|  Return
of Shahrzad
Part 9
By Eric J. Jerpe
March 15, 2004
iranian.com
Inside the Zoroastrian house of worship, the first
thing they saw was a dozen or so men and women milling about; then
they noticed Magi Porzand standing
next to another man also dressed in traditional garb. Romeen and Roxana were
both thinking, Where is Shahrzad, when their eyes fell upon the Yazd Temple
Sacred Fire.
It was the strangest of sensations, viewing the
fire from the other side of its glass encasement fitted into the
wall. It resembled a giant piece of coal burning
from the inside out, its glowing exterior fueled by the combustion within.
Exuding an aura of sanctity, it truly brought to mind the Hand
of the Creator. On a more
rudimentary level, the exhibit caused one to momentarily believe in the existence
of magic, as if the First Flame of Creation had been miraculously encapsulated
within this small enclosure and the primordial universe was now on display.
Time being relative, the universe was six thousand years old, and
this
same fire had
been venerated by Adam and Eve and all the generations in between.
How long has this fire been burning? Romeen wondered.
Since the time of Alexander? Since the Time of Marco Polo? Since
the days of the Shah? Since before I was
born? Romeen thought of his earliest childhood memories, and marveled, This
same fire was burning even then.
After minutes of staring in silent contemplation
at the Sacred Fire, the couple turned their attention to Porzand
and the other magi. They walked over to where
the two holy men were standing. Porzand acknowledged their presence with
a smile and a salutary nod; they politely reciprocated these signs
of recognition.
Romeen
and Roxana listened in as the Magi of the Yazd Temple answered questions
from the small group of curious Moslems gathered around him. “In the philosophy of Zoroaster,” asked
one man in the group, “what
is the purpose of life?”
“To be among those who renew the world,” answered the magi. “To
make the world progress towards perfection.”
“And how does one attain happiness?” asked the same questioner.
“Happiness is a byproduct of a way of living,” answered the magi. “Happiness
is for those who work for the happiness of others.” Another man in the group, obviously possessing a
fragmentary knowledge of the ancient religion, asked, “Didn’t
the Prophet of Iran teach the existence of a pantheon of deities?”
The
magi expounded: “The Prophet of Iran tells us that the Supreme
Being, Ahura Mazda, created everything on the basis of six emanations
of His Creation,
the ‘Amesha-Spentas,’ or ‘Holy Immortals.’ The first
is Vohu Mano, the Spirit of Good Mind. The second is Asha, the Spirit of
Eternal Truth. The third is Khsathra, the Spirit of Holy Sovereignty. The
fourth is Spenta
Armaiti, the Spirit of Benevolent Devotion and Love. The fifth is Haurvatat,
the Spirit of Perfection and Well-Being. The sixth is Ameretat, the Spirit
of Immortality.”
The questioner responded, “Isn’t this a
form of polytheism?”
“Is belief in the existence of angels and devils
a form of polytheism?” countered
the magi. “No, Agha, these Holy Immortals are Aspects of Divinity as
spoken in the Gathas, the Songs of Zoroaster. But what is inspirational to
the philosopher
may provide meager solace to the bricklayer. There are many individuals who
need to visualize these concepts in some form of mythology. Long after the
time of
the Prophet, the Holy Immortals became an angelic hierarchy in the minds
of ordinary people.
“In addition to the six Immortals, there are additional Divine Attributes
mentioned in the Gathas. Two of these became personified and visualized as a
loving couple,
the ‘Yazatas,’ or ‘Adorable Ones.’ The male personification
is ‘Sraosha,’ meaning ‘Guardian.’ The female personification
is ‘Ashi Vanguhi,’ meaning ‘Holy Blessing.’ The ninth
personification mentioned in the Gathas is ‘Atar,’ the Spark of
the Divine Flame that glows in the human heart. Atar’s outward symbolism
led to fire being utilized in Magian ritual.”
The questioner continued to press the issue of whether
or not Zoroastrianism met the criteria for being truly monotheistic: “Didn’t the Prophet
of Iran teach dualism, the belief that there is a God of Good and a God of Evil
who fight it out as equals?”
This question was answered by Porzand: “Although there is only one Eternal
Being, our universe works on the basis of moral dualism wherein Free Will leaves
us to make progressive or regressive choices. The Prophet Zoroaster pleaded with
us to choose movement towards perfection, Spentu Mainyu, and renounce deviation
from perfection, Angra Mainyu.” Roxana felt she could summarize: “So as we move towards perfection, we
will have in the future Adam and Eve in the Paradise of Eden, even if we did
have evolution in the past.”
“I think Noah’s Ark is a more likely future,” retorted Romeen with
a sigh. “Only a select few will escape the calamity and desolation of a
devastated Earth.”
At this point, the young couple, along with all
the others in the room, observed a new arrival upon the scene,
a beautiful young woman clad in a colorful dress,
her hair partially covered by an intricately-designed shawl. Romeen and Roxana
recognized her immediately as Shahrzad of the Mountain of the Sacred Spring.
Holding in her folded hands some kind of book, she walked over to the glass-covered
front of the Sacred Fire. There she halted facing the exhibit.
Shahrzad opened the book and, in a loud voice heard
by all present, proclaimed, “From
the Holy Gathas, the verses of Yasna Thirty.” Everyone else became silent
as she began chanting a portion of the ancient Songs of Zoroaster. “Now, for wise persons and for those eager
for truth, I shall speak of Spenta Mainyu and Angra Mainyu, and
explain the way of praying to Ahura Mazda and praising
Vohu Mano. I shall explain the Path of Asha, so that you may attain perfection
and realize the light of truth and enjoy the Blessing of Paradise. “Listen with your ears the highest truth, consider
carefully with illuminated minds and decide, each man and woman,
personally between the two paths, good
and evil. Before ushering in the great day of judgment, arise all of you
and try to spread Ahura Mazda’s words.
“The twain spirits which appeared in the world
of thought in the beginning were good and evil in thoughts, words
and deeds. The wise shall choose rightly of
the two thoughts, but the unwise shall choose wrongly and thereby go astray.
“When these two spirits together came, they
in the beginning created Life and Not-Life. Those who follow the
Not-Life of fraud, lies and corruption shall face
the worst mental situation, but those who follow the Life of truth and righteousness
shall enjoy the best mental state and comfort. This is the Eternal Truth.
“Of these twin spirits, the False One chose
the worst deeds, but the Holy Spirit, having pure mind and being
clothed with the imperishable light of knowledge,
chose the Eternal Truth. The person who performs meritorious deeds with full
faith for pleasing Ahura Mazda shall chose the Eternal Truth as well.
“The devil worshippers did not chose the correct
path, because they were in doubt and were deceived. Hence they
followed the worst thought, which is the cause
of all evil deeds, so as to destroy the mental life of the people.
“To one who is gifted with spiritual strength, good thought, truthfulness
and purity, the Spirit of Benevolent Devotion and Love shall grant firmness and
stability
of body. Such a person shall no doubt be successful in the ordeal of life and
shall be regarded, Wise Lord, as your good servant.
“When sinners receive punishments for their
sins, Wise Lord, they will then realize your power through Good
Thought. They will learn this truth as to how they should
strive for casting away falsehood, and aiding the victory of truth and purity.
“May we be sincere servants of You, Lord of
Life and Creation, like those who make the world renewed. May we
enjoy Your help through Asha, so that whenever
our minds waiver in doubt, our hearts and thoughts may turn as one pointed
toYou, Wise Lord.
“When the false ones face failure and destruction, then the innermost desires
of the true ones shall be fulfilled, and they shall enjoy the blessings of
Vohu Mano and Asha. The Blissful Realm shall be their abode.
“Mortals, if you realize and understand the
laws of happiness and pain ordained by Ahura Mazda, and if you
learn that liars and wicked persons shall face age
long punishment but pious and righteous persons shall enjoy everlasting prosperity,
then by learning this principle you shall reach real contentment and salvation.”
Having finished the chapter (or Yasna), Shahrzad
spoke no more yet continued to stare at the ancient fire. Minutes
passed as the onlookers stood in stunned
silence. They were impressed not only by the content of what she had chanted,
but also by the fact that her chanting had for the most part been a recital
from memory rather than a reading from text.. >>> To
be continued >>> Previois
parts
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