Acceptance – Never Ever. - Traditional Zoroastrianism: Tenets of the ...

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How can one possess Geushaaish Vahishtaa and Soochaa Mananghaa? By selecting that part of the belief or faith (here, in the sense of spiritual disciplines given by the Prophet) as is necessary for him according to the quantum of passions in his body, which are to be eliminated. There is, therefore, not a shadow of doubt that (a) "ears" that hear the best and illumined minds that can "see" can be attained only by those who follow the path laid down by Prophet Zarathushtra. The "choice", if any, therefore is inescapable; and (b) only after such a path is followed, that one is on the way of becoming an Ashavan - a true disciple of Prophet Zarathushtra. It will, therefore, be evident even to a goon, that there isn't the remotest idea, or even any inference of any "freedom of choice" in matters religious or spiritual. If the Prophet had propagated such a dangerous doctrine, and permitted people to act according to their whims and fancies, there was no need, in the first place for him to come. And secondly, an ordinary human being, even if endowed with extraordinary common sense, simply cannot fathom the mysteries of Nature, without the development of the "many ears" (plexuses) and minus an "illumined mind", which would help him actually "see" the events. 11
Chapter 7 BRIEF EXAMINATION OF SOME OF THE OFT-MENTIONED QUOTATIONS FROM RELIGIOUS TEXTS TO JUSTIFY CONVERSION The Gathas: Besides Yasna 30.2 analysed in the last chapter, there are some other Gathic stanzas, which are often wrongly cited by the 20th century protagonists of proselytisation. We shall consider some of the oft-quoted ones. Yasna Ha 28.7: In the last line of this strophe occur three words, Manthra Sreveemaa raadao, which literally mean, "may we hear such Manthra"! Some scholars translate these words as, "may we chant these Manthras for hearing!" The queer interpretation, in parenthesis, by some of these scholars, is, ("may we declare them to the world !") or ( "may we spread far and wide, Your Holy Word !"). That this spreading in "the world" or "far and wide", is a pure figment of fancy of these writers, is evident to any person even devoid of common sense! The ruddy trouble with such translators is that they sit down to translate with an "idee fixe", a rigid preconceived notion, that proselytisation is a part of the Zoroastrian doctrine ! Yasna 30.11: Once again, three words, daregem dregvodebyo rusho, this time occurring in the 2nd line of this stanza are taken to mean, "to the dravands (those who do not listen to Zarathushtra's commandments), there is long-lasting pain and anguish, and to the Ashavans (those who have listened to the preachings of Zarathushtra) benefit and gain." [This last is a part of the 3rd line of this stanza]. Where on earth is here even the slightest hint of conversion? But, those interpreters, who see conversion even in their plates of soup, the word “dregvodebyo”, meaning "dravands", is viciously distorted to mean, "those who are followers of other religions" ! ? The word "dravand" simply means, one who is not righteous and holy, or one who is away from Ashoi and practises falsehood. In this line, it is clearly implied that those who practise falsehood, should be put on the path of righteousness. Do those who see conversion here imply that all other religions preach falsehood to their followers? Let it be said emphatically that even today, many of the followers of Prophet Zarathushtra do not follow the Zoroastrian tenets and doctrines, and are, therefore, pure and simple dravands ! Yasna Ha 31.3: One word that has caused real havoc in the minds of proponents of proselytism, is the last one in the stanza, Vauraya. They translate it to mean, "I-may-ever-convert." What Avestic root do they derive this from? Var, Sansk. Vri = "to turn" (according to these translators). But this root Var meaning "to turn", is attested neither in Avesta nor in Sanskrit ! Both Ervad Kanga in his "Avesta Dictionary" and Prof. Bartholomae in his “Altiranisches Woerterbuch” have exhaustively treated this Avesta root in various forms, but neither has assigned it the meaning, “to turn”! The same root occurs in Old Persian, with the meaning, "to believe", "to put faith in", "to convince". In Pahlavi, we have varravastan = "to believe", vavar = "belief". Thus, the Gathic word Vauraya, is used in the sense of "to ensure that one will believe and put faith in", but there is definitely no suggestion whatsoever of "changing" one's faith ! 12
Page 1 and 2: Acceptance - Never Ever. CONVERSION
Page 3 and 4: INTRODUCTION The purpose of this li
Page 5 and 6: (iii) Zoroastrian children with chi
Page 7 and 8: Thus, our present-day scriptures ha
Page 9 and 10: Chapter 3 LIFE AND TIMES BEFORE THE
Page 11 and 12: Chapter 4 THE PROPHET COMETH With s
Page 13 and 14: Chapter 6 "FREEDOM OF CHOICE" - THE
Page 15: A MAN WOULD SUCH AN ASHAVAN BE? WHA
Page 19 and 20: are there in the Universe. Mazdayas
Page 21 and 22: Keshvar, because of their antiquate
Page 23 and 24: It is also a known fact that the Ac
Page 25 and 26: Chapter 9 PARSEES - THE TRUE FOLLOW
Page 27 and 28: Chapter 10 MIXED MARRAIGES - FIRST
Page 29 and 30: Chapter 11 THE SUPREME IMPORTANCE O
Page 31 and 32: husky nature, since they do not con
Page 33: REFERENCES Boyce, Mary: 1. Zoroastr

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