This play is not only the oldest play of the Indus-people on record (it is approximately 3700 years old), but one can even state that it is the oldest dramatic poem in the world which survives in the very words of the author—Zarathushtra Spitama [zara-THOO-stra spi-T'AH-mah].
Most in the world generally believes that "might makes right"; that the "survival of the fittest" means the ascendancy of the strongest. Yet it seems to many that the strong more regularly oppress the weak and deprive them of their legitimate rights. It seems that "absolute power indeed absolutely corrupts" to paraphrase the cliche.
Ours has become a world of the survival of the strongest and most powerful, rather the most fit or most suitable. While this may be good enough for the animals, the human is no mere animal. The human is now a creator. We don't merely "exist to survive." We have ascended to the level where we may create the environment we choose (hello air conditioner!)
Humanity has discovered how to make fire. Humans have discovered how to make metals from rocks (ore) and learned how to mold them into instruments. Humanity has invented many articles. These discoveries and inventions have made humanity very powerful. Humanity can make wonderful things and equally, humanity can destroy wonderful things. This destructive aspect poses a great threat, not only to human existence within the environment of this planet, but even to animal life on the Earth. Now weaklings can wipe out the fittest, the strongest and the finest. The unlearned may find it easier to eliminate the learned. The weaker may now vanquish the stronger. And now humanity is preparing their path to "explore other worlds", with the Moon and Mars being the first objectives even as the Voyager Spacecraft, launched nearly 50 years ago, begins exploring interstellar space.
Human-the-creator has a very clear and strong thinking faculty. This faculty can be guided by good mind to always seek to be constructive. Good Mind, or Vohu Manah, refers to the good, moral, or enlightened state of the human mind. Zarathushtra presents it both as an internal capacity (the good mind that one cultivates) and as a divine force or emanation that humans can choose to partner with, choose to ignore, or even oppose if they wish (i.e. the GoOD Mind).
Zarathushtra taught that the human's good mind must, therefore be trained and strengthened, and/or attuned to the divine mind and these should be the individual's only guide. The best way to learn wisdom is from GoOD Mind–the Lord of Wisdom–directly.
Humanity must be taught that “Might does not make one right” but that “Right is might.” Wisdom should take the position of leader for the management of force and power. Only the wise and benevolent should be the lords and leaders of the world. This requires two things under the universal law: Power to repel aggression and limit oppression, and wisdom to promote lasting peace and prosperity. The living world, therefore, is in dire need of humans who can comply with these two requirements.
In this play it is Zarathushtra Spitâma who is the person who seeks to depart from the past of senseless force and aggression. Here is a brief outline of this drama and the cast of characters in the play:
CAST:
- Soul of the Living Earth
- The Creator of the Living World; God; Lord of Wisdom; Wise ONE; Wise Lord
- Universal Law of Righteousness
- Good Mind
- When driven to desperation by rage and rape the Soul of the Living Earth (Gaia, if you will) contemplates why she was created. Knowing that the Creator alone can free her of her distress, she turns to God for rehabilitation.
- The Universal Law of Righteousness regulates the creation. God asks it to attend to the complaint and find a leader [a guide, one who can teach] who could rehabilitate her situation, and find a lord [wise authority an enforcer] who would repel those oppressing her.
- The Universal Law of Righteousness observes that on Earth might is considered to be right and that there is no might without malice. Persons with might do not generally help the weak. Universal Law believes that alone, it cannot help.
- The Universal Law of Righteousness knows that God alone knows best the past, present and future. God can decide best how to solve the problem for good.
- Universal Law of Righteousness wants Soul of the Living Earth, who is ready for a fruitful future, to join in praying to God for a good living for the rightful, and for the rehabilitation of the wrongful.
- Knowing facts, God lovingly told Universal Law of Righteousness that it should know that it was created to know and take care of a righteous leader (guide) and settler of the Living Earth.
- Acting on the Law of Righteousness, God prepares the formula of redeeming the distressed. Since this means a thorough thinking, God turns to Good Mind, another divine Principle of Life, and asks if it knows a person who could help.
- Good Mind knows. It is Zarathushtra who alone has, through righteous intuition, comprehended the Divine Doctrine and is prepared to spread the message through the Gathas. He needs the divine blessing to preach sweetly.
- The World, so used to “Might is Right”, cannot understand how a man of mind, weak in physical force, can take care of the Soul of the Living Earth. The World wants a powerful overlord.
- A little pondering makes the World realize the truth, however. She prays to God to grant Zarathushtra and his companions strength through precision and Good mind to usher in peace and stability. She chooses Zarathushtra as her lord and leader; one who truly understands Divine Will.
- Satisfied, the World wishes for Righteousness, Good Mind, and the Divine Dominion – all Principles of Life – to prevail. A new era has dawned, and she wants God to bless the new order and recognize the Great Fellowship being established by Zarathushtra.
Let's read this drama.
Gatha 2
The Soul of the Living World lamented to the creator: Why did You create me? Who fashioned me this way? I am oppressed by fury, rapine, outrage, and aggression. I have no one to rehabilitate me other than You. Lead me to true civilization.
Then the Creator of the Living World asked Righteousness: Who is Your leader of the World, who can offer her civilization, nourishment, and strength? Whom do you wish to be her lord; one who shall repel the fury of the wrongful?
Righteousness replied: There is no authority in the world who is free from malice. Of those yonder, I know none who would activate the noble to help the meek. Had there been one person strong enough among them, I would have hurried to his call. The Wise Lord knows best what the divines and their people have been doing in the past and shall do in the future. The Lord alone is the judge. Let it be so as He wishes us to be. It is better for us two, the Soul of the fruitful World and me, To raise our hands for the divine grace and ask the Wise One, will there be no livelihood for the honest? Will there be no reformer among the wrongful?
The Wise Lord, the Knowing One, spoke in a loving form: So you do not know any lord or leader who acts in righteousness? But, were you not fashioned by the Creator to look after the promoter [leader] as well as the settler [citizen]?
The Wise Lord, of one accord with Righteousness, then prepared His thought-provoking message in response to the sweet plea made by the World; because with His doctrine, He is the promoter [leader] for those who wish to be protected. He asked: Good Mind, do you know any person who can help the mortals?
[Good Mind responded]: Yes I do. There is only one person who has listened to our teachings. He is Zarathushtra Spitama. Wise One, he is prepared to proclaim the message through his Songs for the sake of Righteousness. Grant him sweetness of speech.
Then The Soul of the World cried again: Am I to accept a powerless man with a feeble voice as my caretaker? I want a powerful ruler. Will such a time come when he will give me his helping hand?
[Then she thought it over and said] Lord, Grant him and his people, strength and power through righteousness and good mind, so that he leads me to peace and tranquility. I also, Wise One, recognize him as Your foremost discovery.
When shall Righteousness, Good Mind, and the Divine Dominion hasten to me?
Wise One, do acknowledge, with Your discernment, the Order of the Great Fellowship (Righteousness, Good Mind, Divine Dominion, and the soul of the Earth).
Lord, help us now.
We look to Your kindness.
Discussion
- What do you think of Zarathushtra's play?
- Why does it seem that Universal Law of Righteousness alone–the law–is not sufficient for the protection of the Earth?
- Why does the absence of a teacher or an enforcer, or a guide and a legal authority contribute to lawlessness?
- So the Universal Law of Righteousness said, basically, "I was waiting and watching for a leader or a teacher to bring the Universal Law of Righteousness to humanity but I saw none come forth." And then Righteousness notes that "The Wise Lord knows best what the divines and their people have been doing in the past and shall do in the future. The Lord alone is the judge. Let it be so as He wishes us to be." What do you think about that?
- The Lord of Wisdom, in accord with the Universal Law of Righteousness prepared the Gathas and asked Good Mind for insight into what mortal could help the rest of humanity. What are your thoughts about this?
- What (who) was the Soul of the World longing for?
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