Frashogard

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 Amardad Mah Bahman, 1379 Yz.

It is my sad duty to inform readers of Frashogard that the holy Varasyaji ‘Shah Behram’, attached to the Bhagarsath Panth in Mumbai and stationed at the Cama Baug Agiary passed away this morning. The Pak Varasyaji had suffered a fall a few days ago and that led to paralysis. Although the best medical care was given to him at the hospital, Shah Behram could not be revived. Shah Behram lived to the very ripe age of 18 years and was older than the Varasyaji of Udvada who passed away last year. Later this morning, the body of Shah Behram was taken to the Dungerwadi grounds where it was buried, after placing a Sudreh and Kusti over its horns. The Varasyaji is one of the very few holy members of the animal kingdom which is allowed to be buried in the ground. The Anasers (spiritual building blocks which form the basis for DNA and the physical body) of the Varasyaji are so sublime that no pollution is caused in the earth by the burial of its body. Rather the earth eagerly welcomes receiving his body in her. Over many hundreds of years, the sublime Anasers of the Varasyaji will transmute into some precious ore. All other bodies (including humans) need to be exposed to the sunlight for their proper disposal.

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Roj Amardad Mah Adar, 1379 Yz.

Some readers of Frashogard have asked me to comment on an unfortunate incident which happened at Dungerwadi last week on 15th April. What really happened can be described very briefly as follows:

A Parsi gentleman residing at Godrej Baug passed away and the four days’ ceremonies were to be held at Dungerwadi. The family of the deceased entrusted the responsibility of the prayers to the Jokhi Agiary at Godrej Baug, currently managed by Mrs. Mahrukh P. Madan. As per normal practice, Mrs. Madan contacted her Dungerwadi liaison Mobed, Ervad Jal Balsara to make arrangements there and also deputed a Mobed from her Agiary, Ervad Dara Karanjia to stand for the Geh Sarna prayer.

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Roj Sarosh Mah Sherevar, 1379 Yz.

Today marked the Dasma (10th day after death) of Dasturji Meherji. A series of ceremonies was held, both in Navsari and at the Ustad Saheb Behramshah N. Shroff Daremeher in Jogeshwari to mark this occasion. On the previous day, a complete Vandidad ceremony was also performed at Jogeshwari by young Ervad Sahebs Kurush Dastur and Yazad Mandviwala, currently studying at the Dadar Athornan Institute.

A few days ago, I went on a one-day trip to Navsari to meet Mrs. Meherbanu, the wife of late Dasturji Meherji.

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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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