Ancient Zoroastrian practices regarding Hair cuttings, Nail parings, and...
The treatment of hair cuttings and nail pairings in traditional, ancient Zoroastrianism is a very controversial subject among modern Zoroastrians. The ancient Zoroastrian customs surrounding hair...
View ArticleAvestan Titans and the Vedic Gods
The Primeval God-powers or Ahûrás/Titans of ancient Zoroastrianism do NOT correspond directly to Vedic deities themselves but are identifiable with the formidable powers/brilliant qualities of the...
View ArticleSky made of Precious Stones, and the Heavenly abode of Immortals in the...
We read in the Zoroastrian sacred lore that every mortal’s duty is to know these five things; One is this: “What am I, a man or a demon? Where have I come from, from Heaven or from the abyss? What do I...
View ArticleHearth Fire in Zoroastrianism
The 9th month of the Zoroastrian sacred calendar, that is the last month of fall/autumn is dedicated to “hearth fire, and altar,” áθar/áthar. The great festival of fire ADAR.GAAN literally “singing...
View ArticleThe dual nature of “wolves, fairies, and mortal men in the Zoroastrian sacred...
The traditional accounts of Zarathustra’s life are contained in the 7th book of holy Denkart (Denkart literary means “explanatory works on the revealed wisdom/vision.” Denkart is the largest, and most...
View ArticleThe great Zoroastrian Winter Festival of Sadæ
Sadæ is the great Zoroastrian-Iranian winter festival that heralds the coming of spring, and the gradual warming of the waters, the earth and plants. Sadæ is celebrated forty days after winter...
View ArticleNauvrooz and Spring Equinox of 2020
We read in the the 27th chapter of Bün-dahishn, literally “the basis of Creation/Establishing of the Worlds,” that for each day of the month there is a flower that is appropriate for Ahûrá Mazda, and...
View ArticleAncient Váršt-mánsar commentary on the holiest formula of Zoroastrianism
Váršt-mánsar literally “most efficient mantras, mind formulas,” is the title of one of the 3 most ancient commentaries of the Poetic Gathas. In the following series of articles, I will discuss the...
View ArticlePraise of Ingenuity, the truth of Immortals, second holiest mantra
According to the varšt-mánsar ancient commentary, aṣ̌em-vohü, the second holiest mantra of Zoroastrianism is about counsel to praise and worship aṣ̌á, “excellence, right order, truth.” (Avestan aṣ̌á...
View Articleyeŋhæ-hátám, Hallow the Immortals
According to the varšt-mánsar ancient commentary, yeŋhæ-hátám is about the words of Ahûrá Mazdá to Zarathustra of the Spitaman (white) Clan: ‘ Utter the hallowed words of prayer for us who are the...
View ArticleYasna 28 and the magical wisdom, craftsmanship of the creator
The ancient váršt.mánsar commentary of the first song of the Gathas (Yasna 28) starts with the discussion of yánîm manö formula. Yánîm manö is a short preface to the first sacred song. Accordingly, the...
View ArticleYasna 28 and the heaven of songs/music
The Poetic Songs/Gathas of Zarathustra start with Yasna 28, with the word ahyá (self, essence.) The last word of the Gathas is vahyö, (better, more excellently.) In the ancient Mazda Worship, ahuras...
View ArticleThe luminous vision, the eye, and the sun in the gathic poetry
The Váršt.mánsar commentary of Yasna 28 talks about the “eyes of excellence,” and “luminous vision of higher truth” ašəm through the “sublime words of the Brilliant, Auspicious Immortals.” Áiš in the...
View ArticleSraosha, heeding and being inspired by the brilliant god powers
We read in the Várštmánsar commentary of Yasna 28 that the“Auspicious, Brilliant Immortals” come for assistance/help through Seraôša, or “readiness to listen, and be inspired by the life increasing...
View ArticleZoroastrian Wáj and Indo-European *Wékwos
Wáj or Báj, is an “Avestan formula of benediction,” which serves to invoke Gods/Immortals favor upon life activities via sacred speech. Wáj/Báj must be recited in the words of the Avestan language...
View ArticleThe Zoroastrian Midsummer celebrations, and the sacred Three-Star
This year, the Zoroastrian mid-summer festival “maidhyö-sham” started on June the 29th, and was concluded on July 3rd. The Zoroastrian midsummer festivities are closely associated with Tištriia,...
View ArticleOld Avestan riddle poems and the essence of the Immortals
The Váršt-mánsar commentary of Yasna 28.7 states that through the melodious songs of mąθrá “poetic thought, sacred word,” Zarathustra, ( and those who follow his luminous vision,) connect to the “very...
View ArticlePætat, Fravarti, and Parsi New Year
The last 10 days before the Zoroastrian new year are dedicated to “the spirits of valiant warriors/ancestors,” known as fra.varti. According to Bernfried Schlerath, the word is derived from the root...
View ArticleVeneration of Immortals, and the Concept of Intercession in Zoroastrianism
The concept of making an appeal to the “Auspicious, Brilliant, Immortals,” “hallowed god powers,” “pristine archetypes,” and “luminous blessed spirits,” to INTERCEDE on behalf of mortals is among the...
View ArticleThe great autumnal festival of Mehregan
Zoroastrian festival of Mehregaan is an autumnal harvest festival dedicated to Mithra. It is a six days, most joyous holiday that starts on October 2nd, and concludes on October 8th. The festivities...
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