A MANUAL OF KHSHNOOM
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A
Manual of
“KHSHNOOM”
The Zoroastrian Occult knowledge
by
Phiroz Nasarvanji Tavaria
Assisted by
Burjor Ratanji Panthaki
M. A.
A
MANUAL
OF
"KHSHNOOM"
THE ZOROASTRIAN
OCCULT KNOWLEDGE
by
Phiroz Nasarvanji Tavaria
Assisted by
Burjor Ratanji Panthaki M.A.
: Published by :
Mr. Sohrab Phiroze Masani
President, Parsee Vegetarian & Temperance Society
and
Mr. Hormusji Jeejeebhoy Suntoke
President, Zoroastrian Rahih Society
1
AT THE FEET
OF
OUR SPIRITUALLY ENLIGHTENED MASTER
THE LATE
SETH BEHRAMSHAH NAOROJI SHROFF
WHO SPREAD THE LIGHT
OF
THE OCCULT KNOWLEDGE
OF
"KHSHNOOM"
AND
REMOVED DARKNESS
IN THE STUDY
OF
THE ZOROASTRIAN FAITH
2
Study of Khshnoom Would
Help and Embellish
Philological Study of Avesta
"With a philological study of Avesta and Pahlavi for the last
twelve years and the 'Khshnoom' teaching of Zoroastrianism for
the last ten years, I have been able to see that the philological
study of Avesta merely procures the shells for the student whereas
Khshnoom inserts the original kernel necessary to make the whole
nut. I have seen with great precisian that the philological study of
the Avesta would be greatly helped and embellished if it were
helped by the Khshnoom line of study at the same time. The
present attitude of study of Avesta is philology and conjectural
speculation of philosophy which should be replaced by philology
and Khshnoom - the original key to the Zoroastrian philosophy."
- "Zoroastrianism, Ancient and Modern"
(p. xii) - Ervad P. S. Masani.
CONTENTS
Name of Yashts and their Seriatim Numbers
Abbreviations used in this book
Errata
Prologue
Special Features of this Book
Preface
Introduction
Zoroastrian Philosophy
AHU, the Un-nameable, Impersonal Supreme Deity
Pre-cosmo-genesis world
Three-stage Ahunavar Plan
Functioning of Yavaecha Yavaetat comprising
seven stages of Boundless Time in Ahunavar Plan
The Universe
First stage of the Ahunavar Plan
Second stage of the Ahunavar Plan
Third stage of the Ahunavar Plan
Khaetvadatha versus marriage
Location of Airyana Vaeja and its alternation
of manifestation with the known material world
Page
1
7
9
15
17
18
19
21
22
25
25
26
27
28
30
PART I
CHAPTER I
Study of the Scriptures by Dasturs of Old in India
Vocabularies in various languages prepared by
Dasturs of old
35
36
CHAPTER II
Philological Study of Zend-Avesta in the West
and in Bombay
Anquetil Duperron
Anquetil ended his life as an ascetic
Invaluable services of the philological school
Introduction of Philological study in Bombay
38
38
41
43
43
2
CHAPTER III
Misconceptions about Diversities in
Avesta Language, and Facts about the Same
Zoroastrian Books comprised 2,000,000 Verses
Extant Avesta remnants of Nasks given by Zarathushtra
Avesta based on Staota Laws of vibrationary colours,
sound etc.
Three divisions of Staota Yasna
Fshusho-Manthra not a language
Sarv-i-Keshmar
Magi could read Fshusho-Manthra vibrationary
colours like alphabet
45
45
46
46
47
49
49
50
CHAPTER IV
Philological Study of Avesta shook the Faith of the Parsis
55
CHAPTER V
The Dawn of "Khshnoom" and the Life of the Master in Iran
Behramshah proceeds towards Peshawar on the
Northern frontier
Behramshah reaches Peshawar
The Rad-Saheb reads the thoughts of apprehension
entertained by Behramshah
Behramshah has a dream
Rad-Saheb retells the dream Behramshah had
Everybody shows Behramshah his sudreh and kushti
Rad-Saheb reveals fabrication of telegram
The Holy Saheb-Dilan (Master-Hearts)
21 Nasks concealed talismanically in underground Iran
Concept of Sraoshavarez
Sraoshavarez Marzban Saheb, the holy sire who
spiritually enlightened our Master
The holy Sraoshavarez as portrayed by the Master
The Master was drawn to Peshawar by the power of
the holy Nirang formulae
Life in Mt. Demavand
58
58
59
59
60
60
60
61
63
65
65
67
67
68
69
Chapter VI
Master's training "Sinah-dar-Sinah". Heart to Heart;
and through "Sijda", spiritual trance-The miracle
of the present age
70
The Master placed under a lady teacher for his
primary training
Parting ceremony of holy Master's benedictions
Phial of miraculous liquid presented to Master
at parting
Alchemy is not a myth
Communion with the holy Sraoshavarez through the
power of "Nirang" (sacred formulae)
CHAPTER VII
Master's Life In Public
The unforeseen hitch
Ilm-i-Khshnoom classes conducted by the Master
in Bombay
Light out of Darkness
The late Ervad Phiroze Masani - a great worker
in the cause of Khshnoom
The Master's methods and principles of imparting
Knowledge
CHAPTER VIII
Misconceptions about the Master and the
Teachings of Khshnoom, Clarified by the Learned
Scholar Poonegar
The reply to the charge of imposture
The supposed Persian book
The views of Behramshah and philology
The plea of a secret book being source of his
knowledge does not hold water
The teaching of Behramshah not destructive
Theosophists and Mr. Behramshah
Explanation regarding the "Secret Sect"
The late learned Mr. Khurshedji Cama and the
teachings of Mr. Behramshah
The importance given to Mr. Behramshah's views by
Mr. Cama,
Mr. Cama's note-worthy opinion of Mr. Behramshah
References
71
74
75
76
77
79
80
80
81
82
86
90
90
90
91
91
91
91
92
92
93
93
93
CHAPTER IX
"Key" No.1
Description of the Pre-Cosmo-Genesis World
("Anghu Paourva") Technically Called "Anamanthvao
Alam",
lit. The Unthinkable World
Impersonal and Personal - The twofold concept of
Godhead in Avesta
95
95
95
4
Niru, the Screen of Light between AHU and Khao
Afrazyamna
Khao Afrazyamna, the fountain-source of Eternal
Freshness
Manthra Spenta blessings showered on Khao Afrazyamna
First Hoshbam, the Dawn of Universe
Yaon, Rashnu, Armaiti, the First Triad of Potentialities
Second Triad of fundamental laws
Yavaecha Yavaetat, Everlastingness
Niru Khadata, Fountain Source of All Power and Laws
Atashe-Shaedan, lit. Highest creative lustrous
fire energy
Ahunavar, The Will of AHU, and Zarvana Akarana,
the motion of its emergence
Simultaneous manifestation of Bagha Ahunavar and
Paourva Fravashi
'Vacha' the celestial note of Bagha Ahunavar
Bagha Ahunavar
Confusion of Bagha Ahunavar with parts of
Yatha Ahu Vairyo
"Ahumat" & "Ahuviyat", the perfect and imperfect
Knowledge divine
Varied ratio's of Ahuviyat or Dravao, evil
Rule of Asha due to predominance of obedient lights
Paourva Fravashi, the light ineffable and
indivisible whole that sets Ahunavar Plan into motion
Armaiti,. the special quality of Paourva Fravashi
Paourva Fravashi as Ahu's Ratu in Yatha Ahu Vairyo
Prayer
Distinction between Paourva Fravashi and Ashaunam
Fravashi
"Staota Yasna", the ceremony of vibrationary colours
performed by Paourva Fravashi for the creation of
the Universe
.
'Staota Yasna' ceremony for foundation of Universe
unknown in Philology
Satan's first manifestation
"Shida-an" and "Shaedan" (or Khshaetan) the two
opposite pales
.
The derivative of "Urvan", soul
"Chithra" - Anhuma- Seed or 'egg' of Duality, of
Universe-to-be
The great Chaos preceding cosmos
Anhuma entertains doubts in himself
Paourva Fravashi awakens Baodanghs
Baadangh is not 'intellect', but Urvan's higher
counterpart possessing perfect divine knowledge
96
97
97
97
97
98
98
99
99
101
101
102
103
104
104
105
105
106
106
106
107
107
108
109
110
110
111
111
112
113
113
5
"Hu-Chithra'
How Ashaunam Fravashis function with Ahura Mazda,
Ameshaspends and Yazads
Exile of souls into planetary world and evanescent
worlds for their reformation
"Farohar" explained by analogy
Paourva Fravashi is One Whole Light, but Farohars
have different grades
Farohars of three sublime classes of souls also
styled as Fravashis, in Yasht 13
Erroneous belief in plurality of Fravashi
Summary idea of Fravashi and Farohars
Philology cannot enlighten on Fravashi, Farohar etc.
A derivative or a speculative connotation cannot give
the real import
114
114
115
116
116
116
117
117
118
119
CHAPTER X
References in Farvardin Yasht to Chaos and
Cosmos Not Understood in Philology
'Afratat Kushi', unmanifest logos
Prof. Zaehner's misconception of 'Ashaunam
Fravashi' etc.
Prof. Zaehner's Ignorant Criticism
120
122
123
124
CHAPTER XI
Elucidation of "Zervanite Writings"
in the Light of Khshnoom
Preliminary remarks
Service rendered by hostile writers and Prof. Zaehner
"Zurvan", a Zaehnerian dilemma, not 'Zoroastrian'
Certain points of genuine knowledge in
Zervanite writings
Zervanite 'it IS' same as Khshnoomic AHU
(also meaning 'it IS'), impersonal Deity
127
127
129
130
130
131
CHAPTER XII
"Key" No.2
Map and Cosmography of The Universe
Mt. Alborz
Planetary world
Mazda-data and Ahura-data, deified laws of Infoldment
of Spirit into Matter, and Unfoldment of Spirit from Matter.
Aka Chithra, the wicked seed
Divine prescription for soul's reformation
135
136
137
137
138
139
6
"Miswane-Gatu, intermediate region between
planetary and evanescent worlds
'Hameshta Gehan'
Atashe-Mino-karko, creative fire-energy of
the whole Nisti
General idea of the Space (Dami)
Map of Nisti (Space)
Cosmography of the Space (Dami)
Combined idea of Dakhyus and their inner
homologues, the Zarehs
Functions of Zarehs
Functions of last four Dakhyus
'Geush-aevo-datayao' and 'Keresani', respective
phantoms of souls' collective blissful and
destructive characteristics
Fundamental noumena and phenomena
Communion of child with Nature in infancy
Veil of spiritual darkness over worldly souls
Three stages of 'Thwasha Khadata', automatic
rounds of re-births
Human body full of "Nasu", putridity
Zoroastrian laws for turning putridity into purity
Transmutation of evil into good
Technical significance of 'Pasu'
Pasu jubilant over its voluntary offer for immolation
Correct significance of Airyao Danghavo
Colours indicate degrees of excellence
Relation of Tir Yazad with Ahuradata, the Unfoldment
of Spirit from Matter
Concept of transitional regions between Dakhyus and
wicked or paradisiacal stations located therein
Concept of Chinvat Bridge and paradisiacal regions
Beyond
The fiery orbs of six super-ethereal Keshvars, the
centres and residing places of emancipated souls
Location of six Keshvars
Repatriation of saintly soul to the heaven of the
Zodiac
140
140
140
141
142
143
145
145
146
147
148
150
151
152
152
152
153
154
155
155
156
157
158
159
162
163
164
CHAPTER XIII
Irrelevant and Strange Renderings of Fraspa-yaokhedra,
Nida-snaithish and Khaetva-datha in S.B.E. XXXI
Nida-Snaithish, liberator from the instrument, (the
physical body)
Imaginary interpretations of 'Fraspa-yaokhedra', 'Nidasnaithish' and 'Khaetvadatha' by some Parsi Philological scholars
166
168
170
7
SUPPLEMENT NO.1
16 Fire-Energies Operating In the Whole Universe
9 Fire-energies operating on 9 heavens
Fire-energies functioning in Nisti worlds (Space)
15 Fire-energies referred to in Atash Nyaesh
174
175
175
176
SUPPLEMENT NO.2
Technical Significances of Aoj, Tagi and Zor
"Tagi", the special power possessed by Sarosh Yazad
Sarosh Yazad's power of Tagi occurring in Sarosh Baj
Prayer
Sarosh-Baj Pazand passage commentary upon Tagi in
Avesta
181
181
182
183
SUPPLEMENT NO.3
Knowledge of Discerning Technical Terms - in Avesta
Absent in Philology
184
SUPPLEMENT NO.4
Colours Produced by Recital of Yatha Ahu Vairyo
186
SUPPLEMENT NO.5
Suffix 'Khadata' explained
187
SUPPLEMENT NO.6
Staota Yasna, the Supremest Seed of the Universe
188
SUPPLEMENT NO.7
Divisions and Classes of Souls
190
SUPPLEMENT NO.8
A Few Instances of Avestan terms used in Technical or
Allegorical or Spiritual Meanings, Unknown to
Scholars
193
SUPPLEMENT NO.9
'Khare se pay' or '12,000 years' Depicting 3-stage Plan
of Ahunavar
Exposition of 12,000 years of the Universe (Bd. 1)
12,000 years of Geti (material world)
196
197
198
8
SUPPLEMENT NO. 10
References to Keresani, The Satan As Dravand Bivarasp,
Azhi Dahaka and Tur-bara-Tur, And Their Khshnoomic Expositions
Tur-bara- Tur, the monstrous inflation of Devil's body
of Darkness
Zarathushtra shatters Tur-bara-Tur's Body of Darkness
with Aoj power
Demons unable to kill Zarathushtra
Azhi Dahaka fettered in Post-Zarathushtra ages
Un-fettering of Azhi Dahaka
Comets, the vestiges of Tur-bara-Tur
Exposition of king Zohak’s three mouths, three heads
and six eyes
202
202
204
205
205
206
206
207
SUPPLEMENT NO. 11
Geush Tashan and Geush Urva
Geush Urva is Blissful Potentiality not 'Soul of the Ox'
Geush Urva and Geush Tashan counterparts of each
other
Geush-aevo-datayao, antagonist of Keresani and Azhi
Dahaka
Gava, Gavam, Geush used metaphorically
208
208
209
209
210
SUPPLEMENT NO. 12
Demon Keresani Cannot be Identical with (Vedic)
Demi-god Krishanu
Krishanu, protector of Holy Soma, not devil Keresani
212
213
SUPPLEMENT NO. 13
Conversion of Ethereal State into Material
Mixed creations
215
215
SUPPLEMENT NO. 14
Khanirath Bami, The Only Terrestrial Keshvar, The
Birth-place of Zarathushtra and Cradle of the Aryan Race
217
SUPPLEMENT NO. 15
Classification of Sins
Margarjan sins
219
219
9
Farod-Mandeh Sins
Manideh Sins
Azeh gunah
220
220
220
SUPPLEMENT NO. 16
Mystic Powers of Avesta Holy Formulae
Zarathushtra chanted aloud the Ahuna Vairya
Difference between witchcraft practitioner and blissful
healer
221
222
223
SUPPLEMENT NO. 17
Nine Constituents of a Human Being Mentioned in
Avesta
226
SUPPLEMENT NO. 18
Instances of Allegory and Numerological Mysticism
Expounded
Gao, Geush, Gava, Gavan do not mean bull or kine
Exposition of 100 horses, 1000 bulls and 10,000 sheep
in Aban Yasht
Exposition of numerological expressions
Exposition of the mansion of 1000 pillars of Sarosh, and
1000 channels of Ardvi Sur
Exposition of 99999 Fravashis protecting Zarathushtra's
seed
228
228
229
231
233
234
SUPPLEMENT NO. 19
Exposition of Apam Napat, Fountain-Source of Blissful
Heavenly Current
236
SUPPLEMENT NO. 20
Exposition of Kehrp, Invisible Body
Two meanings of Chakhra (1) Plexus and (2) Path
238
239
SUPPLEMENT NO. 21
'Panchas-dvaram-Vasi' (Fish) Physical Body With 50
Doors
240
SUPPLEMENT NO. 22
'Kar Mahi' The All-Seeing Fish (Potentiality)
243
10
SUPPLEMENT NO. 23
Technical Significances of the Terms Nmana, Vis,
Zantu, Dakhyu
244
SUPPLEMENT NO. 24
Law of Khoreh, Aura
245
SUPPLEMENT NO. 25
Scientific Excellence of "Nirang", The Electrically
Charged Water Passed by Cowkind
The Nirang formula
246
247
SUPPLEMENT' NO. 26
Various Types of "Druji", Hives of Invisible Microbes
248
SUPPLEMENT NO. 27
Magians or Magi, Their Origin And Spiritual Eminence
Prof. Zaehner's disparaging views about Magians
Magi most qualified for intercourse with God.
Magi could read vibrationary colours of Nasks like
Alphabet
Magi's measuring interstellar depths and distances in
Trance
Magi, "the wise men of the East" in the Bible
249
251
252
253
254
255
SUPPLEMENT NO. 28
Composition of the Four Elements and of the Human Physical Body
256
SUPPLEMENT NO. 29
King Jamshed the Brilliant. The Founder of Jamshedi
Naoroze, His so-called 'Pride', a Great Self-Sacrifice
Three-forms of Yima (Jamshed)
Jamshedi Naoroze
King Jamshed supplicating for boons
Fall of Jamshed, his so-called 'Pride', a great self
sacrifice
258
258
258
259
259
SUPPLEMENT NO. 30
Law of "Jirm", Planet
Seven planets composed, of Light only, Planets absolutely free from essence of matter
261
262
P ART II
Life of Zarathushtra
Prologue
Airyana Vaeja, the Birth-place of Zarathushtra
Genealogy of Zarathushtra
Source of Biography
Coming of Glory to Zarathushtra
Sanjana-Dinkard Chapter I
Hom (Haoma)
Exposition of crossing the waters of the river Daitya
Ceremony for attracting spiritual essences on earth
Sanjana-Dinkard Chapter II
Zarathushtra laughed at birth
'Biter Bitten', demon's hands turned backwards
Sanjana-Dinkard Chapter III
Ahura Mazda inspired Zarathushtra haw to induce the
recalcitrant chief to join his party
Story of the Brahman 'Cangranghacah' (Changraghach?)
Marvels performed on day Marespand of month
Spendarmad
Din and Marespand, two auspicious days for
commencing child's education
Gradations of Divine Intelligences
Seven Ameshaspands (Blissful Archangels) and two
Data (deified Laws)
Name Zarathushtra
Seeming ball of fire in Prophet's hand
Unique case of Light shining under Holy Zarathushtra's
feet
'Nav-Gereh', the nine-knotted stick shown in the
Prophet's hand
Unique status of holy Zarathushtra
The three wives (potentialities) Urvij, Arnij-bareda
and Hvovi
Visitations of wicked millennia in distant ages and
manifestation of the three Saviours (Sons)
Significance of 99,999 Fravashis
Allegorical references to "Maiden bathing in Lake
Kansava".
Manifestation of Soshyos
Miraculous passing away of Zarathushtra
Zarathushtra's passing away by lightning or a flame
from Heaven
Demons could not kill Zarathushtra
Zarathushtra shatters Tur-bara-Tur's Body of Darkness
Zarathushtra Master Astrologer
265
265
267
268
269
269
270
271
276
276
279
279
280
287
288
289
299
301
302
302
304
304
305
305
308
310
312
313
313
314
315
316
317
318
318
12
Angelic powers of Zarathushtra
No mausoleum of Zarathushtra
The greatest ordeal
The Age of Zarathushtra B.C 7551 In the Esoteric
Light of Khshnoom
Prologue
Introduction
Science supports distant date
Historical records refute near date.
Misguided dates given by scholars
Fairly Correct dates given by ancient Greek writers
Mystery behind. "Years"
New light on the History of Ancient Iran
Shumar-i-Falak, the calculations of the Heavens
318
319
319
320
321
324
325
326
326
327
328
329
331
CHAPTER I
Mystery Behind The Word "Years" Mentioned in
Pahlavi Writings
The "Enigmatical Veil"
Misconceived "Synchronism"
Pahlavi testimony of "27"
"Kar-Sal," "Far-Sal" in 'Dabistan'
10,800 Solar years. make 1 Saturnian "Far" year
Different types of Years based on rules_
The device for secrecy
Era of 6,000 B.c. not extravagant
"258" years arrived at from Bd. 34 erroneous
335
335
336
337
337
339
340
341
341
341
CHAPTER II
Clues Furnished by Our Master to Huafrit
and Kudarvand Dynasties Unknown To Scholars
Destruction of Records
Alexandrian Library burnt by Christian Priest
and Monks
Alexander consigns the Zoroastrian Scriptures
to the flames
Burning of Zoroastrian religious and historical
Writings by the Arabs
Birth of Shri Krishna (B.C. 5421)
100 Years' Indian rule over Iran
Huafrit Dynasty
Ervad Bharucha's quotation from Rehetseck's App. II,
Manuscript Dinkard No. 11
Kudarvand dynasty
"Elam and Media"
344
344
344
345
345
346
347
347
348
349
349
Historical evidence even up to B.C. 2458 disproves
the general belief of scholars in era of 600 B.c.
352
CHAPTER III
"Shumar-i-Falak", Calculations of the Heavens
For Finding the Era of Zarathushtra and
Other Great Law-Givers
Astrological Composition of '81' in 81,000
Numerological significances of different cardinal
numbers concerned with 81,000
Numerological aspect of '81' in 81,000
Philosophy of the whole creation embodied in
figure group 1001
Numerological significances of 3 ciphers in 81,000
and 12,000 years
Some rules of Shumar-i-Falak
Modes of calculations explained
Ready-Reckoner chart
Method of "Shumar-i-Falak" applied
353
355
355
355
356
357
358
359
361
364
366
APPENDICES
APPENDIX I
The History of Berosus
And Its Unique Features
The Deluge
Xisuthros can be read as Ie-e-su (So) suos
(i.e. I-e-su Sosyos)
The period of "33,091" years and its relation
with "Airyana Vaeja", the birthplace of
Zarathushtra and the home of ancient Aryans
The holy Airyana Vaeja
Airyana Vaeja, the birthplace of Zarathushtra
Airyana Vaeja called Khanirath Bami, the seventh
Keshvar
Prophet-Kings of Airyana Vaeja
Major portion of 33,091 years spent on Airyana Vaeja,
the cradle of the Aryan race.
Vedic mode of calculations of Yugas according to
"Gita Rahasya"
Transitional periods included in Kali Yuga, excluded
from Mahin Charkha
Influence of four main planets on four respective
Zarvane Dareghas
370
370
371
372
373
374
374
376
377
378
379
380
14
Numerological significances of Iranian and Vedic
aeons on spiritual advancement
Great importance of the fragment from the history
of Berosus
381
382
APPENDIX 2
A Few Predictions of Future
66,500 Years affecting Iran
382
APPENDIX 3
Zoroastrian Ceremonials-Purely Scientific
Principles Embodied in Them;
Functionary Agents Employed Therein
The science underlying Atash-Behram and "Machi"
384
386
APPENDIX 4
Scholars Unawareness of Jupiterian Culture
Jupiterian mystic arts and sciences
"Jam-i- Jehanuma", the mystic telescope of the world
Jam, a scientific mystic device
The Jam of Ilm-i-Zafar, the sublimest mystic device
Concept of Ilm-i-Zafar
Method of compilation of the Jam
387
390
391
392
393
393
394
APPENDIX 5
A Peep Into The Domestic Life of the Parsis
in India A Hundred Years Ago
396
APPENDIX 6
Zoroastrian Mode of Disposal of Dead Body
Most Expeditious and Sanitary
399
APPENDIX 7
Esoteric Exposition of
Sudreh, The Zoroastrian Sacred Shirt
General idea about Sudreh
Making of Sudreh
Sudreh must be of cotton
Scientific object of covering the head
Holy vibrationary colours of Avesta Manthra formulae
Sudreh helps in transmuting effects of Darkness into
Light
Efficacy of white colour in Sudreh
Sudreh must be made from one whole piece
403
403
404
405
405
405
406
406
407
Nine seams of Sudreh
(a) Nape Seam
(b) Gereban, the store-house of the Aura
Gareban, the medium for testing Holy
soul's grade of Aura
(c-d) Front and Back of the Sudreh
(e-f) Two sleeves
(g) Small vertical seam
Veil of Darkness
(h-i) Two right-angled triangular seams
Length of Sudreh
Completely circular at bottom
Sudreh must be completely rim-sewn
Summary idea of seams
'Ramano Khastrahe' Electro magnetic force of
angel Mino Ram
Why Ramano Khastrahe sentence omitted from
funeral recital
Need for investing Zoroastrian Corpse with Sudreh
Conclusion
408
408
409
410
411
411
412
413
414
415
416
416
417
417
417
417
APPENDIX 8
Function of Kusti, The Zoroastrian Sacred
Thread Girdle
Mr. W. T. Stead and the music heard from the
Persian carpet
Property of woollen fibres employed in
phonograph record discs
Wool is not hair
Kusti must be of white wool
The spinning must be accompanied with
recital of Avesta formulae
Doubling of the yarn
Weaving of the Kusti
Kusti for the laity
Kusti for strict practitioners of purity
Inversion of the Kusti
Three rounds of the Kusti
Pondering at knotting the Kusti in front
and at back
418
419
421
421
422
422
422
423
423
425
426
427
428
APPENDIX 9
High Level Jottings
Bibliography
Index
429
435
438
Name of Yashts
And Their Seriatim Numbers
Yt I
1. Hormazd Yasht
2. Haptan Yasht or Hapt
Yt. II
Ameshaspand Yasht
Yt. III
3. Ardibehesht Yasht
4. Khordad Yasht or
Yt_ IV
Awerdad Yasht
5. Aban Yasht or Ardvi Sur
Yt. V
Banu Yasht
Yt. VI
6. Khorshed Yasht
Yt. VII
7. Mah Yasht
Yt. VIII
8. Tishter or Tir Yasht
Yt. IX
9. Drvasp or Gosh Yasht
Yt. X
10. Meher Yasht
Yt. XI
11. Sarosh Yasht Hadokht
Yt. XII
12. Rashn or Rashnu Yasht
Yt. XIII
13. Farvardin Yasht
Yt. XIV
14. Behram Yasht
15. Ram Yasht or Mino
Ram Yasht Yt. XV
16. Din YashtYt. XVI
17. Ashi Yasht or Ard Yasht
Yt. XVII
Yt. XVIII
18. Ashtad Yasht
19. Zamyad YashWYt. XIX
Hom YashtYt. XX (Geldner's Avesta)
20. Vanant Yasht Yt. XX
21. Yasht Fragment
Yt. XXI
22. Yasht FragmentYt. XXII
23. Afrin-Paighamber-Zartusht
Yt. XXIII
24. Vishtasp Yasht
Yt. XXIV
Abbreviations
Bd.
Bundehesh
Dar.
Prof. Darmesteter
Dk.
Dinkard
Har.
Prof. Harlez
Intro.
Introduction
P.V.T.S.
Parsi Vegetarian & Temperance
Sociey
S.B.E.
Sacred Books of the East
Sp.
Yd.
Vol.
Prof. Spiegel
Vandidad
Volume
Visp.
Visparad
Ysn.
Yasna
Yt.
Yasht
Z.A.
Zarvana Akarana
Z.R.S.
Zoroastrian Radih Society
PROLOGUE
The author of this book passed away on the 3rd April 1968.
The Manuscript was however, completed a few years before his
death and was waiting finance for the publication. The book is now
in your hands because of the generous patronage of the Parsee
Vegetarian and Temperance Society and the Zoroastrian Radih
Society, which Societies not only bore all the costs of printing and
publication but also decided to sell it at a discount. We are greatly
indebted to Mr. Sorab Phiroze Masani (the scion of the great
Savant the late Ervad Phiroze Shapurji Masani) and Mr. Hormusji
Jeejeebhoy Suntoke, the respective presidents of the
aforementioned Societies, whose enthusiasm and co-operation have
made possible the publication of this book.
The late Mr. Tavaria wrote the book not for any personal gain.
He laboured on it because of his intense craving to share, with his
fellow Zoroastrians, the divine pleasure of knowing a few Truths of
Zoroastrian Occultism. He wanted the Parsis to look to those
Truths for an understanding of their great Religion and to imbibe it
in their daily lives.
The word 'Khshnoom' occurs in the Gathas at two places Yasna;
Ha 48-12 and Ha 53-2. Ha 53-2 declares: "Jamasp and Frashostar (Zarathushtra's great disciples) shall
lead to the truthful path of Ahura's Daena (Religion) those who
have faith, by thought, speech and deed, in khshnoom and Yasna".
"Khshnoom" means the knowledge of Daena (See Translation by Ervad Kavasji Kanga) and 'Yasna' denotes the deeds as
prescribed by the Prophet. To be led on the true path of Daena, it
is necessary to have faith in those two, and the faith must be
expressed by thought, speech and deeds.
Khshnoom is, therefore, not a school of philosophy or theology putting forth certain doctrines in variance with those propounded by some other such school. Khshnoom is Zoroastrianism
itself. It is the occult knowledge taught by that great Religion.
Religion by its very nature must have and has an occult side.
It is not exaggeration to say that Religion means occultism. Let us
examine this point a bit closely.
Man is sent on this earth with some Divine plan and purpose.
He has, at-some point of time, a goal to achieve. Several names
are given to the goal - Frashogard, Nirvan, Sakshatkar, God
realization, Mookti, Moksha. Common man walking on the
2
earth is unable to see the goal and does not know how to go about
it. But his Religion and his Prophet have prescribed a path for him
to tread on. It is a way of life he has to adopt during his stay on
earth. And the prophets have promised that by living that life, man
will come nearer to his goal.
(For the promise of Zarathushtra see Gatha: Yasna 30-2; 45-3; 45-5).
The first step in this direction is to know that the world
revealed to us by our five senses and understood by our three
dimensional intelligence is only a very small part of the whole
creation. A large part of it is beyond us, hidden from us, and
cannot be known without following the prescribed directions of
Religion. Let us call such hidden world as 'the unknowable'.
There are, on our earth, such uncommon men and women
who have experienced the unknowable. They have gained some
knowledge of the unknowable and know to a certain degree, how
the events in the unknowable control the events in our known
world. These mystics (as they are sometimes called) publicize to,
a limited extent some facts and truths from the unknowable for the
guidance of the ignorant. Mysticism or occultism is the orderly
arrangement of those facts and truths. It can be very well named
as the mystic science or the occult science, as the object of all
sciences is to know and understand the world we live in.
Mysticism is thus science taken beyond the boundary
separating the knowable and unknowable. Since our religious
goal lies beyond that boundary, Religion cannot be devoid of
mysticism. All Religions have therefore their occult sides.
Khshnoom is the occult side of Zoroastrian Religion. It has been
sent to the Parsis of India by certain Zoroastrian Saints (called
Saheb-e-Delan) through one Mr. Beheramshah Navroji Shroff
(1857-1927). You will find in this book the miraculous
circumstances under which Khshnoom was gifted to us and some
glimpses of the Truths revealed by it.
In his Introduction the author has given a swift glimpse of
certain fundamentals of the Zoroastrian Mysticism. Bernard
Shaw, who prefixed his plays by long prefaces, once wrote that
his wise reader reads his play first and then the preface. I suggest
that a reader of this book, who has no idea at all of the subject,
may adopt the wisdom of reading the book first and Introduction
afterwards.
After giving a short idea, in the first four chapters, about the
western and eastern studies of Zoroastrianism, the author has
devoted 4 chapters on the life and mission of the late
Beheramshah Shroff. You may perhaps be surprised to read about
the miracle of his life and wonder whether it could really
3
happen. Is it possible in this scientific century to believe that he
met a sect of Zoroastrian ascetics at a place deliberately hiddenfrom common man?
Beheramshah was not a man of the remote past. He died, in
1927. His chief disciple Dr. Faramroz S. Chiniwala (who has
written several books on Khshnoom in Gujarati) died as late as in
1962. Some old disciples are still alive. There is a mass of indirect
but sufficient evidence to show that the miracle did happen. The
author has referred to a part of such evidence.
Chapter 9 to 18 contain some fundamentals of Khshnoom,
such as, the origin of creation, the occult geography of the universe, man's place and mission in nature and the earth he lives on,
the mystery of the soul, its goal and the procedure to reach it. This
is followed by 30 supplements on varied subjects of the
'Zarathushtri Daena'. Some of them are: 16 fire energies, classification of souls, the concept of evil, classes of souls, power of
Avesta mantras, composition of the human body and the mystic
numerology.
The second part of the book contains a brief account of the
life of Zarathushtra and a discussion about His age. It also contains
some glimpses of Iranian civilization and history and other
subjects like the Zoroastrian method of disposal of the dead and an
explanation of Sudreh and Kusti.
A big question may occur to many. In the modem times, when
man is stated to have reached the moon, can mysticism and the
unknowable survive? When modem science seems to have
explored and understood the nature surrounding us, can we talk of
existence beyond man's senses and intelligence? Does the
unknowable exist? Is it not a delusion?
No! It is not. Many of us are unaware that the delusion is the
other way round. To believe that science has understood and
conquered all nature, or is just on the point of doing so, is the
greatest delusion of our times. Science has not understood even a
speck of dust. This is an absolute truism. Science did try to
understand a speck of dust, but in doing to it has come very near to
the border of the Unknowable and is completely bewildered.
Speck of dust is a small piece of matter. Matter is made up of
2 types of atoms. And what is an atom?
I would not lead you into a technical account of atomic
physics. It is sufficient to say that inside an atom there are tiny
particles revolving like a solar system. Some of them are named
electrons and protons. When physics enquired as to what an
electron was, the results were most baffling. An electron had
contradictory nature, some time it was a wave and some time it
was a particle; it could behave in anyone of these modes.
Sir Arthur Eddington, the Astronomer Royal and one of the
4
great scientists of our century, says, after describing some of the
stratling discoveries of the Atomic Physics :"It means that we have been aiming at a false ideal of a
complete description of the world. There has not yet been time to
make serious search for a new epistemology adapted to these
conditions. It has become doubtful whether it will ever be possible
to construct a physical world solely out of the knowable, the
guiding principle in our macroscopic theories. If it is possible, it
involves a great upheaval_ of the present foundations. It seems
more likely that we must be content to admit a mixture of the
knowable and unknowable. This means a denial of determinism,
because the data required for a prediction of the future will include
the unknowable elements of the past. I think it was Heisenberg
who said: the question whether from a complete knowledge of the
past we can predict the future does not arise, because a complete
knowledge of the past involves a self-contradiction'.
"It is only through a quantum action that the outside world can
interact with ourselves and knowledge of it can reach our minds. A
quantum action may be the means of revealing to us some fact
about Nature, but simultaneously a fresh unknown is implanted in
the womb of Time. An addition to knowledge is won at the
expense of an addition to ignorance. It is hard to empty the well of
Truth with a leaky bucket".
"Nature of the Physical World" by
Sir Arthur Eddington
This is not the-place to explain in details the quantum of
action. It is a ghost which has walked into physics at the beginning
of our century and has since then baffled it. It has indicated in no
uncertain terms that it is not possible for ordinary man to go
beyond a certain limit in the quest of nature. In his very art of
looking at nature, he disturbs it and is unable to know how was the
undisturbed nature!
The mystery of the quantum of action is not yet solved. There
are explanations, of course, but each goes on confounding the
mystery. I quote here from another science writer: "In the evolution of scientific thought, one fact has become
impressively clear : there is no mystery of the physical world
which does not point to a mystery beyond itself. All highroads of
the intellect, all byways of theory and conjecture lead ultimately to
an abyss that human ingenuity can never span. For man is
enchained by the very condition of his being, his finiteness and
involvement in nature. The farther he extends his horizons, the
more vividly he recognizes the fact that, as the physicist Niels Bohr
puts it, 'we are both spectators and actors in the great
5
drama of existence.’ Man is thus his own greatest mystery. He
does not understand the yast veiled universe into which he has
been cast for the reason that he does, not understand himself. He
comprehends but little of his organic processes and even less of his
unique capacity to perceive the world about him, to reason and to
dream. Least of all does he understand his noblest and most
mysterious faculty : the ability to transcend himself and perceive
himself in the act of perception".
From "The Universe and Dr. Einstein"
by Lincon Barnett.
Let me give you a list of books if you want to be aware of the
fact that modern science is very far from understanding even a
speck of dust and that it has touched the border of the
Unknowable.
1. The Mysterious Universe by James Jeans.
2. Nature of Physical World by Arthur Eddington.
3. Universe and Dr. Einstein by Lincon Barnett.
4. Atomic Physics Today by Otto Friseh.
5. Limitations of Science by J.W.N. Sullivan.
6. Mr. Tompkins in Wonderland by George Gamow.
The evidence for the Unknowable does not come only from
physics. A new science has come up in the West. It is called Para
Psychology in America and Psychic Research in England. Its
subject matter is known as Extra Sensory Perception or ESP. It
explores the unknown avenues of the human mind. It has observed
that one human mind can communicate with another human mind
without using any known methods of communication. This is
known as Telepathy. It is also observed that some minds become
suddenly conscious of some event happening very far from them
without the use of any known means. This is called clairvoyance.
Psychic Research has also found that some minds become
conscious of an event, which is yet to happen in future. This is
called precognition. All these point out to the truth that the nature
does not come to an end where our senses cease to register it and
that there is an unknowable beyond.
Many events happen pointing beyond the border of the
knowable. Paul Bruton experienced several of them in Tibet and in
India. See his "A Search in Secret Tibet" and "A Search in Secret
India".
Several miracles are described in these books. "Autobiography of a Yogi" by Swami Yoganand has a miracle written
practically on each page. There is a well-recorded miracle of
6
_Theresa Newmann, A German Woman who on particular Fridays
seemed to suffer the same agony Lord Jesus Christ suffered on the
Cross - with the blood dripping from the head where the thorn cap
was thrust and the scars on the hands where nails were struck. (See
"Circle of Faith" by Dr. Marneus Bach). There is a place in France
where thousands of the hopelessly ill are cured by a mere
immersion in an ordinary, looking spring, a miracle and mystery
examined thoroughly by thousands of medical scientists, who
remain baffled ("Mystery of Lourdes" by Ruth Cranston). The
spring first started its trickle when a 14 year old girl Bernadette
dug the earth at the direction of a mysterious Lady, known to be
Virgin Mary. Dr. Alexis Carrel, the father of the science of
transplantation of organs and the Nobel Prize Winner, has referred
to this miracle in his well-known book "Man, the Unknown". He
says that the_ miracle clearly points towards the unknown in man.
The unknowable exists, We need not, therefore, be puzzled
by the occult science glimpsed in the book. Khshnoom itself is a
miracle of our century. You have to look to it not only as an occult
science but also as a way of life - the way shown by our Prophet
Zarathushtra.
This is the first English book of its size which deals with the
Zoroastrian mysticism. It is a result of a life-long study. You will
immensely benefit by reading it with faith and devotion towards
our Great Religion. May it lead you to become a _Zaothra' -a
battery receiving the spiritual currents of our 'Daena' and
transmitting them_to all mankind and the Universe.
Dhun Apartments,
66, Worli- Hill,
Bombay –18.
3 rd June, 1971.
Kaikhushroo Navroji Dastoor.
SPECIAL FEATURES
OF
THIS BOOK
(showing items of Essential Occult Knowledge of the Zoroastrian
religion taught in Khshnoom, not found in philology).
1. AHU and Ahura Mazda, the twofold concept of the Godhead
in Avesta - the former, impersonal, inconceivable, Absolute
One in oneness, refuting the century-old heresy of "Dualism"
as the fundamental theological Teaching of the Zoroastrian
Faith; the latter, (Ahura Mazda), the personal Deity, the creator
of the Universe, conceivable from his numerous names
occurring in Hormazd and Ram Yashts.
AHU, literally meaning, "it IS" (Only as it occurs in the Yatha
AHU Vairyo prayer) corroborates with "it IS" occurring in
pre-philological "Ethical Zervanism" which "starts squarely
with the unity of the godhead of which nothing positive can
be stated except that "it IS". God, the One, is pure
potentiality". ("Zurvan" p. 270 - Prof. Zaehner). Thus in
Zervanite Writings, though the true Avestan term AHU is
forgotten, its literal meaning, "it IS", survives.
2. Description of the Pre-Cosmo-Genesis World,. beginning with
_ AHU above mentioned showing manifestation of Ahriman
(first) and Ohrmazd (later), and other knowledge relating to the
creation of the Universe, and showing Where man came from
and Why, and What is the Ultima Thule of human existence.
3. 'Zervanite Writings', which though translated by Prof.
Zaehner, are a 'puzzle' to himself, elucidated in the light of
Khshnoom.
4. Map and Cosmography of the Universe, revealing technical
refutation of the un-etymological and false rendering by Prof.
Zaehner and other Western scholars, of the term Khaetvadatha as 'consanguineous' or 'incestuous marriage'.
5. Exposition of some of the allegorical references and of
numerological mysticism employed in Avesta and Pahlavi,
such as '1000 channels' of Aredvi Sur; Sarosh Yazad's
'Mansion of 1000 pillars'; Calculation of the Ages of '12,000
years', etc.
6. Location of 'Ajryana Vaeja" otherwise called 'Khanirath
Bami', the birth-place of Zarathushtra, and the cradle of the
Aryan race'.
8
7. Parabolical biography of Holy Zarathushtra given in Bundehesh and Dinkard, elucidated; his enigmatical phantom bodied
'wives, daughters, sons' _ and dispersal of his body elements,
and 'Vikhiz'. ascension of his pure soul to the paradisiacal
'Best Abode' -without his body falling on the ground - all
expounded.
8. Birth-date.of, Zarathushtra B.C. 7,551 based on the history of
ancient Iran according to clues furnished by the Master, to the
continuance of Kayanian dynasty after (Kayanian) king Kae
Gushtasp (Vishtasp) for over 2,000 years and the dynasties of
Huafrit and Kudurvand that combinedly ruled for 3,255 years.
9. Mystery behind enigmatical '300 years' mentioned in Pahlavi
unraveled by the Master - these 'years' not Solar but of ancient
Iranian Lunar 'Kar' Saal (years), each comprising 27 normal
years. Thus (300 x 27 =) 8,100. B.C.
10. Commentary on the planetary Time-cycles of the Zervanedaregho-khadat (lit. self-created long Time of 81,000 years)
according to "Khshnoom - and the system of 'Calculations of
the heavens' taught by the Master for finding the approximate
eras of Zarathushtra and other great Law-Givers and other
great _ upheavals of worldwide or nationwide importance.
11. Some idea of the exaltation of the development of spiritual
powers and mystic arts and sciences of the Jupiterian Ages
prior to the Christian era.
PREFACE
_ Since many years past I was earnestly desirous of seeing a
book published for acquainting the philological school and the lay
reader with the Zoroastrian Occult Knowledge of 'Khshnoom',
which would give genuine _knowledge of the philosophy of the
Faith beginning with AHU; the impersonal, un-nameable, inconceivable, Absolute One in oneness; show how and why the
Universe has been created Where man came from and Why, and
What is the finality of human existence; explain what Ahriman, the
Satan, technically is, how and when he came into being; and how
and when he would be extinct; give true idea of the unparalleled
life of the holy Prophet Spitama Zarathushtra; his enigmatical
phantom-bodied wives, daughters and sons; explain the parabolical
narration in Pahlavi of the passing away of his sin-free soul_ by the
greatest ordeal of the paradisiacal station in the Space without his
physical body falling on the ground; show how his real Birth-date
is B.C 7,551 based on the true history of ancient Iran and
calculations of the heavens, unknown to scholars, and moreover,
elucidate the allegory, metonymy, numerological mysticism, etc.,
with which all Avesta and Pahlavi abound.
The need of such a book has become imperative in the
absence of the genuine knowledge of the above topics, and of the
intricacies of Avestan and Pahlavi texts; philological scholars often
totally misinterpret solemn abstruse technical terms in an
abominable manner, which may be like rendering the term 'church'
as a disreputable place. Thus Prof. Zaehner diabolically renders the
sublime Avestan term 'Khaetva-datha' as 'consanguineous' or
'incestuous marriage' (Zurvan p. 151) which is not only imaginary,
but also un-etymological, besides being incorrect and false, since
in the Avestan derivatives 'Khaetu' ('own relative') and '-datha'
(giving up') i.e._'giving up to own relative', there is no indication
directly or indirectly, of 'blood' (as in, 'consanguineous') nor of
'unchastity' as in 'incestuous'). The term correctly refers to postSalvation blending of sanctified, erstwhile bifurcated, masculine
and feminine counterpart SOULS forming one asexual perfected
whole soul called MAGAVAN, who is. I-e-Su, a passionless birth.
From this it will be understood that the said author's above
rendering is not based on the Avestan derivatives, but is the
outcome of his misconceived and misconstrued notion. I have
treated in greater detail the antecedent stages to Khaetvadatha
under Cosmography of the Space in
10
part I, Chap. XII, and hence it is not necessary to give these
details here.
The word 'KHSHNOOM' occurs in the Gathas (Ysn. 48,12 &
53.2), and from its derivative Khshnu, to rejoice, means the heartrejoicing Occult Knowledge in commentary form, referred to in
Pahlavi as 'Zand-akas' (Bd. 1,1). Khshnoom also means divine or
spiritual knowledge (Sans. kshna, Pers. Shanakhtan, to know).
This knowledge was made known in Bombay in about 1908 by
our spiritually enlightened Master, the late Seth Behramshah
Naoroji Shroff, who derived it from the holy Zoroastrian sages in
their paradisiacal seclusion in the recesses of Mt. Demavand in
Iran. Full information regarding how he was fortunate in getting
into their fold and by what novel methods he received the
knowledge in the short span of 3 years, is all narrated further on.
This Occult knowledge of Khshnoom has come down as a
sacred heritage from Holy Zarathushtra to Zarathushtrotema, _i.e.,
those most like the Prophet in the practice of holiness, from
Zarathushtratema to Raenidars, resuscitators of the Faith, from
Raenidars to Sraoshavarezs, supreme Ecclesiastical heads, and
from the present Sraoshavarez Saheb to our spiritually enlightened Master, Seth Behramshah Shroff above mentioned. Hence
there is no conjecture or speculation or guesswork needed in this
immaculate Teaching.
Our Master published in 1911 a gem booklet entitled Ilm-iKhshnum series No.1, which in its miniature compass of a "Bird's
eye-view" of the knowledge is still the veritable fountain from
which scholars and other writers on the Zoroastrian religion may
drink inspiration, far in its nine small chapters, it marvelously
conveys beatific recondite knowledge of the Faith in its every line
of five or six simple wards.
_ This booklet even in its extreme brevity contains_ knowledge not to
be found in any of the Zoroastrian religious works published during
_ last hundred years. Thus in the beginning it expounds two or three
the
points in extremely few words, yet conveying essential idea of the
point or points treated under a particular head, and intimating that full
knowledge of the topic concerned has been expounded in the chapter
on 'Mazdayasni Daena', the fundamental law of 'Infoldment of Spirit
into Matter', according to which a soul from its original subtle state
trails down to this earth infolded in material body; or that a particular
subject has been expounded in the chapter on "Zarthoshti Daena', the
great law of 'Unfoldment of Spirit from Matter'; according to which a
soul infolded in its material body becomes exalted and regains its
original subtle state. In like manner, principal topics of the
philosophical teachings of the whole religion have been
11
given in a succinct and lucid language_. So what is needed is a suitable
amplification of this booklet of the Master.
In 1932 the late learned Dr. F. S. Chiniwalla, the great prolific writer
of Khshnoom literature, published, his large authoritative volume
entitled "Khshnoom Nikize Vehdin", which deals with the occult
exposition of the life of the Holy Prophet together with the delineation
of the Zoroastrian philosophy. Dr. Chiniwalla, who was a philologist
as well as a Khshnoomist, has published numerous works which are
most authentic, for he had received "aata", gift of technical writing, on
account of which his voluminous, works are the veritable
Encyclopaedia of Khshnoom for an ardent and honest searcher after
that knowledge. But unfortunately the diction is too difficult to
understand owing to very free use made of Avestan, Pahlavi, Pazand,
Persian words together with Khshnoomic technical terms. Thus his
priceless works are of too high a standard for a learner. In this way my
original idea of the amplification of the Master's model booklet was
confirmed. I have drawn deeply without mentioning the source from
his numerous works enlisted in Bibliography, compared to which
(works) this book is but a dwarfish and frail attempt, though in a
simple and sequential style.
In vain did I argue with the learned Doctor (in 1935) for expanding the
Master's booklet; in vain did I approach other students of Khshnoom,
whom I thought capable, but met with disappointment. In my
frustration I fervently sought divine help in my selfless task, and since
no one was prepared to undertake the work, I prayed for giving ME the
strength to carry out my devout _desire for penning the recondite
knowledge myself in facile language. Thus several years passed away
without any signs of the book I wished to see published.
While I was thus ruminating over my plan, a letter addressed
to my late learned friend Mr. Dinshah S, Masani was received in
1948 from a Mr. Kaye Hyde of San Francisco, desiring to be
acquainted with some knowledge of 'modern Zoroastrianism'. Mr.
Masani was both a philologist and a highly advanced Khshnoom
pupil of the Master. At this juncture I approached him with the
earnest request for aiding me in my longing desire for producing a
modest sized book on Khshnoom. He willingly agreed and soon
commenced by initiating me into the mysteries of the "description
of the Pre-Cosmo-Genesis World". His great and wholehearted
encouragement and expert help, coupled with the art of
expounding the difficult lore in a simple and succinct manner have
played the most important role in the compilation of this book,
which I present to the learned readers and to the ardent votaries of
that divine knowledge, with whatever imperfections – whether
linguistic or technical or any other – which may have escaped my
notice, in spite of all the care and
12
unsparing labour – devoted to the cause of faithful presentation of
the recondite teachings to the best of my ability. To Mr. Masani
and to Dr. Chiniwalla the only two stalwarts in the scholar-world
possessing the double proficiency of philology and Khshnoom, are
due my most respectful and sincere thanks.
Since 1947 a Gujarati weekly entitled "Parsi Avaz" edited by
the learned Mr. J. S. Chiniwalla, the 'torch-bearer ('Roshan
Cherag) of Khshnoom has been brought into circulation with the
double object of propagation of that Occult Knowledge together
with Firdausi's Shah Nameh, and of giving publicity to the voice
of the orthodox Parsis. Very illuminating expository articles have
been regularly published in simple Gujarati. Thanks to this weekly
the scope of the spread of this esoteric knowledge has increased
considerably, since it has become possible for the votaries of that
Teaching in Bombay as well as in other places outside, to derive
the benefit of imbibing the same through post, which otherwise
was confined to the lecture classes in Bombay only. It will thus be
understood that the religious knowledge which was formerly
restricted to the microscopic number of the students pursuing
scripture study, has, since the propagation of Khshnoom through
the "Parsi Avaz" been imbibed by hundreds of Zoroastrians.
In the chain of commentary of Khshnoom Teachings
numerous incidental topics or technical terms etc., occur which
themselves require elaborate expositions. These are treated in the
book separately under respective "Supplements" with a view to
avoid digression from the main track of the theme. Thus these
supplements form part and parcel of the main delineation. Besides
these, topics not directly connected with the principal chain of
expositions are given under respective Appendices in the book.
Regarding the arrangement of the subjects treated, this book is
divided into two main parts. Part I deals with the study of the
religion including the account of the Master. Part II of the book
deals with the Life and Date etc. of holy Zarathushtra. Most of the
Pahlavi writings on his Life in Dinkard and Bundehesh have been
written in highly enigmatical style. In many cases plain looking
language bears hidden meanings. These have been elucidated
compatible with the modest size of the book
In the matter of acknowledgment of my thanks for the new
light of Khshnoom, I humbly make an obeisance to the holy sage,
the Sraoshavarez Marzban_Saheb in seclusion in Mt. Demavand in
Iran, who is the original source of the entire knowledge, both
esoteric and exoteric, about the Zoroastrian Faith and about its
Prophet, Holy Zarathushtra and his distant Date based on the
History of ancient Iran, unknown to philological scholars; and I
13
offer most reverently my deepest sentiments of gratitude to our
spiritually enlightened Master; the late Seth Behramshah Naoroji
Shroff, who brought the knowledge from Iran, and who was the
direct source of all this knowledge in Bombay for nearly two
decades in the beginning of this century.
_
Regarding the history of ancient Iran and the Date of
Zarathushtra, I have drawn the Khshnoomic materials of these two
topics chiefly from two sources, viz., (1) the exhaustive writings on
the subject in the "Parsi Avaz" weekly by the late learned Dr.
Chiniwalla, mentioned above, and (2) the detailed article by the late
learned Mr. M. P. Katgara on the system of the calculations of the
heavens for finding approximately the eras of great Law-Givers of
the world taught by our Master, published in the "Frasho-Gard"
Memorial Volume in honour of our Master.
I have drawn freely from the above two sources mostly
without mentioning their names, and to their learned authors as
also to Mr. J. S. Chiniwalla, the learned editor of the "Parsi Avaz"
weekly mentioned above, I express my_most sincere thanks here.
But for the help from the above two sources, it would not have
been possible far me to write on the subjects of the history of
ancient Iran and the Date of Zarathushtra.
I am highly thankful to my learned philologist friend, Ervad
Burjor R. Panthaki_ who helped me in my work on the philological
side. I am also indebted to him for bringing to my knowledge
Rehetseck's Appendix II to MSS Dinkard, Volume XI mentioned
in this book referring to the testimony of the Huafrit dynasty in
Pahlavi, clues to which dynasty and its founder were first furnished
by our Master, and which Pahlavi writing was brought to light by
the great Avesta - Pahlavi scholar, the late learned Ervad
Sheheryarji D. Bharucha to whom we are grateful for his research.
_
Similarly, I cannot fail to thank my learned nephew Mr. T. D.
Tavaria far enlightening me on the method of calculations of the
Vedic Yugas given in Tilak-Sukhthankar's "Gita-Rahasya", which
furnishes an authority for the ratification of the comparative
calculations of the huge Zoroastrian and Vedic Time cycles given
by Dr. Chiniwalla in his great work entitled "Khshnoom Nikize
Vehdin", Vol. 1.
I must also express my thanks to the late Mr. P. B. Desai, the
learned author of "History of the Kings of Iran" (in two volumes
and "The History of the Kaianians". Having heard about the
Kudurvand dynasty from the Master, my attention was drawn to
its mention at the end of the last named book.
Again, my thanks are also due to Ervad Mahiar and Ervad
Faramarz N. Kutar, the learned translators of Firdausi's Shah
Nameh in Gujarati.
14
So also my thanks are due to other learned friends who have
done me the favour of revising some parts of the writings.
It must be stated that this book is not intended to be a
comprehensive work on Khshnoom, but only a manual of its
teachings, in the publication of which the writer, has no monetary
interest, either direct or indirect. It is solely the outcome of labour
of love dedicated to the altar of service and just exaltation of the
Zoroastrian Faith through the propagation of its Occult
Knowledge.
In conclusion, if the learned readers find that I have at least
partially succeeded in presenting the noble teachings of the Faith
in their pristine purity, through the occult knowledge of Khshnoom
and in vindicating the honour of its ancient pious priesthood from the
base imputation of incest ignorantly leveled against them by many
Western philological scholars, I shall feel my object of writing this
book fully served and my long labours fruitfully employed.
F-5, Cusrow Baug,
Bombay-1.
P. N. Tavaria.
INTRODUCTION
The condition of the Parsis in the matter of genuine knowledge of their religion, of the life of the Holy Prophet, his true
Date, and of the history of ancient Iran was very pitiful till the
beginning of the present century, and was somewhat like blind
leading the blind. When the linguistic study of the Avesta and
Pahlavi was introduced in the last century, it was believed that
through that study, we would understand our religious teachings,
but we were soon disillusioned, for though the scholars understood
these languages to some extent! Yet they did not know and do not
know the religion in its pristine purity.
The reason for the above condition is that Avesta is not a
dialect as is erroneously believed in philology. The term Avesta is
derived from 'A', (not) and 'vid', (to' know) and connotes
knowledge about the Unknown of the Unknowable. Hence it is a
technical language dealing with God, and the affairs of the
Universe, which is Nature's machinery for the purification of
souls. Avesta is a special language formed by the application of
'Staota', the laws of invisible vibrationary colours, sound etc.
applied to the ancient Kyan language current in Iran when
Zarathushtra descended on the earth some 9,000 years ago. Owing
to it’s being on vibrationary colours, Gujarati letters tchha, dha,
bha and la have been expunged from the composition of the
Avesta because they produce inferior vibrations. The
pronunciation of 'da' with the flourish on the right hand side as
'dha', has been wrongly introduced by Western scholars. As is too
well known, words beginning with 'dha' in Sanskrit are changed
into 'da:' in Avesta, as has been shown in Kanga Avesta
dictionary. .
Moreover Avesta abounds in allegory, metonymy, numerological mysticism etc., so that literal translations however expertly effected turn out to be of a husky nature, since they do not
convey the lofty inner import of a word or passage. Thus horse,
bull, sheep, camel, mountain, river, pastures, sea, town, city,
street, house, wheel, fish, tree, waters, channels, pillars, conflict,
contestants, tool, relative etc. are all used in their technical or
allegorical or spiritual meanings unknown to scholars (Vide
supplement No. 8). In certain cases, simple-looking words
convey hidden significance or import as in the case of 300 'years'
mentioned by Zadsparam which word 'years' has baffled all
philological scholars and which 300 years are equal to 8,100
years as shown further on under "The Date of Zarathushtra" in
Part II.
16
"The Western scholars when they began their philological
barebone study of Avesta did not know that Avesta was 'Razeng'
or 'mystic words' or 'Guzra Senghaongho'. "the hidden words" as
depicted in the Gathas. Being totally ignorant of the Laws of
Staota according to which the entire Avesta Scriptures have been
composed from the twenty-one Nasks of Zoroaster, these Western
Scholars paid heed only to grammar and style as in the case of any
modem ordinary language." (P. S. Masani).
Moreover, the extant Avesta are hardly 6 or 7 per cent of the
original entire treasure, and they too are either liturgical, or are
formularies for religious ceremonies, in which besides other
things, descriptions of the map of the worlds above and of other
noumena are given in language of the material world, about
which scholars are unaware. Again since philological scholars
cannot often distinguish technical terms or proper nouns from
common, such technical and other terms are rendered
etymologically making translations absurd, or one and the same
Avesta word in different places has different significances which
lead to misinterpretations, because scholars do not know the
theme of the passage concerned. Still again in Gathas and
Vandidad, Fshusho Manthra are employed which are not subject
to grammar rules, which scholars erroneously believe to be
corruptions in compositions. In the case of Manthra Spenta they
do stand to grammar, but they require the knowledge of Staota
Yasna for correct interpretation.
Thus it will be seen that mere barebone study of Avesta failed
and fails to enlighten us with respect to the genuine teachings of the
Zoroastrian religion and of the relevant topic mentioned above.
It was at such a critical juncture in the study of Avesta in the
beginning of the present century that our spiritually enlightened
Master, the late Seth Behramashah Naoroji Shroff broke his
reticence about his profound knowledge of our religion after 27
years of his return from Iran, whence he had brought the new light
of "Khshnoom", the heart-rejoicing occult commentary
knowledge of the Zoroastrian Faith, and filled the hearts of
faithful Zoroastrians with the new light.
In the pages that follow, (Chapters V - VIII) it is shown under
what strange circumstances somewhere in 1875-76, the Master,
then a youth of 17, or 18, was drawn away from his native home
in Surat** to the outskirts of Peshawar, and thence according to
plan, taken to the secret recesses of Mt. Demavand in Iran; how
his latent, cerebral powers were first developed by making him go
through the strict Zoroastrian exercises of purity
------------------------------------------------------------------------------** About 150 miles North of Bombay.
17
coupled with the spiritual discipline of the rigorous observance of
the Zoroastrian anti-microbe Baaj rites; how the sacred and secretth
teaching was imparted - 7/8ths in spiritual trance (Sezda and 1/8
"Sina-dar-Sina," heart to heart without the employment of any
books and how in the very short span of three years he was
exalted from a raw youth to an adept in an the branches of
knowledge relating to the Zoroastrian religion, the exegesis to the
Avesta, the secret 'Keys' for lucid unambiguous reading of the
Pahlavi, the true life and date of the Holy Prophet, the true history
of ancient Iran, the scientific expositions to the thermo-magnoelectro vibrationary forces functioning in the Zoroastrian holy
ceremonies for the souls of the departed as also for the living,
besides the knowledge of numerous other secret sciences
characteristic to ancient Jupiterian culture – all this and much
more was imparted to him through the kind grace of his holy
Master sage - the Sraoshavarez Marzban Saheb; otherwise our
Master was almost an ignoramus in the matter of school
education, which did not extend beyond three or four Gujarati
vernacular standards.
The fact that Khshnoom is heart-rejoicing knowledge of the
Zoroastrian religion happened to be my experience from the very
first lecture I heard in 1912 in the 'Anjuman fire-temple' hall.
When I entered, the hall was fully packed with ladies and gentlemen. I took up a seat adjoining the entrance door, where close-by
on the road below, the deafening tramcar bells were clanging. The
lecture was on the exposition of the sacred shirt, Sudreh. So
supreme was the exposition of its nine seams and other particulars
and so rapt was I in listening, that my mind was cut off from all
external noise, and when the priest who was reading out the
lecture-paper held out an actual Sudreh before the audience and
said, "Such is our Sudreh", I had tears of joy. Thus the beatific
characteristic of the Khshnoom knowledge as its derivative
implies, proved itself from the very first lecture I heard and made
me a lifelong devotee and student of that immaculate Knowledge.
The priest who was reading the paper on the dais was the
learned philological scholar, Ervad Pheroze S. Masani, and as I
later on learnt, the gentleman with fine features and wearing a
'beard, seated by him, was the revered Master, the late Seth
Behramshah Naoroji Shroff above mentioned.
ZOROASTRIAN
PHILOSOPHY
In the matter of Genuine Philosophy of the Zoroastrian Faith,
the observations made by our Master over fifty years ago hold
good even today, and hence it would not be out of place to quote
the same here :-
18
"Since several years past attempts have been made to
understand the Zoroastrian Faith. Everyone making such superficial attempt does so according to one's own intelligence, and from
the viewpoint of one's own ideas. In other words, as the result of
the good attempts made so far according to different standards, no
students of any line of learning have been able to expound the
mysteries of the Zoroastrian Faith, and its special original essence.
On the one hand Comparative Philology is taken as the sole basis
at the sacrifice of genuine deep philosophy, and on the other,
efforts have been made somehow to expound the Zoroastrian
religion by effecting a mixture of Comparative Philosophy of other
religions, but since these alien philosophies differ widely in their
degrees from the Zoroastrian, the teachings of pristine
Zoroastrianism remain in the dark.
"In spite of the generic similarity to a certain extent in all
religions, the Zoroastrian religion like others has its own
individuality, its own deep philosophy, and its own Esoteric side.
The knowledge concerning these is referred to in the Gathas 48, 12
and 53, 2 as "Khshnoom". This "Khshnoom" is the commentary
knowledge expounding systematically the deep philosophy of the
Zoroastrian religion, its sacred ceremonies and its practical
canons." (Ilm-e-Khshnoom Series No.1 (in Gujarati); Foreword.
pp. 4-7).
AHU, THE UN-NAMEABLE,
IMPERSONAL SURPREME DEITY
As stated above under "Special Features of this Book"
Khshnoom begins the story of the Esoteric Philosophy with
"AHU" in the Pre-Cosmo-Genesis world. The knowledge of the
description of this world being totally unknown to philological
scholars, they have been misguided since over a century past, by
the Gatha Yasna; 30, 3-4 into the erroneous belief of the Duality of
the "twins" (Ohrmazd and Ahriman) as the fundamental
theological teaching of the Zoroastrian Faith. The scholars did not
know, and do not know yet that the above stanzas refer to the
beginning of the Universe with the "twins'" Ohrmazd and
Ahriman, and not to the Beginning of beginnings which is Ahu
above mentioned, which is the Supreme Godhead over these
"twins". This AHU who is un-nameable, unknowable and
unthinkable, is also called 'AHURA', who can only be pointed
towards the sky as AH, it IS; yet the knowledge of what IT
manifests is conceivable. AHU is of two phases; first, AHU,
Shaedan Shaed (Lustre of lustres)_ who is said to be the shoreless
and motionless ocean of light, about whom nothing can be conceived. Then in the second phase, an infinitesimal part of this
19
motionless AHU displays intense brilliancy (Khshaeta). This
brilliancy is caused by the first and the primemost motion in that
minute part of AHU due to the THOUGHT - divine conceived
there for the creation of the Universe. The above infinitesimal part
which becomes first manifest as the ocean of Light of lights is
known as "AHU, Khshaetan Khshaeta", Light of lights, which
(AHU) is referred to in the 'Yatha AHU Vairyo,' prayer. This is the
second stage. Then as the result of motion in that ocean of light
there proceeds from it an emanation, which is referred to in Avesta
(Yt. 13, 14) as 'Khao Afrazyamna', literally "the Fountain source
of eternal freshness", which is the lustrous 'Kehrp', body, assumed
by Ahura, who is then called 'Minoan Mino Mazda Ahara.' This
Khao Afrazyamna is self-contained with materials and means in
the shape of most fundamental super-potentialities for the creation
of the universe, and its onward working to the final most
consummation.
PRE-COSMO-GENESIS WORLD
AHU now promulgates HIS WILL or Edict called Ahunavar,
which commands that Lights highest in the brilliance of perfect
divine knowledge to lights lowest in gradation of that knowledge
shall manifest themselves separately in the beginning, but shall
return all perfected and combined together on 'Roshan Rooz', the
Glorious Day. After issuing his Will, AHU alienates himself from
Khao Afrazymna by creating 'Niru', the screen of light
impenetrable from Khao Afrazymna.
The
original
Will Ahunavar
is
too
powerful,
which
when
reduced
ten
times to 1/10th each time, i.e. to l/l000, 000,000th of the original,
there simultaneously manifested the pair of "Bagha Ahunavar", i.e.
part or smaller Ahunavar, containing (1) all the above varied
grades of lights and the 3-stage Divine Plan explained further on,
and (2) Paourva Fravashi, the Divine Wisdom and the executrix of
that Plan. The lights above mentioned were all in a jumbled mass
and in dormancy, the imperfect ones being in minority. Hence a
state of Oneness prevailed in Pre-Cosmo-genesis world. Bagha
Ahunavar who contains the seedlings of lights is allegorically
regarded as the male fowl, and Paourva Fravashi, who executes the
divine Plan, the female fow1. Their 'egg' or 'seed' is called 'Staota
Yasna', referred to as 'Vahishta Chithra', Sublimest Seed (Visp. 23,
1), which contains the entire picture of the Universe, from the dead
past to dim future.
Paourva Fravashi disentangles the imperfect lights from
perfect ones. For this she ponders first on the imperfect in
minority with the super-power nourishing light within her, with
the thought-force instigating their propensity of opposition or
rebelliousness, and commands them to arise. Thus inferior lights
arose. Among these she espied Ahriman, who tells her
20
arrogantly, "I am also like Thee". Thus Ahriman manifested
himself prior to Ahura Mazda. Ahriman represents the animated
phantom of the collective Evil of the totality of imperfect lights,
i.e. souls with deficiency of divine knowledge.
With the awakening of the lights with deficiency of divine
knowledge called Urvans, which deficiency is the source of all
Evil in this world, there came a great change. The oneness that
ruled there in the pre-cosmo-genesis world so far is gone. There
now set in Duality of two groups, viz., Urvans, imperfect lights
with deficiency of divine knowledge who are activated, and
perfect lights still in dormancy called 'Baodanghs', the brilliance
of perfection of divine knowledge. ('Baodangh' does not mean
'intellect' as erroneously rendered in philology).'
The Quality above mentioned is called "Chithra"" literally
'seed', and this 'seed' is called "Anhuma" literally meaning
'Limitlessness or Innumerableness shall manifest itself and in the
end merge into AHU" (lit. An, (not); Hu (Ahu) ma, (limit).
The imperfect lights only knew opposition and hence there
arose terrific feuds, resulting in the Great Chaos, which continued
for a very long time during which the 3-stage Ahunavar Plan
above mentioned came to a standstill, known as the 'Unmanifest
Logos'.
Then Paourva Fravashi removed the deadlock by pondering
with her blessings on the Baodanghs in dormancy with thoughtforce supporting co-operation or obedience; and commanded them
to arise. And they arose.
Among the Baodanghs awakened by Paourva Fravashi, there
was one Chithra, pair of lights called "Hu-Chithra"* of which the
higher light which was perfect knew when and how the above
Chaos would end,.while the inferior Light, though not rebellious,
was curious about it. With the showering of her blessings by
Paourva Fravashi, the inferior light also became omniscient, and
perfect as the superior light, and they merged together. This
highest and omniscient light is called MAZDA. When Ahura
manifests the wicked creation, He is then called Ahura Mazda.
Thus the Universe began functioning with the Duality of the
'twins' Ahura Mazda or Ohrmazd and Ahriman for effecting
transmutation and alchemization of soul's Evil into Good.
From the above, it will be understood that the allegorical
father and mother of Ohrmazd and Ahriman are Ahu (though
actually Bagha Ahunavar) and Paourva Fravashi respectively,
mentioned above.
Thus the description of the Pre-Cosmo-Genesis world gives
knowledge of the concept of the divinity, which according to the
*(Ahu Chithra)
21
genuine Zoroastrian teaching is of two-fold nature -- one, AHU,
which is Impersonal or inconceivable Supreme Deity over
Ohrmazd and Ahriman; the other, Ahura Mazda, the Creator of the
Universe, who is personal or conceivable from his numerous
names occurring in Hormazd and Ram Yashts. The description
shows why Ahriman was caused to be manifested first, and then
Ohrmazd, tells how and why the Universe is created, and shows
where man came from and why, and what is the Ultima Thule of
existence. Such is some hazy idea of the Pre-Cosmo-Genesis
world.
THREE-STAGE AHUNAVAR PLAN
As stated above, the Universe started functioning with the
Three-Stage Ahunavar Plan, which is explained by the Master in
his book (in Gujarati) entitled Ancient Zoroastrian Education
System (pp. 7-8) as follows:
'Mithre Bareen', the sublimest THOUGHT-divine which
Ahura Mazda has kept as his Humata from the very beginning
of the creation of the _Universe is: "From 'Hasti' to create
'Nisti' and from 'Nisti' (create) 'Hasti' again", i.e.,
(1) create all the regions, centres and stations of the immortal
and mortal worlds;
(2) pass Urvans (souls with deficiency of divine knowledge)
to the mortal -worlds of the Space and the material world,
according to 'Mazdayasni Daena', the Law of Infoldment
of Spirit into Matter, for the transmutation of their Evil
into Good by the development of their spiritual powers;
and
0) raise them (Urvans) back to the immortal worlds (on their
turning from Evil to Good according to 'Zarthoshti
Daena', the Law of Unfoldment of Spirit from Matter;
and also merge the fire-energies of the mortal worlds of
the Space and the material world into those of the
immortal worlds, for which purpose Ahura Mazda has
created the whole Universe;
technically speaking, remove the Veil of Darkness from
the souls of the material world and of the Space, and
effect 'Frasho-Gard-e- Juzvavi', i.e. individual (spiritual)
Renovation;
then bring about the consummation of 'Frasho-Gard-eKulyati', i.e., collective Frasho-Gard by removing the
infinitesimal trace of 'Hoviat', deficiency of divine
knowledge, existing in the souls of the planetary world
and of the heavens of the Spiritual World of the zodiac
and of the empyrean;
22
then create the fifth and the last All-Baodangh Universe
of perfect divine Knowledge and Wisdom, and bring
about the final-most consummation of 'Roshan Rooz' the
Glorious' Day of the whole Universe by rendering it
'Fravashi' - form, of divine Wisdom, the acme of acme
state transcending all imagination, for which purpose the
whole Universe has come into being and has been
ceaselessly functioning.
This is the grand 'Humata', the sublimest Thought divine
of Ahura Mazda, which we have ever to keep engraved
upon our heart, and direct all our activities and functions
to that sublime end alone.
The whole of the above Ahunavar Plan from its beginning in
the Eternity of dead past to Ghaiban, Infinity lost in dim future, is
timed in seven cycles of Zarvana-Akarana, Boundless Time,
which, constitute 'Yavaecha-Yavaetat', Everlastingness. One cycle
of Zarvana Akarana, Boundless Time consists of innumerable
Zarvane-Daregho-Khadat, self-created long (cycle of) Time of
81,000 years each. (The following is translated from "Parsi Avaz
Weekly" dated 8-5-1966, p. 10 -- drawn by learned Mr. S. S.
Madan from original writings of learned Dr. F. S. Chiniwalla).
"Yavaecha-Yavaetat meaning Everlastingness or Infinity
comprises seven Zarvana-Akarana, Boundless Time. They are
called 'Boundless' because one Zarvana Akarana comprises
countless cycles of Zarvane-daregho-khadat of 81,000 years each.
We shall take a very faint idea of these seven Zarvana Akarana,
which extend from the Eternity of the dead past (Para-maze
yaongho) to the Infinity of the dim future (Ghaiban).
FUNCTIONING OF YAVAECHA YAVAETAT
COMPRISING SEVEN STAGES OF BOUNDLESS TIME IN
AHUNAVAR PLAN
(1) The first Zarvana Akarana, i.e. first Boundless cycle of
Time which represents Past of all dead Past or Eternity of the dead
Past, is called in Avesta 'Para' or 'paourva', lit., first. In this first
Zarvana Akarana was created the Minoi Alam, i.e. Spiritual or
immortal world consisting of the 9th and 8th heavens of the
Empyrean and the Zodiac respectively. In this Zarvana Akarana
"33-Ahu' and '33-Ratu', i.e. Yazads (angels) and subordinate
angels manifested themselves. They are Eternities or potentialities
possessing the significance of 33 (=3 plus 3=6), the significance of
number 6 which indicates powers of 6 Gahambars, i.e., powers to
create, destory and re-form. The above 33 Ahu and 33 Ratu work
as higher and lower grade potentialities
23
in the Universe. They are ordinarily called 'Si-u-se Ameshaspend' 33 immortals invested with powers of 6 Gahambars, _explained
above. The noumena relating to these, so to say, Beginningless
Ages of the first Zarvana Akarana, Boundless time, are called
'Para Maze Yaongho' (Ysn, 30,2). The above term 'Si-u-se
Ameshaspend' i.e. '33 Ameshaspends' occurs in the short prayer
'Baaj far taking Nirang Ab-e-zar,' in which the technical meaning
of 'Si-u-se Ameshaspend' is not understood in philology (vide subhead 'Nirang Formula' under Supplement No. 25).
(2) The second Zarvana Akarana. 'The Past' is called 'Taro'
otherwise known as the Age of Bundahesh, Genesis. Immortal
(Planetary) world is created and the seven (planetary) heavens
effect the manifestation of Gava-Chithra souls (vide Supplement
No.7).
(3) The third Zarvana Akarana representing 'The (Earlier)
Present' is called in Avesta 'Yaonghairya'. The mortal worlds
comprising the subtle Evanescent world of the Space and the
material world were created in this third Zarvana Akarana.
Physical bodies, both subtle and gross are produced in this Age.
Those souls that could not get Salvation in the ages of 'The Past'
were invested with material bodies for their Reformation. The
Dravao, wickedness of the souls is divided into four parts, of
which the first three are Kehrp, invisible body, Tewishi, desireforces both good and evil and Ushtan-aap (explained below). The
remaining one-fourth Dravao, wickedness is woven into the
physical body, which the above three parts strive to raise it to their
level of excellence. The above Ushtan-aap is a phantomlike
obscure form, impalpable like the bright shining contour seen on
the waters of rivers or oceans when bright sunlight plays straight
on them. In this form Ushtan, i.e., blessings from Yazata full of
life activity of Vane-Zavit-Bish, i.e., Tree of Life, remain in an
incognizable way. Just as the above shining contour is a covering
over the surface of river or ocean, so Ushtan-aap is a sort of
impalpable body-covering full of life energy.
(4) 'The (immediate) Present' is our living Age called in
Avesta 'Daedoisht'. This is the age in which human beings have to
pass through weal and woe for spiritual Reformation and reap
reward by leading a good life, and through it to develop Asha,
holiness and in the end merge into God.
(5) 'The Future' is called in Avesta 'Apemem', in which
humanity will be exalted to the stage of sixth Gahambar, i.e., they
will enter the immortal world, there will be collective Frashokereti, (spiritual) Renovation_ and the whole of the evanescent
world of the Space will be elevated from elemental (Condition to
luminous.
24
(6) 'The Future of future' is called the Age of 'Aparo-asti’ in
which the soul from its erstwhile deficiency of divine knowledge
will be exalted to the level of its associate Baodangh and merge
into it, and the whole Universe will be of Baodanghs, possessing
perfection of divine knowledge and wisdom.
(7) The last Age is of 'Ghaiban, which is called the age of
'Aperetemo' in which the Baod will merge into Farohar and the
entire Universe will be 'Farohar' form_ i.e. 'Fravashi' form. At this
stage this seventh Age will unite with the age of 'Para' of the Past
of all dead, past mentioned under (1) above.
Thus the flight of one Yavaecha of seven Zarvane_Akarana
will be completed and will merge into Ahu, the impersonal God.
Then Ahu will issue another Yavaecha and then another ad Infinitum.
THE UNIVERSE
First Stage of the Ahunavar Plan.
Creation: The Universe comprises immortal and mortal
worlds. The former consists of 9 heavens, the 9th being the
empyrean, 8th the zodiac, the two forming the Spiritual world
(Minoi Alam); next below are the 7th to 1st planetary heavens
respectively of Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Sun, Venus, Mercury and
Moon (at bottom). The immortal world is separated from the mortal
by the intermediary region called 'Miswane Gatu', mistaken in
philology to be 'Hamestagehan', from similarity of meaning. Till the
heaven of the Moon_ the souls are as lights, but on arrival on
Miswane-Gatu, on account of the effect of the creative fire-energy
of 'Mino-karko' operating there, they (souls) turn from luminous to
semi-luminous. Next below is the Space with our earthy globe
almost at its bottom.
The Space*# is not a void but the most wonderful multidimensional complex creation, and though in English dictionary it
is said to be 'regions beyond ken’, yet in the Avesta and Pahlavi
writings there are references to its numerous planes, stations, etc.,
both paradisiacal and wicked, and in Khshnoom there is detailed
commentary on its Map and Cosmography. Though the exact
aspect of the Space cannot be gained except in spiritual trance, yet
it may be conceived as a gigantic spinning top of a screw, having
seven outer ridges and seven inner, making 14 in all, each
comprising seven sub-regions, the bottom point of the screw
representing the earthy globe. A crude chart of the Space is given
here, which the reader is requested to refer while going through
the description. Serial numbers 1 to 14 on the left-hand side of
this Chart indicate alternately a septuple transitional region and a
Dakhyu, inconceivably huge wide expanse, which is also made up
of seven sub-regions as stated above. The top three Dakhyus Aiwi, Antare. Aa (Serial Nos. 2, 4, 6) are super-ethereal. They are
said to have two sides each – one outer, which is the Dakhyu
proper, and the other, inner called Zareh', literally 'a sea'. Since,
besides vast expanse, waves, not of water but of super-ether, are
generated there, they are allegorically called seas. There is a
fourth Zareh (not shown in the Chart) which does not get waves,
but has special characteristics, and which is common to the
remaining four Dakhyus. We shall not enter into further details of
the Map of the Space at this stage, but turn to the souls.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------*# The term Space in these writings applies to the ultra-physical
worlds above, and does not include the planetary heavens
beyond.
26
Second Stage of the Ahunavar Plan :
Mazdayasni Daena : Urvans,_souls deficient in divine knowledge are trailed down from their sidereal home in the 8th heaven
of the zodiac to the planetary world for transmutation of their Evil
into Good. Here a mass of souls succeed in divesting themselves
of their Evil by a method somewhat akin to evaporation. However,
there was another lot, whose Evil was too dense or rigid, and
hence they could not render themselves purified by self-effort.
These were transferred from the planetary world to the
intermediary region of Miswane-Gatu mentioned above. On
account of the effect of the fire-energy called 'Mino-Karko' functioning there, the souls, which were lights up to, the heaven of
the Moon, became semi-luminous as stated above. Then they
arrived on Zareh Vourukasha (vide against serial No.2 in the
Chart). From here begin Nature's processes of purification of the
souls. Here on this Zareh Vourukasha stands the lustrous body of
the three-stage-Ahunavar Plan allegorically referred to in
Bundehesh as 'Khare-talata', 'the three-legged ass'. Souls are first
collected on this top Zareh expanse, and as the first step towards
their purification, every soul is bifurcated into sexes. So naturally
these two masculine and feminine counterpart souls
are, in the
language of the material world, each other's6 Khaetu', 'own
relative' which is not in flesh and blood, but one counterpart soul's
other counterpart or complement soul. Ages and ages after, when
both the masculine and feminine human souls are fully and finally
purified individually, each of the two 'gives itself up' (- 'datha') to
its 'own relative' (Khaetu), i.e. to its counterpart soul. This means
they blend together again into one perfected whole soul on the top
of the Space, where they were erstwhile bifurcated. This
noumenon is the 'Khaetva-datha,'
horribly misconstrued in
philology.th After bifurcation, l/10 th particle of the masculine soul,
and 1/10 particle of the feminine soul are each divided and subdivided gender-wise into animal, vegetable and mineral kingdoms
on the rule of decimals.
Divided and sub-divided as above, they are trailed down to
Zareh Frankard (vide chart against serial No.4) and are classified
according to the five main religions of the world under the
influence of five respective planets graded as under (except the
Sun and the Moon, which serve as transitional stages between two
religions):
1. Zarathushtra and Zoroastrianism under Jupiter;
2. (a) Shri Krishna and Vedic religion_ (b) Gautam Buddha and
Buddhism, and (c) Jain Tirthankar and Jainism, all having
idolatrous cult of the White side under Mercury;
3. Mahomed and Islam under Mars;
4. Moses and Judaism under Venus; and
5. Chirst and Christianity under Saturn.
27
After being classified as above, souls are trailed down to
Zareh Puitik (vide chart against serial No.6.) Here all souls,
including the particles of souls in animal, vegetable and mineral
kingdoms get materialized into designed shapes contracted in
nuclei, i.e., in other words their subtle or invisible body-forms.
come into being on this Zareh Puitik.
From here souls trail down straight to the earth through Zareh
Kyanse.. The human physical body as we see on earth is
compounded of the four elements ,- fire, air, water and earth, each
(element) getting 16 graded circlings making in all 64. With the
permutations and combinations of these 64 is mixed the mixture of
the Soul's good and evil (vide supplement No. 28). On account of the
presence of these two antagonistic propensities within the body, there
is incessant conflict ('yaokhedra' Ysn. 12, 9) between these two
contestants ('Ranoibya Ysn. 51, 9) at the umbilicus.
On the earth the soul is heavily shackled in the physical
body, and after about four years of age, is heavily veiled with the
Veil of Darkness, and bound down by the laws of 'Akem akai',
evil to evil, on account of which the soul undergoes retributive
punishments. Due to the Veil of Darkness the soul knows not
WHERE it came from, and WHY, WHAT it brought with it at
birth, WHAT it will take with it at death, and WHAT is its Ultima
Thule? Hence the human being is attracted to worldly
enjoyments, and dies, goes to the sky ('Thwasha') but being sinful
cannot cross the Requiter or the 'Chinvat Bridge' (shown against
serial No.9 in the Chart), is hurled to the 'Vantar', the halting
station for sinful souls awaiting re-birth (ibid. mentioned in green
arcs). At the destined time it comes back' to the known material
world, again passes sinful life, dies, is re-born through 'Vantar'.
and so on. This self-created or automatic (- 'khadata') shuttling
between the sky and the earth is referred to in Avesta as
'Thwasha-khadata,' not understood in philology (Zurvan p. 89 Prof. Zaehner). It maybe noted that from the top of this Chinvat
Bridge begins the paradisiacal section of the Space, and from the
bottom, the wicked. After numerous re-births dependent on the
rigidity or density of the Evil clung to it, the, soul is, at long last,
disillusioned of worldly enjoyments, and takes a new turn from
vice to virtue. Here ends for that soul the second stage of the
Ahunavar Plan. Mazdayasni-Daena, the Law of Infoldment ceases
to operate on that soul, which is governed henceforth by
'Zarthoshti-Daena' or Ahura-data, the Law of Unfoldment.
Third Stage of the Ahunavar Plan :
Zarthoshti Daena: When a soul that has taken to higher
path, practices in worldly life strict Truthfulness with contrition
28
for sins of commission and omission, and with austerity and
stoicism practices the anti-microbe Baaj rites and other laws of
purity enjoined in the Zoroastrian religion, it (soul) becomes
'Ashim-ashai', holy for the sake of holiness. Now that sanctified
soul is able to cross the top sub-region of the Chinvat Bridge, i.e.,
it enters the paradisiacal section of the Space. Thence it advances
higher up to the felicitous station of 'Pahlum Ahwan' (serial No.7),
thence to 'Dadare Gehan', (ibid.} mentioned at the end of every
Nyaesh and Yasht prayers. The devotee thrice repeats the Pazand
sentence: "Man ano avayad shudan" meaning 'I must get there', i.e.
to Dadare Gehan. Here that saintly soul gets 'Tane Pasin', the last
body, which is of a fiery type fit to reside in the fiery orbs of
Keshvars. Dadare Gehan is the portal-region to the six fiery orbs
of Keshvars, which are the centres and residing places of saintly
souls, allegorically referred to as 'the kine' (Yt. 10, 15), because
the saintly souls possess the blissful characteristics in common
with the kine. The above six Keshvars are located, two in each of
the three super-ethereal top septuple transitional regions (against
serial Nos. 5, 3, 1 in the Chart).
Thus flying from Keshvar to Keshvar, the soul reaches the top
of the Space, and awaits its tardy counterpart of the opposite sex.
When the latter comes up" likewise purified, each one 'givesitself--up' ('-datha') to 'own relative' (Khaetu), which is the
counterpart soul (spirit) of the opposite sex and not a relative in
flesh and blood. This act of blending together of the two
counterpart souls into one is called Khaetvadatha, and the
perfected asexual whole soul so formed is called 'Magavan', who
is I-e-Su, a passionless birth.
.
Khaetvadatha is not a marriage, either consanguineous or
incestuous, or even of the 'fortieth remove' except in base,
ignorant, calumniating minds, because:
KHAETVADATHA VERSUS MARRIAGE
Khaetvadatha concerns invisible
souls,
physical
bodies having been reabsorbed into respective
souls by transmutation of
Evil into Good..
Marriage concerns physical
bodies only, souls remaining
in the background;
Khaetvadatha is between two
correlative counterparts.
Marriage is often between
misfits in one-way or other.
Khaetvadatha expunges sexes.
Marriage retains sexes;
29
Khaetvadatha blends two
counterpart souls into one.
Marriage keeps two as two;
Khaetvadatha takes place on
super-ethereal top of the
Space.
Marriage at its bottom, i.e.
in the material world;
Khaetvadatha takes place but
once in ages,
Marriage a daily affair all
over the world;
Khaetvadatha is between souls
delivered of physical bodies.
Marriage is between man and
woman in physical bodies;
Khaervadatha
Salvation.
Marriage is long way to
Salvation;
is
post-
Khaetvadatha is between
sanctified counterpart souls
only.
Marriage between sinful man
and woman;
Khaevadatha indicates zenith
of purity of both counterparts,
Marriage involves lot of lust
and sin;
Khaetavadatha is a noumenon.
Marriage, a phenomenon;
Khaetvadatha indicates perfect
felicity.
Marriage, a gamble and often a
curse by way of condign
punishments;
Khaetavadatha is subtle state,
Marriage, material.
Khaetvadatha is individual
Frasho-Gard i.e. (Spiritual)
Renovation.
Marriage, millenniums remote
from Frasho-Gard.
Thus, to conclude 'Khaetu', own relative, is not husband or
wife, but subtle counterpart soul, and 'datha', giving up, is not
material, but spiritual, i.e. surrendering one's own soul to the
subtle counterpart, thus forming one asexual perfected whole soul
called Magavan. Hence Khaetvadatha means spiritual blending of
two correlative counterpart souls, thereby forming one Magavan,
as said above, which (Khaetvadatha) is a post-Salvation
noumenon taking place on the top of the Space where erstwhile
the bifurcation into sexes had taken place, and it is not a
phenomenon of _marriage on the earth. From the top Keshvar
30
Vida-dafshu (shown in the Chart against Serial No.1) the Magavan
holy whole soul enters Miswane-Gatu, the intermediary region
between the mortal and immortal worlds. On account of the fireenergy of Mino-Karko operating on this Miswane-Gatu, the soul
of the Magavan turns from semi-luminous to luminous, and then
enters the lowest planetary Lunar heaven, and then at last the 8th
heaven of the zodiac from which it was erstwhile exiled for its
purification; i.e., for transmutation of its Evil into Good.
This constitutes the rare instance of 'Individual Renovation'
('Frasho-Gard') of the soul in this material age in the current 4th
Zarvana-Akarana, Boundless Time, in which there is mixed sway
of Ohrmazd and Ahriman (Ed. 1, 7). However in the 5th ZarvanaAkarana, all souls will display the propensity of turning from vice
to virtue, and in the end will get Tane-pasin, the last body which is
of a fiery-type, and the Satan will be extinct (ibid. 1, 2). .
We have taken above a brief idea of the Pre-Cosmo-Genesis
world and the Map and Cosmography of the Universe. We shall
now take below a succinct idea of the third principal item unknown in philology.
LOCATION OF AIRYANA VAEJA
AND ITS ALTERNATION OF
MANIFESTATION WITH THE
KNOWN MATERIAL WORLD
Airyana Vaeja, the birth-place of Holy Zarathushtra is located
in Thrishva (Yt. 13,3), the Satan-free one-third of the earthly
globe otherwise called Khanirath Bami. It is situated in the Arctic
region buried under mountain-deep snow since over 10,000 years
and hence its existence and geography have been unknown to
scholars. According to Nature's mysterious curriculum our known
material world runs its course for 81,000 years (which constitute
one zarvane-daregho-khadat, meaning self-created Long Time), at
the end of which the temperature at the Arctic region rises one or
two degrees above freezing point resulting in the snow turning
into glaciers. Before this takes place, towards the termination of
the above 81,000 years, our earthly globe which at present rotates
with an incline, assumes vertical position so that the Deluge
submerges the whole material world, while the Arctic region
becomes un-blockaded and populated by selected holy people
saved from the Deluge. Thus while the known material world is
active i.e. populated for 81,000 years, the Arctic region with its
Airyana Vaeja (lit. land of noble birth) is buried under- snow, and
while the latter (Arctic region) is open and active for an average
period of 27,000 years, the known
31
material world remains unpopulated. In this way the two sections
are active or idle alternately. Full details regarding Airyana Vaeja
and Khanirath Bami (lit. golden shore) will be found under the
'head "History of Berosus" dealt with under Date of Zarathushtra
in its own place.
Regarding the Life of Zarathushtra he is enigmatically stated
to have had 3 wives, 3 daughters and 3 sons. These entities had
forms or phantom-bodies (Kerdars), but no physical bodies. This is
evident from the fact that the two 'sons' will appear in different
aeons hereafter, and the third 'son' Sosyos, will be born towards the
next Deluge i.e. some 55,000 years hence. They will perform the
blissful duties assigned to them.
The three Kerdars or holy potentialities which the Prophet
employed for fighting against the Satanic forces, particularly during the darkness of the nights, are allegorically styled 'wives'; the
other, three (Kerdars or potentialities) which the Prophet bestowed
on others, like brides given away in marriage, are styled
'daughters'. Thus Pouruchisti (Ysn. 53,3) is allegorically said to
have been 'wedded' to, i.e. bestowed on, Hakim Jamasp, the wise
premier of king Kae Vishtasp, whereby he (Jamasp) became adept
in the super-knowledge of all the Ages from the past of all dead
past to Ghaiban, futurity lost in dim future. A dutiful son helps the
father in his business and continues or completes it after the
father's life time. So the last three Kerdars or potentialities that are
to appear hereafter are styled 'sons'. The above nine potentialities
are represented in the Prophet's pictures as a 'nine knotted' stick
called 'Nav-gereh' held in his hand.
The passing away of the Prophet is related equally enigmatically. He is stated to have been killed by a Tur who attacked him
in the back and the Prophet threw his rosary on him, which killed
the Tur. Here Tur was Tur-bara- Tur (lit. Powerful of Powerfuls),
the monstrously inflated body of Darkness possessing tremendous
powers of pestilence, which created untold havoc for about 4000
years prior to the advent of Zarathushtra on this earth. The rosary
was the ring of his (Prophet's) halo, which he darted to that body of
Darkness, which shattered that body. The rebound shock from the
impact of the ring of the halo, Zarathushtra voluntarily drew on his
purity-perfect body, whereby his body-elements were dispersed
and drawn back to their respective regions above, while his pure
soul ascended ('Vikhiz') to the paradisiacal region beyond the
Chinvat Bridge. Prof., Jackson has cited "Greek and Latin
Accounts" concerning the above, where he states:
"His is no ordinary end; he perishes by lightning or a flame
from heaven, which recalls the descent of the fiery chariot and
the whirlwind in the apotheosis of Elijah."
32
This proves the enigmatical nature of the Pahlavi version. We
shall refer to the Life of the Prophet again in its proper place
further on.
In the matter of History of Ancient Iran, the Master gave
clues to the two dynasties of Huafrit and Kudurvand, which had
ruled for nearly 3255 years about which the Scholars are entirely
in the dark. Kudurvand dynasty was terminated by the defeat of its
king Zarathushtra (Oxyartes) at the hands of Assyrian monarchs
Ninus and Semiramis in about B.C. 2026. This proves that the socalled traditional date 628-551 BC. cited by Prof. Zaehner and
others is incorrect, because the rule of the above dynasties is not
included in it. Scholars are also unaware that the Kayanian
dynasty had not terminated with the reign of king Kae Vishtasp in
whose royal court Zarathushtra revealed his holy Faith, but had
continued for over 2,000 years. Thus the true Date of Zarathushtra
is 7,551 B.c. The chief reason for the very near date is that most of
the scholars confound king Kae Vishtasp of the Kayanian dynasty
with (Darayus) Hystaspes of the Achaemenian dynasty between
whom there was a tremendous gap of some 7,000 years. The
former was a king while the latter though the father of a king
(Darayus) was not king himself. The subject of the Date of
Zarathushtra is dealt with elaborately in Part II of this book.
It is too well known that ancient Greek writers have reported
that Zoroaster lived 6,000 years before Christ, but Western
scholars found a huge gap of over 5,400 years, which they could
not bridge up, because they did not and do not know about the
continuance of the Kayanian dynasty for over 2,000 years followed
by Indian rule, and then of the Huafrit and Kudurvand dynasties,
which total period extended to about 5,434 years. Thus the ancient
Greek writers knew better and estimated almost correctly.
The enigmatical mention of 300 "years" made by Dasturs
Zadsparam and Arda Viraf is according to Lunar 'Kar-Saal' system
of expressing years_ in which one Solar Kar-Saal is equal to 30
Solar years, and so one Lunar Kar-Saal is equal to 27 Solar years,
because a Lunar year is 0.9 of a Solar year. An instance of the
above Lunar Kar-Saal mode of expression is found in DH TD*
MSS quoted by Dr. Modi, where it is stated in Pahlavi "Kun panj
bisto haft shante Parsik" meaning, "now five twenty-seven years of
the Parsis", which Dr. Modi has correctly taken as 5 x 27 = 135
years. Thus similarly 300 "years" in round figures give 8,100,
though actually they should have been 269
* (DH: Dastur Hoshang, TD: Tehmurasp Dinshaji).
33
instead of 300. So 269 x 27 = 7,263 years, plus Alexander's time
to the Christian era 300 years comes to 7,563 years as the very
approximate date. Our Master informed that the periods under
Huafrit and Kudurvand dynasties were very glorious, during
which very holy kings of Zarathushtrotemo class ruled over Iran,
who have, for valid reasons, rendered their history sacro-sanct
(barring that of last 260 years) to be disclosed at the proper time
and by proper authority.
CHAPTER I
STUDY OF THE SCRIPTURES BY DASTURS
OF OLD IN INDIA
In olden times general education among the Parsees in India
was very limited. The study of the religion was restricted to the
Dasturs (high priests) and others mostly of the priestly class, who
were distinguished by their observance of the strict Zoroastrian
canons of purity and holiness. They interpreted Avesta through
their study of Persian, Pahlavi and Sanskrit languages. Their
knowledge of Persian helped them in the deciphering and
translation of Pahlavi, which facilitated the study of Avesta. They
had very few books. Printing was introduced much later. The
people lived in tune with the religious injunctions coming from
the Dasturs. Yet sometimes great controversies did arise amongst
the latter. These were given the form of questions, and light was
sought from the Dasturs of Iran. The expositions given by the
latter have became famous as Rivayats.
With respect to these Rivayats, Mr. G. K. Nariman, an
Oriental scholar in his book "Persia and Parsis" Part I (pp. 91/2)
writes as follows:
"Since the advent of the Parsis from Persia for several
centuries the intercourse with the old country ceased to all
appearance entirely. The earliest resumption of communication dates from the 25th June, 1478 when letters were brought
to Braoch from Sherfabad and Turqubad, villages in the
vicinity of Yezd, by Nariman Hoshang who was deputed
there by the Zoroastrians of Gujarat. It is probable that earlier
missions to Iran were sent from India. But the records relating
to them have perished beyond recall. For we learn from the
oldest colophon to a manuscript that Mahyar son of Mah
Mihr, a Mobed from Cutch an the Indus, after a sojourn of six
years in Sistan was about to return home in 1205 with a copy
of the Pahlavi Vandidad and religious information which he
had gathered. These communications from Persia, generally
in reply to questions from India, are called Rivayats. They
are... a mine of
36
J
information on the religious and social customs of the Parsis
of the later Mediaeval period...............Rivayat is an Arabic
term, connoting... an ordinary narrative tradition......... Among
the Parsis it has come to signify the opinions of any Dastur in
the Middle Ages with regard to religious questions. These
opinions are incorporated in the collections called
Rivayats."…."Most of these Rivayats are in Persian
prose…Some of the Rivayats……..contain elaborations not to
be found in the Avesta."
On P. 83 (ibid.) it is stated:
"The Rivayat period covers many centuries and gives us most
important information regarding the condition of the Parsis of
Persia. In this period were copied or redacted Pahlavi
writings…. If all these Pahlavi texts are published and _translated, the Life of the Parsis in Persia, after exodus of a few
hundred to India, will be illuminated because for several
centuries the Sasanian influence most potently affected the
Arab administration. It was never extinguished. It lay dormant
for a period."
VOCABULARIES IN VARIOUS LANGUAGES
PREPARED BY DASTURS OF OLD
With respect to the study of Avesta although in the earlier
times the Dasturs were innocent of the science of "Staota Yasna"
(Law of Vibrationary colours, sound, etc.) explained by our
revered Master, yet they did not regard the Avesta as a dialect.
They believed there was something mysterious about it, some
thing beyond comprehension. Those devout Dasturs as well as
several Athravans (priests) of old were great scholars of one or
more languages like Avesta, Pahlavi, Pazand, Sanskrit, Arabic
and Persian. In this connection Mr. G. K. Nariman says: "In the Rivayats we find to what extent the Dasturs prosecuted
the study of Sanskrit. We see among them, as did Haug in the
year 1864 at Surat, a fragment of Zend-Sanskrit vocabulary
belonging to the library of Dasturji Kursetji." (ibid. p. 85).
In like manner, the late Dastur Hoshangji Jamaspji Asa, in "An
Old Pahlavi-Pazand Glossary" edited by him, and revised and
enlarged by Dr. Haug, gives in his Preface (pp. xiv, xv) the names
of various MSS. and publications, both small and large, in his
possession including a "pahlavi-Persian Dictionary, containing
about l,200 words", prepared by his late uncle Dastur Jamshed
Edal, but left incomplete in consequence of his death.
37
With regard to another larger work he (Dastur Hoshangji)
says :
"My learned friend, Dastur Peshotan of Bombay, has often
mentioned a Pahlavi.Persian dictionary, prepared by his
grandfather Dastur Edalji Darabji Sanjana, and has stated that
it contains about 30,000 words, but I have had no opportunity
for examining it, as it is not permitted to leave the bookshelves of the learned Dastur."
About one more in Arabic characters he says:
"In the library of Dastur Jamaspji Mancherji of Bombay, there is
a very old Pahlavi-Persian dictionary, written in ,
Arabic characters, but unfortunately incomplete at both ends."
Thus those Dasturs and Athravans of early centuries
conducted their private study of Avesta and Pahlavi with what
extremely scanty books and other materials they possessed. It is
true they could not have boasted of the modern University degrees
to display their scholastic learning, yet their inspiring faith, their
implicit reverence to the entire Avesta, their never flagging
devotion to the religion, their close adherence to genuine "orthodoxy", their tenacious observance of the strict Zoroastrian tenets
and rites of purity which constitute the very essence of the
religion, and their burning zeal for the holy performance of the
sacred ceremonies meant for promoting the peace and progress of
the departed souls in the other world, they doubtlessly far
surpassed many a so-called Dastur of today. And thanks alone to
those pious and faithful Dasturs and Athravans of old, that the
religion stood unsullied in India for all the twelve centuries past.
CHAPTER II
PHILOLOGICAL STUDY OF ZEND-AVESTA IN
THE WEST AND IN BOMBAY
The Avesta was first introduced in Europe in 1723 A.D.,
when George Boucher, a countryman of Thomas Hyde, the
famous Orientalist in Europe, is said to have received a copy of
Vandidad Sada from Surat through Richard Cobbe.
"But the old Manuscript was a sealed book, and the most that
could then be made of it was to hang it by an iron chain to the
wall of the Bodleian Library, as a curiosity to be shown to
foreigners. A few years later, a Scotchman, named Fraser,
went to Surat, with the view of obtaining from the Parsis, not
only their books! but also a knowledge of their contents. He
was not very successful in the first undertaking, and utterly
failed in the second."
(Footnote).......... The above "manuscript was written in the
year 1050 of Yazdgard (1680-1681 AD.)" (S.B.E. Vol. IV Intro. p.
xvii).
ANQUETIL DUPERRON
"Then in 1754 a young man, twenty years old Anquetil
Duperron, a scholar of the Ecole des Langues Orientales in
Paris, happened to see a facsimile of four leaves of the Oxford
Vendidad, which had been sent from England, a few years
before, to Etienne Fourmont, the Orientalist. He determined at
once to give to France both the books of
39
Zoroaster and the first European translation of them. Too
impatient to set off, to wait for a mission from the government, which had been promised to him he enlisted as a private
soldier in the service of the French East India Company; he
embarked at Lorierit on the 24th of February 1755, and after
three years of endless adventures and dangers through the
whole breadth of Hindustan, at the very time when war was
waging between France and England, he arrived at last in
Surat, where he stayed among the Parsis for three years more.
Here began another struggle, not less hard, but more decisive,
against the same mistrust and ill will which had disheartened
Fraser; but he came out of it victorious, and prevailed at last
on the Parsis to part both with their books and their
knowledge. He came back to Paris on the 14th of March 1764,
and deposited on the following day at Bibliotheque Royale the
whole of the Zend Avesta and copies of several traditional
books. He spent ten years in studying the material he had
collected, and published in 1771 the first European translation
of the Zend Avesta."
With respect to the difficulties Anquetil had to encounter in
the task of his translations, and the disadvantages under which he
had to labour, Bleeck states (in Intro. p. xiv seq. to his translation
from German of Avesta: the Religious Books of the Parsees by
Prof. Spiegel):
" ...... when we consider the disadvantages he had to contend
with, we can only wonder that he was able to produce any
translation at all. In the first place, his teacher, the Dastur
Darab, though well acquainted with the Parsee traditions
possessed no 'grammatical' knowledge of the Zend at all, in
fact, it would seem as if very little grammatical learning
existed even so far back as the date of the Huzvaresh translation; and in a thousand years of subjection and exile it was not
to be expected that the Parsee priests could do more than
preserve the Avesta and the LITERAL translation, Add to this
that the Dastur and Anquetil communicated with each other
through the medium of Persian; and we find the case to
resemble that of a man attempting to teach a
40
language which he does not understand himself, by means of
a language which his pupil understands but indifferently."
While regretting the absence of a Grammar and Dictionary
of Zend, the learned translator (Bleeck) states as under
about the Zoroastrian religion:
"This is the more to be regretted, because the whole subject of
the Mazdayaznian religion deserves more attention than has
hitherto been paid to it. A religion which is probably as
ancient as Judaism, and which certainly taught the immortality of the soul and a future state of rewards and
punishments for centuries before those doctrines were prevalent among the Jews - a religion which for ages prior to
Christianity announced that men must be pure in thought as
well as in word and deed, and that sins must be REPENTED
OF before they could be atoned for, - a religion whose
followers were forbidden to kill even animals wantonly, at a
time when the ancestors of the French and English nations
were accustomed to sacrifice human victims to their sanguinary Deities, - such a pure and venerable religion is one which
must always command the respect of the civilized world, and
of which a Parsee may well be proud."
At first the books brought by Anquetil and their translations
(in French) were discredited in England as impostures. In this
connection Bleeck further states:
"In Germany" Anquetil's book fared better than in England.
The Germans, not greatly caring about the University of
Oxford, and thinking that vanity sat as lightly on an author as
feathers on a bird, set themselves soberly to examine the
merits of Anquetil's discovery, and very soon a German
translation of Anquetil's three volumes, with an "Appendix" of
two volumes, was published by Kleuker, who successfully
vindicated Anquetil from the charge of having attempted to
impose a fabricated language upon the learned of Europe.
Anquetil's book was published in 1771 (he returned from
India in 1762), and Kleuker's translation appeared in 1781."
(ibid.)
41
ANQUETIL ENDED HIS LIFE AS AN ASCETJC
"Anquetil composed a number of Memoirs" read to the French
Institute and preserved in their printed records. He published
in 1774, three quarto volumes upon his voyages to, in and
from India, and the Works of Zoroaster. " In epistle which he
placed before his Latin translation of Dara Shuko's Persian
Upanishad, and addressed to the Brahmans of India,
contained, as it were, his religious and political testament. He
declares his nourishment to have been reduced, like that of an
abstemious ascetic, living even in winter, without fire; and
sleeping in a bed without feathers or sheets. His juvenile boast
of 'personal beauty' was expiated by total neglect of his body,
his aspirations to 'a vast extent of learning' had subsided into
patient and most persevering studies. But, disdaining to accept
gifts and pensions even from Government, he preserved his
absolute liberty, and blessed his poverty, "as the salvation of
his soul and body, the rampart" of morality and religion; and
friend of all men; victorious over the "allurements of the
world, he tended towards the Supreme Being. Well may
virtues so rare efface other human failings of Anquetil du
Perron. He died, in seventy-fourth year, in 1805. (See Histoire
et Memoires de l' Institute royal de France. Classe d' Histoire
et de Literature anciennes, tome III. 1818.)" ("Dabistan"
translated from Persian into English by David Shea and
Anthony Troyers).
The above-mentioned translations of Avesta by Anquetil and
Kleuker in French and German respectively, created great
controversy in Europe for many years, which in the end
resolved itself in the foundation of philology as a science
towards the middle of the last century. In the wake of the
spread of this linguistic study, Avesta and Pahlavi literatures
have been rendered by different scholars and savants of the
West in different languages of Europe.
Among the translations with the help of philology in English,
"The Sacred Books of the East" (S.B.E. series) translated by
various Oriental Scholars of the West and edited by Prof. F. Max
Muller are very famous. In the above series the following volumes
contain Avesta and Pahlavi works noted below:
- Vandidad
translated by Prof.
Darmesteter
Vol. XXIII
- Yashts
Prof. Darmesteter
Vol. XXXI
- Yasna
Visparad
Dr. Mills
(Avesta) Vol. IV
(Pahlavi) Vol. V
- Part
I The Bundahis, Bahman Yast
and Shayast-la-Shayast
Dr. West
Vol. XVIII
- Part II Dadastan-I-Dinik and
Epistles of Manushchihar
Dr. West
Vol. XXIV
- Part III Dina- I Mainog-I-Kherad,
Sikand-Gumanik Vegar, Sad Dar
Dr. West
Vol. XXXVII
- Part IV Contents of the Nasks, as stated in the
eighth and ninth books of Dinkard
Dr. West
- Part V Marvels of Zoroastrianism
Dinkard Book VII Dinkard
Book V Selections of
Zadsparam
Dr. West
Vol. XLVTI
IJ_
Great as this achievement is from the linguistic and scholarly
points of view, yet the introduction of the philological study of the
Avesta among the Parsis themselves in Bombay has proved
deplorable, for instead of being able to understand the Zoroastrian
religion in its pristine purity-about which the philological school is
entirely in the dark - many Parsi students of Avesta only imbibe
the faith-shattering, misconceived -opinions and ignorant and
blasphemous criticisms against the sacred Yashts and other
prayers leveled by Western scholars and their misguided Parsi
imitators.
INVALUABLE SERVICES OF THE
PHILOLOGICAL SCHOOL
In spite of the above fact, philology deserves great credit for
effecting the translations of the entire extant literatures of Avesta
and Pahlavi and bringing them within the reach of the laity. For
this invaluable service philology occupies an incomparable and a
sublime place and we deem it our foremost duty to acknowledge
our deep obligations to philology, despite our honest and
legitimate criticisms of the short-comings of that science, whether
they be in the form of flaws or imperfections in translations, or of
true import therein. Again, we have not adequate words to-express
our gratitude for the limitless labour dedicated to the altar of
service of the Zoroastrian Scriptural literature by the selfless
scholars and savants of the West, and for the funds established by
their governments for the study of the religious literatures of the
Oriental countries. Many of the highly learned Western
philologists have tirelessly striven to explain the Avesta-Pahlavi
texts, and from many of them we have received the most honest
and praiseworthy help in various ways. Priceless are their labours,
and to them are due our warmest thanks.
INTRODUCTION OF PHILOLOGICAL
STUDY IN BOMBAY
In India, Philology received an impetus through the exertions
of the late Seth Khurshedji Rustomji Cama, who was the first to
acquire proficiency in that Science in Germany and introduce its
study in Bombay. He was a gentleman of solid worth and a seeker
after truth with an honest and a sincere heart. To propagate the
study of the Avesta and to create among the Parsi youths love and
curiosity for the same he used to distribute some leaves of
religious books in the trams and local trains of Bombay. By his
efforts Avesta-Pahlavi were recognized as subjects of study by the
University of Bombay. Moreover to attract and encourage
44
the priestly class to study their religion, he established bigger
scholarships for its members than for the laity.
At this time he came into contact with a profoundly learned
scholar, who was as modest in his ways as he was balanced in his
religious views, and very devoted in his studies, who with in
defatigable labours expertly translated the entire Avesta literature,
prepared an Avesta-Gujarati-EngUsh Dictionary and Avesta
Grammar and English-Avesta Dictionary. This renowned scholar
was the late Ervad Kavasji Edalji Kanga of revered memory. For
the high services to his religion rendered by this devout priest, the
community owes a deep debt of gratitude.
In the field of Pahlavi, the late Dastoor Peshotan Behramji
Sanjana and after him his learned son Dr. Dastoor Darab, both of
whom were honoured with the title of Shams-ul-Olma (lit. the sun
among scholars) have rendered most valuable services. Their chief
work is the translation of the Pahlavi Dinkard series. The seventh
Volume of this Pahlavi series is of special importance and worthy
of notice because it contains the life sketch of the Prophet of
Prophets, the Holy Zarathushtra, the teacher of eternal truths.
The late learned Behramgore Tehmurasp Anklesaria and the
late learned Shehryarji Dadabhai Bharucha were other highly
renowned scholars of Pahlavi.
Besides the above" another great savant, the late Ervad
Pheroze Shapurji Masani has expertly translated in Gujarati
several Pazand prayers in the light of "Khshnoom".
CHAPTER III
MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT DIVERSITIES IN AVESTA
LANGUAGE, AND FACTS ABOUT THE SAME
When Western philological scholars commenced the study of
Avesta, they found in its composition some Avesta metrical,
others in prose; some simple, others difficult, some with long
accents and syllables, others shorter, some very ancient,
others less_ and composed by different writers. They knew
not the real cause or causes of these diversities, and since they
were linguists, they approached the Avesta from the
standpoints of derivatives, grammar and semantics only. Thus
the Gathas having long accents and syllables and being
metrical, they considered them to be older in origin than other
Avesta, and composed by Zarathushtra himself; and branded
the non-Gathic prayers as "Later Avesta", written by priests
of later periods, and hence unauthentic. They did not know
and do not know that Avesta is based on Staota Yasna, the
laws of vibrationary colours, sound etc.
ZOROASTRIAN BOOKS COMPRISED
2,000,000 VERSES
“We are left without information whether or not Theopompos
derived his statements on the lore of the Magi from the
intercourse with the Persian priests themselves; but Hermippos,
who composed, besides his works on the Zoroastrian doctrine,
biographies of law-givers, the seven sages of Greece, etc., is reported by Pliny to have made very laborious investigations in all
the Zoroastrian books which were said to comprise TWO
MILLIONS OF VERSES, and to have stated the contents of each
book separately. He therefore seems to have had some knowledge
of the sacred languages and texts of the Magi, for which reason
the loss of his work is greatly to be regretted.”
("Essays on the Sacred Language, Writings, and Religion of
the Parsis" by Martin Haug, reproduced from p. 289
"Zoroastrianism-Ancient and Modern" by P. S. Masani).
46
EXTANT AVESTA REMNANTS OF NASKS
GIVEN BY ZARATHUSHTRA
The vast compass of the original writings of Zarathushtra
himself consists of 21 Nasks or volumes, which are named from
the 21 words of the 'Yatha Ahu Vairyo' prayer, and divided into
three groups of seven Nasks each, viz., (i) Gathic, (ii) Datic, and
(iii) Hada-Manthric.
With regard to the erroneous belief that non-Gathic compositions are unauthentic, it may be stated that though a very
considerable bulk of the Avesta are lost to us, we possess in
Pahlavi a summary of the 21 Nasks. This summary enables one to
know that:
(1) the Vandidad which is much run down by scholars is
really speaking the original whole NASK (number 19),
Javit-Shidadad composed by Zarathushtra Himself;
(2) the Yashts have their origin in the Nask (number 14)
Baghan Yasht written by Zarathushtra himself;
(3) the Yasna and the Vjsparad and specially the Haftanghaiti, all of which are regarded as post-Gathic and as
Post-Zoroastrian, i.e. "Later Avesta" are taken from the
most important and fundamental Nask (number 21) Stot
Yasht which contains besides all these Yasna, Visparad
etc; the Gathas and the Gathas are thus related to the
Yasna and the Visparad and the Haftanghaiti as stock of
the same parent Nask Stot-Yasht. In fact, the summary of
the 21 Nasks proves without any doubt that the purely
Avesta texts which are now extant are simply remnants
of more than one Nask given by Zoroaster himself, and
that the whole Avesta literature in our possession bulk
for bulk bears a ratio to the original Zoroastrian lore as 1
to 21. (Zoroastrianism Ancient and Modern by Ervad P.
S. Masani).
"
AVESTA BASED ON 'STAOTA'
LAWS OF VIBRATONARY COLOURS, SOUND,ETC.
Avesta is not a 'dialect' as erroneously believed in philology,
but a specially formed language for liturgical and ritualistic purposes of the Zoroastrian Faith. This will be realized from the fact
that the very small prayer of Yatha Ahu Vairyo consisting of only
21 words has over 30 different renderings which can never
happen in the case of a composition in an ordinary dialect,
whether in prose or in poetry. The term 'Avesta' (from a not;
and vid, to know) connotes the knowledge of the Unknown or
47
the Unknowable. Thus Avesta cannot be a spoken language. The
original dialect on which Avesta is based was called 'Kyan,' which
was current in Iran when Zarathushtra descended on the earth some
9,000 years ago. On this Kyan dialect the prophet applied 'Ilm-eStaota', the laws of vibrationary colours, sound etc. He based the
vocabulary of his Staota Yasna on the lines of the original 'Staota
Yasna" functioning in Nature in the pre-cosmogenesis world, and
formed 21 Nasks of Fshusho-Manthra, literally blissful mystic
spells. It may be stated that the sounds and voices of birds and
animals though not intelligible to ordinary human beings, are yet
understood by the adepts of Staota Yasna, because they understand
the laws of vibrations and sound. The Fshusho-Manthra are very
close to the 'Vacha' speech of Yazads (angels). Our Master
informed that from each of the words of Fshusho Manthra and
Manthra-Spenta, nine meanings could be raised. The Prophet has
so formulated the Avesta Manthra that a devotee who practices the
Zoroastrian anti-microbe Baaj-rites and other laws of purity with
righteousness, can deliver himself quicker from the physical body
by the recitation of Avestan prayers.
THREE DIVISIONS OF STAOTA YASNA
In the above science of Staota Yasna, there are said to be
three divisions: Humata, Hukhta, Hvarshta. The Humata contained
descriptions of the pre-cosmo-genesis world 'Anghush Pouruyo' Yasna 28.11 and whole Universe. Hukhta contained cosmography
or the description of ultra-physical worlds. This description also
included the preparation of folk-lore woven in allegory, for which
there were certain rules, as there were (rules) for deciphering the
allegory, which our Master called the rules of 'Taksiriat' in which
certain _transposition of letters or words can reveal the true
import. These folk-lore were principally intended to expound
things existing in the invisible, immortal and ultra physical worlds
above, of which people on this material world have no experience.
The noumena of the unseen worlds are allegorically expounded by analogy of things existing in this world. Thus
Dakhyus' (Yt. 10.144), which are inconceivably huge, planes in
the Space, i.e. in the ultra-physical worlds' above, are referred to
as Vourugaoyaoiti (Yt. 10,3), i.e. wide pastures, and their inner
homologues are called Zarehs (Ysn. 42,4) literally seas, because
in the top three homologues are generated waves, not of water,
but of super-ether. In Yasna; 48,6 it is stated "Ahura planted the
tree". In order to caution that it is not a 'tree' in its normal sense, it
is clarified that it is planted 'in the anterior world', i.e. in the precosmo-genesis world, which indicates that the word
48
'tree' is used in an allegorical sense. Similarly, there is the instance
of 'Khar Ashavan' (Ysn. 42.4) the lustrous Kehrp of the three-stage
Ahunavar Plan referred to in Bundehesh; 19 as the 'Three-Legged
Ass', in which, by depicting the Khar as 'three legged,' attention is
drawn that the word is used in some other sense, which the adepts
of Staota Yasna can decipher.
The Hvarshta-Section of Staota Yasna in its 33 chapters
(which are mentioned also in the summary of Nasks in Pahlavi)
contained all knowledge relating to this earthy globe, its inconceivable longevity, and the way it would be absorbed one day
in the ultra-physical worlds above. In the terminal portion of this
section were delineated the methods of reducing all knowledge to
writing including the variety of forms of alphabets and the
distinctive vibrationary colours produced by their pronunciations.
These also contained grammar rules. The holy Magavs (or Magi)
who were adepts in the science of this Staota Yasna could reduce
them to writing either in the form of Zand Avesta or of fables.
They (Magavs) could delineate the mysteries of the unseen
immortal and evanescent worlds in the form of folklore wrapt in
allegory or in the form of simple anecdotes in the style and diction
of Staota Yasna; while the framing of the mystic spells of Manthra
and of the Yasna rituals was the task of Saoshyants, great saints
and Raenidars (the holy resuscitators) of the dwindled Faith
whenever necessity arose.
In the Yashts also there are Humata, Hukhta, Hvarshta (Yt.
13,84) of different Ameshaspends and Yazats. The functions of an
Ameshaspend or a Yazad in the immortal worlds are called his
Humata, those in the ultra-physical worlds, his Hukhta, and those
on this material world, his Hvarshta. In the Pazand Patet.
Pashemani prayer (Kardeh; 8) are given the respectiye 'Hvarshta'
(deeds i.e., creations) of the seven Ameshaspends. Thus
1. Hormazd
: man and mankind;
2. Bahman
: cow-kind and other blissful species;
3. Ardibehesht
: fire and other kinds of fire energies;
4. Shehrevar
: metals and their different kinds;
5. Spandarmad
: earth and its different kinds;
6. Khordad
: water and its different kinds;
7. Amardad
: vegetable and vegetable kingdom.
The immortal worlds consist of nine heavens, the 9th being the
empyrean and the 8th zodiac; and the seven planetary heavens,
i.e., lustrous orbs, only lower in lustre to the 9th and the 8th
heavens.
49
FSHUSHO-MANTHRA NOT A LANGUAGE
. The Gathic, Datic and Hada-Manthric groups of Nasks above
mentioned were written in Fshusho-manthra, which were not a
language, but a sort of expression called Staota Yasna, vibrationary
colours, not subject to grammar rules. The decipherment of this
Staota Yasna requires not only intellect but great piety and
authority. These 21 Nasks were rendered into Manthra-Spenta of
Avesta in the same Gathic, Datic and Hada-Manthric divisions by
the Prophet's highly advanced pupils of the Naba-nazdishta class
by the commandment of Ahura Mazda through Zarathushtra.
Towards the termination of the Jupiterian Age about 2,000 years
from today, when the religion was disorganized, certain authorized
Raenidars (repairers of the pure Law), "with their fulness of faith
of devoted hearts" (Yt. 10,9) selected certain Avesta from the
above said Fshusho Manthra and the Manthra Spenta. To these
they added the proper interpretations in the form of Zand i.e.
commentary in Avesta and rearranged them in the form of Gathic,
Datic and Hada-Manthric sections of the 21 Nasks suitable to the
changed times. This they effected through the competency derived
from their knowledge of Staota Yasna. Thus they fulfilled their
great divine mission through the agency of Zarathushtra.
SARV-I-KESHMAR
The Hada-Manthric section of Nasks above mentioned was of
two categories, namely exoteric and esoteric. The former
comprises the practice and performance of the rituals and
religious ceremonials, while the latter (esoteric), which came to be
known as Sarv-i-Keshmar in later times, include the entire code of
the practice of the exercises of Nirang or holy Manthra formulae,
incantations, piety, humility, solitude, meditation, austerity,
abstinence, stoicism, set body-postures, special modes of inhaling,
exhaling, etc.
In ancient times prior to the advent of Zarathushtra there used
to be depredations of Satanic forces from the regions above,
Peshdadian and Kayanian saintly kings and warrior-saints used to
go through the severe exercises of piety, and obtain spiritual
powers by supplicating to Ardvi Sura with "a hundred horses, a
thousand oxen and ten thousand lambs", explained in Supplement
No. 18. Such exercises fall under Sarv-i-Keshmar. In this the
horse stands for 'power' of Divine Self-Intelligence just as we
refer to an engine of so many horse-power, 100 indicates the
degrees of (spiritual) efficiency. An ox represents selfless goodness or blissfulness which the cow-kind possess, lamb indicates
harmlessness and innocence through which alone is possible the
development of five higher senses, whereby, one draws Divine,
Wisdom from Nature. 10,000 indicates numerousness of soul's
powers.
50
Among the various powers gained through piety was one of
preparing amulets and periapts, meaning respectively "Taviz" i.e.
magic squares, and 'Talisman', i.e. more forcible amulets than
Taviz, for protecting a person from becoming an easy prey to
extraordinary lust and other vices. Just as such amulets etc. are
meant for saving an individual against the onslaughts of Satanic
forces, so in ancient times Jamshed, Faredun and other glorified
kings had devised certain talismanic spiritual fortifications which
rendered immunity for long periods of time from the infestations
of Druj,- evil forces of spiritual darkness. Such secret holy centres
are called 'Var' which were constructed either subterranean as in
the case of king Jamshed's Var (Bd. 32,2) or on the surface of the
earth. Still further there have been similar types of devices for
keeping certain ultra-physical regions Satan-free. These are called
"Daeza". Thus we know of Kangdaeza prepared by holy prince
Shiavux.
MAGI COULD READ FSHUSHO-MANTHRA
VIBRATIONARY COLOURS LIKE ALPHABET
According to Gatha. (Ysn. 29.7) Ahura Mazda framed
Manthra through Asha, holiness. These were imparted to
Zarathushtra through revelation. Ahura Mazda gave 'Hudem' to the
prophet. As said by learned Kanga, 'Hudem' originally means
'good breath'. Really speaking, Hu = AHU, the Lord God who is
Light of lights. So when Hudem is bestowed on Zarathushtra, his
very breath is deified, i.e. of AHU only and hence every thought,
word and action of Zarathushtra were revealed - "Yanim mano,
Yanim vacho, Yanim shyaothnem" (Ysn. 28,0).
It follows, therefore, that the Manthra framed by Ahura
Mazda were revealed to Zarathushtra. One name of Ahura Mazda
is Fshusho Manthra, the blissful spells. On the basis of these
Fshusho Manthra Zarathushtra framed his Manthra, which are
called by the same name. These were arranged into 21 Nasks or
books, divided into three categories--viz., Gathic, Datic and Hada
Manthric.
It is said when these Nasks were recited by the prophet's
nearest pupils called Zarathushtrotemo, i.e. those who were most
like Zarathushtra in the practice of Asha, holiness, they could see a
spiritual cinematograph of the worlds above; the pictures they saw
were of vibrationary colours and forms. These pictures varied.
according to the world concerned. Thus those relating to the
immortal luminous worlds were the sublimest; those of the
evanescent world of the Space were superior to those of the
material world; these pictures depended on the Fshusho Manthra of
the Nasks recited.
51
The pictures of the vibrationary colours were afterwards
translated into language, called Manthra Spenta, also meaning
blissful spells. Fshusho Manthra, it may be stated, were not a
language, though pronounceable. The condition for understanding
Fshusho Manthra was not high learning, but extreme holiness. All
Zarathushtrotemo were Magavans, or Magi, who were extremely
pious souls. (vide Supplement No. 27).
Strange as it may seem, in a book received as a gift by this
writer, from San Francisco and entitled Nedoure Priestess of the
Magi dealing with consolidated Faiths, the following extract gives
evidence of what is said in Dr. Chiniwala's Khshmoom Nikize Veh
Din-Book 1, (pp. 40-41) related above. On pp. 46/47 of the
American Book it is said:
"Every thought that man can think, every desire of which man
can become conscious, every feeling of which man is subject,
produces or creates a vibration distinct from all others. These
vibrations, as do ALL vibrations; produce or create a color,
known in the occult as an AURA. The initiate Master
Teacher, or Magi, can read these colors as easily as he can the
alphabet." (Footnote on p. 46).
In the text it is said:
"The mystic pentacle . . .is one of the four great emblems of
the most secret book of divine wisdom among the Magi, or
wise men of Egypt. The other three symbols are a cup, the
Magi's wand, and a sword. The use of these emblems in
determining the starry spaces, in measuring the interstellar
depths and distances, in navigating the deep to unknown
shores, in evoking and commanding the elements of earth,
air, fire, and water, and in discovering the most secret things
of the triune worlds of Divinity, Man and Nature - is the reward
of the Magi initiate. You have but to choose to obtain the
sacred wisdom."
Thus it will be seen that the virbrationary colours can be
read by holy Magi and not by the materialistic minded linguists.
It is stated above that pictures of Fshusho-Manthra recitals
were done into language. This language though based on grammar
is still of Staota Yasna, the law of vibrationary colours, sound,
etc., besides being highly enigmatical and allegorical.
Thus the chapter 8th of the Yasna Haftanghaiti is the Zand
addendum to the seven original chapters of the Manthra Spenta
mentioned above. In Ysn. 42, 1 it is said "Pathamcha vicharanao'
meaning different ways or roads or paths. Are the Mint Road and
Garden Road meant here? - Patham are the paths of different
religions. Avesta, which is the Knowledge of the Unknowable or
Unknown, does not treat of East Street or West Street, or rivers
and oceans of the earth.
52
Going back to Manthra Spenta, the Zarathushtrotemo or
Magi who reduced the vibrationary pictures to Manthra, Spenta
language formed all the Nasks also in Gathic, Datic and Hada_
Manthric divisions. But these Manthra Sperita could only give
benefit to and be used by highly pious people. Just as poor
stomachs cannot digest a highly rich dish, so the original Manthra
Spenta were not suitable for worldly people. .
So a Raenidar is appointed who takes instructions from
Zarathushtra and on coming to the earth selects passages under the
guidance of Zarathushtrotemo, from original Manthra Spenta, but
the most important thing is that he, the Raenidar does not alter the
original language of the Manthra Spenta which are turned into
language from Fshusho Manthra of the prophet. He adds Zand
expository paragraphs, which too require the knowledge of Staota
Yasna. The Raeindar also arranges the 21 Nasks prepared by him
of selected passages into Gathic, Datic and Hada-Manthric
divisions.
Since these selections comprised a smaller bulk than the
original huge treasure, the Avesta so formed are called Khordeh
Avesta and because they embody the Zand passages they are
called Zand Avesta. During the long stretch of nearly 9,000 years
since Zarathushtra revealed his immaculate Faith there were
occasions of political and other types of upheavals when the
religion was disturbed, and repaired by the Raenidar concerned.
The Raenidar selects passages from spiritual standpoints and not
linguistic.
The last Raenidar Adarbad Marespand selected passages from
the original Manthra Spenta suitable to changed times, i.e. to the
material age of Mars that set in synchronously with the beginning
of the Christian era. Our Zoroastrian civilization flourished for over
12,000 years till B.C. 2,000, decay set in the religion with the
change in planetary Time cycle, the cult of idolatry asserted itself
during the Mercurial (minor) Time cycle of 260 years, which planet
supports idolatry, king Zarathushtra also called Hukhshathra
(Oxyartes) was defeated. Thus Iran was in a state of religious
hotch-potch.
Reverting to the Manthra Spenta (selected by the Raenidar,
holy Adarbad Maraspand) with which Manthra the division of the
Avesta into Gathic and the so-called "Later Avesta' is closely
connected, the theme of the Gathas concerns mostly the
manifestation of the Universe and the luminous worlds of
perfected souls, that of the Yasna Haptanghaiti pertains to
defective souls exiled to the evanescent worlds for the purification
of their Dravao, (evil) and the Nyaeshes and.Yashts are necessary
for souls on this earth who are considered 'Kharij' external, for
whom the last named liturgy are like the veritable spiritual
prescriptions for their spiritual diseases.
53
So the respective Nasks, their Manthra formations, their
vibrations; their invisible colours all differ. Again if the language
is of different writers, it is because the Time factor is changed, the
Raenidaris changed, the religion is 'disturbed’, and the caliber of
the souls that descended on the earth deteriorated. Adarbad
Maraspand performed the miracle of remaining un-burnt when
molten ore was poured over his chest. He, a soul of such spiritual
eminence, and a seer into the future of a thousand or more years
resuscitates the dwindled faith by performing the above marvel,
and re-arranges the Avesta Manthra prayers suitable for the souls
of the lower calibre and based on spiritual view point besides on
Staota Yasna, the laws of invisible vibrationary colours and forms,
which all is beyond the sphere of philology.
Consequently, philological scholars who are complete strangers to the genuine philosophy of the Zoroastrian religion and the
intricacies of the Avesta are not competent to judge Avesta texts
and to misconceivedly criticize them to boot, for they do not know
“Guzra senghaongho”, ‘secret sayings’ (Ysn. 48.3), and the
"Razeng" mysteries of Avetsa (Ysn. 50,6), though they may render
parrot wise, horse' for 'Asp' and 'ox' for 'Geush'.
The misconceived criticisms of Western scholars, blindly and
fondly imitated by some Parsi scholars have wrought good deal of
harm towards loosening the faith and devotion of the Zoroastrian
community in general, with the result that sires and grand-sires
who recited the holy Nyaeshes and Yashts most devoutly deplore
the scant respect paid to those prayers by their Avesta-learned
scions.
In fine, Avesta is not a dialect though based on grammar rules,
but it is based on Staota Laws, and hence, letters, tchha, dha, bha
and la have been expunged on account of the inferior vibrations
created in their pronunciation. The pronunciation of the Avesta
letter ‘da' (with the right hand flourish) as dha has been wrongly
introduced by the Western scholars.
In his prologue to' Ysn. 35 Dr. Mills observes:
"With the Yasna of the 'Seven Chapters’, which ranks next in
antiquity after the Gathas, we already pass into an atmosphere
distinct from theirs. The dialect still lingers, but the spirit is
changed."
The learned scholar is not aware that the change is due to the
change in the worlds above. As stated already the theme of the
Gathas concerns mostly the immortal worlds of the perfected
souls, while that of the Yasna of the "Seven Chapters" relates
to the defective souls of the subtle mortal worlds of the Space,
and hence the spirit of the Manthra formations is
correspondingly of a lower order.
Thus the Cosmic atmosphere is changed from luminous to
semi-luminous at first, i.e. super-ethereal,’ then ethereal, and at
last material. So the Manthras also change. But the illustrious
Doctor knows only and thinks only of accents and syllables, long
or short, the style abstract or concrete, and the Parasmaipada or the
Atmanepada.
CHAPTER IV
PHILOLOGICAL STUDY OF AVESTA SHOOK THE
FAITH OF THE PARSIS
We have said that the religion remained unsullied till the
study of the Avesta was confined to the devout Zoroastrian
priesthood. But then started the misfortune. After the introduction of the study of philology in Europe, a Christian
missionary by the name of Dr. Wilson had in 1833 A.D.
severely attacked the holy Vandidad in Bombay in his
booklet called "A Lecture On The Vandidad Sada". A fitting
refutation of that attack has been given in his book of the
“Translation of Vandidad” (p. 250 seq.) by the learned Ervad
Kanga. From that book we sorrowfully learn that there was a
faithless educated Parsi himself to help Dr. Wilson in his
unworthy work. In his book that missionary has made false
allegations and charges with the intention of undermining
the religious faith of the Parsis.
In this way when, on the one hand, there were frequent
attacks from the Christian missionary, there came to be
published a weekly, named "Rast Goftar Tatha Satya
Prakash" under the lacerating editorial pen of the late Mr.
Kaikhushru Kabraji. This weekly began to spread in the
community the poisonous doctrines of the so-called
reformation. It was fully of vitriolic attacks on the tenets and
observances of the holy Faith.
While in that weekly, attacks false and full of ignorance
were being made, the refutations thereof are also to be
found in the work on the translation of Vandidad (p. 285
seq.) by Ervad Kanga mentioned above. Such was the
pitiful predicament in which the study of the Zoroastrian
religion was placed till the beginning of the present century.
On the one hand letters used to appear in the public press
from correspondents, outwardly seeking light on various
rites and ceremonies, but really with a view to shake the
faith of the orthodox. The answers to these questions were
given with the aid of philology or Theosophy coupled with
the power of speculation. On the other hand, some followers
of the "Rahnoomai Mazdiyasnan Society" who having
studied the Avesta philologically fancied themselves the beall
56
and end-all of religious knowledge, branded as "humbug" or
"superstitious" any religious matter that did not fall within the
narrow compass of their understanding. In this way under
the frenzy of the so-called reformation they tried to sweep
out much that was good and sacred by their poisonous
propaganda during a period of rank materialism.
With the inception of the philological translations of
Avesta came the belief that whatever was said in the
Gathas was alone true. Then some of the scholars went stilI
further that only certain portions of the Gathas were
Zarathushtra's own and the other Avesta were inserted by
the priests. In this way they styled all sacred literature like
Yashts etc. except the Gathas as "Later Avesta", and
degraded their high status by treating them as unauthentic.
From the rushing current of rank materialism of the last
century there arose a revolutionary class of Parsi AvestaPahlavi Scholars possessing high University degrees, which
(class) emulated the erroneous ideas of the Western
scholars and propagated all sorts of skepticism against all
Avestaic prayers except the Gathas. Thus they said the
Sudreh and Kusti (the sacred shirt and thread-girdle) were
not mentioned in the Gathas; Haoma is not mentioned by
name in the Gathas; the successors of Zarathushtra
departed from Gathic language, and began writing in
language inferior to that of the Gathas; the whole of
Vandidad savours of the Magis; the Parsis have been
accustomed to believe all Avesta to be the Prophet's own;
the whole of the later Avesta are full of those Yazadic
Intelligences which were worshipped by Iranians prior to
Zarathushtra and which were discarded by him etc. With the
flow of all such types of deleterious ideas propounded
through public speeches and writings, the faith of a certain
section of the community was shaken. The most lamentable
result of all this was that many an Athravan and many a
layman lost faith in the Nyaesh and Yasht prayers_ which
their sires and grandsires chanted with great devotion.
So over-delighted were the Parsi philological scholars
with the translations of Avesta effected by their Western
Masters that they (Parsi scholars) accepted as heavenly
truths all the offensive, misconceived and unwarranted
criticisms against their own holy Faith, and drank and drink
deep in the cups of faith-shattering poison as nectar.
With the introduction of philological study, the knowledge
of Avesta and Pahlavi literatures which was mostly confined
to the devout Dastoors (high priests) in olden days and
hence unsullied, was _acquired by a good number of Parsis
in Bombay, and the translations of the entire Avesta
scriptures were placed before
57
the community. But the dark side of the picture was due to
the essentially limited scope of philology. Consequently, as
stated above, many adverse criticisms arising out of
ignorance and misconceptions were leveled against Avestan
scriptures and holy religious rites and ceremonies. The
result of all this strange paradox was that instead of profiting
by the philological study, the community suffered irreparable
harm in the shape of disintegration of faith and disregard of
religious observances.
When such was the sorry state of affairs, a new light of
the esoteric knowledge of the Zoroastrian religion began to
shed its lustre in India for the first time in the beginning of
the present century.
CHAPTER V
THE DAWN OF "KHSHNOOM" AND THE LIFE
OF THE MASTER IN IRAN
As shown above the community was passing through a
period of great upheaval in the matter of religious study and
the position was like one blind leading another blind. At such
a critical period Divine Providence sent a great Teacher to
dispel the darkness that surrounded Zoroastrian Avestan
studies and beliefs.
Somewhere in 1875-76 a youth of about 17 or 18 in a
Parsi home at Surat happens to have serious differences
with other members of his family. His maternal home
becomes abhorrent to him; so, after making some secret
arrangements about his clothes etc., he leaves his home
and city by rail and detrains at Ajmer, which was a terminus
station in those days. There is great commotion in the house
at Surat, and telegrams fly to many relatives. The youth who
thus quitted his home in disgust was no other than our
revered Ustad Saheb (Master) the late Seth Behramshah
Navroji Shroff.
BEHRAMSHAH PROCEEDS TOWARDS
PESHAWAR ON THE NORTHERN FRONTIER
After detraining at Ajmer, Behramashah goes out for a
stroll in the city. There he happens to meet one of his
maternal uncles.
Like the other relatives this uncle also had received a
telegram. So the latter knows that Behramshah being
displeased has left his home. He very much entreats
Behramshah to return to his mother's place. But his
entreaties are of no avail. So the uncle suggests that he be
informed from time to time of the places Behramshah may
go to, so that he may remit him Rs. 25/- per month for his
traveling expenses. Behramshah approves of the
suggestion and agrees to it; so the uncle allows him to
proceed and telegraphs to Surat about his meeting
Behramshah. The latter then continues his journey onwards
towards the north on camel or on horse-back.
59
BEHRAMSHAH REACHES PESHAWAR
Thus moving forward he reaches the outskirts of
Peshawar. There one day after attending to a nature's call
he is standing beneath a tree performing his "Kusti" prayer,
when a stranger appearing to be a Pathan approaches him,
and pointing to a camp having tents at a little distance tells
him "Our 'Rad Saheb' desires to' meet you", Behramshah
has by now come to learn the meaning of 'Rad', as the 'chief'
during his tour of Northern India.
THE "RAD-SAHEB' READS THE
THOUGHTS OF APPREHENSION
ENTERTAINED BY BEHRAMSHAH
The approach of this stranger creates fears in
Behramshah's mind, because he has heard that among such
a tribe there is a practice that if a ring or an earring is to be
robbed it must be done after cutting off the finger or the ear,
when alone according to them, it would be 'Halal, i.e.,
legitimate'. Behramshah had on his person some gold stuff
including a gold watch and chain belonging to his late father.
Such fears assail his mind when there approaches from that
camp another person, who is aged, and who says to
Behramshah, "Our Rad-Saheb bids me to inform you to
entertain no fears about your life and property and requests
you to come". With some hesitation still lingering in his mind
Behramshah goes with the two men. He is taken into a big
tent. There he sees something like a 'Darbar', i.e. a royal
court, in the centre of which is seated on a high and well
adorned dais the chief who had an imposing personality.
Besides the chief there are some in lower seats and others
standing with great respect and reverence.
Beharamshah going amidst them is given a warm
welcome by the 'Rad-Saheb' and offered a seat, and a plate
of dry fruits is presented. Behramshah still has
apprehensions and suspicions about the fruits offered, and
hence partakes of only a few of them. Then the Rad-Saheb
inquires of him about the Kusti or the holy thread-girdle,
saying, "Standing under that tree what were you tying round
your waist?" Behramshah gives a fitting reply to the query.
The talk between them is in Hindustani.
After this short talk, Behramshah asks for leave to go
and a man is sent to escort him to his hotel, with a bag of
dry fruits as a present. At parting, Behramshah is pressed
very ardently by the Rad-Saheb to come again-the next day,
to which Behramshah replies in the affirmative.
60
BEHRAMSHAH HAS A DREAM
The next day after taking his mid-day meal in the hotel
Behramshah is resting on his bed. He begins to wonder to
himself why these Pathan-looking strangers should seek his
company so eagerly. While he is lost in such thoughts sleep
overtakes him. He sees a vision in which he finds himself in
an orchard full of flowers and fruits, but there is to be seen
no gardener or a custodian. "If I pluck some of these fruits,
who will notice it?", asks he to himself. As soon as this
thought passes through his mind a man wearing a white
beard is seen approaching him; then a brook comes to sight
and then a parapet by its side. The gardener sits on that
parapet, then carries one of his legs on the side of the brook
behind, and then the other, and suddenly drops into the
brook with a loud noise. With that sound, Behramshah
wakes up only to find that it was all a dream. So he diverts
his mind from all this and tries to forget it altogether. By now
his former unwillingness to go to the Rad-Saheb's camp
melts away, and he himself gets ready to proceed there. At
this time however, comes the attendant from the Rad-Saheb
and they both set out for the camp.
RAD-SAHEB RETELLS THE
DREAM BEHRAMSHAH HAD
After giving a kind reception to Behramshah and seeing
him in his seat, the Rad-Saheb smilingly speaks to him "Say Sir, how you lagged in your honesty and drowned that
poor gardener!" At that time Behramshah has forgotten
about the dream he had in the afternoon at the hotel and is
not able to follow what the Rad-Saheb intended to convey.
All the other members of the congregation assembled there
laugh heartily at his perplexity. This annoys Behramshah;
frowningly he asks the Rad-Saheb in an exasperated tone,
"Have you called me here to jest and mock at me?" The
Rad-Saheb then appeases him. But simultaneously,
Behramshah now becomes conscious that the remarks of
the Rad Saheb referred to the dream he had in the hotel.
Angrily he says, "That was what I saw in the dream. How did
you come to know about it?" The Rad Saheb replies, "Never
mind how I have known it, but is the tale true or not?", --and
Behramshah confirms the verity thereof.
EVERYBODY SHOWS
BEHRAMSHAH HIS SUDREH AND
KUSTI
The miraculous power shown by the Rad_Saheb deeply
impresses Behramshah. Thereafter some questions
concerning Behramshah's religion are put. 'Who is the
Dastoor (high-priest)
61
of your religion?" And so on, which questions Behramshah
answers from what little knowledge he possessed. During
this meeting the Rad Saheb reveals that he and all the
others in the camp are also Zoroastrians. All of them lift up
their robes and show their Sudreh and Kusti. Behramshah
seeing all this now begins to trust them fully and all
suspicions about them melt away. After this Behramshah
daily visits the camp, till one day, the Rad-Saheb informs
him about their decamping. Behramshah is induced to go
with them to Iran and he accepts the invitation. On this
Behramshah goes to Seth Jassawalla's famous banking firm
at Peshawar, with which firm he knew his father had some
business connections. He tells them that he wishes to
execute power-of-attorney in their favour to collect the sum
of Rs. 25/monthly, which he used to receive by post from his
uncle at Ajmer. When Behramshah informs Seth Jasawalla
about the Rad-Saheb and his own intention of going with
the latter to Iran, Seth Jassawalla seriously warns him that
such Pathans of the Frontier are very unreliable and
deceitful. But Behramshah tells him that he had given a
promise to go, and shows his resolute intention to carry it
out. Jassawalla then plans a stratagem. He telegraphs to
Surat calling far a wire to the effect that Behramshah's
mother is very seriously ill, and is yearning to meet her son.
Jassawalla had in his mind that Behramshah should take
such a telegram to the Rad-Saheb and thus be free from the
promise he had given.
RAD-SAHEB REVEALS
FABRICATION OF TELEGRAM
When the telegram is received, Behramshah is informed
of the same and is asked to take it with him to the RadSaheb and acquaint him with its contents. But the RadSaheb sees through the plan. He says, "I will just let you
know". So saying, he shuts his eyes and directs his spiritual
sight to the house where Behramshah used to dwell at Surat
and then infaorms Behramshah, "Taday happens to be your
mother's birthday and she is just having a very good meal of
rice and pulse and curd". Behramshah recollects that day to
be his mother's birthday according to the Parsi calendar, and
so accepts the veracity of the Rad-Saheb's statement. On
this Behramshah returns to Jassawalla and tells him about
what the Rad-Saheb had revealed. Seth Jassawalla is
wander-struck, and gives up his own previous objection
against Behramshah going to Iran with the Rad-Saheb, and
in fact agrees to it At last the tents are unpitched and the
small caravan commences its return journey to Mt.
Demavand with Behramshah as one of them.
62
The caravan is all on horse-back and wind through a
narrow track amidst the tall grass. But when Behramshah
looks back the track vanishes. All that is visible is the tall,
high grass everywhere. In fact the sight of the tall grass was
a mere illusion created for diverting away the notice of
others from their movements. In this way they are journeying
through Chitral (northwest of Kashmir), and at last after
several days they all halt near a barren mountain. Here the
horseman at the front dismounts and recites something
prayerfully. Immediately after this a square black stone
comes to sight. This stone is pulled out and thereafter many
more stones are also removed; and then comes to their view
what is like a tunnel. After entering the tunnel, they keep
climbing up the mountain for a great length of time in
complete darkness. At last the great vault of the sky comes
to view and they reach a lovely place, fresh and delightful.
Behramshah finds human habitations in this place.
.
The above story is recounted mostly from what was
directly heard in Gujarati from the Master himself. The
mountain referred to above is called Mount Daemavand or
Demavand Koh. It is referred to in the 8th paragraph of the
Pazand prayer, "Afreen-i-haft Ameshaspandan", as:
"Hama-Zoar Daemavand Koh ke dravand bivarasp
andar oye basta ested".
(Literal translation) - Be in accord with Daemavand Koh
(Mt.) in which is enchained the demon bivarasp, the demon
(with power) of ten thousand horses.
With regard to "bivarasp' it may be explained that the
word 'asp' meaning horse represents power. Here it stands
for the evil powers of the Dravand, demon. 10 in ten
thousand denotes perfection either in good or evil; thousand
horses indicate the thousand powers, i.e. innumerable evil
powers of the demon. Hence the sentence means 'Be in
accord with the holy saints-in seclusion in Mt. Daemavand
who by their incantations keep under control the devil perfect
in countless evil powers'.
Mount Demavand is on the north-east of Tehran, the
capital of Iran. By the side of a pleasant valley in the Mt.
Demavand area known as Alburz (Avesta-Har-Berez) our
Master said that there live in seclusion the holy Zoroastrian
sect of Saheb-Dilan numbering about 2,000. The head of
this sect is called the "Sraoshavarez". Since this SahebDilan sect and their chief, the holy Sraoshavarez Saheb, are
most intimately connected with and have played the highest
role in the marvelous training and spiritual enlightenment of
our Master, it is but meet to give some idea about them here
below before proceeding with the story of our Master.
63
THE HOLY "SAHEB-DILAN"
(MASTER-HEARTS)
While speaking about the above mentioned "SahebDilan" sect (Master-Hearts) our Master informed that fortynine years prior to the fall of the Zoroastrian Empire, some
holy Master-Souls of the time went into seclusion taking with
them the Holy Scriptures and whatever was required for the
strict observance of the Zoroastrian law of Asha, purity. They
and their followers or descendants still lead lives entirely in
tune with Nature and with the sublime teaching of the
Zoroastrian religion.
As regards the superiority of the 'Saheb-Dilan over the
followers of the other two Paths called the paths of revelation
there is found a reference to them in the book (in Gujarati)
entitled
"Jam-i-Kaikhushru
or
Mukashafat-i-Kaiwani",
meaning the Revelation of Kaiwani, originally containing
about 325 couplets in Persian describing the heavenly
experiences of the Dastur Saint Azar Kaiwan who had
become very famous in India by his great spiritual miracles
during the reign of the Mughal emperor Akbar the Great.
These couplets were translated from Persian in Gujarati in
the year Y. Z. 1217, that is, one hundred and ten years ago
by Syed Mir Ashraf Ali Munshi. In his preface, the learned
Moslem translator mentions (in 1946 reprint, p. 5) three types
of Paths of Revelation called Mukashafat or Mushahadat,
and states that the saints of the Saheb-Dil sect acquire
more light of Revelation than those who follow the other two
Paths. The passage regarding these three types of Paths
runs as under:
"The followers of the first Path are called doctors of
"Ilahiat" or "Mutaalihin", who by the purity of their body
and the power of austerity follow the Path of Revelation,
and regard all prophets and "Jisms", (earthly) bodies as
the Light of God. The second are the doctors of
"Ishrakin" who also, by the purity of their body and the
power of austerity, follow the Path of Light and acquire
the Knowledge of God, and regard all prophets as truly
sent by God, but do not pay obedience to any of them,
and do not recognize any distinction in different
religions; and in this Ishdikin system the occult (Baten)
path is easily attained. And the great, learned Azar
Kaiwan and all his disciples also followed this system.
- The third "Sufian"-that is Durvesh Sahebdel keep
faith in the prophet of their age and according to his
systems offer prayers of what is manifest and by the
purity of their body and the power of austerity so
advance on the Path of the Knowledge of Revelation
that they gain more light than the doctors of Mutaalihin
and Ishrakin".
64
Our Master had the extremely rare good fortune of
having been impelled to go to Peshawar and having been
admitted, though for a temporary period of some three and
a half years only, into the circle of such spiritually advanced
Saheb-Dilan referred to above. To these holy Sires our
Master has most reverently dedicated his first publication- a
veritable gem; the booklet entitled Ilm-i-Khshnoom Series
No.1 containing a Bird's eye view of 'llm-i-Khshnoom. This
booklet in spite of its extreme brevity covers all the salient
points about the entire Zoroastrian religion in all its aspects
including its practices and rituals. The dedication runs as
under:
"In the dear homeland of Iran, before the advent of
those dark days, when set the Sun of the Zoroastrian
religion, when the Zoroastrian religious and cultural
books were destroyed, the great Zoroastrian empire
became but a memory of the past and the illustrious
Zoroastrian nation was reduced to a handful community;
before the advent of this dark age some far-sighted
sages became "gofe-nasheen", i.e. went into seclusion
with the seeds of the Zoroastrian religion. At the sacred
feet of these great devotees, the holy saheb-Dil
Durveshes, the Master-Hearts who have renounced the
world, this brochure is held with the prayer that our little
Zoroastrian community may have for ever the protection
of the Dadgar Dadar Hormazd, the Creator, and the
benign shelter of the Hierarchy of Amshaspands and
Yazads and the Asho Farohars (the holy guardian
spirits) and the divine guidance of the Holy Ramz-go,
Spitaman Zarathushtra, Prophet of Prophets and the
blessings of the great Gofenasheen Sires of Ashoi
(purity) and Righteousness of Body, Mind and Soul.
Atha Jamyat Yatha Afreemami" (SO BE IT).
Note:
In the passage quoted above the term "Durveshes" is
used for the "Gofenasheen" Masters. It means pious and
holy men who are free from all worldly attachments and
vices. Our Master was the first to explain its Avestan
derivation-"Dur", far away from and "Vesh", from "Tbish",
harm, that is, abstaining from causing harm or injury to the
world-whether it be in the form of thought, speech or action.
So according to the religion of Zoroaster a "Durvesh" means
only a true highly developed man or woman who totally
keeps away from doing any harm to the good creation.
,
Our Master informed that prior to or shortly after, the fall
of the Zoroastrian empire twelve different sects were known
to have been formed who followed the Zoroastrian Faith to a
greater or lesser extent, and among these, the Saheb-Dilan
followed the
65
Zoroastrian religion in its pristine purity. The Chaechast
Sires who comprise the most advanced souls and who are
on, a plane higher even than the Saheb Dilan, stand quite
apart. Our Master used to say that this Chaechast sect went
into seclusion some two hundred years before the fall of the
Zoroastrian empire.
21 Nasks Concealed Talismanically in Underground
Iran
"Our Master informed that everything connected with
Mazdayasni Zarthoshti religion including certain rich
specimens of Zoroastrian culture and art from the time of the
world Deluge down to the fall of the Zoroastrian rule has
been preserved in a secret talismanic place in underground
Iran called Tangistan:
Similarly the holy sages of Chaechast possess the 21
Nasks composed by holy Zarathushtra, also the 21 Nasks of
Manthra Spenta caused to be composed by his closest
pupils under his own supervision, then again the 21 Nasks
of 'Mat-Azainti' (Gathas and their commentary), besides the
commentary of 21 Nasks in pure Pahlavi of those ages etc.
etc.-the whole comprising the essence and kernel of the
Zoroastrian Faith exists concealed in underground Iran."
(Parsi Avaz Weekly" p. 5, Dated 3-3-63).
Concept of 'Sraoshavarez'
As stated above the holy Sraoshavarez is the chief of
the Saheb-Dilan. It was Marzban Saheb, the
Sraoshavarez of the time, who had played the highest
role in the training of our Master. Hence it is but meet to
understand the true significance of the term
'Sraoshavarez' and his par excellence sublime position
in Nature.
In the Master's book (p. 114) of Ancient Zoroastrian
Education System the term Sraoshavarez has been
rendered as
"Worker for Sarosh Yazad; or one attuned with Sarosh; or
the listener of the Celestial Music of Sarosh Yazad;
(Sraosha=Sarosh Yazad; and Varez=worker").
Sraoshavarez is the highest of the eight grades of priests,
the designations of which occur in the Uzirin Geh prayer,
and in the Vandidad 5,57-58; 8, 17-18 and the Visparad; 3,
1-2, as:
(1) Fraberetar,
(5) Havanan,
(2) Aberetar,
(6) Atravakhsh,
(3) Asnatar,
(7) Zaota, and
(4) Rathvishkar,
(8) Sraoshavarez.
The duties of all these eight grades of priests have been
explained by the Master (p. 111 seq. ibid.) When a priest
attains the
66
seventh grade of Zaota he becomes a Yaozdathregar, that
is, one who has acquired the power of imparting purity to
other co-religionists. Towering above them all stands the
Sraosavarez, the most holy. The Master says (on p. 114
ibid.) that the rank of the Sraoshavarez is far superior to
and higher than even that of the Dasturan-Dastur (the high
priest
of
Dasturs). The
Sraoshavarez is
the
Zarathushtrotemo or the representative (of his age) of the
Holy Prophet and the heir to his seat. The Sraoshavarez
has reached this sublime stage after having passed through
all the seven stages of priesthood and after being
acquainted with all the duties connected with each stage.
He thoroughly comprehends the deep, inner, scientific
working and efficacy of all Zoroastrian rituals, and is
attuned with all the holy powers.
Between the seventh grade of the Zaota and that of the
Sraoshavarez (8th) come the intermediary grades of highpriests, such as, the Pesh, Nayab-Dastur, Dastur and
Dasturan-Dastur. The high-priests of all these grades even
among the Saheb-Dilan who are spiritually so highly
advanced, are strictly enjoined by Nature and by the Holy
Faith to live a married life. Thus they are distinct from the
Magavs and the Sraoshavarez, who is also a Magav,
inasmuch as they are not destined by Nature to lead a
married family life.
In S.B.E. Vol. IV the term Magav occurring in the
Vandidad, 4.47 is rendered philologically as one "who lives
in continence", which interpretation does not convey the' full
and real technical significance of that term. The fact is the
Maghav class have no need to marry, because the soul of a
Magav is a complete unit and an entire entity in the sense
that its holy feminine counterpart and its holy masculine
counterpart have mingled themselves by "Khaetvadatha"
(Ysn. 12,9) into one perfect whole soul. This stage is
preliminary to the return of the soul to its original home in
the heaven of the moon whence the soul was exiled to the
non-permanent worlds comprising the seven Dakhyus (Yt.
10,144), planes under Meher Yazad including this material
world for the correction and transfiguration of the Evil clung to
the soul. This highest stage of spiritual development into a
Magav is in turn attained only after both the relative masculine
and feminine holy counterparts of the soul have each
absorbed into themselves their respective and relative soul's
particles, first from the mineral to the vegetable kingdom
through manure, then from the vegetable to the animal
kingdom through herbal food, and from such animal into the
relative human counterparts concerned. We shall have
occasion to refer to this subject again at greater length in its
own place under Cosmography.
67
SRAOSHAVAREZ MARZBAN SAHEB,
THE HOLY SIRE WHO
SPIRITUALLY ENLIGHTENED OUR MASTER
With respect to the source of his knowledge our Master
mentions the name of his holy Sire as Sraoshavarez
Marzban, the holy Ustad Saheb (revered Master) of the
Saheb-Dilan sect: This reference is to be found in the
Master's booklet (pp. 2-3) entitled llm-i-Khshnoom Series
No.1 referred to above. The reference runs as under:
"After remembering the 'Vahed-i-Hakiki', the Absolute
One without a second, Minoan-Mino, the Invisible even
to the Invisibles, the Unspeakable, the Unknowable, the
Unthinkable, and thanking the Creator, Dadar Ahura
Mazda and invoking the name of the Vakhshoor-iVakhshooran, the Prophet of Prophets, Ramzgo, mystic
speaker the Holy Zarathushtra, and in accordance with
the plighted word of the heirs to the seat of the Holy
Prophet and the Divines of the Faith and by the grace of
the Sraoshavarez Marzban Saheb, the Great Master of
the Zoroastrian Saheb-Dilan sect, and after invoking
blessings as a most humble one (Khaksar), I present
the following few subjects; and I make a faint attempt to
give some slight idea of the knowledge I have been
fortunate to acquire according to my humble capacity of
the inner esoteric exposition of the pristine pure
Zoroastrian Faith, its practices and, rituals, and which
knowledge is a priceless inheritance of the Zoroastrian
community from Marzban Saheb, the Great Master of
the Zoroastrian Saheb-Dilan, through the grace of my
BagoBakht (literally share of Fortune) that is Khud."
.'
THE HOLY SRAOSHAVAREZ
AS PORTRAYED BY THE MASTER
In his book entitled Ancient Zoroastrian Educational
System (pp. 129-30) our Master has wonderfully portrayed
the sublime qualities of head and heart and status in Nature
of the Sraoshavarez. The Persian and other words in the
passage concerned are reproduced below as in the original
text for the edification of those readers who would
appreciate its superb language - the translation in English
follows thereafter:
"Whether in the sphere of Zoroastrian religious lore or in
that of religious practices the mastery of the holy
Sraoshavarez is perfect. He is the Rashidan-i-Rashid
Azahelenek va pakzadane mubarak nam-e-har Zaman;
Az bag-e-mino fam-e gunagun-e Zarathushti; Ark-e aoze munavvari; Alishan Kharidane_Vala; Amel-i-AmeIan;
Alem-I-Aleman; Kamel-I-Akamil; Fazel-i-Afazil; Bazel-IMunavvari,
68
Bi chun o bi misale har zaman; Muved-i-Muvedan;
Dastagir-i kudrat-i in zaman o har zaman; az har
mubarak kadami an Alishan Janab bar zamin armaiti
na'areh-zanan az shadan ba-afrinshad zi-i-munavvar
shae Zarthusht Spentaman Saheb-i- Delan."
(Translation)
He is the (spiritual) guide of guides; the most blessed
among the holy and the pious of every age; belonging to
the great perfected Master Souls of the Garden of the
Immortal World with its manifold sections; as it were the
very essence of Divine Light and Power; having the true
spirit of noble birth and descent; and having continuous
relationship with Sarosh; highest in the matter of
religious practices; the most advanced in the matter of
religious lore; having developed to perfection the powers
of the soul; thoroughly proficient in religious and all other
knowledge; endowed with the light of Divine knowledge,
and having the power to bestow gifts like Nature herself;
unequalled in every age; the highest among the
practicing priests, i.e. most advanced in religious practices; the guide of Nature in this age and every other
age; on every auspicious step of this Exalted Sire falling
on earth, Armaiti always acclaims with Joy "O you
luminous ray of the holy Spitaman Zarathosht-Saheb-eDilan - may you live in happiness". Such is the high and
exalted Master of Ashoi, of_Purity and Righteousness a Sraoshavarez. Which Zoroastrian reader with a heart
overflowing with devotion would not bow to one
possessing
such
sublime
designations
and
qualifications, one of such high descent, the Pir-iMaghavan, i.e. the leader of the Magavs - the great
Sraoshavarez Saheb?"
Having given some idea about the Saheb-Dilan and
their holy Sraoshavarez Saheb and the Magavs, we now
revert to the story about our Master.
THE MASTER WAS DRAWN TO PESHAWAR BY THE
POWER OF THE HOLY NIRANG FORMULAE
Our Master has explained how by some mysterious
working he had the rare good fortune of coming in contact
with this pious group of the Saheb-Dilan in the distant Mt.
Damavand in Iran, far, far away from his home at Surat in
Western India. His leaving his mother's home and being
unknowingly drawn to the out-skirts of Peshawar were but a
result of the mysterious working of some "Nirang" (powerful
sacred incantations) recited by his venerable Master,
Sraoshavarez Marzban Saheb in Iran. At the, bottom of all
this was his Bagobakht, his destined fortune. His entry into
Mt. Damavand was in connection with the repaying by the
Holy Marzban Saheb of a past obligation. Our Master
69
used to say that some 5,000 years ago in one of their past
lives, when Sraoshavarez Marzban was the general in an
Iranian battle, and he – Behramshah - was an ordinary
soldier, the General Marzban fell wounded by the sword of
the enemy when Behramshah carried him away in his arms
to a safe place, and saved his life. Our Master further said
that when he had gone to Mount Damavand it was the last
visit of the holy Sraoshavarez on earth. So before leaving
this world he wanted to repay this obligation under which he
was put by Behramshah and hence he by the sacred power
of his "Nirang" formulae managed to create a feeling of
strong disgust in the mind of Behramshah for his mother's
home and mysteriously lured him to the frontiers of
Peshawar, where Rasheed Saheb, who was his deputy
("Nayab") had encamped ready to contact him
(Behramshah). Hence the invitation to his tent to
Behramshah by Rasheed Saheb was according to the Holy
Marzban Saheb's plan. That all those events were not
simply accidental, Behramshah came to learn only at a later
stage, for while they were taking place, Behramshah was
totally unaware of the fact that some spiritual force arising
out of some holy "Nirang" was working over him and guiding
his steps. About the camp at Peshawar, our Master said that
a caravan of the Saheb-Dilan go to Peshawar once in every
three to five years for some barter business. They give
articles like wool, musk, amber etc. in exchange for cloth
and other things.
LIFE IN MT. DEMAVAND
While speaking of life at Mount Demavand, the Master said
that the common men were engaged in agriculture, and led a
true Zoroastrian life, and observed all "Tarikat" or canons of
purity as enjoined by the Holy Prophet. Before and after
partaking of food or drink or performing the daily ablutions
or attending to Nature's calls etc. they were scrupulously
strict in their observance of the anti-microbe "Baaj" rites to
keep their "Khoreh" (subtle human magnetism; Aura) pure,
and 'Drujih' proof i.e. free from all evil invisible magnetic
effects.
Our Master told us that he himself had stayed for three
years on Mt. Demavand. After that period he was sent to
visit places like Pamar etc. in Airyana Vaeja on the top of
the earthly globe, which took six months. And thereafter he
was sent back to India. Behramshah was very unwilling to
leave Mt. Demavand. But he was told by the venerable
Sraoshavarez Saheb to return to his native place Surat, and
lead married family life there and fulfill his 'Khesas's, in
accordance with the "Laws of Retributive Compensation
and Universal Adjustment with every visible and invisible
object and force in the Universe" referred to in the Master's
brochure, Ilm-i-Khshnoom Series No.1 (p. 25). So with a
very heavy heart Behramshah returned to India.
CHAPTER VI
MASTER’S TRAINING "SINAH-DAR-SINAH"
HEART TO HEART, AND THROUGH "SIJDA",
SPIRITUAL TRANCE – THE MIRACLE OF
THE PRESENT AGE
Here an important question arises with regard to the
Master's education and knowledge. When he left his native
home of Surat, he had not studied beyond the 3rd or 4th
vernacular standard. We may say he was almost uneducated. What miracle therefore transformed him from a
veritable state of illiteracy to be a Master of Knowledge in all
its branches including sciences, known and unknown, within
the short span of his three years' stay at_ Mt. Demavand?
In this connection it is important to state, that the usual
method of imparting school training through books was not
resorted to in his case. The methods employed were what
the Master described as "Sinah_dar_Sinah" (heart to heart),
and through "Sijda" (a sort of visualization before hism
mind’s eye_ of objects and events relating to the earth or
the seven Dakhyu’s, invisible planes of the Space under
Meher Yazad, or the planetary heavens and beyond) in a
sort of spiritual cinematograph about which more will be
said later.
Preparatory to his training by the above two methods,
however, the four powers called 'Atash’, fire-energies of the
brain which remain latent in-ordinary worldly people were first
caused to be developed by making the Master practice strictly
all the Zoroastrian laws of purity (Ashoi), and of the Zoroastrian
anti-microbe Baaj' rites to be observed before and after
partaking of meals, attending Nature's calls, etc. We shall soon
have occasion to deal at some length with the above four
'Atash' fire energies.
About the method of "Sinah-dar-Sinah" by which the Master
received 1/8th of all his knowledge, it is 'stated in the
Introduction to his “Ilm-e.Khshnoom Series No._1” (p.7):
"This knowledge of Khshnoom is not ordinary material
knowledge, and this knowledge is received as an
inheritance
71
by disciple from his Master imparted from heart to heart.
This 'Khshnoom' is not knowledge to be acquired by
reading and writing or committing books to memory, but
this knowledge is imparted through the grace of the
Master after the disciple has gone through the discipline
of certain Zoroastrian religious practices and rites".
THE MASTER PLACED UNDER
A LADY TEACHER FOR HIS PRIMARY TRAINING
About the Master it is reported that at the colony of
Saheb-Dilan known as "Firdaus' (Paradise) on Mt.
Demavand he was at first kept in charge of a lady teacher
by the name of Banoo Tannaz. In the book on "Ancient
Zoroastrian Educational System" (p. 177) it is said:
"That lady teacher in accordance with our system of
religious training at first gets every child to learn by
heart every letter of the Avestan language with proper
'Imla', correct pronunciation. When those letters are
perfectly memorized the child is taught to write in a
correct artistic style, and to read, with proper 'Karahat',
proper intonation and modulation."
r
It will be seen, therefore, that the Master was first taught to
read and write Avesta and Pablavi.
The reason why a female teacher is by nature more
suited than a male for imparting primary training is
explained (on p. 172 ibid,) that the female sex possesses in
her eyes a power nine times more effective than that in a
male, and which is known as "Vanthvo Frado", (Yt. 5,1) i.e.,
one of the five magnetic powers (Frad) present in water in
its original, natural and pure state. Owing to the high extent
of this Vanthvo-Frado power in a woman, she possesses in
herself the art, as it were, of placing in the mouth of the
opposite party whatever words she likes. Consequently, a
child picks up more easily what is imparted by a female
teacher than by a male.
As stated before, the knowledge of Khshnoom was
imparted to our Master by two methods, technically known as
_ (1) the "Sinah-dar-Sinah" (heart to heart); and (2) the
'Sijda", spiritual trance. This knowledge of Khshnoom
includes not only the dry bare-bone philological knowledge of
the Avesta-Pahlavi-pazand languages, but also a profound
knowledge of the inner scientific exposition of the great laws
underlying the Zoroastrian religious observances and
practices commonly known as "Tarikat” and of religious
ceremonies for the benefit of the living and for the peace and
progress of the dead.
72
In "Sinah-dar-Sinah" a master gets the disciple to go
through various exercises of Zoroastrian purity to develop
gradually the four latent "Atash" (energies) of the brain of
the disciple referred to on p. 31 of the book called Ancient
Zoroastrian Educational System as (1) Atash-i-Dara. (2)
Atash-i-Neryosangh. (3) Atash-i-Khoreh, and (4) Atash-iFrah, as a result of which the soul displays the powers of
Airyaman, Saoka and Ashi in greater or lesser degrees. It is
there explained as follows:
Owing to the development of the Atash-i-Dara the soul
begins to imbibe very quickly the "Gosho-srut-Kherad", i.e.
the knowledge acquired from the Master through personal
hearing by the ear. This is because it develops in full force
real faith born of a devoted heart towards his own "Ilm",
knowledge, and towards the bestower of that knowledge –
the holy Prophet and towards all agencies that preserve
and propagate that knowledge, such as the Saoshyants, the
future benefactors, the Zarathushtrotemos, the heirs to the
seat of Zarathushtra, and the Raenidars, the Resuscitators
of the Faith, and the Olemas, the (holy) savants of the
Faith. In proportion to the development of the "Atash-iDara", the "Atash-i-Neryosangh" gradually brightens up.
Owing to this the soul begins to acquire in three lower to
higher gradations the power of "Airyaman". Because of this
he begins to acquire the power of reading from afar the
"Mithra" or the thoughts of others, and he begins to gain
from Nature the higher form of "Aata, (gift, inspiration;
intuition). Thereafter, in proportion to the development of
the Atash-i-Dara andthe Atash-i-Neryosangh, the "Atash-iKhoreh" brightens up. As a consequence of this the soul
acquires in three lower to higher gradations the power of
"Saoka", owing to which the soul begins to get
"Mukashafat", i.e. acquires the power of hearing sounds
however far off, as well as the "Nada", or Sounds patent or
latent - from the in-visible worlds. And on being attuned with
Yazats they can also hear their Sounds. Finally in
proportion to the development of the Atash-i-Dara, Atash-iNeryosangh and Atash-i-Khoreh, gets brightened up the
"Atashi-Frah". In this way the soul acquires in three lower to
higher degrees the best power of "Ashi", owing to which the
soul begins to get "Mushahadat", that is, acquires the power
of seeing things howsoever distant or the (subtle) things of
the invisible worlds, and enters the stage of gaining from
Nature the 'Hilam", inspiration of the higher grade of "Amru"
or inspiration of the higher type. In the lower stage of this
"Hilam" he attains the stage of "Sijda-i-Nimroo", i.e.,
acquires the power of seeing with the spiritual eye with the
help of the Ustad Saheb; and in the higher stage of "Hilam"
he gains the power of "Sijdii-i.-Amru" as a result of which is
evolved the power of seeing with the spiritual eye
independently without the aid of the Ustad Saheb (Master).
73
The soul that has advanced to the stage of Atash-i-Dara,
Neryosangh, and Khoreh, gains only the lower stage of
Hilam, i.e. Sijda-i-Nimru; but the soul that has developed
the Atash (energy) of Frah attains the higher stage of Hilam.
i.e. Sijda-iAmru. '
Our Master told us that 7/8ths of the knowledge imparted
to him was through the method of "Sijda", literally meaning
adoration. This was done by making him fall into a kind of
spiritual trance by accelerating the motion of his higher
consciousness, and then making him see, as if, in a sort of
cinematograph what the physical eyes or powers of the mind
could never behold. The Master said he was shown how
Nature worked in its own unseen ways. He could see the
Kehrps, the invisible spiritual bodies of the great kings and
warrior- saints of ancient times. The remaining 1/8th of his
knowledge was imparted to him orally by the method of
"Sinah-dar-Sinah", explained above. It was in this way that
the enigmatical lines in the Shah-Nameh were explained to
him.
While speaking of the knowledge that he obtained by the
"Sijda" method" the Master used to say, that in the Sahebdilan colony at Demavand Koh as the "Aivisroothrem Gah"
commences, i.e., the "Gah" properly begins (72 minutes
after sunset), there are held every night in its spacious hall,
classes for imparting knowledge to common men and
women. The members of the entire Saheb-dilan community
are also admitted there. The ladies present themselves with
a partial veil on the face, and sit in a separate apartment
reserved for them in that hall. The people of the special
class and the laity return to their dwellings late in the night,
but the Khas-ul-khas sahebs, i.e. the exceptionally privileged
of the privileged Masters, the Magavs, enter into Sijda, a
kind of spiritual trance (referred to above) with their chief,
the holy Sraoshavarez, during the whole Ushahin Gah i.e.
the period after midnight up to dawn. Of this "Sijda" the
higher type is called the "Sijda-i-Amroo' and the lower, the
"Sijda-i-Nimroo" explained above. Some incidents of ancient
Iranian history or other past events dealt with in the evening
classes are visualized to them in this state of trance. For example, they are shown the battle of the great warrior-saint
Tehmtan Rustam with the Safed- Dev or the White Devil, as
well as the unseen noumena of Nature like the first dawn of
the pre cosmo-genesis creation. When such scenes are to
be visualized, the Sraoshavarez Saheb or his deputy makes
all members present, form a circuit by each member linking
himself with the next one by a kerchief. Then they are all
made to recite together a particular "Nirang" or sacred
formula. At this time, the spiritual vision of each of them is
elevated to such a high level that each disciple sees but the
trace of the Sraoshavarez Saheb and by the
74
power of the "Nirang" and by the power of his own purity and
righteousness as if in a cinematograph some great events of
the past or scenes of Nature, as naturally as if they were just
taking place. Due to this sublime process the events or
scenes beheld leave on the mind a permanent indelible
impression. In this way, Our Master, by virtue of his
incomparable good fortune, had seen Nature's inconceivable
ceremony of Creation relating to the First Dawn in Nature,
that is, emergence of the pre-cosmo-genesis or preUniverse Creation. He said he had also the rare good
fortune of hearing the sacred Celestial Music of Ahunavar
(Ysn. 19), which pervades through Nature without a break.
He also saw the exquisite and the most sacred Kehrp i.e.
the invisible form of the holy Spitman Zarathushtra. The
splendor of the Khoreh (aura) of the Kehrp of the holy
prophet was so intense that it dazzled Behramshah's eyes,
despite the fact that the holy Kehrp was brought to his vision
not directly, but through a curtain of Staota (invisible
supernatural vibrationary colours) in between created by his
holy Master. In this way through the grace of the holy
Sraoshavarez Murzban, Behramshah was able to have a
vision of some historical events and some great historical
personages and Nature's various noumena. The memories
of such actual visions remained ever fresh in his mind – so
deep was the impression left by them on the spiritual vision
of the (Mutashareffa) supreme latent power of the brain.
PARTING CEREMONY OF
HOLY MASTER'S
BENEDICTIONS
Our Master used to say that when a disciple has
finished the education and training through Sinah-dar-Sinah
and Sijda, the Sraoshavarez Saheb arranges for the
"Afringan" ceremony for the purpose of conferring his holy
benediction known as "Daham Afriti" on the, disciple before a
large congregation. In this Afringan ceremony besides other
things a glass of Sherbet or fruit juice is included, which
(Sherbet) gets charged and infused with the Daham-Afriti or
blessings on the disciple. And when the Afringan js over the
disciple is made to drink this Sherbet.
The knowledge already conferred by the grace of the
Sraoshavarez Saheb now gets indelibly imprinted in the
mind after drinking, the Sherbet replete with his blessings.
He is now invested with the authority to spread the
knowledge imparted to him.
Such blessings or Daham-Afriti were conferred on our
Master when his training by the systems of Sinah-darSinah and Sijda was completed. That is why he possessed
so perfectly –the esoteric as well as the exoteric knowledge
of the Mazdayasni, Zarathushtri religion. Only because of
this knowledge and the blessings conferred on him, he could
deliver public lectures on
75
'the' most abstruse subjects extempore without any notes,
with perfect ease and freedom and without a break. Besides
his religious knowledge, he possessed profound knowledge
of several sciences. This was possible, he said, because
among the Saheb Dilan_every disciple under training was
imparted the knowledge of a certain high standard of all the
natural sciences known and unknown. But as regards the
subject or branch of study that a disciple had specially
selected for himself, complete and perfect knowledge and
training was given to him. Because our revered Master
selected for special study the knowledge of the Zoroastrian
religion, the Ilm-i-Khshnoom of the Zoroastrian religion was
given to him in perfection.
On page 133 and onwards of the book Ancient
Zoroastrian Educational System, a detailed explanation is
given regarding the "Daham-Afriti” the 'blessings' of the holy
Master, referred to above and the Myazd or the consecrated
fruits etc. used in the ceremony. There is a reference on
these pages to the "Jashan" ceremony also regarding the
"Daham-Afriti".
After the Daham Afriti ceremony on the completion of
the course of discipleship of our Master which covered the
teaching of the esoteric philosophy of the Holy Faith and the
practical life of purity through Sinah-dar-Sinah and Sijda, the
Master was told that the time for him to return to India had
come. As stated above, Behramshah was most reluctant to
part from his Magav-Master, the holy Sraoshavarez. But the
latter informed him that in order to complete his 'Kisas’, i.e.
his former obligations in Nature he must return to India and
pass through a married life. So with a very heavy heart our
Master had to return to India.
PHIAL OF MIRACULOUS LIQUID
PRESENTED TO MASTER AT
PARTING
When the Master left Mt. Demavand the priceless treasure
of learning that was bestowed upon him was not the sole
gift. But besides that, at the time of leaving, the
Sraoshavarez Saheb presented him with a phial of
miraculous liquid called "Aksir-i-Azam", which if applied to an
ordinary piece of copper possessed the unique quality of
turning it into gold as if by alchemy. Our Master was not born
to serve, not to engage himself in the trade for his
maintenance and though nothing had come to him by way of
inheritance or a legacy, yet when he died on 7th July 1927,
he left behind a large sum. His holy master had told him that
the wealth he had got was destined for him in accordance
with his ‘Kisas’, and that was why that gracious gift was
bestowed on him.
76
After returning to India, the Master kept touring all over
the country for ten years. During travels, the master used to
keep in his trunk small pieces of copper, and when the need
arose he used to turn them into gold by the wonderful
"Aksir-I-Azam" above mentioned, and then sell away the
gold. The major portion of this "Aksir-i-Azam, he used up in
travels alone. Had he saved the same, he could have had a
considerably large sum of money. It was said that the
master was cautioned in a dream by the Sraoshavarez
Saheb in the following words "You have been given a cow,
do not cut and eat it but milk it". After this admonition the
master deposited his moneys in a bank.
When his travels were over he settled at Surat, and
lived a simple, married life in that city for about 17 years.
Thus for (10 plus 17 =) 27 long years he spoke not a word
to any Zoroastrian about the ocean of knowledge he
possessed. But as he said, he often used to converse at
length with the Mulla, the Muslim Bora high priest of Surat,
on many philosophical and religious topics. And the Mulla in
admiration of the Master's superb knowledge invested him
with a "khela'at" that is, a robe of honour.
ALCHEMY IS NOT A MYTH
Alchemy had originated first with the Magis of ancient
Persia. It may have later migrated into Egypt. Its knowledge
having become extinct since long from the outer world, the
above-mentioned "Aksir-e-Azam" literally meaning 'supreme
elixir or philosopher's stone' was considered a myth in
certain quarters. How this belief is erroneous and based on
absence of genuine knowledge will be realized from the
following extract taken from "The New Standard
Encyclopedia" published by the "Times of India", Bombay :
"Alchemy. Early form of chemistry_ associated with
magic. It originated most probably with the
Egyptians and was concerned chiefly with the
transmutation of metals. The belief that the baser
metal could be transmuted into gold or silver arose
quite early and was held, among others, by the
Egyptian alchemist Hermes Trismegistus, who wrote
on the matter. The transmutation was effected, so it
was believed, by the philosopher's stone, called by
Hermes an egg………. The Greeks studied alchemy, especially in connection with their theories of
the elements, but the art owes more perhaps to the
Arabs, who learned a good deal about it when they
conquered Egypt, and invaded the treasured
learning of Alexandria.
77
The Arab alchemists carried their knowledge into
Europe where the subject was much studied during
the Middle Ages both by them and by the English,
French, Dutch and other nations.
Among the Medieval alchemists were Roger
Bacon, Albertus Magnus and Thomas Aquinas, but
there were many others and quite a literature grew
up on the subject. The more credulous occupied
themselves with seeking to create living beings,
while a number, Paracelsus among them, asserted
that they had discovered the elixir of life, which was
the philosopher's stone dissolved in alcohol.
In the 16th and 17th centuries the alchemists
became more akin to the chemists of today. The
alchemists of this time included Edward Kelley,
Christopher, Baldwin, Sir Kenelm Digby and John R.
Glauber. In the 18th century, James Price, called the
last of the alchemists, professed to have discovered
the philosopher's stone, but he committed suicide
rather than repeat his experiment. Before his death,
however, in 1783, Robert Boyle had rounded the
science of chemistry and the age of alchemy was
over."
From the above extract it will be understood that
ALCHEMY IS NOT A MYTH, nor is it merely an ordinary
chemical experiment, but is "associated with magic" i.e. with
sacred mystic formulae, of which the holy sages of Mt.
Demavand are past masters. Moreover, in the above
extract, it is stated about 'elixir' that it was the 'philosopher's
stone dissolved in alcobol' i.e. it was liquid. The 'Aksir-eAzam' presented to our Master was also in liquid form. The
English word 'elixir' in which the prefix 'el' stands for definite
article 'the' and 'ixir' is the very word Aksir in Persian,
meaning elixir, and 'azam' means supreme; the English
dictionary meaning of 'elixir' is 'alchemiists' preparation
designed to change metal into gold or (elixir of life) prolong
life'. Thus, to repeat, alchemy is not a myth, but a truth.
Communication With the Holy
Sraoshavarez Through The Power of
"Nirang" (Sacred Formulae)
After settling down at Surat, the Master often held communion with the holy Sraoshavarez in Mt. Demavand
through the power of some "Nirang" or "Nirangs" (sacred
formulae).
78
As explained before, as regards communion in this way
through 'Sijda' or spiritual trance, there are two grades-the
higher being called the "Sijda-i-Amroo", and the other
"Sijdai-Nimroo". In an interview, this writer was informed by
the Master that a disciple who was fit to enter the 'Sijda-iAmroo' or the higher grade of trance had to repeat
continuously the 'Nirang' or 'Nirangs', and ,he would receive
the answer from his Master. A disciple who can only enter
the 'Sijda-i-Nimroo' when he desires to commune, is
required to say the 'Nirangs' continuously and his Master
may, if he wishes, respond or he may not.
This communion, the Master explained, is held through
the medium of flashes of light, which could be interpreted by
a certain method. To give a very crude material comparison,
it would appear to be something like the Morse-code
signaling at night between a post on land and a ship at sea
with the aid of red electric bulbs.
CHAPTER VII
MASTER'S LIFE IN PUBLIC
The first time the master ever gave a glimpse of his
deep Zoroastrian religious lore was at the fire-temple of the
Bagh-iParsa in Surat. The Principal of the Mission High
School, Surat, the late Mr. Manchershaw Palanji Kekobad
was running a 'Bazm' or Institution for the purpose of
imparting Zoroastrian religious instruction to some Parsee
youths of the time. In the 'Ustad Saheb Memorial Volume'
(p. 251 seq.) Mr. Manchershaw writes as follows:
"One day a boy had given a brief discussion on 'Fire'. At
that time Seth Behramshah was present there. He
started asking the boys in a soft tone, 'Do you know
anything about 'Atash-i_Berezi Sawangha'? Have you
learnt about 'Atari-Vohu Friyan'? Did you hear anything
about 'Atash-iDara', 'Ader Froba', 'Ader Gushasp'? We
were taken aback. So we requested him to enlighten us
on those topics. Thereupon he indicated the outlines
about the sixteen kinds of 'Atash', i.e., Fire-energies. On
the next day we requested him to speak again on the
same subject. His lecture would include Persian and
Arabic terms that were absolutely foreign to us. The
subject was entirely new, and its treatment also
different. That is why we got him to speak on it four or
five times, and then we could grasp about I/8th of what
he said. In this way, the 'Bazm' began to have the
Master everyday amidst it. Gradually the Ilmi-Khshnoom
started spreading among the boys. Thus Some three
years passed. During the time the thought of taking_the
Master to Bombay to disclose the Ilm-i-Khshnoom
there, constantly occurred to the writer (Mr.
Manchershaw) in which the Invisible Masters helped."
"Just at this time it so happened that Mr. Kaikhushru,
Choksi of Bombay came to Surat and disclosed his scheme
of opening a class in that city where zealous young students
of the priestly class could be given sound religious
knowledge coupled with English, Persian and other subjects,
so that, they could be brought out from the pit of
80
ignorance. He also promised to give scholarships from
his own purse. But the crux of the question was to fix
the nature of religious instruction to be given. Mr.
Choksi found the knowledge imparted (through
philology) on rationalistic lines very bare and dry and
so he requested me to get him a religious teacher who
could impart to his students the knowledge of the type
he wanted. At this juncture I told him certain facts about
Behramshaji. The very same day Mr. Choksi got me to
accompany him for an interview with Behramshaji.
From the talks Mr. Choksi was convinced that
Behramsha was the person fit for his class. He
disclosed his scheme and solicited Bahramshaii to
undertake the work of imparting religious instruction.
THE UNFORESEEN HITCH
"But Behramshaji refused.
'No amount of solicitations would prevail upon him to
change his mind. He persisted in his objection saying
that Mata', the Time factor was not suitable. This is a
Material Age' he said, 'and this knowledge was not one
to be wasted on inappreciative listeners, as it would be
like throwing pearls before swine. It is to be placed only
before the Talib-i-Ilm, i.e. the true seekers for
knowledge'. Mr. Choksi left the Herculean task to me.
Somehow I succeeded in getting Behramshah round
after two or three attempts, despite his remonstrances.
How I was able to manage to overcome his resolute
mind, I can't say. Evidently the distant Invisible Masters
had played their part in solving the deadlock."
ILM-I-KHSHNOOM CLASSES CONDUCTED BY
THE MASTER IN BOMBAY
Those who succeeded in persuading Behramshaji to
give his consent to deliver lectures in Bombay and who
made the necessary arrangements for the same, were the
late learned Mr. Kaikhusru Burjorji Choksi, the late learned
Ervad Pheroze Shapurji Masani and the late Ervad Sohrab
Jamaspji Panthaki. At first Behramshah conducted Mr.
Kaikhusru Choksj's private classes for the Athornans
(priests) at the Anjuman Atash Behram (fire temple). On his
establishing in 1910 the 'Zoroastrian Ilm-i-Khshnoom
Institute' the Alma Mater of this beatific Knowledge he
conducted classes for some time in the Sodawaterwala's
Fire Temple, and thereafter in the Banaji's Fire-Temple. But
at last the late learned Mr. Dinshah S. Masani requested the
Master to deliver his lectures on Ilm-e-Khshnoom in the hall
of the
81
'Parsi Vegetarian and Temperance Society' (which was
under his management) and the Master acceded to his
request.
Not only did this Parsi Vegetarian Society and its sister
institution, the Zoroastrian Raadi Society (established later)
put their spacious lecture hall at the service of the Master,
but these two institutions dedicated to the great cause of
Khshnoom their finances, their 'Frasho-Gard' (i.e.
Renovation) quarterly magazine, their 'Frasho-Gard' printing
press, and above all, their best expert workers of the time
like the good and enthusiastic (the late) Ervad Sohrab
Panthaki, (the late) learned Ervad Pheroze S. Masani, (the
late) learned Merwan Katgara and (the late) learned Mr.
:Dinshah S. Masani. Thanks to all these workers the active
propaganda for spreading the pristine pure knowledge of
Khshnoom in the community could be conducted zealously.
Vast literature in the shape of books and pamphlets in the
Gujarati language was produced and thousands of copies of
each publication were distributed. This was done either
entirely free of cost or at nominal price. With regard to the
expenses incurred, the inspiring presence of the Master, it is
true, attracted public donations, both large and small, yet it
is doubtful if that propaganda work would have been
possible to such a large extent without the help of the
Societies' funds.
Thus there was something remarkable in the good
fortune of the above two Societies that made them the
sponsors of that beatific knowledge, whereby they became
the bulwark of orthodoxy and their lecture hall the platform
of Khshnoom.
LIGHT
OUT
DARKNESS
OF
Here (in this lecture hall) the Ustad Saheb conducted
for years his two-day fortnightly classes; here flocked the
learned besides the common people and drank the nectar of
Khshnoom which Ustad Saheb had brought from his MagavMasters-in-seclusion, and which he did cautiously and
sparingly pour out to the extent of their mental calibre and
equipment for imbibing such abstruse knowledge.
Thus did Ustad Saheb fill with joy the hearts of the
Zoroastrian devotees who were seekers after the true
knowledge of their Faith, and spread light in the community
that was groping in the dark in spite of the teaching of the
philological school. In this great cause the two Societies
above mentioned have been fortunate enough to render
great service with all the resources at their command. We
earnestly wish they may be able to maintain their past high
traditions of religious service to the community.
82
As regards the great stimulus, which the propaganda of
Khshnoom received at the time, the reader's attention may
well be drawn to one very important contributory factor. Year
after year under the auspices of the Zoroastrian Radih
Society and supervision of the Master himself, the Fasli
Takchian (second grade Muktad,*) ceremonies were
celebrated in the suburbs of Bombay among natural
surroundings far away from the impure atmosphere of city
life. In these ceremonies glass vases were used instead of
the usual metal (silver or german silver) vessels. This was in
accordance with the teachings of the Ustad Saheb who
explained that whenever the Zoroastrian Calendar was
disorganized, owing to not taking into account the leap year,
metal vases cannot be consecrated for each individual
departed soul as was and is the current practice, as it is
opposed to the teachings of the Zoroastrian religion. The
Master further explained that under such circumstances
pure glass vases filled with pure well water should be used
as containers for holding flowers possessing superior
Khoreh (Aura) in the ceremonies for 18 days. He further
taught that such Takchian ceremonies should be performed
for the benefit of groups of souls concerned who are
attracted to these ceremonies during this holy period.
To the above type of ceremonies consecrated by
Zoroastrian Radih Society hundreds of devoted Zoroastrians
flocked to pay their homage year after year, and thus the
teachings of Khshnoom received very wide publicity.
The Late Ervad Pheroze Masani –
A Great Worker In the Cause of
Khshnoom
In the galaxy of the principal workers for the propaganda
of llm-i-Khshnoom during Ustad Saheb's time, one figure
that stands out prominently is the late Ervad Pheroze
Shapurji Masani, - M.A.LL.B., Solicitor. The wonderful
knowledge, which the Ustad Saheb imparted, was really and
clearly grasped by this great scholar who spread it in the
community in a language, which was as simple and
comprehensible as it was learned and masterly. He had a
very bright career at the University, and was a profound
scholar of Avesta-Pahlavi-Pazand and Persian, and while
the scholars of the world possess only the linguistic
knowledge of these languages, Ervad Pheroze and his
brother Dinshah Masani were the only scholars in Ustad
Saheb's time who were
----------------------------------------------------------------------* Installation of copper or silver or glass vases filled with
sacred well water holding fresh roses and other flowers (with
sterns) of superior aura placed on marble-topped tables, and
special Ceremonies for the benefit of the departed souls,
performed before them during the last 10 days of each
Zoroastrian year, and the same continued for the first 8 days
of the succeeding new year.
83
proficient in both the branches of the Avesta study, viz.,
philology and Khshnoomic exegesis. Besides this, he (Ervad
Pheroze) possessed great knowledge of the intricacies of
the Zoroastrian ceremonies, and the strict principles of
Purity enjoined in the religion. He had gone through the
usual Navar-Maratab training of a Parsi priest and led a life
that was in tune with the Zoroastrian canons of purity
compatible with his times. Despite these high qualifications
and learning, he was a very modest and un-assuming
worker, who dedicated his life to the service of the Master
and the service of his religion. Besides his interesting
lectures, he spread the Ilm-e-Khshnoom through the
"Frasho-gard", the quarterly magazine of the Parsi
Vegetarian Society, which Society he had established with
the help of his co-workers. As the Master disclosed new
branches of the difficult lore of the Ilm-e-Khshnoom, Ervad
Pheroze went through them with remarkable intelligence,
and with his knowledge of philology he quoted references
from the Pahlavi, Pazand, Avesta etc., which lent support to
and embellished the sublime teachings of the Master. Had it
not been for this enlightened assistant it is doubtful whether
Ilm-e-Khshnoom could have gained the rapid publicity as it
did, in the community in the time of the Master.
For expounding his lore the Master employed certain
'Keys' for unraveling different branches of knowledge. Each
'Key' opened out a wide vista of the subject concerned.
Thus to say in extreme brevity, Key No.1 contained the
"Description pf the Pre-Cosmo-Genesis or pre-Universe
world". Key No.2 taught the 'Description of the Map and
Cosmography of the Universe", particularly of the Space
between the earthy globe and the heaven of the Moon at
the bottom of the planetary world, of the cosmic regions,
stations etc., of which there are numerous references in
Avesta, Pahlavi and Pazand, and there is detailed
cosmography in Khshnoom, while in philology it is
conspicuous by its absence. Key No.3 dealt with the
"Commentary on the self-created-Iong-cycle-of-Time"
referred to in the Avesta as 'Zarvane-daregho-khadat,
which according to Khshnoom comprises 81,000 years, and
dealt with the 'Calculations of the heavens' during that long
Time, treating in terms of major, inter and minor planetary
Time-cycles, (especially of ancient Iran), the periods of rise
and fall of the Zoroastrian religion within the above
mentioned 81,000 years. In this way, these Keys impart
ready and genuine knowledge connected with the
Zoroastrian spiritual and exegetical Teachings quite
unknown in philology and in which guess-work has no
place.
It was owing to his (Masani's) receiving such deep and
concatenated knowledge with the help of such Keys, which
emboldened him to write to the then learned Principal of the
Mulla
84
Feroze Madressa of Avesta and Pahlavi, that the knowledge
he derived in three months through Khshnoom was more
than what he acquired in five years through Philology. This
shows the superiority of Khshnoom over Philology, in the
matter of exegesis, though for that reason it is not intended
to under-rate the undeniable importance of the philological
study of Avesta and Pahlavi. In fact, in order to understand
the Zoroastrian religion in its pristine purity and fullness, one
must have knowledge of both the sides of Zoroastrian
religious studies, namely, philology and Khshnoom. To
become a competent scholar of Avesta it is essential to have
a perfect mastery of philology as well as of its inner esoteric
knowledge called Khshnoom.
In the Master's time especially between 1910 and 1920
several series of public lectures were delivered in the
Anjuman FireTemple Hall in Bombay. During such series of
lectures it was noticed that though the various subjects
treated by the Master were of extremely abstruse type and
each series generally continued successively for a fortnight,
the large lecture hall used to be packed with an audience
who included many highly educated ladies and gentlemen
besides the Avesta-Pahlavi scholars. During these lectures it
was the practice for Ervad Pheroze first to read out a paper
and then Ustad Saheb (the Master) himself explained for
about half an hour some new points on the same subject.
Besides these lectures, articles on various religious subjects
were often published in the daily paper 'Jam-eJamshed' and
in the New Year Numbers of the 'Sanj-Vartaman.
All these lecture-papers and newspaper articles were
prepared rapidly and in a masterly way by Ervad
Pheroze with the aid of the above said 'Keys' by
embellishing the expositions of Khshnoom with
scriptural references of Avesta and Pahlavi, besides
giving English, Latin, Persian, Arabic or Sanskrit equivalents for the technical terms of Khshnoom wherever
available, all couched in simple, lucid Gujarati language,
thus bringing about happy fusion of both the exoteric
and esoteric sides of Avestan studies, the life force to
which all was the Master's heart-rejoicing expositions of
Khshnoom.
In the articles contained in the Ustad Saheb Memorial
Volume published as "Frasho-Gard" Volumes 17 & 18 we
find one common note of astonishment felt by the various
learned writers as to how the Master could keep up in his
lectures the remarkable systematization and concatenation
of the subjects dealt with so characteristic of him.
The Master's method of disclosing and infusing
knowledge was quite certain and methodic, leaving no room
at all for confusion. In his lectures, sometimes it was felt that
he was digressing from the subject dealt with, but soon
would the listener
85
realize that instead of taking him: straight up a steep climb of
intricate subject, he was taking him round the mountain by a
circuitous path, long but easy. But one thing was certain that
a regularized and definite system pervaded throughout his
lectures and articles, whether they were in his highly
technical pithy language or in ordinary delineation of a
subject. Whenever he commenced a fresh topic, he would
start with AHU (the Absolute One without a second) or
Ahunavar (Ysn. 19) or Ahura Mazda, the creator, suitable to
the nature of the topic selected for exposition, and then
come to the subject in point, connect it with the main topic
and finally link it up again with its origin, thus completing the
circle of thoughts.
The unique characteristic of the Master's version of a
subject was that unlike the generality of lecturer’s who
reproduce what they have read; he (the Master) was
expounding Nature's phenomena and noumena, which he
had actually seen in "Sijda".
During private interviews when the Master was not
minded to divulge something or when he did not want to
cross the limit set by himself for disclosing the Khshnomic
knowledge, but when someone interviewing him continued
to press for more knowledge, or when someone visited him
with the intention of testing his knowledge, he would give
some such evasive answer as, "Pheroze Masani) writes all
this, I do not understand Avesta or English"; and thus even
passed himself off as an ignoramus, ,
when he considered some interviewer undesirable. Sometimes
he would smilingly relate some anecdotes in the class. With
those who talked tall, he would never enter into a controversy,
nor offend them in any way. He would sometimes say in the
class: "Our Masters have taught the art of nodding, according
to which when someone talks in an imposing way, one must
hear him and keep nodding to what he says". He cared
nothing if the man would go to his friends and boast that he
had fooled Behramshah in this way and that.
Despite all this, if a really ardent seeker of knowledge or
same truly advanced scholar approached him with
questions, the Master would first quickly test his 'Maddo'
(mental equipment), and find out how far that person would
be able to grasp the explanation that he may give.
Accordingly, he would answer having regard to the calibre of
the questioner's mind. When he saw the need he would go
deeper. In this way to the same question put by different
persons he would give explanations in keeping with the
individual intelligence of each. Because of this sometimes
people misconstrued him and accused him of inconsistency
in his answers.
86
THE MASTER'S METHODS AND PRINCIPLES OF
IMPARTING KNOWLEDGE
For unfolding the lore of IIm-e-Khshnoom, the Master
used to scrupulously observe the restrictions, rules and
standards such as :
1. Mata
2. Maddo
3. Beesh
4. Peesh
and
1. Tarikat
2. Ma'arefat
3. Hakikat
4. Vahedanyat
1) Mata means the dominating power of Time and the
right time in nature for any work. No great mission can be
fulfilled if the Time currents are not in harmony, resulting in
the waste of all the labour, time and energy employed in it.
For want of the RIGHT TIME in nature the Master did
not disclose the treasure of his knowledge for nearly three
decades since his return to India.
2) Maddo signifies Mental Equipment. To grasp the difficult esoteric knowledge of IIm-e-Khshnoom relating to the
mysteries of Nature and to the Mazdayasni Zarthoshti
Religion, a particular mental equipment and taste are
essential. That is why for some years in the beginning the
Master was against reducing the knowledge to writing or
allowing any of the audience to take notes. About this, he
says in the preface to the IIm-e-Khshnoom Series No.1
published in 1911:
"When due to the pressure of my friends and wellwishers I began to deliver public lectures on the Ilm-eKhshnoom in Bombay_ I was asked from all sides to
have my lectures printed and published. But I used to
refuse to do so. The purpose behind such refusal was
that the people's 'Maddo' (Mental Equipment) for the
Ilm-e-Khshnoom was not properly developed; and
without the Maddo having been developed, even, if
ordinary teaching of the IIm-eKhshnoom were printed,
there was great risk of the sense being
misunderstood."
3) and 4) Other two principles that the Master observed
in his teaching were "Beesh-Peesh". "Beesh" means "not
too much" and "Peesh" means "not too early". Such a
double restriction he always observed. In receiving the
knowledge of Ilm-e
_7
-Khshnoom, an ardent learner must always remember, said
the Master too often, the following advice in aphorism:
"Bisyar makhoor" beesh makhoor,
Peesh makhoor, fash masaz
Geh geh khoor, andak khoor,
Peene khoor ............................
Chunan che ke che mi khoori ......
Jam-e-Ilm-e-Khshnoom."
(Translation)
"Do not drink much; do not drink more than required; Do
not drink too early; do not disclose the fact of having
drunk;
Drink at intervals, drink in secret,
Drink little by little …..
What is it that you must so drink?
It's the wine of the Ilm-eKhshnoom".
The Master always jealously guarded the Teaching and
was anxious that due respect was paid to it. He did not
believe in wasting the knowledge in the sense that he never
disclosed it to those who were not extremely eager to
receive it. Similarly, when outside the regular classes some
talk on the lore was going on and an outsider came up and
began to talk on lighter topics, the Master would
immediately change his subject and join the outsider in his
talk. Even when he noticed that the attention of the true
seekers of the lore was not fully concentrated he would stop
further exposition. In this way as far as the unfolding of the
lore was concerned, in the absence of particularly suitable
circumstances he observed amazing reticence, and was
never eager to show off his knowledge.
On page 51 of the book of Ancient System of
Zoroastrian Education the Master has indicated four pillars
of the teaching of Ilm-e-Khshnoom. They are as follows:
1) TARIKAT: Tarikat means Procedure. It embodies the
collection of fundamental principles, containing the sum total
of the lore and the observance of various canons of purity.
2) MA'AREFAT: Ma'arefat signifies the agency or the
laws of concatenation working in the universe. According to
these laws a particular object evolves or advances by
functioning through the agency of another object or objects,
the collection of such laws of agencies is known as
'Ma'arefat'. In such a collection lies the essence of all
knowledge and philosophy.
3) HAKIKAT: Hakikat lit. Implies the Truth. This means
that the essence of whatever is achieved in any sphere
88
through the employment of 'Tarikat' and 'Ma'arefat', i.e.
whatever essence of Truth is acquired is known as 'Hakikat'.
It is the fundamental emanation of every essence. Speaking
more plainly, it means that without passing through Tarikat
and Ma'arefat, the Hakikat i.e. Truth or the essence cannot
be achieved.
4) VAHEDANYAT: Vahedanyat means the apex. It
signifies that in whatever subject the ulterior goal has been
set, for the achievement of which, the knowledge of Tarikat.
Ma'arefat and Hakikat has been acquired, then the centre of
that ulterior goal is called Vahedanyat.
In the many divisions and sub-divisions of the lore,
these four terms Tarikat, Ma'arefat, Hakikat and Vahedanyat
have different connotations according to the context.
With regard to the chief divisions of the ultimate knowledge of all kinds, Ancient System of Zoroastrian Education
(p. 142) tells us that the holy Prophet Zarathushtra has
indicated the four great divisions of all knowledge. They are
1) Ilm-eSeemiavi, 2) Ilm-e-Keemiavi, 3) Ilm-e-Reemiavi and
4) Ilm-eLeemiavi. No knowledge, no learning, no philosophy,
no art, no craft has ever existed or shall ever exist which
would fall outside this four-fold classification of the Ultimate
knowledge of all things.
(1) Ilm-e-Seemiavi means the knowledge of 'formulae',
which includes the evil as well as the good 'formulae'. It also
includes the talisman the amulet, the Nirang (good or secret
formulae) etc., possessing power in Nature, the Philosophy
behind them as well as philosophy at large, literary arts, the
science of different alphabets, as well as the knowledge of
black-art.
(2) Ilm-e-Keemiaivi: Ilm-e-Keemiaivi includes chemistry
and the arts and crafts arising there-from as well as the
preparation of various medicines. There also exists an evil
side to the Ilm-e-Keemiaivi. According to this, various
chemical compounds may be so prepared as to cause
protracted suffering leading to death if applied to any part of
the body even in a very small quantity or fraudulently
administered in eatables or food. Contrary to this, some
medicines can be so prepared that if taken in a certain
quantity fur a particular period, would render the consumer
immune to poison, i.e. he would become poison-proof.
Besides, with regard to Ilm-e-Keemavi (Chemi-avi), the
Master used to explain why Alchemy was a truth in Nature.
He said that the four elements, namely, fire, air, water and
earth, compose the entire Evanescent Worlds, which are
subject to change and decay. These elements are
interchangeable, and capable of ultimately entering the
Hasti, the permanent lumin-
89
ous worlds. In other words, these elemental combinations
are capable of being converted into light, i.e. they can be
alchemized. Alchemy, a branch of Ilm-e-Keemiavi (Chemiavi) was once slighted by Advanced Chemistry as being a
defrauding art is now willingly recognized by the self-same
science as one of its branches.
(3) Ilm-e-Reemiavi: Ilm-e-Reemiavi means the art of
manufacturing artificial things so well that they may be
mistaken for the original ones of Nature.
(4) Ilm-e-Leemiavi: Ilm-e-Leemiavi means Engineering
such as the building of ships, the extraction of water by
keeping the soil under observation. By this is meant the
engineer's art of equalizing the levels of waters existing
underground at different depths; for instance, if there be
water in a place 45 feet below the surface of the soil, and at
another close to it below 25 feet, then according to Ilm-eLeemiavi they can be brought to a common level.
CHAPTER VIII
Misconceptions about the Master and the
Teachings of Khshnoom, Clarified By the Learned
Scholar Poonegar
When the teachings of Khshnoom were in a primary
stage, because of the excitement created in Karachi about
the knowledge of the Master, Mr. Ferozeshah R. Mehta of
Karachi requested the learned scholar of Avesta-Pahlavi the
late Mr. Khudabukhsh Poonegar to give his independent
and impartial views. The explanation given by Mr.
Khudabukhsh Poonegar under his signature was published
in Karachi by Mr. Mehta for the information of the Parsee
inhabitants of that city. That explanation has been published
again on page 142 seq. of the Ustad Saheb Memorial
Volume. And the same being worthy of notice it is translated
and reproduced below.
Among the allegations leveled against the Master was
one that he was a religious impostor.
The Reply to the Charge of Imposture
In this connection Mr. Poonegar says:
"The systematic knowledge that Behramshah imparts, if
it is only his fabrication, then doubtless it ought to make
us feel proud of him and to command our respect. As
long as his chain-like teaching, which is in harmony with
our religious literature, helps to increase our devotion
and inspires faith in our sublime ceremonies, nothing
can be more false than to call his teaching false. I wish
that after my humble but long and continuous
connection with our religious scriptures I may find it in
my competency to produce such faith-inspiring false
fabrication."
THE
SUPPOSED
PERSIAN
BOOK
Another accusation against the teaching of the Ustad
Saheb was that Mr. Mehta was informed by a friend of Mr.
Poonegar that Mr. Behramshah Shroff's teaching was given
in a Persian book. About this book it was said that through
some reason or the other it was lost. In refuting this, Mr.
Poonegar says:
91
"I was and am too anxious to know from what writing or
book Mr. Shroff had drawn his teaching. And in pursuance of this curiosity I had let loose spying friends as so
many hounds after him far getting the information
sought. But I beg to state with some hesitation that the
hounds let loose by me have not succeeded to catch
their prey."
THE VIEWS OF BEHRAMSHAH AND PHILOLOGY
In this connection Mr. Poonegar says:
"Similarly with my humble but constant attempts, I have
failed to understand in which subject his teaching runs
counter to the religious literature. On the contrary at
times by listening to his teaching I have been able to
solve same of my philological difficulties."
THE PLEA OF A SECRET BOOK BEING SOURCE OF HIS
KNOWLEDGE DOES NOT HOLD WATER
Mr. Poonegar adds:
"Even if we assume for the sake of argument, that a
book might have come in his possession, from which
he 'plagiarized' and dazzled us, still question arises
'Can there be just one such book in all the world,
because a book embodying ideas such as are
expressed, in his teachings has till now not been
known to exist? And if such a book does exist, then he
can justly pride himself on such a possession’.
Again the question arises
"If a single book comprising the teaching does exist,
what must be its size? A concatenated teaching which
would (continue for days and days and a number of
such similar teachings if they are all contained in just
one book, it is difficult to imagine how voluminous it
must be, and where it could be kept".
THE
TEACHING
OF
BEHRAMSHAH
IS
NOT
DESTRUCTIVE
"What we have to see is only this that his teaching is not
of a destructive nature but it supports our sacred ceremonies and religious commandments, and is
constructive, and that suffices."
THEOSOPHISTS AND MR. BEHRAMSHAH
One allegation was that he was put up by the Parsee
Theosophists who had imparted knowledge to him. Replying
to this allegation Mr. Poonegar says:
92
"Mr. Shroff entertains no favourable views for
Theosophy. At times his views are diametrically
opposite. He looks on the Theosophists as if with
sorrow and pity, and he considers them to be wellintentioned and possessing religious enthusiasm, but
thinks that in the absence of the genuine light they
have been led astray.
If as alleged Theosophists have brought him forward
then it would mean that they dug their own grave which
does not appear reasonable".
EXPLANATION REGARDING THE "SECRET SECT"
One more allegation was that Behramshah having been
to Peshawar and from there having received at the hands of
the Master of a Secret clan all his knowledge about the
Zoroastrian religion, was all a concocted piece of falsehood.
"I only attach importance to the merits or demerits of his
teachings. Nevertheless till it is proved that he had
never been to that side, so long I consider it just and
fair to abstain from calling it all a piece of falsehood. As
stated by me above, we should not pay attention to
such extraneous matter, but it should be considered
fair to attach importance only to the merits or demerits
of his teachings."
One more disbelief expressed was that if Behramshah
visited a secret sect and imbibed knowledge from them, why
did he not then take other Zoroastrians to such a secret
sect?
Mr. Poonegar says that such a thought had also
occurred to him. In this matter his (Behramshah's) reply was
to some such effect that when he received orders from
there, he would take a few (Parsees) from here.
THE LATE LEARNED MR. KHURSHEDJI CAMA AND
THE TEACHINGS OF MR. BEHRAMSHAH
One more misconception about the teaching of Behramshah was that the late learned Mr. Khurshedji Cama did not
give credence to anything Mr. Behramshah said. In
answering the above misconception, Mr. Poonegar informs
us :
"For several days prior to the demise of the late Mr.
Cama, I was given a pleasant opportunity to come in
close contact with him for rendering some service to
Avestan literature. During that period on many
occasions I was surprised to find that Mr. Cama was
impressed by the teachings of Mr. Behramshah".
93
THE IMPORTANCE GIVEN TO MR. BEHRAMSHAH'S
VIEWS BY MR. CAMA
Mr. Poonegar further adds:
"After listening to and learning whatever was new in Mr.
Shroff's lectures and views, I used to follow my own
ways without caring to attach any particular importance
to his ideas. On the contrary, however, Mr. Cama used
to recall to mind Mr. Shroff's views, as it were,
analyzed them and assimilated them with his own".
MR. CAMA'S NOTE-WORTHY OPINION OF
MR. BEHRAMSHAH
Mr. Poonegar further adds:
"Not only Mr. Cama used to speak with enthusiasm
about the teachings of Mr. Shroff, but with regard to
certain words and views, Mr. Cama used to say without
hesitation, 'Our students of Avesta do not understand
the exact import of this; what Behramshah explains, is
alone right."
REFERENCES
Another charge against Behramshah was that he was
unable to quote references with respect to his teachings.
While refuting this charge, Mr. Poonegar
states:
"In the beginning when Mr. Shroff was, as it were,
dragged to Bombay against his will, he had told me
open-heartedly that his attention be drawn whenever
and wherever his teachings seemed contrary to our
religious: writings."
Mr.Poonegar
stresses:
"Because of my humble study, I was fully capable of
doing so; but barring few exceptions I could notice no
views running counter to the religious writings_ despite
my ardent attempts, and wherever differences of opinion
did exist, Mr. Shroff's explanation seemed convincing
but to me it appeared at times that it was not possible to
find testimony for it in the Avesta writings".
Lastly Mr. Poonegar
says:
"Because Mr. Shroff's awn views are not drawn from the
books of Avesta or Pahlavi, it is in the fitness of things
that he could indicate no testimony. But in his lectures
one could notice frequent quotations of testimonies and
authorities."
94
One more criticism against Behramshash's teachings
was that the study of Avesta ran counter to his teachings. In
this connection Mr. Poonegar writes:
"Mr. Shroff used to give expression to his views in a
chainlike manner according to his own method and
these thoughts I find scattered here and there in the
Avesta literature and in greater proportion in the
Pahlavi. Further in Behramshah's teachings we find
something of a collection of ideas to be found in
different places. I had requested my scholarly friends to
produce such a systematic collection, neatly five years
ago, but have not yet received response to my request."
CHAPTER IX
"KEY" NO. I
Description of
The Pre-Cosmo-Genesis World
("Anghu Paourva"),
Technically Called
"Anamanthvao Alam",
lit., The Unthinkable World.
Impersonal and Personal
The Twofold Concept of
the Godhead in Avesta
The concept of the Godhead in the Zoroastrian Faith is of
twofold nature - (1) AHU (literally, 'it IS',) the impersonal,
inconceivable Supreme Deity over Ohrmazd, the Blissful Spirit;
and Ahriman, the Destructive Spirit; and (2) Ahura Mazda, the
personal Deity, the Creator of this vast Universe, who can be
conceived from his numerous names occurring in Hormazd and
Ram Yashts.
There are two phases of AHU, First is AHU, Shaedan Shaed,
i.e., Lustre of lustres, who is the shoreless and motionless Ocean of
Light, about which nothing can be said, except AH; literally 'it IS'"
yet the knowledge emanating from this AHU is conceivable. In the
second phase, certain motion is shown in an infinitesimal part of
this AHU Shaedan Shaed on account of which that part assumes
intense brilliancy (Khshaeta). This minute part is called AHU
Khshaetan Khshaeta, the Light of lights, who is unnameable,
unthinkable_ i.e., inconceivable, Absolute One in oneness without
a second or a compeer. The brilliancy is said to have been caused
by the prime-most THOUGHT-divine going on
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in that part for the creation of the Universe. Then as the result of
this Thought going on in AHU, there rises from it an emanation
caused by ejection, which (emanation) is referred to in Avesta (Yt.
13,14) as Khao Afrazyamna, literally meaning fountain-source of
eternal freshness, dealt with further on.
Niru, the Screen of Light
Between AHU and Khao
Afrazyamna
AHU is so purity-perfect that the Universe, in which there is
both Good and Evil, cannot be created direct from it, because
between the essence and quality of AHU Khshaetan Khshaeta and
the emanation (i.e. Khao) there is difference as great as that which
exists between the sky and the earth. With regard to the nature of
this difference, there is perfect and absolute mystery about which
it is said that it would be known only after the collective FrashoGard, i.e., total Renovation of the totality of souls mortal and
immortal worlds including those of the Zodiac and the empyrean.
Hence_ AHU has created a screen of light impregnable from the
side of Khao Afrazyamna. This screen of light is called Niru. This
Niru though of much inferior potentiality before AHU the Light of
lights, is yet immensely more powerful than Khao Afrazyamna. It
is of such a nature that while AHU does not incorporate Himself in
the Universe, yet He is not incognizant of the activities going on in
the Universe.
Consequently, even the high immortal existences like Yazats
(angels) cannot see AHU through Niru. This fact has been stated
by Dastur Darab Mahiyar in his Monajat; 15,29 as under;
"Na binad kashaz soorato, rango, fam,
Ne neez een Fereshteh sioseh tamam,"
(translation) - "Not only human beings, but none of all the 33
Fereshteh (angels) can see His face or shape or
colour".
The ordinary dictionary meaning of Niru is strength or power.
But Khshnoom teaches that Niru as applied to Anamanthvao
Alam, the pre-cosmo-genesis world, and as referred to in Pazand
Afrine Ardafravash; 13 in the group "Aoz, Zoar, Niru, Tagi" is the
supermost divine potentiality that separates Khao Afrazyamna
from AHU" the Light of Lights.
The other three subordinate powers embodied in Niru have
been explained under Supplement No.2.
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KHAO AFRAZYAMNA, THE FOUNTAIN-SOURCE OF
ETERNAL FRESHNESS
It is stated above that Khao Afrazyamna was ejected from
AHU Khshaetan Khshaeta, on account of which he is awakened
from dormancy. On being awakened, it fees that its former merged
condition of dormancy in the parent-light of AHU was most
pleasant, and is pained at having been alienated from it, and
brought to consciousness. This Khao Afrazyamna is endowed with
'Hudaongho', sublime WISDOM.
MANTHRA SPENTA BLESSINGS SHOWERED ON KHAO
AFRAZYAMNA
Khao Afrazyamna though endowed with perfect Wisdom
(Hudaongho) as stated above, could not comprehend the
Thought,which produced the brilliancy in AHU, and hence it
produced confusion in him. Thereupon AHU showered on him
blessings called Manthra Spenta, literally meaning blissful mystic
spells, which pacified the Khao. This enhanced state of Wisdom is
called Hudastema. Now the status of the Khao is raised to that of
Bagha, part of AHU invested with full power and authority. He
now realizes that he was expelled for a great purpose, but what
that purpose was, he need not question.
FIRST HOSHBAM, THE DAWN OF UNIVERSE
The above showering of blessings on Khao Afrazyamna by
AHU Khshaetan Khshaeta brought about the first Hoshbam, the
first outline of consciousness, which laid the foundation of the
condition requisite for the creation of the Universe. Compared to
AHU, this Hoshbam is said to be merely like the thin silver streak
of a shining crescent, while AHU Khshaetan Khshaeta Himself is
like the glorious full moon.
YAON, RASHNU, ARMAITI, THE FIRST TRIAD OF
POTENTIALITIES
From the above condition of Hoshbam, there manifested three
fundamental rays called Yaon, Rashmu, Armaiti. Yaon means
connection (Av. yu, to join or connect), and hence Yaon represents
connection of Khao Afrazyamna with AHU, Rashnu (Av. Raz, to
put in order or arrange) means the power or ability to establish
perfect order; and Armaiti is the one exceptional and sublimest
quality, which represents the absolute devotion and obedience of
Khao Afrazyamna to AHU. With the aid of
98
these powers, Khao Afrazyamna now comprehended the Thought
which the brilliancy of AHU represented, and he (Khao) with the
enhanced Wisdom (Hudastema) meditated on AHU, and vowed
that he would carry out all His (Ahu's) behests.
This Khao Afrazyamna, now elevated to Hudastema, is the
most exuberant Reservoir of Light of AHU'S Will, the Master of
AHU'S inconceivable Master-Plan, the progenitor-supreme of all
the mysterious devices for the transmutation of the soul's Evil into
Good, super-perfect in perfection, excellent beyond all
excellences, most perennial and everlasting in freshness, possessing all authority, all power, all knowledge Divine; existing since
Eternity of dead past and to continue to Infinity of Ghaiban,
futurity lost in dim future, in priority, prior to the creation of the
Universe and its Divine Creator Ahura Mazda; the most superConscious, the most radiant, the most brilliant and the most
astounding Fountain Source of AHU's Will.
Hence this Fountain is referred to in Farvardin Yasht; 14 as
Khao Afrazyamna, the "Fountain-Source of Eternal Freshness,
which is never drying and never failing" (Av. Khao, a spring; and
Afrazyamna meaning In never-drying).
SECOND TRIAD OF FUNDAMENTAL LAWS
The above devotion of Khao Afrazyamna brought in its
train the manifestation of the second triad of laws:
1. Yavaecha Yavaetat, Infinity, which implies Zurvan,
motion-the law of Eternal First Motion-the Primum
Mobile, and the idea of Time arising from it;
2. Niru Khadata, the law of Glorious universal diffusion
and expansion, also known as Arshotakht or Uru;
3. Atashe Khshaetam or Shaedan, the Fundamental crea
tive fire-energy of highest potentiality, being the ori
gin of all Staota, creative vibrationary colours.
These three laws constitute the materials and means for
the creation of the Universe.
1. YAVAECHA YAVAETAT, EVERLASTINGNESS
Yavaecha Yavaetat means infinity_ by which is understood the
Supermost-Cycle comprising the seven Cycles of Zarvana
Akarana, Boundless Time. This Avesta term is to be found in the
various paragraphs of the Vandidad; 3, 5, 7 etc. This Yavaecha
Yavaetat represents the illimitable force of AHU in alienating
Khao Afrazyamna and embodies the fundamenta of
'"
99
Time and Space. Thus it is the collective name for the seven (Av.)
Zarvana Akarana (Siroza 21) meaning Time illimitable, and the
inconceivable expanses of breadth, height and depth, and many
more than 3-dimensions, comprising the firmaments or the vaults
of heavens, over which Zarvana Akarana and the heavens, the
Yavaecha Yavaetat exercises its power and sway.
The functioning of the whole of the three stage Ahunavar Plan is
divided into seven cycles of Zarvana Akarana, Boundless Time which
form Yavaecha Yavaetat.
2. NIRU-KHADATA, FOUNTAIN SOURCE OF ALL
POWER AND LAWS
The word "khadata" lit, means that which performs automatically it's appointed function, and Niru is a part of AHU'S
illimitable power which intensity it is beyond the capacity of
human brain to conceive of. Niru is the Power divine that holds all
authority of AHU, and is the Fountain Source of all laws of Nature
operating in the Universe. The above Yavaecha Yavaetat, the
supermost cycle of Time with its authority for the immeasurable
extent of sway over all the heavens also proceeds from Niru.
Similarly, all grand-plans-divine devised for the final-most
Frasho-kereti, Renovation of the souls (Ysn. 62, 3) and their
merging into Paourva Fravashi (expounded further on), which is
the Ultima Thule of the whole Universe, has its origin in Niru.
Thus Niru-Khadata is the power house of the entire machinery set
up by Nature for the Salvation of the souls, the devices and
arrangements whereof emanate automatically and sequentially one
from the other, (as do the threads of a screw), the source of which
all rests in AHU'S Niru.
3. ATASH-E-SHAEDAN, LIT, HIGHEST CREATIVE
LUSTROUS FIRE-ENERGY
After Shaedan Shaed, which is one of the appelations of AHU,
Atashe-Shaedan is the next most primary and fundamental source
of creative heat or energy-called Atash-of the supermost power
functioning in the pre-cosmo-genesis world, from which the
Universe is subsequently created. On account of this supermost
power and brilliance it is called Atashe-Shaedan meaning the heat
and energy of the highest lustre or brilliance (Pahl. Shaed,
splendor).
Besides Atashe-Shaedan there are 15 other gradations of
Atash meaning creative heat or energy functioning in the Universe,
possessing different characteristics, which are expounded in
Supplement No. 1. Thus including Atashe-Shaedan there are in all
16 gradation's of Atash.
100
The Atash-e-Shaedan is the Atash or fire-energy of the very
Paourva Fravashi (explained further on). Both are subtle-most in
their essence, and hence they remain aloof from and unmingled
with the entire creation, and yet with the aid of this Atash the
Paourva Fravashi helps Ahura Mazda, the Lord of the Universe, in
bringing the entire creation into being. This Atash-e-Shaedan is at
the very Bam i.e. boundary from which Niru begins, and is a part
of the Shaedan Shaed AHU Himself, and which Atash-e-Shaedan
helps in creating and sustaining the other 15 grades of Atash
working in the Universe referred to above. .
The Atashe-Shaedan is the source of all energy and motion by
which all the institutions and devices set up by the above
mentioned Niru-Khadat are finalized according to the colossal
Plan (Av. Manta from Man_ to think), each at the proper stage and
appointed Time ordained in the Supermost-Cyc1e of YavaechaYavaetat, in which! every change that takes place from one state to
another is affected or created by or through Atash.
In the Atash Nyaesh; 6, we meet with the following passage:
"Dayao me Atarsh Puthra-Ahurahe-Mazdao ya me anghat
afrasaonghao nuremcha Yavaechataite", meaning literally, "O
Atash-Puthra-Ahurahe Mazdao, grant me this that from now
(nuremcha) to the distant-most Time (Yavaeohataite) Thou shalt
be my instructor."
Here Atash-Puthra-Ahurahe-Mazdao is a technical term, and
as such it is not to be translated. It is so named because this
particular Atash helps Ahura-Mazda in the creation of the whole
Universe, as a son helps his father in his work. This Atash-PuthraAhurahe-Mazdao is the name of the Atash (fire energy)
functioning on the ninth Asman, i.e., heaven, which is the
Empyrean or the highest of the nine Asmans, i.e. heavens in the
Universe, being next after Atash-e-Shaedan and fifteenth (i.e.,
second highest) in the gradation of the sixteen types of Atash
(Fire-energies) referred to above, and is like the borderline (Bam)
of Atash-e Shaedan operating in the Anamanthvao Alam
(inconceivable world) or the pre-cosmo-genesis world; The ninth
Asman is the roof or canopy of the Universe, and the seat of the
Creator Ahura Mazda.
Yavaechataite in the above passage refers to the "One Great
Far Off Event" (which is the Frasho-kereti of Avesta meaning
Renovation of the totality of souls) "to which the whole Creation
moves". So in the above passage the devotee supplicates the
sublimest Atash in the Universe, namely, Atash-Puthra-AhuraheMazdao to be his instructor, i.e., Friend, Philosopher and Guide in
his endless march of journey from his present-most imperfect state
on this earth up to the final-most glorious state
101
of Renovation.
It will thus be seen that the passage cited above from the
Atash Nyaesh has a far deeper import than it is believed to be
carrying.
We have so far described Khao Afrazyamna with its two
triads of potentialities. We shall now consider Ahunavar meaning
the WILL or Edict of AHU, the Light of lights.
Ahunavar, the Will of AHU,
and Zarvana Akarana, The
Motion of Its Emergence
After ejecting Khao Afrazyamna, AHU issued His Will called
Ahunavar to it (Khao Afrazyamna) by His inconceivable Ah
power of Oneness and Truth, called Wahed-e-Hakiki for the
creation of the Universe. This Ahunavar was AHU'S original Will.
The illimitable motion and force caused in the issuing of this
Ahunavar is called Zarvana Akarama (lit. Boundless motion). It
must be stated here that this divine Will must not be misconstrued
to be like our ordinary human will, which as explained in the
dictionary is 'the faculty by which one decides what one shall do,
or the control exercised by deliberate purpose over impulse of
fixed intention'. But the Ahunavar, the Will of AHU is deified, and
as such is full of lustre and consciousness and power supermost,
and hence cannot be compared with our human will.
Regarding Ahunavar, the original Will of AHU, it is stated
that AHU first promulgated, that is, directed the light of His
conscious Will to Khao Afrazyamna with His 'Ah' power i.e.
power of Absolute One without a compeer, but the force of that
Ah was so great that Khao Afrazyamna could not comprehend it.
It may be noted that this 'Ah' is technically referred to as 'Hu',
which occurs as the prefix in the well-known Avestan terms
'Humata', 'Hu-khta' etc. The meaning of 'Hu' as 'good' taken from
Sanskrit 'Su' is of a much lower grade, since the prefix 'Hu' in
Avesta generally indicates relation to or of or in harmony with
AHU, the Light of lights.
SIMULTANEOUS MANIFESTATION OF
BAGHA AHUNAVAR AND PAOURVA FRAVASHI
Reverting to the promulgation of Ahunavar (the original
Will referred to above), AHU reduced it the second time to 9/10ths
in which the fraction of the force of His own 'Hu' was l/l0th, but
still it could not be grasped by the Khao. Then the third time AHU
reduced the Will to 8/10ths in which the
102
force of His own 'Hu' was l/l00th, but yet it was too powerful and
could not be grasped. This process was repeated from 8/l0ths to
7/l0ths, 6/10ths, 5/l0ths, 4/10ths, 3/l0ths, 2/10ths in which the
force of His own 'Hu' was respectively 1/l000th, l/l0,000th,
1/100,000th, l/1000,000th, 1/l0,000,000th, l/100,000,000th, but
still the force of His 'Hu' was too powerful and hence that Will
could not be grasped by Khao Afrazyamna.
However, the tenth time, when AHU reduced the light of His
conscious Will from 2/10ths to 1/10th in which the force of His
own 'Hu' was 1/1000,000,000th, that light was so diluted or
weakened that the 'Thought' and the diction of that Will could be
comprehended by Khao Afrazyamna. This 1/l000,000,000th
particle is called Bagha Ahunavar. In this Thought of the Will was
laid down that:
"From the most perfect beings of light to beings of light lowest
in gradation shall manifest themselves, and that these beings
of light shall emanate separately in the beginning, but shall
return all perfected and merged into one on Roshan Rooz, the
Glorious Day in the dim future."
The above diction of the Will is called in Avesta (Ysn. 19, 12) "Vacha", 'The Word'. When Khao Afrazyamna pronounced the
above Vacha replete with the Thought for the creation of the
Universe, that Vacha became diffused in the triad of YavaechaYavaetat, Niru-khadat and Atashe Shaedan, already dealt with
above. This pronunciation of the Vacha, the Word Divine and its
diffusion in the triad above mentioned resulted in the simultaneous
manifestation of the pair of Bagha Ahunavar and Paourva
Fravashi_ the two highest and most fundamental superpotentialities functioning in the pre-cosmo-genesis world,
connected with the creation of the Universe.
'VACHA', THE CELESTIAL NOTE OF BAGHA AHUNAV AR
With regard to Vacha, Ahunavar and Bagha Ahunavar in
Yasna 19, 1-2, the holy Prophet asks Ahura Mazda, the Creator:
"Which Vacha or Word it was that Thou hadst mentioned to
me, that Thou hadst created before heaven_ before water,
before earth. . .." etc.
and in the succeeding paragraph 3 Ahura Mazda replies:
"It was this Bagha Ahunavar that I had told you about". This
Vacha or the Word of AHU, which in the Holy Bible is called
"The Word Celestial of the Will of the Lord", which in the
religious texts of the Hindus is called "Shabda Brahma", and
among Islam is known as "Kun"" meaning 'Be it so', is this most
sublime Vacha of Bagha Ahunavar referred to in Yasna 19
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mentioned above, which Vacha is in the form of Divine Music.
Thus this musical Note of Bagha Ahunavar was the first to
manifest itself simultaneously with Paourva fravashi before Angra
Mainyu, the Destructive Spirit, and before Ahura Mazda, the
Blissful Spirit manifested themselves, and before the creation of
the Universe.
It may be noted that in this primemost pair, Bagha Ahunavar
is said to be containing all the innumerable lights of both
categories which were in dormancy, that is, lights with perfect
divine knowledge and those with imperfect divine knowledge,
which (lights) are regarded as Seeds, and hence Ahunavar (Bagha
Ahunavar) is called the "Seed of Seeds ("Zurvan" pp. 107 and 215
- Prof. Zaehner), and considered allegorically as the male-fowl;
while Paourva Fravashi is regarded as the female - fowl, because
she furnishes "Pithva", nourishment divine through her super-fire
energy of Atash-i-Shaedan, and awakens the lights in Bagha
Ahunavar from their dormancy, which will be shown in its own
place. Moreover, Bagha Ahunavar contains the whole colossal
divine Plan of AHU for the 'Frasho-kereti', Renovation of all the
defective lights, while his partner Paourva Fravashi is the
potentiality which executes that plan.
BAGHA AHUNAVAR
In the above passage (Ysn. 19,3) we come across the term
"Bagha Ahunavar", which is translated literally as the 'part of
Ahunavar', but what that refers to is not discernible from that
philological surface rendering, nor do the learned philologists
know anything about it.
In S.B.E. Vol. XXXI Dr. Mills renders 'Bagha-AhunaheVairyehe, (Ysn. 19, 3) as' "piece the Ahuna-vairya" and states in
the footnote-3 "This part of the Ahuna (?) meaning its several
parts". Thus it will be seen that the illustrious scholar has not
understood the technical significance of the word. 'Bagha', and
hence in the footnote conjectures Bagha to refer to 'several parts'
which is incorrect.
Bagha Ahumavar is a proper noun, and though literally it
does mean 'The Part Ahunavar' or 'The Junior Ahunavar', it has
exceedingly sublime and supreme status as we have seen already.
Bagha Ahunavar, which is also styled "Baghan Bagha" (lit., part
of parts) is the sublimest Bagha and the Izad of Izads, i.e., the
angel of angels. His divine partner, Paourva Fravashi (treated
hereafter) draws from this Bagha Ahunavar her authority for
putting into operation AHU'S Will. It is from this Avesta noun
Bagha that the Sanskrit form Bhaga is used for naming the Deity
as Bhagwan, Lord of the Bhaga.
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CONFUSION OF BAGHA AHUNAVAR
WITH PARTS OF YATHA AHU VAIRYO
Avesta scholars often err in confounding Yatha AHU Vairyo
with Ahunavar. Consequently, learned Kanga in his Gujarati work
entitled "Khordeh Avesta with translation" has printed the heading
for the Yatha AHU Vairyo prayer as "Ahunavar (Yatha AHU
Vairyo)" which is not correct.
On account of this mistake the same renowned scholar Ervad
Kanga in his other Gujarati work "Yazashne and Visparad with
translation" puts the following footnote (4) under page 88
concerning Bagha Ahunavar :
"4 The parts of Hanvar i.e. three lines - verses (Harlez). "In
original text the ward "Part" (Bagha) is in singular." It is
evident from the footnote cited above that none of the above
three illustrious scholars of Avesta have understood the real
significances of the terms Ahunavar, Bagha-Ahunavar and
Yatha AHU Vairyo, which have created unnecessary confusion due to absence of Khshnoomic commentary
knowledge.
It would therefore not be out of place to reiterate that Bagha
Ahunavar, which possesses consciousness, light, power etc., is the
infinitesimal part of Ahunavar, the original Will of AHU in the
Beginning of all beginnings, while Yatha Ahu Vairyo is the holy
spell formulated in Avesta by Asho Zarathushtra, and though the
composition of this Yatha Ahu Vairyo is based on the very
vibratians embodied in Bagha Ahunavar, still the Word Celestial
of the Lord God AHU is said to be 81 times more powerful than
Yatha Ahu Vairyo.
The entire Zoroastrian religious lore as compiled by the Holy
Prophet consisted of 21 Nasks, i.e., divisions or parts named after
21 words, the Yatha Ahu Vairyo is made up of. The language of
these Nasks is called Avesta, which is erroneously believed to be a
dialect, connotes the original knowledge about the Unknown or
the Unknowable, (Av. 'A’ not and Vesta from Vid to know, i.e.,
not known or Unknown or the Unknowable, Inscrutable; and
hence Avesta means the knowledge about the Unknown or the
Unknowable).
"AHUMAT" AND "AHUVIYAT",
THE PERFECT AND IMPERFECT
KNOWLEDGE DIVINE
Having clarified the distinction between Ahunavar and Yatha
Abu Vairyo, we shall proceed with the description of
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'Anghu-Paourva', the pre-cosmo-genesis world, technically known
as 'Anamanthvao Alam', the inconceivable world.
It is stated that in the Bagha Ahunavar there were two kinds of
Lights - one superior and the other inferior, the former possessing
perfect divine knowledge and the latter imperfect. The superior
possessed "Ahumat" (literally of the thought of AHU), i.e.,
possessing perfect divine knowledge, and hence displaying full
humility and devotion to AHU, the Light of lights. The inferior
lights possessed arrogance, i.e., they were lacking in humility and
devotion to AHU. In other words, they possessed divine ignorance.
This arrogance arising out of divine ignorance is technically called
Taro-maiti or "Drvao" in Avesta (from Dru- to run, or turn away
from) the Light of AHU, and hence Drvao signifies the quality or
tendency to run away from that Light of AHU). Thus, these
inferior or imperfect Lights possessed in different degrees the
tendencies of disobedience to and rebelliousness against AHU. In
other words, these Lights, which possessed Drvao, were not
attracted to, but were repulsed from AHU. Hence this quality of
Drvao is called "Ahuviyat" or "Huvi'" (lit." AHU plus vi plus yat
meaning to run speedily away from AHU) IN THIS AHUVIYAT
LIES THE SOURCE OF ALL "EVIL".
VARIED RATIOS OF AHUVIYAT
OR DRVAO, EVIL
The proportion of Ahuviyat (Evil), i.e., the ratio between Evil
and Good, was not uniform in all the Lights, but was varied. These
variations have been graded in nine groups. Thus, some possessed
8 parts of evil and 1 of good, others 7 of evil and 2 of good and so
on - the proportion of good increasing in inverse ratio to that of
evil decreasing and vice versa.
RULE OF ASHA DUE TO PREDOMINANCE
OF OBEDIENT LIGHTS
Moreover, the Lights possessing Ahumat and those possessing
Ahuviyat, that is, those displaying allegiance to AHU and those
showing rebelliousness against AHU respectively were also not in
equal proportions. In Bagha Ahunavar there was a preponderance
of the former possessing Ahumat over the rebellious ones
possessing Ahuviyat or Huvi, and hence the latter (rebellious ones)
remained dormant, i.e., did not raise their heads in rebellion.
Consequently, the state of unity or oneness of Asha (literally
holiness) prevailed in Bagha Ahunavar.
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PAOURVA FRAVASHI THE LIGHT INEFFABLE
AND INDIVISIBLE WHOLE THAT SETS
AHUNAVAR PLAN INTO MOTION
We have seen already that prior to the creation of the
Universe in that past of all dead past, Bagha Ahunavar and
Paourva Fravashi simultaneously manifested themselves, and the
feasibility of the creation of the Universe was established with the
stage of the first Hoshbam, the dawn of the Universe. As stated
already the office of putting AHU'S Will into effect for the
creation of the Universe was assigned to Paourva Fravashi. This
Paourva Fravashi who represents Divine Wisdom, is the highest
and joint potentiality with Bagha Ahunavar, and the supermost
Power and Light Ineffable. Paourva (or Paurva) literally means
first or anterior, i.e., first in-existence, primemost, and hence it
means the Fravashi which existed first or anterior to the creation
of the Universe. Fravashi literally means one that puts forth or
carries into action the Will (of AHU); (technically derived from
Av. Fra. forth or forward, and Vas plus i from Vas, to wish or
will) though philologically the term Fravashi is derived from
fra=forth, forward and Vax = to make progress, to grow and i
suffix.
In rank, Paourva Fravashi stands only next to AHU, who is
Wahed-e-Hakiki, the Absolute One without a second" i.e., One in
oneness, while Paourva Fravashi is in, oneness, being the very
outward manifestation of AHU Himself, and is One Integral
whole, i.e. undivided and indivisible, and having no fractions.
ARMAITI, THE SPECIAL QUALITY
OF PAOURVA FRAVASHI
It is stated in the beginning that Khao Afrazyamna possessed
the triad of (1) Yaon_(2) Rashnu, and (3) Armaiti. Of these three,
Armaiti is the one exceptional and sublimest quality of Paourva
Fravashi, which represents the latter's absolute devotion and
obedience to AHU'S Will, (literally Av. Ar plus maiti, perfect
humility or wisdom), drawing her (Paourva Fravashi's) authority
from Bagha Ahunavar above mentioned and functioning as His
co-operator.
PAOURVA FRAVASHI AS AHU'S RATU
IN YATHA AHU VAIRYO PRAYER
It is not known in philology that the two terms 'AHU' and
'Ratu' occurring in the first two lines of the Yatha Ahu Vairyo
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prayer have special significances. In the various passages in
Avesta these two terms (Ahu wild Ratu) are used with different
grades of meanings_ but in the Yatha Ahu Vairyo prayer according to Khshnoom teachings - AHU (literally "it IS") stands
for 'AHU the Absolute One in oneness' alienated from Khao
Afrazyamna by means of Niru as stated already and Ratu for
Paourva Fravashi.
In his rendering of Yatha Ahu Vairyo, the learned Ervad
Kanga translates the word AHU as king, i.e., the political ruler
and Ratu as 'Dastooran Dastoor', i.e., High Priest Superior, in his
book entitled "Khordeh Avesta with Translation". Such meanings
of AHU and Ratu are secondary, i.e., of much lower degree,
which may be applicable in other contexts, but are extremely
degrading when applied to AHU and Ratu occurring in the first
two lines of Yatha Ahu Vairyo prayer.
DISTINCTION BETWEEN
PAOURVA FRAVASHI AND ASHAUNAM FRAVASHI
Paourva Fravashi (singular) the executrix of the Ahunavar
Plan is located in the heart of the Creator Ahura Mazda. It is
referred to in the various passages in Farvardin Yasht as
Ashaunam Fravashi and though literally the latter does mean
Bountiful Fravashis (plural), yet Ashaunam-Fravashi is a compound technical term and must not be rendered etymologically.
Ashaunam Fravashi is in the plural because it signifies the
combined Fravashis of the seven Ameshaspends and of the perfected souls of the numerous Yazadic Intelligences (Ahuraongho)
who are attuned with Paourva Fravashi. It must, however, be
reiterated that Paourva Fravashi is one single ineffable and
indivisible perfect light representing divine Wisdom.
"Staota Yasna",
The Ceremony of Vibrationary Colours
Performed by Paourva Fravashi
For the Creation of the Universe
We have seen above that there were two types of lights one with
imperfect divine knowledge in varied degrees, and the other with perfect,
also in varied degrees. They were all lying dormant, that is, in an
undeveloped or seedling state in the Bagha Ahunavar and moreover they
were all in a state of jumbled mass.
Now Paourva Fravashi develops these two types of seedlings
and reduces them into two distinct groups. For accomplishing this
she twice transmits on Bagha Ahunavar her rays of 'Staota',
vibrationary colours, emanating from Atashe-Shaedan, the fireenergy of super-glory within her, and thus attunes herself with
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him (Bagha Ahunavar). This transmission is accompanied with
pondering in both the cases with diverse thought-forces, so as to
instigate the innate propensities of the respective group concerned
as shown further on. This grand divine ceremony performed by
Paourva Fravashi in the Anamanthvao Alam, the unthinkable precosmo-genesis world, is called "Staota Yasna", the ceremony of
Staota, vibrationary colours. Of the above two groups the
imperfect lights being in minority were activated first, and then
the perfect.
In worldly parlance Bagha Ahunavar with His undeveloped
seedlings of Light acts as the allegorical male fowl, and Paourva
Fravashi by Her attuning, i.e., uniting with Him acts as the
allegorical female fowl. This union of Fravashi with Bagha
Ahunavar brought forth the "Egg" as the result, which is Staota
Yasna. .
So it is technically stated that Bagha Ahunavar as the 'father'
supplied "Chithra" or "Tokhma", seeds, and Paourva Fravashi as
'mother' supplied the "Pithwa", the Divine Nourishment. As the
result of this union or attunement with each other, "Staota Yasna"
was developed as a sprout. Though this Staota Yasna engendered
Duality, still being in the Anamanthvao Alam, the Duality is in
the latent state, that is to say_Oneness still rules in the Staota
Yasna. In this Staota Yasna lies the pattern of the entire Universe
that came into being later on.
So we see that from the above "Egg" the imperfect or opposing
Lights called "Urvans" are activated first and the obedient or
concordant lights called "Baodangh" are activated next. From the
imperfection of Urvans comes Satan, called in Avesta Angra
Mainyu, the spirit of destruction, and from the perfection of the
Baodangh comes Spenta Mainyu, the angel of prosperity, more
commonly known as 'Dadvao Ahura Mazda', (Yt. 13,83) the
Creator of the Universe, the two referred to in Gatha (Ysn. 30,3) as
the "Twins".
'Staota Yasna' Ceremony for
Foundation 'of Universe
Unknown in Philology
The two Avestan terms 'Chithra' and 'Staota Yasna' dealt with
above occur together in a small sentence of only six words in
Visparad; 23" 1 as :
"Vahishta chithra yazamaide ya Staota Yesnya", which
means:
"We attune ourselves with the sublimest seed (Vahishta
Chithra) which (is) Staota Yasna (the divine ceremony of
vibrationary colours performed by the Paourva Fravashi in the
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pre-cosmo-ge!nesis world for causing the manifestation of the
Universe)".
But the knowledge of the pre-cosmo-genesis world and its
description to which the above two terms (Chithra and Staota
Yasna) relate, being unknown in philology, Dr. Mills could not
understand them in their technical significances, and hence translated the above little sentence in S.B.E. Vol. XXXI as:
"We sacrifice to those (prayers) which are evident as the
best", in which the lofty technical significances of the two terms
concerned with the pre-cosmo-genesis world are entirely lost, because the learned scholar knew Staota Yasna only as the name of
the prayers of the same name composed by the holy Prophet on
this earth.
Satan's First Manifestation
In the exposition of Staota Yasna above, it is stated that
Paourva Fravashi twice transmitted her rays of Atashe-Shaedan
within her on the seedlings of light in Bagha Ahunavar. This
transmission was accompanied with pondering in each case so as
to instigate or stimulate the respective innate propensities of (1)
Ahuviyat, literally, fleeing away from AHU, that is, disposed to
discordance with, or rebelliousness against AHU; or (2) showing
tendency of Ahumat, concordance with or obedience to AHU.
Now Paourva Fravashi actually starts the operation. According to the dictates of Ahunavar, the discordant lights, who were in
minority, were to be roused first, so that they may be able to give
full vent to their propensity of opposition to Ahu, and may not
suffer repression from the concordant lights which were in
majority. So while emitting her rays first on Urvans, the discordant
lights, Paourva Fravashi meditated with 'Mithrae Juz', thoughtforces stimulating opposition, and commanded them to awake.
And they awoke. Among these awakened Urvans, lights with
deficiency of divine knowledge, Fravashi saw Ahriman, the Satan,
who arrogantly tells Paourva Fravashi "I am also like Thee".
This Satan, who is referred to in Avesta as 'Angra Mainyu'
(Vd. 19,8), the spirit or Prince of Darkness, is the animated
phantom of the collective Evil of all the Urvans put together. He
(Satan) represents the nadir or the lowest point of Ahuviyat in
Nature, where there can be no light. He is called 'Shaitan,' the
perfection of Evil or wickedness. This Shaitan is the vilest
embodiment of the Evil Spirit 'Daevanam-Daeva' (Vd. 19,1), the
Devil of devils.
The word Shaitan is formed by adding the plural termination
'aan' to the Pahlavi word 'Shida' meaning 'defect; deceit; treachery',
which formation gives the pronunciation
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'Shida-a', and which became 'Shaitan' in Persian meaning Devil,
Satan is the personal name of the Devil, and signifies the densest
aggregation of defect or monstrosity of Evil.
"Shida-an" and "Shaedan" (or Khshaetan)
The Two Opposite Poles
The Pahlavi word Shida-an, i.e. Shaitan in Persian, which is
Darkness and wickedness personified, is the opposite pole of the
Pahlavi name Shaedan-Shaed and Av. Khshaetan Khshaet, both
the last two meaning the 'Lustre of lustres' applied to Ahu, the
Light of lights. The source of Ahu is Light, while the source of
Satan is darkness, and hence these two diametrically opposite and
antagonistic terms, namely Shaedan (for Ahu) and Shaitan (for the
Devil) must never be mixed up.
The idea of Shaedan Shaed has been referred to in the Gathas
(Ysn. 28,10) as 'asuna', which is not interpreted in its real abstruse
sense. The relevant lines are as under:
At ve khshmailbya-asuna vaeda
Khvaraithya vaintya sravao
meaning, "I have known that Thy lustrous Spells are mystical,
beyond all bounds", that is, their conception is lost in the darkness
of imagination.
It may be added that Shaedan Shaed refers to the first phase
of Ahu above mentioned of which nothing can be said except Ah
= it IS, about which nothing can be expressed or imagined. This
idea of utmost abstruseness, losing itself in the darkness, conveyed
in the term 'a-suna is misconceived in philology to be the darkness
of Shida-an which means darkness or wickedness personified, i.e.,
Ahriman, the Satan.
The Derivative of "Urvan", Soul
In Avesta (Ysn. 55,1) a soul is called "Urvan". Why it is so
called is not understood in philology. In Ervad Kanga's Avesta
dictionary it is stated that the derivative of Urvan is not kmown
with certainty, and 'Uru', wide and 'an', to live, are given by way of
a conjecture. Though this derivative is correct, yet it appears its
connotation is not intelligible in philology. Khshnoom explains
that "An Urvan is a principle always widening itself out and thus
expanding its consciousness", which means that the imperfect
Lights - Urvans - have to widen their divine knowledge to
perfection and see the True Light.
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"Chithra" - Anhuma -- Seed or 'Egg'
of Daulity, of Universe-to-be
We have seen that the imperfect lights, which have to widen
their divine knowledge, are called Urvans. By the activation of
these Urvans, the Seed of Duality was simultaneously sown in the
pre-cosmo-genesis world, where the state of Oneness existed
before. This Seed of Duality is called "Chithra" in Avesta (Visp.
23,1), and this Chithra itself is technically called 'Anhuma'.
Chithra means that which is known or made manifest, Sanskrit 'Chitra', picture, from root 'Chit', to know; So it means that
what was not picturable in the state of Asha, the Oneness of
holiness, became picturable when Duality set in.
Chithra, as a common noun, means a seed, because the seed
possesses the picture - Chitra - the embryonic cast of its
subsequent development. This Chitra, the 'Seed' of Duality, is the
seed or the 'Egg' from which the Universe is born. In the Universe,
multiplicity developed out of Duality, and the divine Plan of
Bagha Ahunavar that has been proceeding in Evolution will
continue to do so, and at the proper time when souls will be
purified, it (Plan) will take a turn into Involution or Unfoldment of
the Spirit from Matter, referred to in Avesta as Ahura-data (Yt.
10,67) (where - data means 'law').
Anhuma mentioned above connotes 'innumerableness shall
manifest itself, and (finally) merge Into AHU'; (derived from An,
not; Ma; measure; An plus Ma = immeasurable i.e. innumerable;
Hu= AHU).
We have seen above that the erstwhile state of oneness in the
pre-cosmo-genesis world is turned into Duality in the Chithra nucleus - Anhuma, embodying two groups of lights – one,
Uryans, the other Baodanghs.
The Great Chaos
Preceding Cosmos
We know by now that the Urvans on account of their
deficiency of divine knowledge possess Drvao or Ahuviyat which
is the source of all kinds of wickedness in Nature and which
possesses the tendency to flee away from the centre of light of
Staota Yasna. So when the Urvans were awakened, they fled from
that centre of light, and gathered in the 'Gatva', i.e. beyond the
circumference or the place or region away from that centre of
light.
The Baodanghs being still unawakened, and thus the Urvans
being left alone in the field, their Drvao became all powerful and
wholly rebellious and uncontrolled by Urvans_ because the Drvao
knew only opposition. Consequently, there was neither
112
law nor order nor attraction, but total discard and terrific feuds
reigned supreme. Thus there was complete and great Chaos in that
Gatva where the Urvans had gathered, away from the centre of
light. This Chaos caused a deadlock in the furtherance of the
Ahunavar Plan contained in Vacha_ the Word Divine of AHU, the
Light of lights. So dire was the vehemence of the onslaught of the
Drvao, i.e. the Daevas or demons that not only those Urvans, souls
were arrested from moving out of the Gatva to their destined
journey of exile to or towards the lower worlds but that stars and
other heavenly bodies (Yt. D,57) were also rendered motionless
and remained in darkness.
On account of the terrific rebellion of the Drvao clung to the
Urvans, and the Great Chaos arising out of it, Paourva Fravashi
dissociated herself temporarily from the Gatva, thus denying her
blessings on Drvao for the time being.
Anhuma Entertains Doubts
In Himself
(Translated from "Khshmoom Nikize Vehdin" Vol. II (pp. 26-27)
by Dr. F. S. Chinivala (published 1935).
We have seen that:
".......lights with Baod and Urvans with Drvao manifested themselves and remained in the motion (or flight) of Zarvana Akarana.
Thus the flight of Zarvana Akarana became the Khareh (lit, aura),
circumference of Anhuma. So in that there came a deadlock. There
was no progress. On account of this, uneasiness established itself in
the Chithra of Anhuma. Anhuma himself was attracted to AHU
only.
He wanted to complain to his mother Fravashi and to StaotaYasna - "When I am only pro AHU _ haw could the farces
of antagonistic natures emanate from me? One is able to
know AHU like myself, but the other is absolutely opposite.
What must be the reason for two antagonistic forces
emamating from myself? But... Anhuma did not espy his
mother near him, and his 'Dukh', (pain or grievance),
increased on account of this.
Thus Angra (Dukh, pain) found place in him. And defect set
in in the Zarzdaiti (devotion) that should have been shown in
perfection. With the beginning of this defect began the plaint
af why and wherefore (chunochara). The Aipi (clase vicinity)
of that Chithra of Anhuma was Zarvana Akarana. So in this
Zarvana Akarana the Huviyat (opposition to AHU) with the
thoughts of arrogance, grievance (Angra) raised Imkan,
doubt - may or may not be, and as the fruit of this, facilitated
the intrusion in the Urvan of the Dev (demon) of arrogance
and doubt.
That child of Humata was in Nada, tune of "It (or He) alone
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IS, I am nothing" - was in Nada of Hast, and hence the
Gati, the motion or force of Baod was established there. Thus
deadlock was created in the Zarvana Akarana as the result of
antagonistic forces or motions (Gati), which is called
Afrashimant Gatva." (Yt. 13. 57).
Paourva Fravashi
Awakens Baodanghs
It will be understood that we have so far considered only the
Mithra of Juz above, i.e. pondering by Fravashi favouring
opposition, which activated the Uryans. Now as was further laid
down in the Ahunavar Plan, Fravashi, in response to Anhuma's
plaint and doubts came to his succour. She extended her
consciousness on Baodanghs, the lights in Bagha Ahunavar with
perfect divine knowledge and divine Wisdom which owned
allegiance to AHU, but were not yet activated. So in her meditation
on Bagha Ahunavar this second time, Fravashi directed her Mithra
of Juft', meaning thought-forces to stir up their characteristic of
concordance or co-operation, whereby she willed and commanded
the obedient lights to awake. And so Baodanghs, lights displaying
Armaiti, perfect humility towards AHU, awoke.
Baodangh Is Not 'Intellect', But
Urvan's Higher Counterpart Possessing
Perfect Divine Knowledge
On account of the above supreme quality of Aramaiti in them,
these Lights (Baodanghs) simultaneously possess "Ta'akkul eKhudi" (lit. self-knowing), i.e. they possess the quality and power
of self-comprehending the Light of Fravashi to be superior to their
own. These lights possessing Armaiti amd Ta'akkul-eKhudi are
called 'Ahumat', i.e. belonging to AHU. They are more familarly
called "Baodangh" (Av. 'Bud', to know). Hence Baodangh means
perfect divine knowledge and divine Wisdom.
As stated in the beginning Baodangh has been usually and
erroneously translated in philology as "intellect', but, from what
has been explained above about its origin it will be readily understood what a wide gulf of difference exists between the philological meaning 'intellect', which is possessed practically by all
animals and insects and is perishable with the body at death, and
the Khshnoom meaning, the Immortal light possessing perfect
divine knowledge. This word occurs also in Yasna; 55.1 as
"Baodascha" in the last triad of the immortal constituents of the
body, where too it does not mean 'intellect', but the immortal
constituent of perfect divine knowledge and divine Wisdom be-
114
ing the counterpart of the soul which is imperfect. These Baod and
Fravashi (Farohar) remain outside, but within the Aipi, that is, in
the close vicinity of the body, within an arm's length of the
individual concerned.
'Hu-Chithra'
Among the Baodanghs aroused by Paourva Fravashi as stated
above, there was a pair (of Baodanghs) of which the higher knew
how the Chaos would end and when, while the lower, though not
rebellious, knew not, but wondered when and how it would end.
But when Paourva Fravashi cast her Mithra of Juft on Baodanghs
and simultaneously showered her blessings on Ahu-Chithra, the
inferior light, which was slightly deficient in divine knowledge,
became omniscient and perfect. Now the two stood on the same
level of perfection, and they merged together into one. This highest
and omniscient Light of the centre or nucleus of the Staota Yasna
is called in Avesta MAZDA, the Omniscient (Ysn. 33,.7). Thus
Mazda manifested Himself.
The term 'Ahura' is applied to AHU, who is inconceivable and
who can only be referred to as "it IS", by pointing to the sky. But
when AHU manifests his (lustrous) body - Kehrp, called 'Khao
Afrazymna', referred to in the beginning, He is then called Minoan
Mino Mazda Ahura, When Ahura manifests Urvara (Ysn. 48,6) the
allegorical tree, explained below, and manifests the faulty, wicked
creation through Ahuraongho, i.e. Yazads (angels), Ahura is then
called Ahura Mazda (Yt. 1,1: & 13,83). Such is the true but
abridged idea of the genesis of Ohrmazd, which according to
Ahunavar Plan took place subsequent to that of Ahriman, which is
already explained before. From the above it will be understood that
'Urvara' in Yasna 48,6 is used allegorically and does not mean a
tree or any vegetation with green leaves, but is like the
'genealogical tree'. In the above context, Ahura is the stem of the
tree; seven Ameshaspends and two deified laws (Mazda-data, the
law of Infoldment of Spirit into Matter; and Ahura-data, the law of
Unfoldment of Spirit from Matter) are the nine main branches; and
Yazads of different grades are the sub-branches. (Cf. second name
of Ahura Mazda 'Vanthvya' which conveys the same sense
expressed differently as a 'cluster').
How Ashaunam Fravashis Function
With Ahura Mazda, Ameshaspends
and Yazads
With the Creator Ahura Mazda, and the seven Ameshaspends
(Archangels) who are like His perfect glorious limbs, the
Ashaunam Fravashis function and co-operate from within and
115
without in effecting the creation of the Universe and leading it on
to perfection by their Divine nourishment.
However, with the Yazads, i.e. the angels of different grades
who are subordinate to Ameshaspends, the Ashaunam Fravashis
maintain their connection from without as their Divine comrade.
Though these Yazads have not the advantage of Ashaunam
Fravashis residing in or connected directly with them, still they
remain attuned with Ahura Mazda and Ameshaspends, and serve
as perfect and dutiful Divine orderlies of Ahura Mazda, and cooperate with Him in the execution of Ahunavar Plan, which they
fully understand. All this constitutes the Divine Administration,
conducted on the ninth and eighth Asmans (heavens) at the top of
the Universe, which displays, the benevolent and beneficent
influence of the comradeship of the Ashaunam Fravashis.
Exile of Souls Into Planetary
World and Evanescent Worlds for
their Reformation
Below the ninth and eighth Asmans (heavens) are created (1)
the luminous world composed of seven Planets in the eternal and
immortal worlds and below the latter; (2) the seven Dakhyus i.e.
planes of the Meher Yazad in Nisti composed of the evanescent
worlds (the Space). To these different worlds and their various
stages the souls are exiled from the ninth and eighth heavens
mentioned above. Our corporeal earth forms the lowest region
(called Jismani Alam) of the Nisti (the Space). Over the earth
there are the ultra-physical planes of ethereal regions composed of
pure elements, over these there are the supra-ethereal planes; and still
over them - at the top of the Nisti -- but within it there are the supraethereal planes of semi-luminous souls called "Gao-Chithra". Then
above the stage of "Gao-Chithra" souls extends what is called
"Miswane-Gatu", the partition region between the Hasti and the Nisti
(the immortal and evanescent worlds and above the latter (Misvane
Gatu) begins the planetary world.
According to the Ahunavar Plan, the Creator Ahura
Mazda,Ameshaspends and Yazads so provide and contrive that the
souls in all the above regions of the planetary and evanescent worlds
derive the Ashaunam Fravashis' nourishment in their respective
degrees through their (souls') respective counterparts, the Baodanghs,
who are possessors of perfect divine knowledge. By this is meant that
souls with less Evil draw more light of Fravashi, and those with
greater Evil draw less. This nourishing light which every soul receives
through the medium of its respective Baodangh, is called "Farohar".
116
"Farohar" Explained By
Analogy
From the above it will be understood that the Evil called
"Ahuviyat" i.e. backwardness in acknowledging AHU the Light
of lights, stands as an impediment or a screen between the soul
and the Fravashi. For a crude analogy, if Ahuviyat be represented
by a sheet of cloth and the Fravashi beyond it be taken as the Sun,
and then if a small hole be punched in that sheet, that hole will
admit of only a little from the Sun proportionate to the size of the
hole. Now, the more the hole is enlarged, the light admitted by
that hole will also be correspondingly more. Similarly, when a
soul advances in "Asha" (purity), its "Ahuviyat" i.e. its erratic
propensity decreases correspondingly, and as this errancy
decreases the Farohar gains in superiority, and the attraction
between the soul and its counterpart the Baodangh simultaneously
increases and the light of the Fravashi also increases therewith.
Paourva Fravashi is One Whole Light,
But Farohars Have Different Grades
The consistency of Ahuviyat (Evil) in different souls is of
various degrees. So Farohars are also of different degrees. But the
Paourva Fravashi is One Whole Light. Just as the Sun as one
single glorious orb casts its beams in the luminous world of seven
planets (in Hasti) as well as in the Nisti (the Space) of seven
Dakhyus including our earth, still all branches of the planetary
world and all creations of the Nisti worlds display differentiations
in their respective constitutions and are recognized by their various
names, so, the Paourva Fravashi as the One Whole Light - which
is the subtlemost reflex of AHU, the Light of lights Himself bestows divine nourishment on the luminous souls in Hasti as well
as on souls of various lower grades in the Nisti, yet, in such a way
that each soul receives its large or small share of the divine
nourishment in varying degrees in just proportion to its Ahuviyat
(Evil).
Farohars of Three Sublime Classes
of Souls Also Styled as Fravashis, in
Yasht 13
It is stated above that though Paourva Fravashi is One Whole
Light, yet Farohars are innumerable and of various degrees.
Among these Farohars of various degrees there are three classes of
Farohars of holy souls (Ashavans) mentioned in the Avesta, which
indicate the perfected conditions of the souls
117
concerned. These three classes of sublime Farohars are also styled
as Fravashis in the Farvardin Yasht.
The above three classes (higher to lower) are: (1) Nabanazdishtanam (Yt. 13,149) Fravashinam, who belong to the
proximity of Ahura Mazda's center, (2) Paoiryo-tkaeshanam (ibid.)
Fravashinam, and (3) Ashaonam (ibid. 154) Fravashinam the
lowest of the holy souls, Ashavans, who have managed to absorb
their fraction-souls which were erstwhile disintegrated at the stage
of Zareh Vourukasha in three lower kingdoms viz., animal,
vegetable and mineral. (En passant it may be stated that Asho
Zarathushtra, the Prophet of Prophets was highest among Nabanazdishtanam class, while the glorious kings and paladins of
ancient Iran – particularly of Peshdadian and Kayanian dynasties belonged to the Paoiryo-tkaeshanam class).
ERRONEOUS BELIEF IN PLURALITY
OF FRAVASHI
The Farohars of the above three classes of souls are so exalted
that they are also styled as Fravashis as stated above. This had led
some Avesta students to regard Fravashi to be in plural, which
belief, according to Khshnoom, is as erroneous as it is far from the
true doctrine. The word "Fravashinam" (in plural) following each
of the three classes above mentioned applies to the respective
Farohars, and not to the primemost Paourva Fravashi centred in
Ahura Mazda the Creator of the Universe. The three adjectives,
viz. Naba-nazdishtanam, Paoiryo-tkaeshanam and Ashaonam
preceding the word Fravashinam in each case indicate the three
different stages of perfection in Ashoi (purity) attained by the
respective class of souls. As explained already Paourva Fravasi
(singular) is referred to in Farvardin Yasht as Ashaunam
Fravashinam (plural) because the perfected Farohars of
Ameshaspends and Yazads are affiliated to it.
SUMMARY IDEA OF FRAVASHI AND FAROHARS
(1) Paourva Fravashi is the Agent Divine that implemented
and implements the Note Celestial of the Will of the Lord AHU,
the Light of lights, being Super-Glorious in Glory and being One
Whole, i.e., fraction-less and undivided. Paourva Fravashi implements the Ahunavar Plan by her absolute obedience and perfect
humility (Armaiti) to AHU'S Will and perfect Divine Knowledge,
and. Wisdom. These qualities and powers render Paourva Fravashi
Supermost in Divinity, Sublimity and Omnipotence, and is
subtlemost beyond all imagination and highest in consciousness.
All these powers are quite ineffable, because
118
She is the very Reflex of AHU who has separated Himself by
means of the Niru partition mentioned already.
(2) Farohar is the individual respective medium through
which all souls from angels down to human beings - draw Paourva
Fravashi's divine nourishment, the lustre whereof varies inversely
with the density of soul's Ahuviyat, the evil impediment, i.e., in
other words, grosser the Ahuviyat, lesser the Paourva Fravashi's
light.
(3) Naba-nazdishtanam; Paoiryo-tkaeshanam; and Ashaonam
(which is different from Ashaunam) preceding the word
Fravashinam in each case as adjectives indicate the different
degrees of advancement in Asha, purity, attained by these exalted
souls, and hence expressed in plural in Farvardin Yasht; otherwise
Paourva Fravashi is always in singular. Such, in fine, is the
exposition in Khshnoom regarding all the above technical terms.
PHILOLOGY CANNOT ENLIGHTEN ON
FRAVASHI, FAROHAR ETC.
Now let us turn to philology and see dispassionately how far
mere derivatives and grammar, with conjectures to boot, can
afford enlightenment.
In S.B.E. Vol. V, in his translation of Bundahish I; 8, the
learned Dr. West (in footnote 2 on p. 5) says:
"This sentence appears to refer to a preparatory creation of
embryonic and immaterial existences, the prototypes,
Fravashis, spiritual counterparts or guard an angels of the
spiritual and material creatures afterwards produced".
In S.B.E. Vol. XLVII, below paragraph 55 of his Introduction, Dr.
West renders "Fravashis" as 'primary ideas of the good creations' .
These renderings show that the real significances of the terms
Fravashi and Farohar are not understood in philology. There is a
jumble of different words and phrases. The supposed equivalents
namely_ 'prototypes' and 'primary ideas of the good creations' for
'Fravashis' convey no sensible meaning. Then the term
'counterpart' is applicable to 'Baodangh', i.e. light possessing
perfect divine knowledge, which is erroneously rendered in
philology as 'intellect'. 'Baodangh' is the 'counterpart' of 'Urvan',
(soul), the light deficient in divine knowledge, and vice versa.
Again, Fravashi is not a mere 'guardian angel', but far above an
angel, as we have seen already. Besides. Farohar and Fravashi are
not identical as shown above.
119
A DERIVATIVE OR A SPECULATIVE
CONNOTATION CANNOT GIVE THE
REAL IMPORT
All that is just stated proves that a derivative of an Avesta
word sought from Sanskrit or any other alien language may have
some distant connection with that Avesta word, but cannot give the
true sense or import thereof, just as an automaton Robot may do a
number of things which a human being does, yet it can never be the
living person possessing life and soul.
Besides if Fravashi be rendered as 'prototype' and if it only
referred to the 'spiritual and material creatures afterwards produced', why does the Creator Ahura Mazda tell Spitama Zarathushtra in Yasht 13; 12,. 13 :
'If Ashaunam Fravashi had not helped, the corporeal world
would have been of Druj, the Devil; Angra-Mainyu would not
have submitted to Spenta Mainyu'.
,Again how can the meaning 'prototype' for Fravashi be
applicable to the Fravashi that relieved the 'dead-lock' or Chaos
(Afratat-Kushi) in the progress of the Ahunavar Plan in which
Cosmos was designed (ibid; 53)
Still again in subsequent passages 57 and 58 it is stated:
"The Ashaunam Fravashi showed holy paths to the stars, the
Moon and the Sun, who remained un-advanced (Afrashimanto)
due to the wickedness of the Daevas, but now they i.e. those
orbs - go forward towards the paths of the Distant End desirous
of the good Frasho-kereti, the glorious Renovation."
In these passages also what sense can 'prototype' give if substituted
for Fravashi?
From all that has been given above, it will be understood that
the Avesta cannot be translated in its real loftiness merely by
derivatives and grammar like ordinary languages or dialects, but
requires the help and the knowledge of the Esoteric Teaching
(Zand Akas) of Khshnoom.
CHAPTER X
REFERENCES IN FARVARDIN YASHT
TO CHAOS AND COSMOS NOT
UNDERSTOOD IN PHILOLOGY
Several paragraphs in Farvardin Yasht refer to the Great
Chaos in the pre-cosmo-genesis world, and to the Cosmos established thereafter by Ashaunam Fravashis by their blessings.
These paragraphs are 12-14 and 53-58. In (ibid.) 57-58 it is stated:
(57) "We worship the good, strong, beneficent Fravashis of
the faithful, who showed their paths to the stars, the
moon, the sun and the endless lights, that had stood
before for a long time in the same place, without
moving forwards, through the oppression of the
Daevas, and the assaults of the Daevas."
(58) "And now they move around in their far-revolving circle
for ever, till they come to the time of the good
restoration of the world." (S.B.E. Vol. XXIII).
Here the Ahunavar Plan for the creation of the Universe is
depicted as having been rendered standstill in the Gatva, the place
or region away from the centre of light, where Urvans, lights with
deficiency of divine knowledge had fled, owing to the
predominance of the Drvao (Evil) clung to them, which (Drvao)
has the propensity of running away from the centre of light. Since
these Urvans at that stage knew only opposition, there was no
attraction or peace among them, but ceaseless and terrific feuds
raged in the Gatva. Hence those Urvans are referred to as
'Daevanam', demons. Owing to such ceaseless dissensions the
progress of the Ahunavar Plan could not proceed further in its
operation.
In the above paragraph (57) 'Daevanam-tbaeshanghat'
oppression of the Daevas, and 'Daevanam-draomohu', assaults of
the Daevas point to the Chaos. Due to this Chaos, the stars, the
moon, the sun and the endless lights were rendered motionless
resulting in their being in darkness. But when Ashaunam
121
Fravashis showered their Manthra-Spenta benedictions on the
Drvans, and simultaneously awakened the Baodanghs, lights with
perfect divine knowledge as stated already, the tendency of
opposition turned into one of attraction, the standstill condition
changed into that of motion, and those luminaries started their
endless revolutions till Frasho-kereti, Renovation of the souls will
finally be achieved as stated in para 58; in other words, till Drvao,
wickedness of the souls will be completely transmuted into Gao,
blissfulness (as of the kine). Thus the blessings of Ashaunam
Fravashis resulted in the Cosmos.
We have seen in the main body of the description of the precosmo-genesis world that the intense depravity of the demons
caused the stars and other heavenly bodies to remain in darkness,
owing to which Anhuma raised his plaint to his 'mother' Paourva
Fravashi, whose Manthra Spenta benedictions turned the Chaos
into Cosmos, as we find today.
In the hostile Armenian and Syriac writings in the past ages,
Eznik, the chief of those hostile writers, presents the above fact in
the following basest language with a view to create derision
against the Zoroastrian Faith and offend the Persians:
"When (Ahriman) saw. . . . that Ohrmazd had created beautiful
creatures, yet knew not how to create light, he took counsel
with the demons; and said - 'What benefit hath Ohrmazd for
he has created such beautiful creatures, yet they remain in
darkness, and he knew not how to create the light? But if he
were wise, he would go in unto his mother, and the Sun
would be born as his son, and he would have intercourse with
his sister, and the Moon would be born.' And he charged
(them) that not one (of them) should betray his thought. A
Demon, Mahmi, having heard this, came before Ohrmazd
with all speed and betrayed that thought to him."
In connection with the above quotation from Eznik, Prof.
Zaehner observes ("Zurvan" p. 147):
"The fullest account of the creation of the luminaries according to the Mazdeans is to be found in the second chapter
of Bundahishn. It is simple and straightforward, and knows
nothing of the dubious complexities retailed by' Eznik."
The learned Professor in his innocence does not know that Eznik's
reference to luminaries being "in darkness" relates to the period of
Chaos caused by the demons (Yt. 13,57) discussed above, while
the "second chapter of the Bundahishn" relates to that of Cosmos.
Moreover, in Eznik's quotation 'Anhuma' is
122
misread as 'Ohrmazd' since both terms have the common spelling
in Pahlavi. We have shown in the description of the pre-cosmogenesis world that Anhuma wanted to carry his plaint to his
mother Paourva Fravashi, but not finding her near by, he 'doubted'
as stated in the penultimate paragraph of Dr. Chiniwalla's
quotation under the head "Anhuma entertains doubts in himself"
(Chapter IX) in that description. So Eznik says "if he were wise,
he would go…. unto his mother" which though depicts his
perversity, yet correctly refers to the period of Chaos that
preceded the Cosmos, which Prof. Zaehner could not understand
in the absence in him of the knowledge of Khshnoom. Similarly
he (Zaehner) does not understand who "doubted', and why (p. 60;
ibid.).
'AFRATAT KUSHl',
UNMANIFEST LOGOS
(Yt. 13,53).
"We worship the good, strong, beneficent Fravashis of the
faithful, who show beautiful paths to the waters made by
Mazda, which had stood before for a long time in the same
place without flowing." (S.B.E. Vol. XXIII).
Here 'Afratat kushi' translated as 'had stood... in the same place
without flowing' refers to the 'unmanifest logos'. Afratat kushi
literally means 'did not move out of kushi'. Kushi means pit or
spring. According to the former meaning Vacha or the Logos, the
Word-divine and the Plan embodied in the same had, as it were,
fallen in a pit, from which it could not proceed or progress till
Fravashi showered her blessings. If Kushi means spring, it applies
to Khao Afrazyamna, literally, the spring or the Fountain Source
of Eternal Freshness expounded in the beginning of the
description of pre-cosmo-genesis world. It can then mean that the
Plan for bringing the Universe into being was arrested in that
'Khao' (spring) till 'Ashaunam Fravashi' came to its rescue.
With regard to 'Apam Mazdadatanam' literally rendered in
philology as 'waters made by Mazda', it may be explained that
'waters' represent 'Urvans', lights with deficiency of divine
knowledge destined to be exiled and trailed down to 'Nisti', i.e. the
vast evanescent world (or the Space), in varying ethereal vestures
or to the earth in physical garb for their emancipation. 'Mazdadata' is a technical term meaning the immutable fundamental
deified law of Infoldment of Spirit (soul) into Matter, according to
which human beings and other creatures take birth in this material
world. The inconceivable height of the 8th heaven of the zodiac,
which is the sidereal Home of all the souls
123
is allegorically regarded as the top of a high mountain (Mt. Alborz)
wherefrom Urvans trail down like waters gliding down to the earth.
(In 'Mazda-data' as in 'Ahura-data', 'data' does not mean 'made by',
but 'law', Ahura-data being the deified law of Unfoldment of Spirit
(soul) from Matter, when the soul becomes Evil-free).
'Beautiful paths' - 'Srirao patho' -- are the illumined paths of
five main religions of the world for the emancipation of Urvans,
souls, each religion and its respective Law-giver being under the
influence of one of the five planets, viz. Jupiter, Mars, Venus,
Mercury and Saturn, the remaining two, Sun and Moon being the
transitional stages after death from one religion to the other.
Thus the paragraph means that Ashaunam Fravashis (a
compound technical term) removed the impediment of the Chaos
by her blessings, and opened up the way for the progress of the law
of Mazdadata, according to which Urvans, souls, are led to the
evanescent world (the Space) or the material world for their
emancipation through different paths of Faiths, and through
repetitions of death and birth till Frasho-kereti, i.e., Renovation is
attained, according to the wish of Ahura Mazda and
Ameshaspends.
PROF. ZAEHNER'S MISCONCEPTION
OF 'ASHAUNAM FRAVASH' ETC.
We now come to (Yt. 13) paragraphs 12-13, which are
translated by Prof. Zaehner as under in "Dawn. . . " (p. 147):
'Had the strong Fravashis of the followers of Truth not granted
me their aid, then would I here possess neither cattle nor men
which are the best of (all animal) species, but the power would
belong to the Lie, the Kingdom to the Lie, Yea the (whole)
material world would belong to the Lie. Between Heaven and
earth would he who is the Liar of the two Spirits have
installed himself; between the heaven and the earth would he
who is the Liar of the two spirits have been victorious; nor
would the victor, the Destructive Spirit, ever again have
yielded to the vanquished, the Holy Spirit'.
0) In all the paragraphs of the Farvardin Yasht where the name
of 'Ashaunam Fravashi' is extolled, and their great function of
effecting Cosmos out of Chaos is shown, the technical
significance of the prefix 'Ashaunam' is not understood by
scholars. Consequently, the same is rendered merely
etymologically with the result that the real lofty significance
of the term
124
is entirely lost. Prof.Zaehner mistakes 'Ashaunam Fravashi' to be
Fravashi of human beings (Ysn. 55,1) and renders Fravashi as
'external human soul', which is quite incorrect.
'Ashaunam Fravashi' is a compound technical term really
representing the Paourva Fravashi, which is located in the heart or
centre of Ahura Mazda himself, and the joint Fravashis of the
seven Ameshaspends, besides of Mino, Dae, Farrokh and Yazads
who are all perfected, that is, Drvao-free souls and are attuned
with Ahura Mazda. These combined Fravashis represent divine
Wisdom, and are referred to as 'Ashaunam Fravashi, in Farvardin
Yasht. It is these supreme grade Fravashis, and not the 'external
human souls', that are stated to have given help to Ahura Mazda. It
is not known to the author of "Dawn..." that the 'aid' in question
was given in the shape of Manthra Spenta benedictions that turned
the Chaos into Cosmos in the pre-cosmo-genesis world; while
human beings who are erratic and sinful were exiled and trailed
down to the mortal worlds comparatively much later, and besides
they receive spiritual nourishment from 'Ashaunam Fravashis'
through their respective Farohars and hence they can never be
expected to grant 'aid' to Ahura Mazda.
Prof. Zaehner's
Ignorant Criticism
After the above confusion in his interpretation, the author (of
"Dawn...") ignorantly criticizes the above scriptural passage as
under:
'God, then, in order to vanquish the power of his eternal
enemy, must rely on the help of that dynamo of unseen power
which is the totality of the external human souls, both of the
living and the dead and of those yet to be born. This much,
indeed, is consonant with the Prophet's teaching, namely, that
man has a vital part to play in the annihilation of the Lie; but
never did it seriously occur to the Prophet Zoroaster, that, but
for man's contribution, the whole of the material Universe
between heaven and earth might collapse in ruin before the
onrush of the powers of Evi1.' (ibid.)
(2) 'Eternal enemy' i.e. Druj or Ahriman is not eternal as can be
seen from BD. 1;2, where it is stated:
"the creation of Ahriman will terminate when (totality of
souls) will attain Tane-pasin, final body, That also is of
Boundles's time."
According to Khshnoom, Yavaecha-yavaetat, eternity, consists of
seven Zarvana Akarana, Boundless Time. In the first three,
125
the Creation was effected by Ohrmazd. We are at present living in
the fourth Zarvana Akarana, in which there is mixed sway of both
Ohrmazd and Ahriman (ibid. 7). In the next, that is, 5th Zarvana
Akarana :
(a) the erstwhile incessant internal conflict '-yaokhedra, (Ysn.
12,9) within the body between the Good and Evil sides,
which are the Ranoibya (Ysn. 51,9), the two Contestants,
will gradually cease in the totality of souls for ever;
(b) they will become saintly, i.e., evil-free;
(c) they will gain mastery over the five senses to which
worldly souls in the present 4th Zarvana Akarana
(Boundless Time) are more or less slaves;
(d) they will be delivered after death of their physical bodies 'snath' (Ysn. 12,9) (the instrument or tool of the soul);
(e) defective souls will get exalted, and get Tane-Pasin
(Bd. 1,2) meaning final body, which is of a fiery type;
(f) they will get elevated to the level of their respective
- Baodanghs (Ysn. 55,1), which are their (Urvans') higher
grade immortal counterparts perfect in divine knowledge
and Wisdom.
The above-exalted states refer to the masculine and feminine
saintly souls singly on the earth. Ages and ages after death on
reaching the top of the Space the masculine counterpart saintly
soul will give itself up (-datha; ibid.) to its 'own relative' feminine
counterpart saintly soul (Khaetu; ibid.) and vice versa, which postsalvation noumenon is called 'Khaetva-datha'. Hence the
Zoroastrian Faith is styled Fraspa-yaokhedram, i.e., the terminator
of internal conflict, Nida-snaithishem, meaning deliverer from the
physical body which is the instrument ('snath') of the soul, and
Khaetva-datham, blending of counterpart souls, which are each
other's own (spiritual) relatives, horribly misconstrued and
misinterpreted in philology by most of the scholars.
(3) It will be understood that deliverance from Snath, the
physical body, is not effected by 'annihilation of the Lie', i.e. of
Druj or Ahriman as imagined by Prof. Zaehner, but by the complete gradual transmutation of Druj, Evil, into Good (Gao), which
when effected, sanctifies the soul and frees it from rebirth. Now
that soul is exalted. If it takes birth, it is as an Ashavan, holy
person, to help other human beings in spiritual advancement.
126
(4) Regarding the misinterpretation of Fravashi as 'external
human souls', it may be stated that in Avesta (Ysn. 55,.1), nine
constituents of a human being are mentioned, of which the last
three, Urvan, Baodangh and Fravashi are immortal. Urvan, soul, is
originally a light with deficiency of divine knowledge; Baodangh
is the soul's counterpart with perfect divine knowledge, and
Fravashi, (in the sense of Farohar) furnishes the share of light of
spiritual nourishment from Paourva Fravashi accompanying every
Urvan, proportionate to the degree of Goodness of the Urvan.
Paourva Fravashi may be likened to the Sun and Farohars to its
countless rays; Thus the Farohars of human beings are
infinitesimal in power compared to Ashaunam Fravashi, and they
cannot aid Ahura Mazda. Urvan is imprisoned within the person's
physical body, while the Baodangh and Farohar which are pure
and which are subtle like the soul, remain outside, yet within the
Aipi of the body, i.e., within the arm's length of the person's
physical body. Perhaps; this may be what Prof. Zaehner means in
defining Fravashis as 'external human souls' in the above criticism
(p. 147). But it must be remembered that soul, Urvan, whether
masculine or feminine, is only one residing in each human body
called Tanu (Ysn. 55,1) (from Tan, to draw) drawn from the soul
itself.
The 'onrush of the powers of evil' stated by the author is
bound down by the respective Zarvana Akarana (Boundless Time)
and all noumena and phenomena manifest themselves according to
(Ahunavar) Plan. Thus the idea of Prof. Zaehner that:
"never did it seriously occur to the Prophet Zoroaster that, but
for man's contribution the material universe……might
collapse. . . ."
is simply imaginary and meaningless arising out of gross ignorance of genuine knowledge of the Zoroastrian religion.
CHAPTER XI
ELUCIDATION OF
"ZERVANITE WRITINGS" IN
THE LIGHT OF KHSHNOOM
PRELIMINARY REMARKS
By publishing his book "Zurvan" (though with the erroneous
appendage - "A Zoroastrian Dilemma" - to that title) Prof. Zaehner
has rendered very useful service from the standpoint of ratifying
Khshnoom teaching of AHU as Supreme Deity over Ohrmazd and
Ahriman, and in proving as erroneous the philological belief in
Dualism as the theological teaching of the Zoroastrian Faith. The
book contains reproductions and translations by the learned
Professor of what are styled the 'Zervanite Writings', which the
author could neither elucidate nor follow. Yet they could be very
easily elucidated and explained in the esoteric light of
"Khshnoom", the heart-rejoicing occult knowledge of the
Zoroastrian Faith (Khshnu, to rejoice, Ysn. 48,12). We have
treated this Chapter here because these Zervanite writings relate to
the genesis of Ohrmazd and Ahriman, their allegorical 'mother'
and 'father', and other antecedents to the creation of the Universe
that occurred in the pre-cosmo-genesis world in the past of all
dead past, about which philological scholars have been totally in
the dark.
It appears that during the long passage of time of some 7000
years between the Revelation of the holy Prophet Zarathushtra and
the devastation by Alexander arid others of the literature pertaining
to the Zoroastrian religion and ancient history of Iran, the genuine
knowledge of the concatenated description of the pre-cosmogenesis world, including the genesis of Ohrmazd and Ahriman and
other noumena were forgotten; and what fragmentary teaching went
down to the posterity in later ages in the past, was in the form of
'folklore' only. In this folklore the genuine term AHU mentioned
above seems to have been forgotten, and its place incorrectly
assigned to "Zurvan", Time, though the literal meaning "it IS" of
the term. AHU survived (p. 270) in 'Ethical Zervanism'.
128
Moreover, it appears that at some stage in those dark ages
there arose controversy among two Zoroastrian religious parties,
one styled Zervanites who believed in the folklore that Ohrmazd
and Ahriman were the "twin" sons of 'Zurvan' their 'father', and
who were born of the same 'mother', whose name they knew not.
On the other hand, the oppositionists, styled Mazdeans,
disbelieved the story of Zurvan being the father of Ohrmazd and
Ahriman, and believed the latter two as the "Independent and
eternal principles" (ibid.).
The above mentioned folklore has been presented by Eznik
and others in phraseology of street roughs_all vulgarly mixed and
multiplied with gross falsehoods and fabrications with a view to
disrepute the Zoroastrian religion and insult the Persians. Prof.
Zaehner being stranger to the anteriority of the creation of the
Universe, could make no head or tail of those writings as admitted
by him (p. 265) nor could he distinguish or link up the few
references to the genuine facts relating to the pre-cosmo-genesis
world that do exist in them. It may be noted that in dealing with
these hostile writings, I have ignored abominable language and
falsehoods and fabrications, which are like refuse, save where
some truth is hidden in them.
Thus with regard to the manifestation of Ahriman prior to
Ohrmazd we have shown in the description of the pre-cosmogenesis world that the lights with deficiency of divine knowledge
(Drvans) being in minority compared to those with perfection of
divine knowledge (Baodanghs), they i.e. Urvans (from which
Ahriman arose) were awakened first by Paourva Fravashi so that
they _ Urvans - may have full scope to display their evil
propensity unhindered by the Baodanghs. In this way Ahriman
was caused to be manifested prior to Ahura Mazda, who
manifested himself later from Baodanghs. How this genuine fact
of the genesis of Ahriman - first - and Ohrmazd - next - according
to the Ahunavar Plan shown above has been wholly
misrepresented in a concocted story will be understood from the
following extract ("Zurvan" p. 66) :
"Now Zurvan after doubting perceived that there were two
sons in the mother's womb, and he made a vow that whichever should come into his presence first should receive the
kingdom from him. Ohrmazd who as we have seen was
conceived from the wisdom of his father divined his thought,
and somewhat guilelessly divulged it to Ahriman. The latter
was not slow to take advantage of his newly acquired
knowledge, but unfortunately for him Ohrmazd the elder twin
lay nearer to the egress of his mother's womb. Ahriman rising
superior to the obstacle, ripped the womb open at the navel,
sprang out, and presented his detestable person to his father
Zurvan".
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In the whole of the above fabricated story, the only fact is that
Ahriman was caused to be manifested prior to Ohrmazd, which
was all according to the Ahunavar Plan. Moreover as shown in the
description of the pre-cosmo-genesis world, it was "Anhuma" who
'doubted' (vide sub-head: "Anhuma entertains doubts in himself.")
SERVICE RENDERED BY
HOSTILE WRITERS AND
PROF. ZAEHNER
The useful service rendered by the hostile writers of the past
is that they furnish evidence that Ohrmazd and Ahriman are not the
two 'independent and eternal principles' as imagined in philology
since over a century past, but that there is the existence of a higher
Potentiality, from which the 'twins' have been caused to be
manifested. Side by side with this, the service rendered by the
author of "Zurvan" lies in the fact that in his attempts "to uncover
the Zervanite idea from beneath the Mazdean overlay" (ibid.), he
has unwittingly uncovered the clue to the term AHU from his
translation of "Ethical Zervanism" (p. 270), where he says as
under:
"Ethical Zervanism starts squarely from the unity of the
godhead of which nothing positive can be stated except that 'it
IS'. God, the One, is a pure potentiality."
This Revelation explodes the pet heretical belief in 'Dualism' as the foundation of the theological teaching of the
Zoroastrian religion harboured by the philological school since
over a century past, as well as its closely associated offspring - the
imaginary "Dilemma", with which Zarathushtra has all along been
ignorantly and erroneously believed to have been faced, which
"Dilemma" is also philological. In this way both the Zervanite
writings of the past, and the book of "Zurvan" of the present have
proved a blessing in disguise, because through the esoteric
teachings of Khshnoom, we are now in a position to rectify such
errors, and establish that AHU (lit, 'it IS') is the Supreme Deity
over the twins Ohrmazd and Ahriman, and moreover, acquaint the
philological school with the two most fundamental branches of
knowledge of the Zoroastrian religious philosophy and teaching,
absolutely necessary for the genuine interpretation of Avesta and
Pahlavi writings. It will thus be understood that the true line of
studying the Zaroastrian religion is through the conjoint study of
philology and Khshnoom. We shall now take a brief review of the
book of "Zurvan", and give elucidation of the Zervanite Writings,
not understood by Prof. Zaehner.
130
"ZURVAN", A ZAEHNERIAN
DILEMMA, NOT
'ZOROASTRIAN'
The full title of the above book is "Zurvan A Zoroastrian
Dilemma" which is a misnomer, since the author himself admits in
the beginning of the last "Retrospect" chapter (p. 265) that:
"It would be premature to speak of a Zervanite 'system'; for
our evidence was so fragmentary that we could not even say
whether such a system ever existed?"
Thus it is Prof. Zaehner's own dilemma, and not of Zoroaster,
for the holy Prophet was never in a 'dilemma since he was a
Saviour who drew his divine knowledge direct from Mazda,
the Omniscient-'Mazdo frasasta-(Ysn. 1,10).
CERTAIN POINTS OF GENUINE
KNOWLEDGE IN ZERV ANITE WRITINGS
At the outset it may be stated that certain Armenian, Syriac
and other hostile writers have attacked the Zoroastrian religion in
the past in most offensive language. Yet when viewed in the light
of "Khshnoom", it can be found that in spite of their loathe-some
falsehoods and basest fabrications, there exist some points of true
ancient Zoroastrian philosophical knowledge relating to the
antecedents of the creation of the Universe, that is, of the precosmo-genesis world, about which the modern scholars are
entirely in the dark. Thus there are references in those hostile
writings relating to that pre-cosmo-genesis world, where the
genesis of Ohrmazd and Ahriman took place, and to which world
also belonged their allegorical 'mother' technically called Paourva
Fravashi, referred to as Ashaunam Fravashi (Yt. 13) for reason
explained in the last Chapter, besides other particulars. The precosmo-genesis or the 'first world' is called in Avesta "Anghu
Paourva" - (Angheush paouruyehya; Ysn. 48,6 etc.).
The Armenian and other writers having turned hostile have
filled up gaps in true knowledge, wantonly or ignorantly, with
utter nonsense, with a view to throw the Zoroastrian religion into
disrepute and derision, and thereby offend the Zoroastrians. It
must also be stated that what real knowledge exists in those
writings has been drawn from folklore. Hence in their case it is
understandable that they being mimical wrote in foul language.
But it is much to be regretted that Prof. Zaehner should have made
capital of their perverse writings.
However, if we 'discard the brambles' in Zervanite writings,
we can find through them traces of genuine ancient commentary
131
knowledge taught in Khshnoom, which explode the speculative
belief of the Western scholars since over a century past in the socalled "Dualism" as the basis in the theology of the Zoroastrian
religion
ZERVANITE 'IT IS' SAME AS KHSHNOOMIC
AHU (ALSO MEANING 'IT IS'), IMPERSONAL
DEITY
According to Avesta, as taught in Khshnoom, AHU (literally
meaning 'it IS', only in the Yatha AHU Vairyo prayer) is unnameable, Anamanthvao. un-thinkable Absolute One in oneness,
who is the shoreless and motionless ocean of Noor, pristine Lustre,
and referred to as the Light of lights, the designer divine of the
Universe, and the Supreme Deity over Ohrmazd and Ahriman.
Thus AHU in the Yatha Ahu Vairyo prayer represents the One
without a second. In this prayer the prophet does not say 'As (is)
the Will of Zurvan'; or of 'Ahura Mazda', but 'As (is) the Will of
AHU'. Consequently Ohrmazd and Ahriman are not the 'twin' sons
(?) of Zurvan, but of AHU. On p. 270 the author states:
"Ethical Zervanism starts squarely from the unity of the
godhead of which nothing positive can be stated except that 'it
IS'. God, the One, is a pure potentiality."
Thus it will be understood that the so-called Zervanist 'it IS' is
only the rendering of Avesta AHU. Consequently, the
argument of Zoroastrianism being "uncompromisingly dualist"
(intro. pp. iii-iv) and "postulating two principles" (ibid.) holds
no water. In his innocence of the presence of the term AHU in
Avesta for the Supreme Deity, the author regards the above
quoted Zervanite idea as a 'major heresy' (Intra. p. v), because
it does away with 'that essential dualism which is the hub of
the Zoroastrian position" (ibid)? Thus Prof. Zaehner calls
orthos-doxa, right-opinion, 'a heresy'.
It may be noted that in the Zervanite writings "Zurvan" takes
the place of AHU in Avesta. So we read (p. 231):
"In the Zoroastrian books Zurvan.................... appears either as
infinite or finite.............. As the Infinite the essence of Zurvan
is pure Being: he is that which has no origin, yet is the origin
of all things……..He is 'abun bun bunomand', without origin,
yet himself the origin of all, and the source of all secondary
causes ... He is the Absolute"
Zurvan, it may be stated, originally means 'motion' of vibrations the motion of AHU's consciousness caused in issuing
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his WILL-Primum mobile, eternal first motion, and the idea of
Time arising from it. Zurvan is the boundless fiery motion, Zrvana
Akarana, with which his Will divine was promulgated. Thus
Zurvan though closest to AHU, yet is not the 'father of Ohrmazd
and Ahriman'. This AHU issues his Will or edict called Ahuna-var
(Ysn. 19).
After issuing and promulgating His Will Ahunavar, AHU
alienates himself by the creation of 'Niru' (Nerok) literally power
(Pazand Afrin), which is a screen of light impregnable from
Ahunavar side. It is of such a nature that while AHU does not
incorporate himself in the Universe, He is not incognizant of the
activities in the Universe. In this way AHU alienates himself and
takes no part in the affairs of the Universe. Hence the words 'this
evasive deity is at once the god of light and of darkness’ evidently
refers to AHU (p. 56). In the first of his 'Ratanbai Katrak Lectures''
(p. 10) Prof. Henning quotes Nyberg where Ahura Mazda (AHU)
is mentioned as 'Deus otiosus' (God serving no practical
purpose)... "the shadowy gods of the Gnostic system, who are
known as "the nameless god" or the "stranger". Thus we see that
though in their folklore they haven't the Avestan terms, yet the
interpretation is correct.
The whole colossal Plan of AHU for the creation of the
Universe and the perfect and imperfect lights which were all in
dormancy were in Ahunavar. So he is referred to as 'the seed of
seeds' ('Zurvan' _ pp. 107 & 215). Hence it will be understood that
Ahunavar and Yatha Ahu Vairyo are not the same. The former is
AHU's Will, the latter a prayer formulated by the Prophet based on
the same vibrations of Ahunavar, which is said to be 81 times
more powerful than Yatha Ahu Vairyo prayer, as stated in the
description above.
Prof. Zaehner being unaware of the description of the precosmo-genesis world says "The name of the mother is of obvious
importance, if we could find a satisfactory explanation" (p. 64).
We have seen above that this allegorical mother is Paourva
Fravashi. On p. 60 the author states "Eznik and
Yohannan……..speak of 'pondering' or 'reflecting', while
Theodore. . . says more explicitly that he 'doubted'. We have seen
in the description that Paourva Fravashi meditated (that is,
pondered or reflected) on the dormant lights in Ahunavar. With
regard to 'doubting' it has been shown there that it was Anhuma
that doubted. As also stated there Anhuma and Ohrmazd have a
common spelling in Pahlavi. So instead of Anhuma they seem to
have read Ohrmazd.
Thus it will be seen that Prof. Zaehner with all his wide
knowledge of philological scholarship and his great learning of
'Eastern Religions and Ethics' could not understand who is the
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mother of Ohrmazd and Ahriman, who pondered or reflected and
who doubted and why, and why "Ahriman's birth precedes that of
Ohrmazd" (p. 270), yet all these points, as well as the one of "Deus
otiosus" referred to by Nyberg quoted by Prof. Henning mentioned
before, could all be made out clearly from the Zoroastrian heartrejoicing commentary knowledge of Khshnoom, and though (on p.
65) the author says "the pieces of the puzzle begin to fit into a
pattern", yet the picture of that Pattern never saw the light. The
author with his usual predilection for disparaging the Zoroastrian
religion closes his 'Retrospect" chapter in a "gloom" (p. 270) for he
possesses no genuine knowledge of the Zoroastrian religion as
well as of "Zurvan" which represents the seven boundless cycles of
Time Zrvana Akarana - that constitute Yavaecha-yavaetat, in
which the 3-stage colossal Ahunavar Plan functions throughout the
Universe and in the pre-cosmo-genesis world from the eternity of
dead past to the Infinity of Ghaiban, futurity lost in dim future, and
knows not the true significance of "Rosh an Rooz", the Glorious
Day, which is not 'gloom' that exists only in his knowledge, and
not in the Zoroastrian religion.
CHAPTER XII
"KEY" NO.2 MAP AND
COSMOGRAPHY OF THE
UNIVERSE
We now come to the second 'Key' of the Khshnoom Teaching,
which treats of the Map, and Cosmography of the Universe. This
Universe is Nature's gigantic machinery for transmutation of the
Evil clung to the totality of Urvans, souls, which in their origin
were lights, but with deficiency of divine knowledge, which
(deficiency) is the source of all wickedness in the world. In other
words, the total transmutation of the Evil into Good constitutes the
extinction of Ahriman, the Satan, leading to the final bringing
about of 'Roshan Rooz', the Glorious Day.
The Universe comprises two main divisions: 1, Immortal
worlds, and 2_ Mortal worlds. Immortal worlds consist of (a)
'Minoi Alam' literally spiritual or heavenly world); and (b) 'Jirmani
Alam', planetary world. The Minoi Alam consists of (a) the
empyrean, which is the 9th heaven, also known as the heaven of
Ahunavar; and (b) Anaghra Raochao (Vd. 2,40) (literally Endless
Lights), which is the 8th heaven of the zodiac. It is also called
'Stehr Paesanghem', decorated with stars (Ysn. 9,26). On the 9th
heaven is located the divine Cabinet of Creator Ahura Mazda,
Ameshaspends (Archangels) and Yazadic (angelic) Intelligences.
Besides these, on this 9th heaven are located the highest divine
powers for conducting the divine administration of the whole
Universe, viz., 'Atar-Puthra-AhuraMazda' (compound technical
term), the creative fire energy which is the highest potentiality
among the 16 fire-energies operating in the whole Universe;
Yavaecha-yavaetat, Infinity, comprising seven cycles of ZarvanaAkarana, Boundless Time, from Eternity of the past to Infinity of
the future; Niru-khadat, the Law of Glorious Universal diffusion
and Expansion; Baodangh, brilliance of perfection of divine
knowledge; Paourva Fravashi, the highest Light ineffable and
indivisible representing divine Wisdom, besides other highest
powers, in which all, is diffused
136
as Urvan of Manthra-Spenta, the lustrous part of the original
Urvan with Taromaiti, arrogance, since turned into Armaiti,
perfect humility.
The 8th heaven of the zodiac is the sidereal Home of all
Urvans, souls. All souls are exiled for their Reformation first to the
planetary world, and thence to the varied stages of the lower world
(the Space) or to the earth at its bottom. Every soul on its long,
long journey of exile is labeled with the divine prescription from
this 8th heaven, which lays down Nature's processes for
transmutation of the soul's Druj into Gao, i.e. Evil into Good for
effecting its individual 'Frasho-gard', Renovation (of the soul).
These processes which are detailed further on are chalked out by
Dame Fate, and as such, a soul's destiny is pre-ordained, in which
(Destiny) the Free-Will has a very small share, for the soul trails
down to this material world heavily shackled in its physical body,
and heavily veiled with the Veil of Darkness, and bound down by
the laws of 'Akem-akai', evil to evil (Ysn. 43,5). Thus the Fate of
the soul is sealed on this 8th heaven, on account of which the latter
is allegorically called the heaven of 'luhokalam', slate and pen.
Mt. Alborz
In Avesta, this 8th heaven, besides being known as 'Anaghra
Raochao', Endless Lights, is also referred to allegorically as
'Haraiti-Barsh' (Yt. 19,.1) or 'Hara-Berezaiti' (Yt. 10,51) the Mt.
Alborz, in which the extreme height of the 8th heaven of the
Zodiac is compared with the top of a high mountain, which indicates sublimity; while one of the constellations of the zodiac called
'Hu-kairya' is regarded as one of its peaks. Thus it will be
understood that Haraiti-Barsh is not a mountain on this earth.
En passant, it may be stated about Mt. Alborz that of the four
cerebral plexuses in the human body, which remain latent in
worldly sinful people, but are active in the case of saints, the first
called 'Lahian' is regarded as Mt. Alborz of the physical body,
being most sublime in imparting highest spiritual powers to the
soul concerned. Thus the 'four legs of the black steed of king Kae
Gushtasp, said to have been retracted in its abdomen', were the
four latent cerebral plexuses which were rendered active by the
Prophet, and which cleared the darkness of the king's mind which
enabled him (king) to discern the truth of Zarathushtra being the
true prophet and not a demon, as the real demons had
misrepresented him to the king.
Again, 'Khanirath Bami' (Yt. 1O,15) lit., 'Golden Shore',
situated on the heights indestructible from the waters of the World
Deluge on the top of this earthy globe, is also called Mt.
137
Alborz. It is the seventh and the only terrestrial Keshvar that is the
residing place of saintly souls referred to as 'Gava-Shitim' (ibid),
where Gava is used for saintly souls, who possess the blissful
characteristics as of the kine (Gava). This Khanirath Bami is
referred to as 'Thrishva' in Farvardin Yasht; 2 which is the onethird holy section of the globe at the Arctic region towards the
North-Pole, which is almost Satan-free, and buried under Aredvideep snow (Vd. 2,22) since over 10,000 years. Consequently, its
very existence or geography is unknown to modern scholars. Here
in this Khanirath Bami is situated Airyana Vaeja, where
Zarathushtra was born. Besides the above three allegorical Mt.
Alborz; there is the actual mountain of that of that name in the
North of Iran.
Planetary World
Below the 8th heaven of the zodiac are the seven planetary
heavens; (from 7th on top) Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Sun, Venus,
Mercury and Moon (lowest). To the varied influences of the above
planets on this earth, races and individuals, their religions, cultures
and civilizations and all major upheavals of worldwide or
nationwide magnitude react in rise or fall, peace or war, weal or
woe, according as the 'aspects' of the movements of the planets are
favourable or otherwise. From here_ i.e., from the planetary world
operates the law of Jirm, planet, which governs the souls. We have
seen in the description of pre-cosmo-genesis world that souls
possess varied degrees of Drvao, Evil The rotations and
revolutions of the planets being of varied velocities, the souls
accommodated themselves in different planetary heavens suitable
to their varied degrees of Drvao. Here a large mass of the souls
succeeded in eliminating their Drvao by self effort by a process
somewhat akin to that of evaporation. However, there was another
lot of souls which could not do so owing to their Drvao being very
rigid or dense, and so for their purification, Nature has created
'Dami', lit., creation (the Space) with which begins the mortal
section of the Universe.
Mazda-data and Ahura-data, Deified
Laws of Infoldment of Spirit into
Matter, and Unfoldment of Spirit
from Matter
Before proceeding further, it would be well to take a correct
idea of the two terms 'Mazda-data' and 'Ahura-data', which are
quite erroneously rendered in philology, and which relate respectively to the Infoldment of wicked souls into Matter, that is
investing them into physical bodies for their (spiritual) purification, and to the Unfoldment of saintly souls from Matter on their
attaining complete purification.
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"The unfoldment of a soul is a process requiring ages after
ages, and the Avesta word Urvan from its derivation Uru, wide,
and An, to breathe or to exist suggests that it is a principle always
widening itself out, and thus expanding its consciousness", which
means in other words that the consciousness of Urvans is not fully
developed. In Khshnoomic parlance an Urvan up to the Lunar
heaven, at the bottom of the planetary world is a light with
deficiency of divine knowledge, which is the cause of all Evil
(Druj) -in the world. Consequently, for effecting Reformation, that
is for transmuting this Druj, evil, into Asha, holiness, for which the
Universe is created, souls are exiled from their sidereal home in
the 8th heaven – of the zodiac (Anaghra Raochao; Yt. 12,35)
according to Mazda-data (Yt. 10,67), the deified Law of
Infoldment of Spirit (soul) into Matter, whereby the soul is
invested with a physical body an this earth. Inversely, it may be
stated that when a soul is on the path of righteousness, and after
death advances upward to the paradisiacal regions on its
repatriating felicitous journey back towards the planetary world,
though very very slowly, it (soul) is governed by Ahura-data
(ibid.), which is another law, also deified, but of Unfoldment of
Spirit from Matter. It may be noted that Mazda-data and Ahuradata are both technical terms, where '-data' in both cases means
'law', and not 'made by', as erroneously rendered in philology
(though etymologically correct) in the absence of Zoroastrian,
esoteric commentary knowledge. From the above it will be
understood that a wicked soul trails down to this material world
according to Mazdadata, and a holy soul ascends to the
paradisiacal regions according to Ahura-data.
AKA CHITHRA
THE WICKED SEED
With regard to the souls, it may be stated, that originally, that
is, in the pre-cosmo-genesis world, there were two types of lights,
viz., lights with perfect divine knowledge called Baodangh (Ysn.
55,2), and lights with deficiency of divine knowledge called Urvan
(ibid. I). From this deficiency of divine knowledge arise all types
of wickedness called 'Aka', or 'Drvao'. So, as the first step towards
redeeming the lights with Aka or Drvao, wickedness, Ahuraongho,
the junior angels led them out of Naba-nazdishta, the precincts of
the zodiacal centre of light, to the planetary world below. The
rotations and revolutions of the different planetary heavens, as
well as of the Drvao, wickedness of the Urvans, souls, being of
varied degrees, those souls were attracted to the respective
planetary heavens suitable to their Dryao, and accommodated
themselves accordingly. Here a part of the Urvans, souls, became
pure, that is, became
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evil-free by eliminating their Drvao-affected portion by a process
which may crudely be likened to that of evaporation. The Drvao or
Aka, evil, thus evaporated was caused to be drawn to the respective
Zamrirs, transitional regions between each pair of firmaments.
Here the form of the Drvao, evil, was then caused to be changed a
little, by being, what may be called, condensed. This changed or
condensed form of the Drvao-affected part of the soul is called
'Aka-Chithra', wicked seed (Aka, unholy or wicked and Chithra,
seed).
The purified portion of the Urvan, soul, having thus become
Drvao-free, that is, pure, its Rae_divine self-knowledge which was
confused or inert so far, now became self-enlightened. So it
(purified portion) now endeavors to redeem its erstwhile Drvao,
which is turned into Aka-Chithra, wicked seed, and to merge the
latter into itself after its purification. As the result of this endeavor,
9/l0ths (or 0.9) of the Aka-Chithra became illumined, but the
Drvao, wickedness of the remaining l/l0Oth (0.1) was very dense
or rigid, and could not be reclaimed, and hence that l/l0th (0.1)
part, which was like the dross of the soul, was exiled for its
Reformation to the lower world referred to in Avesta as 'Dami', the
Space, literally meaning creation (Ysn. 57,2), and technically
called 'Nisti', the evanescent world, so called because it is not an
immortal world and because one day it will be absorbed into the
planetary world above.
DIVINE PRESCRIPTION
FOR SOUL'S REFORMATION
The Drvao above mentioned is the soul's malignant malady of
wickedness, for the cure of which the above l/l0th (0.l) part of the
original whole soul will have to go on a long, long journey of exile
through the Space technically called Nisti, the evanescent world,
which may be said to be Nature's huge spiritual Reformatory or
hospital. The soul trails down from the planetary world to the earth
labeled, as it were, with the divine prescription from the 8th
heaven (of the zodiac) where sits Dame Fate. The prescription lays
down what processes of spiritual therapeutics would be
administered to the soul for its redemption, which different paths
of religions (Ysn. 42,1) and their respective grades of purity would
be required to become sin-free, how many rounds of birth and
death it would have to repeat, what type of weal or woe or both it
would enjoy or endure, how many aeons would be necessary for it
to gain emancipation, that is, liberation of the soul from its
physical body, and after it is emancipated when it would be able to
return to its original native Home in the 8th heaven, the seat of
Ahura Mazda - ALL that is laid down in the divine pres-
140
cription accompanying the soul as stated above, according to
which its destiny is pre-ordained. In this journey of exile of the
soul the share of its good constituent is supplied to it by Yazad
(angel) Payu (Ysn. 57,2), and the wicked constituent by Yazad
Thworeshtar (ibid.). Thus the soul takes birth on this known
material world heavily shackled in the physical body which is its
instrument or tool (Snath) for appearing on the earth, heavily
veiled with the Veil of Darkness, and bound down by the laws of
Akem-akai, evil to evil (Ysn. 43,3) whereby the density and
rigidity of Drvao, (evil) becomes vulnerable to Nature's
Reformative processes. With its destiny thus chalked out for it by
Dame Fate in which Free Will plays but a small part, the human
soul takes birth as a child.
MISWANE-GATU, INTERMEDIATE REGION
BETWEEN PLANETARY & EVANESCENT WORLDS
It is stated above that Urvans, that is, souls with deficiency of
divine
knowledge from which all evil arises, are exiled from the
8th heaven of the zodiac, and transferred to the Nisti world for the
transmutation of their evil into goodness. However when the souls
start on their long journey of exile, they first pass through
'Miswane-Gatu' (Vd. 19,36), the intermediary region that separates
the planetary world from Nisti, the evanescent world. This
Miswane Gatu is not 'Hameshta Gehan' as erroneously believed in
philology from similarity of meanings.
'HAMESHTA GEHAN'
'Hameshta Gehan' is the term applied to the six planetary
heavens other than of Jupiter which is called "Garo-Nmana", lit.,
'Home of Hymns' i.e., of perfect bliss. Hameshta Gehan is derived
from 'Ham-Yasaite' (Yasna 33.1), lit., confused or mixed up.
Hence Hameshta Gehan are the centres for searching out and
separating the Good of the soul from the Evil which are mixed up.
This function of separating the two is performed by the six
planetary heavens of the Moon, Mercury, Venus, Sun, Mars and
Saturn, which have been evolved from that of Jupiter. It may be
noted that the centres of the above six planetary heavens are the
residing places-called 'Hu-yaon' (Yt. 13,29) of Yazads (angels).
Thus Hameshta-Gehan are the Reformatory institutions for saintly
souls, where there is neither perfect bliss of Garo-Nmana, nor the
sufferings of the mortal worlds.
ATASH-E-MINO-KARKO,
CREATIVE FIRE-ENERGY OF THE WHOLE NISTI
On Miswane-Gatu mentioned above, functions the creative
fire-energy called Atash-E-Mino karko referred to towards the
141
end af Atash Nyaesh. This Atashe-Mino-karko is the Be-all and
End-all of the Nisti worlds (the Space), for it is the source of
creation of the seven Dakhyus, and numerous other regions and
stations, both paradisiacal and wicked contained in the Nisti.
Further details of the fire-energies operating in the Nisti worlds are
given in Supplement NO. 1.
This Atashe-Mino-karko is like a mirror, so that the wicked
souls an their arrival at the Miswane-Gatu are able to see in it, what
may be called, the dark spats of the evil clung to them on their
otherwise spotless shining-selves. Moreover, this fire energy has
the power of changing one state into another, according to which
the souls are first turned from luminous to semi-luminous state and
vice versa. The conversion of luminous into semi-luminous is the
first change from a higher to a lower state. After crossing the
intermediary stage of Miswane-Gatu, the exiled souls arrive on the
top region of the Nisti, evanescent world, described below, for their
Reformation.
GENERAL IDEA OF THE SPACE
(DAMI)
As stated previously, the dross of the souls is exiled for their
Reformation to the lower world referred to in Avesta as 'Dami',
(literally creation) and technically called Nisti, the evanescent
world which is commonly known as the Space, that is, the
invisible worlds above, generally believed to be 'regions beyond
ken'. However, in Avesta-Pahlavi-Pazand writings there are
technical references to planes, regions, stations both wicked as
well as paradisiacal, about which all there is full commentary
knowledge in Khshnoom, as described below.
This Space is not a void, but the most wonderful,
inconceivably gigantic, multi-dimensional invisible world or
worlds of the most complex pattern, with (beginning from top) its
Miswane-gatu; transitional region; Dakhyus; Zarehs; Keshvars;
Chakati Bridge; Dadare-Gehan; Pahlum-Ahwan; regions of jaza;
Yim-var-kard; Chinvat Bridge; Var-i- Jam Kard;. Kang Dez: GangDez; Vantar; Spirit worlds; Hades; the earthly globe with its holy
Thrishva in the Arctic region (buried under mountain deep snow
since some 10,000 years); and the known wicked material world;
Apakhtar; the infernal regions; and with its living creation from the
semi-luminous souls of Gava-Chithra, to souls of higher and lower
sprites of both sexes, fishes from aquatic monsters – 60 to 70 feet
long to microscopic animalcules, and insects, wide-winged birds to
butterflies, and human beings divided and sub-divided into blissful
as well as destructive animal, vegetable and mineral kingdoms.
142
Almost all the above mentioned technical terms are met with
in Avesta-Pahlavi writings, though learnt mostly parrot-wise or
conjecturally in philology. Our Master was the first to teach the
map and cosmography comprehensively, based on the original
teachings of Zoroastrian Khshnoom, the heart-rejoicing esoteric
commentary knowledge.
MAP OF NISTI (SPACE)
The Nisti or the Space is divided into four main sections:
(The technical terms occurring below have been explained under
Cosmography in their proper places for which please refer the
Chart.)
(1) Nisti-a-Auwal, the first or the sublime Nisti;
(2) Nisti-e-Myana or the Miswane-gatu-e-duvvum, the inter
mediate Nisti;
(3) Arvahi Alam, the worlds of sprites; and
(4) Aipi Dakhyu including the earthy globe
The contents of the above divisions are as under:
(1) Nisti-e-Auwal is the super-ethereal top section of the Nisti.
It comprises the following six sub-sections:
(a) The first and the topmast Zamrir, transitional region
(between Miswane-gatu-e-Auwal above and Aiwi
Dakhya and its inner homologue Zareh Vourukasha
below). This Zamrir includes two top Keshvars Keshvar No. I (S.E.) Vida-Dafshu, which is topmost, and
Keshvar No. II (S.W.) Frada-Dafshu - the former being
higher up in the Zamrir and the latter, lower down in this
same Zamrir; *
(b) Aiwi Dakhyu; first plane or expanse at the top, with its
inner homologue Zareh Vourukasha (Between 7th and 6th
Zamrirs);
(c) Second Zamrir containing Keshvar No. III(E) Savahi and
Keshvar No. IV(W) Arezahi (between Aiwi Dakhyu
above and Antare Dakkyu below. Savahi is higher up and
Arezahi is lower down.
(d) Antare Dakhyu, the second plane with its inner homologue Zareh Frakhnkard (Frankard) (between the second
Zamrir above and the third Zamrir below).
(e) third Zamrir including Keshvar No. V(N.E.) Vauru
Zareshti, a little above and No. VI (N.W.) Keshvar
Vauru-Bareshti, a little below, (between Antare Dakhyu
above and Aa Dakhyu below).
* (It may be noted that the directions S.E., S.W., etc. are
supposed to be from the centre of the earthy globe, which is
situated at the bottom of the Nisti (Space.)
(Note: Now the chart can be seen again.)
143
(f) Aa Dakhyu with its inner homologue called Zareh Puitik,
(between third Zamrir above and the fourth below).
(2) Nisti-e-Myana, the middle Nisti. It begins with the fourth
Zamrir containing three paradisiacal stations, viz., (a)
Dadare Gehan at the top; below it (b) Pahlum-Ahwan, and
(c) sub-region of Jaza (reward); this Zamrir is also called
Yim-var-kard. Here Yim is Yazad and not king Jamshed.
Next below is;
Upairi Dakhyu, Nature's laboratory of subtle elements;
(here is the seat of Geush Tashan); next below is :
fifth Zamrir containing the Chinvat Bridge comprising four
sub-regions, viz., Var-i-Jam kard, the felicitous top subregion, connected with the paradisiacal upper section of the
Nisti; then below, Kang-Daeza; still below, Gang-Daeza;
and lowest down, Ganjesh, the portal (to the Chinvat (Bridge)
connected with wicked section of the Nisti below;
(3) 'Arvahi Alam, consisting of Adairi Dakhyu, the world of
superior sprites, followed lower down by:
sixth Zamrir; then still lower down
Pairi Dakhyu, the world of inferior sprites.
(4) Aipi Dakhyu including the earthy globe:
In this last division of the Nisti is first located the seventh
Zamrir, and below the latter is the Aipi Dakhyu (also the
seventh and the last), which mostly contains the earthy globe
excepting its top, which is located in the lowest sub-regions
of above (seventh) Zamrir. The Aipi Dakhyu also contains
the infernal regions. On the earth is the seat of Geush Urva.
On the top of the known material world, in the Arctic region
is 'Khanirath Bami', lit., Golden Shore, the holy 'one-third'
section ('Thrishva') of the earthy globe now buried under
deep snow. Here is situated Airyana Vaeja, the birthplace of
holy Zarathushtra.
Cosmography of the Space (Dami)
It must be noted that this Dami or the Space is too complicated. The map of the whole Dami is divided into four main
sections, which are given under the preceding head "Map of Nisti
(Space)". The exact aspect of the Dami (Space) can only be gained
in 'Sijda, spiritual trance (note: it is also said to be understood by
mathematics). However, for a crude idea the Dami (Space) may be
conceived as a gigantic spinning-top or a screw with seven outer
ridges and seven inner, and ending in a point. The seven outer
ridges represent the seven Dakhyus, the seven inner (ridges), the
seven transitional regions each
144
called a "Zamrir" between a pair of consecutive Dakhyus, or
between two main consecutive regions. The Dakhyus are wide
expanses of inconceivably huge magnitude, and hence referred to
in Avesta in language of this material world as "Vouru gaoyaoiti'
(Yt. 10.3) literally 'wide pastures'. They are enumerated in Meher
Yt; 144 (from upper to lower) as under;
(1) Aiwi; Dakhyu;
(2) Antare; Dakhyu;
(3) Aa; Dakhyu;
(4) Upairi; Dakhyu;
(5) Adairi; Dakhyu;
(6) Pairi; Dakhyu; and
(7) Aipi; Dakhyu;
Our earthy globe which represents the point of the spinning-top
mentioned above is mostly located in the Aipi Dakhyu at the
bottom, with its (globe's) upper portion in the Zamrir, transitional
region between the Aipi Dakhyu below, and Pairi Dakhyu above.
The composition of the top three Dakhyus is superethereal, and
lower four ethereal, with the earthy globe, of course, material.
All the seven Dakhyus with their respective Zamrirs,
transitional regions, make concentric domes, being ranged like the
petals of an onion - the smallest (at bottom) enclosed within next
larger, that is, the second; that within the third still larger, and so
on; but with this distinction that these Dakhyus being ethereal in
composition are inter-penetrating at the bottom Zamrir, and mot
one above the other as the onion petals are arranged. In other
words, these Dakhyus may be described as concentric and geocentric with dome within dome, the whole Nisti or the Space in its
outer aspect resembling a gigantic spinning top, as stated above,
the uppermost widest circumference of which being that of the
topmost Aiwi Dakhyu spiraling down to the globe of the earth,
which represents the lowest point of the spinning top. Thus the
dome of the Aipi Dakhyu at the bottom is encaged in that of the
Pairi Dakhyu next larger above it (with Zamrir transitional region
between) (please see the Chart); then the dome of Pairi Dakhyu
contained in that of Adairi Dakhyu still larger; and so on, till the
dome of the Antare Dakhyu being contained in that of the top
dome of Aiwi Dakhyu.
145
Combined Idea of Dakhyus
and Their Inner Homologues,
the Zarehs
All Dakhyu expanses have two sides - one inner, the other
outer. The latter (outer) is the Dakhyu proper. The inner homologue is called Zareh, (Avesta 'Zrayangh; Ysn. 42,4) meaning a
sea, allegorically so called because like seas and oceans, the top
three Zarehs are limitless in expanse, and besides, waves, not of
water but of super-ether are generated in the three respective
Zarehs connected with top three Dakhyus, viz., Aiwi. Antare and
Aa.
The inner homologue of the topmost Aiwi Dakhyu is called
Zareh Vouru-kasha (ibid.), that of the middle Antare Dakhyu called
Zareh Frakhn-kard, and that of third Aa Dakhyu called Zareh Puitik.
The fourth Zareh Kyanse, which does not get waves, and which is
an inter-link between the aforesaid three Zarehs and the last four
Dakhyus, namely, Upairi, Adairi, Pairi and Aipi, is like the sensitive
plate in photography which records the minutest vibrations of all
thoughts, words and deeds in all the four Dakhyus.
Functions of Zarehs
Zareh Vourukasha-All souls of varied degrees of wickedness on
their journey of exile are first gathered (Vd. 21.4) on this top
Zareh Vourukasha, which is characterized by several fundamental
important noumena and phenomena described further on. Here on
this Zareh Vourukasha, stands 'Khar Ashavan' (Ysn. 42.1) the
allegorical 'holy ass' - the lustrous holy Kehrp, the deified invisible
body of the 3-stage Ahunavar Plan (expounded under Supplement
No.9).
Zareh Frakhnkard-Here souls are classified under the five main
religions of the world suitable to the varied degrees of Druj (Evil)
clung to the souls. Khshnoom teaches that each of the five great
law-givers and their respective Faiths are under the influence of
one of the five planets as under: (higher to lower)
1. Holy Zarathushtra and Zoroastrianism... under Jupiter,
2. (a) Shri Krishna arid Vedic idolatrous religion of the White side,
(b) Gautam Buddha and Buddhist religion,|
and other idolatrous religions of the | under Mercury
White side
3. Mahomed and Mahomedanism... under Mars,
4. Moses and Judaism ... under Venus, and
5. Jesus Christ and Christianity ... under Saturn
146
The heavens of the Sun and the Moon are transitional stages for a
change after death from a higher to a lower religion, and vice
versa.
(Prof. Zaehner being unaware of the functions of this Zareh
Frakhnakard (Frakhvkard) imagines it to be "a mythical sea"
("Zurvan" p. 483).
Zarek Pilitik - In this Zareh Puitik (V d. 5,18) souls are invested
with ethereal vestures to designed shapes contracted in nuclei,
each called Kehrp (Ysn. 55, 1), the invisible body.
Zarek Kyanse - This fourth and last Zareh is common to the last
four Dakhyus, namely, Upairi, Adairi, Pairi and Aipi. A soul after
being invested with ethereal vesture (Kehrp) on Zareh Puitik as
stated above, trails down to the earth, and takes birth of parents
following the religion to which it (soul) itself belongs.
Functions of Last
Four Dakhyus
The last four Dakhyus are: Upairi, Adairi, Pairi and Aipi.
Upairi Dakhyu - This is the plane from which the power of
Nature's Dark side becomes prominent. From here the superethereal state becomes ethereal. On this Dakhyu is located Nature's
laboratory of subtle elements from which the known four elements
are formed in the end. All that is physical has its origin on and
from this plane of Upairi Dakhyu. 'Geush Tashan' sub angelic
potentiality, the modeler of souls' subtle bodies has its seat on this
Dakhyu.
Adairi Dakhyu - This plane comprises the world of superior
sprites, who often save children from serious accidents. These
superior sprites are attached to and hover where holy Avesta
prayers are chanted. All sprites, good as well as bad, possess incredible powers denied to human beings.
Pairi Dakhyu - This is the plane of inferior sprites despised in
Avesta, for they are harmful to mankind and other good creation.
This is the region where go human departed souls of false
preachers of religions (Ashmogan), wandering souls of sorcerer,
murderers, robbers, suiciders, highly licentious persons, and
Zoroastrian souls that die without receiving the funeral ceremonies
of the first four days.
Aipi Dakhyu - Most part of our earthy globe is located in this Aipi
Dakhyu, The top portion of the earthy globe is located in the
transitional region (Zamrir) just above the Aipi Dakhyti_ This Aipi
Dakhyu also contains the infernal regions. Souls trail down
147
on the earth in the reverse order as under: First, the mineral
kingdom, then vegetable, then animal kingdom and lastly human
souls. Geush Urva, the sub-angelic potentiality representing the
collective blissful side of the totality of souls on earth, and appointed for their protection, has its seat on the earth.
'GEUSH-AEVO-DATAYAO AND 'KERESANI'
RESPECTIVE PHANTOMS OF SOULS' COLLECTIVE
BLISSFUL AND DESTRUCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS
According to Nature's curriculum at the inception of every
'Zarvane daregho-Khadat' (Siroza 21)- meaning self-created-longtime (of 81,000 years as taught in Khshnoom), a batch of countless
souls with rigidity of Drvao or Aka, wickedness, is transferred to
Dami (Ysn. 57.2) technically called Nisti, evanescent world or the
Space. Here in this Nisti, souls undergo processes of Reformation,
that is, transmutation of their Aka, wickedness, into Asha,
holiness. Souls exhibit two characteristics in varied degrees-one
blissful, the other selfish and harmful or destructive. The former
(blissful) is referred to in Avesta as 'Gao' **literally meaning the
kine, and representing their beneficent characteristic belonging to
the 'live-and-help-others live' principle in Nature used
metonymically, the animal expressed to designate its special
blissful characteristics, while the other (destructive) is called 'Aka',
wickedness, as stated above.
When a batch of countless souls mentioned above gathers on
the Aiwi Dakhyu, or rather on Zareh Vouru-kasha (Vd. 21,4), their
collective Gao or Geush, the blissful side becomes animated,
which is called in Pahlavi Gavyodat and in Avesta 'Geush-aevodatayao' (Yt. 7,7) literally meaning 'sole-created bull', used
figuratively to designate the animated blissful phantom (Geush),
which of course has no physical body. Similarly, the collective
Aka, wickedness or the Dark side, also becomes animated, but in
the form of dire destructive phantom called 'Keresani (Ysn. 9,24),
who is the deputy of Angra Mainyu, the Satan in the Nisti worlds.
Between the Upairi Dakhyu and the earth 'Gavyodat', the White
phantom, and Keresani_ its Dark opponent phantom chase each
other, the former to persuade,
----------------------------------------------------------------------** In Shah Nameh Firdousi refers to the great saintly paladins
as 'Gavan', meaning those full of Gao_ blissfulness. Thus
"Bepurseed shan az nezade Kayan,
Vazan namdarane farrokh Gavan,"
(Translation) Inquired of them about the origin of
Kayan (kings) and the illustrious intrepid
paladins who were Gavan, full of blissfulness.
148
the latter to devour, its opponent partner. This chasing causes the
phenomena of day and night. Geush-aeva-datayaa is bright, and
Keresani dark, though shining. Keresani is analogous to Keresa
meaning 'oppressor' (Harlez), or 'tormentor' (Spiegel). This term is
further dealt with in its different aspects under Supplement No. 10.
FUNDAMENTAL NOUMENA AND PHENOMENA
The Nisti or the evanescent world (the Space) is distinguished
from the immortal planetary world, being characterized by four
fundamental and most important noumena and phenomena, viz.,
(1) Time and Space, which in the zodiacal and planetary worlds
are inseparably amalgamated, became separated from the top of
the Nisti; (2) Urvans (Ysn. 55,1) wicked souls, by which is meant
souls possessing deficiency of divine knowledge, and hence
rebellious against AHU, the Un-nameable Light of lights, and who
were lights up to the bottom of the planetary world, that is, up to
the Lunar heaven are, on their arrival on Zareh Vourukasha on the
top of the Nisti (the Space), passed through the fundamental law of
the In-foldment of Spirit (soul) into Matter, referred to technically
in Avesta as Mazdayasni Daena (Yd. 19,13). This investiture is
super-ethereal in the top three Dakhyus, then ethereal in the lower
four Dakhyus, and at last material an this earth; (3) phenomena of
birth and death of (or at) however short or long periods in different
regions and the earth; and (4) division of every soul into sexbifurcation, and sub-divisions of l/l0th (0.1) of both sexes into
animal, vegetable and mineral kingdoms. Thus at first a whole
soul, an its arrival at Zareh Vaurukasha gets bifurcated into two
dissimilar counterparts-1, 'Sharif', superior; and 2, 'Khasis' inferior.
In this division the essential of the soul is caught in one part,
which makes it superior (sharif), while the absence of that
essential in the other part makes it inferior (Khasis). On the earth
the two are known as male and female respectively. After this
main bifurcation into sexes, both of these counterpart souls are
subdivided gender-wise as human parent-souls, i.e., main souls
and decimal particle-souls of animal, vegetable and mineral kingdoms, in which the human being, male as well as female, gets the
lion's share that is, 0.9 of the masculine_ and 0.9 of the feminine
soul. Owing to this, the human being gets the reasoning power,
speech, authority, consciousness, wisdom and Nature's promise of
the Ten Commandments.
These "Ins", mankind souls of males as well as females are
again divided on the principle of decimals (Av. 'Daseme'). Thus
9/l0th of each male and 9/l0th of each female remain permanently
as human, and l/l0th of each goes to form and
149
embody in the animal kingdom - male to male and female to
female. Again 1/10th of this animal soul-particle (that is, l/l00th
particle of the original human male or female soul) goes to form
and embody gender-wise in the vegetable kingdom. Still again,
l/10th of this vegetable soul-particle (that is, 1/l000th particle of
the original male or female human soul) goes to form and embody,
gender-wise, in the mineral kingdom. The above sub-divisions
may be expressed in decimals as under:
0.9 Human
0.09 Animal
0.009 vegetable
0.001 mineral
1.000 masculine
whole
soul.
soul,
" ,
" ,
" ,
0.9 human
0.09 animal
0.009 vegetable
0.001 mineral
soul,
soul.
soul,
soul,
1.000 feminine whole
soul.
Thus is a masculine as well as a feminine soul originally
divided and sub-divided as above, and thus are the above two
human main parts and the particle-souls of both genders in the
three lower kingdoms-making in all 8- truly the 'Khaetu', (Ysn.
12, 9) 'own relatives' of each other. These particle-souls are said
to be simultaneously produced from and are inter-related to, the
original "Ins Chithra", mankind-seed on Zareh Vourukasha, the
top region of the Nisti world (the Space). On account of the above
said simultaneous creation, they (particle-souls) are called in
Pazand "Ham-daheshni". It will thus be understood that in Nature
the human soul comes into being prior to the animal soul,-nay, the
latter is, as it were, drawn from the former.
(Because Zareh Vourukasha and Caspian Sea both mean
'wide-shored', the learned scholars in the absence of genuine
knowledge erroneously compare Caspian Sea with Zareh
Vourukasha).
Khshnoom teaches that the fundamental divisions into
spiritual masculinity and spiritual femininity effected on Zareh
Vourukasha as shown above remain constant throughout, that is,
unchanged from one to the other at all stages. Even in the
divisions into animal, vegetable and mineral kingdoms, from
human masculinity come animals, vegetables and minerals of the
masculine gender, and from human feminine gender come
feminine animals, vegetables and minerals.
Moreover, from the human White side in Nature come
genderwise, blissful animals like cowkind belonging to the 'live
and help others live' principle and nutritive vegetables; and from
the Dark wicked side of human beings come genderwise,
carnivorous animals of Khrafstric side, that is, those belonging to
the 'kill or harm others to live' principle in Nature, and vegetables
that are poisonous or those that excite lower passions.
150
COMMUNION OF CHILD
WITH NATURE IN INFANCY
As stated previously under Zareh Kyanse, a soul (child) takes
birth on this material world. After it (child) is born it is in
communion with Nature up to the age of about four or five. This
is most aptly described by poet Wordsworth in his '_Ode on the
Intimations of Immortality". and hence we reproduce the relative
lines below:
“Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting:
The soul that rises with us, our life's star.
Hath had elsewhere its setting,
And cometh from afar;
Not in entire forgetfulness.
And not in utter nakedness,
But trailing clouds of glory do we come
From God, who is our home.
Heaven lies about us in our infancy;
Shades of the prison-house begin to close
Upon the growing boy,
But he beholds the light, and whence it flows
He sees it in his joy.
The youth, who daily farther from the east
Must travel, still is Nature's priest.
And by the vision splendid
Is on his way attended;
At length the man perceives it die away,
And fade into'"the light of common
day:”
'"
'"
"Thou, whose exterior semblance doth belie
Thy soul's immensity;
Thou best philosopher, who yet dost keep
Thy heritage; thou eye among the blind,
That, deaf and silent, read'st the eternal deep,
Haunted for ever by the eternal mind
Mighty Prophet! Seer blest!
On whom those truths do rest,
Which we are toiling all our lives to find,
In darkness lost, the darkness of the grave;
Thou, over whom thy immortality
Broods like the day, a master o'er a slave,
A presence, which is not to be put by;
Thou little child, yet glorious in the might
Of heaven-born freedom, on thy being's height,
Why with such earnest pains dost thou provoke
The years to bring the inevitable yoke,
Thus blindly with thy blessedness at strife?
151
Full soon thy soul shall have her earthly freight,
And custom lie upon thee with a weight
"Heavy as frost, and deep almost as life!"
--------------------------------"For in and out, above, around, below,
Tis all a magic shadow show,
Played in a box whose candle is the sun,
Round which we phantom figures come and go."
(- Unknown?)
VEIL OF SPIRITUAL DARKNESS
OVER WORLDLY SOULS
Thus, as shown above, a soul trails down to the earth. Here
the soul is heavily shackled in the physical body, and heavily
veiled with the Veil of Spiritual Darkness after the age of four or
five, and bound down by the laws of 'Akem Akai', evil to-evil
(Ysn. 43,5) meted out to it, which is mild or severe, proportionate
to its wickedness. On coming into age a person's, soul is like a
rustic, fresh from the village visiting a large city here cheats, that
is, worldly attractions surround him. On account of the Veil of
Darkness, the soul knows not WHERE it came from and WHY,
WHAT it brought with it at birth, WHAT it takes With it at death
and WHAT is the Ultima Thule of its existence.
Consequently, it is attracted to sensuous pleasures, which it
mistakes for true happiness, and thus wastes whole life-time and
dies. The physical dead body changes form on the earth, but the
wickedness accompanies the soul to the sky. Here if it is a
Zoroastrian soul, it sees on the dawn of the fourth; day after death,
the sorry picture of its own thought-word-action graph of the whole
sinful past life on earth in the form of a hideous hag (Hadokht
Nask, an_ it shudders. At the proper time; it takes birth again, when
it Cries, because it knows that a life' of condign punishments awaits
it. Such shuttling between the sky and the earth is called 'Thwasha
Khadata' (Yd. 19,13). The following lines correctly convey the idea
of Thwasha Khadata and are hence cited here:
"Heaven is not reached
at a single bound,
But -we build the ladder
by which we rise,
From the lowly earth
to the vaulted skies,
And we mount to the summit
round by round."
(Quoted by H.V.S. in "Kaiser-i-Hind" weekly, D/- 29-9-57).
152
THREE STAGES OF 'THWASHA KHADATA'
AUTOMATIC ROUNDS OF RE-BIRTHS
There are three stages of Thwasha Khadata. In the first, the
soul descends from the sky (Thwasha) and lives a worldly life. In
the second, the person dies, goes back to the sky (Thwasha),
traverses the three sub-regions of Chinvat Bridge_ and arrives on
Var-i-Jam-kard, the top sub-region of the Bridge, but it (soul)
being of a sinful person cannot cross it (Ysn. 51.13), and so is
hurled lower down away from the paradisiacal path, to the
'Apakhtar', the wicked region and halts there. In the third stage,
the soul undergoes 'Tan-Asak', re-birth and distress in the material
world.
HUMAN BODY FULL OF
"NASU", PUTRIDITY
The human body composed as it is, of the four elements of
fire, air, water and earth, is a structure of the most intricate pattern
into the details whereof we need not enter here. Yet a very brief
idea about its putridity may be taken. Each of the aforesaid four
elements ceaselessly gives out 16 kinds of electrical energies,
which energies have their own motions and waves. Thus there are
64 types of energies with different permutations and combinations.
From these a kind of putrid heat is constantly given out. We know
all putrid states are full of microbes. Such putridity is intensified
during certain daily domestic occasions, such as, intake of food,
attending Nature's calls and other excreta, bath, wash, "Haeer-nasa
Khurashni", eating of dry putrid things, "Haeer-nasa joeshni",
eating of green putrid things, and during out-bursts of evil
emotions or passions, in men during seminal discharges and in
women during menstruation, and from dead bodies of men,
animals, etc. The above putrid magnetic emanation in each case
comes in contact with the atmosphere, and produces destructive
energy, which culminates into "Druj", evil vibrations of different
grades which are twenty-one in all, a few of which are mentioned
in Khordad Yasht. Such a Druj-infested body of an ordinary
human being is also technically called "Nasu", putridity.
ZOROASTRIAN LAWS FOR TURNING
PUTRIDITY INTO PURITY
The problem and goal is to turn this putridity - wherever and
whenever it arises - into purity, and the responsibility for the same
rests on the human soul. Extremely strict are the laws taught in the
Zarthoshti Daena for transmuting all putridity
153
into purity at all times and at all stages. The practice of strictest
truthfulness in thought, word and action with contrition for sins of
commission and omission, together with the practice of the
exercises of different anti-microbe 'Baj' rites respectively
pertaining to the above said daily domestic attendances of bath,
Nature's call etc., transmute putridity into purity, and make a
person "holy for the sake of holiness" (Ashim-Ashai, Ysn. 46; 10).
The observance of these "Baj" rites and the respective holy
blissful formulae of Manthra-Spenta uttered in a whispering tone
before and after in each case, as also the Zoroastrian code of
Vandidad, the anti-demoniacal law, are the real and actual smiters
of Druj, Evil or putridity. They are the veritable "Ashtra Mairya"
(Vd. 18.4) the "weapons" for killing the (allegorical) "serpent" of
lust, worldly attractions, etc., and "Khrafstraghna" (V d. 18.2) the
allegorical sledge-hammer for effectively smashing and crushing
the power and force of Druj, impurity, which is the real Khrafstra,
the beast in man or the internal noxious animal in the human
body, expressed figuratively. Thus these "weapons" are not of
steel or the like, but of holy formulae uttered in conjunction with
the different rules and modes of observance in each case.
TRANSMUTATION OF EVIL
INTO GOOD
Human beings in their normal activities of life-leading come
into contact with various people, animals, vegetables and
minerals. If in such life-leading, "Hutokshi" is observed, i.e., life
is led in such a way that the harmony and economy in Nature are
not disturbed by any thought, word or action, the blissful principle
of Good (called "Gava" _in Avesta) pertaining to Ahura Mazda is
helped. Such a result can ensue when the "golden mean" (Patman)
in every thought, word and action is maintained. When foreign
particles of souls of other human beings, or the particles of their
souls in animal, vegetable or mineral kingdom, go into the
physical system of a person principally by way of food they create
passions because such foreign particles are misfits. This is called
the indulgence of "Vohun", i.e., act of opposition to Nature's
working. By the observance of strict rectitude: the right goes to
the right, that is, the foreign particle-souls in food return to their
own respective human souls. This is called act of co-operation
with Nature's working. If the life-leading is kept at centre-poise, it
creates fair-mindedness, whereby one does not deprive others for
one's own selfish ends. If the passions exhibit themselves, they
must be curbed by will-power and effort. When this is exercised,
the wrong particle-souls are attracted back and return to their
respective human souls, and the person's own particle
154
souls that are scattered about are attracted to him or her. This way
Truth pervades the atoms of the body through and through, and the
“Druj”, i.e., distinctive disturbing emanation from every atom
succumbs to "Gava", the principle of Good or blissfulness in
Nature, which in other words, is the light of the_sou1. The right
assimilation of the particle-souls scattered about in the three
kingdoms return to their respective higher particle-souls in this
order, namely, the minerals get first absorbed into their relative
vegetable kingdom through manure; then that vegetable into
animal, through the food. Thus re-complemented that animal has
now become spiritually superior to ordinary draught animals
('Staora': Yt. 5,89).
TECHNICAL, SIGNIFICANCE
OF 'PASU'
The re-complemented quadruped above mentioned with its
erstwhile alienated particle-souls in vegetable and mineral kingdoms now regained and assimilated, that is, reintegrated into its
own particle-soul, is Druj-free, i.e., evil-free, and is not like
ordinary draught animal, ('Staora', ibid.), but is now a holy animal
and is called "Pasu" in Avesta. Such Pasu can usually be found
amongst goats and lambs, which are destined to eat and digest
every and any kind of herbs and the produce of the whole
vegetable kingdom. The soul of that holy animal is now
enlightened in spiritual knowledge. It is conscious of its elevated
spiritual condition, because its "'Rae", (self-enlightenment) is now
developed by the assimilation of its own particle souls in its lower
vegetable and mineral kingdoms. It, that is, that holy animal is
anxious to be absorbed - even by immolation – into its relative
parent human soul (male or female, as the case may be) from
which _it was originally drawn; together with its relative dark
side (Ahuviyat), now transmuted into White (Ahumat). This
elevated stage of its body is also called “Pasu” as against "Nasu"
or the ordinary human or animal impure body. The word "Pasu"
comes from Av. Root Pas, to tie or unite; and hence it connotes
one willing to unite with, or get merged into, its original parent
human soul.
The ceremony of cooking of, the meat of such a holy animal
- goat or lamb is referred to in Behram Yt; 50 and Tir Yt: 58 as
"Pasupachayen"; by partaking which consecrated meat the
relative human soul, male or female as the case may be, gets' reintegrated. . This reference to Pasu Pachayeri is in, the form of a
reply given by Ahura Mazda to Holy Zarathushtra to the latter's
question as follows:
"What is, O Ahura Mazda, the attunement through ceremony
(yasna) and invocation in honour of Behram (yazad)
155
of Ahuradata as it ought to be performed in the perfection of
holiness? (Behram Yt; 49)
To This Ahura Mazda replies (in 50, ibid.):
"Airyao Danghavo (lit., Iranian countries) shall carry for him
(Behram) offering (Zaothra) ... spread other necessaries
(Barsam) ... cook the (holy) animal (pasu pachayen), whitecoloured or good-coloured or homogeneous-coloured or of
anyone of the varied colours."
.
Pasu Jubilant Over Its
Voluntary Offer for Immolation
The above reference is to the holy ceremony in which the
Pasu willingly offers itself for immolation, if close by, and is even
jubilant over it on account of its elevated Rae, inward divine
knowledge enhanced by the powers of Behram Yazad, if the Pasu
be not close by, the holy Sraoshavarez (Gah; 3,5), chief of the
Magavans, with his spiritual powers of clairvoyance locates the
Pasu in whatever part of the world it may be, and instructs a
Magavan-deputy to fetch it. A magavan is a born asexual
perfected soul, i.e., one in whom the masculine and feminine
counterparts are blended together, such blending being a postsalvation noumenon, after the respective souls of both
counterparts have gained deliverance from their physical bodies.
These Magavans possess incredible spiritual powers (denied to
worldly people) on account of which they succeed in fetching the
Pasu in miraculously short time. The Pasu being jubilant over its
impending immolation, on account of its Rae, self-intelligence
being elevated, there is no inward moaning or lamentation on its
part as in the case of an ordinary quadruped awaiting its massacre
in a slaughter-house. It must also be noted that prior to the
ceremony the blood of the Pasu is caused to be absorbed and dried
up in its body by the efficacy of the special Nirang, holy formulae
recited by the Ashavan, holy priest at the ceremony so that not a
drop of blood falls on the ground. By partaking the consecrated
meat of such Pasu the relative saintly human soul, male or female
as the case may be, become complete or re-integrated as far as the
absorption of his or her particle souls in the lower three kingdoms
is concerned. Now this saintly soul is fit for Khaetva-datha (Ysn.
12,9) meaning 'giving itself up' (-datha) to its own relative
(Khaetu), which is its counterpart soul.
Correct Significance of
Airyao Danghavo
In the above passage, 'Airyao Danghavo' refers to the sublime
cerebral plexus (Chakhra or nerve-centre of Kehrp, in
156
visible body) (Ysn. 155,1) expressed by way of metonymy for the
wise (Dangh, the Ashavans who are wise and holy) and are of
noble birth (Airyao) who alone are authorized to cook and partake
of the consecrated meat of such a holy Pasu as can be seen from
the paragraph 51 of Yt. 14. Hence 'Airyao danghavo' cannot mean
'Aryan nations' as has been rendered is S.B.E. Vol. XXIII, because
the - word 'nations' includes all the wicked types of men and
women also, who are prohibited to 'take of those offerings' in the
above paragraph, while the ceremony and invocations (Yasnascha
vahmascha) are to be performed with the perfection of holiness
(Ashat hachat yat vahashtat) (49, ibid.). The piety of the Ashavan,
holy priest performing the ceremony, the sanctity maintained in
the performance, the mystical charm of the special holy
incantations for attunement with Behram Yazad attract that Yazad
to the ceremony.
Colours Indicate
Degrees of Excellence.
Aggin, the colours - white (Aurusho), red (Vohu-gaono) etc.,
refer, not to the colour of the animal's skin, but to the different
vibrationary colours produced by the different degrees of
excellence of the performance of the ceremony, in which the white
colour indicated the highest excellence. For a crude analogy the
cutting end of a steel tool when heated in the furnace till it blazes
white in brightness and then dipped in water, the surface of the
portion dipped is covered over with whitish mark, which signifies
'white tempering' - the hardest. Again when a tool is heated red
hot, which is milder in degree, and tempered, the colour shown is
red. Here the colours are not of steel, but of the degrees of
brightness to which the tool end was heated. In somewhat like
manner in the identical Behram- Tir passages quoted above, the
colours do not refer to the skin of the Pasu concerned, but to the
vibrationary colours of the varied degrees of perfection of holiness
attainable in different aeons, corresponding to the sublimest three
vibrationary colours-white, red and blue - of the Celestial Note of
Ahunavar, on the basis of which the prayer Yatha Ahu Vairyo has
been formulated by the Holy Prophet.
Behram Yazad is called in Avesta "Verethraghna", lit., the
. smiter of the (internal) enemy, the Druj, i.e., human passions, the
inveterate enemies of mankind and since he (Behram) is the
smiter, he is also called Firozgar, victorious. He punishes the
wicked who follow Vyambura Daeva (Yt. 14,35) the demon of
lust, falsehood, avarice etc., which sins constitute 'Margarjangunah', deadly sins, on account of which the soul has to take birth
again in this material world. He (Behram) meets out disease and
death to the liars, who are sinners against Meher
157
Yazad and to the disturbers of Nature's Order Divine and Nature's
Economy - who are sinners against Rashnu (47, ibid.). In the latter
paragraph "armies arrayed" refer to the army or chain of evil
thoughts created by Druj in the human mind.
While Behram Yazad is thus the smiter of the wicked, he is
the helper and protector (44,45 ibid.) of those who take the
'smoothly-moving wheels' of holy path of life - Rathvya Chakhra
(Yt. 10,67) and practice rectitude and 'Druj-parhez' the tenets for
the control over passions; Behram Yazad comes to the succour of
that person's soul in its progress onwards, because that Yazad's
function is connected with Ahuradata, the Law of Unfoldment of
Spirit from Matter. This is proved from the fact that every chapter
of Behram Yasht begins with "Verethraghnem Ahuradatem
yazamaide", i.e., we attune ourselves with Behram of Ahuradata.
Relation of Tir Yazad with
Ahuradata, The
Unfoldment of Spirit from
Matter
Tir Yazad is the agency of bringing down the rains and
implanting the soul of a child into its mother's womb usually three
months and twenty-seven, days after conception. The rigidity and
density of Drvao, evil, arising from divine ignorance is represented
in the Tir Yasht as the demon Apaosha dominating over human
beings during life on this earth, whereby their emancipation is
retarded. This is depicted in the Yasht as the defeat of Tir Yazad
by Apaasha Daeva (ibid. 22). So the Yazad cries out in woe and
distress... 'Men do not worship me as they do other Yazads' (ibid.
23).
In the subsequent paragraph reference is made to the strength
of 10 horses, 10 camels, 10 bulls etc. In Zoroastrian numerological
mysticism the numeral 10 represents perfection such as of Divine
knowledge of Yazadic Existences, horse stands for great divine
power of the top cerebral plexus of the Kehrp (Ysn. 55,1), the
subtle physical body; camel for divine knowledge and the practice
of the exercises of piety, and bull (Gavam) for Gao, blissfulness
embodying the principle among cow-kind of "live and help others
to live- and advance" - as opposed to 'Khrafstri tewishi', the desireforce of destructiveness embodying the principle of "kill to live",
or selfishness. Mountain stands for sublimity, and river for the
power of Ardvi-sura possessed by it of smiting the Demon and
imparting piety to the devotees. Similarly, Azhi Dahaka represents
the perfection or nadir of Evil, where dah means 10 and Aka, evil.
Hence Azhi Dahaka
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means the serpent representing perfection of Evil, that is, the
Satan. Here 'Serpent' is not in the sense of earthly reptile.
In paragraph 51 (ibid.) there is an allegorical reference to "the
malice of ...' Pairika Duzyairya whom evil-speaking people call
Huyairya."
Pairika means enchantress. Here worldly attractions are personified as the enchantress to which evil-speaking people, that is,
ordinary worldly people are attracted or enchanted. Duzyairya (lit.,
evil season), the season composed of the span of life of sensual
pleasures indicates the period of illusory or transitory happiness,
which evil persons mistake for good-period or happiness
(Huyairya).
In S.B.E. Vol. XXIII the meaning of Duzyairya is given in
footnote as 'bad year.. .sterlity, draught' and reference, is made to
the use of the word 'Duzyairya' in one of the inscriptions of king
Darius Hystaspes, where that word is rightly used in its literal
sense of 'sterility' or 'draught'. But in the above passage the words
Pairika, Duzyairia and Huyairya are used in, an allegorical sense.
A 'bad year' of draught is never called a 'goad year' of prosperity
by worldly people, howsoever evil-speaking or foolish they be, but
the transitory happiness derived through worldly attractions of
sensual pleasures is mistaken far real happiness by spiritually
ignorant people all over the world.
At last after numerous rounds of shuttle runs over and over
again up the sky and down to the earth called Thwasha Khadata
(Siroza Yt. 21), the soul's Rae, self-intelligence is developed by
dire retributive sufferings, and the human being concerned takes to
the straight-path of truthfulness (Rathvya chakhra) and practices
the Zoroastrian anti-microbe Baj rites for Druj-parhez, control
over the passions. By such exercises of holiness that person's
particle-souls in mineral and vegetable kingdoms get first
absorbed in the relative goat or lamb concerned, which thereby
becomes a Pasu. Thereafter the soul of the latter (Pasu) gets
absorbed in that saintly person by the Pasu-pach ceremony. This
consummation of Druj transmuted into Gav, blissfulness, glorifies
Behram and Tir Yazads (Yts. 14,50 and 8,58 respectively) because
that holy ceremony pertains to Ahuradata, the deified Law of
Unfoldment of Spirit (soul) of the saintly person concerned, from
Matter.
CONCEPT OF TRANSITIONAL
REGIONS BETWEEN DAKHYUS
AND WICKED OR PARADISIACAL
STATIONS LOCATED THEREIN
We took some idea so far of the seven Dakhyus and their
inner homologues, the Zarehs, through which wicked sows trail
159
down to the known material world for their Reformation. Here on
the earth is the seat of Geush Urva (Ysn. 29,1), the sub-angelic
potentiality, being the animated phantom representing the
collective blissful side of the totality of souls on earth, appointed
for their protection. Let us now look into the six transitional
regions, technically called 'Zamrirs', each of which separates one
Dakhyu from another, and each comprises seven sub-regions. The
seventh top Zamrir is between the top Aiwi Dakhyu and MiswaneGatva-khadata beyond. A holy soul scales upward on its
repatriation march through different paradisiacal stations located
in different Zamrirs.
Our earthly globe is mostly situated in the lowest Aipi
Dakhyu, while the top portion of the globe is located in the lower
sub-regions of the Zamrir, transitional region immediately above
the Aipi Dakhyu. This is the first Zamrir from the earth's end,
These Zamrirs are shown in the map in green arcs.
Between Pairi Dakhyu (below) and Adairi Dakhyu (above) is
the second Zamrir. Inferior sprites, mentioned already under Pairi
Dakhyu, who live in that Dakhyu rest after death in this second
Zamrir. Departed souls of sinful non-Zoroastrians come here after
death in the material world, and at proper time, very long after
though, take birth again on the earth via Vantar, the halting station
situated in the next Zamrir higher up, which (Vantar) is the halting
station for all souls destined for re-birth.
Between Adairi Dakhyu (below) and Upairi Dakhyu (above)
is located the third Zamrir which is the largest of all the Zamrirs
and most important, for here is situated the famous "Chinvat
Bridge", to which we shall refer further on, together with other
higher states, stations, regions etc.
Between, Upairi Dakhyu (below) and Aa Dakhyu (above) is
the fourth Zamrir which is called 'Yim-var-kard', vide Nikiz 1 p.
434, in which there is 'Chakati' bridge leading to Dadare-Gehan.
This 'Yim' refers to Yim Yazad (angel) and not king Jamshid.
In the super-ethereal regions, far beyond the visible sky,
above the Aa Dakhyu, Antare Dakhyu and Aiwi Dakhyu are
situated respectively the fifth, sixth and seventh Zamrirs, in each
of which are located two Keshvars, making in all six, in six
different angles from the centre of the earthy globe far down
below.
CONCEPT OF CHINVAT BRIDGE AND PARADISIACAL
REGIONS BEYOND
The Chinvat (meaning Requiter) Bridge comprises four
graded stages. This Chinvat is allegorically called a 'Bridge',
160
because from its top sub-region called 'Var-i- Jam-kard' begin the
paradisiacal regions, while the lowest sub-region of the Chinvat
called Ganjesh (which is the portal sub-region! of the Chinvat) is
connected with the regions of the spirit worlds and of wicked or
sinful souls.
Chinvat is derived from Chi, to select; or punish (after
judgment). It is a selector of saintly souls, who on account of their
practicing strict truthfulness in life on earth with contrition for
wrongs done, accompanied with control over passions, and
practice of the Zoroastrian anti-microbe Baj-rites in daily life,
become 'Ashim ashai', 'holy for the sake of holiness' (Ysn. 46,10),
whom Zarathushtra promises to help cross the Chinvat Bridge,
while the wicked on account of the sinful life on earth cannot go
higher beyond Ganjesh its bottom stage. Partly better souls can go
up to the second or third stage called Gangdez or Kang-dez
respectively, but not Var-i-Jam-kard" the paradisiacal top stage.
The rejected souls are hurled down to the halting station of Vantar
above mentioned prior to rebirth. Thus Chinvat selects the pious,
and rejects and thereby punishes the wicked as its derivative
signifies. It may be noted that higher sub-regions of this Zamrir
are connected with paradisiacal regions, and the lower sub-regions
with Vantar, the halting station for sinful souls destined for rebirth on the material world.
As stated above, a saintly soul by becoming 'Ashim-ashai,
holy for the sake of holiness, succeeds in crossing the Chinvat
Bridge, and ascends to the fourth Zamrir, in which are located the
'Chakati Bridge' and several paradisiacal stations known as centres
of 'Jaza' meaning 'reward' (as opposed to 'Saza', punishment to
sinful souls in this material world). The highest among these
paradisiacal stations is 'Pahlum Ahwan', literally the 'best abode',
which is referred to" in Avesta as 'Vahishtem Ahum' (Vd. 19,36).
Khanirath Bami: After crossing the Chinvat Bridge, the soul
takes birth again in this material world for drawing to itself its
particle-souls alienated in the beginning of its journey of exile to
the Space. It may be recalled that at that stage every wicked whole
soul ('Aka Chithra') is bifurcated into sexes on Zareh Vourukasha,
and that l/10th particle of both sexes is divided among animal,
vegetable and mineral kingdoms. Ages and ages after, when that
parent human soul (masculine or feminine, whichever it be)
becomes pure, it attracts to itself and absorbs those alienated
particles of its soul in the three lower kingdoms as also in other
human beings, and renders them Druj-free, i.e., turns their Druj
into Gao, evil into good, by its spiritual powers of holiness. Such
alchemization of the Druj in those particles effected in its
microcosm by that pious
161
soul on this earth is called 'Khanirath Bami'" literally Golden or
shining shore. Khanirath Bami as the seventh and the only
terrestrial Keshvar is expounded in its own place in part II
hereafter.
Rastakheez: Having achieved the great desideratum of
alchemizing the particles of the soul in animal, vegetable and
mineral kingdoms to the state of Khanirath Bami, as explained
above, the saintly soul is delivered from taking birth in this material
world, and so gets Rastakheez (Iristekheez), i.e., takes birth in the
paradisiacal region of Pahlum Ahwan, which is within the range of,
but beyond, Var-i-Jam-kard, the top region of the Chinvat Bridge.
Dadare Gehan: From Pahlum Ahwan, the soul advances to
'Dadare Gehan' higher up. The term 'Dadare Gehan' occurs at the
end of every Nyaesh and Yasht prayer. The devotee thrice repeats
the Pazand sentence "Man ano avayad shudan" meaning 'I must get
there', i.e., to the felicitous Dadare Gehan by rarefying the material
body by transmutation of Evil into Good and (must) advance to the
Keshvars higher up, which are stations of 'Ravangh', bliss (Yt.
13,99). Then turning to the South (in which direction Dadare
Gehan is situated) the devotee supplicates to Ardvi for imparting
purity, because the potentiality of Ardvi or Avan Yazad is the
deliverer of mankind from the impurities of lust etc., and "the
smiter of Satan with terrific weapons' (Sura) of perfection-ofpurity.
Dadare Gehan is the portal region to the six fiery orbs of
Keshvars, the residing places for holy souls. These six Keshvars are
situated in the super-ethereal regions beyond Dadare Gehan as
shown in the Chart. On leaving Dadare Gehain, the soul takes birth
in 'Tane-pasin', the last finest and subtlest fiery-type elemental
body, leading to Ushta, eternal bliss. This TanePasin is a semiluminous fiery-type body fit to reside in, the fiery orbs of Keshvars.
This is individual case of Tane-Pasin which is extremely rare in
this material age and in this current fourth Zarvana-Akarana,
Boundless Time, when the mixed activities of Ohrmazd, the
Blissful Principle, and Ahriman, the Destructive Principle, are the
order of the day (Bd. 1,7). By the time a soul gets Tane Pasin, it is
so purified that, as stated above, its particle-souls in animal,
vegetable and mineral kingdoms are reabsorbed in the human
parent-soul, masculine or feminine, as the case may be, and
moreover that exalted soul gains mastery over the five senses, to
which worldly people are more or less like slaves. Tane-Pasin
indicates end of 'Tanasak', re-birth. In the end, on reaching the top
Keshvar 'VidaDafshu', the soul awaits the arrival of its tardy
counterpart to become Khaetvadatha, i.e., to blend together into one
asexual whole soul called 'Magavan' (Ysn. 33,7)
162
The terms 'Rastakheez, and 'Tane-Pasin' occur together in the
short prayer-formula called 'Nirang' appended to Hormazd Yt.,
where the devotee confirms faith in birth in paradisiacal region,
and in the last fiery-type body Tane-pasin. Thus, these two terms
here refer to exaltation of an individual soul, whether masculine or
feminine.
In Bundehesh; 1,2 the reference to Tane-pasin is to the
gradual exaltation of totality of souls who will gain Tane-pasin in
the next fifth 'Zarvana Akarana', Boundless Time, involving
millions of years_ during which all souls will gain Emancipation,
the internal conflict (Yaokhedra; Ysn. 12,9) will cease due to
Druj, the source of conflict having been transmuted into Gao,
blissfulness, and they (souls) will gain control over the five senses,
when vice will turn into virtue in totality of souls, and
consequently the existence of Satan will be extinct.
THE FIERY ORBS OF SIX SUPERETHEREAL KESHVARS, THE CENTRES
AND RESIDING PLACES OF
EMANCIPATED SOULS
At the end of every Nyaesh and Yasht prayer there is
reference to 'Haft Keshvar Zamin'_ seven Keshvars, of which six
are located in far-super-ethereal heights, and the seventh called
Khanirath Bami, lit., golden or shining shore (Yt. 10,15) is the
only terrestrial Keshvar which is entirely different from the above
six as explained below.
The term Keshvar is referred to in Avesta (ibid.) as
Karshvare. According to Kanga dictionary, Karshvare is derived
from Karesh, to draw the circle, and means a country or region.
Then it is added there:
"The earth is divided into seven Karshvares separated from one
another by seas and mountains",
and then the names of the seven Keshvars enumerated in Meher
Yt. 15 are reproduced. Thus the seven Keshvars are mistaken to be
the divisions of the earth. This is due to the fact that it is not
known in philology that Avesta treats mostly of the invisible
worlds above in phraseology of the material world, and besides the
above paragraph is shrouded in allegory. Thus with regard to seas
and mountains, the vast expanses of the inner homologues (of the
top three Dakhyus) engendering superethereal waves are referred
to as Zarehs, seas, which are not of water; the un-imaginable
height of the heaven of the zodiac is compared with the top of a
mountain," Haraiti-Barez, Mt. Alborz (Yt. 10,51); and one of its
27 constellations is depicted
163
as its peak, Taer (Yt. 12,25); the flow of holy vibrationary currents
of Asha Chithra (Ysn. 19,1) from the planetary world is depicted
as river; the different paths, Patham (Ysn. 42,1) are not the East
Street or West Street of a city, but the different paths of religions,
and so on.
Karshvare according to its derivation Karesh implies a circular
country or region. We know that no country or region of the known
material world is circular. Hence Karshvares are not the divisions
of earth as imagined by philological scholars. The term Karshvare
is so derived because the six super-ethereal Keshvars are fiery
orbs, where reside saintly souls who have gained Tane-Pasin, the
last fiery-type body fit to reside in the fiery orbs of the six superethereal Keshvars.
With regard to the locations of the above six Keshvars, it may
be recalled that under the head "Concept of Transitional
regions…." we took some idea of the four Zamrirs, transitional
regions, and of the cosmic stations of the wicked and holy souls
located in the third and fourth Zamrirs respectively from the side
of the earth. Now we shall see how the six Keshvars referred to
above are located with regard to the seventh terrestrial Keshvar
Khanirath Bami, which Prof. Zaehner erroneously believes to be a
"mythical clime" ("Zurvan" p. 9 footnote 1). It may be observed
that though the Khanirath Bami is terrestrial, still it being located
on the top of the earthy globe, the whole ice-bound Arctic region is
circular in its latitudinal belt unlike the countries (or continents) of
the known material world.
LOCATIONS OF SIX KESHVARS
In the fifth Zamrir (from the bottom) are located two
Keshvars, of which Vouru-Bareshti, the lowest among all the six is
in the N.W. lower down in the Zamrir. The second, the next higher
Keshvar Vouru-Zareshti is in the N.E., a little higher up in the
same Zamrir. Then in the sixth Zamrir are Keshvars Arezahi in the
W., and Savahi in the E., the former lower down in the Zamrir, and
the latter a little higher up in the same Zamrir. Lastly, in the
seventh Zamrir are Keshvars Fradadafshu in the S.W., and VidaDafshu, the topmost in S.E., the former lower down and the latter a
little higher up in the same Zamrir. It will thus be understood that
the above six Keshvars are arranged in tiers. It may be noted that
the directions S.E., S.W., etc. are supposed to be from the centre of
the earthy globe at the bottom of the Nisti (Space) as stated
already.
The seventh Keshvar is the Khanirath Bami, literally meaning
the golden or shining shore, which is terrestrial. The joint
magnetism of the above six Keshvars in six different angles
164
around this Khanirath Bami keeps the earthy globe always in its
position in the cosmos. Khanirath Bami thus being centrally
located (Bd. 11,1) among the above six Keshvars is referred to in
Yasna 11,7 as 'Mademe Thrishve', the central one-third.
The combined aspect of the above six Keshvars may be
likened to a six-armed expanded umbrella of a parachute, the outer
ends of the six arms representing the six Keshvars, and the
pendent earthy globe as the parachutist. These Keshvars are all
allegorically referred to in Meher Yasht; 15 as 'Gavashayana,
Gava-shitimcha, the centres and residing places of the kine, that is,
of the purified human souls, who being Druj-free possess the
philanthropic characteristics and 'Live and help others live'
principle in Nature in common with the cowkind. Thus these
Keshvars are not the centers and residing places in the sense of
pens for the quadruped kine as misconceived in philology. The
function of Khanirath Bami, the terrestrial Keshvar, is, as stated
above, entirely different from the six super-ethereal Keshvars, and
hence its exposition is given under Supplement No. 14.
REPATRIATION OF SAINTLY SOUL
TO THE HEAVEN OF THE ZODIAC
It is stated above that the saintly soul enters the lowest Keshvar
Vouru-Bareshti in the last fiery-type body called TanePasin. From
Vouru-Bareshti the soul flies from Keshvar to Keshvar till it
arrives on the highest Keshvar Vida-Dafshu, on the top of the
Space, and awaits the arrival of its tardy counterpart. When _he
latter comes up likewise purified, the two counterparts give
themselves up (-'datha') to each other's 'own relative' (Khaetu)
which is not the worldly husband or wife, but the counterpart holy
soul. Such blending of the two counterparts - masculine and
feminine - forms one perfected whole soul called 'Magavan', who
is naturally asexual and an I-e-Su, passionless birth.
The Magavan then enters the lowest heaven of the Moon after
crossing Miswane-Gatu, the intermediary region between the
Lunar heaven and the Space, i.e., between the immortal and the
mortal worlds. Thence at last it (Magavan soul) gets repatriated to
the 8th heaven of the zodiac, whence it was originally exiled.
When a righteous soul succeeds in eliminating its Evil
through its transmutation into Good by the strict observance of the
Zoroastrian anti-microbe Baj rites and other Laws of purity, the
erstwhile incessant conflict within the body, ceases. This conflict
(-'yaokhedra') is between the Good and Evil propensities of the
soul, which are the two contestants (Ranoibya).
165
Thus to repeat, the conflict and the two contestants or fighters are
all within the body, i.e., internal and not external. Thus the
observance of the Zoroastrian laws of purity enables the
termination of this internal conflict. Simultaneously with the
termination of the internal conflict, the soul gets deliverance from
the physical body (-'snath') (Ysn. 12,9). In this connection it may
be recalled that the physical body is compounded of the
permutations and combinations of the four elements, each getting
16 electric circles, making 64, mixed with the mixture of the
soul's Good and Evil. So when the Evil is transmuted into Good,
i.e., into the light of the soul, the physical body is neither needed
to be formed, nor is it possible to be formed without the soul's
Evil which is the principal element in the making of the body.
Hence after death the soul does not take birth in this material
world. In this way, side by side with the cessation of the internal
conflict, the soul is delivered of the physical body (-Snath), i.e., it
is Emancipated.
These two exalted conditions give the Zoroastrian Faith the
epithets of (1) Fraspa-yaokhedram, terminator of the (internal)
conflict, and (2) Nida-snaithishem, deliverer from the instrument,
i.e., the physical body. We shall deal with these two epithets
together with Khaetva-datha in the next chapter.
_
CHAPTER XIII
IRRELEVANT AND STRANGE RENDERINGS
OF FRASPA-YAOKHEDRA, NIDA-SNAITHISH
AND KHAETVA-DATHA IN S.B.E. XXXI
If ever the most horrible type of mess was wrought by
philological guess-work-interpretation’s of Avestan technicals, it
is in the three terms:
(1) Fraspa-yaokhedra,
(2) Nida-snaithish, and
(3) Khaetva-datha
occurring in the prayer 'Jasame-Avanghe-Mazda, Mazdayasnoahmi' repeated at the end each time of the recital of the Kusti rite
which a Zoroastrian performs several times on various occasions
in daily domestic life. This portion of the prayer which is taken
from Yasna; 12,9 is considered the Confession of the Faith of a
Zoroastrian. In this Confession the devotee repeats each time the
four distinguishing features, which make the Zoroastrian religion
'greatest, best and finest' (Dar.). These four features are mentioned
in the above prayer as (1) Fraspa-Yaokhedram, (2) Nidasnaithishem, (3) Khaetva-datham and (4) Ashaonim. Of these the
first three terms mentioned above, which are enigmatically
expressed, and relate to the lofty emancipated conditions of an
erstwhile sinful soul are not at all understood by philological
scholars, owing to complete absence of knowledge in philology of
the spiritual background of those three terms. Hence they are
rendered quite incorrectly and irrelevantly by Dr. Mills in S.B.E.
Vol. XXXI as:
(1) "(the Faith which) has "no faltering utterance",
(2) (the Faith that) "wields the felling halbart", and
(3) (3) (the Faith of) "kindred marriage".
whereas the three terms really signify as under:
167
Fraspa-yaokhedram –
Nida-snaithishem
(the Faith which is) the terminator of
(internal) conflict;
(this conflict is within the body between
the good and the evil desire-forcesTewishi - (from Tu, force, and Is, wish or
desire; Ysn. 55,1), which good and evil
desire-forces are the two contestants
Rwnoibya (Ysn. 51,9); whose 'Rana',
arena is at the umbilicus, the good one a
little above, the evil lower down).
(the Faith that is) the liberator from the
instrument;
(here this 'instrument' is not ,in the sense
of any steel implement, but the physical
body, which bears the subtle soul on the
earth); and
(the Faith of) re-integration of sanctified
Khaetva-datham
spiritual masculinity and spiritual
femininity, into one asexual holy whole
soul called Magavan, effected by each
'giving itself up' (-datha) to its 'own
relative' (Khaetu), which is only spiritual
and not in flesh and blood.
It will be understood from the above that Fraspa-yaokhedram
and Nida-snaithishem apply to an individual emancipated saintly
soul, whether male or female, while Khaetvadatha applies to the
two emancipated counterparts concerned. When a soul attains
saintly condition, the internal conflict Yaokhedra - ceases, and
that holy person gains control over the five senses, to which
worldly people are more or less slaves in varied degrees.
The goal of the Zoroastrian religion is to exalt the soul by
rendering it evil-free, and to lead it to its 'Frasho-kereti"
Renovation which represents the final state of purity of a soul. As
stated already this can only be possible after a soul crosses the
Chinvat Bridge by becoming 'Ashim-ashai' (Yasna 46.10), holy
for the sake of holiness.
Thus the excellence of the Zoroastrian religion does not
consist in 'non-faltering utterance', nor in the 'wielding of the
felling halbert', nor in the performance of 'kindred marriage' as
incongruously and irrelevantly rendered by a scholar highly
illustrious, yet abjectly innocent of the lofty theme behind those
168
three technical terms. Of course what applies to Dr. Mills applies
to almost the whole philological school.
Dr. Mills in the absence of knowledge of the above true and
lofty significance of Fraspa-yaokhedram has imaginarily changed
the original spelling of the term, in doing which he puts the
following footnote (in S.B.E. Vol. XXXI):
"Fraspayaokhedram;, ('y' miswritten for "v') Fra seems to be
prohibitive 'speech without falling or hesitation', better as
adj."
and renders the term (Fraspa-yaokhedram) as' no faltering
utterance', which is entirely wrong. In his innocence of, the lofty
significance of the term, Dr. Mills imagines 'y' miswritten for 'v',
and corrupts the orthography of the original technical term to suit
his misconceived idols of the mind, which is much to be regretted.
When by the power and effect of the exercises of Baj rites and
other Zoroastrian laws of purity with righteousness, the evil
desires have been transmuted into good, the soul of that
practitioner of Ashoi, holiness, succeeds in crossing the_ Chinvat
Bridge, as promised by the holy Prophet in Yasna; 46,10. Such an
Ashavan, saintly soul has not to take birth again for his own
salvation in this material world which is called Drujo-Deman
(Ysn. 46,11), the abode of evil spirit Druj (literally deceiver), but
he (Ashavan) visits the earth to help other human beings in their
spiritual progress.
It will now be understood that the claim to excellence of the
Zoroastrian religion is not based on sentimental or ethnocentric
grounds, but on genuine sublimity of its strictest laws of purity.
In fine, the term Fraspa-yaokhedram implies that the
Zoroastrian religion, on account of its most rigorous laws of
spiritual purity, is the terminator of internal conflict between good
and evil desire-forces - Tewishi - within the body, whereby control
over the five senses is achieved leading to the final goal of
liberation of an individual masculine or feminine soul from the
physical body referred to as Nida-snaithishem dealt with below.
NIDA-SNAITHISH, LIBERATOR FROM
THE INSTRUMENT,
(THE PHYSICAL BODY)
Nidasnaithish is compounded of Nida-snaithish, literally
meaning laying down Snath, the instrument'. This instrument
169
is not a steel weapon, as is erroneously believed in philology, but
is the physical body, in which the soul is encaged for its
Reformation on this earth.
In connection with the fact that the material 'body' is the
'weapon', Prof. Zaehner cites the following:
"The struggle of the Lie is with man's essence which is his
soul, and with the soul's weapon and garment which is the
body (GB 101.9-12, Indian Bundahishn 33.16-20 which has
the better readings.).
"This body is the instrument or garment of the soul".
("Dawn and Twilight.. . ." p. 27 4 – by Prof. Zaehner).
Hence it will be understood this Snath or instrument is not the
'felling halbert' as imagined by Dr. Mills but the physical body.
Even in English the word 'instrument' has the meaning of 'thing or
person utilized'. Here the physical body is utilized for presenting
the soul on earth. But, because in Yasna; 31,18 there is reference
to striking by means of a weapon ('Snath'), Dr. Mills is misguided,
and has erroneously rendered Nidasnaithishem as (the Faith that)
'wields the felling halbert', which is entirely wrong, and quite
unsuitable and strange in the context. In the footnote he says
"Compare Yasna XXXI, 18". It will be seen from this that in the
absence of the correct knowledge of the spiritual background, that
illustrious scholar has lost the true lofty significance of the term.
The Sanskrit equivalent of the same as rendered by Neryosangh is
"Bhavatchhedam", the cutter or curtailer of incarnations.
The physical body composed as it is, of permutations and
combinations of the four elements, each getting sixteen electric
circlings is not alien to the soul, but is drawn from the mixture of
the good and evil constituents of the soul itself with the elements,
by Yazads (angels) Payu and Thworeshtar (Ysn. 57,2), .and hence
it (body) is called in Avesta 'Tanu' (Ysn. 55,1) meaning 'drawn
(from the soul)', derived from Tan, to draw. The share of Gao, the
good or blissful side of the soul, which displays philanthropic
characteristics as of the kine is supplied by Payu, while that of the
soul's Druj or Drvao, the evil or dark side, resulting from the
deficiency of divine knowledge, and showing destructive or
harmful characteristics, is supplied by Thworeshtar. The Yazad
(angel) augments the soul's own Gao, good constituent by a loan
from his (Payu's) own temporarily to help the soul in transmuting
the Druj or Evil into goodness. For this purpose a Zoroastrian
must maintain the physical body on a certain level of purity by
covering it with the prescribed type of Sudreh-Kusti (holy shirt
and thread-girdle), besides
170
covering the head and wearing the shoes. The loan above
mentioned of Gao by the Yazad Payu is withdrawn after the soul is
emancipated.
It is through the physical body that Nature contrives to present
a soul an this earth in accordance with Mazda-data, the deified
Law of Infoldment of Spirit (i.e., of the Saul) into Matter. As long
as there is preponderance of Druj, evil, the soul is unable to cross
the Chinvat Bridge, and so there is need of the physical body in
order to effect transmutation of that Druj_ evil, through retributive
sufferings during repeated re-births called Thwasha Khadata (Vd.
19,13), self-created shuttling between the sky and the earth and
vice versa. But when the devotee observes the laws of Baj-rites
and other practices of Ashoi, purity, enjoined in the Zoroastrian
religion, such a devotee becomes an Ashavan, holy person, whose
physical body undergoes great transformations. Its grossness is
gradually rarefied due to transmutation of its evil into good, and
consequently that Ashavan holy person, is able after death to cross
Var-i-Jamkard, the top sub-region of the Chinvat Bridge. From the
time a person changes the path of life from evil to good, he (or
she) is freed from the operation of the law of Mazda-data
mentioned above, and is governed by Ahura-data, the deified law
of Unfoldment of the soul from Matter.
After crossing the top region of the Chinvat Bridge, the soul
of the Ashavan, whether male or female, proceeds upwards to the
felicitous regions of Jaza, reward, thence to Pahlum Ahwan, and
thence to Dadare Gehan. Now the soul is emancipated. It is freed
from re-birth and if such a soul does came back to the earth, it is;
not for the expiation of its own sins, but for helping other people
of the earth in their spiritual progress. In Dadare Gehan the soul
gets Tane-Pasin, the final body, which is of a fiery type fit to
reside in Keshvars. The soul flies from Keshvar to Keshvar,
though very very slowly till it meets its counterpart and becomes
Khaetvadatha, that is, intermingles with its emancipated
counterpart.
Hence the final idea in Nida-snaithish is final deliverance of
the soul from the conflict of Good and Evil and liberation from the
instrument of the physical body.
IMAGINARY INTERPRETATIONS OF
'FRASPA-YAOKHEDRA, NIDA-SNAITHISH'
AND 'KHAETVADATHA' BY SOME
PARSI PHILOLOGICAL SCHOLARS
With regard to (1) Fraspa-yaokhedra, (2) Nida-snaithish
and (3) Khaetva-datha, Parsi philological scholars in the absence
171
of genuine knowledge indulge in imaginary interpretations of these
terms. Thus a highly learned scholar observes in the concluding
portion of his Review (in "Jam-e-Jamshed" daily dated 17-101961) of Prof. Zaehner's latest publication "Dawn . . ." as under:
(1.2) "Non-violence in matters of faith is one of the gems of
Zoroastrianism."
We do not know whether he applies the above erroneous
interpretation to (1) or (2) above, but the scholar is evidently
misguided like Dr. Mills and others by the word 'snath' in Yasna;
31, 18. where it is used in the sense of a steel implement, whereas
in Yasna; 12,9 the same term is used to represent the physical
body which is the instrument that bears the soul on earth as stated
in Greater Bundahishna referred to by Prof. Zaehner (vide
preceding head). It is not realized, or rather not understood, that
the context of the prayer 'Jasa-me-avanghe-Mazda, Mazdayasnoahmi' which is considered the Confession of the Faith of a
Zoroastrian, has reference to the quintessence of a soul. Then
regarding (3) above the same scholar states:
"Khaetvadatha is another moral virtue inculcated, it means
self-abnegation or self-dedication.
With due deference to the above Parsi scholar, it may be
stated that Khaetvadatha is not the worldly self-dedication as a
mere moral virtue, however noble it be. It (Khaetvadatha) is the
self-dedication of one's own purified soul to its counterpart soul of
the opposite sex likewise purified, whereby both the counterparts
blend themselves and thereby efface their respective sexes, and
form one asexual Magavan, the highest amongst which class was
holy Zarathushtra. Compared to this spiritual self-dedication, the
earthly moral virtue known as such is too trivial, and though
instances of this virtue are no doubt uncommon, yet they are found
every day in this wide world, whereas Khaetvadatha, the postSalvation noumenon of spiritual self-dedication of one's own soul
is a solitary occurrence in aeons, which renders individual 'FrashoKereti', Renovation of the soul.
It may be pointed out that Parsi philological scholars who do
not possess the genuine knowledge of the technicality of the term
(in Ysn. 12,9) and of Nature's processes of a soul's Reformation,
yet are doubtlessly confident of the falsity of the rendering
'consanguineous marriage' and abhor it, - such scholars who
attempt to interpret Khaetwadatha by guesswork
172
from its derivatives, are not aware that an un-bifurcated whole soul
in its wicked condition as 'Aka-Chithra' is first dis-integrated, that
is, bifurcated into sexes as the initial step in the processes of
Reformation of that soul; and that Khaetvadatha constitutes the
consummation of that Reformation in the shape of re-integration
of the masculine and feminine counterparts into one perfected
whole soul called Magavan which means expunging of the sexes.
Thus Khaetvadatha is the actual and practical noumenon occurring
on the top super-ethereal region between counterpart Ashavan
souls, and not an abstract moral virtue of this earth.
In fine Khaetvadatha is the final stage sanctum sanctorum
relating to two emancipated individual counterpart souls that have
passed the stages of 'Fraspa-yaokhedra' and of 'Nidasnaithish', the
former indicating the termination of internal conflict between the
good and evil constituents in the body, and the latter the liberation
from one's physical body, which is the instrument that bears the
soul on earth.
Owing to absence of knowledge of the above facts, the three
terms which refer to the acme of spiritual perfection are reduced to
mere worldly virtues, on account of which the sublime prayer,
above referred to, loses its very essence and high significances.
SUPPLEMENTS
SUPPLEMENT NO.1
16 FIRE-ENERGIES OPERATING IN THE
WHOLE UNIVERSE
9 FIRE-ENERGIES OPERATING ON 9 HEAVENS
(Translated from "Ancient Zoroastrian Education System" (p.9) –
by our Master, the late Mr. B. N. Shroff).
Fire
Energy
No.
Name of Fire
energy
1
Atash-e-Shaedan
2
Athro Ahurahe
Mazdao Puthra
3
Atash Berezi Savangh
4(a)
Adar Khurdad
(major)
5
Adar Froba
(pure)
6(a)
Adar Gushasp
(major)
7(a)
Adar Burjin Meher
(major)
Adar Gushasp
(minor)
6(b)
4 (b)
Adar Khurdad
(minor)
7(b)
Adar-i-Burjin Meher
(minor)
Heaven Functioning
No.
on
Beyond the stage
of "Niru"
9 th
(Highest) 9th
heaven of
Ahunavar.
8th
Zodiacal heaven;
Anaghra
Raochao.
7th
Kaiwan
(Saturn)
6th
Barjis
(Jupiter)
5th
Hasham
(Marsi
4th
Khurshid
(Sun)
3rd
Nahid
(Venus)
2nd
Tarad
(Mercury)
1st
Mah
(Moon)
175
Fire-energies Functioning in Nisti Worlds (Space)
Fire
No.
g
9(a)
(b)
10(a)
(b)
11(a)
(b)
12(a)
(b)
13
14
15
16
Name of Fire
Energy
Adar-e-Mino-Karko
Adar-eVazishte-latif
(higher)
Adar-eVazishteKasif (lower)
Adar-e-Urvazishte-latif
(higher)
Adar-e-UrvazishteKasif (lower)
Adar-e-Spenishte-latif
(higher)
Adar-e-SpenishteKasif
(lower)
Adar-e- Vohufryane-latif
(higher)
Adar-e- VohufryaneKasif (lower)
(Lower to Higher) Atashe-Dara
A tash -e- N airyosangh
Atash-e-Khoreh Atash-eFrah
where Functioning
On Aiwi Dakhyu, Antare
Dakhyu and Aa Dakhyu;
region of Kurrah (division)
of subtle fire element and
six super-ethereal Keshvars
(Note)-The
fundamental
fire-energy of the whole
Nisti worlds (Space).
On region of Kurrah (division) of subtle airy element.
On gross airy element and in
air
(Note: Subtle air is generated here. From here invisible i.e. intangible air
begins).
On region of Kurrah division) of subtle wateryelement.
On region of Kurrah (division) of gross watery element and in vegetable
kingdom, and in water and
in milk of animals.
On region of Kurrah (division) of subtle material
element.
On region of Kurrah (division) of gross material
element and in mineral
kingdom.
In speaking animals i.e.
humam beings.
Dumb animals.
All four fire-energies cooperating with Atash-eVohufryan in human beings
176
15 FIRE-ENERGIES REFERRED TO IN ATASH NYAESH
(Translated from Khordeh. Avesta, 2nd edition, published by
P.V.T.S. & Z.R.S., pg. 126, seq. notes inserted by the late learned
Mr. D. S. Masani).
In Atash Nyaesh in the paragraph after the Gah recital, and at
the end in the identical Avesta paragraph and in the Pazand
passage, there are references to all the above named 15 fireenergies functioning in macrocosm and microcosm, except the
first Atashe Khshaeta of Fravashi functioning in the pre-casmogenesis world. They have been woven into the Avesta passages
beginning with "Athra-Ahurahe-Mazdao-Puthra" to' "Nairyasanghahe yazatahe", and some of them have been mentioned in the
Pazand passage at the end by their names, so that while reciting
them one may be put in mind of their great mystic functions. Thus
the paragraph beginning with (i) Athro-Ahurahe –Mazdao-Puthra,
which is the deified and most lustrous fire-energy possessing
consciousness, and functioning on the topmost and sublimest 9th
(empyrean) heaven of Parvin-i-Ala, Neptune, which 9th heaven is
the throne or seat of Ahura Mazda. The fire-energy of this heaven
is allegorically styled 'Puthra' (son) of Ahura Mazda, because just
as a dutiful son is obedient to his father and helps him in carrying
on his work or business, so this fire energy which possesses the
supermost potentialities and divine authority, sustains the 9th
heaven, and helps the Creator, Ahura Mazda in the administration
of the whole Universe from the dead past to the dim future for the
transmutation of the souls Aka or Drvao, wickedness into Asha or
Gao, blissfulness.
Thus it will be understood that "Athra-Ahurahe-MazdaoPuthra" is a compound proper noun, which does not refer to the
common place fire as an element, and as such must not be
rendered etymologically. This being not known in philology Dr.
Geiger observes though eulogistically (vide "Civilization of
Eastern Iranians " Geiger-Sanjana, Vol. I Intro. p. xxvii):
"With particular emphasis fire, the importance of which in the
CULTUS of the Mazdayasnan need not be pointed out, is
invoked as the son of Ahura Mazda (Ataremcha-AhuraheMazdao-puthrem; Ysn. 2,4). It is the holiest and purest
element, that which diffuses light. As such it appears to be
the earthy and visible image of the Deity, Who is Himself
light and absolute purity."
Here the illustrious savant is misguided into the belief that
Ataremcha-Ahurahe-Mazdao-puthrem is the fire element that
'diffuses light'. From what has been stated above, it will be
understood that the element of fire in the hearth can be easily
extinguished and possesses no more power beyond imparting
177
heat, while Ataremcha-Ahurahe-Mazdao-puthrem is immortal and
possesses inconceivable potentialities for conducting the divine
administration of the Universe from the dead past to the dim future.
(2) Reverting to the above Atash Nyaesh paragraph, in the
next passage "Tawa Atarsh puthra-Ahurahe Mazdao" the suppliant
is reminded of the 8th_heaven of Parvin-i-Adna (Uranus) which is
referred to in Avesta as Anaghra-Raochao, Boundless lights (Vd.
19,35), where functions the fire-energy called AtashBerezosavangh. This name is_met with in Afrin-i-Ardafravash
prayer.
The fire-energy of Berezo-savangh is characterized by the 27
constellations of the brightest stars which comprise the zodiacal
belt of 12 signs, through the instrumentality of which the Creator,
Ahura Mazda, Ameshaspends and Yazads incessantly conduct the
divine administration of the Universe and will continue to do so to
the Boundless Time with the aid of the above 9th and 8th heavens
and the seven planetary heavens, till this world of physical
formations, which is said to have emerged from a ray will one day
revert into a ray and thus become all light.
(3) Then the next passage:
"Athro Ahurahe Mazdao puthra" to "Kavayehecha
kharenangho Mazdadatahe"
reminds one of the Adar-Froba, which has manifested itself from
Ahura Mazda, and which functions on the 6th heaven of Jupiter.
This Adar-Froba has been referred to as "Adaran-Shah-Firozgar"
in the Pazand passage at the end of this Nyaesh.
(4) Then the passage containing the words "Kavoish
Haosravanghahe" is reminiscent of the fire energy called AdarGushasp of two grades - the higher functioning on the 5th heaven
of Mars, and the lower on the 3rd heaven of Venus. In the Pazand
passage at the end of the Nyaesh, it is mentioned by its own name,
Adar Gushasp.
Kavoish Haosravangha, that is, king Kae Khushru had caused
this Atash - Adar Gushasp - to be drawn from the 5th heaven to
the earth, and had consecrated the Atash_Behram (fire-temple)
connected with it in Iran till an underground talismanic structure
inaccessible except to the adepts. This fire is said to be still
burning since the time of king Kae Khushru (about B. C. 8000)
without any firewood or fuel, and will continue to burn till the
next World Deluge.
Learned Kanga in his translation of the above Atash Nyaesh
passage says in the footnote:
178
“According to the Pahlavi commentary king Kae Khushru had
consecrated this Atash after conquering the 'Bahmandez' ... It
is also known as the fire of lightening.”
According to the Shah-Nameh, history of the kings of Iran by
Firdausi, the above fort Bahmandez was, as stated by king Kae
Kaus, a stronghold of Ahriman, the Satan, and was unapproachable
on account of its precincts having been rendered fiery hot, and its
entrance sealed off by witchcraft. King Kae Khushru with his
supreme spiritual powers conquered the fort. After this conquest he
worked the miracle of drawing the fire of lightening, and
consecrated it as Azar Gushasp, which Firdausi records in his
Shah-Nameh in the following couplets:
"Befarmood Khusrav badan jaygah
Yaki gumbadi ta abre seyah."
(Tr.) Khusrav ordered a dome to be erected in that place
"Ze birun chu nim az tage Tazi asp
Baravordo benhad Azar Gushasp."
(Tr.) Its circumference was equal to half the round of a speedy
steed, in that he consecrated Azar Gushasp.
With regard to the origin of the name Azar Gushasp it is stated in
learned Kutar brothers' Gujarati translation of Shah-Nameh (Vol.
III, p. 191) as under:
"In this warfare, lightening fell near the ear of Kae Khushru's:
steed, and the fire blazed. Thereupon Kae Khushru named it
Azar Gushasp (Azar, fire; Goosh, ear; and Asp, horse.)"
Such is the interesting account gathered from different sources of
the consecration of Azar Gushasp by king Kae Khushru.
(5) Reverting to the Atash Nyaesh paragraph, in, the next
passage the words "Raevantahe garoish Mazdadatahe" remind one
of the fire-energy called Adar-Burzin-Meher of two grades, the
higher functioning on the 4th heaven of the Sun, and the lower on
the 1st heaven of the Moon. In this case also the actual name Adar
Burzin Meher is given in the Pazand passage at the end of the
Nyaesh.
In one of the carvings in Iran, the prophet is shown as
bringing this fire from the heaven in his right hand, which is
indicative of the high grade of his wonderful physical constitution.
By virtue of this fire-energy he possessed Asne-vir (Dk. VII;
2,22), the knowledge and wisdom par excellence of the angels,
which enabled him to come into direct contact with Ahura Mazda
with the aid of Bahman Ameshaspend, and by
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gaining His divine vision could derive omniscient knowledge
from the omniscience of Mazda, as can be found from the words
"Ta toi izya Ahura Mazda darshtoishcha hem-parshtoishcha" in
Yasna; 33,6, where he, Zarathushtra, addresses Ahura Mazda, and
supplicates, "I long for Thy vision and conference" (B. T..
Anklesaria).
(6) In the next passage the word "Raevantahe garoish
Mazdadatahe" are reminiscent of the fire-energy of Adar Khurdad
of two grades - the higher functioning on the 7th heaven of Saturn,
and the lower on the 2nd heaven of Mercury. In the Pazand
passage mentioned above, the actual name Adar Khurdad is given.
(7, 8, 9, 10) In the following passage the words "mat vispaeibyo aterebyo" indicate the four fire-energies referred to in
Haptan Yt. 2. With the words "Ahya thwa Athro Verezena", and
the Avesta name of Mino-Karko is also "Athro-Verezena. Thus
"Verezena" is taken as the technical term, which is analogous to
'Karko'. The four fire-energies are - higher to lower, (7) Atash-iMino-karko, (8) Atash-i-Vazishta, (9) Atashi-Urvazishta, and (10)
Atash-i-Spenishta, of which Mino-Karko is the leading fireenergy. In the above Haptan Yt. passage also are mentioned the
last three fire-energies which have emanated from Mino Karko
and are its co-operators in their higher and lower grades as shown
in the schedule in the beginning of this chapter.
All these four fire-energies in their higher and lower grades
function in the whole Nisti-Geti, that is to say_ in the Gava or
blissful, semi-luminous world and the elemental planes of subtle
and gross formations and in their creations.
(11) Again, Atash-i-Vohu-frayan, which is compounded of
the last named four fire-energies, and which is mentioned in
Afrin-i-Arda-fravash prayer, functions in its higher and lower
grades in all mankind and animals respectively.
Then the words "Khshathro nafedro Nairyosanghahe
Yazatahe" remind us of the four fire-energies functioning in the
four cerebral centres of Kehrp (Ysn. 55,1), the invisible body
(according to which the human physical body is formed). These
four fire-energies are (12) Atash-i-Dara, (13) Atash-i-Nairyosangha, (14) Atash-i-Khoreh and (15) Atash-i-Frah, which is
another form of Adar-Froba functioning on the 6th heaven of
Jupiter mentioned under (3) above.
The 16th is the fire-energy of the Fravashi, which (fire)
develops all the above 15 fire-energies, but without associating
with them. The last four are the co-operating fire-energies of
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the advanced souls. When they are fully developed step by step,
human souls advance higher and higher till they attain Baodangh
or Rae, that is, angelic consciousness. Such is some idea of the 16
different grades and types of fire-energies taught in Khshnoom.
The agencies of the fire-altars of Atash-Behrams (highest),
Atash-Adarans (intermediate) and Atash-Dadgah (lowest) employed in holy ceremonies serve as the functionary agents (Alat)
in bringing into connection and attuning with each other all the 16
fire-energies operating in macrocosm and microcosm, and help
Zoroastrian souls in their spiritual advancement and, in the end, in
attuning with Sarosh Yazad (angel).
SUPPLEMENT NO.2
TECHNICAL SIGNIFICANCES OF
AOJ, TAGI AND ZOR
Niru, the unfathomable screen of light separating Khao
Afrazyamna expounded in the beginning, embodies three other
powers called Aoj, Tagi and Zor. These four powers are remembered in a group in the preamble of the Pazand AfrineArdafravash; 13.
Aoj is the tremendous power with which the Hierarchy of
Ameshaspends and Yazads perform their great individual tasks of
helping the Creator Ahura Mazda in the matter of leading human
souls to 'Frasho-kereti' (spiritual) Renovation, and of divine
administration of the Universe from the dead past to dim future.
Tagi is the extra power, besides Aoj, possessed by the Sarosh
Yazad, further explanation whereof follows after Zor.
Zor is the marvelous power developed by a priest or by the
saintly type of a Ratheshtar i.e., a warrior-saint, who is a
practitioner of Ashoi (holiness) by attuning himself with the
angelic existences.
Niru, Aoj, Tagi and Zor all possess the commonplace
meaning of strength or power, yet only Khshnoom teaches the real
technical meaning and differentiation existing in each.
"TAGI", THE SPECIAL POWER
POSSESSED BY SAROSH YAZAD
We have seen that a human soul - Urva:n - in its original
condition was a Light with deficiency of divine knowledge as
stated already - which deficiency we call Evil - in its various
grades. In order to cure the Soul of this Spiritual deficiency,
Nature has designed this Universe of inconceivable expanses,
wherein lies the wonderful "Factory" for transmuting the Soul's
Evil into Good.
This Universe is made up of two principal divisions, of which
the higher, superior, immortal and permanent, is called the Hasti
(Haithyeng Astish; Ysn. 43,,3), the world of Truth, possessing
Light and permanence. The souls of very high grade who are
luminous and who exist in this Hasti world manage to
182
transmute their Evil into Good without having any need to pass
through the process of infoldmemt of their Spirit into Matter.
But, for those souls which cannot rid their Evil in this
manner, Nature has devised another plan for reforming the same
by creating the Nisti (lit., what is not permanent), i.e., the
Evanescent world (Space). This Nisti is subject to many changes,
being a veritable divine factory, where dividing and subdividing
the soul with its Evil improve the defect of the souls very
gradually.
Sarosh Yazad is the Angel-Lord-Lieutenant of this Nisti
world, and acts as the viceroy of the Creator Ahura Mazda, who
(Sarosh) as stated above, possesses the extra power of purification
called Tagi, over and above Aoj mentioned already, possessed by
all the Yazadic intelligences. Souls not pliable to correction by
softer or lighter methods are dealt with by Sarosh Yazad with the
inexorable power of Tagi, by dissection of the soul and its Evil
over and over again, and by moulding and re-moulding the same.
Hence, in Sarosh Yasht (major), Sarosh Yazad is styled 'Yazata
Payu-Thworeshtar' meaning the angel who is protector and
modeller (para 2). On this earth Asho Zarathushtra is the deputy
of_Sarosh Yazad. From this it will be understood that _Sarosh
Yazad's power of Tagi is victorious in correcting even the most
vehement type of the Evil of the souls existing in any of the
regions of the Nisti (Space).
SAROSH YAZAD'S POWER OF TAGI
OCCURRING IN SAROSH BAJ PRAYER
In Sarosh Baj prayer the powers of Sarosh Yazad are
mentioned as 'Tagi tan farman', where the body (Tan) of Sarosh
Yazad is stated as made up of the holy benedictory Staota, i.e.,
vibrationary currents drawn from Bagha Ahunavar, the Will
Celestial of the Lord Ahu (Paz. Tan, body, Av. Tan, to draw;
Farman, holy spells emitting holy vibrationary currents). Besides
these powers, Sarosh Yazad is stated as possessing "Shikaft zeen",
meaning marvelous implement, and "Zeen avazar", i.e., the most
perfect and victorious implement. Thus Sarosh Yazad is described
as possessing the special extra power of Tagi, besides the
Manthra-Spenta body and the marvelous and most perfect and
victorious implement (of Tagi) for over-powering and transmuting
Evil into Good.
Then the passage says, "Salar-e daman-e Hormazd berasad",
meaning 'the chief of the creation of Hormazd, may He reach
183
unto me". "Salar-e daman" means the chief or the viceroy of Nisti,
the evanescent worlds. Thus in the passage under reference the
devotee first describes the powers of Tagi and Tan Farman and the
all-victorious weapons of the holy Sarosh, and then supplicates
Him to hasten to his (or her) succour in his (or her) attempts at
transmuting the Evil into Good.
SAROSH-BAJ PAZAND PASSAGE
COMMENTARY UPON TAGI IN AVESTA
The Pazand passage dealt with above is the exact commentary
of the Avesta passage "Sraoshahe ashyehe takhmahe tanu
manthrahe darshi draosh Ahuiryehe" occurring further on in the
same Sarosh Baj prayer after the special formula for the particular
part (Gah) of the day. This Avesta sentence is called the junior
"Khshnooman", i.e., the glorifying formula of Sarosh. The
rendering of the above Avesta sentence into Pazand was effected
by the great holy Dastoor Adarbad Mahrespand, who was the last
"Raenidar", i.e., Restorer of the Faith, by his passing through the
ordeal of the molten ore poured on his chest, and yet remaining
unburnt on account of the miraculous power of Ashoi developed
by him in his body-elements (Anasar), which were rendered
Invulnerable against burns or wounds.
In the above Avesta Khshnooman the word Takhmahe
meaning powerful stands for Tagi in the Pazand commentary.
Darshi-draosh means powerful weapon. The word 'Ahuiryehe'
refers to the great law of Ahura-data, by which the Unfoldment of
soul from Matter takes place, i.e., the law by which a soul soars
heavenward after completing the processes of transmuting the Evil
through 'Thwasha Khadata', automatic repetitions of the rounds of
birth and death till emancipation is attained. So Ilm-e-Khshnoom
teaches that Sarosh Yazad will positively cure the souls of their
Evil and lead them to Heaven by the Law of Ahura-data.
SUPPLEMENT NO.3
KNOWLEDGE OF DISCERNING TECHNICAL
TERMS IN AVEST ABSENT IN PHILOLOGY
In the case of philological translations without the aid of the
esoteric knowledge of Ilm-e-Khshnoom, it is not possible to
distinguish a proper noun from common. The result is that
technical terms are translated literally as common nouns by finding
out their roots, which often result in renderings without any_
sensible meanings.
For instance, in Yasna 19 quoted before, under the heading
"Vacha..," (Chapter IX), the learned translator Dr. Mills has
rendered (1) Atarem Ahurahe Mazdao Puthrem as "Fire, Ahura
Mazda's Son", and (2) Mazdadata Asha Chithra as "seed of
righteousness, made by Mazda".
With regard to (1) Ilm-e-Khshnoom teaches that AtaremAhurahe-Mazdao-Puthrem, which is almost the same as Athro
Ahurahe-Mazdao-Puthra, is a compound technical term not to be
rendered etymologically. It is the most sublime and most powerful,
luminous, intelligent, fire-energy functioning on the 9th Asman
(Av. Asma, heaven) from which Ahura Mazda, the Creator draws
his sustenance and power (force) for creating all phenomena and
noumena in the whole Universe right from the Minoi Alam,
heavenly world at the top of the Universe, down to the material
world, from the dead past to the dim future.
With regard to (2), i.e., Mazdadata Asha Chithra, the literal
translation of Asha Chithra as "seed of righteousness" conveys no
sensible meaning. Ilm-e-Khshnoom teaches that Asha Chithra and
Vohu Chithra are subtle spiritual seeds the spiritual crop produced
by the rotations and revolutions of the planets in the planetary
world, and in addition by the thoughts and functions of Ahura
Mazda, and the Yazats, the angelic intelligences. These Asha
Chithra and Vohu Chithra are the manna or the spiritual food of
the two higher classes of souls called "Subut" and "Dukhul". The
Dukhul souls lit., mean those that entered or have gained
admission to the immortal world. Asho Zarathushtra was highest
in this Dukhul class. Next come "Subut" souls meaning those who
have attained constancy, but are yet awaiting admission. Kings
and warrior-saints of ancient Iran, who possessed the higher aura
of Kyan Khoreh (Av. Kavaem Khareno); or of Farreh Izadi aura,
185
belonged to this Subut class. We ordinary human beings fall under
the "Kharij" class, literally meaning external.
Again, "Mazdadata" is a technical term, which does not
merely mean "created by Ohrmazd" as rendered in philology.
According to Khshnoom exposition, "Mazda-data" and "Ahuradata" are the two of the three 'stages' of Creation, the former of
Infoldment, the latter of Un-foldment of the soul.
.
Souls trail down to this earth by the law of Evolution in
material garb, i.e., body, from the immortal worlds by the law of
Mazdadata (Av. Data, law), meaning the law of Infoldment of
Spirit into Matter. This is the first stage of the Creation. When they
come down to Nisti, the evanescent world (Space), and lastly to
this earth, they (souls) pass through the processes of Reformation
in which the Evil is transmuted into Good. This is the second stage
of the Creation. When a Zoroastrian soul attains purity and its Evil
is transmuted into Good, it can cross the Chinvat Bridge as
promised by the holy Prophet in Gatha (Ysn. 46,10). Now onwards
that soul is governed by "Ahura-data", the law of Unfoldment of
Spirit from Matter, whereby that soul soars higher and higher till at
length it attains "Tane-Pasin", the fiery-type body, and regains
paradise, i.e., the luminous state. This is the third and the last stage
of the Creation, the Summum Bonum of human existence. Of
course all this reformation and transmutation is a process entailing
ages and ages. Thus, the term Mazdadata does not merely mean
"created by Ohrmazd" but has very deep import and connotation as
explained above.
SUPPLEMENT NO.4
Colours Produced By Recital Of
Yatha Ahu Vairyo
(Reproduced from "the Rationale of Zoroastrian Rituals" (pp.
16,17) by the learned Ervad P. S. Masani).
"Yatha Ahu Vairyo" the Zoroastrian Word (formed of 21
words) is composed by Zoroaster according to the rhythmic laws
of Staota, vibrationary colours, in perfect harmony with Ahuna
Var or the universal musical note going on eternally in the highest
heaven - the first vibration in Nature whence the entire creation is
manifested. The recital in accordance with all the canons of
religion, of the word Yatha Ahu Vairyo, produces three kinds of
colours corresponding to those of the Ahuna Var in the Heavenly
sphere. The first line with "Ashat Chit Hacha" produces the blue
colour corresponding to the blue colour of Asha Vahishta, the 3rd
Amshaspend, and the 2nd line with "Vangheush Dazda
Manangho" creates the- yellow colour corresponding to the yellow
colour of Vohu Manangha, the 2nd Ameshaspend. Finally, the
third line with its "Khshathremacha" gives rise to the red colour
corresponding to the red immerged colours of the 4th Amshaspend
"Khshathra Vairya." Thus a holy reciter of "Yatha Ahu Va,iryo"
puts himself in unison, in harmony with the three Amshaspends
according to the most abstruse yet scientific laws of Staota."
SUPPLEMENT NO.5
Suffix 'Khadata' explained
According to Nature's curriculum one or the other of the two
sections of the earthy globe viz., Thrishva and the known material
world, is active or idle alternately, the extinction of the one causing
the emergence of the other, automatically, and since the run of the
known material world is identical from the standpoint of the time
factor with a Zarvane-daregha, the suffix ‘khadata’ meaning selfcreated is appended to the latter. This topic is further dealt with
under the head 'Holy Airyana Vaeja', seq., in, Part II of this book.
Similarly, we have 'Thwasha-khadata' (Vd. 19,13), which
depicts the phenomena of the repetitions of death and birth
automatically. Thus a child is born on the earth, grows up and lives
a sinful life for, say, 60, 70 or 80 years, more or less, and dies.
After death the soul of the deceased goes to Thwasha, sky. But on
account of the grossness of sins in the past life on earth, it (soul)
cannot cross Var-i-Jam-kard, the felicitous top sub-region of the
Chinvat Bridge, but is hurled to Apakhtar or Vantar, the halting
station for sinful souls awaiting re-birth on the known material
world. Again the Veil of Darkness falls on the soul after the age of
4 or 5, and the person dies, and cannot cross Chinvat Bridge and
again comes to the earth. Thus the soul keeps shuttling up and
down between Thwasha, the sky, and the earth automatically, and
hence the suffix 'khadat', self-coming' or 'automatic', is applied to
Thwasha to indicate the rounds of life on earth again and again, till
Druj, Evil, is transmuted into Gao, the quality of selflessness, and
philanthropy.
SUPPLEMENT NO.6
Staota Yasna, The Supremest Seed
of the Universe
The term Staota Yasna occurs throughout the Avesta in
Gathas Yasna 30; in Meher, Farvardin, Ashishvangh and other
Yashts; in Avan Nyaesh and Hadokht Nask; 2, in Yasna 54, 58
etc., and in different places in Visparad.
In Visparad; 23,1 it is stated:
"Vahishta chithra yazamaide ya Staota Yasnya," which
means:
"We attune ourselves with the most excellent FUNDAMENTA (lit., seeds) viz., those of Staota Yasna i.e., of the laws of
attunement relating to colours produced by vibrations".
"We see From this most beautiful sentence which gives in an
aphorism the original Law of Creation - the law of vibrations
which gave rise to the manifestation of the Entire Universe visible
and unseen." (p.16 "The Rationale of Zoroastrian Rituals" by P. S.
Masani).
It (Staota Yasna) is the fundamental and sublimest law for the
creation of the Universe brought into operation right from the
consciousness of Ahu, the Light of lights, the absolute One in
oneness. Technically speaking, when any luminous consciousness
or intelligence issues vibrations by its Mithra, thought forces, and
performs the ceremony (Yasna) of attuning itself with the natural
fire-energy (Manthra) possessed by it, colours visible or unseen
are produced.
In Avan Nyaesh; 8, we come across the words "Staota Yasnya
Sravayeni" meaning 'I may sing Staota Yasna'. With regard to this
Staota Yasna the learned Ervad Kanga says in footnote:
"It (Staota Yasna) is the Avesta name of one of the 21 Nasks
of our holy religion. It is called "Satud Yasht", in Pahlavi. It is
eulogized in Yasna 71. Staota Yasna literally means 'Yazashne
(Yasna) deserving praise'. Ordinarily this name is applied to the
five Ha (chapters) of the Gathas and to the seven Ha of Yasna
Haptanghaiti"
Thus we see that Staota Yasna is not at all understood in
philology and the above literal meaning 'Yazashne deserving
praise' carries no intelligible sense, while the Khshnoomic ex-
189
position that it is a technical term, and means 'the Law of
Vibrationary Colours pertaining to the origin of the Universe', is
clearly and immediately understandable. In science also it is
known that the diffusion of vibrations created Sound, Light,
Colours, Heat etc.
'Staota Yasyna Sravayeni' means "I may sing Staota Yasna".
Being unaware of the invisible colours produced by the Law of
Vibrations in singing the sublime Manthra (holy Spells), philological scholars believe that the above sentence merely refers to the
singing of the five Ha of Gatha and seven Ha of Yasna
Haptanghaiti, but they do not know why Staota Yasna should be
recited with a tune. The vibrations of the most sublime spells of
Avesta Manthra create extremely exquisite, invisible colours. The
holy Prophet has formulated the Avesta Manthra on the law of this
Staota Yasna and it is enjoined to recite them musically because it
is intended to cause beneficent effect in atmosphere.
SUPPLEMENT NO.7
Divisions and Classes of Souls
All souls with Drvao, wickedness in varied degrees are exiled
from the 8th heaven of the zodiac (Anaghra Raochao, Boundless
lights; Yt. 12,35) to the planetary world. Since the rates of
rotations and revolutions of the different Asmans, heavens, are of
varied degrees and the Drvao, wickedness is also of varied
degrees, each soul is attracted to the planetary heaven suitable to
its own degree of Staota, vibrationary colours. However, owing to
the Drvao, Evil clung to it, the whole unit of the soul is not able to
enter the heaven concerned, and hence it is divided on the rule of
decimals according to Mazda-data, the deified Law, of Infoldment
of Spirit into Matter, 0.9 of the soul succeeds in entering the
heaven and hence it is called the 'Dukhul' soul, which gets merged
into that Asman, heaven, and joins in its functions.
The remaining 0.1 part being much inferior cannot find entry
in the heaven but remains outside is called 'Subut' soul. When this
Subut soul makes effort to enter the Asman, heaven, concerned, it
does not succeed in entering it but gets divided by the law of
Mazda-data. Its 0.9 part (that is, 0.09 of the whole unit soul)
rotates and revolves in the respective transitional region concerned
between two Asmans, heavens, and enters Nisti-e-Auwal, the
super-ethereal section of the Space below the planetary world and
Miswane-Gatu, and assumes the invisible body of the superior
class of souls called 'Gava-Chithra', lit., the blissful seed (Yt. 7_1.)
This Subut class soul is the god-father and the guiding soul of
human beings.
The remaining 0.1 of the Subut soul (that is, 0.01 of the whole
unit) which is like the dross is called 'Kharij', outsider and is
transferred to Nisti, evanescent world and trailed down to the earth
for its Reformation or purification by the fire-energy of AtashMino-Karko (Atash Nyaesh at end). This Kharij soul passes
through the four Ushi, dawns of four evolutions, namely, fiery,
airy, watery and material. On the earth the soul takes birth from
parents observing religion of the respective Asman, heaven from
which it trailed down, and will ascend again to that same heaven
when purified.
However, before reaching the human state as we see in this
world, this Kharij soul is again divided according to Mazdadata,
whereby its 0.9 (that is, 0.009 of the whole unit) becomes hu-
191
man. The balance 0.1 is again divided according to Mazdadata
whereby its 0.9 (that is, 0.0009 of the whole unit) goes into the
body of the animal Again the remaining 0.1 is divided likewise,
whereby 0.9 (that is, 0.00009 of the whole unit soul) becomes
vegetable soul, and the last balance 0.1 (that is, 0.00001 of the
whole unit soul) forms the mineral soul.
It will be observed that since the human being gets 0.9 of the
Kharij soul that is the lion's share, mankind are endowed with
speech, reasoning etc., denied to the particle-souls of animal,.
vegetable and mineral kingdoms.
The responsibility of Reformation of the soul rests on the
human beings, both masculine and feminine. When a Kharij soul
from the planetary world arrives on Zareh Vourukasha (Ysn.
42,4), the huge sea-like expanse generating super-ethereal waves,
it (Kharij soul) is bifurcated into sexes, which are not divisions,
but the two phases of the same soul like the two faces of a coin. Its
0.9 part of both sexes (that is, 0.009 of the whole unit) forms the
two human counterparts, while the remaining 0.1 (that is, 0.001 of
the whole unit) is divided among animal, vegetable and mineral
kingdoms as explained above.
The various divisions of a whole unit soul above mentioned
may be shown as under:
.
Dukhul soul (0.9 of the whole unit);
Subut soul (0.1 of the whole unit);
Kharij soul (0.01 of the whole unit);
Dukhul
Gava Chithra .
Human
Animal
vegetable
Mineral
Whole unit
0.9
0.09
0.009
0.0009
0.00009
0.00001
1.00000
It may be explained that when either of the two human
counter-part souls gets purified, i.e., becomes evil-free by total
transmutation of its Evil-into Good, the soul concerned is, after
death, able to cross the Chinvat Bridge and to advance upward in
the paradisiacal region as a saintly soul, and subsequently enters
the felicitous station of Dadare Gehan; the portal sub-region to the
six Keshvars which are the residing places of saintly souls. In other
words, the soul concerned is Emancipated, i.e., liberated from the
investiture into the physical body. This physical body is
enigmatically referred to in Yasna 12,9 as '-snath', literally
meaning 'instrument' or 'tool', which bears the subtle soul on the
earth as_explained already.
192
By the time that soul reaches Dadare Gehan above mentioned,
the particle-souls get re-integrated in the reverse order. Thus the
mineral particle-soul gets absorbed in its vegetable soul as manure;
the vegetable soul in animal soul by way of food. On account of
this re-integration into itself (animal) of its particlesouls in
vegetable and mineral kingdom, such animal's Rae, self-inward
knowledge, gets developed. Owing to its elevated 'Rae, that
quadruped no longer remains a 'Staora', ordinary draught animal,
but becomes a 'Pasu' (from 'Pas' to bind or unite), one anxious to
be united or combined with its relative human soul, even by
immolation, for which it is jubilant. It (Pasu) does not moan like
ordinary quadrupeds awaiting massacre by the knife of a butcher.
Then by the holy ceremony of cooking of that 'Pasu' ('Pasum
pachayen'; Yt. 14,50) and by partaking of its meat, the particlesoul of that Pasu is absorbed in the saintly human soul concerned,
(masculine or feminine whichever is quicker in advancement). By
partaking of the meat of that Pasu that saintly soul becomes fully
complemented as far as its own sex is concerned, a process that
involves ages and ages. On leaving Dadare Gehan the fortunate
soul ascends to the lowest fiery-orb of Keshvar (fron the earth's
end) called Vouru-Bareshti. Then flying from Keshvar to Keshvar
the soul arrives on the top of the Space, where erstwhile the
bifurcation into sexes had taken place on Zareh Vourukasha, and
awaits the arrival of its counterpart soul.
Subsequently, when the above holy soul's tardy counterpart
also gets likewise purified and succeeds in crossing the Chinvat
Bridge and meets the first-comer, the two counterpart souls 'give
themselves up' ('-datha'; Ysn. 12,9) each to each other's 'own
relative' ('Khaetu'; ibid.) that is, relative counterpart soul, and thus
blend into one (Khaetvadatha; ibid), these two counterpart holy
souls of opposite sexes forming by their blending one asexual
perfected whole soul called 'Magavan' (Ysn. 33,7). This Magavan
represents the perfected Druj-free state, which constitutes
individual 'Frasho-kereti', Renovation (Ysn. 62,3) of the erstwhile
Kharij soul that was trailed down to the earth for its purification
as stated above. It is also shown above that this Kharij soul is 0.1
of the Subut soul (that is 0.01 of the whole unit). When this
perfected Kharij 0.1 merges into 0.9 gava-chithra soul, the
combination forms one Subut soul, which represents 0.1 of the
whole unit, which Subut having been purified can now enter the
respective Asman (heaven) concerned. Thus with the_ purified
Subut soul (0.1) entering the heaven now, and the Dukhul soul
(0.9) that entered quite in the beginning stage, the entry in the
heaven of the whole unit soul is completed.
SUPPLEMENT NO. 8
A Few Instances of Avestan Terms
Used in Technical or Allegorical
or Spiritual Meanings, Unknown to
Scholars
Literal
Horse
Text
Reference
Yt. 5, 21
Bull or cow
Sheep
Yt. 5, 21
Yt. 5, 21
Meaning
Technical Meaning
(Spiritual) power. Blissfulness
(as of cow-kind)
Quality of Harmlessness or
Innocence as of the sheep
(N. B. No sacrifice or massacre of any animals is meant
in the passage. The mention of
these animals indicates, the
development
of
sublime
spiritual power by the kings
and warrior-saints concerned.)
Camel
Ysn. 44,18
(Divine) Knowledge. In this
stanza Zarathushtra asks Ahura
Mazda how he may get the
prize of '10 horses/ mares and a
camel'? Here horses/mares
indicate spiritual power gained
by the strict practice of Asha,
holiness, camel stands for
divine knowledge, and 10 in
Zoroastrian
numerology
indicates perfection in Good or
Evil. Thus the prophet does not
supplicate for getting those
quadrupeds but for perfection
of spiritual power and divine
knowledge for vanquishing the
powers of Satan.
194
Literal
Meaning
Mountain
Text
Reference
Yt. 8,24
River
Yt. 8,24
Technical Meaning
Pastures (Dakhyu) Yt. 10,144
Sublimity (as of great mountain height)
Holy currents of Ardvi Sur
imparting purity, borne on this
earth by large rivers.
Boundless wide expanse in
space; stated as country in Yt.
13,150.
Inner homologue (of Dakhyu)
engendering super-ethereal
waves.
Sea(Zareh)
Ysn. 42,4
House(Nmana)
Yt. 13,150
Roof or dome of Geti, earthy
globe, in Pairi and Adairi
Dakhyus.
Street (Vis)
Town (Jantu)
Yt. 13,150
Yt. 13,150
Region in Upairi Dakhyu. Sky
between Aa Dakhyu and
Upairi Dakhyu.
Wheel
Fish
Yt. 13,89
Ysn. 42,4
Tree(Urvara)
Ysn. 48,6
Waters
Vd. 21.4
Plexus of Kehrp, invisible
body.
Potentiality (in ultra-physical
planes that can ultimately turn
every atom into light.
The allegorical tree of Ahura
(analogous to genealogical
tree) having 9 main branches
including 7 Ameshaspends
plus 2 '-data', viz. Mazdadata,
Law of Infoldment of Spirit
into Matter, and Ahura-data,
Law of Unfoldment of Spirit
from Matter. From each of the
above 9 main branches,
emanate 3 sub-branches, divine
Intelligences making 27.
Wicked souls trailing down
and collecting on Zareh
Vourukasha at the top of the
space, like waters gliding down
a mountain side.
195
Channels
Yt. 5,101
Pillars
Ysn. 57,21
Conflict
(yaokhedra)
Ysn. 12,9
Contestants
(Ranoibya)
Ysn. 51,,9
Tool
(or instrument)
Ysn. 12,9
Relative
(Khaetu)
Ysn. 12,9
Mediums or agencies for
advancing backward souls.
Mediums or agencies for
advancing backward souls.
The incessant conflict between
Good and Evil within every
human body being at the
umbilicus.
The Good and Evil propensities in every human
being.
The material body, the instrument (means for presenting
soul on earth)
The counterpart soul.
SUPPLEMENT NO.9
'Khare se pay' or '12,000 years'
Depicting 3-stage Plan of
Ahunavar
Ahunavar, the Will of Ahu, the un-nameable Absolute One in
oneness, embodies the 3-stage Ahunavar Plan in the creation of
the Universe. This Plan is enigmatically and allegorically referred
to in Avesta (Ysn. 42,4) as 'Khar Ashavan' (lit., the holy ass),
representing 'Kharenanghan Ashavan', the holy lustrous one, i.e.,
Kehrp, the deified invisible body, and which is referred to in
Bundehesh;' 19.1 as 'Khare se pay', literally the 3-legged ass, the
three Mustasela or three Bundehesh or manifestations; the
Mazdadata and Ahuradata, (Yt. 10,67) the deified laws of Infoldment of Spirit into Matter and Unfoldment of Spirit from
Matter respectively, or the Mazdayasni Daena and Zarthoshti
Daena or Datahe Zarathushtroish or Data Zarathushtri (Siroza 29).
Data Zarathushtri operates throughout the Space, while the
Zoroastrian Faith established by prophet Zarathushtra functions
only on the known material world. All these relate to the philosophy of the numeral 3, operating throughout the Universe from
dead past to dim future.
The 3-stage Plan, as already shown in the Introduction,
comprises:
1) “creation of all the regions, centres and stations of the immortal and mortal worlds including the material world;
2) "passing Urvans (souls with deficiency of divine knowledge) to
the mortal worlds according to Mazdayasni Daena, the Law of
Infoldment of Spirit into Matter, for the transmutation of their
Evil into Good by the development of their spiritual powers;
and
3) "raising them back to the immortal worlds (on their turning from Evil to Good) according to 'Zarthoshti Daena', the
Law of Unfoldment of Spirit from Matter, for which great
cause Ahura Mazda has created the whole Universe."
This same 3-stage Ahunavar Plan is also expressed numerologically as '12,000 years'. This expression 12,000 years is of two
categories, namely, one, of the Universe described in Bundehesh;
I, and two, of Geti, the material world (Bd. XXXIV). In this figure
197
group 12,000 (12 = 1 plus 2 ==) 3 indicates the 3-stage Plan, and
the three ciphers stand for the 3 creations mentioned above.
Exposition of 12,000 years
of the Universe
(Bd: 1)
With regard to the 12,000 years of the Universe, they do not,
as stated above, represent the normal numerical value, but 12 = 1
plus 2 = 3; and the 3 ciphers stand for the three Bundehesh,
creations (Mustasela) shown above. Of these 12,000 years, four
stages have been shown in Bundehesh; 1, of 3000 years each, in
all of which operates the philosophy of the numeral 3. Thus in
paragraph 3 of that chapter it is stated that Ohrmazd created the
world mysteriously in 3,000 years. This is the first stage.
According to paragraph; 7, Ohrmazd and Ahriman entered into a
covenant for 9,000 years. Of these 9,000, it is stated in paragraph;
8 that Ohrmazd knew by his prescience or foreknowledge that his
Will would predominate for 3,000 years. This is the second stage.
For the next 3,000 years there would be mixed existence and
working of both Ohrmazd and Ahriman together, which is the
third stage, and during the last, that is, fourth stage of 3,000 years
Ganamin (Ahriman) would be inoperative or extinct from the
creation of rivalry, in the sense that the Dark side of Ahriman
would be completely transmuted into White. Ahura Mazda
pointed out to Ahriman that in this last stage of 3,000 years, He
would be successful, Ganamino would be powerless, the demons
would be destroyed, there would be Rastakheez and Tane-pasin,
and the Creation would continue to exist forever and forever
without rivalry. This is so far as the numerological aspect of the
Creation is concerned.
Now let us see its connection, with the Time factor, Zarvana
Akarana, Boundless Time. It is shown above that in the third stage
there would be mixed working of Ohrmazd and Ahriman. We
know we are living in this part of the Time factor when Good and
Evil, virtue and vice are co-existent. This is the fourth Zarvane
Akarane. In the first three, Ohrmazd created the worlds. In
Bundehesh; 1, 2 it is stated:
"Ahriman's creation will terminate when there will be Tane
pasin. That (Time) also is Boundless".
According to Zoroastrian numerology, the numeral 5 stands for
'Baodanghs', lights with perfect divine knowledge. Though in all
ages and aeons individual instances of Urvans, souls gaining
perfect divine knowledge and attaining Tane-pasin do occur, yet
during the fifth Zarvana Akarana all worldly sinful souls as we
198
see now, will display propensity of turning from vice to virtue and
will gradually be spiritually elevated, that is, their Evil will be
transmuted into Good, and they will gain Tane-pasin, which is the
last fiery-type body fit to reside in the fiery orbs of the six superethereal Keshvars. This stage will mark the extinction of the Satan.
Such is some idea of the exposition of 12,000 years in which the
first cipher in the first digit denotes 'Creation', the second cipher
denotes passing of souls through Nature's processes of purification
in Nisti i.e., the Space; and the third cipher after 12 (in 12,000)
indicates the period in distant future coinciding with 3rd
Bundehesh (mentioned under "Khare-se pay"), when souls will
turn from vice to virtue, from Evil to Good, will gain Tane-pasin
and proceed heavenward through the paradisiacal regions to the
immortal planetary worlds in accordance with 'Ahura-data', the
deified law of Unfoldment of Spirit (soul) from Matter. This will
be the 3rd stage of the Ahunavar Plan.
12,000 YEARS OF GETI
(MATERIAL WORLD)
We are told that when this material world and mankind first
came into existence, human beings followed the Ten Commandments of the Creator, Ahura Mazda, and Yazads (angels)
descended on the earth in material vestures and guided human
beings. The Geti, earth was then unpolluted because of the absence
of the intrusion of Ahriman, and so it (Geti) was holy as designed
in the heart of Ahura Mazda. Hence there was no need of
Zarathushtra to descend on the earth to propagate 'Vi-daevo-data',
the anti-demoniacal law. All the above period of sublime material
existence extending over countless Zarvane-Daregho-khadat of
81,000 years each, is represented by '3,000 years' in Pahlavi
Dinkard Vol. VII; 1,15 and the 4th millenium is said to have
commenced from the advent of Zarathushtra on the earth to teach
mankind Vidaevodata.
When the earth again gets Satan-free, and Time and Space
will merge together into one, it (earth) will be said to have
completed 12,000 years, which will include the 3,000 years
referred to above.
Reverting to Zurvan, we are in the 4th Zarvana Akarana,
Boundless cycle of Time. In the first three (Zarvana Akarana), the
creation was brought into existence (Bd. 1, 2). A Zarvana
Akarana, it may be stated, comprises innumerable Zarvanedaregho-khadat (Siroza 21; lit., self-created long cycle of Time} of
81,000 years each, as taught in Khshnoom. According to Nature's
curriculum every cycle of 81,000 years of a Zarvanedaregha is
followed by a World Deluge caused by glaciers due
199
to a slight rise in temperature over the freezing point towards the
North Pole. This Deluge while it submerges the whole of the
known material world, opens up the Thrishva (Yt. 13,3), the holy
one-third of the earthy globe, (unknown to scholars), which has
been buried under mountain-deep snow (Vd. 2,22) in the Arctic
region. In this paragraph the falling of this snow was foretold to
king Jamshid by Ahura Mazda as under:
"0 fair Yima, son of Vivanghat, upon the material world the
evil winters are about to fall, that shall bring the fierce deadly
frost. . .. shall make snow-flakes fall thick even as aredvi deep
on the highest tops of mountains." (S.B.E. Vol. IV).
Here in this Thrishva is Airyana Vaeja (literally land bearing noble
seeds engendering righteousness etc.), where holy Zarathushtra
was born. After an average period of some 27,000 years there is
intense cold on the Airyana Vaeja, owing to which the population
moves down to the plains from the Mt. Alborz and Airyana Vaeja
is again buried under snow, and the known material world
becomes active again.
During each of the 81,000 years within the current 4th
Zarvana Akarana souls with deficiency of divine knowledge and
hence sinful, pass through the processes of spiritual Reformation,
in which they are bifurcated into sexes, and 1/10th of both sexes is
sub-divided into animal, vegetable and mineral kingdoms, and
then they take birth on this earth, benighted by the Veil of
Darkness and governed by the laws of Akem-akai (Ysn. 43,5) evil
to evil. On the earth they undergo condign punishments, which
may be as severe as the pouring of burning, ore (Ysn. 51,9) over
the body. Then at death they go to the sky (Thwasha), the Veil of
Darkness disappears, and there gradually develop their Rae,
inward divine knowledge, and come to the earth again with the
Veil of Darkness -- and so the story repeats and repeats
automatically (khadata), till Druj, which is the objective point in
all these come-and-go is transmuted into Gao, blissfulness (as of
cow-kind). This automatic shuttling between the sky and the earth
is called in Avesta Thwasha-khadata (Vd. 19,13) not understood
by the author (Prof. Zaehner) for he states:
"Of the latter (Thwasha) it must be confessed that extremely
little is known" ("Zurvan ........... " p. 89.)
Thwasha is the cycle of one human life-time, which is the smallest
among Zurvans.
In the 5th Zarvana Akarana, Boundless Time, souls will be
purified, and gain Tane-Pasin (Bd. 1,2), the final body which is
200
of a fiery-type, fit to reside in the fiery orbs of Keshvars (Yt.
10,15), where they are described as "Gava-shayana, Gavashitimcha", the centres and residing places of saintly souls who
possess the blissful characteristics in common with the kine.
Firdousi refers to Peshdadian and Kayanian warrior-saints as
"Gavam", the intrepid warriors who were full of Gao, saintly
powers, and who fought against the Daeva-monsters.
In this 5th Zarvana Akarana souls will gain mastery over the
five senses, whereby Urvans will be exalted to the level of their
respective Baodanghs (Ysn. 55,1) into which they (Urvans) will
get merged. It may be noted that an Urvan, soul, which possesses
Dryao, evil, resides within the body while its corresponding
Baodangh, which represents the individual brilliance of divine
knowledge and wisdom remains outside the body in the Aipi, i.e.,
in the surrounding of the body within the person's arm's length.
By the time an Urvan'is exalted to the level of its Baodangh, it
does not take birth again in this material world but soars upwards
to Dadare Gehan beyond the Chinvat Bridge. The Evil of its
material body (Tanu) gets more and more rarefied, and thus
absorbed in the end into the light of the soul on account of the
transmutation of its Evil into Good, and so such a saintly soul
does not take birth again in this material world, but soars upwards
to the paradisiacal region of Pahlum Ahwan, and thence upward
to Dadare Gehan beyond the Chinvat Bridge. In the end it reaches
the top of the Space by traversing the six super-ethereal Keshvars,
and awaits the arrival of its tardy counterpart soul. When the latter
also becomes likewise exalted and at last meets the counterpart
soul already awaiting it, the two then become Khaetvadatha, i.e.,
give themselves up, one to the other forming one whole asexual
soul called Magavan, which constitutes individual Frasho-Kereti
(Yt. 13,58), individual spiritual Renovation. Side by side with
this, will be expunged the last infinitesimal tinge of imperfection
in the immortal souls of Zodiacal heavens and of the planetary
heavens. This will constitute the final and the total or collective
Frasho-Kereti, total spiritual Renovation, whereby the then whole
Universe will only be of Baodangh, divine Wisdom pertaining to
the numerals which represents Baodangh in Zoroastrian numerology.
Then in the 6th Zarvana Akarana all the individual
Baodanghs will merge into Paourva Fravashi, the supermost and
sublimest Light indivisible and ineffable. This will constitute the
"Roshan Rooz", "THE GLORIOUS DAY", "The one great
201
event to which all the Creation moves". Finally, in the 7th Zarvana
Akarana, Paourva Fravashi will merge through Niru, the screen of
light, into AHU, the Un-nameable Light of lights, the supreme
Deity over Ohrmazd and Ahriman.
Such is the crude yet glorious concept of Zurvan, the Ultima
Thule of our existence as taught in Khshnoom, the heart-rejoicing
commentary knowledge of the Zoroastrian religion. Thus_the end
of Zurvan is not 'gloom' as believed by the author of "Zurvan"
(Prof. Zaehner) owing to the gloom existing in his own husky,
scrappy knowledge of bare philology, heightened by the notorious
proclivity to calumniate the sublime Faith of holy Zarathushtra, he
has not the faculty to comprehend in its quintessence and pristine
purity.
SUPPLEMENT NO. 10
REFERENCE TO KERESANI, THE SATAN
AS DRAVAND BIVARASP, AZHI DAHAKA
AND TUR-BARA-TUR, AND THEIR
KHSHNOOMIC EXPOSITIONS
(Vide heading 'Geush-aevo-datayao' and 'Keresani' etc.)
Keresani, (Ysn. 9,24), the Satan's deputy on Nisti, the ultraphysical worlds has been referred to in Pazand Afrin-i-HaftAmeshaspand; 8 as 'Dravand Bivarasp' and stated to have been
fettered on Mt. Demavand, for which that mountain has been
revered; and in Bundehesh; 29,8 he (Keresani) has been
mentioned as 'Azhi Dahaka", who will be unfettered. These different names of Keresani, the Satan, and the fettering and unfettering call for technical expositions.
Dravand Bivarasp literally means 'evil-being of ten thousand
horses. In Zoroastrian esoteric numerology the numeral 10
indicates perfection either in blissfulness or wickedness. Since
this perfection applies here to the evil-being - the Satan – it means
perfection in wickedness; 'thousand' refers to the thousand (i.e.,
innumerable) wiles of the Satan, of which king Zohak was the
living embodiment (Ysn. 9,8);, and 'Asp', horse, indicates spiritual
power. Hence Dravand Bivarasp means evil being perfect in the
power of innumerable wiles. Thus 'Bivar' does not signify 10,000
in its ordinary numerical sense, nor does 'Asp' signify the
quadruped horse.
In the second reference (Azhi Dahaka) Azhi means a serpent,
representing destructive characteristic; and Dah means 10, and Aka,
wickedness, Here too there is reference to the numeral 10, showing
perfection. So it means the evil-being of destructive characteristics
perfect in wickedness, that is, the Satan.
TUR-BARA- TUR, THE
MONSTROUS INFLATION OF
DEVIL'S BODY OF DARKNESS
It must first be remembered that Keresani (or Dravand
Bivarasp or Tur-bara- Tur or Azhi Dahaka) is the phantom of
203
Darkness, and hence cannot be fettered by any material means. The
term Tur-bara-Tur, which is much misunderstood, needs for its
understanding explanation of its preliminary conditions. According
to Nature's mysterious curriculum, this known material world runs
its course of one Zarvane-daregho-khadat, literally, self-created
long Time, which, according to Khshnoom, comprises 81,000
Solar years. On the termination of this long period, there occurs a
World Deluge, exposing Thrishva (Yt. 13,3), the holy one-third of
the earthy globe. Here in this Thrishva is situated Airyana Vaeja,
the land bearing noble seeds (Vaeja) engendering righteousness,
where Zarathushtra was born. At the end of some 27,000 years (on
an average), the known material world resumes its run of a new
Zarvanedaregho-khadat of 81,000 years when the Thrishva will
again be buried under snow, and so the two sections of the earthy
globe keep active alternately.
Thus the current Zarvane-daregha has commenced its run
since some 14,000 years. For the first about 4,000-5,000 years of
the latter period there was no religion as such. There were only two
sections of the populace, one, Aryans, who were civilized and
worshippers of God, the other, non-Aryans, who were worshippers
of inferior spirits and demons. Zoroastrian religion was the first
Faith that was established about 9,500 years from today. During
the first about 4,000-5,000 years prior to the advent of
Zarathushtra, Keresani, with the aid of his deputies like Azhi
Dahaka (the Satan, not the King Zohak) caused inflation of
inconceivable magnitude of his Kehrp, body of Darkness called
Tur-bara- Tur (literally, 'powerful of powerfuls'), which possessed
terrific potentiality of destruction. He (Tur-bara-Tur) spread this
gigantically expanded body in the sky over the earth right up to the
heights of Upairi Dakhyu, raining down untold havoc through
bloodshed, plague, _amines, earthquakes, fires, floods etc., on the
material world, which made Geush Urva raise her plaint to Ahura
Mazda, and prayed for a Saviour (Ysn. 29,1). In response to this
appeal Geush Urva was shown the Farohar of Zarathushtra
Spitama, and was informed that at the proper time he would take
birth, and teach mankind the laws of abstinence from Evil (Bd.
4,3). Geush-Urva is the sub-angelic guardian of the earth and
represents the animated collective blissful side of the souls of the
earth. Kings and warrior-saints of the ancient Peshdadian and
Kayanian dynasties, who belonged to the beneficent Paoiryotkaesha class of souls fought, though often un-successfully, against
the above Tur-bara-Tur fiend of Darkness, but could not control
him. They knew that only Zarathusptra would be able to
accomplish this great feat, and so they eagerly awaited his advent.
ZARATHUSHTRA SHATTERS
TUR-BARA-TUR'S BODY OF
DARKNESS WITH AOJ
POWER
Aoj is the special potentiality of Ameshaspends (vide supplement No.2), which Zarathushtra also possessed in common
with them.
Zarathushtra, after the completion of his divine mission of
establishing the Zoroastrian Faith, set himself to the great task of
delivering the world from the onslaughts of Tur-bara- Tur, the
Satan. When the proper time arrived, Zarathushtra convened a
large gathering of devotees in his specially consecrated "firetemple", where fire burnt incessantly without being fed with any
kind of wood. Here he gave his final sermon, and then commenced
concentration and prayers, after which he concentrated all his Aoj
powers, and with that darted the ring of his shining halo like a
missile towards the centre of Tur-bara-Tur, which shattered the
clouds of the potentiality of Darkness.
The unimaginably dire rebound shock of the impact on Turbara-Tur, Zarathushtra drew deliberately upon his purity perfect
body, thereby disintegrating the four elements thereof. These
disintegrated elements were drawn back to their respective Kurras,
the sub-regions of subtle elements in the ultra-physical worlds
above. Side by side with this dispersal of his body-elements, took
place the ascension of Zarathushtra's sin-free soul to Pahlum
Ahwan (Vikhiz; Dk. Vol. VII; Intro. 44,4), the paradisiacal station
in the ultra-physical worlds beyond Chinvat Bridge. So
tremendously terrific was this rebound shock that if it had struck
against the earth, the earth would have been shattered to pieces
with thunder.
The above fact is depicted allegorically as a simple incident in
Pahlavi, where it is related that while Zarathushtra was offering
prayers in his Atash-Behram (fire-temple), a Turk killed him by
piercing a dagger in his back, but before dying Zarathushtra flung
his rosary on the Turk, by which the latter was killed. If this story
be taken literally, as has been done by most scholars, it will be
readily understood that not even a little mouse could be killed if an
ordinary rosary of beads were hurled against it. In the above
allegory the rosary represents the ring of the halo of Zarathushtra
cast with all the mighty powers of AOJ, and Asha, holiness;
piercing dagger from the back, stands for the rebound-shock, and
the killing (of Zarathushtra) represents the dispersal of his
elements and
205
Vikhiz, the ascension of his soul to Pahlum Ahwan, the paradisiacal station beyond the Chinvat Bridge.
DEMONS UNABLE
TO KILL ZARA THUSHTRA
It will thus be understood that Zarathushtra was not killed,
but he voluntarily took the rebound-shock on his own body to
save the earth from destruction. We know from Avesta (Vd. 19,13) that the demon Buiti who was ordered by Angra Mainyu to
strike Zarathushtra, could not do so upon the latter chanting aloud
'Ahunavar' (Ysn. 19), from Yatha Ahu Vairyo ...,. Vastarem. The
druj Buiti, the demon of death said:
"I see no way to kill him, so great is the glory of the holy
Zarathushtra". (S.B.E. Vol. IV).
Again, we find from Pahlavi Dinkard (Vol. VII; 2, 4) that the
demon Durasrub who was most notorious for witch-craft became
spiteful, and with an evil motive
"……he wished to crush with hands the delicate head of that
perfectly glorious child, and to cause (his) death. And here a
great miracle was manifested to many, just as the Revelation
says that then the hands of that devil were turned backwards
towards the ends, that is quite folded on the back; never
afterwards that cruel one was a devourer of meat with his
mouth by means of those hands." (Dastur Darab Sanjana; DK.
Vol. XIII).
Thus we see that the deadliest demons with all their witchcraft powers
were unable to kill Zarathushtra, and hence it was entirely impossible
for an ordinary Turk to kill him.
AZHI DAHAKA FETTERED IN POST -ZARATHUSHTRA
AGES
Reverting to Azhi-Dahaka, the inflated (Kehrp) body having
thus been shattered, the fiend has been reduced to his normal
condition. During the aeons following the ascension of Zarathushtra's soul to the paradisiacal region of Pahlum-Ahwan, that is,
after his departure from the earth, holy sages of Sraosha-varez
class who are his place-holders, by their holy incantations have
been keeping in moderation the power of Azhi Dahaka on Mt.
Demavand (in Iran). In other words Azhi Dahaka has been fettered
on that mountain.
Yet during nightly hours the Satanic power gains momen-.
turn, due to the sexual lust of mankind. But again at early dawn by
the vibrations of the crowing everywhere of the cock, who is the
special fowl of Sarosh Yazad (angel), the clouds of Evil are
dispersed, and Azhi Dahaka, the Satan, is fettered once again, that
is, brought under control. This fact has been handed down to
posterity in the shape of folklore that the Satan is en-
206
chained on a mountain. He (Satan) licks the chain all night and
thins it down but with the crowing of the cock at the dawn, the
chains resume their normal condition.
UN-FETTERING OF AZHI DAHAKA
According to the 'Calculations of the heavens' Azhi Dahaka
will continue to be under partial control as at present for over
51,000 years from now, where-after will set in the sovereignty in
the heavens of 15,000 years of Saturn, practically the whole of
which period will be one of great wickedness. However, at the
junction of its twelfth and thirteenth millenniums, there will be a
small period of the glorious 329 years under the placid minor
cycle of the Moon (under the inter cycle of the same planet),
when the Saviour Soshyos will manifest himself. He will carry the
good souls to Mt. Alborz, as a preparatory step to the impending
World Deluge to take place about 2,000 years later, leaving the
wicked dross of the souls on this known material world.
Towards the terminal ages of some 1,100 years or so of this
Saturnian king-cycle, Azhi Dahaka or Tur-bara-Tur the Satan,
will get un-fettered (Bd. 29,5) bringing in his train untold pestilence and devastation through bloodshed, arson_earthquakes, etc.,
rendering humanity half dead. Azhi Dahaka, who has been fettered_ i.e., held under partial control on Mt. Demavand in Iran
since the departure of the holy Prophet, will continue to be so restrained during some 51,000 years by Varjavand-Shah, Hoshedarbami and Hoshedar-Mah. During some of the years towards the
end of that final ill-fated major cycle, the differentiation of religions will disappear, and all mankind will become irreligious and
mixed together-only to be submerged by the waters of the (next)
World Deluge, which will bring to a close all life in this known
material world, and also the current Zarvane-daregho-khadat, the
long (cycle of) Time of 81,000 years. It may be noted that towards
the end of this long period the earthy globe which at present is
rotating with an incline will assume vertical position whereby the
waters of the Deluge will submerge the whole wicked world.
Simultaneously with this submerging the current Zarvane Daregho
Khadat will also terminate and the Airyana Vaeja will
automatically open up.
For further particulars regarding Soshyos and Airyana Vaeja, please
refer head "Manifestation of Soshyos" towards the end of the treatment of
"Nav-Gareh" in Part II of this book.
COMETS, THE VESTIGES OF TUR-BARA-TUR
Although it is true that Tur-bara-Tur, the dire inflated evil
body of Darkness is gone, and has been rarefied, yet certain it is that
its vestiges do exist still in the appearances of comets.
207
Whenever owing to the influence of Time factor the Darkness of
Evil increases, it gives birth to comets, the visitations of which
portend calamities to follow on the earth, such as, warfare, death
of a great personage and the like. Compared to Tur-bara-Tur, the
comets may be said to be the trails left of the unimaginable havoc
wrought by that dire fiend in pre-Zarathushtra ages.
In "The Sky Is The Limit" by Mr. Llewellyn George of
California, under the head "Comets" (p. 57) it is stated as under:
"The records of observations which extend back century upon
century are unanimous in agreement that comets produce
changes in the atmosphere in the affairs of men, and on the
earth. Their passage through the Solar system seems to
derange it for a time. Because calamities of various sorts
befall the earth with the advent of comets, they are deemed
heralds of misfortune."
EXPOSITION OF KING ZOHAK'S THREE MOUTHS, THREE
HEADS AND SIX EYES
King Zohak is depicted (in Ysn. 9,8) as the Daruj (evil person) having three mouths, three heads, six eyes, etc. and stated to
have been created by Angra Mainyu for the destruction of the holy
lands of the material world. The above allegorical description
displays the monstrosity of selfishness, cruelty etc., of king Zohak.
It is not generally known that the previous portion of this
allegory is given by Firdousi in his Shah Name,h under Zohak's
reign, where it is stated that Zohak was so delighted by the tasty
dishes prepared from the meat of various types of animals and birds
cooked by Satan guised as an expert cook that he told the latter to
ask for a boon. Thereupon the Satan requested permission to kiss
the king's shoulders, and rub his eyes and mouth on them. On the
request being granted, the Satan kissed the King's shoulders and
disappeared. Instantaneously there sprang up a serpent on each of
Zohak's shoulders, which means that Zohak turned to be veritable
Satan incarnate.
Hence he (king Zohak) is depicted as above with three
mouths, three heads and six eyes. It will be understood that the
extra two mouths, two heads and four eyes are those of the two
allegorical serpents, plus Zohak's natural ones. The serpents represent the Satanic age of destruction and perfection of wickedness
that ruled on the earth extending over a thousand years. It is stated
in Shah-nameh that Zohak was so cruel that he daily partook of
two human brains by killing two persons without distinction of
their rank or status in life. Here eating of brains is allegorically
mentioned to represent the deterioration of human essence by his
dreadfully tyrannical rule.
SUPPLEMENT NO. 11
GEUSH TASHAN AND GEUSH URVA
Geush Tashan (Ysn. 29,2) and his co-worker Geush Urva
(ibid. 1) are the two beneficent sub-angelic potentialities. They
represent two divisions of one and the same exalted soul of the
Naba-nazdishta class, who rank next to Yazad, angel. While
Geush Tashan is stationed on Upairi Dakhyu (vide map of Nisti),
Geush Urva has his seat on Geti, the earthy globe. Both these
Geush help in forming Anasar, the four elements for the physical
body of the soul.
They function over the entire expanses between Geti, the
earthy globe and the regions beyond, up to the lowest end of
Adairi Dakhyu, that is, regions including the earthy globe (with its
infernal regions), the transitional region (Zamrir) just above it,
then Pairi Dakhyu still above and the transitional region above
Pairi Dakhyu. These regions carry on their appointed functions
through the instrumentality of the two Geush by whom those
regions are encompassed.
GEUSH URVA IS BLISSFUUL POTENTIALITY
NOT 'SOUL OF THE OX'
The technical significance of Geush Urva (Ysn. 29,1) is not
correctly understood in philolagy. Thus Prof. Zaehner in his book
"Dawn... ." (p. 76) states:
"With the soul of the ox and its plaint to the wise Lord we
are already familiar ............ The ox has a soul which cries
aloud to God for justice."
Geush Urva does not signify "soul of the ox". It designates the
beneficent sub-angelic potentiality, being the invisible animated
phantom arisen from the White (pure) side of the totality of souls
an earth appointed for their protection. This is proved from
Bundehesh; 4,3 in which it is stated that Ohrmazd showed the
Farohar of Zarthosht and said that he would create HIM in the
world who would preach abstinence from wickedness. Thereupon
the spirit of Goshorun (Geush Urva) was gladdened and said "I
will rear (protect) the creation" ('dam bara parvaram'). Thus it will
be understood that Geush Urva is the beneficent potentiality and
not the "soul of the ox".
209
GEUSH URVA AND GEUSH TASHAN
COUNTERPARTS OF EACH OTHER
Geush Urva is the counterpart of Geush Tashan (Ysn. 29,2),
the latter stationed on Upairi Dakhyu (Yt. 10,144), the fourth wide
expanse of the Space either from the top or bottom. These two
Geush have been remembered in Farvardin Yasht; 109 as (the
'birds') Amraosh and Chamraosh respectively, and their Fravashis
have been extolled. These are the two 'birds' referred to in
Dinkard; VII, 1,26 (Sanjana edition Vol. XIII) in which Geush
Tashan is allegorically regarded as the male bird, and Geush Urva
the female. Both these Geush are of 'Naba-nazdishtanam' class of
souls, i.e., they belong to 'Nabh' (lit. centre) - the centre of Garonman, the 'abode of divine Music', which is the sixth heaven of
Jupiter. They are practically like Yazads, angels. These two
potentialities, and the third 'Geush-aevo-datayao' (Yt. 7,0) are
metaphorically styled Geush, cow or bull, because the cow-species
and these potentialities possess the beneficent propensity, viz. of
'live and help live' principle in Nature, as opposed to 'kill or harm
to live' principle of "khrafstra', the carnivorous and noxious
animals and hyper-selfish persons.
GEUSH-AEVO-DATAYAO,
ANTAGONIST OF KERESANI AND
AZHIDAHAKA
Just as Geush Urva is the beneficent sub-angelic potentiality,
being the animated phantom arisen from the souls on the earth, so
Geush-aevo-datayao is the animated phantom arisen from the
collective white (pure) side of the huge mass of souls exiled from
the 8th heaven of the zodiac, and transferred to Zareh-Vourukasha
(Vd. 21,4), the inner top expanse of the Space, from which begins
the mortal section of the Universe (expounded under the head
'Combined idea of Dakhyus and their inner homologues, the
Zarehs'). The antagonist of Geush-aevo-datayao is 'Keresani' (Ysn.
9,24) lit. 'oppressor' (Har.) or 'tormentor' (SP.} referred to as 'Azhidahaka. (ibid. 8) the Satan's deputy in the Space, the animated
phantom representing the collective Dark side of the above huge
mass of souls. The two chase each other, the former (Geush-aevodatayao) to persuade, the latter (Azhi-dahaka) to devour, its
antagonist. Geush Tashan and Geush Urva strive to unite together,
but are foiled by the Azhi-dahaka who is between the two (Azhi,
serpent; dah, ten numerologically meaning perfection in good or
evil - here evil; and aka, evil). So Azhi-dahaka literally means the
serpent perfect in Evil, i.e., the Satan.
210
GAVA, GAVAM, GEUSH
USED METAPHORICALLY
It may be pointed out that the term Gao, literally meaning
'cow' in its different forms like Gava, Gavam, Geush is commonly
used in Avesta metaphorically - the quadruped substituted for its
noble characteristic. Thus these terms do not mean the four-footed
bull or ox or kine. For instance, in Meher Yasht; 15 where 'Gavashayana, Gava-shitimcha' occur, Gava does not mean 'kine' as
rendered in philology (by Prof. Darmesteter in S.B.E. Vol. XXIII)
but (it means) the holy souls (Gava) who possess the beneficent
characteristics in common with the kine. The passage means that
the seven Keshvars are the headquarters ('shayana') and residingplaces ('shiti') of the holy souls (Gava) who have become
sanctified on this earth and have advanced to the paradisiacal
super-ethereal section of the Space on their repatriation journey
towards the immortal worlds. In other words, the seven Keshvars
mentioned in the above paragraph are not the pens for the 'kine'.
Similarly in Aban Yasht; 21 etc. 'Hazangrem gavam', lit. 'a
thousand oxen' or bulls indicate high development of the
characteristic of blissfulness raised to the 1000th power, i.e., the
beneficent characteristics of 1000 oxen put together. In the above
and other identical passages, horse indicates the (spiritual) power,
bull stands for blissfulness and lamb for harmlessness or
innocence. Just as in modem times academical learning is
expressed by University degrees M.A., M.D., etc., so in Avesta the
high spiritual development of the sublime powers is expressed in
terms of those animals. Even the poet Firdousi has used the term
'Gavan' in his Shah Nameh for 'warrior-saints' who were fighting
against the fiendish monsters (in the following couplet given under
the head "Dar Faraham Avardane Shah-Nameh", where 'Gavan' is
used for the holy warrior-saints);
"BEPURSEED SHAN AZ NAZADE KAYAN,
VAZAN NAMDARANE FARROKH GAVAN"
(underlined by P.N.T.) (- Kutar brothers' edition
Vol. I, p. 11).
In connection with the rendering of the above terms Gava,
Gavam, Geush in philology, it will not be out of place to quote
from (pp. 181/82) of the book "Zoroastrianism Ancient &
Modem" by P. S. Masani:
"Entirely wrong and inconsistent meanings attached to some
words and texts by the translators in order anyhow to preach
the idea of slaughter of animals:
211
i) The Avesta word "Geush" which is the genitive singular
form of "Gao" which signifies bull or cow or cattlecreation has been translated to mean "flesh" or "beef" in
order to bring in the idea of slaughter of cows.
ii) The same translator Spiegel renders the word "Geush"
in the same sentence "Thranfedhram geushcha vastra
hecha" occurring in Farvardin Yasht; 100 and Jamayad
Yasht; 86, differently as "cow" and "beef" respectively,
whereas other translators Harlez, Darmesteter, and
Kanga render it as "Cattle."
iii) In Gatha 32.12, in the prohibition of "Geush Morenden"
or cattle-killing the word Geush has been unanimously
rendered as "Cattle". Hence the meaning of "beef" or
"mutton" attached to the word "Geush" seems to be only
to suit their own ideas of animal-slaughter for food.
iv) In the ceremonial formula "Haomayo Gava Baresmana"
the word "Gava" which signifies "Jivam" or milk-libation
has been in the same way wrongly rendered as "beef".
Along with pure spring water the milk of a goat or a cow
is an indispensable requirement in all Zoroastrian rituals
on account of the five Fradho or electro-magnetic forces
e.g., Adhu-fradho, Vanthvo-fradho, Gaetho-fradho,
Khshaeto-fradho, Danghu-fradho, - enumerated in the
Aban Yasht. Hence it is simply ridiculous on the part of
the translator to associate dirty blood-dripping beef along
with the sacred things like Haoma and Baresma.
Zoroaster himself introduced this Haoma-Gava-Baresman
method of ceremonial according to the AbanYasht, and
one cannot for a moment believe, if one has the slightest
idea of Holiness of Zoroaster that Zoroaster could have
touched a piece of beef in order to invoke the angel Aban.
Such a barbarous idea of "beef" as the meaning of Gava
in the ceremonial formula could only have been invented
by the beef eating translators of the Avesta, who are
absolutely ignorant of the strict magnetic-purity observed
in all the grand rituals taught by Zoroaster."
SUPPLEMENT NO. 12
DEMON KERESANI CANNOT BE
IDENTICAL WITH (VEDIC)
DEMI-GOD KRISHANU
The term 'Keresani' seems not to have been correctly understood in philology. It occurs in Hom Yasht (Ysn. 9,24) where it is
stated:
"Haoma lowered Keresani, dethroned him from his throne, for
he grew so fond of power, that he treacherously said: No
priest behind (and watching) shall walk the lands for me, as a
counselor to prosper them, he would rob everything of
progress, he would crush the growth of all".
(S.B.E. Vol XXXI).
In the footnote under the word Keresani it is stated:
"_Comp. the Vedic Krishanu, archer and demi-god who
guarded the Soma... .".
In learned Kanga's Avesta dictionary we find the following
against the word Keresani :
"The adversary of Haoma, the founder of the Haoma ceremony. Compo Vedic Krishanu; Keresani represents
Alexander and the Hellenic oppression, which for a while put
down the Mazdayasnian religion (Dar.)".
The above explanation of Keresani is not applicable here, but what
is given under the word 'Keresa', appears to be correct:
"An opponent to the Zoroastrian religion; an idolator (Dar.)
an oppressor (Har.); a tormentor (Sp.)".
Thus Prof. Darmesteter's conjecture about Alexander does not
seem correct. Keresani as stated already is the deva's destructive
phantom animated from the combined Drvao, wickedness, of the
souls transferred to the Nisti (Space) worlds. It is analogous to
Keresa meaning 'oppressor' (Dar.) or 'tormentor' (Sp.) The name
of the hero Keresasp who killed the monsters 'Arejo-shaman' and
'Snavidak' (Yt. 19; 42-43), has the same derivative - Keresa plus
Asp meaning the warrior-saint who possessed super-human
spiritual powers for fighting against and smiting monstrous
demons. The suffix '-asp' literally means a horse, and indicates the
degree of attainment of divine powers
213
by the king or hero concerned. Just as in modern times University
Degree M.A., M.D., etc. indicate the measure of a person's
learning, so the suffix '-asp' denotes the high degree of spiritual
powers developed by Tehmurasp, Keresasp and other saintly kings
and heroes through the practice of certain anti-demoniacal
incantations etc. accompanied with great austerity, stoicism and
perfect purity. It was with the development of such powers that
they could smite monstrous demons that used to cause untold
havoc in pre-Zoroastrian ages, whom the prophet buried under
ground (Yasna. 9.15) or transmuted their evil propensities into
good by turning their vicious cerebral Chakhras, magnetic nervecentres. (Yt. 13,89).
We give below some extracts from Vedic mythology, from
which it will be found that the Vedic Krishanu and Avesta
Keresani are not identical.
KRISHANU, PROTECTOR OF HOLY SOMA, NOT DEVIL
KERESANI
The following reference of Rig Veda is met with in "Vedic
Mythology' by the learned' A. A. Macdonell (p. 137) :
"Gandharva in the RV is often associated with Soma. He
guards the place of Soma and protects the races of the gods.
Observing all the forms of Soma, he stands on the vault of
heaven (9,8512)... It is probably as jealous guardian of Soma
that Gandharva in the RV appears as a hostile being, who is
pierced by Indra in the regions of air. . . The trait of hostility
appears to be old, for in the Avesta (Yt. 5,38) the hostile
Gandareva dwelling in the sea Vourukasha, the abode of the
white Haoma, is fought with and overcome by Keresasp.
However the archer Krishanu who shoots at the eagle that
carries off the Soma appears to be a Gandharva." (It may be
noted that "Gandharva is associated with Soma" as stated
above).
"Krishanu appears in the Rigveda as a mythological personage
(Zimmer Altindisches & c.)"
"Away O Death, depart along the path that is thine own, but
different from the road of the gods...
"Here is the impetuous meeting of the two mighty ones. O
Indra and Vishnu, the drinker of the pressed Soma-juice
avoids you. You two turn aside that which is directed towards
mortal man, aye the dart of the archer Krishanu (i. 155.2).
"Soma is a plant, the word is derived from Su, to press. It is
pressed again and again. Its character (as a deity) is mostly
secondary and only rarely primary. In order to point out its
primary use in the hymns relating to Soma-juice while it is
purified, we shall quote (the following stanza).
214
"Be pure with thy sweetest and most gladdening stream,
O Soma, thou art pressed for lndra to drink."
(ix, i, 1; Sv.; 458 &c)
-The Nighantu & the Nirukta.
Thus Soma is ambrosia, the food of the gods, and hence holy.
Krishanu shoots at the eagle that carries off the Soma. So Krishanu
belongs to the holy side, and not wicked, while Keresani (in
Avesta) is wicked.
Just as Angra Mainyu is the phantom animated from the
collective Drvao, wickedness of the souls of the entire Universe,
so as stated above Keresani is the phantom animated from the
collective wickedness of the souls transferred to the Nisti (ultraphysical worlds). Thus Krishanu and Keresani, in their respective
spheres, are, if anything, antagonistic, though it is possible the
'eagle' and the 'archer' have some hidden meanings also.
SUPPLEMENT NO. 13
CONVERSION OF ETHEREAL STATE INTO MATERIAL
As stated already under head 'Cosmography of the Space', the
top three Dakhyus are super ethereal in composition and the rest
lower four ethereal. From the lowest sub-regions of the last
Zamrir, (transitional region) below the Pairi Dakhyu, begins the
top of the earthy globe, which extends downward into the Aipi
Dakhyu at the bottom of the Nisti. Thus the largest portion of the
earthy globe is in the Aipi Dakhyu, which also includes the
infernal regions. This change from the ethereal to the material
state was not direct. The earthy globe as we see it today is in its
fourth and final evolution, the first being fiery, next airy, and then
watery and the last material.
In the fiery stage, the globe and the human, animal, vegetable
and material forms were also of a fiery nature. The legendary bird
phoenix is said to have belonged to this age. When the final form
of this fiery stage called 'Kehrp' had reached, the airy stage came
into being, in which the fiery Kehrp remained latent. When this
airy stage reached its final form called 'Tewishi', the watery stage
came into being, in which the fiery Kehrp and airy Tewishi
remained latent. In this watery stage coarse jelly-like forms
appeared. When these turned into incognizable steamy forms the
earthy envelope came into existence. When the watery stage
reached its final form called 'Ushtan', the airy Tewishi and the
fiery Kehrp remained latent. Side by side with the coming into
existence of the earthy globe, its inhabitants viz. minerals,
vegetables, animals and human beings which were all hitherto
impalpable and incognizable, now appeared in palpable forms in
which the fiery Kehrp, airy Tewishi and watery Ushtanic bodies
lay in refined beautiful states.
MIXED CREATIONS
Later on mixed creations came into existence, such as, half
fish-like or animal-like with half human form. They were hermaphrodite-like, the male and female bodies joined together (Bd. 15).
In English dictionary, we meet with names of griffin, with
eagle's head and wings and lion's body; hippogriff, half-horse and
half-griffin; a winged horse; hippocampus, sea horse etc. which
are believed to be fabulous, but which probably belonged to some
evolution in the distant past. Then came non-fragile separate sexes
with one eye (ibid.), one leg, one hand, and tall as tallest
216
trees. Then came to view oceans with islands full of jungles and
trees of unimaginable heights. These were _inhabited by strange
animals of unimaginable size, some seeming half vegetable half
animal-like. After innumerable Zarvane-daregho-khadat of 81,000
years each, these islands expanded into continents with
symmetrical nature of half fish and half human form, as well as
half human half animal form. Then after numerous Zarvanedaregha came into existence earthy symmetrical forms containing
Azda, the fluid counterpart of bony skeleton, Gaetha, soft organs
and Tanu, the supporting frame of rigid and malleable structure. In
this structure Kehrp contained in itself Tewishi, Tewishi contained
in itself Ushtan i.e. life-matter of the Tree of Life, Vane-Zavitbish. .
Again after numerous Zarvane-daregha of 81,000 years each,
the present condition of the body appeared, which is gifted with
powers of speech, conscience and consciousness and the will
power of doing right or wrong. This Khaki i.e. material stage
began with Machh, a fish form half human and half fish (known as
merman and mermaid). Hence humanity is named Mashya in
Avesta. (Abridged from "Essential Origins of Zoroastrianism" by
Dr. F. S. Chinivala).
SUPPLEMENT NO. 14
KHANIRATH BAMI, THE ONLY TERRESTRIAL KESHVAR,
THE BIRTH-PLACE OF ZARATHUSHTRA AND CRADLE
OF THE ARYAN RACE
Khanirath Bami, literally meaning golden or shining shore
(Yt. 10, 15) is the only terrestrial Keshvar. According to the
Avesta our earthy globe is divided into two sections on spiritual
lines, one of which is Thrishva (Yt. 13, 3), literally meaning 'onethird' which is holy, that is, almost Satan-free, and hence called
Khanirath Bami located in the Arctic region towards the North
Pole. This Thrishva has been buried under mountain-deep snow
since over 10,000 years, and hence its existence and true geography are unknown to philological scholars. The then impending
blockade by snow was foretold to king Jamshid as under by Ahura
Mazda (Vd. 2,22):
"O fair Yima_ son of Vivanghat, upon the material world
the evil winters are about to fall, that shall bring the fierce
deadly frost........... ,shall make, snow-flakes fall thick even as
aredvi deep on the highest tops of mountain." (S.B.E. Vol.
IV).
The other section of the earthy globe is our known material world,
which is wicked, and hence called Drujo-deman (Ysn. 46,11),
literally the abode of Evil, and hence also called Daozangh, hell
(Vd. 19,47).
Thrishva is particularly important because Airyana Vaeja (Vd.
1,1) the birth-place of holy Zarathushtra is situated there. Airyana
Vaeja literally means the land bearing noble seeds engendering
righteousness and philanthropy. In this Airyana Vaeja is the sacred
mountain called Haraiti-Barsh (Yt. 19,1) or Mt. Alborz. On the top
plateau at the altitude (Bala) (Bd. 24,3) of the mountain (Zbarahe)
in Airyana Vaeja was the 'Vara' on which was situated the
prophet's father Pourushaspa's mansion where Zarathushtra was
born (Vd. 19,4 and 11). Here on this plateau flowed from the far
heights of the planetary world Asha_ Chithra, Vaha-Chithra, the
vibrationary currents bearing seeds of holiness and goodness. This
flowing of such sublime vibrationary currents is allegorically
depicted as the river 'Drejya'. .
On the slopes of the sides of the above Haraiti-Barsh, there are
several plateaus on each of which, in those distant ages, there were
felicitous markaz, residential places called 'Vara',
218
such as Demavand, Pairi-daz, Pamar, Siraz, Firdaus etc. built by
illustrious saintly kings of the Paoiryo-tkaesha class. On its first
plateau called Pamar was king Jamshid's Vara, which was subterranean (Bd. 32,2). Vara is a talismanically protected area either
sub-terranean or on the surface of the earth so sanctified that Satan
cannot find entry there and desecrate it.
Coming now to the Keshvar Khanirath Bami or Thrishva,
according to the mysterious curriculum of Nature for the Reformation of the sinful souls our known material world which is
called Drujo-deman, the abode of Evil, runs its course for a fixed
period of 81,000 years, which is referred to in Avesta as Zarvanedaregho-khadat, literally, long (cycle of) Time. These 81,000
years is the total of the varied periods of rulerships of the seven
planets in the heavens ranging between 4000 and 17,000 years
each. These planets control our earth. On the termination of the
above period of 81,000 years there is World Deluge. However,
before the Deluge actually comes over, a Saviour named Soshyos
or Astavat-Ereta (Yt. 13,128), who in rank is next only to holy
Zarathushtra, and styled as his 'son' carries to safety the excellent
pairs of all genuses, 'Varena, (Ysn. 49,3) of mankind and animal
and plant life. The human pairs thus saved from the waters of the
Deluge are known as 'Maabadians'. The indestructible height of
safety to which they are removed is called Mt. Alborz.
These Maabadians and their descendants followed more or
less the Ten Commandments of the Creator, that is, they led a life
of purity, and hence the work of emancipation, that is, liberation
from the physical body, is easy and expeditious on KhanirathBami. The above type of noble life of purity in Airyana Vaeja
continues for an average period of 27,000 years. After this period
inferior souls begin to descend there. Side by side, as stated in
Vandidad 2,22 "fatal winters that make snow flakes fall thick"
render living there impossible, except to certain Ashavans, holy
souls. Consequently, the population moves down to the plains on
the known material world from Airyana Vaeja in different
batches, whose first king was Gayomard. With the intense cold
the Thrishva or the Khanirath Bami again gets buried under snow
as it has been since some 10,000 years past, and hence the
existence and geography of Airyana Vaeja and Khanirath Bami
are unknown to scholars. On the Khanirath Bami getting buried
under snow, the known material world begins its new run once
again for 81,000 years that constitute a Zarvan e-daregho-khadat.
SUPPLEMENT NO. 15
CLASSIFICATION OF SINS.
During life on earth human beings are subject to sins. In our
Master's book on "Ancient Zoroastrian Education System", pp. 1617, four types at principal sins have been mentioned viz., 1)
Margarjan, 2) Farod-Mandeh, 3) Azeh and 4) Manideh.
Learned Kanga in his translation of Patet Pashemani prayer
(Kardeh; 3) gives in footnote under 'Margarjan', the rendering of a
Pahlavi commentary of 'Margarjan-Sins', in which the following
sins have been enumerated :
Margarjan Sins.-Under this class are: "atheism" no faith on
holy prophet Zarathushtra and his good religion**; disobedience
to parents and masters, and causing them pain to boot; learning
sorcery; interfering in the works of holiness; throwing Nasu, putrid
things into water and in fire and bury the same; extinguishing fire
of Atash-Behram; misappropriating instead of entrusting to the
rightful heir (or heirs) after the owner's death, wealth and other
articles entrusted in custody as a lawyer; committing adultery;
following the religion of Dravant, non-believer in Zoroastrianism;
giving false evidence against a holy person or against a renouncer
of evil, or a Dastur or the Chief with the object of involving him in
accusation; causing abortion; eating or making others eat Nasu,
putrid things mixed in wine or medicine; being a Dastur or priest,
commit deeds of heresy."
In the Master's book mentioned above 'Margarjan' include
those deliberately committed deadly sins in life, the perpetration
of which causes the departed soul concerned to take a rebirth on
this earth. Souls of persons committing such deadly sins go to the
Chinvat Bridge on the dawn of the fourth day, but owing to their
"Kerdar", (explained below), being comparatively 'gross' in
formation cannot rise above the stage of Gunjesh, the lowest substation which is portal-like to the Chinvat Bridge (Ysn. 51,13).
Such souls (Urvan) have to come back to the earth after a certain
time. Kerdar (Hadokht Nask III) is a feminine apparition, and
being of a soul that has committed Margarjan sins during past life
on earth is like that of a 'hideous hag' appearing as walking before
the soul of the sinful person concerned on the Chinvat Bridge on
the dawn of the fourth day after
-------------------------------------------------------------------------* * Sins relating to disbelief in Zarathushtra and his religion
naturally include disbelief and slander of Khshlnoom, the esoteric
knowledge of the Zoroastrian Faith.
220
death. Such Kerdar is the sorry picture of the collective thought
word-action-graph of the whole past life on earth.
Farod-Mandeh are also wantonly committed sins but of such
a nature that the souls can rise above the stage of Ganjesh but not
beyond the sub-region of the next higher Kang-daeza Souls of this
class of sins are also subject to Duzakh, rebirth but when these
Farod-mandeh sins are of lighter degree, the souls concerned cross
the Chinvat Bridge, and after halting at the region of "Jaza",
condign punishment (or reward), advance further beyond.
Manideh Sins-Manideh literally means remaining or outstanding, and may include either Margarjan; Farodmand or Azeh
class of sins. If according to the principle of "Akem-akai" (Ysn.
43,5) evil to evil, a person is destined to commit certain sins, but
the life is cut short prematurely, there remains an outstanding
balance of sins. If this balance is of Margarjan class, the soul
undergoes the retributive punishment of hell-Duzakh or Daozangha (Vand. XIX, 47), that is_ comes back on this earth. If the
balance is of Farod-mandeh class, the retribution is repetition of
birth on the earth or "Jaza", condign punishment on the ultraphysical sub-region above, according as the sins be of grosser or
lighter type. But if the Manideh Gunah, that is, outstanding sins be
of "Azeh" class, the soul has not to come back on this earth, but
undergoes "Jaza" the condign punishment of Azeh-manideh sins
after death by halting on Var-i-Jam-Kard, the top region of the
Chinvat.
Azeh Gunah are a sort of vicarious sins or sins due to infection
(or pollution) from others on account of which a person even
though practicing Baj-rites and Druj-parhiz cannot cross the
Chinvat Bridge, but has to halt at its top sub-region of Var-iJamKard, by way of condign punishment, due to his or her aura being
impaired by coming in close contact with people committing
Margarjan or Farodmand sins.
The contagion of Azeh sins is so very transmissible that not
only great souls, but even holy Zarathushtra was not immune from
it. The Prophet remained ordinarily invisible by rarefying his
elements. But whenever he wanted to appear in public, he used to
convert his subtle body into gross. During this process he was
subject to Veil of Darkness due to catching contamination, though
of a very subtle type of the sinful environment. This attack of
contamination, at times, used to be so overpowering that he used to
get partially unconscious, and had to utter words of despondency
like "Whither shall I go to? Where shall I turn to?" (Ysn. 46,1).
During such predicaments Bahman Ameshaspend used to hurry to
his succour, and restore him to his sublime consciousness by
tearing asunder the Veil of Darkness over him.
SUPPLEMENT NO. 16
MYSTIC POWERS OF AVEST A HOLY FORMULAE
Regarding healing or curing by sacred formulae 'Manthrobaeshazo' it is stated in Ardibehesht Yasht; 6;
"(There are) healers by imparting purity, by (administering)
justice, by surgery, by herbs, by holy formulae. Of all the
healers, the one (healing) by sacred formulae is the best,
because that pious person effects cure (right) from the
source."
Though all Zoroastrian prayers are based on the laws of Staota
Yasna, sublime vibrationary colours, sound, etc., still there are
certain short prayers known as 'Nirang'" which are endowed with
talismanic power of curing or mitigating the severity of ills or
physical maladies arising from planetary influences (which
constitute condign punishments). Similarly there are Nirangs for
overpowering and counteracting witchcraft. For worldly
Zoroastrians like ourselves who are naturally subject to
misfortunes in life certain Nirang formulae have been prescribed
which are framed from particular Nasks. There are also Pazand
Nirangs, which when practiced with the observance of
Zoroastrian, canons of purity_ including particularly the anti-microbe Baaj-rites, are efficacious for maintaining Khoreh, personal
magnetism or aura, and in curbing passions etc. In Vandidad;
19,8-10 we are told that the functionary agents like the sacred
mortar, sacred cup etc. employed in performing holy ceremonies,
and the Yatha-Ahu-Vairyo and Ashem Vohu prayers are good for
fighting against Satanic powers. The above Nirangs are recited for
gaining varied kinds of boons, like purification of one's thoughts,
killing a sepent or noxious animal; re-uniting husband and wife
asunder and numerous others, in all 79. (P. S, Masani's book
"Pazand Prayer Series No.3").
Iri Sarosh Yasht Hadokht there is beautiful description of
how the Yatha Ahu Vairyo protects a holy person. Similarly, in
Ardibehesht, Behram, Sarosh (nightly-major)" Farvardin, Hom
(major) and Ashishvangh Yashts, besides in Hadokht Nask, there
are references showing excellent benefits accruing from the practice of recitation of Manthra formulae, which are a Zoroastrian's
richest treasure both in this world and in the next. These ManthraSpenta have been recognized by the holy Pahlavi sages as 'The
knowledge of knowledges'. Only those who practice the
recitations can realize how very beneficial these Nirang prayers of
Manthra can be.
222
Besides these there are rules regarding the practice of recitation of one or two single selected 'Ism', sacred names of the
Creator, Ahura Mazda for desired boons. In Behram Yasht; 42 the
reference to 'Nam-ajbaitish'" lit., invoking of names relates to the
recitation of these 'Ism', sacred names. In the practice of this
invoking by names, the Science of Numbers comes into play. Thus
one or two name or names are repeated 101 times or 303 or 505 or
707 up to 2121 times, for keeping count of which, a rosary of
amber beads is employed, since amber possesses magnetic power
when rubbed on a woolen fabric. In certain, cases this practice of
repeating names extends to 40 days as stated in Aban Yasht; 101,
where the supplicator is allegorically referred to as a 'horse-rider'.
In other cases, the period for operating the rosary is longer
according to individual cases. In Vandidad (XIV, 8) we meet with
the allegorical Khrafstraghna, the sledge-hammer for smiting the
noxious animal, and Ashtra-mairya, (XVIII, 4 ibid.) weapon for
killing the serpent. Khrafstra and Mairya are not actual animals,
but the lust (or avarice) abiding in the body (Azush zarzdishto;
Yasna; 53,7) is represented by those animals. Again, the smiting
weapons of a holy priest are not of steel, but are the instruments
like the sacred mortar, cup etc., employed in the holy ceremonies
coupled with the chanting of Manthra-Spenta formulae.
No better reference could be cited in proof of this than what
occurs in Vandidad (XIX, 8-10), where we read (S.B.E. Vol. IV)
as under:
"Again to him said the guileful one, the Maker of the evil
world, Angra Mainyu: 'By whose Word wilt thou strike, by
whose Word wilt thou repel, by whose weapon will the
good creatures, (strike and repel) my creation who am
Angra Mainyu?"
Thus in answer to him said Spitama Zarathushtra :
'The sacred mortar, the sacred cup, the Haoma, the Words
taught by Mazda, these are my weapons, my best weapons.
By this Word will I strike, by this Word will I repel, by this
weapon the good creatures (will strike and repel thee), O
evil-doer, Angra Mainyu. To me Spenta Mainyu gave it, he
gave it to me in the Boundless Time; to me the Amesha
Spentas, the all ruling, the all beneficent, gave it.'
ZARATHUSHTRA CHANTED ALOUD THE
AHUNA-VAIRYA
In Yt. 13.89 the Prophet is referred to metaphorically as the
first priest (Athrava), the first warrior (Rathaeshtao), the first
husbandman of the land (Vastryo). An Athravan or the priest who
tends the sacred fire (in a fire temple) dispels the evil effects
223
in the atmosphere created by the evil forces in the dark of the
night, and transmutes them into good or blissfulness by his
chanting the Manthra Spenta, the holy formulae, in which the
blazing flame is the principal medium. The prophet is called the
first (foremost) Athravan because he employed his three spiritual
powers which are real entities, created by himself with the aid of
his "Kavaem Kharena", kingly glory (Yt. 19,79) and performed
sanctifying rites in the dark of the night. These spiritual entities are
allegorically called 'wives'. These spiritual entities possessed Baod
(perfect divine knowledge), Urvan (soul), Kehrp subtle form) and
Huraod. (luminous body). In Farvardin Yt. 139 the Farahars af
such 'wife' Hvovi and others are revered. Thus these spiritual
entities were neither abstract in character nor did these 'wives'
possess physical bodies. The performance of these sanctifying rites
in the dark of the night was of spiritual nature and was not
associated with Druj (evil) as it happens in the case of wordly
husband and wife.
Ratheshtar conveys the meaning of a warrior-sage armed with
his steel weapons to fight against the dreadful Satanic farces or
dangerous animals. The prophet is called the first (foremost)
Ratheshtar in the sense that he fights against such farces not with
steel weapons, but with spiritual implements like Havanim, Tashta
etc., (mentioned in Yd. XIX, 8) coupled with the chanting of the
Word Ahunavar. Vashtriyosh literally signifies 'Husbandman'. The
prophet is called the first (foremast) husbandman because he
unearths the evil farces rampant in the sail and sows the seeds of
purity in the soil and in the world, by teaching humanity the laws
of piety. It is easy to understand that a great Saviour does not go
about with a plough an his shoulder to plough the land, or with a
sward hanging by his side.
His farm is the humanity to which he conveys his divine message
and teaches God's laws of purity, and his weapons of smiting the
Arch Friend are mostly the Manthra-Spenta, sacred spells.
Difference between Witchcraft
Practitioner and Blissful Healer
In Avesta 'Yatu', black magicians, i.e., sorcerers and 'Pairika',
enchantresses or sorceresses have been condemned, because they
are practitioners of black-art which is employed for numerous
wicked purposes. These include robbing a person by temporarily
rendering him senseless under 'Agha-Manthra', evil spell, keeping
a person under one's subjection with an evil purpose_ inducing
disease either physical or mental etc. etc. Besides evil spells a
practitioner of such black art employs for his means 'DarujieHikhra', loose hair, nails, spit, urine, blood, pus and such other
excreta. The employers of such excreta are never blissful healers,
224
while the Magis who still exist in secret mountain recesses in Iran
and elsewhere always Use Manthra-Spenta, blissful formulae, for
healing or for developing spiritual powers for fighting against
Satanic forces, which healing with the help of Manthra Spenta is
misrepresented ignorantly or maliciously_ as witch doctoring by
enemies of Zoroastrianism. In blissful healing, the spells are often
written with saffron water on a very small saucer which writing is
dissolved in a little water, which the patient is made to drink.
Holy scriptures of all principal religions contain blissful or
healing formulae. This writer's late father was gifted by his Hindu
peon with a Mantra, sacred formula, for healing affliction from
scorpion sting in gratitude for an especial act of goodness done to
him (peon). After five or six years when my father was transferred
to Ahmedabad (310 miles north of Bombay), where in the city and
surrounding villages scorpions are very common, he had
occasion_ to use the above Mantra. The cure involved the healer
to mutter the holy Mantra followed by drinking a mouthful of
water. The process hardly took 5 or 6 minutes. With the aid of that
Mantra my father had healed dozens of persons afflicted, who
used to come wailing, and left over joyed.
Besides the above Mantra, a Moslem priest had also gifted a
sacred formula to my father for the cure of serpent bite. While in
Murud (60 miles south of Bombay) a person reported that he was
bitten by a serpent. My father was having his bath, so he
instructed to make the man chew some salt, which the latter said
had no salty taste. He was then made to chew highly pungent
chillies, which also were found tasteless. This proved the serpent
to be poisonous. Thereupon my father muttered the formula, and
gave the man a sharp slap on his face, which was part of the
healing process. The test was repeated, when both salt and chillies
gave their natural tastes much to the man's dislike, which proved
the success of the sacred formula. To regain or revitalize the faded
power, it was necessary to repeat the formula 1100 times or so, on
a particular new moon night. The above instances took place
between 1895 and 1905.
About 12 or 14 years ago, a Parsi girl aged 11 or 12 of an
educated and respectable family was suddenly found to talk in a
most strange and un-Parsi way, and when excited was quite uncontrollable. Her brother, an officer in a bank, sought Mr. Dinshah
Masani's spiritual help for exocizing the evil spirit from her
person. (Mr. Masani who is both a philologist and a Khshnoomist
and who knows many Zoroastrian holy formulae for employment
in various conditions is still alive – 1964*). When he went to see
the girl he found that some spirit had taken possession of her. He
used certain formulae, which are more
* since deceased 22-101965.
225
powerful than the black-magic spells, and commanded the spirit to
quit the girl's body. On this the girl ejected from her mouth two
pieces of an Indian sweetmeat (Barfi) which looked quite fresh
though some two months had elapsed since she was the victim of
somebody's witchcraft. The girl was reported to be normal since
then. It is quite evident that the wicked black art practitioner had
intended to take possession of the girl who was fair looking. This
is an instance in which both the witchcraft practitioner and the
blissful master of holy Nirang formulae had played their respective
evil and good roles.
I have cited the above instances to show the difference- between witch-doctor and a holy benefactor. True Magis, holy sages,
who are asexual i.e., in whom the erstwhile bifurcated sexes had
blended together into one through Khaetvadatha, use blissful
formulae. But enemies of Zoroastrian Faith and Western
philological scholars of the same class not knowing the exalted and
eminent position of a real Magi, call them witch doctors. A witch
whether a woman or a man is a practitioner of evil art which is
always employed for harming a person in one way or the other,
while a true Magi is always a blissful healer, and as such he cannot
be called a witch-doctor. For further information about Magi
please refer- to Supplement No. 27 of this book.
SUPPLEMENT NO. 17
Nine Constituents of a Human
Being, Mentioned in Avesta
In Yasna 55, 1 we meet with the names of nine constituents of
a human being. They represent three triads of three categories.
Thus the first three terms Gaetha, Tanu and Azdebish belong to
the physical body and as such are gross or tangible and subject to
expansion and contraction in course of time. The next three
Ushtan, Kehrp, Tewishi which are also subject to expansion and
contraction are subtle pertaining to the ultra-physical worlds
above. The last three, Baod, Urvan and Fravashi, are, unlike the
former six, immortal, i.e., permanent and not subject to variations
or expansion or contraction. Several of these names are not
correctly understood in philology as will be seen from the
philological and Khshnoomic significances of those nine terms
given below side by side.
Serial
No.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Avestan Name Philological
Correct
of the
Rendering
Khshnoomic
Constituent
Interpretation
Gaetha
Landed riches Vital organs of the
body;
Tanu
(One's) person Outer bodily form
with skeleton;
Bones
Subtle oily skeleton;
Azdebish
or subtle oily
counterpart of the
physical form;
Ushtan
Tissues (Mills) Subtle internal
life (Kanga)
life-energy;
Kehrp
Form
Subtle form or body;
Tewishi
Forces
Desire-forces;
Consciousness Perfect Divine
Baodangh
Knowledge;
Urvan
Soul
Soul; and
Fravashi
The sublimest
Fravashi
constituent
227
Thus it will be noticed that Gaetha does not mean 'Landed
riches' but the vital orgaris of the body. Tanu signifies outerbodily
form with skeleton, drawn from the soul itself (derived) from Tan,
to draw). The term that is most misleading and defying
philological scholars is Azdebish, which is made up of Azde,
bones, and bish, double. Thus it means the subtle duplicate or
replica of bones. Dr. Mills has rendered it only as 'bones' (Azde),
thus leaving out 'bish', meaning 'double' evidently because he
could not understand what that could mean. Azdebish is subtle
oily-type skeleton or the subtle oily counterpart of the physical
form. It is also called the 'etheric double' i.e., the exact replica of
our physical body in fine ethereal state called 'Aabi'. At death this
Azdebish gets contracted with the physical body. Ushtan is the
spiritually vital energy poured down from above and joined with
each soul, which contributes to the thinking, speaking and acting
powers of the soul, and besides to the will-power, consciousness
and divine wisdom, which all is collectively named Ushtan in
Khshnoomic parlance. Kehrp, which comprises 16 Chakhras,
plexuses, is the subtler oval body of variegated invisible colours;
in the centre whereof the physical body is formed in the mother's
womb, and in which each soul has to reside just after death. For
explanation of Chakhras please see Supplement No. 20. Tewishi
is another term, which is half rendered by Dr. Mills. It is a
compound term made up of Tu, force or strength; and -ish, wish
or desire. Hence Tewishi literally means desire-forces. This
Tewishi is the centre of higher and lower emotions and feelings,
i.e., good and evil desire forces of a soul. There is incessant
contest between these two good and evil desire-forces called
'Ranoibya' (Ysn. 51,9) (the two contestants), the arena of which is
at the umbilicus. Had Dr. Mills understood this term Tewishi he
would have been able to render '-yaokhedra', internal conflict,
occurring in Yasna; 12.9 as 'Fraspa-yaokhedram', terminator of
internal conflict. But since he could not understand it_ he altered
'y' into 'v', making it '-vaoknedra', thus corrupting the orthography
by his erroneous imagination (vide S.B.E. Vol. XXXI). Urvan is
the soul or ego. Baodangh incorrectly rendered in philology as
'intellect' is the brilliance of the light of spiritual knowledge.
Fravashi is a still higher constituent than Baodangh, here
signifying 'Farohar', light of Paourva Fravashi proportionate to the
soul's goodness.
It is enjoined in Zoroastrian religion to mould one's life in
accordance with the immutable laws of Nature, and most rigorous
are the canons of purity, taught by the Holy Prophet to be
observed in leading the life in pursuance of its physical constitution.
SUPPLEMENT NO. 18
INSTANCES OF ALLEGORY AND
NUMEROLOGICAL MYSTICISM EXPOUNDED
Avesta abounds in allegory and other figures of speech. In
most cases animals mentioned do not represent the quadrupeds,
but their peculiar characteristics. Thus horse indicates (spiritual)
power, Gao, Geush, Gava stand for blissfulness of the kine
belonging to the 'live and help others live and advance' principle
in Nature, as opposed to Khrafstric principle of 'kill or harm to
live'; Lamb indicates innocence or harmlessness, camel stands for
knowledge and so on. In Ysn. 44,18, the Prophet asks Ahura
Mazda how he may get the prize of '10 horses/mares and a camel'?
Here too horses/mares indicate spiritual power gained by the strict
practice of Asha, holiness, camel stands for divine knowledge, and
10 in Zoroastrian numerology indicates perfection in Good or
Evil. Thus the prophet does not supplicate for getting those
quadrupeds, but for perfection of spiritual power and divine
knowledge for vanquishing the powers of Satan. In Azhi Dahaka
(Ysn. 9,8) 'Dahaka' means literally 10 Evils, i.e., perfection of
Evil. Similarly 'Dravand Bivarasp' (Afrin e Haft Ameshaspend. 8)
literally means the Dravand possessing 10,000 horses. Here
Dravand is the Satan, horses stand for (evil) powers, 10 shows
perfection and thousand indicates innumerable viles of the Satan.
Thus in Bivarasp 10,000 quadruped horses are not meant, but the
expression indicates the Satan's dire illimitable destructive powers
in perfection.
GAO, GEUSH, GAVA, GAVAN
DO NOT MEAN BULL OR KINE
Similarly, as stated already Geush, Gava do not mean the
quadruped 'Bull' or the 'kine', but their blissful characteristics
possessed by sub-angelic or saintly souls. 'Geush-Urva' (Ysn.
29,1) is not the 'soul of the ox' ("Dawn" - Zaehner - p. 76), but the
sub-angelic potentiality appointed for the protection of the souls of
the mankind on earth. Geush-Urva is the animated phantom of the
collective White side - Gao _ of the totality of humam souls on
earth, while Geush-Tashan has its seat on Upairi Dakhyu 'Geushaevo-datayao' is not the 'sole created Bull' but the potentiality
which is the animated phantom of the collective White side - Gao
– of the totality of the huge batch of Aka-.Chithra, wicked seeds
(souls) exiled from the 8th heaven
229
of the zodiac, and transferred to Dami (Ysn. 57,2), the Creation of
the Space of the evanescent worlds for their purification. 'Keresani'
the molester, i.e. Satain, is likewise the animated phantom of the
destructive Dark side of the Aka Chithra souls, being the opponent
of Geush-aevo-datayao. Gaush-Tashan on Upairi dakhyu and
Geush-Urva on the earth both strive to combine, but Keresani
hinders them from doing so. Geush. aevo-datayao, the White
phantom, and Kereswni, the Dark phantom, chase each other
incessantly, the former to persuade, the latter to devour, its
opponent, their chasing each other representing the phenomena of
day and night on earth.
In Meher Yasht; 15, Keshvars are allegorically referred to as
'Gava-shayana_ Gava-shitimcha' (literally meaning the centres and
residing places of the kine) are the centres and residing places of
the saintly souls progressing towards immortal worlds, which
saintly souls possess beneficent characteristics as of the cow-kind,
and hence expressed as Gava-shayana, Gava_shitimcha.
In Shah Nameh the intrepid Peshdadian and Kayanian fighters
were not persons possessing mere muscular strength, but were
great warrior-saints who had completely subjugated lust, and
hence Firdousi sometimes refers to them as 'Gavan' ,protectors of
Gava the White side in Nature, or warrior-saints who possessed
sublime spiritual powers to fight against the sorcery and witchcraft of the demons of pre-Zarathushtra ages. Thus:
"BEPURSEED SHARAZ NAZADE KAYAN,
VAZAN NAMDARANE FARROKH GAVAN",
i.e., inquired about the origin of Kayanian kings and
illustrious warrior-saints -- Gavan – with glorious faces. Again,
"Cheharum sakhun kaghazi khasti,
Bamehere Gavan del beyarasti",
i.e., the fourth thing you desire to know is about the chiefs the
warrior-saints – Gavan – with whom you have friendship.
EXPOSITION OF 100 HORSES,
1,000 BULLS AND 10,000 SHEEP
IN ABAN YASHT
In several paragraphs in Aban Yasht there are references to
worship of Ardvi-Sur with 100 horses, 1,000 bulls and 10,000
sheep by different saintly kings and warriors (against monsterdemons). These expressions indicate development of spiritual
power a hundredfold, blissful characteristics of a thousand bulls
put together, and innocence or harmlessness of ten thousand sheep
collectively. Thus the mention of these animals and figure
230
groups indicate the degrees of spiritual development just as in
modem times, the University degrees after a person's name
indicate the degree of scholastic learning. The spiritual powers
cultivated as referred to above were to fight against the monstrous
demons and their highly destructive powers of Darkness that
existed in pre-Zarathushtra times, which monsters were smitten
by the prophet or their evil cerebral plexuses (Chakhra) were
transmuted into beneficent ones (Yt. 13,89) or those devils who,
walked on the earth disguised as bipeds were buried underground
(Ysn. 9,15). Thus Prof. Zaehner will understand how misguided
he is in his criticism in "Dawn & Twilight" (p. 146)
which runs as under:
"... . the goddess (Ardvi Sur) demands from her worshippers
the sacrifice of a hundred stallions, a thousand bulls, and ten
thousand heads of sheep - a scale of sacrifice that even the
most 'catholic' of Zoroastrians could scarcely have deemed
'moderate'?"
In all paragraphs (17, 21 etc.) in Aban Yasht where the verb
'yazata' is used in connection with 100 horses, 1000 bulls, 10,000
lambs, it (Yazata) always means 'worshipped; adored; invoked' as
given in Kanga Avesta dictionary and not 'sacrificed'. According
to Zoroastrian rules of purity, the offerings in holy ceremonies are
of fruits, flowers and the like possessing superior aura, and never
of the massacred quadrupeds or other living beings. Besides, in
the Avestan texts of the above paragraphs, there is no word for
'heads' which is inserted by Prof. Zaehner in his above translation
with a view to create the meaning of massacre, to defame and
ridicule the Zoroastrian religion, which is much to be regretted.
It is a pity highly learned scholars cannot display some
superior or ennobling ideas in their guesswork, but they must
imagine immoral incest in Khaetvadatha or the barbarous massacre of thousands of innocent blissful animals in worshipping
Ardvi Sura that imparts purity and knowledge to a devotee. If
there be any idea of sacrifice here it is the saintly worshipper who
offers, i.e., sacrifices to Ardvi Sura the sublime powers gained by
him to obtain the desired sublime boon.
It is natural the learned scholar, with his knowledge merely
of surface meanings, could not unravel the true hidden sense in
the above passage. But it is most indiscreet to rush to nonsensical
criticism when literal translation sounds revolting to common
sense. A great scholar like him ought to be able to realize that
there must be some mystified meaning.
While Prof. Zaehner is thus trying to ridicule Zoroastrian
Scriptures as above according to his characteristic predilection, it
would not be out of place to quote the following:
231
". . . a religion whose followers were forbidden to kill even
animals wantonly at a time when the ancestors of the French
and English nations were accustomed to sacrifice human
victims to their sanguinary Deities such a pure and venerable
religion is one which must always command respect of the
civilized world, and of which a Parsee may well be proud".
(Intro. p. xiv seq. - Dr. Bleeck - Spiegel's Avesta).
It is just possible Prof. Zaehner's belief of 'sacrifice' is drawn from
the above barbarous custom existing in England and France in
ancient times.
EXPOSITION OF NUMEROLOGICAL
EXPRESSIONS
In Zoroastrian numerology every cardinal numeral from 0 to
9 has its own significance in certain places. Thug 1 stands for
AHU, the Absolute One in Oneness, the Supreme Deity over
Ohrmazd and Ahriman; 2 stands for the fundamental Duality of
Good and Evil; 3 stands for the three-stage Ahunavar Plan, which
is expressed allegorically as the 3-legged 'ass' (Bd. 19_1); or as
12,000 years of the Universe and 12,000' years of the earth in
which 12 = (1 plus: 2 =) 3; in the three ciphers (000) the cipher in
the third digit stands for creation, the second cipher for the
working of the Plan, i.e., exile of wicked souls i.e., souls with
deficiency of divine knowledge from the immortal worlds to the
evanescent world (the Space) for their Reformation or
purification; and the third cipher for 'Repatriation' of saintly souls
back to the planetary worlds and thence to their sidereal Home in
the 8th heaven of the zodiac. The numeral 4 represents the Sun as
Spentotemo-Mino, the executor of the above three stage Plan, who
(Sun) is the divine deputy of the Ameshaspends; 4 also represents
the four elements; 5 stands for Baodanghs, the lights with
brilliance of perfect divine knowledge which Baodanghs, possess
Asha, perfect holiness. Of the seven Zarvan a Akarana, seven
cycles of Boundless Time that constitute Yavaecha-Yavaetat, the
present is the fourth in which there is mixed-sway of Ohrmazd
and Ahriman, but in the fifth Zarvana Akarana (Boundless Time)
totality of souls will display virtuous propensity and become
elevated to the Saintly state, whereby they will gain 'Tane-Pasin',
lit., last body, which is of a fiery type, and they will be exalted to
the level of Baodanghs, i.e., souls possessing perfection of divine
knowledge, and the whole Universe will gradually be of
Baodanghs only. At this stage the Satan will be extinct.
Numeral 6 stands for the six Gahambars, six growths or
stages in which a wicked
soul becomes Evil-free and returns to its
sidereal Homp in the 8 th heaven of the zodiac, from which it was
originally exiled and trailed down to the earth for its
232
Reformation. When a soul takes birth as a child in this material
world or a seed sprouts; it is its first Gahambar; in the second, the
child grows up; in the third, it assumes proper shape; in the
fourth, it attain_ maturity of age, and becomes fit to lead a
worldly life with all the responsibility and weal and woe attendant
on it; and in the case of a plant, it becomes fruit-bearing. Owing
to the transgressions of Nature's laws in life besides the soul's
innate propensities for wickedness, the soul has to undergo
numerous repetitions of birth and death, and develops, though
very slowly, Rae i.e., inward self-enlightenment as the result of
dire retributive sufferings.
Now the soul takes a turn from vice to virtue, with which
begins for that soul the operation of 'Zarathushtri Daena', the
deified Law of Unfoldment of Spirit from Matter, otherwise
called 'Ahura-data', 'where '-data' means 'law'. But before this
Unfotdment takes place, the soul has to effect Retributive Compensation and Universal adjustment with every visible and invisible object and force in the Universe. During life on earth the
soul of a person naturally comes in contact with, and incurs
obligations of other human beings, animals, vegetables, minerals
and besides of different Yazadic (angelic) Intelligence. All these
obligations have to be compensated and adjusted before the soul
can enter the planetary world.
Besides the balancing of obligations as above, the soul
concerned which is now turned saintly, re-absorbs, according to
the Law of Dispensation ('Bagho-Bakht'), its own particle-souls
(which were erstwhile disintegrated from it into animal, vegetable
and mineral kingdoms), in order to make itself a perfected
individual Whole so far as its sex is concerned. When the
counterpart soul of the opposite sex also gets likewise purified
and comes up being delivered from its physical body, the two
counterparts meet and become 'Khaetva-datha' i.e. each 'gives
itself up' (-datha) to its 'own relative' (Khaetu), the two counterparts forming by their blending together, one perfected asexual
whole soul called 'Magavan' (Ysn. 33,7).
On accomplishing such 'spiritual bargaining' ('KharidFarokht') the exalted soul (Magavan) is said to have entered the
fifth Gahambar called 'Maidyarem', which is the transition stage
on the path of the soul's speedy and unhampered advancement
onward. When the Magavan soul ascends further on its 'repatriation' journey through the planetary world, and at last arrives
in his sidereal Home in the 8th heaven of the zodiac, it constitutes
the soul's sixth Gahambar Hamaspath-maedem. This exaltation of
the soul is the result of the power of Anasar, the elements of the
physical body.
The numeral 7 indicates sway of good or evil forces. Numeral 8
represents Urvans, souls with deficiency of divine knowledge. 9
indicates excellence or perfection. Urvans from
233.
their, state of deficiency of divine knowledge represented by 8
have to ascend to the perfection of 9, which is indicated by 81,
where 8 plus 1 make 9.
EXPOSITION OF THE MANSION OF 1,000
PILLARS OF SAROSH, AND 1,000 CHANNELS OF
ARDVI SUR
Sarosh Yazad is the Lord of the 8th heaven of the zodiac
called 'Anaghra Raochao', Endless Lights (Yt. 12,35). From here
all souls trail down for transmutation of their Drvao, Evil, into
Gao, Goodness. This heaven contains all materials for the creation
of the worlds below, each at its right time in Nature. Sarosh is the
generic name for all the Yazadic Intelligence functioning for
Ahura, whose work is to cause purification of souls through the
creation of the Universe.
Ardvi is a potentiality of Avan Yazad which exalts a soul by
delivering it from the impurities of lust, etc. It is the 'Ap' lustre of
the Endless Lights in the heaven of the zodiac, which Ap changes
into various forms in the planetary and evanescent worlds (the
Space) before it appears on the earth as the element of water
possessing the blissful qualities of that lustre. This lustre called
'Gohar' depicts the subtlety and potentiality of Yazads and of
luminous immortal heavens. Ahura directs to the planetary world
the blessings contained in the lustre, and collects them (blessings)
in the store-house of 'Apam-Napat' (lit. fountain-source of water)
in the planetary world. In Apam Napat the lustre begets the
quality or power of creating 'Anasar', elements. Then on the earth
it (lustre) flows as 'Ab-e-Rawa', subtle power that can raise the
elements to light. The varied currents of Ap, lustre, are said to be
distributed through 1001 channels or mediums or agencies, that is
to say, these 1001 mediums of Ap, lustre, guided by Ardvi will
lead souls to their emancipation. When running water gets the
power of even one, out of these 1001 channels of Ardvi, that
water becomes holy, and capable of destroying germs.
For leading souls to exaltation, Sarosh is said to have
rendered certain souls Drvao-free or Evil-free, and exalted them to
perfection. This perfection is represented by the numeral 10.
Through these perfected souls other souls of slightly lower
category were led to their exaltation. These latter are also nearly
perfected, but compared to the former, they are lower in grade.
Such souls are known as of 'Gava-Chithra' class, (lit. blissful
seeds), represented by '01'. The perfected souls represented by 10
are called '33 Ahus' or Yazatas, and those represented by 01, '33
Ratus', which two groups (of 10 and 01) combinedly give 1001,
which form the allegorical Mansion of Sarosh of 1001 pillars, in
which 1 in the first digit stands for
234
Sarosh. The above 33 Ahus and 33 Ratus are ordinarily known as
33 (Si-u-se) Ameshaspends, i.e., 33 immortals invested with (3
plus 3 = 6) the significance of No.6 which represents the powers
of six Gahambars viz., power to create, destroy and reform.
These two categories forming 1001 then commenced acting for
the uplift of souls of still lower category. For this they set the
seven Asmans, heavens, into motion. Hence these seven heavens
constitute the 1001 channels or mediums or agencies of ArdviSur. Now souls of lower grade are led to the seven heavens with
the help of the 8th heaven of the zodiac. Thus aided, the souls that
possessed varied degrees of Drvao, Evil, accommodated
themselves in one or the other suitable heaven. Here they were
divided by the law of decimals_as the result of which some
reached the perfection of 10, and joined with the souls of the Ratu
class represented by 01, i.e., below that of Ahu. Thus souls of
higher grade help those of lower grade in their upliftment. In this
way the two groups of souls under 10 and 01 combinedly form
1001, which, as we know now, represent the souls of the two
classes of Ahu and Ratu_ which become the 1001 channels i.e.,
mediums of Ardvi Sur, through which, souls of still lower
category are reformed. The allegorical mansion of Sarosh of 1001
pillars being situated on the 8th heaven of the zodiac (which is
highest in the Universe except the empyrean which is 9th and
topmost) is regarded as 'Har-Berez', high mountain, called Mt.
Alborz.
Similarly, when a human being becomes the 'Snaithish',
instrument of Sarosh, by the practice of holiness,. Sarosh builds
his House of 1001 pillars on the Har-Berez or Mt. Alborz of that
person. The cerebral plexus called 'Lahian' is the sublimest of the
16 Chakhras, plexuses of the Kehrp (invisible body) of a person,
is also called Har-Berez, Mt. Alborz of that person. When a
masculine soul attains perfection of 10, and helps its Khaetu,
feminine counterpart soul to reach the second grade perfection of
Ratu represented by 01, they become 'Khaetvadatha', i.e., give
themselves up to each other, and merge together into one
perfected whole soul called 'Magavan', who is asexual and a
passionless birth. Thus Sarosh builds his house of 1001 pillars on
the Chakhr-e-Lahian also, which is the sublime cerebral plexus,
the Mt. Alborz in a human body.
EXPOSITION OF 99999 FRAVASHIS
PROTECTNG ZARATHUSHTRA'S SEED
In Farvardin Yasht; 62 it is stated that 99999 Fravashis
guard or protect the 'Khshudra', seed of Zarathushtra.
The holy Prophet though born of a mother was not an
ordinary worldly sinful person. He was a sub-angel - SUPER
235
MAN. He was the only one who laughed at his birth unstricken by
the Most fiendish demons with all their devilish might of sorcery
and witchcraft. His body gave a shock when touched. He could
assume body at will, or become invisible by rarefying it. Thus in
all respects he was exceptional. So his Khshudra, seed was also
exceptional. His body being of a fiery-type, his Khshudra kept
circulating all aver the body. It was not the ordinary generative
fluid secreted by worldly males.
In worldly males this generative fluid indicates a man's
virility or strength. In the above Avesta passage the physical
strength is not meant, but the spiritual. With this exceptional type
of spiritual strength Zarathushtra could shatter the mightiest
inflated body of Darkness called 'Tur-bara-Tur', enigmatically
referred to in Pahlavi as an ordinary Tur (Turk), and with that
unique spiritual power he framed the 21 Nasks (books) of the
Avesta. Such civilization is allegorically referred to as his
Khshudra, seed.
This Khshudra is stated to have been guarded or protected by
99999 Fravashis. Here Fravashi stands for Ashaunam Fravashis_
which indicate Baodangh, divine Wisdom '(not 'intellect') and
which Fravashis are in perfection of divine knowledge and
Wisdom. In Zoroastrian numerology this perfection is represented
by the numeral 9 in units, and Baodangh, divine Wisdom by the
numeral 5. Consequently the numeral 9 is expressed five times as
99999.
Thus it will be understood that Zarathushtra's Khshudra was
not ordinary generative fluid secreted in males, but indicates
sublime seeds of spiritual knowledge and holy spiritual practices
connected with Ahura-data, the divine Law of Un-foldment of
Spirit from Matter, and 99999 does not represent the normal
significance of that figure group, but has the mystical meaning
shown above.
Dr. Mills not understanding the above numerological mysticism, criticizes the same as under in his book "Our Own Religion
in Ancient Persia" (p. 20 footnote):
"Compare this drivel with the grandeur and simplicity of the
Gatha, S.B.E. XXXI, pp. 1-194."
Here the learned scholar in his unawareness renders 99999 as
myriads in doing which he misses the technical and mystical
meaning of the numeral 9, expressed five times in the figure group
99999.
As stated above, the figure 9 stands for perfection, and this
perfection represented by numeral 9 occurring 5 times, stands for
Baodangh, the divine Wisdom. Thus it will be understood how
imprudent it is on the part of the learned scholar to indulge in
uncalled for and ignorant criticism of holv scriptures from mere
superficial meaning of a passage.
SUPPLEMENT NO. 19
Exposition of Apam Napat,
Fountain-Source of Blissful
Heavenly Current
Apam Napat is an Avestan technical term derived from Ap,
water; and Napat, centre. Though these derivatives are correct still
it is not known in philology as to what the term actually applies to
Avestan dictionary tries to explain the term as under:
"that from which anything has its origin; source; a fountain
head; Apam Napat literally means 'the source, the navel or the
son of waters'. It is so called, because, the Arvand (the Tigris)
takes its source from it; originally it is the fire of lightning, as
produced in the clouds, like the Vedic Apam Napat. As an
angel it is commonly known by the name of the Izad Borj
(Av. Berezant) Berezant (tall, high)" an epithet of Apam
Napat, became one of his names (Dar.)"
Khshnoom teaches that Apam Napat is the blissful current
that effects reformation of the souls by investing them in elemental
bodies and finally repatriates them to the centre of the heaven of
Ahura Mazda, i.e., to the empyrean.
The Napat or centre of the empyrean is the fountain-source of
perfection of divine knowledge, divine Wisdom and blissfulness.
The current from that fountain-source flows constantly on the
universe, first to the 8th heaven of the Zodiac (9th is the
empyrean). This blissful current is allegorically referred to in
Avesta as water by comparing the inconceivable heights of the
above two topmost heavens with the top of a very high mountain,
and the blissful current with water gliding down from that
mountain top.
The 8th heaven of the Zodiac is referred to in Avesta (Yt.
12;35) as Anaghra Raochao, Endless Lights, where is situated the
elliptical belt containing 27 constellations of fixed stars. These 27
constellations are allegorically depicted as the 27 apexes of the
above-mentioned mountain. In one of these apexes, i.e.,
constellations, which is named Hukairya (Yt. 10,88) is the
collection of the blissful current of Apam Napat. This blissful
current flows down from the constellation of Hukairya, traverses
the transitional regions (Zamrirs) betweeen each pair of the revolving planetary heavens, and mixes with the fire-energy called
Atashe Mino Karko operating on Miswane-Gatu, the inter
237
mediate region between the heaven of the Moon and the top of the
Space, i.e., between the immortal and mortal worlds (vide chart in
Introduction). Owing to its mixing with the fire-energy of Atashe
Mino Karko which is inferior to the fire-energies of the planetary
world, the current of Apam Napat becomes diluted. This diluted
current is called Gava Chithra, literally meaning Seeds (souls)
possessing propensity to live and help others live.
It is stated above that the current of Gava Chithra is the
diluted form of Apam Napat. From this Gava Chithra are produced
the four elements, viz., fire, air, water and earth. Apam Napat is so
named because these elements possess the quality of transmuting
soul's Evil into Good and of transfiguring and repatriating the souls
to Napat, the centre of Ahura Mazda's heaven.
Since this Apam Napat has the power of accelerating the
reformation of the soul, it is referred to in Avesta (Yt. 19,52) as
aurvat aspa, swift-footed steed, thus:
"We sacrifice unto the Son of Waters, the swift-horsed, the
tall and shining lord. . . who made man, who shaped man, a
god who lives beneath waters, and whose ear is the quickest
to hear when he is worshipped." (S.B.E. Vol XXIII)
We have seen in the exposition that when Apam Napat becomes diluted, it is called the current of Gava Chithra. It may be
noted that Gava Chithra is the name of the saintly souls, belonging
to the top of the invisible mortal world of Space, which (Gava
Chithra) are almost immortal souls. In the above quotation it is
said "who made man, who shaped man" because as stated above,
"from Gava Chithra are produced the elements, and from elements
are produced human body and human shape. Thus there is the
gradation of 1) Apam Napat; 2) Gava Chithra; 3) formation of
subtle elements and shape; and lastly 4) material body. The Gava
Chithra souls are trailing down like the flowing of a current. Hence
the diluted form of Apam Napat is said to be the current of Gava
Chithra.
For the "composition of-the four elements and of the human
physical body", please see Supplement No. 28.
SUPPLEMENT NO. 20
Exposition of Kehrp,
Invisible Body
This Kehrp comprises 16 Chakhras (Yt. 13,89), plexuses or
receptive nerve centres of magnetic force from which every part
and every limb and organ of the body are developed. The subject
of Chakhra as a constituent of Kehrp is highly intricate in
character, since the constitution of each of the 16 Chakhras is
based on the permutations and combinations of the four elements
of the body, each getting 16 electrical circlings, making in all 64,
the technical names of Chakhras, the relation of each with different
organs and parts of the body, different planets influencing each,
relation of different types and grades of Atash, fire-energies or
heat with each of them etc. etc. into the details of which we cannot
enter here. However, looking to the total unawareness about Kehrp
and its Chakhras in philology it is deemed advisable to give below
some hazy idea about them (translated from Gujarati from the
"Frasho-gard" magazine Vol. XII Nos. 1-2 p. 46 and Chart):
"Just as our physical body has organs like brain, heart, lungs,
liver etc. so the Kehrp, the subtle elemental body, has 16
organs called Chakhras. Again just as the windows of a house
serve as the inlets for light from without, so the Chakhras are
the inlets of the subtle elemental body for admitting planetary
currents which descend through Ushtan, life energy. (Ysn.
55,1).
It is to these planetary currents admitted in the Kehrp that
human beings react in weal or woe (dependent on the law of
'Akem-akai, vanguhim ashim vanghove', meaning 'evil to the
evil, good reward to the good') (Ysn. 43, 5). These 16
Chakhras set the subtle four elements in motion, and in
ordinary worldly people the constitution of every Chakhra
varies. All the physical organs and limbs are respectively
subject to these Chakhras, so that there is no part of the body,
however small, but is under the control of one or more of the
Chakhras."
In this way these various Chakhras of the Kehrp exercise
control over the respective organs and limbs assigned to each.
Among these Chakhras some are active, and others dormant. Thus
in ordinary human beings, Nos. 1 to 4 of the brain are dormant,
while in saintly persons they are active. Nos. 5 to 8 be
239
longing to the senses are active in ordinary human beings, but
dormant in holy persons. They are the faculty of (5) seeing, (6)
smelling, (7) hearing, and (8) tasting respectively. Now let us
understand transformation, say, of Chakhra No.8, which belongs to
the tongue, the organ of speech and taste. Ordinary human beings are
subject to falsehood in speech, and to likes and dislikes in taste and
immoderation in food and drink. But when a person takes to strict
truthfulness in speech and simultaneously practices austerity and
stoicism and partakes of pure food, the Chakhra of the tongue
becomes inactive i.e., its erstwhile subjugation to sensuous
enjoyment of taste changes into control over the tongue. Now the
Chakhra of the tongue gets connected with the 10th Chakhra of the
heart from which it was isolated so far. The heart in turn is in
connection with the cerebral Chakhra No.1, which is the highest, and
hence called Mt. Alborz. Thus the latter, which was dormant so far,
becomes active, principally with the observance of perfect truth. In
this way when complete transmutation of all the Chakhras of the
sensuous side is effected, the particles of his or her soul in the three
lower kingdoms of animal, vegetable and mineral get reabsorbed in
his or her soul whereby that person becomes saintly. We need not go
into the detailed exposition of this subject here.
Two Meanings of Chakhra
(1) Plexus and (2) Path
The term 'Chakhra' is used in Avesta in two different meanings, which are not correctly understood in philology. Rathvya
Chakhra (Yt. 10.67) means righteous path; while 'Chakhrem
Urvaesayat' (Yt. 13,,89) means turned or transformed the Chakhras
i.e., plexuses (into good). In S.B.E. Vol. XXIII the latter
(Chakhrem Urvaesayat) is rendered as:
"took the turning of the wheels." Then in
footnote (under wheel) it is said: "The wheel
of sovereignty (?) Cf. Yt. 10,67; this
expression smacks of Buddhism."
In the former case (Yt. 1O,67} 'Rathvya,' is derived from
Ratu, and Ratu from Aret, truth. Thus it is equivalent to Asha, also
derived from the same root; and Chakhra is derived from Char, to
go or to walk. So broadly speaking Rathvya Chakhra means
'walking on the path of truthfulness'. Mithra or Meher Yazad is the
Lord of truthfulness. So in the above passage it is said:
240
"who (Mithra) moves with Rathvya Chakhra,
the path of truthfulness",
that is, Rathvya Chakhra is the accompaniment of Meher Yazad.
Thus this phrase does not mean 'wheel of sovereignty' nor it
'smacks of Buddhism'.
Now with respect to the term 'Chakhra' in Yt. 13,89
mentioned above, it may be stated that in this case Chakhra does
not mean a 'wheel' in the ordinary sense, but the reference is to the
evil plexuses of the Daevas Kehrp, the invisible body (Ysn. 55.1)
which has 16 receptive nerve-centres each called Chakhra as
explained in the beginning of this Supplement. Chakhrem
Urvaesayat means that the evil Chakhra nerve-centres, giving birth
to Evil of all kinds were turned or transformed into Good.
SUPPLEMENT NO. 21
'Panchas-dvaram - Vasi',
(Fish) Physical Body with 50 Doors
The enigmatical term 'Pancms-dvaram-Vasi' which literally
means 'fish with 50 doors' applies to the beautiful human physical
body, which is the outward material form developed from its
Kehrp (Ysn. 55,1), the invisible body within, (explained under
Supplement No. 20). This human body is the result of the
workmanship of Ameshaspends and Yazads, archangels and
angels, whose functions in the luminous worlds are called their
Humata, those in the evanescent world (the Space) their Hukhta
and those in the material world their Hvarshta. Thus in PatetPashemani; 8, are given the Hvarshtas of the seven Ameshaspends
- mankind, cowkind_ fire energies etc. The archangels and angels
have one aim of reaching the acme, which is Khao Afrazyamna
(Yt. 13, 14), literally, the Fountain source of eternal freshness,
which is the conceivable form of the inconceivable AHU, (only in
Yatha AHU Vairyo prayer) the Un-nameable Light of lights, the
Supreme Deity over Ohrmazd and Ahriman. The work of the
Ameshaspends is referred to in paragraph 83 (ibid.) as:
"Yoi hapta hamo manangho, yoi hapta hamo vachangho, yoi
hapta hamo shyaothnaongho, yaesbam asti hamem mano,
hamem vacho, hamem shyaothnem;hamo patacba frasa
stacha, yo Dadvao Aburo Mazdao."
241
(translation) - Which seven (Ameshaspends) are of one thought,
which seven are of one word, which seven are of
one action, whose thought is one, whose word is
one, whose action is one; whose
father and instructor is Dadvao Ahura Mazda.
When the Creator creates Dami, the world of defective souls, he
assumes the potentiality of Dadvao (not dadhvao) and he is then
called Dadvao Ahura Mazda.
(It may be noted that 'dba' is pronounced as 'da', because the
vibrationary colours of 'dha' are inferior. The letters chha, dba,
bha, la are omitted in Avesta for the same reason).
In Panchas-dvaram Vasi there is principal functioning of the
talismanic cardinal numeral 7, which represents the activities of
wickedness, and their transmutation into those of blissfulness.
Thus 16 Chakhras, plexuses of Kehrp are numerologically equal to
1 plus 6 = 7. The whole of the Dami, evanescent world (the Space)
for the Reformation of refractory souls comprises 7 Dakhyus. The
planets which are the veritable "Mills of God" for grinding down
the wicked activities in the Dami and on this earth are 7. In this
way, there is the operation of the talismanic numeral 7 by each of
the seven Ameshaspends, which make 7 X 7 = 49. The physical
body is so designed that after passing through transformations in
the evanescent-world during repetitions of death and birth it can
return to Khao Afrazyamna above mentioned, and which Khao is
in Asha condition of perfect holiness and order divine and hence
in oneness ('1'). In this way 49 plus 1 make 50.
The functions of the 7 Ameshaspends making (7 X 7 =) 49 in
the ultra-physical and material worlds will finally reach that
Oneness of Khao Afrazyamna, that "One Far Off Event to which
the whole Creation moves". This is what is indicated by 49 plus 1
in which 1 represents Khao Afrazyamna in the enigmatical
expression Panchas-dvaram Vasi.
Thus in the human body is Nature's ingenious device of the
talismanic working of the numeral 7 through the (16, i.e. 1 plus 6=) 7
revolving Chakhras; plexuses of Kehrp, the invisible body. The
Panchas-dvaram outlets are talismanically and hermetically sealed,
that is, they remain latent till the soul becomes holy.
When both the correlative masculine and feminine counterpart
souls (Khaetu) (Ysn. 12,9) have gained Salvation, and the two
meet, and give themselves up, each to each one's Khaetu, 'own
relative' (counterpart soul), the erstwhile sealed outlets or doors
open automatically, through which the two blend (Khaetvadatha;
ibid.) into one re-integrated or perfected whole soul called
Magavan (Ysn, 33,7) as stated already.
242
In the Avesta (Ysn. 42,4) the Sea Vourukasha is praised as
"Zrayo Vourukashem yazamaide" meaning, we praise the Sea
Vourukasha. This Vourukasha is the topmost and widest superethereal region on the top of the Space, where super-ethereal
waves are engendered, and hence allegorically called 'Sea'.
Besides it is said, "Vasimcha yam panchas-dvaram yazamaide"
(ibid.), literally meaning, we praise the fish with fifty doors, where
'fish' refers to the physical body, which is the workmanship of the
seven Ameshaspends as explained above. The body is referred to
as 'fish' to' suit the allegory of tile sea Vourukasha also explained
above. Thus the term Vasimcha' does not signify any 'leviathan', as
conjectured in philology.
Moreover, it is stated, "Kharemcha ashavanem yazamaide"
(ibid.)" literally meaning we praise the holy ass, who is referred to
in Bundehesh; 19,1 as 'the three-legged ass'. Here, the word 'ass' in
Avesta is followed by 'Ashavan', the holy, to show that it (Khar)
does not indicate any animal with a material body, but is
something, which is holy. This is supported by the above
mentioned Bundehesh; 19,1, where it is stated "Minoe khorashne
aet Va ahloban", i.e., his food is spiritual and he is holy.
Technically speaking, 'Khar ashavan' is the lustrous Kehrp
(body or form) located an the top of the Space and refers to the
three-stage divine Ahunavar Plan, explained in the Introduction of
the book. These three stages are:
(1) Creation of all the worlds and souls;
(2) Reformation through spiritual purificatory processes of
transmuting Evil into Good of souls deficient in divine
knowledge, which Reformation takes place in the superethereal and ethereal regions of the Space, and in this
material world, whereby the soul, masculine or feminine,
becomes sanctified. This sanctification rarely ever occurs
simultaneously. Generally, the masculine counterpart is
earlier in advancement, and is reaching the Zareh
Vourukasha. It then awaits its tardy counterpart. When
the latter arrives likewise sanctified, and the two meet,
they blend together. This blending of the two counterparts
into one is called 'Khaetvadatha' (Ysn. 12,9) and the
asexual whole soul is called 'Magavan' (Ysn. 33,7).
(3) Repatriation of the Magavain to the immortal worlds.
It will thus be understood that the Khar-ashavan, the holy
three-legged ass is the lustrous Kehrp of the three stage divine
Ahunavar Plan explained above.
SUPPLEMENT NO. 22
'KAR MAHI'
THE ALL-SEEING FISH
(POTENTIALITY)
The 'fish' 'Kar Mahi' says the allegory, swims in the Zareh
Vourukasha, the inconceivably huge expanse at the top of the
Space, where super ethereal waves are generated, and hence
allegorically called a sea. It is called 'Mahi' to suit the allegory of
the Zareh above mentioned. It (Kar Mahi) is the potentiality that
has all-pervading eye. It can reach every soul in the Nisti, the
evanescent world, and is cognizant of every atom of the countless
physical bodies, which (atom) it will cause to turn into light one
day.
Souls in their original state were, up to the lowest heaven
of the Moon in the planetary world, lights with deficiency of
divine knowledge, which deficiency is the source of all Evil.
The characteristic of these souls was repulsion, and not
attraction. So Kar Mahi causes them to be bifurcated into sexes
and to be invested with physical bodies, whereby worldly sexattraction is created in them. From this worldlv sex-love the
souls would in the long run turn to divine love. So the souls
are imprisoned in the physical body, and thrown in worldly life
with all attractions of sensuous enjoyments.
On earth after the age of five or so the soul is heavily veiled
with the Veil of Darkness, on account of which it knows not
where it came from and why, and so is attracted to all kinds of
worldly pleasures, which it mistakes for true happiness. After
death the Veil of Darkness disappears, and on the dawn of the
fourth day a Zoroastrian soul goes to the sky (Thwasha, Vd.
19,13), sees the sorry picture of the past evil life on earth, and it
shudders. On the sky the soul develops its Rae, inward divine
knowledge, and after a certain time comes back to the earth,
because it cannot proceed to the higher paradisiacal regions on
account of the grossness of its past wicked life on earth.
Thus the sinful soul finds no felicitous asylum either in the
sky above or on the earth below, between which two it keeps
shuttling up and down till wisdom dawns as the result of severe
condign punishments, and it (soul) changes its line of life from
vice to virtue, from which time onwards begins for that soul the
governance of Ahura-data, the deified law of Un-foldment of
Spirit from Matter. Hence such automatic shuttling between
244
the sky and the earth over and over again, till Drvao, evil clung to
the soul is transmuted into Gao, blissfulness as of the kine, is
referred to in Avesta as 'Thwasha khadata' (Vd. 19,13) literally
meaning 'automatic' (runs) between 'sky' (and earth).
As shown above by the potentiality of Kar Mahi, souls are
invested with physical bodies, composed of countless atoms.
These atoms of the physical body, on account of the functions of
the 16 Chakhras of Kehrp within, will be transmuted into Gao,
good constituents, which in the end will turn into light by virtue of
the soul's holy living, and that light will be absorbed in the light of
the soul itself Such is some idea of the potentiality of Kar Mahi.
SUPPLEMENT NO. 23
TECHNICAL SIGNIFICANCES OF THE TERMS NMANA,
VIS, ZANTU, DAKHYU
Nmana, Vis, Zantu, Dakhyu literal1y mean respectively,
house or abode; street or village; town and country or region. But
in Avesta these terms are used in a wider sense, and relate to this
earthy globe and/or to the regions of the Space, which are
expressed in terms of this material world. According to the
Avesta, this earthy globe is composed of two main divisions, one
wicked and the other holy, each styled as a 'house'. The former is
the wicked known material world called 'Drujo-deman'. (Ysn.
46,11), literally the Abode of Evil, or 'Daozhangha' (Yd. 19,47)
the hell, which constitutes the 2/3rds of the globe; the other
division is the 'Thrishva' (Yt. 13_3), the holy l/3rd of the globe
situated in the Arctic region, which has been buried under deep
snow since thousands of years, and hence scholars of the world
have been entirely in the dark about its existence and geography.
With regard to the above terms, Nmana (literally house or
abode) includes (a) felicitous stations and regions from the holy
Thrishva leading towards 'Garo-Nmana' (Yt. 3,3)_ literally the
Home of Hymns, the heavenly abode of Ahura Mazda; (b) the
2/3rds wicked section, i.e. our known material world; and (c) the
roof or dome of this 2/3rd known material world in Pairi Dakhyu
and Adairi Dakhyu-all these are included in Nmana. Vis (literally
street or village) refers to the Upairi Dakhyu in which is situated
the region of the highest point of the invisible 1/3rd section of the
globe.
245
Zantu (literally town) refers to the sky over the apex of the paradisiacal mountain Harbarez, which (sky) is situated in the
transitional region (Zamrir) between Aa Dakhyu and Upairi
Dakhyu, and Dakhyu (literally country or region) refers to the
paradisiacal super-ethereal regions in which pervades the creative
fire-energy called Mino-karko. These regions comprise the inconceivably huge expanses of the top three Dakhyus, viz. Aiwi,
Antare and Aa. In the three transitional regions (Zamrirs) over
these three Dakhyus are located the six superethereal Keshvars,
the portal region to which (Keshvars) is called 'Dadare Gehan.' On
the summit of these Keshvars occurs the sublime noumenal
ceremony of Khaetvadatha., These superethereal paradisiacal
regions on the top of the Space are technically referred to as
Dakhyu.
It will be understood from the above that stations and regions
in or near the earthy globe are technically styled Nmana, abode.
Those farther away from the globe and located at the middle of
the Space are considered as Vis, village. The sky still farther away
as Zantu- town, and the paradisiacal regions towards or at the top
of the Space are regarded as Dakhyu, country.
SUPPLEMENT NO. 24
Law of Khoreh, Aura
A Zoroastrian should give importance to "Khoreh" (aura,
personal magnetism, i.e. the fine invisible current) emanating from
the physical body. The outward human body is developed from the
inward invisible body called Kehrp (Ysn. 55,1) composed of 16
Chakhras_ plexuses, centres of magnetic current from which every
part and every limb and organ of the body are developed. All
tenets of Ashoi, holiness or purity and the practice of strict
truthfulness together with contrition for sins create healthy influences on the plexuses of Kehrp. The subtleness of this invisible
body (Kehrp) is very much accelerated by keeping "Khoreh" in
tune with Nature's laws only, and then the soul goes on advancing
in Unfoldment through Kehrp.
There are six types of Khoreh, viz, "Farreh Yazadi", "Kyan
Khoreh", "Erepat Khoreh" and three other latent ones. By the
observance of Baj ** canons enjoined in the Zoroastrian religion,
the advancement can be effected in the degrees of these, six types
----------------------------------------------------------------------------** Prescribed canons to be practiced in accomplishment with
respective formulae said in whispering tone.
246
of Khoreh, and various grand latent powers developed thereby.
With the advancement in Khoreh, the soul goes on Unfolding itself
easily and automatically and begins to attain more and more the
deep "Divine Knowledge" of Nature's laws. Different types of food
produce varied effects on human aura, for which "Tark-eHaevaniat", the principle of abstinence from animal foods together
with austerity and stoicism are necessary. Over all, noblest
thinking, speech and behavior are essential for the maintenance of
the purity of aura. By thus maintaining Khoreh in accordance with
Nature's laws the thoughts become free from pollution, and
gradually keep on becoming pure and lofty.
'SUPPLEMENT NO. 25
Scientific Excellence of "Nirang",
The Electrically Charged Water
Passed by Cowkind
For the preservation of Khoreh, aura, expounded under the
preceding supplement, Gao, technically called Nirang, the electrically charged water passed by 'Gospand', the blissful cowkind, is
very valuable. This Nirang contains khastar, that is, electric force
which purifies khoreh, aura or personal emanation. It is on account
of this purifying power that in Zoroastrian religon this Nirang is
called 'Aab-e-Zar', the golden water or 'Aab-e-Zur', powerpossessing water. This purifying power remains in Nirang of
Gospand (cowkind) for 72 hours only from the time it is expelled,
after which it turns putrid and is full of "Druji", microbes, like any
other urine. The liquid passed by cowkind alone possesses this
special quality because the subtle "plexus", the receptive centre (of
magnetic current) operating on the cowkind's private organ is
under the influence of Jupiter, which is called the planet benefic,
the heaven of which is the abode of Creator Ahura Mazda and
hence the exceptional quality possessed by this Nirang. The water
passed by all other animals, whether human or quadruped, is putrid
from the moment it is excreted.
The kine, goats and sheep live on grass, vegetables and
grains. They do not possess carnivorous propensity. On the contrary, they possess the philanthropic and blissful characteristic of
helping humanity to live by their milk and the sheep by furnishing
wool.
247
Still there exists great difference among these three genuses,
because, they belong to different planets. Cows and bulls being
under the beneficent influence of the highest planet Jupiter enjoy
lofty position in Nature. Consequently, their faces are very shapely
and charming.
The especial and most important effect of this Jupiterian
influence on cows and bulls is that the liquid expelled from their
private organs possesses the 'Khastar' electric power of imparting
purity. Khshnoom teaches that only in the case of cows and bulls
the twelfth plexus of their invisible body (Kehrp) which pertains to
their private organs receives the beneficent holy currents of the
creative fire-energy called 'Adar-Froba' operating on the 6th
heaven of Jupiter. Owing to this purifying electric power, the water
passed by cows and bulls remains pure for 72 hours from the time
it is passed. Hence this water is called 'Aab-e-Zur' or 'Nirang' i.e.
water possessing (purifying) power. On account of its excellence of
purifying power, it is also called Aab-e-Zar', literally golden water.
However, this Nirang when passed through the elaborate holy
ceremony called 'Nirang-din' does not turn putrid for several years
due to the holy effect of this ceremony, provided the ceremony is
performed with strict observance of the essential laws of holiness
and the liquid is carefully preserved. It is on account of the
scientific effect of Aab-e-Zar (or Zur) that its use is enjoined in the
religion as the first thing in the morning before using water. The
water passed by goats and lambs which are under the influence of
the Sun and the Moon, is almost as good in purificatory effect as
that of cows and bulls. It must be distinctly understood that
ordinarily after the passage of 72 hours the Nirang loses its
purifying power and is then ordinary urine, which is putrid and
hence unfit for use. The buffaloes are under the influence of the
planet Saturn which is of lower grade, and hence their faces are not
attractive, though they are non-carnivorous. Comparatively they
are much inferior to cows and bulls.
During sleep at night, invisible microbes become very powerful, envelop the human body and impair the Khoreh (aura). The
effect produced by the forces of darkness renders impurity to
Khoreh, aura or personal emanation. To counteract the forces of
these microbes the application of one or half a teaspoonful of the
above Nirang or Aab-e-Zar on uncovered parts of the body with its
prayer formula first thing in the morning before touching water,
neutralizes the impurities caused by the microbes.
The Nirang Formula.
It may be noted that in the formula to be said in Baaj, that is,
in whispering tone, while taking the Nirang liquid (Aab-e-Zar)
there occur the wordings "Si-u-se Ameshaspand." Here Si-u-se is
248
not used in the normal significance of 'thirty-three' but it represents
(3 plus 3 =) 6 indicating the powers of six Gahambars, i.e., power
to create, destroy and re-form; and the word Ameshaspand is used
in its technical sense, and not as one of the seven Ameshaspends
from Ahura Mazda to Amardad. 'Si-u-se Ameshaspand' is a
technical phrase, representing what are called '33 Ahu' and 33 Ratu'
who are Yazads (angels) and sub-angels possessing the significance
of '33', explained above.
Thus the technical phrase 'Si-u-se-Ameshaspand' in the above
formula does not mean 33 Ameshaspands, as is erroneously
believed in Philology from the literal translation of that phrase, nor
is there any error in the composition of the formula because it is in
Persian, and evidently of a very later date, for it must be
remembered that such formulae are framed according to Staota
Yasna, the laws of vibrationary colours in which certain set words
have mystic power and hence rules of grammar are not always
adhered to.
SUPPLEMENT NO. 26
VARIOUS TYPES OF "DRUJI"
HIVES OF INVISIBLE MICROBES
For the preservation of Khoreh, personal magnetism or aura, a
Zoroastrian has to protect himself from all kinds of "Druji", hives
of invisible microbes. In our daily domestic life myriads of
invisible harmful microbes are created during bath, partaking of
meals, attending Nature's calls etc. Similarly, highly injurious
microbes are created by "Druji-e-Hikhra", excreta of cut hair and
nails, spit, urine, blood, pus etc; which also impair Khoreh,
personal emanation by coming in friction by contact with "vayuupara-kairya", atmosphere. These microbes and evil "Khastar"
electric force thereof, constantly produce in Nature insanitary
effects (invisibly but explainable scientifically) by the head kept
uncovered and by cut hair and nails thrown carelessly about (in the
house).
Moreover, powerful insanitary toxins from such microbes and
dangerous "Khastar" (magnetic currents) are generated during
"Druji-e-Buji", menstruation, seminal discharges and during
unnatural seminal discharges (by self-abuse) and very damaging
influence is created on the spiritual as well as physical well-being
by such Druji. Similarly harmful effects are created
249
by 21 different types of Druji of which four are mentioned in
Khordad Yt. 2, viz., "Daruji-e-Hashi", Daruji-e-Ghashi", "Darujie-Peshish" and "Daruji-e-Saeni" which are produced from the
human lust etc. Again very powerful but harmful electric forces
(Khastars) are produced from extremely subtle envelopment of
myriads of microbes produced by clouds of evil thoughts, words
and actions.
1n order to neutralize harmful effects of all these, numerous
respective Baj-rites-based on Nature's laws - for the protection of
Khoreh have been enjoined in the Zoroastrian religion.
During the processes of alimentation at meals and when
attending Nature's calls, and on other occasions, serious deterioration in our Khoreh is also wrought by invisible microbes
naturally generated. Thus, for instance, the vibrations produced by
the pronouncement of Avesta formulae of "Meal Baj" help
digestion, while in the case of Nature's call, the Baj formulae said
in whispering tone, protects our Khoreh and general well being by
neutralizing the microbes and enveloping the material body like
invisible citadel. The blood of the physical body must be kept
unpolluted and of finer grade.
It will thus be understood that in Zoroastrian religion, "Druji",
hives of invisible microbes created through numerous causes are
neutralized by the observance of respective rites, accompanied
with Avesta Baj formulae (said in whispering tone) connected with
each. The rigorous observance of these rites makes a person holy
for the sake of holiness (Ashim Ashai). In Gatha (Ysn. 46, 10), the
holy Prophet promises to lead those across the Chinvat Bridge i.e.
to Salvation, who are holy for the sake of holiness (Ashim Ashai),
by the practice of such rites. (Condensed from pp. 44-47 "Ilm-iKhshnum Series No.1" published by the Master).
SUPPLEMENT NO. 27
MAGIANS OR MAGI,
THEIR ORIGIN AND
SPIRITUAL EMINENCE
The Magians, their origin and their spiritual eminence are not
known in philology. A true Magian or Magi (Avesta Magavan; Ysn. 33,7) is an asexual saintly whole soul. He is asexual
250
because, his erstwhile spiritual masculinity and spiritual femininity
are blended together after both gaining emancipation, meaning,
deliverance from the physical body. This is possible only on
attaining sin-free state i.e. on both the counterparts succeeding in
transmuting their respective Evil into Good before intermingling
together. A Magian is not an ordinary celibate, whatever, it may
really signify, because the latter is a worldly sinful man or woman
leading an unmarried life for some reason or other.
The distant origin of a Magian is in, what is called, 'Aka
Chithra', literally meaning 'a wicked seed'. This wicked seed
represents a whole soul prior to its being bifurcated into sexes,
which whole soul is under a veil of Darkness, i.e., possesses
deficiency of divine knowledge, which is the source of all types of
wickedness in this world. So, for effecting reformation of such
souls, Nature has created the invisible mortal worlds commonly
known as the Space (below the heaven of the Moon) with the
earthy globe at the bottom of the Space. To say briefly, without
going into details, when the above Aka-Chithra soul trails down
from the 8th heaven, of the Zodiac to the top of the Space (called
Zareh Vourukasha) it is first bifurcated into sexes as the first step
towards its reformation and in the end both the counterparts are
trailed down to the known material world, where they undergo
condign punishments, proportionate to the degree of Evil clung to
the soul concerned. It may be noted that the above two masculine
and feminine counterpart souls having been bifurcated from one
and the same whole soul (Aka Chithra), the two are referred to in
Avesta (Ysn. 12.9) as each other's 'Khaetu', own relative, which
relative is only spiritual and not one in flesh and blood.
After ages and ages, either the masculine or the feminine
counterpart (generally the former) succeeds in crossing the
felicitous top sub-region of the Chinvat or Requiter Bridge earlier
than the other, from which stage the physical body becomes
extinct, and then that saintly soul advances higher and higher in
the paradisiacal section of the space, and on reaching the top
thereof (i.e., on Zareh Vourukasha, where the bifurcation had
originally taken place) awaits the arrival of its tardier counterpart.
When the latter arrives likewise purified, and the two meet, both
the ('Khaetu') counterpart souls 'give themselves up" (-datha'),
each to each and soul to soul. This noumenon is called 'Khaetvadatha' literally meaning giving oneself up or self-surrendering to
Khaetu, its 'own relative', which own relative is the counterpart
soul as stated already. This Khaetvadatha, as will be readily
understood, does away with sex-differentiation, and by
intermingling forms one asexual whole Soul called Magavan
(derived from Maz, great; van or vand,
251
band, bind; hence binding or unifying of two great ones, i.e., holy
counterparts). Thus it will be seen Aka-Chithra and Magavan or
Magian are antipodes of each other-the former wicked, the latter
saintly. It will thus be understood that Magians cannot belong to a
'tribe', because a tribe consists of women and children also besides
men, though our Master said that by a mysterious decree of Nature,
the number of Magavans existing at a time on the earth remains
constant at 72. They usually remain in a group secluded in
mountain recesses, lest they may catch vicarious pollution.
Besides, since they are asexual, there cannot be 'sons' of the Magi.
PROF. ZAEHNER'S
DISPARAGING VIEWS
ABOUT MAGIANS
We have given above the genuine facts about the origin of
Magians and their exalted spiritual status in Nature among myriads
and myriads of humanity. In his book "Zurvan" (pp. 18-19) Prof.
Zaehrner cites the opinions of Moulton and Messina, the former
disparaging them, the latter eulogizing, and then draws defaming
conclusion at the end of the following quotation:
"About the origin of the Magians there is no agreement. For
Moulton they were an aboriginal tribe, neither Aryan nor
Semitic, Diviners, necromancers, and quacks: they were
responsible for the Videvdat, its superstitions and absurdities;
they were solely responsible for the degeneration of the
religion of Zoroaster; they introduced the exposure of corpses,
next-of-kin marriage, and they worked out the mechanical and
over-systematized dualism with which we are all too familiar
in later Zoroastrianism. So Moulton. For Messina the case was
very different. He regards the Magians as being the original
disciples of Zoroaster. They were his missionaries and were
the first to bring his doctri1ne to the West: they formed a
colony in Media and propagated the Good Religion there.
Messina further proves the falsehood of Moulton's contention
that the Magians were from the earliest times known to the
Greeks only as Sorcerers. Among those who were in a position
to know, they were respected and admired; for Plato... means
the service of the gods, and in this he is followed by Apuleius
and Dio Chrysostom. They are said by Strabo to lead a holy
life. Diogenes Laertius, on the authority of Sotion, says that
they worship the gods with sacrifice and prayer and are alone
heard; they reveal the nature, essence and genesis of the
252
gods, discourse concerning justice, and condemn graven
images; he enumerates further many other beliefs which are
elsewhere attested both in Iranian and Greek sources. For
further eulogistic accounts of the Magians the reader is
referred to Messina and to MM. Bidez and Cumont's great
work, LES MAGES HELLENISES."
In spite of the above facts, Prof. Zaehner draws the disparaging conclusion as under:
This does not, however, alter the fact that the average
Greek, who had no specialized knowledge of Oriental reli
gions, regarded the Magians as sorcerers and nothing more."
It may be pointed out that the author of "Zurvan" in his
enthusiasm to defame the Magians, draws his conclusion of the
topic of Magians not from "those who were in a position to know"
such as Messina, Plato, Apuleius, Dio Chrysostom, Strabo,
Diogenes Laertius, Sation (p. 18), but from the average Greek,
who had no specialized knowledge of Oriental religions, and who
regarded the Magians as sorcerers" (p. 19).
MAGI MOST QUALIFIED
FOR INTERCOURSE WITH GOD
In the above connection, it will not be out of place to quote
the following from "Zarathushtra in the Gathas and in the
Classics" (pp. 136-137) by Dastur Darab Sanjana, in which there is
some allegorical reference to the 'wagon' and to Zoroaster and
Greeks:
"After speaking of the Divine Empire over the Universe, Dio
Chrysostom goes on to state :
"Another marvelous myth is sung in the mysterious consecrations
of the Magi who praise this God as the first and perfect
Conductor of the most perfect Wagon. For the car of Helios," he
says his younger than this, and visible to the whole world, its
course being apparent. The strong and perfect team of Zeus has
never been praised so worthily by the Greeks, neither by Homer,
nor by Hesiod, but Zoroaster and the sons of the Magi that were
the disciples, celebrated it (worthily). Zoroaster is said by the
Persians to have left society owing to his love of justice and
wisdom, and to have lived a solitary life on a mountain. Then
this mountain had begun to bum on account of the huge quantity
of fire falling from Heaven, and had continued so to_burn;
wherefore the King and the Chiefs of the Persians had
approached thither, intending to adore the Deity. Then
253
it was that Zoroaster had came forth unhurt from the fire and
approached them gracefully, bidding them not to be afraid (of the
awful prospect); but to offer some offerings unto God, since he had
visited their territory. Then Zoraaster had intercourse not with all of
them, but with those only who were most qualified for truth and most
apt for an intercourse with God, and whom the Persians called Magi,
i.e. such as understood haw to serve the Divine Being, but not
sorcerers, as the Greeks called them from their ignorance of the
name……..
We see from the above quotation that the Magi "were most
qualified for truth and most apt for an intercourse with God".
Moreover, the Magi understood how to serve the Divine Being.
Consequently, the Magi were not sorcerers, but holy sages, and the
mystic spells they employed and the mysterious ceremonies they
performed were also holy and belonging to white magic. It is not
perhaps known that in sorcery the means or materials employed
for creating evil power are loose hair, nails, and certain other
impure things, at times accompanied with invocation of devils,
whereas in white magic, the functionary agents are fire in a censer
with sandalwood and incense burning over it with fruits, flowers
etc., possessing holy aura, while the Magi chants sacred formulae
and invokes the aid of divine holy Intelligences.
MAGI COULD READ VIBRATIONARY
COLOURS OF NASKS LIKE ALPHABET
It may be stated that the most original 21 Nask of the Avesta
as chanted by Holy Zarathushtra were in the form of 'Fshusho
Manthra', literally meaning 'blissful mystic formulae'. These
Fshusho Manthra, though pronounceable were not a language.
Their recital produced sublime vibrationary colours, which
Zarathushtrotemo, the higher grade Magi-could read and translate
(though allegorically) into language based an grammar. In this
connection Dr. F. S. Chiniwalla gives the following information in
his book ":Khshnoom Nikize Vehdin" Vol. I (pp. 40-41) published
in Bombay in Gujarati in the year 1932, from which it will be
understood that the Magi were not sorcerers,- but holy sages:
"By the development of powers of Asha, holiness, the Prophet's
Farhang of Staota Yasna, i.e., science of vibrationary colours
could be acquired. Then those 21 Nasks of Fshusho Manthra
could be read with the spectacles of Staota Yasna (sublime
vibrationary colours). When they
254
were lawfully chanted, a Cinematograph of Nature's
concatenation could be seen in spiritual trance. Then the
pictures were done into allegorical grammatical language, for
making which allegories there were rules. The 21 Nasks of
Fshusho Manthra turned into grammatical language are called
21 Nasks of Manthra-Spenta which was all effected by
Zarathushtrotemo, i.e., higher grade holy Magians who are
most like Zarathushtra in the practice of holiness".
Thus we see that Magian or Magi were not sorcerers, but they
were holy sages who could go in spiritual trance and could translate
the vibrationary colours into language, which no modern learning
raised to any power can ever hope to accomplish.
The above is corroborated in the book entitled "Nedoure, the
Priestess of the Magi or Blazing Star" (pp.46-47) published
in
1956 by the Philosophical Publishing Company, "Beverly Hall"
Quakertown, Penna. (U.S.A.). In the footnote to "auric color" in
preceding paragraph, we read:
"Every thought that man can think; every desire of which man
can become conscious, every feeling of which man is subject,
produces or creates a vibration distinct from all others. These
vibrations, as do ALL vibrations, produce or create a color,
known in the Occult as an AURA. The Initiate, Master
Teacher, or Magi, can read these colors as easily as he can the
alphabet."
In the text, it is stated:
"The mystic pentacle - is one of the four great emblems of the
most secret book of divine wisdom among the Magi" or wise
men of Egypt. The other three symbols are a cup, the Magi's
wand, and a sword. The use of these emblems - in
determining the starry spaces in measuring the interstellar
depths and distances, in navigating the deep to unknown
shores, in evoking and commanding the elements of the earth,
air, fire and water, and in discovering the most secret things of
the Triune worlds of Divinity, Man and Nature - is the reward
of the Magi initiate. You have but to choose to obtain this
sacred wisdom."
MAGI'S MEASURING INTERSTELLAR
DEPTHS AND DISTANCES
IN TRANCE
Before we cite the extract that follows, some preliminary
explanation is necessary In the Memorial Volume in honour
'255
of our Master, the learned Mr. M. P. Katgara has contributed a very
important article headed "Commentary on the Zarvane Daregho
Khadat" (self-created long Time) of 81,000 years and the finding
of the Date of Zarathushtra from the same. This 'long Time' of
81,000 years (followed by a world Deluge) comprises seven major
rulerships of seven known planets in the heavens ranging between
4,000 and 17,000 years, from which inter and minor cycles of
rulerships are worked out mathematically according to the method
of "Calculations of the heavens". The result obtained of such
calculations is of approximate nature. But when the exact date of a
great event of the past is to be found, or one of future is to be
predicted with perfect precision, the holy sage who is a Magi goes
into trance as stated in the quotation given below.
"These (mathematical) calculations are of an approximate
nature. The exact calculations cannot be obtained by this
method, because they are after all of a material type, whereas
the planets are roving bodies possessing glory, and
emanating currents of internal magnetism and electricity,
which effect great changes in their manifest motions. The
internal calculations of this Zarvane-daregho-khadat (of
81,000 years) can be made only by a particular 'key' in which
the years of augmentation and of the flights of centripetal and
centrifugal forces and of the laws of internal motion have to
be taken into account. Then alone the exact original Date of
an event of the past, as well as the prediction of a great event
destined to occur in future can be found.
But for using this key of the "Calculations of the heavens"
the internal spiritual aid (of the holy sage) is required, because only according to a certain method, the hidden motions of the planets can be seen in (spiritual) traince, "which" as
we have seen above, "is the reward of the Magi initiate."
Thus the Magi could measure depths and distances in trance,
which means they were not sorcerers, but great saintly souls.
Magi, "the Wise Men of the East" in
the Bible
In his another work "Dawn..." (p. 163) the same author
(Prof. Z.) wonders:
"How they (Magi) attained to this privileged, position remains
quite obscure, but there seems to be no doubt that
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their functions passed from father to son right up to the
Muslim conquest and after."
From all that has been stated above, the learned scholar will
now be able to understand that the "privileged position" attained
to by the Magi was due to their spiritual eminence, an account of
which they are referred to in the Holy Bible (Matt. Ii.1) as "the
wise men of the East". We know no learned scholars or scientists
have ever been recognized as "wise men", because their learning
does not elevate their spiritual condition.
Regarding the remark "passed from father to son" in the
above quotation, it must be stated that the TRUE Magi Sages, as
explained above, have not to go through married life, which is
meant for worldly sinful people, and hence as stated, already a
Magi can have no 'son'. It is possible in later ages the term Magi
was generically used for all Iranian priests, as in present days
many Parsis call an ordinary priest as 'Dastur' (high-priest) out of
respect.
SUPPLEMENT NO. 28
Composition of the Four Elements
and of the Human Physical Body.
The human physical body is composed of the four elements –
fire, air, water and earth - each having 16 graded electric circlings,
making 64, with the permutations and combinations of which is
mixed the mixture of the soul's Good and Evil.
The above four elements are produced in Nisti, the evanescent
mortal worlds including (1) the invisible ultra-physical planes
commonly called the Space (below the heaven of the Moon); and
(2) our earthy globe.
The creation of this Nisti or the mortal worlds is based on
three things:
(a) Staota of Nisti, i.e." vibrationary colours slightly condensed,
and hence comparatively inferior to those of the planetary world,
capable of creating mortal worlds. These vibrationary colours
(Staota) are produced by the rotations and revolutions of the
planetary heavens;
(b) to these slightly condensed vibrationary colours are added lifeenergies (Ushtan) by the two Mino, the coeval twins Ohrmazd
and Ahriman; and
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(c) with these life-energies is associated the divine Ahunavar plan
for the creation of these evanescent worlds. It may be noted
that this Ahunavar Plan is deified, lustrous, possessing
consciousness arid_ capable of creative potentialities.
When the above three are combined together, a sort of heat or
warmth is produced This heat is of two grades possessing
diverse qualities - one, superior, which is energizing or
freshening called 'Hararat-e-Gerezia'; the other, inferior, i.e.,
enervating or producing lethargy, and destructive of good
energy, is called 'Hararat-e-Gerevia'. The combination of these
two types of heat produces the four elements ('Anasar'), viz.
fire, air, water and earth, which are the fundamental, most
mysterious, variable things possessing inconceivable terrific
force, and each getting 16 electrical circlings, making in all 64.
We shall not go further into details of this topic of elements,
but only state that with the permutations and combinations of
these 64 motions of circlings is mixed the mixture of the soul’s
Good and Evil.
These 64 motions are said to be the electricities of the
intangible four elements. When they intermingle together in their
subtle state, they cast a shadow, which as it becomes grosser and
grosser, there comes into existence the normal material body as can
be known by the senses. It may be noted here that the 'elements'
. to above, may not be mistaken for the 90 odd elements
referred
well known to modern science.
Owing to the presence of the above two antagonistic propensities of Good and Evil in the composition of the body, there is
incessant conflict within the same (body) at the umbilicus. This
conflict, not understood in philology, is referred to enigmatically in
Avesta (Ysn. 12, 9) as '-yaokhedra', while the two antagonists
(Good and Evil) are called 'Ranoibya', the two contestants (ysn.
51,9_. The- task is to cause complete transmutation of Evil into
Good through condign punishments by Nature and through the
strict observance by the person concerned, of the Zoroastrian laws
of purity, coupled with Truthfulness - a process involving ages and
ages and numerous rebirths. When this is accomplished, the Evil
having been transmuted into Good, i.e., transfigured, the need for
forming the physical body exists no longer, for the soul is now
delivered of its Druj (Evil) and consequently freed from re-birth in
this material world. Hence the first epithet of the Zoroastrian Faith
is 'Fraspa-yaokhedram (Ysn. 12,9), terminator of the (internal)
conflict and the second 'Nida-snaithishem (ibid.) deliverer from the
instrument of the soul, which (instrument) is physical body. The
soul is now saintly. It is able to cross the top sub-region of the
Chinvat or Requiter Bridge and to take birth in Pahlum Ahwan in
the paradisiacal section or the Space.
SUPPLEMENT NO: 29
King Jamshed, the Brilliant, The Founder of
Jamshedi Naoroze. His so-called 'Pride', a
Great Self-Sacrifice.
The Avestan name of (King) Jamshed is Yima Khshaeta,
meaning Yima, the Brilliant. "Yim is Jam in Pahlavi and pazand.
The name Jamshed is formed by suffixing the title Shid, (AV.
Khshaeta) to the original Persian Jam. He is stated to be the son of
(King) Tehmurasp. Some writers mention him as the latter's
nephew; in Bundehesh he is stated to be his, younger brother. But
in all places in Avesta he is mentioned as the son of Vivanghat, and
the epithet Hvanthva, (lit., watching over the subjects) is applied to
him. In Yasna; 9, 4-5 it is stilted that when Vivanghat performed
the holy ceremony of Hom he was rewarded with Jamshed as his
son, who possessed the brightest Glory, having the appearance of
the sun (Hvare dareso), and a great protector of his subjects.
According to Shahnama he ruled for 700 years, according to
Bundesesh 616, and according to Avesta 1000 years.
It is stated that to commemorate the history of Iran, he laid
foundation of the gigantic monument on the mountain, which is
known as 'Takht-e-Jamshid'. (Learned Kutar Bros. 'Guj. Trln.
of Firdausi's Shahnama).
Three Forms of Yima (Jamshed)
The name Yima is of three categories, viz., 1, Yima Khshae, ta the Yazadic (angelic) potentiality referred to in Vandidad; 2,22
seq.; 2, Yima Khshaeta, occurring in different Yashts, is the King
Jamshed; and 3, Yima, the potentiality which will function with
Soshyos towards the next World Deluge.
Jamshedi Naoroze.
About Jamshedi Naoroze it is stated in "Shahnama of
Firdausi" (English translation by the learned Warner and Warner)
as under:
".......Jamshid ambitioned
Rang loftier still, and by his royal Grace
Made him a throne, with what a wealth of gems
259
Inlaid; which when he willed the- divs (demons) took up
And bore from earth to heaven. There the Shah,
Whose word was law, sat sunlike in mid air.
The world assembled round his throne in wonder
At his resplendent fortune, while on him
The people scattered jewels, and bestowed
Upon the day the name of New Year's Day,
The first of Farvardin and of the year,
When limbs repose from labour, hearts from strife.
The noble chieftains held a festival,
Called for the goblet, wine, and minstrelsy
And since that time that glorious day
Remaineth the memorial of that Shah."
Since King Jamshed lived over 11,000 years ago, so the above
Naoroze has also been of the same antiquity
King Jamshed Supplicating for Boons.
In the Avesta we find King Jamshed, Yima Khshaeta, the
good shepherd, supplicating to different divine Intelligences such
as of Avan-Ardvi-Sura, Dravaspa (Gosh Yasht), Ashi Vanguhi,
Vayu (Ram Yt.), for various boons, which were all granted. Thus
he prays: "that I may become the sovereign lord of all countries, of
the Daevas (demons), sorcerers, witches, oppressors and the
wicked who having eyes see not, and having ears hear not; that I
may bring immortality down to the world created by Mazda; that I
may take away hunger and thirst, take away both old age and
death; take away both hot and cold wind for a thousand years; may
become the most glorious of the men born, to behold the Sun (or,
having appearance as of the Sun - 'Hvare dareso' Kangaji Footnote
Yt. 15,16); may make animals and men undying in my reign, may
make waters and plants undrying, and the aliments for creatures
never failing." "In the reign of Yima there was neither old age nor
death, nor envy made by the Daevas." (Abridged from S B E Vol.
XXIII Tr. by Prof. Darmesteter). Thus the world passed through
the Golden Age for three centuries.
Fall of Jamshed,
His so-called 'Pride', A Great Self Sacrifice.
After describing the glorious side of the reign of King
Jamshed, Zamyad Yasht states:
34 "But when he began to find delight in words of falsehood and
untruth (of 'Pride' - Kangaji) the Glory was seen to flee away
from him in the shape of a bird. When his Glory had
disappeared, then the great Yima Khshaeta, the good she-
260
pherd, trembled, and was in sorrow before he was confounded
and laid him down on the ground.
35 The first time when his Glory departed from the bright Yima,
the Glory went from Yima, the son of Vivanghat, in the shape
of a Varaghna bird." (The Glory departed same way twice
again).
It is shown above that animals and men were made undying,
which means that sorcery, lust, selfishness and other Satanic
activities had stopped. However, this does not mean that the Satan
was rendered totally extinct, but his devilry was only contracted to
embryonic state, i.e., rendered latent for a time. Besides this, when
King Tehmurasp (Jamshed's predecessor) had subdued the demons,
they saved their life by teaching the arts of writing on mountains by
rendering the stone soft and writing by means of stone. Thus
alphabets came into existence in the form of hieroglyphics and,
other methods of writing and reading. But these arts were not all
blissful or of innocent type, for in the knowledge gained from the
demons there were Agha-Manthra, evil spells, which engendered
sorcery, dissensions, etc. Thus these evil arts became current in the
world. In this way the state of immortality and blissfulness created
by King Jamshed could last no longer, and selfishness, lust, death,
etc., reappeared, which is allegorically expressed as the downfall of
Jamshed.
This falling Jamshed is not called Yime-Vivanghat, but YimeVivanghusht about which (Vivanghush) there is reference in Gatha
(Yasna; 32,8). Now Jamshed assumes the role of wickedness.
Certain part of Yima Khshaeta potentiality called simply Yim was
severed ('sawed') from Vivangha, and became an ally of Ganamin,
and went in the service of Satan who wants to destroy the material
world. Ganamin though an angelic potentiality leads or guides and
instigates the Satan. In Gatha (Ysn. 53,7) we are exhorted to
extirpate the internal lust or avarice and the Evil spirit - the 'beast
in man'. There is no teaching of forgiveness for sins in
Zoroastrianism. This internal Evil Spirit entices the person to step
up the vice which he or she is subject to, i.e., the vice is made to
overflow, so that it may meet with retributive punishment, whereby
the Evil is transmuted into Good. Yima though a potentiality
becomes the charioteer of Ahriman, the Satan. The goal of both
Ganamin and Yima is to develop and intensify wickedness by
guiles and wiles, so that when wickedness goes to its extreme, it is
smitten, and Evil transmuted into Good in the end. Thus the work
of Frasho-kereti, spiritual Renovation is made quicker. In this way,
Ganamin and Yima give great self-sacrifice, and display their
devotion to Ahura Mazda
261
by the mode of opposition (Jooz). Thus the great service rendered in Nature is enigmatically expressed as 'King Jamshed’s pride.'
(Condensed from learned Dr. F. S. Chiniwalla's book '.'Khshnoom
Nikize Vehdin" in Guj. Vol. I. p. 45-ka seq.)
SUPPLEMENT NO: 30
Law of "Jirm" Planet.
One of the sublimest topics expounded in Khshnoom is that of
'Jirm' planets with which is associated 'Asno Khao'" the progenesis
of all planets as distinguished from the earth. Prior to all creation
was 'Wahede-Hakiki', Unity, THAT ONE ABSOLUTE, but
immediately from the point of the beginning of the Universe set in
duality, trinity, plurality, multiplicity and diversity_ as the result of
which we see all kinds of wonderful creation around and within us,
besides above, below and in all the four directions.
According to 'Mazdayasni Daena', the deified law of Infoldment of Spirit into Matter, after the beginning of the 'Minoi
Alam', i.e. Spiritual world (comprising the 9th heaven of the
empyrean and the 8th heaven of the zodiac), the next world that
follows is what is called the 'Jirmani Alam', planetary world,
otherwise known as the 'luminous world'. Of all the varied ceremonies or activities that take place in this Planetary world, the
subject of the formation of the seven planets and the differentiation
and classification of everyone of the seven planets from each other,
is the one that is most worth knowing.
Seven Planets Composed
of Light Only.
Planets. Absolutely Free
from Essence of Matter.
The seven revolving planets are Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Sun,
Venus, Mercury and Moon. Without entering into details, it is
sufficient for our present purpose to remember that the essential of
different planets is absolute luminous light, and there is no physical
Matter in any planet.
The ponderable physical matter is the essence for 'Jismani
Alam', the material world far down below, and the etheric matter
261
commences from the beginning of the (subtle) elemental world,
i.e., the Space.
The varied religions and their differentiations are based on
planets; and every Law-Giver enjoins religious rites suitable to the
gradation of the respective planet to which his religion is affiliated.
Moreover, owing to this fundamental law of Jirm (planets), there
exist certain subordinate Faiths or sections of a particular religion
with mixed influences of more than one planet. It is the duty of
every person to follow the canons of life enjoined by the founder
of the Faith concerned, for then alone the advancement of the soul
is possible. In fine, the difference found in varied religions is
owing to the different grades of respective religions. (Condensed
from 'Ilm-i-Khshnum Series No. 1' by the Master - p.2 seq.)
PART II
(1) Life of Zarathushtra.
(2) Date of Zarathushtra
Life of Zarathushtra
Prologue
For tracing the advent of Zarathushtra on this earth, it is
necessary to gain some idea of the conditions on the known
material world prior to the Prophet's descent. It is necessary to
know that from the standpoint of Zoroastrian religion, our earthy
globe is made up of two main sections, one, what is called in
Farvardin Yt. 3 the Thrishva, the unknown holy one-third also
called 'Khanirath Bimi', the Golden Shore (Yt. 10, 15), situated in
the Arctic region near the North Pole, and the other, the remaining
two-thirds which is the wicked known material world called Drujo
Deman (Yasna 46.11) or Daozangha, the hell (Vd. 19.47).
We learn from Yd. 19,4,11 that holy Zarathushtra was born in
Airyana Vaeja located in the above Thrishva, which is buried under
mountain-deep snow since over 10,000 years. Hence scholars do not
know of its existence and geography. According to Vd. 2,22 the
intense cold resulting in falling of snow-flakes which caused the Iceage was foretold to king Jamshid by Ahura. Mazda. Owing to this
'ice-age', the population in Airyana Vaeja known as the Aryans, (lit.,
meaning 'of noble birth') gradually moved down in batches, with
Gayomard as the first king, to their ancient original fatherlands in
the known material world. These original fatherlands were
according to Nature's curriculum, unpopulated since the time of the
World Deluge that had occurred some 27,000 years before (on an
average). Some idea of the glorious life in Airyana Vaeja and the
Prophet-kings that ruled there during these 27,000 years is to be
found in "Dabistan" reproduced in this book further on under the
head "History of Berosus" in section dealing with the Date of
Zarathushtra. The known material world resumed its run of the
current Zarvane Daregho Khadat (lit., self-created long Time),
which according to Khshnoom is of 81,000 years' duration. It is now
over some 14,500 years since that resumption commenced, and
Zarathushtra descended some 4,000-5,000 years since this
commencement.
However, before the Aryans arrived on the plains of the
known material world, inferior souls had begun to appear on the
earth as demons and had assumed possession of the lands. Here
started great feuds. The Aryan leaders possessed great spiritual
powers of the White side, while the aborigines, that is, the demons, were masters of evil arts of sorcery and other great powers
of the Dark side. The demons led their lives as robbers, da-
266
coits, etc. Thus till the advent of Zarathushtra there were only two
sections - one, of the White side and the other, of Dark. There was
no religion as such till Zarathushtra revealed his Faith, and hence
the belief in "conversion of King Vishtaspa" is erroneous. ("Dawn
& Twilight", p. 33 by Prof. Zahner).
For over 4000 years prior to the advent of Zarathushtra on the
earth, the sky was overcast to immense heights above with the
Satan's monstrously inflated body of Darkness possessing
consciousness, from which there were most dreadful visitations on
the earth of plagues, cholera, and influx of other diseases, spread
of all kinds of lusts, locusts, famines, great fires, earthquakes, etc.,
etc.
When such was the dire condition on the earth, Geush Urva
the sub-angelic potentiality, appointed for the protection of souls
on earth, raises his plaint to the Creator (Ysn. 29,1) whereupon
Ahura Mazda showed Geush Urva the Kehrp, invisible body, of
Zarathushtra and assured him that He would create him who
would show to mankind the path of purity. This appeased
GeushUrva who said "I will protect the Creation..." (Bd.4,3).
Geush Drva does not mean “soul of the ox” as rendered by Prof.
Zaehner ("Dawn…p. 76). As stated above Geush Urva is the subangelic potentiality being actually the animated phantom of the
collective -blissful side of the totality of Urvans (souls) on earth. It
is allegorically called Geush, because it possesses the blissful
characteristics in common with the cowkind. Thus the word
'Geush' in Geush-Urva, Geush-Tashan and Geush-aevo-datayao'
does not mean the quardruped ox or kine, but the blissful
potentiality.
In the warfares between the two parties, Gayomard lost his son,
Shyamak, but subsequently kings Hoshang, Tehmurasp, Kershasp
and other kings and warrior-saints in their respective ages fought
against those demons and kept them under some control. In the
golden age, warrior-saint Kershasp, kings Tehmurasp, Hoshang,
Faridun, and certain other kings turned the material world into
Khanirath Bami (lit. Golden Shore), that is, rendered the world
Satan-free and felicitous. Thus there were alternations of success of
the White and the Dark powers. The Peshdadian and Kayanian kings
though they often succeeded in warfares, could not suppress the
demons. They knew about the oncoming of Zarathushtra and eagerly
awaited his advent. Dinkard (VIl; 1;59-60) informs us that during the
golden age King Jamshid forewarned the demons of their destined
defeat and overthrow at the birth of Prophet Zarathushtra. At last
when proper time arrived, preparations were made in the heavens for
the descent of Zarathushtra, with the description of which begins the
life of the Prophet in Dinkard. This description, which is in the form
of 'Afdi', marvels, is in several places depicted in highly
267
enigmatical language though often seemingly simple. Many of
these instances are elucidated in the delineation of the Prophet's
'biography that follows.. (Condensed from Dr. F. S. Chiniwalla's
"'Khshnoom Nikize Vehdin" Vol. I.).
Airyana Vaeja, the Birth-place of
Zarathushtra.
We know from Vandidad (19,4 & 11) Bd. (20 & 24,3) that
. Zarathushtra was born in Airyana Vaeja. Total ignorance exists in
philology with regard to Airyana Vaeja, for which Prof. Henning
states:
"The Avesta places them (Zoroaster and Kae Vishtispa) in a
country vaguely named Airyana Vaeja".**
He calls it 'vaguely named' because the name of Airyana Vaeja is
not to be found in the geography of the known material world,
which is Satan-infested. Airyana Vaeja is situated in Thrishva
(Yt. 13_3) the unknown holy one-third of the earthy globe situated
in the Arctic region and buried under mountain-deep snow. Airyana
Vaeja means the land bearing (invisible) noble seeds of
blissfulness. In Vandidad (2,22) we find the falling of this snow
foretold to King Jamshid by Ahura Mazda as follows:
"O fair Yima, son of Vivanghat, upon the material world,
the evil winters are about to fall, that shall bring the fierce
deadly frost... shall make snow-flakes fall thick even as
aredvi deep on the highest tops of mountains." (S.B.E. Vol.
IV). '
In Thrishva is the holy land Airyana Vaeja, where Zarathushtra was born, and which was the cradle of the Aryan race. This
Thrishva is the seventh and the only terrestrial Keshvar. Karshvare
or Keshvar technically means country or residing place of saintly
souls who are referred to in Yt. 10,15 as 'Gava Shayana, Gava
Shitimcha', where 'gava' lit., kine, does not mean quadruped kine,
but holy souls who have also the philanthropic characteristics as of
the kine. Thrishva, otherwise called 'Khanirath Bami' is buried
under snow since some 10,000 years and opens up when the
known material world is submerged by the waters of the Deluge.
Prof. Zaehner being unaware of this assumes Khanirath Bami to be
'Central mythical clime' ("Zurvan." p. 9 footnote) taking the hint
from Bd. 11,1.
In the Airyana Vaeja is the holy mountain called 'Haraiti
Barez' (Yt. 19,1) or Mt. Alborz. On the top plateau at the highest
altitude (bila) of the Mountain (Zbarangh) (Yd. 19,4 and 11) in
Airyana Vaeja was the 'Vara' on which was situated the prophet's
father Pourushaspa's mansion where Zarathushtra was
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------** Prof. Henning's 'Ratanbai Katrak Lecture' No.3, 1949, p. 43.
268
born. Here on this plateau flowed from the far heights of the
planetary world Asha-Chithra and Vohu-Chithra, the vibrationary
currents bearing 'seeds' of holiness and goodness. This flowing of
such sublime vibrationary currents is allegorically depicted as the
river 'Drejya'.
On the slopes of the sides of the above Haraiti Barez, there are
said to be several plateaus, on each of which, in those distant ages,
there were sublime Markaz, residential places called Vara, such as
Demavand, Pairi-Daz, Bahman-daz, Pamar, Siraz, Firdaus, etc.,
built by different illustrious kings of the Paoiryo-tkaesha class. On
its first plateau called Pamar was king Jamshid's Vara which was
subterranean (Bd. 32,,2). Vara is a talismanically protected area
either subterranean or on the surface of the earth so sanctified that
Satan cannot find entry there and desecrate it.
It will thus be understood that Airyana Vaeja is definitely a
geographical name on the unknown one-third of the earthy globe,
buried under deep snow since over 10,000 years and hence its name
and its very existence are unknown to philological scholars.
GENEALOGY OF ZARATHUSHTRA
The genealogy of Zarathushtra commences from King Gayomard. To enumerate briefly, the lineage goes down from Gayomard to king Yima (Jamshed), then to Fraedun, then to Manushchihr and then to Spitama. From Spitama the lineage runs successively as under:
Spitama
I
Hardhar
I
Arejadharshn
I
Paetrasp
I
Chikhshnush
I
Haechadasp
I
Urugadhasp
I
Patiritaraspo
I
Paorushaspo
I
Zarathushtra
The above line, which came down from Manush-Chihr to
Spitama, especially the seed of the forbears of the Prophet from
Spitama, was rendered highly purified. In order to cause
269
the soul of the Prophet to descend on the earth, the fire-energies of
his ancestors which (fire-energies) bore influence of Jupiter were
rendered finer and finer, on account of which the line of Spitama
became more and more sublime in priesthood. From this exalted line
was descended the soul Farrokhtum, most auspicious, known as
Holy Spitama Zarathushtra.
(Abridged from Pahlavi Dinkard Vol. VII; 1,70 - Sanjana Edition).
SOURCE OF BIOGRAPHY
The original Avestan source of the biography of the holy
Prophet was the 13th Nask (Volume} 'Angheush' which is lost. But
the summary of 21 Nasks is preserved in Pahlavi of which that of
Spend Nask treats of “. . . the earthly composition of the material
body with the Fravahar and the soul of the Prophet; of the nature
of his spiritual birth in Heaven, and his material birth on earth; of
his conference with the Deity, at thirty years of age, and the
occurrences of seven such conferences in ten years. It described
the many miracles and marvels attributed to the Prophet, which are
collected in the Seventh Book of the Dinkkard”, etc. (From
"Zoroastrianism Ancient & Modern" p 6, by, Ervad P. S. Masani).
Dinkard, begins the delineation of the life of, the Prophet from
the descent of glory on Zarathushtra about which it is stated that the
glory which was with, Ohmnazd descended from ruler to ruler and
from saint to saint till it came to King Kae Khushrow, who through
the power of that glory vanquished the Turanian Afrasiyab and his
associates and other worst destroyers of the world. Besides this, he
joined in the destruction and demolition of the idol-temples of the
frightful demonolatry located on the shore of the Lake Chaechasta.
Owing to his worthy achievements in the cause of Renovation (of the
Universe) he is now on a throne which is, adorned by the halo of that
glory, at a secret place wherein there is an immortal preserver of his
body until the Renovation, by the desire of the Creator. (Drawn from
Dastur Sanjana's. translation of Pahlavi Dinkard Vol. VII, Intro. 3940);
COMING OF GLORY TO ZARATHUSHTRA
Afterwards it (glory) came to Zarathushtra, the descendant of
Spitama, during his conference with Creator Ohrmazd and he
accepted from the beloved Omniscient Creator Ohrmazd, from His
very throne the comprehensive and also detailed intelligence of the
learning and functions of the priesthood and warriorship and
husbandry and artisanship, and he accepted the entire responsibility
by bringing by command of the Creator the Mazdayasnian Revelation
to king Kae Vishtasp, of enlightening the sages of the region through
that great light in that
270
Supreme King of the sacred beings, of propagating that light in the
seven keshwars (regions) through the good eloquence of the
successive generations of (human) creatures until the Renovation
(of the universe). (ibid. 41-42).
SANJANA DINKARD-CHAPTER I
When Ohrmazd had produced the material environment of
Zarathushtra, the glory which was at the time near Ohrmazd, fled
first on to the Aries, thence to the, Endless tights (zodiac), thence
to the Sun, thence to the Moon, thence to the Stars, and thence to
.the fire which was in the house of Zoish; from that fire it fled on,
on to the wife of Frahim-rvana-Zoish,(father of Prophet's mother),
when that maiden was born who became the mother of
Zarathushtra (Sanjana's translation Vol XIII of Dinkard 1,1-3).
(It may be noted that the above description refers to the
Nature's process of purification through the above light, of the
womb of the Prophet's mother of Druji-e-Buji, menstrual flow, to
ensure immunition from material desires.)
From that glory that light escaped simultaneously into, the
earth and into the sky; then its flight became apparent at a distance,
so that it was said by the people in the suburb of Frakht-ravanan
Zoish that the light burns through self-combustion, that is, it needed
no fuel. (ibid 4,5).
The demons on account of their discomfiture by that glory in
causing harm to that maiden, brought on that country dire winter,
all kinds of pestilence and other tyrannical enemies; and they
impressed on the minds of the people of the country that such a
calamity had come to the country owing to the witchcraft of this
girl, so that the people of the land awfully quarreled with the
parents about the sorcery of the girl which was causing conflict,
and about removing her out of that country. (ibid. 6).
The father of the girl remonstrated with the people with
manifold reason about the unjust allegation of witchcraft against
the girl, that "when that girl was born in my house, her entire halo
emanated from behind (her person) as the apparent light of a fire,
that is, from the whole of her person superior light set forth in the
dark night when this girl was seated in the innermost part of the
house where there was no fire (or light); in the house where a large
fire was burning and if the girl was seated there, the burning
became more dazzling owing to the light (emanating) from her
body; a wizard was never known who was so glorious." (ibid 7.8).
But owing to the instigation of the demons and the disbelievers
who belonged to the country, the inhabitants were not
271
satisfied, so the father ordered the girl to go to Patiritaraspo, the
father of the family that lived in the country of the Spitamas, in the
town situated on the- fiver Arag; and the girl assented to her father's
order_ That mischief of the demons was caused with an evil design
for removing the girl from her house, but God glouriously made it
the cause for the father's sending of the girl to the house of
Patiritaraspo the father of Pourushaspo for her marriage with
Pourushaspo, the father of Zarathushtra. Here she occupied the
highest place in the country of the Spitamas and she was inspired
that her duty was to act according to her father's order. Then she
performed religious ablution_ and proceeded to Patiritaraspo's
village. At that stage the glory came to Pourushaspo, the son of
Patiritaraspo. (ibid 9-13).
. "The Creator Ohrmazd passed on the Fravahar of Zarathushtra to
the parents of Zarathushtra through a Hom (Haoma) plant, through
miracle-producing tillage. (ibid 14).
With regard to the necessity of the advent of Zarathushtra on
this earth, we are told that when this material world and mankind
first came into existence, human beings for countless ages led holy
life. Hence there was no need of Zarathushtra to descend on the
earth to teach mankind the anti-demoniacal laws i.e., the laws of
purity. But this necessity arose subsequently when inferior souls
descended on the earth and Satan succeeded in his guiles. All the
above period of countless ages is designated by '3000 years'. The
technical exposition of these 3000 years is given under
Supplement No.9 and hence it is not necessary to repeat the same
here. So it was at this stage that the Ameshaspends formed
together the material of Zarathushtra and they seated his Fravahar
(Spiritual essence) within. At that time Zatathushtra appeared to
the archangels as having a, body like their own (Ham Karpih).
This means that the Prophet was not like worldly human beings
subject to family life, but his body was lustrous like that of
Ameshaspends (ibid 15-16).
Then Ohrmazd discussed with Ameshaspends about the
achievement of perfect purity and spiritual wisdom and of good
aura by the Prophet's mother. He further discussed that since
Zarathushtra has a like body as of Ameshaspends, he would be
invisible on the earth and hence it is necessary to invest him with
Asna Vira powers, i.e. powers to enable him to assume material
body at will. For this purpose steps were taken to render both
father and mother of Zarathushtra purity-perfect.
(ibid. 17-21).
HOM (HAOMA)
The Fravahar' of Zarathushtra is stated to have been conveyed
into the stem of Hom (Haoma) by the Ameshaspends because Hom
possesses the characteristic of being constantly
272
attracted to the worship of Ahu, the Unnamable Absolute One in
oneness. Hom is of three categories: (a) Hom angel who proceeds
from Ahu and is reattracted to Ahu; (b) Hom, who (in Yasna 9,1)
approaches Zarathushtra and whom Zarathushtra addresses as
'Nara', is the lustrous body (Kehrp) of the angel Hom; and (c) Hom
in visible form is the plant, mentioned, which can grow only in the
soil free from infestation of Ahriman (Satan).
Besides, Hom represents the knowledge of Ahu. Hom is the
medium of imparting immortality. Hence it is referred to in Ysn.
9,2 as "Haomo duraosho" lit., repeller of death (by burning up the
soul's- evil - 'Akhti; (Vd. 6.43). Such being the characteristics of
Hom_ the Ameshaspends modeled together a stem of Horn of the
height of a man, beautiful, of a superior colour and juicy where
fresh and into that stem was conveyed by them the Fravahar of
Zarathushtra from the endless light (heaven of zodiac) to the
village of Pourushaspo, and it was produced there with Asna Vira,
lit.,_meaning innate intelligence. Asna Vira indicates possession
of the characteristics of an angel and capability of appearing at
will in material form, as stated above. (ibid. 22-23).
In paragraphs 24-28, the language is highly enigmatical, as
also stated in the beginning, about which (language) Prof. Jackson
rightly observes in footnote:
"Much of all this, it is true, has a mythical ring or an
allegorical note."
With a view to elucidate these passages we reproduce
Dastur Darab Sanjana's translation followed first by footnotes and
then, by elucidations.
(24)
"And when 30 years of the 3000 years of the worldly
existence of that Blemish-giver (Aharman) remained, then
they, Vohumano and Ashavahishto, together arrayed themselves in their pre-eminence, transformed themselves
into
1
embodied
existences,
and
came
forth
there
where
two
birds2 3were seated4longing for progeny53, (since their)
off- _
spring in the7 nest had been devoured by setpents5 seven6
years before ."
(25) "(While they were) in that meditation of theirs, Vohumano
and Ashavahishto came up (to them) and those birds_
consulted them thus: - "Our salutations (to you) we wish to
have that Haoma8."
(26) "Their (the archangels') array with their pre-eminence in such
a manner, and their (the birds') longing for the HAOMA (are)2
a twofold wonder; from them he 8who was the male (bird)
seized (or snatched off) the Haoma with
273
2
9
both his legs (and) that one who was next carried10away the
Haoma, and11 it was set by them there an that tree above in
(their) nest
and they deposited it above (the place) the
serpents12, so that the latter might pass of13".
(27) "Up to that nest which (was) of the progeny of the birds
the FRA VASHI of Zarathushtra proceeded, and hence
also, the serpents12 in that tree directly rushed on at the
demons (as if) that FRAVAHAR of Zarathushtra
had smitten
them on the jaws and the serpents fell down14 15and died14 and
hence also_ they are even now full of blood as to (their)
seed, and that is necessary for such a species."
(28) "That (Haoma)8 was engrafted with that tree, and on the top of
the tree, (or the en grafting of the Haoma with that tree (was)
on its summit), there where were (located) the
nests of the
birds, it grew evergreen16 and golden coloured16."
(Footnotes):
1. there
2. two birds
3. progeny
offspring :
4. nest
to Nisti, the - evanescent world
(Space) including the known material
world.
Geush Tashan (Ysn. 29,2) and Geush
Urva (ibid. 1), the former regarded as
the male bird called Amru (Yt.
13,109), and the latter, the female
bird called Chamru (ibid). As
explained already several times,
'Geush' does not mean 'ox', but the
sub-angelic potentiality blissfu1 like
the ox or cowkind. Geush Tashan is
stationed on Upairi Dakhyu (Yt.
10,144), the 4th region in the Space,
which is nature's laboratory of the
four subtle elements, each getting 16
electric circlings making in all 64,
from the permutations and combinations of which is formed Kehrp,
the internal invisible body-form
comprising 16 plexuses from which
the material body is developed.
souls - to turn from vice to
virtue.
Space or material world.
274
5. devoured by
serpents
6. Seven years
engrossed in wickedness resulting in
being subjected to the rounds of
death and birth between the sky and
earth (Thwasha Khadata); (Vd.
19,13).
according to Zoroastrian numerology
7 indicates sway either of good or
evil forces - here reference is to the
evil.
7. before
the preceding evil period of rank
materialism under the influence of
Mars during the sway of that planet
in the heavens.
8. Haoma
blissfulness - by the advent of
Zarathushtra and his Faith resulting
in destruction of the demons and
their nefarious activities.
9. carried away
imbibed or absorbed the blissful
currents of Asha Chithra, Vaha
Chithra, whereby those elements
gradually became subtle.
10. tree
Geti, the material world.
11. nest
Nisti_ Space (here).
12. serpents
evil propensities - material world
was rife with evils from demons and
their followers resulting in humanity
subjected to re-births.
13. latter (serpents)
might pass off
14. fell down
& died.
15. blood
16. evergreen and
golden
coloured
devilry be subjugated.
began to die out.
the demoniacal propensities though
reduced to embryonic state, still
possess the destructive characteristic
awaiting their time to grow.
(Haoma) possessing alchemizing
power of turning Evil into Good,
which is the characteristic of the
Zoroastrian Faith.
(Elucidations):
(24) When 30 years of the above mentioned '3000' years of the
worldly existence of Ahriman remained, (the Ameshaspends
descended to the mortal worlds of the Space and the material
world. Here Geush Tashan and Geush Urva
275
were seated longing for souls to turn from vice to virtue,
since mankind in the material world had been engrossed in
wickedness to an abnormal degree. Hence they were subject
to repetitions of death and birth during the preceding evil
period of rank materialism under the influence of Mars
during the sway of the inter cycle of that planet in the
heavens.
(25) While they (Geush Tashan and Geush Urva) were in that
meditation,. Behman and Ardibehesht came up to them, and
the two Geush welcomed them and wished to have that Hom
which could terminate the sway of the demons and spread
prosperity.
(26) Geush Tashan grabbed the Hom, i.e., the subtle elements or
64 grades located on Upairi Dakhyu and from which are
formed Kehrps, the invisible body-forms from which
material bodies are developed, and Geush Urva carried that
(Hom), i.e., those blissful effects to the material world so that
the evil effects (serpents) may be undone.
(27) With the inception of the Fravashi of Zarathushtra i.e. with the
spread of the Mazdayasni Law of Infoldment of spirit into matter,
the force of the evil propensities of the demons was broken and
reduced to its embryonic state though only bidding its time to
develop.
(28) With the engrafting of Hom on the earth, which (Hom) bore
the Farohar of Zarathushtra, i.e., with the advent of the
Jarthoshti Mazdayasni religion and the effects of Reformation
(which were concomitant with the Farohar of Zarathushtra)
the evil effects began to disappear.
When Pourushaspo was wedded to Dogdo_ Bahman and
Ardibehesht together came up to the grazing ground for the cattle
of the Spitamas, and they drew their attention to the Hom brought
by them. Here the, word 'cattle refers to the individuals possessing
goodness, and 'grazing ground', to' Mt. Albarz which engenders
goodness, to which the blissful currents of Asha Chithra, Vaha
Chithra flowed and turned the then Iran into a veritable paradise.
Here there was a spot where stood Pourushaspo's house. That spot
is said to be in 'Dareji. Zabar' and 'Dareji-Zabar' is said to be in
Iran-vej (Airyana Vaeja) (Vd. 191.4,11). Iran-vej was motherland
of all people of righteous thought. This Iran-vej was in
Thrishva in the Arctic region at the top of which was Har-Barez,
the Mount Albarz. Here flowed from the immortal worlds the
currents (depicted as flowing of river Dareji) bearing the blissful
seeds of Asha Chithra and Vaha Chithra. Iran-vej had two
extremities - one to the East, and the other to the West. Towards
the West was a city called 'Rae'. In this city was
276
'Dareji-Zabar' where there was a talismanic place which was
consecrated where lived Pourushaspo. Here flowed holy currents
from immortal worlds. It was in the fortune of Pourushaspo to
bring down those currents to the town of 'Rae'.
EXPOSITION OF CROSSING THE WATERS
OF THE RIVER DAITY A
A holy Athravan (priest) is supposed to possess 16 different
spiritual powers. Pburushaspo possessed all these 16 powers in
entirety and so he could listen to the Divine Music. By virtue of
the possession of those 16 powers, he knew how to perform the
holy ceremony. Thus to take which particular type of posture, how
to meditate, what pitch to adopt in incantation, how to begin the
voice, so that the breath may also be softened whereby it may be
possible to listen to the divine music of Ahunavar - all these holy
practices are expressed as crossing the waters of the river Daitya.
(ibid. 29-30). When a person passes six or seven breaths per
minute, his life-energy, etc., become softened. In such a condition
the two nostrils through which a person inhales and exhales
assume certain motion – these two are expressed as the...rivers
'Ranghu' and 'Danghu' in Avesta. Ranghu (Yt. 5,63) was on the
West of Iran-vej and 'Danghu' or 'Daiti' (ibid. 112) on the East.
The names of these rivers are taken from the names of the
plexuses of Iran-vej soil.
CEREMONY FOR ATTRACTING SPIRITUAL
ESSENCES ON EARTH
When the spiritual essences Farohar, Baodangh, i.e., Divine
Wisdom, soul and subtle body of Zarathushtra were to descend on
the earth, Pourushaspo donned his Sudreh and tied the Kusti and
performed the holy ceremony for attracting down the current of
Haoma_ which contained the above essences. Thus by
performance of the ceremony those essences were attracted to it on
the earth. At that time the breaths of Pourushaspo and Dugdaub
were attuned with the Divine Music of Ahunavar. (ibid. 32-33).
When Ahura Mazda had produced the material of Zarathushtra, his physical essence fled from the neighbourhood of
Ahura Mazda to that material, thence to Khordad and Amerdad, by
the power of which Zarathushtra could assume physical body on
the earth or rarefy it at will. From thence, it fled to holy clouds
(Hu-avra) and thence to the earth as rain-water and caused the
plants to flourish. The essence of Zarathushtra's body came from
that water to those plants. (ibid. 36-38).
In par. 39 six white cows of yellow ears are mentioned.
Yellow indicates possessing the development of Rae, divine self
intelligence. They belonged to Pourushaspo whose sublime
277
'"
cerebral plexuses were enlightened (in the case of ordinary human
beings they are in darkness). These cows possessed particles of the
same soul as of Pourushaspo and their Rae (self-intelligence) being
elevated they were able to recognize the parent soul in
Pourushaspo. Dugdaub milked those two cows which were not
impregnated and gave that milk bearing Zarathushtra's essence of
body, to Pourushaspo for mixing it with Haoma. When the Haoma
and the milk were mingled together Pourushaspo and Dugdaub
immediately drank it. Thus were the glory, fravahar and the
material essence of Zarathushtra in the two parents (ibid. 47).
After Zarathushtra was conceived, the demons made dire
attempts to cause Zarathushtra's death in his mother's womb, and
caused her to suffer from acutest and acutely painful diseases, so
that she wished to consult the wizard physicians for a remedy of
the ailment. And here was manifested a great miracle in which she
heard a Divine voice conveyed to her by the sacred beings which
warned her to desist from consulting the wizard, for that would
cause destruction, and advised her to perform the sacred ablution
and bring dry fuel with her hands and for the sake of that infant to
roast meat with cow's butter and make broth on the fire, and for his
sake (i.e., for the sake of the infant) quaff it in time and she would
be cured. Dugdaub obeyed the divine instructions and was cured.
Here the meat is not the ordinary mutton or meat of any other
animal, but that of holy Pasu* referred to in Pahlavi as 'Basariya'.
(ibid. 53-55).
FOR THREE DAYS BEFORE ZARATHUSHTRA WAS
ACTUALLY BORN, THE VILLAGE BECAME ALLLIGHTED. AT FIRST PEOPLE FLED IN CONFUSION
FEARING THAT THE WHOLE VILLAGE WOULD BE
DESTROYED, BECAUSE THERE WERE FLAMES IN EVERY
NOOK AND CORNER, BUT AFTERWARDS THEY
RETURNED SAYING THE VILLAGE OF POURUSHASPO
WILL NOT AT ALL BE DESTROYED FOR IN HIS HOUSE IS
BORN THE GLORIOUS MAN-CHILD. (ibid. 56-58).
When the tidings of the birth of glorious Zarathushtra spread
in the world through the prophecy of Yima (King Jamshed) and
other illustrious souls, Yima spoke to the demons that pure and
holy Zarathushtra would be born in the world and their destructive
activities would be defeated. (ibid 59-60). "In the golden age of the
world King Yim (Jamshed) forewarns the demons of their destined
defeat and overthrow at the birth of the glorious manchild." (Prof.
Jackson).
* This term refers to the holy ceremony of Pasu Pachayen already
explained under the head "Technical Significance of Pasu" in Part I.
278
In par. 62 there is reference to an ox in the reign of Kae_ Usa
(king Kae Kaus). Here the quadruped ox is not meant, but the
animated Kehrp, invisible body, of the collective White side of the
advanced souls of Paoriyo-tkaesha class and other emancipated
souls, who have entered Garo-deman, the Satan-free part of the
earthy globe, is designated allegorically as 'ox'" because ox
represents the blissful "Live and let live" principle in Nature. The
above advanced souls knew that the vehemence of the Satanic
force would be curbed after the advent of Zarathushtra.
In par. 67 there is Pahlavi reference to 'Tora-i-aevag-dat' 'or
'Gavyodat', Avesta 'Geush aeva datayao' which is rendered in
philology as "the primeval ax" is also not the quadruped ox, but
represents the collective White side of the souls transferred to the
Space and the material world from the planetary world. This
Gavyodat tells Ahriman that he will not be successful in his
destructive activities when Zarathushtra takes birth on the material
world.
(68-69) Before the birth of Zarathushtra, Frasiyav, the
sorcerer, thrice sought the glory of Zarathushtra (Yt. 19,82) for
which he supplicated to Ardvi Sura (Yt. 5,41) for wresting the
glory of Zarathushtra and the fame, prosperity and good qualitites
of the people of Iran, with a view to crush them all. So he rushed
to the six super-ethereal Keshvars (Yt. 10,15) and Zareh
Vourukasha (Ysn. 42,4) and also to the holy terrestrial Keshvar
Khanirath Bami (Yt. 10.15) situated in the Arctic Region and
buried under mountain-deep snow since over 10,000 years. But
since that glory was attainable only by the righteous and the great
holy souls, Avan Ardvisura did not grant him the boon.
Here it may be noted that Zareh Vourukasha and Caspian Sea
have both identical meaning of "wide-shored". But it must be
remembered that the two have nothing in common except for their
meaning 'wide shored'. Zareh Vourukasha is the inconceivable
huge and wide super-ethereal expanse, allegorically called sea
getting super-ethereal waves, on the top of the Space, while
Caspian Sea on the North of Iran is only a wide material lake
which can be easily measured.
The next par. 70 contains the whole genealogy of Zarathushtra
which we have already given, partially abridged, in the beginning
of this same Chapter I.
We shall now go to Chapter II of the Dinkard.
(Sanjana - Dinkard)
CHAPTER II
Zarathushtra Laughed at Birth.
.
The marvel is recorded that Zarathushtra laughed outright on
being born.
"The tradition is recorded by Pliny, who observes in his
'Natural History' Zoroaster was the only human being who
ever laughed on, the same day on which he was born. We hear
too, that his brain pulsated so strongly that it repelled the hand
when laid upon it, as presage of his wisdom." (Prof. Jackson).
It is stated allegorically that seven nurses were frightened by
his laughter at birth.' Here the seven planetary heavens are depicted
as seven nurses (Dk. VII, Ch. II, 1-2). In the case of ordinary
worldly souls_ these planetary heavens act as the veritable “Mills
of God” about which the poet sings:
"The Mills of God grind slowly,
But they grind exceeding small,
Though with patience he stands waiting
With exactness grinds he all".
In this way, Nature metes out condign punishments during life on
earth according to the rule of 'Akem akai' (Ysn. 43,5}, evil to evil,
compatible with the soul's degree of sinfulness. In ordinary cases, a
child at birth being in communion with Nature, foresees the
retributive punishments awaiting it in life through the planetary
heavens, and hence it always cries.
But the holy Prophet's soul was Farrokhtum, most auspicious
being sin-free, and was not subject to vicissitudes of life, for he
took birth as a Saviour, and hence he LAUGHED at his birth. Thus,
so to say, the seven nurses, i.e., the planetary heavens were
disapppointed at his birth, because they would not be able to
perform their office of visiting woe to Zarathushtra. (1-3)
Paorushaspo called for "soft woolen clothings" for the child. In
ordinary case woolen clothing is intended to be for protection from
cold. Here wool indicates two things - 1) that it is taken from sheep,
which possesses Gava, i.e., blissful characteristic,
280
and 2) it affords protection. Here protection refers to the protection
by Drvasp, the protecting angel who is indicated by "soft woolen
c1othings". Every child is under protection of Drvasp. Due to this
the pollution from the mother at the time of giving birth does not
affect the child. Zarathushtra was in direct connection with that
angel (Drvasp). Both he i.e., Zarathushtra, and the angel were
contemporaneous. This is referred to as "soft woolen. clothings"
which stand for Drvasp. The mother Dughdaub was exalted by her
bearing within her the glorious child possessing divine connection
with Drvasp.
'Biter Bitten'
Demon's Hands Turned Backwards.
When the demons did not succeed in causing the child
Zarathushtra's death in his mother's womb, and found that he
laughed at his birth, they became very spiteful owing to the glory in
Zarathushtra. One arch-demon named Durasrubo who was much
skilled in witchcraft went to Paorushaspo's house to see the child
with a murderous intent. He wished to crush with his hands the
delicate head of that perfectly glorious child; and to cause his death.
But immediately when Zarathushtra's eye fell on the demon, his
(demon's) hands were miraculously turned backwards towards the
ends, that is, quite folded on the back with the result that never
afterwards could that demon devour meat by means of those hands.
(4-6).
(7-19) The demon saw the marks on Zarathushtra's body,
which he misrepresented to be evil (marks), which made Paorushaspo frightfully afraid of the decay of his son's lustre and so he
hastened to hide him in some place beyond the sight of the
sorcerers. The demon Durasrubo through witchcraft so cast into the
mind of Paorushaspo the fear of Zarathushtra, and so poisoned it
that he even from the fear of himself solicited the demon for the
death of Zarathushtra and the demon advised him to hide
Zarathushtra amid firewood and kindle it. But the miracle was that
wood did not catch fire and the fond mother carried her son away.
This fire does not refer to fire in the hearth, but within the body
when a person is lamenting or pining through some vicissititudes
or defeat or injustice or from jealousy; for it must be remembered
that Paorushaspo was fully conscious of the invulnerability of
Zarathushtra's life and body by any power of sorcery. His seeming
fear for himself and his solicitation to Durasrubo were only meant
to befool that demon. The passage signifies that Zarathushtra was
not subject to such lamentations and burning in the heart.
When the above witchcraft failed next suggestion was to hide
Zarathushtra in a narrow path and to cause many oxen to pass on
the path so that he might be trampled at night under
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the feet of the oxen. Then Zarathushtra is said to have been placed
near the opening of water-pool and many horses caused to be run
towards that water-pool, so that he might be trampled under their
hoofs. But a large horse with yellow ears walked before others did,
and stood before Zarathushtra whereby he was saved. Here yellow
ears indicate the development of Rae, divine self-intelligence in the
horse. The fond mother rushed to her son and carried him away.
Next he was placed in a wolf's den, in which the cubs were
slaughtered, so that the wolf seeing her cubs slaughtered might
devour Zarathushtra in revenge. But the miracle was that when that
wolf came to the den, it was much excited but by the miracle of
God, it knelt down so that its mouth was down on the cubs. Thus he
was saved. In other words, the ferocity of the wolf was turned into
docility due to the glory of the child Zarathushtra.
Then Sraosha the Holy and Bahman Ameshaspend came to
Zarathushtra and brought to him a woolly sheep, to warm and feed
him. The mother came up there, lifted her child, saying that she
would not hereafter leave him under any circumstances.
These animals were not the quadrupeds but they indicate the
degrees of exaltation of the potentialities of Paorushaspo, where
they were either in excess or deficiency. Here the learned Dr.
Chiniwalla informs that these writings in the form of parables are
not to be taken literally, but they designate the exaltation of those
potentialities in Paorushaspo which were either in excess or in
deficiency, in which, degrees of exaltation are expressed in terms
of bull, horse, wolf and sheep.
(22) Then Durasrubo foretold to the demons of the coming of
Bahman Ameshaspend to Zarathushtra, of the_ Prophet's
conference with Ahura Mazda and of the propagation of the
Religion in the world.
(23-30) Paorushaspo is stated to be driving in a chariot and
four (horses). Here 'horse' indicates power, and 'four horses' means
the power of the numeral four, which indicates the power of
drawing or developing Evil as well as Good, so that the erstwhile
Evil can be transmuted into Good.
Paorushaspo was bringing home to Durasrubo i.e., Tur-baraTur, the Satan, the superiority of Good over Evil, and the futility
of his sorcery. He asked Durasrubo, "When you were brought
before my son, why were you looking from him to the deepest
depth and to the sublime height?" To this Durasrubo replied "I was
looking for a long time from him up on high to something sublime,
then from him to the radiance and glory that he (Zarathushtra)
possessed together extending up to the Sun, the radiance and glory
that had no end." But Durasrubo did not
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understand why Zarathushtra should have been endowed with such
lustre which connected him Zarathushtra with the 6th heaven of
Garo.deman (Jupiter). The confusion of Durasrubo indicates the
final success of Good over Evil. Durasrubo stated further that
awing to the activity of this child, humanity will gain Tatne-Pasin,
the final body which is fiery type and subtle. This gaining of the
final body (Tane Pasin) will mark the success of Asha, Holiness
over Druj, Wickedness. It may be noted that when totality of souls
will get Tane-Pasin in the distant future (5th Boundless Time), it
will mean extinction of Satan.
(32-33) The demons Durasruba and Bratrugrish were
cognizant of the exalted position of Zarathushtra and knew that the
world will be enlivened and their activities would be curbed.
However, they did not desist from continuing their evil activities.
They wanted great catastrophes to visit Zarathushtra and put their
intent into practice, but they met with defeat at every attempt. So
when Zarathushtra became seven years old, the two joined at the
village of Paorushaspo. They saw Zarathushtra in that
neighbourhood when he was studying with other children, and they
strove with evil intention to injure the mind of Zarathushtra
through witchcraft and for that reason, fear and terror were cast by
them upon the children, who, were highly terrified, but
Zarathushtra did not care for it. Here the demons represent the
Dark side and materialism in Nature and growth of Zarathushtra
indicates the gradual progress of the White side.
(34-35) Paorushaspo offered Mare's milk to Durasruba to
worship. Mare or horse indicates power. Here reference is to the
development of power of advancing to higher path (milk) through
repetitions of rebirths and condign sufferings during material lives.
But those that are pure or holy have no need of such mare's milk
i.e., of going through rebirths and retributive punishments. The
voice of the heart which makes a person conscious of his
transgression at each stage is referred to allegorically as the food of
mare's milk.
On hearing the words of Paorushaspo which were addressed to
Durasrubo, Zarathushtra promptly declined to follow his father's
advice and said "You should worship (Ahuramazda) who is worthy
of (human) worship".
This has created much misunderstanding against Paorushaspo
and he has been erroneously charged with the worship of idolatry.
The name of Paorushaspo is referred to in 'Afrine-Paighamber
Zartusht' (Yt. 23,4) framed by the Raenidar (resuscitator of the
faith) as: "Pouru-aspem bavahi yatha Pourushaspem", i.e., May
you be blessed with plenty of horses like Paarushaspo, which
means plenty of spiritual power like Paoru-
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shaspo. This shows that Paorushaspo was not idolatrous as has been
wrongly alleged. The name of Paorushaspo has been taken in
benediction in the above Avesta, still it is alleged that Paorushaspo
was idolatrous, and that he advised Zarathushtra to do the same and
that Zarathushtra did not acquiesce. Such is the false allegation.
This is inconsistent because in the end Zarathushtra says: "When
anyone whatever shall join Paorushaspo where he shall be
performing (or celebrating) worship, the worship shall then be
suitable to the worshipper, i.e., he shall worship Him (Ahura
Mazda) Whom it is necessary to worship". In this worship when
through misdeeds a person has to undergo condign punishments,
such suffering is called idolatry, because in such cases the
misfortune of the sinner is brought on by the propensity of
selfishness etc., whereby that person (sinner) becomes oblivious to
equitableness, and inclined to the worship of the arch-fiend.
(39-43) Durasrubo threatened Zarathushtra that he would take
his life, but the miracle was that Durasrubo instead of succeeding in
his threat became disabled for "as long a time as it takes to the
milking of ten mares whose milker is only one person". From this
he (demon) emerged again and tried to oppose Zarathushtra but got
stupefied for double the period. But still he again rose and opposed
Zarathushtra for the third time, but was again defeated and
stupefied for thrice the first period. Thus he gradually became
disabled more and more and fled. This means that Zarathushtra
smote the demons, made them conscious of their Evil Propensity,
turned their destructive (Khrafastric) propensity into Divine
knowledge and wisdom and thereby opened their spiritual eye.
Here 'mare' indicates spiritual power, 'milk' shows blissful
propensity and numeral '10' stands for perfection, here of
blissfulness.
(44) When the sorcerer emerged from the dismay, he utilised
his horse, i.e., the evil power and exclaimed that if he did not call
his evil power to his aid, Zarathushtra would kill him by his
Minthras (holy spells) and by dint of his authority. But in the end
both he and his evil power became vanquished and liable to
destruction.
(45) In this paragraph, there is allegorical reference to the
bursting of the semen from the demon's skin and breaking of the
loins from his thighs etc. Semen has reference to the demon's evil
and selfish thought-forces. But before the powers of holiness of
Zarathushtra, they were rendered futile. We know the function of
the skin is to beautify the body and at, the same time, it is the
medium for excretion of waste matter from it. Any impairment of
the skin is the warning of coming trouble to the body. So if the skin
is healthy, there is life and strength and in the healthiness of the
waist lies the sustenance
284
of life. But when both the skin and the waist are broken, the human
being collapses. Such dire consequences lead a soul to turn from
vice to virtue. In this way the passage under reference shows the
transmutation of evil plexuses into good.
(46-50) Zarathushtra besides possessing great Wisdom and
other spiritual powers from his birth, also possessed 'Aojahush'.
Aoj is the special divine power or potentiality possessed by
Ameshaspends and also by Zarathushtra. ('Aoj' occurs in the group
Aoj_ Zor, Niru, Tagi in Pazand Afrin-e-Ardafravash; 13. Though
ordinarily all these four terms convey the same meaning viz.,
power, in Khshnoom, they have distinctive technical interpretations
expounded under Supplement NO. 2).
Owing to his possessing the glory called Kyan (Av. Kavaem
Kharena, Yt. 19.9) which holy kings and warrior-saints possessed,
he had the characteristics of the four professions, viz_, priesthood,
warriorship, husbandry and fine artisanship. He displayed "best
friendliness towards the sacred beings and the good ones and an
awful hostility towards the demons and the evil ones".
Zarathusnhtra was an angelic being (Yazati) among men. His
friendship with God is embellished by his excellence of the sacred
beings and by perfection through worthiness towards Ahura Mazda
so that "the sacred beings on account of his higher exaltedness than
that of any one of those that exist, of those that have existed and of
those that will exist spread the good report of his advent throughout
the world and of his Salvation of the Creations untroubled by the
Blemish Giver (Aharman) through the manifold powers of the
tongue of the sage, the perfectly virtuous of the age, doing no harm
in the world". Here 'tongue of the sage' refers to the holy formulae
of Fshusho Manthra and Manthra Spenta employed by the Prophet
in spreading the Faith.
The demons even made friendship with the good people with
the view that they would join them in confounding and defeating
Zarathushtra. They had made feverish attempts to thwart
Zarathushtra from his very emergence from the 8th Heaven of the
Zodiac down to his advent on the earth, but they were foiled in,
their attempts at all stages.
(51-53) Zarathushtra spent 30 years in enlightened practices
during which he drew vital energies from the 8th heaven of the
Zodjac. With the aid of these, he carried out great Missions of
establishing certain holy institutions in the ultra-physical regions
above, for enabling fructification of great events during epochmaking ages such as the revealing of other great religions of the
world each at its propitious time, and for facilitating the success of
the White blissful side in Nature, he carried out great Missions.
285
When a person is on the righteous Path and practices
meditation with concentration with set postures of the body, and
repeats or chants special holy incantations and formulae, his breath
and Ushtan, i.e., (spiritually) vital energy do not remain
commonplace. They become attuned with higher regions of the
sky. Such holy breath is allegorically referred to as 'water' from the
river. Such breath then comes in contact with the plexuses between
the brain and the heart in the proximity of the lungs, and affects
every atom of the body through and through, so that it attracts
angelic light, and his elements draw currents of blissfulness
whereby thoughts become ennobled. Such practices which are of
spiritually enlightened nature have been allegorically referred to as
going to the river Ranghu or Danghu, and fetching water to the
shore, in which 'water' refers to the holy breath, as stated above.
Bringing water to the shore also signifies founding great
'institutions' in the skies and bringing them to their consummation.
The above enlightened spiritual practice is of nine types
varying according as the person practicing be leading a pious life,
or ordinarily worldly, besides other conditions. Thus one may be
an ordinary person, whose mind is engaged in worldly thoughts;
another also ordinary being but a priest who engages himself in
religious ceremonies; a third, over and above these engagements,
renders social service, a fourth besides rendering social service
undergoes privations for other's sake on altruistic principles and so
on. From this it will be understood that the above mentioned
spiritual practices are of varied types. In other words, the
allegorical rivers Ranghu and Danghu have many effluents, the
crossing of which entails severe or mild hardships; and the water
fetched signifying the breath inhaled may be said to be muddy or
pure i.e., not so holy or sublime, according as the practitioner be an
ordinary worldly person or a pious one. In these holy practices
when the thoughts are most pure and the breath and vital energy
are highly exalted, they became attuned with the Divine Music of
Ahunavar. All such practices belong, to the last third group of
Nasks called Hada-Manthric, which deal with holy practices for
the development of high spiritual powers. In later ages these
practices came to be known as 'Sarv-i-Keshmar'. (The entire
treasure of Nasks comprises three groups - (i) Gathic, (ii) Datic,
and (iii) Hada-Manthric; the first dealing with Gathic hymns, the
second with laws and the third with practices, exercises and
ceremonies relating to attainment of high spiritual powers).
Zarathushtra spent 30 years in such exalted practices, during
which he drew currents of holy vital energies from the 8th heaven
of the Zodiac. With the aid of the spiritual power developed by
other practices, he fulfilled great Missions for facilitating the
success of the White side in Nature and laying
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foundations for other Faiths to appear in their respective epoch
making ages, during the current long cycle of Time (Zarvane
Daregha,) comprising 81,000 years. Passing over four effluents of
the river Daitya and bringing water to the shore refers to the
founding of the Zoroastrian Faith, under the influence of the
central planet Jupiter; while crossing three effluents relates to
founding non-Zoroastrian Faiths which are under the influence of
planets away from the central (Jupiter). In this 'carrying water to
the shore' signifies the initiation and consummation of great
Prophetic Missions.
So when Zarathushtra was performing the ceremony of
drawing currents from the 8th heaven of the Zodiac (allegorically
referred to as "Zarathushtra coming up third effluent and walking
upward") he saw Bahman Ameshaspend, as a model of angelic
embodiment i.e., he had a body without a parallel, an ideal of
virtue and having a great height of three spears. He carried with
him a shoot of the cypress tree which represented 'Mazdayasni
Religion'. "The idea here represented is that as Vohumana was
uninjured by carrying in the hand the symbol of the Revelation so
everybody who would carry it, that is, would adhere to the
Religion, would be without injury in this world." Anyone who
carried such a branch i.e., practiced holy ceremonies, became
immune from worldly sufferings or became exalted. It showed that
it is the duty of every person to live peacefully without harming
anyone in thought, word or action.
(54-62) When Zarathushtra was performing the ceremony of
Haoma, Behman Ameshaspend called Zarathushtra. He asked
Zarathushtra for what he was undergoing the sublime trouble
which, means the practice of drawing holy currents from the 8th
heaven of the Zodiac. To this Zarathushtra replied that it was for
gaining sanctity i.e., far establishing truth. Thereupon Behman
Ameshaspend told Zarathushtra to put off his garment i.e., change
the material body or elemental body into one of light because he
(Zarathushtra) possessed Asha, holiness. This is nicely expressed
by Prof. Jackson as under:
“(Archangel) Vohuman opens his lips and begins to question
the enrapt seer…... and after bidding him to lay aside his
'garment' (or the vesture of his material body), the seraphic
messenger leads away his soul in ecstatic trance into the
glorious and dazzling presence of Auharmazd and the
Amshaspands.
No sooner does Zartusht enter this radiant assembly than he
ceases to behold his own shadow upon the ground on account
of the great brilliancy of the archangels”. ("Zoroaster the
Prophet of Ancient Iran" by Prof. Jackson pp. 21-22).
Here ends chapter II of Sanjana-Dinkard Vol. XIII.
SANTANA - DINKARD VOL. XIV
CHAPTER III
(1-4) When Zarathushtra returned from the conference with
Ahura Mazda, He proclaimed Prophetship and chanted the
Mazdayasni Jarthoshti Daena (religion) to which people were
attracted. Of these, those that were settled in dwellings, reared the
cattle, tied the Kusti, were attracted first because they possessed the
propensity of Good in a greater degree than other people. These
people, i.e., the former, who were tired of the atrocities of the
demons, welcomed the Prophet's utterances whereupon
Zarathushtra taught them what righteousness was, and exhorted
them to praise righteousness and condemn the demons. In order to
gain righteousness and purity (Asha) there must be development of
morals whereby the mind gets exalted and the soul is uplifted. For
this, living in a settled life is essential, in which self-sacrifice of the
family members towards, each other is developed. The propensity
of self-sacrifice is increased by mutual sympathy towards each
other such as of parents towards children, brothers towards sisters
etc.
(5-9) Then Zarathushtra preached the doctrine of Khvaetukdasa (Khaetvadatha), which implies first and foremost every
male and every female to practice the Zoroastrian laws of purity.
When both correlative counterpart souls get sanctified and blend,
together such blending is called Khaetvadatha and the perfected
whole soul so formed is called Magavan. This doctrine taught by
Zarathushtra was diametrically opposed to that of the demons.
These demons are called Kigs and Karapans because they having
eyes see not, and having ears heed not, in other words, they do not
follow the holy teachings for the exaltation of the sou1. These
demons who were next-of-kin relations of Tur, resented the sermon
and fled away from him. This Tur was named Aurvaita-deng who
was a descendant of Usikhshes, who was a great King and had a
large army and much power. To him the demons said that
Zarathushtra by his sermon would make them doubtful of their own
(demoniacal) doctrine and so they instigated him to kill
Zarathushtra. But on hearing them Aurvaita-deng became wrathful
and excited for their demanding death of Zarathushtra for he said if
we kill Him,
'
288
wisdom will cease to exist on this earth for a long time. Thereupon Aurvaita-deng went to Zarathushtra and spoke to him "In my
opinion thou art pure, who art sincerely reasonable".
(10-13) Zarathushtra exhorted him to worship Ohrmazd who
is blissful. Here a great miracle was manifested viz., the true
spiritual lordship and the glorious moral courage of Zarathushtra
became conducive to the peace of the Supreme Lord and Creator
Ahura Mazda and here was observed the sublime exaltation in the
shape of guiding those who were disgracefully gluttons, or of
clandestine movements and manifold cheats to good temperament
and moderation.
AHURA MAZDA INSPIRED ZARATHUSHTRA
HOW TO INDUCE THE RECALCITRANT
CHIEF To. JOIN HIS PARTY
(14-l5) Aurvaita-deng in the midst of his wrath and excitement against the demons for their demanding Zarathushtra's death,
invited them to listen to the Revelation of Ahura Mazda about
which he preached to them "Righteousness in this world and Ahura
Mazda worshipping religion of Zarathushtra will bring all
demonism to an end". Thereupon, Aurvaita-deng said "O
Zarathushtra of the Spitama thou shalt not attract me to such a
danger as thou too art in".
(21-26) Zarathushtra informed Vaedvoishta- a demon, that Ahura
Mazda demands a hundred most vigorous males and females and a
team of four horses". If he gives these, he would get splendor and
glory and his soul would be exalted and thereby the object of
Ahura Mazda of transmuting evil powers into good would be
fructified; if not, he would get evil-notoriety i.e., damnation. But
Vaedvoishta was puffed up by his successes through evil and
declined the offer of Zarathushtra saying that he possessed greater
opulence in the shape of a thousand droves of swine which he had
not received either from Zarathushtra or from Ahura Mazda. Here
the numeral 1000 stands for the innumerable wiles of the Satan. He
moreover became vindictive and planned Zarathushtra's death. But
Zarathushtra was not vulnerable to any material body or forces of
Dark side, so Vaedvoishta was caught in the Veil of Darkness and
fell in damnation. (It may be noted that Vaedvoishta was one of the
four demons who flourished in the court of king Vishtaspa before
the latter accepted the Zoroastrian Faith).
(27-28) Ahura Mazda told Zarathushtra that he (demon) had
become arrogant by possessing cattle which are created by us, but
when on the third night after death, his soul comes up, the justice
dealt out to him would be of an evil life which will bring for him
retributive punishments. These punishments are de-
289
picted as the evil food. Through these he will see the utter failure of
opposing Ahura Mazda's will and then improve in life i.e. follow
the path of transmuting evil into good. In other words, when
persuasion fails to effect transmutation of evil into good, Nature
exercises its power of reforming the soul by condign punishments.
(29-30) In these paragraphs there is enigmatical reference to the
curing of the 4 year old bull and its illness. Here bull refers to the
Good side of the soul, and the disease, the Dark. So Ahura Mazda
told Zarathushtra that the Haoma water would cure only those who
are anxious to be purified and not those who are demonworshippers.
(31-35) When Zarathushtra proceeded first into the embodied
world there dwelt at the end of Sajastan an illustrious person named
Parshid-tora. The latter asked Zarathushtra for giving him the
consecrated Haoma water, which he held in his hand. Zarathushtra
told him to praise piety and condemn the demons and declare
among the evil people his acceptance of the Ahuramazda-worship
of Zarathushtra. Parshid-tora carried out all instructions except
declaring among the evil people his acceptance of the Ahuramazdaworship of Zarathushtra. Zarathushtra went to him and told him
that the Haoma water would cure only those who are anxious to be
purified and not those who are demon-worshippers. Parshid-tora
who was not a demon-worshipper was completely cured by the
Haoma water.
(36-46) Then Ahriman ordered demons to rush upon Zarathushtra
and kill him. But Zarathushtra foresaw their secret intentions for
his destruction and chanted the Ahunavar aloud, through the holy
vibrations of which the demons were made to flee away. They
protested to Ahriman against his ordering them without reason to
kill Zarathushtra and said that they did not expect to be able to kill
him. Owing to the perfect gloriousness of holy Zarathushtra, he
foresaw in his superior mind that the evil demons were conspiring
to cause his death and contemplating thus he walked forward and
chanted aloud the 'Word' Yatha Ahu Vairyo. This is expressed
allegorically that "he held aloft the stone in his hand". The
chanting of the Yatha Ahu Vairyo broke the bodies of the demons.
The breaking of the bodies of the demons and the chanting of
Yatha Ahu Vairyo by Zarathushtra became manifest not only to
the people of Iran, but even to those of the whole world. On
observing his splendor the demons had before that fallen down and
their devilish propensities passed away and the licentious
proclivities were withdrawn from mankind, on account of which
the demons deplored most violently to Ahriman. Zarathushtra
chanted to them Ahunavar with the result that the demons got
buried and concealed in the earth, that is, their bodies were
entirely shattered. It is declared
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that after the shattering of their bodies they have been unable to
come forward and cause destruction in the world as embodied
demons; their concealed nature having been betrayed to mankind,
men thoroughly recognized them and knew that they were not
angels but demons.
In the above few paragraphs, it is shown that Zarathushtra
delivered the world from the sway and atrocities of the demons
who till then walked on the earth as ordinary bipeds i.e. human
beings.
(47-53) Ahura Mazda asked Zarathushtra why or how it was that
mankind regarded demons as exalted as Dasturs (high_ priests); to
which Zarathushtra replied that whatever the people ask of the
demons, they are promised to be given. It is on account of those
allurements that mankind run to the desert-plan infested with
devilish powers and regard demons as Dasturs. They further said
that whatever they possessed was through the demons and if
anybody received gifts from the good spirits, the demons push
him away from receiving the help.
(54-55) Then Ahura Mazda spoke to Zarathushtra,,"We are not as
to thee, as the demons are to mankind. We give away everything
in invisibility but the demons through close connection when they
rush out tempt only with pleasantness." (S.B.E. Vol. XLVII-Ch.
IV).
(56) When Zarathushtra was about to return to the earth from his
conference with Ahura Mazda, the latter forewarned him that
when he goes to the earth, Druj (fiend) will rush to him, and
request companionship and cooperation from him, and admonished him not to grant the same to him, and commanded him to recite
aloud that triumphant (sacred) formula the 'Yatha Ahu Vairyo'.
(57) When Zarathushtra arrived on this world he met the Druj
who was seated near a garment – the garment which was
deposited there by him when Vohumana was leading, him to the
conference with Ahura-Mazda – female, a person ornamented
with gold, and full-bosomed; and she solicited from him
companionship; and said "I am Spendarmad" (1)
(Footnote 1. by Dr. West (ibid) – The female archangel Bountiful
Devotion in whose special charge are the earth and virtuous
women; Sls XV; 5,20-24) Sls = Shayast – la shayast.
(58) Zarathushtra said to her, "I have, seen Spendarmad on a
bright day that was cloudless and that Spendarmad seemed to me
fine behind, and fine in the front, and fine all around – now turn
your back , so that I may know if thou art Spendarmad.
(59) She replied, "O Zarathushtra, we are those females that are
handsome in the front; and badly ugly from behind, so do not order
me to turn my back.
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(60) After she had squabbled a third time with him, the Druj
turned towards her back, whereupon Zarathushtra observed from
behind, when (there) stood hard 'Nasa' matter under, the interior
opening, which was full of biting reptiles, and leeches and lizards
and centipedes and frogs.
(61) Thereupon the triumphant formula, namely, the 'Yatha Ahu
Vairyo' was loudly recited by Zarathushtra, then that Druj was
confounded.
In the above paragraphs this material world, which is Druj or
Evil-infested is personified as female Druj. Her enchanting feminine
form stands for the worldly transient enjoyments, which human beings
mistake for true happiness. Her back full of 'biting reptiles' etc.,
indicate the suffering that the immoderate transient enjoyments bring
in their train.
As shown in Dr. West's footnote above, the earth is under the
special charge of the female archangel Spenta Armaiti, literally
meaning Bountiful Devotion or Humility. Owing to this blissful
influence, the earth, as an element, displays the characteristic of
returning Good for Evil, while fire gives like for like, if
sandalwood or incense is put on it, it gives fragrance, and the
reverse, if something dirty is put on it; whereas earth or soil turns
the dirt or refuse into manure, and gives in return nice flowers,
fruits and vegetables.
On account of this at the end of the 'Kemna Mazda' prayer in
the Kusti-rite where the word 'Armaitish' refers to the earth and
hence 'Nemascha... Armaitish' means 'obeisance to the earth'
because she is blissful. On account of this blissfulness in her, we
know, she is styled 'mother earth' in English.
(Dk. Vol. XIV; Ch.III; 62) Here, the demon Cheshmak's reference
is to the vicious circle of death and birth again and again by falling
into the traps of allurements by the Ahriman.
(63) Zarathushtra declared unto mankind the danger of vicious
temptations in this world, and the test of the good people in the
midst of such temptations; and their protection from such
temptations by the necessary warning and commandments of the
Mazdayasnian Religion. The survival, of this Religion upto the
present time seems certainly due to its purity, piety and truth.
(Sanjana Dinkard Vol. XIV-Ch.III - Footnote 4).
Here reference is to the fact that before the present Zarvane
Daregho Khadat (comprising 81,000 years) commenced, over
14,000 years ago, before the Aryans descended from the heights of
Airyana Vaeja to the plains of the known material world, the
demons had descended to it, from the regions above and walked on
,
the earth in the guise of bipeds. They were leading
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a life of marauders and of destructors of crops and causing much
havoc by fires, murders etc. When Zarathushtra descended on the
earth, he shattered their bodies by the loud chanting of the
Revelation declared by the Avesta, which King Vishtaspa and the
people of his age accepted as truth. If this had not been so, i.e., if
the king and his people had not accepted the truths of the Avesta, it
would not have come down to us to-day.
(64) When Zarathushtra presented himself in the court of King
Vishtaspa, there existed the perverted religion of demon Zag, who
was full of damnation and many other Kigs and Karapans,
oppositionists of the Good Religion. They schemed his death by
spreading all kinds of scandals against him and incited Vishtaspa
for causing his death.
(67) In this paragraph Zarathushtra is depicted to have stated: "I
have thoroughly replied to their 33 enquiries". Here '33' represents
numerological mysticism. 33 = 3 plus 3 = 6 which refers to the
talismanic power of the numeral 6 denoting the six stages of a soul
born on the earth as male or female, in which eventually the Evil of
the soul is transmuted into Good. The first four refer to (1) birth,
(2) growing, (3) shaping and (4) entering the adult stage at which
the soul i.e. the person concerned shoulders the responsibility of its
thought, word and action in life. By the time (or whenever) that
person in one or more lives on earth, is about to complete the
fourth stage and enters the fifth if it has succeeded in spiritual
bargaining i.e. balancing of obligations with human, animal,
vegetable and mineral kingdoms as well as Nature's forces, it is
then freed from re-birth and physical body by having succeeded in
the transmutation of its Evil, into Good. When all these obligations
are balanced, the soul is said to have entered the stage of
Maidyarem Gahambar, which is transitional to the soul's
advancement in paradisiacal regions. In the sixth, the soul enters
the final stage of ascending to the heaven of the Moon, which is the
lowest of the seven revolving planets and in the distant end, the
soul enters the 8th heaven of the. Zodiac, the sidereal home from
which it (soul) was erstwhile exiled for its purification to the
mortal worlds, both subtle and material. Such is the power of the
numeral 6 relating to the sixth gahambar, which exalts the soul
from its sinful condition to the state of holiness, which is referred
to in the text as '33' enquiries.
(68) However, great as was this success of Zarathushtra over the
demons, greatest still was the reaction on Zarathushtra's body itself
which temporarily brought loss of consciousness in him which was
restored by Bahman Ameshaspend.
(69) It is stated that King Vishtaspa sentenced Zarathushtra to
imprisonment. This has reference to occasions when Zarathushtra
had to change his subtle body into corporeal, in order to
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make himself visible to the people of the world. The Prophet's
body was composed of second grade light of the potentiality of
Gatha in which light, there is always a mixture of Druj (Evil) in
latent form. As soon as the subtle body was turned visible there
was onrush of the liberated Druj, which on some occasions
rendered the Prophet temporarily unconscious. On such occasions
the Prophet ejaculated in a helpless way "Kam nemoi zam, Kuthra
nemoi ayeni" (Ysn. 46,1) i.e., where may I go, whither may I take
a turn? On such occasions archangel Bahman used to hurry to his
succour, and restore him to consciousness by removing the Veil of
Darkness from him. Such occasions were instances of 'Azeh' type
of sin, in which there is vicarious suffering by one mixing with
sinful person, though pure personally.
The above statement of the Prophet's imprisonment sounds
quite ordinary, but yet it has a hidden meaning. The temporary
unconsciousness which deprived the Prophet of his Prophetship is
allegorically depicted as 'imprisonment'. It was not possible in the
case of Zarathushtra to be shut up in a worldly prison, for nobody
could touch his person which gave a shock if touched, and besides
he was capable of rarefying his body and making himself invisible
and free, whenever he desired.
During this temporary loss of consciousness_ he was deprived
of the sublime wisdom of Bahman Ameshaspend and hence he is
allegorically stated to have been 'starved'. This starvation is not of
the physical body but of Wisdom which he was otherwise
constantly receiving from Bahman Ameshaspend.
(70) Then there is reference to "enlivening the Bull" by Zarathushtra. This bull is not the quadruped. Gava, lit., among other
meanings signifies Life. Death of the bull signifies the preponderance of Evil over Good. Inversely speaking when the bull is
said to be enlivened, it means subjugation of Evil by Good or
preponderance of Good over Evil. So when the prophet became
temporarily unconscious in the act of transforming himself from
invisible to visible state, he is stated to have been imprisoned and
starved and when his body was rendered to its normal shadowless
state, it is stated that Zarathushtra brought the bull back to life.
Here there is also the mention of 'the miracle about the
shining horse of Vishtispa'. In the footnote, the learned Dasturji
informs us that the passage here alludes to the marvelous curing of
Vishtispa's horse by Zarathushtra. This miracle is described in
detail in the Persian Zarathusht-Namah. This Zarathusht-Namah
was written in verse by Dastur Zarathusht Behram in A.C. 1278
(Sanjana Dinkard; Vol XIII: Intro. P. xiii). With due deference to
the learned author of the above versical work, it may be stated that
the narration of the 'black
294
steed' parable is said to have been given in full romantic style
taking the parable in its literal sense because the un-riddling of the
allegories relating to the Prophet's life was unknown till Khshnoom
came to light and our spiritually enlightened Master Behramshah
Naoroji Shroff revealed the true interpretations of those allegories
for the first time in India. The elucidation of these allegories has
been given by Dr. Chiniwalla in his 'Nikiz' Vol. I, besides in other
Khshnoomic literature. The following is translated from "Amar
Jyoti Zarathushtra" written by leamed Ervad S. M. Bhada (pp. 2122)
"A parable is connected with the life of Zarathushtra in which it
is stated that the demons poisoned King Vishtaspa's ears by
misrepresenting him as a sorcerer by throwing hair, nails and other
impure things in his bed caused him to be imprisoned. And, when
war arose between Gushtasp (Vashtasp) and his enemy Arjasp, it is
stated that the legs of King Vishtaspa's black steed got retracted in
its body which Zarathushtra restored to their natural condition,
whereupon King Vishtaspa accepted the Revelation of
Zarathushtra and spread the same in the whole world. So says the
parable. We are aware by now that Zarathushtra had a luminous
body, he was not approachable closely, his body was of a fiery
nature and gave a shock if touched, which body was transparent*
and shadowless and besides he possessed the music of the Divine
songs of the Gathas and implements of talismanic power, and
moreover, could render his body invisible at will - being all these
how can it ever be possible for any Human being to catch him or
strike him or imprison him.
King Vishtaspa was misled by the instigations of the demons,
and by their holding him under their control through spells of black
magic. In the, above allegory, four of the King's mental powers
were deficient or latent, while others were shining, i.e., active. The
bright powers are represented as a horse, but since there were
defects also, that horse is stated to be black.
It is further stated that the King was so misguided that he
ordered Zarathushtra to be imprisoned. By this is meant that
Vishtaspa so managed that Zarathushtra may not come out from
his residence in the holy talismanic mountain (Harbarez) so that
the demons may have their awn way. This is referred to as
imprisonment. Then it is stated that the demons spread putrid
things like loose hair, nails, skulls and corpses in his bed. Here
Zarathushtra's bed is the earth on which the task of Zarathushtra
was to spread blissfulness. So the demons are stated to have
deposited the above mentioned putrid things in the earth so as to
defeat Zarathushtra's activities.
'" Even today there exist a species of small fish the flesh of which
is quite transparent. It is called glass fish. So there is nothing
unbelievable if the holy Prophet's body was transparent.
295
Now just as the demons were practicing their witchcraft, there
were in the royal court of Vishtaspa holy leaders also who on their
part were endeavoring to defeat the demon's power. Thus there was
great rivalry between parties of the Dark and the White sides. This
is given the form of a warfare, which it certainly was. Owing to
this tug-of-war, the King's intervention was absolutely necessary,
but he could not decide which party to support. He consulted the
wise for restoring the horse to its natural state, but no one could
effect it. Thus chaos reigned supreme In the Court of Vishtaspa,
which Zarathushtra could perceive from his residence in Harbarez
by his spiritual powers. He declared that he would be able to clear
the haze of uncertainties. Upon this Zarathushtra was invited to the
royal court. This is expressed as Zarathushtra 'liberated from
imprisonment'.
Thereupon Holy Zarathushtra presented himself in the Court
by moderating his highly lustrous fiery body. Owing to this lustre
the whole mankind and animals rejoiced. This is aptly stated in
Farvardin Yasht 93-94 as under:
"In whose birth and growth the waters and the plants rejoiced;
In whose birth and growth the waters and the plants grew;
In whose birth and growth all the creatures of the good
creations cried out, 'Hail; Hail, to us! for he is born, the Athravan
Spitama Zarathushtra'….."
The King himself forgot his own condition by the Prophet's
mere presence, and thus peace and joy spread everywhere by his
advent as if the divine message of Ahura Mazda was received_
Everyone became anxious to follow his commands, whereby the
power of the demons was nullified for they were convinced that
Zarathushtra had 'extracted the four legs', that is, cleared the
ambiguity in the King's mind, and they realized that Vishtaspa.
would order the annihilation of the demons and level them to the
dust. When such a situation arose, most of the demons surrendered
to Zarathushtra and accepted his message.
(71) Reverting to Dinkard par. 71 we find that Zarathushtra
foretold and disclosed through his spiritual insight what was in the
minds of King Vishtaspa and of the people of his country, and
likewise, several other valuable private matters.
(72) "One miracle was that several objects of vicious delusions
which had been practiced by means of sorcery by Dahaka in
Babylon - through the greediness whereof mankind had come to
the worship of idols and consequently there was destruction of the
world - were entirely dispelled and rendered inactive through the
proclamation of the triumphant words of the Religion by
Zarathushtra, namely, those words that were opposed to that
sorcery".
296
(73) One of the miracles attributed to Zarathushtra was that "in the
controversy on the Religion with the famous sages of the region
(of Khaniras)_who were-well-known in the world for their
learning and contributions to the sacred texts, and who were
among those that were the most awful opponents of the most
deceitful doctrine, and whose desire was for freeing themselves
from that most deceitful religion of theirs; to them there was then
the intelligible manifestation of the truth by Zarathushtra, and the
making of King Vishtaspa and of all those sages certain as to the
truth of the Religion".
We have seen above the allegorical narration of Zarathushtra's
advent in the royal court, and the difficulties he had on occasions of
changing over from the invisible body to the physical garb. We
have also seen un-riddled the allegories regarding enlivening of the
bull and extraction of the black steed's legs. These marvels
subjugated the King, and the Kigs (demons) were annihilated. In
other words, the defects in the King's mind were removed. He
(Zarathushtra) then disclosed to them the knowledge contained in
the 21 Nasks (volumes). He taught them the philosophy, the
talismanic spells and the sacred ceremonies, which are technically
called practices of a tree "Sarv-e-Keshmar". King Vishtaspa by the
exaltation of his mental condition imbibed the holy Teaching. Not
only that, he also began to attune himself with Ohrmazd and
Ameshaspends. Thus the Jarthoshi Din spread on the earth and the
demon worship was extirpated, both from the material world and
the ethereal regions above. The accomplishment of all those great
feats commenced with the 'extraction of the black steed's legs'.
(74) After this, Ohrmazd sent Vohumana and Asha Vahishta
(Bahman and Ardibehesht Ameshaspend) and the propitious Fire
energy (of two grades) called Adar-Burzin-Meher, the higher
operating on the heaven of the Sun and the lower on that of Moon
for producing a stronger conviction in Vishtaspa and for helping
him and his council of sages to believe in the truth of
Zarathushtra's prophecy, and spreading the same throughout the
world.
(75-76) Then the Ameshaspends came down from the sky to the
earth, and Ohrmazd instructed them to proceed on to the residence
of Vishtaspa who was a great possessor of blissfulness and cause
acceptance by them of Zarathushtra's words, which the
Ameshaspends did (proceed). Owing to the awe-striking radiance
of the Ameshaspends, Vishtaspa and all his courtiers were highly
wonder-struck and they began to tremble with awful fear.
(77-79) Then the Fire Energy of Adar Burzin Meher addressed the
king in a manly speech: "O exalted Kae Vishtaspa! There is
nothing to fear about for these Ameshaspends have not come to
297
frighten you in your residence nor have they come to frighten you
as the envoys of Arjaspa who demand tribute from you nor have
they come as a robber. We three have come to thee from our
heavenly residence. If you use your spiritual wisdom, you will
find that this world requires the good Mazdayasnian Religion,
which proceeds in its purity through the recitation of him who is
Zarathushtra of Spitamas."
(80) Adar Burzin Meher further exhorted the king to chant the
Ahunavairya, praise piety which is best, that is, chant Ashem-vohu
prayer, and utter no worship for the demons because the will of
Ahura Mazda, Ameshaspends and Yazads (sacred beings)
regarding thee is the exaltation by thee of this Religion.
(81-82) If you praise the good and pure Religion of the holy
Zarathushtra, then as the blessing and recompense thereof, we will
give to you a kingship and sovereignty of a long duration and a
long life of 150 years; we will give you the righteous speaking and
a glorious existence and we shall constantly help you in your
sublime progress. Moreover, we will bless you with a son, named
Peshotanu, who will be immortal, who will be so without old age,
without hunger and without thirst and who will be alive and
powerful in both the lives of the embodied and spiritual
existences. If you do not praise the good and pure Religion of the
holy Zarathushtra, we will not carry you to heaven, but we will
order for you at your death, the vultures who are always awaiting
to devour a dead body when your blood will reach the earth, i.e.,
you will die like unbelievers, without leaving any male progeny
behind you and no waters will then reach your body, i.e., no water
at death will be available for the purpose of purification.
(83) Arjaspa and his envoys, the enemies of Vishtaspa were
ready to attack Iran, but on the one hand, Arjaspa was awestricken by the talismanic powers of Zarathushtra, and on the
other, was afraid of Asfandiar Ruintan (son of Vishtaspa). Ruintan
ordinarily means 'body of metal'. It also means protection through
holy formula. Body of metal is absolutely impossible in nature.
The fact is the elements of Asfandiyar's body were rendered so
invulnerable by the holy formulae that no attacks of any
implements could harm him permanently.
"One miracle was that which was connected continuously
with the intelligent vision exhibiting spiritually unto Vishtaspa his
future victory over Arejataspa and the Khyaonians".
(84) On account of the most pre-eminent position and
harmless sovereignty and splendor and glory owned by Vishtaspa,
Ahura Mazda sent Yazata (angel) Nairyosangha to the residence
of Vishtaspa as a companion to Ardibehesht Ameshaspend to
make Vishtaspa drink the spring of life in order that
298
his spirit may become exalted and he may be able to look into the
sublime abodes of the spirits in heaven. (Nairyosangha is the name
of the divine messenger of Ahura Mazda. It is also the name of a
fire that dwells in the hearts of kings, and helps them in their royal
functions). On account of that ambrosial drink, Vishtaspa beheld
the great glory and splendor of heaven.
(85-87) Then Ahura Mazda bade Nairyosangha to hurry to the
residence of Vishtaspa and tell Asha Vahishta, archangel
Ardibehesht, to take the finest of the goblets and carry in it our
excellent Haoma and sacred narcotic and make king Vishtaspa
drink it up to the brim, which the King did. King Vishtaspa retired
to his private chamber and spoke to his Queen Hutaosa that she
would receive, besides this Religion, a skill of prompt acquiring of
that Religion through perseverance so that she would expound the
Religion of Ahura Mazda and Zarathushtra.
(88-90) When Vishtaspa accepted the Religion and praised
piety, the demons were rendered inactive in hell, i.e., in the
deceitful material world, and the demon Aeshma rushed, towards
the territories of Arjaspa, the cruel ruler of Khyaona and he
instigated them all to battle by the most terrible clamour "as the
rise of Zarathushtra and his religion would practically mean the
downfall of idol and demon-worship. The hand of God directed
the operations against Arjaspa, and his Khyaonians, and
Vishtaspa's army marched successfully through their territory,
spreading a knowledge of the tenets of the faith". The prompt skill
was at one time a gift of the Khyaonian Arjaspa when he was
predominant. But that skill was of evil type; but now it has become
the gift of the Iranian Zarathushtra.
Here ends Chapter III of Sanjana Dinkard Vol. XIV.
STORY OF THE BRAHMAN
'Cangranghacah' (Changraghach )
[Reproduced from Prof. Jackson's work "Zoroaster the Prophet
of Ancient Iran" (pp. 85-86).]
"The most interesting episode, perhaps, of the foreign conversions is the later Persian ,story which is told of Cangranghacah,
a Brahman sage who comes from India to Vishtasp's court in order
to refute Zoroaster's doctrines; but the Hindu teacher himself is
taught by the greater master and becomes a devoted convert of the
Priest of Iran. This picturesque narrative is recounted with other
matters, in the Cangranghacah Namah, a modern Persian political
work of the thirteenth century. The author of this treatise is stated
to be Zartusht Bahram Pazhdu of the ancient city of Rai, who also
composed Zartusht Namah; and like the latter work it is claimed to
be drawn from Pahlavi sources, if we may agree with Anquetil du
Perron, who is our
299
chief source of information on the subject. This story of Brahman's
conversion is briefly repeated in the Dabistan and it is alluded to
incidentally in the text of the Dasatir and described in its
commentary. All this implies some currency of the tale. A brief
abstract of the narrative, so far as it relates to the main event, is
worth giving and it is here presented, being based, on the fuller
account of the Cangranghacah Namah found in Anquetil.
. Sketch of the Incident: Theaged Brahman sage Cangranghacah is
a philosopher whose learning and wisdom were far-famed
throughout India and known in Iran. He is reported even to have
been the teacher of 'Jamasp, minister to King Vishtasp whose
devotion to Zoroaster is regarded as a fall from grace, Accordingly
the Brahman writes to Vishtasp a letter remonstrating with the
monarch for believing in the upstart Prophet. At the proposal of
Vishtasp; he finally comes himself to 'Balkh' with a great
following of devoted disciples, in order to debate with Zoroaster,
and to put the imposter to confusion. But he who came to scoff
remains to pray. Zoroaster is prepared by premonition to answer all
the seer's questions before he asks them; and amid a great
assemblage of learned men who have gathered from many parts of
the country to listen for days to the religious debate; the chosen
Priest of Ormazd disarms his antagonist before the latter has time
to lift his weapons in discussion and conflict. By reading a Nask or
Book of the Avesta, in which every difficult question prepared by
the Hindu controversialist is already answered, he astonishes and
utterly confounds the Brahman; So completely is the Hindu
philosopher vanquished and convinced that with remarkable
candour he forthwith acknowledges his defeat,_is converted,
adopts the Faith, receives a copy of the Avesta from Zoroaster's
own hands, becomes a zealous adherent, and joins in spreading the
Prophet's teachings in Hindustan and the adjacent countries, so that
eighty thousand souls in this way receive the enlightenment of the
true Faith. A festival is instituted to commemorate this important
event."
MARVELS PERFORMED ON DAY MARESPAND OF
MONTH SPENDARMAD
In the Master's book entitled “Ancient Zoroastrian Educational System" (pp. 87-88) there is mention of other marvels noted
below.
"The day (Roj) Mino Marespand of the month (Mah) Spendarmad being very auspicious in Nature the Holy Prophet
crossed on that day the river Zahun of Iran by causing its
waters to shift."
300
This is also mentioned in "Zoroaster, the Prophet of Ancient Iran".
(p. 39) by Prof. Jackson, as under:
"On the way the party passes through a sea whose waters are
lowered by a miracle so as to allow a free crossing". On the
same day the Holy Prophet also performed the following
miracles:
(1) 'pulled out' the allegorical four legs of the black steed of
king Kae Vishtasp, said to have been retracted in its
body_i.e., illumined the four latent cerebral powers of the
king by giving him to drink the consecrated Sherbet
saturated with his (Prophet's) blessings, whereby the king
was able to see the demons in their true colours.
(2) showered his blessings and developed the spiritual powers
of (a) Peshotan, (b) Jamasp and (c) Asfandiar through
consecrated milk, flower and pomegranate respectively,
on account of which they became famous in history as
under:
(a) appointed Peshotan (king Vishtasp's son) as the chief
of Kangdez, Peshotan was a Saoshyant, i.e., a Saviour, a
spiritual guide risen from this world. Saoshyants are of
two categories; among the first grade are those who, like
the angels belong to the class of Saoshyants from their
very origin; among these are the holy Zarathushtra; Shah
Varjavand, entitled Behram; Hoshedar-mah; Hoshedarbami and others. In the second grade of Saoshyants come
those holy souls who have progressed from this world,
and take part in helping other souls in spiritual
advancement. For this reason Peshotan has been
designated as the Saoshyant advanced from this world.
Since he is instrumental in transmuting the effects of
Darkness into Light on Kangdez (the middle sub-region
of the Chinvat i.e., Requiter Bridge), he has been known
as Peshotan of Kangdez;
(b) Made Jamasp, the wise premier of king Kae Vishtasp
'Phi' which is a term of the ancient Kyan dialect.
'Jamasp-phi' means' said or predicted by Jamasp'.
Hence is derived the term 'Jamaspi'. 'Jamasp-phi' is
explained under the topic of "Nav Gereh." Thus
'Jamasp was not the worldly son-in-law of the Holy
Prophet as erroneously believed in philology;
(c) Made Asfandiar (the warrior son of King Kae
Vishtasp) 'Ruin-tan', by which is meant that his
body-elements (except the eyes) were rendered
301
quite invulnerable to the attacks of poisonous arms.
Thus it will be understood 'Ruin-tan' or 'Royin tan',
literally meaning 'body of brass' allegorically so
called was not of metal which is absolutely impossible in Nature:"
DIN AND MARESPAND, TWO AUSPICIOUS DAYS
for Commencing Child's Education
(The following is condensed from P. 82 seq. ibid.)
Din Yazad (Av. Daena) is the superintendent over the two
deified laws, viz., Mazdayasni Daena and Zarthoshti Daena. The
first (Mazdayasni Daena) is the law of Infoldment of Spirit into
Matter_ according to which a soul possessing deficiency of divine
knowledge trails down from the immortal worlds to this earth,
infolded in material body for its Reformation; the second
(Zarthoshti Daena) is the law of Unfoldment of Spirit from Matter,
according to which the erstwhile wicked soul, by observing the
Zoroastrian laws of purity, becomes sanctified, and gets repatriated
to the immortal worlds over which two laws (Infoldment and
Unfoldment) Din Yazad is the superintendent.
Mino Marespand (Av. Manthra Spenta) is the superintendent
over 'Staota Yasna' – the basis of the Universe, which has come
into being by the inter-attunement of the invisible original colours
produced from the divine Musical Note of Ahunavar, the WILL of
Lord God Ahu, the light of lights.
From the above it will be understood that Mino Marespand is
concerned with the creation of the Universe, and Din Yazad with
the path of purity which a Zoroastrian has to take during life on
earth, so as to gain deliverance from the repetitions of birth and
death on this earth by the observance of Truth coupled with the
Zoroastrian laws of purity and of the Zoroastrian anti-microbe Baaj
rites. Consequently, it is enjoined in the Teachings of our Faith to
commence the school education of a child on either of the two days
of Din Yazad and of Mino Marespand of any Zoroastrian month,
so that the child may remain in tune with Nature and may receive
the combined blissful currents of these two angels. However, the
day (Roj) Mino Marespand of the month (Mah) Spendarmad
Ameshaspend is the most auspicious in the whole year. It may here
be emphasized that the training of a Zoroastrian boy or girl must
not be confined to economic learning only, but must be conducted
side by side with the practice of the religious observances
mentioned above.
302
GRADATIONS OF DIVINE INTELLIGENCES
Regarding Din and Marespand mentioned above, it would
be well to show below the gradations of the divine Intelligences:
Ahura Mazda:
the Holy Creator of the Universe (on
9th and 8th heavens of empyrean and
Zodiac).
7 Ameshaspends
8 Mino
3 Dae
l Farrokh
13 Yazads
1
: Hormazd, Bahman, Ardibehesht, Shehrever, Spendarmd, Khordad and
Amardad (the name of first Ameshaspend is also Hormazd with its seat
on the 6th heaven of Jupiter);
: Ram, Ashishvangh, Asman, Marespand, Aneran, Spentamino, Spento
temo-Mino and the untrue Angra
Mino;
: Dae-pa-Adar; Dae-pa-Meher;
Dae-pa-Din;
: Farrokh Farvardin;
: Adar, Khorshed, Mohar, Tir_ Gosh,
Meher, Sarosh, Rashne-Rast, Beheram\Govad, Din, Ashtad, Jamyad;
: Avan Ardvi Sura Banu.
SEVEN AMESHASPANDS
(BLISSFUL
ARCHANGELS) AND
TWO DATA (DEIFIED
LAWS)
The seven Ameshaspands, blissful archangels and two Data
which are deified Laws, i.e., potentialities, are 'Baga', meaning
parts of Ahura: They emanated or manifested themselves from
Mazda Ahura, and help the Creator (Dadvao; Yt.13,83) Ahura
Mazda in the administration of the Universe. They all have their
respective functions. These functions are called their Humata,
Hukhta, Hvarshta (ibid. 84). The functions in the immortal worlds
(comprising the empyrean, zodiac and the seven revolving
planetary heavens) are called their Humata, those performed in
the, Space, their Hukhta, and those performed in this material
world, their Hvarshta.
In the Pazand Patet-Pashemani prayer (Kardeh; 8) are given
the-respective Hvarshta' (deeds i.e. creations) of the seven
Ameshaspends. Thus –
1. Hormazd :
man and mankind;
2. Bahman :
cow-kind and other blissful species;
303
Ardibehesht : fire and other kinds of fire energies;
Shehrevar : metals and their different kinds;
Spandarmad : earth and its different kinds;
Khordad : water and its different kinds;
Amardad : vegetable and vegetable Kingdom.
All the above nine Baga, parts, are inter-dependent, and are
said to see each other, i.e., they are intermingled, because they are
Asha-perfect. Asha comprises three potentialities, viz., Yaon,
Rashnu, Armaiti mingled together. Yaon means connection with
Ahu, the light of lights. Rashnu is order divine; and Armaiti,
perfect humility towards Ahu. On account of these three powers
they are of talismanic numeral 9, which indicates perfection (in
Good or Evil, here Good), i.e., every Ameshaspand possesses the
seven respective qualities of all the seven Ameshaspands and of
two Data. Still in each of the nine, one respective quality is
manifest, while the rest are dormant.
Thus, in Bahman the qualities of all the Seven Ameshaspends
and two Data do exist in latent condition and only Baod, i.e. perfect
divine knowledge and divine Wisdom, is manifest, and it is called
Vohuman. Similarly, in Ardibehesht (7 plus 2=) 9 exist, of which
Moral Order divine of Asha is manifest, the rest all dormant.
Likewise in Shehrevar all the nine qualities do exist, but that of
Shehrevar, the desirable Sovereignty is manifest, the rest dormant.
Again in Spenta Armaiti all the nine qualities exist, but only that of
perfect humility towards Ahu is manifest the rest are latent. Similarly
in Khordad all the nine qualities do exist, but only that of Khordad of
effecting and spreading well-being or right nourishment, affording
health and happiness is active, the rest inactive. Again, in Amardad
all the nine qualities do exist, but only that of imparting long life or
immortality is manifest, the rest are dormant. In Mazdadata also the
qualities of seven Ameshaspands and of Ahuradata of divine Love
are latent, but its chief tendency to bring about limit of everything by
gradual transmutation of Evil into Good is predominant, though it
has also the power of bringing about the Reformation of the souls by
smiting Evil and transmuting it into Good, but its quality of effecting
gradua1 Involution (Infoldment) of Spirit into Matter is prominent.
Similarly in Ahuradata all nine qualities exist, but the propensity of
the laws of divine attraction is manifest, the rest are all dormant.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Thus the 'tree' emerges from Mazda Ahura, which (tree) has
(7 plus 2 =) 9 main branches. In this way the Creator Dadvao
Ahura Mazda has set the Universe into motion through the
potentialities of seven Ameshaspands and two Data.
304
NAME ZARATHUSHTRA
The name Zarathushtra is given to the unique sub-angelic soul
called Asne-vir that descends on this earth some 4,000 to 5,000
years after this known material world resumes its run of one
Zarvane daregho Khadat (lit., cycle of long time) comprising
81,000 years. (It may be noted that between two such cycles of
Zarvane Daregho Khadat there is an interval period of about
27,000 years on an average, and the holy prophet Zarathushtra
descends on the known material world some 4,000 to 5,000 years
after the inception, of every Zarvane. Daregho Khadat of 81,000
years when the demoniacal powers are at the highest.)
In Avesta, the name Zarathushtra is used in two significances,
1st person and 3rd person. 'Azem yo Zarathushtra' meaning 'I
Zarathushtra' (1st person) and 'Ya Ahuirish Zarathushtrish' i.e.,
Zarathushtra of Ahura' (3rd person). The latter is the sub-angelic
potentiality belonging to the sixth heaven of Jupiter called
Zarathushtra Gatha, from which the Prophet draws his name. The
suffix 'ushtra' (Iit., a camel) in Zarathushtra stands for (spiritual
Divine) Knowledge and practices pertaining to 'Baodangh', divine
Wisdom. The zenith of spiritual and divine knowledge and wisdom
and spiritual practices show old age, which commands respect.
This agedness is assigned yellow colour. The potentiality of
Zarathushtra-Gatha has the power of transmuting and alchemizing
Evil into Good, which is operating in the ethereal regions above,
and Prophet Zarathushtra executes this in the material world.
SEEMING BALL OF FIRE
IN PROPHET'S HAND
Regarding this seeming ball of fire in the Prophet's hand, it
must be stated that there was no material ball of fire of any kind
held by the Prophet in his hand, nor was there any shining
chemical composition applied on the palm to hoodwink people.
The fact is that the Prophet's body being composed of the subtle
element of fire, it (body) was transparent, and had no shadow. This
fiery element related to the creative fire-energy called AdarBurzin-Meher of two grades operating in the planetary world, the
higher on the heaven of the Sun, and the lower on that of the
Moon. The current of this Adar-Burzin Meher was constantly
circulating in his body, and was flowing as aura through his right
hand, which gave the appearance of the Prophet holding a ball of
fire in his hand.
Firdousi rightly refers to this fire-energy in his Shah Nameh as
under:
305
"Ke mehr burzin bi dood bood
Munauvar na az hizamo ood bood"
(translation) this fire Mehr Burzin was without smoke, and was
bright without wood and incense.
Thus the seeming ball of fire was no exterior or material
object held in his hand but was due to the fire-energy of Adar
Burzin Meher flowing through his right hand, as aura. In certain
modern pictures smoke is shown emitting from his hand, which is
imaginary and erroneous, because the brightness of his hand was
due to his aura. Firdousi has depitcted this in the above couplet.
UNIQUE CASE OF LIGHT
SHINING UNDER HOLY
ZARATHUSHTRA'S FEET
It is well known that halo, i.e., disk of light appears around
the head of a holy person when he is exalted to the saintly state. In
the case of ordinary saints this light appears around the head only.
In others of higher grade, the light shines also from the back of the
body. Even in the case of the Prophet's holy mother, the halo
emanated from behind her person (DK. VII, 1,8).
The inspired painters of other religions correctly show the
halo round the head only or around the head and the back i.e.,
from half of the upper parts of the body over the pit of the navel
because the 'Chakhras', plexuses, of the lower half of the material
body are of a lower grade in purity from which no light can
emanate. However, only in the case of Holy Zarathushtra, light
emanated even from under his feet, because his entire body from
head to feet was of a fiery type, and was transparent and had no
shadow.* This could be so because he was not an ordinary saint
that had advanced from this material world, but he belonged to the
angelic grade called the Gatha potentiality. On account of this
angelic status, he could assume or rarefy his body at will. The
Prophet draws his name Zarathushtra from the leading Gatha
Potentiality which is Zarathushtra. It was on account of this that
the Holy Creator refers to him Spitama Zarathushtra - as "the only
one (aevo) who will listen to our revelations". (Ysn. 29,8).
With regard to the Holy Prophet's unique status it may be recalled
that in the description of the pre-cosmo-genesis world we saw that there
were two types of lights in Ahunavar: One,
* (Zoroaster ... pp. 21.22 Prof.
Jackson).
306
deficient in divine knowledge called 'Urvans' (Ysn. 55,1) and the
other, perfect in divine knowledge called 'Baodanghs' (ibid).
Zarathushtra belonged from very beginning to the Baodangh class
to which constellations also do belong. (Baodangh it may be
reiterated does not mean, 'intellect' as erroneously rendered in
philology). It was on account of this unique status of Holy
Zarathushtra that the halo shone even from under his feet, and
hence it has been so shown in his picture from the earliest times.
'NAV-GEREH' THE NINE-KNOTTED
STICK SHOWN IN THE PROPHETS
HAND
The holy Prophet Zarathushtra has been shown in his pictures
as holding in his hand a nine-knotted stick called Nav Gereh,
referred to in Vandidad; 19,4 as 'Asano Zasta', meaning' stick in the
hand. Nav-Gereh literally means nine-knots. The word 'Gereh'
written in Pahlavi can also be read as 'Gena', which means a
maiden. These Nav-Gereh, nine knots, represent nine potentialities
in the form of Nav-Gena, nine maidens comprising the allegorical
three wives, three sons and three daughters of the Holy Prophet,
each potentiality bearing a Kehrp, phantom body-form of a maiden,
but no physical body. These maidens possess life, consciousness,
spiritual self-intelligence and divine knowledge and are quite
obedient to their holy procreator. So it means that these Nav-Gena,
nine maidens or potentialities have been represented in the
Prophet's pictures in the shape of Nav-Gereh, a nine-knotted stick,
since a stick represents strength or power to its holder.
The above nine maidens were the animated phantoms of the
nine grades of holiness - Nava-Karshem (Yt. 4,6) possessed by ,
Zarathushtra where according to Zoroastrian numerology, the
numeral 9 indicates perfection which in this case is in holiness.
The Holy Prophet performed with the aid of angel Sarosh, the
spiritual marvels of procreating nine potentialities in the shape of
nine maidens from the nine grades, of holiness possessed by him,
and employed for the continuation of his Faith, as also of those of
other Law-givers, during the distant ages of the current Zarvanedaregho-khadat, self-created long Time, which according to
Khshnoom comprises 81,000 years. Of these only some 4,000 to
5,000 years had elapsed when Zarathushtra descended on the
earth some 9,000 years ago from now.
The above potentialities have been referred to in Bundehesh
XXXII, 5-9, and in Vajarkart-i-Dinik (pp. 21-22).
307
5.
6.
Again, I say, by Zaratusht were begotten three sons and
three daughters; one Isadvastar, one Aurvatad-nar" and
one Khurshed-Chihar; as Isadvastar was chief of the
priests he became the Mobad of Mobads, (and) passed
away in the hundredth year of the religion; Aurvatadnar
(was) an agriculturist, (and) the chief of the enclosure
formed by Yim, which is below the earth; KhurshedChihar was a warrior, Commander of the army of
Peshyotanu, son of Vishtasp, (and) dwells in Kangdez,
and of the three daughters the name of one was Fren, of
one Srit, and of one Poruchist.
Aurvatad-nar and Khurshed-Chihar were from a serving
(chakar) wife; the rest were from a privileged (patakhshah) wife.
7. By Isadvastar was begotten a son (whose) name was
Ururvija; and they call him Aranj-i Biradan ('fore-arm of
brothers') for this reason, that, as they were from a serving
wife, (she)
then delivered them over to Isadvastar through
adoption.1
(Footnote 1. Instead of this sentence the Vajarkard-I-Dinik (pp. 2122) has the following, which appears to rest upon a
misinterpretation of the text: 'And Zarathusht the righteous, had three wives; all three were
in the lifetime of Zaratusht; the name of one was Hvov, of the
second Urvij, of the third Arnij-bareda, and from Urvij, who
was a privileged wife, four children, were born; one was the
son Isadvastar, and the three daughters, namely, Fren, Sritak
and Puruchist; these four were from Urvij. And from the wife
Arnij-bareda two sons were born, one Aurvart-nar, and the
second Khurshed Chihar; and Arnij-bareda was a serving wife,
and the name of the former husband of Arnij-bareda was
Mitro-ayar. And from Hvov, who was a privileged Wife"
(were) three sons, namely, Hushedar, Hushedar-mah and
Soshans, as it says' etc. (as in par. 8).".
8. This, too, (one) knows, that three sons of Zaratusht, namely,
Hushedar, Hushedar-Mah (1) and Soshyans (II), were from
Hvov, as it says that Zaratusht went near unto Hvov three
times, (and) each time the seed went to the ground; the angel
Neryosang received the brilliance and strength of that seed,
delivered (it) with care to the angel Anahid, and in time will
blend (it) with a mother.
9. Nine thousand, 'nine hundred and ninety-nine, and nine
myriads of the guardian spirits' of the righteous are
308
intrusted with (its) protection, so that the demons may not
injure it.
(Footnote I. Av. Ukhshyad-ereta and Ukhshyad-nemangh of
Fravardin Yt. 128).
(Footnote II. Av. Saoshyans of Vend. XIX, 18, Fravardin Yt. 129,
etc.)
It will be noticed from above par. 8 that angel Neryosang is
stated to have received the "brilliance and strength" of Zarathushtra's seed. This shows that this word 'seed' used by the
Pahlavi writers conveys some meaning other than of the commonplace human seed (semen), because we know if the latter falls
on the ground it is dirty, stinking and creative of Druji, microbes,
but never displaying brilliance. Besides this, the three 'sons'
Hushedar, Hushedar -mah and Soshyans are to take birth in future
ages remote by thousands of years. This could never be possible if
Zarathusht were a worldly married person, having three wives,
three sons and three daughters. This again proves that these entities
were not of the worldly life. Many philological scholars and
others, in the absence of knowledge of Zarathushtra's unparalleled
eminence, take the above Pahlavi writings literally. It is, therefore,
necessary to give the correct idea of the uniquely exalted status of
the Holy Prophet.
UNIQUE STATUS OF
HOLY ZARATHUSHTRA
It must first be remembered that bifurcation into sexes,
marriage, wife, husband, children - all these are meant for Urvans,
souls with deficiency of divine knowledge for their Reformation"
while Zarathushtra was Magavan-Magav, Holy of holies and most
perfect of the perfected souls and therefore he could not have
family ties in the worldly sense. The quotations given below will
give some idea of the Holy Prophet's unique status. The Kingly
Glory is praised in Jamyad Yt. 9 followed by numerous paragraphs
in which that Glory has been traced from divine Intelligences to
illustrious kings and saints, till in paras. 78, 79 it is stated:
"We sacrifice unto the awful kingly Glory (of) Mazdadata . .
..that clave unto the holy Zarathushtra, so that he thought
according to the Law, spoke according to the Law and did
according to the Law; so that he was the holiest in holiness in
all the living world, the best-ruling in exercising rule, the
brightest in brightness, the most glorious in glory, the most
victorious in victory."
(S.B.E: Vol. XXIII).
309
(ibid. 80) "At his sight the Daevas rushed away; at his sight
the (Demoniac) malice’s were extinguished; at his sight the
Jainis drew back their ways from the mortals, and lamenting
and wailing, laid violent hands on the Daevas."
(ibid. 81) "And that one prayer, the Ahuna Vairya, which the
Holy Zarathushtra sang, and repeated four times, with a song
that waxed louder and louder, drove back all the Daevas
beneath the earth, and took off from them sacrifice and
prayer."
During some 4,000 years prior to Zarathushtra's advent on the
earth, sorcery and witchcraft were most rampant, and the subangelic potentiality called Geush Urva (appointed for the
protection of the souls of this known wicked world) raised his
plaint to the blissful Creator Ahura Mazda for succour, where upon
the latter replied:
(Ysn. 29" 8) "This (one) known to me here, who alone shall
harken unto our doctrines (is) Zarathushtra Spitama; (he)
himself on behalf of Mazda and Asha shall desire to declare
our principles. Hence unto-him shall-I-give the good selfcommand (Hudem) of-the-Prophet." (K. E. Poonegar).
In the last line of the above stanza (29,8) occurs the term 'Hudem'
which is not correctly understood in philology. The prefix 'Hu' in
this word technically stands for 'Ahu' the Light of lights. Hence
Hudem means 'breath devoted to Ahu, the Light of lights only'.
So Zarathushtra alone was selected for the prophetic office. In
Khordad Yasht Ahura Mazda tells Zarathushtra :
"We befriend him who may attune himself with thee (through
holy ceremonies) as he would attune with the Ameshaspends
Bahman, Ardibehesht, Shehrevar, Aspandad,. Khordad and
Amardad."
Thus Zarathushtra is shown on a level with Ameshaspends.
Again in Dinkard (Dastur Sanjana Edition Vol. XIII) Pahlavi
Vol. VII, 1,16 it is stated:
"Then Zarathushtra seemed to them (the sacred beings)……
through having a like body-Ham-Karpih as of sacred beings".
This Pahlavi term 'Ham Karpih' is often misread as 'HamKarichih' meaning 'sheltering with (Ameshaspends)'. In either
reading can a worldly person ever have a like body as of
Ameshaspends or shelter with them? Since Zarathushtra possessed
a body like the Archangels, it means that he possessed Asne-vir
power, i.e., he could remain invisible by rarefying his
310
body like archangels, or assume body at will when required for
appearing before the people of this material world, which is never
possible in the case of human beings.
Again in 21, ibid. it is stated:
"We shall ........ convey there, to the village of Paorushaspo,
him whom they will call Zarathushtra of good lineage in both
ways, both of Nairyosanga (who is) from the Ameshaspends,
and of Yima (who is) from mankind."
Thus we see that the Holy Prophet was like an Ameshaspend and
not a worldly human being. We need not add any more references.
We shall now deal with the Nav-Gereh, representing the nine
potentialities.
THE THREE WIVES (POTENTIALITIES)
URVIJ, ARNIJ-BAREDA AND HVOVI
Urvij: We have stated above that the Holy Prophet had nine
potentialities bearing phantom body-forms comprising 3 wives, 3
sons and 3 daughters. The names of the three wives are Urvij,
Arnij-bareda and Hvovi. The first two were for advancement of
alien religions and the last Hvovi for the Zoroastrian
Regarding the three potentialities styled 'wives' it may be
stated that in ancient Iran there were five categories of brides;
1. Shahzan, obedient to parents in choice of husband;'
2. Khudrazan, self-determining in choice of husband.
3. Satarzan, also a Shahzan, but giving her son for adop
tion to another person;
.
4. chakarzan, a widow re-marrying; and
5. 'Aaibzan, a disreputable woman.
Urvii was meant for other Law-Givers, but they being absent
(dead?), Zarathushtra took her. Thus, so to say, Urvij was a
Chakarzan, a widow re-married to Zarathushtra. She (of the
phantom body-form) had holy connection with Zarathushtra, who
functioned for them (other Law-Givers). By her, will be born
Urvatat-nar and Khurshed-cheher.
Urvatat-nar literally meaning power-giver of Spiritual Unfoldment, is appointed the chief of agriculturists of (king) Jamshed's Vara, the subterranean enclosure situated in Airyana Vaeja,
which is like a talismanic citadel, So sanctified that Satan cannot
find entry there. (Yd. 2.43). This Vara of Jamshed which has been
buried under mountain-deep snow since some 10,000 years will
open up same 66,000 years hence at the end of the current
Zarvane-daregho Khadat, i.e., self-created long Time, which
according to' Khshnoom is of 81,000 years, followed by the next
World Deluge. However, before this Deluge actually over-runs the
whole of the known material world and submerges
311
it_ Soshyos, Prophet's son will carry to safety on Jamshed's Vara,
a pair of each of the creations of human beings and of animal,
vegetable and mineral kingdoms, under the influence of the five
planets (except the Sun and the Moon) so that their species will
grow up when the next known wicked material world commences
its run once again.
Thus he (Urvatat-nar) is appointed the agriculturist (Vastriosh) i.e., developer of those species, and giver of help to the
Law-Givers of other religions. .
The second son Hvare-Chithra (Khurshid-cheher) literally
meaning Propagator of the Fundamenta of Staota (Vibrationary
colours) like the Sun' will be the warrior-saint, residing in
Kangdez. He will be the deputy of Peshotan (King) Vishtasp's son,
who is its chief.
Urvatat-nar will work as the blissful agriculturist (not of the
land), but for uplifting and advancing the souls of all the religions
and Khurshid-cheher as the warrior-saint (Ratheshtar) will effect
reformation of souls by dealing out punishment through power
(Khshathra) to those souls which could not be reformed under
Urvatat-nar.
Arenaj Bareda: Arenaj Bareda is also Shahzan, but with this
distinction that she binds herself to give her children to others for
adoption.. When Zarathushtra will attune himself with Arenaj
bareda through his glory, one son Isat-vastar, and three daughters
Freni, Thriti and Pouruchisti will manifest themselves.
'Isat-vastar literally meaning 'Right Willed Actor' was the
chief of the Priests. He became the Mobed of Mobeds and passed
away in the hundredth year of the religion (Bd. 32.2).
The names of the three daughters are Freni Crt. 13,139)
literally, Spiritual Love, Thriti (ibid) or Srit, literally, Spiritual
Nourishment, and Pouruchisti (ibid.) literally perfect Spiritual
knowledge and Wisdom. In Gatha Vahishtoisht (Ysn. 53,3) it is
stated allegorically that Pouruchisti was wedded to Hakim (Dr.)
Jamasp referred to in Avesta as De-Jamasp and technically called
Jamasp-phi, in which the suffix '-phi' literally means predictor.
The Holy Prophet was 'Shahud', i.e., perfect in the knowledge of
the seven tenses or times, viz., (1) eternity of dead past, (2) past,
and (3) present, (4) near Present, (5) future, (6) future of future
(ages), and (7) Ghaiban, infinity, i.e, futurity lost in dim future.
This potentiality of Pouruchisti the Prophet bestowed upon
Hakim Jamasp, who was one of his foremost holy pupils, and a
great Asne-nar, i.e., highly advanced holy soul. Owing, so to say,
to this spiritual wedding of Poumchisti with Hakim. Jamasp, the
latter became a great Master-astrologer and super-seer of all the
above said seven tenses and hence in Avesta (ibid.) he is referred
to as De- Jamasp, the all-knowing predictor.
312
Hvovi: Hvovi (Yt, 13,139) 1iterally means 'one's own' (Hva.
Sva, own). Hence Hvovi means the potentiality employed by the
Holy Prophet for his own Faith. As stated in Bundehesh; 8
"Zaratusht went unto Hvovi three times", by which is meant that
the Holy Prophet effected subtle holy contact with the potentiality,
Hvovi, who was within the field of his glory with which he was
surrounded, and produced three seeds. But since the functions of
these seeds have been designed to take place in distant ages, they
have been intrusted to Ashaunam-Fravashis for protection from the
demons. These seeds or potentialities will then be developed into
Kehrps, subtle body-forms, each at its right time. They (seeds) did
not go into Hvovi, but went to the ground, i.e., the earth, by which
is meant Airyana Vaeja, where Zarathushtra was born. By the
consecration or holy ceremonies between Zarathushtra and Hvovi,
will be procreated three holy potentialities, allegorically regarded
as 'wives', viz., Srutat-fedhri (Yt. 13,141). Vanghufedhri (ibid. 142)
and Eredatfedhri (ibid.). These three potentialities will, in three
respective age_ procreate, three sons Hoshedar-bami, Hoshedarmah and Soshyos, the three respectively referred to in Farvardin
Yasht; 128 as Ukhsbyat-ereta, Ukhshyat-nemangh and Astavatereta.
Visitations of Wicked
Millennia In Distant Ages
and Manifestations of the
three Saviours (Sons).
With regard to the distant ages mentioned above, it may be
explained that in the current Zarvane daregho khadat (of 81,000
years) this known material world will thrice pass through
extremely wicked millenniums shown in column 3 below, during
which mankind will be more beastly than human, and the duration
of life and man's height will be stunted.
Wicked period
Duration of
After how many
during major
wicked period.
years from 2,000
cycle of
AD.
Mars
2,000 years
3,000 years
(Hoshedar-bami)
Venus & Mercury
9,000 and
13,000 years.
40,000 years
(Hoshedarmah)
12,800 years
64,000 years
…… 1,100 years.
(Soshyos)
On the expiration of each of the above three respective
millennia shown in the last column, this known material world
Saturn
313
will witness glorious periods in which the three Saviours,
Hoshedar-bami, Hoshedar-mah and Soshyos, marked against each
will manifest themselves.
Significance of 99,999 Fravashis.
In Farvardin Yt. 62 it is stated that 99,999 Fravashis watch
over 'Khshudra' the seed of the Holy Zarathushtra. According to
Zoroastrian numerology, 9 indicates perfection or excellence; it (9)
is expressed 5 times, because 5 stands for perfect divine knowledge
and divine Wisdom. So 99,999 Fravashis mean Ashaunam
Fravashis who possess perfection of divine Knowledge and
Wisdom. Hence this figure group is not to be rendered as 'many
myriads' as done by learned Dr. Mills in his book "Our Own
Religion in Ancient Persia" (p. 20 foot note). In his rendering of
the above par. 62 the same scholar has not understood the real
significance of the term 'Khshudra', seed. It is true that in the case
of worldly sinful men, their Khshudra, seed (semen) represents the
essence or virility. But when this seed is exposed, it is stinking and
creative of Druji, microbes. In the case of the Holy Prophet there
was no such secretion of semen. His (Prophet's) seed i.e. (Spiritual)
essence-Khshudra-consisted of 21 Nasks or volumes of the Avesta.
Dr. Mills does not understand this allegorical use of the term
'Khshudra' and in his misconception, criticizes in the footnote:
"Compare this drivel with the grandeur and simplicity of
the Gatha S.B.E. XXXI pp. 1-194.
.
He does not know why the Gathic style differs from the other
Avesta.
Allegorical Reference to
"Maiden Bathing in Lake Kansava"
In footnote to his translation of Yt. 13,62 Prof. Darmesteter
states:
"A maid Eredat-fedhri, bathing in Lake Kansava, will conceive
by that seed and bring forth the Saviour Saoshyant; his two
forerunners Ukhshyat-ereta and Ukhshyat-nemah will be born
in the same way of Srutat-fedhri and Vanghufedhri (Yt. XIII,
141,142).
Then in footnote below the name Srutat-fedhri (whose
Fravashi is worshipped) in par. 141 (ibid.) it is said:
"Ukhshyat-ereta's mother... The Saddar Bundahish ... states that
bathing in lake Kansava, she will become pregnant from the
seed of Zarathushtra, that is preserved there .., and she will
bring forth a son, Oshedar-bami".
314
Lake Kansava is referred to in Avesta (Yt. 19,66) as Zrayo
Kansum, technically called 'Zareh Kyanse' explained in this book
under 'Cosmography of the Space'. Zareh literally means a sea,
which signifies expanse of salt water. Kyanse is called Zareh, because like sea it is a vast expanse, but ethereal. Thus normally, it
is the ethereal interlink between the four lower ethereal planes
(Dakhyus; Yt. 10,144) in Space. So it will be understood Zrayo
Kansu or Kyansai is not "the present Zareh or Hamun Sea in
Seistan" as erroneously conjectured by Prof. Darmesteter in
philology. In the above quotations it also signifies the interlink
between the termination of the wicked ages arid the emergence of
the pure. So on the arrival of the interlink period (referred to as
'lake Kansava'), the maiden, i.e., the potentiality Srutat-fedhri, will
go for bathing, which means she will be purified. At this
propitious stage she will come in holy contact with the seed
(Khshudra) of Zarathushtra protected by Ashaunam Fravashis
mentioned above. As the result of this contact Hoshedar-bami, the
first of the three prophetic place-takers and Saviours will manifest
himself after 3,000 years as shown in the tabulation above, and
the pure Zoroastrian Teachings of the 21 Nasks (volumes) will
spread in all their glory.
Similarly, Vanghu-fedhri will come in holy contact with the
second seed of Zarathushtra (some 40,000 years hence) preserved
by Ashaunam Fravashi, and as the result Hoshedar-mah will
manifest himself and the holy teachings of 21 Nasks will again
flourish in all their glory.
Still again, according to calculations of the heavens, after
about 51,000 years from now will commence the rulership in the
heavens of 15,000 years of the king or major cycle of Saturn (the
seventh and the last, within the current Zarvane daregho khadat of
81,000 years which will be terminated by the next world Deluge).
After a lapse of 12,778 years of dire wickedness in this king cycle
will follow the placid minor cycle of the Moon of 329 years
(under the inter-cycle also of the Moon).
Manifestation of Soshyos.
In the interlink between the above mentioned wicked and the
glorious periods the third potentiality of maiden will come in holy
contact with the third 'seed' (Khshudra) of Holy Zarathushtra,
resulting In the manifestation of the exalted Saviour, Saoshyant
named Soshyos (Av. Astavat-ereta). -In this connection it is stated
in Farvardin Yt. 142, as under:
"We worship the Fravashi of the holy maid Eredat-fedhri,
who is called Vispa-taurvairi. She is Vispa-taurvairi (the all
destroying) because she will bring him forth (i.e; Saoshyant),
315
who will destroy the malice of Daevas and men, to withstand
the evil done by the Jahi". (licentiousness).
Soshyos possesses the potentiality of "Yim" with the aid of which
he will select good souls of all religions, as well as a pair of every
kind of species of animals, vegetables and minerals. These selected
human souls and, other creatures he will carry to safety on the
indestructible heights of Airyana Vaeja on Mt. Alborz at the North
Pole, where the climate will then be habitable and pleasant. The
above selected human souls and other creatures saved from the
waters of the Deluge are called Maabadians.
In later ages after the time of Soshyos, a horrible period of
wickedness will follow again culminating in the next World Deluge, which is dealt with under the head "Un-fettering of Azhi
Dahaka" in Supplement No. 10.
In conclusion, it must be emphasized that the nine entities
designated as three wives, three sons and three daughters are none
but the nine fully developed spiritual divisions, for explaining the
functions of which the analogies of wives and their offspring have
been employed, for as shown already, Holy Zarathushtra, though
born of holy parents, was an angel on earth.
Miraculous Passing Away of Zarathushtra.
At the outset it must be distinctly understood that Zarathushtra
had no worldly death, i.e., his body had not fallen on the ground as
in the case of human beings. In Sanjana-Dinkard (Vol. XIV, Ch.
IV) we are informed that "the passing away (vikhiz) of
Zarathushtra of the revered Fravahar to the best abode (Pahlum
Ahwan) took place when he attained the age of 77, i.e., 47 years
onwards from conference (with Ahura Mazda) and 37 years
onwards from the acceptance by Vishtaspa of the Religion."
With regard to the Prophet's passing away, the parable in
Pahlavi states:
"While Zarathushtra was offering his prayers in an Atash
Behram, he was killed by a Tur who pierced a dagger in his
back, but Zarathushtra threw his rosary on the Tur which
killed the assailant".
It is explained further on, how inconsistent this statement would be
if taken literally, because according to Khshnoom, the 'rosary'
mentioned there was not a material one of beads, but was the
lustrous holy ring of the Prophet's halo.
316
Zarathushtra's Passing Away by
Lightning Or A Flame From Heaven
In Greek and Latin accounts cited by Prof. Jackson, there is
reference to lightning or some such luminous phenomenon
connected with the passing away of Zarathushtra. Since such
occurrences are normally impossible and incredible in the case of
worldly people, they are mentioned as 'fabulous' by the illustrious
scholar (Jackson). He gives them in his book "Zoroaster" the
Prophet of Ancient Iran" as under:
"From the fate of Empedocles we are not surprised to find a
miraculous departure attributed to a great sage; and the Greek
and Latin patristic writers give a fabulous account of the
passing of Zoroaster. His is no ordinary end; he perishes by
lightning or a flame from heaven, which recalls the descent
of the fiery chariot and the Whirlwind in the apotheosis of
Elijah: For such a description our principal source is the
Pseudo-Clementine RECOGNITIONES and the spurious
Clementine HOMILIES, whose statements are followed by
later writers.. All these passages are given in Appendix V, so
they are simply summarized here. 1
(Footnote 1. The best material on this subject from the
classical side, is to be found in Windischmann, ZOROASTRISCHE STUDIEN pp. 306-309 (accessible now in
translation, Darab D. P. Sanjana, "Zarathushtra in the
Gathas" pp. 131-135.)
(a) A passage in the "Clementinae Recognitiones (dating
about AD. second century, and existing in the Latin
translation of Rufinus) identifies Zoroaster, with Ham or
Mesraim of the family of Noah, and anathematizes him as a
magician and astrologer. To deceive the people, it is said, he
was wont to conjure the stars until finally the guardian spirit
or presiding genius of a certain star became angry at his
control and emitted a stream of fire in vengeance and slew the
arch-magician.
*
*
*
(b) The later Persian work Dabistan (beginning of 17th
century AD.)….A Turk named Turbaratur, or Turbaratur-hash
(i.e., Tur-Bratur-Vakhsh) having entered Zardusht's oratory,
the Prophet received martyrdom by his sword.
Zardusht, however, having thrown at him the rosary (Shu-,
mar Afin or Yad Afroz) which he held in his hand, there
proceeded from it such an effulgent3splendor that i'ts fire fell
on Turbaratur: and consumed him."
(Footnote 3 - Dabistan pp. 371-372)
317
When we put together the above accounts by non-Iranian
writers, who were not necessarily eulogistic of the Iranians or their
faith, one thing becomes evident that the Pahlavi tradition of a Tur
killing Zarathushtra is not literally true, but is only an enigmatical
and allegorical statement which modern scholars have not
understood. From the above accounts of patristic writers, one thing
that comes uppermost is that the passing away of the Prophet had
connection with lightning or some such luminous phenomenon in
the sky which those (patristic) writers did not know in its
genuineness, and consequently presented it mixed with their own
erroneous conjectures. At the same time, it also proves that the
Prophet was not killed by the piercing of a dagger by the Tur (or
Turk).
Demons Could Not
Kill Zarathushtra.
It will be understood from the following arguments adduced
by Ervad S. M. Bhadha in his book “Amar Jyoti Zarathushtra” (pp.
45 seq.) that the Pahlavi statement mentioned in the beginning
would be quite inconsistent if taken literally. In Tir Yasht 44, it is
distinctly stated:
"Neither Ahriman (the Satan), nor sorcerers nor witches nor
all the demons collectively can strike or dare to strike
Prophet Zarathushtra."
When we put the above Avestan passage and the traditional
Pahlavi statement side by side, we can understand that the latter
has some allegorical meaning because Avesta are the most
authentic.
It must be stated that the Prophet's passing away is related as a
simple parable. Here Tur or Turk does not signify member of the
Turkish race, but stands for “Tur-bara-Tur”, the Satan. Tur-baraTur represents the invisible, monstrously inflated, giganic cloud of
the Dark side, which was the veritable body of Darkness that
rained dire havoc on the earth with plague, cholera, lusts, famines,
floods, earthquakes, warfares, robberies, sorcery, murders, etc.,
during some 4,000 years prior to the advent of Zarathushtra on this
material world. These gave cause to Geush Urva to raise her appeal
for deliverance from all those catastrophes. Geush Urva is the
blissful phantom arisen out of the White side of the totality of souls
of human beings of the earth appointed for their protection.
The above terrific condition had reached such limitless proportions that just as water overflows during floods in rivers, so had
Druji, i.e., Evil crossed all bounds. This overflow of Evil i.e., the
dire inflation of the Body of Darkness is allegorically
318
called Tur-bara-Tur. Zarathushtra alone possessed the power of
shattering this body of Darkness with the aid of the divine Aoj
power of holiness which he, Zarathushtra, possessed in common
with Ameshaspends and Yazads.
Zarathushtra Shatters
Tur-bara- Tur's Body
of Darkness.
When Zarathushtra completed the work of spreading the
divine mission, he undertook the task of smashing the Body of
Darkness and so he darted the ring of his halo full of lustre to the
sky towards the above Tur-bara-Tur's body of Darkness. This
agrees with the note in Dabistan above referred to, where it is
stated that "there proceeded from it such an effulgent splendor
that its fire fell on Tur-bara-Tur and consumed him", (though
actually it did not consume but shattered it to pieces and reduced
it to its normalcy).
From the Tir Yasht 44 cited above, we find that no demons
with all their witch-craft powers could kill Zarathushtra. Hence it
is easy to understand that it was quite impossible for a Turk to
have murdered him. In the Avestan passage cited above, it is also
stated that Tir Yazad is appointed as the guardian of the stars, and
Zarathushtra as the chief and protector of human beings. Thus
holy Zarathushtra was not an ordinary human being, whom a
Turk, could have killed by piercing a dagger, but was the deputy
of Sarosh Yazad and of the potentiality called 'Gatha (which is
distinct from the Gatha prayers in the Avesta).
Zarathushtra Master Astrologer.
The holy Prophet was sent to this world endowed with great
powers and authorities. He was Master Astrologer who could
predict the events from dead past to the dim future, and as such he
possessed the knowledge of all ages. So is it possible, that he
could not have foreseen his own death by a Turk? Ahura Mazda
and Ameshaspends constantly rendered him succour and saved
him on all occasions during which the demons left no stone
unturned to kill him by their great powers of sorcery. Would those
holy divine Intelligences not have saved him at such a critical
juncture of attack on him? This proves that a Tur was not a man,
but represents Tur-bara- Tur, the Satan.
Angelic Power of Zarathushtra.
Zarathushtra had unique and limitless powers compared to
those of demons and human beings. Nobody could approach him.
Owing to the talismanic currents flowing through his body,
319
it gave a shock when touched_which has been testified by Pliny
also. His body, composed as it was of solid aura, was lustrous and
transparent. No implement of any kind had any effect on his body.
In fine, his body was not composed of flesh and bones. If we
remember all the extraordinary facts about his angelic powers and
the composition of his body, we would realize that the Prophet
could not have undergone ordinary, worldly death, because it is
utterly impassible that a human being Tur could have killed him
when all the combined powers of the demons did not succeed in
effecting his death by their dreadful sorcery.
NO Mausoleum of Zarathushtra.
Had Zarathushtra been killed by a human being as alleged, the
great Iranian empire would have erected in his memory, lofty
mausoleum and we would have had at least the ruins of that
monument, just as we have various ruins existing to this day like
those of Persepolis. Nay, such place and the monument would have
became the holy centre for pilgrimage by Zoroastrians. Moreover,
the narrations of the events of his death, the attendance of the King
and the courtier in the funeral and speeches delivered by them
would have been preserved in Avesta-Pahlavi writings and such
books in the form of Nask or Nasks would have been referred to
with great reverence by the community. But as we know, nothing
of this sort has happened. On the contrary, we find indirect proofs
of his becoming invisible.
The Greatest Ordeal
As stated before, Zarathushtra darted his lustrous ring of halo
towards Tur-Bara-Tur's body of Darkness with his divine Aoj
power and shattered it to pieces, and voluntarily drew its rebound
shock on his purity-perfect body, whereby, on the one hand, the
Prophet's luminous body elements were dispersed and drawn back
to their respective paradisiacal ethereal regions above and on the
other, reduced the power of Darkness, i.e., of Satan, to its
normalcy. So dire was this shock, that had Zarathushtra not drawn
it upon his body, but allowed it to strike against the earth, it (earth)
would have been pulverized.
Thus Zarathushtra did not have a worldly death, but his
passing away (Vikhiz) was spiritual ordeal of the highest degree.
PROLOGUE
The subject of the Era of Holy Zarathushtra, over which there
has been much controversy among the philological scholars of the
world for over a century past, can be easily found to be B.C. 7,551
or over 9,000 years remote from today in the light of "Khshnoom".
It is pertinent to remark that while all the eminent and
illustrious philological scholars and savants of the West and the
East with all their high academical qualifications and knowledge of
worldwide literature have failed in their attempts to salve the
puzzle of the Era, a practically unlettered prodigy in the person of
our Ustad-Saheb (revered Master') the late Seth Behramshah
Naaroji Shroff, cleared the haze with the light of Khshnoom. It is in
the light of this heart-rejoicing esoteric knowledge that the subject
of the Era of Zarathushtra has been attempted in the pages that
follow.
Since the approach to the question by the Parsi scholars has
been confined to an antiquated system of bare 1inguistic study of
Avesta-Pahlavi-Pazand without the illuminating "Zand-Akas" of
Khshnoom, the heart-rejoicing commentary knowledge, it will
never lead any one to find out the true Age of the Holy Prophet
because philological scholars are not aware of the mystery behind
the 300 "years" enigmatically mentioned in Pahlavi, which they
erroneously 'believe to be _he "traditional period of the life-time of
Zarathushtra" nor are they in possession of the true knowledge
concerning the ancient history of Iran prior to B.C. 2000. In both
the above basical view-points the philological scholars have been
misguided.
The learned scholars, for whom my respect is second to none,
will find their efforts rewarded, if they but take pains to drink at the
fountain of Khshnoom. Otherwise their search would be but a
search in the wilderness, as it has been till now. In no way will it
harm them if they study Khshnoom, but on the contrary, if they
look outside their shuttered philological window upon the wide
vista of Khshnoom, they would be able to find the Age of
Zarathushtra in its true retrospect, and would be charmed to see a
wide expanse of Zoroastrian true knowledge in its pristine purity.
It is a great misfortune of the Zoroastrian community that
though there has been in existence in Bombay a regularly constituted Associatian far "researches" into the Zoroastrian religion
since nearly a century past, its activities in that field are cons-
322
picuous by the absence of approach to Khshnoom, which, has
thrown considerable new light on the Zoroastrian religion. This
research body does not seem to realize that as scholars of the holy
scriptures, they enjoy a high position of honour in the community,
particularly an account of their microscopic number.
However, high as this position is" it is also accompanied by
the grave responsibilities of enlightening the ignorant masses of
the community that depend upon them for religious light. It then
becomes amply evident that our scholars should play the game,
and prove faithful to the trust reposed in them, because they are
expected to be on the quivive for search of fresh light on the
Zoroastrian Faith, wherever it may be found, no matter what its
source. Had this been done with an unbiased mind, and with a zeal
for exploring into Khshnoom, which is the sister-branch of the
study of their religion for elevating their knowledge,- they would
have long since came out of the mire of their linguistic stagnation
by being disillusioned on the question of the Era themselves, and
would have been able to enlighten the Iranian scholars with the
same in particular, and the scholars and savants of the world in
general. In spite of all the facilities existing for gaining true
knowledge, the above said Research-body have failed in their duty
of exploring into their religious literature by remaining aloof from
the new light.
It is not intended to say that they must accept everything
without any question. If, after a fair-minded study of Khshnoom
without any prejudice of aversion, they find it’s teaching, to be unZoroastrian or alien in character or antagonistic to the doctrines of
the Avesta, they can expose the same. But, otherwise the present
inertia is highly derogatory, and displays utter apathy to duty
particularly, on the part of the scholars of that "Research" body
concerned. Besides this, such attitude is highly detrimental to the
cause of the study of the religion in all its aspects, of which
philology and Khshnoom are but sister-branches requiring a
conjoint study.
With regard to the Date it is intended to show:
(a) how the oldest Greek writers who reported that Zara
thushtra lived in B.c. 6000 were right;
(b) how the scholars the world over have been misled for a
century past by the enigmatical mention in Pahlavi of the
300 'years', an account of which they have erroneously
placed the Era in question between 600 and 1000 B.C .or
so, though historical records exist at least as far back as
B.C. 2458.
(c) how the philological school is entirely innocent of the
Huafrit and Kudarvand dynasties of Iran that combined
ruled for over 3200 years prior to B.C. 2000; and
(d) how is it possible to find the era in the question
approximately by mathematical calculations of the
heavens, independently of any evidence of writings or
chronicles of ancient Iran, both of which have been
instrumental in misguiding the scholars.
INTRODUCTION
The controversy over the date of Zarathushtra has, arisen from
the fact that certain oldest Greek writers have stated that Zoroaster
lived 6,000 years before Christ. However, when the modern
philological scholars set themselves to calculate and verify that
distant date, they found a huge gap of some 5,500 years, for which
they could not find any historical chronicles, but on the contrary,
they found mention in Pahlavi of the religion having been
disturbed after 300 "years." Coincidentally, this period of 300
years was seemingly almost "synchronous" with the destruction of
Iran wrought by Alexander the Great in B. C. 320 or so. Thus this
statement of the Pahlavi writer supported the paucity of historical
chronicles, and strengthened the misguided belief of the scholars
in a much nearer date, and so they came to the conclusion that
Zarathushtra lived in the neighborhood of 600 B. C. Such, in
brief_ is the idea of how the controversy over the date of
Zarathushtra arose, and how its true distant antiquity of over 6,000
B. C. came to be reduced to 600 B C, According to 'Calculations
of the heavens' this distant antiquity is of 7551 B. C.
While modern scholars thus scale down the era to 600 B. C.
other foreign sources declare the same to be 8,900 years remote or
very near to it. Thus in "Oahspe, The Kosmon Bible"
(p.l) it is said:
_
"Zarathushtra erroneously called Zoroaster a Persian Law
Giver who lived in the cycles of Fragapatti eight thousand
nine hundred years ago, the farthest back of all historical
characters" .
According to the above, the date of Zarathushtra comes to
(8900 minus 1955 =) 6,945 B.C. Similarly in September 1957
number of the "Mazdaznan" magazine (p. 2) published in Los
Angeles, California, we find the following under the heading
.'Zarathushtra" :
"On September 19th, the family of Mazda throughout the
world again celebrates the birthday of the thrice blessed
Zarathushtra, who according to our extant records, was born
6,900 B.c."
From the two quotations cited above it is clear that the ancient
Greek writers were not the only ones to have reported the era to be
beyond 6000 B.c.
325
SCIENCE SUPPORTS
DISTANT DATE
(The following is an extract from the Presidential address
delivered by the learned Mr. Jamshed C. Tarapore. at the Iranian
section of the All India Oriental Conference, the XXth Session
(Bhubaneshvar) in October 1959). (pp. 12-13).
"The main difficulty in the way of scholars who assigned a
very early date to the Avesta was the question as to when
people in Iran and adjacent countries adopted a settled
agricultural life, as so clearly shown in the Avesta literature. It was
difficult to put such a settled life very far back in human history.
Now science has come to the aid of the archaeologist and
students of ancient languages and history. Radiocarbon tests are
now used to determine the age of articles found buried in mounds
for many centuries. The atomic signals given out by such articles
are measured on delicate instruments and their readings help the
scientist to determine the age. All organic things have in their
composition what these atomic scientists call Carbon 14. The
presence of Carbon 14 makes all these things radioactive. The life
scale of these radioactive particles is measured and determined and
it is found possible to determine the age of an article up to 30,000
years.
These tests are likely to, revolutionize our ideas of the ancient
world and the life in ancient times. The age of Hammurabi, the
ancient law-giver of the first dynasty of Babylon was differently
stated by different scholars. Excavations carried out in the ruins of
the ancient city of Nipar yielded some pieces of charcoal from the
roof beams of a house. These pieces were subjected to reading to
ascertain their age. The conclusion reached was to fix age of
Hammurabi much later than was formerly supposed.
Dr. Robert Braidwood of the Chicago University Oriental
Institute, carried on some excavations in Jarmo, a village in the
Kurdish Hills of Northern Iraq close to the Iranian border. A very
early agricultural village was unearthed. When radiocarbon tests
were applied to the articles found b the ruins it was ascertained that
they were about 9,000 years old. "Some 4,000 years before historic
times, Jarma's people grew barley and two kinds of wheat", says
Dr. Braidwood "We are sure they had the domesticated goats,
pigs, dogs, cattle and horses."
If it is thus established that people lived in settled villages and
led an agricultural life in such a distant past, we shall have
326
to revise our ideas about the age of the Avesta and the time when
Zarathushtra propagated his religion in Iran. These revelations go
to prove that Dr. Geiger was not wrong when he placed the age of
the Avesta in "remote antiquity".
The age of Avesta being the age of Zarathushtra, Mr.
Tarapore's belief expressed at the end in the above quotation
regarding Dr. Geiger is surprising, since that illustrious savant
does not believe the distant date of 6,000 B.c., on the ground that
"chronicles could not have been available in those distant ages"
and at the end of his enquiry he declares as under:
"After a review of the different statements recorded in Western
writings, it will not surprise anyone, if we give it as our
opinion that neither Occidental nor Oriental testimony yields
us any sure ground on which to fix the age of Zoroaster."
(Geiger-Sanjana- "Civilization of Eastern Iranians" pp. 184-85).
\
HISTORICAL RECORDS REFUTE NEAR DATE
When we look to the historical side we find that in B.c. 2,027
(or in B.C. 2,000 as shown by Dr. West) king Zarathushtra
(Oxyartes) was defeated by the Assyrian monarchs Ninus and
Semiramis. Still further back. according to the history of
Berosus eight Median kings had ruled aver Babylania for 224
years, and in a schedule given by Raw linson* also, eight
Median kings have been shown to have ruled aver Babylonia
. years, from 2458 B.c. . the name of their first ruler, as
for 224
given by M.C. Muller quoted by Dr. Geiger was “Zoroaster”**
Thus there are historical records at least up to B.C, 2,458,
compared to which also the so-called traditional date "600
B.C." is absurd and incorrect.
MISGUIDED DATES
GIVEN BY SCHOLARS
Before proceeding further it would be well to take a note of
the misguided dates given by different scholars as furnished by
Dr. Unvala. In his Presidential Address at the Iranian Section of
the All India Oriental Conference 1955, it is stated in the printed
pamphlet of that Address (pp. 9, 10) as under:
"As to the date of Zarathushtra".............I have placed it
tentatively between the fifteenth and eleventh century B.c. on
--------------------------------------------------------------------------** "History of the Kings of Iran" Vol. I p, 357 (in Gujarati) by Mr.
P. B. Desai.
** Eastern Iranians-by Geiger-Sanjana Vol. II (p. 185).
327
archaeological grounds. I may add that Prof. Carmoy of Liege
places it with Bartholomae not later than nine hundred B.c.,
whereas Prof. Henning fixes it categorically at 588
B.c……….taking the traditional date in the neighborhood of
600 B.C. According to the Syriac writer Theodore Bar Quoni,
Zarathushtra lived 628 years and seven months before
Christ."
Then in the "Kaiser-i-Hind" weekly of Bombay dated 29-4-56
(p. 22) in his article headed "Brief History of the Zoroastrian
Religion" under the sub-head 'Controversy over Date' the learned
Doctor observes:
"'
"The Greek writers have............. placed him (Zarathushtra) at
10,000 B.c. and later. The Parsis would place him at least at
6,000 years from today. The majority of Western scholars,
including Jackson, whom Dr. Mody follows, place him at 600
B.c., following therein the late Sassanian tradition, according
to which Zarathushtra lived 300 years before Alexander the
Great. Herzfeld has declared precisely 576 B.C. as the date of
the birth of Zarathushtra.
.................Dastur Dr. Dhalla (is for) 1,000 B.c."
Besides the dates given above Prof. Zaehner fixes it (date) at 628551 B.c. ("Dawn & Twilight…..” p. 33).
FAIRLY CORRECT DATES GIVEN
BY ANCIENT GREEK WRITERS
With regard to the ancient Greek writers Dr. West mentions
the facts as under: (S.B.E. Vol. XLVII, Intro. par. 71):
"Singularly enough the oldest writers, those who lived only two
to four centuries after the traditional period of the life-time of
Zarathushtra are those who report that he lived some 6,000
years before that period. Pliny the elder (Natural History
XXX, 2) quotes Eudoxus (368 B.C.) as stating that
Zarathushtra existed 6,000 years before the death of Plato that
is B.C. 6,347, which is also confirmed by Aristotle. And he
quotes Hermippus (about B.C. 250) as placing him 5,000
years before the Trojan war, that is B.c. 6,184. A third mode
of describing this period seems to have been used by Xanthus
of Lydia (B.c. 500-450?) who stated that Zarathushtra lived
6,000 years before Xerxes as quoted by Diogenes Laertius,
that is B.G 6,485."
Thus it will be seen that the above-mentioned Greek writers
connect the era of Zarathushtra with different events, and it is not
on the authority of one and the same writer that the remote periods
of 5,000 and 6,000 B. C. have been stated for that age.
328
These distant dates have been given independently and from their
connections with different events. Still it is a matter of surprise
that the modern scholars do not see the possibility of some link or
links missing in the chain of information they themselves possess.
On the contrary, they treat the dates given by those Greek writers
as "extravagant". And on this fundamental misconception Dr.
West and others base many more erroneous calculations of dates.
For their calculations of the era of Zarathushtra the scholars
mainly depend on two considerations - one what they call "the
traditional date of 600 B.C.", and the other, the historical
chronicles. In both these they suffer from lack of knowledge of
true and full facts, and consequently whirl round and round the
parochial pool of the scrappy information they possess; and
because they fail in their attempts to arrive at the distant antiquity,
they conveniently imagine the distant Date as _'extravagant", as
stated above, and cut down its true antiquity from about 6,000
B. C. to about 600 or 1,000 B. C.
Such being the case, the contents of this book on the question
will be found to be a complete departure from the attempts of the
philological scholars on the subject of the Date inasmuch as it is
not based, merely on the writings of Greeks or Iranians or on the
known history of Iran, but on the true and original knowledge
possessed by the holy saints in seclusion in Mt. Demavand in Iran
conveyed to our Master during his stay in their secluded paradiselike colony. On the strength of the above knowledge our Master
has thrown new light from three different angles, namely, (1) the
mystery behind the word "years" mentioned in Pahlavi writings,
(2) New light on the history of ancient Iran and clues to two
ancient Iranian dynasties unknown to scholars; and (3) scientific
method of finding the era of Zarathushtra bv "Shumar-i-Falak",
calculations of the heavens.
We shall take a brief idea of the above three items.
(1) The Mystery Behind "Years"
With respect to the "years" mentioned in Pahlavi writings it
may be stated that modern philological scholars, like the Arab
writers of old, are unaware of the intricacies of different types of
"years" of varied lengths calculated from different planets, and
these again reduced to 30 or 360 times by the Iranian 'Kar' and
'Far' year systems of reckoning mentioned in "Dabistan" also. Thus
300 years mentioned in Pahlavi are Lunar 'Kar' years, each of
which is equal to 27 normal years, because Lunar year is 0.9 of a
Solar year. So a Lunar Kar year is (0.9 X 30 =)
329
27 normal years. Hence 300 years which are stated in round figures
are equal to (300 X 27 =) 8,100 years, which represent the period
from the revelation of the religion up to the time of Alexander the
Great. And since the latter lived in 300 B. C., we must add 300 to
8,100 to arrive at the beginning of the Christian era. The great
Iranian doctors of ancient times, who were past masters in
astronomy and astrology besides several secret sciences, could
from their profound knowledge ascertain which type of the year
was meant in a particular connection.
(2) New Light on the History
of Ancient Iran
In the matter of the ancient history of Iran unknown to modern
scholars, our Master not only gave clue to the two new Iranian
Dynasties but also showed how long the Kayanian dynasty
continued and how it was terminated. The period of this unknown
history is shown below:
(A)
40 years; birth (B.C. 7551) to Revelation of Holy
Zarathushtra (B.C. 7511); Rule of Kayanian king Kae Gustasp (or
Vishtasp) 90 years from above Revelation (shown in Bd. 34;3);
(B. C. 7511-7421).
(B)
2,000 years; Kayanian dynasty continued (B.c.7421-5421).
History completely destroyed by enemies of Iran;
(C)
40 years; Birth and Revelation period of Lord Shri Krishna
(B.C. 5421-5381);
(D)
100 years; Indian
rule over Iran (B.c. 5381-5281);
"
(E)
1,626 years; Huafrit dynasty (B.C. 5281-3655)
(F)
1,629 years; Kudurvand dynasty (B.C. 3655-2026)
terminated by defeat of king Zarathushtra (Oxyartes) at the hands of
Assyrian monarchs Ninus and Semiramis in B.c. 2026.
-------------------5,435 years; representing the period of history unknown to scholars.
The historical chronicles of the Kayanian dynasty after Kae
Gustasp pertaining to (B) above have been completely destroyed
by the enemies of Iran, while those of the Huafrit and Kudurvand
dynasties against (E) and (F) above have been rendered sacrosanct,
to be disclosed only at the proper time and by the proper authority,
as stated by our Master.
330
The name of Huafrit appears in Aban Yt. 130, but the scholars
being unaware of the existence of a dynasty of that name treated
the name Huafrit etymologically in S.B.E. Vol. XXIII. A reference
to "the good rule... by the descendants of Huafrit' is to be found in
MSS Dinkard Vol. XI Rehetseck's App. II cited by the late scholar
Ervad S. D. Bharucha. As shown above this dynasty ruled for
1,626 years. The king of the same Huafrit dynsty who succeeded
to the throne after the above period called himself "Kudur-Na-NaVandi", meaning the servant or devotee of Na-Na, the holy
individuals who have entered the Garo-Nmana, the abode of
(divine) Music, which is the sublime heaven of Jupiter. Thus the
birth date of Zarathushtra comes to B.c. 7,551 as under:
,90 years rule of Kayanian king Kae Gustasp
since the Revelation (Bd. 34; 3);
5,435 " shown above, and
2,026 " from defeat of King Zarathushtra to
the Christian era.
7,551
"
B.C birth date of Zarathushtra.
A complete schedule indicating the break-up of the known
and unknown periods right from the year of birth of Holy prophet
Zarathushtra upto the beginning of the Christian Era is given
below for the benefit of the readers: 1. 40 years (7551 to 7511 B.C.)
2. 90 years (7511 to 7421 B.C.)
period from the year of birth
of Holy Prophet Zarathushtra
up to the Revelation of
religion;
period of rule of Kayanian
king Kae Gustasp (or Vishtasp) from the year of
Revelation upto the end of
his rule. (shown in Bd. 34;3);
3. 2,000 years (7421 to 5421 B.C.)
period of continuation of the
rule by Kayaniam dynasty
after king Vishtasp, the
history of which is completely destroyed by enemies
of Iran;
4. 40 years (5421 to 5381 B.c.)
birth and Revelation period of
Lord Shri Krishna;
5. 100 years (5381 to 5281 B.c.)
Indian rule over Iran;
6. 1,626 years (5281 to 3655 B.C.)
period of the rule of Huafrit
dynasty;
331
7. 1,629 years (3655 to 2026 B.C.) period of the rule of Kudurvand dynasty which was
termiinated by the defeat of
king Zarathushtra (Oxyartes)
at the hands of Assyrian
morarchs
Ninus
and
Semiramis in B. C. 2026;
8. 1,561 years (2026 to 465 B.c.)
period after the defeat of king
Zarathushtra upto the
Achaemenian king Behman
called Ardashir Longimanus,
B.c. 465.
9. 465 years (465 B. C. to the
beginning of
Christian Era)
period from king Behman or
Ardashir Langimanus to the
beginning of the Christian
Era.
--------7,551 B.C. Birth date of Zarathushtra.
--------Since there is proof in existence of the Iranian rule at least as far
back as B.C. 2,026 as shown above, the periods of Assyrian,
Median and other later dynasties are ignored as also of the Persian
King Cyrus, because they do not help in determining the earlier
antiquity of the Date of the Prophet.
(3)' Shumar-i-Falak" The Calculations
of the Heavens
For finding the era of Zarathushtra the ancient Iranian doctors
had not to resort to vague speculations based on incorrect data,
either of the enigmatical Pahlavi writings, or of the extant meagre
history of Iran, but they possessed the knowledge of the
independent laws of Soteriology - the science concerning Saviours
- embodied in the mystic science of Shumar-i-Falak, "calculations
of the heavens'. Thus they realized by their knowledge that each of
the five great Saviours and his Faith is under the influence of a
particular planet, that each Law-Giver descends on the earth at the
time pre-ordained in Nature during the respective conjunction of
Time cycles most propitious for his divine, Message to flourish,
and so on. From this it will be understood that finding the era of
Zarathushtra or any other great Law-Giver is not a subject for
speculation.
Shumar-i-Falak, the Reckonings of the heavens, is a scientific
method based on Zoroastrian astro-numerological mysticism connected with eternal verities. The special value of this system
lies in the fact that its workings are independent of any writings
332
of old, or of the historical chronicles both of which data have been
the sources for misguiding the modern philological scholars for a
century past.
The above system of reckoning forms part of what is called
Tawil-i-Zarvane-daregho-khadat", i.e., commentary on the self
created long cycle of Time. This long cycle of Time is, according
to Khshnoom, of fixed 81,000 solar years, which comprise the
seven planetary ruler-ship_ each ranging from 4,000 to 17,000
years, and called a royal or major cycle. Each of these royal cycles
is divided into seven smaller cycles under the same seven planets,
each such division being called a minister or inter cycle. Again,
each minister cycle is also sub-divided likewise into seven still
smaller cycles under the same seven planets, each such subdivision being called a magistrate or minor cycle. The above figure
group 81,000 is a mystic numerological number, each of which
numerals, viz.,. 8,1,0,0,0 has its own distinctive significance based
an eternal verities explained further an under Chapter III.
The Tawil or commentary is the veritable mirror of the Ages
influenced by the rotations and revolutions of the planets above,
whose periods (major, inter or minor) are worked out by mathematical computations, called Shumar-i-Falak mentioned above. Thus
this Tawil constitutes the readings of the horoscope of the earth, in
which _he whole past history, not only of Iran but of the whole world
of some 14,000 years since the restoration of the known material
world is reflected, cycle by cycle, and the expert adept of that science
can also picture to himself in that horoscopical mirror the great
future events of worldwide or nationwide importance, a very few of
which are given under Appendix II.
From the ready-reckoner chart of the planetary Time-Cycles
given against pp. 364, 365 the birth-cycles of different Law-givers
can be seen at a glance. The Chart shows the respective era, and
not the actual year. However, where the birth of a Law-giver takes
place at the very inception of the magistrate cycle concerned, the
result comes correct even to the year, or very close to it.
Thus we know the 2,500th anniversary of Gautam Buddha's
Pari-Nirvana was celebrated in 1956. Gautam Buddha and his
Faith are under Mercury. So going back up to the Mercury
magistrate cycle (j) from (a) at the bottom of the chart, we get by
addition the total period 2,560 years, which is the birth-year from
1,940 AD. So naturally in 1,956 AD. it would be 2,576. PariNirvana indicates Buddha's departure from the earth, which is said
to be at the age of 79. So the 2,500-year works out correct to a
trifling difference of (2,576 minus 79 = 2,497 i.e.) only 3 years or
so.
333
Again B.C. 2,026, the year of defeat of king Zarathushtra
(Oxyrates) by the Assyrian monarchs Ninus and Semiramis works
out correct to the very year by adding up the magistrate cycles
from (a) to (1) and deducting 1940 of the Christian era. This date
is stated variously by different writers. In this connection Dr. West
says (S.B.E. Vol. XLVII, Intro. par. 74):
"The time in which this Bactrian (Oxyrates) lived is also very
uncertain for though Semiramis has recently been placed
about B.C. 800, her position in Albiruni's tables is certainly
1,200 years earlier."
This means her position is (800 plus 1,200 =) 2,000 B.C. which
though stated only approximately, is yet very near the true date
2,026 B.c., the year that marks the change in the heavenly minister
(inter) cycle from Moon to Saturn (under Jupiter royalty)
unfavorable to Zoroastrians and their Faith. The above observation
of Dr. West discloses at the same time what reliance can be placed
on the dates estimated by modern scholars.
Still again, Oxyrates was the last king of the Kudarvand
dynasty which scholars do not know to be Zoroastrian, just as they
do not know about its preceding dynasty founded by Huafrit (Yt.
5,130)_ over 2,000 years after the Kayanian king Kae Vishtaspa in
whose royal court Zarathushtra revealed his religion. The
Kudarvand dynasty commenced at the inception of the
intermediate Time-cycle of Moon (under Jupiter major cycle), and
ruled for about 1,629 years between B.c. 3656 and B.C 2,027.
During the last two centuries of this Lunar ministry, idolatry flared
up in Western Iran due to its last magistrate (minor) cycle of 260
years being under Mercury, which supports idolatry. Gautam
Buddha and Jain Mahavir whose cults are likewise idolatrous of
the White side of Nature were both born under the Mercury
magistrate cycle. Similarly, in the remoter age Shri Krishna,
whose Faith is also idolatrous (of the White side) also appeared
under the minister as well as the magisture cycles of Mercury
(under Jupiter royalty) between 5,421 and 5,381 B.c.
Coming to the immediate past, the Jupiter magistrate cycle (a)
of 261 years shown at the bottom of the Chart terminated in 1940
AD. Parsis and Zoroastrianism are under Jupiter. So they
prospered during that period of over two centuries in India and to a
certain extent in Iran as well, chiefly under king Rezashah Pahlavi.
This same epoch-making magistracy brought about Zoroastrian
religious upheaval; the new occult light of "Khshnoom" came to
be shed for the first time in the beginning of this century, through
which the genuine teachings of the Zoroastrian religion were
revealed in their pristine purity, faith-shattering :misconceptions of
the philological school got automatically ex-
334
posed and refuted, and the darkness in the field of Zoroastrian
religious knowledge was dispelled.
All the above instances show on the one hand that the main
activities of worldwide or nationwide importance are engendered
by planetary influences, and on the other, that the science of the
"reckonings of the Heavens" taught by our Master is proved to be
true and the time cycles worked out mathematically correspond
with the actual events, that happened on the earth during the past
4,000 years, dates of which are well known.
Thus the Master lifted the Veil of Darkness that shrouded the
Date of Zarathushtra ever since the philological school came into
existence, while the Pahlavi Dasturs (high priests) of yore knew
the mystery behind 300 "years". It may also be stated that of late
Parsi Philological scholars refer to 8,000 or 7,000 years for the
date, depending on the reports of the earliest, Greek writers, well
knowing that they would not be able to fill up the gap in Iranian
history of nearly 5,500 years, without the aid of Khshnoom.
CHAPTER I
Mystery Behind The Word "Years" Mentioned in
Pahlavi Writings
The enigmatical mention in Pahlavi writings made by Dastur
Zadsparam and Dastur Arda Viraf of the religion having been
disturbed after 300 "years" has been the main source of misguiding
the modern philological scholars and throwing them completely off
the track of the true Era of holy Zarathushtra. They are not aware
that in ancient Iran it was customary to reckon varied type_ of
years not only of different planets for different purposes, but to
compute them besides by three different methods explained further
on. It was not till our Master disclosed the mystery that those "300"
were not Solar but Lunar "years" of the old Iranian "Kar" system of
reckoning, each of which years is equivalent to 27 Solar years, that
the tangle of the Prophet's era was unraveled. Thus those 300 years
are really 8.100 Solar years. This is only one of the numerous
instances in which the Dasturs of Pahalvi periods have expressed
themselves in such an enigmatical way that the simple looking
language entirely deludes an ordinary scholar innocent of the
mysterious methods of writings and computations employed by
them.
The "Enigmatical Veil"
In connection with this enigmatical mode of writing by
ancient Iranian doctors the esteemed scholar, Anthony Troyer thus
makes a reference in his 'Synopsis of the Dabistan' (Vol I pp.
xlvii/viii):
"The Dabistan informs us that Zand-books are of two kinds:
the one perspicuous and without enigmatical forms of speech
is called the 'Mah-Zand', 'great Zand, the second abounding in
enigmatic or figurative language is entitled 'Kah Zand" 'little
Zand'. The first in most points speculative and practical agrees
with the Desatir; the second is intended to prevent philosophy
falling into the hands of the ignorant, to whom an enigmatical
veil is offered, whilst the sages know the true purport of the
pure doctrine. To king Gustasp, his brother Jamasp, his son
Isfandiar, and to
336
Bahman, the son of the latter, were attributed the
interpretations of Zoroaster's religious system and many
ingenious parables which for their moral sense, may be
reckoned among the best specimens of this kind of popular
instruction."
With respect to the Era of Zarathushtra modern scholars
depend on Arab writers of old, who were equally ignorant of the
secret methods of the Pahlavi writers. And that is why in the
absence of the essential knowledge innocent philological scholars
who deal with such Pahlavi writings without being on the quivive
for linguistic mazes are caught in the tangle of the 300 "years"
mentioned by Iranian Dasturs.
MISCONCEIVED "SYNCHRONISM"
Thus Dr. West (in his introduction to S.B.E. VoL XLVII)
deals with the Era at length (pp. 27 to 47) and on the basis of the
misconceived. "synchronism" compiles a 'synopsis' of Zoroastrian
chronology, in doing which that illustrious scholar observes as
follows in paragraph 55 :
"If we now adopt the abbreviations A. R. (for anno religionis)
and B. R. (for before the religion), we are prepared to
compile the following synopsis of Zoroastrian chronology
according to the Millennial system of the Bundahish,
extended to the end of time, but dealing only with traditional
matters, combined with the European dates of the same
events, deduced from the synchronism of A.R. 300 with B.C.
331."
In his abovesaid synopsis Dr. West has relied on two Pahlavi
writings, in both of which he has deceived himself. One of them is
from the 'Selections of Zadsparam' (ibid. p. 166) in which it is
stated that after 300 years, the Zarthoshti Daen "is disturbed". The
other is from Chapters. 1 and 34 of Bundehesh, which deal with
the millennial system referred to above.
Because the two numbers of years, namely 300 (given by
Dastur Zadsparam) and B.C. 331 (the European date of devastation
of Iran by Alexander) appear close to each other, the said
'synchronism' is erroneously assumed between them. Almost all
philological scholars have likewise been misguided in accepting
such seeming synchronism. In ancient Iran three methods of
reckoning years called the "Nimoor Sal", the "Kar Sal' and the "Far
Sal" were current. Of these the method of the Nimoor Sal_has 3651/4 days in the year, and in this it resembles the modern system of
Solar years. That one or the other of these three methods was
current in Iran of old is also supported by the Dabistan, (Vol. I, p. 26
et seq.).
337
The European date B.c. 331 given for the ruination of Iran by
Alexander is of the ordinary Solar year, whereas the 300 years
mentioned by Dastur Zadsparam are according to the Lunar KarSal (years) each of which is equivalent to 27 solar years as
explained further on. And as such the said 300 years spoken of by
Dastur Zadsparam are equal to (300 x 27 =) 8,100 Solar years.
PAHLAVI TESTIMONY OF "27"
Testimony to this fact is indirectly to be found in the Introduction (p. 18) to the book of translation in Gujarati (published in
1901) of the Bundehesh by Dr. Modi, who while discussing the
date of the writing of Bundehesh quotes the following from the
ancient DH and TD MSS of Dastur Hoshang (Jamasp-Asa) and
Ervad Tehmuras (Anklesaria) respectively -"
.kun panj beesto
haft shante parsik" meaning 'now, five twenty-seven years of the
Parsees'. Here this Pahlavi writer does not mention the name Lunar
'Kar Sil', but informs that each of those five years is equal to 27
years. And Dr. Modi also takes them as (5 x 27=) 135 normal
years. However, in S.B.E. Vol. V Dr. West has translated the above
Pahlavi sentence as 'now (it is) the Persian year 527', and with
respect to "527", the illustrious savant gives the following footnote:
"The last date is doubtful, as the Pahlavi, text gives the ciphers
only for 'five and twenty-seven' omitting that for 'hundred'.
……… The Persian year 527 was AD. 1158."
It is evident that Dr. West has misinterpreted 'five twentyseven' as '527', though he has stated that the cipher for 'hundred' is
omitted in the original Pahlavi Text. Thus this Pahlavi evidence
testifies to the fact that in ancient times there did exist a system of
expressing a period of time in terms of Kar Sal mode of reckoning
in which a Lunar Kar Sal (year) is equivalent to 27 Solar years,
and as such 300 years mentioned by Zadsparam are actually 8,100
years.
"KAR-SAL", "FAR-SAL" IN
'DABISTAN'
In "Dabistan"* a certain amount of description is to be found
about the "Nimoor Sal", the "Kar Sal" and the "Far Sal" referred to
above, but its learned writer seems to have been confused in the
calculation of the Saturnian Kar year which may be ignored.
Moreover, there is no mention of Lunar Kar-Sal (year) and its
relation to the antiquity of the holy prophet, and
---------------------------------------------------------------------------* Published in 1843, translated by David Shea and Anthony Troyer
(Vol. I, p. 26 et seq,), the original Persian work being by Mohsin
Fani who preceded Anquetil Du Perron by 120 years.
338
hence the attention of the scholars has not been drawn to the utility
of that description. However, the value of that book of many
antiquities, as Prof. Jackson has observed in one place, lies in the
fact that it provides some evidence which goes to show that the
Kar system is not a fabrication of the Khshnoom school.
The proper description, as explained by Our Ustad Saheb
(Master), concerning the Nimoor-Sal, Kar-Sal and Far-Sal systems
is given by the learned Dr. F. S. Chinivala, in his great
masterpiece (in Gujarati) entitled "Khshnoom Nikiz-i-Veh Din"
Vol. I, (pp. 658/61), where it is stated that a Lunar Kar year is
equal to 27 Solar years. How 27 is arrived at is explained further
on. This can be found from certain information given in :
(1) "Sky Is The Limit", by Llewellyn George, Los Angeles,
California (p. 21 and p. 67); and
(2) "British Encyclopedia" Vol. VII, (p. 233) under the
item Month.
In ancient Iran it was customary for the learned doctors to
express the years of different planets and the earth, based on the
following three methods:
FIRST
The first is our usual Solar year - called "Nimoor-Sal' which
is the period of 365¼ days taken by the earth in completing one
circuit. This circuit, as is well known, concerns the movement of
the earth through the 12 signs of the Zodiac, with the Sun as the
centre each sign being divided into 30 degrees, thus making in all
360 degrees. On p. 21 of the "Sky Is The Limit" it is said :
._
"The Moon revolved around the earth completing the earth's
circuit in approximately 27-1/3 days, thereby going around
the earth about 12-1/2 times, while the earth swings around the
Sun once."
So one Lunar year is equal to (27-1/3 x 12.5 =) 341 days or 0.9 of
a Solar year according to the above method.
In the British Encyclopaedia above mentioned three types of
Lunar months are mentioned, of which, what is known as the
"Synodical" Lunar month" which represents the time between
New Moon and New Moon, averages a little over 29.5 days, that
is, this Lunar year is of 354 days, or also 0.9 of a Solar year,
though longer by 13 days than that given in the preceding
quotation. In both the cases a Lunar year is 0.9 of a Solar year.
SECOND SYSTEM
In ordinary (Nimoor) Solar year when the earth traverses
one degree of a sign we call a "day", and when it traverses
339
30 degrees we call a "month". But in the "Kar" system, when the
earth or a planet completes 30 degrees it is called a Kar day instead
of a month as in a Solar year. Such 30 Kar-days make one Kar
month, and 12 Kar months make one Kar year (Sal). This means
that a Solar Kar year is equal to 30 Solar years. So the Lunar Kar
year is equal to (30 x 0.9=) 27 Solar years. In this way it will be
understood that 300 "years" mentioned by Dastur Zadsparam are,
as stated before, the Lunar Kar years equivalent to (300x27 =)
8,100 Solar years, or about 6,150 B.c., which is very near to 6000
B.c. mentioned by the oldest Greek writers.
THIRD SYSTEM
The third system is what it known as "Far Sal". We have seen
above in the second system of Kar-Sal that when the earth or a
planet traverses 30 degrees it is called a Kar day, whereas in the
Far system when an orb completes the whole circuit of 360
degrees it is called a Far day, 30 such Far days make one Far
month, and 12 Far months, one Far year (Sal). This means that 360
Solar years make one Solar Far Sal.
Besides the above three graduated systems of expressing
years, the ancient Iranian Hokma (Doctors) of the religion, who
were past masters of Zoroastrian religious interpretation and
sidereal science, reckoned the years from different planets, the
respective periods of which years naturally vary according as the
orbit of the planet concerned be short or long.
10,800 SOLAR YEARS
MAKE 1 SATURNIAN
"FAR" YEAR
Thus in Dabistan it is said "one revolution of the regent Saturn
is allowed to be 30 years, and Jupiter describes his period in 12
common years." This may be verified from the sidereal periods of
the planets and the earth given on p. 67 of "Sky Is The Limit"
mentioned above, where the earth's period is 365 days, Jupiter's
4,332, Saturn's 10,759, and so on. These sidereal periods are also
given in the Master's book entitled "First four days' ceremonies of
a departed soul" (p. 145). So by dividing 4,332 by 365 days we
get nearly 12 years for Jupiter; and by dividing 10,759 days by
365 days we get nearly 30 years for Saturn as stated in Dabistan,
which means that while the earth traverses the whole circuit of
36O degrees nearly 12 times, Jupiter does so but once; and
similarly, when the earth goes round 30 times, Saturn does so but
once. In this way the above two books agree, though they express
the same thing in different ways. This proves that the
astronomical calculations based on
.
340
observations through spiritual illumination by the ancient holy
doctors, referred to as Mubads in Firdausi's Shah Nameh, were in
accord with the modern astronomers observations through
telescopes.
Under the "Third System" mentioned above it is stated that
360 normal Solar years make one Solar Far year. Therefore one
Saturnian Far year is equal to (30 x 360=) 10,800 Solar years.
Thus by the Kar and Far Sal systems the ancients had devised to
express numbers of years running into many digits by contracting
them in the ways shown above.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF YEARS
BASED ON RULES
The methods of mentioning a year as Nimoor or Kar or Far
Sal and with relation to different planets as explained above were
based on certain rules, which the holy doctors of the Faith,
understood by their knowledge which type of the year was meant
in a particular connection. Thus in the case of the earth a "Zarvane
daregho khadat", which signifies the self-created, i.e. self-returning
long Cycle of Time, always comprises 81,000 Solar years. Certain
other matters were referred to in terms of Lunar Kar years of
which we have already noted one instance in Pahlavi DH -and TD
MSS. - The era of Zarathushtra is likewise expressed as 300
"years", which years signify Lunar Kar years and not the normal
Solar years, as has been erroneously assumed by the modern
philological scholars. The years of the "Nisti" (Av. Daman; Ysn.
57,2) the Evanescent world (or the Space) - in comparison to
which the earth is said to be but a drop in the sea - were expressed
as Saturnian, Far years, in which, as has been shown above, one
such Saturnian Far year is equivalent to 10,800 Solar years.
In the case of the "Hasti", the Immortal worlds (Haithyeng
astish; Ysn. 43,3) where, though Time and Space are merged
together, yet the inconceivable clock-work of Nature's Divine
Time-Table comprises seven stages called "Zarvana Akarana",
cycles of Boundless Time, in each of which seven, Nature has its
own colossal programme for the transmutation of Evil into
Goodness, as laid down in Ahunavar, the Will of the Lord God
AHU (Ysn. 19, which is distinct from Yatha-Ahu-vairyo formulated by the holy Prophet, though based on the same Celestial Note
of Ahunavar). We are living in the fourth Zarvana Akarana in
which the strife of Ahriman against Ahura Mazda continues, and
the good creation of Ahura Mazda and the destructive creation of
Ahriman are co-existent (Ysn. 30, 3-4-5; Bd. 1:2,7). At the end of
Bundehesh; 1, 2 it is stated that the evil creations of Ahriman will
cease in the Boundless Time (Zaman Akanarakih) when the souls
of the departed ones will attain
341
'"
"Tane Pasin", final body. This reference to the Endless Time
in Bundehesh is to the 5th (of the 7) Zarvana Akarana, in which all
the souls descending an the earth will be so purified that the five
senses from which vices originate at present, will then have so
reformed that they will be the sources of all virtues. We shall not
go further into this subject here.
We have thus seen that in ancient Iran it was customary to use
the sidereal periods of different planets for specific purposes, and
to apply the Kar-Sal or Far-Sal mode of calculations as required.
THE DEVICE FOR SECRECY
As stated already our Master was the first to reveal the
mystery of the above 300 "years" mentioned by Dastur Zadsparam
and Dastur Arda Viraf. On being asked about the very close era
shown in Pahlavi, our Master explained that after the conquest of
Iran by the Arabs when the true knowledge of the religion began to
fade away, there were still left some learned doctors. However, the
latter did not possess complete knowledge and afforded no proofs
for what they asserted, because those proofs were destroyed. So
with regard to the era of Zarathushtra they employed a device by
which although this era would appear small to the layman's eye,
the true doctors knowing the mystery thereof would be able to
ascertain the real point of time with the aid of the "Tawil-i-Zarvane
Daregha Khadat", the commentary of the self-created long cycle of
Time (of 81,000 years) unknown to modern scholars. So they
(Pahlavi writers) expressed the era as 300 "years" reckoned by the
method of the Kar-Sal of the Moon, but did not disclose the mode
of computation employed, nor the nature of the Sal (year).
ERA OF 6,900 B.c.
NOT EXTRAVAGANT
From what has been stated above it will be understood that the
oldest Greek writers who declared the age of Zarathushtra to
be_6,000 B.C were right, and not "extravagant" as imagined by
modem scholars, whereas the latter who in the absence of proper
knowledge of true facts declare that era around 600 or a little more
are mistaken, though according to the system of calculations of the
heavens the era comes to 7,551 B.C.
"258" YEARS ARRIVED AT
FROM BUNDEHESH 34 ERRONEOUS
Besides the reference in Pahlavi of the enigmatical 300
"years" already dealt with, there is one more source of confusion
to be found in Bundehesh; 34 which has been the source of misguiding many scholars, particularly those inclined to scale down
342
the era of Zarathushtra as much as possible. The latter reference,
which deals with the periods of rule of the kings mentioned below,
reads as under:
"Kae Gustasp 30 years upto the time of Revelation. Total 120.
Behman of AsFandiar 112 years. Homae, daughter of Behman
30 years. Dara, son of Cheherazad, daughter of Behman 12
years. Dara of Dara 14 years. Alexander Rumi 14 years."
In the above the total period of king Kae Gustasp's rule is
stated to be 120 years. So from the time of the Revelation his reign
continued for (120 - 30 =) 90 years more. Hence according to the
above information the total period from Revelation to the conquest
by Alexander the Great seemingly comes to (90 plus 112 plus 30
plus 12 plus 14 =) 258 years.
This period of 258 B.C has been taken as the date of
Zarathushtra by several scholars in spite of the fact that there is
historical record of the defeat of king Zarathushtra at the hands of
the Assyrian monarchs Ninus and Semiramis in B.C. 2026 or (800
plus 1200=) 2000 B.c. as shown by Dr. West (S.B.E. Vol. XLVII,
Intra. par. 74).
The above period of 258 years is incorrect, because Behman,
who is otherwise called Ardashir Longimanus (Darazdast) and his
successors Homae, Dara and Dara's Dara, though all belong to the
Achaeminian dynasty have been shown after Kae Gustasp of the
Kayanian dynasty. However, it must be stated that names of
Gustasp and his predecessors of the Kayanian dynasty bear the
prefix Kae (name of glory) while the names of Behman and
Aspandiar do not. Hence they are not of Kayanian dynasty.
Between the death of Kae Gustasp and Behman, 'i.e., Ardashir
Longimanus (B.C. 465) there exists the tremendous stretch of 6956
years as shown below:
(A) 2000 years continuation of Kayanian dynasty, after
Kae Gustasp;
(B)
40 years birth and Revelation period of Shri
Kae Gusrnsp ;
(C) 100 years Indian rule over Iran;
(D) 3255 years joint period of Huafrit and Kudarvand
dynasties (1626 and 1629 years respec
tively); the latter terminated by the defeat
.
of King Zarathushtra (Oxyartes) by Assy
rian monarchs Ninus and Semiramis in
B.c. 2026 noted in Greek history;
(E) 1561 years from defeat of king Zarathushtra to
Achaemenian King Behman called Arda
shir Longimanus, B.C. 465.
---------------------6956 years
----------------------
343
Thus it will be seen from the above that between the death of
Kae Gustasp (B.C. 7421) and Behman (Ardashir Longimanus)
there is a tremendous gap of 6956 years i.e. nearly 7000 years.
Hence "258" years arrived at from Bundehesh; 34 are incorrect,
and have no relation with the era of Zarathushtra, because they do
not include the periods of Huafrit and Kudurvand dynasties and the
period of continuation of the Kayanian dynasty after Kae Gushtasp.
CHAPTER II
Clues furnished by our Master to Huafrit and
Kudarvand Dynasties Unknown to Scholars
In the matter of the history of ancient Iran our Master not only
gave clues to the two dynasties of Huafrit and Kudarvand
unknown to scholars, but also showed when and how the Kayanian
dynasty was terminated. The absence of chronicles pertaining to.
these three dynasties which ruled combinedly for some 5375 years
has been the second principal cause that has misguided the
scholars and led them to the belief in a very near date. According
to the method of calculations explained in the next chapter, the
said date comes to 7,551 B.C. This long period may be broadly
divided into three categories, which may be reproduced from the
schedule given at the end of the foregoing chapter:
(1) the period of some 2,000 years marked against (A) represents the period after king Kae Gustasp, during which
the Kayanian dynasty had continued to rule, but its history
has been completely lost by destruction at the hands of the
enemies, both outside and inside Iran as will be seen from
same evidence given hereunder:
(2) the period of 3,255 years shown against (D) is not
destroyed, but has been rendered sacrosanct, as our
Master informed, for valid reasons to be revealed at the
proper time and by the proper authority; and
(3) the period of 2,026 years B.C. including 1561 years
shown against (E) plus 465 years from king Behman
(Ardashir Longimanus) to the Christian era, the history
of which exists in the writing of Greek and others.
Destruction of Records
Alexandrian Library Burnt By
Christian Priest and Monks
The following quotation is taken from "Oahspe The Kosmon
Bible" (p.l).
345
“Zarathushtra" erroneously called Zoroaster, a Persian Law
Giver, who lived in the cycles of Fragapatti, eight thousand
nine hundred years ago, the farthest back of all historical
characters. Both Buddhist and Christian religions are said to
be made up chiefly from the history and miracles of
Zarathushtra. It was to obliterate such history that Coatulus, a
Christian priest, burned the Alexandrian library in the year
390. And for the same purpose and more effectually, did
three Christian monks again bum it in the year 640.
ZARATHUSHTRA WAS OF ENORMOUS SIZE, AND OF
NEITHER SEX, being an i-e-su.”
Alexander Consigns the Zoroastrian
Scriptures to the Flames.
"Great as was' this national catastrophe, still greater was the
spiritual loss involved in the destruction of the holy
scriptures of Zoroastrianism, which perished in the conflagration of Persepolis ……….Fire, the most sacred
emblem of Iran, was wantonly utilized in consuming the
word of Ormuzd, The ill-fated Darius had ordered the two
archetype copies to be preserved in the Dizh-i-Nipisht andGanj-i-Shapigan. The first, deposited in the archives of
Persepolis perished in the conflagration. The second copy of
the sacred writings in the Ganj-i-Shapigan, we are informed,
was done into Greek, though more probably it met with a
similar fate………. After a long period of darkness, following
his ill-destined invasion of Persia, Iran once more recovered
her political autonomy, but she never regained, in their pristine
fulness the holy works of her great Prophet."*
Burning of Zoroastrian
Religious and Historical
Writings by the Arabs
With regard to the destruction by the Arabs, the learned Mr.
J.D. Daruvala, who is a deep student of Iranian literature and was a
representative to Iran of the Iranian Zoroastrian Amelioration
Society of Bombay, in his article (in Gujarati) in the "Jam-eJamshed" weekly edition dated 9.10. 1955 writes as follows:
* "Zoroastrian Theology" p. 184 by Dastur Dr. Dhalla quoted by
the learned Ervad P. S. Masani, in his book entitled
"Zoroastrianism Ancient & Modern" (p. 45),
346
"After the subversion by the Arabs of Iran's crown and throne
and the extinction of the Sassanian dynasty, books relating to
the Zoroastrian religion and history were burnt by the edict of
Khalifa Umer….It was ordered that everyone who desired to
adhere to one's own religion must, for declining to accept
Islam, surrender one maund of one's own religious books to
the Arab chiefs, besides the payment of a per caput tax per
annum of one hundred gold Dinars as Jazia. Only those that
could fulfill these conditions were allowed to observe their
own religion…. Of course in fulfilling these conditions what
religious books were left were consigned to the flames
The rich Iranians purchased their religious books at any
price, and handed them over to the chiefs according to the
orders of the Arabs and remained as Zoroastrians, while those
that had no money, but yet were unwilling to accept Islam,
surrendered their heads to the Arab sword. Every Sunday the
Arabs used to make a burning festival of religious books
received from Zoroastrians. In doing this the object of the
Arab leaders was to obliterate from the minds of the Iranians
all memories of their religion and culture."
Besides these, during certain periods the new converts to Islam
from the Zoroastrians who had become bitter enemies to their own
race and religion, weeded out every available writing, displaying
the ancient Zoroastrian religion and history or glory and fame, and
fed the flames with the same.
In this way not only the ancient Zoroastrian libraries but also
books in possession of private individuals relating to history and
religion, after king Kae Gustiisp, comprising a period of some
2000 years were wantonly and completely destroyed by the
enemies of the Faith, without and within Iran, after the down fall
of the Iranian empire.
347
100 Years' Indian
Rule Over Iran
After 40 years of Shri Krishna's birth, during which he got
revelation, there was Indian rule over Iran for about a hundred
years. In Dastur Peshotan Sanjana's Dinkard Vol V (p. 311) and in
S.B.E. Vol. XLVII (p .84 & Intra. p. xii) the names of kings
Karishak and Rashne Rish occur, which seem to be Indian rather
than "Rumi" as stated in the footnote, yet it cannot be said with
certainty that they ,were the two kings that ruled over Iran between
B.C 5381 and B.C 5281. Then Huafrit arose, and defeated the
Indians, and founded the Huafritan dynasty.
(1) Huafrit Dynasty
Huafrit is the name of a king who founded a new dynasty over
Iran some 2,000 years after Kayanian king kae Vishtasp in whose
royal court the holy Prophet revealed the Zoroastrian Faith (in
about 7,551 B.C.). The term Huafrit, occurring in Aban Yt. 130
being not known to the scholars as the name of a king (and hence a
proper noun) has been treated otherwise and rendered etymologically - as "after my own pleasure" in Spiegel-Bleeck's
translation. Though Prof. Darmesteter has also treated Huafrito as
an adjective in S.B.E. Vol. XXIII his rendering "fully blessed" is
nearer to the true sense of the exalted name, and that too of the
founder king of an Iranian dynasty entirely lost to modem history.
How a proper noun misconstrued as a common, becomes
ridiculous would be understood if we substitute the name, say,
Gladstone, the Prime Minister of Queen Victoria of England for
Huafrit and render the former (Gladstone) etymologically as "a
jubilant piece of rock" from the literal derivation" of the word 'glad'
plus 'stone'. The above Aban-Yasht passage would then read "I,
jubilant piece of rock may protect wide realms"?
It appears the only scholar who understood the word Huafrit
correctly was the late learned Ervad Sheriarji Bharucha, as is
evident from his contribution in the Sir Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy
Madressa Jubilee Volume pp. 223-225, which is also re-
348
ferred to by Dr. Modi in the book entitled "The Influence of Iran
On Other Countries", published posthumously in 1954. Ervad
Bharucha has referred to Huafrit as the founder of a new dynasty
after Kayanian.
Ervad Bharucha contends that "The Avesta word (Huafrito)
must not be considered an adjective of "azem" (i.e. I) (preceding
the word 'Huafrito'), but as a proper name of some particular
person."
Ervad Bharucha's Quotation
from Rehetseck's Appendix II,
Manuscript Dinkard No. 11
In support of his opinion Ervad Bharucha gives also the
Pahlavi reference from Manuscript Dinkard No. 11, (Rehetseck's
Appendix II, in the Mulla Firuz Library of Bombay) as under:
"Hukhudaih been Jam-tokhmagan akhar min Fredun pavan
fradum pavan Manushchiharam u dadigar pavan Kayan u
cidigar pavan Huafritan e min ham Kayan e Sasanan".
(Translation). "Among the descendants of Jamshed, there
was good rule after Faredun ..............first by the successors of
Minocheher, and secondly by the Kayanis and thirdly by the
descendants of Huafrit, - and the Sasanians descended from
the same Kayanis."
After citing the above Pahlavi reference Ervad Bharucha
observes, "Here we find the trace of a certain dynasty of kings
established by a person named Huafrit. Now if the prayer in the
above Avestic passage befits any person, it is most likely that the
person Huafrito was the founder of a dynasty or a descendant of a
certain royal dynasty after Kae Gustasp (Aban Yt. 130) who must
have asked this boon from Ardvi Sura. Thus we find that besides
the well-known dynasties, of ancient kings of Persia there was one
more dynasty of Kings of Persia in the Avestic rimes after that of
the Kayanians and preceding that of the Achaemenians."
Ervad Bharucha then discusses over the phrase "Masa
Khshathra" which means 'large kingdoms' and erroneously believes that the kingdoms concerned were those of "Masra" meaning Egypt and that Masra was corrupted into "Masa" meaning
large by the dropping of Av. letter "r". This supposed corruption
he attributed to careless recitations and erroneous writings of
Manuscripts in the later periods. This mistaken conception is
probably due to the fact that the learned scholar was not aware that
100 years prior to Huafrit, Iran was under the yoke of Hindu kings
whom Huafrit defeated and himself sat on the
349
ancient patriarchal Kayanian throne. Thus the kingdom referred to
by Huafrit in his supplication to Ardvi Sura cannot be "Masra",
Egypt, but Iran herself, and thus the word. "Masa" meaning 'large'
is not corrupted as that learned scholar believes, but is correct.
This Huafrit dynasty continued for about 1626 years, on the
termination of which period the king of the same dynasty that
came to the throne assumed the title of "Kudarvand".
(2) Kudarvand Dynasty
Now with respect to the Kudarvand dynasty the late Mr. P.B.
Desai, has under the heading "Zoroastrian kings of Babylonia" (p.
497) of his book entitled "History of the Kaianians" quoted from
Godspeed's "History of Babylonians and Assyrians" which runs as
under:
(Translated from Gujarati). "There was a race called Elami
that invaded Southern Babylonia in about 2,400 B.c. and
assumed mastery over that territory. The name Elam which
occurs in the Bible is also found in the Babylonian inscriptions and the race above-named ruled over the same territory.
It is known to be a very ancient race that had come in contact
with the Sumerian and Accadian races since 4,000 B.c. These
two races were masters of the territory between the Tigris and
the Euphrates in ages much remoter than 4,000 B.C
This Elam is the modern Khujistan known in ancient times as
Susa (Susiana). We believe that the eight kings that ruled
over Babylonia are the same as those referred to by Berosus,
and according to Rawlinson and others these eight kings
mentioned by Berosus ruled from 2,448 B.C. to 2,224 B.C.
that is, for 224 years. According to Godspeed (p.67) this rule
of those eight kings extended over 200 years from 2,450 B.C.
to 2,250 B.C Elam brought the rule of Ur (in Babylonia) to an
end in about 2,300 B.c. and established its independent
sovereignty. This very nearly agrees with what Berosus has
stated.
"Ham and Media"
“But the question arises that Elam is not Media. Hence how
can it be said that the rule of the Medians referred to by
Berosus was identical with the Elami kings mentioned in the
inscriptions? The reply to this is that Elam and Media are not
much removed from each other and in the time of Berosus
the rule of Elamis might have gone out of memory and that
of Medians must have remained fresh.
350
Hence Berosus must have reported the rule of Median kings
instead that of EIamis."
"Now if it be proved that the rule of Medians was that of
Elamis, then the Elami kings must be Zoroastrian by religion,
and they must belong to the Iranians of the Aryan race. The
Elami king who terminated the rule of Ur kingdom has been
known by the name of Kudur-Nankhundi (Kutir Nakhkhunte, Kudur--Nakhunta) who must have conquered
Babylonia between 2,285 and 3,000 B.C* Just as the first
word in the name of this king is 'Kudur', so it is in the names
of other kings also who ruled over Babylonia after him; for
instance, Kudur-Nankhundi, Kudur-Lagmar, Kudur Mabug,
* * etc. Could the names of these Kings be such from the
beginning? These names are what have been mentioned in
Babylonian writings. These are Semitic names. If Elamis be
of Zoroastrian race, then the names of their above mentioned
kings must be quite different. If they be Iranians, these are
not Iranian names. The only possibility of finding those
names lies in future excavations carried out in Elam proper.
But the Elami rule has furnished a clue to the gap of 300
years in Babylonian history."
"This proves that what has been stated in Pahlavi writings
concerning the termination of Zoroastrian religion 300 years
after king Gustasp was not true; that the religion was in
currency simultaneously with the Kayanian rule for many
many years. And during that period the Zoroastrian race had
ruled over Babylonia, for three centuries. Still more proofs
are essential in this matter."
Mr. Desai then refers to the existence of Zoroastrian nation
after the name of Huafrit, which has already been dealt with
above. With respect to the above mentioned footnote concern----------------------------------------------------------------------------* "According to Godspeed, this occurred in 2,290 B.C. (p. 67).
Others give the year as 2260. According to Mr. Regozin the
Elami rule extended over Babylonia for 285 years between
2285 and 2000 B.c.Chaldea (p. 219)."
** (Mr. Desai's Footnote)
"At present it is not known what these names convey, but
Nankhundi is the name of Babuli Nana or Goddess Ishter, and
Kudur means "Servant" so the whole name Kudur-Nankhundi
ought to mean "the servant of Goddess Nana", just as amongst
the Hindus, Ambaidas is taken from Goddess Amba and
"Kalidas" from Goddess 'Kali', similarly, "Kudur-Nankhundi"
from 'Nankhundi' means 'Nana-das', i.e., servant or worshipper
of Nana. All the other above names should have prefix
meaning "servant".
351
ing the names beginning with Kudur, it may be stated that KudurNankhundi is the corrupt reading of Pahlavi Kudur-Nanavandi.
Mr. Desai believes it to be the name of some Babylonian goddess
like that of Ishtar. Na-Naa are the holy individuals of Garo-Nmana
which literally means the Abode of Songs, and refers to the
sublime 6th planetary Heaven of Jupiter where the Celestial Note
of Ahunavar pervades (Ysn; 51:15; Ardvi Sura Nyaish; 8). The
above said holy individuals are those that follow the "Das
Andarz", the Ten Commandments of Ahura. Na-Gena (Ysn.
46,10) and Na-Nairi (Ysn. 35,6) are rendered in philology as
(ordinary worldly) man and woman. But correctly speaking they
are terms for holy man and holy woman. This becomes amply
clear from Farvardin Yasht; 18 where "Na" is used for the "holy
man" and "Mashyanam" for worldly people ('Yo' na sasta hamokhshathro", holy man who (is) all powerful king). In those ancient
times kings of Paradat (Pishdad), Paairyotkaesha and other
dynasties were not ordinary temporal kings, but belonged to the
highly advanced holy class of souls next below the Nabanazdishtanam, the highest class, (lit. nearest to the centre which is
the seat of the Creator). Thus it will be seen that Na-Gena (Nairi)
do not stand for ordinary worldly man and woman. The kings of
the Kudarvand dynasty were not merely worldly emperors but also
highly advanced souls, many of whom belonged to the Magava
class, i.e., those who were most advanced perfected saintly souls,
by which is meant those whose Spiritual Masculinity and Spiritual
Femininity are merged into one. Holy Zarathushtra was the foremost amongst these Magavans (as referred to in Ysn. 33,7), and
styled Magavan-Magav or Magapatan Magapat, the Magapat of
Magapats. Such being the case the term Magavan in Sanskrit
means a deity as referred to by Dr. Mills in footnote to the above
stanza in S.B.E. Vol. XXXI, where he compares Magavan to
"Indra and other Gods". Such highly advanced kings of Iran of the
Kudarvand dynasty assumed their regal title not of worldly pomp
or grandeur, but of great spiritual exaltation as the followers of
Na-Naa explained above. It will thus be understood that KudurNanavandi or Kudurvandi was the regal title assumed by those
exalted kings and not their personal names, the seeming queerness
whereof surprised Mr. Desai. However, the reference made by Mr.
Desai provides a proof of the Kudarvand dynasty, the clue to the
existence of which was furnished by our Master, Behramshah.
This Kudarvand dynastry ruled for almost the same period as
the Huafrit, namely 1629 years. According to planetary Time
cycles this dynasty began with the inception of the ministry of
Moon, which exercises placid influence on the earth. But in its last
magistrate (minor) cycle of Mercury of 262 years,
352
idolatry gained strength on the far western borders of Iran,
because that planet influences such worship. Consequently, there
were rebellions in these western borders including Babylonia and
Assyria, but they were put down in large battles, because of the
inter cycle of the Moon and the major cycle of Jupiter. However,
with the adverse planetary change in the heavens from the Lunar
to Saturnian ministry, king Zarathushtra otherwise called
Hukhshathra (oxyartes) was defeated by the Assyrian monarchs,
Ninus and Semiramis in B.c. 2026. As stated already, the history
of Huafrit and Kudarvand dynasties has not been destroyed, but
rendered sacro-sanct. However, what sparse history exists with the
Greeks pertains to the terminal Mercurial period of 262 years
mentioned above.
HISTORICAL EVIDENCE EVEN UP TO. B. C. 2,458
DISPROVES THE GENERAL BELIEF OF SCHOLARS IN ERA
OF 600 B.C.
It has been shown that the scholars of philology have been
unaware of the two dynasties of Huafrit and Kudarvand, which
two combinedly ruled over Iran for 3,255 years. The former draws
its name from its founder, while the latter came to an end with the
defeat of its king Zarathushtra, also known as Hukhshathra
(Oxyartes) by the Assyrian monarchs Ninus and Semiramis in
B.C. 2026.
In the history Of Berosus" 8 Median kings are mentioned to
have ruled over Babylonia for 224 years, and according to M.c.
Muller, quoted by Dr. Geiger, the name of their first ruler was
"Zaroaster".* Mr. P. B. Desai, the Parsi historian, mentioned above,
has in his "History of the Kings of Iran" Vol. I (in Gujarati p. 357)_
cited a schedule given by Rawlinson of seven dynasties that ruled
over Chalde (Babylonia) between B.c., 2,458 and B.c. 536. The
first, that is the earliest of them, was Median, eight kings of which
ruled for 224 years from B.C. 2,458 to B.c. 2,234. The founder of
these Median kings was a Zarathushtrotemo (lit. one most like
Zarathushtra). Thus we find that there is historical record of
Zoroastrian rule over Iran at least up to B.C., 2,458, out of the
correct date B.C. 7,551.
However, even B.C. 2,458 when placed vis-à-vis the modern
scholars' so-called traditional date of 600 B.c., the gross incorrectness of the latter becomes self-evident.
0 Geiger-Sanjana-"Eastern Iranians" Vol. II (P.
185).
CHAPTER III
"SHUMAR-I-FALAK", CALCULATIONS OF THE HEAVENS
FOR FINDING THE ERA OF ZARATHUSHTRA AND OTHER
GREAT LAW-GIVERS
While philological scholars have been speculating over the era
of Zarathushtra, our Master has disclosed a scientific method for
finding that age without having to depend on the statements of any
ancient writers or on historical chronicles, both of which have been
instrumental in misguiding the scholars. This method is based on
astronomical and astrological calculations technically called
"Shumar-i-Falak", reckonings of the heavens.
Before proceeding with the treatment of this method it would
be well to take some preliminary idea of the sidereal science. In
"The Sky Is The Limit" (By Llewellyn George; p. 12) it is said:
"It has been found that each star (or planet) has its own
particular rate of vibration_ wave-length, intensity, duration,
frequency, direction, quality and - most important of all - its
INDIVIDUAL INFLUENCE. It is to those influences we are
mainly reacting in our experience of daily life. hearing,
seeing, feeling, tasting, smelling, these are the senses which
designate our response to vibration. In Physics it is known
that A-L-L is vibration. Things differ in color and form due to
differing rates of vibration."
Then with respect to the planetary aspects it is said (on p. 23;
ibid.):
"An aspect is the angle formed between two or more planets at
some place in their orbits in the zodiac, and their focusing
relation to the earth. The influences are registered by those
individuals who are receptive or attuned to particular
vibrations, according to the impulses cast in their body at the
moment of birth by the vibrations operating at that time and
place."
Then regarding the effect of the planets transiting through the
signs it is stated (on p. 25 ibid.):
354
"As the planets transit through the signs they stir up the
qualities or tendencies of a sign and, in combination with their
own nature, impart those vibrations to the earth by means of
the focus of the angles (aspects) they form with other planets,
which may be in other signs. As they do this through the
HOUSE space coincident with their position, the influence of
the houses are also brought into operation.
The SIGNS indicate life's functions, attributes and capacity in
given trends.
The HOUSES indicate life's affairs, conditions" things and
environments.
The PLANETS produce experiences, events and opportunities for expression.
The ASPECTS qualify the influence of the planets and
TIME the manifestations."
With respect to Zarvan, the Time factor or Father Time it may
be stated that our earth, as we know it, is directly influenced by the
planetary cycles of Time constituting a "Zarvane-daregho-khadat"
(Siroza Yt.21), the self-created long cycle of Time, which
according to Khshnoom is of the fixed period of 81,000 Solar
years, as explained further on, and which comprises the seven
ruler-ships of the seven planets. These planets, namely Jupiter,
Mars, Sun, Venus, Mercury, Moon and Saturn play their
distinctive roles according to the various characteristics of each
influencing on the earth, which (latter) is not a planet according to
Khshnoom and ancient and modem astrology. To these planetary
influences, races and individuals, their religions, cultures and
civilizations and all major upheavals of worldwide or nationwide
magnitude react in rise or fall, peace or war, weal or woe
according as the "aspects" of the movements of the planets are
favourable or otherwise.
While such are the vibrationary wire-pulling effects of the
planets above, this material world below runs its course for 81,000
Solar years followed by a World Deluge, which submerges this
known material world which is Satan-infested and which
comprises two-thirds of the whole earthly orb. The remainder onethird (Thrishva; Yt. 13,2) which is holy, is described, in its own
place.
After the Deluge a long pause or an interval period of
inactivity extending over 27,000 years (on an average) prevails on
this two-third known wicked world. On the expiration of the long
pause the earth resumes once again its run of a new Zarvane
Daregho Khadat of 81,000 years followed by another Deluge; and
so the curriculum of Nature's Plan repeats itself
355
from one Zarvane Daregho Khadat to another, which is aptly
described in "Dabistan" (Vol. I pp. 10, 11) as follows:
"On the expiration of this great period the sovereignty reverts
to the First King the state of the revolving world
recommences; this world of formation and evanescence is
renovated, the human beings, animals, vegetables and mineral
productions, which existed during the first Cycle, are restored
to their former language, acts, dispositions, species and
appearance_ with the same designations and distinctions, the
successive generations continually proceeding on in the same
manner."
In all these repetitions of come-and-go of the innumerable
long cycles of Zarvane Daregho Khadat of 81,000 years each,
Nature's Plan of redeeming individual souls from Druj (source of
Evil) proceeds on, and will proceed on slowly but ceaselessly till
the termination of the present (4th) Zarvana Akarana, Boundless
Time. With this preliminary explanation of Nature's working, we
shall take an idea of the astro-numerological exposition of the
figure group 81,000 connected with the period of a Zarvane
Daregho Khadat mentioned above.
ASTROLOGICAL COMPOSITION OF
'81' IN 81,000
The above mentioned figure-group of 81,000 is a compound
numeral expression made up of 81 and three ciphers. Of this 81, 77
is the sum total of the respective degrees at which each of the six
planets (except the Sun) in its revolution around the Sun merges its
lustre in that of the latter (Sun). Such merging of the lustre is
known in astrology as the "setting" of the planet concerned. Thus,
Jupiter sets at 11 degrees, Mars at 17, Venus at 9, Mercury at 13,
Moon at 12 and Saturn at 15 degrees, totaling in all 77. The Sun as
the executor of the Divine Plan is represented by the numeral 4 on
grounds explained below. Thus 77 plus 4 = 81.
NUMEROLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCES OF
DIFFERENT CARDINAL NUMBERS
CONCERNED WITH 81,000
In Zoroastrian Numerology each cardinal number from 1 to 9
has its own distinctive mystical significance based on eternal
verities. For our present purposes it may be stated that the numeral
3 stands for the 3-stage Ahunavar Plan (Yasna 19) mentioned
further on, and the numeral 4 stands for the execu-
_
356
tion of that Plan by the Sun. The working of the whole Universe
especially during the 4th and 5th Zarvana Akarana, i.e.,
inconceivably huge cycles of Boundless Time is for the
Emancipation and further advancement of the soul. The human
soul - Urvan (Ysn. 55,1) it may be stated, was originally a light in
a free state in the planetary world, but it is a light possessing
deficiency of divine knowledge, which is the source of all Evil.
For the transmutation of this Evil into Goodness, AHU, literally 'it
IS', (the second word in Yatha Ahu Vairyo prayer) the Light of All
Lights, the Absolute One in Oneness who is the First Great
Thinker (Manta Pouruyo; Ysn. 31.7) has devised the 3-stage
colossal Plan above mentioned embodied in Ahunavar (Ysn. 19),
the Edict or the Word Celestial of AHU.
In Ahunavar, the Will or the Edict of the Lord God AHU, the
Light of Lights, it is 1aid down (1) that there shall be Hasti
(Haithveng Astish, Truth-pervading world; Yasna 43.3), (2) that
from Hasti there shall be Nisti, the Evanescent world (Daman,
Creation; Yasna; 57.2) for the Emancipation of Urvan and (3) that
from Nisti there shall be Hasti again. This 3-stage Grand Plan
Divine concerning the three manifestations of the Creation
(Bundehesh) is represented by the cardinal number 3. A hazy idea
of the Nature's Plan embodied in the above three manifestations is
given further on.
The next step after the devising of the above Plan is its
execution. So the next cardinal number 4 represents the implementation of that Divine Plan. Human beings are chiefly
concerned with the Nisti, the Evanescent world (Space), which is
created for the correction of their Evil. The administration of this
Nisti is entrusted to the Sun as the Deputy Divine of the Creator
Ahura Mazda. Just as Ahura Mazda is the Spentotemo Mino, the
most Bountiful or Blissful Divine Spirit of the whole Universe
(Mainyush Spentotemo; Yasna; 1,1), so the Sun too is styled
Spentotemo Mino of the Nisti and He (Sun) is represented by the
numeral 4. In this way, this 4 plus 77 make 81 as stated above in
which all the seven planets are represented.
NUMEROLOGICAL ASPECT OF '81'
IN 81,000
Now with respect to the numerological aspect of 81 followed
by three ciphers, the numeral 8 stands for human souls (Urvan;
Yasna; 55,1) who all lack in Divine Knowledge. The next figure,
is 1 in 81. 8 and 1 added together make 9, which is the highest
among the single cardinal numbers, and stands for excellence or
perfection. So it means that from our present state of imper
357
fection represented by the figure 8, we have to rise to the
excellence, i.e., perfection represented by the figure 9.
PHILOSOPHY OF THE WHOLE CREATION
EMBODIED IN FIGURE GROUP 1001
There is also another way of reading 81, in which the numeral
1 in the first digit stands for the Creator Ahura Mazda. This figure
1 in different places has different significances; thus (in Aban Yt;
101) we have Aredvi Sura and Her 1000 channels forming 1001,
and in Yasna; 57,21 Sarosha and the 1000 pillars of his mansion,
also making 1001. Here 1 in the fourth digit stands for AHU, the
Light of All Lights above mentioned. Then the expression 10 in the
same group (1001) stands for Ahura Mazda the head of the
Ameshaspends and for other Yazadic Existences (Yt. 1,21; Yt.
8,24 etc.), while the remaining expression 01 (in the same group
1001) indicates certain amount of imperfection in superior souls,
and stands for the Gao-Chithra Souls (Mah Nyaesh; 7,8), who
though followers of the blissful principle, namely, "live, advance
and help others in advancing" - and as such are philanthropic and
altruistic in character, still display certain lack of perfection in
them. Such Gao-Chithra souls are represented by "01". Still again,
the figure 1 in the first digit (in 1001) represents the Creator Ahura
Mazda Himself, in Whom the whole humanity has to merge One
Glorious Day (Roshan-Rooz). It will thus be noticed from the
above that AHU (occurring as the second word in Yatha Ahu
Vairyo prayer) who is the Light of All Lights (Noor-ul-Anwar) and
the Absolute One in Oneness is the Impersonal Divinity who is
Unthinkable and Un-nameable, whereas Ahura Mazda is the
Creator, Who manifested Himself after Mazda and Ahura, and
Who bears numerous Divine names found in Hormazd and Ram
Yashts and is thus conceivable. So in the above four numerals
(1001) We have, in a nutshell, the philosophy of the creation of the
Universe. Besides this, there is much deeper significance of this
figure group 1001, which is explained in Supplement No. 18.
Reverting to 81, just as in 1001 the figure 1 in the first digit stands
for the Creator, so it also does in 81. In the latter case it means that
from our present unholy condition as human beings (Urvan; Ysn.;
55,1) with deficient Divine Knowledge; represented by the
numeral 8, we have first to elevate ourselves to the sublimity of the
"Baodangh", (ibid.) state of perfection of Divine Knowledge. This
Baodangh is represented by the figure 5, because it implies the
control over the five senses. From 5 we have finally to exalt
ourselves still further so as to be able to merge into the Creator
Ahura Mazda represented by the numeral in the first digit as said
above. Such are the mystical significances of 81 based on eternal
verities.
358
NUMEROLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCES
OF 3 CIPHERS IN 81,000 AND 12,000
YEARS
In Zoroastrian numerology, each of the one, two, three or four
ciphers has its own distinctive significance. Thus there are
enigmatical references to "100 horses, 1000 oxen, 10,000 lambs"
(Yt; 5,21 etc.), which references are erroneously believed by some
philological scholars to convey the meaning of sacrifice in the
sense of massacre of so many of those animals, while really those
references relate to the development of great spiritual powers of
philanthropy, purity, Divine Knowledge etc., attained by those
kings concerned (mentioned in Aban Yt.) necessary for obtaining
the help of Aredvi Sura and other Yazats for smiting Satanic
forces. Then again in Bundehesh; 34 we come across, what are
called, "12,000 years" and "3000 years" (ibid. 1). 12,000
represents the Age of Boundless Time (Zaman Akanarakih; ibid,
1,2) within which this material world from its present imperfection
will gain exaltation to perfection. We are living in the fourth
Zarvana Akarana, Boundless Time, in which the forces of Ahura
Mazda as the Principle of Blissfulness or Good, and of Angra
Mainyu as the Principle of Destruction or Evil (Vd. XIX, 8; Bd.
1,7) operate together as coevals (Ysn. 30; 3, 4, 5). These two
opposing principles are referred to in Bundehesh (I, 2) as "Asar
Roshni"" the force of Boundless Light, i.e., spiritual advancement
or progress and "Asar Tariki", the force of Boundless Darkness,
i.e., spiritual deterioration. When humanity will have gained
control over the five, senses and in the distant end would be able to
attain the final re-birth in "Tane-Pasin, (ibid) the last fiery-type
body, it will be the fifth out of the seven Zarvana-Akarana,
Boundless Time, that make Infinity (Yavaecha Yavaetat; Vd. III;
14,21,39 etc.). In 12,000 as in 81,000, the three ciphers stand for
the three stages or manifestations of the Creation. In the first
manifestation the immortal and mortal worlds are created. The
souls, i.e., spiritual beings with deficiency of divine knowledge are
exiled and transferred from the 8th heaven (pertaining to the
zodiac) to the planetary world. Here a large portion of the above
mentioned souls gets reformed by self-effort. For the unreformed
remainder another world is created, in which functions the Law of
Infoldment of Spirit into Matter, Mazdadata (Yt. 10,67) or
Mazdayasni Daena (Vd. 19,13). Now commences the second
manifestation. Souls of human beings trail down to this earth
according to this Law, go through the rounds of birth and death
(Thwasha Khadata; Vd. XIX, 13) till Emancipation is gained.
From this stage onward functions the Law of Unfoldment of Spirit
from Matter (Ahuradata; Yt. 10,67) or Zarthoshti Daena, which is
the third manifestation and at last the souls get re-
359
patriated to the planetary world and beyond, whence they were
exiled in the beginning of their journey to the earth. Such is a
crude and hazy idea of the three manifestations. It must be noted
that 81,000 are actual Solar years, of which a Zarvane-DareghoKhadat, the self-created long Cycle of Time comprises and that
long period is but a link in the endless chain forming the huge
cycle of one Boundless Time (Zarvana-Akarana). The expression
12,000 does not convey its normal numerical value as is erroneously believed in philology, but the sum of the figures 1 and 2 is
equal to 3, standing far the three-stage plan; the three ciphers (000)
have also the same significance.
It is hoped the astro-numerological exposition given above
makes clear why the long cycle of Time of a Zarvane-Dareghokhadat comprises fixed 81,000 years neither one more nor less,
based as it is, on the most fundamental eternal verities.
Some Rules of Shumar-i-Falak
Reverting to Zarvane-daregho-khadat before describing the
method of computations it would be well to note that:
(1) for purposes of the reckoning of the heavens the order of the
planets in the Zarvane-daregho-khadat begins with Jupiter
followed consecutively by Mars, Sun, Venus, Mercury, Moon and
Saturn as stated already;
(2) every Zarvane-daregho-khadat of 81,000 years is composed of
seven long cycles of Time of varied lengths between 4,000 and
17,000 years, each under the ruler-ship and influence of one of the
above seven planets and each called royal or Major cycle; each of
these seven royal cycles is divided into seven smaller cycles under
the same seven planets, each such smaller division being called a
minister or inter cycle; thus there are (7 x 7 =) 49 minister cycles
in a Zarvane-daregho-khadat. Again each minister cycle is likewise
sub-divided into seven still smaller cycles under the same seven
planets, each such sub-division being a magistrate or minor cycle;
so there are (49 x 7=) 343 Magistrate cycles (in a zarvane-dareghokhadat,). The method of working out the periods of the above
minister and magistrate cycles is shown further on.
(3) At the beginning of the royal cycle of a particular planet the
minister and magistrate cycles are also of the same planet; similarly at the beginning of a planet's minister cycle_ the magistrate
cycle is also of the same planet. Thus Jupiter royal cycle begins
with Jupiter minister cycle and Jupiter magistrate cycle and so on.
Similarly, say, the Sun minister cycle begins with the Sun
magistrate cycle;
(4) The relation between a planet and a heaven is that former
represents the centre, while the latter; its surrounding space i.e.
glory;
360
(5) Since the commencement of the present Zarvane-Dareghokhadat that is, since the Deluge over the known world, some
14,500 years have elapsed. During this period the whole Jupiter
royal cycle of (11,000 plus 1638* =) 12,638 years has elapsed.
Then commenced the Mars royal cycle. Of this the first minister
cycle of Mars of (3568 minus 1638 * =) 1930 years terminated in
AD. 1940. So for the present calculations we are concerned only
with the latter Mars ministry and the preceding seven ministries of
the Jupiter royal cycle;
(6) Each of the five great Law-givers and his respective religion is
related to and under the influence of a particular planet except the
Sun and the Moon which function as the transitional stages from
one religion to another. Thus (1) Zarathushtra and Zoroastrian
religion are under Jupiter; (2)(a) Shri Krishna and Vedic religion,
(b) Gautam Buddha and Buddhist religion and (c) Jain Mahavir
and Jainism - all having the idolatrous cult of the White side are
under Mercury; (3) Mohammad and Islam under Mars; (4) Moses
and Judaism under Venus; and (5) Jesus and Christianity under
Saturn.
(7) According to the law of 'Jirm', globe (or planet) there are
gradations from the spiritual Point of view in religions as in
everything else in this world, though that does not mean that
Christ stands lowest among the Saviours. In this matter our Master
gave the analogy of a head-master of a school taking the alphabet
class, which does not lower the position of the head master. The
gradation of religions is as given above.
(8) The two planets Sun and Moon function as the transitional
stages. By this is meant that when a soul from a higher religion
say, Zoroastrian, does not or cannot keep to the central balancing
point of his or her religion or is attracted to one of lower status,
then that soul in next life is said to be belonging to Jupiter-Solar
stage. If the soul does not attempt to improve, but goes down still,
it belongs to Jupiter-Lunar stage. The Parsi community in general
is at present in this last grade. In the case of a soul advancing from
a lower to the higher, say Vedic to Zoroastrian religion, the former
first scales to Lunar-Zoroastrian, then Solar-Zoroastrian and then
Zoroastrian proper.
(9) Years of "Zeed" or Augmentation. In the Ready-Reckoner chart
that follows are shown deductions and corresponding additions of
years respectively between Mars and Jupiter. The addition is
known as "Zeed" meaning augmentation. The two planets
represent the 'strongest pair of opposites. Characteristically, Jupiter
is blissful and known as ‘the Great Benefic’ while Mars whose
special calour is fiery i.e. red and its metal iron (or steel)
* Explained under rule 9.
361
is the war-lord associated with bloodshed and misery. Some explanation about the above adjustment of years is said to be that the
planet Mars has emerged from Jupiter by the centrifugal force, and
is again attracted to Jupiter by the centripetal force. Hence though
the royal cycle of Mars is of 17,000 years, yet because in reality it
displays Jupiterian blissful effect for some 1638 years, this latter
period is diminished from 17,000 years of Mars royal cycle, and
added to the Jupiter royal cycle. This addition or augmentation in
Jupiter is known as "Zeed". So the Jupiter royal cycle is enhanced
to (11,000 plus 1638 =) 12,638 years. Out of the Zeed period of
1638 years 1100 are added to the Jupiter minister cycle (under
Jupiter royal cycle) making it of (1494 plus 1l00 =) 2594 years.
The remaining 538 years are added to the period of the four
magistrate cycles (under the Sun ministry of Jupiter royal cycle)
namely, Moon, Saturn, Jupiter and Mars-which four together are
normally equal to 369 years are now enhanced to (369 plus 538 =)
907 years as shown in the Chart. Zarathushtra descended on the
earth during the above Moon magistracy. In the case of Mars the
reduction above mentioned of 1638 years actually affects the Mars
minister cycle singly (under the Mars royal cycle.) The normal
Mars minister cycle (under royal cycle also of Mars) is of (17,000
x 17 )/81=3568 years. This is now reduced to (3568 minus 1638 =)
1930 years. All the above subtractions and additions have been
shown in the chart, which though worked out mathematically are
yet somewhat of an average type; because these calculations are
material in character while the planets are luminous living bodies
exerting or emitting their internal electrical and magnetic influences, which cause variations in the above calculations.
It must be admitted that the above additions call for further
explanation which is not available.
Modes of Calculations Explained
As, explained above, a Zarvane-Daregho-khadat comprises the
following seven royal cycles:
Jupiter
11,000 years,
Mars
17,000 ”
Sun
4,000 ”
Venus
9,000 ”
Mercury
13,000 ”
Moon1
2,000 and
Saturn
15,000
81,000 years
362
The period of a minister cycle in a particular royal cycle is in
the ratio which the royal cycle of the required minister cycle bears
to 81,000.
Similarly the proportion of a magistrate cycle in a particular
minister cycle is in the ratio, which the royal cycle of the required
magistrate cycle bears to 81,000. Thus the ratio of each of the
above seven royal cycles to the 'Zarvane-Daregho-khadat of
81,000 years would be:
Jupiter
Mars
Sun
Venus
Mercury
Moon
Saturn
11:81,
17:81,
4:81,
9:81,
13:81,
12:81" and
15:81
So in the Jupiter royal cycle of 11,000 years, the seven minister cycles
under that planet would be:
11,000 X (11/81)
=
1494 years Jupiter minister cycle
11,000 X (17/81)
=
2309 years Mars minister cycle
11,000 X (4/81)
=
543 years Sun minister cycle
11,000 X (9/81)
=
1222 years Venus minister cycle
11,000 X (13/81)
=
1765 years Mercury minister cycle
110,000X (12/81)
=
1630 years Moon minister cycle
11,000 X (15/81)
=
2037 years Saturn minister cycle
Total
-------11,000 years
--------
In like manner, the minister cycles in each of the other six royal
cycles can also be found. Again, for instance, under the same
363
Jupiter royal cycle to find the seven magistrate cycles, of say,
Saturn minister cycle we must first find the period of the Saturn
minister cycle which is 2037 years as shown above.
So by applying the same ratios as above, the seven magistrate
cycles under the Saturn minister cycle of 2037 years we get:
2037 X 11
81
"
"
"
"
"
"
,,
,,
,,
,,
,,
= 277 years Jupiter magistrate cycle.
17
81
= 427
4
81
= 101
9
81
= 226
13
81
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
Sun
"
Venus
"
= 327
Mercury
"
12
81
= 302
15
81
Tota1
= 377
,,
Mars
Moon
"
Saturn
"
2037 years
So it will be noticed from the above that the ratio concerned
remains constant in finding the period of a minister or of a
magistrate cycle, and that for finding the latter, the period of the
minister cycle must first be worked out.
The Ready-Reckoner Chart that follows has been prepared in
accordance with the above rules of reckoning. It may be added
that the table of Time Cycles in the above Chart has been prepared
only up to the end of Minister Cycle of Mars under the Mars
Royal Cycle because the former ended in 1940. AD. and we have
only to add 26 years (for 1966) without the need of going through
the planetary reckonings of the new Minister Cycle of Sun which _
has begun since 1941 AD. Further details of these reckonings are
given in the learned Dr. Chiniwalla's Charts accompanying his
book entitled "Khshnoom Nikize Vehdin" Vol. I; and in the article
on the subject by the learned Mr. M.P. Katgara in the “Ustad
Saheb Memorial Volume” “Frasho-Gard” Magazine Vols. 17-18
(p.347 seq.).
364
Ready-Reckoner Chart
A Ready-Reckoner Chart of Planetary Time-Cycles for finding the Eras of Principal Law-Givers and showing the continuance
of Zoroastrian rule under Kayanian, Huafrit and Kudarvand
dynasties unknown to the philological school.
King
Cycle
Minister
Cycle
Magistrate Cycle
Remarks
Years
years
11,000
Jupiter 1494
1,638
“Zeed” 1100
---------------12638
Total 2594
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Jupiter
Mars 2309
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Jupiter
“Zeed”
-do-
Sun
1081 (F)
(174+369+538)
=1081
Sun
27
Venus 60
Mercury 87
-----174
-----Moon
80 Zarathushtra’s birth
Cycle
Saturn
Jupiter
Mars
101
74 (Born about B.C 7,551)
114
------Total
369
“Zeed” 538
------907
------907+174=1081
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------do-
Venus 1222 (E)
Zoroastrian religion continued.
B.C. 6644 to 5422
& Kayanian dynasty continued.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
365
King
Cycle
Jupiter
Minister
Cycle
Remarks
years
1766 (D)
Mercury 283 (u) Shri Krishna’s birth
and Revelation cycle
5422 to 5382 B.C.
= 40 years.
Indian rule over
Iran
5382 to 5282 B.C
= 100 years.
Huafrit Dynasty
5282 to 3656 B.C.
= 1626 years.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------do-
Mercury
Magistrate Cycle
241 (t) Kudarvand Dynasty
3656 to 2027 B.C.
= 1629 years
Saturn 302 (s)
Jupiter 221 (r)
Mars
324 (q)
Sun
80 (p)
Venus 181 (n)
Mercury 262 (m)
-------1629
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------do-
Moon 1629 (C)
B.C. 3656 to 2027
377 (1) B.C. 2027 King Zarthushtra defeated by
Nisus and Semiramis.
Jupiter 227
Mars
427
Sun
101
Venus 226 (k) Mose’s Birth Cycle
Mercury 327 (j) Buddha’s ” ”
Moon
302 (h) Christ’s ” ”
------Total
2037
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mars
Less
Saturn 2037 yrs. (B)
from B.C. 2027 to
A.D. 10.
Moon
17,000
1,638
---------
Mars
less
3569
1638
-------
15,362
balance 1931 (A)
Saturn
Mars
Sun
Venus
389 (g)
90 (f)
200 (e) Mohammad’s Birth
Cycle
Mercury 320 (d)
Moon
311 (c)
Saturn
361 (b)
Jupiter
260 (a) terminated in A.D.
1940
-----1931
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
366
METHOD OF "SHUMAR-I-FALAK"
APPLIED
An adept in the "Tawil-i-Zarvane-daregho-khadat", that is, a
scientist of the planetary Time cycles ascertains or is aware
because of his knowledge the cycle in which a particular LawGiver is destined to descend on the earth. It may be quite at the
inception of the cycle concerned as in the case of Buddha or about
the middle as in that of Mohammad or at the tail end as in the case
of Jesus Christ.
We know the Eras of Prophet Mohammad and Jesus Christ
and the 2500th Pari-Nirvana year of Gautam Buddha. For verifying the Era of Prophet Mohammad we have to add up the
number of years of the magistrate cycles from 1940 A.D., (marked
at the bottom of the chart (against the Magistrate cycle of Jupiter).
So we have:
Jupiter
Saturn
Moon
Mercury
Venus
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
261 years
361 years
311 years
320 years
200 years
-------------1453 years
--------------
According to records Mohammad was born in 571 A.D. Now
(1957 A.D.) his Lunar Era is 1376 Hijri (i.e. counted from the
year of his flight to Medina at the age of 51). So in 1940 A.D. his
Era was 1360 Hijri. A Lunar year is 0.97 of a Solar year. So 1360
X 0.97 = 1319 Solar years plus 51 = 1370. If Mohammad had
been born just at the beginning of the Venus cycle it would have
been 1453 years since his birth, but as that period is actually 1370
years it means that his birth took place (1453 minus 1370 =) 83
years after the above said Venus Magisterial cycle of 200 years
had begun.
Jesus Christ was born at the tail end of his planetary cycle of
Moon under Saturn Minister cycle, as the addition of planetary
cycles would show. Thus:
1931 years of Minister cycle of Mars i.e. total of Magistrate
cycles (a) to (g) (under Royal cycle also of Mars)
terminated in 1940 A.D.
17 years 1940 to 1957 A.D.
Total 1948 years.
367
So it means that Jesus Christ was born in the cycle of Moon
about (1957 minus 1948 =) 9 years before the termination of that
(Moon) cycle.
Lord Buddha - His 2500th Pari-Nirvana anniversary was
celebrated in 1956 AD. Pari-Nirvana represents passing away from
the earth. He lived for some 79 years. So his birth took place 79
years earlier i.e. 2579 years ago. So adding up:
1931 years of Minister
Cycle
(A) of Mars
302 years of Magistrate Cycle
(h) of Moon
327 years of Magistrate Cycle
(j) of Mercury
under Ministry of Saturn under monarchy of Jupiter. 16
years from 1940 to 1956 AD.
So 2576 years ago Buddha was born.
Therefore, (2576 minus 79 =) 2497 years.
Thus the planetary calculations come correct to a difference
of (2579 minus 2576 =) 3 years only.
In like manner to find the Era of Lord Shri Krishna we
add up
1931 years Ministry of Mars under Mars Royal Cycle
2037 years Ministry of Saturn under Jupiter Royal Cycle
1629 years Ministry of Moon under Jupiter Royal Cycle
1766 years Ministry of Mercury under Jupiter Royal
Cycle
Total 7363 years from 1940 AD. or about 5423 B.C.
Holy Zarathushtra - It will be noticed from the Ready
Reckoner Chart that Zarathushtra was born during the
Magistrate Cycle of Moon
Minister Cycle of Sun
and Royal Cycle of Jupiter
So, adding together:
7,363 years for the era of Shri Krishna shown above. 1,222
years period of Minister Cycle of Venus preceding
that of Mercury.
369 years total of the Magistrate Cycles of Moon, Saturn,
Jupiter and Mars under Ministry of Sun shown in
the Chart and explained under item 9 of the rules
of Shumar-i-Falak given before.
538 years of Zeed also explained under above rules.
We get total 9.492 years from 1940 A.D. or B,C. 7551 for
the era
of Zarathushtra.
368
It will thus be noticed that the finding of the Era of Zarathushtra is not a subject for speculation or random conjectures, but
a matter of scientific computations of the major, inter or minor
planetary Time-cycles following in a fixed order_ each having a
fixed period of its sway, and each Saviour revealing his Divine
Message for the Emancipation of his followers during the fixed
conjunction of planetary Time cycles pre-ordained in Nature and
based on the laws of Soteriology.
APPENDIX I
THE HISTORY OF BEROSUS
AND ITS UNIQUE FEATURES
In his searching inquiries into the age of Zarathushtra Dr.
Geiger refers to a fragment from the history of Berosus, in doing
which that illustrious savant gives the following extract ("Eastern
Iranians" by Geiger-Sanjana, Vol. II, pp. 184/85):
"From Xisuthros and from the Deluge and until the Mareans
(Medians) took Babylonia, Polyhistor counts on the whole 86
kings, and makes mention of everyone by name from the
works of Beroasus, and the years of all these kings he
comprises in a period of 33,991 years".
(Footnote) "The italicized words are not those of Berosus.
They are given in Klammer as additions of the translator."
The above extract from the history of Berosus is highly interesting
on account of its three unique features, viz,
(1) that it begins from Xisuthros,
(2) that it begins from the Deluge, and
(3) that it comprises in a period of 33,091 years, and its
relation with the paradisiacal Airyana Prophet-kings
ruled for 27,000 years (on an average), and which was
the cradle of the Aryan race, but which has been buried
under snow since some 12,000 years on account of
which its geography has been unknown to scholars.
We shall consider the above three features; taking No. (2) Deluge
first, and then No. (1) Xisuthros.
(1) THE DELUGE
Ilm-i-Khshnoom teaches that at the end of 81,000 years of a
Zarvane Daregho Khadat, the temperature at the North Pole rises
by one or two degrees above freezing point, whereby the snow
there breaks up into glaciers and begins to move down on all
sides. It may be noted that prior to the coming on of the Deluge,
our earthy globe which at present rotates and revolves in its path
with an incline to the right of 23.5 degrees, assumes vertical
position, which enables the waters to glide down evenly on all
sides. This goes on for three days and nights, within which the
whole of the known material world is submerged under the waters
of the Deluge, drowning all human, animal
371
and vegetable life. However, before the Deluge actually comes
over, a Saviour named Soshyos, (Astavat Ereta; Yt. 13; 128) who
in rank is next only to the Holy Zarathushtra and styled as his
"son," carries to safety the excellent pairs of all genuses, "Varena"
(Ysn. 49; 3) of mankind, and animal and plant life. The human
pairs thus saved from the waters of the Deluge are known as
"Maabadian". The indestructible height of safety where they were
removed is called Mt. Alborz in Thrishva (Yt. 13,3), the holy onethird of the earthy globe buried since long under the snow at the
North Pole.
(2) XISUTHROS CAN BE READ AS I-ESU (SO) SUOS
(i.e. I-E-SU SOSYOS)
It is stated above that Sosyos led the "choicest creations" to
Mt. Alborz in Thrishva. This Sosyos is referred to by Berosus as
Xisuthros which is the corrupt form of Pahlavi I-e-(su) Sosyos.
Xisuthros on the face of it looks strange, but when we have in
mind the idea that Sosyos was asexual and passionless soul, i.e., Ie-Su, we can decipher X-I-SU TH-R-OS as follows by the Pahlavi
mode of reading:
(a) X is pronounced as Z, as in Xerxes, Xylophone:
(b) in Pahlavi 'Ch' and 'Z' equate with].
(c) Pahlavi J (resembling the sign of comma) can also be
read as (consonant) Y;
(d) Thus X equates with Z, Z with J, and J with Y.
So X is equal to Y. Hence XI equates with YI, plus SU
becomes YISU. In the name of Jesus Christ J becomes Y
or I. So Jesus is passionless birth, I'su, one who is born
asexual. So Xisu is I-e-Su.
(e) Now about - THROS. TH in Avesta is read as 'S' in
Pahlavi. Thus Avesta Threet is Sreet in Pahlavi and Asrat
in Persian, in which 'S' is represented by the fourth Arabic
alphabet "Se", pronounced as 'th' in the English word
'thing' so TH is equal to S.
(f) then comes 'R', which when written with a certain flourish
to the left can be read as (consonant) Y. So THR is equal
to SY, and SY plus as is SYOS. So the whole name reads
YISUSYOS or YISOSYOS. The actual name must be YI
(SU) SOSYOS, of which the duplicate SU is evidently
dropped for euphony, just as in Avesta there is the rule of
"dropping of syllables, as shown in Kanga's "Avesta
Grammar". Thus the sublime status of Sosyos is indicated
by the prefix I-e-Su.
_
372
Soshyos has been allegorically spoken of as a 'son', because a
dutiful son is one obedient to his father and carries on the business
or work left incomplete by the latter. Just as worldly people beget
physical children, so a saintly holy person can with the aid of his
Asha, i.e. purity of body_ mind and soul and the power of his aura
produce another potentiality, which possesses a subtle human form
called Gena (Ysn. 38:1), Daena or "Kerdar" (Hadokht Nask 2,9).
This "Gena" or "Kerdar" has no physical body, but in other
respects it is a highly active living being, and carries out the work
and dictates of its holy procreator. Such Gena or Kerdar possesses
immense spiritual potentialities, and is represented metaphorically
as a chaste wife implicitly obedient to her holy lord who procreates
her. The so-called three wives, three sons and three daughters of
Zarathushtra were of this nature. The three powers (Kerdars)
which the holy Prophet used himself were allegorically called
"wives", the other three powers through whom he (prophet) will
fulfill some great Divine missions in distant ages are styled 'sons',
because a dutiful son carries on or completes the work of the
father, while the three powers which Zarathushtra used for
bestowing upon others are called 'daughters', as a daughter is given
away in marriage to a bridegroom. So Pouruchisti is allegorically,
wedded to Hakim Jamasp (Ysn. 53,3); Chisti means Knowledge in
perfection, of all the seven ages viz., past of all dead past, past,
present, immediate present, future, distant future and Ghaiban,
futurity lost in dim future; in fine, knowledge from Eternity of the
past to Infinity of the future. The above nine powers are
represented in the Prophet's picture in the form of a stick with nine
knots called 'Nav Gareh', which can also be read in Pahlavi as
"Naw-Gena", nine (invisible) bodies. Such a Son is Soshyas called
in Avesta Astavat-Ereta (Yt. 13,128). Likewise in black magic also
an evil-Kerdar is produced by the evil magical powers which
(Kerdar) is obedient to its witchcraft master and carries out the
destructive or harmful type of work entrusted to it.
(3) The Period of "33,091" Years
And Its Relation With "Airyana
Vaeja", the Birthplace of
Zarathushtra and the Home of
Ancient Aryans
We now come to the third feature of the history of Berosus of
the "86 kings" whose years he comprises in a period of "33,091"
years. Before proceeding with this topic it may be pointed out that
Dr. Geiger, on his failure to justify the date 6,000 B.C. given by
the early Greek writers, observes:
_
373
"Dr. Rapp has justly remarked that the accounts which place
the age of Zaroaster about 6,000 years back, are of little
importance, since it is incredible that at that time chronicles
could have been available, which safely followed up the
history of the past five or six thousand years". (Geiger-Sanjana
"Eastern Iranians", Vol. II, p. 178).
And yet on pp. 184-85 (ibid.) the same eminent savant quotes the
following:
".............. .Polyhistor counts on the whole 86 kings and makes
mention of everyone by name from the works of Berosus, and
the years of all these kings he comprises in a period of 33,091
years".
Thus it will be seen from the above that the latter quotation
contradicts Dr. Geiger's own observation in the former, and proves
that those distant ages were highly civilized so that chronicles were
available to Berosus, 'which safely followed up the history' not
only of the past 5000 or 6000 years before Christ, but even of the
immensely longer period of 33,091 years.
This long period of 33,091 years shows that Berosus had
chronicles of '86' kings including not only those that ruled on the
known material world, but also of their predecessors who ruled in
Airyana Vaeja (Yt. 1,21) situated in the Arctic region and buried
under mountain-deep snow towards the North Pale. In Vandidad;
2,22 we find the falling of this snow foretold to king Jamshid by
Ahura Mazda as follows:
"O fair Yima, son of Vivanghat, Upon the material world the
evil winters are about to fall, that shall bring the fierce
deadly frost............. .shall make snow-flakes fall thick even as
aredvi deep on the highest tops of mountains." (S.B.E. Vol.
IV).
The Holy Airyana Vaeja
Airyana Vaeja means the land bearing (invisible) noble seeds
engendering blissfulness and is situated in the Arctic region called
in Avesta "Thrishva" (literally one-third) (Yt. 13,3), the holy onethird section of the earthly globe, which has been buried under
deep snow according to Nature's' curriculum dealt with further on.
This being not known in philology, Thrishva is rendered as 'threethirds' (of the earth), and in footnote 2 it is conjecturally stated:
"A division of the earth different from and older than the
division into seven Karshvares; of Yasna XI,,7(21); this
division was derived by analogy from the tapartite division
of the universe (earth, atmosphere and heaven)."
374
This Thrishva being holy is stated in the above paragraph to have
been canopied by the shining heaven shapen by Mithra, Rashnu
and Spenta Armaiti; while the wicked material world is overcovered by ("Apakhter", the region of Darkness (Vd. 19,1). In,
Thrishva is the holy land Airyana Vaeja, where Zarathushtra was
born, and which was the cradle of the Aryan race.
Regarding the above footnote by Prof. Darmesteter it may be
clarified that Karshavare or Keshvar technically means country or
residing place of saintly souls, and not of worldly sinful people.
Thrishva, otherwise called 'Khanirath Bami' is buried under snow
since some 10,000 years and opens up when the known material
world is submerged by the waters of the Deluge. The other six
Karshvares are not divisions of the earth, but are the fiery orbs
situated in the far super-ethereal heights of the Space through
which saintly souls proceed to the planetary world. Reference to
Yasna Xl, 7 in the above quotation is explained further on.
Airyana Vaeja, The Birth-place
of Zarathushtra
In this Airyana Vaeja is the holy mountain called 'Haraiti
Barez' (Yt. 19,1) or Mt. Alborz. On the top plateau at the highest
altitude (Bala) of the mountain (Zbarahe) in Airyana Vaeja was
the 'Vara' on which was situated the prophet's father Pourushaspa's
mansion where Zarathushtra was born (Yd. 19;4 & 11; Bd. 20;6
and 24;3). Here on this plateau flowed from the far heights of the
planetary world Asha-Chithra and Vohu-Chithra, the vibrationary
currents bearing 'seeds' of holiness and goodness. This flowing of
such sublime vibrationary currents is allegorically depicted as the
river 'Drejya'.
On the slopes of the sides of the above Haraiti Barez, there are
several plateaus, on each of which, in those distant ages, there
were sublime Markaz, residential places called Vara, such as
Demavand. Paid-Daz, Bahmandaz, Pamar, Siraz, Firdaus etc. built
by different illustrious kings of the Poriyo-tkaesha class. On its
first plateau called Pamar was king Jamshid's Vara, which was
subterranean (Bd. 32.2). Vara is a talismanically protected area
either subterranean or on the surface of the earth so sanctified that
Satan cannot find entry there and desecrate it.
Airyana Vaeja Called
Khanirath Bami,
The Seventh Keshvar
In Mihir Yasht; 15 and other places Airyana Vaeja situated
Thrishva is referred to as "Khanirath Bami", the golden or
375
shining shore whence Maapadians saved from the Deluge and
their descendants who followed the Ten Commandments of the
Creator gain emancipation during the average period of 27,000
years the Thrishva is not submerged under snow. Thus the
Thrishva and the known material world are populated alternately,
that is, while the Thrishva is populated for the above period of
27,000 years, our material world is uninhabited and while the
latter is: again inhabited and runs its course for one ZarvaneDaregho-Khadat of 81,000 years, the Thrishva remains
uninhabited, being buried under snow.
Khanirath Bami lit., the Golden Shore, is the seventh and the
only terrestrial Keshvar on the earthly globe, around which in six
different directions (viz., NW, the lowest; NE; W; E; SW; and BE,
the topmost) are the six Keshvars, which are invisible semiluminous orbs situated in the far off super-ethereal heights beyond
the visible sky. In other words, this Thrishva, that is, the Khanirath
Bami is in: the centre (Bd., 11,1)_ and hence referred to in Yasna;
11,7 as "Mademe Thrishve", the central third. The six
superethereal Keshvars are geo-centric in their positions, ranged
spirally. Their general aspect may be likened to a six-armed
expanded umbrella of a parachute, the outer ends of the six arms
representing the six Keshvars, and the Khanirath Bami or the
pendant earthly globe as the parachutist.
A Keshvar is called in Avesta "Karshvare" (circular) country
(Yt. 10,15), and described there as "Gava-shayana, Gavashitimcha", literally, the centres and residing places of the kine,
who belong to the 'live and help others live' principle in Nature.
The sanctified souls that reside in the above six Keshvars have
been referred to metaphorically as 'gava', kine, because those holy
souls possess the blissful characteristics in common with the kine.
This Gava here signifies not the quadruped kine, but the
emancipated holy souls who have gained deliverance from the
physical body. These souls who, have advanced from our wicked
material world have first to cross the paradisiacal top sub-region
called "Var-i-Jam-Kard" of the Chavat Bridge, whence they rise
higher up till they reach the felicitous region of "Dadare Gehan'
remembered at the end of every Yasht and Nyaesh prayer. The
devotee thrice repeats the Pazand words "Manana avayad shudan"
meaning 'I must get there', that is, to Dadare Gehan, which is the
portal region to the super-ethereal lowest Keshvar "Vouru
Bareshti" (ibid.).
Thus it will be understood from what is stated above that
Khanirath Bami is the Keshvar for the Maabadians and their
descendants during the transitional period of about 27,000 years,
more or less, between two Zarvane Daregho Khadats of 81,000
years each.
_
376
Prophet-Kings of
Airyana Vaeja
"Dabistan" by Mohsin Fanj (Shea-Troyers' translation from
Persian, Vol. I; p.22 seq.) makes mention of four dynasties that
ruled in Airyana Vaeja during the above said period of some
27,000 years, viz., Maabadaan, Jiyan_ Shaean and Yasanian, and
gives an idea of the paradisiacal existence and the prophet-kings
that ruled there:
"The first dynasty was known as Maabadian. Next came Abad
Azad, who withdrew from temporal power and wa1ked in the
path of devotion and seclusion. It is recorded, that in their
time, the realm was highly cultivated; treasures were
abundant; lofy palaces, ornamented with paintings and
exciting admiration; colonnades attracting the heart; the
Mobeds celebrated, profoundly learned, worshippers of God,
undefiled, equally eminent in good words and deeds ..........."
---------------------------------------------------------------------"Tradition informs us, that when these auspicious prophets
and their successors beheld evil to prevail amongst mankind, they
invariably withdrew from among them - as they could not endure
to behold or hear wickedness; and sin had no admission to their
breasts. This prince was exceeding wise, intelligent, holy and
celebrated; the apostle of the age and being in every respect
worthy of supreme power was therefore called Yasan or the
meritorious and justly exalted."
"The only true Ruler of the world transmitted a celestial
volume to Kaiomors, and also selected for the prophetic office
among his illustrious descendants, Siyamuk, Hushang,
Tahmuras, Jamshid, Faridun, Minucheher, Kaikhusro,
Zarathusht, Azar Sasan, the first, and Azar Sasan the fifth
enjoining them to walk in conformity with the doctrines of
Mahabad and Kaiomors, and so on."
"During their existence the world was arrayed in beauty: Kaiomors, Siyamuk, Hushang named the Peshdadian,. Tehmurasp
surnamed the Enslaver of Demons, and Jamshid, through celestial revelations, Divine assistance, the instruction of Almighty
God unerring prudence, and just views, having followed in all
things what we have recorded concerning Mahabad and his
illustrious children, introduced the rules of Divine worship, the
knowledge of God, virtuous deeds, purity of conduct, modes of
diet, clothing, the rites of marriage, the observance of continence,
with all kinds of science, letters, books, professions, solemn
festivals, banquets, wind and stringed musical instruments, cities,
gardens, palaces, ornaments, arms, gradations of office, the
377
distinctions of the two sexes with respect to exposure and privacy, the diffusion of equity, justice and all that was praiseworthy."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------'"
'"
'"
The following is the sum of the Sipasian creed; from the commencement of the Mahabad's empire to the end of Yazdagird's
reign, the great majority, nay all the individuals of this chosen
race, with the exception of Zohak were models of equity, characterized by justice and piety, perfect in words and deeds. In this
holy family some were Prophets, all were saints righteous and
God-fearing persons, with realms and armies maintained in the
highest order.
They also acknowledge the apostles and princes prior to Gilshah,
from Mahabad to Yasan Ajam, as so eminently pious, that in no
degree whatever did wickedness enter into their conversation or
actions, nor did they at any time deviate from the "Payman-iFarhang" or "Excellent Covenant" which is the code of Mahabad,
nor omit the performance, of any duty; . . ."
Major Portion of 33,091 years
Spent on Airyana Vaeja, The
Cradle of the Aryan race
It is said some 13,000 years have elapsed since the Deluge
though according to Khshnoomic mathematical calculations, that
period is over 14,500 years. The history of Berosus covers 33,091
years, and is said to have ended at the time the Medians conqured
Babylonia. In a schedule prepared by Rawlinson quoted by learned
Mr. P. B. Desai in his "History of the Kings of Iran", Vol. I
(p.350), the date of that conquest was B.C. 2458, that is, (2458
plus 1958 of A.D. =) 4,416 yrs. from the present time. Deducting
this period from the above 14,500 we get 10,084 years, or roundly
10,000 years, which represent the period of the history of kings
who ruled on the known material world after it was re-populated.
So deducting these 10,000 from the above 33,000 years, we get
23,000 years round about, which represent the period of the rule in
Airyana Vaeja, which was then populated being cleared of the
blockade by the melting of snow which had caused the Deluge
according to Nature's Pian. During this period of 23,000 years, our
known two-thirds of the material world was under the effect of the
Deluge, and hence all life was extinct there. According to
Khshnoom_ the average period of life on Airyana Vaeja, which
constitutes the transitional period between one Zarvane-dareghoKhadat and another, comes to 27,000 years as shown further on.
378
After these 27,000 years on an average, though the Aryan
population had mostly moved down to the plains from the heights
of Mt. Alborz (Airyana Vaeja) in Thrishva, still for some 9,000
years there was communication between the two sections of the
earthly globe, viz., Thrishva and the known material world.
Comparison Between
Iranian and Vedic Aeons
We shall now see how the above said average period of
27,000 years is arrived at with the help of the calculations of a
Vedic Kali Yuga.
1 Zarvane daregho khadat =
81,000 years
4 Zarvane daregho khadat =
1 Mahin Charkha
1 Mahin Charkha
(4 X 81,000)
=
3,24,000 years,
1 Kali Yuga
=
4,32,000 years.
Before proceeding further we shall see how 4,32,000 years have
been arrived at for a Kali Yuga according to the Vedic mode of
calculations.
Vedic Mode of Calculations
of Yugas According to
"Gita Rahasya"
(For verification of the above period of 27,000 years and the
mode of calculations of the periods of Vedic Yuga, including
the 4,32,000 years of a Kali Yuga, the reader is referred to
the work entitled "Gita Rahasya" (Vol. I, pp. 263/64) by the
great Sanskrit scholar Mr. Bal Gangadbar Tilak, translated
by the learned Mr. B. S. Sukthanker).
"What period of time lapses between the creation of the
Universe and its destruction or merging is nowhere mentioned in the Samkhya Karika. Yet, I think that the computation of time mentioned in the Manu Samhita (1.66-73).
Bhagvad Gita ('.17), or the Mahabharata (San. 231) must
have been accepted by the Samkhya philosophers.
Our Uttarayana, that is, the period when the Sun seems to
travel towards the North is the day of the gods, and our
Daksinayana, when the Sun seems to travel towards the
South, is the night of the gods; because_ there are statements
not only in the Smrtis, but also in astronomical treatises that
the gods live on the Meru mountain, that is to say, on the
North Pole (Surya Siddhanta, 1.13; 12,35,67).
379
Therefore, the period made up of the Uttarayana and the
Daksinayana, which is one year according to our calculations, is only one day and one night of the gods and three
hundred and sixty of our years are three hundred and sixty
days and nights or one year of the gods.
We have four Yugas called Krta, Treta, Dvapara and Kali.
The period of the Yugas are counted as four thousand years
for the Krta, three thousand years for the Treta; two
thousand years for the Dvapara and one thousand years for
the Kali. But one Yuga does not start immediately after the
close of the previous one, and there are intermediate years
which are conjunctional.
On either side of the Krta Yuga, there are four hundred
years; on either side of the Treta, three hundred; on either
side of the Dvapara, two hundred; and on either side of the
Kali there are one hundred. In all, these transitional periods
of the four Yugas amount to two thousand years. Now, are
these twelve thousand years of human beings or of the
Gods? If these are considered to be human years, then as
more than five thousand years have elapsed since the
commencement of the Kali Yuga not only is the Kali Yuga
of a thousand human years over, but the following Krta
Yuga is also over, and we must believe that we are now in
the Treta Yuga.
In order to get over this difficulty, it has been stated in the
Puranas that these twelve thousand years are of the gods.
Twelve thousand years of the gods mean 360 X 12,000
=43,20,000, that is, forty-three 1akhs and twenty thousand
years.
Transitional Periods Included in
Kali Yuga, Excluded from
Mahin Charkha
For our present purposes we are concerned only with the Kali
Yuga. As stated in the above quotation a Kali Yuga is counted as
1000 years, and on either side of each Kali Yuga there are 100
years. Thus we have 100 plus 1000 plus 100 = 1200. These 1200
have been stated to be god years, and one god year is equal to 360
human years. Hence one Kali Yuga is equal to 1200 X 360 =
4,32,000 years, which are inclusive of the transitional periods.
With regard to the ancient Iranian system one Zarvane
daregho-khadat comprises 81,000 years. So 4 Zarvane-dareghas
are equal to (4 X 81,000 =} 3,24,000 years, which, as will be
380
readily understood, are exclusive of the 4 transitional periods. So
(4,32,000 minus 3,24,000 =) 1,08,000 years is the total of the 4
transitional periods. Hence 108,000 divided by 4 is equal to
27,000 years.
Thus the difference between the Vedic Kali Yuga and the
Iranian Mahin Charkha is that the 4 transitional periods (=
1,08,000 years) are included in the former, and excluded from the
latter (Mahin Charkha).
Influence of Four Main Planets On
Four Respective Zarvane Dareghas
The period of life on the Thrishva constitutes the transitional
period between one Zarvane Daregha and another. As said above
this transitional period extends for an average of 27,000 years,
which means that it is not uniform, the variation depending on one
or other of the four main planets, viz. Sun. Jupiter, Saturn and
Mars each exercising its varied respective influence on each
Zarvane Daregha and the respective transitional period that
follows.
These four planets are designated as main on account of
the four higher grade fire-energies functioning in each, viz.,
(1) in Sun,- Adar Burzin Meher,
(2) in Jupiter, Adar Froba,
(3) in Saturn, Adar Khordad, and
(4) in Mars, Adar Goshasp.
With regard to the nature of the 'predominant influence' of the
above four planets,
Sun displays 'Sovereignty, Power',
Jupiter displays 'Justice'.
Saturn displays 'Servility', and
Mars displays 'Martial Force'.
Again, each group of four Zarvane Dareghas makes one Mahin
Charkha, huge Time cycle, which is also collectively governed by
one or other of the above four main planets. On the termination of
one Mahin Charkha, there follows a very huge transitional period,
on the expiry of which the next Mahin Charkha begins.
The current Zarvane Daregha is said to be the fourth in the
present Mahin Charkha. Consequently, there is over-lording
influence of the fourth main planet Mars over it (Zarvane
Daregha).
381
Numerological Significances of
Iranian Vedic Aeons on
Spiritual Advancement
We now come to the numerological significances of the Time
cycles, and their preordained effect on the spiritual progress of the
souls, in keeping with the implementation of the Grand Plan
Divine of Ahunavar (Ysn. 19), the Will or Edict of AHU, the
Unnameable, Light of all lights.
Table (A)
1 Kali
Yuga = 1 X 4,32,000 = 4,32,000 years
1Dvapara Yuga = 2 X 4,32,000 = 8,64,000 years
1 Treta
Yuga = 3 X 4,32,000 = 12,96,000 years
1 Satya
Yuga = 4 X 4,32,000 = 17,28,000 years
Table (B)
1 X 16 = 16 Zarvane Dareghas = 3 Kali Yugas
2 X 16 = 32 Zarvane Dareghas = 3 Dvapara Yugas
3 X 16 = 48 Zarvane Dareghas = 3 Treta Yugas
4 X 16 = 64 Zarvane Dareghas = 3 Satya Yugas
Table (A) shows the four grades of Vedic Yuga, and their respective periods.
Table (B) shows the relation of Zarvane Daregha in multiples of 16
to the respective four grades of Yugas, the numerological
significances of which are given below.
Thus 16 Zarvana Dareghas are equal to 3 Kali Yugas.
Numerologically 16 = 1 plus 6 =7, which stands for propensity to
sensuous pleasures. So in these 16 aeons of 81,000 years each, the
numeral 7 displays its potentiality, in which souls give vent to their
lust and deviate from the godly path, and fall in the vicious circle
of birth and death again and again, which is called in Avesta
"Thwasha Khadata" (Yd. XIX. 13), meaning automatic shuttling
between this earth and sky (Thwakhsh) for the purification of the
soul (ibid. XIX, 12) through dire sufferings in this material world
referred to as 'molten iron' (Ayangha Khshusta; Ysn; 51,9) poured
over the body.
32 Zaryane Dareghas are equal to 3 Dvapara Yugas, 32 = 3
plus 2 = 5. So in the aeons of these 32 Zarvane Dareghas of 81,000
years each, humanity will gain control over five senses, and all
religions will attain the "Golden Mean" of Good and Evil.
48 Zarvane Dareghas are equal to 3 Treta Yugas. 48 = 4 plus 8
= 12, and 12 = 1 plus 2 = 3, which indicates the third (and the last)
Manifestation of the Grand Plan Divine embodied
382
in Ahunavar (Ysn. 19) in which Ahuradata (Yt. 10,67), the deified
Law of the Unfoldment of Spirit from Matter will be accelerated.
64 Zarvane Dareghas are equal to 3 Satya Yugas. 64 = 6 plus
4 = 10, which indicates advancement to the sublime Yazadic state
of spiritual perfection. So in the aeons of these 64 Zarvane
Dareghas of 81,000 years each, the entire mass of souls will be fit
for and march into Garo-Nmana, the blissful Abode of Songs, and
differentiation of religions will be extinct.
Great Importance of the Fragment
from the History of Berosus
The fragment from the history of Berosus is very important
because when interpreted in the light of Khshnoom, it takes us
right up to the distant antiquity of (33,000 plus nearly 2000 of
Christian era=) 35,000 years when World Deluge actually took
place. Thus the History of Berosus furnishes clues, however brief
or meagre and scrappy, to the snow-blockaded holy land of
Airyana Vaeja etc. For this we are deeply grateful to that Master
Chronicler (Berosus) since were it not for his evidence of '33,091'
years, it would have been absolutely incredible for modern
scholars to believe the Khshnoom story of 81,000 and 27,000
years referred to above, when they cannot believe 6000 years B.C.
reported by earliest Greek writers, for the Date of Zarathushtra.
APPENDIX 2
A Few Predictions of Future
66,500 Years Affecting Iran
It has been stated already that our known material world has
run its course of over 14,500 years, according to the 'calculations
of the heavens', out of the total 81,000 years of the present
Zarvane Daregho Khadat, Below are given a few of the main
predictions regarding the future remaining (81,000 minus 14,500
=) 66,500 years affecting Iran and the Zoroastrian religion.
With regard to the immediate future we know the prediction
given in Behman Yasht: 3,13 (S.B.E. Vol. V) of the birth 'among
the Hindus' (i.e. in India) of Behram Varjavand. According to
'Shumar-i-Falak' reckonings of the heavens, this birth has already
taken place. As said in 39 (ibid.) 'he comes forth in
383
full glory', and by the performance of a miracle through a holy
ceremony he will first revive faith in sacred religious ceremonies
among the priest-class, and will be 'intrusted with the seat of
'Mubadan-Mubad', Priest of priests (ibid.). Behram Varjavand is
the 'Raenidar' - designate, the resuscitator of the Faith, who will
manifest himself about the end of the present century, and reestablish Zoroastrian rule in Iran, though this rule will last for only
about 500 years.
In the chronology of the future millenniums* we find that
under the current royal cycle of Mars-roughly a thousand years
hence - will commence the ministry of Venus extending over some
1900 years during which 'benightedness will arise'. The next about
2700 years of the ministry of Mercury (under Mars) belong to the
millennium of Hoshedar Mah (Bahman Yt; 3,44). During this
millennium through Hoshedar-Mah creatures become more
progressive, and he utterly destroys the fiend of serpent origin and
Peshotanu, son of Vistasp becomes... high-priest and Chief ('Rad')
of the world' (ibid; 52).
A millennium, it may be noted, is a generic term expressing a
thousand years or any huge period of time in which even several
Zarvane-daregho-khadat of 81,000 years each may be included.
Thus 12,000 and 3,000 years (occurring in Bundehesh 34 and 1)
are misunderstood in philology where a millennium does not mean
a thousand years but the numeral 12 or 3 and the three ciphers have
technical, mystic meanings already explained in the proper place.
Reverting to future millennia, with the calm ministry of Moon
(under Mars) the millennium of Hoshedar-Bami extending over
some 2,250 years will follow.
When the royal cycle of the Sun assumes its sovereignty of
4,000 years Iranian empire and Zoroastrian religion will be reestablished. Then will follow the royal cycles of Venus and
Mercury - combinedly of 22_000 years. So dreadful will be the
human degradation and depravity during this huge stretch of time
that this period is recognized as that of 'beasts', not human beings.
This Satanic period is at last relieved by the halcyon royal cycle of
the Moon of 12,000 years during which Iranian empire and
Zoroastrian religion will once again rise.
But on the expiry of that blissful period, will Commence the
royal cycle of Saturn of 15,000 years, the seventh and the last
----------------------------------------------------------------* From an article in Gujarati headed "Commentary on the
Zarvane-Daregho-Khadat, the Cycle of 81,000 Years" by the
late learned Mr. M.P. Katgara, in the "Frasho-gard Memorial
Vqlqme in honour of the Ustad Saheb" (1" 347 seq.)
384
in the Zarvane-daregho-khadat. On the termination of its first two
ministries of Saturn and Jupiter_with the inception of Mars
ministry, there will commence the preponderance and culmination
of Evil till it reaches its nadir called "Tur-bara-Tur", Arch-Fiend
(Satan) mystically described as the Turk that killed the Prophet.
The vehemence of this Arch-Fiend increases more and more
as this Saturn sovereignty proceeds further and further till the
advent of the last Moon ministry and the Lunar magistracy under
the latter, when a Saviour, in sublimity and status second only to
Zarathushtra and known as the Prophet's "son" will descend. The
power of the above "Tur-bara-Tur" (Satan) suppressed by
Zarathushtra, and kept within bounds by Hoshedar-Mah and
Hoshedar-Bami mentioned above, now assumes its direct ferocity
due to Azhi Dahaka the Satan being unfettered (Bd 29,5)
engendering great catastrophes on the earth like massacres,
devastating fires, earthquakes and the like, till in the end the
known material world is submerged by the Deluge. Thus will
come to a close over 66,500 years from now out of the 81,000
years of the current Zarvane-daregho-khadat.
However, before the Deluge actually overruns and submerges
the known material world "Soshyos" (Astavat Ereta; Yt. 13,129),
the great Saviour referred to above, will by his power of ‘Yim’
carry to safety the excellent pairs of all genuses (Varena; Ysn.
49,3) of mankind and kine, draught animals and plant life to the
Mt. Alborz in Airyana Vaeja situated in 'Thrishva', the
imperishable "one-third' of this earthly globe, now buried under
snow situated in the region of the North Pole. Thus this Airyana
Vaeja will again become the cradle of the future Aryan race, when
it (Airyana Vaeja) will be opened up for about 27,000 years (on an
average), by the melting of the snow causing the next Deluge some
66,500 years hence.
APPENDIX 3
ZOROASTRIAN CEREMONIALS,
PURELY SCIENTIFIC PRINCIPLES EMBODIED
IN THEM; FUNCTIONARY AGENTS EMPLOYED
THEREIN
(Translated from Ilm-i-Khshnoom Series No. I, Chapter VII
- in Gujarati - published by our Master).
The Holy Prophet has taught not only the great laws for
the Unfoldment of the Soul during existence in this world only,
385
but he has also devised machinery for advancing the soul towards
Unfoldment even after the soul leaves the physical body. Our Holy
Prophet viewed every subjectin its harmonious whole, and so in
order that the soul may Unfold itself in its harmonious whole in all
respects, he has introduced the lofty machinery of "Zoroastrian
Ceremonials" for continuously helping it even after death in
Unfolding itself to its original immortal state. Nirangdin,
Yazashne, Pasta, Vandidad, Baj, Afringan, Dakhme-nashini,
Gehsarna, Sachkar, Sarosh Ceremonies and all other Zoroastrian
ceremonials have been formulated by the holy Prophet on grand
scientific principles only. It is not possible to delineate in this
much-abridged outline all the ceremonials; but we shall only cite
here the principal fundamental functionary agents employed in
these ceremonials:
1. "Staota" - the great law of colours produced from
sound-vibrations ;
2. "Mithra" - thoughts, and forms created by thought
vibrations ;
3. "Khastar" - thermo.magno-electro-vibrationary forces
emanating from every functionary agent; which forces are given
out by the various instruments used in the ceremonials, such as
Atash, the fire burning in the censer; the electro-magnetic ring
made of the combined are of eight different metals accompanied
with the consecrated Druji-free hair (possessing electromagnetic
power) removed from the tuft of the all-white sacred bull's tail,
Tashta (copper dish), copper cups, Havanim (metallic mortar),
Eviaonghan, the sacred thread-girdle, Barsam (twigs), Mahruye,
the crescent-headed stand, Hom-sali, Hom-twig, Jivam, fresh milk
of cow, Darun, the sacred small wheat bread-disc, Frado, the
electro-magnetic currents from a spring or well water, Aesam-boe,
sandalwood and incense, flowers and fruits of certain species
possessing superior aura, the burning fire etc., etc., which all are
purified - each in its particular way whereby the Khastar from each
of them becomes efficient;
4. "Atash-e-Vohufrayan", the elevated fire-energy functioning
in a Yaozdathregar priest, who in order to purify and render
efficient his personal magnetism has performed the lofty ceremony
of Barashnoom, and after going through various other ceremonial
exercises has passed the seven priestly grades of Fraberetar,
Aberetar, Asnatar, Rathwishkar, Havanan, Atre-vakhsh and Zaota,
and has become a competent Yaozdathregar, i.e., a priest in whom
is developed the power of imparting purity to others - the Atash-eVohufrayan fire-energy functioning in the priest of such a status;
5. "Khoreh", the personal magnetic force emanating from a
Yaozdathregar (possessing above-said powers), which becomes
386
highly rarefied by the piety of thought-word-action practiced by
him;
5. “Frado”, the five types of hydro-electric forces, namely,
Adu-Frado, Vanthwo-Frado, Gaetho-Frado" Shaeto-Frado,
Danghu-Frado functioning in the well-water and running streams;
7. "Bareh of Fire", the thermal motion created by the constant
burning of sandalwood and incense during the ceremony on
'Atashe-Dadgah (fire) kept present in every ceremony; which
thermal motion attracts to itself the accumulation of all the
Khastars created by the ceremony and supplies force for its
proceeding to the worlds above;
8. "Atash-Behram"" a functionary agent of a very sublime
status, consecrated by passing through holy ceremonies 16 types of
material fires, correlated to 16 types of fire-energies functioning in
the ultra-physical worlds above. This functionary agent AtashBehram draws to itself the force of the Khastars produced from
ceremonies
performed
at
Atash-Dadgah
and
Atash_Aderan;(subordinate fire-temples) and acts as the powerful
transmitter of _those Khastar forces to the invisible regions above;
9. "The Celestial Note of Sarosh", the ceaseless natural Staota
(vibrationary) current connecting this earth with the invisible
regions above_ the vibrations of which "Note" incessantly flow on
the earth, whose divine superintendent is Sarosh Yazad; and
without which Note of Sarosh the faithful devotee of Jarthoshti
Daena is like fish out of water; which Note of Sarosh protects the
soul of such devotee after death, and it is with the help of the
currents of this Celestial Note of Sarosh that the accumulation of
Staota vibrations produced from sacred ceremonies can reach the
relative ultra-physical plane above through the force of the
transmitter Atash-Behram existing on this earth.
On these nine and other fundamental principles is based the
entire edifice of our Zoroastrian sacred Ceremonials, each of
which creates, according to its grade, the respective scientific
effect in accordance with the immutable laws of Nature, and helps
the soul in its spiritual advancement through Sarosh Yazad at any
of the regions of Ganjisi. Kangdeji or Varjami (belonging to the
Chinvat Bridge), where the soul may be stationed after death.
THE SCIENCE UNDERLYING
ATASH-BEHRAM AND "MACHI"
For transmitting the force of all the ceremonies to the invisible planes where the Zoroastrian souls may be stationed after
death, the one singular functionary agent of sublime status
387
in the Jarthoshti Daena is "Atash-e-Varahran" or "Atash-Behram".
The exposition of Atashe Varahran is very deep and fully
scientific. Atash-Behram concentrates to itself all the forces of the
ceremonies performed and for forwarding the same to the invisible
planes above, through the Divine Note of Sarosh, acts like a
transmitting radio relay as a holy and sublime Vehicular Agent. On
account of this, the fire of Atash Behram is offered with certain
ceremonies, the "Machi" (ljt., chair, being 7 or 9, baton-like pieces
of sandalwood laid over fire resembling in appearance a chairframe). The offering of this Machi also is based on scientific
principles, about which there is a systematic description in
Jarthoshti Daena. Without Atash Bemam and Machi, the Staotic
accumulation of thermo-magno-electro vibrationary forces cannot
reach the soul meant to be helped, because due to the elaborate
ceremonies arduously performed in the sacred installation of
Atash_Behram, highly powerful motion is set up therein, which
power of the motion traverses right to the station of the soul in the
invisible world beyond; and the object of the "Machi" ceremony is
for the acceleration of that motion. Thus are all our holy
ceremonies, our priceless heritage, and the holy Prophet has
prescribed these based on purely scientific principles in accordance
with the minute laws functioning in Nature.
This is Jarthoshti Daena.
APPENDIX NO. 4
"SCHOLARS' UNAWARENESS
OF JUPITERIAN CULTURE
We often find scholars in their utter innocence of true
knowledge of the culture of the Jupiterian age of over 12,000 years
prior to the Christian era labouring under an erroneous impression
that modern civilization and culture are the only most advanced of
all ages, and that the ancient times were barbarous or far
backward. Consequently, it amuses one to read Dr. Geiger
agreeing with Dr. Rapp when he observes as follows: (GeigerSanjana. Civilization of Eastern Iranians Vol. II, p. 176):
"Dr. Rapp has justly remarked that the accounts which place
the age of Zoroaster about 6000 years back, are of little
importance since it is incredible that at that Time chronicles
388
could have been available which safely followed up the
history of the past five or six thousand years."
Little did the illustrious savants know about the culture of
those distant ages, totally unaware, as they were, like all their
modern brethren that the ancient Iranian sages possessed, what
may be called, the 'horoscope' of the earth. This 'horoscope' is the
veritable 'Mirror of all Ages', from Deluge to Deluge_ called
'Tawil-i-Zarvane-daregha-khadat', meaning literally, the commentary on the self-created long (cycle of) Time. According to
Khshnoom, this long Time is of 81,000 Solar years duration, the
millenniums and subordinate Cycles of which they worked out by
the science of 'Shumar-i-Falak', the calculations of the heavens,
already explained. As stated there this material world is but a
pawn of the planetary luminous orbs, and each of the seven
planets by turn has its sovereignty in the heavens for thousands of
years ranging between 17,000 and 4,000 years, during which our
known wicked material world ('Drujo-deman') experiences
different types of civilizations and cultures as varied in their
characteristics as does the calour blue or green differ from red.
Thus the current sovereignty is of Mars of 17,000 years, which
commenced practically with the beginning of the Christian, era,
and iron (or steel) is the special metal of that planet.
Consequently, iron plays the most important part in all walks of
life, in peace as in war, and we are living in the Machine Age.
Diversely, the last sovereignty of Jupiter (of aver 12,000
years) was characterized by the high development of mystic arts
and sciences like reading vibrationary colours as easily as the
alphabet; going into spiritual trance, clairvoyance, clairaudience,
geomancy, chiromancy, alchemy, highly advanced astronomy and
astrology, "Jamaspy" and "Ilm-i-Zafar", the science concerning
the knowledge of all the seven Ages from past of all dead past to
futurity lost in dim future (Ghaiban)" Shumar-iFalak, the
reckonings of the heavens, the Zoroastrian mystic Numerology,
the science of efficient formulae, amulets, periapts, 'Ilm-i-Staota',
the science of vibratianary colours employed in Avesta in which
our Master said_ transposition (called ‘Taksiriat’) of letters or
words unveils the lucid reading of an obscure passage revealing
the secret true import in any text, thereby eliminating the need for
guess-work and at times horribly absurd interpretations, and so on.
In "Desatir" and "Dabistan" we find mention of several holy
kings who could commune with the Creator direct, and even in
Pahlavi Dinkard Vol. VII; 1,8 conference with the Creator not
only by the Prophet himself but also by king "after Gayomard, at
different periods" has been mentioned as under:
389
"After Gayomard at different periods until Zarathushtra of the
Revered-fravahar, (the descendant) of the Spitamas all who
were favoured with it (i.e., the Revelatian) attained to so much
acquaintance with learning, and to the activity (necessary) for
the salvation of the men of the time (that) thereby they came
into publicity, and became worthy - what through the
conference with the Creator, and what through the soul's
higher elevation which (is) sublime according to the Creator's
commandments that are declared by God in the Good Religion
of the combined titles of prophet, acceptor and promoter..."
(Dastur Darab Sanjana Vol.XIII, Intro.8).
We are aware of the exploits by Arda Viraf and Azer Kaiwan
of Iran, both of whom, at different periods scoured through the
Space by temporarily liberating the soul from the physical body
like the removal of a garment, yet maintaining connection with the
body through a thin blue etheric line.
A different method of drawing knowledge whether of the
earth or worlds above was through the preparation of a talismanic
book called "Jam-i- Jehanuma", referred to' by Firdausi in his epic
of "Shah Nameh" as 'Giti Numaye' the revealer of the world. By the
operation of this sacred book clues to problems defying
comprehension could be found, and methods of learning forgotten
sciences and arts could be ascertained; or things lost or stolen or
secreted in any of the strata of the earth or located in regions above
could be detected. Thus Firdousi relates how mighty paladin Bizan
was missing in Iran since a year, and how king Kae Khushro (about
8000 B.c.) by operating Giti-Numaye located Bizan lying heavily
fettered in a deep cell in the enemy's country, and arranged for his
release by a stratagem.
Among other sciences of the Jupiterian ages were geomancy,
chiromancy, efficient formulae, amulets, periapts, numerology,
astronomy (without the aid of observatories), astrolagy,
determining the starry spaces, measuring the 'interstellar depths and
distances', talismanically hiding from world's knowledge holy men
and sacred articles etc. Besides these, the holy Magi could read
Fshusho Manthra vibrationary colours like alphabets which is
already shown in Chapter III under the head 'Magi Could Read
Fshusho Manthra Virbratianary Colours Like Alphabets'.
Thus it will be understood the Jupiterian civilization and
culture of the distant ages were characterized by the development
of spiritual powers, which no scholar or scientist of the present
material civilization under Mars has attained or can ever hope to
attain.
390
JUPITERIAN MYSTIC
ARTS AND SCIENCES
With respect to the Jupiterian mystic arts and sciences, we are
aware of the reference to the "incantations and the mystic arts of
the Ghaldeans" in the battle between king Zarathushtra and Ninus
quoted in Geiger-Sanjana "Eastern Iranians" (ibid. 'footnote" pp.
180-181). Then we know the instance in Shah Nameh of the fort of
Bahmandez sealed off by the talisman of sorcery and the approach
to it (fort) made inaccessible by the surrounding ground rendered
unbearably hot. This caused the armours of the paladins, Tus and
Fariborz too scorching, and they had to return disappointed, for no
entrance could be found. On learning their predicament, king Kae
Khushrow sets out himself, with his warriors and a large army
towards Bahmandez. 'He then causes a scribe to write an epistle in
Pahlavi, in which he first extols the Almighty God_ and then
addresses the wicked sorcerer of Bahmandez to beware of the
Omnipotent Lord. He (king) declares that "If the fort is the
stronghold of Ahriman, who is the enemy of God, 'I will smash the
fiend's head to the ground from on high; and since it is the camp of
sorcerers, I need no army, because when I twist my noose I fetter
their heads". He then got the epistle to be tied on the top of a mace,
and ordered paladin Gev to bear it to the fort and implant it in its
wall with the name of God and to return immediately. Gev did as
he was bid. Hardly had he turned his horse back when the epistle
disappeared and the wall of the fort burst violently, whereupon the
demons were exposed and killed by the archery-fire from Kae
Khushrow's army.
It maybe well to explain here that, the king acted ,as the
divine agent for smiting the demons, for, which he drew his
potentiality from the "Kavaem Khareno", the 'kingly Glory', which
originated from Ahura Mazda (Yt, 19,9 & 74) mentioned by
Fardousi as Farreh-(Izadi). Actually speaking, the former is of
higher grade possessed only by the kings, while the latter is next in
grade, which was possessed by many Pishdadian and Kayanian
warrior-saints. Thus king Kae Khushrow had Divine potentiality
that was conducted to that holy epistle. Consequently, every word
of that epistle was a holy spell, and served as a terrific bomb, while
every twist of the noose in the King's hand acted like a guided
missile, the only difference between such ancient and the modern
missile weapons being that the former were spiritual, characteristic
of the Jupiterian culture, while the latter are the productions of the
modern material science belonging to the Martian material culture.
With respect to the mystic twisting, the writer remembers having
seen a person writhing with acute pain from a scorpion sting on his
forefinger when the occult healer, though of considerably lower
39]
grade, was seen giving twists to a piece of cloth while muttering
the formula and thus effecting the cure.
"JAM-I- JEHANUMA" THE
MYSTIC TELESCOPE OF
THE WORLD
Then there is the other reference also in Shah Nameh of the
"Jam-i-Giti-numaye" or "Jam-i-Jehanuma", the veritable telescope
and X-ray combined penetrating the whole world, through which
Jam (sacred mystic book) the glorified king Kae Khushrow (Yt.
19,74) as stated already spotted warrior saint Bizan in great distress
in a deep cell in the Kargsar province of Turan.
Fully did our Master know the immaculate science of this
"Jam-i-Jehanuma' but he carried its knowledge with himself,
because, as he said, the modern Time was unsuitable for imparting
it, and people did not possess the requisite mental equipment
(maddo). The modern intelligentsia, he said, is advanced
intellectually, but not spiritually." Consequently, even if one learns
it, the natural circumstances of the modem age will not permit him
to make use of it. Yet, says the learned doctor*, he (Master) has
shown some glimpses of that wonderful science of the Jupiterian
Age.
Every millennium of a planet, i.e., major Time cycle (ranging
between, 4000 and 17,000 years each) is characterized by its own
distinctive charm, and every Age presents countless facets. Father
Time is the Juggler of jugglers, having at his source the seven
colours (Haft-rang) related to the seven planets, and he (Time)
resides in 'Zarvane-daregho-khadat', self-created long cycles of
Time of 81,000 'years each, 'Thwasha_khadata' self created Time
cycles by planetary conjunctions at birth of a human child causing
repetitions of birth and death, and 'Zarvana akarana', the Boundless
Time. If one Age shines in materialism, another is dazzling with
mysticism. The present materialistic Machine Age reveals
knowledge of varied types, yet the machines being gross in
character have their limitations; though they may baffle us with
amazement. However, this is only one instance of the display of
potentiality of the Time-factor.
In ancient times prior to some 2000 B.c. when there were no
machines, the holy Magi doctors of those distant ages,
* Vide article (in Gujarati) headed "Jarn-i-Jehanuma or Jam-iJam and Ilm-i-Zafar" by Dr. F. S. Chiniwala in "Ustad Saheb
Memorial Volume." p. 182, seq, "Frasho-Gard" magazine
Vols. 17-18.
392
through the practice of strict exercises of piety and stoicism
possessed the potentiality of making amazing experiments through
the souls of the spirit worlds, and could imbibe knowledge through
the inconceivable agencies of the ethereal subtle elements, and
through the divine machinery of noumena of the Evanescent
worlds above. With such knowledge of Nature's laws and the
employment of its invisible machinery_ they could formulate
sciences such as of 'Shumar-i-Falak', calculations of the heavens,
as we have seen already, and could prepare mystic devices like
'Jam-i-Jehanuma', about which modern scholars and scientists are
entirely in the dark. By such means they could peep into the
noumena of the hoary past, and predict the future not only of this
world, but of the spirit worlds and whole of the Evanescent worlds
(the Space) above. These evanescent worlds comprise the
inconceivably huge expanses of practically the entire seven
Dakhyus, planes under Mihir Yazad, where Time and Space are in
subtlety. Moreover, things lost or stolen, or buried or secreted in
any of the seven strata of the earth could be detected by this Jam.
Clues to decisions on problems defying comprehension could be
found, and methods of learning sciences and arts could be known.
Many ancient Iranian holy sages of the Kayanian ages had mastery
over such mystic sciences as the preparation of the Jam-iJehanuma, among whom king Kae Khushrow ranked foremost, as
we have seen already from the Shah Nameh.
Jam, A Scientific Mystic Device
Jam-i- Jam was a lofty talismanic science, which had close
relation with the motions of the planets and the Zoroastrian mystic
science of Numbers. In its essence this Jam is a talismanic device,
comprising chapters, pages, lines, tables, and letters and symbols,
all of certain numbers and arranged technically from which an
occult sage of that science could obtain results by mathematical
computations. Such a Jam (holy book or device) may be said to be
possessed of consciousness since it used to be under the protection
of angelic existences and had its own glory, just as an Atash
Behram possesses consciousness and its altar bears connection
with Sarosh Yazat, and has its own glory. Consequently, such a
sanctum sanctorum used to be deposited in a holy repository and
great was the care exercised to preserve its sanctity, and save it
from defilement. (Even in Bombay in olden times, in the case of
certain Atash Behrams, no one could step into the ante-chamber to
the fire-altar without going through the purificatory bath in the
very compound of the Atash-Behram.) Such Jam could be
operated with advantage only on (day) Hormuzd or Khordad of
the Farvardin month, which only were said to be auspicious for the
purpose. Highly elaborate was its
393
preparation, and after a certain period it had to be cancelled. In
fine, the reckonings of this Jam were based on the mysterious
numerology of the four elements and the mathematics of the same.
The Jam of Ilm-i-Zafar,
the Sublimest Mystic Device
The Jam of Ilm-i-Zafar is a device sublimer in character and
efficiency than the Jam-i- Jehanuma, being an improvement and
expansion upon the latter effected by the holy Prophet. Its real
name is Jam-i-Zarathushtra, but was called Ilm-i-Zafar, the
victorious science, by the Arabs. While, as said above, the JamiJehanuma could give knowledge of the three Ages, viz., past,
present and future, the Jam of Ilm-i-Zafar can reveal the knowledge of the luminous, immortal nine heavens existing above the
Evanescent world mentioned above, and of the seven Ages from
past of all past to future of all future. Thus Ilm-i-Zafar can give an
inkling or clue to whatever great upheavals may have occurred or
whatever knowledge or object may have existed or may have been
secreted or buried during the hoary past, or whatever phenomena
or noumena are destined to take place in the millenniums to come
or in inconceivable futurity - all these can be revealed by the
mystic science of Ilm-i-Zafar by a Zoroastrian holy adept.
Moreover, just as certain physical ailments and diseases can be
cured by the therapy of rays, so Ilm-i-Zafar has the power of giving
immunity from the spiritual diseases of lust etc. to a person sitting
within the field of the Jam.
Concept of Ilm-I-Zafar
This prophetic Jam of Ilm-i-Zafar was a talismanic device. It
had 27 chapters; each chapter had 27 pages; each page had 27
lines; each line had 27 tables; and each table contained four letters.
If the question related to the immortal luminous worlds or beyond
or to Sarv-i-Keshmar explained above, the preparation of its Jam
could be undertaken only by very holy Zoroastrian occult sages
and required years of preparatory practice of the strict exercises of
Sarv-i-Keshmar over and above the observance of the normal,
though strict, purificatory Baj-rites. However for unriddling some
mystery of a material nature and relating to any of the three Ages
of past, present or future, the Jam for the same could be prepared
by worldly men of Hutokhsh grade. Those human beings who by
their deportment and conduct of life keep themselves on the right
path (Rathvya patha} and control the passions are called
Hutokhsha. So the solemnity of the knowledge or the solution
sought for was first determined as to whether it was of a material
nature or of some recondite
394
spiritual type. When the question concerned, say, the finding of a
lost key to some worldly knowledge or of something interred, the
Jam for such purposes had 27 chapters and was considered of an
ordinary type.
Method of Compilation
of the Jam
An extremely faint idea is given by Dr. F. S. Chiniwala of the
method of compilation of such wonder of a Jam of the simplest and
the commonest type - one pertaining to the current period and of
an ordinary subject. The learned doctor puts a note here that what
he has delineated represents even less than the faintest of the faint
idea of what the Master described. This writer is unable to translate
adequately what the doctor has written in Gujarati because it is too
technical and incomprehensible in character. However, only a few
points have been attempted here.'
Fundamentally, every consonant and vowel of the alphabet is
affiliated to a particular element – fire or air or water or earth. So
the letters forming the question concerned are put down in a line in
terms of the four elements. Then the elements representing the
letters concerned are set forth in accordance with their Muwafikat,
or Mukhalafat or Miyanah, i.e. agreeability, opposition or
neutrality respectively. After this there is some system of arranging
the letters and pages by the method of Tahta Fauka, (belowabove), according to their concordance_opposition or neutrality.
Then they are rendered 'pure (Khalis). What this means is not
understood, says the doctor. But it is stated that by these methods
the 'letters, i.e., their elements get rearranged, in effecting which
some letters get cancelled, some are separated, some are duplicated
and some are joined together.
In this way the sense of the original line bearing the question
or enquiry gets entirely altered by degrees. Then by certain rule
these lines are arranged in tables of four letters each: such newly
formed lines, then form pages. Then the pages form something like
chapters. Then they are rendered Malfuzi, which term is not clearly
understood, but all these arrangements result in a new spelling.
Then by the rule of what is called Masruri, some entirely new
words are created. By such formation, again and again the pages
are formed and then the chapters.
* Thus (a) fire and air, and (b) water and earth are in concord,
since air supports fire and soil needs water; but fire and water
are in opposition since water extinguishes fire or fire evaporates
water whichever is overpowering. Again (a) fire and earth, (b)
air and water, are neutral.
395
Then by the method of Maktubi, it is said, the letters become
subject to rules of syntax. But again they get re-arranged. Then
they are passed through the devices of 28 tables, i.e., the tables are
applied to the above last arrangement. Some of the names of these
tables are: Daireh-i-Jeed; - sajar; umuk; ,- abdah; ---hutamafs, etc.,
etc. After all this the result is passed through Sadar-o-Mukhkhar
possibly something like permutation and combination.
Then comes the last Daireh-i-Surkhab, which is a mysterious
thing. By what is called Mustascla, verification, the accuracy is
tested. The most astonishing part of the whole is the answer to the
original question or enquiry. The tables mentioned above give the
answer in anyone of the four languages; viz., Turkish, Persian,
Arabic or Sanskrit. But, says Dr. Chiniwalla, that the Master used
to say that there is another science called Staota Yasna, in which
there is commentary of everything concerning immortal and the
evanescent worlds and there are rules of this science. If a holy sage
of that science is very highly advanced, he can obtain the answer in
other languages also, for which, he goes into spiritual trance and
verifies the result, i.e., the answer, mathematically by the power of
his higher spiritual intellect – Akl-i-Mustafad-i-ulvi. It is further
stated that when an enquiry pertains to very recondite spiritual
matter or to past of all past or future of all future, the answer
works-out in the Kyan language from which Pahlavi also is derived
Such is some extremely hazy idea of Jam-j-Jam of Jam-IJahanuma and Jam-i-Zafar narrated 'parrotwise' says Dr.
Chiniwalla. It matters little whether or not this teratology (science
of miracles) of the ancient Jupiterian mystic sciences and arts is
given credence to, or treated as some Babylonian or Assyrian
fiction or Talmudic productioin. The fact that it bears King
Jamshed's name proves its antiquity and its Mazdayasni Iranian
origin though there may be references to it elsewhere. But ancient
Iran possessed such marvelous things, which came down from
Age to Age till the Arabs got it at last. And that is why, it will be
understood the Arabs named it Ilm-I-Zafar.
During the long stretch of thousands of years (some 9000
from today) since the Zoroastrian religion was revealed, whenever
devotion to the Faith was shaken, or degeneration or chaos set in in
its observance through the overthrow of Zoroastrian sovereignty,
or whenever the religion was in a state of deterioration during the
transition period pending the descending to this earth of a Raenidar
(resuscitator of the Faith), when doubts and difficulties arose with
respect to any branch of the religion, a Zoroastrian holy sage could
find from the Ilm-i-Zafar the key to the solution or to the
knowledge sought for. In this way the secrets of the seven ages
from eternity of the past to infinity of
396
the future could be known from this Jam of Ilm-i-Zafar. From the
above it will be understood that the belief in the modem material
learning and culture to be the only most advanced is a delusion,
the result of absence of knowledge of distant ages.
APPENDIX NO.5
A Peep Into The Domestic Life
Of the Parsis in India A Hundred
Years Ago
In days of yore the day-to-day life of the Parsis was very
much different from what it is now inasmuch as it was in keeping
with the Zoroastrian religious principles of "Ashoi", i.e..
righteousness and purity of body, mind and soul. Before the early
dawn the ladles in the family would get up, sweep their own floor
and stamp decorative designs of chunam or powdered chalk or
limestone powder. The lime content of chalk has the property of
cleansing the air, and hence the custom of stamping limestone
powder on every threshold of the house by means of shallow tin
boxes with their bottoms perforated into artistic designs. After
imprinting the above designs they (ladies) would carry the censer
with the 'loban' (benzoin) fumigating all over the house. The word
'loban' comes from Pahlavi. 'Ahlob' meaning 'pure', and loban has
the property of spreading purity and of disinfecting. And so this
traditional custom of fumigating with benzoin in the house at dawn
and twilight every morning and evening has for its purpose the
disinfection of the house and the creation of a healthy atmosphere,
and the invocation of Divine grace. Twice a day the whole streets
inhabited by the Parsis were filled with fragrance and made holy
by the soul-elevating perfume of incense fumigated by Parsi ladies
at the entrance of their houses. In the important centres of the
Parsis, like the towns of Navsari and, Udvada, and especially in the
localities where the priests resided the children would be heard
chanting their sacred Avestan prayers at night-fall.
At a very early age were the children taught the Zoroastrian
way of life, and the habit of purity and cleanliness was inculcated
in them. For drinking water a goblet with the lipped top was used
instead of a glass, because the former permitted drinking without
that vessel touching the mouth and getting polluted with germs. So
strictly was the principle of hygiene observed that at the tender age
of three or four, children were given a small
397
goblet and taught to drink the water in the above hygienic manner.
Similarly, at a very early age of their childhood they were made to
give up the habit of putting their fingers in the mouth and making
them unclean. While sewing, the Parsi girls in those days
invariably used a pair of scissors for cutting the thread, but never
used their teeth for the purpose. Whilst eating at home or at a visit,
articles of pastry like cakes, biscuits, etc., were never bitten, but
broken with the fingers or cut into pieces suitable for putting them
in the mouth so as to avoid contamination by germs. Eating things
by biting, except in rare circumstances, was considered the way of
the most filthy and lowest classes of aboriginals. Similarly,
smoking was strongly abhorred and was quite unknown in the
community. But later on, especially during the last hundred years
or so, a sort of inferiority complex set in with the result that the unhygienic and unclean ways and habits of the richly and smartly
dressed Westerners came to be regarded as stylish, and blindly
imitated. Thus in our ignorant and foolish craze for becoming what
is being believed to be 'reformed' (?) and smart by taking to smoking, biting eatables etc., we retrograded, and assumed the filthy
ways and habits of foreigners discarding our superior habits in
eating, drinking etc., and thus died out our time-worn high
Zoroastrian principle of purity and scientific cleanliness.
In every Parsi home greatest care was taken about the home
fire. It was kept alive and unextinguished. Members of the family
recited the holy Avestan prayers before this fire, which was always
kept sacred and undefiled by the touch of persons in an impure
state of the body. The fire thus specially nurtured had the power of
attracting the blessings from the divine regions, and of sending up
the force of the prayers and the rituals performed in, the home on
to the divine planes. To preserve the purity of the sacred fire nonParsis were not allowed to enter the roam where the fire burned.
In ancient Iran a sort of isolation-home in every locality in
charge of a matron used to be reserved for use by ladies in their
periods, as we have isolation-wards for infectious diseases today.
But when the Parsis migrated to India a separate room on the
ground floor was kept for the purpose in the absence of the
provision of the isolation home mentioned above. The reason for
selecting the ground floor was based on hygienic principles.
During the periods of the monthly sickness the body of the woman
concerned is infected with myriads of harmful ultra microscopic
microbes of impurity. In the case of the ground floor these
microbes are directly attracted away to the solid base and its substrata, because of the magnetic power of the latter; whereas in the
case of the upper stories those microbes remain suspended in the
atmosphere and contaminate them.
398
In every home in those days of yore, ladies strictly and
scrupulously observed isolation on the ground floor during their
monthly periods. A lady in menstrual state took special care not to
come into contact with fire and articles of food or water or with
outsiders or other members of the family.
The people then had such immense faith in their religion that
with hearty sincerity they responded to the observance of many an
austere religious rite. The dress of the ladies was made to facilitate
the observance of religious practices including that of Kusti-rite (of
untying and tying the sacred thread-girdle with prayer formulae). It
was not fashioned from the Fashion Books of the Western dress
makers. So staunch was their faith in the Religion, and so untiring
were they, in. its service that they ungrudgingly put up with many
inconveniences and willingly sacrificed many transient pleasures
and comforts; and they could do all that, because side by side with
the enjoyments of the physical body, the thoughts of the
betterment of the soul, the belief in the existence of life after death
in the worlds beyond, heaven and hell; good and evil, and Divine
Justice in Reward or Retribution etc. – all these were constantly
before their minds' eye.
The religious ceremonies of the dear departed ones of the
family were had performed in the residences where the deceased
lived, moved and had their being, and not in the fire-temples, as
ceremonies performed in the former way were more efficacious
than those performed outside the home.
At the end of every Zoroastrian year, the 18 days' religious
ceremonies known as Muktad in honour of the departed souls of
the family were also got performed in the residential homes where
the deceased used to live. During all these holy eighteen days, the
(cocoanut) oil-lamps burning, the glittering silver or German-silver
pots and vases kept on marble-topped tables and filled with sacred
well-water holding fresh roses with stems and other fragrant
flowers of superior aura, the fire glowing in a censer kept in front
of the Muktad tables, the holy fragrance of the sandalwood and
benzoin burning over it pervading the whole house, the priests
melodiously chanting the Avestan Fravashi and Afringan and
Pazand Afrin prayers, morning and evening, and the family
members - both young and old - devoutly offering their prayers ALL THESE lent beauty, charm, piety and sublimity to the place,
and turned that Muktad apartment into a veritable paradise on
Earth. During those holy days one or two members of the family
who performed the sacred duties of cleaning the Muktad place,
daily changing the flowers, water etc., had special and stricter
codes of purity to observe than other members. They scrupulously
kept aloof from and did not
399
come in contact with other persons, and slept on a mat (with
out mattress) for their nightly rest.
Such is the rough picture of the pious-minded Zoroastrians of
those by-gone days, whose austerity and stoicism did not fail to
impress the tender minds of the children in the house, who joyfully
shared some of the duties on holy occasions such as above, the
performance of which brought home to their juveni1e minds the
early lessons of purity, cleanliness, prayers and rituals, so that they
grew up as men and women of high character, whereby the
community shone out in the past as regards their character and
morals.
APPENDIX NO.6
Zoroastrian Mode of Disposal
of Dead Body,
Most Expeditious and Sanitary
In his book “Dawn……” (p.165) Prof. Zaehner observes as
follows:
"It does seem fairly certain that it was the Magi who were responsible for introducing three new elements into Zoroastrianism the exposure of the dead to be devoured by vultures and dogs, the
practice of incestuous marriages, and the extension of the dualist
view of the world to material things, particularly the animal
kingdom."
Regarding the above observation, the aversion of the learned
scholar to the Zoroastrian mode of exposure of dead body to be
devoured by vultures, is based on his ignorance of the insanitary
conditions created by interment, as will be borne out by the
reporters of the Commission appointed by the 'General Board of
Health' of England. At the outset it must be clarified that the dead
body buried in the ground does not turn luminous, but is infested
by millions of worms created by decomposition of the dead body
in the grave. We reproduce extracts given in "Frashogard" (i.e.,
Renovation) the quarterly magazine of the Parsi Vegetarian &
Temperance Society of Bombay (BK-XII, Nos. 1 & 2, published in
1922_ p. 21 seq.):
"We" say the reporters, "may safely rest the sanitary part of
the case on the single fact, that the placing of the body in a grave
and covering it with a few feet of earth does not pre
400
vent the gases generated by decomposition" together with
putrescent matters which they hold in suspension, from permeating
the surrounding soil, and escaping into the air above and the water
beneath."
After supporting this statement by illustrations of the enormous force exercised by gases of decomposition, in bursting open
leaden coffins, whence they issue without restraint, the reporters
quote the evidence of Dr. Lyon Playfair (late H.M. Post mastergeneral) to the following effect
"I have examined, "he says, " various chruch-yards and
burial-grounds for the purpose of ascertaining whether the layer of
earth above the bodies is sufficient to absorb the putrid gases
evolved.
The slightest inspection shows that they are not thoroughly
absorbed by the soil lying over the bodies.
I know several churchyards, from which foetid smells are
evolved; and gases with similar odour are emitted from the sides of
sewers passing in the vicinity of chruchyards, although they may
be more than thirty feet from them."
He goes on to estimate the amount of gases which issue from
graveyards and estimates that for 52,000 annual interments of the
Metropolis no less a quantity than 2,572,580 cubic feet of gases
emitted, "the whole of which, beyond what is absorbed by the soil,
must pass into the water below or the atmosphere above:'
The foregoing is but one small item from the long list of
illustrative cases proving the fact that no dead body is ever buried
within the earth without polluting the soil, the water and the air
around and above it; the extent of the offence produced
corresponding with the amount of decaying animal matter subjected to the process.
The Report referred to gives notable examples of the fatal
influence of such effluvia when encountered in a concentrated
form. Cholera was unusually prevalent in the immediate neighbourhood of London graveyards. Dr. Waller Lewis reports the
many stages of decay - a condition, which he describes "as a
disgrace to any civilization." Dr. Edmund Parkes, Professor of
Military Hygiene is another witness on this important subject who
says - "Burying in the ground appears certainly the most insanitary
plan of the three methods viz. Burial in the Land or at Sea, and
Burning. The air over cemeteries is constantly contaminated, and
water (which may be used for drinking) is often highly impure.
Hence in the vicinity of graveyards two dangers to the population
arise, and in addition, from time to time, the disturbance of an old
graveyard has given rise to disease. It is a matter of notoriety that
the vicinity of graveyards is unhealthy.
401
Respecting the condition of provincial churchyards, where, in
the midst of a sparse population, the pure country air circulates
with natural freedom_ the reporter writes: "I do not know how
otherwise to describe the state of this churchyard than by saying
that it is truly and thoroughly abominable. The smell from it is
revolting. I could distinctly perceive it in every one of the
neighbouring houses which I visited, and in everyone of these
houses there have been cases of cholera or severe diarrhoea."
Thus we see that the burial system is most insanitary.
In contrast with the above authentic reports against this
insanitary burial system, a few extracts from opinions of "Eminent
and Enlightened Non-Zoroastrians regarding the Zoroastrian mode
of disposal of the dead" are given below from a booklet which
bears a beautiful chart of a Tower of Silence, constructed on most
perfect scientific lines and based on Nature's economy, the system
designed by the wise Magians some 9,000 years ago. A copy of
the above booklet has been posted to Prof. Zaehner for
emendation of his misconceived antipathy to the Zoroastrian
system of disposal through vultures.
1. (p.3) "Thanks to the vultures, the bones are laid bare in
less than an hour, and in two or three weeks, the
tropical sun scorches them into such a state of fragility,
that the slightest breath of wind is enough to reduce
them to powder and to carry them down into the pit.
No smell is left behind, no source of plagues and
epidemics. I do not know that this way may not be
preferable to cremation, which leaves in the air
about the Ghat a faint but disagreeable odour." (From the
Caves and Jungles of Hindustan, by H. P. BLAVATSKY
p. 28.)
2. (ibid) "It is thoroughly wholesome, and clears away most
effectually one of the greatest difficulties encumbering
the path of sanitary reformers in great cities. The
Parsees, too, affirm, with some justice, that it really
carries out the doctrine of the equality of man more
satisfactory than burying or burning, since the bones of
the whole community, rich and poor, rest together at
last in the well within the Tower of Silence."(Maclean's Guide to Bombay, p. 297.)
3. (p.5) 'A deep central well in the tower, the sides and bottom of
which are also paved with stone slabs, is used for
depositing the dry bones. The corpse is completely
striped of its flesh by vultures within an hour or two of
being deposited, and the bones of the denuded skeleton
when perfectly dried up by atmospheric influence and
the powerful heat of the tropi-
402
cal sun, are thrown into this well, where they crumble
into dust--thus rich and poor meet together on one level
of equality after death.
To observe the tenet of the Zoroastrian belief, that "the
mother earth shall not be defiled," this well is
constructed on the following principles: there are holes
on the inner sides of the well, through which the rainwater is carried into four underground drains at the base
of the tower, _for it must be remembered that the well,
like the rest of the tower, is all exposed and open to the
air. At the end of each of these drains, pieces of
charcoal and sand-stone are placed to act as a filter,
thus purifying the water before it enters into the
ground"-(The Journal of a tour through the British
Empire and America, by Mrs. HOWARD VINCENT.)
4. (p.8) "There is nothing of a sacred character ascribed to these
obscene but useful birds. They are regarded simply as a
means of preventing decomposition, and in
accomplishing that task they perfectly succeed. The
consequence is, that the grounds about the Towers have
nothing of the hideous taint of the charnel-house. There
is nothing obnoxious to health; there is not the faintest
odour of death to mingle with the perfume of the roses
blooming around". (The Times of India Handbook of
Hindustan-compiled by G. R. ABERIGH-MACKAY,
p. 146).
5. (ibid.) "The reverence for the elements is again expressed in the
construction of towers for the final disposal of their
(Parsees') dead. The object sought in these structures is
to shun so far as possible, contaminating earth and air
and water. - (Parsia the land of Imams, by JAMES
BASSETT, p. 314.)
6. (p.9-10) "The exposure of the decaying body to the assaults of
innumerable worms may have no terrors for us,
because our survivors do not see the assailants; but let
it be borne in mind that neither are the Parsee survivors
permitted to look at the Heaven-sent birds. Why, then,
should we be surprised if they prefer the more rapid to
the more lingering operation and which of the two
systems, they may reasonably ask, is more defensible
on sanitary grounds?"-(Modern India and the Indians,
by Prof. MONIER WILLIAMS, D.C.L.)
In fine authentic reports and opinions of English authorities
and of other European high dignitaries condemn in unequivocal
terms the burial system, because "fetid smells are
403
evolved'; "it is the most insanitary plan"; "it is a disgrace to any
civilization"; "It is abominable"; "it is a matter of notoriety that the
vicinity of graveyards is unhealthy", and so on.
In contrast with the above, the consensus of opinions given in
the booklet on the Tower of Silence is that the Zoroastrian system
of laying in those Towers is based on sanitation. "It is thoroughly
wholesome, and clears away most effectually one of the greatest
difficulties encumbering the path of sanitary reformers in great
cities." (p. 3). "Thanks to the vultures, the bones are laid bare in
less than an hour, ..." .No smell is left behind, no source of plague
and epidemics" (ibid.) "The grounds about the Towers have
nothing of the hideous taint of the charnel-house. There is nothing
obnoxious to health; there is not the faintest odour of death to
mingle with the perfume of the roses blooming around" (p. 8).
"The object sought in these structures is to shun, so far as possible,
contaminating earth and air and water" (ibid.). "One marvels to see
here a perfect system for the protection of the living from
coatagion derivable from the dead-I mean one marvels to see this
proof that modern science is behind the ancients in this so
important matter." (p. 18).
Thus scholars like Moulton, Zaehner and others will never be
able to appreciate the perfect knowledge of science and Economy
of Nature, those wise men the Magians possessed, because their
idea evidently is to, deliberately or ignorantly, calumniate the
Zoroastrian Faith.
"O that I can see the cataract in
mine own eye,
Before I point out from my
dear neighbour's eye !"
APPENDIX NO.7
ESOTERIC EXPOSITION OF SUDREH,
THE ZOROASTRIAN SACRED SHIRT
(Condensed from the book (in Gujarati) entitled "Tawil-eSudreh",
Exposition of Sudreh published by the Master in 1913).
GENERAL IDEA
Sudreh, literally means in Persian 'Path of Benefit leading to
Salvation'. Ordinarily it means 'a tunic reaching to the knee or
mid-thigh'. A person is marked out as one belonging to the
404
Zoroastrian Faith from the Sudreh and Kusti donned by him or
her. It (Sudreh) is not an ordinary upper garment but a specially
designed apparel to help the soul of a Zoroastrian in its upliftment.
Among the many existing materials and means, the one
unmistakable and closest to a Zoroastrtian and having the most
intimate connection every moment in life and at death is the pair
of Sudreh-Kusti. This pair of Sudreh-Kusti, Atash Behram and the
all-white Bull (Varasio) are the three most important and efficient
functionary agents. They remind us that we are born in the
Zoroastrian Faith and belong to 'Daena berezishta', i.e., the
sublimest religion for us. Just as liver is the connecting link
between the physical body and the food, so Sudreh-Kusti is the
connecting link between the religious rites observed by a person
and the soul. The religious observances act as food for the soul.
For the advancement of the soul a Zoroastrian must observe
the religious rites for accomplishing which object the Holy
Prophet has prescribed the use of Sudreh-Kusti during life-time on
earth and has given full description of its inner deep exposition.
Therefore, with thousands of praises for him, we shall first try to
understand the function allotted to Sudreh. The exposition of
Kusti follows under Appendix No.8.
MAKING OF SUDREH
Sudreh ordinarily means (in Persian) 'a tunic reaching to the
knee or mid-thigh'. The subject of Sudreh falls under the chapter
of "Vastra" (clothing) in the Zoroastrian Faith. Vastra is an Avesta
term, and means dress or apparel. The dress for priests prepared in
conformity with the tenets of the religion, tile 'Siaav' meant for use
in ceremonies after the departed souls, different types of dress and
of different colours a Zoroastrian must wear according to the
tenets of the religion, and effects, good or bad, different types and
colours produce on the wearer's mind, aura and the soul and such
like subjects are contained in the chapter on 'Vastra', dress.
According to the Zoroastrian doctrine, a Sudreh must be made
in conformity with the following points:
1. of cotton cloth;
2. of white colour only;
3. made from one piece;
4. of prescribed nine seams;
5. length - reaching knees;
6. completely circular at the bottom; and
7. completely rim-sewn at bottom.
405
The making of a Sudreh must be done in accordance with the
prescribed methods given in the Master's book, but the same is
beyond the scope of this abridged exposition.
SUDREH- MUST BE OF COTTON
Different types of material such as wool, silk, cotton, etc.,
have different characteristics. The all-woolen garment when warn
next to skin creates hindrance in emitting waste-matter from the
body. The sun's rays enter straight into the body through wool and
create strong friction with the heat of the body, which destroys the
aura. Similarly there are disadvantages in silken and hempen
fabrics.
Cotton cloth helps in maintaining emanation (aura) unimpaired, because it (cotton) has the inherent characteristic of
allowing the Sun's rays to pass through it indirectly in a refracted
condition into the physical body. This physical body composed as
it is, of the four elements - fire, air, water and earth - constantly
gives out waste matter. Thus there is friction between the Sun's
rays entering the body, and the waste matter emitted by the body.
This friction creates electricity which impairs the personal
emanation (aura). But since the Sudreh is made of cotton cloth, the
sun's rays enter the body in a refracted condition as stated above so
that strong friction is not caused, and hence harmful electricity is
not produced, and the person's aura is not impaired.
SCIENTIFIC OBJECT OF
COVERING THE HEAD
Just as the physical body emits waste-matter, so do the hair
on the head also give out harmful current called Tafoon. This
current coming into friction with the sun's rays and the atmosphere
creates effect of Darkness, i.e., process of spiritual disorder and
impairs the aura. This is averted by keeping the head covered with
white cotton cap or a white cotton head covering.
HOLY VIBRATIONARY COLOURS
OF AVESTA MANTHRA FORMULAE
We have seen already that the cotton Sudreh helps in
maintaining the personal emanation (aura). Let us now consider
the same question from the standpoint of the effect of vibrationary
colours of our holy Avesta prayer formulae. The law of
vibrationary colours permeates through the whole Nature. In
406
attunement with these natural vibrationary colours, the holy
Prophet has framed the Avesta prayer formulae. When a devotee
practices the Zoroastrian laws of purity and offers Avesta prayers
he or she becomes attuned with the Yazadic (angelic) current
coming from above, whereby his soul gets elevated. The sun's rays
spread their vibrationary colours everywhere. But the cotton
Sudreh prevents those rays from entering the body direct, i.e.,
these rays enter the body indirectly, whereby they become mild.
Owing to this the sublime vibrationary colours of our Avesta
prayers keep around us in close vicinity like a spiritual
fortification, which helps the soul in ascending back to the
immortal world, in effecting which the Sudreh plays an important
role. All these effects take place invisibly and hence it may be
difficult for a sceptic mind to give credence to the same.
SUDREH HELPS IN TRANSMUTING
EFFECTS OF DARKNESS INTO LIGHT
We know fire returns like for like, i.e., if sandalwood or
incense is put on fire, it gives fragrance, and if some unclean thing
is burnt, it spreads bad odour. In other words, fire proclaims the
characteristic of the thing it comes in contact with. Similarly the
sun's rays also create blissful effects or those of spiritual disorder
according to the quality of the thing with which it comes into
contact. But a Zoroastrian who is invested in Sudreh and Kusti is
enjoined to practice Zoroastrian rites in daily life and thereby turn
the effects of spiritual disorder into those of order. In our basic
Ashem-Vohu prayer, it is said: "the bliss of immortality is for one
who is holy only for the sake of the Law of Holiness - the Law of
Asha - the great law of moral and spiritual Order divine". To attain
this great boon it Zoroastrian must don the spiritual armour of the
Sudreh in obedience to the Holy Prophet's behest and his Promises
(Akwal).
Thus according to Zoroastrian science for keeping good
health and for advancing the soul, the Sudreh must be worn next
to skin. Khshnoom teaches that all rites and rituals prescribed in
the religion have their own efficiency and are not meaningless
dead symbols.
EFFICACY OF WHITE COLOUR
IN SUDREH
The foundation of the whole Universe is on Staota, the
vibrationary colours. It is explained in Zoroastrian religion how
intimately connected are thought, sound, form (shape), vibration,
407
energy and colour. The Holy Prophet has explained the whole
science of Chromatics and its branches such as the creation of
visible and invisible colours and their varied effects in different
matters. How and why does the red colour give heat, how the
green colour helps in healing wounds by magnetizing the sun's
rays, how the sky-blue colour is cooling and is the colour of
animation, and the yellow is of moderate effect; how the white
colour softens and moderates: the sun's rays; how the varied
colours of the whole talismanic prayer formula of Yatha Ahu
Vairyo are created _ all this is included in Staota Yasna, the law of
vibrationary colours. Chramopathy, which is said to be the
advancing science of late, falls under a chapter on 'Manthrabaeshaza', i.e., the laws of health through the recital of prayer
formulae. This also is included in Staota Yasna, the science of
Chromatics.
White is the original and balancing colour. In life, we are
likely to be surrounded by various types of hives of microbes
referred to in Khordad Yasht. In counteracting these and transmuting them into light, the white colour gives valuable help.
Similarly for transmuting clouds of harmful effects, i.e., of
Darkness collected in the atmosphere above, into light, also the
white colour plays an important part. Besides this, the white colour
being 'pure' and can merge into other colours by mixing with them,
it possesses the property of keeping the effect of Sun's rays in even
potentiality. Owing to this characteristic of the white colour, it
possesses the quality of permitting only essential colours suitable
for human body to absorb, on account of which preference is given
to the white colour in our religion.
In order to enable the soul in advancing to the immortal
worlds, through the observance of Zoroastrian laws of purity, the
Holy Prophet has prescribed 33 grand functionary agents. Amongst
these 33, the pair of Sudreh and kusti is the functioning agent that
efficiently helps in uplifting the soul. Our physical body being
composed of elements, waste-matter like perspiration is naturally
created. The white colour of Sudreh helps sun's rays in drawing out
this waste-matter. In Meher Yasht; 31 it is said "White (colour) is
the symbol of the Mazdayasnian Faith", so the Sudreh must be
made of no other colour except white.
Sudreh Must Be Made
From One Whole Piece
When a whole soul trails down from the immortal world to
this known material world, it is divided into numerous parts and
particles. So every man and every woman in this world has to keep
in mind the thought that he or she has one day to
408
return to the immortal world as a perfected individualized whole
soul by the final blending together (khaetvadatha) of correlative
spiritual masculinity and spiritual femininity into one asexual
whole soul called Magavan. For keeping this thought ever present
in mind, a devotee thrice repeats the Pazand sentence at the end of
every Nyaesh and Yasht prayer as "Man ano-avayad-shudan"
meaning "I must go there", i.e., to the paradisiacal station of
Dadare Gehan. To remind a Zoroastrian of this great verity of
Nature it is enjoined to make the Sudreh from one whole piece of
white cotton cloth.
Nine Seams of Sudreh
A Sudreh must comprise nine prescribed seams as stated
above. These nine seams are as under:
(a) Nape piece
(b) Gereban
(c-d} Front and rear main parts
(e-f) Two sleeves
(g) Parallel seam
(h-i) Two triangular seams
(a) NAPE SEAM
The nape seam which is a small crescent shaped patch on the
nape of the neck, shows that man comes to this world with the
weight over the head, of the obligations of the past life to be
fulfilled in this life, i.e., next life. A Zoroastrian confesses to
balance these obligations by the observance of Zoroastrian rites.
This law of fulfilment of obligations is called Paityoget (Ysn.46,8)
or Kisas i.e., Retributive compensation and universal adjustment
with every visible and invisible object and force in the universe.
"
A Zoroastrian is fully answerable for every thought, word and
deed in this world, and vows to observe the tenets of the Faith, and
to bear the load of the same_ so as to gain in the end repatriation to
the immortal world. Hence the first seam which is on the nape of
the Sudreh reminds the devotee of the above great desideratum.
While wearing the Sudreh the head must first be inserted in
the opening at top, and a glance at the nape or a thought of it
should remind the wearer of the confession of the Faith mentioned
in the Avesta sentence: "Fravarane Mazdayasno Zarathushtrish vidaevo Ahura tkaesho", meaning "I (who am) Mazdayasni
Zoroastrian vow to follow the anti-demoniacal Law of Ahura". In
order ever to remind the wearer of this thought of
409
confession and of the load of the observances, the Holy Prophet
has given the command for the nape-seam. The right hand which
indicates Light must be inserted in its sleeve first, and then the left,
indicating Darkness. In this way_ the two sleeves help in
reminding that we have to lead life on the path of Light. The
sleeves must extend from shoulder to elbow. This part is under the
influence of the Sun and hence there is more forceful effect of
Sun's rays, on account of which they would penetrate the body
more forcefully. But the body emits waste-matter incessantly, so
the arm from shoulder to elbow is to be covered with white cotton
sleeves, so that the sun's rays may enter indirectly, whereby the
waste-matter may be drawn out without impairing the aura. The
portion from elbow to fingers is under the mixed influence of all
planets, and hence left open.
(b) GEREBAN, THE STORE-HOUSE
OF THE AURA
Of all the nine seams, the most wonderful and the one
attracting attention is the Gereban, the tiny bag-like receptacle
over the chest, which distinguishes the Sudreh from any other
ordinary shirt or similar garment, and functions like the storehouse (battery) for collecting the aura (derivative Gerev, to grab).
Gereban reminds that the aura or personal subtle emanation must
be brought to its highest grade and glowing, by practicing the laws
of the origin or source of Truth (Erejoish-Khao; Yt. 14,29) and its
minute concomitant laws of the abstinence from breach of promise
(Mithra-druji; Yt. 10,2), whereby the soul may be enabled to
proceed towards the immortal worlds. For attaining this
desideratum, a Zoroastrian must take Nirang Abe-Zur (the water
possessing purifying power passed by the cowkind, to be applied
on open parts of the body as the first thing in the morning before
touching water), partake of pure food, practice the Zoroastrian
anti-microbe Baaj-rites at meals, bath and while attending Nature's
calls etc., and observe other rules of purity relating to hair, nails,
menses, semen etc.
The Gereban is closely connected with the plexus of
Kehrp, the invisible body having 16 invisible centers from which
every organ and every limb of the material body are developed.
We need not enter into the details of this intricate and abstruse
subject here, some idea of which is given under
Supplement No. 20 in this book. Gereban reminds the devotee the
Pazand sentence Gorje Khoreh avazayad_ i.e., may the light of the
aura increase.
Gereban is also reminiscent of the law of Ashishvangh
Parendi, which forms part oaf the law of Kisas, one of the three
410
grand laws oaf the Zoroastrian Faith, viz., (1) Ashoi, purity; (2)
Khoreh, aura; and (3) Kisas_ retribution. In our daily life on earth
we create 'obligations', in which there is give-and-take with others.
This is called Kisas, the law of compensative retribution and
universal adjustment with every visible and invisible abject and
farce in the Universe. The paint relating to Kisas referred to under
the head 'Nape Seam' concerns the obligations with which a soul
takes birth in the next life. The rules for give-and-take in
accordance with Nature's laws are referred to in Avesta
enigmatically as Ashishvangh and Parendi. It is explained in the
religion how our obligations are balanced by keeping every
creation pure and without defiling and by using the same in
conformity with Nature's Economy.
GEREBAN, THE MEDIUM FOR TESTING
HOLY SOUL'S GRADE OF AURA
We now came to the most wonderful part of the Gereban,
which relates to testing the grade of piety of a devout holy person's
soul. The test is taken by holy Sraoshavarez (lit., worker for Sarosh
Yazad who is an asexual soul, one that can hold communion with
that angel). The pious devotee is made to recite special powerful
holy formulae, by which he is thrown into sleep. Due to the special
thought-forces accompanying the formulae and the sublime
vibrationary colours produced by the recital and the purity
observed by the pious devotee, one or two or three seeds (red with
pulp, i.e., fresh seeds) of pomegranate are found to have been
farmed in the Gereban when the devotee awakens. From the
number of the seed or seeds, the grade of the glory called 'Farreh
Yazadi' of the pious person is determined.
. Firdausi has recorded numerous instances of holy Kings and
warrior-saints of the Peshdadian, Kayanian and other dynasties of
ancient Iran shining with such Farreh-Yazadi glary. Thus Iran was
unaware of this birth and existence of King Kae Khushraw in
Turan when he was yet a boy. One night, Gudarz, the premier of
Iran, saw in a dream that a cloud full of water was coming from
Iran. On the cloud was seated Sarosh Yazad who informed Gudarz
that in Turan is a young prince whose name is Kae Khushraw.
Gudarz sends his (warrior-saint) son in search of him. Gev finds a
boy with a glorious face seated on the bank of a lake, about which
Firdausi mentions as under:
"Ze bala-e-oo Farre Izadi" Padeed aamado rayate bekhradi",
meaning, on account of his exaltedness, the lustre of aura of Farre
Yazadi and signs of wisdom were visible on his face.
411
In the above instance, Firdousi has mentioned Farreh Yazadi
though there is still a higher-class glory called 'Kavaem Khareno'
which (glory) belonged chiefly to kings. In numerous paragraphs
of Jamyad Yasht is detailed the list of divine Intelligences and
holy kings and warrior-saints who possessed this glory till it
cleaved to holy Zarathushtra. In Pahlavi Dinkard Vol. VII also
nearly the same list is to be found. Thus this little Gereban pouch
is the most mysterious and most wonderful device in the making
of the Sudreh. Since its practical function comes into effect only in
the case of saintly souls, who remain usually secluded, it may be
difficult for skeptic minds to give credence to the spiritual marvel
referred to above.
(c-d) FRONT AND BACK OF THE SUDREH
A Sudreh has two sides – the front and the back – which are
joined together by the two main side-seams (below the sleeves).
These two sides remind us that the universe comprises Hasti and
Nisti, i.e., the immortal and mortal worlds. The former (Hasti)
consists of the top two heavens, the empyrean (9th) and the zodiac
(8th) and the seven revolving heavens of the planetary world. The
latter (Nisti), the mortal world is made up of Miswane Gatu, the
intermediary region between Hasti and Nisti, the immortal and
mortal worlds. The mortal worlds comprise the seven invisible
ultra-physical planes (called Dakhyus) of the Space, and at the
bottom the earthly globe.
A soul trails down from the immortal world according to
Mazdayasni Daena, the deified Law of Infoldment of Spirit into
Matter, and gets repatriated from Nisti, the mortal world to Hasti,
immortal world according to Zarthoshti, Daena, the deified Law of
Unfoldment of Spirit from Matter after gaining Salvation, and
other higher states.
So the two sides, front and back of the Sudreh, remind us that
we have come to the Nisti, the mortal world (including the space
and this earthly globe) for the Reformation of the soul, i.e., for the
transmutation of the Evil into Good, and after effecting
Reformation of the soul have to go back to Hasti, the immortal
world.
The front of the Sudreh indicates Nisti (mortal worlds), and
the back, Hasti (immortal worlds), where we must endeavor to go
by the observance of the Zoroastrian laws of purity, whereby
deliverance from the body can be achieved, which body belongs to
Nisti, the mortal worlds.
(e-f) TWO SLEEVES
The two sleeves (extending from shoulder to elbow) remind
us of the laws of ‘Jooz’ and ‘Jooft’. The former is the law of
412
Polarity i.e., producing effect by opposition, and the latter of
Duality, i.e., producing effect by co-operation. Both can give
results, which may either be of 'Asare Roshni', meaning the issue
ending in Light under Spenamino, the Blissful Principle, which
means co-operating with Nature in expediting the divine
Ahunavar Plan for the Reformation of the souls; or the result may
be of 'Asare Tariki', the issue leading to Darkness under
Genamino, the destructive or retarding Principle, i.e. temporarily
retarding the divine Plan.
It is enjoined in the religion that a Zoroastrian must take the
path of light and shun that of Darkness, and wherever the effects
of the latter arise-as arise they must-the same must be transmuted
into Light by practicing the Zoroastrian laws of purity, whereby
the advancement of the soul may result. For instance, while
partaking of meals, taking bath, attending Nature's calls etc.,
effects of Darkness naturally do arise; but these must be
transmuted into Light by practicing the anti-microbe Baaj rites
enjoined in the religion. In donning the Sudreh, the head must first
be inserted in the opening at top, and then the right hand must be
inserted in its sleeve first and then the left, because the former
indicates the principle of Light and the latter of Darkness. In this
way the two sleeves remind us that we have to fallow the path of
Light.
(g) SMALL VERTICAL SEAM
We now came to the single small seam (about 3 to 4 inches in
length) sewn at the bottom, a little apart from, and parallel to the
vertical main seam. In the case of males, this small (vertical) seam
is sewn on the front left side, and in that of females, on the front
right side. This is meant to remind the wearer of 'Khaetvadatha',
the noumenon of (Post-Salvation) blending of the correlative
counterpart souls as explained below.
Khshnoom teaches that when a soul in its long journey from
the 8th heaven of the Zodiac, arrives on the top of the Space
(below the heaven of the Moon), it is bifurcated into two grades of
sexes in which the greater part of the essential of the soul is caught
in one which makes it superior, and the smaller, inferior. This
means that every male and every female soul must have its
respective counterpart soul existing somewhere in this world or in
the Space above. The grades above mentioned remain constant,
i.e., the masculine never changes into feminine, and vice versa,
throughout ages and ages during the numerous rebirths etc., in this
material world or in any of the ultra-physical regions above.
413
VEIL OF DARKNESS
Owing to the bifurcation into sexes each of the two counterparts loses a certain portion of the 'essential' ('Sarshoak') of its
soul, because the same goes to the opposite sex. Owing to this loss
of the 'essential', both male and female counterparts on this earth,
who are already deficient in divine knowledge, are still again
heavily veiled with the Veil of Darkness at the time of bifurcation
on account of which when the two counterparts take birth in this
known material world, neither of them knows where it came from
and why, what it brought with it at birth, what it takes with it at
death, and where it has to go to in the end. Hence it is attracted to
sensuous enjoyments, and dies and the soul goes to the sky. Owing
to its having passed a sinful life on earth, it (soul) cannot cross the
Chinvat (Requiter) Bridge, and comes back to this material world at
the proper time; again passes a sinful life and dies. Thus the soul
gets caught in the vicious circle of birth and death, during which it
undergoes condign punishments, which may be as severe as the
pouring of molten metal on the body (Yasna 53.7). At long last
wisdom dawns on the soul, partly through sufferings and partly
through the observance of Zoroastrian laws of purity, and it (soul)
takes the path of virtue. From this stage starts true Reformation of
the soul. When finally the soul becomes Ashim-ashai, i.e., holy for
the sake of holiness, it is able to crass the Chinvat Bridge and
advances higher and higher till it reaches the top of the Space where
ages ago the bifurcation had taken place, and awaits the arrival of
its tardy counterpart soul. When the latter comes up likewise
sanctified and the two meet, each 'gives itself up' (-'datha') to its
'own relative' (Khaetu) counterpart soul, i.e., bath intermingle,
which act is called 'Khaetvadatha', The asexual holy whale soul
formed by Khaetvadatha is called Magavan. To remind the wearer
of the Sudreh, that he or she has to attain one day the exalted state
of Khaettvadatha, the Holy Prophet has prescribed the small
vertical seam on the Sudreh.
(h-i) TWO RIGHT-ANGLED TRIANGULAR SEAMS
Two right-angled triangular seams are to remind that in order
to leave off permanently all connection with the earth, a
Zoroastrian has first to practice properly the laws of Retribution
(Paityoget), which constitute Hvarshta, true Good deed. Secondly,
to practice strict Truthfulness (Erejolsh-khaa), representing
Hukhta, true Good Work, and thirdly, create Moral Order Divine
(Ashahe khao), i.e., holiness, so that Humata, the true Good
Thought, in Nature fixed for mankind may be developed. (It may
be noted that Humata, Hukhta, Hvarshta of
414
angelic Existences are quite different). This development of
Humata is also spoken of "as that of 'Ahu', the nature of the heart
or conscience. By such practices one can be in tune with what is in
Nature.
From the above it will be understood that for spiritual advancement, a Zoroastrian has firstly to practice the laws of purity
enjoined in the religion; secondly, to observe strict truthfulness,
whereby the Thought created would be holy. In other words, the
practice of the true Good Deed comes first, then the Good Word
and then the Good Thought.
It must be remembered that the terms Humata, Hukhta,
Hvarshta occuring in Avesta are used there in their sublime
technical significances. They do not mean ordinary good thought,
good word and good deed; in Avestan terms 'Hu-' does not mean
'good' taken from Sanskrit Su, but Hu refers to Ahu, the Light of
lights; the Absolute Deity. So Humata, Hukhta, Hvarshta refer to
most holy thoughts, holy words and holy deeds for Ahu only.
Ordinarily people in this world are under the Veil of
Darkness, i.e., they are guided by likes and dislikes. Besides they
are not practitioners of Zoroastrian laws of purity. Hence their
thoughts are not in tune with Nature, i.e., their thoughts are not
Humata. Hence it is necessary to take an idea of how true Humata,
i.e., true 'Good Thought as it is in Nature' can be developed.
When a devotee practices all the Zoroastrian laws of purity
referred to above, the fire-energy called 'Atash-e-Vohu-Frayan'
operating in the body becomes bright, and then the stroke (or the
sound of falling) of the original life-energy (Ushtan) coming from
above falls simultaneously with the beating of the heart. This
results in the heart becoming triangular (and hence the two right
angled triangular seams). At this stage the desire-forces (Tewishi)
get transmuted from selfish or destructive to blissfu1. With the
desire-forces turning blissful, is developed the consciousness of
the heart. As the result of the last two, Ahu, i.e., the nature of the
heart is elevated. Due to this elevation of Ahu, the nature of the
heart_ that holy devotee becomes attuned with the Intonation or
Sound (Naada) of Sarosh Yazad pervading throughout Nature.
The stroke of Sarosh Yazad that is drawn to the properly
developed Ahu is alone technically called 'HUMATA'.
Length of Sudreh
In the making of a Sudreh, the length should extend from
the neck to the knees. In this the idea is of connecting the
415
invisible plexus operating on the neck with that on the knees. The
neck is under the influence of Saturn, which (influence) extends up
to the knees including the internal organs whereby the latter
perform their function smoothly. A Zoroastrian is enjoined always
to observe the principle of 'Khshnaothra Ahurahe Mazdaa' i.e.,
May Ahura Mazda be glorified. This means that at every stage and
at all times in our life, we have to co-operate with the Blissful
Principle of Ahura Mazda and defeat the destructive principle of
Ahriman, the Satan, as stated already, by transmuting the effects of
spiritual disorder into that of order, for which the Zoroastrian laws
of purity must be observed. Our internal organs emit waste-matter
which come into friction with the rays of the Sun. By overcovering the internal organs with Sudreh, the Sun's rays enter these
internal organs in a refracted manner. Hence the length of the
Sudreh should extend from neck to knees so that the waste-matter
emitted by the internal organs may not interfere with the flow of
Saturnian current from neck to knees,
Completely Circular
At Bottom
It is stated already that the back of the Sudreh represents
the immortal worlds, and the front, the mortal worlds. The two
sides of a Sudreh, front and back, combinedly form a circle which
reminds us that we come from the immortal worlds represented by
the back of the Sudreh, to the mortal worlds, its front; and that we
have to ascend to the immortal worlds again after purification of
the soul, i.e., after the transmutation of our Evil into Good. All
processes of Reformation of the soul function in the mortal
worlds. The nine seams represent these processes which are
effected in the mortal worlds, and the front of the Sudreh, which
we are able to see remind us of our duty to co-operate with Nature
in its function of reforming the soul by the observance of the
religious tenets. Hence un1ike the modern shirt, which has a cut
on both sides, the Sudreh is enjoined to be made perfectly
circular, i.e. without any cut or break at the bottom. Moreover, the
completely circular battom of the Sudreh reminds us that we have
trailed down to this material world according to Mazdayasni
Daena, the deified law of Infoldment of Spirit into Matter, and
have to repatriate to the planetary world according to Zarthoshti,
Daena, the (deified) law of Unfoldment of Spirit from Matter.
We have already seen that a Sudreh forms a veritable
spiritual fortification around the body against pollution. This
fortification is called 'Naf-e.Bavra', i.e., the Butt of a Shield, in
416
terms of Khshnoom. To remind us of this, Sudreh is ordered to be
made completely circular at the bottom.
Sudreh must be
Completely Rim-Sewn.
In order to save the Sudreh from tearing easily, all hems and
the rim must be fully sewed. If this is not done and the Sudreh
gets torn requiring to be mended, it would create an extra seam
over nine, which strictly speaking require that Sudreh to be
discarded. But this would mean wrong waste in Nature, which is
against the law of Economy of Nature, thereby creating a
retributive obligation. This puts us in mind of the need for making
the Sudreh completely rim-sewn.
Summary Idea of Seams
In the above description of the Sudreh, we have seen that
each seam has connection with and is reminiscent of, certain great
principle in Nature. This may be shown as follows:
Serial No.
of Seam
Name of Seam
Thought associated with
respective seam
1
Nape Seam
Retributive compensation by
the observance of Tarikats
(Canons)
2
3-4
Gereban
Two triangular
seams
Preservation of Khoreh (aura)
(i) observance of religious
canons which constitute
Hvarshta;
(ii) observance of Truth which
constitutes Hukhta; and.
(iii) development of Humata
through Hvarshta and
Hukhta,
5-6
Left sleeve and
right sleeve
Overpowering the effects of
'Darkness' through effects of
'Light' (Asha).
7-8
Front and back
sides
From mortal state to rise to
immortal
9
Parallel seam
Blending of masculine and
feminine counterparts of a
sanctified soul.
417
'Ramano Khastrahe'
Electro Magnetic Force
of Angel Mino Ram
The angel Mino Ram has special function in (Nature. Thus,
the shaping of the border of the leaf of a tree or shrub or the
healing of a wound is through the electro-magnetic function
(Khastra) of Mino Ram. Mino Ram has the power of cohesion,
i.e., of prevention from disintegration or of restoring the original
shape of a thing, such as, preventing upto a certain stage the
tearing of a leaf of a tree by the wind. Mino Ram has the power of
modeling and shaping things. Besides, he performs the function of
arranging the elements in their varied forms, while they are
transiting from the regions above to this earth.
Why Ramano Khasthrahe Sentence
omitted from Funeral Recital
In Yt. 24,21 there is reference to Ramano Khastrahe as
under in which the cohesion power of Mino Ram is referred to:
"Ramano Khastrashe vayoish upero kairyahe taradato anyaish daman aetat te vayo yat te asti Spento Mainyom"
We have shown above that the function of Ramano Khastrahe is to
hold together elements and to preserve a leaf from tearing. But in
the case of a dead body, it is quite the reverse. The elements of the
dead body are required to be dispersed quickly and easily and
therefore, the electro-magnetic force of cohesion of Mino Ram
would negative that object and hence the deletion of the above
sentence.
Need for Investing
Zoroastrian Corpse
with Sudreh
It is enjoined in the religion that a Zoroastrian corpse must
also be invested with Sudreh, which holds the collective effect of
the tenets of the religion observed during life and for this purpose
the Sudreh must be the one used by the deceased during life.
Conclusion
From the inner exposition of the different seams and other
particulars of the Sudreh, we have seen that the Holy Prophet has
prescribed the Sudreh of a specific material, design, colour and
shape, in doing which he has, as it were, reduced the very
macrocosm into the microcosm of the Sudreh, This shows what
418
a Master-Scientist - the Scientist of Scientists - Holy Zarathushtra
was.
In modern times in the making of our dresses we consider the
matter from the standpoint of smartness, beauty etc. and whether
that style or the making of that dress would look nice in the eyes
of the people or not. But_ the question of benefit or otherwise
arising from a particular apparel, like a Sudreh, and still more
important, as to whether it would be beneficial to the SOUL or
not, is never considered. Up to the end of the last century, the
Sudreh was treated with great reverence and it was not trifled with
to suit the shifting fashions as it is done today. However, after
receiving the knowledge of the exposition of Sudreh with all its
details and the mysterious spiritual significances of its various
seams etc. we learn that Sudreh is not to be treated like other
garments that may be altered or mutilated according to the whims
of fashion-designers as in the case of other dresses.
In all that has been stated above with regard to the details of
the Sudreh, we have seen how the seams etc. produce practical
effects for the upliftment of the soul. In Zoroastrian religion all the
tenets and things used in the sacred ceremonies possess practical
scientific effects and they are not as empty symbols; nor is the
donning of pair of Sudreh-Kusti meant merely to be marked out as
Zoroastrian. But the Sudreh i:e recognized by the Holy Prophet as
an Efficient Instrument. We have seen how a Sudreh helps the
soul in spiritual advancement during life, at death and also in the
invisible worlds above.
The exposition and philosophy of the making of the Sudreh
are entirely unknown to the Philological School and therefore
before closing this subject of the Sudreh, we cannot forget our
duty of thanking most reverently the Ustad Saheb, Behramshah
Shroff and his holy Master-Sages for enlightening us on this most
important topic of the Sudreh, with which every Zoroastrian is
intimately connected for the upliftment of the SOUL.
Appendix 8.
Function of Kusti,
The Zoroastrian Sacred
Thread Girdle
(Abridged from pamphlet in Gujarati written by learned Dr. J.
M Pavri and published by the Parsi Vegetarian and Temperance
Society of Bombay).
419
The term 'Kusti', the Zoroastrian sacred thread girdle is
derived from Karsha, (magnetic) circuit. It is also referred to in the
Avesta as Aivyaonghan, meaning what is 'Worn around the waist
(lit., Aiwi, around and Vangh, to wear).
The performance of the Sudreh-Kusti rite is the basis of all
daily prayers, and all religious ceremonies. Both Sudreh and Kusti
in all their details represent or remind one or other of the Nature's
noumenon or phenomenon or principle. Thus the nine seams of the
Sudreh represent the nine holy, ever-living, everblissful lustrous
potentialities emanating from Ahunavar, the WILL-divine of the
Lord God Ahu, the Light of lights. These potentialities comprise
seven Ameshaspends and two Data, the the deified laws of
Infoldment and Unfoldmeht that function in Nature for the
Reformation of the souls in the mortal worlds, and their
repatriation to the immortal worlds. Similarly, the three rounds of
the Kusti are reminiscent of the three stages of the colossal
Ahunavar Plan, which (stages) are: (1) Creation of worlds and
souls; (2) exile of souls to mortal worlds for their Reformation:;
and (3) repatriation to the immortal worlds after Frasho-Kereti,
their spiritual Renovation.
Khshnoom teaches that lambs (from whom the wool is drawn)
are under the joint planetary influence of the Sun and Jupiter.
Jupiter is styled the Just and Righteous or the planet benefic.
Owing to this the lamb possesses the blissful propensity of the
principle - "Live and help Live" -in Nature, as against "Kill to live"
(principle) of the noxious animals and sinful people. The blissful
propensity of the lamb is lent to its wool through the circulation of
blood.
Moreover, wool attracts and stores the vibrationary colours
produced in the atmosphere. The purer and finer the colours, the
more forcefully they are attracted, to the wool.
In this connection the following instance will be found interesting of a Persian woolen carpet attracting and reproducing the
beautiful vibrationary colours of the lofty song sung by Zoroastrian
ladies in Iran while weaving the carpets.
Mr. W. T. Stead,
And the Music Heard
From the Persian Carpet
The following account given in "Review of Reviews" in the
year 1910 (or so) by its learned editor the late Mr. W.T. Stead
(who was a spiritualist) would be interesting. It is stated that an
English nobleman had purchased a beautiful carpet woven by
Iranian Zoroastrian women. Persian carpets have been held in
420
high esteem by European and American tourists. This nobleman
had a little daughter. It is said that whenever she was laid on that
carpet, she used to start singing instead of falling into sleep. She
used to tell her parents that what she was singing was what she
heard from the carpet. Since what she sang was in a language other
than English, and the girl was taught only English, the parents got
concerned, and tried to impress on the girl that what she said was
nothing but a wrong notion. The surprising factor was that on such
occasions if she was picked up and laid on her own bed she used to
go into slumber immediately. On the other hand, when the girl was
fast asleep, her father at times laid her very gently on the carpet,
without disturbing her from sleep, and she would after a short time
start singing in a language unknown to the parents and would press
her parents to do likewise. This led the parents to imagine
something supernatural. Three or four eminent physicians were
consulted who reported her to be fully healthy in body and mind.
Mr. Stead having heard about the girl, wished to get at the
facts first hand from her father. The latter informed him that the
carpet was Persian and was purchased straight from the dealer.
This led Mr. Stead to the firm belief that the language of the music
was Persian. He thereupon with the permission of the father,
brought his Persian knowing friend and got the girl laid on the
carpet. The friend jotted down the song verbatim and informed that
the language was Persian and contained very lofty spiritual
admonitions, in chanting which the singers extolled the holy path
of purity taught by the Holy Prophet Zarathushtra, and exhorted
themselves to walk an the path and lead a pious life. The nobleman
was highly pleased that the song was so lofty but wandered why
none else but that girl alone could hear and be attuned with it, and
reproduce it clearly though its language was foreign. Mr. Stead
explained that her inner ears being sensitive she could hear sounds
by her power of clairaudience, which ordinary people could never
hear, and besides, her self-intelligence being also of advanced
nature, she could reproduce what she heard.
Mr. Stead then sent that song to the then British Consul in
Iran for investigation, who wrote back that when Zoroastrian
ladies sit for knitting or embroidery work, it was their custom to
sing such songs. Upon this Mr. Stead has opined as a spiritualist
that the woolen threads from which these carpets are woven,
possess the excellent property of absorbing the colours produced
by vibrations of sound, and when such a carpet comes in friction
with the wind, it reproduces those vibrations in the shape of
sound, for listening which requires the power of clairaudience.
421
Property of Woolen Fibres
Employed in Phonograph Record Discs.
There is another proof of the wool imbibing and reproducing
the sound vibrations. In the making of phonograph record discs
fine fibres of wool are mixed with the chemicals employed in the
preparation. On account of this, when the record disc is ready,
those fibres absorb the vibrationary colours produced by the
music, so that when the plate is put on the phonograph machine
and set revolving with the pin over it causing friction, the plate
reproduces the musical voice caught in it. This knowledge was
known to our Holy Prophet 9000 years ago.
In the case of Avesta Manthra (prayer formulae), the Kusti
absorbs the blissful vibrationary colours_ and spreads them in the
close surrounding (of the body), and thence to the Kehrp, the
invisible body, and through the Kehrp to the soul to which those
vibrations serve as manna, spiritual food. It is for this reason that
the Holy Prophet has enjoined the Kusti to be made of wool.
While the Sudreh is to be made of white cotton cloth, the
Kusti is to be woven of a special type of white wool shorn of
lambs called 'Balota', which is one of the five species of lambs
mentioned in Bundehesh. Wool possesses the property of absorbing
sound vibrations, good as well as bad. These vibrations spread in
the close surrounding (Aipi and to the Kehrp, invisible body of the
person concerned and in the end reach the soul.
The above mentioned Balota lambs by their instinct eat leaves
of vegetables in which there is preponderance of blissful effect
(Gava). Thus such food is of balanced type, which is nutritive, and
not harmful, thus creating blissful propensity. Wool draws the good
effect of this blissful propensity from the blood formed from the
wholesome, innocent type of food consumed by the quadruped. A
soul needs for its Reformation sublime vibrationary colours, which
a Zoroastrian can receive from the holy Avesta Manthra (prayer
formulae).
Wool Is Not Hair
Wool is not hair and hence does not create microbes when
separated from the body. Hair does not permit of being spun into
continuous yarn like cotton. Thus wool is not akin to hair, but to
cotton thread. Unlike wool, hair when examined under a
microscope is found to be tubular or canal-like when cut vertically.
Again chemical means will show that the yarn of wool can be
b1eached like that of cotton, but not so the hair.
422
Kusti Must Be Of White Wool
It is stated above that wool attracts vibrationary colours, both
superior as well as inferior. While saying (in whispering tone) the
Pazand Nirang formula beginning with "Hormazd Khodae" we
shake off the inferior vibrations by lightly cracking the Kusti,
thereby casting them to the ground. The wool must necessarily be
of white colour because the white colour represents the
equilibrium of varied colours_ and is the emblem of the
Mazdayasni-Zarthoshti Faith. The weaving of the Kusti must be
effected by the priestly class of either sex, who are better
observers of Zoroastrian laws of purity. The Kusti is usually
woven by priestly class ladies, though both the sexes are permitted
to spin and weave the Kusti.
The Spinning Must Be Accompanied
With Recital of Avesta Formulae
It is enjoined by the Holy Prophet that the spinner of wool
must be the practitioner of Zoroastrian tenets, and before
beginning the work, must perform the Kusti rite, then say the
Sarosh-Baaj prayer (up to "Astavaitish Ashahe") and then begin
the work of spinning. During the process, the lady spinning must
keep repeating the holy spells of 'Yatha', 'Ashem' and 'Yenghehatam' prayers. On completion of the work or on leaving it
partially done, the remainder of the Sarosh-Baaj prayer must be
completed. By this process, the woolen yarn imbibes the sublime
vibrationary colours from the very beginning of the process. From
this it will be understood that neither the spinning of the yarn nor
the weaving of the Kusti must be done on an iron or any metallic
machine, for if the muddy and the dark red colours leading to
materialism, produced by the friction in the machine, get woven in
the wool, that Kusti would not catch fine vibrationary colours of
the Avesta Manthra (prayer formulae). For this same reason in the
case of water used for holy ceremonies like Yazashne, Baaj, etc.,
the tap water cannot be used because in running through the pipes,
friction is caused which nullifies the Frado, electro-magnetic
power, on account of which the effect of the ceremony does not
reach the departed soul in the ultra-physical region above.
Doublilng of the Yarn
The yarn is spun on two separate spindles by the priestly class
ladies. The two threads thus spun are then formed into a ball. Next
the two threads are twisted together, and wound on another
spindle bigger than the above one. In this way what we call Kusti
of 72 threads is really of 72 duplicated threads, i.e., of 144.
"
423
This unification of the two threads into one is reminiscent of
the law of Duality_ which operates in the immortal worlds as
'Limit and Justice', and in the mortal worlds of the Space and this
material world as Spenamino and Ganamino, the Blissful Spirit
and the Destructive Spirit respectively, for the preservation of
Kisas (Retribution) and Khoreh-Aura (subtle personal emanation).
A Zoroastrian must always be on the alert to the guiles and wiles
of the Satan, must direct all thoughts, words and deeds in life on
the line of Spenamino, the Blissful Spirit, so as to glorify the Holy
Prophet Spitaman Zarathushtra, and the Holy Creator Ahura
Mazda and other divine Intelligences by leading a life of piety by
overpowering Druji, microbes (ashava vanat Drujim; Yt. 1,28,).
WEAVING OF THE KUSTI
At the outset it must be stated that the weaving of the kusti is
highly technical and intricate. Formerly, Kusti used to be of two
categories, one for the laity and the other for higher class priests
who are strict practitioners of the Zoroastrian laws of Asha, purity
(Yaozdathregars), who can impart purity to others. In the weaving
of the Kusti, a small wooden peg called 'Visi' (of about 2 inches in
length) with three dents on top is used for the laity and another
with four dents on the top is used for the special class. In either
case 72 duplicated threads (i.e. 144) are installed with certain
technique on the weaving frame. This weaving frame must
necessarily be of wood, and never of iron. Besides the above
mentioned Visis, two small wooden tubular pieces are also
employed each of which is called a "Khanga'. The two are held
together in a certain way by means of a piece of thin cord, and are
meant for dividing the threads into certain numbers over, between
and under the pair of Khangas. During the process of weaving
one, continuous thread runs breadth-wise throughout, which
uniformly knits together the duplicated 72 threads and keep them
united. This kind of interlacing of threads reminds us of the
spiritual inter-relation (Padvand) of every Zoroastrian with each
and every creation of Ahura Mazda, not only with other human
beings_ but also with animals, vegetables and minerals, as also
with angelic (Yazadic) Intelligences and other creations, making
one stupendous whole.
KUSTI FOR THE LAITY
With regard to the Kusti of three-dented Visi (small dented
wooden peg mentioned above), 12 threads are passed through each
dent making (12 X 3 = 36), which are put on the weaving
424
frame. Again, another (12 X 3 = 36) are put an the weaving frame,
which make (36 x 2 = 72) duplicated threads.
The numeral 3 reminds one, of the three stages (Mustasela) of
the Ahunavar Plan. In the first, all worlds and souls are created; in
the second, imperfect souls are transferred to the mortal worlds of
the Space and this known material world for their Reformation;
and in the third (stage) the souls are repatriated to the Immortal
world after they are sanctified.
The numeral 12 is reminiscent of the 12 signs on the 8th
heaven of the Zodiac, where sits dame Fate, who prescribes the
weal or woe or both, one must enjoy or endure on this known
material world proportionate to the degree of deficiency of divine
knowledge possessed by the soul.
Besides this, the above said 12 threads are in groups of 6
each. These are reminiscent of the six important duties of a
Zoroastrian:
(1) A Zoroastrian must keep on the lines of Spenamino, the
Blissful Spirit, by walking on the path of Asha, holiness,
based on Humata, Hukhta, Huvarshta, the pure thoughts,
words and deeds as of the angels;
(2) A Zoroastrian is enjoined to offer prayers five times
during the five Gahs (divisions of the day). Though it is
true this is not feasible in this age, yet, if one tries, at
least during two or three Gahs in the day ought to be
possible;
(3) The ceremony of consecrating the occasion of Rapithven,
(a potentiality,) which occasion falls on Roj (day)
Hormazd, Mah (month) Farvardin (21st March). Rapithwen spreads blissfulness and defeats satanic activities.
(4) Perform Gahambar ceremony six times during the year,
each at the proper time on anyone of five days of each
Gahambar. (In modern times this is not done, the
ceremony of 'Gahambarioo' is performed in ceremonies
after the dead);
(5) Celebrate monthly Jashan ceremonies on right calendar
days (with New Year beginning on 21st March the day
on which the Sun enters the sign of Aries), and lead life
in tune with those occasions; and
(6) Perform ceremonies for propitiation and benefit of the
departed souls on day Farvardin of every month and on
the last ten Muktad days of the year of above said natural
calendar (vide footnote under head "Light out
425
of Darkness" in chapter VII). Perform ceremony for
development of one's latent consciousness, so that the
soul may be able to attune with its Farohar, share of
divine Wisdom whereby Ahura Mazda may be glorified.
KUSTI FOR STRICT PRACTITIONERS OF PURITY
Kusti for the special class, i.e., for strict practitioners of Asha,
purity, and observers of the Zoroastrian anti-microbe Baaj rites, is
of four dented Visi (small wooden peg). For this, nine duplicated
threads are passed through each of the four hollow reed-pieces
(Khanga). Thus (9x2x4=) 72 threads are installed on the weaving
frame. In this the numerals 4,9 and 72 suggest that the four basic
or pure elements fire, air, water and earth are to be turned into
their original condition of light, and for this the soul has to
develop the (nine Gena (lit. maidens), i.e., potentialities of
Fravashi. This can only be accomplished by ascending the 72
steps of Asha, holiness. Moreover, the numeral 72 is reminiscent
of the 72 talismanic names in Hormazd Yasht, which put one in
mind of repeating them; besides, it reminds one, of the 72 Haas of
Yazashne.
Thus the two types of Kusti, of 3 Visi and 4 Visi woven, and
when about 12 to 15 inches remain (unwoven) it (Kusti) is taken
out from the machine. Then that incomplete Kusti is given to a
priest for cutting in a certain way. This priest performs his Kustirite_ takes Sarosh-Baaj, i.e., recites it up to 'Astavaitish ashahe'
occurring towards the end of the Kemna Mazda prayer, folds the
Kusti in a certain way (Vekri), recites Vekri-Baaj, and cuts the
Kusti with the word 'Shyaothnanam in the Yatha Ahu Vairyo
prayer, before doing which the knife used is washed with well
water. Then the priest completes the remainder of the Sarosh-Baaj
prayer, and makes over the Kusti to its owner.
The author (Dr. Pavri) then quotes the following technical
exposition from Ervad P. S. Masani's book "Pazand prayer series"
No.3 (with translation in Gujarati; Preface and pp. 35-36):
"The whole Kusti is woven tubular (resembling an uninflated
bicycle tube) and its two ends have to be separated by cutting,
and then the two ends are knitted separately in the shape of
two Lar (resembling a knitted cord) with three tassels at each
end called Lari.
The function of a Kusti woven with due observance of tenets
(Tarikat) is to constantly circuit the waist and im-
426
bibe the vibrationary colours of the prayers offered, and so,
before forming the two ends as two pales by cutting, it has to
be charged with the vibrationary colours (Staota) of the
relative Nirang formula.
The three invisible vibrationary colours-blue yellow and red
produced in the recital of the three lines of (Yatha Ahu Vairyo
prayer) are created by the above Nirang and in the weaving of
the Kusti the three colours blue, yellow and red of Asha,
Vohu-manangha and Khshathra (i.e. Ardibehesht, Bahman
and Shehrevar) are imparted to it and in order to firmly
establish them, these three colours are especially taken in the
Nirang also for cutting the Kusti.
Woven in the Kusti are also the colours of Aap (water), Urvar
(vegetation) and Ashaunam Fravashinam (divine Wisdom),
which function in attunement with Yazads (angels) working
for the benefit of the souls. Hence it is enjoined to recite the
above Nirang before cutting the Kusti."
INVERSION OF THE KUSTI
The Kusti cut in accordance with the above tenets is then
placed on a raised board, and then inverted with the aid of a long
needle, whereby the smooth inner side comes up, which can very
easily attract and collect the vibrations of holy prayer formulae
pronounced. Thus in the process of inverting, the above two
purposes are served. Besides, this inverting is reminiscent of the
great future event of collective 'Restakhiz', which is otherwise
known as 'Frasho-Gard', Renovation of the soul. It reminds that
one day the whole of the vast limitless world of the Space
(including the earthy globe) will merge into the immortal worlds.
For this purpose God has endowed man with reasoning power and
wisdom so that he may lead a life of devotion and love for all good
men and all the good creations, and keep on the path of light,
which embodies purity of the body and sanctity of the soul so as to
earn 'Ushta', bliss immortal.
Next the end-pieces are knitted leaving three tassel-like
extremities at both ends. Each knitted portion is called a 'Lar' and
each tassel, a Lari.
The two Lars remind one, of the two laws of infoldment or
Involution, and Unfoldment or Evolution, which tell why man
comes to this wicked material world and what is his final glorious
destiny. The six Laris (tassels) represent the six
427
Gahambars (growths or stages), and remind a Zoroastrian that the
soul has trailed down to this known material world for crossing the
fifth Gahambar (Maidyarem) through which he or she is passing.
The fifth Gahambar concerns retributive compensation and
universal adjustment of a soul with every visible and invisible
object and force in the Universe. In this fifth Gahambar there is
spiritual bargaining (Kharid-Farakht), i.e., balancing of obligations
with human beings and absorbing his or her particle souls in
animal, vegetable and mineral kingdoms, as explained in
Cosmography, whereby the soul, whether male or female, becomes
perfected and saintly as far as its own sex is concerned. After
crossing the fifth Gahambar, the next stage is of the sixth
Gahambar in which the soul now saintly ascends to the top of the
Space_ and awaits the arrival of its tardy counterpart. When the
latter arrives likewise sanctified, the two counterparts give
themselves up to each one's own relative which act is called
Khaetvadatha (Ysn. 12.9). In other words, the two counterparts
blend together farming one perfected saintly WHOLE SOUL
called Magavan (Ysn. 33,7). In this sixth and last Gahambar, the
Magavan enters the Lunar heaven in the immortal world. Reverting
to the two ends of the Kusti, the extremities of the Laris (tassels)
are left unknitted so that when the lower half of the Kusti is lightly
cracked in the air (like a whip) the residual powerless vibrations
caught in the Kusti are cast off through the tasselled extremities
and the Kusti becomes fit for imbibing new ones.
THREE ROUNDS OF THE KUSTI
As stated in the beginning, the three rounds of the Kusti on the
waist remind us of the three-stage Ahunavar Plan, and of the
linking of the chain of Hasti and Nisti, the immortal and mortal
worlds. This linking suggests that we have to remain unshaken in
adherence to our noble Faith, and be as warriors in the army of the
Holy Creator, Ahura Mazda, ever fighting against all kinds of vice
and leading a truthful pious life, so as to help in spreading peace
and prosperity in the world, and transmuting Evil into Good.
The object of tying the Kusti on the waist is that thereby
Khoreh, personal emanation or aura, is kept attracted to the middle
of the body. Besides this, the 12th plexus (of Kehrp, invisible
body) which is at the navel is connected with Jupiter under whose
influence is the Zoroastrian Faith. The Kusti on the waist helps in
drawing the holy currents of this planet Jupiter from above to the
plexus at the navel. When a devotee observes the laws of Kusti,
these currents are conveyed to the 10th plexus of the Kehrp, which
(plexus) rules over the heart,
_
428
the hollow organ in which resides the soul during a person's life on
earth. The above holy currents of Jupiter are helpful in bringing about
the counterpoise between the good and evil desire-forces (Tevishi),
The 11th plexus of the invisible body located between the heart
and
3
the navel is related to the centre,- i.e., source of desire-forces
-both
4
good and evil. In worldly people there is incessant conflict at this
11th plexus between these two3 contestants, viz., good and evil. When
these conflicting desire-forces are brought at counterpoise, the selfish
propensity turns into philanthropic, in which great task the holy
.
currents of Jupiter above
mentioned are helpful.
Another reason why Kusti is enjoined to be tied on the waist
is to prevent the evil currents of the 13th plexus connected with
the private organs, from rushing and overpowering the higher
plexuses of Nos, 12 (on navel), 10 (on heart)" 4 (higher up on the
forehead between the two eyebrows) and 1 (on the crown of the
head), so that the inferior currents from the lower plexuses may
pass direct to the ground.
Kusti performs the function of drawing magnetc circuit
around the body. During its long journey from the immortal
worlds to the earth, souls give promise to the Holy Creator on their
arrival at the top of the Space that they could transmute into light,
Akhti (Av. Ahiti) the imperfection of spiritual ignorance (Hoviat).
By keeping the Kusti on the waist like a belt, we are bound to
serve as soldiers in the spiritual army of the blissful Creator,
fighting against the Satanic forces. The very object of the joint
investiture of Sudreh-Kusti is to confine in the 'net' (Sudreh), the
evil currents of waste-matter incessantly emanating from the
physical body at every thought, word and deed in life, and to
transmute the same into purity through the holy magnetic circuit of
the Kusti.
PONDERING AT KNOTTING THE KUSTI
IN FRONT AND AT BACK
In the rite of the Kusti, the latter (with its middle point at the
navel) is wound round the waist twice, i.e., front to back and to
front again, followed by the recital of two (Yatha Ahu Vairyo
prayers). The first fastening of the two remaining
----------------------------------------------------------------------1. Chakhra (Yt. 13, 84), plexus (see Kehrp below).
2. Kehrp (Ysn. 55.1), invisible body comprising 16 plexuses,
subtle network of nerves. Every visible limb and organ is
developed from the respective invisible plexuses;
3. Tewishi (ibid) from tu, force and Ish, wish or desire.
4. Yaokhedra (Ysn. 12,9), conflict.
5. Ranoibya, two contestants-good and evil within the body.
429
lengths (of the Kusti) is done by the right hand with the word
'AHU' saying in the mind 'Thou', i.e., the Unnameable Lord God
Ahu, and when uttering the word 'Shyaothnanam the crossed
pieces (or lengths) are pulled close to the body with the pondering
'HE is Kawi-ul-Kawi', Most Powerful of powerfuls. Again, while
reciting the second Yatha, the second knot is effected with left
hand with the pondering 'Thou' as above when uttering AHU; and
when uttering 'Shyaothnanam' the fastening is completed with the
pondering 'Holy Zarathushtra is the Prophet of the Path of Light'.
This completes the knotting on the front. Then the ends (of the
Kusti) are carried behind and knotted while reciting the 'Ashem
Vohu' prayer with the pondering "I may be surrounded with Asha,
holiness or purity".
APPENDIX 9 HIGH
LEVEL JOTTINGS
Among the Sipasiyan sect were many exemplary and pious
personages, the performers of praiseworthy discipline: with them,
however, voluntary austerity implies "religious practices" or
SALUK, and consists not in extreme suffering, which they hold to
be an evil, and a retribution inflicted for previous wicked deeds.
According to this sect, the modes of walking in the paths of God
are manifold: such as seeking God; the society of the wise;
retirement and seclusion from the world; purity of conduct;
universal kindness; benevolence; reliance on God; patience;
endurance; contentedness; resignation; and many such like
qualities. (Dabistan by Mohsin Fani, translated by Shea and
Troyer, p. 76).
The true meaning of putting destructive animals to death, is the
extirpation of wickedness. (ibid. p. 75).
The Mobed Sarosh, the SO;}, of Kaivan, the son of Kamkar
……He was a saint elect…..He is the author of many admired literary
works and compilations; such as the Nosh Daru, sweet medicine, etc. . .
. . People relate all manner of miraculous stories about him; such as his
creating what was not previously in existence; revealing secret matters,
and concealing what was evident; the acceptance or fulfilment of his
prayers, his performing a long journey in a short space of time; his
knowledge of things hidden from the senses; and his giving a
description of the same; his appearing at the same time in places far
distant from each other; bringing the dead to life, and depriving the
living of
430
vitality; his being enabled to hear and understand the language of
animals, vegetables, minerals etc.; to produce food and wine
without any visible means; to walk on the surface of water, also
through fire and air; and such like. (ibid. pp. 113-115).
A person once came to Zu-I-Ulum and said: "I propose
embracing the profession of a durvesh, and breaking asunder the
chains which bind me to the world." Kaivan replied, "It is well".
Some days after_ he returned to Kaivan and said: "I am at present
engaged in procuring the patched tunic, cap, wallet, and other
things necessary for my profession." Zu-l-Ulum observed: "The
profession of a durvesh consists in resigning every thing and
abandoning all, manner of preparations, and not in accumulation
of any kind." (ibid.-pp. 102-103).
The duration of ante-historical empires_ in printless but extensive spaces of time_escapes research and computation. (ibid. p.
lxxvii).
Not a little care was bestowed upon the discipline and continual exercise of numerous armies…An order of battle was
prescribed, in which they were to encounter the enemy; no plunder
after victory was permitted; they never slew, nor treated with
violence, a man who had thrown down his arms and asked for
quarter. (ibid. lxxxii).
They have nevertheless among seemingly childish and absurd
precepts, promulgated most luminous truths, better than which
none have hitherto been known_even at the most advanced degree
of civilization (ibid. xciii).
We shall view Zoroaster's hundred gates, and the remains of
his Twenty-One nasks, as venerable monuments of an antique
civilization, which ought never to be profaned by derision. (ibid.
xciv).
The twenty-fifth gate of Zoroaster contains the remarkable
precept: "Know that in thy faith there is no fasting except that of
avoiding sin: in which sense thou must fast the whole year. (ibid.
ci).
Upon the Persian monuments which time has spared, upon
the walls of the thousand-pillared palace of Isfahan, and upon
those of the Royal tombs we see no idols, but priests and kings,
performing the sacrifice of fire before their "Fervers" (Farohars)
"ideals of virtue and sanctity". (ibid. cii).
The most important object of all religions is to ennoble, refine,
and sanctify man's inmost thoughts and feelings as well as his
exterior actions. (ibid. p. clxxvii).
431
It is just to attribute to the Persians exclusively one of the most
beautiful personifications that was ever imagined; the soul of the
deceased meets at the bridge of eternity an apparition either of an
attractive or repulsive form: "Who art thou?" asks the uncertain
spirit, and hears the answer "I am thy life." (ibid. p. clxxvi-clxxvii).
He (Mahabad}produced the gradations of ruler and subject; of
lord and servant; discipline and authority; justice and knowledge;
kindness and severity; protection of the 'Zindbar' kind treatment of
innoxious creatures; destruction of the 'Tundbar' or noxious animals;
the knowledge of God and the ceremonies of his worship. (ibid. p.
19).
They also maintain that in same passages, the rendering the
demons obedient and slaying them is a figurative made of expressing a victory gained over the pleasures of sense, and the
extirpation of evil propensities: in like manner, whatever is related
about the appearance of angels to virtuous and holy persons, is the
revelation and vision of good spirits, whilst in a state of sleep,
transport, recovery from excess, or abstraction from the body.
(ibid. p. 55).
They say that Zohak's two serpents, 'do-mar' and ten fires
(vices) or 'deh ak' imply irascibility and sensuality. (ibid. p. 55).
In the several passages where he is recorded to have slaughtered harmless wild asses and oppressed innoxious creatures and
when similar actions are ascribed to some of the Gilshaiyan
princes, there is only implied the banishment of animal
propensities and passions. (ibid. p. 66).
(Miracles when murderous attempts were made by Daruj).
The King - Daran Sarun - hastened to the pillow of Zaradusht,
and commanding him to be taken out of the cradle, and putting his
hand to the sword, prepared to cut off the child's head; but that
instant his hand was dried up, so that he left the house in pain and
affliction; on which all the magicians and worshippers of Ahriman
(the only worship which prevailed at that time) became quite
alarmed. The magicians then formed a mountain of wood, naphtha,
and sulphur, and having set it an fire, threw into the midst of it
Zaradusht, whom they had by force taken from his father, and
hastened with this intelligence to their King: but, through the aid of
God,
"The devouring flame became as water,
"In the midst of which slumbered the pearl of Zaradusht."
(ibid. p. 219).
The Glory descends from the presence of Auharmazd, where it
abides in the eternal light; it passes through heaven down to
432
the earth; and it enters the house where the future Zaratusht's mother
herself is about to be born. Uniting itself with her presence it abides
in her, until she reaches the age of fifteen, when she brings fort_ her
own first-born, the prophet of Iran. But before this event, as a girl she
became so transcendent in splendor by reason of the miraculous
nimbus of the Glory that resided in her, that at the instigation of the
demons, her father is convinced that she is bewitched, and he sends
her away from his home to the country of the Spitamas, in the district
of Alak or Arak, to the village of Patiragtaraspo, whose son
Porushaspo (A v. Pourushaspa) she marries. The Glory is therefore
upon earth, ready to appear in the form of man. ("Zoroaster the
Prophet of Ancient Iran, Prof. Jackson, p. 24).
In . . . roundabout way, the Pahlavi text accounts for the
combination of the three elements, the glory the spirit and the body,
and the child is conceived despite the machinations of the demons
(ibid. p. 25).
The pregnancy of the mother, whose womb is hallowed to
bear such fruit, is attended by occurrences equally remarkable and by
circumstances astounding in their nature. (ibid. p. 25).
In every religion the birth of its founder must be heralded by
supernatural signs and omens and accompanied by wonders and
prodigies. . . . In the Avesta all Nature rejoices at Zoroaster's birth;
the very trees and rivers share in the universal thrill of gladness that
shoots through the world. (ibid. p. 27).
If we are to judge at least from the later literature of the
Pahlavi, black art and magic practices, occult science and
necromancy were the order of the time. (ibid. p. 31).
Vohuman opens his lips and begins to question the enrapt seer
- this situation is alluded to in the Avestan Gathas (Ysn. 43,5 seq.) and after bidding him to lay aside his 'garment' (or the vesture of his
material body), the seraphic messenger leads away his soul in
ecstatic trance into the glorious and dazzling presence of Auharmazd
and the Amshaspands. No sooner does Zaratusht enter this radiant
assembly than he ceases to behold 'his own shadow upon the ground,
on account of the great brilliancy of the archangels'. (ibid. p. 41).
As the veil is withdrawn from before his eyes, the several
archangels appear at different times before his entranced sight. (ibid.
p. 46).
In . . . various visions of Paradise which are granted to
Zoroaster. . . the Prophet becomes quite well acquainted with the
empyrean realms and with the celestial hierarchy of God, the
angels and archangels; (ibid. p. 50).
433
According to Mohammedan writers, Kazwini and Ibn alAthir, Zoroaster enters the assembly in no ordinary manner, but by
a miracle; the roof parts asunder to give entrance to his hallowed
person (Dabistan p. 245, footnote - Not receiving Immediate
access to the King, the prophet split the upper part of the apartment
where Gustasp was, and descended through the opening). (ibid. p.
60).
. . . a shade of darkness, yet illuminated by a burst of light, ,by
vision, by inspiration; then comes the final fiery outbreak of the
prophetic soul in a clarion note of triumph and the transport of
joyous victory. (ibid. p. 75).
.
Faith of Zoroaster rapidly spread, fanned, as it was by the breath
of sovereign power. (ibid. p. 82).
Even the pages of the Koran and the doctrines of Mohammed
are not free from the influence of the Faith, which they vanquished
by the sword. The spark of the sacred fire has never been
quenched; the holy flame continues to blaze; and the Religion -of
Zoroaster still lives on. Yes, and whatever may be the changing
fates, it will live on, as long as there are successors worthy to bear
the name of the Master_ as are the Parsis today, those faithful
followers of the Creed of the Prophet of Ancient Iran. (ibid. p.
142).
"The few, to whom, that couch of flame,
That rescues them from bonds and shame
Is sweet and welcome to the bed
For their own infant Prophet spread,
When pitying Heaven to roses turn'd
The death-flames that beneath him burn'd. _90
Note 290: "The Ghebers (fire worshippers) say that when
Abraham, their great Prophet, was thrown into the fire by order of
Nimrod, the flame turned instantly into "a bed of roses where the
child sweetly reposed".- Tavernier.
On their other Prophet, Zoroaster, there is a story told in Dion
Prusacus (Orat. 36) that the love of wisdom and virtue leading him
to a solitary life upon a mountain, he found it one day all in a
flame, shining with celestial fire, out of which he came without
any harm, and instituted certain sacrifices to God, who, he
declared ,then appeared to him (see Patrick on Exodus iii; 2)."
("Lalla Rookh" p. 194).
'"
'"
*
----------------------------------------------------------------"O Beloved, Holy, Spitama Zarathushtra! how shall we show
our sense of obligations to you who gave us the Science of
Sciences, FARHANGHAN FARHANG, MANTHRA SPENTA
434
- the knowledge of knowledges, MANTHRA SPENTA!!! You
who possessed knowledge of all the planes of the universe; you
who have the highest Intelligence ASN-I-VIR; you who are gone
to the advanced stage of souls of the highest NABA NAZDISHT
ANAM FRAVASHINAM class of the four classes of souls ASHONAM, ASHAONAM, PORYO DAKAESHNAM and
NABA-NAZDISHTANAM; you who are "URURAOST ASTO"
gone to the highest stage of prophets; you whom AHURA
MAZDA gave "HUDEMEM VAKHEDRAYA" "the certificate of
communicating the Word;" You who "alone heard His canons"
(AEVOSASNAO GUSHATA); you who are "MAZDO
FRASASTA" "taught by MAZDA;" you who are "HATAM
HUDASTEMEM,
RAEVASTEMEM,
KHARENANGHUASTEMEM..." "the Most knower of Good, the Most Wise
Professor of RAE or brilliant lustre of spiritual knowledge, the
Most possessor of Glorious Light among all the souls that are
passing from Infoldment to Unfoldment": -you whose Soul is
beyond comparison among the mortals; you who are "superior to
YAZADS and equal to AMESHASPENDS: - we turn with hands
and eyes uplifted towards you, the RATU, the Representative the
Viceroy of ARURA MAZDA! ASHEM VOHU! ! ! ("The
Rationale of Zoroastrian Rituals"-Ervad P. S. Masani, pp. 37-39).
BIBLIOGRAPHY
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(Ervad) K. E. Kanga
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“
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Prof. Darmesteter
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Shayast-Ia-Shayast
Dr. West
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Dinkard Book VII
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Selections of Zad-Sparam
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Khshnoom Nikize Vehdin
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Dr. F. S. Chiniwalla
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Vol. II (Gujarati)
Dr. F. S. Chiniwalla
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Text and Translation
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Dr. F. S. Chiniwalla
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Meherangan (pamphlet
Gujarati)
Fravashi ("Frasho Gard"
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Essential Origins of
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Yazashne - Exposition
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Exposition
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Zoroastrian sacred thread girdle
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Prof. Zaehner
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Prof. Zaehner
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K. R. Cama
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K. E. Poonegar B.
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Poet Wordsworth
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Translation -(Gujarati)
Syed Mir AshrafaIi
Nedoure Priestess of the Magi
or Blazing Star
Dr. J. T. Betiero
Index
Index of Selected Names and Terms
‘A’
Aa 25, 245
Aa-e-Rawā 233
Aab-e-Zar (Zur) 23, 246, 247, 409
Aabi 227
Aa Dakhyu 142, 143, 144, 145, 159, 175, 194
‘aaibzan 310
Aap (Āp) 23, 233, 236, 426
‘Aatā 11, 72
Abad Azad 376
Abān Yasht 210, 211, 222, 229, 230, 330, 347, 348, 357, 358
Abdah 395
Aberetar 65, 385
Aberigh Mackay 402
Abraham 433
Abun bun bunomand 131
Acheemenian dynasty, Achaemenius 32, 342, 348
Adairi 145, 146
Adairi Dakhyu 143, 144, 146, 159, 194, 208, 244
Adar 302
Ādarbad Maraspand 52, 53, 183
Ādaran-Shah-Firozgar 177
Ādar-e(i)-Burzin Mēher (Major) 174, 178, 296, 297, 304, 305, 380
Ādar-e(i)-Burzin Mēher (minor) 174, 178
Adar-Frobā 174, 177, 179, 247, 380
Ādar Gushasp (major) }
} 174, 177, 178
Ādar Gushasp (minor) }
Ādar Khurdad (minor) }
} 174, 177, 380
Ādar Khurdad (major) }
Ādar-e(i)-Mino-Karko 175, 179
Ādar-e(i) Spēnishtē Kasif (lower) 175, 179
Ādar-e(i) Spēnishtē Kasif (higher) 175
Adar-e-Urvazishte Latif (higher) }
} 175
Ādar-e-Urvazishtē Latif (lower) }
Ādar-e Vohufryanē Kasif (lower) }
} 175, 179
Ādar-e Vohufryāne Kasif (higher) }
Adar-e-Vazishte Kasif 175, 178
Adar-e-Vazishte Latif 175
Ād (h)u Frado 211, 386
Aēsam-boē 385
Aēshma 298
Aēvo Sāsnāo Gushatā 434
Afdi 266
Afratat Kushi 119, 122
Afrashimant Gātva 113
Afrashimanto 119
Afrasiyab 269
Āfreen-i-haft Amēshāspend 62, 202, 228
Āfrin-i-Ardāfravash 96, 177, 179, 181, 284
Afringan 74, 385, 398
Āfrin Paighamber Zartusht 282
Agha Manthra 223, 260
Ah 18, 95, 101, 110
Ahiti 428
Ahlob 242, 396
Ahriman 7, 9, 18, 19, 20, 21, 30, 95, 109, 110, 114, 121, 124, 125, 127, 128, 129, 130,
131, 132, 133, 135, 161, 178, 197, 198, 201, 231, 240, 256, 272, 274, 278,
284, 289, 291, 317, 340, 390, 415, 431
Ahu 7, 9, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 50, 85, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 102, 105, 107, 110, 111, 112,
113, 114, 116, 117, 118, 127, 129, 131, 132, 148, 182, 188, 201, 231, 233,
234, 240, 248, 272, 301, 303, 309, 340, 356, 357, 381, 414, 419, 429.
Ahu Chithra 20, 114
Ahumat 104, 105, 109, 113, 154
Ahuviyat 104, 105, 109, 111, 116, 118, 154
Ahuna Vairya 222, 297, 309
Ahunavar 19, 74, 85, 100 103, 104, 109, 132, 135, 136, 156, 174, 186, 196, 205, 223,
226-285, 289, 301, 305, 340, 351, 356, 382, 419
Ahunavar Plan 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 48, 99, 106, 107, 112, 113, 114, 115, 117, 119, 120,
126, 128, 129, 132, 133, 145, 196, 197, 198, 231, 242, 257, 355, 381, 427,
424.
Ahura 18, 19 20, 47, 114, 194, 233, 302, 304, 357, 408
Ahura-data 27, 111, 123, 137, 138, 155, 157, 170, 183, 185, 194, 196, 198, 232, 235, 243,
303, 353, 382
Ahura Mazda 7, 20, 21, 22, 49, 50, 85, 95, 98, 100, 102, 103, 114, 115, 117, 119, 123,
124, 126, 131, 132, 135, 139, 153, 154, 155, 176, 177, 178, 179, 181, 184,
193, 194, 197, 198, 199, 201, 203, 217, 222, 228, 236, 237, 244, 246, 248,
260, 265, 266, 267, 276, 281, 283, 284, 286, 287, 288, 289, 290, 295, 297,
298, 302, 309, 315, 318, 340, 356, 357, 358, 373, 390, 415, 423, 425, 427,
431, 432
Ahurāongho 107, 114, 138
Akl-i-Mustafad-i-ulvi 395
Aipi 112, 113, 126, 145, 146, 200, 421
Aipi Dakhyu 142, 143, 144, 146, 159, 215
Airyaman 72
Airyana Vaēja 7, 30, 31, 69, 137, 143, 187, 199, 203, 206, 217, 218, 265, 267, 268, 275,
291, 310, 312, 315, 372, 373, 374, 376, 377, 378, 382, 384
Airyā (v) o Danghavo 155, 156
Aivisroothrēm Gāh 73
Aivyāonghan 419
Aiwi 25, 245, 419
Aiwi Dakhyu 142, 144, 145, 147, 159, 175
Aka 138, 139, 147, 157, 176, 202
Aka Chithra 138, 139, 160, 172, 228, 229, 250, 251
Akēm akāi (Ysn. 43.5) 27, 136, 140,150, 199, 220, 238, 279
Akseer-i-Azam 75, 76, 77
Alak (Arak) 432
Ālāt 180
Alborz (or Alburz), Mt. 62, 123, 136, 137, 162, 199, 206, 217, 218, 234, 239, 267, 275,
315, 374, 378, 384
Alexander
}
} 33, 127, 212, 324, 327, 329, 336, 337, 342
Alexander Rumi }
Amar Jyoti Zarathushtra, Book 294, 317
Amerdad (Amardad) 48, 248, 276, 302, 303, 309
Amēshāspends 23, 48, 64, 107, 114, 115, 117, 123, 124, 135, 177, 181, 186, 204, 222,
231, 234, 240, 241, 242, 248, 271, 272, 274, 284, 286, 296, 297, 302, 303, 309, 310, 318,
357, 419, 432, 434
Amru (Amraosh) 209, 273
Anaghra Raochao135, 136, 138, 174, 177, 190, 233, 236
Anāhid 307
Anāmāthvāo 131
Anāmānthvāo Alam 95, 96, 100, 105, 108
Anasar 183, 208, 232, 233, 257
Ancient Zoroastrian Educational System, Book 65, 67, 71, 72, 75, 85, 87, 174, 219, 299
Aneran 302
Angheush 269
Anghēush Paouruyēhyā 130
Anghu Paourva 47, 95, 105, 130
Angra Mainyu 103, 108, 109, 119, 147, 205, 207, 216, 222, 302, 358
Anhumā 20, 111, 112, 113, 121, 122, 129, 132
Anklesaria B.T. 44, 179
Anklesaria, Ervad Tehmuras 72, 337
Anquetil Duperron 38, 39, 40, 41, 298, 299, 337
Antarē 25, 245
Antarē Dakhyu 142, 144, 145, 159, 175
Anthony Troyer 41, 335, 337, 376, 429
Aoj (or Aoz) 96, 181, 182, 204, 284, 318, 319
Aojo-hush 284
Apākhtar 141, 152, 187, 374
Apām Napāt 233, 236, 237
Apam Mazdadatanam 122
Apaosha 157
Aparo-asti 24
Apēmēm 23
Apēretēmo 23
Arag 271
Aranji-i-Biradan 307
Arctic Region 30, 32, 137, 141, 143, 199, 217, 224, 265, 267, 275, 278, 373
Ardashir Longimanus 331, 342, 343, 344
Ardā Virāf, Dastur 32, 335, 341, 389
Ardibehesht, Ameshaspend 48, 275, 296, 298, 302, 303, 309, 426
Ardibehesht Yasht 221
Ardvi 137, 161, 233
Ardvi Sura 7, 49, 157, 161, 194, 229, 230, 233, 234, 278, 348, 351, 357, 358
Arejadharshn 268
Arejataspa (Arajaspa) 297
Arnij-Bareda (Arenaj-Bareda) 310, 311
Arejo Shaman 212
Aret 239
Arēzahi 142, 163
Aries 270
Arjasp 294, 297, 298
Armaiti 67, 97, 106, 113, 136, 291, 303
Arshotakht 98
Arvahi Alam 142, 143
Arvand 236
Asano Zasta 306
Asar (Asare) Roshni }
} 358, 412
Asar (Asare) Tariki }
Asfandiar Ruintan 297, 300, 342
Asha 23, 50, 63, 105, 111, 116, 118, 138, 147, 170, 176, 193, 228, 231, 239, 241, 253,
282, 286, 287, 307, 309, 372, 416, 423, 424, 425, 426, 429
Asha Chithra 163, 184, 217, 268, 274, 275, 374
Ashahē Khao 413
Ashaonam 434
Ashaonām Fravashi (-nam) 107
Ashaonim 166
Ashāt Chit Hacha 186
Ashāt Hacha Yat Vahishtāt 156
Asha Vahishta (-to) 186, 272, 296, 298
Ashavan 116, 117, 125, 155, 156, 168, 170, 172, 218, 242
Ashava Vanat Drujim 423
Ashēm Vohu (Prayer) 221, 297, 406, 422, 429
Ashi 72, 259
Ashim ashai 28, 153, 160, 167, 249, 413
Ashishvangh 188, 221, 302, 409, 410
Āshmogān 145
Ashoi 64, 70, 117, 168, 170, 181, 183, 245, 396, 410
Ashtad 302
Ashtra Mairya 153, 222
Asman 100, 115, 184, 190, 192, 234, 302
Āsnatar 65, 385
Asna Vira (Asne-Vir) 178, 271, 272, 304, 309, 434
Āsne nar 311
Asno Khao 261
Asp 53, 62, 202, 212, 213
Aspandār 309
Aspandiar 297, 303, 342
Astavaitish Ashahe 422, 425
Astavat Ereta 218, 312, 314, 371, 372, 384
Atarēmcha Ahurahē Mazdāo Puthrēm 176, 177, 184
Ātash 70, 72, 79, 99, 100, 178, 238, 385
Ātash Aderan 180, 386
Ātash Behram 80, 177, 180, 204, 219, 315, 386, 387, 392, 404
Atash Bērēzi savangh 79, 174, 176, 177
Ātash Dādgāh 180, 386
Ātash-e-Dārā
Ātash-e-Frāh
Ātash-e-Khoreh
}
} 72, 73, 79, 175, 179
}
Atash-ē-Khshaēta 176
Atash-i-Froba }
} 79
Atash Gushasp }
Atashe Mino Karko 25, 26, 30, 140, 141, 190, 236, 237, 245
Ātash-e-Nairyosangh (Neryosang) 72, 73, 175, 179
Ātash-e-Shaedan 98, 99, 100, 102, 103, 107, 109, 174
Ātash-e-Varahran 387
Atash-e-Vohufrayan 79, 385, 414
Atash Nyaesh 100, 101, 141, 176, 177, 178, 190
Ātash PuthraAhurahē Mazdao 100, 135
Āthrava 222
Āthravans 36, 37, 56, 80, 222, 223, 276
Āthro Ahurahe Mazdao Puthra 176, 177, 184
Āthro Verezena 179
Ātmanepada 54
Ātravakhsh 65, 385
Aurosho 156
Auravaita-deng 287, 288
Aurvat aspa 237
Aurvatud-nar 307
Āvan Ardvi Sura 161, 233, 259, 278, 302
Avesta 15, 16, 43, 45, 46, 49, 52, 53, 55, 56, 84, 161, 188, 204, 213, 214, 216, 221, 223,
228, 237.
Ayangha Khshusta 381
Azar Gushasp 178
Āzar Kaiwan 63, 389
Azar Sasan 376
Azda 216
Azde 227
Azdēbish 226, 227
Azēh 219, 220, 293
Azem 348
Azēm yo Zarathushtro 304
Azhi Dahaka 157, 202, 203, 205, 206, 209, 228, 295, 315, 384
Azush Zarazdishto 222
‘B’
Bactrian 333
Baga 302, 303
Bagha 97, 103
Bagha Ahunahe Vairyehe 103
Bagha Ahunavar 19, 20, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 111, 113, 182
Bagha-i-Parsa (fire temple) 79
Baghan Bagha 103
Baghan Yasht 46
Bagho Bakht 67, 68, 232
Bahman 275, 296, 302, 303, 331, 335, 342, 343, 344, 426
Behman Ameshaspend 178, 220, 281, 286, 292, 293, 309
Bahman-dez 48, 178, 268, 374, 390
Bahman Yasht 42, 382, 383
Bāj (Baaj) 22, 247, 245, 385, 422, 425
Baj rites 17, 28, 47, 69, 70, 153, 158, 160, 164, 168, 170, 220, 221, 245, 249, 301, 393,
409, 412
Bālā 217, 267, 374
Balkh 299
Balotā 421
Bām 100
Banoo Tannaz 71
Baod 112, 113, 114, 223, 224, 303
Baodangh 20, 22, 23, 108, 111, 113, 114, 115, 116, 118, 121, 125, 126, 128, 135, 138,
180, 197, 200, 226, 227, 231, 235, 276, 304, 306, 357
Barashnoom 385
Bareh of Fire 386
Barjis 174
Barsam 155, 211, 385
Bartholomae 327
Basariya 277
Batēn 63
Bazm 79
Bēēsh 86
Befarmood Khusrav etc. 178
Beheramshah Shroff (See Master)
Bēhrām Varjāvand 300, 382, 383
Behram Yasht 154, 155, 221, 222
Bēhrām Yazad 154, 155, 156, 157, 158
Bepursid Shan az etc. 210, 229
Berosus 31, 265, 326, 349, 350, 352, 370, 373, 377, 382
Bhada S. M., Ervad 294, 317
Bhagwān 103
Bharucha S. D. Ervad 13, 44, 330, 347, 348
Bhavatchhēdam 169
Bible 102
Bivarasp 62, 202, 228
Blavatsky, H. P. 401
Bleeck 39, 40, 231
Bodleian 38
Borj Izad 36
Brahman 298, 299
Bratrugrish 282
Buddhism 26, 145, 239, 240
Buiti 205,
Bull 193, 210, 228, 229, 230, 247, 292
Greater Bundahishna, } 8, 12, 23, 26, 30, 42, 118, 121, 161, 162, 164, 169, 196, 197, 198,
Bundehesh
} 202, 203, 208, 215, 217, 218, 231, 242, 258, 266, 267, 268, 306,
311, 312, 329, 336, 337, 340, 341, 356, 358, 374, 375, 383, 384,
421
‘C’
Cama. K. R. 42, 92, 93
Camel 193, 228
Gangranghācah, Brahman }
} 299
Gangranghacah-Nāmah }
Caspian Sea 149, 278
Chaēchast 65, 269
Chakar 307
Chakarzan 310
Chakāti Bridge 141, 159, 160
Chakhras 155, 213, 227, 230, 234, 238, 239, 241, 244, 245, 305, 346, 428
Chakhrēm urvaesayat 239, 240
Chalde 352, 390
Chamru (Chamraosh) 209, 273,
Changraghāch 298
Channels 7, 194, 232, 234, 357
Chaos 20, 112, 114, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124
Char 239
Chart 25, 30, 32
Cheherazad 342
Cheshmak 291
Chikhshnush 268
Chiniwalla, Dr. F.S. 3, 11, 12, 13, 22, 51, 112, 122, 216, 253, 261, 268, 281, 294, 338,
367, 391, 394, 395
Chiniwalla Mr. J. S. 12, 13
Chinvat Bridge 27, 28, 31, 141, 143, 152, 159, 160, 161, 167, 168, 170, 185, 187, 191,
192, 200, 204, 205, 219, 220, 249, 250, 257, 300, 375, 386, 413
Chithra 20, 108, 109, 111, 112, 139, 188
Chitral 62
Choksi, Kaikhushru 79, 80
Christ and Christianity 26, 40, 145, 360, 365, 366, 367, 373
Coatulus 345
Cock-crowing, vibrations of, dispersing nocturnal Evil clouds 205
Comets 206, 207
Conflict 194
Consanguineous Marriage 7, 9, 171
Contestants 194
Cosmography 7, 9, 25, 30, 66, 83, 135, 142, 143, 427
Cosmos 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124
Cow kind 244, 247, 273
Cow 193, 210, 211, 247
Cyrus King 331
‘D’
Dabistān 265, 299, 316, 318, 328, 335, 336, 337, 339, 355, 376, 388, 429, 433
Dādāre Gēhān 28, 141, 143, 159, 161, 170, 191, 192, 200, 245, 375, 408
Dadistān-i-Dinik 42
Dah(h) vāo Ahura Mazda 108, 240, 241, 302, 303
Daē 124, 302
Daēdoisht 23
Daēna 1, 3000, 372
Daena berezisht 404
Daēvas 112, 119, 120, 240, 259, 309, 315, 346, 347
Daevanam Daeva 109, 120
Daevanam tbaeshanghat 120
Daēza 50
Dahaka – See Azhi
Daham Afriti 74, 75
Dairēh-i-abdah
Dairēh-i-hutamafs
Dairēh-i-jeed
Dairēh-i-sajar
Dairēh-i-surkhab
Dairēh-i-umuk
}
}
}
}
}
}
395
Dāiti 276
Dāitya 276, 286
Dakhyus 25, 47, 66, 70, 115, 116, 141, 144, 145, 146, 148, 158, 159, 162, 194, 209, 215,
241, 244, 245, 314, 392, 411
Daksinayana 378, 379
Daman 340, 356
Dame Fate 136, 139, 140, 424
Dāmi 139, 141, 144, 147, 229, 241
Danghu 276, 285
Danghu-Frādo 211, 386
Daozangha 217, 220, 244, 265
Dara, son of cheherazad
Dara of Dara
}
} 342
}
Darab Mahiyar’s Monajat 96
Daran Sarun 431
Darāzdast 342
Darbar 59
Dareji-Zabar 275, 276
Dar Faraham Avardane Shah-Nameh 210
Dari (y) us Hystaspes 32, 158
Darkness, Veil of 243, 250, 288, 293, 335, 413, 414, 416
Darmesteter, Prof. 42, 166, 210, 211, 212, 236, 259, 313, 314, 347, 374
Daruj 207, 431
Darun 385
Das Andarz 351
Dasēme 148
Dasturji Dhalla 327, 345
Dasturs 35, 36, 37, 56, 60, 66, 107, 219, 256, 290, 292, 293, 334, 335,
Dāta 123, 138, 185, 194, 232, 302, 303, 419
Dātahē Zarathushtri
Dātahē Zarathushtroish
}
} 196
}
Datic 46, 49, 50, 52, 285
David Shea 41, 337, 376, 429
Dawn 58, 74, 123, 124, 169, 171, 208, 228, 230, 255, 266, 399
Deh-ak 157, 431
Deluge, World 30, 65, 199, 203, 206, 218, 255, 258, 265, 267, 310, 314, 315, 354, 360
Dēmāvand 10, 12, 16, 61, 62, 68, 69, 70, 71, 73, 75, 77, 202, 205, 218, 268, 328, 370,
371, 374, 375, 377, 382, 384
Desai Mr. P. B. 13, 327, 349, 351, 352, 377
Desātir 299, 335, 388
Deus Otiosus 132, 133
Dilan (See Saheb Dilan)
Din 301, 302
Dina-i-Mainog-i-Kherad 42
Dinkard 8, 12, 13, 42, 44, 178, 198, 204, 205, 209, 266, 269, 270, 279, 286, 287, 291,
293
Dio Chrysostom 251, 252
Diogenes Laertius 251, 252, 327
Dion Prusacus 433
Dizh-i-Nipisht 345
Dogdo – See Dugdaub
Dokhmē-nashini 385
Do-mar 431
Dravand 62, 228
Dravand Bivarasp 202, 228
Dravant 219
Drejya 217, 268, 375
Druj 50, 119, 124, 125, 136, 138, 145, 152, 153, 154, 156, 157, 158, 160, 162, 168, 169,
170, 187, 192, 199, 223, 246, 248, 257, 282, 290, 291, 293, 355
Druji 69, 317, 423
Druji-e-Buji
Druji-e-Ghashi
Druji-e-Hashi
}
} 248, 249, 270
}
Druji-e-Hikhra 223, 248
Druji-e-Peshish
Druji-e-Saeni
}
} 249
}
Druj Parhez 220
Drujo deman 168, 217, 218, 244, 265, 388
Drvao 23, 52, 105, 111, 112, 120, 121, 124, 137, 138, 139, 140, 147, 157, 167, 176, 190,
200, 212, 214, 233, 234, 244, 280
Davāsp 259, 280
Dualism 7, 18, 127, 129, 131
Duality 108, 110
Dugdaub (Dughdaub) 276, 278, 275, 280
Dukh 112
Dukhul 184, 190, 191, 192
Durāsrub(o) 205, 280, 281, 282, 283
Durvesh 64, 430
Durvesh Sahebdel 63
Duzakh 220
Duzyāirya 158
Dvapara Yuga 379, 381
‘E’
Elijah 31
Erēdet-fēdhri 312, 313, 314
Erējoish Khao 409, 413
Erepat Khoreh 245
Eternity of Dead Past 372, 388
Ethical Zervanism 7
Eudoxux 327
Evanescent World 23, 88, 229, 231, 241, 256, 257, 273, 340, 359, 392, 393
Eviaongha (-an) 385
Eznik 121, 122, 128, 132
‘F’
Faith 9, 10, 32, 46, 48, 51, 52, 55, 56, 66, 67, 72, 75, 81, 123, 125, 127, 145, 166, 167,
169, 171, 183, 201, 203, 204, 262, 266, 274, 286, 299, 301, 306, 310, 312, 322, 331, 332,
340, 346, 383, 395, 408, 433
Farhang (of Staota Yasna) 253
Farhanghan Farhang 433
Fariborz 390
Faridun, King 50, 266, 268, 348, 376
Farod-Māndeh 219, 220
Farohar 24, 64, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 124, 126, 203, 208, 223, 227, 275, 276, 425, 430
Farreh-Izadi (Yazadi) 184, 245, 390, 410, 411
Farrokh 124, 229, 302,
Farrokhtum 269, 279
Fasal 328, 336, 337, 338, 339, 340, 341
Farvardin Yasht 98, 107, 112, 116, 117, 118, 120, 123, 124, 137, 188, 209, 211, 218, 221,
222, 223, 234, 265, 295, 302, 308, 312, 313, 314, 351, 391, 424
Farvers 430
Fasli 82
Firdaus 71, 218, 268, 374
Firdausi 12, 13, 147, 178, 200, 207, 210, 229, 258, 304, 305, 389, 390, 410
Fire Energies 70, 79, 174, 176, 178, 184, 238, 269, 296
Firozgar 156
Fish 194, 242, 243
Frabērētar 65, 385
Frad 71
Frada Dafshu 142, 163
Frād(h)o 211, 385, 422
Fragapatti 324, 345
Frahim-rvana-Zoish 270
Frakhnkard 142, 145
Frakht-ravanan-zoish 270
Frasho Gard 1, 28, 30, 81, 83, 84, 96, 136, 238, 363, 383, 391, 399, 426
Frasho-Gard-i-Kulyati
Frasho-Gard-e-Juzvavi
}
} 21
}
Frasho Kereiti 23, 99, 100, 103, 119, 121, 123, 167, 171, 181, 192, 200, 260, 419
Frasiyāv 278
Fraspāvaokhedrām 227
Fraspā-yaokhēdrām 125, 165, 166, 167, 168, 170, 172, 227, 257
Fravahar 269, 271, 272, 273, 315, 389,
Fravarane 408
Fravashi 22, 24, 106, 107, 109, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 120, 122, 124, 125, 126,
176, 179, 180, 209, 226, 227, 234, 235, 273, 275, 312, 313, 340, 425
Frēn 307, 311
Fshusho Manthra 16, 47, 49, 51, 52, 253, 254, 284, 389
‘G’
Gaētha 216, 226, 227
Gaētho Frādo 211, 385
Gahambarioon 424
Gah 155, 176, 183, 424
Gahambārs 22, 23, 231, 232, 234, 248, 292, 424, 427
Ganāmin 197, 260, 412, 423
Gandharva 213
Gang-dēz (daeza) 141, 143
Ganjēsh 143, 160, 219, 220
Gang-i-Shapigan 345
Ganjisi 386
Gao 121, 125, 136, 147, 157, 158, 162, 169, 170, 176, 187, 199, 200, 210, 211,
228, 233
Gao Chithra 115, 244, 246, 357
Garo-dēmān 278, 282
Garo Nmāna 140, 209, 244, 320, 351, 382
Gathā 1, 2, 10, 16, 18, 45, 46, 50, 52, 53, 56, 65, 108, 110, 185, 188, 189, 211,
249, 260, 293, 294, 305, 311, 318, 432
Gāthic 46, 49, 50, 52, 285
Gati 113
Gatva 111, 112, 120
Gautam Buddha 26, 145, 332, 333, 360, 365, 366, 367
Gava 137, 153, 154, 179, 210, 211, 228, 229, 279, 292, 293, 375, 421
Gava Chithra 23, 141, 190, 191, 233, 237
Gava shayana
Gava shitimcha
}
} 137, 164, 200, 210, 229, 267, 375
}
Gavām 157, 200, 210
Gavān 147, 228, 229
Gāvyodāt 147, 278
Gayomard 218, 265, 266, 268, 388, 389
Geiger, Dr. 176, 326, 327, 352, 372, 373, 387
Geiger-Sanjana 176, 370, 390
Geh Sarna 385
Gena 306, 372, 425
Genealogical tree 268, 278
Gērēban 408, 409, 410, 411, 416
Geti 179, 194, 196, 198, 208, 274
Gev 390, 410
Gēush 53, 147, 148, 202, 208, 209, 210, 211, 228, 229, 266, 273, 275, 278.
Gēush Morenden 211
Gēush Tashan 143, 146, 208, 209, 228, 229, 266, 273, 274, 275
Geush Urva 143, 147, 159, 203, 208, 209, 228, 229, 266, 273, 275, 309, 317
Ghaibān 22, 24, 31, 98, 133, 372, 388
Ghebers 433
Gilshah 377
Gilshaiyān princes 431
Gitā – Bhagvad 378
Gita Rahasya 13, 378
Giti Numaye 389, 391
Gladstone 347
Goats 247
Gosh 259, 302
Gofē-nasheen 64
Gohar 233
Goshorun 208
Gosho-srut-Khērad 72
Gospand 246
Govad 302
Gudarz 410
Gushtasp 294, 433
Guzra sēnghāongho 16, 53
‘H’
Ha 188, 189
Haas (of yazashne) 425
Hada Mānthric 46, 49, 50, 52, 285
Hades 141
Hadokht Nusk 151, 188, 219, 221, 372
Haechadasp 268
Haft Kēshvar zamin 162
Haft rang 391
Haeer-nasa-Khurashni
Haeer-nasa-joēshni
}
} 152
}
Haithyeng Āstish 181, 340, 356
Hakikat 86, 87
Hakim Jāmāsp 31, 311, 372
Halal 59
Hamaspath-maēdēm 232
Ham-dahēshni 149
Hameshta-gēhan 25, 140
Ham-Karpih (Ham-Karichih) 271, 309
Hammurabi 325
Haoma 56, 211, 213, 222, 272, 273, 276, 277, 286, 289, 298,
Haomaya Gava Baresmana 211
Haomo-duraosho 272
Haptanghaiti 46, 51, 52, 53, 189
Haptan Yt. 179
Haraiti-Barēz 162, 267, 268, 374
Haraiti Barsh 136, 217
Hararat-e-Gerezia
Harārat-e-Gērēvia
}
} 257
}
Har Barez 62, 234, 245, 275, 294, 295
Hardhar 268
Harlez, Prof. 104, 148, 209, 211, 212
Hasham 174
Hasti 21, 88, 115, 116, 181, 340, 356, 411, 427
Hātām Hudastēmem 434
Haug 36, 45
Havanam, Havanim 223, 385
Havanan 65, 385
Helios 252
Henning, Prof. 132, 136, 266, 267, 327
Hermippus 45, 327
Hesiod 252
Hijri 366
Hilam 72, 73
Hokma, Iranian 339
Hom (See Haoma) 258, 271, 272, 275
Hom Yasht 212
Homae, daughter of Behman 342
Hom-Sali 385
Hom Yasht 221
Honvar 104
Hormazd 48, 182, 302, 392, 424
Hormazd Khodae 422
Hormuzd Yasht 7, 21, 95, 162, 357, 425
Horse 193, 202, 210, 222, 227, 229, 281, 292, 358
Hoshang, Dastur 32, 36, 37, 337
Hoshang, King 266
Hosh-Bām 97, 106
Hoshedar Bami
Hoshēdar Mah
}
} 206, 300, 312, 313, 314, 384
}
House 194
Hoviat 21, 112, 428
Hu 20, 50, 101, 102, 309, 414
Huafrit(o) 8, 32, 33, 322, 329, 330, 342, 343, 344, 347, 348, 349, 350, 351, 352, 364, 365
Hu-avra 276
Hu Chithra 20, 114
Hudāongho 97
Hudāstēma 97, 98
Hudem 50, 309
Hudēmēm Vakhedraya 434
Hu-kairya 136, 236
Hukhshathra 52, 352
Hu-khta 47, 48, 101, 240, 302, 413, 414, 416, 424
Hukhudāih baeen Jam-tokhmagān etc. 348
Hu-mata 21, 22, 47, 48, 101, 112, 240, 302, 413, 414, 416, 424
Huraod 223
Hushang 376
Hushēdar
Hushēdar Mah
}
} 307, 308
}
Hutaosa 298
Hutamafs 395
Hutokhsha 393
Hutokshi 153
Huvi 105
Hu-yaon 140
Huyāirya 158
Huzvaresh 39
Hvare Chithra 311
Hvarshta 47, 48, 240, 302, 413, 414, 416, 424
Hvovi 223, 307, 310, 312
Hyde-Kaye 11
Hyde – Thomas 38
Hvanthwa 258
Hvare dareso 258, 259
‘I’
Ibn-al-Athir 433
I-e-Su 9, 164
Ilahiat 63,
Ilm 72
Ilm-e-Keemiavi
Ilm-e-Leemiavi
Ilm-e-Reemiavi
Ilm-e-Seemiavi
}
}88, 89
}
}
Ilm-e-Staota 47, 388
Ilm-i-Khshnum 80, 83, 85, 87, 183, 184, 370
Ilm-i-Khshnum, Series No. 1, 10, 18, 64, 69, 70, 75, 79, 80, 86, 249, 262, 384
Ilm-i-Zafar 388, 391, 393, 395, 396
Imkan 112
Imla 71
Incestuous Marriage 7,9
Ins mankind souls 148, 149
Iran-vej 275, 276
Iristekheez (See Rastakheez) 161
Isadvastar 307, 311
Isfandiar 335
Ishrakin 63
Islam 26, 102, 360
Ism 222
Izad of Izads 103
Izats 209
‘J’
Jackson, Prof. 31, 272, 277, 279, 286, 298, 300, 305, 316, 327, 338, 432
Jain Mahavir 333, 360
Jamasp 31, 299, 300, 335
Jamasp-Asa 36
Jamaspy (Jamasp-phi) 300, 311, 388
Jam 394
Jam-e-Jamshed 171, 345
James Bassett 402
Jam-i-Giti-numaye 389, 391
Jam-i-Jehanuma 389, 391, 392, 393, 395
Jam-i-Kaikhushru 63
Jam-i-Zafar 391, 393, 395, 396
Jam-i-Zarathushtra 393
Jamshed, King, son of Vivanghat 50, 143, 159, 199, 217, 218, 258, 261, 265, 267, 268,
277, 310, 311, 348, 373, 374, 376, 391, 411
Jamyad Yasht 211, 259, 302, 308
Jantu 194
Jarmo 325
Jarthosti Daena 195, 275, 296, 386, 387
Jasame-avanghe-Mazda Mazda yasno Ahmi 166, 171
Jashan 75
Jassawalla 61
Javit-shidadad 46
Jaza 141, 143, 160, 170, 220
Jazia 346
Jesus 360, 371
Jirm 137, 261, 360
Jirmani Alam 135, 261
Jism 63
Jismani Alam 115, 261
Jivam 211, 385
Jiyan 376
Jooz 261, 411
Judaism 26, 40, 145, 360
Juft (Jooft) 411
Jupiter 17, 25, 26, 49, 123, 137, 140, 145, 174, 177, 209, 246, 247, 261, 269, 282, 286,
302, 304, 330, 337, 339, 351, 352, 354, 355, 359, 360, 361, 362, 363, 364, 365,
366, 367, 380, 384, 387, 388, 389, 390, 391, 395, 419, 428
‘K’
Kae 342
Kae Gushtasp, King 8, 31, 32, 136, 329, 330, 335, 342, 343, 344, 346, 347, 348, 350
Kae Kaus, King 178, 278
Kae Khushrow (Khushru), King 177, 178, 269, 376, 389, 390, 391, 392, 410
Kae Usa 278
Kah-Zand 335
Kaikhushru Kabraji 55
Kaiomors 376
Kaivan 429, 430
Kaiwan (Saturn) 174
Kali Yuga 378, 379, 380, 381
Kam nemoi zam, Kuthra nemoi ayeni 293
Kamkar 429
Kanga, Ervad 15, 44, 50, 55, 104, 107, 110, 162, 177, 188, 211, 212, 226, 230, 259, 271
Kang Daeza 50, 141, 143
Kangdeji 386
Kang Dez 160, 220, 300, 307, 311
Kansava 313, 314
Karesh 162, 163, 419
Karahat 71
Karishak, King 347
Kar Mahi 243, 244
Kar Sal 8, 32, 328, 335, 336, 337, 338, 339, 340, 341
Karshvare 162, 163, 373, 374, 375
Katgara Mr. M. P. 13, 81, 255, 363, 383
Kavaem Khareno 184, 223, 284, 390, 411
Kavayehecha Kharenangho Mazdadatahe 177
Kavoish Haosravanghahe 77
Kawi-ul-Kawi 429
Kayanian dynasty 8, 32, 49, 117, 200, 203, 229, 266, 329, 330, 342, 344, 347, 348, 349,
350, 364, 390, 392, 410
Kazwini 433
Keemiavi 88, 89
Kehrp 9, 19, 23, 48, 73, 74, 114, 145, 146, 155, 157, 179, 194, 196, 203, 205, 215, 216,
217, 222, 226, 227, 234, 238, 240, 241, 242, 244, 245, 247, 266, 272, 273, 275,
278, 306, 312, 405, 421, 427, 428
Kekobad Mr. M. P. 79
Ka Mehr Burzin 305
Kemna Mazda 291, 425
Kerdar 31, 219, 220, 372
Keresa 148, 212
Keresani 147, 148, 202, 203, 209, 212, 213, 214, 229
Keresasp 213, 266
Keshvars 28, 29, 137, 141, 142, 159, 161, 162, 163, 164, 170, 191, 192, 198, 199, 200,
210, 218, 229, 245, 267, 270, 278, 374, 375
Keys 17, 83, 84, 95, 99, 187, 199, 255
Khadat 127
Khaetu 26, 28, 29, 125, 149, 155, 164, 167, 192, 194, 232, 234, 241, 250
Khaetvadatha 7, 9, 28, 66, 125, 155, 161, 165, 166, 167, 170, 171, 172, 192, 200, 225,
230, 232, 234, 241, 242, 245, 250, 287, 408, 412, 413, 427.
Khaki stage 216
Khaksar 67
Khalifa Umer 346
Khalis 394
Khanga 423, 425
Khaniras 296
Khanirath Bami 7, 30, 31, 136, 137, 143, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 217, 218, 265, 266,
267, 278, 374, 375
Khao Afrazyamna 19, 96, 97, 98, 101, 102, 106, 107, 114, 121, 181, 240, 241
Khar Ashavan 48, 145, 196, 242
Kharemcha ashavanem yazamaide 242
Kharenanghan Ashavan 196
Khare Talata (Khare se paye) 26, 196, 198, 231
Kharid Farokht 232, 427
Kharij 82, 185, 190, 191, 192
Khasis 148
Khastar 246, 247, 248, 249, 385, 386
Khas-ul-khas 73
Khela’at 76
Khordad 48, 276, 302, 392
Khordad Yasht 152, 249, 309, 407
Khordeh Avesta 52, 104, 107, 176, 303, 309
Khoreh, (aura) 51, 69, 82, 112, 221, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 254, 385, 407, 410, 416,
423, 427
Khorshed 302
Khrafstra 153, 209, 222, 228
Khrafstraghna 153, 222
Khrafstri Tewishi 149, 157, 283
Khshaeta (o) frado 211
Khshaetan 110
Khshaetan Khshaeta 19, 95, 96, 97, 110
Khshathra 311, 426
Khshathremcha 186
Khshathra Vairya 186
Khshathro nafedro 179
Khshnaothra 415
Khshnoom 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, 10, 14, 16, 18, 25, 44, 58, 70, 71, 81, 82, 84, 90, 96, 107, 110,
113, 117, 118, 119, 122, 124, 127, 129, 131, 141, 142, 145, 147, 149, 179,
181, 185, 188, 198, 201, 203, 219, 226, 227, 235, 247, 261, 267, 284, 294,
306, 310, 315, 321, 322, 332, 333, 334, 338, 354, 377, 382, 388, 406, 416,
419.
Khshnoom, Dawn of 58
Khshnooman 183
Khshnoom Nikize Vehdin 11, 13, 51, 112, 253, 261, 294, 338, 363
Khshudra 234, 235, 313, 314
Khuda 67
Khudrazan 310
Khurshed Chihar 307, 310, 311
Khurshid 174
Khvaetukdasa 287
Kigs and Karapans 287, 292
Kingly glory 390
Khyaonians 297, 298
Kisas 69, 75, 408, 409, 410, 423
Kleuker 40, 41
Koran 433
Krishanu 212, 213, 214
Krta Yuga 379
Kudurvan Dynasty 8, 13, 32, 33, 322, 329, 331, 333, 342, 343, 344, 349, 351, 352, 364,
365
Kudur-Lagmar
Kudur-Mabug
}
} 350
}
Kudur-Na-Na-Vandi 330, 351
Kudur-Nankhundi 350, 351
Kun 102
Kun Panj etc. 32, 337
Kurrah 175
Kurras 204
Kushi 122
Kushti (Kusti) 56, 59, 61, 166, 169, 276, 287, 291, 398, 404, 406, 407, 418, 419, 421,
422, 423, 425, 426, 427, 428, 429
Kutar Brothers 13, 178, 210, 258
Kyan 15, 47, 284, 300, 395
Kyan Khoreh 184, 245
‘L’
Lahian 136, 234
Lamb 210, 228, 247, 258
Loban 396
Leemiavi – See Ilm
Luho-kalam 136
‘M’
Maabadians 218, 315, 371, 375, 376
Maarefat 86, 87, 88
Macdonell A. A. 213
Machh 216
Machi 386, 387
Maclean 401
Maddo 85, 86, 391
Mademe-Thrishve 164, 375
Magav 48, 66, 73, 75, 81, 155
Magavan 9, 28, 29, 30, 51, 68, 155, 161, 164, 167, 171, 172, 192, 200, 232, 234, 241,
242, 249, 250, 251, 287, 308, 351, 413, 427.
Magi 43, 48, 50, 51, 52, 56, 76, 224, 225, 249, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 389, 391,
399, 401, 403, 408
Magopatan Magopat 351
Mah 174
Mahabad 377, 431
Mahabharata 378
Mahin Charkh 378, 379, 380
Mah Nyaesh 357
Mahomed & Mahomedanism 26, 145
Mahmi 121
Mahruye 385
Mahyar 37
Mah Zand 335
Maidyarem Gahambar 232, 292, 427
Mainyush Spentotemo 356
Mairya 222
Maktubi 395
Malfuzi 394
Man ano avayad shudan 161, 375, 408
Manideh 219, 220
Manta 100
Manta Pouruyo 356
Manthra formulae 49, 50, 53, 54, 188, 189, 221, 283, 405, 406, 421, 422
Manthra Spenta 16, 47, 48, 49, 51, 52, 65, 97, 121, 124, 136, 153, 182, 221, 222, 223,
224, 254, 284, 301, 433, 434
Manthro-baeshazo 221, 407
Manu samhita 328
Manush-chihr 268, 348
Map of the Space 25, 30, 83, 135
Marespend 299, 301, 302
Marriage 28, 167
Margarjan 156, 219, 220
Markaz 268, 374
Mars 25, 26, 52, 123, 137, 140, 145, 174, 177, 261, 274, 275, 312, 354, 355, 360, 361,
362, 363, 364, 365, 367, 380, 383, 384, 388, 389
Marzban Saheb (Sraoshavarez) 12, 17, 65, 67, 68, 69, 74
Masa Khshathra 348
Masani Dinshah 11, 12, 80, 81, 82, 176, 224
Masani Ervad P. S. 1, 16, 17, 44, 45, 46, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 186, 188, 210, 221, 269,
345, 425, 434
Mashya 216
Masra 348, 349
Masruri 394
Master (Behramshah Naoroji Shroff) 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 32, 33, 36, 47, 58, 59, 60,
61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 67, 68, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74-85, 87, 89, 90, 142, 217, 249, 251, 262, 294,
299, 321, 328, 329, 334, 335, 336, 339, 341, 344, 351, 353, 360, 384, 387, 391, 394, 395,
403, 405, 418.
Master Plan, Ahu’s 98
Mat Azainti 65
Mata 80, 86
Max Muller 41
Mazda 20, 114, 122, 130, 179, 184, 222, 259, 302, 309, 357, 434
Mazda data 114, 122, 123, 137, 138, 170, 184, 185, 190, 191, 194, 196, 303, 308, 358.
Mazdayasnian faith 194, 212, 286, 291, 297, 407.
Mazdayasni Zarthoshti Daena 65, 74, 86, 261, 287, 422
Mazdayasni Daena 10, 21, 26, 27, 148, 196, 275, 301, 358, 411, 415
Mazdayasni Zarathushtri 408
Mazdeans 121, 128, 129
Meher Yasht 144, 162, 164, 188, 210, 229, 374, 407
Meher Yazad 66, 70, 115, 156, 239, 240, 302, 392
Mercury 25, 26, 52, 123, 137, 140, 145, 174, 178, 261, 312, 332, 346, 351, 352, 354, 355,
359, 360, 361, 362, 363, 364, 365, 366, 367, 383
Messina 251, 252
Mills, Dr. 42, 53, 103, 109, 166, 168, 169, 171, 184, 226, 227, 235, 313, 351
Mills of God 241, 279
Mino 124, 286, 302
Minoan Mino 19, 67, 114
Minoi Alam 22, 25, 135, 184, 261
Minocheher 348, 376
Miswane Gatu 25, 26, 30, 115, 140, 141, 164, 190, 236, 411
Miswane-Gatu-e-auwal
}
} 142
Miswane-e-Gatu-e-duvvum }
Misvane Gatva Khadata 159
Mithra 72, 188, 239, 240, 374, 385
Mithrae Juz 109, 113
Mithra of Juft 113
Mithro-druji 409
Miyaneh 394
Modi Dr. J. J. 32, 327, 337, 348
Mohammad 360, 365, 366, 433
Mohsin Fani 337, 376, 429
Mohor 302
Moon 25, 26, 83, 119, 121, 123, 137, 140, 145, 164, 174, 178, 206, 237, 243, 247, 250,
256, 261, 270, 292, 296, 304, 311, 314, 333, 338, 341, 351, 352, 354, 355, 359, 360, 361
to 367, 383, 384, 412
Moses 26, 145, 360
Moulton 251, 403
Mountain 194
Mount Alborz (See Alborz)
Mubadan Mubad 307, 311, 383
Mubads 340, 376
Mukashafat 72
Mukashafat-i-Kaiwani 63
Mukhalafat 394
Muktad 82, 398, 424
Mulla 76
Muller, M. C. 327, 352
Mushahadat 63, 72
Mustasela 196, 197, 395, 424
Mutaalihin 63
Muttashareffa 74
Muwafikat 394
Myazd 75
‘N’
Naba-nazdishta (-nam) 49, 138, 208, 209, 351, 434
Nabanazdishtanam Fravashinam 117, 118, 434
Nada 72, 112, 414
Naf-i-Bavra 415
Na-Gena 351
Nahid 174
Nairyosangha (Neryosangha) 247, 298, 307, 308, 310
Nairyosanghahe Yazatahe 176
Na-Naa 330, 351
Na-Nairi 351
Napat 236, 237
Nam ajbaitish 222
Nariman G. K. 35, 36
Nara 272
Nasa 291
Nasks (Nusks) 16, 42, 46, 48, 49, 50, 52, 53, 63, 104, 188, 221, 235, 253, 254, 269, 285,
296, 299, 314, 319
Nasu 152, 154, 219
Nav-gareh 31, 300, 306, 310, 372
Nav-gena 306, 372
Navar-Maratab 83
Nayab Dastur 66
Neptune 176
Neryosangh 169
Nidasnaithishem 125, 165, 166, 167, 169, 170, 172, 257
Nikiz 159
Nimoor Sal 336, 337, 338, 340
Ninus 32, 326, 329, 331, 333, 342, 352, 365, 390
Nirang 23, 49, 68, 69, 73, 74, 77, 78, 88, 155, 162, 221, 225, 246, 247, 409, 422, 426
Nirangdin 247, 385
Niru 19, 96, 99, 100, 107, 118, 132, 174, 201, 284
Niru Khadata 98, 99, 100, 102, 135
Nisti 21, 115, 116, 122, 139, 140, to 144, 147, 149, 163, 175, 179, 181, 182, 183, 185,
190, 198, 202, 208, 212, 214, 215, 243, 256, 274, 340, 356, 411, 427.
Nisti-e-auwal 142, 190
Nisti-e-myana 142, 143
Nmana 194, 244, 245
Noor 131
Noor-ul-Anwar 357
Nyaesh 52, 53, 56, 161, 162, 177, 375, 408
Nyberg 132, 133
‘O’
Oahspe 324, 344
Ohrmazd 7, 18, 20, 21, 30, 95, 114, 121, 122, 125 to 133, 185, 197, 208, 231, 240, 256,
269, 270, 271, 288, 294, 345
Omniscient 269
Olemas 72
Oxyartes 32, 52, 326, 331, 333, 342, 352
‘P’
Paetrasp 268
Pahlum Ahwan 28, 141, 143, 160, 161, 170, 200, 204, 205, 257, 315
Pairi 145, 146
Pairi Dakhyu 143, 144, 146, 159, 194, 208, 215, 244
Pairi Daz 218, 268, 374
Pairika 223
Pairika Duzyāirya 158
Paityogēt 408, 413
Pāmar 69, 218, 268, 374
Panchās-dvarām Vasi 240, 241, 242
Paoiryo-tkaēsha (-nam) 203, 218, 268, 351, 374, 434
Paoiryo-tkaeshanam Fravashinam 117, 118
Paorushasp (See Pourushaspa)
Paourva Fravashi 19, 20, 99, to 103, 106 to 109, 112, 113, 114, 116, 117, 118, 121, 122,
124, 126, 128, 130, 135, 200, 201, 227
Parasmaipada 54
Parendi 409, 410
Pari-Nirvana 332, 366, 367
Parshid-tora 289
Parsi Avaz 12, 13, 22, 65
Parvin-i-Adna 177
Parvin-i-Alā 176
Pāsta 385
Pasu 154, 155, 156, 158, 192, 277
Pasu Pachayēn 154, 155, 158, 192, 277
Patet Pashēmani 48, 219, 240, 302
Pathām 163
Pathāmcha vicharanāo 51
Pathan 60, 61
Patiritaraspo 268, 271, 432
Patman 153
Pavri Dr. J. M. 418, 425
Payman-i-Farhang 377
Pāyu 140, 169, 170
Pāyu Thworeshtar 182
Pāzand 221, 408, 422
Pāzand Afrin (-gan) 132, 202, 284, 398
Peesh 86
Pesh 66
Peshdadian 49, 117, 200, 203, 229, 266, 351, 376, 390, 410
Peshotanu 297, 383
Peshotan 300, 307, 311
Pillars 194, 233, 357
Pithva 103, 108
Plato 251, 252, 327
Pliny 279, 319, 327
Poonegar Khodabukhsh 90 to 94, 309
Polyhistor 370, 373
Pouruchisti 31, 307, 311, 372, 374
Pourushaspem 217, 267, 268, 271, 272, 275, 276, 279 to 283, 310, 432
Puitik 146
Purana 379
‘R’
Rad Saheb 59, 60, 61
Radih Society, Zoroastrian 1, 81, 82, 176
Rae 139, 154, 155, 179, 192, 232, 243, 275, 276, 277, 434
Raenidars 10, 48, 49, 52, 53, 72, 183, 282, 383, 395
Raevantahe garoish Mazdadatahe 178, 179, 199
Rahnoomai Mazdiyasnan Society 55
Ram 302, 417
Ram Yasht 7, 21, 95, 259, 357
Ramz-go 67
Rana 167
Ranghu 276, 285
Ranoibya 27, 125, 164, 167, 194, 227, 257, 428
Rapithven 424
Rasheed Saheb 69
Rashidan-i-Rashid 67
Rashne Rish, King 347
Rashnu 97, 106, 152, 302, 303, 374
Rastakheez (Restakheez) 161, 162, 197, 426
Rast Goftar tatha Satya Prakash 55
Ratanbai Katrak Lectures 132, 267
Ratheshtar 181, 222, 223, 311
Rathvya 239
Rathvya Chakhra 157, 158, 239, 240
Rathvya Patha 393
Rathvishkar 65, 385
Ratu 22, 106, 107, 232, 234, 239, 248, 434
Ravangh 161
Rawlinson 326, 349, 352, 377
Rāzēng 16, 53
Reemiāvi (See Ilm)
Relative 194
Requiter 159, 250, 257, 300, 413
Rezashah Pahlavi, King 333
Rigveda 213
Rivāyats 35, 36
River 194
Robert Braidwood, Dr. 325
Roshan Cherag 12
Roshan Rooz 19, 21, 102, 133, 135, 200, 357
Ruintan 297, 300, 301
Rumi 347
Rustam, Tehmtan 73
‘S’
Sachkār 285
Sadar-o-Mukhkar 395
Sad Dar 42, 313
Sāfēd Dēv 73
Sāhēb Dilān 2, 62, 68, 71, 73, 75
Sajastan 289
Sālāre Dāmān 182, 183
Sanjana Dasturs 205, 209, 252, 267, 270, 272, 279, 286, 292, 293, 298, 309, 315, 316,
326, 327, 347, 352, 389
Samkhya Karika 378
Saoka 72
Saoshyants 48, 72, 300, 308, 313, 314
Sarosh 65, 182, 183, 233, 234, 302, 306, 357, 386, 387
Sarosh Baj 182, 183, 422, 425
Sarosh Ceremonies 385
Sarosh Yasht Hadokht 221
Sarosh Yasht (major) 182, 221, 318
Sarosh Yazad 7, 65, 180 to 183, 205, 233, 385, 392, 410, 414
Sarshoak 413
Sarve-Keshmar 49, 285, 296, 393
Sassanian 346, 348
Satan 9, 30, 50, 108, 109, 110, 135, 147, 158, 161, 162, 178, 193, 202, 203, to 207, 209,
217, 229, 231, 268, 271, 272, 281, 282, 288, 317, 318, 319, 354, 385.
Satarzan 310
Satud Yasht 188
Saturn 25, 26, 123, 137, 140, 145, 174, 178, 206, 247, 261, 312, 314, 333, 337, 339, 340,
352, 354, 355, 359 to 367, 380, 383, 384, 415
Satya Yuga 81, 382
Savahi 142, 163seemiāvi – See Ilm
Semiramis 32, 326, 329, 331, 333, 342, 352, 365
Sezdā 17
Shabda Brahma 102
Shaeān 376
Shaēdān-Atashē 99, 100, 113
Shaēdān-shaēd 18, 95, 99, 100, 110
Shaēto-i-Frādo 386
Shahzan 311
Shah Nameh 12, 13, 73, 147, 178, 207, 210, 229, 258, 304, 340, 389, 390, 391, 392
Shams-ul-aulama 44
Sharif 148
Shayast-la-Shayast 42, 290
Shehrevar 48, 302, 303, 309, 426
Sheep 193
Sherbet 74
Shaida-an 109, 110
Shakaft zeen avazar 182
Shri Krishna 26, 145, 329, 330, 333, 346, 347, 360, 365, 367
Shroff Behramshah Navroji (see Master)
Shumar-i-Falak 328, 331, 332, 353, 366, 382, 388, 399
Siaav 404
Sjjdā 70, 71, 74, 78, 85, 143
Sijdā-i-Amru
}
} 72, 73, 78
Sijdā-i-Nimroo
}
Sikand-Gumānik-Vegār 42
Sināh-dar-Sināh 17, 70, 71, 72, 74
Siraz 218, 268, 374
Sirozā 99, 147, 158, 196, 198, 354
Si-u-sē Amēshaspend 22, 234, 247, 248
Siyamak 266, 376
Snāvidak 212
Snath 125, 140, 165, 168, 169, 171
Snaithish 234
Sohrab Jamaspji Panthaki, Ervad 80, 81.
Soma 212, 213, 214
Soshyos 206, 258, 307, 308, 311, 312, to 316, 371, 372, 384
Sotion 251, 252
Space, ultra-physical worlds 21, 23, 25, 26, 47, 50, 53, 70, 83, 115, 122, 123, 125, 136,
137, 139, 141, 142, 143, 148, 149, 163, 164, 175, 182, 185, 192, 196, 198, 200,
209, 210, 212, 215, 229, 231, 233, 237, 240 to 245, 250, 256, 261, 266, 273, 277,
278, 302, 340, 356, 374, 389, 392, 411, 412, 413, 423, 424, 427, 428.
Spend 269
Spendārmad 48, 290, 299, 301, 303
Spēnta Armaiti 291, 303, 374
Spenta Mainyu 108, 119, 222, 302, 412, 417, 423, 424
Spēntotemo Mino 231, 302, 356
Spiegel, Prof. 39, 148, 209, 211, 212, 231
Spiegel-Bleeck 39, 231, 347
Spitama 203, 268, 269, 271, 275, 288, 297, 305, 389
Spitama Zarathushtra 9, 64, 68, 119, 203, 222, 269, 295, 433
Sraosha 183, 281
Sraoshā-varēz 10, 12, 17, 62, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 73 to 76, 158, 205, 410
Srirāo-patho 123
Srit (Sreet) 307, 316, 371
Staora 154, 192
Staota 15, 16, 46, 74, 98, 107, 108, 182, 186, 190, 256, 311, 386, 387, 426
Staota Yasna 16, 19, 35, 45, 47, 48, 49, 51, 52, 53, 107, 108, 111, 112, 114, 188, 189,
221, 248, 253, 301, 395, 407
Staota Yasna Sravayeni 188, 189
Stehr Paesanghēm 135
Strabo 251, 252
Subut 184, 190, 191, 192
Sudrēh 17, 56, 61, 169, 276, 403 to 419, 421, 428
Sun 25, 116, 121, 123, 126, 137, 140, 145, 174, 178, 231, 247, 259, 261, 270, 281, 311,
328, 354, 355, 356, 359, to 367, 378, 380, 383, 407, 409, 415, 419
Syed Mr Ashraf Ali Munshi 63
‘T’
Ta’akkul-e-Khudi 113
Taēr 163
Tafoon 405
Takht-i-Jamshed 258
Tagi 96, 182, 183, 184, 284
Tagi Tan Farman 183
Tahta-Fauka 394
Takchiān Fasli 82
Taksiriāt 47, 388
Talib-i-Ilm 80
Talisman 50, 88
Tan 182, 227
Tan asak 152, 161
Tanē Pasin 28, 30, 124, 125, 161 to 164, 170, 185, 197 to 199, 231, 282, 344, 358
Tanu 126, 169, 200, 216, 226, 227
Tarad 174
Tarapore, J. C. 325, 326
Tarikat 69, 71, 86, 87, 88, 416, 425
Tark-e-haēvāniat 246
Taro 23
Taromaiti 105, 136
Tashta 223, 385
Tava Atarsh 177
Tawil-e-Sudreh 403
Tawil-i-Zarvane-Daregho-Khadat 332, 341, 366, 388, 403
Tehmurasp 213, 258, 260, 266, 376
Tawiz 50
Tehran 62
Ten Commandments 148, 198, 218, 375
Tēwishi 23, 167, 168, 215, 216, 226, 227, 414, 428
Theodore Bar Quoni 132, 327
Theosophy 91, 92
Thrishva 30, 137, 141, 143, 187, 199, 202, 217, 218, 244, 264, 265, 267, 275, 354, 371,
373, 374, 375, 378, 379, 384
Thwāsha 27, 152, 187, 199, 243
Thwāsha Khadata 27, 151, 152, 158, 170, 183, 187, 199, 244, 274, 358, 381, 391
Thworēshtār 140, 169
Time and Space 392
Tir Yasht 154, 157, 317, 318
Tir Yazad 157, 158, 302, 318
Tirthankar 126
Tokhma 108
Tool 194
Torā-i-aēvag-dat 278
Tower of Silence 401, 402, 403
Town 194
Tree 194
Treta Yuga 379, 381
Tur 31, 287, 315, 317, 318, 319
Tur-bara-Tur 31, 202, to 207, 235, 281, 316 to 319, 384
Turk 204, 205, 235, 316, 317, 318, 384
Tus 390
‘U’
Ukhshyat Ereta
Ukhshyat Nemangh
}
} 308, 312, 313
}
Ultima Thule 7, 21, 27, 99, 150, 201
Unmanifest Logos 20, 122
Unvala, Dr. 327
Upairi 145, 146
Upairi Dakhyu 143, 144, 146, 147, 159, 203, 208, 209, 229, 244, 245, 273, 375
Uranus 177
Uru 98, 110, 138
Urugadhasp 268
Ururaost Asto 434
Urvija 307, 310
Urvatat-Nar 310, 311
Urvans 20, 21, 26, 108 to 113, 118 to 123, 125, 126, 128, 135, 136 to 140, 148, 196, 197,
200, 219, 222, 226, 227, 232, 308, 356, 357.
Urvarā 114, 194, 426
Ushahin Gāh 73
Usikhshes 287
Ushi 190
Ushta 426
Ushtan 23, 215, , 216, 226, 227, 238, 256, 285, 414
Ustād Sāhēb – See Master
Uttarayana 378, 379
Uzirin 65
‘V’
Vacha 47, 102, 103, 112, 122, 184
Vaēdvoishta 288
Vaha Chithra 217, 274, 275
Vahēdānyat 86, 88
Vāhēd-i-Hakiki 67
Vahishtoisht Gatha 311
Vahishta Chithra 19, 108, 188
Vahishtēm Ahum 160
Vajarkart-i-Dinik 306
Vakhshur-e-Vakhshurān (Vakhshoor-i-Vakhshooran) 67
Vandadād 16, 35, 38, 42, 55, 56, 65, 66, 98, 109, 135, 137, 140, 145, 148, 151, 153, 160,
170, 177, 187, 199, 205, 209, 217, 218, 220 to 223, 243, 244, 258, 265, 272, 275, 306,
310, 358, 373, 374, 381, 385
Vandidād Sāda 38, 55
Vanē-Zavit Bish 23, 216
Vangheush Dazda
Manangho
}
} 186
}
Vanghu Fedhri 311, 312, 314
Vantar 27, 141, 159, 187
Vanthvya 114
Vānthwo Frādo (-dho) 71, 211, 386
Vaokhedra 227
Vara 217, 218, 267, 268, 311, 374
Varasio 404
Varēna 218, 371, 384
Var-i-jam-kard 50, 141, 143, 152, 160, 161, 170, 187, 220, 310, 375
Varjami 386
Vārjavand Shah 206, 300
Vashtriyosh 223, 311
Vastra 404
Vastryo 222
Vayu-upara-kairya 248, 259
Vedic Religion 26, 145, 212, 347, 360
Vegetarian and Temperance Society – Parsi 1, 18, 83, 176, 399, 418
Veil of Darkness 21, 27, 136, 140, 151, 187, 199, 220, 243, 250, 293, 333
Vekri 425
Venus 25, 26, 123, 137, 140, 145, 174, 177, 261, 312, 355, 359 to 367, 383
Vērēthraghna 156, 157
Vidadafshu 30, 142, 161, 163, 164
Vi-daēvo-dāta 198
Vidēvdāt 251
Vikhiz 8, 31, 204, 205, 319
Vincent, Mrs. Howard 402
Vis 194, 244, 245
Visi 423, 425
Vispataurvi 314
Vishtaspa, King 8, 31, 32, 267, 269, 292 to 299, 311, 395, 383
Vivanghat (See Jamshid) 199, 217, 258, 260, 267, 373
Visparad 42, 46, 65, 108, 111, 188
Vohu Chithra 184, 268, 374
Vohugaono 156
Vohumana (-mano) 272, 286, 290, 296, 426, 432
Vohumanangha 186
Vohun 153
Vouru Barēshti 142, 163, 164, 192, 375
Vourugaoyaoiti 47, 144
Vourukasha 213, 242
Vouru Zareshti 142, 163
Vyambura Daeva 156
‘W’
Wahēd-ē-Hakiki 101, 106, 261
Waters 194
West, Dr. 42, 118, 290, 291, 326, 327, 328, 333, 336, 337, 342
Wheel 194
WILL, Ahu’s 19, 98, 101 to 105, 117, 132, 196
Williams, Prof. Monier 402
Wilson Dr. 55
Wordsworth (poet) 151
‘X’
Xerxes 327, 371
Xisuthros 370, 371
‘Y’
Yā Āhuirish Zarathushtrish 304
Yanim mano 50
Yānim shyaothnēm 50
Yanim vacho 50
Yaokhēdra 27, 125, 162, 164, 167, 227, 257, 428
Yaon 97, 106, 303
Yaonghairya 23
Yaozdāthrēgar 66, 385, 423
Yāsān 376
Yāsān Ājam 377
Yasanian 376
Yashts 42, 43, 46, 48, 52, 53, 55, 56, 108, 116, 119, 123, 130, 154, 157, 161, 162, 188,
192 to 196, 199, 200, 203, 208, 209, 212, 213, 217, 218, 222, 223, 230, 233, 236, 238,
239, 240, 244, 258, 259, 265, 267, 273, 276, 278, 282, 284, 302, 306, 311, 314, 346, 357,
358, 371, 372, 373, 375, 382, 384, 390, 408, 409, 417, 423, 428.
Yasna 1, 42, 46, 48, 102, 103, 108, 110, 113, 125, 126, 130, 135, 139, 140, 145, 148, 149,
152, 156, 157, 159, 160, 164 to 169, 171, 176, 179, 181, 184, 188, 191, 193, 194, 195,
196, 199, 200, 202, 203, 205, 207, 208, 209, 212, 213, 217, 219, 220, 222, 227, 228, 229,
230, 232, 240, 241, 242, 244, 245, 249, 250, 257, 258, 260, 265, 266, 272, 273, 278, 279,
293, 305, 306, 309, 311, 340, 346, 355, 356, 358, 372, 374, 375, 381, 382, 384, 408, 413,
427, 428
Yasna Haftanghāiti 51, 52, 53, 188, 189
Yasnasha Vahmascha 156
Yathā Ahu Vairyo Prayer 7, 19, 46, 104, 106, 107, 131, 132, 156, 186, 205, 221, 240,
289, 290, 291, 340, 356, 357, 407, 422
Yatu 223
Yavaecha Yavaētāt 22, 24, 98 to 102, 124, 133, 135, 231, 358,
Yazadic 107, 135, 157, 182, 232, 233, 258, 307, 382, 406, 432
Yazads 22, 47, 64, 114, 115, 117, 124, 140, 156, 169, 177, 181, 184, 198, 233, 240, 317,
318, 426, 434
Yazashnē 104, 188, 385, 422
Yazats 23, 48, 72, 96, 233, 248, 297, 358
Yazdagard 38, 377
Years 339
27 years 339
30 years 284, 285
258 years 341, 343
300 years 15, 322, 329, 334 to 337, 339, 341, 350
600 years 328, 352
2037 years 363
3,000 years 198, 271, 272, 274, 314
4,000 years 131, 306, 309, 334
8,000 years 197, 378
8,100 years 15, 32, 325, 329, 335, 339
9,000 years 197, 378
10,000 years 267, 278, 310
11,000 years 360, 361, 362
12,000 years 52, 196, 197, 198, 231, 314, 328, 329, 358, 359
14,000 years 291, 332
14,500 years 360, 377
27,000 years 30, 199, 203, 218, 265, 304, 354, 370, 375, 376, 378
33,091 years 370, 372, 373, 377 to 380, 382, 383, 384, 387, 388, 391
66,000 years 310
81,000 years 22, 30, 83, 198, 199, 203, 206, 216, 218, 255, 265, 286, 304, 306, 310, 332,
340, 342, 354 to 359, 362, 370, 371, 381, 385
Yenghe Hatam 422
Yima (See Jamshid) 199, 217, 258, 259, 260, 267, 268, 277, 310, 315, 373, 384
Yim-var-kard 141, 143, 159, 307
Yim Yazad 143, 159
Yisosyos 371
Yohannan 132
Yuga 13, 378, 379, 381
‘Z’
Zadsparam, Dastur 15, 32, 42, 335, 336, 337, 339, 341
Zag 292
Zaehner, Prof. 7, 9, 27, 32, 103, 121 to 130, 132, 146, 163, 169, 171, 199, 201, 208, 228,
230, 232, 251, 252, 255, 266, 267, 327, 399, 401, 403
Zaehnerian Dilemma 130
Zaman Akanārakih 340, 358
Zamrir 139, 142, 143, 144, 146, 159, 160, 163, 208, 215, 236, 245,
Zand Akas 10, 119, 321
Zantu 244, 245
Zaota 65, 66, 385
Zaothra 6, 155
Zarathushtra, Asho 10, 12, 26, 30, 31, 32, 44 to 50, 52, 55, 65, 67, 68, 69, 72, 104, 117,
129, 132, 136, 137, 143, 145, 154, 156, 160, 168, 171, 179, 182, 184, 186, 193, 196, 198,
199, 201, 203, 204, 205, 208, 217 to 220, 222, 227, 228, 234, 235, 249, 253, 254, 265 to
268, 270 to 300, 304 to 316, 318, 321 to 330, 331 to 336, 340 to 346, 351, 352, 353, 360,
361, 364, 367, 368, 370 to 372, 374, 376, 384, 388, 389, 393, 406, 407, 409, 411, 417,
420, 421, 423, 429, 431, 432
Zarathushtra, King 32, 52, 333, 342, 365, 390
Zarathushtra-Gāthā 304, 305, 318
Zarathushtrotēmo 10, 32, 50, 51, 52, 66, 72, 253, 254, 352
Zarathusht bēherām
Zarathusht-Nāmah
}
} 293, 298
}
Zarēhs 25, 26, 47, 141, 145, 158, 162, 194, 209, 243, 314
Zarēh Frākhankard 26, 142, 145, 146
Zarēh Kyanse 27, 145, 146, 150, 314
Zarēh Puitik 27, 143, 145, 146
Zarēh Vouru-kasha 26, 117, 142, 145, 147, 148, 149, 160, 191, 192, 242, 243, 278
Zarvana Akarana 22, 23, 24, 30, 98, 99, 101, 112, 113, 124, 125, 126, 135, 161, 194, 197,
201, 231, 340, 341, 355, 356, 358, 359, 391
Zarvane Daregho Khadat 8, 22, 30, 83, 147, 187, 198, 200, 203, 206, 216, 218, 255, 265,
286, 291, 304, 306, 310, 312, 314, 340, 354, 356 to 362, 370, 375, 377 to 384, 391.
Zarzdaiti 112
Zbarahē 217, 267, 374
Zeed 360, 361, 364
Zēnd 39, 40, 49, 51, 52
Zend Avestā 38, 39, 48, 52
Zervanite Writings 7, 127, 129, 130, 131
Zeus 252
Zoar 96
Zodiacal heaven 250, 284, 285, 286, 292, 302, 411, 412, 424
Zohak, King 202, 203, 207, 377, 431
Zoish 270
Zor 181, 284
Zoroaster 16, 39, 41, 46, 126, 127, 130, 186, 211, 251, 252, 253, 267, 279, 324, 327, 333,
335, 345, 352, 372, 387, 392, 430, 432, 433
Zoroastrian 13, 18, 21, 27, 35, 43, 45, 46, 52, 53, 55, 57, 58, 61, 63, 64, 65, 67, 69, 70,
71, 72, 75, 77, 79, 81, 82, 83, 84, 92, 95, 104, 121, 125 to 133, 145, 151, 153, 157, 158,
160, 165 to 171, 180, 185, 186, 193, 197, 200, 201, 202, 204, 211, 217, 221, 224, 230,
231, 243, 245, 248, 257, 273, 275, 287, 301, 306, 313, 314, 319, 321, 322, 331, 334, 336,
339, 346, 347, 350, 352, 355, 360, 364, 382, 383, 384, 386, 393 to 403, 406 to 420, 423,
424, 425, 427
Zoroastrian Ceremonials 66, 385, 386
Zoroastrian Faith 12, 14, 16, 17, 18, 126, 127, 196, 219, 225, 227, 230, 249, 257, 265,
274, 286, 288, 403, 404, 410, 427
Zoroastrianism 11, 18, 26, 131, 145, 210, 219, 224, 251, 260, 269, 333, 345, 399
Zrvana Akarana 132, 133
Zryangh – See Zarēh 145
Zurvān 7, 9, 27, 98, 103, 121, 127 to 133, 146, 163, 198, 199, 201, 251, 252, 267, 354
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