We parsis often wonder how our ancestors must have looked like, or who must our ancestors be and how did they live in those times...Ours being the oldest religion in the world it is very hard for us youngsters to imagine how our ancestors must be like. I have some information regarding our ancestors and I shall share it with my readers.
Almost 4,000 years ago there lived a tribe of herdsmen in ancient Iran. The Iranian people were nomadic, that is they did not live in a fixed place but moved from place to place in search of food as well as good pastures for their cattle.
Our forefathers were tall, fair, well-built with dark brown/black hair and hooked noses. They wore long robes to shield themselves from the hot sun during the day and from the bitter cold in the night.
The Iranian people were divided into 2 socially distinct classes, that were based upon their occupations. The first was the PRIESTLY class, who were supported by the rest of the population, mainly made up of HERDSMEN who became WARRIORS as and when the need arose.
The ancient Iranians did not have any recognizable religion before prophet ZARATHUSHTRA was born. There existed many cults in which were worshipped many gods and goddesses, who were sometimes peace, prosperity and happiness, and when they were wicked, famine, disease, destruction and death were brought upon the people. They worshipped a series of nature gods and goddesses who looked after the skies, water, earth, plants, animals, man and fire.
However they had 3 very important Gods:
1. MITHRA-- THE LORD OF CONTRACT: whom they believed supervised agreements made between men.
2. VARUNA-- THE LORD OF SOLEMN OATHS: whom the Indo-Iranians recognized as being the overseer of promises.
3. ASURA-- The lord whom they worshipped to be the basic force of Order, which later came to be identified as Wisdom.
The people were frightened that if the gods and goddesses were not worshipped and given appropriate sacrifices, then the wrath of the gods would bring misfortune and misery upon them.
The Indo-Iranians had no fixed places of worship, as they moved from area to area constantly. Therefore they had no temple or permanent statues of worship to which they could go to.
Life was hard and tough for the Indo-Iranians and thus the strongest amongst them survived. The strong exerted pressure on the weak by fighting, stealing and sometimes killing them. The poor and those who were not so strong, were trampled upon by the others who were rich and powerful.
There was much unhappiness, chaos and confusion in the land of our very remote ancestors. Hence some of the wise people prayed for a messenger from God, who would show them the Light in order to help them all to lead a happy, peaceful life.
Nearly three and half thousand years ago, the prayers of the people were answered. God having heard the prayers and having seen the despair of the people, sent upon the earth, a very special person. A child was born into the noble Spitaman family somewhere around the Aral sea. The parents named their child ZARATHUSHTRA, who when he grew up, taught his people how to live happily and in peace. His teachings formed the basis of a religion which we, to this day follow.
Almost 4,000 years ago there lived a tribe of herdsmen in ancient Iran. The Iranian people were nomadic, that is they did not live in a fixed place but moved from place to place in search of food as well as good pastures for their cattle.
Our forefathers were tall, fair, well-built with dark brown/black hair and hooked noses. They wore long robes to shield themselves from the hot sun during the day and from the bitter cold in the night.
The Iranian people were divided into 2 socially distinct classes, that were based upon their occupations. The first was the PRIESTLY class, who were supported by the rest of the population, mainly made up of HERDSMEN who became WARRIORS as and when the need arose.
The ancient Iranians did not have any recognizable religion before prophet ZARATHUSHTRA was born. There existed many cults in which were worshipped many gods and goddesses, who were sometimes peace, prosperity and happiness, and when they were wicked, famine, disease, destruction and death were brought upon the people. They worshipped a series of nature gods and goddesses who looked after the skies, water, earth, plants, animals, man and fire.
However they had 3 very important Gods:
1. MITHRA-- THE LORD OF CONTRACT: whom they believed supervised agreements made between men.
2. VARUNA-- THE LORD OF SOLEMN OATHS: whom the Indo-Iranians recognized as being the overseer of promises.
3. ASURA-- The lord whom they worshipped to be the basic force of Order, which later came to be identified as Wisdom.
The people were frightened that if the gods and goddesses were not worshipped and given appropriate sacrifices, then the wrath of the gods would bring misfortune and misery upon them.
The Indo-Iranians had no fixed places of worship, as they moved from area to area constantly. Therefore they had no temple or permanent statues of worship to which they could go to.
Life was hard and tough for the Indo-Iranians and thus the strongest amongst them survived. The strong exerted pressure on the weak by fighting, stealing and sometimes killing them. The poor and those who were not so strong, were trampled upon by the others who were rich and powerful.
There was much unhappiness, chaos and confusion in the land of our very remote ancestors. Hence some of the wise people prayed for a messenger from God, who would show them the Light in order to help them all to lead a happy, peaceful life.
Nearly three and half thousand years ago, the prayers of the people were answered. God having heard the prayers and having seen the despair of the people, sent upon the earth, a very special person. A child was born into the noble Spitaman family somewhere around the Aral sea. The parents named their child ZARATHUSHTRA, who when he grew up, taught his people how to live happily and in peace. His teachings formed the basis of a religion which we, to this day follow.
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