(Parsi Times presents a 2-part series by Noshir Dadrawala on the life of our beloved Prophet Asho Zarathushtra, providing a more insightful understanding about His teachings and message for humanity.)
Recently, I received a request from a Parsi Times reader to briefly narrate the story of Zarathushtra, summarizing His teachings, that she could share with her granddaughter. Unfortunately, all we know today about Asho Zarathushtra – be it as a Divine Messenger (Paigambar), philosopher, astronomer or mystic poet – is based on oral tradition and folklore. What was finally committed to writing about his life was centuries after his birth, mostly during the Sasanian and post-Sasanian era.
The period of Asho Zarathushtra’s birth is shrouded in mystery. Greek philosophers and historians seem to place him as far back as 6,000 to 7,000 BC, which would be the Stone Age period. Modern scholars however place his birth around 1,500 to 1,800 BC, which would be around the Bronze Age – a period lasting from approximately 3300 to 1200 BC. It was characterized by people who started to use bronze, indulge in writing in some geographical areas, and other such features of early urban civilization.
Some scholars claim that Zarathushtra was born in Balkh (Bactria), while others claim he was born closer to the Russian Steppes. Many believe he was born in what is now northeastern Iran or southwestern Afghanistan. According to traditional, belief he was born during the Kayan dynasty, when the saintly Shah Lohrasp Bin Arvand (a saintly king whose image adorns the walls of several Zoroastrian homes and places of worship) was the king of Iran. The Governor of Rae (the city where Zarathushtra is believed to have been born) was the evil Durasrun.
The Kayan dynasty is considered a pre-historic period by scholars. No archeological material of this period appears to have been excavated yet. Even so, the strength and eternal relevance of Zarathustra’s teachings emerges strong.
Zarathushtra belonged to the family of Spitama (meaning very holy) – his father was Pourushasp, his mother – Dogdo, paternal grandfather – Peterasp and maternal grandfather was Framirava. His lineage goes back to Shah Faridoon – a saintly king of the Peshdad dynasty, who enchained the very epitome of evil, Zohak, to mount Damavand.
Divine Messenger: The Persian word for Prophet (Divine Messanger) is Paigamber or Wakhshur. In Zoroastrianism, Zarathushtra is recognized as Yazata – a Divine Being. There’s even a Khshnuman (dedicatory formula) in his honour. Many scholars interpret his name as Zaratha (meaning golden) and Ushtra (meaning light), thus meaning ‘Golden Light’ or ‘Golden Star’.
Miracles: The life and miracles associated with Zarathushtra’s birth are narrated in the Pahlavi work, ‘Zarthosht Nama’. Zarathushtra is said to have laughed instead of crying at birth, a divine sign indicating lack of confusion or fear. Nearly seven attempts were made on the divine infant’s life by the evil Durasrun. Once when Durasrun tried to stab Him, his arm got twisted backward; another time, when He was thrown into the flames, the hot coals turned into a bed of roses; when put in the path of a herd of cattle and horses, a cow and a mare respectively stood protectively over Him; when thrown in a den of hungry wolves, the animals found their jaws locked; and attempts to poison him and throw an evil spell also failed.
Divine Visions: Zarathushtra remained engrossed in contemplation and prayers from age fifteen to thirty years, after which he left home in search of the Truth. As per Dadestan-i-denig, Zarathushtra had his first vision of Ahura Mazda on Roj Dae-pa-Meher, Mah Ardibehest. His first question to Ahura Mazda was, “Who is the best person among all in this world?” Ahura Mazda’s response summarized the Zoroastrian way of life: “The best person among all people in this world is one who walks the right and truthful (Asha) path; who is charitable (in thought, words and deed); who is just and fair to all, reveres fire, reveres the waters and is kind to animals.”
Zarathushtra received seven Divine Visions of Ahura Mazda, over a decade, demystifying the universe, after which the six Amesha Spenta showered special blessings on Him, each asked Him to carry a special message: Bahman Ameshaspand wanted people to be kind to animals; Ardibehest Ameshaspand wanted fire to be revered; Shehrevar Ameshaspand desired that metals be used wisely (not for destruction); Spendarmad Ameshaspand desired that earth be protected and revered; Khordad Ameshaspand wanted the waters to be kept pure and revered; and Amerdad Ameshaspand wanted the plant kingdom to be cared for and protected.
In these messages of the Amesha Spenta, we find the protype of what we know today as ‘Ecological Footprint’ or the impact of humans on the environment. Isn’t it amazing that this was considered centuries before industrialization, carbon and green-house emissions!
Divine Gifts: As per Sharestan, Zarathushtra received from Ahura Mazda three gifts – Twenty-One Nask (volumes): each titled according to the twenty-one words of the Ahunavar (or Yatha Ahu Vairyo), replete with all the wisdom and mysteries of the universe; The Spiritual Fire of Adar Buzin which burned without fuel and did not emit any smoke; and a holy Cypress tree.
At The Court Of Shah Vistasp: By the time Zarathushtra received the revelation and was ready to begin his spiritual work, Shah Lohrasp had abdicated the throne to devote his life to prayer and spiritual quests. Kae Vistasp had succeeded Shah Lohrasp. Zarathushtra came to the court of Kae Vistasp, blessed the king and declared that he was a Messenger of Ahura Mazda. Kae Vistasp was initially hesitant to accept Zarathushtra’s statement. However, Zarathushtra held discussions with the wise men of the court for three days and satisfied all their queries. He then gave the Fire of Adar Burzin to Kae Vistasp to hold in his bare hands. He also gave him the Cypress tree (each leaf of the cypress tree is believed to have said, ‘Vistasp accept the word of Zarathushtra.’)
The grand seer, Jamasp, is said to have tested Zarathushtra even further by pouring molten bronze four times on Zarathushtra’s chest. Zarathushtra passed this ordeal without any harm to himself. Zarathushtra was hereafter accepted as a true Messenger of Ahura Mazda.
Four Boons: One day, Kae Vistasp asked Zarathushtra for four boons – 1. To see and know more about the other (spiritual) world; 2. To live forever; 3. To become invincible in battle; and 4. To be able to see into the future. Zarathushtra explained to Kae Vistasp that all four boons couldn’t be granted to any one individual. Hence, he proceeded to perform a sacred ritual to consecrate some wine, milk, flowers, and pomegranate. Zarathushtra gave the consecrated wine to Kae Vistasp to drink and the latter’s soul traveled to the other world and saw his place in it. The consecrated milk was given to Peshotan who, on consuming it, became immortal. When Jamasp was asked to smell the flowers, he became clairvoyant and could look into the future. The Jamaspi is said to be the work of this sage. Asfandiar ate the consecrated pomegranate and he became bronze bodied (Rooyintan), thus virtually invincible in battle.
It is said Kae Vistasp built several Atash Bahram all over the empire. According to the Dasatir, wise men from faraway lands came to meet and test Zarathushtra. When the Indian sages, Changraghacha and Vyas, came to the Royal Court, Zarathushtra answered their questions even before they could put forth their query! Tutianus of Greece concluded, “This man (Zarathushtra) cannot be a speaker of falsehood.”
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