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.
ZARATHUSTRA’S SELECTION
Introductory commentary: The second song of the Gathas is a play. The play is not only the oldest Indo-Iranian play on record (approximately 3700 years old), but one can even go further to state that it is the oldest dramatic poem in the world which survives in the very words of the author—Zarathushtra Spitama [zara-THOO-stra spi-T'AH-mah].
While it is generally believed that "might makes right" in the living world, it SEEMS that the strong more regularly oppress the weak and deprive them of their legitimate rights. It seems that ours is a world of the survival of the strongest rather the most fit, or suitable.
While this law is perhaps good for the jungle, man has outgrown being a mere animal. He is a creator now. He has discovered how to make fire. He has discovered metals and learned how to mold them into instruments. He has invented many articles. These discoveries have made him very powerful. He can make wonderful things and, equally, he can destroy wonderful things. His destructive aspect poses a great threat, not only to his own existence, but to life on the Earth.
Now weaklings can wipe out the fittest, the strongest and the finest. However, man-the-creator has a very clear and strong thinking faculty. He can be guided by his good mind to be always constructive. Good Mind, or Vohu Manah, refers to the good, moral, or enlightened state of the human mind. Zarathushtra presents it both as an internal capacity (the good mind one cultivates) and as a divine force or emanation that humans can choose to partner with or ignore or oppose.
Zarathushtra taught that this good mind must, therefore, be trained and strengthened to be his only guide. He must do things right. He must be taught that “Might is not right” but that “Right is might”. Wisdom should take the position of leader for the management of force, and power and only the wise and benevolent should be the lords and leaders of the world. This requires two things under the universal law: Power to repel aggression and limit oppression, and wisdom to eliminate them and promote permanent peace and prosperity. The living world, therefore, is in dire need of a person who can comply with these two requirements.
In this play it is Zarathushtra Spitâma, the person who seeks to bring in change and introduce a complete departure from the past policy of senseless force and aggression. Here is a brief outline of the drama; italics indicate personifications in the play:
- When driven to desperation by rage and rape the Living Earth (Gaia, if you will) contemplates why she was created. Knowing that the Creator alone can free her of her distress, she turns to God for rehabilitation.
- The Universal Law of Righteousness regulates the creation. God asks it to attend to the complaint and find a leader [a guide] who could rehabilitate her and find a lord [wise authority] who would repel those oppressing her.
- The Universal Law of Righteousness observes that on Earth might is considered to be right and that no might is without malice. Persons with might do not help the weak. Universal Law believes that alone it cannot help.
- The Universal Law of Righteousness knows that God alone knows best the past, present and future. God can decide best how to solve the problem for good.
- Righteousness wants Soul of the Living Earth, who is ready for a fruitful future, to join in praying to God for a good living for the rightful, and for the rehabilitation of the wrongful.
- Knowing facts, God lovingly told Righteousness that it should know that it was created to know and take care of a righteous leader (guide) and settler of the Living Earth.
- Acting on the Law of Righteousness, God prepares the formula of redeeming the distress. Since this means a thorough thinking, God turns to Good Mind, another divine Principle of Life, and asks if it knows a person who could help.
- Good Mind knows. It is Zarathushtra who alone has, through righteous intuition, comprehended the Divine Doctrine and is prepared to spread the message through the Gathas. He needs the divine blessing to preach sweetly.
- The World, so used to “Might is Right”, cannot understand how a man of mind, weak in physical force, can take care of her. She wants a powerful overlord.
- A little pondering makes the World realize the truth, however. She prays to God to grant Zarathushtra and his companions strength through precision and mind to usher in peace and stability. Zarathushtra is truly the foremost discoverer who understands the Divine Will. She chooses Zarathushtra as her lord and leader.
Satisfied, the World wishes for Righteousness, Good Mind, and the Divine Dominion – all Principles of Life – to prevail. A new era has dawned, and she wants God to bless the new order and recognize the Great Fellowship being established by Zarathushtra.
[Note: Yasna literally means oblation – a solemn offering, gift, or sacrifice presented to deity. Each song is a solemn offering to deity.]. Contemplate deeply each stanza of this play over the next week.
Song 2.1 (Yasna 29.1)
The Soul of the Living World lamented to You:
Why did You create me? Who fashioned me this way?
I am oppressed by fury, rapine, outrage, and aggression.
I have no one to rehabilitate me other than
You. Lead me to true civilization.
Driven to desperation by rage and robbery, the Living Earth questions the reason she was created. Knowing that the Creator alone can free her from the horrifying distress and injustice, she turns to Lord Wisdom for help.
When feeling desperate, don't lose hope. Turn to Lord Wisdom for guidance.
Song 2.2 (Yasna 29.2)
Then the Creator of the Living World asked Righteousness:
Who is Your leader of the World,
who can offer her civilization,
nourishment, and strength?
Whom do you wish to be her lord;
one who shall repel the fury of the wrongful?
The Universal Law of Righteousness regulates creation; God asks it to attend to the complaint and appoint a leader who could rehabilitate the Living Earth and find a lord who could repel the oppression that has befallen her.
A person in distress needs a supporter who will empower and enable them.
Song 2.3 (Yasna 29.3)
Righteousness replied:
There is no authority in the world
who is free from malice.
Of those yonder, I know none
who would activate the noble to help the meek.
Had there been one person strong enough among them,
I would have hurried to his call.
The Universal Law of Righteousness knows that absolute might is not without malice. Those who strive for might do not help the weak.
When absolute authority dominates, the disadvantaged and the weak suffer.
Song 2.4 (Yasna 29.4)
The Wise Lord knows best
what the divines and their people
have been doing in the past and shall do in the future.
The Lord alone is the judge.
Let it be so as He wishes us to be.
The Universal Law of Righteousness knows that only God best knows the past, present, and the future. God decides best how to solve the problems ahead.
Trust in the Lord’s wisdom, which paves the way to the good that lies ahead.
Song 2.5 (Yasna 29.5)
It is better for us two, the Soul of the fruitful World and me,
to raise our hands for the divine grace
and ask the Wise One:
Will there be no livelihood for the honest?
Will there be no reformer among the wrongful?
The Universal Law of Righteousness wants the Soul of the Living Earth both of whom are ready for a fruitful future, to pray to God for a good living for all the rightful, and for the rehabilitation of the wrongful.
The Future of the world will be bright if wrongs are rectified. Let us act accordingly.
Song 2.6 (Yasna 29.6)
The Wise Lord, the Knowing,
spoke in a loving form:
So you do not know any lord or leader
who acts in righteousness?
But, were you not fashioned by the Creator
to look after the promoter [leader] as well as the settler [citizen]?
Knowing the facts, God lovingly tells Righteousness that it should know that it was created to know and take care of a righteous promoter and settler of the Living World.
God is knowing, loving, and takes care of creation, and the Law of Righteousness aids those who wish to better their world through right actions.
Song 2.7 (Yasna 29.7)
The Wise Lord, of one accord with Righteousness,
prepared His thought-provoking message
in response to the sweet plea made by the World,
because with His doctrine, He is the promoter [leader]
for those who wish to be protected.
He asked: Good Mind, do you know any person
who can help the mortals?
Acting according to the Universal Law of Righteousness, God prepares the formula of redeeming the distressed. Since this requires thorough thinking, God turns to the Good Mind, another divine Principle of Life, and asks if it knows a person who could help.
The Universal Law alone is not enough. The Good Mind is also essential for knowing how to act in the right way.
Song 2.8 (Yasna 29.8)
Yes I do. There is only one person
who has listened to our teachings.
He is Zarathushtra Spitama.
Wise One, he is prepared to proclaim the message
through his Songs for the sake of Righteousness.
Grant him sweetness of speech.
The Good Mind knows it is Zarathushtra who has, through righteous intuition, comprehended the Divine Doctrine and is prepared to spread the message through the Gathas—his devotional songs. He needs the divine blessing to preach sweetly.
Right intuition is necessary to comprehend the Divine Doctrine along with a kind demeanor, paired with eloquent speech, to help teach and spread the message.
Song 2.9 (Yasna 29.9)
The Soul of the World cried again:
Am I to accept a powerless man
with a feeble voice as my caretaker?
I want a powerful ruler.
Will such a time come
when will he give me his helping hand?
The World, so used to “Might is Right”, cannot understand how a man of mind, weak in physical force, can take care of her. She wants a powerful overlord.
Those who view physical power as the only strength may not easily appreciate the power of the mind.
Song 2.10 (Yasna 29.10)
Lord, Grant him and his people,
strength and power
through righteousness and good mind,
so that he leads me to peace and tranquility.
I also, Wise One, recognize him
as Your foremost discovery.
A little pondering makes the World realize the truth. She prays to God grant Zarathushtra and his companions the strength through precision and mind to usher in peace and stability.
Zarathushtra is truly the foremost discoverer who understands the Divine Will. She chooses Zarathushtra as her lord and leader.
Careful reflection on an idea makes one realize the truth, so that one may decide wisely.
Song 2.11 (Yasna 29.11)
When shall Righteousness, Good Mind,
and the Divine Dominion hasten to me?
Wise One, do acknowledge, with Your discernment,
the order of the Great Fellowship.
Lord, help us now.
We look to Your kindness.
Satisfied, the Living World wishes for Righteousness, Good Mind, and the Divine Dominion — all the Divine Principles of Life — to prevail. A new era has dawned on the Living World, and she wants God to bless the new order and recognize the Great Fellowship being established by Zarathushtra.
Under the Divine Dominion, all humanity would enter into a Grand Fellowship, empowered by our differences, unified in our desire to actualize an ideal existence.
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We invite your comments on these Gathas so that our insights might teach one another.
Next Installment: The Gathas – Song 3 (WHEN PUBLISHED)
Previous Installment: The Gathas – Song 1
Source: The Gathas - Zarathushtrian Assembly See the index on the left of the page for the Song labeled in the title of this article.
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