SHAH JAMSHEED
SHAH JAMSHEED Iran, in an ancient times, was ruled by many saintly kings. One of them was Shah Jamsheed.
Jamsheed, who is referred to as "Yima" in the Avesta, was, according to the 'Shah Nameh', the third King of Iran after Hoshang, the founder of the Peshdadian dynasty (Peshdad means "ancient law-giver"). The epithets khshaeta (glorious) and havanthwa (of good flock)are ascribed to him due to his resplendent appearance and qualities of an excellent "pastor". According to the Avesta, he is said to have reigned for 1000 years (according to the 'Bundahishn', he ruled for 716 years and six months) and established a veritable paradise on earth.
Jamsheed's long reign and account of his accomplishments may seen exaggerated from our present frame of reference. However, none other than Firdaosi explains
Tu een raa doroogh o fasaanah madaan.Ba yaksaan ravesh dar Zamaanah madaan
("Do not regard these as fables and fictions. Do not imagine that circumstances and conditions remain the same in different ages.")
Jam means "pure" (also "intelligent") while sheed means "light". Hence, Jamsheed means "pure light" or "the light of intelligence.
According to Zarathushtrian texts, Jamsheed was both a king and a priest and full divine glory (khwarrah). He is believed to have laid the foundation of the Mazdayasna (Mazda worship) religion under the guidance and inspiration of Sarosh Yazad. It is believed Ahura Mazda offered him prophethood which he modestly declined, pleading inability. He is, however, credited with introducing the use of the sacred kusti among the Mazdayasnis. All this, of course, was long before the advent of Prophet Zarathushtra.
On receiving a golden seal and a sword as his insignia of royalty from Ahura Mazda, Jamsheed expanded the land by a third, thrice over, to meet the wants of people who were multiplying in large numbers.
Jamsheed is believed to have pioneered the manufacture of iron weapons, the art of weaving and spinning, dividing society into four classes according to their calling, the art of wine-making, preparing remedies of various diseases, navigation and all-round development of art and craft.
During Jamsheed's reign, death, disease and old age were totally brought under control. One could say that this saintly King almost brought about Frashokereti. The forces of evil were totally under control, and there was complete orderliness.
Ahura Mazda also forewarned Jamsheed of the approach of a very severe winter (probably the Ice Age) which would destroy all life on earth. He advised Jamsheed to build a vara (a protected dwelling) and take the best of human beings, animals, birds and vegetation to live there during the severe winter. This story may ring a familiar bell for those who may have read the story of Noah in the 'Bible'. While Jamsheed led the best of Ahura Mazda's creations to the vara during the Ice Age, Noah took them to a specially constructed Ark, during the Great Flood. Prof. Spiegel has rightly observed, "Several subjects treated in the 'Genesis' have been borrowed from the Avesta."
Jamsheed is believed to have established a great spiritual fire-temple in the mountain of Gadmanhomand, while Noah is also believed to have built "an altar unto the Lord" on a mountain, to offer sacrifice.
"At the period when the sovereign of the starts (i.e., the sun) removed this pavilion from the tail of Pisces to the neck of Aries, Jamsheed issued a decree, ordaining the nobles and ministers to assemble at the foot of the royal throne; when he himself with every demonstration of joy and gladness, seated on the Musnud of universal empire, expanded the carpet of delight and laid out the couches of festivity and pleasure: to this day, he gave the name Navroz, and held out to the people, the promise of abundant grace and liberality, with the diffusion of justice."
Jamsheed, who is referred to as "Yima" in the Avesta, was, according to the 'Shah Nameh', the third King of Iran after Hoshang, the founder of the Peshdadian dynasty (Peshdad means "ancient law-giver"). The epithets khshaeta (glorious) and havanthwa (of good flock)are ascribed to him due to his resplendent appearance and qualities of an excellent "pastor". According to the Avesta, he is said to have reigned for 1000 years (according to the 'Bundahishn', he ruled for 716 years and six months) and established a veritable paradise on earth.
Jamsheed's long reign and account of his accomplishments may seen exaggerated from our present frame of reference. However, none other than Firdaosi explains
Tu een raa doroogh o fasaanah madaan.Ba yaksaan ravesh dar Zamaanah madaan
("Do not regard these as fables and fictions. Do not imagine that circumstances and conditions remain the same in different ages.")
Jam means "pure" (also "intelligent") while sheed means "light". Hence, Jamsheed means "pure light" or "the light of intelligence.
According to Zarathushtrian texts, Jamsheed was both a king and a priest and full divine glory (khwarrah). He is believed to have laid the foundation of the Mazdayasna (Mazda worship) religion under the guidance and inspiration of Sarosh Yazad. It is believed Ahura Mazda offered him prophethood which he modestly declined, pleading inability. He is, however, credited with introducing the use of the sacred kusti among the Mazdayasnis. All this, of course, was long before the advent of Prophet Zarathushtra.
On receiving a golden seal and a sword as his insignia of royalty from Ahura Mazda, Jamsheed expanded the land by a third, thrice over, to meet the wants of people who were multiplying in large numbers.
Jamsheed is believed to have pioneered the manufacture of iron weapons, the art of weaving and spinning, dividing society into four classes according to their calling, the art of wine-making, preparing remedies of various diseases, navigation and all-round development of art and craft.
During Jamsheed's reign, death, disease and old age were totally brought under control. One could say that this saintly King almost brought about Frashokereti. The forces of evil were totally under control, and there was complete orderliness.
Ahura Mazda also forewarned Jamsheed of the approach of a very severe winter (probably the Ice Age) which would destroy all life on earth. He advised Jamsheed to build a vara (a protected dwelling) and take the best of human beings, animals, birds and vegetation to live there during the severe winter. This story may ring a familiar bell for those who may have read the story of Noah in the 'Bible'. While Jamsheed led the best of Ahura Mazda's creations to the vara during the Ice Age, Noah took them to a specially constructed Ark, during the Great Flood. Prof. Spiegel has rightly observed, "Several subjects treated in the 'Genesis' have been borrowed from the Avesta."
Jamsheed is believed to have established a great spiritual fire-temple in the mountain of Gadmanhomand, while Noah is also believed to have built "an altar unto the Lord" on a mountain, to offer sacrifice.
"At the period when the sovereign of the starts (i.e., the sun) removed this pavilion from the tail of Pisces to the neck of Aries, Jamsheed issued a decree, ordaining the nobles and ministers to assemble at the foot of the royal throne; when he himself with every demonstration of joy and gladness, seated on the Musnud of universal empire, expanded the carpet of delight and laid out the couches of festivity and pleasure: to this day, he gave the name Navroz, and held out to the people, the promise of abundant grace and liberality, with the diffusion of justice."
posted by ERIC ENGINEER | 12:05 AM
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