The Wondrous Circle of Life – part 2

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The Wondrous Circle of Life – part 2

Roj Sarosh Mah Meher, 1380 Yz.

The Bhoi prayers performed during the first four days provide protection and sustenance to the Ruvan, Baodangh and Fravashi (now collectively called Ruvan), as they take their seat near the head of the physical body. The Keherp, Ushtan and Tevishi bodies (collectively called Keherp from now on) coalesce to form a small receptacle, in the shape of the Farohar image which is commonly seen today, in which the Ruvan sits. The lighted Divo, the Sachkar ...

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3
MAR
8

Circle of Life, Zarathushtrian facts

The Wondrous Circle of Life – part 1

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The Wondrous Circle of Life – part 1

Roj Khorshed Mah Meher, 1380 Yz.

Where do we come from? Why are we here? What do we need to do here? Where will we go? These are the essential and existential questions asked by all at some point or other in our life. Great philosophers and thinkers have applied their immense intellect to come up with answers that may satisfy our urge to know the reality behind this earth. A famous musician and singer wrote eloquently:

From the day we arrive ...

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25
FEB
9

Circle of Life, Zarathushtrian facts

The Ilm-e-Khshnoom SkyDrive digitization project

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The Ilm-e-Khshnoom SkyDrive digitization project

Roj Khorshed Mah Ardibehesht, 1380 Yz.

A great hurdle to the serious student of our religion and its mystic side has been the acute shortage of good and reliable books. The great surge of printing books happened at the beginning of the 20th century. However, these books have been long out of print or stored in libraries inaccessible to the normal student.

In case of Khshnoom, the experience was no better. Despite a huge output of books, magazines, newspapers and articles, many ...

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28
SEP
14

Events, Khshnoom books, Zarathushtrian facts

A wish list for 1380 Yz

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A wish list for 1380 Yz

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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29
AUG
28

Pateti Mubarak, Wish list for 1380 Yz, Zarathushtrian facts

Can we wish each other Pateti Mubarak?

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Can we wish each other Pateti Mubarak?

Gatha Ahunavad, 1379 Yz.

 

On 19th August, we Parsis will celebrate our New Year with traditional gaiety, visiting Agiaries and Atash Behrams, going to see comic theatricals, eating Pulao Dal, sali boti, patra-ni-machhi and wishing one another ‘Pateti Mubarak’. Newspapers will diligently carry small reports on the celebrations, perhaps with a photograph of a happy family posing in front of a fire temple; some will even wish their Parsi readers on the occasion. As the 18th night turns to 19th, mobile ...

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14
AUG
22

Pateti Mubarak, Zarathushtrian facts

When the souls come a-visiting

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When the souls come a-visiting

Roj Ashishvangh Mah Spendarmad, 1379 Yz.

 

Ten days before the Parsi New Year, fire temples around the city are dotted with roses and other flowers. One can see Parsi families dressed in spotless white, heads covered with scarves or caps, proceeding solemnly to their Agiaries with their hands full of floral offerings.

Parsis believe that during these ten days – called Farvardegan in Pahlavi or Muktad in Gujarati – the ruvans or souls of their dear departed visit the Earth. It is ...

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8
AUG
46

Muktad, Zarathushtrian facts

Siroza and Chamsi day of late Vada Dasturji Meherjirana

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Siroza and Chamsi day of late Vada Dasturji Meherjirana

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 ...

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20
JUL
5

Dasturji Meherjirana, Zarathushtrian facts

Varasyaji of the Navsari Bhagarsath Anjuman passes away

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Varasyaji of the Navsari Bhagarsath Anjuman passes away

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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13
JUL
5

Events, Varasyaji, Zarathushtrian facts

Varasyaji Varzavand is consecrated

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Varasyaji Varzavand is consecrated

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 ...

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12
JUL
18

Events, Varasyaji, Zarathushtrian facts, Zarathushtrian Miracles

Zoroastrian yoga – part 3 – the Padyab ritual

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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 ...

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1
JUL
6

How to do the Kusti, Parsis, yoga and pranayama, Zarathushtrian facts, Zarathushtrian Yoga

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