Roj Sherevar Mah Khordad, 1380 Yz. Thanks to spiritually ignorant Trustees and the glare of modernity, the work of Dastur Mulla Kaus and Feroze was undone, when, in order to…
Roj Jamyad Mah Ardibehest, 1380 Yz. Mulla Kaus and Mulla Feroze returned to Surat on 9th February, 1780. Their sponsor and benefactor, Dhunjishah Manjishah was in Mumbai at that time,…
Roj Ashtad Mah Ardibehest, 1380 Yz. Today, 13th October 2010 marks the 37th death anniversary of Seth Jehangirji S. Chiniwalla, the lion of Ilm-e-Khshnoom. A few words in his memory…
Roj Dae-pa-Din Mah Ardibehest, 1380 Yz. The centuries after the Islamic conquest of Iran were a period of untold hardship for the few Zoroastrians who refused to convert to the…
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Roj Asman Mah Sherevar, 1379 Yz.
With the growing power of his amal and the blessings of Ustad Saheb, Dr. Framroze began his life mission – the writing of authoritative volumes on Khshnoom. An ardent fan of Persian poetry and a great researcher in Iranian and world history, Dr. Framroze first concentrated on setting right the wrongs perpetrated by biased Greek historians, who wrote about the Persian empire with great jealousy and hatred. These Greek sources formed the bedrock of modern historical studies at that time and resulted in the Persians being depicted in almost barbaric fashion, whereas the truth was far removed from these fallacies.
Roj Ashtad Mah Sherevar, 1379 Yz.
That very evening there was a stormy meeting between Ustad Saheb and his close disciples, wherein the Master publicly scolded those who had failed him so miserably. Instead of accepting their errors and seeking forgiveness, a leading student fought back and insulted the Master using very crude language. Heartbroken, the Master decided to return to Surat and for a full year did not come to Bombay. When he finally came back in March 1924 to attend the Fasli Muktad, the same students who had let him down publicly announced their repentance and drafted an apology letter. However, the damage had been done and Ustad Saheb retired to Surat to spend the remaining part of his life, never to return again to Bombay.
Roj Din Mah Sherevar, 1379 Yz.
When it became public knowledge that Ustad Saheb had chosen 1st April 1923 as the day for breaking the ground for the new Fasli Dadgah at Behram Baug, there was some consternation amongst his followers. An old friend of Ustad Saheb and an accomplished astrologer, Dr. Kavasji Golwalla pointed out to some friends that this was a strange choice since it happened to be an Amaas (no moon) night. But Behramshah insisted that from a religious angle it was an opportune day and hence the negative influence of the no moon night would be insignificant. Many days before the event, Ustad Saheb had selected two of his close students – Mr. Tehmurasp Davar and Mr. Dinshaw Masani, to undergo a series of prayer recitals which would cause certain changes within their bodies and make them eligible to help Ustad Saheb in his onerous task. After some delay, even these preparations were completed. A few days before the date, Ustad Saheb himself arrived at Andheri and began his own personal preparations to undertake his mission.
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.
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.
He is currently quite ill, which has set back a few things that were scheduled such as the traditional acceptance of the position. The doctor’s orders are that he will have to buy oxycodone with pay pal and take it for several days, and rest for two weeks as well. His health is the biggest concern obviously, so we will delay the festivities as much as is necessary so he will recover.
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.