Major World Religions(VI)_Dr Saheb Sahu

Iranian Religions

Zoroastrianism

Around 1000 BCE, Persia (modern day Iran) was settled by people called Amadai, Madai and Medes. As Indo-European they had probably come from the shores of the Caspian Sea. They worshipped the earth, the sun, their ancestors and some animals. They had many deities.

The great prophet of ancient Iran was Zarathustra. We do not know exactly when he lived but most scholars believe that he preached in the 5^th century BCE. Like Buddha, Zarathustra rebelled against the priests or Magi who prayed to multiple deities and offered sacrifices to them. Zarathustra announced to the world one supreme God, Ashura-Mazda as the creator of the world. Ashura means “Lord” and Mazda means “wise”. Ashura-Mazda was assisted by lesser gods-in the form of fire, water, wind, rain, sun and moon. Most scholars believe that the roots of Zoroastrianism dates back to the Indo-Iranian religious system of 2000 BCE. It was very similar to the Vedic religion of India. Zarathustra’s concept of one supreme God, heaven and hell and of free will influenced Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

The most important texts of Zoroastrianism are the writings of Zarathustra known as Gathas. The later followers called it Avesta and known in the west as Zend-Avesta.

Zoroastrian Ethics

Man’s duty, says Avesta, is three fold:

• To make him who is an enemy a friend;
• To make him who is wicked righteous; and
• To makes him who is ignorant learned.

The purpose of life is to make the world a better place by good thoughts, good deeds and being truthful.

Darius I, accepted the new doctrine of Zarathustra, declared war upon the old cult and magi and priesthood, and made Zoroastrianism the religion of the state. Later on the religion faded in Persia and finally eliminated by the Muslim invaders. Today Zoroastrianism survives in India, among a small Parsee community. They still study the ancient Scriptures, worship fire, earth, water and air and expose their dead in “Tower of Silence” to birds of prey lest burning or burial should defile the holy elements.