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Zarathustra's Early Years
Zarathustra's Birth Zarathustra's Early Years The Vision The Turning Point Zarathustra's Philosophy Zarathustra's Teachings

 

Zarathustra grew up as a very intelligent and energetic young boy. He was very observant and had a sharp mind. He had the ability to see through the surface of things and penetrate to the depth of their cause and meaning. He spend a long time outdoors, contemplating nature and the questions of life.

Because of his inquisitiveness and natural curiosity, he always had lots of questions to ask the priests and teachers of his time; however, he was rarely satisfied with the explanations that he was receiving.

When he was nine years old, some of his friends arranged that he would have a meeting with the head priest of his town, and discuss the questions that he had. Zarathustra was very much looking forward to this debate.

The story goes that on the day of the debate, Zarathustra and the head priests spend a number of hours discussing the questions that he had. However, neither side managed to convince or satisfy the other. The depth of some of his questions had troubled the head priest, and he left the place in deep thought. Although when the head priest left, he was in good health, legend has it that on his way home, he suffered a massive heart attack and died.

There are many other stories of how he had to face all sorts of magical evil powers, and how he escaped them.

Zarathustra spent much of his youth in the surrounding pastures of his town, contemplating nature for many hours. It was during these meditations that many of the questions that the priests could not answer, would unravel themselves in ways that their answers would be revealed to him.

There is another story that says when Zarathustra was fifteen, his four brothers approached him to divide their father’s wealth among themselves. Zarathustra only took one item, the 'kusti', symbolizing the spiritual life, and left the entire wealth of his father to his four brothers.

Zarathushtra

When Zarathustra was only twenty years old, he left home for about ten years, traveling here and there, in search of Truth. And it was one early morning at the end of this time that he was illumined !

It is also said that he married a woman named Hvovi, before his illumination, although it is not known where and when.

Source: http://www.parsicommunity.com/Religion/Zarathustra/LifeOfZarathushtra_Early.htm

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Last modified: 12/29/04