Zarathushtra, in Yasna 30.9 brings forth the concept of perception, a necessary tool for mankind for evolution to utopia.
Hya-at Ha-thraa Mun-ao Ba-vat,
Yaa-thraa Chistish Angaa-haat Ma-ey-thaa.
May we be empowered by perception, to comprehend that true Reality, whenever overwhelmed with doubt.
Hyat: That
Ha-thraa: focused
mun-aao: mind/intellect (reasoning)
ba-vat: becomes achievable
Ya-thraa: whenever/where
Chist-ish: perception, insight
angaa-haat: into my body
ma-ey-thaa: : comprehension (wading through doubt)
ma-ey-thaa: : comprehension (wading through doubt)
This concept "Chisti" like others follows an imagery that is both spiritual & physical (material).
The Star “Tishtrya” (also known as the Dog Star or Sirius (Alpha Canis Majoris: the brightest star in the sky), is referred to, in the Tir Yasht, as twin lights that shine onto us, penetrating the fog of confusion & lack of knowledge.
These Tishtriya stars located on the Eastern horizon (hence visually blocked by the Sun) were known by the Athrawans (Priests) or Kavas (Philosopher-Kings) who composed the Avesta, since times immemorial (see the blog on the age of Zarathushtra) ; & regarded as the true force, behind the Sun.
The presence of the twin star was only re-discovered in 1862 by Alvin G. Clark at the Dearborn Observatory, operated by Northwestern University of Evanston, Illinois.
It was discovered that Sirius was actually a double star, the larger, brighter counterpart being Sirius A, and the smaller dimmer companion being Sirius B, interestingly a white dwarf star. The two stars are separated by only about 11 arc seconds at maximum separation (the orbital period is just under 50 years). Fainter Sirius B has a magnitude of only about 8.7 while Sirius A has a relative magnitude of nearly -1.5.
Today, we know Sirius,a type A1 main sequence star, has a surface temperature of about 10,000 K (as compared to 6000K of our Sun) and a luminosity of about 23 times our Sun.
Studies of the magnetic fields in our galaxy indicate that streams of energy emited by the stars, travel in specific directions, like rivers, either up or down the galactic arm in which they are embedded. Stars are polarized to other stars, either negatively or positively, some absorbing (receiving) energy, some radiating the same, along these magnetic field lines.
Our galaxy being “downstream" from the energy emissions of Sirius (Tishtriya), the Earth literally receives energy from Sirius (Tishtriya). Our ancient Atharvaan priests, astronomical & scientific masters that they were, observed & understood this phenomenon, thus naming this star "the insightful eyes of Mazda” & describing the Sun's light colorfully (in the Khursheed Neyash) as thousands of horses drenching our intellects
Fradathaai Tishtreyehe Staaro Raevato Khware-nanghu-haato Yazamaide
I invoke that glorious radiance of Tishtriya, to chanel that perseptive insight into my being.
We invoke empowerment from that glittering light (Tishtriya) of Ahura Mazda,
Which like a mountain of light destroys mental infirmities,
which puts flight to those sorceresses (mental infirmities), who honor Angra Mainyu (un-ethical, negative, degenerative mentalities) ;
That blessed radiance that overcomes all obstacles.
That blessed radiance that overcomes all obstacles.
As per astrology, this dog star Sirius, is one of the watchmen of the Heavens, fixed in one place at the bridge of the Milky Way (Vanant) , keeping guard over the abyss into incarnation. The Dog Star is a symbol of power, will, (Ksha-thra) and steadfastness (Ara-maiti) of purpose, and exemplifies the One who has succeeded in bridging the gap between the lower physical self and higher consciousness, reaching Ha-urva-tat----the prosperity of perfection…..self realization.
Located just below the Dog Star is the constellation Argo,(the Ship). Astrologically this area in the sky has been known as the river of stars which is a gateway to the ocean of higher consciousness.
Little wonder than the Vedidad, ( Fargard 8) ritualizes this imagery of the renovating nature of the Tishtriya star, by the requirement of a dog being brought to a corpse, in order that its “purifying gaze” sends the deceased’s soul towards the Chinvat bridge for final dispensation.
Allegorically, this imagery is also a reference to the River Harahvaiti (Vedic Saraswati) & its 6 tributaries, which was said to wash away all baser traits on the journey of man towards the reward of the ultimate spiritual wealth: Ha-urva-tat -Perfection
This is why the Dog is held in high respect by Zarathushtis, not only as a friend & protector from the hordes of plunderers & looters, but also as one with gift of insight.
Zarathushtra considered this concept of Chisti so important that he named his daughter Pouru-Chisti: The first/foremost Insight.
2 comments:
This is a very enriching article on the knowledge of the ancients as astronomer, and how the stars are mentioned in the religious texts and how they also are symbols for our spiritual developmernt through these texts.Thanks for this enlightening information.
Yes, isn't it amazing that the authors of the Avesta, who are by & large given caveman/pastoral novices designation by historians in the west; had actually observed & recorded Stars & their effects on Earth & mankind; a feat re-discovered my modern man less than a 100 years back. Food for thought.
Post a Comment