Zoarastrianism...

[Gauracandra]

What is the relationship between Zoarastrianism and the Vedic religion? I have heard that they are very similar with respect to their traditions, deities etc... What I have heard is that their book is called the Avesta (or close to that) and it has the same essential stories as the Vedic Scriptures except it views the Devas and Asuras differently. I have heard they view the Asuras as the "heroes" and the Devas as the "Antagonists". What are their teachings, beliefs, practices etc...? If anyone knows I'd be interested. I believe they were supposed to be from Iran (a name I was told was derived from Vedic 'Aryan')which was part of the Ancient Vedic Empire. Any insight would be appreciated.

 

Gauracandra

[melvin]

The Vedas where The Vedic rituals origina-

ted actually was compiled and written by

Srila Vyasadeva, a pure devotee of Lord

Krishna, who was not satisfied by what he

did, even if the Vedas became the source

from which all the religions of this world

were made. Inspite of its success, still,

Srila Vyasadeva was not satisfied. Thus he

was despondent and lamented for having was-

ted so much time and energy in writing a

great book when Vedavyasa himself could not

understand why it did not brought him that

transcendental bliss he expected after

writing that great compilation where it

would benefit the less-intelligent, the

sudras, the women, etc. all over the world.

It was only when Srila Narada Muni instruc-

ted him to write the glorious pastimes of

Lord Krishna that Srila Vyasadeva was able

to write the spotless Purana known as the

Srimad Bhagavatam, a book about Krishna`s

pastimes and the message of devotional ser-

vice it carried that would finally revolu-

tionize the minds of the people by focusing

their minds in going home, back to Krishna

consciousness.

Srila Narada Muni criticized Srila Vyasa-

deva for authoring the Vedas which became

the source of knowledge by which the masses

would learn the art of doing business, the

art of performing religious rituals, the

art of war and the art of sense gratifica-

tion, and many more. Leaving along the way

to die a natural death the art of rendering

devotional service to Krishna, from Whom

everyone should take if they want to become

happy and peaceful. We should therefore

first study and read Srimad Bhagavatam ra-

ther than waste our time and energy in un-

derstanding the different religions of this

world whose very source directly or indi-

rectly came from the Vedas itself. Srimad

Bhagavatam is a book which gives us a re-

corded account of Krishna`s transcendental

activities that took place millions of

years ago, stories which until today are

re-enacted , without their knowing it, by

the living entities, starting from Lord

Brahma down to the insignificant ant, of

whom are actually Krishna`s parts or exten-

sions. Knowing one`s real identity that he

is Krishna`s eternal servitor makes one

eligible to enter the Kingdom of God and

become eternally His associate.

P.S. I offer my humble obeisances to Gaura-

chandra for bringing up this topic. I`m

sorry if the answer to his question have

deviated from what he actually wants to

know about Zoroastrianism and the Vedic re-

ligion.

 

[melvin]

Hare Krishna!

I had been doing a little soul searching

last night but couldn`t find a book on

Zoroastrianism. So I opened the Holy Bible,

read its pages, starting from the Old tes-

tament down to the New one. Still I could

not find it until it dawned on me that

Easter Sunday, the day Lord Jesus Christ

was raised into the heavens may have a

connection on the word, " astro", meaning

stars or "heavens" to Zoro(aster)nism.

It has been said that Christianity`s evo-

lution and development did not come by

itself, but was formed from a compilation

of pagan rituals and practices which were

derived from the source itself, The Vedas.

All religions, in fact, are rituals and

ceremonies patterned from the Vedic

religious practices whose author is no

other than Srila Vyasadeva, the compiler

and writer of Srimad Bhagavatam, a book

narrating the transcendental pastimes of

Vishnu(Krishna) and His affair with Radha-

rani, His fraternal relations with cow-

herd friends, His paternal relations with

Nanda Maharaja and Mother Yasoda, as well

as His servant`s spiritual master.

If the religious would only take to se-

riously reading and studying Srimad Bhaga-

vatam, then something will change the

consciousness of these people where they

can see for themselves, face to face, God

or Krishna Himself.

I do not recommend that we should face

the star(sun) or Krishna`s brahmajyoti by

merging in its effulgence or glitter and

become one with God. This is the Mayavada

philosophy of Sankaracarya.

What is recommended therefore is that we

take to devotional service by offering

our minds to Krishna and let Him after

this do the directing, teaching, talking,

feeling, emoting, walking, working and

etchethera for us. That is the only way

for us to be happy and peaceful, free from

karma or the ill-effects of work, be it

mental or physical.

That is what devotional service or Bhakti

is all about, Krishna consciousness. In

fact IT was taught to Vivasvan, the sun

god himself by no other than Krishna, the

Supreme Personality of Godhead in the

Bhagavad-gita.

[Praghosa dasa]

You can find information by typing "zoroastrian" in the encyclopedia section at this address: http://encarta.msn.com/Default.asp

[talasiga]

Dear Gauracandra

A good coverage of this subject can be found in

Eastern Definitions

A Short Encyclopedia of Religions of the Orient

by Edward Rice

Doubleday & Co

ISBN: 0-85-08563-x

LCCC No 77-19359

 

Sorry I havent put some extracts here

As you may have noticed I am not

a cut and paste sort of guy.

 

 

lazy talasiga@hotmail.com

[sabrina King]

Isn't Zoraster the diety the wrote around in Ghostbusters?

 

I am the gatekeeper? Are you the key master?

 

 

sabrina King

[talasiga]

Originally posted by sabrina King:

Isn't Zoraster the diety the wrote around in Ghostbusters? I am the gatekeeper? Are you the key master? sabrina King

Hey !

Why dont you ask

 

 

Animesh ?

Huh ?

 

 

 

 

[talasiga]

Speaking of key masters,

Meher Baba (1894 - 1969)

the famous indian mystic

was from a Zoroastrian family

from Poona.

A look at his life and teachings

shows the wonderful ecumenical tapestry

woven by the God intoxicated ones.

 

[This message has been edited by talasiga (edited 08-24-2001).]