There is fear of failure, fear of loss, disease and death, fear of darkness, fear of the Unknown. Fear is deeply rooted in our subconscious. Even if we overcome it rationally, it still lurks in the dark, hidden lairs of our being, and it is there that we must confront it, seize hold of it and conquer it.

But why do we feel afraid?  Why does courage fail??? I think it is because we are confounded in our conceited universe. We have no faith in our purpose, mission, or destiny, and don’t really trust that there is an “effective force of goodness and brilliance” at work in this universe.

We may put it however we like, but the root of the matter is a lack of trust, and an overwhelming feeling that one cannot protect oneself, and there comes fear, anxiety and torment.

The poetic gathas teach us that ahúrá  ma(n)zdá is the GD of unbounded mind/spirit, the effective FORCE of luminous visions, the brilliant power of realization, the wise and triumphant force of goodness and brilliance whose at work in this and other universes.

That we stand between the boundless and bright mind of GD and the confounded and afflicted demonic mind.

That all goodness, fortune and fulfillment come from Gd or unbounded spirit/mind; and all evil, torment, fear and frustration come from the false luster of the demon’s limited mind and frustrated spirit.

Poetic gathas teach that demons and terror do not and cannot enter unless there is affinity and an open door for them in our selves.

Falsehood and conceit emit fear, (Yasna 46.6, 2^nd rhymed verse line.)

The 2^nd rhymed verse line of Yasna 34.8 which is used in the Srösh Yasht reads; all fear vanishes, when like a mightily force “the inspired melody/music of making” come crashing down on the base and lowly.

For your voice/melody is more effective than that of the demons, those of scattered conscious force and the mortal men (Yasna 34.5, 3^rd rhymed verse line.)

Giving voice to the right words /// with mastery, kingship of the tongue as is the wish; the ancient commentary says to give voice to the original, wondrous melodies/music of making and rule the worlds without fear, (Yasna 31.19, 2^nd rhymed verse line.)

With wise lore and precious legacy, in delight or sadness/// forging ahead with a far, wide brilliance; the ancient commentary says to shape one’s destiny with brightness and go through life fearless, with the loveliest light that never goes out even in the darkest places, (Yasna 34.7, 2^nd rhymed verse line.)

To love the shining light of goodness with kindred blazing will-power; the ancient commentary says to have an unshakable trust in the wondrous power of the spirit and realize the luminous vision of the seer-will without fear, (Yasna 48.4, 3^rd rhymed verse line.)

With beaming happiness holding dear the ahüric artfulness, excellence; the ancient commentary adds to hold dear the wondrous truth/artfulness of Gd with the most radiant bliss, (Yasna 51.8, 2^nd rhymed verse line, second stanza.)

I like to conclude by the following passages from Minög Khirad or the spirit of wisdom, which correspond to the ancient commentary of the aforementioned gathic verses.

CHAPTER 19.

1. The sage asked the spirit of wisdom (2) thus: ‘Is living in fear and falsehood worse, or death?’

3. The spirit of wisdom answered (4) thus: ‘To live in fear and falsehood is worse than death. 5. Because every one’s life is necessary for the enjoyment and pleasure of the worldly existence, (6) and when the enjoyment and pleasure of the worldly existence are not his, and fear and even falsehood are with him, it is called worse than death.’

CHAPTER 14.

Which is the highest pleasure of all pleasures? And the pleasures which are superior to all pleasures are health of body, freedom from fear, good name, and virtue/excellence.

 ardeshir