خويشكاري هاي موبدان در شاهنامه

Functions of mubads in Shahnameh

در ايران باستان موبدان همواره يكي از مقامات برجسته جامعه به‌شمار مي آمدند و در دربار شاهان نفوذي فوق العاده داشتند. اين امر به‌خوبي در مشهورترين حماسه ملي ايران نمود يافته است و به حدي اهميت دارد كه با بررسي نقش و جايگاه موبدان در شاهنامه چگونگي ارتباط دين و حكومت در ايران باستان مشخص مي شود. خويشكاري موبدان در شاهنامه منحصر به اجراي مناسك ديني نيست. آن ها هم در اداره كشور اختيارات گسترده اي دارند، هم از نظر علمي سرآمد زمان خويش اند، هم تعليم و تربيت را به عهده دارند و هم راوي داستان هاي كهن هستند. نظارت بر امور اقتصادي و پرچم داري در جنگ ها نيز از ديگر كاركردهاي موبدان به‌شمار مي رود. شايان يادآوري است واژه موبد در شاهنامه هميشه به معناي عالم ديني نيست، بلكه توسّع معنايي يافته و بر دانا و خردمند نيز اطلاق شده است. نگارندگان مي‌كوشند كنش ها و سلسله‌مراتب موبدان را بر اساس متن شاهنامه و با استفاده از برخي متون پهلوي و تواريخ عهد اسلامي بازنمايند.

In ancient Iran, mubeds were always among the most prominent authorities of the country and were highly influential in kings’ courts. This role is well depicted in Iran’s most famous national epic, and it is of such an importance that by examining their roles and positions in Shahnameh, one can find how religion and government were closely related in ancient Iran. In Shahnameh, the mubads’ responsibilities were not just limited to conducting religious ceremonies and rites. They enjoyed power and authority in country’s administration and were the most educated people of their age. They were responsible for the education and also narrated ancient stories. Observing the economic affairs and bearing the flag in battles were other responsibilities of the mubeds which are also well depicted in Shahnameh. It should be noted that “mubed” in Shahnameh is used as a generic term and it is not always used to mean a “clergy”. Rather, its meanings had expanded and the term was attributed to wise and erudite people. In this paper, the authors attempt to explain the functions and hierarchies of mubeds according to Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh.