Chapter 20
Zarathustra’s City of Light
“Blessed teacher, I thank you for having expounded the notion of the Amesha Spentas and the essence of the universe for me. Yet, I have another question I must set before you, the day you spoke of the Amesha Spentas I gave myself totally to their contemplation and that night I dreamt a dream wondrous strange. I saw a brilliant chariot drive past me as I stood in the midst of a field. From there it drove madly on toward a city nearby. When the chariot arrived at the city gates they opened and I saw a lovely scripture swinging above which read, ‘Zarathustra’s City of Light’! As the chariot entered the city I heard an enraptured strain as people rushed forth to welcome the charioteer. I too tried to go forward as swiftly as I was able and as I entered the city gates I beheld the beauties of the world unfold before me—I saw the most wondrous of all cities basked in splendor.
The citizens of that glorious city were all lost in travail and activity. They gave themselves up to the wonders of education and none held back his services from his brethren but all lived in a glorious felicity of learning and celebration. From every corner of the city there arose the most enchanting melodies and the sound of merry laughter. Verdure beyond imagination lined every hedge of this immaculate city. The citizens were as pure as the city itself—they were clad in unblemished grab. Justice ruled the land. Here, the magistrates were so adamant in their function that not the barest trace of injustice could penetrate their city walls.
How beautiful was the city!
How peaceful, happy and hale its inhabitants!
I descended the chariot to explore the streets and I saw the same glory and charm. I finally came to another of the gates and left.
Promptly I found myself standing in the midst of the wheat field listening to the song of the beasts of the air.
I was awakened by the cock’s crow!
Now I have come to see you, Zarathustra, to ask you to explain to me the message of this dream.”
“You have indeed dreamt a lovely dream, Djamaspa! You have seen the kingdom of the Good—that kingdom which I seek to realize on earth—the city after which I hope all cities of this earth will be molded one day. You saw the kingdom of Ahura Mazda and that of the holy Amesha Spentas. Never forget, Djamaspa, the Amesha Spentas are the six laws which govern the universe and the minds of all men.
They also exist within society and their uniform, just government of a society will create that city which you dreamt of. Let me now introduce this city to you, Djamaspa for it is the aim of my benevolent creed and religion.
As I have repeatedly said, being holds an invaluable jewel which has the power of light from which all things rise to reflect its splendor. So too does this City of Light reflect and carry the same singular jewel—this jewel is its Mazda-created inhabitants. In this city all things rise from the people and all things are for the people. All travails and efforts are directed at the amelioration of the lives of the inhabitants to lead them on to true happiness. Men rule themselves in this city. All things begin and end in the name of the people—no social hierarchy exists here and the only means of advancement are knowledge, consciousness and righteousness. There is yet another jewel which bewitches human life—the jewel of work. Work and labor hold a divine value. Men see the sacredness of hard work and labor hence their lives are improved through their own labor. Every person is responsible toward society by toiling for the progress of the city. Any task, in any way detrimental to the well-being of others, or to society, is rejected. Any income, or reward, reaped not from personal labor is rebuked. Only those unable to accomplish any form of true work are supported by the city funds for everything is directed toward the matching of the most suitable task to each talent.
Another invaluable gem at the base of this city is culture.
Culture is the fruit of the human mind for it arises from men’s abilities and material and divine needs in the course of history. The traditions, creeds, beliefs, traits and behavior of a group of people in the course of their history forms their culture. This culture is portrayed as the characteristic of social understanding and it is the basis of human behavior within a single society. Culture adorns human life and lives are weakened by the lack of culture leading to confusion.
The culture of this City of Light changes according to the trend material life takes for it grows in accordance with the needs of its people. This culture is creative and humane, intended for the happiness and progress of its people. The inhabitants guard their culture whilst they replenish all the institutions of their city with it and they strive to spread it. Whilst they attempt to uphold their own culture they work to adhere to the universal culture of the world. They embrace any universal influence which is able to improve the lives of their people. They resort neither to prejudice nor to bigotry, but work to safeguard their national heritage from destruction by outer influences.
Other jewels of this city which create its essence are its natural elements such as soil, air, water, plants, profitable animals and treasures—all held dear by the people. The citizens love their city and work to keep it pure and watch over its roots. There people love all that grows and eternally plant trees and flowers in their city. They also rear advantageous animals and generally work for all that is benevolent and profitable to their city.
As for the government of the Amesha Spentas, first and foremost stands that of Vohuman. Just as Vohuman is divine thought and wisdom in the human mind so too is it the wisdom of a society. The City of Light is ruled by the council of the wise which scrutinizingly guards every social function. This council is formed by a people’s vote taken every seven years in which the citizens choose the seven most righteous, enlightened and sagacious members of their society to represent them in the council. This council is presided over by a leader, chosen by its members, for a period of one year. The council leader is known as the mayor. Each person can only be chosen once as the leader of the council. The role of Ordibehesht is the administrator of justice. Justice is the relegation of everything to its own particular position. In this city all things are guarded by justice and safeguarded against injustice. On the economic plane justice manages the just distribution of income. Reward and punishment ensure the ultimate function of justice within the society. No crime passes without its own particular nemesis and neither does any benevolent deed pass without its justified reward. Here, reward and punishment are considered conscientiously with truth, patience and foresight as guidelines. Retribution is meted out after the careful investigation of the root of the evil deed done and administered to uproot the vile seed. Punishment is administered and is worthy of the deed. Every criminal is given the opportunity to defend himself.
Shatrivar is the administrator of charm and beauty in all thoughts, words and deeds for charm and beauty are mutual and all things are truly in harmony within this city. All the structures and members of the society are in harmony with one another. From the depth of this harmony there rises an art which is loved and honored by the people. In the City of Light Shartrivar is the force which guides men along the magnificent path of moderation and saves them from the struggle between various mental and social temptations. It leads the citizens to contentment and lauds self-sacrifice, beneficence, deliberation and friendship among men.
Esfand is the symbol of love, humility, brotherhood and nationalism.
Khordat is the administrator of social development. It leads one from self-centeredness to collective-centeredness. Khordat is also known as strength and security for it brings about both the material and divine growth of human abilities, advancement and cultivation.
Ameredat brings about the immortality which will rule over various structures of the city. It is the manner of the Amesha Spenta’s rule over the city and it is through this rule that the spirit of glory, joy and justice will prevail. It is also through this basis that all things in the City of Light will rise to collective peace and happiness. Through the rule of the Amesha Spentas men are all busy at their own tasks—they do not interfere in what concerns their neighbors. Here, men have no fears and no sorrows. All deeds are considered justified unless proved otherwise for all that which does not harm the social creed and wisdom is acceptable. The people strongly adhere to their oaths. All people, men and women, are given the chance to attain the highest level of social maturity, through their personal abilities. Thus, the most righteous, noble, benevolent, wise, and thoughtful men and women will come to reside over the city. The advancement of each citizen depends upon his or her own righteousness, spiritual values and temperament. All inhabitants strive for collective strength through the advantage of their basic creed.
The structure of this city is based upon the increase of collective wealth and economic security so that each individual’s needs are met accordingly. The balance is met by the amount of work done and he who works more will profit of a greater income. The task which deals the most in wisdom and knowledge is given a higher value. The amount of work is rewarded by an equal amount of rest. Correct choice is one of the elements at the root of the city structure which ensures the eternal cultivation and beauty of the city. War, torture, bloodshed and all that which symbolizes bestiality has fled the city. Should the inhabitants of this city meet with anything which opposes their wants and thoughts they challenge it through their wisdom and judgment.
Hence, no struggle for extreme personal advancement, racism, patriotism, religious advancement, oppression, prejudice or inequality based upon race, creed, blood and religion exists in this society. These are not permitted to interfere with the structure of the society. No such prejudice is allowed to lead nations to the abyss of destruction and ruination. The council of the Wise seeks friendly ties with neighboring cities. The people so ardently love peace that they toil to create cities like their own scattered about the globe. They wish for all cities to hold their own cultures and histories and yet they wish for all nations to stand under the banner of a single council which will govern them all while allowing them to keep their individual integrity. Only in this way might war and disharmony on the earth be replaced by happiness and peace. These people work hard to uproot all that belongs to the time when men bore an immature wisdom which sought shed blood.
In this city people have striven to transcend individualism and to come to collectivism. They see their city as their collective home and they regard their neighbors as brothers. Hence, the city comes to resemble a single family and their collectivism brings them contentment as they seek advancement. Each man places the advantages of his city above his own. Another trait which has raised these people is that of uprightness. This is in fact freedom from slavery to any person or thing. Only when man has learnt to want within his limits can he arrive at this state—to want within a limit which wisdom and understanding permit. At this point man is liberated from enslavement to idolatry and greed. Only then can he aspire to worship beauty, truth and justice. The fruit of uprightness is peace, contentment, clemency and love. An upright person will come to the aid of others. When all those within a society come to self-satisfaction then will they know peace and joy.
Another of the pillars of this city is the love of beauty and felicity. From this is born celebration and the City of Light is the realm of festivities for its people never hesitate to enjoy a celebration. They have such festivities as No Rouz, Mehregan, Sadeh, the day of holy matrimony, the thirteenth of No Rouz and numerous other festivities. There is no place for mourning and grief in this city. Only once every year is there a time when the deceased are remembered.
I invite people to accept my religion, but should others choose another creed there will always be love and friendship among us—a friendship built upon the sturdy pillars of respect and acceptance. Those of other creeds have the same opportunities to rise to the council of the wise if they are the chosen of the people. People love the world and nature with its mountains, valleys, trees, flowers and interknit shrubbery. In this city people donate a fraction of their income to a collective fund which is used for the advancement of collective projects. All that which is desired in this city is first studied through wisdom; hence, men are allowed to boldly profess their ideas and to choose any manner of charity, beneficence, love and moderation. At the fount of the way of the Amesha Spentas there is development through instruction and education which begins at infancy and continues on through all the stages of life. Education is built upon the understanding and comprehension of the secrets of the world in order to bring about truth, purity, order, compunction, activity, independence, strength, discipline, obedience to society and love for fellowmen, health and joy by suiting necessity to time.
Men partake in physical exercise throughout their lives in order to strengthen their bodies. As they suit the nature of exercise to their age so too do the inhabitants suit proper demeanor to the various stages of life. Solitude is forsaken as men seek the company of their fellow men in order to grow. One of the aims of instruction is the unification of men.
Those who live in the City of Light must hold dear the holy institution of matrimony. They must be joined early in life in a union built upon love and companionship. The aim of matrimony is comfort and mutual development along with the proper raising of children. No form of prostitution or sexual abandon is allowed in the City of Light. There is a sin more execrable than any other falsehood—both in words, deeds or thoughts: hypocrisy. The cure for falsehood is truth from which there comes order, exactness, consciousness, justice, patience and peace. Creation and creativity are all at the base of the City of Light. All those who live in this city have given themselves to creation either through the planting of various plants or through the sowing of the seeds of thought. People are given to the aim of creation and renovation. Every moment a new thought is born of the old to introduce a novelty in men’s lives.
The environment of this city is such that it is the home of the exercises of the mind for it is open to all activity, growth, clash and discussion of new thoughts. Though the masses hold their creed dear they are wary of regression in thoughts and beliefs. They reject haggard beliefs which are nothing but obstacles to advancement. The culture of town life roars as the strongest sea waves which rise from the deep to unfold the new pearls of thought.
This is my city of Light:
Mazda Ahura knows those who have best worshiped
both in the past and in the present.
I praise such people.
I give fame unto them.
I welcome them.
(Gathas, chapter 51, verse 32)
O Mazda Ahura,
Tell me of all Thou doth know lest doubt takes hold of
my brain.
Will the righteous overcome the dorvand?
Will they profit of the final victory of life?
(Gathas, chapter 48, verse 2)
O Mazda,
Which is Thine creed?
What is Thy will, Thy praise and Thy worship?
Speak and tell us that we might learn the reward of
Thy commands and that we might step onto the
path of self knowledge and benevolence through the
radiance of truth.
(Gathas, chapter 34, verse 12)
O Mazda,
I praise Thee through the most exciting hymns that
I might attain victory and come to Thee.
Guide us along the path and help us in the brilliance
of truth and divine speculation.
(Gathas, chapter 50, verse 7)
O Ahura,
Thus, doth Zarathustra choose the purest thoughts
for himself!
May our material lives be strengthened through the
light of the truth!
May righteousness and divine strength illuminate
Our lives!
May divine thoughts reward our deeds!
(Gathas, chapter 43, verse 16)
O Mazda,
When Thy immaculate wisdom is upheld will it lead
the world to truth through its perfection.
Then will righteousness teach Thy creed of wisdom
to the wise that none might mislead others.
(Gathas, chapter 43, verse 6)
O Mazda Ahura,
All my past and future deeds and all that which
shines forth from divine speculation as brilliantly as
the sun, the whiteness of dawn is dear to Thee.
All these have been and will be for Thy glorious praise
through truth.
(Gathas, chapter 50, verse 10)
O Mazda,
In reality truth will come to he who is guided by divine
strength and thoughts.
Through the light of these endowments will he
cultivate the world about him and free it of the
dorvands.
(Gathas, chapter 50, verse 3)
May friendship and brotherhood which we all seek
come to us and warm the hearts of all Zoroastrian
men and woman!
May they all come to be rewarded duly through
their comprehension and benevolent thoughts.
Ahura Mazda has chosen a due reward through
divine thoughts.
(Gathas, chapter 54, verse 1)
O Mazda Ahura,
When will that dawn which heralds the radiance of
truth over the world arrive?
When will the Soushians come with his glorious
wise instruction?
Who will divine thoughts aid?
O Ahura,
I have only chosen Thy instructions and creed!
(Gathas, chapter 46, verse 3)
O Mazda Ahura,
What is Thy will in government?
What is Thy reward to me and to my disciples?
How I long for thee to reveal Thyself to Thy followers
through truth!
May they come to achieve Thy will through divine
thoughts!
(Gathas, chapter 48, verse 8)
This is my City of Light which I unfold to you. I ask you Djamaspa to look to the future and tell me what you see!”
“Great Zarathustra, I laud you in your vision of the world. I see a city adorned in glory, it is a city whose inhabitants have adhered to your golden instruction. The city will be based upon your benevolent creed of truth which shall bring, joy and comfort to men. The inhabitants have appropriately named their home the City of Light!”