INDIVIDUAL JUDGEMENT, HEAVEN, HELL, JUDGEMENT DAY, AND RESURRECTION
THREE VERSES ARE SET OUT BY ME TO BEGIN this difficult subject. Each of these verses speaks of life on earth as being a trial run. If one is successful in the ordeals of life, by sheer effort and correct choices, one will be triumphant ultimately.
AHUNAVAITI – Yas. 30.7
Unto such will come God’s power and truth, a mind which is pure. Right-Mindedness will grant continued spiritual progress, and they will be triumphant in the ordeal that is life – as if they have successfully gone through molten lava unscathed.
AHUNAVAITI – Yas. 32.7
These violent persons do not understand the Herculean effort required to tread the path of truth, which is taught by life’s molten metal test. You know best, O Lord, what fate is in store for them.
USTAVAITI – Yas. 43.10
So, do You give to me truth, for whom I yearn, accompanied by right-mindedness. You question mankind and test us – passing the test makes us strong, so that tested by You, mankind is made strong.
The verses collated below speak of life on Earth, as well as what happens in the hereafter. Zarathustra repeatedly questions God as to what punishment is in store for evil persons here on Earth. His answer is that retribution occurs at death. The interesting answer given is that every soul will judge for itself where it is to go depending upon how it has lived life on Earth. After death, the soul goes down the bridge of the separator and depending on its thoughts, words, and deeds, it consigns itself to either heaven, which is the abode of song, or hell, which is the abode of miserable existence. In heaven, the soul enjoys happiness and light, whereas in hell it is given retribution for its evil deeds by God Himself, which is described as an age-long punishment in darkness.
The idea of such retribution, however, is so that God’s laws can be revealed to those who have not followed them on Earth, so that at this stage, at least they are given a chance to make the correct moral choice. A cut-off date or Judgement Day will arrive after which all souls would triumph in Hu Urva Tat and Amere Tat (perfection coupled with immortality), which is none other than the ultimate resurrection which is to take place. The verses set out herein below clearly and unmistakably state these truths which become a central theme of religion to one group of Jews, the Pharisees, after King Cyrus of Persia releases them from their bondage in Babylon and allots them funds to rebuild their destroyed temple in Jerusalem. The very same ideas are also contained in Christianity and Islam.
AHUNAVAITI – Yas. 30.8
But when retribution comes to those who indulge in violence, God’s judgment will be clearly revealed. It is then that the lie will be delivered into the hands of truth.
AHUNAVAITI – Yas. 30.10
When the short-lived triumph of those who are evil is destroyed, they will get their just desserts. After this, they will reach the abode wherein dwells the Pure Mind, God, and Truth, and they will constantly strive to do good.
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. 31.14
This do I ask You, O Lord:
How was it in the past and how will it be in the future? How have you noted the wishes of the righteous and those of the unrighteous, and how will you deal with them once their accounts are closed?
AHUNAVAITI –Yas. 31.15
I ask this: What is the punishment for those who advance the power of evil-doers, O Lord; those who find nothing better than to injure the protector who opposes evil, and to injure his human flock?
AHUNAVAITI – Yas. 31.20
Whoever follows those who are righteous will abide in light. But to long ages of darkness, and words of misery, will the evil person lead himself, thanks to his way of thinking and his deeds.
AHUNAVAITI – Yas. 32.8
Among these violent persons were Vivanhuso and Yima, who, desiring to placate mankind, illumined what is material instead of what is spiritual on Earth. From persons such as these may I stand apart on the Day of Judgement.
AHUNAVAITI – Yas. 33.11
You are Almighty, O Lord, Right-Mindedness, Truth, and God’s Power, and you all bless life. Listen to me and take pity on me while apportioning just desserts to all.
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.
AHUNAVAITI – Yas. 34.14
That reward, O Lord, worth having, is granting spiritual upliftment to those in the flesh for deeds done from a pure mind. Those who serve our abundant Mother Earth – through Your power and wisdom, O Lord, will do Your will – and gain fulfilment by the tasks of truth.
USTAVAITI – Yas. 43.4
May I recognize You as holy and powerful, O Lord, who, with a mere wave of the hand, dost fulfil our longings. You give both the good and the evil their just desserts. Through Your blazing fire, mighty with truth, will mental strength come to me.
USTAVAITI – Yas. 43.12
And when you told me to follow truth to acquire understanding, you did not tell me to do something which will be unheeded by me. I will bestir within myself my conscience, which will then bless me with the accompaniment of great light. You award both the sides with their just dues.
USTAVAITI – Yas. 44.19
This do I ask You, tell me truly, O Lord:
What happens to those who do not reward persons who speak the truth? What is their punishment at present? I know what will happen to them at the end.
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. 46.11
Through their power, priests and kings would destroy mankind through their evil ways. But their own conscience and thought shall trouble them when they come near to the bridge of the separator. Through all time will they live in the abode of misery.
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 Wisest.
SPENTA MAINYU – Yas. 47.5
Through this holy spirit, O God, have you promised the best to the righteous. The evil person will get his just desserts removed from Your love, because of his evil intent and bad deeds.
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. 48.2
Reveal to me what You know, O Lord; when retribution takes over in the life beyond. Whether truth conquers untruth, O Lord. That would indeed be the grand finale of life.
SPENTA MAINYU – Yas. 50.5
From beyond, O Lord, and Truth, may I sing that which is revealed to me – your joy-giving hymns. You can help us with a wave of the hand (which I can see clearly) which will lead us to light.
SPENTA MAINYU – Yas 50.11
I am your staunch worshipper, and will always be, O Lord, as long as I have the will and the strength. Life’s laws are accomplished through the Pure Mind, so that in accord with Your will, the renovation of mankind is achieved.
VOHU KSHATREM – Yas. 51.12
Not satisfactory to me, Zarathustra, is the smooth passage of evil kings through this world. Because, spiritual growth is attained by those who, with ardent fervour, toil for it.
VOHU KSHATREM – Yas. 51.13
Thus, do the evil corrupt upright and truthful ways of thinking. Their souls will chide them and send them, when on the path of the separator, to misery. For this they are themselves to blame, as by their own words and deeds they have strayed from the path of truth.
VOHU KSHATREM – Yas. 51.14
Neither to God’s laws nor to man’s do the priests listen with reverence. They deceive good persons. Through their deeds and teachings will they be consigned to the abode of woe/misery.
VOHU KSHATREM – Yas. 51.15
The reward which Zarathustra has promised to the Magha brotherhood comes from beyond – the house of song which was first inhabited by God Himself, and the blessings of Truth and the Pure Mind.