Zarathushtrabetter known as Zarathustra - the founder of Zoroastrianism (Mazdeism), priest and prophet, who was given the Revelation of Ahura-Mazda in the form of the Avesta - the sacred scripture of Zoroastrianism.
The biography of Zarathustra is full of many interesting facts from his personal and religious life.
So, before you is a short biography of Zarathustra.
Biography of Zarathustra
Zarathustra was born in Rades, which is one of the most ancient cities in Iran.
The exact date of birth of Zarathustra is unknown. It is believed that he was born at the turn of the 7th-6th centuries. BC. However, the analysis of the Ghats (the main part of the sacred texts of the Zoroastrians) dates the era of the prophet's activity to the 12-10 centuries. BC.
The nationality of Zarathustra also causes much controversy among his biographers. Various sources attribute it to Persians, Indians, Greeks, Assyrians, Chaldeans, and even Jews.
A number of medieval Muslim historians, relying on ancient Zoroastrian sources, pointed out that Zarathustra was born in Atropatena, on the territory of modern Iranian Azerbaijan.
Childhood and youth
According to the Ghats (17 religious hymns of the prophet) Zarathustra came from an ancient line of priests. In addition to him, his parents - father Porushaspa and mother Dugdova, had four more sons.
Unlike his brothers, at birth Zarathustra did not cry, but laughed, destroying 2000 demons with his laughter. At least that's what the ancient books say.
According to tradition, the newborn was washed with cow urine and swaddled in a sheep's skin.
From an early age, Zarathustra allegedly performed many miracles, causing the envy of the dark forces. These forces tried many times to kill the boy, but to no avail, as he was protected by divine power.
The name of the prophet was quite common at that time. In a literal sense, it meant - "the owner of the old camel."
At the age of 7, Zarathustra was ordained to the priesthood. An interesting fact is that the teaching was transmitted orally, since at that time the Iranians did not yet have a written language.
The child was engaged in the study of traditions and memorized mantras that remained from their ancestors. When he was 15 years old, Zarathustra became a mantran - the compiler of mantras. He composed religious hymns and chants with a poetic talent.
Prophet
The era of Zarathustra is considered to be a time of moral decline. Then, in one place after another, wars took place, and cruel sacrifices and spiritualism were also practiced.
Madeism (polytheism) prevailed on the territory of Iran. People worshiped various natural elements, but soon a lot changed. In place of polytheism, Zarathustra brought faith in one Wise Lord - Ahura Mazda.
According to ancient texts, at the age of 20, Zarathustra gave up the various desires of the flesh, deciding to lead a righteous life. For 10 years, he traveled the world seeking divine revelation.
Zarathustra received a revelation when he was 30 years old. This happened one spring day when he went to the river for water.
Once on the shore, the man suddenly saw a certain shining creature. The vision called him along and led to 6 other luminous personalities.
Chief among these shining figures was Ahura Mazda, whom Zarathustra proclaimed as the Creator, who called him to serve. After this incident, the prophet began to tell his compatriots the covenants of his god.
Zoroastrianism became more and more popular every day. It soon spread to Afghanistan, Central Asia and South Kazakhstan.
The new teaching called people to righteousness and renunciation of any form of evil. It is curious that at the same time, Zoroastrianism did not prohibit rituals and sacrifices.
However, Zarathustra's compatriots were skeptical about his teachings. The Medes (western Iran) decided not to change their religion, expelling the prophet from their lands.
After his exile, Zarathustra wandered around different cities for 10 years, often facing difficult trials. He found a response to his preaching in the east of the country.
Zarathustra was received with respect by the head of Aryeshayana - the state that occupied the territory of modern Turkmenistan and Afghanistan. Over time, the precepts of Ahura Mazda, along with the sermons of the prophet, were captured on 12,000 bull skins.
It was decided to place the main sacred book, the Avesta, in the royal treasury. Zarathustra himself continued to live in a cave located in the mountains of Bukhara.
Zarathustra is considered the first prophet who told about the existence of heaven and hell, about the resurrection after death and the last judgment. He argued that the salvation of each person depends on his deeds, words and thoughts.
The prophet's teaching on the struggle between the forces of good and evil echoes the texts of the Bible and the ideas of Plato. At the same time, Zoroastrianism is inherent in the belief in the holiness of the natural elements and living nature, as the creations of Ahura-Mazda, and therefore the need to take care of them.
Today, Zoroastrian communities have survived in Iran (Gebras) and India (Parsis). Also, due to emigration from both countries, communities have developed in the United States and Western Europe. Currently, there are up to 100,000 people in the world who practice Zoroastrianism.
Personal life
There were 3 wives in the biography of Zarathustra. The first time he married a widow, and 2 other times he married virgins.
After meeting with Ahura Mazda, the man received a covenant, according to which any person must leave behind offspring. Otherwise, he will be considered a sinner and will not see the joy in life. Children give immortality until the final judgment.
The widow gave birth to Zarathushtra 2 sons - Urvatat-nara and Hvara-chitra. Having matured, the first began to cultivate the land and engage in cattle breeding, and the second took up military affairs.
From other wives, Zarathushtra had four children: the son of Isad-vastra, who later became the high priest of Zoroastrianism, and 3 daughters: Freni, Triti and Poruchista.
Death
The murderer of Zarathustra turned out to be a certain Brother-resh Tur. Curiously, for the first time he wanted to kill the future prophet when he was still a baby. The killer tried again after 77 years, already a decrepit old man.
Brother-resh Tur quietly crept into Zarathustra's dwelling when he was praying. Sneaking up to his victim from behind, he thrust a sword into the back of the preacher, and at that moment he died himself.
Zarathustra foresaw a violent death, as a result of which he prepared for it for the last 40 days of his life.
Religious scholars suggest that over time, the forty days of the prophet's prayers turned in various religions into the posthumous 40 days. In a number of religions, there is a teaching that the soul of the deceased remains in the human world for forty days after death.
The exact date of Zarathustra's death is unknown. It is believed that he died at the turn of the 1500-1000 centuries. Zarathustra lived in total for 77 years.
