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Aryan Age of Majority:
Since the
day humans consolidated their primitive bonds into a well-knit society,
they have evolved a process to admit the matured young as adult members.
The initiation rite is therefore as old as human society, the acceptable
age being as low as nine years among certain primitive tribes and as high
as 21 years in certain more advanced societies. It has even branched into
various modern graduation ceremonies in education, training and
achievements, which are generally not restricted by age limits. Other
initiations into a social order or a religious fellowship are also not
governed by age limits. The initiation may be a simple or an elaborate
ceremony, depending on the people and their times.
The ancient Aryans, ancestors of the people of Iranian culture, considered
fifteen years as the age of attaining majority and consent for both the
sexes. It was the right age when a boy had learned most of the trades of
agriculture and animal husbandry from his father, and the girl had
acquired most of the skills of homemaking and housekeeping from her
mother. The two became fully qualified to take their respective
responsibilities in the household and society.
The initiation
ceremony was simple. The initiate had to receive a work band from an elder
'to gird the loins' and make a solemn vow that, once girded, one would
serve the family and the folk. Prayers by an elder and blessings by the
attendees made the ceremony more significant.
The antiquity of the
ceremony, later tradition says, goes back to Yima Khshaeta (Middle Persian
Jamshed, modern Persian Jamshid), a legendary leader of the southward
migrating Aryans of the ice and post-ice ages, from 15,000 down to 8,000
years ago. It may be even older. The phrase "to gird" in almost all the
Indo-European languages, meaning "to prepare for action," "to undertake a
task," and "to invest with authority," proves its origin in a hoary past.
Original
Zoroastrian Form:
Zarathushtra came to found a monotheistic religion of Good Thoughts,
Good Words, and Good Deeds, and to eradicate ignorance, superstition and
both spiritual and social ills. However, he did not interfere with the
daily life and the way of living of an industrious people. Rather, he
purified and beautified it. His famous sermon on the "Freedom of Choice"
and the "Great Event" (Gathas: Song 3.2 = Yasna 30.2), and the eventual
turning point in one's life through this prudent choice, is further
illustrated by his mentioning of certain major initiations: The day King
Vistaspa joined "the Great Zoroastrian Fellowship," and the occasions on
which Ferashaushtra was granted "the best bliss of righteousness," and
sage Jamaspa "united with righteousness." He speaks of his cousin
Maidyoimaha and other near relatives joining the Fellowship (Gathas: Songs
11.14-15, 14.9, 16.16-19 = Yasna 46.14-15, 49.9, 51.16-19). His last song
states that his best wish had been fulfilled because all those who chose
the new order were initiated into the Fellowship and even his earlier
opponents had learned the words of the Good Religion and acted
accordingly. (Gathas: Song 17.1 = Yasna 53.1).
How the initiation was actually performed, his ever-guiding sublime songs,
the Gathas, do not elaborate. However, Haptañhâiti, the Avestan songs
chronologically next to the Gathas, shows the "greatest event of decision"
was held in a fire-enclosure, the earliest prototype of today's temples
and the ceremony was performed facing the fire altar (Yasna 36). Another
text, Fshusho Mânthra (Thought-provoking Message of Prosperity--Yasna 58),
also in the Gathic dialect, breaks into a prayer for the prosperity of the
settled industrious people and their useful animals, and ends with the
same stanza of Haptañhâiti by asking for "perfection and eternity"... of
initiation in an agricultural settlement.
The term yâh
(from the root yah, meaning "to strive") is translated as "the
event of decision or choice." It is mentioned in three places in the
Gathas (Songs 5.2, 11.14, 14.9 = Yasna 32.2, 46. 14, 49.9). It occurs
twice again in post-Gathic Avestan pieces. Seraosha (Listening to the
Divine Voice) is "the true word most victorious in the event of decision,
(because) the Mazdayasna Religion is the true law among all the good and
righteous principles." (Yasht 11.3). And "Righteous Zarathushtra, leader
of the material world and the head of mankind, revered the Choice of
Religion in all the events of decision" (Yasht 13.41). It shows the
continuations of the ceremony long after the passing of Zarathushtra and
his companions.
Initiation:
It is Fravarti, the "Choice of Religion" text (Yasna 11.17 to
12.9), again in the Gathic dialect, which provides a clearer picture of
the early form of the ceremony. It is a long piece of eleven stanzas. It
depicts an "initiation" ceremony in which adult initiates renounced their
previous beliefs and professions--polytheism, superstitions, sorcery,
arbitrariness, robbery, and other "mental and physical illnesses," each
for his or her self, and joined the Zarathushtrian fellowship. It must
have been quite interesting to see persons of diverse beliefs and
practices come to share with those present by telling them of their past
and how sorry they were for it, and how glad they felt to give it up by
choosing the Religion of Good Conscience which "overthrows yokes, sheaths
swords, promotes self-reliance and is righteous." The main part of the
Fravarti, which concerns the declaration of the choice of religion, is
also known as the Âstuyê (Appreciation).
The initiation,
originally the ceremony aimed at admitting an adolescent into the adult
society at the age of fifteen, was now applied to give the initiate the
opportunity to declare his or her choice of religion and thus become a
responsible adherent of the religion. It meant the commitment for a
radiating useful life of righteousness. The ceremony was climaxed by the
girding of the waist with the koshti over the next-to-skin shirt
sadreh, and the recitation of the Fravarti formula of the
"Appreciation." It was also performed for the initiates who chose the
religion at an older age. It is this initiation that has been elaborated
as well as contracted into the modern "navjote."
The koshti was the ceremonial girdle of commitment to service, a
service aimed at the continuous renovation of the living world for a
progressive prosperity and a radiating happiness, and towards wholeness
and immortality. The sadreh was the simple shirt worn next to the skin.
The prayerful girding of the koshti every day was aimed at reminding the
person of his sacred commitment to serve, a solemn way of reminding
oneself of the duty one had to discharge. Although the Fravarti does not
indicate that any officiant led the adult initiation ceremony, the current
tradition and anthropological observations at large suggest that there was
some one who directed the procedure and that there were some people who
witnessed it.
Ceremony:
The initiate, an adult of sound discretion, may either be a person born in
a Zarathushtrian home or one who, originally of an alien belief and
ideology, has chosen the religion of Good Conscience through study and
conviction. He or she should understand and memorize as much as possible
of the Fravarti formula, either both in the Gathic language and the native
or national tongue, or if he or she prefers, only in one of them. The
officiant will, of course, be at hand to prompt him or her in the
recitation. He or she should know how to tie the girdle, koshti. Relatives
and friends are invited for the occasion, which according to the Gathas
and Haptañhâiti, is a great, rather the greatest, event of decision in
one's life. Preferably all should wear white on this occasion, because
white represents light, and it symbolizes the unity of the three basic
colors--red, blue, and yellow--and therefore, the unity of mankind into an
enlightened Fellowship.
A table is laid with a
white cloth. A fire-vase lit with sandalwood or any other sweet-smelling
incense, candles (preferably white), flowers, trays of dry and fresh
fruits, a tray with rice and rose petals or any other showering matter,
another tray with the koshti placed on it, and other decorative articles
are placed on the table in a beautiful array. The decorated table
symbolizes prosperous future in a beautiful environment.
The initiate, wearing
the sadreh, next to his or her skin, and if preferred under his or her
upper garment, stands facing the sun or a light in such a way as to be
close to the table but between the table and the audience. A hall may
provide a platform for the purpose. The officiant, dressed in white,
stands facing the initiate, preferably on the other side of the table. It
may as well be made clear that (1) it is the initiate who "performs" the
ceremony, (2) that the officiant gives only a guiding help, and (3) that
the officiant and others present are, in fact, there to witness the
Fravarti, the Choice of Religion ceremony.
The ceremony starts
with the officiant, or an assistant, stating the significance of
initiation, especially the main object of girding oneself and preparing to
keep the world new and fresh with true actions. Then the initiate, if he
or she prefers, gives the reason for choosing the religion of Good
Conscience. The officiant recites the first song from the Gathas, offering
a sincere prayer to please the Wise God and to serve the world. He then
hands over the girdle, also placed in a decorated tray on the table, to
the initiate, who, in turn, prepares for the main initiation procedure as
follows:
1. He doubles the
koshti with the tasseled ends on one side and holds it in his hand with
his middle finger between the two strands, and puts the loop around the
middle finger of the other hand. He stands erect and ready.
2. He begins by
reciting a piece from the later Avesta:
"Khnaothra ahurahê mazdâo -- For the pleasure God Wise."
3. Then he turns to
the Gathic texts to gird him/herself for service to maintain a renovating
world:
"At ve staotâ aojâi,
Mazdâ, añhâ-châ
yavat ashâ tavâ-châ isâi-châ
dâtâ añheush aredat vohu manañhâ
haithyâ vareshtâm hyat vasnâ ferashotemem."
(Song 15.11)
"I am, Wise One, Your
praiser and shall continue to regard myself
so as long as I have the strength and the will through righteousness.
This shall promote the laws of life through good mind,
for true actions (here the initiate places the koshti on his or her waist)
make life most renovated as God wishes."
The initiate winds the
koshti and recites:
"Ashem vohû vahishtem astî. Ushtâ astî
Ushtâ ahmâi hyat ashâi vahishtâi ashem."
"Righteousness is the
best good. It is radiant happiness.
Radiant happiness comes to the person
who is righteous for the sake of righteousness alone."
The initiate recites
the following formula twice and when pronouncing the word shyaothananâm
(meaning "acts") ties the first half of the reef-knot and on the
second occasion the second half of the knot. He or she may first recite
the original text and then use the translation for the second recitation.
The formula:
"Yathâ ahû vairyo
athâ
ratush ashât-chît hachâ
vañheush dazdâ manañho
shyaothananâm
(here tie the first
half knot)
añgheush Mazdâi khshathrem-châ Ahurâi â
yim drigubyo dadat vâstârem.
Both the Lord and the
Leader
are to be chosen because of their righteousness.
These two appointments are made with good mind,
so that the acts (here tie the second half knot) of life are done
for the Wise One.
And the dominion of God is well established,
in which the chosen person is appointed
as the Rehabilitator of the rightful who are oppressed."
The initiate then
winds the ends at his or her back and ties the two half knots at the two
ushtâ (radiant happiness):
"Ashem vohû
vahishtem astî. Ushtâ (here tie the first half knot) astî. Ushtâ
(here the second half knot) ahmâi hyat ashâi vahishtâi ashem.
Righteousness is the best good. It is radiant happiness.
Radiant happiness comes to the person who is righteous for the sake of
righteousness alone."
With the koshti tied,
the initiate stands with thumbs hooked into the koshti, or hands folded to
recite Fravarti, the Choice of Religion declaration.
4. The Choice of
Religion declaration restores one's appreciation for the beauty of Good
Conscience:
"Mazda-yasno ahmi,
Mazda-yasno Zarathushtrish
fravarâne âstutas-châ fravaretas-châ.
Âstuye humatem mano,
âstuye hûkhtem vacho,
âstuye hvarshtem shyaothanem.
Âstuye daenâm vañuhîm Mazda-yasnîm
fraspâ-yaokhedhrâm, nidhâsnaithishem,
khvaetvadathâm, ashaonîm,
yâ hâithinâm-châ bushyeintinâm-châ
mazishtâ-châ, vahishtâ-châ, sraeshtâ-châ,
yâ Âhuirish Zarathushtrish.
Ahurâi Mazdâi vispâ vohû chinahmî.
(Aeshâ astî daenayâo Mazda-yasnoish âstuitish)
I, with my appreciations and convictions,
choose for myself to be a worshiper of the Wise One and a Zarathushtrian.
I appreciate good thoughts,
I appreciate good words,
I appreciate good deeds.
I appreciate Good Conscience,
the religion of worshiping the Wise One,
which overthrows yokes yet sheaths swords,
teaches self-reliance, and is righteous.
Therefore, of the religions that have been and that shall be,
this is the greatest, best, and sublimest.
It is divine and Zarathushtrian.
I attribute all good to the Wise God.
(Such is my appreciation for the Good Religion of worshiping the Wise
One.)"
This completes his/her
"Gathic" Choice of the Religion formula. The initiate then may recite any
of the following pieces in the Later Avesta and Persian with the
intermitting Ashem Vohu:
Jasa mê avañhê mazda: Come to my help, Wise One. (three times)
"Ashem vohû vahishtem astî.
Ushtâ astî
Ushtâ ahmâi hyat ashâi
vahishtâi ashem.
Righteousness is the best good. It is radiant happiness.
Radiant happiness comes to the person
who is righteous for the sake of righteousness alone."
May we unite in
strength! May we unite in strength and righteousness! May we unite in
strength and enjoy more merits! May we join meritorious people in merits!
May we be far from sins of the sinful! May we join the koshti-wearing, the
pious, and the good people of the seven continents of the earth!
O Creator God help us
pass over the great Bridge of Discernment in light, easy, happy and smooth
way. O Creator God, may we reach the best of abode of the righteous, the
bright paradise, full of comforts.
"Ashem vohû
vahishtem astî.
Ushtâ astî
Ushtâ ahmâi hyat ashâi
vahishtâi ashem.
Righteousness is the best good. It is radiant happiness.
Radiant happiness comes to the person
who is righteous for the sake of righteousness alone."
May the special glory
of the Good Religion of Mazda-worship be victorious. (Three times)
(Here repeat "Ashem vohû formula)
May God and the
eternal progressives be successful. May it be so. May it be more so.
(Here repeat "Ashem vohû formula)
Formula of Faith
(Persian)
This Avestan and Pahlavi prayer has been added to the Initiation Ceremony
and has become central to it in modern times:
Razishtayâo
chistayâo Mazda-dâtayâo ashaonyâo daênayâo vañhuyâo Mazda-yasnoish.
Dîn-e Behi rast-o dorost ke khoda bar mardom ferestadeh în ast ke Asho
Zartosht peighambar âvardeh ast. Dîn dîn-e Urmazd, dâd-e Zartosht.
(Here repeat "Ashem
vohû formula)
Dâdâr yek, Dîn-e Behi yek, Peighambar-e pâk-râh Asho Zartosht-e
Espantamân-e anûsheh-ravân.
Dânesteh-o bîgomân be râsti-o dorosti-ye Dîn-e pâk Urmazd.
(Here repeat "Ashem vohû formula)
Translation:
The God-given Perception, the most right, the righteous (is) the Good
Religion of worshiping the Wise One.
The true and right Good Religion sent by God for humanity is the one
brought by Righteous Zarathushtra, the Messenger.
The (true) religion is
the religion of God given by Zarathushtra.
(Here repeat "Ashem
vohû formula)
God is one, the Good
Religion is one, and the Messenger of the proper path is Righteous
Zarathushtra Spitama, the eternal. I understand and have no doubts about
the truth and essence of the noble religion of God.
For the righteous.
(Here repeat "Ashem
vohû formula)
The serene ceremony concludes with a benediction. |
