IT IS IMPORTANT TO END THE BOOK WITH what I consider to be the highlights of the hymns of Zarathustra. Thus, when it comes to moral choice, each person has to decide for himself – nobody else can make this single most important decision in life for such person. The moral precepts laid down in these hymns are simple and straightforward – happiness is the lot of those who follow the path of truth, and misery the lot of those who are evil.
In another interesting verse, we are told that the first word uttered in the universe brought light down to us from heaven. As a reflection of this heavenly light, we are told that we may brighten the light that is within us, so that we may move upwards towards it.
In one of the most beautiful trilogies contained in the Ahunavaiti Gatha, Chapter 33, Almighty God is asked to unfold himself within mankind. The reward for prayer is simple and beautiful – the grant of goodness, so that people around the person who prays benefit from that person. A life full of vigour along the path of truth is the best. Farsightedness is asked for and is very important, in the sense that life on Earth goes in a flash – it is the life that is to come that is all-important, and once this is clearly understood, many of the riddles of life get answered.
Another beautiful verse asks for guidance, at every stage in life, when doubts arise, for it is this guidance alone that leads mankind along the path of truth at all times.
The creed of every saviour appointed to teach mankind by God is the same. The ultimate reward is obtained only if both intent and deed are good.
One of the most important declarations ever to be made is the declaration that happiness comes to him who gives happiness to whomsoever else (Chapter 43 Verse 1). The positivism found in this verse illumines the entirety of Zarathustra’s message. Another verse which follows clearly states that man cannot escape the consequence of his words and deeds. Every word and deed will bear fruit in the form of either the blessing of happiness or the curse of misery.
The trilogy contained in verses 7 to 9 of Chapter 45 is perhaps the kernel of the entire Gathas. In Verse 7, we are told that the soul of the righteous will be victorious in gaining immortality. Correspondingly, the soul of the evil person will be troubled for a long time as both punishment and retribution are to be his lot. In Verse 8, Zarathustra, having lived by the path of truth, perceives Almighty God with his mind’s eye. This perception brings about the most fundamental statement in Zarathustra’s teachings – good thoughts, good words, and good deeds. Heaven is described in the same verse as the abode of music – music being the instrument by which constant joy is experienced. And, in Verse 9, we are told that God is responsible for both good and evil. This is so because man is not created as a puppet but as a thinking being, given the power of moral choice. When man chooses wrongly, he creates evil. It is in this sense that God creates for mankind both good and its opposite, evil.
Another set of verses namely, verses 5 to 8 of Chapter 46, tell us that broadmindedness is also an important feature of Zarathustra’s faith. A person may receive with kindness anybody – whether he is a believer in the faith, or otherwise – and anyone who does so (that is, who behaves with kindness to his fellow man) is blessed. Even evil persons are not to be turned away but are to be instructed in the right path, so that they are saved from destroying themselves. We are also told that whoever furthers the evil designs of an evil person is himself evil, and vice versa. Part of the Kem Na Mazda prayer is contained in Verse 7. Persons are told that when they are threatened with violence, a person’s own inner fire and zeal will protect him. We are also told in the following verse that such violent people will ultimately find that evil and violence recoil only on the person who perpetrates them. And in Verse 19 of this chapter, the resurrection of immortal souls who will enjoy eternal life on earth is spoken of.
In Chapter 48, Judgement Day, after which the gift of immortality is given to all, is spoken of. At this stage all evil vanishes as all persons see that what according to them was a mere delusion has now, in fact, come true. Such persons will rectify themselves morally and will worship with great devotion the Almighty God.
Verse 7 of Chapter 48 again lays down a cardinal principle of the faith – non-violence. And Verse 12 tells us that saviours will, because of their teachings and deeds, spread a divine message which will vanquish hatred.
Verses 4 to 6 of Chapter 51 speak of truth and compassion. Every protector of mankind who is upright and acquires good insight through humility is able to guide mankind so that they follow the right path. The Prophet is not content with persons only doing good. He exhorts all mankind to prove themselves as being better than good, and, with poetical flourish, says that it will be worse than bad for those who do not do so at the final end of life.
AHUNAVAITI – Yas. 30.2
Listen with your ears most attentively. Consider, clearly, what I have to say. Choose before deciding – man for man, each for himself, before this great new age is ushered in. Each one of you, awaken to this message.
AHUNAVAITI – Yas. 30.11
If you understand these principles which God has laid down for man – happiness and misery – punishment of a long duration for those who are evil, and upward progress for those who are good – happiness will be your lot.
AHUNAVAITI – Yas. 31.7
Who, through that first word, brought light down to us from heavenly light? Who, through his wisdom, is the creator of truth? The upholder of the highest (mentally). That light does then brighten within us, which has otherwise remained dormant till now.
AHUNAVAITI – Yas. 33.12
Unfold Yourself within me, O Lord. Grant me strength of character through Right-Mindedness. Through the holiest spirit, O Lord, grant me goodness as a reward for prayer. Grant me a life full of vigour through Truth, and may the Pure Mind look after me.
AHUNAVAITI – Yas. 33.13
Give me bliss, make me far-seeing and reveal to me your incomparable gifts – Your power, and the blessings of the Pure Mind. O Holy Right-Mindedness, teach us clearly as to how truth guides our way of thinking.
AHUNAVAITI – Yas. 33.14
Therefore, Zarathustra offers himself and his upliftment to God, and dedicates the first fruits of his thought inspired by the loftiest motives, his deeds of truth, and his words uttered according to his conscience – in effect, his whole being.
AHUNAVAITI – Yas. 34.6
Since You are such in reality, O Lord, Truth and Pure Mind, guide me when doubts arise, at every stage of life, so that Your worshipper is free from the load which ultimately weighs the soul down.
AHUNAVAITI – Yas. 34.13
That path, O Lord, which You pointed out to me – the creed of all saviours – that every good deed inspired by lofty motives alone, goes far. This teaching is for the clear-sighted, leading to the ultimate reward which You will grant.
USTAVAITI – Yas. 43.1
Happiness to him who gives happiness to whomsoever else. May God, who rules at will, grant this. I wish for progress, strength of character and life renewed. For upholding truth, grant to me, O Right-Mindedness, the blessings of a life spent with a mind illumined by light.
USTAVAITI – Yas. 43.5
I have realized that You are holy, O Lord, when I recognized that You were the first, even before life came into being. You have ordained that all words and deeds will bear fruit. Misery to those who are evil, and the blessings of well-being to those who are good. Thus shall it be till the ultimate goal of creation is reached.
USTAVAITI – Yas. 45.7
To all seekers of salvation, past, present, and future, I have this to say: the soul of the righteous will be victorious and will gain immortality. Ever renewed are times of trouble for those who are evil. This is sent by God through His power.
USTAVAITI – Yas. 45.8
Him do I seek to praise, in all humility. Indeed, I have seen him with my mind’s eye. By good thought, deed, and word, and by knowledge brought by the path of truth have I perceived God Himself. Let us, therefore, offer songs of devotion to Him in the abode of song where God dwells.
USTAVAITI – Yas. 45.9
God and the Pure Mind do I seek to worship, who in His plan has made for us both good and its opposite, evil. God’s power has made us serve our human flock, so that they advance to the highest truth and wisdom.
USTAVAITI – Yas. 46.5
Whoever, being in a position of strength, receives any person in kindness or in friendship, and whoever receives anybody because he is a follower of Your revelation, is blessed; and even if such a person, being righteous, receives an evil person, he should teach him the path to salvation to save him from destruction, O Lord.
USTAVAITI – Yas. 46.6
But, whoever being able to do so, does not do so, shall himself be ensnared by evil. Because he who is good to those who are evil is himself evil. And he who befriends the righteous is himself righteous. This is Your law ever since You first created us.
USTAVAITI – Yas. 46.7
Who, O Lord, will protect me when evil persons threaten me with violence, who other than Your fire and the Pure Mind? When they both are at work within me, truth prevails, O Lord. Declare this clearly so that I may understand this philosophical truth.
USTAVAITI – Yas. 46.8
Whoever is violent to life, his deeds of flaming hate will not touch me but will recoil on him, this which keeps him from the good life, but not from hateful evil ways.
USTAVAITI – Yas. 46.19
Whoever will accomplish through truth and His will this complete renovation on earth for Zarathustra, to him will be given the reward of eternal life, together with all that he desires from our bountiful Mother Earth. All this You did reveal to me, O Lord, the Most Wise.
SPENTA MAINYU – Yas. 48.1
Since on Judgement Day truth triumphs over untruth – when a person attains immortality, which has been said to be a delusion – then will the devotees of many Gods and other people who will witness this increase their devotion to You, O Lord.
SPENTA MAINYU – Yas. 48.7
Keep hatred far away and steel yourselves against violence, those of you who wish to cling onto the best wisdom. To increase truth, be in the company of holy men, who will lead such persons to Your abode, O Lord.
SPENTA MAINYU – Yas. 48.12
Such are the saviours of this land, who are guided by the Pure Mind’s wisdom. Because of their deeds of truth and their teachings of God and the spread of the divine message, hatred will be vanquished.
VOHU KSHATREM – Yas. 51.4
Which shepherd will look after your worshipper? When will compassion take over? When will Truth take over? And when will Right-Mindedness do the same? Where is the highest mind and Your power, O God?
VOHU KSHATREM – Yas. 51.5
Questioning about all these as to how he should advance life in truth, the Protector, upright in his deeds, acquires good insight through humility. He is the true guide to those who are wise, bringing them blessings.
VOHU KSHATREM – Yas. 51.6
Whosoever proves himself to be better than good, thus fulfilling life’s purpose, will be helped by God’s power. But it shall be worse than bad for him who does not do so at the final end of life.
