Lecture 11 Zoroastrianism

What is a significant feature of Zoroastrian literature?

It reflects Zoroastrianism's antiquity and geographical diffusion, with texts in Avestan, Pahlavi, New Persian, Gujarati, and English

Why are Avestan and Pahlavi texts particularly important?

They represent the early phase of Zoroastrian religious literature and provide insights into the religion's formative period.

What is the Avesta?

A collection of sacred Zoroastrian texts, dating from the 10th century BCE to the 4th century BCE, transmitted orally before being written down.

What does the Avesta mainly consist of?

What does the Avesta mainly consist of?

When do Pahlavi texts date from?

Sasanian times to the 11th century CE, with the most important works from the 9th century CE.

What types of texts are included in Pahlavi literature?

Commented translations of the Avesta, eschatological texts, secular texts with religious components, and oral traditions later written down.

Who is Yima in Zoroastrian mythology?

A mythical character associated with a golden age, the expansion of the earth, and saving living beings from a natural catastrophe.

What caused Yima's fall from glory?

A sin of lying, which led to the loss of his xvarenah (spiritual glory).

Which myths does Yima’s story resemble?

The Biblical Noah's Ark and the Iroquois myth of Turtle Island.

What event marked Zoroaster’s divine selection?

Meeting the deity Vohu Manah at age 30, which led to his revelation from Ahura Mazda.

How did Zoroaster counteract opposition from demons?

Through prayers that rendered them powerless on earth.

What was the turning point in Zoroaster’s preaching?

His miracle of healing King Vishtaspa's horse, leading the king to support his faith.

Where was New Persian Zoroastrian literature composed?

In Iran and India, particularly by Parsis.

What facilitated the use of New Persian by the Parsis?

The 15th-century Gujarat Sultanate, which adopted New Persian as its language of culture and administration.

What is the Qesse-ye Sanjan?

A 1599 poetic work detailing the foundation story of the Parsi community in India.

How does the Qesse-ye Sanjan describe the Parsis’ integration into Indian society?

By adopting local customs while preserving their religious identity, symbolized by the story of sugar added to milk.

What is the role of the Iran-shah fire in Parsi identity?

It serves as a “virtual king,” representing their religious unity after the loss of Iranian kingship.

How was the Avesta transmitted traditionally before?

Orally

What did Ahura Mazda tell Yima to do once the earth got too crowded?

He told Yima to expand it by one-third, and repeated the command twice, 300 years and 600 years after that

How did Yima save living beings from a natural catastrophe?

Ahura Mazda instructed Yima to build an enclosure (similar to Noah's Ark) to protect samples of the best humans, cattle, plants, and foods from harsh winters and floods.

What mythological themes are associated with Yima’s golden era?

• A perfect past contrasting with an imperfect present.

• Similarities with other myths, such as the Biblical story of Noah's Ark and the Iroquois myth of Turtle Island.

How did Yima lose his xvarenah (glory)?

Yima lost his xvarenah due to committing a sin of lying. The xvarenah left him three times and was grasped by different deities or heroes each time.

What is unique about Zoroaster's birth according to the Pahlavi texts?

• His birth was preceded by Ahura Mazda’s decision to have him born from human parents.

• His village was alight for three days before his birth.

• Unlike other newborns, Zoroaster laughed at birth.

What pivotal event happened to Zoroaster at age 30?

While preparing for a ritual by a river, Zoroaster met Vohu Manah, who led him to Ahura Mazda. This marked his first religious revelation.

Over the course of the following 10 years, Zoroaster had six more encounters with Ahura Mazda

What category of text does the Qesse-ye Sanjan fall into?

New Persian text

What significant event is central to the Qesse-ye Sanjan?

The Zoroastrians founded the town of Sanjan and established the sacred Iran-shah fire, which became central to their identity.

What battle is described in the Qesse-ye Sanjan?

The Zoroastrians and local Hindus fought against a Muslim army. Although they were defeated, the Zoroastrians managed to preserve the sacred fire.

What happened to the sacred Iran-shah fire after the battle?

The Zoroastrians fled Sanjan with the fire and eventually moved it to the town of Naosari, where it remains significant.

How does the Qesse-ye Sanjan define Parsi identity?

The text emphasizes their distinct ethnicity and religion while highlighting their integration into Indian society through language and customs.

What symbolism is associated with the story of the milk and sugar in the Qesse-ye Sanjan?

The priest demonstrated that Zoroastrians would integrate into Indian society like sugar in milk, enriching it without causing harm.