200 SHORT QUESTIONS – ANSWERS ON ZOROASTRIANISM By Ervad R. R. MOTAFRAM BOMBAY 1988 Dedicated to the revered memory of insert here the picture of Dasturjee Kookadaru
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200
SHORT QUESTIONS – ANSWERS
ON
ZOROASTRIANISM
ByErvad R. R. MOTAFRAM
BOMBAY1988
Dedicatedto
the revered memoryof
insert here the picture of Dasturjee Kookadaru
Rushad Dasturji Jamshedji Sorabji KookadaruBIRTH : ROJ JAMIAD
MAH AVAN Y.Z. 1200DEATH : ROJ BEHRAM
MAH FARVARDIN Y.Z.1270
Preface
“200 SHORT QUESTIONS-ANSWERS ON ZOROASTRIANISM” is designed to cater to the needs of the children and those desiring introduction to Zoroastrianism. They cover miscellaneous topics pertaining to Zoroastrianism, which are explaied in a simple, concise manner.
Today people scarcely find time to read long, rambling discourses on religious matters. Moreover, children in schools are burdened with heavy curriculum of studies. Hence, these 200 short question-answers will give them in a nutshell an idea of Zoroastrianism.
For a detailed study of Zoroastrianism sets of the following three books by the Author are available at the Parsi Punchayat, 209, Dr. Dadabhai Naoroji Road, Bombay – 400 001:
1) Elements of Zoroastrianism.2) Salient Features of Zoroastrianism.3) Light on Zoroastrianism.
- AuthorBook consists of total 24 pages.
Q.1 What is Navjote ?A. Navjote is that ceremony in which a Parsi Zoroastrian child is invested with
Sudreh and Kusti.
Q.2 What is the meaning of the word Navjote ?A. The word ‘Navjote’ means a new initiate who offers prayers.
Q.3 Why has the child to undergo Naahn [Sacred bath] before the Navjote ceremony ?
A. The child has to undergo sacred bath before the Navjote ceremony for the sake of external purification.
Q.4 Why is the child given Nirang [consecrated bull’s urine] to drink before the Navjote ceremony ?
A. The child is given Nirang to drink before the Navjote ceremony for the sake of internal purification.
Q.5 Why is the child given a leaf of pomegranate tree to chew before the Navjote ceremony ?
A. The child is given a leaf of pomegranate tree to chew before the Navjote ceremony because the evergreen pomegranate tree reminds one of the immortality of soul.
Q.6 Why does the priest initiating the child holds his hand while investing him with sacred girdle ?
A. Its significance is that the priest transfers his own magnetism to the child, who is to be invested with spiritual together with the sacred shirt [Sadra] and the girdle [Kusti].
Q.7 What is the child’s responsibility after Navjote ?A. After Navjote the child enters a new phase of life which aim particularly at
moral and spiritual uplift.
Q.8 What confession does the child make at the Navjote ceremony ?A. The child declares his faith openly to the assembly on the Mazdayasni
Zarathushtri religion.
Q.9 What is ‘Sudra’ ?A. The word Sudra means ‘true or advantageous path’ and constantly it
reminds every Zoroastrian t tread this path and not to abandon it even in the midst of the most adverse circumstances.
Q.10 Of what is Sudra made ?
A. Sudra is made of white cambric because white represents purity and it is also the symbol of Mazdayasni religion (Meher Yasht – 126)
Q.11 What do the two parts of Sudra signify ?A. The two parts of Sudra signify the material and the spiritual world.
Q.12 What is the most important part of Sudra and what does it
signify ?A. The most important part of Sudra is Kisseh I Kerfeh or bag of virtuous
deeds and it signifies that man in the material world should fill this bag with virtuous deeds so that his future life would be secure.
Q.13 Why should Sudra be worn next to skin ?A. Sudra should be worn next to skin because our body constantly gives off
heat with other impurities from within and Sudra absorbs them.
Q.14 What is Kusti ?A. Kusti shows the direction where every Zoroastrian should aim at and that is
the direction of Light and Truth.
Q.15 Of what is the Kusti made and why ?A. Kusti is made of lamp’s wool because lamp typifies innocence.
Q.16 How is Kusti Made ?
A. Wool is first spun into 72 threads which are then woven into a Kusti on a handloom.
Q.17 Why is Kusti tied in the middle of the body ?A. Tying Kusti in the middle of the body signifies that a Zoroastrian should
always put into practice the principle of moderation or golden mean in all his activities.
Q.18 What do the four knots of Kusti signify ?A. The four knots of Kusti signify that Ahura Mazda is the only one
unequalled, the religion of Mazda worship is the word of Ahura Mazda, Zarathushtra is the prophet sent by Ahura Mazda and he must always think good though, speak good words and practice good deeds.
Q.19 What does Kusti symbolize ?A. Kusti serves as a permanent symbol of service to God.
Q.20 Why should we wear Sudra and Kusti ?A. Sudra and Kusti play a vital part in the development of an overall
personality.
Q.21 When did the custom of putting on Kusti started ?A. It started from the time of King Jamshed of the Peshdadian dynasty and
Zarathushtra continued it. (Pahlavi Dadastan I Denik XXXVIII).
Q.22 Is it proper for a Zoroastrian to move about without wearing Sudra and Kusti ?
A. It is a sin for Zoroastrian to move about without Sudra and Kusti
Q.23 What should a Zoroastrian do before untying and tying Kusti ?A. Before untying and tying Kusti a Zoroastrian should wash the external
parts of the body. This is known as Paadyaab.
Q.24 What is the importance of Fire in the Zoroastrian religion ?
A. Fire is the most excellent and most useful of God’s creation.
Q.25 What is Fire called in the Avesta ?A. In the Avesta Fire is called the Son of Lord Ahura Mazda.
Q.26 What should a Zoroastrian do rising up early in the morning ?A. A Zoroastrian rising up early in the morning should put on clothes, wash his
hands, search for fuel and enkindle the household fire. (Vandidad 18-19)
Q.27 Where should the Fire be installed ?A. The Fire should be installed in a clean, decent and proper place after
performing certain ceremonies.
Q.28 What are the three grades of Fire among the Zoroastrians ?A. The three grades of Fire among Zoroastrians are Atash Behram, Atash
Adaran and Atash Dadgah. The first two grades of Fire is worshipped only in the Fire Temple and the last one is the one which is worshipped at home.There are only 8 Fire Temples in the entire world which are Atash Behram and the remaining ones are Atash Adaran. All the 8 Atash Behram are found in India – 4 at Bombay, 1 at Udvada, 1 at Navsari and 2 at Surat.
Q.29 How are the different grades of Fire installed ?A. To install an Atash Behram 16 different kings of Fire are required, for an
Atash Adaran four and for an Atash Dadgah only one Fire is required. They are installed after performing some ceremonies which are the most elaborate in the case of an Atash Behram.
Q.30 Who should tend the Fire of an Atash Behram ?A. Befitting its exalted position fully qualified priests who have undergone the
highest form of purification rituals (Barshnum) and observe Khub, that is who perform the Yasna ceremony, can tend Fire of an Atash Behram.
Q.31 Why do the Zoroastrians pray before Fire ?A. When the Zoroastrians pray before the Fire they offer their worship to Lord
Ahura Mazda through fire which is the symbol of Ahura Mazda (Yasna 36-1).
Q.32 What constitutes a sin against Fire ?A. To burn dead, decomposing matter on Fire is regarded as a sin.
Q.33 What are the objects of Zoroastrian rituals and ceremonies ?A. The first object of Zoroastrian rituals and ceremonies is to purify
atmosphere with fire burning with incense, the second is to secure blessings of divine spirits and the third is to express gratitude to Lord Ahura Mazda for the seasonal bounties bestowed upon mankind.
Q.34 What are the high ceremonies of the Zoroastrian religion ?A. These are mainly Yazashne, Visperad and Vandidad ceremonies.
Q.35 By whom are these ceremonies performed ?A. These ceremonies are performed by those priests who have undergone
Barshnum and are pure in body and soul.
Q.36 Where are these ceremonies performed ?A. These ceremonies are performed in a specially reserved place in Fire
Temples called urvies.
Q.37 By what other names are these ceremonies known ?A. These ceremonies are also known as Paav Mahal ceremonies. Paav means
pure and Mahal means building.
Q.38 What are the requisites for the Yazashne, Visperad and Vandidad ceremonies ?
A. The requisites for these ceremonies are derived from mineral, vegetable and animal kingdoms representing different creations.
Q.39 What is the main object of Yazashne ceremony ?A. The main object of Yazashne ceremony is to show how different creations
are inter-related and work for mutual benefit and hw man should be in tune with different creations represented by a variety of requisites in the ceremony.
Q.40 What is the main part of Yazashne ceremony ?A. The main part of Yazashne ceremony is the pounding of Homa twigs and
extracting Homa juice.
Q.41 On what occasion is Visperad ceremony performed ?A. Visperad ceremony is performed at seasonal festivals (gahambaars).
Q.42 When is Vandidad ceremony performed ?A. Vandidad ceremony is performed at mid - night after 12 O’clock,
because evil influences predominate especially in the dark of night.
Q.43 What is Baaj ?A. Baaj is a religious prayer recited in honour of the divine spirit (Amesha
Spentas and Yazatas) or the guardian spirit (Fravashis)
Q.44 What is Afringaan ?A. Afringaan or prayer of blessing is a ceremony performed by two priests and
sometimes by a single priest with few and simple requisites as fruits, flowers, water, milk and sandalwood.
Q.45 What is Farokhshi ?A. Farokhshi is also a simple ceremony with the same requisites as those in
Afringaan.
Q.46 What is Stom ?A. Stom is a prayer of the guardian spirits (Fravashish)
Q.47 What is Jashan ?A. Jashan is a prayer with ceremonies offerings performed by two priests with
the attendance of other Zoroastrians who also pray.
Q.48 Why are ceremonies after death necessary ?A. Ceremonies after death are necessary as they guard the soul of the
deceased from evil influences because according to Zoroastrian teachings the soul of a person after is death remains within the precincts of this world for three nights.
Q.49 Why are ceremonies during three days after death performed in honour of Sraosha ?
A. This is because the soul is clothed in a more tenuous astral body and is under the guidance and protection of Sraosha who is the protector of men in both the worlds (Larger Srosh Yasht – 25) and the soul’s guide till its journey to the next world on the dawn of the fourth day.
Q.50 Why are ceremonies during three days after death performed in honour of Sraosha?
A. These ceremonies offer consolation to the souls of the dead in the spiritual world and they bless the living.
Q.51 What are the Farvardegan or Muktaad days ?A. These are the ten days at the end of the Zoroastrian calendar year when the
guardian spirits (Fravashis) move about freely in the material world’s expecting prayer and offerings from the living (Farvardin Yasht 49,50)
Q.52 By what name is the supreme God called in the Zoroastrian religion ?A. The supreme God in the Zoroastrian religion is known as Ahura Mazda.
Q.53 What does the word Ahura Mazda mean ?A. The word Ahura Mazda means ‘Omniscient Lord.’
Q.54 How is Ahura Mazda portrayed in the Zoroastrian religion ?A. Ahura Mazda is portrayed in the Zoroastrian religion as the highest epitome of
virtues (Yasna 1-1)Q.55 With what is the concept of Ahura Mazda associated ?A. The concept of Ahura Mazda is associated with light.
Q.56 Can you see Ahura Mazda ?A. No, we cannot see Ahura Mazda because He is the most spiritual or invisible
(Yasna 4-7) and pervades the entire creation.
Q.57 What is the meaning of Amesha Spenta ?A. ‘Amesha Spenta’ means Bountiful immortal.
Q.58 How many Amesha Spenta are there and what do they signify ?A. Amesha Spenta are seven in all – Ahura Mazda, Vohumana, Asha Vahishta,
Kshhathra Vairaya, Spenta Armaiti, Haurvataat and Ameretaat and they signify the attributes of Ahura MazdA.
Q.59 Over what creations do the Amesha Spenta preside ?A. The Amesha Spenta preside over mankind, animals, fire, metals, earth, water
and plants.
Q.60 Does the theory of Amesha Spenta lead to the worship of many Gods ?
A. No. Amesha Spenta are by no means independent Gods, but they are of the same thought, word and deed with Ahura Mazda who is said to be their father and preceptor (Farvardin Yasht – 8 3), and who has created them all (Hormazd Yasht – 25).
Q.61 What is the meaning of ‘Yazata’ ?A. ‘Yazata’ means adorable one.
Q.62 How many Yazatas are there and what do they signify ?A. The exact number of Yazatas cannot be specified and they are in rank next to
Amesha Spenta.
Q.63 How are the Yazatas classified ?A. The Yazatas are classified as spiritual and material (Khurshed Nyaish – 9), the
former personifying some virtues and the latter presiding over material creations.
Q.64 What is the meaning of ‘Fravashi’ ?A. ‘Fravashi’ means a guardian spirit.
Q.65 What do the Fravashis signify ?A. Fravashis are a separate class of divine entities which permeate all creations.
Q.66 Has every human being his Fravashi ?A. Yes, every human being has his Fravashis.
Q.67 What is the difference between soul and Fravashi ?A. According to Zoroastrian teachings a man’s soul is accountable after death for
all the deeds committed in the material world, while Fravashi’s function is to guide the soul like a divine monitor, the perious sea of life.
Q.68 How are Fravashis classified ?A. Fravashis are classified as those of the departed, those of the living and those
of the unborn.
Q.69 What is the function of Fravashis as regards different creations ?A. Fravashis sustain the sky, the water, the earth, the cattle develop physical
organs of a child when it is conceived in the mother’s womb (Farvardin Yasht – 86), energize life and are the prime source of motion (ibid-22).
Q.70 What is the main occasion for the invocation of Fravashis ?A. Fravashis are mainly invoked during the Farvardegaan days, or the last ten
days at the end of the Zoroastrian calendar year.
Q.71 What is the Daeva and Druj ?A. Daeva and Druj are evil spirits which lead mankind astray from the path of
rectitude.Q.72 In what different senses are the words Daeva and Druj used ?A. They are used in three different senses :
(i) Invisible evil spirits acting against Amesha Spenta and yazatas,
(ii) Thieves, robbers, tyrants, murderers and sinners referred to as Daeva and Druj and
(iii) Evil qualities in man like anger, jealously, avarice, lust etc are also known as Daevas.
Q.73 What is Druj-I-Nasush ?A. Germs which give rise to decomposition and disease are known as Druj-I-
Nasush.
Q.74 What is Daevayasni ?A. Daevayasni means worship of many Gods and their idols.
Q.75 What does Daevayasni consist of ?A. Daevayasni consists of false beliefs and superstitions about the true idea of
Divinity.
Q.76 What are the types of Daevayasni ?A. There are two types of Daevayasni :
(i) Worshipping the forces of nature like thunder, lightning, storm as well as stones, trees and ferocious animals out of fear, and
(ii) Worshipping imaginary Gods presiding over creations like the sky, the sun, the moon, the air, fire and water, making their idol and installing them in the temples.
Q.77 What is Mazdayasni ?A. Mazdayasni declares its belief in one omniscient lord-Ahura Mazda who
creates, sustains, protects and administers their affair of the universe through eternal laws.
Q.78 Who first listened to the teachings of Ahura Mazda ?A. Gayomar, the first sovereign of the Peshdadian dynasty which ruled in ancient
Iran, first listened to the teachings of Ahura Mazda and embraced Mazdayasni religion.
Q.79 Who after Gayonard put faith in Mazdayasni religion ?A. After Gayomard a long line of illustrious kings of ancient Iran like Hoshang,
tehmuras, Jamshed, Faredoon, Minocheher, Kay kobad, Kay Kaus, Kay Kuhsru, Kay Lohrasp and a holy sage named Hom put faith in Mazdayasni religion and propagated its teachings among the Iranians resisting the power and influence of the Daevayasnis.
Q.80 Who finally strengthened Mazdayasni religion ?A. Zarathushtra finally strengthened Mazdayasni religion and secured for it a firm
foothold in Iran dealing a severe blow to Daevayasni and image-worship.
Q.81 What is ‘Asha’ ?A. Asha signifies order and regularity in nature according to which all its
activities like rising and setting of the sun, waxing and warning of the moon, the rise and the fall of tides, the dawn, the day, and the night going their daily
rounds and non-stop seasonal changes take place.
Q.82 What is Ashoi ?A. To put the principle of Asha observable in nature in day-to-day life is called
Ashoi.
Q.83 What does Ashoi includes ?A. Ashoi includes all the principle virtues, but specially it refers to purity which
can be classified as physical purity and the purity of soul.
Q.84 Why has the Zoroastrian religion stressed purity ?A. It is said that purity is the best for man from his birth and purity itself is
Mazdayasni religion (Vendidad 5-21) because all round purity – physical, mental and that of environment leads to the uplift of soul.
Q.85 How is physical purity observed ?A. Physical purity is classified as external and internal the former consisting in
keeping the body pure externally, and the latter in taking proper nourishing food and observing temperance in eating habits.
Q.86 How is the purity of soul observed ?A. The purity of soul is observed by keeping it from evil propensities like lust,
anger, avarice, temptation, pride and jealously which are most often called the six enemies of soul.
Q.87 What are the purification rituals enjoined by the Zoroastrian religion ?A. These are mainly three :
(i) Paadyaab(ii) Naahn(iii) Barshnum
The last being the highest form of purification.
Q.88 What is the fundamental teachings of the Zoroastrian religion ?A. The fundamental teachings of the Zoroastrian religion is Humata, Hukhta,
Hvarshta i.e. Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds.
Q.89 What is the most important of the triad according to the Zoroastrian religion ?
A. According to the Zoroastrian religion good thoughts is the most important of the triad because thought when expressed through mouth become words and when put into practice becomes actions.
Q.90 How can we please Ahura Mazda ?A. We can please Ahura Mazda through virtuous deeds.
Q.91 What does the Zoroastrian religion enjoin upon man to keep in readiness?A. The Zoroastrian religion enjoins upon man to keep in readiness his hands, feet
and intelligence to perform lawful, timely and good deeds.
Q.92 What is the best type of prayer ?
A. The best type of prayer is that which helps a person improve his life physically, mentally and spiritually and inspires him to serve the surrounding world to the best of his ability.
Q.93 How should true prayer be offered ?A. True prayer should be offered with devotion, sincerity of heart and deep
yearning for spiritual joy.
Q.94 What purpose does prayer serve ?A. Prayer purifies heart, gives inner strength and self-confidence and leads to
enlightenment.
Q.95 What is Maanthra ?A. Maanthra are the holy spells of the Avesta which when properly recited
produce a soothing effect on mind and body, especially on the former.
Q.96 What is Tarikat ?A. Tarikat is an Arabic word which means religious injunctions to be observed in
daily life.
Q.97 How do Tarikats help man in his daily life ?A. Tarikats help man gain control over his mind and body and thus discipline his
life, rendering the mind receptive to noble ideas and impressions much in the same way as a blacksmith hammers a piece of iron to make it malleable.
Q.98 What are some important Tarikats of the Zoroastrian religion ?
A.They are (i) To recite one Ashem Vohu while arising from the bed early in the
morning(ii) To enkindle the household fire after arising from the bed(iii) To wash the exposed parts of the body after answering the calls of
nature and untie and tie the Kusti or the sacred girdle reciting the Kusti prayer
(iv)To observe silence while eating meals and excreting waste matter from the body after reciting certain small prayers and
(v) To spare time for praying to God.
Q.99 What purpose do these Tarikats serve ?A. These Tarikats act as stepping-stones to true religious and moral life.
Q.100 Why, according to the Zoroastrian religion, man is a unique creation of God ?
A. Man is a unique creation of God because he can think and speak, so God has entrusted to him the sovereignty of time over creations for their management, by virtue of his skill and power of speech.
Q.101 What is the Zoroastrian ideal of being in tune with nature ?A. To be in tune with nature is to explore every possibility to be in source of joy
to all creations following the fundamental principle observed in the workings of nature viz. it is better to give than to receive.
Q.102 What virtue should a true Zoroastrian follow in his dealings with nature ?A. A true Zoroastrian should observe temperance of moderation in his dealing
with nature, never to overexploit the bounties of nature as that would seriously disturb ecological balance to the detriment of mankind.
Q.103 How should a true Zoroastrian regard this world ?A. A true Zoroastrian should regard this word as a battleship and himself as a
soldier under the chieftainship of Ahura Mazda to do battle against the forces of Darkness and Wrong.
Q.104 How should a true Zoroastrian perform action ?A. A true Zoroastrian should perform actions in accordance with the will of Ahura
Mazda, that is, virtuous deeds completely devoid of egoism dedicating them to the Supreme God
Q.105 What is the true Zoroastrian way of life ?A. The true Zoroastrian way of life consists in spreading happiness all around –
happiness unto him through whom happiness unto anyone whomsoever (Yasna 43-1)
Q.106 What is Haoma ?A. Avestic Haoma and Vedic Soma is the name of a plant known to the ancient
Iranians and the Vedic Aryans from very ancient times.
Q.107 Who identified the Haoma Plant ?A. The man who identified the Haoma plant was a holy sage named also Haoma
who was well advanced in matters spiritual and who got the Iranians acquainted with the excellent qualities of the plant.
Q.108 What is the main quality of the Haoma Plant ?A. The Haoma plant is advantageous, both for the body and the soul, because all
other intoxicating drinks lead to anger, but the drink prepared from the haoma plant is joy-giving and leads to holiness, and it renders the mind of the poor exalted. Today in the Yazashne ceremony juice is extracted from the Haoma twigs.
Q.109 What different kinds of haoma was known to the ancient Iranians ?A. They were
(i) Haoma Zaairi the green Haoma(ii) Haoma fraashmi or the refreshing Haoma, and(iii) Haoma duraosha or the death-averter HaomA.
Q.110 What is death according to the Zoroastrian religion ?A. In Zoroastrian terminology the phenomenon of death is spoken of as the
seperation of consciousness from the physical body (Vandidad 9-43)
Q.111 Where does the man’s soul remain after the death according to the Zoroastrian religion ?
A. According to the Zoroastrian belief a man’s would after death remains within the precincts of this world for three nights, under the protection of angel Srosh,
the soul’s guide (dastagire ravaan), and the soul of a holy man is happy and joyful because of his good conduct in the material world, whereas quite opposite is the case of the soul of a wicked man.
Q.112 Where does the man’s soul go on the dawn of the fourth day after death ?A. On the dawn of the fourth day after death the soul of a holy man meets face to
face with his own conduct called Daenaa in the Avesta, in the form of a very beautiful maiden with a very fragrant wind blowing, and the maiden leading the soul across the Bridge of Selection to the best existence, whereas quite opposite is the case of the soul of a wicked man (Fragments of Haadskht Nask, chs II and III).
Q.113 What is Chinvat Bridge ?A. It is not a bridge built of any material like iron, wood or stone but it is the
name of a place where selection for the soul is made, whether it has to proceed to heaven or to be dragged down to hell.
Q.114 What is Behesht (Heaven) ?A. If a man’s good deed in the material world outnumber his evil deeds his soul is
entitled to Behesht which is of four different grades,(i) Humata (star station) (ii) Hukhta (moon station) (iii) Hvarshta (sun station) and (iv) Anagra raochaao (endless light) or garodemaan (house of songs) (Fragments of Haadokht Nask chs II and III).
Q.115 What is Dozakh (Hell) ?A. If a man’s evil deeds in the material world outnumber his good deeds his soul
is doomed for Dozakh which is also of four different grades,(i) Dushmata, (ii) Duzukhta, (iii) Duzvarshta and (iv) Anagra temah (endless darkness) [ibid].
Q.116 What is Hamistagaan ?A. When a man’s good and evil deeds are equal his soul is entitled to a place
called Hamistagaan where there is neither much happiness nor much sorrow.
Q.117 What is ‘Ristaakhez’ ?A. ‘Ristaakhez’ means ‘rising of the dead’. Zoroastrianism predicts a time when
all the dead will rise up with the help of Soshyos the last great benefactor, and attain immortality, after undergoing the final judgement.
Q.118 What is Frashgird ?A. ‘Frashgird’ means the act of renovating. Zoroastrianism presages a time when
the world will be completely renovated and it will be never decaying, never rotting ever living and ever progressing (Zamyaad Yasht-89). In fact, Frashgird is continuously going on in nature with the change of old order yielding place to new.
Q.119 What is Tan-i-pasen ?A. At the time of the final great renovation mankind will lead an existence devoid
of disease, old age and death. This is known as Tan-I-pasen of finalmost bodily condition.
Q.120 What is virtue ?A. Virtue means good quality, and virtuous deeds are approved by God because
they are performed according to His will which is that man should practice virtues in his day-to-day life.
Q.121 What are the kinds of virtues ?A. These are :
(i) active virtue, (ii) passive virtues, (iii) private virtues, (iv) public virtues.
Q.122 What are active virtues ?A. If a person exerts himself to make others tread the path of virtues and actively
resists evil, he is said to follow active virtues. This type of virtues is extolled by Zoroastrian religion.
Q.123 What are passive virtues ?A. If a person is honest, just and truthful and rests satisfied with his virtuous life,
he is said to follow passive virtues.Q.124 What are private virtues ?A. Private virtues are those which make a person’s private life happy, for example
married life, contentment simplicity, frugality.
Q.125 What are public virtues ?A. Public virtues are those which benefit a large number of people, for example,
courage, bravery, generosity, public spirit to fight for truth and justice.
Q.126 What is sin ?A. To act against moral principles is considered a sin – All acts of sin slow down
soul’s progress towards perfection and they are a heavy burden on mind.
Q.127 How are sins classified ?A. Sins are classified as
(i) Sins of commission, and (ii) Sins of omission. If a person performs an evil action knowingly it is a sin of commission, but if a person knowingly avoids an opportunity to perform a good deed it is a sin of omission.
Q.128 What is repentance ?A. To repent is to retract from sin and return to the path of virtue.
Q.129 How does repentance benefit a man ?A. Through repentance a person gives expression to his suppressed thoughts and
feelings and thus lightens the burden off his mind. Sincere repentance before God helps man cease from sin.
Q.130 How can one repent ?A. One can repent of one’s sin in three ways –
(i) repentance through thoughts (paititem mano)(ii) repentance thought words (paititem vacho) and(iii) repentance through deeds (paititem shyaothnem)
Q.131 Why has the Zoroastrian religion stressed purity of elements ?
A. The four natural elements fire, air, water and earth enter into the composition of human body, hence on their purity depends the general health of mankind. Also, the four natural properties in human body viz. heat, moisture, coldness and dryness are derived from these four elements.
Q.132 How is the purity of these elements observed ?A. It is observed by not burning dead and decomposed matter on fire, nor
throwing it into water, nor interring it in earth.
Q.133 Based on the purity of elements which is the best method of disposing the dead?
A. It is exposing a dead body to the birds on the highest places. Also, on high open places sun-light and air act as very powerful purifying agents and prevent decomposition from spreading all around.
Q.134 Why is it called the best method ?A. It is the most economical, Certain birds like vulture sand ravens are meant
specially for the purpose of devouring corpses and carcasses and they are called scavenger of nature.
Q.135 What important method does this method serve ?A. All living beings have life-force to sustain them. This life-force derives its
strength from the food which it consumed. It is one of the teachings of the Zoroastrian religion that nothing should be wasted. Thus, even a dead body is put to good use insofar as it is consumed by the carnivorous birds and strengthens their vitality.
Q.136 Of what, according to Zoroastrian teachings, does a man’s physical organism consists ?
A. Man’s physical organism consists of physical body containing all the external and internal organs, and it is termed ‘tanu’ in Avesta, and there is also the bony skeleton called ‘azda’ supporting the fleshy part. To energize and vitalize the physical body heat and energy are necessary, and the process of respiration called ‘ushtaana’ imparts vitality and life to the body. There is also the form of the body called ‘kehrpa’ and strength to move about and will called ‘tevishi’.
Q.137 What according to Zoroastrian teachings, are invisible principles which motivate the physical organism ?
A. These are mainly five.(i) Ahura Mazda or life, (ii) Daenaa or conscience, (iii) Baodha or intellect, (iv) Urvan or soul and (v) Fravashi or guardian spirit.
Q.138 What is Ahura Mazda ?A. Ahura Mazda is the active principle of life which has its abode in the hearts
and vitalizes all senses of perception.
Q.139 What is Daenaa ?A. Daenaa is the inner voice of conscience which guides one while performing
actions which will ultimately determine one’s future state.
Q.140 What is Baodha ?A. Baodha or intellect reacts to the impulse carried to the brain center through
sensory nerves, which reaction is carried back to the sense organ through motor nerves and perception results.
Q.141 What is Urvan ?A. Urvan or soul is purely spiritual principles in the human constitution. Every
human soul is potentially divine and through the best righteousness one can so illumine one’s soul as to be in the nearest relationship with Ahura MazdA.
Q.142 What is Fravashi ?A. Fravashi or the guardian spirit is the most spiritual of all the invisible
principles in the human constitution, and its function is to guide the soul in its material existence. Fravashi is also associated with the function of proving energy to the body along with ushtaana.
Q.143 What are the instruments or faculties of soul ?A. Instruments or faculties of soul (ravaan avzaaraan) are mainly three :
(i) reasoning (vir) which penetrates, (ii) consciousness (osh) which protects and (iii) wisdom (khrat) which discriminates.
Q.144 How is wisdom classified ?A. Wisdom is classified as innate wisdom (aasn-khrat) and acquired wisdom
(goshosrut khrat). Without the former one is unable to acquire the latter. One can sharpen innate wisdom through acquired wisdom which can be obtained through learning and knowledge.
Q.145 What is one of the fundamental theories of Zoroastrian cosmogony ?A. One of the fundamental theories of Zoroastrian cosmogony is that at first there
was the spiritual existence and Ahura Mazda first produced material creation in a spiritual form and then again. He produced it in the material form. Cosmogony means the birth of the whole creation.
Q.146 What is another theory of Zoroastrian cosmogony ?A. Another theory of Zoroastrian cosmogony is that the material creations have
come into existence at different stages. This is the evolutionary theory of Gaahambaars according to which the order of creations is the sky, the water, the earth, the vegetation, the animal and the man.
Q.147 What is third theory of Zoroastrian cosmogony ?A. The third theory is that the creations have emerged from light. Ahura Mazda
out of His own light first produced a form of creation in the shape of fire, bright and white.
Q.148 What is fourth theory of Zoroastrian cosmogony ?A. The fourth theory is that before anything came into existence Ahura Mazda
uttered Ahuna Vairya, the holy spell, which may be called Zoroastrian logos. It must have created vibrations, and step by step creations must have come into being.
Q.149 What is behind the act of creation ?A. Zoroastrian concept of divine mind is behind the act of creation Ahura Mazda
first thought and mingled happiness with luminaries, and through wisdom produced the immutable law of Asha (Yasna 31-7). The working of the universe also reveal the mental power of the Architect of the universe.
Q.150 How is the factor of time associated with Zoroastrian cosmogony ?A. It is but natural. Creation cannot be conceived apart from time. It must have
come into existence at some particular time. Ahura Mazda fashioned limited time from infinite time and the creation took place in the former.
Q.151 By what name are the priests known among the Zoroastrians ?A. Among the Zoroastrians the priests are known as Athravans. The word
Athravan means one who tends the fire. In the eastern Iranian provinces in ancient times they acted as fire priests.
Q.152 What were the different grades of Athravans in ancient times ?A. There were different grades of Athravans in ancient times depending on their
holiness and spiritual attainments at different levels. Three grades of Athravans are mentioned in the Avesta (Khurdaad Yasht – 9).
Q.153 What are the three classes of Athravans to day ?A. The three grades of Athravans to-day are Ervad, Mobed and Dastur.Q.154 Who is an Ervad ?A. The word Ervad is derived from Avesta aethrapait which means ‘a teacher’ an
instructor. In ancient times one who was most advanced in righteousness was deemed for priestly profession, and for three years he had to acquire holy wisdom under an able teacher.
Q.155 Who is a Mobed ?A. The word Mobed is derived from Pahlavi magupat which means a master
Magian. Magians were the priests in Western Iran in ancient times. A Mobed can perform high ceremonies of the inner circle like Yazashne, Visperad Vendidad and Baaj
Q.156 Who is a Dastur ?A. The word Dastur is derived from Pehlavi Dastabar, meaning ‘one who exercise
authority’. A Dastur should combine in himself the best qualities of head and heart. He is expected to be holy, having innate wisdom and spiritual insight which are the tow important qualities expected of a high priest.
Q.157 What is Naavar ?A. Before having initiated as an Ervad the son of a priest to-day has to undergo
Naavar ordainment which consists of two Barshnums with nine nights of retreat in each, to observe strict rules and gain self-control and then four days for performing ceremonies.
Q.158 What is Maraatab ?A. To become a Mobed an Ervad has to undergo Maraatab ordainment for which
one Barshnum with nine nights of retreats is required and then two days for
performing ceremonies.
Q.159 What is Aalaat ?A. Aalaat is an Arabic word which means implement, apparatus, and these are
required for performing some high ceremonies like Yazashne, Visperad and Vendidad. The Aalaat are first of all rendered pure before being used in the ceremonies.
Q.160 Who is an Ashmogh ?A. The word Ashmogh is Avesta ashemaogha which means one who violates
Asha. The main teachings of the Zoroastrian religion are based on Asha. Therefore one who does not follow the principles of Asha is a heretic. So an Ashmogh or a heretic is in contradistinction to an Ashavan or a holy person.
Q.161 Who is a Dravant ?A. Dravant is an Avesta word which means ‘a wicked person’. He is the one who
deviates from the path of Asha or righteousness. There is a clear-cut distinction between an Ashavan or a holy man and a dravant or a wicked man.
Q.162 What is Butparasti ?A. Butparasti is a Persian word which means ‘idol worship’ which is castigated by
the Zoroastrian religion. To offer prayers before any image made of stone or wood or any other material is against the spirit of Zoroastrianism, which categorically declares that the supreme God Ahura Mazda is the most invisible and hence cannot be represented by any material image.
Q.163 What is Maachi ?A. Maachi is derived from Sanskrit manch which means a throne. While feeding
the fire of the first grade fire-temple viz. Atash Behram six pieces of sandalwood are placed on the fire. The highest grade of fire is regared as a king. Hence six pieces of sandalwood should be placed on it to make a kind of throne, pairs of two pieces one above the other.
Q.164 Where did the religion of Zarathushtra come into existence first ?A. The religion of Zarathushtra first came into existence in ancient Iran, because
Zarathushtra is spoken of as famous in Iran Vej. (Yasna 9-14)
Q.165 What religion was there in ancient Iran before Zarathushtra ?A. Before Zarathushtra the religion of ancient Iran was Poryotkeshi Mazdayasni.
Q.166 What is the meaning of Poryotkeshi Mazdayasni ?A. The meaning of Poryotkeshi Mazdayasni is the foremost creed of the worship
of Mazda or the Omniscient.
Q.167 What is meant by Saoshyant ?A. The word Saoshyant means ‘benefactor of mankind’.
Q.168 Who were the Saoshyants that preceded Zarathushtra ?A. They were Gayomard, Hoshang, Tehmuras, Hom, Jamshed, Faredoon, Kay
Kaus, and Kay Khusru. All these Saoshyants followed Mazdayasni religion.
Q.169 Why did Zarathushtra accept Poryotkeshi Mazdayasni religion ?A. There were many good elements in the Poryotkeshi Mazdayasni religion, so
Zarathushtra accepted it. It was a powerful deterrent against Daevayasni.
Q.170 Against whom did Zarathushtra preach his religion ?A. Zarathushtra preached his religion against the Daevas who refused to worship
the one Omniscient Lord and were rooted with evil mind.
Q.171 Who first supported the religion of Zarathushtra ?A. King Gushtasp of the Kayanian dynasty, who ruled at Balkh in ancient Iran,
first supported the religion of Zarathushtra after putting it to test in the assembly of the wise and the learned from different countries, who put to the prophet several questions.
Q.172 Who was the first discipline of Zarathushtra ?A. The first discipline of Zarathushtra was his own cousin Medyomah.
Q.173 After his acceptance of the Zoroastrian religion whom did King Gustasp send to propagate it ?
A. After his acceptance of the Zoroastrian religion King Gustasp sent prince Asfandyar to propagate it in distant lands.
Q.174 Who destroyed the literature of the Zoroastrian religion ?A. Alexander the great, after conquering Persia in the 4th century B.C. burnt the
library of Zoroastrian writings at Dazi-I-Nipisht, at Persepolis, and the writing which ere deposited in another library, named Ganj-I-Shapigaan, fell into the hands of the Greeks, who took them to Greece and translated them into Greek.
Q.175 Who rejuvenated the Zoroastrian religion and literature ?A. King Ardeshir Baabegaan the founder of the Sasanian dynasty in the 3rd
century A.D. made commendable efforts to rejuvenate the Zoroastrian religion and literature with the help of his high-priest Tansar. Thereafter other Sasanian Sovereigns like Shapur I, Shapur II and Noshirvan Adil made efforts in various directions to reorganize and revitalize the Zoroastrian religion and literature.
Q.176 In what language is the Zoroastrian scripture written ?A. Zoroastrian scripture is written in Avesta.
Q.177 Originally how many Nasks or books were there of the Zoroastrian religion ?
A. Originally there were 21 nasks or books of the Zoroastrian religion divided into three classes as per their contents viz. Gaasaanik or religious, Daatik or pertaining to laws and Hadhmaansrik or the intermediate between the two, each group consisting of seven books.
Q.178 What is the extant Avesta literature ?A. The extant Avesta literature is in a very small quantity. It consists of
Yasna,Visperad,Vendidad,Yasht and Khordeh Avesta.Q.179 What is Yasna ?
A. Yasna has 72 chapters and contains prayers with offerings unto Ahura Mazda and other divine spirits like Amesha Spentas, Yazatas and other spiritual entities presiding over division of time.
Q.180 What is Visperad ?A. Visperad has 23 chapters and contains prayers in praise of all the divine
presiding over the creation. It is recited on the occasion of Gaahambaars or seasonal festivals.
Q.181 What is Vendidad ?A. Vendidad has 22 chapters and covers topics such as geography of the ancient
Aryans, history of King Jamshed of the Peshdadian dynasty, five kings of different places producing joy and sorrow, instructions to keep away from nasaa or decomposing matter, Barshnum ceremony, different species of dogs and their care, qualifications of a priest etc.
Q.182 What is Yasht ?A. A Yasht is a prayer in praise of a divinity. Some of the Yashts contains
valuable information about the history of ancient Iran. There are 22 Yashts in all.
Q.183 What is Khordeh Avesta ?A. Khordeh Avesta means ‘Smaller Avesta’. It contains short prayers to be recited
daily such as five Gaahs, five Nyaaishs dome smaller Yashts, Stum prayers and one or two Monaajaats.
Q.184 What is Avesta ?A. The sacred literature of the Zoroastrians and its language are called Avesta.
The word is variously derived by different scholars, but the most probable derivation seems to be from the stem vid to know and so Avesta means ‘what is known’. It is generally acknowledge that Avesta was the language of eastern Iran.
Q.185 What is the relationship between Avesta and Sanskrit ?A. Avesta and Sanskrit are sister languages, having much in common. Not only is
there a close relationship between the words of the two languages, but at times, even the whole sentences are found identical. In particular there is a close affinity between the Vedic Sanskrit and the Gathic Avesta, and by applying some rules of phonetics entire Gathic stanzas can be changed into Sanskrit.
Q.186 What is Zand ?A. When Avesta language ceased to be properly understood, translation and
commentary were made in another language viz. Pahlavi, by the learned for the use of the general public in the Sasanian times, that is from 3rd century A.D. onwards.
Q.187 What is Pahlavi ?A. Pahlavi was the language current in Iran in the Sasanian times from
226 A.D. onwards. It is a polyphonous language as the letters of its alphabet are variously pronounced. There are some words of Semetic
origin in Pahlavi, because ancient Iran was under Semetic influence at different periods in its history. Pahlavi is also called Middle-Persian because it stands midway between the Old Persian and Modern Persian.
Q.188 What is Pazand ?A. Pahlavi, being a curious admixture of Iranian and Semetic elements,
was difficult to be understood. Hence, to simplify the language all the Semetic words were banished from Pahlavi and substituted by their Iranian equivalents. Hence a new and simplified language, viz. Pazand came into being. It is written in Avestan characters.
Q.189 In what age did Zarathushtra live ? 'A. It -is not certain when exactly Zarathushtra lived. Greek and Roman
writers place his age in a very remote past. Aristotle, Pliny and Plato place his age at 6000 B.C. and Hermippus at 7000 B.C., Some have attempted to place him between 2500 to 11000 B.C. and still others after 1000 B.C.
Q.190 Who were the main opponents of Zarathushtra ?A. The main opponents of Zarathushtra were Kavis and Karapans or the
wilfully blind and the wilfully deaf who refused to embrace his teachings which aimed at moral and spiritual uplift.
Q.191 What is Zarathushtra's greatest contribution to spiritual philosophy ?
A. Zarathushtra's greatest contribution to spiritual philosophy is the Gathas. They are the prime-utterance: of the prophet and form the quintessenee of his religious faith. They are five in number Ahunavaiti, Ushtavaiti, Spentamainyu, Vohukhshathra and Vahishtoishti, composed in archaic metres. Spiritual element preponderates in the Gathas.
Q.192 What types of evil plagued society when Zarathushtra was born ?A. Anger, robbery rapine and all kinds of wickedness stalked the face of
the earth at the time of Zarathushtra birth and mankind was plunged into the darkness and gloom of materialism.
Q.193 What new theory did Zarathushtra offer to solve the problem of evil ?
A. Zarathushtra traced the origin of evil to one of the twin spirits who differ in thoughts, words and deeds, one being better and the other evil (Yasna 30-3). Further it is said that the two spirits produced life (gaya) and non-life (ajyaaiti).
Q.194 What is meant by saying life' and 'non-life'?A. Any form of life can be produced but what about non-life ? How can it be
produced ? The implication is that life (gaya) refers to positive life-force, and non-life (ajyaaiti) to negative force of decay and destruction which acts against life. And it is a fact that all life-force in existence meets with resistance which
seeks to stifle it.
Q.195 What do the terms Spenta and Angra signify ?A. Spenta and Angra are the two spirits instrumental in the administration of the
affairs of the universe. Spenta means increasing or beneficent, and Angra means destroying or straitening.
Q.196 Does this theory lead to the belief in two Gods ?A. No. The two spirits, in the Gathas.are personified. But the Gathas are
composed in poetic form and personification is the characteristic feature of poetry. This personification does not endow the two primeval causes with real personality, but it is apparent in poetry.
Q.197 How did Zarathushtra fight evil ?A. Zarathushtra carried on a constant crusade against evil arising out of
magic, sorcery and materialism which were rampant in those days. The propagators of evil creed in his days were known as Daevas whom Zarathushtra has singularly denounced.
Q.198 In what categories is mankind, according to the Zoroastrian religion, divided ?
A. Mankind, according to the Zoroastrian religion, may generally be divided into two categories ashavan or those who are on the path of rectitude, and (ii) dravant or those who detract from that path. All kinds of evil in society emanate, for the most part, from the second category of people, and it is the bounden duty of every Zoroastrian to exert himself to resist and stem the tide of evil
Q.199 What type of life is a true Zoroastrian expected to lead to resist evil in society ?
A. A true Zoroastrian is expected to lead a life of active virtues (q.v.), and must always be on his feet to rise against any injustice or oppression done to the righteous or the downtrodden. He should under no circumstances, be a party to injustice, tyranny or wickedness.
Q.200 Is only fight against evil enough ?A. No. According to Zoroastrian teachings struggle against evil
should proceed hand-in-hand with the zeal to reform. Not only 'to strike a blow in the teeth of wrong' but also to improve and rehabilitate the wicked on the path of virtue should be the ideal of a crusader against evil. Druj should be handed over to Asha, that is, the wicked should be reinstated on the path of rectitude.
Typed by Viraf Dara Bhagwagar
Completed on Monday, January 29, 2001
Roj Mohor Mahi Shaherevar
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