Zarathustra

There is little known about Zarathustra’s life. The people of his homeland, did not keep any records, so therefore there are no eyewitness accounts of him. There is much controversy on where and when he was born. Many of the guesses say that he lived in the tenth or ninth century B.C., or in the sixth or seventh century B.C. or, in 600 B.C.E, or even between 1500-1000 B.C. His followers celebrate his birthday on the sixth day of the first month. Certain evidence says that he lived in eastern Iran, others say that he was from northwest Iran. Even if the Iranian’s claimed, many people believe that he was born in what was then northeastern Persia. Even if many parts of his life are pretty much a legend, we know the names of his parents from the Avesta (the Zoroastrian holy book). His mother’s name was Dughda, and his father Porushasp. Many people believe that he a pagan priest. He married three times, and had three sons and three daughters. We only know of the name of one of this wives, Hovovi. He was exposed to religion from a very young age. When his mother was born she glowed with a light. When Zarathustra was born he also glowed with light. Evil spirits convinced Zarathustra’s father that he was a demon, because they were afraid of their conqueror. Zarathustra’s father then laid him on a pile of firewood and tried to light it, but it would not work. Then he took him in front of an ox, but instead the oxen protected him. Zarathustra was then put in a den of a wolf, but instead of killing him she took care of him. This was important between him and the animals because he hated animal sacrifice. By the time that Zarathustra was 30, he had already become a priest. He met an angel. The angle then took him to Ahura Mazda (the Wise Lord), who then selected Zarathustra to become his prophet. He knew that he had to preach about new religion. He had many problems with the existing persist and teachers. Zarathustra then fled; he went to the court of Kai Vishtaspa. Zarathustra was not well received at first and spent time in prison. As the story goes ,one of Vishtaspa’s favorite horse became sick and Zarathustra restored his health. Vishtaspa, his family, and the court soon all converted. Because of Zoroastrianism the king fought two wars. At age 77, Zarathustra was preaching at Balkh when the place was attacked and Zarathustra was killed during it. It is not sure on who actually killed him, the soldiers

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