Religions In India

Zoroastrianism

Zoroastrianism - a religion believing in illuminating and destructive spirits

Zoroastrianism was a religion started by a philosophical teacher called Zoroaster from Persia over a thousand years BCE, and claimed that there are two powerful forces of God viz Ahura Mazda and Angra Mainyu (meaning illuminating and destructive spirits). This religion has influenced other religions viz Judaism, Gnosticism, Christianity and also Islam.

History

Zoroastrianism has its roots to over 3500 before, which was founded by Prophet Zarathustra which was a mixture of ancient India and Iranian culture.  Zarathustra taught that there existed only one called who was known as Ahura Mazda, meaning Lord who is wise.  Zarathustra was better familiar in Western areas as Zoroaster, and in India he is called as Zarthosht.  Though no exact date as to when Zarathustra is known, it is believed that he lived around 600 BCE and some say it is between 1500 to 1000 BCE.
Zarathustra composed five songs, which were known as Gathas, and are the treasures of Zoroastrian priests and later many scriptures have also been developed over this Gathas, and out of these many stand destroyed by the Greeks, Muslims and Mongols during invasions however, some could be retained.  Thus Gathas form the basic test of the religion’s belief which are said to be in Avestan language which is more or less like Sanskrit.  The prophet has kept the language of the hymns to sound like Rig Veda in Sanskrit, relating to the period 1500-1000 BCE.

More Description

Zoroastrianism preaches about one God Ahura Mazda, in its Gathas, and his relationship with human and his other creations.  It speaks about how God comes to the world and how the world would reach God.  Zarathustra was not critical about the attributes, but after the Prophet they were shown to be seven and are also known as Amesha Spentas or Immortals, and each possess the attributes or characters of God and also that of human.  They symbolize various creations’ divisions, and are known with following details:

1. Vohu Manah refers to the ideal thoughts which are related to animals.
2. Asha Vahishta refers to the path of Justice and Trust, which ideally represent Fire and energy.
3. Spenta Armaiti refers to devotion and serenity referring to the earth and land.
4. Haurvatat refers to Wholeness and represents Waters
5. Ameretat is one which refers to Immortality and relates to Plants
6. Spenta Mainyu refers to Energy created and thus relates to Human beings. 

 

 These are represented in Gathas as personified things in some places and just narrated in some places and do not qualify for worship.  Gathas also states that HOLY CREATIVE SPIRIT is not related to Angra Mainyu which is considered as HOSTILE and the difference comes in the human mind and not in the worldly affairs.  This is also known as ethical dualism of Good and Evil and later divided in Good God or Evil Spirit which is also referred to as Cosmic Dualism.  Thus, some Zoroastrians believe in Cosmic Dualism and some in Ethical Dualism.  Their symbolic prayers and worship would be before a fire.

Reincarnation is not taught in Zoroastrianism and a human soul is put to judgment by God after death as to whether good or evil was done by him/her during their life time.  Those who did good deeds will go to Heaven called Best Existence and those with evil would go to Worst Existence or Hell, thus giving a moral definition to life after death.

Zoroastrianism believe in Sacred time, and is called Frasho Kereti or making fresh or renewal of things thus leading to purification of soul at any point of time.  Zoroastrianism excel in ethical and moral values and believe in three thoughts viz have Good Thoughts, Good Words be spoken and attain Good Deeds.

To conclude we can say that Zoroastrianism is of a Persian origin, and in 10th Century ad groups of Persian Zoroastrians fled from Muslim aggression and settled in Gujarat in Western India.  They were the Parsis of India, and have been influenced greatly today.  Both from India and Iran Zoroastrians have spread all over the world and are found in England, Australia, Canada, USA and other countries. 

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