 The Foremost
Asho Zarathustra's 3772nd birthday
By Ali A. Jafarey
March 28, 2004
iranian.com
On March 25 -- day of Khordad, month of Farvardin
-- Zoroastrians celebrate the birthday of Asho Zarathushtra, the
Divine Founder
of the Good Religion. I greet our companions ... on this
auspicious occasion and turn to the Avesta to see what
it has to say for the day.
The oldest eulogy for a human being on record in
the Indo-lranian scriptures is in honor of Asho Zarathushtra. Prior
to this, there
were praises only for gods, goddesses and deified personalities.
It consists of seven stanzas, 88 to 94 in the Farvardin Yasht.
The eulogy's wordings show that it was composed centuries
after Zarathushtra when, instead of the geographical units of humanity
on house, settlement, district, land, and the earth divisions,
we find the society again divided on the professional basis of
priests, warriors and the settled producers.
The composer is
a
priest who owes no alliance to the pre-Zarathushtrian cult,
and fully believes that Zarathushtra is the first and foremost
in
ushering in a completely new era.
The eulogy, although short, throws quite a good light on Zarathushtra.
It shows that:
1. Zarathushtra was born in spring when snow
thawed, rains came, waters flowed, trees blossomed and plants
grew. 2. He was
led to good words and good deeds through his good intuition.
3.
He realized the truth and recognized and comprehended the Wise
God in an age when the world around him was completely engrossed
in superstitions.
4. He preached to others what he learned through
his inspirations.
5. He is FOREMOST in every phase of life. He revolutionizes
the social structure and bases it on thoughtful thoughts, words
and
deeds. Leaders, both spiritual and physical, are to be elected
and their election is to be based on their competency and sincerity.
Modern democracy has yet to catch up with what Zarathushtra advice
and recommendations in his ever-fresh teachings.
6.
Men and women enjoy freedom as equals. People can choose Asho
Zarathushtra as their spiritual and physical leader only after
understanding his divine message. 7. At a time when every race considered
itself to be the chosen people of gods/God, Zarathushtra did not
discriminate between race,
cast and creed. The Good Religion is universal and for all the
peoples of the world. It is the best religion among the
existing ones. It advocates preaching and propagation on sound
basis of education aimed at spreading all over the earth. It
is the first universal missionary religion.
He is constantly referred to as 'The Foremost' because
he is the first and foremost in giving an entirely fresh outlook
to every
walk of life. His 'Good Religion' is all-embracing.
All the above points and many more are well documented
in other parts of the Avesta as well as the Pahlavi writings. He
is unique.
Here is a free abridged rendering of the eulogy
in English:
Stanza 88
We venerate the Reward and the Religious Choice of
the Righteous Zarathushtra Spitama,
who is the foremost
to think, speak and do good;
Who is the foremost
priest, warrior and settled industrious,
who is the foremost
to learn for himself and teach others,
who is the foremost
to understand for himself and for others,
[the following facts] --
the living world, the Universal Law of Asha,
the Divine Message and the need to listen to it,
the Divine Dominion, and all the good things
created by the Wise One
as of Righteousness.
Stanza 89
Who is the foremost
to reject false gods and ignoble persons,
who is the foremost
in the material existence
to uphold Righteousness, denounce false gods,
choose to worship the Wise God
and be a Zoroastrian denying false gods
and adhering to the Divine Doctrine.
Stanza 90
Who is the foremost
in the material existence
to declare that none of the imaginary deities
is worthy of worship and adoration.
He stands as an ideal for a noble life,
because he is the foremost bearer
of the Divine Doctrine in all the lands.
Stanza 91
His thought-provoking songs of Righteousness
are heard everywhere.
He is the lord and the leader of the world.
He praised Righteousness
as the best, sublimest and greatest.
and he gave the doctrine of the Religion
which is the best among all the religions that are. Stanza 92
The immortals progressives,
who are all of one accord,
chose him and accepted him,
after a thorough consideration,
as the lord and the leader of the world.
Stanza 93
In whose birth and growth
the waters and plants flourished,
in whose birth and growth
the waters and the plants increased,
and in whose birth and growth
the entire progressing creation shouted:
Stanza 94
Hail to us, for a spiritual leader
is born - Zarathushtra Spitama!
Henceforth the Good Religion
of Mazda-worship will spread
all over the seven climes of the earth.
* * * * *
Ali A. Jafarey
Orange County, Southern California
6 Farvardin 3742 ZRE == 25 March 2004 CE
3772nd Birthday Anniversary
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The Foremost
