A Sequel To Essentials of Zoroastrianism (1951) Late Dr. Framroze Sorabji Chiniwala B.A., L.M.&S. 2002 Late Dr. F. S. Chiniwala published in 1941 his book in English entitled 'Essentials of Zoroastrianism' for the Parsi public. He followed this up with the manuscript of a sequel, in or about 1950-51, and appended to the said manuscript a note reproduced below: vus ƒ‹†ƒ A.D. eka Nik;yks vaOksÔ ys[kuks vk chîs Hkkx Ns. vk vk[kq …‡‹ ikukuq y[kk.k vaOksÔ Hkkx rjhds Nkiok ekVs y[kk;yq grq ts vkeus vke jgsyq Ns. igsyk ƒŠ ikuk ts Mkdrjuk [kqnuk gkFkuks y[ksy Ns ts Vkbi uFkh rs vaOksÔ Vkbi ys[k ƒ†… ikuk yxhuks Ns rsek eqdsy Ns. Since writing the manuscript a half-century has elapsed and 'rationalism' and 'reform' has taken its toll of the Zoroastrian community and their belief in the 'Message' of Lord Zarathustra. In such circumstances the publication of the book, if it rekindles faith even in a few, the purpose will be fulfilled. Zarthusti Ilme Khshnoom Felavnari Committee 6th August, 2002. FOREWORD This small book containing some main features of the Mazdyasni Zarthosti Daen will be of use to a novice. It will furnish some knowledge about the religion. Special care is taken to present to view the main spiritual aspect of the religion. The mere materialistic view point does not help much, as that view is common in all religions; hence no special mark of demarcation can be drawn by it. It is the spiritual aspect only which gives a vivid picture as it ought to be. Such an aspect can only be given by the knowledge called 'Khshnoom' (knowledge giving exhilaration and joy both to body and soul). The present day study of the religion from the 'Western point of view' is all materialistic which is entirely innocent of the esoteric view point of the religion. The practice of the religion by the Parsis has been handed down to them from the Sassanian Empire days of the Parsis drawn right from the time of the Prophet who had purified, revived, and ratified the old Mazdyasni religion with the addition of what is called the Zoroastrian law which is depicted in the book viz. Vi-daevo-dat. The mist of much glooming misrepresentation hangs round the horizon of Western study which can be much clarified by the original native study called Khshnoom-Beatific Knowledge remembered in Gathas more than once with the urgent prayer that it may come to light and serve humanity clearing their minds and hearts of the Satanic promptings. This Khshnoom Knowledge has been preserved in its entirety by the Zoroastrian sages called Saheb-I-Dilans, who dwell secluded in the mountain abode of the Koh-Demavand. Our preceptor learnt it from them, who has divulged it to us, which has the proper angle of vision to see the basis and the object really underlying the great religion. We publish the booklet with the sole object of religious service to co-religionist. F. S. CHINIWALA 1955. RELIGION BEFORE ZOROASTER A deluge had come and had destroyed the earth B.C. 37,000 nearly. Nearly 25,000 years after the deluge the earth again came to existence. In the newly grown world for nearly 5,000 years when Zoroaster appeared there were only two forms of religion. One was called Mazdyasni religion i.e. religion given by Mazdâ. The other was called 'Daevyasni' religion promulgated by the evil spirits. When the Daevyasni religion began to gain strength and to pollute even the good religion Ahûrmazd sent Zoroaster with a spiritual weapon Vi-Daevo-Dat i.e. a weapon to remove the pollution of the evil spirit. He purified the old good religion and added the Vi-Daevo-Dat forming a new addition to the old one called Zartoshti Daen, the whole being called Mazdyasni Zartoshti religion. The newly grown world was ruled by Peshdat and Kayani monarchs who were attacked and molested by Daev worshipping leaders. For nearly 5,000 years this duel between the good monarchs and evil leaders raged when Zoroaster came and settled the matter in favour of the good religion instituting the above said Mazdyasni Zartoshti religion. THE AGE OF THE MAZDYASNI RELIGION In the hoary past when our earth was first inhabited by humanity it was as pure as a paradise. It was hence called Garodeman. Humanity was all guileless and possessed of wonderous powers. Ganamin and his assistant Satan, the authors of sin, had not and could not enter such a world. Yazats used to visit it daily. Yazats taught the humanity, establishing in the then world, the religion called Mazdyasni i.e. the religion originated by Ahûra Mazdâ. Afterwards when Ganamin succeeded in entering this world it was spoiled by sins. It was then called Drujo-Deman i.e. residence of falsehood i.e. living hell. From the day of the entrance of Ganamin into this world till it reached the age of 81,000 years the world was drowned in sins. The deluge destroyed it. It was regenerated after 25,000 years. The same old Mazdyasni religion was revived from that time till the present with the addition of the Zarthosti Daen as explained above. THE SUBSEQUENT GROWTH OF THE OTHER FOUR MAIN RELIGIONS FROM THE MAZDYASNI RELIGION. Zoraster was an exceptional being, a Yazat in a human form, who was fully instructed by Ahûra-Mazdâ about the whole universe and the final salvation. It is revealed that the universe with its four main phases was created because of the existence of 'sin-promulgating-ignorance'. It (universe) will be completed and allowed to workout - show its sinful nature and finally saved to its smallest particle in what are called seven epochs, each of the Zervâné Akarné length. In the first three epochs the whole universe, of four phases, will be completely built up and made current in the fourth epoch doing its work according to its nature. In the last four epochs it will be purified and will again be merged in Ahûrmazd from whom it came. It is revealed that there will be five main genera of humanity called Varen otherwise called Jirams. The first genus of the whole humanity will be that of Jupitor, as it will be under the influence of that planet. Its religion will be Mazdyasni Zarthosti. Out of this Jupitor genus will grow Mercury genus of the East and of the West. They will be mostly idol worship of white side. The East Mercury genus will be of Hinduism and other forms coming from it as Budhism and Jainism etc. The West Mercury genus will be of Babylonian and Assyrian religion, from 1 which will grow other idol worshipping religions of Semetic nations finally giving birth to Greek and Roman forms of religions. From these Semite Mercury genus and its religions will grow out the third genus of Venus with its Jewish religion and sub-sects. From this genus of Venus will come out the genus of Saturn with its Christian religion and its sub-sects. Lastly from these Venus and Saturn genera will come out the genus of Mars with its religion of Mohomedanism. All the religions of these four genera are the offshoots of Mazdyasni religion. They were supposed to be tolerant. But they have, as times roll on, become infected by the old Daevyasni form and have become intolerant and cruel and oppressive towards the votaries of other genera and have abused the authority given to them. PROSELYTISM IS THE MANDATE OF DEVYASNI RELIGION AND NOT THAT OF THE GOOD MAZDYASNI RELIGION. We have seen in the second chapter that humanity is divided into five main genera by Nature. This subject is discussed in the chapter of creation. Every being whether human or animal or vegetable or mineral is born with the patronage of one or another of the above said genera either of Jupitor or of Mercury or of Venus or of Saturn or of Mars to which Mazdyasnism, Hinduism and other idol worshipping 'isms' of the east or west. Judaism, Christianity and Islam are affiliated respectively. It is a sealed fact that a man is judged by his deeds. But Christ and Mohomed out of deep love for the group of souls born under the influence of their respective genus (Varen) have given promises to give some release from sins if the votary acts upto their commandments. Here these prophets know that their group of souls are overburdened with sins, hence require some release. Therefore, they actually bear upon themselves some burden of their sins, thus giving a kind of sacrifice for them. Is it then gracious to increase, by proselytism, tons upon tons of weight of sins of men born under the influence of other genera than of themselves upon their heads? To speak in other words these prophets are really worried by such act of proselytism which is contrary to the mandate of Nature herself. Nature has made this division according to the value of the glory of the souls. Thus everything in the world is assigned a genus which will take it to salvation in a short cut. To break this natural law of Ahûrmazd and force men to change the religion on the point of bayonet is, to say the least, satanic and is due to the promptings of the Daevyasni abomination attached to the religion. Thus proselytism is a dire sin distracting humanity from its path towards salvation. NASKS - THE HOLY WRIT OF ZARTHUSTRA We have said above that Zoraster was instructed by Ahûrmazd.