The Gathas of Zarathushtra: Hymns in Praise of Wisdom [Paperback]

Piloo Nanavutty (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 26, 2006

An ideal book for scholar and layperson on this ancient faith.

Editorial Reviews

Review

... colourful stories of Zarathustra's life and miracles are retold ... impeccably edited. -- The Hindu

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Mapin Publishing Gp Pty Ltd (July 26, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1890206091
• ISBN-13: 978-1890206093
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 7.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,049,553 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #52 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Other Eastern Religions > Zoroastrianism

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good for Young Zoroastrians in the USA and Britain, May 5, 2007

By 

Kaoru Hiratsuka "Linguist" - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Gathas of Zarathushtra: Hymns in Praise of Wisdom (Paperback)

The last two reviewers, while I respect their opinions, were a bit too harsh. This book is very good for what it is intended to be, an introduction for younger Zoroastrians who speak English and live outside of Iran and India to their faith. Frankly, there is virtually NOTHING on this ancient faith in English...period. (Do a search on Amazon.com and you will see there is almost nothing, including no good afforadable comprehensive hardback translation of the Zend Avesta in English...only a paperback reprint of Max Mueller's dated work.) For someone curious about this wonderful faith, this little book really is the best introduction you can currently find. The book is also very respectfully in tone. You don't have to agree with everything the author says. Frankly, since Zoroastrian studies are practically NIHL, people of this faith should be thankful someone tried to present what it is all about with the goal of teaching young believers and curious outsiders. (Note:I'm not a Zoroastrian, I'm a Buddhist, but I grew up having some good friends who are Zoroastrians, and I have therefore always been interested in the history of Persia.) Part of the problem stems from the fact that Zoroastrianism has never actively sought converts...therefore it lacks the ability to present itself as a viable world religion (which is a shame because it's a beautiful faith that has been mercilessly persecuted in Iran.) This book was the first, and right now the only attempt to try and present a basic introduction to Zoroastrianism. It is aimed mainly at Zoroastrians who live OUTSIDE of Iran and India. (Yes, there are quite a few, in fact where I live in California, there are a lot of Zoroastrians.) For someone interested in a basic, respectful introduction to this beautiful ancient faith, I can think of no better book than this one. As for the negative scholarly arguements presented by other reviewers, consider this...unless you can read ancient Persian script...you are sunk. There are virtually no good studies of the Gathas or the Zend Avesta currently in print in English. Zoroastrians kids in the USA have virtually nothing to study unless they go on line. The only reason I didn't give this little book a five is that it is a small book, and left some subjects uncovered (I would have liked to see some information of Anahita and Mithra and maybe some of the daily prayers in it.) My wife's mother was also a Buddhist, but she was studying Zoroastrianism before she passed away. She would have loved this little book.

23 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Center piece of the Zoroastrian religion, April 26, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Gathas of Zarathustr (Hardcover)

Gathas are the main pillar on which the other teachings of the Zoroastrian religion rests. Pillo has given an excellent description of gathas and gives an insite of the religion to non-zoroastrian who want to known about this ancient religion. Also good for the young Zoroastrians who want to knwon about their religion.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The oldest religion... is the same as the others!, March 16, 2011

By 

Screenshot - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Gathas of Zarathushtra: Hymns in Praise of Wisdom (Paperback)

There is one supreme God. We are responsible for our own actions and our own fate, following either good or bad -- in thoughts, words, and deeds. And more... the message is the same, and it's very interesting that Zoroastrianism is the oldest religion based on the ethical values of Truth and Justice.

A rather short book (168 pages), but really good, and an easy read. It includes the translated Gathas (Hymns of Praise), as well as commentary. But the commentary is separated, so your read of the Gathas is uninterrupted. It also includes a nice introduction and history as to the social climate of the period. The footnotes are also good -- they notate parallels to the Vedas, special comments regarding specific translations (so you can make your own opinion to agree or disagree), and more. I found many parallels between Zoroaster and the others -- Christ, Buddha, Krishna, Muhammad. And this was written thousands of years earlier. We truly are all one with the One.

If you are interested in Zoroaster, ancient religions, or have an open mind towards all religions telling the same message and want to expand your knowledge and understanding, then this is a good book to read!