Magi (Ancient Iranian Astrologers)

[Guest guest]

Magi (Ancient Iranian

Astrologers)

[below is given

some references about Magi Astrologers]

 

Magi

Magi , priestly caste of ancient Persia. Probably Median

in origin, they were, according to Herodotus, a tribe rather than a priestly

family. Zoroaster is thought to have been a Magus. Study of the Magi is

hampered by the lack of original source material. They are thought to have

molded a pre-Zoroastrian religion, but nothing is known of it except by

inference. After Zoroaster, Magian priests headed Zoroastrianism; the greatest

was Saena. The Magi were revered by classic authors as wise men, and their

reputed power over demons gave rise to the word magic.

(from: The

Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition)

(URL: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Magi.html

)

Magus

Member of an ancient Persian clan specializing in cultic

activities. The magi were a priestly caste during the Seleucid, Parthian, and

Sasanian dynasties, and parts of the Avesta are probably derived from them.

Their priesthood is believed to have served several religions, including

Zoroastrianism. From the 1st century onward, the word magus in its Syriac form

(magusai) was applied to magicians and soothsayers, chiefly from Babylonia. As

long as the Persian empire lasted there was a distinction between the Persian

magi, credited with profound religious knowledge, and the Babylonian magi,

often considered outright imposters.

(from:

Encyclopedia Britannica)

(URL: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1B1-370979.html

)

Member of an ancient Persian clan specializing in cultic

activities. The name is the Latinized form of magoi (e.g., in Herodotus 1:101),

the ancient Greek transliteration of the Iranian original. From it the word

magic is derived.

(from:

Encyclopedia of Britannica)

(URL: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/357744/Magus)

Magus a member of a priestly caste in ancient Persia (of

Akkadian or Median origin), which through its official status in western Iran

became the principal protagonist of Zoroastrianism. The term was then extended

to denote a person skilled in eastern magic and astrology; a magician or sorcerer.

(from: he Oxford

Dictionary of Phrase and Fable)

(URL: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-magus.html)

 

Wise Men of the East

Wise Men of the East

Magi, or Three Kings, men who came from the East to adore the newborn

Jesus. Mat. 2. They were the first to tell Herod of the birth. A star (the Star

of Bethlehem) had been a sign for them. Christian tradition has elaborated the

biblical account; it has set their number as three, perhaps from their gifts of

gold, frankincense, and myrrh; it has called them kings, perhaps from Ps.

72.10,11 and Isa. 49.7,23 considered as prophecies; and it has given them

names, Caspar or Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. They are called sometimes the

Three Kings of Cologne because there is a great shrine to them in the cathedral

at Cologne. The feast of the Epiphany commemorates their visit. In art the

visit is called the Adoration of the Magi.

(from: The

Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition)

(URL: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-WiseMenE.html

)

Magi (sing. Magus) Members of a hereditary priestly class

of ancient Persia, responsible for certain religious ceremonies. By the time of

Christ, the term Magi applied to astrologers, soothsayers and practitioners of

the occult. In the Western Church, the feast of Epiphany marks the coming of

the Magi to Jesus. In the East, Christmas heralds the arrival of the Magi.

(from: World

Encyclopedia )

(URL: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-Magi.html

)

Magi the `wise men' from the East, often referred to as

the Three Magi, who brought gifts to the infant Jesus (Matthew 2:1), said in

later tradition to be kings named Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar who brought

gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Recorded from Old English, the word is

the plural form of magus.

(from: The Oxford

Dictionary of Phrase and Fable)

(URL: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-Magi.html)

A 'magi' makeover for Three Wise Men.

Byline: Jennifer Harper, THE WASHINGTON TIMES (Written on:

February 11, 2004)

 

Gaspar, Melchior and Balthasar may give way to Gail,

Melanie and Barbara - at least in the Church of England.

 

Church officials yesterday agreed to drop the term

"Three Wise Men" from a newly approved prayer book because there's no

proof the trio of visitors to the infant Jesus were male - or even learned.

 

"Magi" is now the word of choice.

 

"The possibility that one or more of the magi were

female cannot be excluded completely," said a governing committee that has

tweaked 68 other prayers included in the revised book of ...

(URL: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-113144564.html

)

Magi

Everyone who knows the traditional story of Christmas has

heard of the three magi who followed the star in the East and who traveled afar

to worship at the manger wherein lay the baby Jesus (c. 6 b.c.e.–c. 30 c.e.).

These magi were not kings, but "wise ones," astrologers and priests

of ancient Persia, philosophers of Zoroastrian wisdom, and their title has

provided the root for the words "magic,magician," and so

forth. Such men were the councilors of the Eastern empires, the possessors of

occult secrets that guided royalty.

 

In Europe during the Middle Ages, those who bore the title

of magi were more likely to be men who had devoted their lives to the accumulation

of occult wisdom and knowledge from the Kabbalah, the ancient Egyptians, the

Arabs, and various pagan sources, and had thereby come under the scrutiny of

the church and suspected of communicating with demons. Although these

individuals valiantly clung to precious fragments of ancient lore and insisted

that they were practitioners of good magic, the clergy saw few distinctions

between the magi and the witches that the Inquisition sought to bring to trial

for demonolatry and devil worship. It was not until the advent of the

Renaissance that the magi and their forbidden knowledge began to gain a certain

acceptance among the courts of Europe and the better educated members of the

general populace.

 

Perhaps one of the greatest difficulties that the magi had

with the orthodox clergy was their contention that angelic beings could be

summoned to assist in the practice of white magick. There were seven major

planetary spirits, or archangels, that the magi were interested in contacting:

Raphael, Gabriel, Canael, Michael, Zadikel, Haniel, and Zaphkiel. One of the

original sources of such instruction allegedly came from the great Egyptian

magi and master of the occult, Hermes-Thoth, who described the revelation he

had been given when he received a shimmering vision of a perfectly formed,

colossal man of great beauty. Gently the being spoke to Hermes and identified

itself as Pymander, the thought of the All-Powerful, who had come to give him

strength because of his love of justice and his desire to seek the truth.

 

Pymander told Hermes that he might make a wish and it

would be granted to him. Hermes-Thoth asked for a ray of the entity's divine

knowledge. Pymander granted the wish, and Hermes was immediately inundated with

wondrous visions, all beyond human comprehension and imagination. After the

imagery had ceased, the blackness surrounding Hermes grew terrifying. A harsh

and discordant voice boomed through the ether, creating a chaotic tempest of

roaring winds and thunderous explosions. The mighty and terrible voice left

Hermes filled with awe. Then from the All-Powerful came seven spirits who moved

in seven circles; and in the circles were all the beings that composed the

universe. The action of the seven spirits in their circles is called fate, and

these circles themselves are enclosed in the divine Thought that permeates them

eternally.

 

Hermes was given to comprehend that God had committed to

the seven spirits the governing of the elements and the creation of their

combined products. But because God created humans in his own image, and,

pleased with this image, had given them power over terrestrial nature, God

would grant the ability to command the seven spirits to those humans who could

learn to know themselves, for they were and could come to conquer the duality

of their earthly nature. They would truly become magi who learned to triumph

over sensual temptations and to increase their mental faculties. God would give

such adepts a measure of light in proportion to their merits, and they would be

allowed to penetrate the most profound mysteries of nature. Assisting these

magi in their work on Earth would be the seven superior spirits of the Egyptian

system, acting as intermediaries between God and humans. These seven spirits

were the same beings that the Brahmans of ancient India called the seven Devas,

that in Persia were called the seven Amaschapands, that in Chaldea were called

the seven Great Angels, that in Jewish Kabbalism are called the seven

Archangels.

(from: Gale

Encyclopedia of the Unusual and Unexplained )

(URL: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3406300142.html

)

 

­ - 0 -­

[Guest guest]

Namaste,Shri.Sreenadhji,"kaNtadhai padicka pandithan Aavaan" - a Tamil adage,meaning voracious readers becomes knowledgeable Masters .It is true in your case - may GOD bless you with more reading opportunities,to plough back your knowledge to the society.With regards,D.Sathiyanarayana Gupta.Sreenadh <sreesog wrote: Magi (Ancient Iranian Astrologers) [below is given some references about Magi Astrologers] Magi Magi , priestly caste of ancient Persia. Probably Median in origin, they were, according to Herodotus, a tribe rather than a priestly family. Zoroaster is thought to have been a Magus. Study of the Magi is hampered by the lack of original source material. They are thought to have molded a pre-Zoroastrian religion, but nothing is known of it except by inference. After Zoroaster, Magian priests headed Zoroastrianism; the greatest was Saena. The Magi were revered by classic authors as wise men, and their

reputed power over demons gave rise to the word magic. (from: The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition) (URL: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Magi.html ) Magus Member of an ancient Persian clan specializing in cultic activities. The magi were a priestly caste during the Seleucid, Parthian, and Sasanian dynasties, and parts of the Avesta are probably derived from them. Their priesthood is believed to have served several religions, including Zoroastrianism. From the 1st century onward, the word magus in its Syriac form (magusai) was applied to magicians and soothsayers, chiefly from Babylonia. As long as the Persian empire lasted there was a

distinction between the Persian magi, credited with profound religious knowledge, and the Babylonian magi, often considered outright imposters. (from: Encyclopedia Britannica) (URL: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1B1-370979.html ) Member of an ancient Persian clan specializing in cultic activities. The name is the Latinized form of magoi (e.g., in Herodotus 1:101), the ancient Greek transliteration of the Iranian original. From it the word magic is derived. (from: Encyclopedia of Britannica) (URL: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/357744/Magus) Magus a member of a priestly caste in ancient Persia (of Akkadian or Median origin), which through its official status in western Iran became the principal protagonist of Zoroastrianism. The term was then extended to denote a person skilled in eastern magic and astrology; a magician or sorcerer. (from: he Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable) (URL: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-magus.html) Wise Men of the

East Wise Men of the East Magi, or Three Kings, men who came from the East to adore the newborn Jesus. Mat. 2. They were the first to tell Herod of the birth. A star (the Star of Bethlehem) had been a sign for them. Christian tradition has elaborated the biblical account; it has set their number as three, perhaps from their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh; it has called them kings, perhaps from Ps. 72.10,11 and Isa. 49.7,23 considered as prophecies; and it has given them names, Caspar or Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. They are called sometimes the Three Kings of Cologne because there is a great shrine to them in the cathedral at Cologne. The feast of the Epiphany commemorates their visit. In art the visit is called the Adoration of the Magi. (from: The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition) (URL: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-WiseMenE.html ) Magi (sing. Magus) Members of a hereditary priestly class of ancient Persia, responsible for certain religious ceremonies. By the time of Christ, the term Magi applied to astrologers, soothsayers and practitioners of the occult. In the Western Church, the feast of Epiphany marks the coming of the Magi to Jesus. In the East, Christmas heralds the arrival of the Magi. (from: World Encyclopedia ) (URL: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-Magi.html ) Magi

the `wise men' from the East, often referred to as the Three Magi, who brought gifts to the infant Jesus (Matthew 2:1), said in later tradition to be kings named Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar who brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Recorded from Old English, the word is the plural form of magus. (from: The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable) (URL: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-Magi.html) A 'magi' makeover for Three Wise Men. Byline: Jennifer Harper, THE WASHINGTON TIMES (Written on: February 11, 2004) Gaspar, Melchior and Balthasar may give way to Gail, Melanie and Barbara - at least in the Church of England. Church officials yesterday agreed to drop the term "Three Wise Men" from a newly approved prayer book because there's no proof the trio of visitors to the infant Jesus were male - or even learned. "Magi" is now the word of choice. "The possibility that one or more of the magi were female cannot be excluded completely," said a governing committee that has tweaked 68 other prayers included in the revised book of ... (URL: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-113144564.html ) Magi Everyone who knows the traditional story of Christmas has heard of the three magi who followed the star in the East and who traveled afar to worship at the manger wherein lay the baby Jesus (c. 6 b.c.e.–c. 30 c.e.). These magi were not kings, but "wise ones," astrologers and priests of ancient Persia, philosophers of Zoroastrian wisdom, and their title has provided the root for the words "magic,magician," and so forth. Such men were the councilors of the Eastern empires, the possessors of occult secrets that guided royalty. In Europe during the Middle Ages, those who bore the title of magi were more

likely to be men who had devoted their lives to the accumulation of occult wisdom and knowledge from the Kabbalah, the ancient Egyptians, the Arabs, and various pagan sources, and had thereby come under the scrutiny of the church and suspected of communicating with demons. Although these individuals valiantly clung to precious fragments of ancient lore and insisted that they were practitioners of good magic, the clergy saw few distinctions between the magi and the witches that the Inquisition sought to bring to trial for demonolatry and devil worship. It was not until the advent of the Renaissance that the magi and their forbidden knowledge began to gain a certain acceptance among the courts of Europe and the better educated members of the general populace. Perhaps one of the greatest difficulties that the magi had with the orthodox clergy was their

contention that angelic beings could be summoned to assist in the practice of white magick. There were seven major planetary spirits, or archangels, that the magi were interested in contacting: Raphael, Gabriel, Canael, Michael, Zadikel, Haniel, and Zaphkiel. One of the original sources of such instruction allegedly came from the great Egyptian magi and master of the occult, Hermes-Thoth, who described the revelation he had been given when he received a shimmering vision of a perfectly formed, colossal man of great beauty. Gently the being spoke to Hermes and identified itself as Pymander, the thought of the All-Powerful, who had come to give him strength because of his love of justice and his desire to seek the truth. Pymander told Hermes that he might make a wish and it would be granted to him. Hermes-Thoth asked for a ray of the entity's divine

knowledge. Pymander granted the wish, and Hermes was immediately inundated with wondrous visions, all beyond human comprehension and imagination. After the imagery had ceased, the blackness surrounding Hermes grew terrifying. A harsh and discordant voice boomed through the ether, creating a chaotic tempest of roaring winds and thunderous explosions. The mighty and terrible voice left Hermes filled with awe. Then from the All-Powerful came seven spirits who moved in seven circles; and in the circles were all the beings that composed the universe. The action of the seven spirits in their circles is called fate, and these circles themselves are enclosed in the divine Thought that permeates them eternally. Hermes was given to comprehend that God had committed to the seven spirits the governing of the elements and the creation of their combined products. But

because God created humans in his own image, and, pleased with this image, had given them power over terrestrial nature, God would grant the ability to command the seven spirits to those humans who could learn to know themselves, for they were and could come to conquer the duality of their earthly nature. They would truly become magi who learned to triumph over sensual temptations and to increase their mental faculties. God would give such adepts a measure of light in proportion to their merits, and they would be allowed to penetrate the most profound mysteries of nature. Assisting these magi in their work on Earth would be the seven superior spirits of the Egyptian system, acting as intermediaries between God and humans. These seven spirits were the same beings that the Brahmans of ancient India called the seven Devas, that in Persia were called the seven Amaschapands, that in Chaldea were called the seven Great Angels, that in Jewish Kabbalism are called the seven

Archangels. (from: Gale Encyclopedia of the Unusual and Unexplained ) (URL: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3406300142.html ) ­ - 0 -­

[Guest guest]

Dear Sathiyanarayana Gupta ji, Thanks for the complement. But I am sad because of the following fact. Let me describe it in bit detail : There is a Sanskrit adage - Pustakastapita vidya parahasta gatam dhanam Anyadesa gata putro namamatramupacharet (Neetisaram) [The knowledge stored in books (and not within own brain), the money gone to others hands, the children gone abroad - it is all good only for saying (they will not become beneficial when required)] My guru used to say - "Knowledge should be Mastakastapita (in own brain) and not Pustakastapita (in book)". I am yet to rise up to that level where I can say that the knowledge I need and can be useful is yet in the stage of 'Mastakastapita' (in my own brain). And this is the very reason I am sad - and all the effort is to convert Pustakastapita vidya to Mastakastapita vidya - and reap the happiness in doing that process (of learning). Love and regards,Sreenadh , Sathiyanarayana Gupta <gupta816 wrote:>> Namaste,> > Shri.Sreenadhji,> > "kaNtadhai padicka pandithan Aavaan" - a Tamil adage,meaning voracious readers becomes knowledgeable Masters .> It is true in your case - may GOD bless you with more reading opportunities,to plough back your knowledge to the society.> > With regards,> D.Sathiyanarayana Gupta.> > Sreenadh sreesog wrote: Normal 0

[Guest guest]

and yet Sreenadh-ji what happens to all the knowledge when one's

brain dies along with the one holding that knowledge, after all death

is inevitable. If you say that it needs to be passed on then what

better way than to document it

 

, " Sreenadh "

<sreesog wrote:

>

> Dear Sathiyanarayana Gupta ji,

> Thanks for the complement. [] But I am sad because of the

> following fact. Let me describe it in bit detail :

> There is a Sanskrit adage -

> Pustakastapita vidya parahasta gatam dhanam

> Anyadesa gata putro namamatramupacharet

>

 

> (Neetisaram)

> [The knowledge stored in books (and not within own brain), the

money

> gone to others hands, the children gone abroad - it is all good

only for

> saying (they will not become beneficial when required)]

> My guru used to say - " Knowledge should be Mastakastapita (in own

> brain) and not Pustakastapita (in book) " .

> I am yet to rise up to that level where I can say that the

knowledge I

> need and can be useful is yet in the stage of 'Mastakastapita' (in

my

> own brain). And this is the very reason I am sad - and all the

effort

> is to convert Pustakastapita vidya to Mastakastapita vidya - and

reap

> the happiness in doing that process (of learning). []

> Love and regards,

> Sreenadh

>

> , Sathiyanarayana

Gupta

> <gupta816@> wrote:

> >

> > Namaste,

> >

> > Shri.Sreenadhji,

> >

> > " kaNtadhai padicka pandithan Aavaan " - a Tamil adage,meaning

voracious

> readers becomes knowledgeable Masters .

> > It is true in your case - may GOD bless you with more reading

> opportunities,to plough back your knowledge to the society.

> >

> > With regards,

> > D.Sathiyanarayana Gupta.

> >

> > Sreenadh sreesog@ wrote:

Normal

> 0

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Sreenadhji,

 

I also remember having learned this verse, perhaps the first verse in

sanskrit at the age of 7. However, the wordings were as follows:

 

" pusthakastha cha ya vidya parahaste tad dhanam

karayakale samayate na cha vidya na tad dhanam "

 

the knowledge retained in book and money given to others, both will

not be available when needed.

 

It is good to know another version, which talks about sons going

abroad.

 

Regards,

bhagavathi

[Guest guest]

Namaste,Shri.Bhagavathi ji,I think the adage reiterates suw-buddhi,suw-Dhanaa is always good, it is something like 'a bird in hand worth two in the bush'.In Tamil there is an adage" Ettu chu-rai-kAi karicku -uthavaadhu" meaning, immature bookish knowledge seldom useful.Regards,D.Sathiyanarayana Gupta.bhagavathi_hariharan <bhagavathi_hariharan wrote: Dear Sreenadhji, I also remember having learned this verse, perhaps the first verse in sanskrit at the age of 7. However, the wordings were as follows:

"pusthakastha cha ya vidya parahaste tad dhanam karayakale samayate na cha vidya na tad dhanam" the knowledge retained in book and money given to others, both will not be available when needed. It is good to know another version, which talks about sons going abroad. Regards, bhagavathi

[Guest guest]

Dear Souvik ji, True! But it is usually not for the posterity, but for the happiness of one's own learning and understanding that he usually learns. The benefit for posterity and the fame are all only secondary. Hope you will agree with me.Love and regards,Sreenadh , "Souvik Dutta" <explore_vulcan wrote:>> and yet Sreenadh-ji what happens to all the knowledge when one's > brain dies along with the one holding that knowledge, after all death > is inevitable. If you say that it needs to be passed on then what > better way than to document it > > , "Sreenadh" > sreesog@ wrote:> >> > Dear Sathiyanarayana Gupta ji,> > Thanks for the complement. [] But I am sad because of the> > following fact. Let me describe it in bit detail :> > There is a Sanskrit adage -> > Pustakastapita vidya parahasta gatam dhanam> > Anyadesa gata putro namamatramupacharet> > > > > (Neetisaram)> > [The knowledge stored in books (and not within own brain), the > money> > gone to others hands, the children gone abroad - it is all good > only for> > saying (they will not become beneficial when required)]> > My guru used to say - "Knowledge should be Mastakastapita (in own> > brain) and not Pustakastapita (in book)".> > I am yet to rise up to that level where I can say that the > knowledge I> > need and can be useful is yet in the stage of 'Mastakastapita' (in > my> > own brain). And this is the very reason I am sad - and all the > effort> > is to convert Pustakastapita vidya to Mastakastapita vidya - and > reap> > the happiness in doing that process (of learning). []> > Love and regards,> > Sreenadh> >

[Guest guest]

Dear Bhagavati ji, Yes, there are other versions of the same quote as well. By the way there should be some minor correction in the quote you presented (meaning remains the same). It should be -> "pusthakastha cha ya vidya parahaste gatam dhanam> karayakale samayate na cha vidya na cha tad dhanam" If not corrected similar to the above or so version of your quote will not be grammatically correct. Love and regards,Sreenadh , "bhagavathi_hariharan" <bhagavathi_hariharan wrote:>> Dear Sreenadhji,> > I also remember having learned this verse, perhaps the first verse in > sanskrit at the age of 7. However, the wordings were as follows:> > "pusthakastha cha ya vidya parahaste tad dhanam> karayakale samayate na cha vidya na tad dhanam"> > the knowledge retained in book and money given to others, both will > not be available when needed.> > It is good to know another version, which talks about sons going > abroad. > > Regards,> bhagavathi>

[Guest guest]

Dear Sreenadhji,

 

No correction needed. Both are right

 

parahaste gatam dhanam means, the money gone to others hands

 

parahaste cha tad dhanam, means and that money in the hands of others

 

I wish I could hug you from here, for reminding me of sanskrit

grammar

 

Regards,

bhagavathi

 

 

 

, " Sreenadh "

<sreesog wrote:

>

> Dear Bhagavati ji,

> Yes, there are other versions of the same quote as well. By

the

> way there should be some minor correction in the quote you presented

> (meaning remains the same). It should be -

> > " pusthakastha cha ya vidya parahaste gatam dhanam

> > karayakale samayate na cha vidya na cha tad dhanam "

> If not corrected similar to the above or so version of your quote

will

> not be grammatically correct.

> Love and regards,

> Sreenadh

>

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Bhagavati ji,==>> parahaste gatam dhanam means, the money gone to others hands> > parahaste cha tad dhanam, means and that money in the hands of others<== Yes, that is ok, but just check what you wrote in your initial mail, it was - "parahaste tad dhanam" (the 'cha' was missing), and that was why the correction. Love and regards,Sreenadh , "bhagavathi_hariharan" <bhagavathi_hariharan wrote:>> Dear Sreenadhji,> > No correction needed. Both are right> > parahaste gatam dhanam means, the money gone to others hands> > parahaste cha tad dhanam, means and that money in the hands of others> > I wish I could hug you from here, for reminding me of sanskrit > grammar > > Regards,> bhagavathi