Ahuramazdan: Ascendancy
Many ask me "Ali ina darand chekar meekonad?"
(What are they doing in that engraving?)
Yeki, yek chizi dastesh gerefteh.
(One of them has something in his hand)
Az tamam chizhayi ke mitonestan betarashand, chera ino keshidan? Maskhareh bazieh.
(Of all the things they could have carved out, why have they drawn this? It's a joke!)
It appears the duality of life as in Ohrmazd and Ahriman is being emphasized. The Sasanians believed in Zurvanism, with Father time looking over the choices a human, needs to make in the circle of life. Cooperation is emphasized, to manage the status quo when life is still.
Yani chi "When Life is still?"
Ahuramazdans are always positive. You either move forwards or you stand still.
In terms of space-time, you either change and progress with time, or you stay the same and go around in circles. You face your choices when you go around in circles. You do not go backwards as you make the choices. All choices are good as failures are lessons, Good lessons.
Keeping an open mind and reaching out to others for solutions, is the most humiliating yet most important attitude an Emperor must possess. That is what the engraving shows. There are times when you will find your answer to "Catch-22", as we call it in the modern era, in the most unsuspected places.
Indirect relationships are part and parcel of Iranian mythology. Below is an extract from Karnamak of Ardeshir Babakan. It shows how he got out of his dilemma.
"On hearing these words, Papak dispatched somebody to call Sasan to his presence, and questioned him as follows: "From what race and family art thou? Out of thy fore-fathers and ancestors was there anybody who had exercised sovereignty or chieftainship before?" Sasan solicited from Papak his support and protection in these words: "Do me no hurt or harm." Papak accepted the request, and Sasan declared before Papak his own secret as it stood. On hearing his reply Papak was delighted, and so he ordered Sasan thus: "Elevate thy body by taking a bath." - "
http://www.iranchamber.com/history/sassanids/karnamak_ardeshir_papakan1.php
It is quite clear from an Ahuramazdan view that the energy of Bahman or Aquarius was at work here.
Bahman is all about distant relationships. Here we see the late Parthian King of Iran who had no male heir to the throne asking his dearest friend a shepherd to take over the throne via marriage.
"Later on he gave him his daughter in marriage, and according to the law of nature she, in a short time, was pregnant by Sasan, and from her Ardashir was born. When Papak observed the youthful body and cleverness of Ardashir, he interpreted it thus: "The dream which I beheld was true." He regarded Ardashir as his own son, and brought him up as a dear child. "
In as much as it seems impossible to imagine, the Ahuramazdan open mindedness meant, that the heritage of Iran could be respected. Honor and allegiance to the culture was enough for one Emperor to oraganize the hand over of power.
In particular the respect of Iranian Emperors as Ahuramazdans to Astrological principles is evident:
"One day Artabanus invited to his presence the sages and astrologers, who belonged to his court, and put them the following question: "What do you observe regarding the seven planets and the twelve signs of the zodiac, the position and the motion of the stars, the condition of the contemporary sovereigns of different kingdoms, the condition of the peoples of the world, and regarding myself, children, and our family?"
"The chief of the astrologers said in reply as follows: "The Nahazig [Capricorn] is sunk below; the star Jupiter has returned to its culminating point and stands away from Mars and Venus, while Haptoirang [Ursa Major]and the constellation of Leo descend to the verge and give help to Jupiter; whereupon it seems clear that a new lord or king will appear, who will kill many potentates, and bring the world again under the sway of one sovereign." A second leader of the astrologers, too, came in the presence of the King and spoke to the following effect: "It is so manifest that any one of the male servants who flies away from his king within three days from to-day, will attain to greatness and kingship, obtain his wish, and be victorious, over his king."
There are not that many books, that remain from ancient times of Iran, that give direct evidence to the use of Astrology. But it is quite clear, that three Empires each three hundred years were present in Iran, for good Ahuramazdan reasoning of philosophy and astrology.
Ahurmazdans have consulted the astrology and spiritual forces since Cyrus the Great was contacted by spiritual forces to release the Jews. Later Darius gave respect to Ahuramazda, after he married the daughter of Cyrus and expanded the Empire "With Grace of Ahuramazda".
Finally the Sasanians took over from the Parthians with the blessing of sacred spiritual forces as shown in the Investiture of Shahpur. There are many different interpretations to the engraving. Traditionally Shapur II is depicted in the centre with two spiritual forces to the left and right.
Dualism is at the heart of Ahuramazdan principles. The first duality is spiritual vs material. The second duality are the conflicting views in ones mind. It is clear that the winged image is supernatural, with a special phaser pointing up, as the correct form of ascendency. As such, many Ahuramazdans will think this is an advanced Being, looking over the continuous rulership in a moment of dilemmas and dischord. It shows how two sides of every aspect of life needs to be respected in presence of the spiritual forces.
