The Parsi Zoroastrian Association of Singapore
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The Parsi Zoroastrian Association of Singapore
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Zarathustra was 42 when he and his followers finally reached the court of King Vishtaspa. The wise King had granted Zarathustra an audience, but he had also invited all the priests and wise men of his court to attend and listen to Zarathustra and question him about his philosophy. The King had wisely set the scene for a debate, if it need be. At the debate in the court of King Vishtaspa, Zarathustra eloquently spoke and convincingly responded to all challenges and questions. The King saw the wisdom of this man, and his teachings and embraced the religion. At the same time, the King invited his subjects to also listen carefully and choose wisely to follow the Zoroastrian religion. This was a major breakthrough for Zarathustra. However, the story goes on to say that Zarathustra’s enemies then plotted against Zarathustra and planted various objects of black magic in his quarters, and finally by accusing him of such evil acts, prompted the King to search his room. Upon finding such artifacts, Zarathustra was imprisoned and denied to eat or drink. Yet the story has a favorable turning, as such stories inevitably do. It is said that the King’s favorite dark horse is struck with an incurable deforming disease. None of the physicians in the kingdom can offer any cure. When Zarathustra, who was now in prison, hears about this, he offers the King to try to cure his favorite horse. The King reluctantly lets Zarathustra attempt his healing techniques, which he duly does. The King then realizes the error of his judgment about Zarathustra, and embraces his religion. The King also punishes the priests who conspired against Zarathustra, and starts to promote the religion. Now, these stories may seem somewhat difficult to believe. What we do know however, is that once the King embraced the religion of Zarathustra, it was a breakthrough and a turning point in the fortunes of the Zoroastrian Religion. From that time on, Zarathustra had the backing and support of a powerful and wise King. He freely went about propagating his teachings throughout that land, and very soon his message crossed the borders of the country to neighboring countries. In a way, if Zarathustra’s illumination was the conception, this was the birth of the Zoroastrian Religion, as we know it today. Two of the earliest converts, after King Vishtaspa embraced the religion were two brothers named Frashaoshtra and Jamaspa, of the Hvogva family. These two are mentioned in the Gathas, and they continued to be among Zarathustra’s disciples until the end. There is yet another legendary story about a tree that Zarathustra allegedly planted. It is also mentioned in the Shahnameh that when Zarathustra visited Kashmar, he planted a Sarv (Cyprus tree). This tree which became famous as Sarv-e Kashmar, is claimed to have grown for millennia, from the time of Zarathustra until it was ordered to be cut down by Caliph al-Mutawaqqil, in the year 861 CE. Source: http://www.parsicommunity.com/Religion/Zarathustra/TheTurningPoint.htm |
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