Death Anniversary of Dastur Kukadaru

Posted by:

Today, 8th September 2007, Roj Behram Mah Fravardin is the Baj (death anniversary) according to the Shahenshahi calendar, of the pious Dastur Jamshed Ervad Sohrab Kukadaru (or Kukana, by some accounts).

Dasturji Kukadaru was born on 27th May, 1831 (Roj Jamyad, Mah Ava, 1200 Yz.) and passed away on 4th October, 1900 (Roj Behram, Mah Fravardin, 1270 YZ.)

Dasturji Kukadaru was one of the last great Zarathushtrian priests who had the spiritual power known as ‘Amal’ or spiritual potency which enabled him to bend the laws of nature to produce what we today call ‘miracles’.

The presence of the power of Amal is totally dependant on the lifestyle followed by the person. Dasturji lived a life of strict religious rigour, maintaining the intricate rules of purity, not even touching food cooked by anyone else, or wearing clothes directly washed by the ‘Dhobi’. His life was marked by simplicity, frugality and deep devotion accompanied by the scholarly study of old manuscripts and scriptures. The combination of these factors led to Dasturji achieving a very devout and high reputation within his lifetime. Of his many miracles, perhaps the most well known is the help he provided to the establishment of the Anjuman Atash Behram, by alchemising a normal brick into one of pure gold which was then sold and the money used to make up the shortfall in the construction costs. It is for this reason that the hall of the Atash Behram is named after him.

Dasturji was also acknowledged as an authority on ritual matters and he helped solved several of the controversies going on within the priestly circles in those times. A small monologue of his arguing over which ‘Karda’ should be recited in the Afringan – the ‘Yao Visad’ or ‘Tao Ahmi Nmane’ (which remains even today a most contentious point among the different Mobed tolas) is available at the Mahella Patel Agiary library at Grant Road. It is for this reason, that although Dasturji was a normal Ervad and not descended from a hereditary line of ‘Dasturs’ or High Priests, the title of Dastur was still bestowed on him.

The proof (if any is required) of Dasturji’s spiritual prowess is that even today, several individuals claim that the Ruvan of Dasturji has helped them in times of deep crisis. It is for this reason that many Parsis still have the Afringan and Baj ceremony performed in his name even 100 years after his passing away.

May the Ruvan of Dastur Jamshed Ervad Sohrab progress further and further and may it continue to guide and protect our troubled community!

Ervad Marzban J. Hathiram

10

Comments

  1. Pervin Rohinton Kavarana  February 27, 2008

    Dasturji Kukadaru is still a LIVING MIRACLE – I experience this, everyday;

    Faith Moves Mountains ……..

    Believe It Or Not ! ! !

  2. roozbeh roowala  December 15, 2014

    Dear Marazban ,
    Kindly Guide me as iam yet confused which karda would one pray during the afringaan ceremony . what was our ustad saheb view on this ? pls let me know as what karda would one pray for all our afrinagaans … Thank YOU.

  3. Ervad Marzban J. Hathiram  December 16, 2014

    @Roozbeh
    For normal Anusheh Ruvan Afringan, the Kardas will be Dadar Hormazd (Yao Visad), Ardafravash (Yao Visad), 2 Yatha Dahm (Tao Ahmi Nmane) and Sarosh, followed by the three Afrins.

    For normal Jindeh Ruvan Afringan, the Kardas will be Dadar Hormazd (Yao Visad), special Karda (Behram Yazad, Spendarmad Ameshaspand, TIr Yaza etc. depending on the circumstances)(Yao Visad), Ardafravash (Yao Visad), 7 Yatha Dahm Vispaesha (Yao Visad) and Sarosh, followed by 3 Afrins.

  4. Roozbeh  December 16, 2014

    Dear Marazban,
    1. Is the Yao visad karda prayed in full like Ardafravash in books or last 2 paras are omitted for other Frashta Kshnumans.
    2. Also wish to know why In Udwada they recite Tao Ahmi in all afringans even in ardafravash?

    3. I read an article on net pls if you find time pls check this link http://www.ahuramazda.com/kukadarusaheb.htm .

    Here it says He had also brought out various booklets, one of which was ‘Khoasa-e-afringan’ in which he advocated reciting the ‘Tao ahmi nemane’ karda.
    This khoasa e afringan i have seen on many other wesites as well.
    Want your personal opinions on this because i never have seen this khoasa e afringan book?

    4 Also your opinion on another website http://zoroastrians.net/2010/12/17/conversion-allowed-in-zoroastrianism/
    this article was written by a person named Homi dalal which was very shocking to me . I want to know is this true regarding the Mazgaon Navjotes As it was shocking for me.

    Thank you.

  5. Ervad Marzban J. Hathiram  December 17, 2014

    @Roozbeh
    1. Yao Visad to be prayed in full without omitting any paragraph
    2. That is their Rivaj. Followers of Ustad Saheb in Udvada recited Yao Visad only.
    3. The Kholasa i Afringan written by D. Kukadaru opines that Tao Ahmin Nmane should be recited. However, as per advise of Ustad Saheb only Yao Visad is to be recited.
    4. People can write whatever they want. It is a fact that D. Kukadaru was part of the Mazagaon Navjotes. Those who want to follow in the footsteps of D. Kukadaru should first replicate his Tarikat filled life of prayer and piety and be able to change a normal brick to a brick of gold. They can then go ahead and do the Navjotes.

  6. Roozbeh  December 17, 2014

    Dear Marazban,
    Have a query regarding the first answer as you have mentioned Yao Visad to be prayed in full. In our Afringan Books sudh uchharni (1991 and 2004) print a note was given by Dasturji Kotwal where it mentions that Afringan of Ardafravash Yao Visad till ahmakencha mazdayasnam thats is full yao Visad is prayed

    For Rest all other Khsnumans including the Gatha Khsnuman as well and all Fareshta Khsnumans Yao visadh is prayed till asa nas nemangha . the 2 paragraphs ashoanam Fravishnam………. till ahmakemcha mazdayasnam is not to be recited .

    I want you view on this .As dasturji has given various sources in that. But want your suggestion as to what would be correct and our Ustad saheb what he said.

    Thank You for all your prompt replies .

    God blesss …..

  7. Ervad Marzban J. Hathiram  December 17, 2014

    @Roozbeh
    I have already very clearly answered your query. Please do not keep repeating the same thing again and again.

  8. Roozbeh  December 21, 2014

    Thank You for all your replies.Just a final query Dear Marazban,
    1. Why is the karda of Ardafravash prayed even in zindehravan or khushali na Jashan ceremonies. I was of the view that it is prayed only for the departed souls mostly.
    Have only known that Sarosh na karda is for the living as well as for the ravan but why is that in the case for Ardafravash ?isnt that only for the departed.

    2. What Kardas would we pray during Siroja afringhan and is that also Yao Visad or tao ahmi? will the first karda be Dadar Hormazd in that too ?As i noted as u said for normal depearted 4 kards are prayed? and for normal zinderavan 5 ? Is this order compulsory ?

    3. During Charum after uthamna on the dawn of fourth day what Kardas would one pray as well? Will the karda also start with Dadar Hormazd ? or Dahman yazad vispecha and what other kardas would be prayed? Kindly Guide . Thank you .

  9. Roozbeh  May 21, 2015

    Dear Marazban,
    I humbly request you to please reply to my above post . Thank You saheb.

  10. Ervad Marzban J. Hathiram  May 21, 2015

    @Roozbeh
    1. Ardavfravash is the group of Highly Advanced Souls we all have to merge with one day. Hence the Karda is done for both JR and AR
    2. For Siroza Afringan the Krdas would be: Dadar Hormazd, Siroza (Yao Visad), Arda, Dahm (2 Yatha, Tao Ahmi), Sarosh
    3. For Dahm Yazad Afringan on Chaharum the Kardas will be: Dahm (2 Yatha, Tao Ahmi), Dahm (2 Yatha Tao Ahmi) & Sarosh. Total three Kardas and then Three Afrins.

    Please restrict your questions to the topic being discussed in the post.