Strength of wisdom

In an excellent article entitled "A Didactic Poem in Pahlavi,” printed in the M. P. Khareghat Memorial Volume I, produced by an editorial board chaired by Sir Rustom P. Masani, Prof (Dr) J. C. Tavadia, states that the scarcity of poeti­cal literature in the Sasanian period was due to the austere and rigid Zoroastrian church. He states that new researches indicate that these old views about the absence of poetry in Sasanian Persia are not correct. In this matter, he continued his research work and came across a didactic poem in Pahlavi. By scanning, he found, with greatest ease, that it contained eight syllable lines. He emphasizes that a mixture of prose and verse in one and the same text was not unusual in Sasanian times.

Tavadia has given the transcription and the translation of this didactic poem in English:

Well, much I have advanced in time (i.e. age)/Much I have discerned in various regions,/Much I have searched from scriptures and sayings,/Much I (have learnt) from writings and books,/I have also taken a discerning guide,/(And) I have held praiseworthy conversations.

I have not seen a sage of wisdom prosperous,/Nor seen a discerning man helpless,/Nor a famous man in?/Nor a man with wisdom in need.

And I saw an assembly of the great/With speeches and discussions, intellect and wisdom,/And I asked the leaders of religion, Namely, is wealth better or good nature and wisdom?

And they said according to all the teachings,/That the bearing of name (fame) is by strength of wisdom.

Further, the innumerable wealth and treasure/Good-nature protects and wisdom preserves,/For man the welfare of wisdom is better,/The ‘collection’ of a profession is more valuable,/And the wealth of good nature is more excellent.

In our scriptures and even in our prayers, wisdom is accorded the greatest importance. Ahura Mazda is the "Wise Lord” or the "Wise creator.” Our prayers often refer to "Aasen-Khirad” (inherent wisdom) and "Gosho-Sarud Khirad (acquired wisdom or wisdom acquired through listening by the ears).

The immortal bard of Iran, Ferdowsi Toosi, in his superb epic the Shahnameh, has at the very beginning emphasized, "Tawana buwad har ke Dana buvad,/Ze Danesh dil-e-pir barna buvad. [i.e. Whosoever is wise is powerful. By (acquiring) knowledge, the heart of the old man becomes young]!

Capt HORMAZDIAR J. M. DESAI