Zoroastrianism and Hinduism
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hinduism and Zoroastrian are the two oldest surviving religions of the world. Both have come into contact with each other several times in history.
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[edit] Similarities
[edit] Vedic Aryan origin
Just as the Abrahamic religions spring forth from the tribe of Abraham, the Aryan religions come from the ancient Indo-Iranians(Aryans). Both of the early Indo-Iranian scriptures, the Rig-Veda and the Avesta, share common verses and whole passages, suggesting that both may have arisen from a common book. Both the Vedic Sanskrit and Avestan languages are also very similar, up to the point where they are mutually intelligible in many areas. Yama or Yima is identified as the ancestor of both religions. Yama/Yima was born from Vishswat/Vivanghat. In both religions he is a judge and a king. The Hindus refer to him as "Yam Raj" whereas the Zoroastrians refer to him as "Yima Kshaeta." It is said that he organized society into four groups.[1]
[edit] Good religion/law (Dharma and Daena)
The word "religion" and "law" are the same for both Zoroastrianism and Hinduism; the religion is the universal law. In Hinduism, the word is "Dharma" and in Zoroastrianism, "Daena". Hinduism is also known as Hindu Dharma or Arya Dharma ("noble religion") and Zoroastrianism as Behdini ("good religion.)
[edit] Good order (Rita and Asha)
The word Rita is the cosmic order of the universe in the Hindu religion. In Avesta, it is also known as Asha, in middle Persian, Asho and in modern Persian Arta. In both religions Shri Varuna (who becomes known as Ahura Mazda in the Avesta) is the protector of this cosmic order. The evil violation of the cosmic order is known as Druh in Hinduism and Druj in Zoroastrianism.
[edit] Om and On
The holiness of the mantra Om or On is believed in both religions. Hindus use Om, however some like the Sikhs use On as in Ek Onkar. Both the Hindus and Zoroastrianins start their prayers with this syllable. A Hindu would say Om tat sat while a Zoroastrian would say, On Ashem Vohu.
[edit] The Magi and the Brahmins
The Magi were a group of priests that were of the same origin and function as the Brahmins. Like the Vedic Brahmins, they extensivly practiced fire rituals (agnihotra.) They are the priestly classes for both religions. In Hinduism Mag priests from the Iranian-descended Rajputs are referred to as Magacharyas and are priests in the Saura or sun-worshipping tradition. The Magas of Hinduism are the Atharvans (Athwya in the Rigveda) who wrote the Atharva Veda. Zarathustra, who might be the Vedic Zuryastata ("restorer of sun worship") also belonged to the Maga clan.
[edit] Holy cow
In both religions, the cow is the most sacred animal. Zarathustra's family name Spitma means "milk white" because milk is from the holy cow and white means pure.
[edit] Animal Sacrifice
Both believed in offering animal sacrifices to God. In Indian languages, sacrifice is yajna while in Iranian languages it is yasna. The practice was common in the Vedic religion but was gradually abandoned, as the Indo-Aryans gradually adopted vegetarianism to protect their cattle supply (their equivalent of money) and protect their health in order to adapt to the climate of their new home. According to passages in the Rig-Veda exhalting vegetarianism, the practice was probably abandoned very early in the religion. Zoroastrianism also gradually gave up its practice of the ritual, but it was still preserved by those who worshipped Mithra (Sanskrit Mitra). It later spread abroad in tandem with Mithra worship.
[edit] Triangular flags
Both religions have triangular flags as the symbol of their religion. The Hindus use the two-pointed Bhagwa Dhwaj ("Saffron flag") while the Zarathustrians use the two-pointed white flag[2].
[edit] Differences
[edit] Strict Monotheism
In Hinduism a disciple is allowed to practice their devotion in anyway as long as it is non-violent and giving praise to a good spirit. Prophet Zarathutra believed that only Ahura Mazda the Wise-Lord should be worshipped as opposed to other spirits. Of course to say that Hinduism does not believe in monotheism is simply wrong. Nityo nityanam cetanas cetananam (Katha Upanisad 2.2.13) means that God has many forms and that any form can be worshipped. Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita further said that no matter to whom the prayers are directed, they all go to Him.
[edit] Idolatry
All Hindus keep an idol of the god or gods of their family in their house. Zarathustra said that God should not be represented in any material way as prayers should be directed to only God Almighty. Early Vedic Hinduism did not utilize idol worship (with exception to peepul trees and and clay figurines, generally among indigenous peoples) and the early Vedas even condemned it as false and non-Aryan. It was at the time of the Indo-Greek period in the northwest, that idol worship became more prominent in Hinduism. Idols were initially used in Buddhism but as it spread over India, Hinduism borrowed this practice and from then on, most deities were represented by idols. In general, however, Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita mentions that all prayers go to Him so most Hindus do not so much worship the idols themselves as they use them as medium to worship God.
[edit] Asuras/Ahuras versus Devas/Daevas
It is observed the Indian branch of the Indo-Iranians worshipped the Devas as gods and the Asuras as demons, while the Iranian branch switced the dichotomy to good Ahuras and bad Daevas. It is believed that at some point in history, there was a brief rivalry between the Indo-Aryans and the Iranians while they were still together in their home in Turkestan. Archaeologic excavations at BMAC in Turkmenistan suggest the existence of an early Iranian culture, prior to the Aryan invasion of Iran, that was destroyed by enemy tribes. It is possible that the Indo-Aryans may have been these enemies and that the cities referred to in the Rig-Veda were those in the BMAC culture. The theological reversal in both faiths may be a lingering religious expression of this old rivalry that long subsided and was eventually forgotten, as the Aryans settled in their new homes.
From then on, the Indians referred to the asuras as the demons while Devas were the gods. The Iranians, in turn, worshipped the daevas as demons and the Ahuras as gods. When Zarathustrianism was established, Shri Varuna who Zarathustra referred to as the Ahura Mazda (Rigvedic Assur Mehda or Assur Mahadeo) was God Almighty while all other spirits were given the status of angels.
[edit] Canon
In Hinduism, there is no scripture that Hinduism is focused on anymore. After Shri Gautam Buddha taught Hindus the Vedas cannot be the only scriptures Hindus should believe in. As a result, the Hindus starting creating many commentaries on the Vedas referred to as smriti. Before, the Vedas were at the centre. In Zarathustrianism however, the Avesta is at the centre. Just as the smriti are the commentaries of the Vedas, the Gathas and other scriptures are the commentaries on the Avesta.
![[2]](http://www.throneworld.com/lords/lote27/images/Zoroastrian_flag.jpg){kind=link}