ZARATHUSHTRA'S WORK: The Gathas - Song 16

THE GOOD DOMINION OF CHOICE

Song 16.1 (Yasna 51.1)

The good dominion is to be chosen. It is the best dividend. In fact, it is devotion for the dedicated, who, Wise One, moves best within righteousness by his deeds. It is for this dominion that I am working for all of us now.              

A good government must be an elected one; this is one of the best gains one can have in this life. To serve a chosen government means to serve it best with devotion based on righteous deeds. It is for such a dominion, a governmental system, that Zarathushtra determined was best for us, mankind; as such, he founded the foremost democracy—mental and physical, spiritual and material.

Ideal truth and order in the world may be achieved through our good deeds and conscious efforts.

ZARATHUSHTRA'S WORK: The Gathas - Song 15

COMMUNION WITH GoOD

Song 15.1 (Yasna 50.1)

Does my soul seek any help?

Who has been found as a protector for my flock? Who for my men?

None, Wise Lord, except Your righteousness and best mind,

when truly invoked. 

How can one best help himself, his property, and his people? By using his best mind to concentrate and then have his very best thoughts translated into proper actions. That is what Mazda wishes.

In times of distress and hardship, righteousness and the good mind are our best friends.

ZARATHUSHTRA'S WORK: The Gathas - Song 14

REMOVING OBSTRUCTIONS

Song 14.1 (Yasna 49.1)

Now, Wise One, Bendva* always obstructs me the most, I, who wish to satisfy the badly protected through righteousness. Come to me with good reward and support. I am seeking illumination for him through good mind.              

After declaring his plan, Zarathushtra turns to an arch enemy, *Bendva (Vedic Bandhu, a composer of the Rig Veda) who is the main obstruction in Zarathushtra’s way. Zarathushtra wants to attend, in a rightful way, to the people who face the dangers of opposition; they must be saved. He is praying for divine guidance and seeking solution through good mind.

The wrongful people in power will always obstruct genuine attempts to help the oppressed, but they can still be shown another way.

Birdsong

By Emma Langford      

The song 'Birdsong' by Emma Langford conveys a message of inner strength and self-love, symbolized by the metaphor of a bird soaring high above judgment and hate. The lyrics emphasize the resilience and independence of the individual, showcasing a determination to rise above challenges and remain true to oneself. 

It offers a glimpse of the consequences of the choice to judge others.  Many interpretations and perspectives may be applied.  Search for them. 

ZARATHUSHTRA'S WORK: The Gathas - Song 13

VICTORY OVER WRONG

Song 13.1 (Yasna 48.1)

If, after this, one conquers wrong through righteousness, because one reaches what is always said to be delusions by the false gods and their men, one shall, by these gains, increase in Your glorification, O Lord. 

If one, by the guidance of the progressive mentality, were to understand the true nature of delusions of fanciful gods fed to him by exploiters and, therefore, replace this wrong with righteousness, they would then get to the core of Truth. They would truly comprehend the Being and turn to Lord of Wisdom to glorify Him.

Those facts and truths which would improve the world, or save it from harm, are proclaimed to be delusions by those who benefit from the ignorance of humanity.

ZARATHUSHTRA'S WORK: The Gathas - Song 12

PROGRESSIVE MENTALITY

Song 12.1 (Yasna 47.1)

To him who, through progressive mentality, performs his duties best in thoughts, words, and deeds in accordance with righteousness, the Wise Lord grants wholeness and immortality through sovereignty and serenity.              

The progressive mentality is the creative and promotive faculty endowed in our mind by Mazda Ahura, the Super-Intellect Being. It makes us renovate and promote our environment, our world. One, who performs his duties in the best righteous manner, is granted wholeness, perfection, immortality, and eternity through their sovereignty, independence, serenity and tranquility.

The Progressive Mentality (Spenta Mainyu - Holy Spirit) leads to Perfection and Immortality.

ZARATHUSHTRA'S WORK: The Gathas - Song 11

FROM SUFFERING TO SUCCESS

Song 11.1 (Yasna 46.1)

To what land should I turn? Where should I turn to go? They hold me back from my folks and friends. Neither the community I follow pleases me, nor do the wrongful rulers of the land. How can I please You, Wise Lord? 

The opposition to Zarathushtra’s mission mounts. He is isolated from folks and friends; the community is hostile and so are the rulers of the land. The person who had prayed and asked “for support through progressive mentality [so that] I may perform all my actions, based as they are on the wisdom of good mind, precisely according to the laws of righteousness so that I please You and the soul of the Living World” (Song 1.1), now does not know what to do next. A frustrated Zarathushtra seeks guidance from God as where and how to go.

Those who fight for Truth and justice may find themselves cast away by society, reminding them of the necessity of their actions.

THE SCIENCE OF BEING By Ida B. Elliott

Preface:

The religion termed Divine Science is a Christian New Thought religious movement founded in the late 1880s. It has no direct connection to our Divine Science University but there are many similarities between what we each believe.

Divine Science, the religion, emphasizes the omnipresence of God as the foundational truth, teaching that God (understood as limitless Being, pure Spirit, perfect Life, Love, and Substance) is equally present everywhere and constitutes the All of everything.

The religious movement founded a Divine Science College in Denver in 1898 to train teachers, practitioners, and ministers. After the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and  the death of one of the founders, the movement’s center shifted to Denver (and later to Pueblo, Colorado) under the leadership of the other founder until her death in 1945.

The religious movement of Divine Science is practical and experiential, aiming for a direct knowing of God and participation in bringing forth greater good.

This article, written by Ida B. Elliott in the early 1900s, is shared for educational purposes.

ZARATHUSHTRA'S WORK: The Gathas - Song 10

Each stanza of this song contains the translation in italics, a brief commentary, and a closing thought to ponder.  

Try reading on stanza each day and pondering upon its meaning.

---

PROCLAMATION

Song 10.1 (Yasna 45.1)

Now, I shall proclaim, hear and listen,

you who have come from near and far as seekers.

Now, clearly bear these in mind.

Let not the evil teacher, the wrongful,

with his evil choice and perverted tongue, 

destroy life for a second time. 

Feeling fully confident about how to spread his message, Zarathushtra calls a conference. People flock in from far and near to hear him. As he addresses them, he wants to make one point clear: they should bear in mind that evil teachers have chosen evil and will thus use perverse language to seduce them back—a trick that would destroy their life, now being built on a new, fresh standard.

A wise person recognizes manipulative teachers and educates others on their deceitful nature.

Rising Above Negativity

 

As I was re-arranging and re-organizing my home office space, I discovered an early paper I had written and presented as part of a graduation presentation for a Mediumship course I had participated in many years ago.

What caught my attention was the title:  “RISING ABOVE NEGATIVITY”.   I remember now so clearly my teacher, Jovita, reiterating over and over to “rise above negativity”.

I could hear her words… yet the “how to” eluded me in the beginning.   I wondered “just exactly, how do you rise above negativity?   

And so I began my presentation from definition…. 

ZARATHUSHTRA'S WORK: The Gathas - Song 9

Each stanza of this song contains the translation in italics, a brief commentary, and a closing thought to ponder.  

Try reading on stanza each day and pondering upon its meaning.

---

ANSWERING QUESTIONS

Song 9.1 (Yasna 44.1)

This I ask You, tell me truly, Lord. 

How shall I reverently pay [homage to You]?

Teach this to a friend like me, Wise One.

Let us all be given help, through loving righteousness,

so that it comes to us through good mind.

Enlightenment through meditating on questions that turn into answers.  In the first stanza, he asks as to how he should pay his reverence and homage to Ahura—“The Being”. He wants Wisdom to teach a friend like Zarathushtra; he wishes for help through the Universal Law which is made of “loving” rightousness, the help comes only when one uses his or her good mind. The answer he recieves is that this very stanza is the best loving homage one can pay. No rule for performing rituals, no directive for dramas.

Commune with Lord Wisdom by meditation and consult the Good Mind for the right answers.

ZARATHUSHTRA'S WORK: The Gathas - Song 8

Each stanza of this song contains the translation in italics, a brief commentary, and a closing thought to ponder.  

Try reading on stanza each day and pondering upon its meaning.

---

REALIZING-SELF, NATURE, GOD

Song 8.1 (Yasna 43.1)

May the Wise, Ruling-at-will Lord

grant radiant happiness to the person

who radiates happiness to any other person at large.

I pray for steadfast strength and courage

in order to uphold righteousness.

Grant me through serenity

the blessings of a rich life of good mind. 

The Wise God rules at his will, a will that grants radiant happiness to whosoever gives radiating happiness to others without discrimination. All joining to create a healthy healthy and happy happy world. Zarathushtra wants steadfast strength and courage not for physical power but to serve righteousness. And he wants stability that produces a rich life based on good mind—a blessing to live, a life to spread happiness, a happiness that is shared by all.

True happiness radiates happiness onto others and enriches all lives.