Frashogard

How to do the right Kusti

Roj Ardibehesht Mah Spendarmad, 1382 Yz.

The foundation of every Zoroastrian ritual, every ceremony and every prayer is the Kusti. The act of tying the Kusti on the waist is what sets apart a Zoroastrian from another person. In effect, it is the most visible and well-known symbol of the Zoroastrian religion. It is therefore, also the most misunderstood.

In our series on What is Zoroastrian Yoga, carried a short while ago, we had delved deep into the ...

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16
JUL

7

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How to do the Kusti, Religion

A Wondrous Life second edition released

Posted by: Ervad Marzban J. Hathiram

Roj Jamyad Mah Bahman, 1382 Yz.

The earlier post reported on the functions to mark the 86^th death anniversary of Ustad Saheb Behramshah Nowroji Shroff. A passing reference had been made there regarding the release of the second edition of the book, a Wondrous Life: The True Story of the Master, Ustad Saheb Behramshah Nowroji Shroff.

The first edition of the book was printed to coincide with the ...

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11
JUL

12

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Events, Life of the Master

Report on the 86th Baj of Ustad Saheb Behramshah N. Shroff

Posted by: Ervad Marzban J. Hathiram

Roj Ashtad Mah Bahman, 1382 Yz. 9th July 2013.

The 86^th Baj of Ustad Saheb Behramshah Nowroji Shroff was observed with customary solemnity. The day’s events started at 6 am with a Machi being offered to the Padshah Saheb of the Ustad Saheb Behramshah Nowroji Shroff Daremeher at Jogeshwari by the Trustees of the Zoroastrian Radih Society. Thereafter, Afringan, Farokshi, 3 Stums and 2 Bajs were performed in memory of Ustad Saheb at 7:30 am. Right from the early morning Machi ...

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9
JUL

1

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Events, Life of the Master, Religion

How to use the new Frashogard blog design

Posted by: Ervad Marzban J. Hathiram

Roh Din Mah Bahman, 1382

Today is the 86^th death anniversary of our revered Master, Ustad Saheb Behramshah Nowroji Shroff. As a mark of our respect, love and admiration for him and the wondrous message he brought from the Abed Sahebs of Demavand, we dedicate this new site design of the Frashogard blog to his pious memory.

How is the new design of the Frashogard blog different from the earlier? What new features have been added? How can readers of Frashogard make ...

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7
JUL

6

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Religion

Parsis, crowing cocks and sleepless nights – part 3

Posted by: Ervad Marzban J. Hathiram

Roj Behram Mah Bahman, 1382 Yz.

How is this done? The 19^th Chapter of the Vandidad provides a fascinating account of the activities. The entire night is broken up into three sections. In the first third of the night, the work of the Abed Sahebs commences in Demavand. As they begin their own kinetics, Azi Dahaka becomes active too. He knows that a lot of his work is undone by the presence of the Atash Behrams, Atash Adarans and Atash Dadgah ...

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3
JUL

3

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Religion

Parsis, crowing cocks and sleepless nights – part 2

Posted by: Ervad Marzban J. Hathiram

Roj Tir Mah Bahman, 1382 Yz.

To properly understand the story of Zohak and the rooster, we need to recognize and comprehend the nature of evil. What is evil? How does it arise? What is its source? Our Master, Ustad Saheb gave a very detailed and esoteric explanation of evil and its origin. Without going into those complex issues, we can state simply that evil arises out of ignorance. Ignorance of what? Ignorance about the Will of God, the Plan of ...

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26
JUN

7

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Religion

2 farcical events in the community – part 2

Posted by: Ervad Marzban J. Hathiram

Roj Khordad Mah Bahman, 1382 Yz.

Parsis, in general, are well-meaning, decent and civilized people. They feel for their religion, even though they may not know much about it, and may be practicing very little of it. But sometimes, the ignorance of Parsis towards even the most basic tenets of their religion results in their making glaring and farcical mistakes. Take for the instance, the total ignorance amongst most Parsis about the most basic sin (and spiritual repercussions) of moving around ...

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19
JUN

15

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Zarathushtrian facts

2 farcical events in the community

Posted by: Ervad Marzban J. Hathiram

Roj Sherevar Mah Bahman, 1382 Yz.

As a general practice, Frashogard avoids commenting on any events in the community. When I started this blog nearly five years ago, I consciously decided that the primary focus of Frashogard would be education. I just did not want to get bogged down in community politics and the non-stop slander and yellow journalism that the community press indulges in. But in the last week, two totally senseless, farcical and idiotic events have happened in our ...

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17
JUN

12

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Zarathushtrian facts

Parsis, crowing cocks and sleepless nights

Posted by: Ervad Marzban J. Hathiram

Roj Aneran Mah Dae, 1382 Yz.

A recent newspaper item drew my attention, not only for its slightly amusing nature, (in the midst of all the doom, gloom and senseless politicking) but also for the fact that one of the protagonists of the item was a Zoroastrian. The report described how the peaceful slumber of the residents of a building in Colaba was being disturbed by the indiscriminate crowing of a rooster and a ...

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13
JUN

4

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Religion, Zarathushtrian facts

Rostam Nameh: part 6: Rostam and the white elephant

Posted by: Ervad Marzban J. Hathiram

Roz Dae-pa-Meher Mah Dae, 1382 Yz.

“Badu goft kay bacche narrah-sheer, bar-aavardah changaal-o gashteh delir;

Badin kudki nist hamtaa-e tu, ba-farro ba-mardi-o baalaa-e tu”

Zaal said: “Oh son of a male lion, your hands have grown big and you have become brave; even in your childhood, there is none to match your glory, your manhood and your presence!”

These words of exclamation are not merely a father praising his son, but the realization of a great warrior, than one even more ...

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29
MAY

3

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Rostam Nameh

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