The Enticements of Zarathushtra

by Dr. Pallan R. Ichaporia


Zarathushtra communed in Heaven with Ahura Mazda (See the Gatha Ahunavaiti Y33,6) and Amesha Spentas for ten years. The Revelation is complete. He carries with him the supreme knowledge contained in the Avesta and the most sacred Ahuna Vairya,

At the departure he is warned by Ahura Mazda and Amesha Spentas to guard against the enticements of Angra Mainyu/Ahriman and his fiends (daevas) who will plague his paths as he returns back to corporeal world among men. The spirit of Zarathushtra is made strong to withstand any false step and to prevent him from falter and ruin and damnation for he is now not a mere man but a perfect man, nay he is the "YAZATA" in the human garb who now walks the earth.

The Ahrimanic forces with their full power of evil, gathered for massive attacks on Zarathushtra. The full description of the enticements and threats is given not only in the Vendidad and Zamyad Yasht but also in the Pahlavi literature. (see Denkerd 7.4. 54-62, and 54-62)

The demon 'Buuiti' (Pahlv. Buut) is sent by Ahriman to tempt, and deceive Zarathushtra, and overthrow the blessed messenger, but Zarathushtra is armed with truth and spiritual weapons of veracious revelation and divine Laws (these are the weapons Ahunavaiti Gatha alludes in Y31,18 ). Zarathushtra is protected by the shield of righteousness. He defeats his Ahrimanic enemies and put them to flight. The Avesta vividly portrays such encounters of enticements and threats. We will examine it briefly. (see Vendidad 19, 1-10)

'To Zarathushtra, howled back Anghra Mainyu, the Prince of Evil creations, "Do not destroy my creatures, O righteous Zarathushtra, ...... Renounce the good Religion of Mazda worshippers so to obtained boons the way 'Vadhaghana' obtained and became a ruler of a nation' (Note: Minoo-e Kherad mentions Vadhaghana as Azi Dhahak, an evil tyrant)

Zarathushtra Spitamid answered him," No! I shall not renounce the Good Religion of Mazda, even if my life, limbs and soul should part asunder"

Angra Mainyu, the Prince of Evil Creations, howled back: "By whose word will you defeat us? By whose word will you withstand our assaults? Which is the weapon that good creations will withstand and defeat my (evil) creations? I am the Angra Mainyu"

Zarathushtra Spitamid replied, " With the sacred mortar and the sacred cup, with the Word proclaimed (Ahuna Vairya) by Mazda and my own weapon which is the best one. With this Word I will defeat and withstand (you), with this weapon the good creations will withstand and defeat you O malevolent Angra Mainyu. Mazda created these weapons in the Bountless Times.."

With that Zarathushtra recited aloud the Ahuna Vairya"

What happened when Zarathushtra uttered the Holy Word 'Ahuna Vairya?. Detail is found in the Zamyad Yasht 12,81:

'With one Ahuna Vairya which truthful Zarathushtra recited, with breaks in between the fourth time, each subsequent time (prayed) with louder recitation drove all the fiends (daevas) of Ahriman making them to hide under the earth, all these daevas being unworthy of being praised." (Humbach-Ichaporia,1998)

Another enticement, about which Zarathushtra was forewarned, is described in the Denkard Book 7,4. A female fiend in the form of well endowed beautiful woman declaring herself as Spenta Armaity approached to tempt and seduce Zarathushtra.. She desired his companionship. Zarathushtra discovered the fiend's disguise and prayed loudly one Yatha-ahu Vairyo and the fiend was completely annihilated.

Having rejected the enticing offers including the kingship from Angra Mainyu/Ahriman, and the seduction of a female fiend, Zarathushtra went forth to declare the Message of Ahura Mazda. He underwent many hardships, which a common man can never withstand, but he was the Prophet and a YAZATA, the chosen one of Ahura Mazda. For ten years he went from place to place having been ostracized by the family, community and tribe. He complains to Ahura Mazda: "Where and which part of land shall I go to succeed? The community I wish to join does not gratify me, how can I gratify you, O Mazda Ahura?"(Y46.1) (see Humbach-Ichaporia,1994)

His only follower at that time was one man and that was his cousin Maidyoi-maongha. He implores, "O Mazda Ahura, extend me support as a friend would grant to a friend" (Y46,2). (op.cit). Ahura Mazda guides him to the court of Kavi Vistaspa and rest is the history. His Message spreads like a wild fire and changes the world forever.

With Kind Regards to all,

Dr. Pallan R. Ichaporia.


Dear Pallan,

Thank you for "The Enticements of Zarathustra". I was really looking forward to your post. Once again, I have a few questions:-

1) Ref: "With the sacred mortar and the sacred cup, with the Word proclaimed (Ahuna Vairya) by Mazda and my own weapon which is the best one. With this Word I will defeat and withstand (you)".

- What does (i) 'the sacred mortar', (ii) 'the sacred cup' and (iii) 'my own weapon which is the best one', mean?

- Eventually Zarathustra uses only one of these four weapons - the Ahuna Vaiyo. Why not any of the others, even though he threatens Ahriman with all four of them?

2) Ref: "With one Ahuna Vairya which truthful Zarathushtra recited, with breaks in between the fourth time, each subsequent time (prayed) with louder recitation.."

- What is the meaning of 'with breaks in between the fourth time'? Does it have anything to do with the metre or the manner in which Zarathustra recited the Ahuna Vairyo? Or does it mean he recited the Ahuna Vaiyo four times, one after the other?

- The emphasis put on 'louder recitation' is significant. Does it support the belief that our manthras should be recited aloud? Does this indicate that loud prayers are more effective than prayers in softer volumes?

3) Ref: "having been ostracized by the family, community and tribe.."

- My understanding was that Zarathustra's father understood the exalted spiritual nature of his child and welcomed it. Then why is it said here that he was ostracized by his family?

4) Huge emphasis is given in this explanation on the recitation of the Ahuna Vairyo, especially "He carries with him the supreme knowledge contained in the Avesta and the most sacred Ahuna Vairya.."

- Do we have any clue about the "supreme knowledge" contained in this prayer because the literal translations just give three simple stanzas of meaning: viz. (i) the status of the dasturan-dastur being equal to a King; (ii) the gift of vohu manah being for the followers of Ahura Mazda; and (iii) the exalted status of he who protects the poor/less fortunate. These meanings, though profound, do not indicate anything that signifies "power" to destroy evil by the very recitation of this prayer. What is it about this prayer that we need to know as Zarathustris?

Thanks and regards,

Khurshed


Dear Khurshed Pastakia:

Thank you for your inquiry. I will try to answer to your questions as follows:

Regards,

Dr. Pallan R. Ichaporia

<<1) Ref: "With the sacred mortar and the sacred cup, with the Word proclaimed (Ahuna Vairya) by Mazda and my own weapon which is the best one. With this Word I will defeat and withstand (you)".

- What does (i) 'the sacred mortar', (ii) 'the sacred cup' and (iii) 'my own weapon which is the best one', mean?>>

Ans: Above is the translations from the Vendidad 19,1-10 What the composer meant may be the Yasna ceremony and 'alats' implements of Mortar and pestle and cup for Haoma ceremony. Zarathushtra's own weapon is the spiritual weapon of Revelation from Ahura Mazda which is the best one.

- Eventually Zarathustra uses only one of these four weapons - the Ahuna Vaiyo. Why not any of the others, even though he threatens Ahriman with all four of them?

Ans: The answer is not found in the Vendidad as also in the other Avesta-may be the answer given in the lost Avesta or other lost Nasks. I think the most powerful Ahunavar was enough to destroy the demons of evil so other weapons were not used.

2) Ref: "With one Ahuna Vairya which truthful Zarathushtra recited, with breaks in between the fourth time, each subsequent time (prayed) with louder recitation.."

Ans: This from Zamyad Yasht 81,4: 'aevo ahuno vairyo' ="one Ahuna Vairya" obviously denotes the complete recitaion of a series of four Ahuna Vairyas which is not lucid, However in V 10,11 it is said that Ahuna Vairyo as given in the Ahunavaiti Gatha is to be recited 'four times' so it is perceived that actually Ahuanvar is recited four times with a break between the third time and the fourth time

- What is the meaning of 'with breaks in between the fourth time'? Does it have anything to do with the metre or the manner in which Zarathustra recited the Ahuna Vairyo? Or does it mean he recited the Ahuna Vaiyo four times, one after the other?

Ans: Pl. see above

- The emphasis put on 'louder recitation' is significant. Does it support the belief that our manthras should be recited aloud? Does this indicate that loud prayers are more effective than prayers in softer volumes?

Ans; Yes it is very significant. Herbedistan says that Avesta as well as Gathas have to be recited loud so that other men can hear it. In absence of other men your own ears must hear it. Visparad also says the same.

3) Ref: "having been ostracized by the family, community and tribe.."

- My understanding was that Zarathustra's father understood the exalted spiritual nature of his child and welcomed it. Then why is it said here that he was ostracized by his family?

Ans: Ushtavaiti Gatha is very clear about Zarathuhstra being ostracized by the family, community and the tribe See Y46,1-2

4) Huge emphasis is given in this explanation on the recitation of the Ahuna Vairyo, especially "He carries with him the supreme knowledge contained in the Avesta and the most sacred Ahuna Vairya.."

- Do we have any clue about the "supreme knowledge" contained in this prayer because the literal translations just give three simple stanzas of meaning: viz. (i) the status of the dasturan-dastur being equal to a King; (ii) the gift of vohu manah being for the followers of Ahura Mazda; and (iii) the exalted status of he who protects the poor/less fortunate. These meanings, though profound, do not indicate anything that signifies "power" to destroy evil by the very recitation of this prayer. What is it about this prayer that we need to know as Zarathustris?

Ans: Of all the prayers the most exalted is the AhunaVairya - it the most spiritual and together with Ashem Vohu, Yenghe Hatam , the Avestan commentary is given in the Yasna. It existed before the creation of the world. It is THE WORD by which Ahura Mazda brought all good creations It is the summation of all the Gathas and the most profound of any prayers known. No one has deciphered it to the full extent and I think it will be never deciphered ever. There lies its supreme knowledge. As far as I know every Parsee is well versed in its recitation and pray it often. Another exceptional aspect I have noted is that it can be sung in any tune in which you wish to sing. Try it please.

Thank you again.

With Kind Regards to all,

Dr. Pallan R. Ichaporia.


Thanks Pallan,

Your explanations were very lucid and have helped me clear my doubts. I am really enjoying these posts.

Khurshed


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