievous machinations he endeavoured to lure Zarathustra from his constancy but failed ignominiously. The prophet of Ahura Mazda frightened him out of his wits. Foiled in his mission, howling in terror did Buiti flee from the blessed one and precipitately took to his heels towards hell.

Burning with wrath and jealousy, Angra Mainyu resolved to wreak vengeance upon the messenger of Mazda. With sweet and beguiling voice of temptation, he accosted Zarathustra and told him, with a cunning smile on his lips, that a mere man was he, born of human parents and hopelessly incapable of withstanding his onslaughts. He, on his part, would award him with health that defied calculations and give him the sovereignty of the world if, in his turn he renounced the faith of Ahura Mazda. Unto him did restore Zarathustra that neither for the riches of the world, nor for the love of his life, nor if his breath were torn away, would he desist from the good Mazdayasni religion.

The King of the world of wickedness, thereon let loose his legions of demons to assail Zarathushtra, but found him to be an impregnable rock, not to be moved. The holy one tumbled them all in the dust and scattered them in flight. Howling and weeping, headlong to hell did they huddle. Zarathustra stupefied Angra Mainyu. The evil spirit grovelled before Zarathustra and crouched in abject servility to him. With heart-rending agony he bewailed and cried that Zarathustra accomplished what all the heavenly Yazatas together were unable to do. He alone of all men, though earthy of earth, baffled and his internal crew.

Life, my lord, is struggle with temptation. Temptation rages all around me and all throughout my life. Temptation compels me not. Victim of my weakness and ignorance willingly I succumb to its beguilement and allow it to drag me down from the pedestal of honour to the degradation of shame.

Let me not yield to temptation, Ahura Mazda. Let not the mettle of my heart melt before the fire of temptation. Let not the power of resistance to temptation be weakened. Let not temptation corrupt my morals. Let it not overcome me. Strength me to control and subdue my unruly passions that I may not fall an easy prey to temptation. Enable me to steel myself to fight temptation. When temptation assails me, give me courage, Ahura Mazda to fight it and vanquish it and tread it beneath my feet, even as was done in his day of Zarathushtra.

About Dasturji Dr. Manekji Naserwanji Dhalla

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