|  Return
of Shahrzad
Part 3
By Eric J. Jerpe
December 3, 2003
The Iranian
Romeen said nothing more. Silence reigned
in the car for several minutes before Roxana, trying to smooth
things over, resumed talking, this time about light-hearted topics.
She conversed with Porzand over the Tales of Scheherazade: Aladdin
and the Magic Lamp, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, Sinbad the
Sailor and other marvelous collections from the days when caravans
traversed the silk road. Porzand pulled a compact disk out of his
small sack of possessions and offered it for playing. Roxana read
the label: Scheherazade by Rimsky-Korsakov. She thanked Porzand
and put the disk into the car stereo.
No one spoke as the music of Rimsky-Korsakov played
on. Both Romeen and Roxana thoroughly enjoyed this classical piece
that neither
of them had heard for a long time. The melodious sounds of its
various themes evoked in them images of a fabulous past.
Time passed; eventually the car came to within an
hour's drive from Yazd. As they approached an intersection of the
highway
with a much less significant road off to the side, Porzand
said to his hosts, "Please leave me off here." Romeen slowed down, stopping at the intersection.
Roxana asked, "Where is Chek-Chek?"
Porzand pointed to a distant
mountain and said, "Over there."
It seemed a long way off. Both Roxana and Romeen
wondered how the old man could possibly make it to his destination
in the remaining
hours before sundown. In addition, Romeen was beginning to experience
pangs of guilt over his earlier tirade. Although not religious
himself, he nevertheless respected people who were of such temperament,
and felt that he had insulted this man for his beliefs.
"We'll take you all the way," announced Romeen,
giving an apology as well as granting a favor. Noting the pleased
expression
on Roxana's face, it was quite evident to him that she agreed
with his decision.
"That would mean going out of your way," noted Porzand. "That's not a problem," said Roxana. "We're
not really in that much of a hurry today."
Porzand folded his arms in prayer and declared,
"Spento-Mainyu! Now I am convinced I have enough." Romeen took the turn off onto the side road. They
drove only a short distance before the pavement ended. Traveling
on a dirt road,
Romeen piloted while Porzand navigated.
The dirt road wound on and on, its roughness taking
a toll on the vehicle. Romeen and Roxana were beginning to wonder
if their
good
deed was going to get them into a predicament, when a network
of dwellings high up on the edge of a cliff came into view.
"There is Chek-Chek," said Porzand, "where once
a year, in the summer solstice season, Zoroastrians from all over
Iran
congregate for worship and festivity."
As they got closer, the lower portion of a long,
winding staircase of stone steps could be seen, the incline stretching
way up the
side of the cliff. With Porzand directing, Romeen brought the
car to a halt right next to the base of the stone steps.
The three got out of the car. Romeen and Roxana
gazed in awe at the impressive ancient site, both pondering upon
the massive expenditure
of time and labor it must have taken to build such a monumental
structure. "Come with me now," said Porzand, "to the sacred
spring. You have earned the right to view what other non-Zoroastrians
are
generally not permitted to view."
An interesting opportunity, thought both Romeen
and Roxana; but their zeal was tempered with misgivings.
"We do not wish to impose upon the rituals of another
religion," cautioned Roxana.
"You are not imposing," said Porzand. "In fact,
your presence is almost a requirement. Your virtue on this day
has tipped the scales in favor of salvation. The probability
favors
this as
being the Day of Miracle."
Romeen was becoming exasperated again. "Have you
ever seen a miracle?" he asked rhetorically. "I have been working for the Miracle of the Return
for many long years," answered Porzand.
"For the last three months,
I have, with meager possessions, journeyed through the land
of Persia, visiting its Fire temples and Towers of Silence, never
begging, never requesting any help, yet always receiving assistance
when it was needed. This is the last day of my journey, and
you
are the final contributors, allowing the Bridge of Chinvat
to be crossed."
"Bridge of Chinvat?" mused Roxana. "Isn't that
the bridge connecting Earth to Heaven, with those unable
to complete the crossing falling off and descending into Hell?" "Oh, yes, the Bridge of Chinvat!" interjected Romeen,
speaking in a scoffing tone indicating that he regarded that particular
belief as an absurdity. "I've read the myth. The evil
man dies and is resurrected. In a dark cavern, the deceased one
walks across a bridge over a chasm.
Because he has led a wicked
life, the bridge narrows in width, becoming thinner and thinner
until it is the width of a sword blade. Then, from out of the
darkness, a hideously ugly old witch appears before him and says,
'I
am thy evil deeds. Descend to the torments of Hell.' Terrified,
the evil man loses his balance and plunges downward into the
depths of a river of fire with devils and damned souls below."
Romeen continued: "The good man dies and is resurrected.
He too walks across the cavern bridge over a chasm. Because he
has led a virtuous life, the bridge remains wide and passable.
Halfway across the bridge, a beautiful young woman appears before
him and says, 'I am thy good deeds. Come with me to the blissful
realm of Heaven.' She takes him by the hand, and together
they walk across the bridge, exiting the cavern and entering
into a paradise of lush verdure and flowing streams."
"
That is imagery," explained Porzand, "true in a sense
but not to be taken literally. When I said the Bridge of Chinvat
is ready to be crossed, I was speaking metaphorically. Essentially,
our religion speaks of a conduit between spiritual and material
dimensions."
The old man began ascending the steps, beckoning
for the young man and the young woman to follow him. Romeen and
Roxana looked
at each other, uncertain whether or not to comply. Roxana tipped
the scales in favor of ascending the steps by saying, "We've
seen Persepolis and Parsegard; right now we have the chance to
see a wonder of the world before it becomes a tourist attraction."
The wife took her husband's hand and said, "Let's
go." Romeen and Roxana then began their trek up the stone
step way. >>> Part
4 >>> Index
* Send
this page to your friends
|
