According to Zoroastrianism, for us human beings to realise our divinity, we must strive towards wisdom, purity and perfection. We have been entrusted with responsibility for the protection, well-being and progress of all life on earth. Through humata or good thoughts, hukhta or good words and huvarashta or good deeds, we are to ensure that we create an environment conducive for the betterment of the earth and for the benefit of all.
All this would be easily attainable but for Ahura Mazda’s adversary, Ahriman. He is the spirit of darkness, destruction and evil, who is ever ready to afflict and corrupt and hinder our striving towards goodness and light.
It is conflict between the powers of good and evil, and it is left to our free will as to which of the two we choose to serve and render victorious. “Listen with your ears to the best things. Reflect with a clear mind upon the two choices; be prepared to declare yourself to him before the great retribution’’ (Yasna 30:2).
To make the right choice, we need to exercise powers given by Ahura Mazda for this very purpose, despite the onslaught of Ahriman. These are powers of truth, justice and compassion.
Zarathushtra the Prophet was born on earth to enable us to receive His message, as also to gain insight into workings of Ahura Mazda and His opponent Ahriman, and into our own ethical nature. Being of an exalted nature, Zarathushtra received the highest wisdom as a direct revelation and inspiration from Ahura Mazda. This divine wisdom was then uttered by Zarathushtra in poetic form and thus the hymns of the five Gathas — Ahunavaiti, Ushtavaiti, Spentamainyu, Vohukshathra and Vahishtoishti — came into being.
The Gathas are the original prayers — Mathravani — of Zoroastrianism. They are composed in Avestan, an ancient language closely related to Sanskrit. The hymns of the Gathas have a wonderful sound and rhythm and were preserved over the ages through oral tradition. They contain deep wisdom and are difficult to understand, being subject to different interpretations.
If you make the effort to understand the Gathas , you are greatly rewarded by receiving knowledge that can help you in the fight against Ahriman . Right knowledge is a great weapon against the powers of evil.
If it is not possible to understand the actual meaning of the texts, it is sufficient to recite the prayers with a focused, one-pointed mind, in a moderately audible voice and with correct pronunciation, either before the Holy Fire, or before other elements of nature, or quite simply in one’s own chamber.
The prayers recited lift us up from the mundane and the transitory and allows us to connect, however fleetingly, with the Divinity in us and around, bringing about a state of harmony and balance. Prayers have the power to reinforce the truth and overcome lies. Prayers have the power to heal through the Holy Word.
Sound vibrations created by recitation of prayers have a dual effect: they strengthen the Self and drive away demons, thereby purifying the atmosphere. The angel or Yazata of prayer is Sra’osh and He is invoked by reciting the Sra’osh (Sarosh) Baaj. Traditionally in Zoroastrianism prayers are recited individually with the rare exception of Humbandagi or community prayer. In the case of certain ceremonies, the priests recite the prayers in a group.