Monthly Archives: September 2009

Roj Tir Mah Ardibehesht, 1379 Yz.

The dynasty of Mewar is one of the oldest in India, if not the world. The dynasty claims descent from the Sun God Himself and are hence called “Suryavanshi”, stretching back to around 4000 BC! The historical records are available from around 600 AD and show an unbroken line of succession from those days. A unique feature of this dynasty is that they do not claim to Kings, rather they call themselves custodians of the Divine Kingdom of Shri Eklinji, a manifestation of Lord Shiva. In the long history of India, where various outsiders came, attacked and conquered, the House of Mewar was one of the few, if not only which did not bow down to any of the attackers, fiercely maintaining their territory and also their distinct family lineage. They refused to give their ladies to outsiders, married within themselves and hence have succeeded in maintaining their racial identity till this day. Despite the Mughal Emperor Akbar’s best efforts, Mewar refused to bow down to him, giving rise to one of India’s most celebrated heroes, Maharana Pratap. Even during the British empire, Mewar was one of the few princely states which did not bow down to the British. They maintained a strict aloofness from the British, never visited them or attended their fancy Durbars.

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Roj Dae-pa-Adar Mah Ardibehesht, 1379 Yz.

It was late in the afternoon one pleasant day in Firdaus, Behramshah was in the house of one of the resident farmers, chatting with the family, when a message was sent that the Sraoshavarez wanted to see Behramshah. The eager student immediately set off to meet the Master, who had just emerged from his afternoon prayers. Taking Behramshah by his side, the Sraoshavarez began to speak to him in a very kind and gentle voice: “My dear son, nearly three and a half years have passed since you were brought to Firdaus. In this time you have won our hearts and minds with your innocence and cheerfulness. But now the time has come for you to leave us and return home not only to your beloved mother who waits anxiously for you, but also to begin the most important part of your life’s mission.”

It was as if a dagger had pierced through Behramshah’s heart. He fell at the feet of his Master and began sobbing uncontrollably, begging him not make him leave this pure paradise. My dear Parsis, just writing these words brings tears to my eyes as I try to picture that scene nearly 150 years ago when Behramshah realized that his time in Demavand was drawing to a close. Who, in his right mind and senses, would want to leave paradise and come back to the material world of treachery and lies? Who would want to move even one step away from the august presence of a Sraoshavarez? Who would want to stop breathing the pure, spiritually charged air of Firdaus in exchange for the pollution filled air of the outside world? The Sraoshavarez picked up Behramshah and comforted him: “You shall always be in our hearts, and whenever you need us, we will always be there for you, Behramshah. I have made arrangements for everything.”

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Roj Ardibehesht Mah Ardibehesht, 1379 Yz.

The education of Behramshah continued at an intensive level, given his short stay. The following description may seem a little complicated some of my readers but I am going into some deep details to give you an idea about the depth of knowledge which was imparted to Ustad Saheb.

According to the Zarathushtrian mystic revelation, the all-encompassing knowledge or Ilm, can be grouped under four main categories:

• Ilm-e-Simia
• Ilm-e-Kimia
• Ilm-e-Rimia and
• Ilm-e-Limia

All knowledge, whether discovered in this current Zravane Daregho Khadata or not, falls under any one of these four categories. A brief description of each of these four categories is given below.

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Roj Rashne Mah Fravardin, 1379 Yz.

The effects of the pristine environment of Firdaus, and the cleansing effect of the Nahns soon began to influence Behramshah in a positive manner. His own personal habits were changed by monitoring the daily observances of the general population, in particular the great emphasis they laid on the ‘Tarikats’ or spiritual disciplines of the Zarathushtrian faith. After these preliminaries, the Sraoshavarez asked Behramshah what he would like to learn in particular, to which Behramshah disclosed a preference for studying Avesta. He was then placed under the tutelage of Banu Tanaz, a lady Abed, who started teaching Behramshah the script and primary grammar in a most loving and perfect manner. However, due to his inadequate schooling and slow grasping power, Behramshah’s progress was most mediocre.

The Sraoshavarez knew that Behramshah’s time in Firdaus was limited, yet he was to be entrusted with a lot of knowledge to help him in his later mission. A specific day was chosen by the Sraoshavarez to perform a special Afringan, in which Behramshah was also made to sit and recite some Manthras. After the ceremony was over, the consecrated Sherbet of the Afringan was given to Behramshah to drink. As soon as he drank the Sherbet, Behramshah realised that his stammer had been almost totally cured, and his ability to absorb and remember things increased manifold. His physical as well as mental faculties were energised and their limitations diminished. The great Iranian trait of always speaking the truth was now deeply ingrained in Behramshah’s consciousness.

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