From Ahura Mazda. They were the ancient Persian nobles who worshipped Ormazd, and, rejecting images, inspired the Jews with the same horror for every concrete representation of the Deity. They seemed in Herodotus' time to have been superseded by the Magian religionists. The Parsis and Gebers, (geberim, mighty men, of Genesis vi. and x. 8) appear to be Magian religionists. See also. Spiegel's Yasna, xl Spiegel's Yasna, xl ...

Including:

• Mazdeans - Reference

Read more here: » Mazdeans: Encyclopedia - Mazdeans

Yasna (Pahlavi) Worship; also the name given to each of the 17 songs of the Gathas, known too as Haiti (hat in Zoroastrianism today). Other Yasnas have been added to the original Yasnas of Gathas, making 72 in total. It is the principle liturgical book of the Parsis, containing the texts read at the sacred ceremonies in honor of the Zoroastrian deities. The part of this book of particular interest, the Gathas (ch 28-54), contain the discourses of the prophet Zoroaster, written in a metrical style and in a dialect older than and differing from that in which the other portions of the extant Avesta are written.

(See also: Yasna, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Body mind and Soul)

Yasna, or Yacna (Pahli). The third portion of the first of the two parts of the Avesta, the Scripture of the Zoroastrian Parsis. The Yasna is composed of litanies of the same kind as the Visperad (the second portion) and of five hymns or gathas. These gathas are the oldest fragments of Zoroastrian literature known to the Parsis, for they are written "in a special dialect, older than the general language of the Avesta" (Darmesteter). (See " Zend ".)

(See also: Yasna, Yacna, Theosophy, Spirituality, Body mind and Soul, Spiritual Dictionary, )

Gathas are the divine songs composed by prophet Zarathushtra, more than 3,000 years ago. Gathic verses reflect the communion which the Prophet received from Ahura Mazda, the Supreme Being. The Gathic verses are collected in 17 chapters, each called a Haiti, incorporated into a ritual text, the Yasna.

Ahura Mazda as the sole creator and protector of the universe. The Avestan Ahura means 'lord of life', and Mazda means 'all knowing, omniscient'. The Zoroastrian religion is based on the immutable and eternal law of Asha which signifies truth, order, discipline and progress.

Read more here: » Law of Asha: Zarathushtra and the Law of Asha

In Hinduism, Yajna or Yagya यज्ञ(Sanskrit yajñá "worship, prayer, praise; offering, oblation, sacrifice") is a Vedic ritual of sacrifice performed to please the Devas, or sometimes to the Supreme Spirit Brahman. It involves pouring oblations into the divine Agni (the sacrificial fire). Everything that is offered in the divine Agni is believed to reach the Devas. A yajna is typically performed by a hotar, with a number of additional priests playing a supporting role, chanting Vedic verses. Often there will be a ...

Read more here: » Yajna: Encyclopedia - Yajna

Zarathushtra formulated a religion free from dogmas, commandments, and compulsions. Man is endowed with reason, with freedom of thought, word and deed. He is free to choose between good and evil. But with the gift of Vohu Manah, the Good Mind, he can be encouraged to adhere to the righteous path, the Law of Asha.

Read more here: » Zarathushtra: The Good Mind and Zarathushtra

Two men went into a mango garden. One man started counting the mango trees and the number of fruit each bore and approximate value of the orchard.

The other man went straight to the owner and making his acquaintance was invited by him to pluck and taste the fruit.

One was busy in counting and calculating, the other was enjoying the delicious fruit. Ramakrishna Paramhansa would cite this example to show the difference between the man of dry academics and the man of devotion.

(See also: Importance of emotions in relation with god, Faith and Belief, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

In Hinduism, a Rishi (ṛṣi) is a sage and/or seer who "heard" (cf. shruti) the hymns of the Vedas from the Supreme Being Brahman while he was in deep meditation. A rishi can be regarded as a combination of a patriarch, a priest, a preceptor, an author of Vedic hymns, a sage, a saint, an ascetic, ...

Read more here: » Rishi: Encyclopedia - Rishi

The Gathas form the oldest part of Avesta, the holy scripture of the Zoroastrian religion, traditionally believed to have been composed by Zarathushtra (Zoroaster) himself. The verses are composed in the metrical forms of ancient Indo-Iranian religious poetry. It is in a very condensed style of versification, in which standard grammatical construction is more absent than present. In extent the Gathas constitute a small book containing about 6000 words, in about 1300 lines set in 238 verses which are collected in 17 chapters, ea ...

Including:

• Gathas - The Language of the Gathas
• Gathas - The Content of the Gathas

Read more here: » Gathas: Encyclopedia - Gathas

In the Zoroastrian religion, Saoshyant refers to one who will "make existence brilliant". Literally, the term means "one who brings benefit." In common usage, this term refers to a future savior or Messiah-figure, who will spread divine truth and lead humanity in the final battle against the forces of evil. In Zoroaster's own writings, the Gathas, the term is used to refer to his own prophetic mission and to the community of his followers, who bring "bring benefit" to humanity. In later Zoroastrian doctrine it is envisag ...

Read more here: » Saoshyant: Encyclopedia - Saoshyant

Avestan (avesta) is an Eastern Old Iranian language that was used to compose the hymns of the Zoroastrian holy book, the Avesta. Iranian languages are part of the Indo-Iranian Language group which includes the Indo-Aryan languages such as Sanskrit. The Indo-Iranian language group is the major eastern branch of the Indo-European languages. Along with Old Persian, Avestan is one of the two oldest Iranian languages of which we have evidence. The structure of the language and its sound system testifies to its status as an East Iranian language. The Avestan language, as reflect ...

Including:

• Avestan language - Phonology

Read more here: » Avestan language: Encyclopedia - Avestan language

Zoroaster was an ancient Iranian prophet and the founder of Zoroastrianism, which was the national religion of the Sassanian dynasty of the Persian Empire, and of the earlier Achaemenean dynasty. The original form of his name was Zarathushtra (Zaraθuštra), but he is usually known in English as Zoroaster (after the Greek version, Ζωροάστρης, Zoroastres). Zoroaster was born in the northwestern part of Iran, in the city of Urmehr, modern day Uroomiyeh in east Azarbaijan province. T ...

Including:

• Zoroaster - Name
• Zoroaster - Zoroaster in History
• Zoroaster - Life
• Zoroaster - Zoroaster in Historical Context
• Zoroaster - Date of Zoroaster
• Zoroaster - Zoroastrian teachings
• Zoroaster - Zoroaster in the West
• Zoroaster - Contemporary views
• Zoroaster - Bibliography

Read more here: » Zoroaster: Encyclopedia - Zoroaster

Zoroastrianism was once the "official" religion of Sassanid (Sassanian) Persia, and played an important role in the Achaemenid as well as Parthian empires in Persia. The religion is also known as Mazdaism by some followers; and currently, as Zarathustrianism by others. Zoroastrian areas once stretched from Anatolia to the Persian Gulf, and its followers once numbered in the millions. Its followers today, located in South Asia, Iran, and throughout the diaspora, num ...

Including:

• Zoroastrianism - Principal beliefs
• Zoroastrianism - Specific Zoroastrian concepts
• Zoroastrianism - The Prophet
• Zoroastrianism - Zoroaster's meditations
• Zoroastrianism - Zoroaster's preaching
• Zoroastrianism - Holy Book
• Zoroastrianism - History
• Zoroastrianism - Historical importance
• Zoroastrianism - Principles of modern-day Zoroastrianism
• Zoroastrianism - Adherents
• Zoroastrianism - Famous Zoroastrians
• Zoroastrianism - Notes

Read more here: » Zoroastrianism: Encyclopedia - Zoroastrianism

The Yazidi or Yezidi (Kurdish: Êzidî) are adherents of a small Middle Eastern religion with ancient origins. They are primarily ethnic Kurds, and most Yazidis live near Mosul, Iraq with smaller communities in Syria, Turkey, Iran, Georgia and Armenia, and are estimated to number ca. 500,000 individuals in total. There are also Yazidi refugees in Europe. Yazidi - Origins. The origins of Yazidism are ultimately shrouded in the mist of the ancient Middle East. Although the Yazidis speak Kurdish, ...

Including:

• Yazidi - Origins
• Yazidi - Religious Beliefs
• Yazidi - Yazidism and Zoroastrianism
• Yazidi - Organization
• Yazidi - Religious Practices
• Yazidi - Prayers
• Yazidi - Pilgrimage
• Yazidi - Festivals
• Yazidi - Purity and Taboos
• Yazidi - Customs
• Yazidi - Myths
• Yazidi - Recent History
• Yazidi - Views of outsiders fiction and stereotypes
• Yazidi - Academic texts about Yazidis

Read more here: » Yazidi: Encyclopedia - Yazidi

Soma (Sanskrit), or Haoma (Avestan) (from Proto-Indo-Iranian *Sauma) was a ritual drink of importance among the early Indo-Iranians, and the later Vedic and Iranian cultures. It is frequently mentioned in the Rigveda, which contains many hymns praising its energizing or intoxicating qualities. It is described as prepared by pressing juice from the stalks of a certain mountain plant, which has been variously hypothesized to be a psychedelic mushroom, cannabis, or ephedra. In both Indian and Iranian tradition, the drink is ...

Including:

• Soma - Etymology
• Soma - Soma in Indian tradition
• Soma - Vedas
• Soma - Other Hindu texts
• Soma - Hinduism
• Soma - Persian Haoma
• Soma - Candidates for the Soma plant
• Soma - Hallucinogenic
• Soma - Ephedra
• Soma - Archaeological evidence

Read more here: » Soma: Encyclopedia - Soma

Gathas

(Avestan, "songs")

Seventeen hymns in Yasna (a section of the Zoroastrian scriptures) ascribed to Zoroaster, the holiest words in the tradition.

(See also: Gathas, New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

Gathas

(Avestan, "songs")

Seventeen hymns in Yasna (a section of the Zoroastrian scriptures) ascribed to Zoroaster, the holiest words in the tradition.

(See also: Gathas, New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

Mazdeans. From (Ahura) Mazda. (See Spiegel’s Yasna, xl.) They were the ancient Persian nobles who worshipped Ormazd, and, rejecting images, inspired the Jews with the same horror for every concrete representation of the Deity. They seem in Herodotus’ time to have been superseded by the Magian religionists. The Parsis and Gebers, (geberim, mighty men, of Genesis vi. and x. 8) appear to be Magian religionists.

(See also: Mazdeans, Theosophy, Spirituality, Body mind and Soul, Spiritual Dictionary, )

Textual evidence regarding the birthplace of Zoroaster is conflicting. Yasnas 9 & 17 cite Airyanem Vaējah, "Homeland of the Aryans" (Pahlavi Ērān Wēj), on the Ditya River, as the home of Zoroaster, and the scene of his first appearance. The Būndahišn or Creation (20, 32 and 24, 15) says the Dhraja River in Ērān Wēj was his birth-place, and the home of his father. This same text identifies Ērān Wēj with the district of Arran on the river Aras (Araxes), close by the north-western ...

See also:

Zoroaster, Zoroaster - Name, Zoroaster - Zoroaster in History, Zoroaster - Life, Zoroaster - Zoroaster in Historical Context, Zoroaster - Date of Zoroaster, Zoroaster - Zoroastrian teachings, Zoroaster - Zoroaster in the West, Zoroaster - Contemporary views, Zoroaster - Bibliography

Read more here: » Zoroaster: Encyclopedia II - Zoroaster - Zoroaster in Historical Context

The teachings of Zoroaster are presented in seventeen liturgical, texts, or "hymns", the yasna which is divided into groups called Gāthās. If basic precepts of Zoroastrianism are to be distilled into a single maxim, the maxim is Humata, Hukhta, Huvarshta (Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds). A cosmic struggle between Aša "The Truth" (Pahlavi Ahlāyīh) and Druj "The Lie" (Pahlavi Druz) is presented as the foundation of our existence. This is often related to a struggle between ...

See also:

Zoroaster, Zoroaster - Name, Zoroaster - Zoroaster in History, Zoroaster - Life, Zoroaster - Zoroaster in Historical Context, Zoroaster - Date of Zoroaster, Zoroaster - Zoroastrian teachings, Zoroaster - Zoroaster in the West, Zoroaster - Contemporary views, Zoroaster - Bibliography

Read more here: » Zoroaster: Encyclopedia II - Zoroaster - Zoroastrian teachings