Chapter 12
Wheat In Place Of Thorns
Once again the disciples came and once again Zarathustra lent himself to the task of replying to their questions:
“There is no longer anything for us to do here. It is time for us to search for the truth of all we have said in a greater school—the school of the universe, of society, of people. As long as one separates oneself from this great seat of learning one no longer has the ability to find answers.”
The disciples rose with the leader and set out for the school of life. Presently they came to a field where a farmer was busy in his diurnal tasks. The scholars hailed the man. They settled beside the field in order to talk to the farmer.
“Greetings worthy husbandman!”
“Greetings to you too! Greetings to you who see my budding trees but do not attempt to break their branches and bear no envy for their fruit. You neither harm nor menace my watch dog.”
“Friend, we would carry thorns within our bosoms to act with such insensitivity. We love beauty, freshness and life. Wheresoever we see beauty we can only laud it from our very souls.”
“You speak well and your words warm me, if you have nothing to do I would be glad for you to sit here and enjoy the beauty of these pastures with me.”
“Thank you, friend, for honestly wishing us to enjoy the tranquility of your fields. How were these fields when you came to them?”
“This was a barren wilderness when I first came here—a thorn land which only pricked and stung those who trod its inclement length and only the most venomous reptiles inhabited it. But I no longer think of those vicious days when I struggled with the caustic thorns and reptiles for if I do think on them and on all I have suffered I shall no longer be able to enjoy their present beauty. I have effaced the shadow of thorns and reptiles from my memory and I have replaced them with a picture of flowers, birds, greenery and trees. I only think of the present and of what the future may bring. I suffered long and hard in my initial struggle but I have exorcised those memories from my brain and I have buried them in that wasteland. Now that is all behind me and there remains no vicious battle which I must wage, no bitter memory nor rank shadow looms over my heart threatening to enshroud my wisdom. Even in those days when I waged that fatal battle no shadow cloaked my mind. I was caught up in a maze of confusion, pain, gloom and disappointment until the war with the thorns and reptiles began. From the day when I first thrust my spade into the heart of the soil, unweeded that first thorn, and killed the first reptile my existence took on an enlightened, fruitful, creative meaning and up until the present—when I only see the flower that buds, the tree which bears fruit, the wheat that gives forth and my herd—it has remained thus.”
“Brave tiller of the land, your words rise from a keen wisdom, a harmonious psyche and an unembittered heart. Tell us whether your work is finished here and whether you have terminated your task of cultivation.”
“No, indeed not, if I cease this task I will return to those bitter, gloomy days of the past.
Look there! In the distance. Do you see that thorn land?
It too is mine; it has no trees, no flowers, no shrubs. I am trying to turn it into another haven of cultivation with my tools and with my well of water. I hope to one day replace its thorns with flowers, it thistle with trees, and its reptiles with my herds.”
“Will you have fulfilled all your dreams if you manage to do so?”
“No, when that wasteland has become a green land I shall commence another task for I cannot remain idle.
Look in that corner of the field. Do you see the spinning wheel there? That too is mine. When I return from my fields I wash away my fatigue and then I throw myself into the joy of weaving and when I tire of that task I find another.”
“I see a fife upon the bow of that branch. What is that for?”
“Music too is a part of my life. When I am weary and when my heart groans under the burden of my feelings I take up my instrument to throw myself into the pleasure of song.”
“What is that solitary tree at the foot of that hill yonder? What is that stone wall beside it? Do you ever go there?”
“I planted that tree and I built that wall. I sometimes go there. One of my most ardent wishes is to channel water that far so that I might be able to plant trees at the hem of that mountain. Happy will be the day when this valley is covered in herbage and trees where the travelling fowls come to rest and build their nests.”
“Do you then see happiness in the creation of a fertility that spreads across this valley and along the mountains?”
“No, not at all. I see, happiness does not come at the end of that road, it lies along it. Happiness comes from the realization of that path and goal for which one can strive.”
“If this valley and mountain are one day drowned in shrubbery and fertility what will your goal be then?”
“The finding of another wilderness to cultivate and the eternal struggle found therein. My most fervent desire is to die as I strive to plant my last tree and to be buried at its foot. I want that last sapling to be a cypress tree for I see it as the essence of fertility, life, peace and comfort.”
“Do you have the strength to carry out all these goals?”
“Strength comes from human drive. Whatever one truly wants with one’s heart and soul one can accomplish. Somehow from somewhere deep inside one’s soul—a place unknown even to one’s self—there comes a new power which perfects that desire.”
“What kind of tree will you plant?”
“They will be the most beautiful, the most fruitful, the most plenteous and the most stalwart trees.”
“Friend you are happy—truly happy! Tell us who taught you this manner of happiness. How did you set out upon this path?”
“I was confused at one time. My heart was steeped in destitute. My psyche was dejected, my soul was overcast and my body was exhausted. My days passed in desperation and grief. There were termites which continually ate me from within; I had adders within me which slithered across my mind and poured their venom into my soul. I waged a solitary fight against those adders as I stumbled under the force and bitterness of their sting, the sharpness of their bites, the dread of their hiss and the endless jab of the termites’ bites.
Thus, did I pass many days until one day when I met a stranger. Perceiving my frame of mind he hastened to speak to me. He recognized my agony and said he was one of Zarathustra’s disciples and knew my cure. I asked him to show me how I might obtain that cure. He said he had the remedy with him and that he would sell it to me. I asked the price—it was a hundred grains of wheat each to be plucked from a separate stalk. He told me that I was to go into the wilderness, plant a hundred thorn bushes. When the wheat grew I was to pick a grain from separate stalks in various parts of the field and take them to him in order to procure my medicine.
I did as he bid. As I uprooted the hundred thorn bushes and planted the hundred seeds of wheat there came forth more wheat stalks and I gathered the separate grains. But having accumulated those grains I strove to plant more so I went into the wilderness and uprooted more thorn bushes to replace them with seeds. Soon I was lost in this task and I forgot my pains and my agonies and until this very day I have not as yet found the time to take those hundred seeds to the healer and to buy my medicine.”
Djamaspa and the disciples turned to Zarathustra and asked:
“Tell us noble Zarathustra, what was that medicament the student wanted to sell this man?”
Zarathustra sang:
We bring joy to Mazda Ahura through blessed thoughts.
He has given us joy and sorrow in his wishes.
May Mazda Ahura grant us the strength necessary to
toil through His power.
May we strive for the betterment of Man through the
radiance of blessed thoughts, truth and true knowledge.”
(Gathas, chapter 45, verse 9)
The farmer heard the disciples address their leader by his name and he uncontrollably threw himself at the Teacher’s feet and cried, “Oh blessed enlightened one, you have changed my life. You rescued me from the clutches of hell and carried me to heaven, I praise you a thousand times!”
In response to the farmer, Zarathustra proclaimed, “I praise you who has transformed a wilderness into a flowerbed and has replaced the thorns within your bosom with wheat and flora. Tell me how you see life when you rest beside your wheat fields and gaze at the beautiful undulation of the wheat stalks as they bow to the forces of the wild.”
“So long as my harrow is harnessed to my cows and we trudge the span of the field plowing the rows and preparing to impregnate the soil I lead a happily content life. As long as I can watch the germination and growth of the stalks there is nothing that I lack in this life.
Blessed Zarathustra, whose illuminating instructions changed my life within this world and saved me from the depths of melancholy but took me to happiness, tell me whether there can be anything more rapturous, more bewitching than the smile of the earth? Is there anything more life giving than that moment when the lips of the earth burst into a tender smile as the harrow gently rips them open? Can there be aught more beautiful, more enchanting than that second in which the seed fertilizes the soil? Is there anything more tantalizing than the day when the germ peeks its head out of the soil? Is there anything possibly more fascinating than the tender green seed that rejuvenates the soul of the farmer with its arrival?
Listen, Zarathustra, to that joyous strain which comes from the distance! It is the most enchanting, the sweetest melody the world has to boast—it is the song of the windmill. That windmill is mine too, Zarathustra, the flour which pours out of it is mine—cultivated by these hands. To me that melody is the song of water in my brain, the song of the nightingale upon the branches and many other tunes which rise from the heart of the universe and of this plantation are all melodies of life to me for they give beauty and heart to my life.
Zarathustra, allow me to say that I was not as you find me today, I did not see the world in this way. Life changed for me from the day when I saw that man, heard his words and came to know your hymns and your name. Your life inspiring hymns raised me and changed my view of life. Let me sing a few of you hymns now, Zarathustra, for that man taught me your songs and I sing them daily at dawn when I walk out onto my wheat fields to begin my labors for the day. Let me cast the same light upon the hearts of your disciples:
Mazda Ahura,
Will give he who has achieved His desires better than
the best in His Kingdom.
He will give worse than the worst to he who has not
striven for the cultivation of the world and has sought
to bring joy unto Him!
This is what will happen at the end of life!
(Gathas, chapter 51, verse 6)
O Mazda Ahura,
Teach me the most noble sayings and deeds that I
might know Thee through divine thoughts, purity
and truth!
Renew life unto me through Thy will and in Thy
Kingdom in the radiance of Truth!
(Gathas, chapter 34, verse 15)
O Ahura,
Undoubtedly the body and the souls of those who work
with divine thoughts will be gifted with the promised
reward!
They will strive for the cultivation of the world.
In the light of truth they will advance Thy creed of
blessed wisdom.
They will achieve Thy will.
(Gathas, chapter 34, verse 14)
O Mazda Ahura,
Thou hast taught me the blessed path of divine thought
and thou hast given me the instructions of the
Saviors.
T’is but divine deeds in the light of truth which lead
unto happiness.
This is Thy reward for the wise!
(Gathas, chapter 34, verse 13)
O Mazda,
Thou art the Creator of these lands, waters and plants.
Grant me righteousness and immortality through mine
Purest wisdom!
In the radiance of blessed thoughts grant me strength
And stamina in body and mind.
Grant me a new life!
Bless me with Thy instructions.
(Gathas, chapter 51, verse 7)
O Mazda.
I recount Thy message unto the wise:
An evil fate awaits the wicked ones.
Happiness awaits he who is bound unto truth!
Undoubtedly happiness will come to he who spreads this
thought inspiring message among the wise.
(Gathas, chapter 51, verse 8)
“I sing these hymns daily, mighty Zarathustra, along with your other hymns for you have taught me the illuminated path in life.”
Zarathustra kissed the farmer and parted. He and his disciples again embarked upon their route. As they proceeded Zarathustra expounded the sayings of the farmer:
“The root of my creed is the instruction of cultivation and progress of the world. My hymns are dedicated to this end for I seek the best manner of existence for men:
O Mazda,
When will truth, and righteousness come?
When will there be a country endowed with vast and
fertile fields?
Who will bring us peace from the evil hearted ones?
Who will realize the teachings and insight of blessed
thoughts?
(Gathas, chapter 48, verse 11)
Truly is the earth our blessed refuge!
The earth endows us with blessed thoughts and strength!
And Mazda Ahura has raised plants and vegetation upon
it in the light of truth from the beginning of creation.
(Gathas, chapter 48, verse 6)
“All things is this world are the result of work, activity, change and cultivation. The world must be cultivated in order that one might live in happiness. From amongst all thoughts and beliefs those which lead men unto the love and the progress of the world must be chosen for they are the ones who lead men to health, freshness and happiness. Any creed which does not do so will take us into the most gruesome world of imagination and these are the creeds which must be undone.”
At this moment Zarathustra faced his disciples and asked, “What was the secret of life, joy hope which had shaken this tiller of the land to the quick?”
Each of the disciples voiced an opinion. Then Zarathustra looked at Djamaspa and said, “Wise Djamaspa, I do not force my opinions and thoughts unto others for I labor and toil to give birth to thoughts that they might bloom. Yet, I wish you to think hard upon that which I have asked you and I ask you to open your thoughts to us.”
“I believe we must once more turn to that grain of wheat to find the answer to your question.
The seed which the farmer sows has the same powers which he himself has—the power of creation. Had the farmer scattered sand upon his fields the grains of sand would never have germinated, grown, budded nor bloomed. But the grain of wheat, which has the power of growth, allowed it to move and change thus shedding its state of inactivity and transcending the period of coldness and inactivity. Had the man himself chosen to creep into crevasses instead of rising to till the land, had he undertaken to take shelter within himself in the arena of evil imaginings there would never have poured forth such joy from every part of his being. Had he turned into another evil doer whose entire aim in life was murder, theft and robbery where he allowed himself to plunder and destroy what belonged to others he would never have come to see in life such beauty for he would have become another savage beast who plundered and spilled human blood. His beneficent God—Creator of benevolence, earth, water, plants, life, cultivation and joy—would have become a bloodthirsty evil faced god of a cruel and vengeful heart who succored him in his bloodshed, theft and pillage—one who responded to these savageries.”
All the virtues of his character, which we see, spring from his power of creation. Just as the power of creation within the grain allows it to rise above the earth that covers it so too does the power of creation within this farmer allow his psyche to embrace a cultivated body and form to awaken his frame to rise and remove those obstacles in his path.”
Here Djamaspa hesitated to address the Teacher, “Oh, great Teacher, your wisdom knows no bounds. I remember a hymn you once sang when you were first anointed by Vohuman and the psyche of the universe and you stood to ask Mazda’s help and guidance for the righteous that they might be spared the venom of the dorvand:
The fertile psyche of the universe and I lift our arms unto
Mazda to praise Him and to ask Him to spare the
Righteous from the malice of the dorvand.
(Gathas, chapter 29, verse 5)
Zarathustra replied: “Wise Djamaspa, you have spoken well. The process of our social lives mirrors the process of the tillage of the farmer of his land.
If a society comes to a standstill—which it will not do for it is man’s nature to change through activity—then will its pregnant force peter out. At that point minds and thoughts will cease to procreate and grow and they will not be able to reproduce for they will have become the inactive sack of seeds which stand in storage. In such societies people are lifeless, dimmed corpses whose sole task is to eat, drink, repeat what they have heard and imitate their ancestors. Days, months and years will pass. Years will shift into centuries and yet will these people stand as pillars of stone stoic but lifeless and unchanging.
The psyche and the wisdom of the universe were ripe for the advent of change and the activity when I was chosen to lead men—they sought to lead men to the light. They wanted to erase all that was obsolete, hackneyed, timeworn and unlearned to replace them with a creed and a belief which strode side by side with wisdom and harmony. The people were overcome by the oppression and the ignorance of the karapans and the kavis thus they strove to find a new way of life. It was these actions, searches, desires and creeds which led men’s minds unto inquiry and progress. I walked alongside of men in these processes and I saw and felt the movement of the advancers and the pioneers. Then, was I prepared to answer to the needs of the times by rising to unfold my creed. Presently do I reveal my beliefs and my thoughts to you and you will realize them and put them into practice. I will work to create a new world based upon a new nature of life and of existence.
O Mazda, Creator of the world,
I have always and will in the future praise Thee with
all my might and strength in the light of truth.
May you with blessed thoughts. Grant the benevolent
their wish in the renewal of the world.
(Gathas, chapter 50, verse 11)
Who are they who fight against me and against the needs of the times? They are the karapans and kavis, the necromancers and all those who fight against the renewal of the world. They are the ones who want the world to remain as it is that they might continue to rule it in their smitten belief and thoughts. They fight all those who attempt to rejuvenate the world, minds, beliefs and thoughts for their existence can only prevail through decrepitude, putrefaction and stagnation. Yet, the karapans and the kavis do not know that the order of being and of life is motion, growth and change. They ignore the fact that much as they strive to prevent the seed from falling to the earth it will fall and it will be nurtured by the sun, the water and the air and it will finally germinate thus heartening the farmer and allowing him to reap his reward. My goal, wish and aim in life are the renewal of the world. I want to unearth all that which is old, rotten and decayed and to replace it with such fertile thoughts as to allow them to continue to bloom and reproduce. Thus, will the world be forever rejuvenated and thus will it abide in endless renewals. Listen well:
He who truly aids Zarathustra in his renewal of the world
will benefit of immortality.
He will attain wishes in this creative world.
O Mazda,
Thou didst teach and unfold to me all these.
(Gathas, chapter 46, verse 19)
“Teacher, tell us more of that hymn in which you spoke of pain and hard work.”
“In that hymn lie some of the keys to the structure of life. First of all comes the existence of happiness and sorrow among men. Yes indeed, life is such in nature that it holds both happiness and pain. The only form of untainted joy known to man is when he lies in the womb, as the grain of wheat said to Djamaspa, that was when man dwelt in paradise. That too is good for both in heaven and within the womb man is nourished without pain. His dwelling place is pleasant and there is nothing to upset him. Perhaps the one thing in man which keeps him searching for happiness is a latent desire to return to the womb—the heaven. But man cannot eternally live in the womb any more than he was able to dwell in heaven. He himself worked through his thoughts and trials to free himself of this luxurious, effortless existence and to return to a terrestrial manner of being. Had he remained in heaven he might have eventually come to rot and decay through inactivity. It is possible that his banishment from paradise was the beginning of a new life which allowed him to live eternally on this earth and to practice his powers of wisdom and thought. If the fetus remains in the womb longer than is his due he will die destroying the mother with himself. Thus, a heavenly or a fetal existence is not worthy of man—man has been made to develop and to grow and he must leave behind him a manner of existence which opposes his need to confront the upheavals in life. In this new existence pain comes along with happiness and the fight against pain is the root of bliss.”
“How are we to fight against pain? How are we to transform sorrow into joy?”
“As you heard from the farmer and the hymns, the answer is work. Work with blessed thoughts, truth, knowledge and advancement lead to happiness. They are our only tools with which we can end pain and bring about happiness. Work is a part of human nature. Man without work is like iron left to rust. Man is creative and he must toil till the end of his days for work is the bringer of peace, the healer of the body and the fount of social peace. If all men within a society work they will all be eternally happy—idleness is the most wicked vice.”
“Idleness is the destroyer of righteousness, the harbinger of mental confusion, the disharmonizer of the psyche, the disruptor of behavior, wretchedness, depression and avarice. Idleness distances man from blessed deeds. Happiness, peace, progress, strength, patience, creativity, hope, bravery and knowledge all come from work. Work is life and life is work. About your manner of work, Djamaspa, I say to you to love your work as the farmer loved his and work with exactness. Do not shirk what you do but toil with precision. It is work which is invaluable. Thus, do not leave that which is to be done today for another day. Do worthy deeds and refrain from unworthy tasks. Do not taint your hands with that which is disreputable and sinful. Work beside others for work which is done collectively is more praiseworthy. If you wish to be free work ceaselessly but recognize the hour when each deed is ripe. Small jobs which are carried out lovingly are more worthy than great tasks which are done with revulsion. Work is the creator of all values and it is through work that you will raise your worth. Make do with the fruit of your own labor and look not to your neighbor’s profits. The best assets are those gained through the sweat of your brows. Plant that you might reap. Work and look not for treasures.”