Continuous Improvement. A Zarathushti's sacred endevour

Of all religious philosophies, only the Zarathushti faith suggests a continuous renovation-evolution-improvement pathway towards the goal of Utopia.


Called Fra-var-ane, from the root Fr= to evolve, not surprisingly this faith that lays such emphasis on knowledge, reasoning and free choice would prescribe such a scientifically validated pathway to Ha-urva-tat or Perfection-Self Realization.


The first attribute of Ahura Mazda is identified in the Hormazd Yasht (the dedication to Hormazd-Ahura Mazda) as "Fra-kh-stya"- one who designs improvement-evolution in his creations.


Since humans are not perfect (by definition); one needs a pathway to healing, sort of like taking to a vegetarian or fibre rich diet when facing certain health problems.

Thus wholeness-healing of the soul is the same conceptual goal, along spiritual lines. 

Fradathai Ahurahe Mazdao                    

                               Renovate my attitude (disposition) O wise Almighty Creator,

Rae-vato khvare-nanghuhato 

               Enlighten me, with thy radiance & luster permeating my entire being  

Fradathai Ameshanam Spentanam*,  
 Grant Steady growth, as I purposefully carry out actions aligned to Thy Divine Immortal Principles,  

Fradathai tishtryehe  staro raevato khvare-nanghuhato 

 Infuse in me expanded powers of perception through Tishtriya the beacon of the Universe 

Fradathai nar-sh ashaono   
 Renovate the spiritual growth of us mortals aligned to Truth & Justice

Fradathai vi-spanam, 
 Spentahe Mainyeush damanam ashaonam   

      

Let this journey of continuous improvement be universal, wherever positive  and constructive thinking takes root (resides), based on a foundation of Knowledge-Truth-Reality (Asha). 

The Haz-an-grem prayer (Let there be 1000's of ways to healing-curing-improvement) comes to mind as an example.

Yasna 68.15: Hazangrem: By Dasturji Minocher-Homji

Haz-an-grem Bay-esha-za-nam, Bay-e-var-a, Bay-esha-za-nam 

(to be recited 3 times)

All my Blessings for that Worthy and Truthful person between this earth and heaven.

The Blessings of one thousand, nay ten thousand Healings of the Soul.

Note the root "Za" indicating an active, energetic orientation, like its cognate

Za-sto: reciting the mantra with energetic raising of arms.

A cognate term is "Zao" or holy waters that are said to flow down and purify  the being (see the translation of the Ah-mai Rae-ish-cha prayer).

The term "Isha/Esha" is blessed wish, with pure intent (without any ulterior motive).
The root word survives in modern times as "Hazara" a tribe in Afghanistan who unfortunately are no longer Zarathushtis.

Yasna 33.12:

 Uzmoi Arshwa Ahura        

                  Evolve my disposition (attitude), O Creator, along that soul purifying path 

Aramaiti Tevishem Daaswaa

                Armoured with  energetic determination, focus and steadfastness of purpose;

                                                            

Spenishta Mainyu Mazda,           

                   That positive mindedness, O Wisest Ruler, fueled by ethics & integrity, 

Van-gha-u-yaa zavoi aada

          To attain that treasured reward, achieved only through industrious dedicated effort,

                                                                             

Asha hazo emavat,                

                That effort, aligned to Ash-a, which forges (develops) strength & courage,  

Vohu manangha fesera-toom

          Achieving that blessed renovation of the self, that tranquility of self realization

                  

Word Philology:

Uzmoi: Uz + Moi: Purify me

Arsh-waa: (Uzar + ashwa) energize, invigorate

Ahura: Almighty Creator

Aaramaiti: energetic, enthusiastic, persistent, steadfast, resolute devotion of purpose

                  Ara= Energetic, Maiti = Devotion. Vedic Shakti.

Tev-ishm:  Senses (of the nervous system), that encompass the body

Daa-swaa: Ten

Spenishta: Spenta (pure, divine) + Ishta: (wish granter)

Mainyu: Mentality, Disposition, Intent

Mazda: (Maaz: Maah: Great + Daa: Dha*: Intellect granter/dispenser) Great Intellect

Van-ghu-yaa: the crucible/cup/challis of  Victorious love and goodness

Zavo: heartfelt, industrious offering, cognate: Zasto   

Adaa: reward (through conviction, not compulsion)

 Asha: The universal Law, instituted by Mazda which guides souls (through retrospection) along the path of integrity and justice

Hazo: vigour

Ey-mavat: full development/strong

Vohu Manangha:  heavenly minded; positivism, high mindedness (Love and Compassion)

Fesera-toom:  embrace of renovation

Vispa Humata:

All good, positive thoughts, constructive words and  selfless deeds, grounded in Truth and Ethics, help us grow spiritually, 

This spiral of continuous improvement lead us all to that prosperity; that heavenly  state called Self Realization or Perfection (Self Realization-Haurvetat).

All evil, degenerate thoughts ,  negative and destructive words and selfish, malicious deeds are expressions of folly, carried out through lack of intelligence and  result in a downward spiral leading to woe and  (self) destruction.

The Zarathushti Pledge of Faith

Ja-say may avan-ghe mazda



Jase me avanghe mazda; Jase me avanghe mazda ;  Jase me avanghe mazda


  I invoke thee Thrice, O King of Wisdom. Envelope me; Pour into me, Wake me up, inside


Mazda-yasno Ahmi Mazda-yasno Za-rath-ush-tr-ish

We declare ourselves to be worshipers, of The Creator who rules exclusively through wisdom, as elaborated by our Saviour Zarathushtra 

Fra-var-ane Astua-tas-cha Fra-var-ane-tas-cha
We pledge unconditional support and  unshakable faith for this existent (not mirage) vehicle (path-methodology)  to continuous improvement.


Astuye Humatem Mano
Through Well considered (Reasoned) ideas (thoughts) rooted in Truth & Reality;

Astuye Hukhtem Vacho
Flowing into well spoken words (discussions-plans-Goals) that are positive & constructive

Astuye’Hvarshtem Shyothenem 
and Culminating in well performed ethical Actions, aligned with the Truth,

Astuye Dae-nam Van-ghu-him ; 
That, is the real (not mirage) Victorious path that accumulates prosperity 

Mazda-yasnim, Fra-shpa-yao khedrum,  Nidha-snithi-shim

These wise actions, are in fact the invocation that we offer our Wise Creator.
Constructive actions (deeds) that promotes the learning process, through self correction. Actions that promote continuous improvement; Elimination of doubt, discord and  strife


Khetva-dhem; Ashao-nim

The path of performing deeds of Selflessness, while anchored firmly in Reality; to logic based on scientific validation;

Ya Haiti-nam-cha; Bush-yenti-nam-cha; 
This is what distinguishes this faith (philosophy) from others which are, which have been and which may arise in future


Maz-ishta; Vahishta; Sraestacha Ya Ahurish Zarathushtish 
The faith that is the Greatest, the most profitable and the most Inspiring;
The faith instituted by the Almighty Creator through his Holy Chariot of Light (Za-rath-ushtra)


Ahurai  Mazdai  Vispa  Vohu Chin-ahmi
That is the blessed, Love and  Truth promoting faith based on Universal principles, that we pledge our doubtless alliance to


Aesha Asti Dae-nyao Mazda-yasno-ish Astuitish
Such is my Open (Public) Demonstrative Pledge of faith in that philosophy that leads to one to prosperity and excellence.

Word Philology

Jasa:  envelope/pour onto

me' (pronounced as "may"): to me

Av-anghe:  assisting/supporting, my being

Maz-da: Great (Maz) dispenser/ruler (Da) through wisdom

Mazda-yasno: Praiser/Invoker/worshiper (Yas-no) of the Creator who rules through Wisdom

Ahmi: we are

Za-rath-ush-trish: as defined & elaborated by Zarathushtra (The divine chariot of Light)

Fra-var-ane: Ever improving/progressively evolving (Fra) + treasured Possessions(Var) +  breath/food (Ane); food that feeds the depths of my being.
Astua-tas-cha (of): existing foundation (of faith)
Fra-var-ane: Ever progressively evolving  Wealth (that forms) my  breath/food 
Tas-cha: un-shakeable faith (that seeps through my being)

Astuye : I praise, I loudly declare this fact
Huma-tem : Hu: invoke; + matem(mata-em) : past thoughts:  Well thought out (Intelligently Considered Goals)

Mano: (Sk. Manas): to think/thought

Hukh-tem’: Hu: invoke ; + ukhta: good speech: Well spoken Diction 

Vacho: (Sk. Vach): to speak/(truthfull) word

Hv-arsh-tem’: Hu: invoke (call); var-sh : well performed

Shyothe-nem: Acts,  Deeds that are selfless

Dae-nam:  the faith, that path  to that prosperity of enlightenment.

Van-ghu-him: Victorious arena

Mazda-yasnim: Yasna (invocation) to Mazda, the great wise Lord, knower of all

Fra-shpa-yao khedrum: Evolution-Improvement (of attitude) that throws out  discord/strife/doubt

Nidha-snithi-shim: that eliminates strife

Khetva-dhem: Self sacrifice 

Ashao-nim: based on the natural Law of Truth & Justice

Ya: which

Haiti-nam-cha:  of those amongst the existing

Bush-yenti-nam-cha: of those to be devised in future

Maz-ish-ta-cha : Greatest

Vah-ish-ta-cha: most profitable

Sra-esh-ta-cha:  most inspiring/stimulating/enlightening

Ahu-rish:  devised by the Creator
Za-rath-ush-trish: Via Zarathushtra; as concentrated & codified by Zartahushtra.
Ahu-rai: the glory (radiance) of the Creator
Maz-dai: the Great one, who rules through wisdom

Vis-pa: All encompassing (like the atmosphere)
Vohu: Beloved

Chin-ahmi: I ascribe

Aesha: Such

Asti: that is (the reality)

Dae-nayao: path/faith/religion of Light (Dae/Day)

Astuitish: actual (real) invocation (the invocation through actions, not homilies; through free purposeful intent, not blind submission )