Parsi Stories: The Life of Zarathushtra
Here is the first in a series of Parsi/Zoroastrian stories courtesy the UNESCO Parzor Foundation. Over a period of time we will share all the stories we have here, in the hope they provide insights and draw attention to the history and legends of our religion and community.
Zarathushtra is believed to have lived in the Bronze Age in Central Asia, the ancient land known as Airyana Vaeja. Legend tells us that in a town called Chorasmia, there was a beautiful maiden called Dughdhova. At the age of 15 her body began to shine with a glowing light. Her concerned parents sent her away to Rae or Ragha, near the river Vehdaiti, to the house of their friend Paeteraspa Spitama. The Spitama family belonged to a priestly clan. Pourushaspa, the son of the family soon fell in love with Dughdhova and they were married.
They had five sons. Zarathushtra, the third son, was born on the day Khordad of the month Fravardin, now celebrated as Khordad Saal…
Please click here to visit the Parzor Foundation website and read the full story.
Sir,
Ours is a country which belongs to all Indians. By all Indians I mean practising any religion. We have eqal respect for all, including Muslims. What worries me is the insistence of Muslums marrying would spouses of other religions is the insistence by the Maulavis to convert the would be spouses to Islam or else the marrighe will not have the religious sanction. Many hindu men have married muslim girls, some famous ones too, but never insisted on change of religion.
I know of a Parsi girl marrying a Muslim, she had to convert. Parsis are a great people. They should not be allowed to become extinct. Priya Prasad.
Thank you Priya, for your kind words and perspective. It is compliments and debate that helps us stay happy and vibrant as a community.
While compliments are always clear for what they are, there is always two sides (or more) to a debate, where each individual, community, or religion is entitled to their own beliefs and expressions.
We respect the ideals and perspectives of everyone, even though we may not subscribe to all of them. In fact, even within communities like ours, there are passionate debates and polarized opinions about inter-religion marriage, conversion, liberalism and orthodoxy. But until we find comfortably acceptable resolution and agreement, we have to all get along in harmony.
But as they say, let the debate continue!
Thanks and Regards
Webmaster, DelhiParsis.com