Emerging alternatives to the use of Sandalwood

Posted by:

Roj Sarosh Mah Spendarmad

Parsis have had a long association with sandalwood, which goes back many thousands of years. There are several references in the Shah Nameh where specific mention is made of sandalwood which was imported from India and Ceylon for the use of the Royal families. The existence of these ancient trade routes was one of the reasons why Parsis came to India after the end of the Sassanian dynasty and the Arab invasion of Iran.

In India, the ample ...

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Being a good Parsi, even in hospital – part 2

Posted by:

Roj Dae-pa-Adar Mah Spendarmad, 1381 Yz.

Another issue which arises in these times of crisis is our inability to properly understand the cause and nature of human suffering. I remember an article in the Times of India which was very critical of a modern day Godman. The reporter found it perplexing that hundreds of thousands of believers came to him to get rid of their ills, yet the Baba himself was confined to a wheelchair. But the nature of suffering endured ...

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Being a good Parsi, even in the hospital – part 1

Posted by:

Roj Bahman Mah Spendarmad, 1381 Yz.

Rare is the person who has not, at some point in his life, had to be admitted to a hospital. It can be one of the most terrifying experiences of our lives. The Zoroastrian religion emphasizes that each trial and tribulation must be faced calmly and firmly. We must strive to learn something new from every experience, whether good or bad. I recently underwent surgery to repair a spinal injury and spent one week in ...

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How to put Loban

Posted by:

Roj Khordad Mah Tir, 1381 Yz.

In my interaction with devotees at our Daremeher and outside I have noticed that there is a great deal of ignorance about the correct procedures to be followed when visiting our spiritual institutions. One such case in point is the procedure to be followed by a devotee after the prayers for a deceased member of the family have been done.

When a family member passes away, the relatives of the deceased generally have prayers said with ...

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Becoming a better Parsi in 1381 Yz.

Posted by:

Roj Khorshed Mah Fravardin, 1381 Yz.

I wish all readers of Frashogard a happy, prosperous and spiritually enriching new year!

Our special sacred guests have departed after their 18 day stay, the tables have been cleared and stowed away, the hall cleaned and empty once again. After the intense activities of the Muktad days, it feels very quiet in the Agiary. On one hand is the relief that the heavy days are over, that we were able to serve our sacred visitors ...

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How to come to terms with a tragedy – part 1

Posted by:

Roj Din Mah Amardad, 1380 Yz.

Tragedies have a habit of sneaking up on us. One minute we are laughing, content and full of plans for the future. An occasional visit to the doctor, a casual observation, a blood report, the next moment, brings all this to an end. Our carefully built edifice based on our best laid plans, years of hopes and aspirations – all comes tumbling down. Rare is the person who has not looked up to his Creator ...

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The real meaning of the 5 Nyaeshes

Posted by:

Roj Aneran Mah Fravardin, 1380 Yz.

The Prayers of the Khordeh Avesta can be categorized into two main groups – Nyaeshes and Yashts. Those who may have noticed the curious incidence of having Khorshed Nyaesh as well as Khorshed Yasht may have wondered at this. Why have a Nyaesh as well as a Yasht for the same Yazata? Our scholars and religious teachers have not been able to give a plausible and reasonable explanation for this anomaly. However, when this query ...

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A wish list for 1380 Yz

Posted by:

Roj Khorshed Mah Fravardin, 1380 Yz.

On 16th June, 632 AD, Yazdegard, son of Shaharyar ascended the throne of Iran as the 29th King of the Sassanian dynasty. As was the custom in those days, the Imperial Calendar was reset, with the year of the new King’s ascension to the throne marking the beginning of the new calendar. It was a tragic reign, marked by defeats, one after the other, culminating in the disastrous battle of Nehavand in 642 AD, which ...

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Varasyaji of the Navsari Bhagarsath Anjuman passes away

Posted by:

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) ...

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