Persian - Zoroaster

Zoroaster / Zarathustra

The founding prophet of Zoroastrianism, who received divine revelation from Ahura Mazda and established the religion of truth. Zoroaster (Avestan: Zarathustra; Persian: Zartosht) is revered as humanity's greatest teacher, the one who revealed the cosmic conflict between Asha and Druj, and taught the Threefold Path of righteousness.

Historical vs. Legendary: Scholars debate whether Zoroaster lived c. 1500-1000 BCE (traditional Zoroastrian dating) or c. 628-551 BCE (some modern estimates). The Gathas - his direct teachings - are among the oldest religious texts in an Indo-European language. While his historicity is debated, his influence on human civilization is undeniable.

Biography & Life

Early Life & Birth

Zoroaster was born in northeastern Iran (possibly Airyana Vaejah, the legendary Aryan homeland). His birth was accompanied by miraculous signs:

Joyous Laughter: Instead of crying at birth, he laughed - the only infant in history to do so
Heavenly Light: A radiant glow surrounded him
Protected by Divine Forces: Attempts by evil priests to kill the infant were thwarted
Fravashi's Glory: His divine spirit (fravashi) was visible to the spiritually aware

The Seeking Years (Age 20-30)

Zoroaster served as a priest (zaotar) in the old polytheistic religion but became increasingly troubled by:

Animal sacrifice and ritualistic violence
The worship of daevas (demons) as gods
Oppression of the weak by warrior clans
Lack of ethical foundation in religious practice
Cosmic injustice and suffering

He withdrew from society, seeking answers through meditation and wandering. For ten years, he pondered the fundamental questions of existence, justice, and divine truth.

The Divine Revelation

The First Vision (Age 30)

At age 30, while drawing water from the river Daitya for a sacred ceremony, Zoroaster experienced his transformative vision:

A shining figure appeared - Vohu Manah (Good Mind), the first Amesha Spenta
Vohu Manah asked: "Who are you? To whom do you belong?"
Zoroaster answered: "I am Zarathustra, the greatest foe of Druj and the strongest support of Asha"
Vohu Manah led him to the assembly of Ahura Mazda and the Amesha Spentas
In the divine presence, Zoroaster could not see his own shadow - so bright was the divine light
Ahura Mazda revealed fundamental truths about existence, good and evil, and humanity's role

The Seven Visions

Over the following years, Zoroaster received seven major revelations, each from one of the Amesha Spentas:

Vohu Manah (Good Mind): The power of righteous thought
Asha Vahishta (Best Truth): The nature of cosmic order and righteousness
Khshathra Vairya (Desirable Dominion): Divine sovereignty and just rule
Spenta Armaiti (Holy Devotion): Loving devotion and humility
Haurvatat (Wholeness): Spiritual and physical perfection
Ameretat (Immortality): Eternal life and victory over death
Ahura Mazda: The supreme wisdom and final instructions

📚 Primary Sources: Zoroaster's Teachings (Gathas)

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The Gathas - Zoroaster's Own Words

Avesta:Yasna 28:Verse 1-3

"With outstretched hands in petition for that help, O Mazda, I will pray for the works of the Holy Spirit, O thou the Right, with actions of Good Thought, by which I may please the Soul of the Kine and you. I who would serve you, O Mazda Ahura and thou Good Mind, grant ye me through Dominion the gifts of both worlds, the bodily and that of mind, which put my followers on the road to the truth."

Source: Avesta, Yasna 28 (First Gatha), c. 1500-1000 BCE - Zoroaster's own composition

Avesta:Yasna 43:Verse 1-3

"Then shall I recognize thee as strong and holy, O Mazda, when by the hand with which thou holdest the destinies that thou wilt assign to the Liar and the Righteous, thou shalt come to me with Good Mind and the Fire, thy strengthening power, and declare to me the judge's word. As the holy one I recognized thee, Mazda Ahura, when Good Mind came to me, when the still mind taught me to declare what is best: 'Let not a man seek again and again to please the Liars, for they make all the righteous enemies.'"

Source: Avesta, Yasna 43 (Fourth Gatha), c. 1500-1000 BCE - Zoroaster describes his vision

Avesta:Yasna 44:Verse 1-5

"This I ask Thee, tell me truly, Ahura. Who is by generation the Father of Right, at the first? Who determined the path of sun and stars? Who is it by whom the moon waxes and wanes again? This, O Mazda, and yet more, I am fain to know. This I ask Thee, tell me truly, Ahura. Who upheld the earth beneath and the firmament from falling? Who the waters and the plants? Who yoked swiftness to winds and clouds? Who is, O Mazda, creator of Good Mind?"

Source: Avesta, Yasna 44 (Fifth Gatha - Questions to Ahura Mazda), c. 1500-1000 BCE

Avesta:Yasna 46:Verse 1-2

"To what land shall I turn? Whither turning shall I go? They hold me back from family and tribe. The community I would join does not satisfy me, nor do the rulers of the land. How then, O Ahura, shall I find satisfaction from thee? I know, Mazda, why I have been unable to prevail. I possess but few cattle, and I have few people. I cry out to thee, see thou to it, O Ahura, and grant me the support a friend gives to a friend. Teach me through Good Thought to gain possession of the good."

Source: Avesta, Yasna 46, c. 1500-1000 BCE - Zoroaster's lament and plea

Avesta:Yasna 51:Verse 15-16

"The man who thinks I am best to invoke for his comfort, even for such a one I will be the best friend in this world, and likewise in the other world. But the liar I will condemn, O Mazda and Asha, as befits my power."

Source: Avesta, Yasna 51, c. 1500-1000 BCE

Later Texts About Zoroaster

Zand-i Vohuman Yasn:Chapter 1:Verse 1-7

"Ohrmazd spoke to Zartosht the Spitaman thus: 'Beyond the region of Khwanirath, the evil Vishtasp the infidel is he who will be thy supporter in preaching the religion. When thou shalt recite the religion to Vishtasp, at first he will not receive it, but afterward, through seeing the mighty power and goodness from me, he shall receive the religion and shall make it current in the world.'"

Source: Zand-i Vohuman Yasn (Pahlavi text), c. 9th century CE

The Mission Begins: Rejection & Persecution

First Attempts (Age 30-40)

After receiving revelation, Zoroaster began preaching his revolutionary message:

Core Teachings:

There is one supreme God: Ahura Mazda
The daevas are not gods but demons serving Angra Mainyu
Life is a cosmic struggle between Asha (Truth) and Druj (Lie)
Humans have free will and must choose good
Good thoughts, good words, good deeds are the path to salvation
Final judgment awaits all souls after death
Ultimate victory of good over evil is assured

This revolutionary message threatened the established order:

Kavi Priests rejected him: The old priesthood saw their power threatened
Karapan rejected him: Wealthy nobles who controlled daeva-worship
His own family rejected him: Only his cousin Maidhyoimanha believed
Ten years of wandering: No community would accept his teaching
Attempts on his life: The old priesthood tried to kill him multiple times

The Turning Point: King Vishtaspa

Conversion of the King (Age 42)

After twelve years of rejection, Zoroaster reached the court of King Vishtaspa (Hystaspes) in Bactria. The king initially refused the new religion, but three events changed his mind:

The Healing: Zoroaster healed Vishtaspa's favorite horse, which had been paralyzed by evil magic
The Vision: Vishtaspa was granted a vision of heaven and the rewards of following Asha
The Test: Court magicians tried to defeat Zoroaster in debate and magical contest, but failed spectacularly

King Vishtaspa converted and declared Zoroastrianism the state religion. This was the turning point that ensured the religion's survival and spread.

The Sacred Wars

Zoroaster's success triggered violent opposition. The "Sacred Wars" erupted as neighboring kingdoms, defending the old daeva-worship, attacked Vishtaspa's realm. These conflicts were seen as cosmic battles between Asha and Druj made manifest.

Zoroaster's Death: Tradition holds that Zoroaster was martyred at age 77 during one of these wars. While praying in a fire temple, he was slain by a Turanian priest of the old religion. His last words were prayers to Ahura Mazda. Yet his death was seen not as defeat but as final proof of his devotion - he died as he lived, in service to Asha.

Teachings & Legacy

The Gathas: Zoroaster's Hymns

Seventeen hymns composed by Zoroaster himself, preserved in the Yasna:

Ahunavaiti Gatha (Yasna 28-34): The Choice, questions to Ahura Mazda, cosmic order
Ushtavaiti Gatha (Yasna 43-46): Happiness, the vision, the mission
Spenta Mainyu Gatha (Yasna 47-50): The Holy Spirit, judgment, rewards
Vohu Khshathra Gatha (Yasna 51): Good Dominion, final victory
Vahishtoishti Gatha (Yasna 53): The Best Blessing, wedding hymn

Core Innovations

Zoroaster revolutionized human religious thought:

Ethical Monotheism: One supreme good God, with ethical demands
Cosmic Dualism: Good vs. evil as fundamental cosmic reality (but evil is doomed)
Free Will: Humans are not pawns but co-workers with God
Linear Time: History moves toward a definite goal - Frashokereti
Universal Judgment: All souls face individual judgment based on deeds
Bodily Resurrection: Not just spiritual but physical resurrection
Heaven & Hell: As moral destinations based on ethical choices
Final Victory of Good: Eschatological certainty of evil's defeat