Thoughts Words Deeds "Humata," "Hukhta," and "Hvarshta"

 I would like to today write about the simplistic mantra from Avesta language which is kind of thrown by Parsis to all and sundry as the simple pillars of the faith. It is almost used as an excuse to compensate for the fact that Parsis meant by the narrow term practicing Zoroastrianism have little knowledge of the faith in which they are born. Yet, the rituals and the prayers and the manthravani have a magical effect on many. 

The words Humata Hukhta and Hvarshta come from Avesta language and mean good thoughts, good words and good deeds. These are countered by the opposite Dushmakta, Duzhukhta and Duzhvarahta meant to be bad thoughts, bad words and bad deeds. The Parsi faith came from prophet Zarathustra who in the face of a society which was polyesthic and multiple Gods wanting their own sacrifices and competing for attention leading to a divided cruel society. This was replaced by a monotheist Ahura Mazda, a single God emphasized purity and righteousness. This was a huge advance from the existing religion but still it was duality based in the sense that there were good and evil which were separate and counterposed against each other. 

 

For the sake of understanding the thought is the seed from which the words spring and it is processed by the mind and the intellect prompting one to action. So the most crucial and vital thing to do is purify the thought. This comes from a process of Self Realisation where we the universe in every individual and every aspect of creation. This means that all that we perceive with our bodies' organs of perception, we feel with the mind and think with our intellect are happening through the universal consciousness which pervades everything without getting involved. The explanation is understood by the example of petrol in a car. Without petrol the car cannot move, petrol has no role to play in the destination, speed or purpose of the movement of the car. Even a low powered or a high powered car is fuelled by the same petrol. So it is this cosmic consciousness which creates the pure thought and enables one to live in a manner where whatever be the provocation or the situation our reaction will radiate these three tenets of Parsi faith. 

Quoting a part of Bhagwad Gita chapter 12 where the Lord describes his true devotee as follows:

That one I love who is incapable of ill will, who returns love for hatred, living beyond the reach of I and mine, pleasure and pain, full of mercy, contented, self controlled, firm in faith with heart and mind devoted to me, such a one is dear to me. 

Not agitating the world or agitated by it, they stand above the sway of elation, competition and fear, accepting life good and bad as it comes, he is pure efficient and detached and ready to meet every demand I make as a humble instrument of my work. 

That one I love who runs not towards the pleasant or away from painful, who grieves not over the past, lusts not today but allows to come and go as they happen. 

Who serve friend and foe with equal love. Not buoyed up by praise or cast down by blame. Alike in heat and cold, pleasure and pain,

Free from selfish attachments and self-will, ever full, in harmony everywhere,
Firm in faith – such as these are dear to me.

But dearest to me are those who seek me in faith and love as life’s eternal goal.They go beyond death to immortality.

So the ability of a person to ensure that there is no dissonance between thought word or deed is possible in the true devotee, the true seeker of knowledge and the selfless worker. One this unity is seen then everything falls in place. There is no place for unruth, anger, lust or desires.

To my mind the only tall leader who had none or nearly no dissonance between thought, word or deed was Mahatma Gandhi. This point was amply proved in this anecdote from the notes of Mahadev Desai stated that the speech was not a prepared text as was the case of almost every speech Gandhi made as the thought, word and deeds were totally aligned. Gandi spoke a simple language which was based on the truth with no ulterior motive or double speak of any kind. 

The counterpoint of   "Humata," "Hukhta," and "Hvarshta" is "Dushmakta," "Duzhukhta"  and "Duzhvarahta." So most of us when faced with hate, blame, anger and overpowering desire retaliate and create evil thoughts, leading to evil words and deeds. Our Kusti is used as a weapon to ward off and fight evil forces. 

The simpler we make our lives and relationships, makes it more possible to create  "Humata," "Hukhta," and "Hvarshta" and live contented holy lives. 

Vispi Jokhi