How to light a correct Divo – part 2
How to Light a Divo, Primary, Zarathushtrian facts Add commentsNow let us look at the correct procedure to do the Divo at home. Once you have decided on the glass, the medium and the Kakro, make three sets of the same. That is, have three identical glasses, three ankras – one to go with each of the three glasses and a good number of Kakras to last a while. Keep a separate steel ‘dabba’ or a glass bottle in which you will store the Ghee or oil. Also keep a separate cleaning brush and soap/liquid to clean these vessels. All these implements should be stored in such a manner that no person in an ‘unclean’ state or a non-Parsi can come into contact with them. A high shelf in the kitchen cabinet can be reserved only for this purpose and instructions given to maintain its exclusivity. Similarly, the place where you will keep the Divo (generally a glass shelf with photographs of the departed relatives and/or the Prophet) should be such that accidental touching by unauthorised persons is avoided.
Fill two of the three glasses with the Ghee or oil and place the ankra with the Kakra in the full glass. Both these glasses should be put on the Diva stand or altar. If you have an earlier Diva, light one of the glasses by taking a slim stick of sandalwood (to be used only for this purpose from then on), dipping it in the oil of the already lit diva, lighting the stick from the divo and then setting alight the new diva with the use of the stick. While lighting the new Divo, softly recite one Ashem Vohu. Once the new Diva is alight, dip the burning sandalwood stick in the oil of either the new or the old Divo, again softly reciting one Ashem Vohu. Now standing in front of the newly lit Divo, recite the complete Diva no Namaskar (a very short prayer found in any Khordeh Avesta). Keep the second unlit Divo near the newly lit Divo. Allow the old Divo to extinguish itself and once the glass has completely cooled, only then take it for washing, using the separate cleaning material referred to earlier. The next day, light the unlit second Divo from yesterdays newly lit Divo following the procedure mentioned above. In this manner, the three glasses keep rotating – one goes for cleaning, the second one is lit and third one remains filled up and ready to receive the flame from the earlier Divo. As the unlit Divo stands next to the lit Divo the whole day, it absorbs the beneficial vibrations coming off from the lit divo, and everyday this strength increases.
This procedure ensures that there is a perpetual Divo in you house, and the fire is never allowed to extinguish, since it is taken from the old Divo and transferred to the new. This is very important. Many of us use matches to light a new Divo every time. This is incorrect. Light the new Divo only from the flame of an existing Divo. Also note that matches are covered with chemicals which cause them to ignite giving off a pungent odour. That is disallowed in the religion. So always use a sandalwood stick.
Traditional Parsis would have realised by now that this is a poor but completely correct alternative to having the Dadgah, or Holy Fire in the house at all times, as was practiced by our grandparents and their forefathers. The most vital thing is to ensure that at no time does the Divo extinguish. The efforts of so many months or years can be puffed out in a second of carelessness. Using good quality ingredients, maintaining an alert vigil and most important – having the burning desire in your heart to keep the Flame alive perpetually will go a long way in ensuring this.
In the next post we shall analyse how to correctly do the Divo in an Agiary.
Ervad Marzban J. Hathiram
Dear Ervad Marzban,
I have seen in very many Agiaries, the diva na glasses being washed and cleaned by non-Zoroastrians. Is it that the mobed sahebs of those establishments are unaware of the correct procedure?
You also mention about maintaing an akhand divo which you compare to a Dadgah at home. Whilst I certainly do agree with you of the practice followed by our ancestors, and I do recall the same which was practiced in my ancestral home, but in todays world, is it possible? What happens when a family has to shut home for a short period of time when they are away?
Lastly, in most Agiaries, the divo is lit by lighting a match stick. Can this practice not be changed to the one you described, i.e., lighting the divo, with a thin sandalwood stick?
With warm regards,
Burjor P. Randeria
Dear Mr. Randeria,
Your observation is correct. It is not that Panthakis of these Agiaries are not aware. They are just not pressurised enough by their Behdins to stop this unholy practice. A few concerted individuals can easily put an end to this. there is no shortage of Parsi labour is one makes an effort to find them and pay decent wages.
My answer to your second query is very simple. If every Parsi home followed the practice of keeping the Akhand Divo, then the neighbours could easily take care of an additional Divo when you wanted to leave town for a long duration and they would hand back the same on your return. At some time you could return the same favour and hence everyone would be happy. In fact a couple of my friends in America who maintain a constant Fire in their houses follow this practice whenever one of the families come to India or go out for a trip.
You are right about the third point too. In fact matches are being used in my Daremeher too. I am taking steps to end this practice.
Best regards,
Ervad Marzban J. Hathiram
Dear Ervad Saheb Marazban,
correct me but i feel that a divo should be kept in such a way that no non- Zoroastrians or person in an impure state gaze their sight on the divo. So if you agree with me do give a few suggestions for the same.
Dear Cyrus,
That is correct. Even in our homes, the Divo or Divo stand should have a foldable or removable stand or screen such that non-Zs or men and women in an impure state do not gaze on to the Divo. The simplest alternative is to take one of the many greeting cards we receive with pictures of Zarathushtra or the Fire on them (which is a most un-zoroastrian thing to do), and use the upright card as a screen to shield the divo glass from the gaze of persons not supposed to be looking at the Divo. A more elaborate manner is to have a folding door or shutter over the entire Diva stand which can be closed when non-Parsi helpers come to clean the house or when one of the family members is in an impure state. Those who maintain a constant Fire in their houses should also take the above precautions.
Best regards,
Ervad Marzban J. Hathiram
I keep a akhand divo in the house. Do i have to cover it up fully when a non parsi is present in the house or just a glass ring would do.
Your earlier post answers my question. I am sorry. I have reapeted the query which was already asked by Cyrus.