Frashogard

Roj Khordad Mah Spendarmad, 1379 Yz.

Tomorrow, Roj Amardad Mah Spendarmad (21st July) will mark the Siroza Chamsi (180th day after death) day of late Vada Dasturji Meherji Dastur Kekobad Meherjirana of Navsari. The day after, Roj Dae-pa-Adar Mah Spendarmad (22nd July) will mark his Chamsi (181st day after death). Prayers to mark both these solemn occasions will be recited at the Ustad Saheb Behramshah Nowroji Shroff Daremeher at Jogeshwari. On the 21st, the prayers will start with the special Siroza Stum, followed by Jore Siroza Afringan, Siroza Farokshi and Siroza, Ardafravash and Sarosh Bajs. At the same time, two other priests will begin the two Khub Yazashne ceremonies in preparation for the Siroza Vandidad which will take place in the Ushahin Gah that night. In the Aiwisruthrem Gah, a special Machi, followed by Sarosh-Patet prayers will be offered to the Padshah Saheb.

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Roj Marespand Mah Bahman, 1379 Yz.

It is my sad duty to inform readers that the elderly Varasyaji of the Bhagarsath Anjuman in Navsari passed away this afternoon. The Varasyaji had been ill for the last few days and despite medical attention, the end came today. He lived a very long life of 19 years. This Varasyaji had been consecrated by one of the senior most Boywalla Sahebs of the Bhagarsath Anjuman Atash Behram of Navsari, Ervad Edulji Kanga (now retired) along with young Boywalla Ervad Cyrus Panthaki (still serving as Boywalla).

This is an unprecedented occurrence when the Bhagarsath Anjuman has lost two of its Varasyajis in the span of two weeks.

Vada Dasturji Kaikhushroo N. Meherji Rana is presently in Navsari and overseeing matters concerning the Varasyaji. Elders of the Bhagarsath Anjuman are in discussions to firm up the events in the next few days. A search has been initiated to find a suitable replacement for the deceased Varasyaji. I am thankful to Ervad Keki Ravji, senior Yaozdathregar Mobed and Panthaki of the Cama Baug Agiary and his son Ervad Farzad for providing me with relevant information.

Readers of Frashogard will join me in praying one Ashem Vohu in honour of the deceased Varasyaji and make a fervent wish in their daily prayers that the Bhagarsath Anjuman is successful in finding a replacement for the Varasyaji at the earliest.

Ervad Marzban J. Hathiram

Roj Jamyad Mah Bahman, 1379 Yz.

In my earlier post I had informed readers about the sad demise of Shah Behram – the Bhagarsath Anjuman’s Varasyaji in Mumbai and the significance and importance of this majestic religious instrument in our religion. In the same post I had also noted that the Bhagarsath Anjuman had kept a spare white bull to be consecrated as and when the need arose. After the death of Shah Behram, the spare bull, called Varzavand, was expected to be duly consecrated as the spiritual heir to Shah Behram.

Unfortunately, the spare bull developed a skin infection which resulted in some fungus forming on its body. The fungus had the appearance of a black patch. Although leading veterinary doctors were consulted and they opined that the patch would disappear in due course, as a matter of abundant caution, the elders of the Bhagarsath in Mumbai decided to look for another bull which they could initiate.

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Roj Dae-pa-Din Mah Bahman, 1379Yz.

Today, July 7, 2010 marks the 83rd death anniversary of our beloved Master, Ustad Saheb Behramshah Nowroji Shroff. Ceremonies to mark this occasion are taking place not only in the Ustad Saheb Behramshah Nowroji Shroff Daremeher at Jogeshwari, but also in various Agiaries and Atash Behrams throughout India. That a person is remembered so many years after his death with such reverence and awe is in itself a miracle. We have seen glimpses of his rich and chequered life in our series through the last year. I intend to bring out this series on his life in a book form so that more of our community may know the real facts behind this most amazing person.

Several Parsis, especially those who claim to be “well read, modern, independent thinkers” become very uncomfortable whenever the name of Ustad Saheb is taken. Even if an explanation for a difficult point in the religion is given to them, the fact that the source of this explanation comes from the revelations of Ustad Saheb makes them immediately reject the same, without applying their famous “rational mind” to the explanation.

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Roj Sarosh Mah Bahman, 1379 Yz.

The Kusti ritual begins with the ceremony of ‘Padyab’, literally, ‘putting water over’, that is, purifying the exposed parts of the body will pure well water. How is this done in the right manner? Take a copper Karasya filled with well water in the left hand. Praying “Khshnaothra Ahurahe Mazdao, Ashem Vohu 1″ first gaze into the Karasya, making sure the eyes make visual contact with the water in the Karasya. Then wash the right hand first, from the elbow joint to the tip of the fingers, followed by the left hand in the same way (while washing the left hand, the Karasya would be held in the right hand). Then, taking some of the water in the cup of the hand and passing it into the mouth, the oral cavity should be cleaned by gargling three times, taking care not to swallow any water. Thereafter, clean the whole face, taking care to wipe the nape of the neck and the back of the ears. Next, wash the exposed feet (right first, followed by left) from the ankle to the toes in a downward motion, taking care to clean both the top as well as the sole of the feet. Finally wash the hand used to wash the feet. [Note: The sequence given above is for a male. For females, the order is always left first, followed by right.]

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