What is prayer – part 5

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Roj Sarosh Mah Bahman, 1378 Yz.

 

When man consciously decides to go along with the Gav side of nature, speaks the truth and increases day by day the practice of Manthravani, a subtle change begins to occur in him – on the physical, emotional as well as spiritual level. One of the first characteristics which is developed through the practice of Manthravani is CONTENTMENT. Contentment implies offering thanks to Ahura Mazda for whatever condition He may put us in. This is ...

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What is prayer – part 4

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Roj Meher Mah Bahman, 1378 Yz.

We have seen earlier that our mind is constantly in the process of originating, analyzing and processing various thoughts. These thoughts, which can be either good, or Gav encouraged; or bad, or Vohun encouraged give rise to a sublime body which forms around our physical body. This sublime body is called ‘Tevishi’ – the emotions, or desire body. Thus our every thought and the resultant word and deed gather around our physical frame in a ...

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What is prayer – part 3

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Roj Tir Mah Bahman, 1378 Yz.

Prayers are known in the Avesta as ‘Manthra Spenta’. Manthra means Divine Words, a revelation, while Spenta implies something which gives spiritual progress and benefit. The Avesta Manthras are thus not compositions of a human, but are the essence of the Divine Wisdom received by Zarathushtra from Ahura Mazda, condensed and formulated into a language that can be spoken by the human tongue. These original Avesta Manthras were of various categories, which were then further ...

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What is prayer? part 2

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Roj Avan Mah Bahman, 1378 Yz

Khshnoom – which is the mystical knowledge of the Zarathushtrian religion explains that man’s soul, called Urvan in Avesta or Ruvan in Pahlavi is on a long journey. This journey took the Ruvan from its original destination, which was very close to the Supreme Lord Ahura Mazda, to very far away. Currently, the Ruvan is on its way back ‘home’ – to Ahura Mazda. Why did the Ruvan have to set out on this journey? ...

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What is prayer – part 1

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Roj Dae-pa-Adar Mah Bahman, 1378 Yz.

Of the many gifts given to Parsis by their Prophet Zarathushtra, that of the Manthras is one of the most significant. Manthras are the divine words of the Prophet and His appointed disciples which form what we loosely call today the ‘Avesta’. Over the thousands of years that have passed since the time of the advent of Zarathushtra, the great majority of the Manthras have been, unfortunately, lost. What we have left is not more ...

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How to attend a Paidust – part 4

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Roj Khorshed Mah Meher, 1378 Yz.

In our previous post we understood the meaning of ‘putting’ or ‘releasing’ the Baj of Sarosh at the point where the body is placed in the Dokhma and the helper gives the signal of ‘Bawaji, Baj mukjo.’

Once the signal is given, one can finish the Baj of Sarosh and then recite the Namaskar of the Dokhma and Namaskar of the Mountain (since Dungerwadi is on a hilltop) as given in the book.

After reciting the Namaskar, ...

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How to attend a Paidust – some queries answered

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Roj Mahrespand Mah Sherevar, 1378 Yz.

A lady has asked the following queries after reading yesterday’s post on the Paidust.

1. Can pregnant women attend any of the other ceremonies performed for the deceased (at Dungerwadi or at the Agiary) – like Sarosh nu Patru or Uthamna or the later ceremonies like Dasma, Masiso, Chamsi, Varsi, Muktad prayers, etc?

2. Ahunavaiti Gatha is also prayed during the Gatha days by many – may it be at home or in the Agiary – what ...

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How to attend a Paidust – part 3

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Roj Jamyad Mah Sherevar, 1378 Yz.

In our earlier two posts we have covered the aspects of attending a Paidust up to the stage where the two priests begin the recitation of the Ahunavaiti Gatha which is known as the Geh Sarna ritual.

The person attending the Paidust has already ‘taken’ his Baj of Sarosh and is therefore in the ‘no-talk’ phase. This is a good time to closely listen to the priests and manner in which they recite this particular prayer. ...

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How to attend a Paidust – part 2

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Roj Khordad Mah Sherevar, 1378 Yz.

We have seen in the earlier post that attending the Paidust is more of a spiritual responsibility rather than a social chore. After examining the correct attire for a Paidust let us now proceed further.

The Dungerwadi premises comprise of a number of Bunglis or small bungalow cottages where the four days’ ceremonies of Parsis are performed. After ascertaining which Bungli is hosting the prayers for the deceased person concerned, Parsi attendees to the ...

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How to attend a Paidust – part 1

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Roj Jamyad Mah Amardad, 1378 Yz.

On my numerous visits to Dungerwadi to attend the Paidust (Parsi funeral service) of relatives, friends and clients, I have observed widely divergent types of behaviour on the part other Parsis who come there for a similar purpose. They usually make use of a proper funeral cover guide to help them pay their respects without worrying about finances. There seems to be a general level of ignorance as to what needs to be done ...

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