Frashogard

Roj Avan Mah Sherevar, 1379 Yz.

I am happy to inform readers that the Bhagarsath Anjuman has elected Ervad Kaikhushroo Navroze Dastoor (more popularly known as K. N. Dastoor, or KND) as the 17th Dastur Meherjirana in place of Dastur Meherji Dastur Kekobad, who expired on 23rd January as reported earlier.

This morning, the Bhagarsath Anjuman met under the leadership of Dasturji Firoze M. Kotwal After deliberations, Ervad K. N. Dastoor was offered the post and he accepted.

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Roj Adar Mah Sherevar, 1379 Yz.

It is my solemn duty to inform readers of the sad demise of Vada Dasturji Meherji Dastur Kekobad Meherjirana, the Vada Dastur not only of the Navsari Bhagaria Mobeds but also the senior most Vada Dastur throughout India. Dasturji Meherjirana (or just Dasturji, as we used to call him affectionately and respectfully) was the 16th descendant of the first Dastur Meherjirana who was elected Vada Dastur by the Behdins and Mobed Sahebs of Navsari in 1579. This appointment was in recognition of the great fame that was achieved by this pious Dastur in the court of the Mughal ruler Akbar, where he had been invited to join an august assembly of learned men to discuss the intricacies of religion, philosophy and science. Through the power of his prayers and his great piety and majestic bearing, Dastur Meherjirana captured the attention of Akbar and was gifted 200 bighas of land in the village of Gelkhari near Navsari. Since then, the descendants of this pious Dastur have assumed the title Dastur Meherjirana and have traditionally been given respect as the senior most of all the other Dasturs.

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Roj Spendarmad Mah Sherevar, 1379 Yz.

Old prayer books or other religious literature should be collected and kept separately. When a sufficient quantity has been collected, they should be opened out and placed in a wide metal bin and then lit up using a match stick. A stick can be used to push around the heap till the fire has reduced all the pages to ashes. After cooling, the ashes should be mixed with the ash kept in the tray of the house Afarganyu. A similar method can be employed to destroy old photographs, religious symbols or pictures. When an excess amount of ash is collected the same should be packed in a paper bag (never plastic or any other non-bio-degradable substance) and taken to the local Agiary and the priest should be requested to dispose of the ash along with the ash which is removed from the Afarganyas used in the Agiary.

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Roj Ardibehesht Mah Sherevar, 1379 Yz.

A question commonly arises in most Parsi homes – how to deal with old items of a religious nature which are no longer in a usable condition. These include old, torn Sudreh; worn out or broken Kustis; tattered Khordeh Avesta or prayer books or other religious literature; photographs or illustrations of the Prophet or other religious symbols usually (and unfortunately) printed on invitation or greeting cards; old metal Karasyas or vases consecrated for the Muktad ceremonies of relatives whose prayers have now been stopped. Another important, but totally ignored item includes the fruit peels or remains of consecrated fruit or eatables received as Chasni from various prayers and generally consigned to the dustbin.

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Roj Marespand Mah Amardad, 1379 Yz.

It was a hot and sultry afternoon, that 21st day of April, 1844 as Mr. Mancherji Hormuzdiar Chanddaru left the offices of the popular Parsi periodical ‘Chabuk’ (lit. Whip) near Gunbow Street in the busy Fort area of Bombay. As he walked down passing the well on the main street and entered a small lane, a group of some Parsi boys suddenly emerged and one of them swiftly unsheathed a long knife and dealt a deadly blow to the gentleman. As he fell down bleeding profusely and died, the boys escaped.

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