The New Year was welcomed by Parsis observing the Shahanshahi calendar with much gusto on 15^th August 2025. Every New Year serves as a religious and cultural indicator providing us with a natural opportunity for celebrating new beginnings, reflecting on past experiences and reviewing the lessons learned. It also gives us an opportunity to consider future-oriented resolutions for self-improvement and achieving new goals.

This New Year, what could be better than resolving to live our lives according to the precepts of Asho Zarathushtra as enshrined in the Holy Gatha, which many must have chanted with great devotion and fervour for five days before the New Year! What’s important now is to action what is aspirational and turn devotion into a deep and conscious sense of duty. While looking back with gratitude, let us look forward to the New Year with hope and commit ourselves to spiritual growth and positive change with these five Resolutions which are in tune with the essence of Asho Zarathushtra’s Divine songs – the Gatha

Resolution No. 1 (I shall choose the path of Wisdom)

In the Ahunavaiti Gatha, Zarathushtra speaks of twin mentalities and choices we all must make using our ‘sucha managha’ or ‘clear and illuminated mind’. In this Gatha Zarathushtra says: “I will speak of the Spirits Twain at the first beginning of Life, of whom the Holier Spake thus to the wicked one: Never shall our minds harmonize, nor our doctrines; neither our aspirations, nor yet our beliefs; neither our words nor yet our actions”. This refers to the ethical duality we observe in this world and in our lives.

Ahunavaiti Gatha refer to both cosmic as well as individual Mainyu (Sanskrit man for mind) mentalities. While at the macro level there is a cosmic battle between the forces of good and evil, at the micro level too we have our own daily battle at the individual mental level, to choose between good and evil, between truth and falsehood and between what is morally and ethically right and wrong.

The Ahunavaiti Gatha advises: “Hear with your ears the highest Truths, consider them with clear thought, before deciding between the two paths, man by man, each one for himself”. Zarathushtra speaks here about the moral and ethical choices each one of us must exercise with clear thought or an illuminated mind. And, once we make a decision, we have to be responsible for its consequences. No saviour can come to our rescue except our own truthful, righteous, and good thoughts, words, and deeds. Hence, Zarathustra, in his reference to these two paths, states: “And of these two the wise do choose what’s right; the unwise choose not thus.”

Thus, let our first Resolution be about exercising the right choices in day-to-day life with a clear and reflective mind. Let us at least ensure that the choices we make are well informed, well thought out and not harmful to our own self of to others.

Resolution No. 2 (I shall choose the path of Happiness)

The Ushtavaiti Gatha embodies happiness or bliss and celebrates the Zoroastrian precept of friendship with Ahura Mazda. In Yasna 46.2 Zarathustra says: “Rafedhrem chagvaao hyat fryo fryaai daidit, Aakhso vangheush ashaa ishtim manangho” which means: (as translated by Prof. Stanley Insler): “Take notice of it, Lord, offering the support which a friend should grant to a friend. Let me see the power of good thinking allied with truth!” Here Zarathushtra does not see Ahura Mazda as someone to fear, but sees the Divine as a beloved friend to talk to in times of distress and to love and seek support to perfect a perfecting world with friendship based on good thinking allied with Truth.

Ustavad Gatha reminds us that Zoroastrians are not a ‘God fearing’ but a ‘God loving’ people aspiring for friendship with Ahura Mazda through Asha (Truth, Righteous conduct and Orderliness) in making our lives and the lives of others full of Ushta or Bliss. Let our second Resolution be about promoting happiness and harmony through friendship and giving.

Resolution No. 3 (I shall choose the path of Joyful Excellence)

The Spentamainyush (pious mentality) or Spentamad Gatha corresponding to Yasna 47 to 50 embodies the qualities of purity, piety, simplicity, tolerance, and living a life driven by righteous purpose with productivity and devotion. In this Gatha, Asho Zarathushtra questions: “On whom can I count for help? On whom can I depend to protect my possessions?” And, answers in the same verse: “On whom but on Thy Truth, and on Thyself, O Mazda Ahura, when invoked with the Enlightened Mind!” Here the emphasis on invoking Divinity with an enlightened or illumined mind instead of mechanical babble without focus or understanding.

Asho Zarathustra further asks: “Tell me, O Mazda, how should they act and work? Who cares for this joy-giving world with its pastures?” And, he answers thus: “Living upright lives under the recurring splendour of the sun, apart from the repudiators, living ordered lives in harmony with the law of Truth, these shall reap the Blessed Reward!”

In other words, Zarathustra tells us that excellence and fulfilment in life can be achieved by leading an upright life in harmony with the law of Asha (variously translated as Truth, Righteousness and Universal Order) and away from the perpetrators of evil and in doing so Spenta Armaity, the very spirit of the earth, rejoices. Indeed, what an illumined and beautiful thought to reflect upon and live one’s life by – to bring joy to the very spirit of earth through a purposeful and productive life led with an illumined and positive mind. Let our third Resolution be about ushering joy and bounty by consciously living a purposeful and productive life.

Resolution No. 4 (I shall choose the path of Righteous Action)

The Vohukhashatra Gatha (Vohu = Good and Khashatra = Power or Strength) elucidates the power of doing good deeds. It says: “That man, who performs all his actions as an act of worship through Asha’s Law, is deemed as the best by Mazda Ahura. Those who have been in the past and who are such at present, I shall, with reverence, recall them by name, and shall try to reach their high position by righteous deeds.”

Vohukhashatra Gatha relates to Yasna 51 wherein Zarathustra elucidates that excellence comes through righteous actions performed as acts of worship. Thus, righteous actions are the best form of worship and such actions reap strength and empowerment. Let our fourth Resolution be about doing our worldly duties diligently as acts of worship dedicated to the Glory of Ahura Mazda. Let the same hands we lift in prayer help those in need.

Resolution No. 5 (I shall choose the path of Friendship)

In the fifth and last Gatha, Vahishto-Ishti, corresponding to Yasna 53, Asho Zarathushtra gives his daughter Pouruchista’s hand away in marriage and counsels: “These words do I address to you maidens who are being married, these counsels do I give to you, bridegrooms, heed them in your minds and lay them to heart. Let each cherish the other with Righteousness. Then surely the reward of a happy life shall be yours.” Here Zarathustra sees marriage as a path to happiness, a bond of friendship to cherish and togetherness to celebrate with joy.

While concluding Asho Zarathushtra also emphasizes the benefits of praying and we know that virtually all Zoroastrian prayers are positive affirmations in cultivating friendship with Ahura Mazda through good thoughts, words and deeds. Thus, let our fifth Resolution this year be centred around cultivating friendship with Ahura Mazda and all good creations of the Supreme Creator! Let us celebrate this friendship in a manner that is so meaningful that it leads to joy with a complete sense of fulfilment.