ZARTHUSTRA
GOD'S MESSENGER FROM ANCIENT PERSIA
Zarathushtra is the name of the prophet of the Parsis as it appears in the Avesta, their oldest scriptural text. In later writings the name appears as 'Zartusht' or 'Zardosht'. In the ancient Greek writings the name of the prophet appears in various forms, but the most common form is 'Zoroaster', which is generally used in English and other European languages.
Zarathushtra lived and preached his religion in antiquity, in pre-historic times. His life-history, therefore, is not adequately known. But tradition has preserved the prophet's life-story as recorded in the late writings of the 9th century. These writings are evidently based on older sources. The life-story of the prophet given in this Chitra Katha is taken from the said traditional account.
The religion preached by Zarathushtra is based on the principle of Avesta arta - which signifies 'truth, law, divine cosmic law'. It is explained and expounded in simple lauguage: 'humata (good thought)', 'hukhta (good word)', 'hvarshta (good deed)'. The principle of divine justice is: BAD UNTO THE DOERS OF BAD, GOOD BLESSING UNTO DOERS OF GOOD.
The Zoroastrians once numbered millions, during the time of their empires (about 6th century B.C. to 7th century A.D.). After the downfall of the empire of the Sasanians about the middle of the 7th century, their numbers dwindled in Iran. Then some of them left Iran and migrated to India. At present the world population of the Parsis may be estimated at 130,000 souls - about 101,000 in India, about 18,000 in Iran, about 6,000 in Pakistan, and about 5,000 in Europe, America and other places of the world.
Zarathushtra lived and preached his religion in antiquity, in pre-historic times. His life-history, therefore, is not adequately known. But tradition has preserved the prophet's life-story as recorded in the late writings of the 9th century. These writings are evidently based on older sources. The life-story of the prophet given in this Chitra Katha is taken from the said traditional account.
The religion preached by Zarathushtra is based on the principle of Avesta arta - which signifies 'truth, law, divine cosmic law'. It is explained and expounded in simple lauguage: 'humata (good thought)', 'hukhta (good word)', 'hvarshta (good deed)'. The principle of divine justice is: BAD UNTO THE DOERS OF BAD, GOOD BLESSING UNTO DOERS OF GOOD.
The Zoroastrians once numbered millions, during the time of their empires (about 6th century B.C. to 7th century A.D.). After the downfall of the empire of the Sasanians about the middle of the 7th century, their numbers dwindled in Iran. Then some of them left Iran and migrated to India. At present the world population of the Parsis may be estimated at 130,000 souls - about 101,000 in India, about 18,000 in Iran, about 6,000 in Pakistan, and about 5,000 in Europe, America and other places of the world.
- Title : Zarthustra
- Volume/Serial No.(new) : 738
- Volume/Serial No. (old) : 066
- Pages : 36
- Language : English
- Published in year :1974
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