Evil is defined as that which corrodes ethical values, that which facilitates sacrifice of Truth(Justice) & Reason at the alter of monetary profit, Ideology or Ego.
Thus Evil is regarded like a disease. Unless active measures are taken to remove it, the man so afflicted starts up on a downward spiral corroding his/her spirituality.
Just as on the physical plane, medicines are used to address diseases, according to Zarathushti philosophy, the spiritual corrosion caused by Evil can only be removed by acts of selflessness.
This radical solution of washing away previous errors through active practice (not hollow homilies) while anchored in Reality is a unique Zarathushti philosophical contribution & what sets it apart from other philosophies & ideologies.
Evil & admonitions against it in the scriptures should not be confused with rivalry between religious philosophies, after all the Aryas (on both sides of the Ahura-Deva debate) identified themselves as Noble (ethically inclined) people led by Light (of knowledge, or reason).
Historical Background: In the time leading up to Zarathushtras’ reform, the ancient concept of a single exclusive Creator (Ahu-ra) was usurped by a host of Ahuras (Asuras on the Vedic side) with both positive & negative traits. These included Shiva, Ganesh, Varun & others.
Although routinely derided as “cheats”; the Dev-as (from Dev= gamblers, dice rollers; & As= who are) are simply considered as people (of the same clan) who have chosen the unethical path & as such theological rivals who could be reasoned –debated with.
This uncompromising opposition to a totalitarian ideology requiring conformance & subservience should not be confused with debating the relative merits of competing religious philosophies.
What Divine Presence, within, O Great, Wise Ruler (Mazda),
Would grant soul protection, To one gone astray, like me,
When temptation, threatens my fall, To do injury to my soul,
What power, except thy guiding light within & the will power & initiative, to do what’s right.
Whose joint action,** promotes life that is Righteous, Just & Fair, O divine Creator (Ahura).
Reveal, to me, clearly, this productive pathway to wisdom, for the awakening of the dormant powers of my soul.
Thus Evil is regarded like a disease. Unless active measures are taken to remove it, the man so afflicted starts up on a downward spiral corroding his/her spirituality.
Just as on the physical plane, medicines are used to address diseases, according to Zarathushti philosophy, the spiritual corrosion caused by Evil can only be removed by acts of selflessness.
This radical solution of washing away previous errors through active practice (not hollow homilies) while anchored in Reality is a unique Zarathushti philosophical contribution & what sets it apart from other philosophies & ideologies.
Evil & admonitions against it in the scriptures should not be confused with rivalry between religious philosophies, after all the Aryas (on both sides of the Ahura-Deva debate) identified themselves as Noble (ethically inclined) people led by Light (of knowledge, or reason).
Historical Background: In the time leading up to Zarathushtras’ reform, the ancient concept of a single exclusive Creator (Ahu-ra) was usurped by a host of Ahuras (Asuras on the Vedic side) with both positive & negative traits. These included Shiva, Ganesh, Varun & others.
The Vedics (under sage Brihas-pati) set up, over time, a theological alternative of a competing class of "Gods", addressed as Day-vas, the shining, visible, Mortal ones.
The genesis story in the Vedas alludes to the “birth” of the Devas, following a need to have a “God” with form, as opposed to an invisible formless & distant God.
Fashioned along the lines of the ancient Kav-ya ( philosopher-king), Dae-vas were originally mortal & were called “Mashya” (mortal) in the Gathas, Avesta & the Vedas.
The Devas included Indra (mainly), Agni,Vishnu, Brahma, Surya, and others
Thus Kings of the land, based on their material wealth & power appointed themselves God. We see this similarity in the Pharoes of Egypt.
Society ended up getting classified as Ahuras (those who follow Ahura) & Devas (those who follow Devas). For the Ahu/Asu-ras; the term Dae-vas (followers of Light) became Dev-as (unethical gamblers, prone to cheating), from “Dev” meaning dice players. For the Devas, the Ahu-ras (followers of the Wise Creator); became A-sura; meaning impure (un-truthful).
Although routinely derided as “cheats”; the Dev-as (from Dev= gamblers, dice rollers; & As= who are) are simply considered as people (of the same clan) who have chosen the unethical path & as such theological rivals who could be reasoned –debated with.
[ In Yasna 53.1 of the Gathas, Zarathushtra himself states that his message has been accepted by “all those who had opposed him”; including the Dev-as].
As such whereas the Devas were philosophical enemies, who were debated with; the clear & present danger was identified as a grouping of pathologically evil deceivers called
"Druj"
Nature of Evil:
This main enemy Druj; is also identified in the Vedas as Druh/Drugh/Dhroga , a word/term derived from the root “Dru” meaning one who deceives, lacks conscience & whose creed is violence; in effect that ideology which one should keep away from, just like a disease.
Reference to them occurs throughout the Gathas & Rigveda in the sense of “demonic deceiver”; those who are Deceptive, devious, pathologically evil minded, the ones who are devoid of conscience; who revel (celebrate) death & destruction.
Typical of the dual imagery in the Avesta, the Druj/Druh were both a physical enemy (tribe) as well as a term of reference indicating poverty of the soul.
As such this term "Druj/Druh" does not refer to a rival religious philosophy but a totalitarian political ideology (akin to say communism under Stalin or the hordes of cultural revolutionists under Mao) which controls its followers through indoctrination, supplemented by violence & terror.
Recruiting deviously from the "frustrated" , their ideology appeals to people of poor mental capacity who prefer directions rather than thinking for themselves. The modus is to instill illogical expectations & channeling the resulting frustration from lack of success; to foment intolerance of anyone or anything that does not strictly conform or submit to their dictates. Hate is the motive force here, carefully nurtured & violently enforced through planned persecution. The Druj do not feel pity or remorse & has no compunction about carrying out violence on its own members. In fact it derives joy from the suffering of others.
The psychological fallout of this is that, over time, its followers loose their moral/ethical compass (Sr-oash; the divine inspirer & path lighter) & like Zombies are on a perpetual hunt for scapegoats to vent their frustrations on. They end up with a persecution complex where imaginary insults or attacks are used to validate their evil & violent acts.
By extension the Druj cannot be bargained or reasoned with ethically.
This main enemy Druj; is also identified in the Vedas as Druh/Drugh/Dhroga , a word/term derived from the root “Dru” meaning one who deceives, lacks conscience & whose creed is violence; in effect that ideology which one should keep away from, just like a disease.
Reference to them occurs throughout the Gathas & Rigveda in the sense of “demonic deceiver”; those who are Deceptive, devious, pathologically evil minded, the ones who are devoid of conscience; who revel (celebrate) death & destruction.
Typical of the dual imagery in the Avesta, the Druj/Druh were both a physical enemy (tribe) as well as a term of reference indicating poverty of the soul.
As such this term "Druj/Druh" does not refer to a rival religious philosophy but a totalitarian political ideology (akin to say communism under Stalin or the hordes of cultural revolutionists under Mao) which controls its followers through indoctrination, supplemented by violence & terror.
Recruiting deviously from the "frustrated" , their ideology appeals to people of poor mental capacity who prefer directions rather than thinking for themselves. The modus is to instill illogical expectations & channeling the resulting frustration from lack of success; to foment intolerance of anyone or anything that does not strictly conform or submit to their dictates. Hate is the motive force here, carefully nurtured & violently enforced through planned persecution. The Druj do not feel pity or remorse & has no compunction about carrying out violence on its own members. In fact it derives joy from the suffering of others.
The psychological fallout of this is that, over time, its followers loose their moral/ethical compass (Sr-oash; the divine inspirer & path lighter) & like Zombies are on a perpetual hunt for scapegoats to vent their frustrations on. They end up with a persecution complex where imaginary insults or attacks are used to validate their evil & violent acts.
By extension the Druj cannot be bargained or reasoned with ethically.
Yasna 46.11
Blinded by egotistical Pride; fueled by frustration & hatred, made deaf to ethics, by teachings based on falsehood (without foundation in Truth or Reality);
the deceptive leaders of the countries & their ideological proponents who forward their divisive theology;
desire, by compulsion, to yoke mankind to an unending cycle of evil deeds that destroy lives, & damage souls.
Having suffocated the voice of their inner selves & divorced from Love, Compassion & wise Reasoned Choices;
When they do stand at thy Bridge of Judgment, O wise Creator; they realize that they have condemned themselves to a Lifetime of living in a hell of their own Creation.
the deceptive leaders of the countries & their ideological proponents who forward their divisive theology;
desire, by compulsion, to yoke mankind to an unending cycle of evil deeds that destroy lives, & damage souls.
Having suffocated the voice of their inner selves & divorced from Love, Compassion & wise Reasoned Choices;
When they do stand at thy Bridge of Judgment, O wise Creator; they realize that they have condemned themselves to a Lifetime of living in a hell of their own Creation.
This uncompromising opposition to a totalitarian ideology requiring conformance & subservience should not be confused with debating the relative merits of competing religious philosophies.
From the Vandidad portion of the Kem-na Maz-da Prayer:
“ Apa-nasyat Dru-ksh, nasyat dru-ksh, dvarat dru-ksh vinasyat, apaakhedhre apa-nasyehe, maa merin-chainish gaethaao, astavaitish ashaahe.”
May the deceiver, the agent, the formentor of destruction, perish, freeing Truth seekers free from its deprivations?
Note that the term "naso" or rotten (like decaying flesh) is appended to Druj, clearly indicating that the Druj through its own actions extinguished the flame of conscience. The lack conscience (remorse) extrapolates into behavior like mindless zombies; carrying out the command of their controllers without question; spreading mayhem throughout humanity.
Advisory:
Note that the term "naso" or rotten (like decaying flesh) is appended to Druj, clearly indicating that the Druj through its own actions extinguished the flame of conscience. The lack conscience (remorse) extrapolates into behavior like mindless zombies; carrying out the command of their controllers without question; spreading mayhem throughout humanity.
Advisory:
Ys31.18:
Do not ever, lend your ears to the creed & canon of the deliberately evil (Dreghva) ones, lest disaster & death overtake your house, village, province, or country. Resist him with weapons wielded by the strength of the soul.
Yasna 53.7:
Whenever the theology of the follower of Un-truth prevails,
Should you, for earthly gain, renounce this brotherhood -the path of Truth, Knowledge & Justice?
Then the grief of Loss & words of woe shall be your logical destination.
Yasna 53.6:
Even in our daily existence, Truth holds well, as that ultimate Reality;
O Men & Women, the attractive lures of following the path of Untruth, which you consider monetarily advantageous,
Drags you away from the virtuous & towards those bearing woe, who despise the truth, who lack inner Light ,
You end up with a deformed & destructive world view; perverting your own spiritual progress
Methodology of the evil minded
Ys32.10:
Such persons assuredly distorts the scriptures (the philosophy of truth)
When they denounce as most sinful,
Seeing the Earth & Sun (acknowledging REALITY ) with our independent eyes,
Manipulating & Coercing even pious minds towards the mirage of Untruth,
Poisoning our spiritual nourishment,
By hurling weapons of destruction (violence) on the righteous.
Ys53.9:
With evil believers, hatred leads to the condemnation of the Good & the Pure,
They are slaves of desire*, despisers of truth, they fight with bitterness those who are righteous,
Who is the righteous lord; who shall confront them with soul force & freedom.
That strength & reward, O Mazda, is the Kshthra (Power) that you bestow on the righteousness.
* The word Kah-maa, in the Avesta &; Gathas, meaning “gross desire, illogical, irresponsible expectations of entitlement” is critical to understanding a degraded & deformed human mentality.
As it is frustrated desires that are the root cause of negative, destructive emotions (Aesh-maa : EGO, Malice, Anger, Vindictiveness, Envy, Greed & Sloth); characteristics that catalyze a downward spiral of human development.
Ys51.10:
That man indeed who seeks to corrupt, away from the law of Mazda (Rule of Life, based on Wisdom),
Himself is the offspring of Untruth, & of those of poor understanding capacity (easily manipulated)
For my own people, I will invoke A-sha (Truth) to enlighten us, to carry out acts of righteousness, while firmly grounded in Reality.
Ys49.11:
But amongst evil rulers, evil doers & evil speakers,
Amongst evil egos, evil thinkers & followers of untruth,
Souls do come back, by reason of their dim insight
Truly, they are dwellers in a world of their own fantasy (the abode of untruth).
Historically this Druj or Drujic behaviour is personified by Vrita.
Vrita has been personified as a demon (a dragon-snake) with three mouths and three heads. A demonic chameleon, who deviously hides his true evil self & strikes his victims surreptitiously. Vrita was said to have blocked the rays of sunlight (knowledge) & the flow of rivers (prosperity) into the Aryan lands. The story of the battle between Sage Thraétona and the snake Vrita (later Azi Dahaka) is very ancient and aside from our Behram (Vah-ram) Yasht is also mentioned in great detail in the Vedas His epithet Vr-tra-han, (Verethre-ghna in the Avesta) meaning slayer of Vrita, is found in every single Mandala of the Rig Veda
Asha Vahishta, the second immortal manifestation of Ahura Mazda, is dedicated to defeating the Druj/Droha, (the great Lie, Deceiver) who is represented by Vrita/Azi_Dhahaka, the 3 headed snake who camouflages his true evil intent to deceive & destroy mankind.
In the Yatha Ahu Vai-ryo prayer itself we see this term as
Dru-gu-byo : driving the druj/droha/dregs (demonic deceivers) away.
In this verse it refers to Drigu as the resultant poverty (perversity) of an un-enlightened soul, whose negative behavioral -attitudinal characteristics need to be removed through enlightened (truth & light) future choices.
This idea of “removal of the poverty (perversity) of the soul” is further elaborated in:
Ys28.6: (Dasturji Minocher-Homji[
Grant, Peace, Bliss & Joy, with inner strength,
-to overcome malice & hatred, the filthy slime of the soul, harbored by those gone astray.
Ys46.7: Kem-na Mazda: (Inspired by Dasturji Minocher-Homji):
Kem-naa Maaz-daa, Ma-vai-te paa-yoom da-dat
Hyat maa Dreg-vaao* di-darsha-taa ae-nang-hee
An-yem thwah-mat aathras-chaa , mananghas-chaa
Ya-yaao shyaoth-naish ashem thraosh-taa, Ahoo-raa
Taam moi daas-tvaam, Daena-yaai fraa-vaao-chaa
What Divine Presence, within, O Great, Wise Ruler (Mazda),
Would grant soul protection, To one gone astray, like me,
When temptation, threatens my fall, To do injury to my soul,
What power, except thy guiding light within & the will power & initiative, to do what’s right.
Whose joint action,** promotes life that is Righteous, Just & Fair, O divine Creator (Ahura).
Reveal, to me, clearly, this productive pathway to wisdom, for the awakening of the dormant powers of my soul.
** Good productive plans (Thoughts), leading to Good productive discussions (Words) & Resulting in Good Actions (Deeds) that have positive results for all.
Methodology of Overcoming evil:
Ys44.16:(Sequence 4 + 7)
Tat, Thwaa Perey-saa Eresh Moee Vao-chaa Ahura
Ke-vere-threm jaa, thwaa poi Senghaa yoee hentee
Chithraa moi daam ahum-bish, ratoom chizdi
At hoi vo-hoo sraa-osho jantu manang-haa
Mazda ah-mai, yaah-mai vashi kah-maai chit.
This, do I inquire for doubtless comprehension, enlighten me O Creator of all
What Powerful, (Vere-threm) force, would overcome & offer protection from this snake (Vrita, representing the forces of darkness & subterfuge,) whose coils have formed a barrier, blocking out Light (knowledge) & Waters (prosperity) from the fraternity of those of us aligned to the Truth.
Only the all pervasive (Vish) concentrated Light of knowledge & Wisdom, revealed with the help of thy divinity ,
Thy beloved, divinely inspired savior, guide of mankind, one who infuses in us a sense of Direction when tossed about in doubt.
That is our fervent desire, O Great Wise Ruler
Tat: This/ that
Thwaa: Thou
Perey-saa: inquire
Eresh: correctly
Moee: me
Vao-chaa: of comprehension (chaa = of)
Ahura: Creator (self Created)
Kay: who
Vere-threm: Conquerors/Overcomers of Vrita
Jaa: colleagues (in the fight against Vrita)
thwaa : (through) Thy
poi: protecting
Sen-gha: society, fraternity
Yoee: that
Hentee: exist (are)
Chithraa : Clearly, with clarity (chit = light; traa = concentrated)
moi : Me
daam: wise
ahum-bish: soul healing
ratoom: teacher, lord
chizdi: reveal
At : that
hoi : unto him
vo-hoo: divine, beloved
sraa-osho : saviour Divine Revealation/Inspiration, the raiser of Conscious through intelligent inquiry. The divinely inspired guide of mankind , one who infuses in us a sense of Direction when tossed about in doubt.
jantu: Mankind
manang-haa: mentality(capable of deduction)
Mazda : Great wise Dispenser/Ruler
ah-mai, onto us
yaah-mai whomsoever
Vashi: blessed state
kah-maai: desired
chit: pure.
Yasna 46.8: A prayer for overcoming life’s Chalenges (Agni pariskshas):
Yey Va Moee yaao Gae-thaa-o dajde a-ae-n-ghe
Whoever, with malicious orientation, plans evil actions, to harm me in this world
Noit aah-yaa maa aathr-ish shyothanaish fro-syaat
Let not the bellowing flame of their wrathful actions, affect me.
Paityo-get taa aah-mai jaso-it Dvae-shangha
Let it, instead , invigorate me & recoil on this coven of the malicious, the hateful.
Tanvem aa yaa im Hu-jyotish paayat
Always heeding the Call for Protection from the enlightened faithful
Noit du-jyotish kachit Mazda dvae-shangha
But, Never affording protection or perception of enlightened thinking to the antagonistic evil grouping.
Word Break-up:
Yey (whoever)
Va (carry)
Moee (me)
yaao (that)
Gae-thaa-o (universe that flows/living world)
dajde (oriented)
a-ae-n-ghe (malicious intent)
Noit (not)
aah-yaa (their)
maa (bellow)
aathr-ish (flame-- of wrath)
shyothanaish (actions)
fro-syaat (touch/affect, burn)
Paityo-get (invigorate, instead)
taa (it)
aah-mai (us/them)
jaso-it (recoil/exhaust)
Dvae-shangha (coven of the hateful un-enlightened)
Tanvem (my body/myself)
aa(far)
yaa (which)
im (this)
Hu-jyotish (Hu= call, Jyotish=enlightened, pure soul)
paayat (protect)
Noit (not/never)
du-jyotish (dark, deceitful soul)
kachit (in a Perceptive way)
Mazda (enlightened judgment)
dvae-shangha (evil grouping)
Ys68.15: Hazangrem: By Dasturji Minocher-Homji
(to be recited 3 times)
Hazangrem Bae-shazanam, Beavare baesha-zanam (3 times)
All my Blessings for that Worthy & Truthful person between this earth & heaven.
The Blessings of one thousand, nay ten thousand Healings of the Soul.
Nirang for Healing of the Soul:
Fradathai Ahurahe Mazdao
Renovate my disposition (attitude) O wise Almighty Creator,
Rae-vato khvare-nanghuhato
Shine thy Light, as huge as a mountain, Stimulate my senses with Thy luster
Fradathai Ameshanam Spentanam,
fradathai tishtryehe staro raevato khvare-nanghuhato
Grant Steady growth through alliance with Thy Divine Immortal attributes, expanding my perceptive powers O Tishtriya (Sirius-the Sun of insight) , thou splendorous mountain of insightful Light (knowledge)
fradathai nar-sh ashaono
Renovate the spiritual growth of the mortal aligned to Ethics & Reality.
fradathai vi-spanam
Spentahe Mainyeush damanam ashaonam
Imbibing focused ethical discrimination into All pure souls who reside in a home whose foundation is Truth-Justice & Knowledge (Asha).
Vispa Humata:
All good thoughts, constructive words & selfless deeds, grounded in morality and ethics, make us grow spiritually, & lead us all to prosperity & on to that heavenly state of Perfection (Self Realization-Ha-urva-tat).
All evil thoughts , negative words & selfish deeds are expressions of my folly, done through lack of intelligence & lead to self destruction (plight).
