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Zoroastrianism as a link between the Rig Veda and the Judeo-Christian religions? That indeed was the theme of Rohinton F. Nariman’s speech at the celebratory event at the Dr Sir J. J. Modi Hall on November 11, 2006 marking the 176th birth anniversary of the late scholar and savant Kharshedji R. Cama.

The novel case was presented with all the panache expected from the senior counsel of the Supreme Court of India. And listened to in rapt attention by an august audience of legal eagles from the bench and bar presided over by Justice B. N. Srikrishna — he who had won the Bombayites’ hearts by his painstaking and courageous expose of police condoned communal violence in 1993. Srikrishna has but recently retired from the Supreme Court of India.

K. R. Cama Oriental Institute (KRCOI) president Mancherji Cama gave a brief synopsis of the life of Kharshedji Cama, describing him as "a man for all ages. In today’s terms a good reformist Parsi Zoroastrian of the 19th century. Even then there were good orthodox Parsi Zoroastrians who were critical of his views. But he was greatly respected as a human being, not only in the Parsi Zoroastrian community but in all communities. When there was friction between the factions in the Anjuman-e-Islam, Kharshedji was called in to resolve the issue and his decision accepted.”

Nariman, who holds fortnightly Gatha classes in Delhi as per the introduction by Mancherji Cama, began by noting that he had been cautioned by a friend: "Please see you are not a bore!” Addressing the topic "Through the looking glass: Zoroastrianism in other faiths,” Nariman went on to philosophize, "What is wisdom without courage?”

Beginning with the Rig Veda, whose 1,070 hymns had been composed over a span of 3,000 years, Nariman noted that it comprises fundamentally the worship of nature gods, speculates on the nature of God and, in chapter 72, talks of the idea of breath creating life. In a later chapter the concept of an "egg from which we all descend,” is introduced. "The language of Zarathushtra, who was born as a zaotar (priest), is almost identical to that of Rig Veda Sanskrit. Ahura is a Rig Veda term. Maz-da — great creator — was coined by Zarathushtra,” said Nariman noting that the first Zarathushtrian prayer is the Ashem Vohu which stipulates the idea of purity of thought; then came the Ahunavar with its promise of various gifts for the mind which adhered to such purity. Hurvatat, completeness, envisages the elimination of imperfection and is the goal towards which one needs to strive for resurrection on judgment day. "The vision of the individual judgment of the soul is a grand vision, not given by a human mind. Zarathushtra says it’s a vision from an outside source,” noted Nariman.

Quickly running through Jewish history from the advent of Abraham circa 1800-1700 BC, Nariman said the tribes originally lived in Ur, not Palestine. The settlement in Palestine began around 1000 BC, he added. It was King David’s son, Solomon who built the Great Temple which was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon who took the Jews captive. Up to that time Judaism did not have a well formulated concept of the afterlife, said Nariman. 

 "Six Old Testament texts relate to Zoroastrianism.” Therein the Achaeme­nian emperor Cyrus who conquered Babylon and freed the Jews is stated to have bowed to the Babylonian god Marduk. The rebuilding of the Great Temple which is mentioned in Cyrus’ edict granting the Jews freedom — the first ever declaration of human rights — was not done until the time of Darius because the edict was initially lost and only recovered later. "It was Darius who gave the funds to rebuild the temple. Later, the Persian viceroy of Artaxerxes saw to the rebuilding of the wall around Jerusalem,” noted Nariman, attributing his source to the Book of Ezra who lived in the time of Artaxerxes. He similarly alluded to the Book of Esther, the Jewish queen of Xerxes and the feast of Purim celebrated by the Jews which had its source in the protection she gave her people.

"In Zoroastrian texts (there is reference to) three saviors to be born of virgins. The three wise men who  came  with  gifts  to the infant Jesus were Magi — Zoroastrian priests — master astrologers who followed the star to Bethlehem,” said Nariman. According to him the life of Jesus is almost fully documented except for the time between the ages of 12 and 13 years. That’s when he traveled to India and through Persia. "By Parthian times the sun god Mithra was in ascendance. The worship of Mithra spread from the victorious Parthians to the Roman armies.” Nariman traced the similarities between Mithran rituals and Christian concepts including the idea of Christ rising from his stone grave, the last supper, the 12 apostles and the Eucharist which he said was an old Mithra ritual. "Christ was actually born in summer. The date December 25 was Mithra’s birthday (the beginning of longer days after the winter solstice) which Emperor Aurelius declared a compulsory feast. The Jewish Sabbath is Saturday. Constantine declared Sunday because it is the day of the sun — Mithra. The Christians won the struggle with Mithraism by supplanting Christ into Mithra.”

Coming to Islam, Nariman described the Koran with its 140 chapters as revealed by archangel Gabriel to Muham­mad over 40 years. "It only restates the old Judeo-Christian tradition. But it differs in two points: that Jesus Christ is not the son of God and that he did not die on the cross. In chapter 22 verse 17 the Magians are mentioned. In chapter 18 Moses is said to be looking for instruction from a greater prophet – the only unnamed one in the Koran,” said Nariman. With reference to Daniel’s vision of a "two-horned one” leading him to Emperor Darius, Nariman posed that Moses’ prophet is none other than Zarathushtra!

Srikrishna, who speaks seven languages, has done his master’s in Sanskrit and has a diploma in Urdu according to Mancherji Cama, is a jurist with interest in music and religion. After a verse or two recited in Sanskrit the judge said, "Ultimately, Rohinton’s view that Zoroastrianism has its roots in the Rig Veda means that good thoughts pervade all religions. Let us integrate humanity, not divide it on the basis of religion. There is only one truth. The scholars have given it different names. They are like tributaries which join the river which leads to the ocean…Hindus worship the Entity behind the icons, behind the symbols of nature. Maybe, on another occasion I will look through the looking glass and find Hinduism in all religions!…We are pseudo scholars with our short-term thinking and divisiveness. Let us see ourselves in every human being. All humanity is one. God is one. Let there be peace on earth!”

Appreciating the "enlightened and stimulating discussion, the depth of knowledge and vision,” KRCOI joint honorary secretary Dr Nawaz Mody registered the Institute’s thanks to Nariman’s wife Sanaya and long term KRCOI secretary Yasmin Khan for coordinating so successfully for a full house turnout for this exceptional event.