Women in the Gathas

"Since God could not be/Present everywhere so,/He made Mothers”.../Search high and low/There could be no other.

If God intended/To populate the world/Solely with men/Would He have created/”Wo-men?”

Men are not superior/Neither women inferior/He created them both/To equalize the power/Work side by side/For righteousness to flower

"We venerate/Righteous woman/Who is good/In thoughts/Words and deeds:”/Women like:/Dugdova, Freny/Porouchisti, Havovi

Nay sayers who to/These pre-Zoroastrian/Deities pray:/Ardevisura Ana-hita/Mithra, Tishtrya/Varethraghna/Have absolutely/No right to/Take a woman’s/Religious freedom/Away!

"Wise God, whoever/Man or woman,/Shall give me/What you know/To be best in life”/Referring to both/Husband and wife/”Reward for righteousness/Power of the good mind”.../(Yasna 46 stanza 10)/Our religion is for all humankind

Dispelling the fog/Peeling back the layers/Of translation and prayers/Equality and universality/The meaning is clear/Show me one prayer/With translations stating:/This religion belongs/To "Zoroastrian men/And Zoroastrians exclusively”

Women of the Gathic era/Worked hard to spread/Message of Asho Zara-thushtra:/Humata Hukta Huvarshta/Instead of advancing communities/Empowering generations/Alas! to my utter dismay/Our religion is headed/Towards the path of extinction

Women are not cattle/Nor are they men’s chattel/Should be treated/With respect and dignity/As they possess/Wisdom, patience nobility.

FARIDA BAMJI

Ontario, Canada