vision was extremely blissful. He had a good discourse with Armaiti (the fourth Amesha Spenta), and this vision He had when he was in a district at Checheste lake. He also had discourses with Ahuravatat (the fifth Amesha Spenta) in a vision which he had near Urumia lake. The exact place of His vision of Ameretat, the last Amesha Spenta, cannot be traced. It may either be near river Darej or on the banks of river Daity. Thus at different places, He had vision of all the six Amesha Spentas besides Ahura Mazda. But these are not all. In His ecstasies, He perceived the different heavenly states of existence and He also met Yazats (Angels) including Homa and Ashishangh. Avesta mentions of Zarathustra's discourse with Ashi-Wanghoohi (Ashishangh). All these darshans or visions (except the one at his thirtieth year), which he had, were during his ten years of strenuous travels in different countries.

For ten years, He roamed from one country to another like a wandering dervish preaching His religion, but none would give a patient hearing, none would accept his religion. In fact some went to the extent of cursing Him or even tried to kill Him. Some refused Him courteously, some angrily, and some opposed Him with all their strength, either muscular or influential. But He was God's chosen son, sent down to the world on divine mission, and He was not the one to accept defeat. Religion of Ahura Mazda, religion of Truth, religion of Purity and Righteousness had got to be established, not by forcing it upon the people with His Divine powers but by approaching the reasoning faculties of man in a natural way and in this way, man's traditional refusals to accept changes from the old stereotyped, established customs and habits, traditional thoughts and practices have got to be overcome. Truth stands above and beyond all and must be accepted through whomsoever it may manifest, for Truth is God and God is Truth. Zarathustra stood firm and undaunted in His task.

At last, His day came. The first to accept His religion after ten long years of failures and disappointments was His own cousin, Maidhyoi Maogh (named in Pahlavi books as Medhyomah), son of Arasti (Zarathustra’s paternal uncle). The initiation took place in Barana jungle. Later, in one of His Divine contacts, He spoke to Ahura Mazda that in ten years of effort, He was able to secure only one disciple, but Ahura Mazda in His own Divine way inspired Him to continue His efforts, which ultimately would end in success. Thus inspired, efforts continued with renewed strength. But still, two more were years of continued difficulties.

Zarathustra now turned towards meeting Vistasp (or Gustasp) of Iran, but this was not so easy and He had to surmount many difficulties. There was at that time a corrupted form of pagan, idolatrous religion practiced in Iran and in the neighbouring countries and leaders of this religion held influential positions in the court of Gustasp and particularly one by the name of Zak. They sensed the powerful approach of Zarathustra’s message and by placing many obstacles in His way, they tried to prevent His meeting with the king. But Zarathustra was firm in His mind, and undaunted, He made His way into the king's palace. Avesta does not clearly mention as to where this palace was, but later Arabian and Persian writers mention the city of Balkh. According to "Dinkard", it was a big and grand palace and entry into it was not so easy and particularly for Zarathustra. Kazvini and Ibn-Al-Athir mentioned that the roof of the palace opened and Zarathustra descended into the palace. Here Ibn-Al-Athir further added that He descended with a ball of fire in His hand and the fire did not burn His hand.

CHAPTER V

In the Court of King Gustasp

The king gave Him a cautious hearing, but did not give Him the full hearing, being ill-advised by Zak and his followers. Zarathustra was then called upon to face the cross-examination of the then wise men of the king's court. For three days He stood