Here are 3 links on What to Pray during Gathas / Muktad. Hope you will find them useful :

http://ilme-khshnoom.blogspot.in/2012/08/prayers-during-muktad-and-gatha-days.html

http://www.frashogard.com/what-to-do-and-pray-during-the-muktad-part-1/

http://www.frashogard.com/what-to-do-and-pray-during-the-muktad-part-2/

This is a video in 2 segments describing the intricate and very specialized art of weaving a Kushti, the sacred thread worn by Parsi/Irani Zoroastrians. The process involves gathering wool from sheep, cleaning it, drawing fine thread from it, winding it on a Chaatardi (spindle) by hand, combining two such fine threads into one, and making 72 threads for the final sacred thread on a specialized instrument, Jantar. These 72 threads are then woven into a hollow tube, which is then cut by a Zoroastrian Mobed (priest) by praying a special prayer. The cur Kushti is then finished by creating 3 braids at each end, washed in soap and water, and then bleached by placing it under a clay pot with embers and sulphur, washed again, wound tightly around a Saraiyu (a smooth wooden round pole wrapped with a Sudreh) and dried to flatten it out. It is then tightly wound around itself in a neat circle. It is then pressed between two wooden blocks to flatten it out in a neat circular form. This completes the intricate weaving process of a Zoroastrian Kushti (sacred cincture).
This video was sponsored by Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America (FEZANA) and created by the creative artists of the Frohar Foundation Films, Mumbai.

Parsis are a religious community found in India and some other parts of the world. Pateti is the day preceding the Parsi New Year. The name Pateti originated from the word ‘Patet’ which means repentance.

The following day ‘Navroze’ after Pateti is the actual Parsi New Year. Many people confuse Pateti and Navroze and wrongly assume that Pateti is in fact the New Year.

Greeting – Pateti Mubarak

When the true meaning of the word Pateti is repentance, is not it paradoxical to wish someone ‘Pateti Mubarak’? Of Course, Navroze Mubarak or Saal Mubarak makes perfect sense but Pateti Mubarak? A lot of people send messages to each other saying Pateti Mubarak and some people even celebrate Pateti as a day of rejoicing. Many Parsis and non Parsis confuse Pateti with Navroze (the Parsi New Year) which is on the following day. When a person has stood in front of the Holy Fire with complete humility and sought repentance for all his past sins after saying the holy Patet Pashemani prayer, only then he acquires the right to greet another Pateti Mubarak. Once a Parsi has done this, and purged his mind, body and soul, he can wish another ‘Pateti Mubarak’.

Click Here for the full story

Courtesy :  Zarir Suraliwalla <zaru10@gmail.com>

Asho Zarathushtra and the Prize of Ten Pregnant Mares and One Camel! 

Gatha ha 44.18:

 
Paigambar Saheb Asho Zarathushtra is revered as a Renowned Yazad! It is so stated in Yasna (Ijeshne) ha 3 and 7 and also in various Yashts and prayers revealed in the Pak Avesta! He was not an ordinary human like us. The Pahlavi Dinkard describes Asho Zarathushtra as “ham-keherpi-e amashaspand”, i.e. One with the Ameshaspands! As an Immortal Divine Being, Asho Zarathushtrais completely attuned with Ahura Mazda’s Thoughts, Words and Deeds!

 
It follows that as a Spiritual Being, Asho Zarathushtra was not “born” to learn the lessons of life which we mortals require to; instead, He was sent by Ahura Mazda to teach us the Path to Asha, to Frashogard. Asho Zarathsuhtra is Appointed by Ahura Mazda as the “Ahu” and the “Ratu” of this physical world, geti (ha 29.6) and is held to be on the same spiritual level as the Holy Immortals, the Ameshaspands (Khordad Yasht, karda 1). Ahura Mazda announces that Asho Zarathushtra is the Only One, “aevo” (ha 29.8), who has heard His complete Sacred Manthra (Manthra Spenta is the Soul of Ahura Mazda as so stated in the Fravardin Yasht)! Here too, Ahura Mazda indicates that His Soul and Asho Zarathushtra’s Soul are “hamem” or in correlation with each other!

 
Asho Zarathuhstra’s “birth” as well as “death” was also different from what we humans experience! The Dinkard mentions that Asho Zarathushtra’s body was an energy-body, “veer-tan-kard”, specially created by the Amashaspands, from Ahura Mazda’s Own Celestial Light, as also indicated by the ball of fire emanating from the palm of His hand. The “death” of Asho Zarathushtra is also not “death” as we humans experience. After completing his Divine Mission of containing the dark forces of Tur-Bar-Atur (Angre-Mainyu), he re-ascended to the Abode of the Endless Light where Ahura Mazda resides! His disappearance is known as vihektan orvikhiz, i.e. ascension to “akhvan pahloom”, the Abode of Ahura Mazda, according to the Pahlavi Text, Dinkard!

 
Consequently, is it conceivable that One Who is an Immortal Divine Being, a Renowned Yazad, who knew the entire events of the past, present and future, would ask simple questions of Ahura Mazda, as revealed in the Ushtavad Gatha, ha 44, as to who created the stars, who made day and night, the phases of the Moon, etc. and would ask for the physical “prize” or “gift” of “10 pregnant mares and 1 camel”! Asho Zarathushtra, a Yazad, has no need for horses or camels! These gifts suggest that these must be spiritual gifts or some qualities which Asho Zarathushtra asks for and certainly not for himself but for his disciples! In the Gathas, Asho Zarathushtra irrefutably states that these Sacred Verses, the Gathas, are mystic and occult; “guzra senghaongho”, mystic, (Ha 48.3) and “razeng”, secret or occult, (Ha 50.6).

 
It undoubtedly follows that the prize of 10 pregnant horses and 1 camel does not indicate a “pastoral society” of the pre-historic Avestan time as some philologists have indicated! These animals signify some spiritual qualities, such as “sight” (extra ordinary ability to see beyond the physical veil) and “spiritual wisdom”. A camel is able to “see” through, and protect its eyes from severe sand storms! Camel indicates spiritual wisdom, wisdom which makes one “see” clearly the spiritual side of Nature, which is the gift of yaan or foreknowledge or insight into all the past, present and future eons! Horses suggest “thought power” or the strength of thought as used today to indicate speed – as in ‘horse power’! Clarity of vision and the strength of thoughts to materialize whatever is thought of, or wished for, is the reference to “horses”! These are the spiritual gifts/prizes that are asked for by Asho Zarathushtra for his disciples.
 
Stanza 44 of the Ushtavad Gatha is indeed very occult! The verses of ha 44 are in question/answer form. In ha 44.16 Sarosh Yazad, together with Vohu Mano, smites the foes by using the weapon of Manthra! “Ahunim vairim tanum paiti”, means the sacred Manthra give protection to the body against evil! In the Sacred Avesta, Sarosh Yazad is called “takhme tanu manthre”, Manthra (WORD) Incarnate! It is Sarosh Yazad who first recites the Gathas (mystic Manthra) to Asho Zarathsuhtra! Sarosh Yazad is “daeno diso”, the Teacher, the Revealer of the Religion through Manthra! Here, the disciple asks for a Teacher for guidance on the Path of Righteousness who will reveal the sacred Mathras and give protection against evil!

 
Ha 44.17, reveals that a righteous man, i.e. an Ashavan, will reach Khordad (Spiritual Perfection, “khaetwadath”) and Amardad (Immortality) only after acquiring the knowledge of the mystic Manthra. The disciple wishes to lead his life in accordance with the commandments of the Religion, written in “Thy Language of the Manthras”! Manthras emanate from Ahura Mazda Himself! As stated in ha 19, the Universe became manifest as soon as Ahura Mazda chanted the Ahunavar Manthra! Here, it is revealed that through the sacred Manthra, the Ashavan will maintain the authorized “paivand”, connection with Ahura Mazda which draws him closer to Him and to His Abode! Mystically this also indicates that the Ashavan who has already attained to a degree of piety, wishes to reach higher to become a “pasu-ratu”, a leader, a ruler over his own “kingdom”. The reference to the “kingdom” or “pasu”, i.e. animals, indicates the atoms, the “animals” which constitute the 9 parts into which the Soul is divided.

 
First, the Asho-Nar must get the full knowledge of, and unite with Manthra Spenta through Sarosh, Piety (Asha) and Vohu Mano! Only after becoming proficient in Manthra Spenta it is possible to attain to Khordad’s Perfection (acquire “tan pasin”, a spiritually perfected body of light to be able to attune with the Spiritual Beings and familiarize with the workings of the spiritual dimensions) and Amardad’s Immortality. Without Manthra there can be no “khaetwadath”, no immortality or the attainment of the Divine Union. This is why the Ashavan wishes to become a “pasu-ratu”, a leader, a ruler over his own “kingdom” by drawing into himself the 9 constituents into which his Soul is divided.

 
Ha 44.18, is the main verse in which the spiritual prize or gifts of the ten pregnant mares and one camel are asked for! One asking for the gifts is already an Ashavan, an “asho” + “nar” or a holy individual who wishes to progress still higher! The word “pregnant” means that the worship of Khordad and Amardad will bring forth a “spiritual result” so that the spiritual, semi-spiritual and physical components of the soul may get purified with the speed of a horse, drawing together the 9 separated constituents of his Soul into One whole “akhkhand” Ruvan (Soul)! Camel is divine wisdom. Therefore, these gifts from Khordad and Amardad will grant spiritual perfection and immortality through “khaetwadath”! The disciple, i.e. the Ashavan, will dedicate these two gifts to other pious men to help Asho Zarathushtra in His Divine Mission to defeat Evil so that Frashogard is attained. Mystically, the dedication of the gifts to others also indicates sharing these gifts with his own soul’s counterpart! Only when both counterparts of the Soul, the male as well as the female, reach spiritual perfection, the Spiritual Union of Khaethwadath takes place. In the next verse 44.19 it is revealed that the one who receives the two prizes does not share the same with other deserving ones gets punished! Therefore, the prize is mystic; it refers to spiritual attainment and has nothing to do with horses or camels!

 
A portion of the Ahunavad Gatha, Yasna 33.14 (included in the recitation of Atash Niyayesh), also reveals that Asho Zarathushtra unconditionally dedicates the best fruits of his ‘self’, his entire being, to Ahura Mazda who is the greatest SELF. Only by surrendering ‘self’ to the “SELF”, to His Divine Will, can we finally unite with Ahura Mazda in life everlasting! This is the message of ha 44.18 wherein the prize of 10 pregnant horses and 1 camel is received through piety and chanting of Manthra. These prizes are from Khordad and Amardad and are dedicated, “given” to others by Asho Zarathushtra and by His disciples who receive these gifts!

 
About the numbers 1 and 10, the numeral 1 stands for the Lord Almighty, Ahura Mazda, who is the Supreme Ruler and Creator of the Universe. 0 (zero) indicates infinity, without a beginning or end, and suggests going back to the source. The numbers from 0 to 10 have specific meanings and the number 10 indicates the highest attainable perfection. While the righteous Ashavans and Kings had perfected their spiritual powers for righteousness, Zohak and other evil doers had attained to the strength of thought or perfection for the wrong path, the path of evil. In the Pak Avesta (e.g. Behram Yasht), Zohak is called “Azidahak”. “Azi” means snake; “dahak” means the numeral 10; consequently, Azidahak or Zohak had attained perfection in every evil thought, word and deed. Therefore, the two prizes of 10 pregnant horses and 1 camel is mystic as mentioned in ha 44.18!

As noted, number 10 indicates Perfection! The 10 pregnant mares or horses also indicate the physical as well as the spiritual senses which are required for one to progress on the Path to Perfection and Immortality! There are 5 physical senses which humans possess but there are additional 5 spiritual senses, totalling 10 senses in all! The 5 physical senses are: smell, touch, seeing, hearing and taste. These physical senses, if not controlled, tend to lead a person astray. These are controlled by the “mind” which is dualistic. Therefore, these have to be controlled through Obedience (Spenta Armaity) in the teachings of the Religion, also through Asha and Vohu Mano!
 
The 5 additional spiritual senses are: 1) clairvoyance and 2) clairaudience, which together lead to the knowledge of the past, present and future; 3) moving any objects to long distances through the mastery of concentrated thought; 4) to manifest shapes/forms at will through the spiritual power of thought, (i.e. animate “thought forms”) and 5) the ability to appear and disappear at will and also to take any shape or form at will. The highest spiritual sense or gift is to split one’s physical atoms and disappear from the physical world as Kai Khusrov Padshah is known to have done and is called ‘Nazar Gayeb’, “disappeared from sight”. It is also the same with Asho Zarathushtra who split the atoms of His Yazatic Body, “vihektan” and went straight to “akhvan pahloom” or the Abode of Light where Ahura Mazda resides. Nothing has been stated, directly or indirectly, in the Holy Avesta about the ‘death’ or the passing away of Asho Zarathushtra. The special term used in Pahlavi for the passing away of Paigambar Saheb is: “vihiz-i-zartusht”, i.e. “rising up of Zartusht, or ascension of Zartusht”.
 
Please teach our children who Asho Zarathushtra is so they may learn to revere our Paigambar Saheb as well as our Mazdayasni Zarathushti Din, the Din (Religion) which is “Din-e Ahura Mazda”, Ahura Mazda’s Own which He Himself revealed to Asho Zarathushtra! After all, our Din is not just an ordinary Book based on the rules of philology; it is not just a moral code of conduct; it is not a philosophy to be studied, discussed and dissected. It is Din, in charge of Din Yazad, a Divine Being! “Din” is also called Daena, our conscience. Our Great Mazdayasni Zarathushti Din is forever stamped in our conscience by Din Yazad! Our Din is aliving Yazatic Entity! Let us revere it with faith, devotion and submission!

 
Unfortunately, while all our children know when Lord Jesus Christ was born (on Christmas day), not all know that our own Paigambar Saheb, a Divine Being, a Yazad, was born on Khordadsal which is the most auspicious day for all Parsi/Irani Zarathushtis!

I have taken the explanation of ha 44.18 from Dr. Saheb Faramroze S. Chiniwalla’s Ushtavad Gatha, Book No. 2, Yajeshne ha 44, Bombay 2010 Published by Jarthoshti Ilm-e Kshnoom Felavnari Committee, Dini Avaz Committee and Parsi Pukar Committee. Also from Ervad Kavasji Edalji Kanga, Gatha-Ba-Maani, Bombay 1997.

Khordadsal Mubarak!

Pervin J. Mistry 

VABA-E ATASHAK

It is interesting to note that the expected cyclic cataclysm is currently gaining popularity in the media. An eventual doomsday scenario keeps surfacing. Attention is subsequently focused on varied “vaba”, meaning eruptions of pestilences that accompany these cyclic global cataclysms. 

Many may not have heard the words “Vaba-e Atashak”. I have learnt the word from Kshnoomic teachings. “Vaba” connotes pestilence. “Atashak” indicates ailments such as heat, burns, and cancerous growths caused by radiation or heat. “Vaba-e Atashak” refers to all pestilences or ailments arising out of radiation. There are different kinds of pandemics, one such is the Ebola virus which is spreading currently in many parts of the world. Ebola is not caused by radiation but when Nature’s balance maintained by the elements of fire, water, air and earth is disrupted, many sicknesses surface. 

We know that Atash, the Divine Energy of Ahura Mazda, is at the root of all Creation. Without energy, nothing exists! The Universe is a web of energy of different grades and kinds. Even in water, the “seed” of fire exists which is called “Apam Napat”! There is fire within the elements of earth and air also. When lightning strikes, we see the air being charged with electrical impulses. The earth’s fire is the molten lava inside the Earth! And so, Fire pervades throughout Nature.

As Ahura Mazds’s Son, Atash is the main element in creation and the one that propels all creation towards Frashogard by purifying and alchemizing matter to spirit. Atash is spiritual as well as physical; its physical state is the embodiment of Asha Vahishta, the Fire we consecrate and install as our Atsh Padshahs! Essentially, at the appointed hour of every “kiyamat” (end of the world), Atash has a major role to play; e.g. in the sinking of Atlantis, in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Herculaneum and Pompeii, Atash was the main agent. In the anticipated “kiyamat” also, Atash, as a purifier, in any form of energy state, be it nuclear or otherwise, will clear the way for a new and righteous beginning after eliminating the existing decline in spiritual and moral values. 

Whenever mankind loses touch with spirituality and becomes immoral, Nature, through its immutable laws of Asha, wipes out the spiritually defunct civilization. In general, apocalypses begin with fire, subsequently causing watery deluge and upheavals in the Earth’s crust that finally result in the eventual weakening of the earth’s electro-magnetic force field. The Poles shift positions, climate changes, and a new period dawns for humanity beginning with new planetary influences, even the Pole star changes. This cyclic event of destruction and rejuvenation is periodic and astronomically accurate as regulated by the precise cosmic clock. 

It is necessary to take into account the fact that while mankind’s thoughts and actions affect Nature, the Planetary Cycles existing in Nature, likewise, produce reciprocal influence on human mentality. Just as the manifested Universe, or Nature, is the outcome of spirit and matter existing cohesively, the human constitution is likewise made up of spiritual as well as corporeal elements. Through the spiritual and corporeal “bodies”, we partake of both the physical and spiritual worlds. Both the spiritual and physical worlds are interlinked within us and also outside of us. 

The atoms that constitute our physical body are of the same composition that the stars and planets are made of; therefore, as integral part and being the offspring of the Universe, our consciousness is one with it because Life or consciousness, as energy, transcends the space-time continuum. Deeds performed in the physical world have reciprocal consequences in the spiritual world; and likewise, the spiritually progressive or regressive planetary influences intimately bear upon the development of human mentality. 

It is established that whatever events take place in the spiritual world, find their reflection in the proto-physical and physical worlds also. We accept that all physical diseases are primarily generated in the proto-physical bodies first as in the saying, “mind over matter”. The ailments we suffer originate primarily from the “urvan” or the soul and begin to progress from the proto-physical bodies to the physical body. Therefore, “Vaba-e Atashak” has its influence in our physical, as well as proto-physical bodies from the spiritual counterpart. 

Physical Aspect: As “Vaba-e Atashak” refers to pestilences caused by radiation, let us determine the role of radiation in transmuting matter to energy as part of the nuclear workings of Nature to bring about Frashogard. Matter is perpetually irradiated to a variety of energy states through Nature’s laboratory called the Sun (Meher Yazad). At the very moment of Creation (Big Bang), the brilliant manifestation of “Athra Puthra Ahurahe Mazdao” occurs and the energy released subsequently generates waves of different cosmic energies, each creating its own “field” or circumference which we call “kash” or spiritual boundary. 

The Sun, or Meher Yazad, is the Giver of Life. Sun is Nature’s laboratory where, for billions of years, fission and fusion of atoms is carried out in a naturally occurring process to sustain life in various forms. The Sun spreads energy, through fission, into our solar system, by which life on Earth, as we know it, exists. Solar radiation in its natural form is not lethal because the energy released by the Sun in natural quantity, is filtered through the various atmospheric layers called in the Avesta as “dakhyus”. This fission and fusion takes place in accordance of the Divine Will to promote Frashogard. Therefore, radiation or fission/fusion in its natural state is beneficent. Similarly, our body is composed of cells; when the energy within the cells of our body is naturally discharged, it sustains our physical body and produces a chain-reaction of fission and fusion similar to that taking place within the Sun. After all, we are the replica, or the microcosm of the greater macrocosm! 

However, an atom is more than a unit of energy. It is a spiritual entity; it is a unit of consciousness in the continuum of life! Therefore, splitting an atom artificially and releasing its energy (consciousness) before the atom’s evolutionary cycle is fully evolved, becomes disastrous. Any energy (consciousness) discharged before its time is maleficent because it disturbs the balance of energy maintained in Nature. By creating this imbalance of energy in Nature, mankind promotes several different “vaba”, ailments. Artificial fission violates the fundamental law of Asha to progressively evolve all entities (atoms are also entities) to a state of spiritual perfection in harmony with Nature. 

When we refer to “Vaba-e Atashak”, we refer to radiation that is destructive to humanity since it is artificially created; hence anti-evolutionary, anti-spiritual and definitely harmful. Since the first artificial fission of atom that took place at Nagasaki and Hiroshima, mankind has unleashed one of the most destructive forces in the Universe. In a nuclear explosion, an atom, as a spiritual entity, having its own consciousness and evolutionary process to go through, is abruptly destroyed, “killed”, by artificial fission, which consequently destroys other human lives. This unnatural fission creates an enormous amount of high-level, artificial radiation that can destroy the cells of our physical body since it is artificial and does not go through the gradual process of filtration as in the case of solar radiation which filters through the atmospheric layers. The karmic effects of nuclear fission have polluted the life-giving sacred waters, soil, and air. We are killing ourselves by destroying the very atoms that are the building blocks of the Universe! By destroying Nature, we only destroy ourselves!

When mankind split the atom for personal gains, a mini apocalypse was created that not only shattered the electro-magnetic force-field around the split atom, but through cosmic repercussions, it destroyed the “kash”, the “ring-pass-not”, that is defined by Asha/Nature itself to maintain law and order in Nature. When the “kash” or force fields are destroyed, there is spiritual destruction. “Kash” or boundaries around atoms (spiritual entities containing consciousness) exist so that evolution of consciousness progresses in ordained stages from various planes of consciousness that makes up the spectrum of space-time continuum. To give an example, one cannot jump straight from the first step of the ladder to the ninth! Steps have to be gradually climbed otherwise one is sure to fall and get hurt!

Energy released by one nuclear explosion is enough to create major imbalance in the atmosphere that reaches far into space. During the Sun Spots, there is greater radiation released by the Sun and the influence is felt on Earth by accelerating phenomena of earthquakes, tornadoes, tsunamis, famine, escalated crime and fluctuations in birth-death rates. Similarly, nuclear experiments and greenhouse effects have not just caused a hole in the ozone layer of Earth’s atmosphere, but have influenced the field or “kash” around the Earth itself to weaken. When this happens, it is easier for any foreign objects such as comets and meteorites to bear their astral influences in greater proportion on the Earth and humanity. Skin cancer, eye diseases, etc. are on the rise.

Allegorically, we can say that Azi-Dahak, the personification of total evil, who is chained by Faridoon Padshah at Mount Damavand on the advice of Sarosh Yazad is set free of the “kash” in which he was securely imprisoned! Evil is rampant in the world today. To conquer Nature, when mankind tries to prematurely force energy from atoms, which are units of consciousness, Nature always wins! 

Today, most terrorist nations and terrorists are in possession of nuclear devices. In all, mega-tons of this destructive force are stored in the world today. Who knows when these devices will explode through natural calamities like earthquakes, or through some terrorist’s perverted reasoning and greed? This “vaba” will cause fiery heat, burns, thirst, and radiation that will make food and water unsafe. The cells, composed of the 4 elements, will create anti-life or malignancy. We are currently in the lowest period of transition (kaliyug), where materiality is predominant over spirituality. When the pendulum swings completely towards materiality, Nature will bring it back towards spirituality. Such an event may not be too far! 

Proto-physical Aspect: Man and Nature are inseparably linked through the spiritual, proto-physical and physical components. Nature is a stupendous whole; a part, which is Man, contains the sum of the whole!

Being an integral part of Nature, the interplay of energies working within and outside Man’s constitution, creates the immutable law of cause and effect. The energies contained in, and functioning through heavenly bodies, affect our physical world and mankind; simultaneously, the energies operating in a Man’s “keherp” (proto-physical body) also has the potency to influence cosmic outcome. Truly, Man’s thoughts, words and deeds have a cosmic bearing! They create reciprocal consequences in the interrelated physical, proto-physical and spiritual worlds. 

As elaborated, Man’s thoughts and heavenly cycles are interrelated; they have a consequential bearing on each other. When Earth’s electro-magnetic force field is weakened, as illustrated in the physical aspect, the force field, “aipee”, around Man is also weakened. Immorality sets in. It is explained that thought is energy. As energy or consciousness, thoughts are also “beings” because thoughts, generated through the nerve impulses, have the potentiality to generate a “keherp”, an etheric form that has its own vital energy! Our kerdar we see at chahrum is one such thought form, an ethereal body, we see as the accumulated thought form formed in the spiritual world! 

Mind (thought-power) is the controller of the physical body; it is also the instrument of the Spirit. It is the intermediary between the physical and spiritual. By corrupting thoughts, mankind has created a field of lethal “goobars”, shapes, or thought-forms in the proto-physical world, with inescapable consequential results in the spiritual and physical worlds as well. During the Kiyanian times, when sorcery and evil were rampant, one such “goobar” manifested in the shape referred to as “Tur-bar-Atur”. The dark forces tormented Geush Urvan and Asho Zarathushtra, a Divine Yazad, was sent down to the physical realm to shatter this “goobar” which would have otherwise spiritually corrupted the entire humanity, in turn, destroying Mother Earth as well! 

Currently, we have created a similar adverse situation for the Earth and humanity through our lack of spiritual and moral values. Since thought is energy, it includes heat, light, momentum. The collective thought-form of humanity has created “Vaba-e Atashak” in the proto-physical that is discharging its adverse effects on the human psyche, negatively affecting our physical and metaphysical health, as well as spirituality. 

Spiritual Aspect: As already established and illustrated, the nature of the spiritual aspect of “Vaba-e Atashak” may be explained by taking into account the fact that the 3 worlds – spiritual, proto-physical and physical are created in order to progress the souls on their long spiritual journey from these realms, back to Ahura Mazda from whence they came. The spiritual and corporeal worlds are united through the proto-physical; therefore, Hasti and Geti are interlinked through Nisti; similarly, the spiritual within us is conjoined to the physical through the 3 proto-physical bodies called keherp, tevishi, and ushtan. Deeds performed in corporeal world, through thought have resulting consequences in the spiritual and physical parts of human constitution, as well as in the spiritual, proto-physical and physical worlds. 

It is very important to think good thoughts today, more so than at any other time in human history! We know, more specifically through the Holy Vendidad, that at every “kiyamat”, i.e. mini or major destruction, the best and the purest “seeds” (specimens) are always preserved by Nature to regenerate the new dawn of a more spiritually elevated humanity. Today, in the kali yuga, the fourth period called the Age of Iron, what we do and think attains double the merit of what must have been done in the yugas of the past. In kali yuga, everything good is submerged and unrighteousness gains strength! Therefore, we have to be very cautious about our thoughts and keep them focused on righteousness as much as and as far as possible! These creations of our own mind, called “kerdar” will greet us in the spiritual world! It is spiritually essential that our thoughts should not promote more adverse effects on Nature. Our thoughts do ultimately influence Nature for good or for worst; therefore, let us give Geush Urva the strength, the hope through thoughts that as before, Divine Intervention through cycles in Nature, will bring better times ahead!

These days, people are also interested to know about predictions. Ustad Saheb Behramshah Naoroji Shroff has predicted many events; many have come true. Some of the future predictions are that when the time comes closer for a worldwide cataclysm, sea water will become “sweet”! It is already happening. The glaciers are melting due to global warming and a large amount of fresh water is going into the seas lessening the salinity content. This will alter the sea currents which depend upon global water temperatures. Due to global warming even the air currents will shift! He also said that all kinds of pollutions will increase exponentially. Truth will be suppressed; evil be more dominant. The good will suffer more. All “motors” will stop; meaning all electrical gadgets will stop. This happens when the poles collide and the earth’s force-field is reversed! There will be a war (nuclear) which will start from the Middle-East. There will be darkness on Earth for a long time. (When Ustad Saheb made these predictions, there was no nuclear energy discovered or the Atom bomb blasted!) This darkness will be due to the nuclear fall-out! After this, a Savior will appear! Hope this comes to pass soon! The Golden Age will dawn again and mankind will step into a newer better world!

Pervin J. Mistry

Courtesy : Hushang Vakil

Mazdayasna-“the praise of Wisdom”, known as Zoroastrianism in the West, is the world’s first Monotheistic religion. Founded by the Prophet Zarathushtra in the Late Bronze Age about 3750 years ago, Zoroastrianism is not only one of the most ancient religions, it is also one of the most advanced philosophies known to mankind.

Tea making time & Calculations of each Gahs / Gehs for doing Kasti

This has been sent to me by the author/lecturer, Mr. Darius Umrigar. I attended his lecture at the Dadar Agiary on Sept. 6th, Saturday, Behram Roj. It was very interesting and I learn a lot!

What I liked the most was his mention of the morning tea! It is not just making the tea, but the thoughts that go with the making of this first cup of tea in the morning. While making the tea, we must think that we are attuning ourselves with all the Ameshaspands the first thing in the morning after our mandatory prayers!

• The utensil is of metal and we think of Shehrevar Ameshaspand.
• Water to make tea comes from Khordad;
• the tea leaves remind us of Amardad!
• The fire to boil the water is Ardibehesht;
• the very thought to prepare tea represents Bahman!
• The maker of the tea thinks of Ahura Mazda as we are His representatives on Earth.
• And this earth on which the maker of the tea stands, which made the metal to make the utensil, which grew the tea leaves, carried the flowing waters to make the tea, makes it possible for the fire to be lighted, etc. is none other than Spenta Armaity or Asfandarmad Ameshaspand! What a lovely thought!

The times of each of the five Gahs is as under:-

Click her to continue reading : Calculations of each Gahs for doing Kasti

Courtesy : Kashmira Kapadia

At the end of every Niyayesh and Yasht, we pray, “Daad din beh Mazdayasnan agahi ravahi goafrangani bad, haft keshvar zamin aedun baad”. Some Zarathushtis ask, “Do these words not advocate conversion? Are we not mandated to convert other followers of other religions from all the seven ‘continents’ of the Earth to the Mazdayasni Zarthushti Religion”?
Answer: It is true that we pray these words at the end of every Yasht and Niyayesh; also in the Kerfeh Mozda prayer the words “haft keshvar zamin” appear, but the connotation regarding conversion from religion to religion is incorrect. The sentence begins with the key word “daad”, meaning the laws of the good Mazdayasni Religion! “Agahi” means wisdom (of the laws of the religion). “Ravahi” means obedience (to the laws of the religion, also to the soul or “ravan”), and “goafrangani” means praise (to sing the praises of the laws of the Religion). No fewer words have been more misunderstood and misinterpreted than these words of sublime homage to our Din!

1. a) In the above sentence, “agahi” means wisdom. “Daad” means law and therefore, “agahi” or wisdom refers to the wise, spiritually progressive laws of the good Mazdayasni Religion that should be spread and increased over the seven regions of the Earth.

The most sublime and the most exalted wisdom of the Mazdayasni Zarthushti Din is to convert Angre Mainyu to Spenta Mainyu (yasna 32.3), and not followers of other revealed religions. The laws of the Mazdayasni Zarthushti Religion are based on the Laws of Asha that teach the ethical conversion of converting vices to virtues and not the followers of other revealed religions. The Gathas specifically teach us to choose between the two paths of righteousness and unrighteousness. The two paths, one leading to Spenta Mainyu (wisdom, righteousness), and the other leading to Angre Mainyu (spiritual ignorance, unrighteousness) are specifically identified and defined.
Choice is intricately interwoven with grave responsibility as to which of the two paths we select in every thought, word and deed. This ethical choice results in either reward or punishment, as expressly taught by our Paigambar Saheb (yasna 43.5). The only choice mentioned in the Gathas and throughout the Avesta is the ethical choice of selection between the two ethical paths alone and not choosing proselytism from one religion to another. The goal of every religion is to lead its followers, through righteousness, to “moksha”, “nirvana”, “mukti”, Resurrection, towards the Divine Goal of attaining Frashogard. It is the knowledge, the wisdom of the fundamental law of converting evil to good, vices to virtues that a Zarthushti is required to spread on “haft keshvar zamin”.

1. b) “Ravahi” denotes obedience. The devotee is asked to obey the Immutable Laws of Asha as prescribed by the Mazdayasni Zarthushti Din. The immutable, fundamental and universal Law of Asha is to convert one’s own evil mentality into goodness and godliness. Hence, this obedience to the spiritual law of the Mazdayasni Zarthushti Din is to be spread universally on all the seven “earths”.

Obedience or “ravahi” also implies obedience to the dictates of one’s soul (‘ravan’) or to one’s inner conscience where the Voice of Sarosh Yazad is heard. Absolute obedience is given to His Divine Will, revealed through the Divine Plan of the Lord Almighty. It is Ahura Mazda Himself who has organized His creation into orderly groups. Yasna 19 illustrates the Divine WORD, the mystic Manthra of Ahunavar in detail. It explains the Will of Ahura Mazda and the establishment of the five main religions as “pancha tkaeshas” and their Appointed Prophets, “pancha ratus”. Since Ahura Mazda Himself has ordained different religions, it is spiritually ignorant to say that people can choose their religion reflectively.
Religion, like parents, time and place of birth is pre-ordained. Therefore, “ravahi” indicates obedience to His Will! Obedience indicates surrender, submission and not rebellious choices and preferential desires selected by the mind that is still in the process of evolving, spiritually imperfect and prone to err! The mind is trapped within the two opposing mentalities – Angre Mainyu and Spenta Mainyu, and is responsible for the choices made during life on Earth. The choice is the selection between the two mentalities, the two paths, not religions. “Ravahi” does not in the least indicate conversion from religion to religion.

1. c) “Goafrangani” means praise. We praise the laws of the Mazdayasni Zarthushti Din which unravel the intimate workings of the immutable laws of Nature. These laws teach us the wisdom to obey and choose wisely between the two paths of good and evil in every thought, word and deed. “Goafrangani” means we praise the laws of the great Mazdayasni Zarthuhsti Din, the Wisdom Religion, which teach us to turn “vauraya” (yasna 31.3), from evil to good, to turn away from Angre Mainyu and choose Spenta Mainyu, to have faith in and to obey the teachings of our Holy Prophet Asho Zarathushtra! There is no conversion from religion to religion mentioned in these words of praise.
2. d) “Haft keshvar zamin”: “Haft” means seven and “zamin” indicates “earth”. Some philologists have translated the word “keshvar” as the seven terrestrial continents of the Earth. The word “keshvar” (Avestic “karshvars”) indicates ‘karsh’ or ‘kash’ meaning to draw mystic circles or talismanic rings. “Keshvars” are certain rarefied locations in the regions of upper space separated from the terrestrial Earth which is specifically identified as “Khwanirath”. The “keshvars” should not be confused with the seven physical continents of this Earth. Our continents are not round circles and they are not talismanic rings. They keep drifting, change size and the numbers are also variable as in the beginning there was only one vast continent that later broke into several pieces creating the seven continents that are incidental. Hence, “haft keshvar zamin” does not indicate the seven terrestrial continents of the planet Earth but to non-physical, spherical regions that are multi-dimensional in space and are spiritually inter-connected to the Earth.

Today, scientists maintain that there are many more dimensions to just the three previously thought to exist. Just as mankind does not survive in just the outer physical body of flesh but has many more spiritual, semi-spiritual and physical components (Yasna ha 55 elaborates nine such components), the Earth too has many more spiritual components or dimensions! (The Hindus name these ethereal “globes” and their rarefied location as “lokas” and “talas” similar to our “keshvars” and “dakhyus”; the Bible also mentions of “many mansions in my Father’s house”!)
Asho Zarathushtra’s Divine Mission was not to incarnate on Earth to teach mundane geography and the existence of the seven physical continents into which the Earth is incidentally divided by the action of the continental plates that are perpetually drifting and in motion. In the beginning, there was only one continent which later became 7 and in future due to the geological actions and the drifting of the continental plates, the physical continents may become less or more in numbers. Asho Zarathushtra’s Divine Mission was to reveal the secret workings of Nature, of Immutable Asha, and to teach us of the spiritual world “mainyava” that has led to the manifestation of the physical world “gaethya”, the Earth being referred to as “Khvanirath” in Pahlavi. Asho Zarathushtra has revealed that according to the Laws of Asha, there are only two Paths to choose from and these two Paths are the Paths of Angre Mainyu and Spenta Mainyu and the choice comes with inevitable grave responsibility, in this life and in after-life.
Yasna 32.3, (Ahunavaiti Gatha), refers to our Earth as “bumiyao haptaithe” or the “seven earths”, synonymous with “haft keshvar zamin”, mentioned in Pahlavi. It further specifies that the army of Akoman (bad thoughts or vices), whose leader is Angre Mainyu, has spread all over “bumiyao haptaithe” or the 7 regions and it is this army of Angre Mainyu or Akoman that is to be defeated, to be converted to righteousness!
The Vendidad, one of the original 21 Nasks, elucidates further on these “earths” and refers to these “haft keshvar” by describing them as Vouru Bareshti (situated in the north-west of “Khvanirath”), Vouru Zareshti (situated in the north-east of “Khvanirath”). Fradadafshu is located in the south-west of “Khvanirath”); Vidadafshu (south-east of “Khvanirath”). Arezahi is in the west and Savahi is located in the east of “Khvanirath”. In the centre is “Khvanirath”, our physical Earth!
Bundahishn and Yasna 11.7 also place “Khvanirath” as centrally located, “mademe thrishva”, as being situated in the center of the three pairs of “keshvars”, the three pairs being, as illustrated, Vouru Bareshti and Vouru Zareshti, Fradadafshu and Vidadafshu, Arezahi and Savahi. As is evident, these “earths” are regions that are situated in pairs! Our physical continents are not in pairs, neither are they round!
Additionally and significantly, the Vendidad, differentiates the Earth or “Khvanirath” as being combined with “imat” or “this”, meaning the “terrestrial earth”, while all other “keshvars” are combined with “avat” or “that/those (upper) earths”, indicating them to be rarefied, luminous, non-physical orbs different from the terrestrial “Khvanirath”. “Khvanirath” alone is declared to be known to, and is accessible to man! Hence, it is abundantly clear that “keshvar” indicate certain regions of upper space that are connected to the physical Earth and not to the seven terrestrial continents of this Earth.
When we pray the words, “may the wisdom, obedience and praise of the laws of the excellent Mazdayasni Zarthushti Din ever increase and spread over the seven regions”, we maintain that we enlighten the followers of other “apara-tkaesha” or other “revealed religions” to convert their own inherent vices to righteousness. Unless and until all souls attain to spiritual wisdom, collective Frashogard cannot be attained. We can effectively spread the knowledge, obedience and fame of the great Mazdayasni Zarthuhsti Din on all the regions of “haft keshvar zamin” by disseminating the moral conversion preached in the Gathas and other scriptures, of converting Angra Mainyu into Spenta Mainyu.
We can spread the fame of the law that grants every man the moral freedom to choose consciously between the two paths of good and evil in every thought, word and deed performed. The immutable law of justice is taught as a consequence of selections made in every thought, word and deed committed during life.
The word “proselyte” is not even remotely hinted at, in our Niyayeshes and Yashts or in the Gathas! To spread “daad”, “agahi”, “ravahi”, “goafrangani” on “haft keshvar zamin” only means that may we spread the wisdom, obedience and praise of the laws of the excellent Mazdayasni Zarthuhsti Religion; laws that teach to convert one’s own inherent vices to virtues! The law is not to convert others from one revealed religion to another but only to practice the moral, inner conversion of choosing righteousness over the evil tendencies of the spiritually imperfect mind.
It is not the name of the religion one follows that makes the person spiritually enlightened; rather, it is in following, obeying the teachings of the religion one is born into that makes the person spiritually progressive! Every religion teaches good thoughts, words and deeds and spirituality is attained through all religions.
It should be noted that this sentence, “daad din beh Mazdayasnan agahi ravahi goafrangani baad, haft keshvar zamin aedun baad” ends with the words, “man ano awayad shudan”, recited three times.
It means ‘I ought to go there”! Where does the devotee wish to go from this world? Certainly not to roam endlessly on Earth, from one physical ‘continent’ to another, if these words “haft keshvar zamin” indicate the terrestrial continents but the devotee expresses the desire to reach the spiritual world, to the spiritual ‘regions’, to His Abode in Light from whence we originally came! It is a travesty against one’s own religion to misquote scriptures, to take certain words out of context and use these to justify wrong ends and promote false teachings.
Examining the location and meaning of these “haft keshvar zamin” as so stated in our scriptures, they indicate without a doubt that they are a spiritual map of the multi-dimensional locations situated in Space that surrounds our physical orb, the Earth, “Khwanirath”. The spiritual talismanic regions are where the emancipated souls go to for their spiritual progress after the inevitable transition from the physical to the spiritual regions.
As humans we are not only the outer physical body that we refer to as “tanu”. As explained in Yasna 55, we have eight other spiritual and semi-spiritual components (9 in all). The physical body is only of the Earth, earthly. Even whilst living on Earth in the physical components, because we have the semi-spiritual and spiritual components interwoven within us, we have our multi-dimensional existence in other regions of space. The spiritual components of our body are compatible to have their existence in these subliminal regions or “keshvars”. Life, as energy, is eternal and therefore an individual’s spiritual progress too is eternal with or without the physical body. We do live and progress in the spiritual regions of space, the “haft keshvar”. This then is the explanation of “haft keshvar zamin” and the sentence, “Daad din beh Mazdayasnan agahi ravahi goafrangani baad, haft keshvar zamin aedun baad. Man ano awayad shudan, man ano awayad shudan, man ano awayad shudan”!
The ultimate truth regarding “haft keshvar zamin” or “bumiyao haptaithe” is proven from ha 32.3 (Ahunavad Gatha) where these words appear.
Asho Zarathushtra cautions his disciples about the daevas, the army of Akoman (leader of wicked thoughts) who have spread over the seven regions of the Earth, “bumiyao haptaithe”! It is further stated in ha 32.3 that mankind chose untruth due to the perversion of mind by these daevas, the evil thoughts, which we must convert to truth and righteousness. Asho Zarathushtra teaches only the moral conversion. There is absolutely no mention of converting juddins to Mazdayasni Zarathushtis even hinted at, in this stanza or anywhere in the sacred Avesta! Moral conversion alone is mentioned which brings peace and prosperity to mankind and to Mother Nature.
Asho Zarathushtra’s Divine Mission was to halt the progress of Akoman (unrighteous thoughts) on all the “seven regions” of the Earth so that mankind and Geush Urva will experience Renovation and attain to Frashogard! It is the destructive energy of Akoman that Asho Zarathushtra admonishes us to convert, to transform into the positive thought energy of Vohu-Mano, through righteousness! We are asked to convert Akoman to Vohu-Mano; Angre Mainyu to Spenta Mainyu! This is the conversion, the transformation we are taught in the sacred Avesta because it is only this transformation from evil to good that will bring about Frashogard!
Please remember, moral conversion is the only conversion taught by Asho Zarathushtra! Unless a person converts from within, unless a person leaves evil and turns to righteousness, would it help that person to simply become “good” by changing the name of one religion to another? No! ‘To convert’ means to ‘become spiritually wiser’, to transform, modify, transmute the evil within to virtues and this can be achieved by following the dictates of any revealed religion one is born into. All religions teach an ethical code of conduct and lead the followers to Salvation. If ‘convert’ means to leave one’s own religion of birth and adopt a newer, alien one, there is absolutely no equivalent word for “to convert” in the Sacred Avesta!

Pervin J. Mistry
24-3-2005

Courtesy : Behram P. Dhabhar‎

This ninth- or 10th-century Sogdian manuscript from Dunhuang, China, contains a version of one of the holiest Zoroastrian prayers: the Ashem Vohu, composed originally in the Avestan (old Iranian) language.

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What is Zoroastrianism?

Zoroastrianism, the religion of the ancient Iranians, is named after Zarathushtra (Zoroaster in Greek sources) whose songs (Gathas) are thought to have been composed 1500-1000 BC. Zoroastrianism teaches the importance of good thoughts, words, and actions, in a world where the forces of the all-knowing lord, Ahura Mazda, are constantly opposed by those of the evil spirit, Angra Mainyu.

What are the Avesta?

Zoroastrianism in Central Asia

Who were the Sogdians?

Why is this manuscript so important?

How was the manuscript discovered?

What does this fragment show?

Click Here for the answers from the British Library

PART I
by Late Mr. Cursetji M. Patel ( Not a scholar but a Kind Spiritual Zarathushti soul who has given us many gems in his life time )

[Time is the predominant factor in evolution and, as such, when the time comes, things happen as destined in Nature. The time is now ripe when all the Zarthushtis of the world should become aware of the coming of the Saviour, RAENIDAR BEHRAM VARZAVAND. It is possible that some unfortunate skeptic may not believe in it. So be it, but at least let him/her be aware of it so that when it does happen, that individual will not be absolutely at sea.

"Truth is stranger than fiction" is known to many. Still, due to lack of faith, they mistrust and fall in doubt. Although in today's world, there are charlatans, one wishes to be cautious, but by having intellectual faith, one can avoid falling a victim to such dubious persons. True faith can take a person towards salvation.

As mentioned in the scriptures, after the advent of Raenidar Behram Varzavand, for 500 years the world will experience a better and peaceful period, having sway of more spirituality and less materialism but before that, mankind will have to pay a very heavy price to Nature for all the wrong committed by thoughts, words and deeds.]

The world deluge or “Jag Rael” or the popular story of Noah’s Ark is mentioned in all the main religions of the world. Before the world gets submerged in water due to heavy rains, floods and melting of the ice-cap of the North Pole, as per the Zarthushti Deen, “Soshyos”, whose status is only next to Prophet Zarathushtra, leads the beings of the world towards the North Pole to a place called Pamir ­ the roof of the world. After a lapse of some thousand years, when the water on the earth recedes, and the world seems inhabitable, the people ­ the “Anjuman” which comes down from the roof of the world – is led by Gayomard, the father of the Aryan race. From this event, Gayomard starts another cycle of Time known in the Zarthushti Deen as “Zarvane Daregho-Khadat”. (In Jasame-Avangahe-Mazda, a Zarathushtis daily prayers ­ “Thwashe Khadatahe, Zarvanahe Akarnahe, Zarvanahe Daregho-Khadate” ­ all these three denote cycles of Time.) “Thwashe Khadatahe” is a person’s individual time cycle, viz., one round of Time, i.e., before birth, birth-death and after- death. “Zarvane Daregho-Khadate” is the time cycle of 81,000 years from Gayomard to the world deluge and “Zarvanahe Akarnahe” is trillions and zillions of years of unaccountable cycles of 81,000 years, i.e., “Zarvanahe Daregho-Khadate”.

We are at present concerned with “Zarvanahe Daregho-Khadate”, in the beginning of which very high souls descended on the earth, namely, Nabanaz-disht and Poryotakesh Ravans who upheld the white side of Nature and fought with the dark side. This was the bygone era of Mazdayasnis; till we come to King Lohrasp’s reign who, being a very holy and pious monarch, gave away his kingdom to his son, Gustasp, in whose reign, due to the “Pukar” (call) of Spenta Armaity (Mother Earth), Dadar Hormuzd sends to this earth, the Prophet of Prophets, Asho Spitaman Zarathushtra . This took place somewhere around 5,000 years after Gayomard. In Gustasp’s reign, Asho Zarathusht teaches the Zarathushti Deen, and breaks the cloud of Tur-bara-Tur, the pinnacle of formation of gross accumulation of the dark side of Nature, which gets vanquished and white side of Nature is the victor. After this, dynasty after dynasty with their rise and fall, come and go on the earth, one by one. Different religions came into being and from time to time, Raenidars came, taught and went. The last Raenidar Adarbad Marespand, under whose jurisdiction we are still, at present, was during the reign of King Shapur II (309-379 AD), about 1600 years ago, whose Avesta we pray today and whose reign will end when the new Raenidar Shah Behram Varzavand (blessed be his name) will rule in Iran, renovate and renew the Mazdayasni Zarathushti Deen and protect with peace and prosperity, the citizens of the world.

Here, we will try to understand about the coming Raenidar of the near future ­ Shah Behram Varzavand ­ who will not only be Holiest of the Holy, but who also will rule as monarch and will be the guiding spirit of humanity at large.

SCRIPTURAL EVIDENCE

1) In our Tandarosti prayers, it is mandatory to recite Shah Varzavand Ra, Dastur Peshotan Ra, Paigambar Hoshedar Ra, Hoshedar Mah Ra, Hoshedar Bami Ra, Soshyos Ra…..

2) Pazand prayers of “Naam-e-Khaavar” and “Chithram Buyaad” are two Setayeshs in Khordeh/Zend Avesta which predict clearly the coming of “Hoshedar-e-Zarthushtran, Peshotan-e-Vishtaspan, Vehram-e-Amavand, i.e., Shah Behram Varzavand Sahib.

3) Reference is made in the Farvardin Yasht, Jamyad Yasht and Zende Vohuman Yasht on account of Behram Varzavand.

In order to believe anything in this world, the first requirement is FAITH, “Etekad”, and when one reads one’s scripture with faith, he or she is able to conceive and understand more of Nature’s design. To those who believe, no proof is required, while to those “Doubting Thomas’s”, there is ample evidence in our scriptures and that of the world. As Jesus Christ said to Thomas when Thomas was not ready to believe that Christ had risen again (and wanted to check the Prophet’s wound himself) “Thomas, thou has seen and thou believeth; blessed are those who have not seen and still believeth.”

SAOSHYANTS

Our “Mazdayasni Zarathushti Deen” talks about Saoshyants quite often and Raenidar is of a high status in Saoshyants. Saoshyants also come to this earth in one Zarvane Darego- Khadat (i.e., 81,000 year cycle) even before the advent of Prophet Zarathushtra but the Raenidars come only after Prophet Zarathushtra. Generally, the Raenidar is born in “Geti” (world) during “Kyamat” times. Raenidars perform miracles to prove that they have been appointed by Nature with certain powers and rights. The last Raenidar, Asho Ashavan Adarbad Marespand , proved himself by performing a miracle of pouring a 1 ¼ maund molten brass (Kasu) on his chest in front of a full Anjuman, and still he came out of it unscathed – absolutely nothing happened to him.

SAOSHYANTO MANTHRA

Paigambar Sahib made 21 Nasks of “Fshusho Manthras” which were of Yazadi Zaban', after which he directed hisHavishts’ (disciples), to prepare 21 Nasks of “Manthra Spenta” which was done under the Prophet’s guidance. From these two sets of Nasks, Raenidars prepare “Saoshyanto Manthra” according to the kinds of souls who are going to come down on earth during their reign. At present, we are using the Saoshyanto Manthra given by the last Raenidar, Adarbad Marespand Sahib, in our present “Khordeh-Avesta”.

When Behram Varzavand Sahib will come, he will check, add to or deduct from the “Manthra” prepared by the present Sraoshavaraz and form the cloud (Gubar) of Avesta, create the lineage of his own Dastoori and then put those Avesta Manthra into use and practice for the people. The Raenidar becomes Sarosh Yazad’s representative and fights and clears the dark side of Nature and keeps the flag of Dadaar Hormuzd flying.

In the fourth and fifth Karda of Sarosh Yasht Hadokht, Saoshyants and Raenidars are remembered who not only do the work of advancement of souls who are living in the world, but also those who have departed from the world, even in “Arvahi” regions.

The above clearly shows that Mazdayasni Zarthushti Deen Renaissance will be done by our Saviour, Raenidar Behram Varzavand. But what about other religions? At present deterioration, corruption, vices, sins, satanic cults and abnormal behaviour, etc., are on rampage throughout the world and in all religions. It is often said that materialism has increased and spiritualism has decreased. The “Keresani” cult has increased and the Hom cult has disappeared. True, but it is not only we who are talking about the Saviour; other religions are also talking about their own religious Saviours.

WHY AND WHEN SAVIOURS COME

Each religion draws its circle from one fixed central point only for its existence and works on this circle only. As these religions are drawn from one central point, they do not clash or come into conflict with other circles (normally). This centre in Avesta is called Naman'. The ordinary meaning of Naman is house/home, but this Naman is that home where the Creator of the universe resides and in this house the Deen which exists is called "Hudin" ­ Hu = Ahu HE. That meansHudin’ is the Deen of Dadaar Ahuramazda. The five main revealed religions of the world, at their appointed time, are born and commence from this Hudin'. As explained above, ordinarily, these religions do not clash or come into conflict with one another, but when in this world, grossness, evil and sins overflow, then the Deens shift away from the fixed centre and come into conflict with one another and between religions, the oneMinoi’ sublime religious co- operation which is shown in the Avesta sentence, “Hamazor Hama Asho Baed”, snaps.

At such time, from the Hudin which is standing on its “Naman”, each religion’s Prophet, when required, sends to the world, his Saviour ­ Raenidar, who, with the “MINOI” power vested in him, renovates his Deen.

Zarathushti Deen’s last such Raenidar was Adarbad Marespand Sahib, during the Sassanian period, whose Raenidari is still going on, which is sealed in the existing Avesta Patet, 12th Karda (paragraph) and whose Dastoori is still being prayed in all our ceremonies. The next Raenidar is Shah Behramshah Varzavand.

The Hindu Religion, in the holy Gita 4th Adhiyamana paragraphs, seven and eight, gives the famous shloka as follows:

Yada Yada Hi Dharmasya Galani Bhavati Bharat Abhutinam A-Dharmasia Atmanam Sujamai Hum

Whensoever Dharmasia (meaning Dharma – religion) becomes Galani (meaning falls), Atmanaman (meaning my form), Sujamia hum (meaning, I show Myself, I manifest).

Parimania Sadhunam Vinasai Duskatam Dharma Sanstha ­ A Thiria Sabhavami Yuge Yuge

1) For the preservation of the Holy One. 2) For destroying the unholy one and 3) To re-establish the Laws of Religion 4) I manifest Myself from time to time.

Muslims are talking about Emam Mahdi, descended through Prophet Mohammad’s daughter, Fatima. Hindu religious books are talking about Jagat Guru Kalki Avatar.The Bible says that a Saviour will come.

Like Shah Behram Varzavand of Zarthushti Deen, in the other four main religions of the world, Saviours are also born and are under the guidance of their individual advanced souls who will come out when the time is ready and according to the Laws of Jiram, will work under the guidance and in harmony with Shah Behram Varzavand Sahib as the Supreme Head, for the betterment of their religion and people’s prosperity. For these advanced souls, there is nothing to get slighted or insulted about this – they have no ego problems on being thus placed, for they know and understand the design of Nature, as to their own status in Nature.

USTAD SAHIB BEHRAM-SHAH’S TEACHINGS

He explained about the coming events in the time cycle of the future. (Ustad Sahib died in 1927). Whatever Ustad Sahib has predicted or explained has come true up to now. Among this is the coming of the Raenidar Behram Varzavand. When asked for the time of the birth of Behram Varzavand Sahib, he said that he was forbidden to say this, but he could give some signs which will occur in future, by which one can say that the Saviour has been born.

Ustad Sahib said that Behram Varzavand Sahib will be born between 1940 to 1950 when the planetary position will be Vazirat of sun and Kotwali of sun. Among other few signs which he gave were:

1) Aeroplanes which were all running and taking off horizontally will take off vertically and also without running. When this happens, you should know that the Saviour’s birth time is near.

2) When planes’ wings also do not remain, then you should know that the birth of the Saviour is very near

3) But when the tail also gets removed, then know that the Saviour has been born.

Also, a World War which would be going on for some years would suddenly stop. (This ultimately happened when the Allies threw the atom bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki of Japan.)

BARJISI AFTER 52 years

According to the Zarthushti Deen, a Zoroastrian gets connected, after the age of 52 years, with Barjis (Brihaspati-Jupiter). After this age only, a Zarthushti Ravan has to commence important spiritual work in order to bring best results. “Kam Anjam Bayd Chun Ahurmazda Khodai’ blessings are in it. Behram Varzavand Sahib’s 52 years (1946 + 52 = 1998) may get completed by 1999, after which he is eligible to come out, if he so desires.

END OF 20th CENTURY

There will be great turmoil around the end of the century and immediately afterwards – which has already started from 1962, February, when in the sign of Capricorn, all eight planets came in the same line together. This period will end now. (1962 to 72 to 82 to 92 to 2002). During all these years, man committed follies and caused destruction, sins and sex liberations like animals, greed and corruption, etc. For all this, the toll will be taken by Nature, after which peace will be experienced under the Saviour. PLANETARY POSITIONS

“Hashem” (Mars) Shehanshat, Ravi (Sun) Vazirat, and Budh (Mercury) Kotwali is running from 1971 to 2002. From 2002, Mah Kotwali starts for 30 years upto 2032. Thus the year 2002 stands as the cut off- point, after which it is hoped that Shah Behram Varzavand will come. >From that time, the period of Adarbad Marespand Raenidar will end and Behram Varzavand Raenidar’s will commence. The calendar year YAZDIGARI will also end and Behram Varzavand years will commence. During this planetary position, men will have a breather and peace will return, under the reign of Shah Behram Varzavand.

IRAN TO HINDUSTAN

After the invasion of the Arabs, Iran’s last noble king, Yazadegar Sheriar was defeated and killed. It became difficult for Zarathushtis to follow the Mazdayasnan Zarathushti Din (day by day) as the conversion was carried on by Islam. Still, many Zarthushtis lived in the mountainous areas and in clans doing “Beti ­ Vehvahar” ­ giving of the daughter in marriage within the clans only, but as time went by, this also started breaking and thus elders of the community, under the leadership of Dastoor Naryosangh Dhaval, started communicating with the Magav Mandal Sahibs who had gone in seclusion 49 years before the fall of Iran. The advice received from these Zarathushti high souls was to leave Iran and go towards the south of Hindustan, as the mother of Behram Varzavand (the next Raenidar who will bring about the renaissance of the Zarthushti Din) will be born in the west of Hindustan, somewhere near Gujarat. Hence, honouring this commandment under the leadership of Dastoor Naryosangh Dhaval Sahib who was “Six Kash Ashwan”, our ancestors left Iran and first landed at Diu and then from there, after some 17 years, they came to Sanjan where the good Hindu King, Jhadavrana, was ruling. The rest is history.

SEEN AND UNSEEN WORLDS

“There are many things in this world which we have not even dreamt of.” That enlightened Iran, the mother of the then world academics, was to be run over and strangled by Arabs, this was known to our Abeds of high caliber and thus, they left “jaher” Iran, a hundred years before the above event took place. Similarly, a second flock of high souls left forty-nine years before. The former is located at a place known in the Avesta as “Chaichasta” and the latter, “Kuh-e-Demavand” in Iran itself. The “Sahib ­ Dilan” (Master Hearts) holy master souls of “Kuh-e-Demavand” (Magi-Magian) – by a mysterious degree of Nature, the number of Magavans (Magi-Magian) existing at a time on the earth remains a constant 72. They went away from Iran, for the strict observance of the Zarathushti Law of Asha, Purity. These high souls help, our ancestors sought and as directed, came to Hindustan. These high souls can take in some person, as was the case of Ustad Sahib Behramshah Shroff, who stayed with them and brought the esoteric forgotten knowledge of our Zarthushti Din. We cannot enter their “Var” (meaning naturally protected place) which our eyes can never see, unless the Magavs so desires. The entrance of “Chaichasta” is described as “Abi” (meaning watery or through waters) mysteriously guarded, unknown even in dreams to the likes of us. The abode has around one million (10 lakhs) first grade souls of the highest status. They are direct “Burjisi” souls whereas Demavand Koh’s high souls have become “Burjisi” step by step (from lower grades of Jiram) as we will be in the distant future. Chaichast possesses the throne of the Prophet of Prophets ­ Asho Zarathustra.. After the departure of Asho Zarathustra from the world, The high soul that sits on this throne is known as “Zarthust- Temo”. `Chaichast’ also possesses the full 21 Nask of Asho Zarathustra . Demavand-Koh Abeds cannot enter or directly see the Chaichast Sahib, only the Saroshavarez Sahib who is the Head of the Magavs of Demavand-Koh can be in direct communion with Chaichast Sahib. These few points will show the spiritual position of Chaichast Sahib. At present, the coming Raenidar, Shah Behram Varzavand Sahib, is in Chaichast.

BIRTH OF RAENIDAR BEHRAM VARZAVAND

“Seeing is believing.” This adage has lost its lustre in today’s world. It is also the unseen which one has to believe. Today’s average men know that there are radio waves, TV waves present in the air everywhere although they cannot be seen by the eye. Similarly, “Geti” (the world) also has two parts – the seen and the unseen. One-third part is like Garodaeman (heavenly type) and the other two-thirds is Drujo-daeman (like the present seen world). “Demavand-Koh”, somewhere in Mount Demavand, Iran, is the unseen one, with its Magav Anjuman. We cannot find them or see them – they have drawn such a “Kash” around them that it will be difficult for even “Arvahi” (world of spirites) to penetrate there, leave aside human beings like ourselves. They can see us but we cannot see them, because of the “Kash” around them (an unseen fortress).

In order to understand properly, let us refer to the popular event of “Ramayan”. Laxman drawing a line, “Rekha”, telling Sita not to cross it whilst he was gone. Ravana, although as powerful or even more than Laxman, knew that he dare not cross the Laxman-Rekha because Laxman’s talismanic power was working there. Hence, Ravana deluded Sita to come out. This is the “Kash”.

In this world, just as our “Jaher” (known) Zarthushti Anjuman is present, so also there is “Baten (hidden) Anjuman (just like Jaher Iran and Baten Iran). One of the hidden Anjumans is near “Bhagu Rishi- Var” of Hindus, near Bharuch in Gujarat. This Zarthushti Anjuman is run by lower rung Abeds in comparison with Magavs of Demavand Koh Abeds. In this Anjuman, they follow the Fasal calendar, have Agiari on Fasal Alats, etc. The nine families of this Anjuman are advanced and pure and from this Anjuman, a woman would be born who would be Behram Varzavand Sahib’s mother, as destined by Nature. Once a young and handsome Asho-Nar who had come to Hindustan, visited this particular “Baten” Anjuman and was the guest of this Anjuman. Presently, they (the Anjuman) came to know that he was one of the Asho-Nar from the Abeds of Demavand-Koh, and hence, with reverence, they started to inquire about the Zarathushti Deen from him. In one of his discourses, on the happy occasion of a Fasal Hingam, which this Anjuman used to celebrate as in ancient Iran, when all the communities attended with their families, the topic turned to the chapter of “Kisas” (Retribution), “Karma”. The Abed-Nar explained that a person can have 1) “Kisas-e-Masavate”, or 2) “Kisas-e-Saade” or 3) “An-Karib-ul-Bokhtagi”.

1) “Kisas-e-Masavati” Masavate = mix/compounded Kisas. People who have good as well as bad Karma ­ just like present day people of the world.

2) “Kisas-e-Saade” Saade = simple kind of Kisas Not complicated, smooth, progressing further.

3) “An-Karib-ul-Bokhtagi” Karib = near, reaching “Moksha” (Salvation). This Ravan has only one or two more rounds left to come to this world. They do not get born in the known world, but do get born in Magav abodes.

Whilst the Asho-Nar was explaining the above, someone from the gathered group asked him, whether or not in their Anjuman there was someone having this “An-Karib-ul-Bokhtagi” status ravan. To which the Abed-Nar turned his eye to a corner where one little girl of six or seven years was sitting quietly and he pointed to her and said that in your Anjuman, this is the only “An-Karib-ul-Bokhtagi” ravan. This was greeted with much rejoicing and awe and high respect grew for the little girl.

According to the laws of duality, the above came into being and as Nature intended it to happen. Nature protects such high souls and does not allow them to tumble, less they become the soul of Masavati- Kisas. Nature has to undergo much expense to bring the soul to such a position.

The little girl who was pointed out by Abed-Nar as an “An-Karib-ul- Bokhtagi” Ravan recieved the admiration of all. But the Abed-Nar pointed out that the grade of “Ashoi” to which she should reach, will not be attained by her by staying amongst their Anjuman. Hence, ultimately, it so happened that the Abed-Nar returned to Demavand with the young girl, together with her father and mother, with the consent of all. After staying for some years in Demavand and achieving the required Ashoi, the girl and her parents returned back to the Zarathushti Anjuman which is near the Bhagu-Rishi Var around present Bharuch.

By this time, the little girl had blossomed into young womanhood and a suitable suitor was sought for her by her parents and also by the Anjuman. But alas! No one was found appropriate or worthy of her. It so happened that after much deliberation and discussion, the whole Anjuman arrived at the same conclusion that if anybody was suitable and worthy of her, it would be that Abed-Nar of Demavand who should be requested to enter into wedlock with her. And it did happen. Thus it came into being, in a wonderful and strange way, that one Asho-Nar of Demavand-Koh got married with a Parsee-Zoroastrian girl of the hidden Anjuman of India – the union of which gave to the world, the birth of Shah Behram Varzavand ­ the Coming Raenidar.

AFTER THE BIRTH

Some time after this auspicious birth, the Asho-Nar together with Varzavand Sahib and the mother returned to Demavand-Koh where, under the guidance of Abed Sahibs, the child’s formative years were moulded and the training of the Abed Master-Dil was imparted with care and love under which over and above all-round knowledge, spiritual knowledge’s strong solid base was laid. After certain years at Demavand, Varzavand Sahib shifted to Chaechast Var where, with the purest of the pure high souls like Soshyos, Hoshedars, Jamasp, Peshotan, Kaikhushru Padshah, etc., who come down to this world but remain in the background, Varzavand Sahib is performing very high secret “Amals”. When his time will come, he will emerge out of the Chaechast Kash, under the hidden but direct connection with Soshyos and with the blessings of the above quoted high sublime souls.

by Cursetji M. Patel

Courtesy : Hushang Vakil

by: Ervad Marzban J. Hathiram

……..Over the last few days, there has been some discussion amoungst the various Zoroastrian groups and mailing lists about the ‘worship’ of somebody called ‘Paria Mai’ or a beneficent Sprite living in wells. Some Parsis have written passionately about the benefits derived from contacting Paria Mai or reciting a ‘story’ about her in return for any boon or desire one may want or have. An extract from a long message about Paria Mai is given below:

“Who is Paria Mai? She is an angel…queen angel…mother angel…big sister angel. She embodies all that is good, glorious, giving, generous… Paria Mai is worshipped every day, but Paria Mai’s power day is Tuesday. From the plane of Saturn, if her devotees ask for anything truly especially on Tuesday…Paria Mai enthrones at the door of her devotee’s house…removes physical ailments, mental problems and financial worries…she along with the tender, beautiful …Bibi Sessumbi, Bibi Haziri and Bibi Murad are beseeched… may you live and love with Paria Mai from this day…”

The following questions arise: Who really is Paria Mai? Is this a Zoroastrian phenomenon? Can such worship be called Zoroastrian? Is it correct for Parsis to follow such practices? Is there any evidence or reference in the Avesta scriptures for this kind of practice? Did our Master, Ustad Saheb Behramshah Shroff give any clarification or revelation about such instances?

Click here to read the article in 3 parts :

Part 1

Part 2 

Part 3

with the concluding paras that state :

Our precious Avesta has hundreds of Nirangs and prayers which cover the entire range of human needs and wants. Even our most basic prayers have the power to bring for their reciter the best blessings of Ahura Mazda. As such, there is no need to gravitate towards any form of idol worship, sprite worship or engaging in supernatural behaviour. Patience and contentment are great virtues. Modern life is so competitive and bench-marking is so rampant that the urge for material possessions is very great. We all feel the need to own something better and bigger than everyone else has. This unhealthy trend of conspicuous consumption, rank materialism and media displays of vulgar wealth and flashy lifestyles all lead to a feeling of inadequacy amongst normal middle class citizens who then rush for magic cures, fake Babas and the worship of supernatural wonder-workers.

God is not oblivious to our needs, but He knows best as to when someone deserves something and in what quantum. Thus it is best to pray with a clean conscience, ask for whatever one may want but accept the Will of God with contentment and deep faith. This is the only way to survive and prosper spiritually in this world. It is my earnest request that readers of Frashogard will forward this article with as much, if not more intensity among their Parsi friends so that this unhealthy and un-Zoroastrian mode of worship is not encouraged in our community.

Ervad Marzban J. Hathiram

What is the significance of taking Paivend” (holding handkerchief) whilst going to “Paidest”?
Before we understand why we take ‘Paivend’ whilst walking behind a corpse for ‘Paidest’, we should know something about the procedural rituals followed when death occurs.
We are aware, that the moment a living thing dies it starts to decay and “Druj-e-Nasu” becomes stronger and stronger. As time passes by it contaminates and spreads in the surroundings.
In order to bind and reduce this ‘Druj-e-Nasu’ ‘Sachkar’ is to be done, as fast as possible in the same “Gaah” in which the person has died. In ‘Sachkar’, seven ‘bunds’ (like tourniquets) are tied on different parts of the dead body.
This is after giving the corpse a bath, which should be with ‘Gaomez’ – ‘Tara’, and not with water as it is commonly done. The corpse is then placed on stone slabs and whilst reciting ‘Ahunavar’ prayer (Yatha) three “Karsh” or circuits are drawn round the corpse with an iron nail by the ‘Nasesalar”.

After this, Avesta Manthravani is recited near the Ravan till “Geh Sarna”.

In between, “Sagdid” (Sighting by the special dog) is performed.

By all this the forces of Druj (Evil) are restricted within the boundaries of the circuit drawn and no outside Druj can attack the Ravan.

About halfway through the “Geh Sarna” the corpse is lifted from the circuit and placed by Nasesalars in the ‘Gehan’. After this pause, further recitations of Geh Sarna is done. When it gets over, the persons who are present do “Sezdo”.

Then the corpse is lifted by the Nasesalar in the ‘Gehan’ and the last journey to the Dokhma begins. Note that up-to-now the body was shifted only once after “Sachkar” ceremony circuits. Now, when the Nasesalars (Pall-bearers) lift the body in the Gehan on their shoulders, due to the movement of lifting-walking-shaking of Gehan, the ‘Druj-e-Nasu’ becomes activated and spreads out.

In order to resist this force, we walk silently joined by cloth (usually handkerchief) with another person, spaces away from the corpse carried by the bearers.

According to the canons of the Zarthusti Din each individual possesses a fire-energy within him called Atashe-Vohufryan and this is to be protected from the force of. ‘Druj’ – evil-dark side of Nature’s contamination, which is attacked, whilst walking behind a. corpse.

Hence Paivend with another person, so that two Atashe-Vohufriyan, together will be able to resist the onslaught of Druj-e-Nasu more effectively. Before going to ‘Paidest’ we have to do our Kusti, and take Baj by praying certain portion of the Manthra after doing the final ‘Sezda’. When the Nasesalars come out of the ‘Dokhma’, after placing the body inside, we have to recite the remaining portion of the Baj and then only we can disconnect the “Paivend”.

Reference :

[1] Dini Avaz 101 Q/A,  page 106, 107. Bold fonts added.

__.,.___

Courtesy : K.F.Keravala

by: Ervad Marzban J. Hathiram

“……..  Our beautiful religion has prescribed a model code of conduct for such times, and as usual, we have forgotten all about it. Let us go through a few preliminary observations as to what our religion says we should do …………”

To continue reading a very clear and detailed step by step procedure to be followed, click on each of the below 4 part series on the subject followed by a a few questions and answers :

How to attend a Paidust – Part 1

How to attend a Paidust – Part 2

How to attend a Paidust – Part 3

How to attend a Paidust – Part 4

How to attend a Paidust – some queries answered

MEHREGAN is the Autumnal Equinox just like Now Rooz is the Vernal Equinox.

In ancient times Mehregan like Nou Rooz was celebrated exactly at the moment of the Autumnal Equinox which falls on the 1st of the month of Mehr which corresponds to 23 September. The celebrations lasted for 10 days and ended on Mehr Day in Mehr month when the name of the Month and the name of the Day were the same.

After the genocide committed against our ancestors we lost all the science and knowledge and in modern times we just celebrate the last day of the festival, the 10th day.
for more information on Mehregan click here
http://ahura.homestead.com/files/FESTIVALS/MEHREGAN_2013.pdf

For information on the Genocide click
http://ahura.homestead.com/files/GENOCIDEofZarathushtiesWEBJULY07_2_.pdf

MEHREGAN FARKHONDEH BAAD

With Regards

Fariborz Rahnamoon
http://www.ancientiran.com

Why Juddins Are Not Permitted to Enter Our Consecrated Fire Temples:

by:  Pervin J. Mistry

It is often asked, if Christians allow non-Christians to enter their churches and Muslims allow non-Muslims to enter their mosques, why cannot Parsi-Irani Zarathushtis permit juddins to enter our consecrated Fire Temples such as Agiaries and Atash-Behrams?

First of all, this assertion itself is wrong! For example, the Muslims do not allow any non-Muslims to enter Mecca or their sacred mosques where they conduct their communal prayers/rituals. Even the different sects, such as the Sunnis do not allow the Shi’is to enter their mosques and vice-versa! The Christians as well do not permit the tourists to go beyond a certain demarcation cordoned off from the rest of the St. Peter’s at Vatican and at the other orthodox Churches! The Jews also do not permit any Gentiles (non-Jews) or any Reformist Jews to enter their synagogues. The Hindus do not permit any intermarried Hindus or any non-Hindus to enter their consecrated Temples, the prime example being the Jagannath Temple at Puri! Therefore, we are not the only religious community who has rules of admission for entry into our consecrated Fire Temples!

Even a Parsi-Irani Zarathushti is barred from entry into our own Fire Temples due to certain requisite rules of purity, for both men as well as women! So why do some community members not understand that every religion has certain revealed set of rules which are meant for the followers to follow and obey, and if any detractor does not wish to subscribe to these mandated rules, why cannot such a rebel convert to any other religion of his/her own choice or set up a new cult instead of dragging the community down the path of disobedience? Let us try and sort out the reasons why certain spiritual laws are required to safeguard the continuity of spiritual disciplines which are indispensable for the survival of a specific religious community.

In our religion we talk about “pavi”, “kash”, “pavikat”, etc. In English, we refer to these as “spiritual force-field”. A “spiritual force-field” is an energy field around an object.  “Pav” means to “make pure” and therefore, a “pavi” is an unseen spiritual perimeter wherein nothing impure can enter due to the constant upkeep of certain rituals performed within. If the “pavi” is not maintained the strength weakens. “Kash” means the same. It indicates a circle or a boundary. Specifically, in connection to the issue being discussed, it means to draw a talismanic circle while performing certain rituals wherein the electro-magnetic forces do their work within the marked area!

How is this talismanic circle generated? It is so formed through an elaborate process of “consecration” by making the marked area sacred or “holy”! The Mobed Sahebs undergo a strict ritual of “barshnoom” (ritual ablution) of nine days. Then they start reciting the sacred Yasna and Vendidad rituals after drawing a boundary around the ritual area. Every Agiary and Atash-Behrams has furrows cut into the stone floors. These were consecrated when an Agiary or an Atash-Behram makaan was constructed. Additionally, more special consecration processes/rituals were performed separately for the Atash Padshah Saheb who is enthroned usually within the 9 marked “kash” or “pavi” beginning from the stone hindora on which the Padshah is enthroned!

If, when the Mobed Sahebs recite the rituals after observing all the mandated rules of purity, in reality, a strong spiritual force-field is created within the area. Can we see this force-field? No, not with our physical eyes because we can see only the visible portion of the light spectrum! Our eyes are not able to see the entire spectrum which includes the ultra-violet and infra-red light. But today, when people talk of “atoms’ and the “God Particle”, do they really see an atom or the “God Particle”? No – they only look for evidence that these exist! These are also beyond the scope of physical science and yet, following physicists’ theories, scientists believe in “parallel” Universes which are unseen and which is the origin of everything physical! Scientists believe that behind every atom, there is something spiritual that propels it and sustains it, which some call Super Intelligence! Whose Super Intelligence it is or from where this Intelligence comes, has yet to be discovered by science! Still, some of our community members will believe in and talk of the atoms and the God Particle as if they know these exist in reality but when the same principle applies to our rituals and religion, they wish to have physical proof!

It is preposterous not to have faith in the teachings of our Paigambar Saheb who is a Yazad, a Divine Being, an Immortal Spiritual Being, who is acquainted with both the seen as well as the unseen Universes! HE has given us the Great Mazdayasni Zarathushti Din which is super-scientific; it is the Science of all Sciences! Besides the many spiritual disciplines to attain to Frashogard, HE has also taught us the laws of “consecration”! To create an electro-magnetic circuit – within our Agiaries and Atash-behrams and to keep these spiritual “force-fields” recharged at all times, HE has taught us to use the natural energies working all around us and within us through Nature! Our Laws are all based on the Immutable Laws of Asha, meaning “Nature”!

Nature is full of different energies. Just as Light, as an energy, is a part of the electro-magnetic spectrum, the energy of Sound working in Nature also has its decibels. Energy, being Spirit or non-physical, can never be destroyed but it can be transformed into other different energies. An Oscilloscope represents sound as light patterns because these are both energies.

In our rituals we use both these energies of Light (Fire) and Sound (Manthravani/staot). Plus we also use water which is a good conductor of electro-magnetic energy; human magnetism of the ritually purified priests, ceremonial metallic implements which are also good conductors of electricity, and the earth itself on which the ritual is performed plus the stone hindora on which the afarganiyu is placed, are conductors of the electro-magnetic forces as well. As a result, a constant force-field is activated within our Agiaries and Atash-Behrams.

Being created with the use of our unique manthravani, atash which too is derived from previous different Zarathushti establishments, we maintain our consecrated area according to the magnetism created specifically to suit the spiritual needs of a Soul who is born of both Zarathushti parents who are from the same Parsi-Irani lineage preserved over thousands of years! The genes, the specific traits, are ingrained within our DNA. We respond to the specific manthavani, to the wavelength of the specific Light (Fire) and to all the rituals which our previous generations have followed and we follow the continuity! Juddins have their own different ways of worship, their own prayers, and their own spiritual strengths. Nature itself is diverse and so is humanity! If a juddin enters our consecrated places, there is disturbance of the energy which we cannot see but then it does not mean such spiritual reaction does not take place. Because Religion is spiritual, it has to be taken on faith and obeyed with complete dedication. If we do not see the spiritual side of nature, it does not mean such spiritual influences do not exist. It would not be very “scientific” or “educated” to deny the unseen forces of the Divine Universe we live in!

Please, please, out of ignorance do NOT destroy our “kash” by letting juddins infiltrate the sacred area where they should not. Intermarried couples must also realize that once they are married and cohabit with a juddin, they lose their original Parsi-Irani Zarathushti “khoreh” and their entry also harms the sacred “kash” inside our consecrated places of worship! This is not nonsense, in fact in today’s nuclear age, such things as “force-fields”, even the kids know of! But our Parsi brethren who wish to alter spiritual disciplines according to “likes” and “what they want” show a pathetic absence of wisdom and knowledge of the rules of Nature!

In an endeavour to promote religious awareness and knowledge and also to provide a platform for budding talent.

RUSTOM BAUG ASSOCIATION

Zoroastrian Winter Relief Fund

THE SUPER SILVER CLUB

Organise

 ALL PARSEE RELIGIOUS PERFORMING ARTS COMPETITION

FOR CHILDREN UPTO 16 YEARS

Categories:

• 15 minute Play
• 3-5 minute Dance

Content for all the above mentioned should be strictly pertaining to Zoroastrian Religion and Culture only.

Attractive prizes for winners in each category and also for Individual performances

DATE: SUNDAY 9^TH. NOVEMBER 2014

VENUE: SIR NESS WADIA MEMORIAL PAVILION,  

                Rustom Baug, Byculla, Mumbai 400 027.

Entry Fee: Rs.100 per item.

Last date for Entries: Sunday 2^nd November 2014

For further details contact:

Hutoxi: 09821043319

Zarine: 09221082545

For those who may wish to read in detail about our Dear Rainidar saheb Shah Behram Varzavand, here is a detailed article by Curset Patel.

Click here : Raenidar Shah Behram Varzavand_a detailed article

Courtesy : Behram P Dhabhar