Varasyaji Varzavand is consecrated

Posted on Monday, July 12, 2010 by 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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Posted in Events, Varasyaji, Zarathushtrian facts, Zarathushtrian Miracles | 15 Comments

83rd Baj of Ustad Saheb Behramshah N. Shorff

Posted on Wednesday, July 7, 2010 by Ervad Marzban J. Hathiram

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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Posted in Life of the Master, Zarathushtrian Miracles | 9 Comments

Zoroastrian yoga – part 3 – the Padyab ritual

Posted on Thursday, July 1, 2010 by Ervad Marzban J. Hathiram

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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Posted in How to do the Kusti, Parsis, yoga and pranayama, Zarathushtrian facts, Zarathushtrian Yoga | 3 Comments

Shah Behram passes away

Posted on Monday, June 21, 2010 by Ervad Marzban J. Hathiram

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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Posted in Events, Varasyaji, Zarathushtrian facts, Zarathushtrian Miracles | 17 Comments

An introduction to Zoroastrian Yoga – part 2

Posted on Saturday, May 22, 2010 by Ervad Marzban J. Hathiram

Roj Amardad Mah Dae, 1379 Yz.

The essence of Zoroastrian yoga is the purification of the Aipi. The fundamental building blocks for the correct and effective practice of Zoroastrian yoga are Manthra, Mithra and Yasna. ‘Manthra’ implies the correct and audible pronunciation of specific Avesta or Pazend prayer formulations. ‘Mithra’ implies running the correct and powerful thought processes or ‘thought capsules’ which relate to the deep, inner meaning of the Manthra passages being recited. ‘Yasna’ means performing the special kinetics or ritualistic processes associated with the particular Mantra. Whenever we begin the process of performing the Kusti or any other form of Zoroastrian yoga, these three building blocks must always and compulsorily be in unison. This is the real Zoroastrian form of meditation – it’s not easy, but a conscious effort must be made to try and put it into practice.

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Posted in How to do the Kusti, Zarathushtrian facts, Zarathushtrian Yoga | 5 Comments

An introduction to Zoroastrian Yoga – part 1

Posted on Wednesday, April 28, 2010 by Ervad Marzban J. Hathiram

Roj Tir Mah Adar, 1379 Yz.

The earlier post on Parsis, yogic exercises, and pranayam introduced readers to the Zoroastrian concept of Dum, or spiritual breath and the divine truth that the number of a person’s breathes are predetermined in nature. It was shown that any attempt to elongate, prolong or extend the individual breath cycle causes spiritual regression for the Zoroastrian soul. This was one of the main reasons for the prohibition of pranayama or breath control or elongation which forms an intrinsic part of Hath yoga. The earlier article also introduced to readers the very important concept of Ushtan, or life breath. Every person draws in, along with the oxygen vital to his or her existence, a part of the breath of the Prophet of their respective religion. This Ushtan is what causes the ultra-physical and divine parts of his body to live and perform their necessary functions. The ceremony to connect the breath of a Zoroastrian to the breath of his Prophet Zarathushtra is the Navjote. The practice of pranayam or the chanting of mantras of religions other than his own causes lack of faith in a Zoroastrian and results in severe spiritual regression of the soul. It was clarified that the practice of doing yogic asanas for health or therapeutic purposes was allowed as long as it was not accompanied by the chanting of any alien mantra or words.

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Posted in Parsis, yoga and pranayama, What is prayer, Zarathushtrian facts, Zarathushtrian Yoga | 4 Comments

My response to the incident at Dungerwadi

Posted on Thursday, April 22, 2010 by Ervad Marzban J. Hathiram

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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Posted in Dungerwadi, Events, Zarathushtrian facts | 18 Comments

Jame Jamshed betrays the community’s trust – once again

Posted on Tuesday, April 20, 2010 by Ervad Marzban J. Hathiram

Roj Spendarmad Mah Adar, 1379 Yz.

For the last few years, the community has had to bear in silence the brunt of the reformist agenda posted through the columns of the venerable Jame Jamshed newspaper, which was once the bastion of orthodoxy and religiousness. Many campaigns and attacks were carried out through this newspaper on our religion, its sacred institutions, our Manthras and our long standing traditions. This was possible due to the absolute intellectual, ethical and moral inadequacy of the so-called editor of the paper.

The hopes of the right minded and traditional community members were greatly uplifted when Ms. Shernaaz Engineer was appointed Editor of the Jame by the owners a few months ago. Well known for her upright behaviour, ethical attitude and journalistic pride and courage, Ms. Engineer was like a breath of fresh air. She promised to bring about righteous change in the manner in which the paper was run and within a short time we did see significant and positive changes, not only in terms of editorial content and presentation but also righting the balance between orthodox and reformist sections of the community.

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Posted in Jame Jamshed, Zarathushtrian facts | 13 Comments

Parsis, yoga and pranayama

Posted on Monday, March 15, 2010 by Ervad Marzban J. Hathiram

Roj Marespand Mah Meher, 1379 Yz.

Today’s fast paced and chemical-laden life has brought, in addition to the comforts and conveniences of the modern age, new and varied illnesses and disorders that plague most of us. Physical wellness and being fit is high up on most persons’ wish list. This desire for wellness and a disease free existence has spawned a large industry which thrives on people’s insecurities and is the main reason for the introduction of a number of methods and fads which aim to bring wellness and balance in the modern person’s hectic life, for a price of course.

Doctors advise that a daily regimen of some form of exercise or aerobic activity should be an integral part of our life. Keeping in mind the negative effects of modern medicine, the ancient science of Ayurveda, along with its adjunct Yoga, has enjoyed a surge and revival. Several Yoga Acharyas have received worldwide fame and respect for their ability to use this ancient science to cure our modern day illnesses. Even in the western world, Yoga is a hot item and numerous institutes and centres have sprung up to take advantage of this growing interest.

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Posted in Parsis, yoga and pranayama, Zarathushtrian facts | 21 Comments

The miraculous life of our Master – part 30

Posted on Monday, February 15, 2010 by Ervad Marzban J. Hathiram

Roj Hormuz Mah Meher, 1379 Yz.

As can be expected from our community press, none of the newspapers carried any news about the passing of the Master. Mr. Jehangir Vimadalal, a leading advocate and great believer of Ustad Saheb made inquiries and found out that although an obituary had been written and sent to the Jame Jamshed for publication, the same was not carried since it contained the names of the Masani brothers and Jame Jamshed did not print anything with their name! Finally, Mr. Vimadalal himself penned an article on the life of the Master and it appeared in Jame three weeks after his passing away. The Theosophical magazine ‘Cherag’ carried an obituary on Ustad Saheb written by Mr. Ardeshir Billimoria, an admirer of the Master. Later on a small note on Ustad Saheb was printed in the Parsi Prakash magazine.

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Posted in Life of the Master, Zarathushtrian facts, Zarathushtrian Miracles | 6 Comments