Does Ahura Mazda lie?

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Roj Asman Mah Khordad, 1382 Yz.

The little Avesta scripture that remains with us today is filled with numerous curiosities. Within the Avesta, the Gathas are easily the most complex to translate and understand. A mere four or five line stanza of hardly 25 words can throw up great challenges to even the most ardent student of our religion. Indeed many scholars have accepted that even after decades of study, the Gathas remain a mystery to them.

The Avesta has a number ...

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How to come to terms with a tragedy – part 1

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Roj Din Mah Amardad, 1380 Yz.

Tragedies have a habit of sneaking up on us. One minute we are laughing, content and full of plans for the future. An occasional visit to the doctor, a casual observation, a blood report, the next moment, brings all this to an end. Our carefully built edifice based on our best laid plans, years of hopes and aspirations – all comes tumbling down. Rare is the person who has not looked up to his Creator ...

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Gems from the sayings of the Spirit of Wisdom – part 3

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Roj Fravardin, Mah Dae 1377 Yz.

Continuing our series of beautiful sayings from the Pahlavi word “Datistan i Menog i Khrad”, here is another priceless gem:

The Wise One asked the Spirit of Wisdom: “is Wisdom better, or skill or goodness?”

The Spirit of Wisdom replied: “That Wisdom, with which there is no goodness, should not be regarded as wisdom.

And skill, with which there is no wisdom, should not be regarded as skill.”

A man may have multiple degrees or doctorates, but still be ...

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Gems from the sayings of the Spirit of Wisdom – part 2

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Roj Amardad, Mah Adar 1377 Yz.

Continuing our series of beautiful sayings from the Pahlavi word “Datistan i Menog i Khrad”, here is another priceless gem:

The Wise One asked the Spirit of Wisdom: “is charity better or truthfulness? Or thanksgiving or wisdom? Or perfect mindedness or contentment?”

The Spirit of Wisdom replied: “For the Soul, charity is better; and for the entire world – truthfulness. And unto the Yazads – thanksgiving; and for the body of man – wisdom. And for all ...

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Gems from the sayings of the Spirit of Wisdom – part 1

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Roj Khorshed, Mah Meher, 1377 Yz.

I had written about the Pahlavi work Datistan-i-Menog-i-Khrad or “Opinions of the Spirit of Wisdom” in my last post. This is a catechism (question and answer session) written by an unknown author, who identifies himself only as ‘danag’, meaning ‘wise one or sage’, possibly a scholar-Dastur somewhere around the 5 th century AD. Unfortunately, we do not have the complete book with us. The existing manuscripts end abruptly after the 62nd question. The format of ...

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A Priceless Gem from the Avesta

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Roj Ava, Mah Meher, 1377 Yz.

Among the various Avesta scriptures that survived the repeated rounds of destruction, first at the hands of Alexander, then the Arabs and Mongols and the ever flowing abrasions of time; most were classified and arranged into the Yasna, Vispered, Vandidad, Yashts, other Khordeh Avesta prayers etc. However, amongst the survivors were also pieces of Avesta that were once part of some larger prayer lost in entirety. Some fragments were found as remains of manuscripts thrown ...

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