Zarathushtrian Yoga – Frashogard

Zoroastrian yoga – part 3 – the Padyab ritual

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.]

(more…)

6 Comments

July 1, 2010

How to do the Kusti / Zarathushtrian facts / Zarathushtrian Yoga

An introduction to Zoroastrian Yoga – part 2

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.

(more…)

6 Comments

May 22, 2010

Parsis, yoga and pranayama / What is prayer / Zarathushtrian facts / Zarathushtrian Yoga

An introduction to Zoroastrian Yoga – part 1

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.

(more…)

4 Comments

April 28, 2010