Sunday, December 30, 2007

Salgrehs of Agiaries and Gahambars in Amardad mah, YZ 1377 (Dec 07 - Jan 08)

From: Tehemton B. Adenwalla
Date: Dec 30, 2007 9:57 AM
Subject: Salgrehs of Agiaries and Gahambars in Amardad mah, YZ 1377
(Dec 07 - Jan 08)
To: TZML <TraditionalZarathushtris@yahoogroups.com>

Baname Khuda!

Dear Zarathushti humdins,

these are the Salgrehs of Agiaries in the month of Amardad YZ 1377
(Dec 07 - Jan 08)

Some of these salgrehs have already passed this time, nevertheless
hope the list will help devotees next year.

Bahman roj on 19 Dec 2007, Wed:
1. Shapoorji F Jokhi Dare-meher at Godrej Baug, Mumbai
2. Avan Bag Dadgah, Malesar, Navsari

Ardibehest roj on 20 Dec 2007, Thurs:
1. Sir J J Godavra Adarian at Fort, Mumbai
2. Hamawalla Daremeher, Bharuch.
3. Katrak Daremeher, New Delhi

Asfandard roj on 22 Dec 2007, Saturday:
1. Vadi Daremeher, Navsari
2. Mewawalla Dadgah, Neemuch

Amardad roj on 24 Dec 2007, Monday:
1. Umrigar Dadgah, Vadodara (Baroda)

Adar roj on 26 Dec 2007, Wednesday
1. Vicajee Meherjee Daremeher, Sholapur

Tir roj on 30 Dec 2007, Sunday
1. Khan Daremeher at Nanpura, Surat

Sarosh roj on 3 Jan 2008, Thurs:
1. Boyce Dhanapatel Agiary, Tardeo, Mumbai
2. Vatcha Gandhi Agiary at Chowpatty, Mumbai
3. A K Pankhaky Agiary at Bandra, Mumbai
4. Belgamwalla Daremeher at Hoobly

Behram roj on 6 Jan 2008, Sunday:
1. Dasturji Kookadaroo Daremeher, Sanjan.

Ashtad roj on 12 Jan 2008, Saturday
*** Paeteshhem Gahambar ***


Humdins may write about these salgrehs if they happen to visit the
Agiary on the day.

Even advance notification of jashans and lectures to take place on
these days will be appreciated by one and all.

Sincerely,
Tehemton B. Adenwalla

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

[Traditional Zs] Re: Salgreh of some Atashbehram/Agiaries/Dadgahs in the coming days (of Tir mah)

From: Tehemton B. Adenwalla
Date: Dec 17, 2007 2:51 PM
Subject: Re: [Traditional Zs] Re: Salgreh of some
Atashbehram/Agiaries/Dadgahs in the coming days (of Tir mah)
To: TZML <TraditionalZarathushtris@yahoogroups.com>


Baname Khuda!

Dear brother Khushroo,

Very good report.

It seems the buildings themselves are being deserted, but the Atash
Padshah Sahebs are given a new house.

Nothing wrong in itself, we are still doing good as long as we take
care of consecrated Atashes.
The kathi supply problem you mentioned is to be handled on a
war-footing basis, it seems.

Perhaps our Mr Rustom Chothia, who manages a kathi fund can comment on
how to assure kathi supply to these far-flung Agiaries and Dadgahs.

Your writing about Ellav was very apt. This is where the Elavias come from.
From Kudiana hail the Kudianiwallas and from Olpad hail the Olpadiwallas.

In your future trips, could you arrange to have a small (digital)
camera so that you can take some photos of these places and share them
with us on TZML.

You will be surprised as to how many Zarathushtis indirectly get TZML
emails by them being forwarded by their friends.

Good information and deals on digital cameras and other
electronic/electrical appliances can be found on this very useful site
http://www.compareindia.com/

Do keep up the good work, this is our collective faraz (duty) and lets
see how we can best mitigate these problems.

Perhaps some common-sense solutions and direction action bypassing
bureaucracy could be the solution.

Lets take name of Behram Yazad and pray for Victory in these matters.

Sincerely
Tehemton B. Adenwalla


On 12/17/07, KHUSHROO PASTAKIA wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> KSHNO THARO AHURE MAZDAO (Victory of Pak Dadar Ahuramazda),
>
> Thanks a lot for informing the Salgreh information one day earlier, so I could visit the Elav Adarian, which is now converted into Dadgah.
>
> Elav is around 40 Kms. from Surat and surprisingly there was no visitor on the Salgreh day, as per the feedback from its caretaker Mr. Jemi Patel. He told that there are only 2 families remaining and there was no Kathi left. Well I will ensure for the supply of immediate Kathi, but the future of this Adaryan is once again doubtful.
>
> Once upon a time Elav was well known for big PROSPEROUS Parsee community and where every house was blessed with extremely good wealth, when one enters Elav, there is a big school in the name of Ratanshaw Koyaji, which itself shows the past glory, but thereafter everyone went off for Foreign destinations and now there is nobody left to take care of the Dadgah Saheb.
>
> While returning back to Surat, we also visited to Olpad Dadgah Saheb and that was my most miserable visit to any Adaryan / Dadgah Sahebs. Huge property, but like a KHANDAR, walls with big holes and swinging bricks, just waiting to fall upon. Only three families left in Olpad and nobody to take care of the Dadgah Saheb, except of one family and one never knows when the building will fall down, its in EXTREMELY poor condition. As per the feedback from that family, next month they are shifting the Dadgah Saheb in Surat's Shahenshahi Atashbehram. One more Dadgah Saheb getting closed and the same is the position of Kudiana Dadgah Saheb, nearby Olpad at the verge of closure.
>
> With best regards,
> Khushroo A. Pastakia
>
>

Salgreh of Illav Dadgah on Marespand roj, Tir mah, YZ 1377 (which is Sun, 16th Dec 2007)

From: Tehemton B. Adenwalla
Date: Dec 16, 2007 4:25 PM
Subject: Salgreh of Illav Dadgah on Marespand roj, Tir mah, YZ 1377
(which is Sun, 16th Dec 2007)
To: TZML <TraditionalZarathushtris@yahoogroups.com>

Baname Khuda!

Dear Zarathushti humdins,

today on Marespand roj of Tir mah is the Salgreh of the Dadgah at
Illav in the Bharuch district of Surat.

The Seth Jamshedji Burjorji Mistry Daremeher (Dadgah) was consecrated
in the year YZ 1239 (AD 1869) and is hence 138 years old.

What a feat!

Mr. Giara's book, 1st edition, page 90 mentions about this Dadgah and
says that its Salgreh is on roj Amardad, mah Tir; whereas a Parsi
calendar says it is on Marespand roj, Tir mah.

Could someone please clarify the exact Salgreh roj and mah.

The same page also shows the photo of the dadgah, it is not very
healthy looking building.

Perhaps some charitable institution or individual would look into it,
esp since there are only 4 Parsis living there.

Or an individual with generous disposition could help. Instead of
celebrating a lagan or naojote in a family with lot of dhoom-dham and
huge expenses on flowers and decorations, it could be done in a more
simple manner, and the proceeds could go towards the uplift of such
far-flung agiaries and dadgahs. It will certainly be a naojote or
lagan to remember, plus an additional bonus of satisfaction of
committing a good deed. Anyway Parsis need no lesson in charity, hence
this is only a suggestion.

I was inspired to write the above when a non-Parsi friend recently
celebrated his only daughter' first birthday with extreme simplicity.
Even though they could afford a lavish spread, he humbly told me that
they donated the money for a charitable cause.

Long like sakhavat in Parsi and non-Parsi hearts!

Sincerely,
Tehemton B. Adenwalla

Saturday, December 15, 2007

[TMYZ] Re: [Traditional Zs] Green agiaries - Having water purification, use of sun rays, compost treatment mini-unit, etc

From: Tehemton B. Adenwalla
Date: Dec 14, 2007 1:27 PM
Subject: Re: [TMYZ] Re: [Traditional Zs] Green agiaries - Having water
purification, use of sun rays, compost treatment mini-unit, etc
To: TZML <TraditionalZarathushtris@yahoogroups.com>


Baname Khuda!

Dear brother Kaizad,

thank you for enlightening both TZML and TMYZ members on the
availability of such fine and knowledge-laden books we as the
Zarathushti community possess.

There is so much wisdom in these books you have mentioned.

To be able to have ready-made 17 tariquats for us to put in practise
in this day and age is indeed very good.

I hope all devout Zarathushtis get a copy of these writings and try
and implement them in their daily lives.

On a related subject of "translating it in English", I am bit sad that
even Parsis who have done their education in India want English
translations. Why this step-motherly treatment of our mother-tongue,
which for most Parsis from India is Gujarati.

My hearty and sincere recommendation to fellow-Parsis is that if you
have studied even elementary Gujarati or Hindi in school, then
orienting to the Gujarati religious books is not difficult. The
language is same K, Kh, G, Gg, etc.

There is a certain pleasure in reading our religious books in original
language which the authors like Dr F S Chiniwalla who is mentioned
here. With translation, some much of the essence and spirit is lost.
It is as if the eastern Zarathushti religion is brought down a level
or two to cater for the western and limited understanding of the
Zarathushti religion. So many words and emotions cannot be effectively
translated without losing accuracy.

And most important the pronunciation of the Avesta manthras is not the
same in English as in Gujarati, which has a superior way of
representing important sounds than the current version of English can.

If fellow Zarathushtis wish to brush up their Gujarati, then we have
these very good sites:

http://tenets.zoroastrianism.com/readguj33b.html

http://www.ukindia.com/zguj1.htm

Gujarati Lessons Zip file by Ukindia


My apologies to Ervad Meher for not yet replying to your fine email a
few days ago.

I will do so shortly.

With best wishes
Tehemton B. Adenwalla

The Parsee Voice issue - cautioning on sinister developments in Udvada

From: TZML Admins
Date: Dec 12, 2007 3:29 PM
Subject: The Parsee Voice issue - cautioning on sinister developments in Udvada
To: TZML <TraditionalZarathushtris@yahoogroups.com>
Cc: The Parsee Voice


12 December 2007

Dear Zarathushti humdins,

cc: Vada Dasturjis,
Ervad Sahebs,
The Parsee Voice,
Zoroastrian Studies,
Parsi Pukar,
Dini-Awaz,
Prominent Zoroastrians,
TZML
TMYZ officials

we have received a latest copy of the Parsee Voice, which is a journal
that protects the interests of the community.

The latest issue deals with Udvada and the efforts by some
Zarathushtis to convert Udvada into a "tourist town", and bring in
non-Zoroastrian tourists in this peaceful village-town. This is
clearly not how Udvada, which houses the greatest of our Holy Atashes
- the Iranshah - should be categorised.

Udvada is, firstly and lastly, a religious place, not a tourist destination.

Zoroastrians primarily go to Udvada for worshipping Iranshah, and it
is important that the atmosphere around Iranshah in Udvada must be
kept sanctified and pure. While Zoroastrians themselves commit big
errors in the rules of bodily and spiritual purity before going to
Iranshah (like not taking a shower/bath or even performing the
necessary kusti), one can just imagine what would happen when
non-Zoroastrians would descend in droves at Udvada gaam.

There is a need for increasing the Zarathushti presence in Udvada,
there is a need for young and middle-aged Parsi families to settle in
Udvada and bring some life to the place, there is a need for small
scale "cottage industries" to be promoted in Udvada to give both
Zarathushtis and non-Zarathushtis a livelihood, but apart from that
any large scale activities will ruin the place.

The Foundation for Development of Udvada (FDU) should bear all this in
mind before it encourages any activity which could be detrimental to
the sanctified atmosphere of Udvada.

The Parsee Voice, with its knowledgeable team and well-researched
outlook, have come out with an issue which makes us sit back and think
whether we as a community are headed in the right direction.

There are some sinister motives behind organising and celebrating the
recent 265th Anniversary of Iranshah's coming to Udvada. This event
was organised with much fanfare, but one does wonder, as the Parsee
Voice does, is who would celebrate the an odd anniversary as 265th.
Normally one celebrates a 250th or a 275th or 300th Anniversary, but
265th? And another aspect which rings an alarm is the FDU was not
mentioned during the celebrations, why such secrecy and silence.

Hence dear Zarathushtis, please be alert and vigilant.

We enclose the Parsee Voice, Vol IV (11 and 12) and Vol V (1 & 2) as a
PDF attachment for you to read and pass along to other good
Zarathushti families.

The address for correspondence for The Parsee Voice is
theparseevoice@yahoo.com.

Our sincere thanks to the team at Parsee Voice and we hope they
continue their good work in 2008 and beyond.

With best wishes
TZML Admins

(encl The Parsee Voice issue)

Friday, December 7, 2007

[Traditional Zs] Re: Salgreh of some Atashbehram/Agiaries/Dadgahs in the coming days (of Tir mah)

From: Tehemton B. Adenwalla
Date: Dec 7, 2007 6:10 AM
Subject: Re: [Traditional Zs] Re: Salgreh of some
Atashbehram/Agiaries/Dadgahs in the coming days (of Tir mah)
To: TZML <TraditionalZarathushtris@yahoogroups.com>


Baname Khuda!

PETIT DADGAH, RUSTOMPURA, SURAT (SALGREH ON ROJ ARDIBEHEST, MAH MEHER)

Dear Mr. Pastakia,

thank you for the clarification.

I believe the date you have given Roj Ardibehest, Mah Meher ( which
will be 18th Feb in 2007) has been issued by the authorities of the
Agiary. I checked with a Gujarati calendar issues by the Union Press
and it had the same roj-mah too.

The earlier date was obtained by me from Mr. Giara's first edition
book. Perhaps it has been corrected in a subsequent edition.

Thank you for your alertness and painstaking effort to clarify the
matter for all of us.

Good wishes to yourself and the family.

Sincerely
Tehemton B. Adenwalla


On 12/7/07, KHUSHROO PASTAKIA wrote:

Please note 1 correction in the below mentioned message, its Mah-Maher
& Roj Ardibehst.

KSHNO THARO AHURA MAZDAO (Victory of Pak Dadar Ahura Mazda)
The Salgiri of Petit Dadgah, located in Mota Street, Rustompura is on
18th February'07, Mah-Asfandard and Roj-Ardibehst.

Salgrehs on Behram roj, Tir mah, YZ 1377 ( Fri, 7 Dec 2007)

From: Tehemton B. Adenwalla
Date: Dec 7, 2007 5:47 AM
Subject: Salgrehs on Behram roj, Tir mah, YZ 1377 ( Fri, 7 Dec 2007)
To: TZML <TraditionalZarathushtris@yahoogroups.com>


Baname Khuda!

Dear Zarathushti humdins,

today is the Behram roj of Tir Mah. The year is YZ 1377, and the
secular date is 7 Dec 2007.

Behram Yazad, the Lord of Victory!

What a wonderful Protector we have in Behram Yazad, who is indeed
Mushkil-e-Aasan.

Some Zarathushtis would have headed towards Udvada today to pay homage
to Iranshah, and some of them do it devotedly and religiously every
month. What dedication, what affection for the religion, and what a
commitment to Ahura Mazda and His putra (son) Adar Yazad!
Commendable indeed!

Today on Behram roj is also the Salgreh of these Agiaries:

1. The Seth Behramji Cowasji Batliwalla Agiary, Tardeo, Mumbai

This Adaran was consecrated in the year YZ 1234 (AD 10 Jan 1865) and
is 142 years old.


2. The Bodhan Anjuman Daremeher, Bodhan, Gujarat

Our member Mr. Khushroo A. Pastakia mentions that the Atash Padshah
Saheb there was shifted from Bodhan to the Bagee Padshah Adarian at
Sayadpura in Surat.

Is it right to conclude then that the Padshah Saheb is still with us,
although in different location and building and that the consecrated
Fire did not die out.

Hence is it correct to say that the Atash's Salgreh is still today on
Behram roj, because in my humble understanding the consecrated date
does not change when the Atash is re-housed somewhere, or does it? I
would believe that the consecrated date (and hence the Salgreh day)
remains the same always, unless a Fire is re-consecrated when it is
located elsewhere.

Isnt it like the birthday of a human being. He/she is born on a
particular roj and mah, and that is his/her birthday (salgreh),
irrespective of where the person moves to.

We had this discussion before too for other Atashes which have been
relocated, examples of the Billimoria and the Tavdi agiaries come to
mind.

We would really appreciate if someone knowledgable offer their opinion
on this topic.

Thank you Mr. Pastakia for sharing the information with us, but you
appreciate why we are still including this Atash Padshah in the
Salgreh list for today Behram roj.

On another note, devotees who attend the Salgreh ceremonies like
jashans or lectures etc held today, or of their visit to Iranshah, may
send us a report if they wish to.

Sincerely
Tehemton B. Adenwalla

Please feed poor school children in India

Friends,

A few moments of your time please.

Please feed poor school children in India at a nominal cost.

You can donate online in Indian rupees. It costs
Rs. 1200 per annum to feed ONE child one noonday
meal each day for a full YEAR.

The poor hungry kid will bless you all through the year for every
morsel that he/she eats for
the full year.

Indian scriptures say giving food in charity
is one of the best forms of charity.

http://www.akshayapatra.org/

The Akshaya Patra Foundation currently provides
8,25,247 hygienic and nutritious meals to
underprivileged school children everyday across
fourteen locations in India.


Regards,

Zoroastrian Admins,
Zoroastrian Matrimonial Page.

Pls spread the message. Anybody willing to help poor school children.

Message to a friend

My friend,

Dont say that. Everyone has a right to life, including the poorest
Indian boy or girl.

Life is from God as per our religion Zoroastrianism. When Ahura Mazda
first created the
earth, there was no death, no hunger, no suffering. All these things
are due to the fact
that evil attacked the earth. This is in the Bundahishn, the
Zoroastrian Pahlavi creation
scripture. Today, the world is suffering since good is mixed with evil.

But Prophets of Ahura Mazda are promised in our religion, Hoshedar,
Hoshedar-Mah,
and finally the Saoshyant, who will slowly remove this evil and make
the world a perfect
good place once again, free from hunger, suffering, illness, old age
and even death will
be removed. This is the positive promise of our religion. Our religion
is very optimistic
for living on earth.

God put us here on this earth as soldiers to do good and fight evil,
as per our sciptures.
The Fravashis chose to be born on earth as per this choice. Every time we do
the Kasti ritual, we fight evil. Every time we do charity and help the
poor, we fight evil.

Charity is also taught by our scriptures and Parsis are well known for
charity. It was
said in the past "Parsi, thy name is charity". We have a great heart.
Even today the
Indians consider Parsis as the best bosses and the least corrupt, people who
take care of their servants.

A man is known by not what he had, but by what he gave away to the needy.
Their sincere blessings are your true source of wealth, which will last one
even through death and beyond. We leave wealth and all possessions
behind, but blessings (Dua) of the poor stay with us and uplift our souls.

God Bless, feel free to ask me if any other questions.

Regards,

Your friend.


_______________________________
From: .....................
Sent: 04 December 2007 23:17
To: ...............................

let them go its worthless living on earth anyway

just joking

but I dont believe in charity

> Zoroastrian Friends,
>
> A few moments of your time please.
>
> Please feed poor school children in India at a nominal cost.
>
> You can donate online in Indian rupees. It costs
> Rs. 1200 per annum to feed ONE child one noonday
> meal each day for a full YEAR.
>
> The poor hungry kid will bless you all through the year for every morsel that he/she eats for
> the full year.
>
> Indian scriptures say giving food in charity
> is one of the best forms of charity.
>
> http://www.akshayapatra.org/
>
> The Akshaya Patra Foundation currently provides
> 8,25,247 hygienic and nutritious meals to
> underprivileged school children everyday across
> fourteen locations in India.
>
>
> Regards,
>
> Zoroastrian Admins,
> Zoroastrian Matrimonial Page.
>
> Pls spread the message. Anybody willing to help poor school children.

Why SHOULD WE PRAY even if we can't understand a single word of our prayers

From: Tehemton B. Adenwalla
Date: Dec 5, 2007 5:26 AM
Subject: Why SHOULD WE PRAY even if we can't understand a single word
of our prayers
To: TZML <TraditionalZarathushtris@yahoogroups.com>

Baname Khuda!

This is very inspiring and true.

Sincerely
Tehemton B. Adenwalla

--Forwarded Message Attachment--

PRAYERS

Why SHOULD WE PRAY even if we can't understand a single word of our prayers ?


I RECEIVED THIS AS AN E-MAIL FROM SOMEONE and am presenting this to
you , in my way, - feel free to throw it , you know where , if it does
not appeal to you ; if it does , send it to others and a copy to me.
Please.


An old Farmer lived on a farm in the mountains with his young grandson.
Each morning Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading
from his KHORDEH-AVESTA . His grandson wanted to be just like him and
tried to imitate him in every way he could.

One day the grandson asked, "Grandpa! I try to read the KHORDEH-AVESTA
. just like you , but I don't understand it . What good does reading
the KHORDEH-AVESTA do ? "


The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and
replied, "Take this coal basket down to the river and bring me back a
basket of water."


The boy did as he was told, but all the water leaked out before he got
back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, "You'll have to
move a little faster next time," and sent him back to the river with
the basket to try again. Every time the boy ran faster, but again the
basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he went to
get a bucket instead. The old man said, "I don't want a bucket of
water; I want a basket of water. You're just not trying hard enough;
try again " .


The boy again dipped the basket into river and ran hard, but when he
reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he
said, "See Grandpa, it's useless ! " "So you think it is useless ? "
The old man said, "Look at the basket."


The boy looked at the basket and for the first time realized that the
basket was different. It had been transformed f rom a dirty old coal
basket and was now clean, inside and out.


"Son, that's what happens when you read the KHORDEH-AVESTA. You might
not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, you will
be
changed, inside and out. That is the work of Daadaar Ahuramazda in our lives."


"Celebrate Life. Care for others and share whatever you have with
those less fortunate than you. Broaden your vision, for the whole
world belongs to you."


FAITH CAN TAKE US PLACES.
(end)

Sarosh Yazad, Sarosh Yasht Hadokht, Sarosh Yasht Vadi

From: TZML Eductn & Information Committee
Date: Dec 4, 2007 6:28 AM
Subject: Sarosh Yazad, Sarosh Yasht Hadokht, Sarosh Yasht Vadi
To: TZML <TraditionalZarathushtris@yahoogroups.com>


Sarosh roj

Dear Zarathushti humdins,

today is Sarosh roj.

Sarosh is a Yazad Who has a lot of significance in the Zarathoshti religion.

Sarosh is the only Yazad Who has 2 Yashts dedicated to Him:
* Sarosh Yasht Hadokht - which is on page 162 of the Englsih Khordeh Avesta
* Sarosh Yasht Vadi - which is on page 181 of the Englsih Khordeh Avesta

Sarosh Yasht Hadokht is to be prayed in the daylight gehs only, viz
Haavan, Rapithvan, Uziren.

Sarosh Yasht Vadi is to be prayed only in the Aiwishuthrem geh (after
sunset to midnight). Just like the Khorshed and Meher Nyaishes are
farazyat/obligatory prayers for the daytime, the Sarosh Yasht Vadi is
a farazyat bandagi to be prayed every night (circumstances
permitting).

The Sarosh-nu-Patru is also a very important prayer/ceremony which
takes place during the 4 day funeral ceremonies of a Zarathushti. This
prayer is done by the priests on behalf of the deceased's soul in the
Aiwishuthrem geh. When you next attend a funeral prayers, please take
special interest and ask the priests about it.

Sarosh Yazad guards not only the living man but also helps his soul
progress after death. It is Sarosh Yazad who comforts the soul at the
time of death and guides it to pray some Avesta Mathravani or other so
that its progress is unhindered.

Sarosh Yazad is Who controls the evil forces at night and makes the
legendary cock crow in the morning and thereby thickens the chain with
which evil Zohak is bound in a well by King Faredoon. This happens
every morning at dawn time. Zohak sucks the chain every night and
makes it thin, and just when he is about to break lose the cock crows
during dawn time, and the chain thickens and mankind is saved everyday
from disaster of epic proportions.

There is so much written and spoken about Sarosh Yazad, and we will
bring more of it at a later day.

Today we share some audio snippets on Sarosh Yazad for your listening pleasure.

It is a very beautiful, inspiring and educational snippet, keep it in
your collection and do not forget to listen to it on every Sarosh roj.

And remember Zarathushtis - Pray your Sarosh Yasht Vadi at night.

And please provide feedback regarding the audio clip - on clarity and
loudness factors.

It does help.

With best wishes,

TZML Education and Information Committee

Salgrehs of Agiaries-Dadgahs on Sarosh roj, Tir mah, YZ 1377 ( Tues, 4 Dec 2007)

From: Tehemton B. Adenwalla
Date: Dec 4, 2007 5:33 AM
Subject: Salgrehs of Agiaries-Dadgahs on Sarosh roj, Tir mah, YZ 1377
( Tues, 4 Dec 2007)
To: TZML <TraditionalZarathushtris@yahoogroups.com>


Baname Khuda!

Dear Zarathushtis,

today on Sarosh roj, Tir mah, YZ 1377 ( Tues, 4 Dec 2007) are the
Salgrehs of these Agiaries-Dadgahs.

1. The Goti Adaran, Surat.


The Goti Adaran is very special to many Zarathushtis. It is said that
when floods had come to Surat, the area all around the Goti Adarian
was effected, but the Adarian was left intact. Divine Protection
indeed!

Will other readers please let us know more about this fact.
2. The Bisney Adarian at Surat

3. The Modi Daremaher (which is inside Navsari's Anjuman Atashbehram)

4. The Petit Dadgah at Surat


If readers will be attending any jashans or commemorative services, do
send us a report.

Sincerely
Tehemton B. Adenwalla

Saturday, December 1, 2007

Tirangan today - Tir mah, Tir roj (30 Nov 2007)

From: Tehemton B. Adenwalla
Date: Nov 30, 2007 5:43 AM
Subject: Tirangan today - Tir mah, Tir roj (30 Nov 2007)
To: TZML <TraditionalZarathushtris@yahoogroups.com>
Cc: Hoshang Bhadha


Baname Khuda!

Dear Zarathushti humdins,

today is on Tir roj, Tir mah YZ 1377 (30 Nov 2007) is Tirangan.

Willl there will be Tirangan jashans today.

If there are any jashans at your local giary and you wish other
Zarathushtis too may attend, then please inform them via TZML or other
avenues.

What an illuminating and precise role Testhar-Tir Yazad plays in
Ahura's Creation.

"Testar-Tir is sometimes described as a part of the world of Stars
whereas in some instances it is regarded as a Yazad. It's multiple
role in the spiritual world is called 'Maethan". For its elaborated
role, it is also considered as the super-STAR in the divine world. It
is widely known for inviting rain and increasing fertility of
Geush-Urva. Here it is very important to understand this concept of
fertility. It means it encourages immortality of soul by making our
Tanu work for its progress." --- r ead more about it on the write-up
on Teshtar-Tir Yazad below.


Sincerely
Tehemton B. Adenwalla

Testar-Tir Yazad

By Ervad Hoshang J. Bhadha


The world of Stars and its function in nature is clearly sanctified by
our prayers (Fravardin Yast & Tir Yast) with illustrated definition &
processes hardly understood by our Harvard/ Stanford Avesta scholars.
Those visible form of energy, we call it "star' has quite a few
implications and applications with reference to our ultra-physical and
divine body. In Fravardin Yast Karda 22 (para-80), Testar Tir is
regarded same as Ahura-Mazda HIMSELF "Aurusho-Rakshno" The expression
'Aurusho' signifies a bright beam of light "Staot" arising from HIS
creation of seven "glorious beam of lights" whereas, 'Raokshno'
designates "Immortal Light" that is a part of Testar Tir. The "Testar
Tir" is also an integral part of HIS design where it remains within
the boundaries attuning itself with Four Anasars designed to promote
immortality of soul. Remaining attuned with Teshtar-Tir is an act of
helping Ahura-Mazda to speed-up Farshogard of this universe.

Let us understand the word "Tir' and its connection with "Teshtar".
Though the word 'Tir' in Gujarati means for "Arrow', its usage is
widely elaborated in Iranian languages. Teshtar is used for Star and
because of its unmatched speed in shooting its effect through Avesta
Manthra, it is known as Teshtar-Tir. There are many ways of shooting
Tir, however the one that our religion prescribes is through
practicing Manthric exercises. In ancient Iran, we had many Rathestars
from Peshdadian & Kyanian dynasties who have had used that method of
keeping Paiwand with Behram-Sherevar & Daami-Upaman to keep distance
from the most dangerous Demons and Arvahi's (Spirits) existing in
those times. We have many such Nirangs of King Fredoon for different
occasions however, majority of our community believes in those
barbarous events allegorically described in Shahnameh by Firdoshi.
Just a Note: My dear Zarathustri, those Kings of Peshdadian Dynesty
were Paoryotakesh Souls and they had that gift of remaining attuned
with Testar-tir and Ahura-Mazda and thus they could defeat any evil
with special Nirangs. Believing in those stories in its literal
meaning is not only ridiculous but also dangerous for practicing &
understanding our religious in its true version.

Testar-Tir is sometimes described as a part of the world of Stars
whereas in some instances it is regarded as a Yazad. It's multiple
role in the spiritual world is called 'Maethan". For its elaborated
role, it is also considered as the super-STAR in the divine world. It
is widely known for inviting rain and increasing fertility of
Geush-Urva. Here it is very important to understand this concept of
fertility. It means it encourages immortality of soul by making our
Tanu work for its progress. Through its "Raokhsna" (Divine
illumination) it sends special form of blessings for material life to
work in attunement with HIS Divine Plan. The reflection of Raokhsna
creates an illumination, which we can see as Star in the skies. The
Raokhsna is a VITAL ingredient of those Perfected Souls of the Yazads
that are constantly working for the Divine Plan of Ahura-Mazda.
Teshtar-Tir also helps in implementation of Ahura-Mazda's divine plan
via Humata Hukhta Havashta. Teshta is Ahu's energy "stur" that
remains with HIS first creation Immortal Fravashis of Yazads attuned
with Ahu's "Baod" (Divine wisdom) for HIS Humata (Creation of this
Universe for the spiritual cleansing process). The importance of
Testar-Tir is so widely acknowledged in our prayers that it is
considered a vital force in attaining salvation through Manthric
exercises. It is recommended to perform 144 Vendidad for those
Zarathustris who are intensely tangled with committing sins and facing
adversities in life. Of course such commitment and act would be almost
impossible looking at the present condition of Priests in our
community.

The Teshtar-Tir is remembered in our prayers in relation and Paiwand
with Ahura-Mazda, Yazads & Ameshahspands, Ashavans (Nars) of the
Highest Order. In Nyaish & Yast we recite " Fradathai Ahure Mazdao
Raevato Kharenanghato, Fradathai Ameshanam Spentanam, Fradathai
Treshtrahesh Staro Raevato Kharenanghato, Fradathai Nars Ashaono". In
ancient times, appearance of Testar Tir Star was regarded as a sign
for cropping season and rainfall. When these is famine, the Priests
used to perform Baj of Teshtar-Tir. Ava Yazad nad Teshtar-Tir Yazad
works hand-in-hand to perform functions of HIS divine plan towards
Farshogard. Karda 12 (Tir Yast) describes that if a Zarathustri
reciting Avesta Mantra of Tir Yazad is 'truthful' as per His
definition of Asha, that person can successfully attune oneself in
Paiwand with Ushtaan of Teshtar-Tir for spiritual inspiration. This
Karda also explains a condition of famine when there is no water and
all kinds of germs & disease gets multiplied, a prayer for Tir Yazad
helps in destroying those life-threatening diseases. Karda 13
acknowledges Teshtar-Tir as the spiritual leader (ratu) of divine
illuminations "Stars" & Paigambar Saheb as the spiritual leader of
Human life on geti. In Khordad Yast, the Kehrpa of Paigambar Saheb is
identified as one of the Ameshshaspands and in Gatha 51-12 He is known
as "Uru-Raoshta Asto" Undefeated. Thus, a devotee while reciting
Manthras for Teshtar-Tir, one is also getting help from our dear
Paigambar Saheb. Karda 15 describes how glorified and significant
effects of Teshtar-Tir portrays on human life through ITS connection
with Seven Keshvars of Nishti, Seven Dakhyus and all spiritual plains
of Spena-Mino that enhances spiritual progression. (We will discuss
these parts of spiritual world some other time). Karda 16 elaborately
justifies that Teshtar-Tir is "Thmunghuhanta" meaning cures all kinds
of diseases to human Mind-Body & Soul. The same status is also given
to our Manthra-Spenta or Avesta Manthravani. It is also said that
those who are working for Frashogard and find happiness unto it,
(Conscious of "Man Ano Avayad Shudan), the Manthravani of Tir Yast
will provide nourishment whether or not it is asked for by that
person. In fact, it is suggested that if the Iranians (Zaratustris)
wish to see the country prosper and follow HIS Commandments, they must
perform Yazashne of Tir Yazad.

In para 57 of the above Karda, there is a question: What prayer is
considered the best for Tir Yazad and its attunement? And the answer
is none other than PasuPach-ni- Kriya. (I have explained this in
religion class several times). This Kriya is performed on the flesh of
three kinds of Goshpands
1) Aurushem,
2) Vohugaonem,
3) Hamo-Gaonem.
The significance of this prayer is, it is performed by the Ashavans
for helping a person attaining the final stage of Ashavan. This Kriya
is not similar to Afringhan, Siroja etc for dead or alive. It is also
not possible in this age and time to perform such Kriya in the absence
of any Dastur to have attained such level of Ashoi or who can be
categorized as Ashavan in any form at anytime.

Please note that the above explanation is incomplete without
understanding its relationship with Dakhyus, Keshwars, Humata-Hukhta-
Havashta of Ahu, and several other Manthric exercises. If questions
are raised, I would be glad to explain them individually. Hope this
will help you understand the basics on Teshtar-Tir Yazad.

(end)

Monday, November 26, 2007

Salgreh of Agiaries on Adar roj, Tir Mah, YZ 1377 (26 Nov 2007) - Amroli, Tavdi, Bardoli

From: Tehemton B. Adenwalla
Date: Nov 26, 2007 6:12 AM
Subject: Salgreh of Agiaries on Adar roj, Tir Mah, YZ 1377 (26 Nov
2007) - Amroli, Tavdi, Bardoli
To: TZML <TraditionalZarathushtris@yahoogroups.com>


Baname Khuda!

Dear Zarathushti humdins,

today on Adar roj, Tir mah, YZ 1377 (Mon, 26 November 2007) are the
Salgreh of these Agiaries / Dadgahs.

1. The Amroli Agiary - The Seth Kanjibhai Dorabji Mithaiwalla Agiary

This agiary was consecrated in the year YZ 1263 (AD 1893) and is
therefore 114 years old.

Amroli is a pleasant small town-village, which had a very distinct
identity of its own in the earlier days, but now it is regarded more
or less a suburb of Surat. It has its own railway station, which is
the first station after Surat while travelling north to Bharuch.

The agiary is managed after by the Mandviwalla families, and I believe
it is Kaizad who is the Ervad there. His mother Mrs Mandviwalla is a
very open hearted lady and would welcome any visitor from outside
Amroli who comes to pray to this Adaran. She would make the
arrangements for a jaali on the koova (well) if requested.

Humdins who go all the way may like to find some time from their busy
schedules and pay a visit to the Amroli adaran when they go to Surat.
They will be rewarded with a very pleasant and spiritually charged
memory of the whole trip. The Mandviwalla family too would be
delighted to have Zarathushti visitors come and pray in their agiary.


2. The Tavdi Agiary Fire (now shifted to Godrej Baug, Mumbai)

This Atash was consecrated originally in Tavdi in the year YZ 1270 (AD
1900) and is today 107 years old.

Tavda was a once bustling village on the outskirts of Navsari. It has
a sizeable Parsi population and even mohallas where Parsis stayed and
prospered. Many of them sadly moved away to Navsari, Mumbai and some
overseas. Today the magnificient agiary structure stands as a proud
memory of our presence in this serene village.

The late Mr. Mavjibhai Patel who passed away just recently in his late
80s, though a Hindu, used to fondly look after the agiary from the
outside, and prevent the local playing kids from damaging the agiary
building in any way. Mavjibhai used to stay opposite the agiary, and
today he is survived by his family. One of his sons Mr. Balvant Mavji
recently told me that the Tavdi agiary building needed structural
repairs and that perhaps the Navsari Anjuman should look into it.

Would someone please pass on this message to someone in the Navsari
Parsi Anjuman so that they could attend to the structural problem.

The Fire of Tavdi Adarian was shifted first to Navsari, and then later
to Godrej Baug in Mumbai. Though there was a lot of goodwill and
sacrifice on the path of the priests and humdins in moving this Fire,
the writer feels that many rules of consecration were broken during
this move. Shifting a consecrated Fire these days with all the
electric pollution and mobile phones in the vicinity is a very risky
exercise and can damage the consecrated Fire tremendously. These Fires
are not like furniture that they can me moved willy nilly at our whim
and fancy.


3. Bardoli Dadgah - The Seth Navroji Chanjibhai Mehta Daremeher (Dadgah)

This dadgah was consecrated in the yearYZ 1255 (AD 1885) and is now
121 years old.

In 1885, the Parsi population in Bardoli was 10,000 according to Mr.
Giara's book, but now only 135 souls reside there. A sad phenomenon,
but something we ourselves are to be partly blamed because of our
excessive westernised ideas of bringing up children and in the last
two decades the craze of immigrating outside India.

I enclose some photos.

Sincerely
Tehemton B. Adenwalla

Sunday, November 25, 2007

IRANSHAH & The Zarathushtis - one of the best articles on this topic - by Mr. Hanoz M. Mistry

From: TZML Admins
Date: Nov 24, 2007 7:17 PM
Subject: IRANSHAH & The Zarathushtis - one of the best articles on
this topic - by Mr. Hanoz M. Mistry
To: TZML <TraditionalZarathushtris@yahoogroups.com>

Dear Zarathushti humdins,

today on 24th November is regarded as (one of) the Salgrehs of Iranshah.

The Salgreh according to Shahenshahi calendar is Adar mah, Adar roj.

On this Salgreh day, we share a very informative and inspiring article
on Iranshah and His relationship to our Zarathushti community.

This is one of the best descriptions on Iranshah's might, His Origins,
His Power, His Suzerainty and the extremely crucial role He plays in
the Zarathushti religion.

We warmly suggest that you preserve this article and read it
especially when things look bleak and hopeless. Remember Iranshah and
ask for a solution, and It will be Delivered (if it is in your karma).

This article also makes us realise how important it is to look after
the current dharmasthan Udvada where He is located today. Looking
after Udvada is like looking after Iranshah.

We wish to thank Mr Hanoz M Mistry for taking the effort and sending
us all a very inspiration and heart-moving account of Iranshah.

Sincerely
TZML Admins
(please see below)
>
>
>
>
>
IRANSHAH & The Zarathushtis

by Hanoz M. Mistry

The Fall of the Sassanian Empire

During the Sassanian Empire, the Zarathushti Religion was passing
through a glorious phase and spirituality abounded. In those days, the
Abedsahebs, saintly souls who were spiritually at a much higher level
than ordinary folk, could move about freely in public. However, with
their knowledge of astrology and their powers to foresee the future,
they knew that Zarathushti rule over Iran was coming to a temporary
stop for a few hundred years. To ensure the practice of the Religion
through those dark times and to safeguard the religion for future
generations, these Abeds accumulated all the implements and Aalaats (a
consecrated implement or living object in which certain higher levels
of spiritual energies are awakened) required for its practice and took
refuge in retreats where no physical pollution or man could penetrate
without their sanction. After the fall of the Sassanian Empire, the
Zarathushtis fell into disarray. Thousands of them were massacred by
the conquering Arabs. Murder, rape and arson were the order of the
day. Hundreds of Atashbehrams and Agiaries were desecrated and our
holy scriptures were destroyed. Many people fled to neighbouring
countries, sought asylum, intermarried and integrated with the local
population. No trace can be found of these people after all these
years. To save their lives and property, many Zarathushtis chose to
renounce their religion and converted to Islam, but many held out
against their invaders and existed for almost another 100 years. But
when these devout realised that they could no longer safely practise
the religion of their forefathers, they consulted the Abedsahebs for
deliverance. They were advised by these Abedsahebs to leave Iran and
settle on the West Coast of India. This was the only way in which the
noble Zarathushti Din would survive and flourish till such time when
it would be re-established in Iran by the future Rainidar (Renovator
of the Faith) Shah Behram Varzavand.

Dastur Neriosang Dhaval, an Ashavan (person who has successfully
mastered the laws of Ashoi and has attained a certain level of
spiritual exaltedness) of a very high grade, was chosen as the leader
of the Anjuman which was to set sail for India. He had with him a
devoted group of 8 other Ashavans, one of them being a lady Ashavan,
by the name of Banoo Tanaaz. He was given the requisite training and
guidance by the Abedsahebs of Demavand. His mission was to settle his
flock on the shores of India, create a new PAV MAHAL (an invisible
spiritual institution which forms the base for creation of other
institutions like Atashbehrams) in India and establish Iranshah
(because of the exalted stature and the absence of a Zarathushti
Monarch in Iran, this Holy Fire was bestowed with the status of a
Monarch.).

Consecration of Iranshah
It was indeed a feat to transport the Aalaats required for the
consecration of Iranshah as Aalaats lose their spiritual strength if
carried over water. One of the Ashavans was constantly seated at the
front of the ship carrying the Aalaats, reciting our sacred Manthra
and drawing Kash (magnetic circuits) on the water before the ship so
that the water became temporarily still. This group of about 1,200
Zarathushti men, women and children landed on the shores of India at
Diu and were resident there for about 19 years before moving on to
Sanjan. They later settled in Sanjan with the permission of Jadiv
Rana, the local ruler, and commenced the procedure for consecration
and enthronement of Iranshah.

After his enthronement, Iranshah stayed in Sanjan for almost 300 years
Lay Zarathushtis were not allowed to go near Iranshah. Only those
Zarathushtis who were practitioners of Ashoi were allowed near him.
The Koh in which he was enthroned was dark and the entrance was low so
that the officiating Dastur had to bend his head in reverence before
entering.
The Ashavans had decreed that Iranshah should not be moved from his
place in Sanjan to keep his spiritual prowess intact. However, after
about 300 years, no Ashavan existed in India and the guardians of
Iranshah were of the status of Dregu Mard i.e. a few steps lower in
spiritual stature than the Ashavans but ofcourse, much higher than us
present day Zarathushtis. At one time, when the Muslim invasion was on
and the attacking forces were very close, the priests guarding
Iranshah panicked and in order to safeguard him, they shifted him from
Sanjan to the caves of Bahrot. Iranshah stayed in Bahrot for 12 years
after which he was shifted to Vansda, Navsari and finally settled in
Udvada since the 18th century. Using the Iranshah Fire as the focal
point, the other Atashbehrams and Agiaries were consecrated in India.
Thus, there exists a continuous link between all the consecrated fires
in India and Iranshah and through him with the exalted
Atashbehramsaheb of Demavand Koh.

Facts about Fire
Worship of Fire is one of the seven pillars of the Zarathushti Deen
and the community owes a debt of gratitude to the late Ustadsaheb
Behramshah N Shroff, who had the good fortune of studying the
fascinating knowledge of the Zarathushti Religion (also known as
Ilm-e-Khshnoom) under the benevolent guidance of the holy Saheb Dilans
of Demavand Koh who are the custodians of this knowledge, and thus was
able to throw a great deal of light on the truths in nature about the
existence of fire energies and other matters relating to the status of
our Padshah Sahebs, their consecration procedures, their links with
other fire energies on various planes in nature and their
relationships with other spiritual institutions like the Dokhmas.
Ilm-e-Khshnoom explains that an Atash Padshah is not just the physical
fire that we see before us in the censure but a living and conscious
entity who is in tune with the fire energies which exist in the Minoi
world. He has a yazatic conscience, divine wisdom and the Staotic
vibrations of Sraosh Yazad surround him at all times. He has the
capacity to receive the beneficial forces of Asare Roshni (the divine
energy from the white side of Nature) and combat and minimise the
malefic effects of Asare Tariki (the evil currents emanating from the
dark forces in Nature). He is a Rathestar par excellence. He is also
able to communicate the thoughts of devotees to Dadar Ahura Mazda
himself and in turn communicate Dadar's message through his blessings.
He is the divine Lord of our Karma and is responsible for ensuring
blessings for our good deeds and retribution for our misdeeds.
However, due to the principle of Duality, the forces of Gashak (dark
elements) exist in Nature. This attack of the force of Gashak on the
Padshahsaheb increases if we visit an Atashbehram/Agiary without a
lawful Nahn. There are three pre-conditions for a worshipper to
fulfill when he presents himself before a Padshah saheb. (a) He must
have a Khoreh (aura) which is capable of attracting the currents of
Asare Roshni, (b) the Vanthvo Frado (invisible magnetic currents
emitted from a persons eyes which have a direct relationship with the
vibrationary currents of the religion to which one belongs) emanating
from his eyes must be of an exalted nature and (c) his Mithra
(thoughts) should be clean.

Predictions of Ustadsaheb Behramshahji
Before his demise in 1927, Behramshahji had predicted many events
which are gradually coming true. One such prediction was that many
Agiaries and Atashbehrams would face closure and hardly one Dokhma
would be functional in a rundown condition. All this is seen to be
true today. So many Agiaries have been shut down and their Padshahs
shifted. The Dokhmas are in an equally delicate state with the
vultures having gradually disappeared, the people in authority having
taken various wrong decisions thus causing more damage and controversy
after controversy erupting about their future. The main reason for
this downfall is that it is all but forgotten that these spiritual
institutions are consecrated in nature and there are TALESAMS
functioning in each of them. A Talesam is a place where benevolent
Yazatic currents descend and are preserved.

The unfortunate state of affairs today
It is a common sight nowadays to see Zarathushtis flocking to
Atashbehrams and Agiaries on certain days because they have heard by
word-of-mouth that such and such Atash Padshah is known to grant some
boon to his devotees especially if the worship is offered on certain
days in certain Gehs. To place faith in our holy Padshahsahebs is the
duty of every Zarathushti but what is objectionable is the manner in
which the worshipper presents himself before the holy Padshah,
treating him like some merchant with whom some bargain has to be cut
and the emergence of a cultic ritual in these places of worship.
Religious ignorance seems to be ruling the roost and it is very easy
for people in this materialistic world to get swayed by
disinformation. The present day Zarathushtis also have a penchant for
running to Iranshah at the drop of a hat - some making it a weekend
picnic place and some going on every Behram Roj. Many do not even
bother to bathe before steeping into the precincts of Iranshah
claiming that they have bathed before their departure from Mumbai.
Going before Iranshah in a physically unclean condition results in
taking with us all the impurities and putridities of the outside world
before his holy presence and imperiling his sanctified stature. This
is a CARDINAL SIN.

Our Holy Atashpadshah Iranshah is presently in a very delicate stage
having completed about 1200 years of his lifespan. If we as a
community are to survive these perilious times till the advent of Shah
Behram Varzavand, we must make an all out effort to safeguard and
maintain the spiritually exalted condition of Iranshah. Implicit faith
in him is a MUST. But beyond just faith, we as a community must make a
disciplined effort to create the right conditions for his survival in
the near future. Given the way in which most of us lead our daily
lives without a thought for the observance of the daily spiritual
Tarikats and without observing the rules of Druj-Parhezi (abstinence
from pollution), it is best that we keep our distance from Iranshah.
The practice of walking in and out of Iranshah at frequent intervals
as if it were a railway station must be stopped. It is not suggested
that we stop going to Udvada, but we must try not to crowd around his
Koh all the time.

It would be in order to pray from the place where we presently remove
our footwear in the main hall of Iranshah. It would be equally fine if
people just stood in the Dadgah premises and offered worship to
Iranshah. It is extremely important for devotees to observe strict
rules of physical cleanliness. Taking a Nahn before stepping into
Iranshah is a necessity. However, as that is not always feasible,
application of Taro (Gaomez - fresh urine of Varasiaji or a cow) all
over the body before bathing is a necessity. Thereafter, we must wash
ourselves thoroughly from head to toe. Next, we must put on freshly
washed clothes preferably white which should be worn exclusively to
Iranshah.

It is very commendable to pray Atash Niyaish 9 times before Iranshah,
reciting the "Usmoi Ujareshwa" para 3 times in each Niyaish. If that
is not possible, it would be very beneficial to pray Atash Niyaish at
least 3 times. A little effort from our end will go a long way in
preserving our holy fire till the advent of Shah Varzavand. It is
decreed that after the advent of Shah Varzavand, Iranshah will be
rejuvenated and enthroned in our ancient motherland Iran.


Incidentally, during his stay in Demavand Koh, Ustadsaheb Behramshahji
was allowed by the Magav Sahebs to have a faraway glimpse of their
holy Atashbehram Padshah and that too after taking 3 Bareshnooms of 9
nights each. In fact, Ustadsaheb never went before Iranshah all his
life saying that his Khoreh was too polluted for him to go before
someone as exalted as Iranshah

- Hanoz M. Mistry

(end)

Saturday, November 24, 2007

Marriage - is it allowed between Zoroastrians and Hindus

From: TZML Admn
Date: Nov 23, 2007 10:52 PM
Subject: Marriage - is it allowed between Zoroastrians and Hindus
To: xxxxx
Cc: TZML <TraditionalZarathushtris@yahoogroups.com>

Baname Khuda!

Dear Mr. xxxxxx,

the Zoroastrian religion does not permit "conversions" either way -
converting Zoroastrians into other religions, or admitting people of
other faiths into Zoroastrianism.

Hence it is strictly not admissible for a Zoroastrian to marry a
person of another faith. That this happens at times is a breach of
religious laws.

Though Zoroastrians and Hindus both have respect for fires, it does
not mean that it is sufficient grounds for mixing the 2 otherwise
distinct faiths by an act of "conversion" or intermarriage.

Both religions are distinct and that distinctness must be respect and
maintained. We also respect the caste system of Hindus and the belief
that inter-caste marriages are not allowed in Hinduism as well.

But of course, both Zoroastrians and Hindus can treat each other as
brothers and sisters and thus keep peace, goodwill, communal harmony
and their identity. The late Dr Martin Luther King had remarked that
he wanted the white men to be his brother, not his brother-in-law"

Your Sikh religion too is something to be admired, and the roles which
Sikh play in Hindu society as protectors of Hindus is commendable.
Just imagine what would happen if Sikhs marry Hindus or people of
other faith. The Sikh identity will be diluted beyond recognition as
it has sadly happened on the Mexican-US border.

Wishing you the very best in giving staunch guidance to your son.

Sincerely
TZML Admins.

----- Original Message -----
From: xxxxxx
Sent: Thursday, November 22, 2007 12:18 AM
Subject: Marriage

Hello

Please could you answer one query I have upon something a friend of a
friend was telling me.

Is it possible for a follower of the Zoroastrian faith to marry
someone of the Hindu faith? I understand that it is not the ideal
situation as with all faiths, it's nice to maintain our faiths and
beliefs with someone of common background. Also, are they able to
partake in a Hindu ceremony, walking around the fire as I understand
that followers of the Zoroastrian faith worship fire.

I'm born a sikh, but I love learning about other religions and have
done so since a young age and am fortunate enough to have a four year
old son who also shares my interest. I want him to be well educated in
his own faith as well as having a deeper understanding of other faiths
and cultures around him.

I hope you are able to help.

Kind regards,

xxx

Guidelines on How to approach and pray before Iranshah (Udvada)

From: TZML Admins
Date: Nov 23, 2007 1:57 PM
Subject: Guidelines on How to approach and pray before Iranshah (Udvada)
To: TZML <TraditionalZarathushtris@yahoogroups.com>

Tir roz, Khordad mah, YZ 1377
(23 November 2007)

Dear Zarathushti friends,

we have received a very informative listing on the true procedure to
be followed when going and praying before Iranshah.

This is in form of a booklet put forth by Tehmurasp Shawaksha
Pardiwala, which we share with you. All the credits are due to the
author himself.

As Ervad K N Dastor explains in the foreword of the booklet: "Pak
Iranshah is a live, living, glowing flame for the Parsi community.
Iranshah is a manifestation of the love and devotion moving in our
heart for our dear Paigambar Zarthrushtra. The divine light, which is
glowing for past 1200 years without even a second's break, is a link
between the Parsi community and Pak Dadar Ahura Mazda."

It is also further mentioned that: "Mr. Tehmurasp Pardiwala has
explained these rules beautifully in a simple language, as to how one
should present himself before Iranshah so that one can help Iranshah
in His mission and do not become a cause, an instrument of disturbance
in His work. To follow these rules and regulations is not at all
difficult."

So here below is the booklet reproduced both in text form and in an
enclosed PDF.

This is also available at the educational and informative Traditional
Zoroastrian website
http://tenets.zoroastrianism.com/HowgoIranShah.pdf

We thank the authors of this website and to individuals like Mr
Tehmurasp Pardiwalla, the Parsee Voice, Mrs. Pervin J Mistry and many
others who do work silently for the good of the community.

Please share this email with all good and deserving Zarathushtis so
that they realise that Iranshah is a real treasure which we as a
community possess and how important it is for us to keep both Iranshah
and Udvada pure and pristine.

With best wishes
TZML Admins

HOW WILL YOU GO TO IRANSHAH


Tehmurasp Shawaksha Pardiwala

Index


Subject

Pg. No.


Foreword

02


1. Introduction to Shreeji Iranshah

04


2. The need to have a bath

07


3. Dress

08


4. Kushti Padiyav

10


5. Reverence, Kisses and Salutation

12


6. Wood (Kathi) vs. Sandalwood (Sukhad)

13


7. Discipline, Restriction, Manners and Patience

15


8. Respect to Mobed Sahebs

16


9. Iranshah's Threshold (Umbar)

17


10. Iranshah's Rakhya

17


11. Things which should never be taken to Iranshah

18

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Page 02
FOREWORD

Pak Iranshah is a live, living, glowing flame for the Parsi community.
Iranshah is a manifestation of the love and devotion moving in our
heart for our dear Paigambar Zarthrushtra. The divine light, which is
glowing for past 1200 years without even a second's break, is a link
between the Parsi community and Pak Dadar Ahura Mazda. The
consecration of this divine light 12 centuries ago is a big spiritual
event for the Parsi community.

Iranshah is a SHAH, and this title itself indicates that the divine
power and authority of Dadar Ahura Mazda is present in Iranshah. We
have no idea as to how this divine flame is working to fight and
eradicate the bad influence of physical, mental, and spiritual
pollutions around us and what trouble He is taking to do so.

The holy building in Udvada is Iranshah's Darbar. Not only the Mobed
Sahebs who are at Iranshah's service are present there round the
clock, but the divine fields and vibrations of Yazatic power are also
constantly moving in the premises.

To enter such magnanimous darbar, there are some rules and procedures.
These rules are not just rules pertaining to social discipline and
etiquette, but they are based on spiritual science, the intention of
which is to support the divine mission of Iranshah and not to create
any disturbance in His work. The intention to be present in Iranshah's
Darbar is to leave aside the material surrounding temporarily and get
attuned to the Yazatic divine field of Iranshah. It is not a place to
exhibit artificial glamour and beauty supported by tight clothes,
rouge and lipsticks.

Mr. Tehmurasp Pardiwala has explained these rules beautifully in a
simple language, as to how one should present himself before Iranshah
so that one can help Iranshah in His mission and do not become a
cause, an instrument of disturbance in His work. To follow these rules
and regulations is not at all difficult.

When we recite Atash Neyayesh before Padshah Saheb we enter into
conversation with Him, a spiritual dialogue. This conversation is just
not an ordinary conversation. It has to be well structured and also in
the form of Avesta Manthravani. One has to show his divine love,
respect faith and trust in the form of good thought good word and good
deed. It is not a place to exhibit false ego and vanity at that time.

With my sincere desire that you would follow the rules and regulations
very strictly when you visit Iranshah.

21.6.2000 Your humble Sevak,

Kaikhushro Navroz Dastoor

________________________________
________________________________

Page 04


1. INTRODUCTION TO SHREEJI IRANSHAH

In today's time the divine, living, exquisite light of Shreeji
Iranshah protects the mankind, takes care, looks after them and guides
them. For Zoroastrians it is like a sword and a shield, which drives

away the evil around us and protects us from the bad influence of
Ahreman. He gives us light in the world of spiritual darkness. This
lustrous radiant Fire is a priceless light house for the Zarthostis.
Iranshah is the main force and direct result of the existence of
Zarthostis in India. Iranshah has kept our tiny community in a
magnetic bonded chain of faith and devotion. The distinct identity of
Parsis in India is maintained and preserved by the Padshah Saheb.

This divine lustrous Fire satisfies the sacred hunger of our souls. It
is due to His presence that a Zarthosti gets the help and benefit for
salvation of his soul to some extent. Even in today's materialistic
world a Zarthosti who recites his prayers before Him with faith and
devotion, gets the benefit of the Divine Light (Ashar - e - Roshni) He
is able to reduce his time cycle of birth and death to some extent as
per one's past good work and deed. According to our Pak Avesta the
prayer recited before Atash Padshah is equivalent to the prayer
recited before Dadar Ahura Mazda. It is our divine mechanism to reach
Dadar Ahura Mazda through Atash Padshah, who is the son of Dadar Ahura
Mazda (Atare Puthra Ahurahe Mazdao).

Atash Padshah is directly linked with a person's good and bad deeds
(Karma). A devoted obedient Zarthosti must therefore desire and pray
for a wish while offering reverence to Him that ---- O! most powerful,
creator of the universe, kindest of the kind, Dadar Ahura Mazda, what
is good for me is already known to you. Give me exactly the same. Give
me the stream of divine light, let my competency increase, my
intellectual power be on the bright side of nature and the final aim
and objective of my soul is fulfilled. Let my soul get a divine
permanent place in the Heaven.

Mobed Neriyosang Dhaval Saheb was a highly advanced soul. Out of the
total 72 steps of Ashoi, he was already on the 54th step. He
consecrated our Iranshah and put up a divine power station on its
centre, which is known as Pav Mahal. The Pav Mahal of Iranshah is in
direct communion with the Pav Mahal placed by our Paigambar Saheb at
Har Barez. Iranshah's contact is also with the seven heavens of Nisti
as well as the eighth and the ninth heaven of Hasti. It is for this
reason that Iranshah is offered with a Maachi of nine pieces. The
other Padshah Sahebs of the remaining seven Atash Behrams are offered
a Machi of 7 pieces only. The blessings of all nine heavens are
showered down on Iranshah, the benefit of which is available to His
devotees.

In consecrating other Atash Behrams there were 1128 flames (Jyot)
where as in case of Iranshah there were more than, 16000 flames.

The writing in support of this is available in the ancient hand
written scripts. While consecrating Iranshah, Mobed Neriyosang Dhaval
Saheb and his co-workers were able to bring down the lightening fire
on this earth through a miracle, an astonishing event by applying
their spiritual

power and practices

When Parsees had to leave Iran, our motherland, due to some
unfortunate circumstances to safeguard our religion, we had also to
leave all our Atash Padshah in Iran. Under such circumstances with the
grace of God and the ability and power of prayers (Manthrawani) of our
Rainidar Neriyosang Dhaval Saheb, our first Atash Padshah in India,
was consecrated and enthroned which later on came to be known as
Shreeji Iranshah. Nearly 1200 years have passed since the happening of
this beautiful event.

In establishing our fire temple the local king Jadirana of that time
had helped us immensely. No Parsee should forget his obligation on our
community. After settling down in his kingdom the Zarthostis expressed
their desire to have their own Atash Behram. Appreciating the ability,
skills and immense religious faith of this group of people Jadirana
readily gave them a piece of land to establish the fire temple.
According to the tenet of our religion no juddin (non parsi) should
stay in the vicinity of the place where the fire temple was to be
established. Jadirana merily agreed to this proposal also and provided
this facility by asking all Hindus to evacuate the land given to
Parsis. All this thing could not have happened in the absence of a
noble, god loving king like Jadirana. Therefore the fire worshipper
Zarthostis should also remember king Jadirana with honour and respect.

Tears will roll down the eyes of a true Zarthosti if he comes to know
the plight and hardship that had been undergone by the then Zarthostis
and Mobed Sahebs. Many sacrifices were given to protect

our Iranshah. Our forefathers had to move from place to place like
Sanjan, Bahrot, Vansda, Navsari, Surat and Valsad to protect and
preserve Padsah Saheb's sanctity. Finally they arrived and settled
down in Udvada. All this travelling was not easy at all. It was only
with the grace of God that our Padshah Saheb was safe and sound
wherever He moved. In this long span of over 1200 years, history has
changed in India many times. Many kings, many emperors came and went
but the flame of our lranshah has remained undisturbed. We bow down to
the efforts and sacrifices our Mobed Sahebs have given and are still
putting in their efforts in keeping the flame burning.

When a Zarthosti bows down to Iranshah he should remember that it is
the same Fire where their ancestors had put their heads down in
veneration 1200 years ago. Our Iranshah had blessed them and gave them
bountiful of riches and true happiness. Today we bow down to Him and
desire similar riches and true happiness. No one has returned
disappointed from Iranshah. The reward of one's prayers and devotion
is always given by Iranshah.

It should be remembered that in places like lranshah and also in other
fire temples (Atash Behrams) where the Fire is enthroned, the
vibrations of Sarosh Yazad are circulating continuously. Sarosh
Yazad's throne is on the top of Nisti where there is one Atash Behram
of Atashe Mino Karko. Our Padshah Saheb of Iranshah and other Atash
Behram have direct contact with the Atashe Mino Karko. This contact is
based on the levels of Atash Padshah, which are there on this Geity
(Earth). Fire of Iranshah being of the highest level the contact is
closer than any other Fire temple and therefore the divine music of
Sarosh Yazad (Sarosh no naad) and the spiritual atmosphere in Iranshah
is very much exalted. A Zarthosti who recites his prayers in such holy
atmosphere gets abundant happiness and peace of mind. 6

So when one goes to meet such divine authority and God's wonderful
creation for mankind one must remember to observe certain disciplines
and respect in His presence with love prayers and good behaviour. The
purpose of this book is to guide people who have faith; feelings and
respect for Iranshah, but unfortunately are ignorant of certain dos
and don'ts.

So dear readers it is my humble request to you, to go through the
pages of this book, think very calmly and sincerely and then put into
practice so that your next visit to Iranshah will be a meaningful and
memorable one. Iranshah will then call you again and again with cheers
on your face and happiness in your heart.

Amen.


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Page 07


2. THE NEED TO HAVE A BATH (ABLUTION)

A morning bath has been given a great importance in the Mazdayasni
Din. For us it is a religious command to get up early in the morning,
take a bath and start our prayers. A true Zarthosti never starts any
work before taking a bath. It also reflects on the family culture to
which he belongs. So when we do not start even our daily routine work
without a bath then why does a Zarthosti avoid taking a bath before
going to Iranshah? This is very difficult to understand.

Some people argue that while coming from Mumbai or from elsewhere they
have already taken a bath in the morning. They claim that they are
travelling in first class or in their own private car then where is
the need to go for a second bath after coming to Udvada? This group
conveniently put their argument to suit their comfort and convenience.
They do not know that in the atmosphere there is any amount of
impurities. It could be physical impurities as well as spiritual too.
Evil currents are always moving in the atmosphere apart from dust and
smoke which can be physically seen. The traveller comes into contact
with all such matters and unknowingly, absorbs it in his physical and
ultra physical body. The longer the journey the harder is the impact
on the person. It is therefore most essential to take a bath before
going to Iranshah so that the person is totally free from all evil
matters that he/she has contacted during the journey.

So in future do not make the mistake of going to Iranshah without
taking a bath in Udvada. The male gender is advised that if they wish
to have a shave then please ensure that they put aside the shaving kit
before going for the bath. Never touch such items after you have taken
the bath. The best way is to put off shaving for the number of days
you are in Udvada. This will help you to maintain maximum purity in
this respect. Of course this is not valid if your stay is for a longer
period. In olden days, it is said that facility was available to take
bath in the compound of Atash Behram. However due to changed
circumstances, this practice is discontinued. But that does not mean
that we Parsees totally discontinue the practice of taking a bath
before entering our Fire Temples. It is also heard that there was a
custom to take a holy bath (Nahan) given by Mobed Saheb before
entering Iranshah. But if this is not possible, it would be a real
good gesture to make use of Taro (Bull's/Cow's urine) in your house
before taking the bath.


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Page 08


3. DRESS

After taking the bath the question that comes is of the dress. So many
articles are written on this subject as to what should be our dress
while visiting Iranshah. Ladies have been repeatedly told, requested
and explained as to what type of dress they should wear while going to
Iranshah. However, all such talks, it seems have fallen on deaf ears.

So many instances have been pointed out by Mobed Saheb where young
girls have entered Iranshah in the most atrocious dresses. There are
instances where our Mobed Sahebs were even insulted and humiliated for
pointing out such shameless dresses put on by some ladies. Such act on
the part of the ladies reflects their family culture and their faith,
feelings and love for Iranshah.

With such indecent dresses the wearer puts burden on Iranshah.
Negative currents pass through such dresses, which are harmful to
human beings also. This has been proved by today's science. A decent
dress for a man is white Dagli, white shirt and pant. For ladies a
white or light coloured sari with a long sleeve blouse is an ideal
dress. Young girls may put on a frock, which should be long enough to
cover their knees. Along with the above dress the head must be
covered. For this the gents must wear a regular Parsi Topi either of
black, red or blue colour. The mazdayasni din prescribes white cap
along with white dress mentioned above. Under no circumstances one
should wear the fancy knitted cap, it is absolutely out of place for
going to Iranshah. For ladies the prescribed head cover is popularly
known as Mathubanu. It must be of pure cotton and not of silk. The
silk scarf

neither gives the required protection nor the nourishment to the head.
Further, the ladies are requested to put on the Mathubanu in such a
way that all the hair gets covered inside. Today's fashion is to wear
Salvar Kamiz, which is really an ideal dress for ladies as it covers
the body very well. However, along with the Salvar Kamiz, the head
must be covered with the regular Mathubanu. Mere putting on the Odhani
or Dupatta is not at all acceptable.

Please remember not to put your clothes meant for Iranshah on the bed.
Put it on a table chair or such other place. Moreover keep this dress
away from your shoes, chappals, shaving kit etc. during travelling. In
other words do not keep all the materials in one bag. Havetwo bags.

In the matter of dress one more thing is to be remembered and that is
the inside dress. As one takes care of the outside dress one must also
take care of the inside dress that is Sudreh and Kushti. Please do not
go to Iranshah with torn and dirty Sudreh Kushti. The Sudreh should be
of nine seams only. Similarly the Kushti should be also made up of 72
threads and not less. The ladies have a fancy of putting on Sudreh
made up of Net material, which is not correct. The Sudreh must be of
cotton only. The garment made up of Net is like a mosquito net, which
cannot preserve, store powers of Ashoi.

Nowadays boys and girls put on Jeans. They are requested to ensure
that the Jeans are absolutely clean and are not put on during
travelling. Jeans is a garment where one cannot distinguish whether it
is old or new, washed or dirty. The younger generation is also
requested not to put on the same clothes after the bath, which they
had put on during travelling. Finally in the matter of shoes and
chappals please note that the plastic or rubber shoes, sandals and
chappals nullifies the good effects of a Kushti and therefore care
should be taken to ensure that one puts on such items made up of
leather only.


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Page 10


4. KUSHTI PADIYAV

If sufficient attention is given to the above two points then we can
say that we are ready and fit to go to Iranshah. Please bow down and
give your first salute to Iranshah at the main entrance where you will
find two steps. The boundary of Iranshah's darbar starts from here.
Put on your right foot first and go straight to your right where there
is provision to wash your face, hands and feet. There is no need to
move here and there once you enter His darbar. After entering the
Pavilion please wash your face and any open parts of your body like
hands and feet. After making it dry with your handkerchief start your
Kushti ritual. Before doing so please untie your shoelaces.

The correct Kushti is to start with Kemna Mazda prayer. After reciting
this prayer completely untie your Kushti and start the complete prayer
of Ahura Mazda Khodaye and tie up your Kushti again: After this please
recite the prayer of Jasame Avangahe Mazda which completes the Kushti
prayer. While doing your Kushti please see that the Kushti lars (ends)
do not touch the ground. If this happens the good power preserved in
your Kushti through the prayer will drain down in the earth and the
powers of evil force will start getting in through the Kushti. It is
also important to note here that one must not strike Kushti very hard
like a whip It must be struck very gently and always in the North
direction. While going to Iranshah instead of doing your Kushti once
it is recommended to do the Kushti ritual twice.

After completing the Kushti ladies should remember NOT to put the
Sudreh inside the blouse. Similarly the gents should also remember NOT
to put the Sudreh inside the trouser. It should be kept open outside.
This is an act of indecency, and an insult to Iranshah which one would
not like to do after knowing the truth. Sudreh Kushti is able to pull
good forces from nature. When sudreh is not kept out side it brings
deficiency in its power to pun good forces.

The big question that comes after the Kushti prayer particularly for
the ladies is walking bare footed in the first hall of Iranshah where
there is no carpet. After performing the Kushti prayer the moment one
puts his foot down where there is no carpet or the person has not put
on socks, the Kushti act becomes unworthy/invalid. A Zarthosti who
receives divine powers from performance of a Kushti now starts
receiving bad currents as his Kushti is broken and he is walking bare
footed. He does not get protection from his Sudreh Kushti. To enter
Iranshah with such invalid Kushti prayer is as if to enter Iranshah
without the Kushti prayer and that should be avoided at all costs.

This problem could be easily solved if one wears socks while going to
Iranshah. It is difficult for ladies to walk the distance from the
hotel, residence or traveller's lodge (Dharmashala) with the socks on.
However they can bring a pair to Iranshah, put it on in the Pavilion,
then wash their hands and perform the Kushti. Before going home the
socks could be removed in the Pavilion. If this little trouble is
taken it would bring abundant good results to the person, as he would
be entering Iranshah with his Kushti intact. It may be remembered here
that in our Patet Pashemani prayer, to walk bare footed even in the
house is considered as an offence which is punishable. We generally
take out our shoes and chappals right at the inside front door of
Iranshah. This leaves an ugly scene and an act of indiscipline. If we
leave our shoes and chappals systematically elsewhere and also not
below the Paigambar Saheb's portrait, it would show a good act and
discipline on our part. If one wears socks, the problem could be very
easily solved.


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Page 12


5. REVERANCE, KISSES AND SALUTATION

Now the time has come to enter the Iranshah's Darbar. Many a times we
see that a Zarthosti bows down to each and every steps, doors,
windows, statues and photo frames of all the departed souls, Paigambar
Saheb etc. In one minute's time he salutes so many of them that one
wonders whether he knows to whom he is giving respect or not. When he
touches each step if he is holding sukhad in his hand the chances are
the sukhad may also touch the ground, which is undesirable. One may
bow down but one must refrain from touching the staircase from where
so many people have passed by with their shoes on. It is advisable not
to show such overrated devotion. One must remember that we have come
to Iranshah and therefore the first respect should go to Iranshah and
later on to others. An overall respect to all the departed souls would
be much better. Of course you can always give your special respect to
Paigambar Saheb. .

It is not the Reverence and Salutation, which creates so many
problems, as is created by kisses. The epidemic of giving kisses here
and there to show one's love is growing day by day. There is no such
precedent or custom in Zarthosti Din to give kisses. This practice is
copied from the Britishers. And from the houses it has gone to the
streets and finally come up to Iranshah's Darbar. Our Mobed Saheb
while performing any religious ceremony put on a cloth over their
face, which is known as Padan. The purpose of putting this Padan is to
ensure that while reciting the prayers bad breath, saliva etc. should
not pollute the holy matters before him including the fire. We
Zarthostis do exactly the opposite to what Mobed Sahebs are doing. It
is therefore requested that at least in Iranshah at no place one
should give kisses and pollute the place. Off course this is also
valid for all other fire temples too.

When one Zarthosti gives a kiss on the Iranshah's threshold out of
ignorance he leaves germs there, which cannot be seen with naked eyes.
When the next person bows down at the same place there are very good
chances of his contacting the disease through the germs left by the
earlier person. Furthermore, one must remember that as soon as one's
lips touches the floor or a photo frame or such other matters the
effect of the Kushti becomes null and void. A Zarthosti very well
knows that Kushti is the foundation of all our prayers. One can very
well imagine the condition of a building without foundation.


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Page 13


6. WOOD (KATHI) VS. SANDALWOOD (SUKHAD)

The ordinary wood, which we will call here as Kathi is an essential
thing in preserving Atash Padshah in our fire temples. Kathi should
necessarily be of Babul tree only. One does not get any fragrance from
Kathi. According to my personal opinion the best present to Iranshah
is your true faithful prayers and a piece of sandalwood of the finest
quality.

When such sandalwood is offered to Iranshah, the atmosphere gets
filled with divine fragrance and pious feelings. Contrary to this from
where the system of offering Kathi to Iranshah has cropped up is
difficult to understand. One must have observed that when Kathi is
offered to Padshah Saheb it is used as and when it is required.
However, present in the form of sandalwood is straightway offered to
Padshah Saheb in your presence. Is it not a matter of happiness?
Please remember that sandalwood is the food of our Padshah Saheb. Each
time during Boi ceremony, Padshah Saheb is offered a Maachi, which is
of sandalwood and not of Kathi. Just think it over. Moreover one must
remember that while offering Maachi to Padshah Saheb, the minimum
quantity of sandalwood should be of one kilo. The reason is one kilo
of sandalwood would last at least till the first Atash Niayesh is
recited by the Mobed Saheb and the fire will continue to spread the
divine light.

There is no need to be a miser in this matter. If it is not possible
to do so then one should offer sandalwood of the equivalent amount
which one can afford, instead of a Maachi. The meaning of the para
coming in Atash Niayesh ---

"Veespanam para - charentam, Atarsh zasta adidhaya -----" is as under.

Atash Padshah wishes to make friendship with the person reciting the
prayer and wants to help him. He is eager and anxious to take the
mankind to salvation. The status of Iranshah among all fire temples is
the highest and therefore this thought process is highly activated.
Zarthostis should take advantage of his presence and reach salvation
faster. And therefore the friend on the throne (Padshah Saheb) looks
at the walking friend coming near to HIM. HE looks at his hands and
asks, what have you brought for me?

Late Dr. Faramroze Chiniwala saheb has written that in offering
sandalwood to Atash Padshah to keep the Atash burning there is an
unlimited act of benevolence and righteousness. So once again I urge
you to offer only sandalwood to Padshah Saheb according to your
condition. Off course you may put any amount of money in the Kathi
fund as you wish. However, when you personally visit Iranshah, you
should carry a piece of sandalwood only in your hand.

These days at many places cheap low quality wooden pieces are sold in
the name of pure sandalwood at the prevailing price of sandalwood. The
common man cannot make out the difference as certain ordinary wooden
pieces look exactly like sandalwood because they are coated with
sandalwood oil. Our Mobed Sahebs have the knack of finding out such
cheap quality of sandalwood or rightly to say the ordinary wooden
pieces. They take care that such pieces are not offered to Padshah
Saheb. The Zarthosti should be thankful to the Mobed who has prevented
him from offering such cheap wooden pieces to Iranshah. Of course the
Zarthosti is not to be blamed because he has paid full price for the
so-called sandalwood. When you go in the market and if your friend or
relative stops you from buying spurious goods to save your health you
will whole-heartedly thank him for the same. Then why such impolite
attitude towards Mobed Saheb who takes care of your offering to
Iranshah?

A point of reference to the expenses incurred on flowers is worth
mentioning here. It is better if some control is exercised on the
amount spent so lavishly on flowers. Such self-discipline will lead to
reduce wastage of flowers, which is one of the most beautiful
creations of nature. The extra money can always be given in charity
for some good cause. You have to just see, the condition of flowers
offered on Behram roj, the next day to appreciate my point.


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Page 15


7. DISCIPLINE, RESTRICTION, MANNERS AND PATIENCE

To go to Iranshah for reverence is to go to the highest divine
authority on this earth. And therefore the highest sense of
discipline, self control and manners are very essential.
Unfortunately, this is not happening many a times. Iranshah's Darbar
is not our Albless Baug where one can move here and there, chitchat
and make a public nuisance of oneself

If we have to learn the art of discipline, control and manners we
should look at other religions and their religious places. The
discipline observed in a Mosque, a Church or a Gurudwara is a shining
example even in today's time. If you will carefully think over this
matter you will realize that how backward we are in observing
discipline in Iranshah.

To site a few examples, I would say that there are some Zarthostis who
recite the prayers so loudly that it disturbs other fellow Zarthostis
present nearby. Some people keep talking to their friends and
relatives with their back to Iranshah. This is a gross insult to
Padshah Saheb, which cannot be pardoned. A few more, Zarthostis
stretch their legs towards Padshah Saheb not realizing that this act
on their part is mannerless and yet another insult to Iranshah. On
many occasions one finds that suddenly a Zarthosti leaves his prayers
aside and starts talking to his long lost friend or relative. This
disturbs the continuous harmonious effect of staot.

Allowing little kids to play with the holy religious books is a common
scene in Iranshah. The innocent child throws the book on the ground
where you know that we are walking all the time. There are enough
notices put on the bookcase but nobody cares about it. Just realize
how much respect is given by the Sikhs to their holy Granth. It is not
just the respect but they even worship the book, whereas what we do to
our holy Pak Avesta Book, you know better.

It is to be noted here that to turn the pages of Avesta book one must
never put his fingers in the mouth and turn it. This is yet another
offence which is unpardonable. Please note that one should also not
put his fingers in the nose or ears while praying. If you get an
itching sensation in the head use your handkerchief to scratch. Do not
do it with bare hands. If you are sitting on a bench or a chair see
that you do not cross your legs. Also ensure that you do not recite
your prayers by keeping your legs hanging in the air. At least one leg
must have a contact with the ground and that too, either you are
wearing socks or your leg is on a carpet.

In today's time a large number of ladies are not following the
complete tarikat (code of conduct) during their monthly periods. In an
event when their monthly period is coming nearer such person should
avoid visiting Udvada with their relatives and friends. It is because
in any case she would not be able to visit Iranshah and at the same
time she would create difficulties for others in maintaining purity.
She would indirectly put burden on Iranshah. Such instances are
recorded and hence this point is brought out here for caution.


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8. RESPECT TO MOBED SAHEBS

The Mobed Saheb who is in service to Iranshah giving Boi is
accountable to Iranshah and not to us. So please behave with full
respect towards them. Do not behave rudely. In appreciation of their
services every single Zarthosti is duty bound to pay them some Ashodad
as per his condition. Their sacrifice in maintaining and preserving
Iranshah is of the highest order. Perhaps Iranshah is rewarding the
present generation for the services rendered by their forefathers. And
therefore, please do not make an issue of any small mistake/lapse on
their part. A true spiritual mobed has passion for devotion and
worship. He is not after money.

Dharm Guru Bhookhe Bhaktike

Dhan Ke Bhookhe Nahin

Jo Dharma Guru Bhookhe Dhan Ke

O Dharm Guru Nahin


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Page 17


9. IRANSHAH'S THRESHOLD (UMBAR)

Iranshah's threshold (Umbar) is not a property of a single Zarthosti.
Many a times it so happens that a Zarthosti does not move away from
the Umbar for minutes together. This is a great inconvenience to other
Zarthostis who are waiting behind to give their respect to Iranshah.
One has to think of the people who are old and weak waiting for their
turn to bow down to Iranshah. Especially on certain important days,
this should not happen. A true Zarthosti should move out from the
Umbar within 5 to 10 seconds, thereby giving a quick opportunity to
other fellow Zarthostis. They should inculcate this habit in their
children also. There is nothing wrong in standing away from the Umbar
and praying for hours. Even Iranshah also likes the same way, as HE
would not prefer that HIS disciples should wait for long after making
a very long and tiring journey.

It is a general practice these days to ask Mobed Saheb to recite
Tandarosti of the family members. However, even to write the names of
the family members, one does not leave the Umbar is a bit too much. It
is really bad manners and should be avoided. One can always write the
names standing little away from the Umbar so that during that time
several Zarthostis would get an opportunity to bow down to Iranshah.
Even when the Tandarosti is recited by the Mobed Saheb the behdins
just don't move away from the Umbar. One must remember that the Mobed
Saheb always recites the prayer loud and clear therefore there is
nothing wrong if the family stands a little away from the Umbar so
that many others can do their duties during that time.


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10. IRANSHAH'S RAKHYA

With love and respect, the Ash of any Atash Padshah is called Rakhya.
In return of our present in the form of prayers and sandalwood/kathi,
Iranshah gives us a divine gift in the form of Rakhya. This present
given by way of a blessing is not to be eaten, and therefore never put
it in your mouth. Iranshah's Rakhya is same for rich and poor. It
reminds us of Universal Brotherhood of Rich and Poor.

Please do not pick up Rakhya like snuff with the help of your thumb
and finger. The right way is to use your right hand finger (index
finger), touch it to Rakhya and whatever you get by way of your luck,
apply it on your forehead and at no other place of your body. Take
care that it does not fall on the ground as the Rakhya may come under
someone's feet. All these acts are direct insult to lranshah.

Atash Padshah's divine power is also there in the Rakhya. The Rakhya
has power to absorb good as well as bad currents. As long as we are in
the holy atmosphere of Iranshah the Rakhya on your forehead draws only
good divine currents. After your prayer is over and it is time to go
home one must remember to clean the forehead and remove the Rakhya.
Care should be taken that you do so at a place where no one is likely
to put his foot. The ideal place to remove Rakhya from your forehead
is on the flowerpot or a plant where there are no chances of any
person putting his foot on the Rakhya.

The purpose of removing Rakhya from the forehead is when one goes out
in the polluted atmosphere the Rakhya draws only bad currents, which
are harmful to the person. It is also not desirable that a juddin's
eye falls on the Rakhya. Many times we see Parsis moving in Udvada
town with a big spot of Rakhya on their forehead. This is only to
satisfy their ego, which should be avoided. In fact it is harmful to
the person doing so.


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11. THINGS WHICH SHOULD NEVER BE TAKEN TO IRANSHAH

Iranshah is just not an ordinary place of worship. Care has to be
taken to maintain the purity and piety of Iranshah from all angles.
The first step towards this is never to carry any material made up of
leather inside the inner hall of Iranshah. You have noticed that
because of this reason we take out our shoes and chappals outside the
hall. So the principle should also apply to various other items made
up of leather. This includes ladies purse, gents' wallet, leather belt
of a wristwatch, and all such items made of leather. These items give
additional burden to Iranshah in performing His mission.

The variety of items lying in a ladies purse like nail cutter, nail
polish, nail file, lipstick, perfumes which are made up of
unacceptable chemicals, comb, brush, eyebrow pencil etc. etc. are all
un desirable and therefore should never be taken to Iranshah. It is
better to have a separate purse exclusively for Iranshah where one can
put some cash sukhad and perhaps a new handkerchief.

Another set of items, which should not be taken inside Iranshah are
the items working on dry cells and batteries. For example a battery
operated wristwatch, portable fan, torch and such other gadgets are
not permitted in Iranshah. The reason being all such items work on a
different type of electricity, which is not in harmony with the light
of Iranshah. For centuries our Mobed Sahebs have maintained this piety
and purity without falling in for the covenient electricity, which is
at our disposal. The Zarthostis who follow this discipline help the
Mobed Saheb and also help themselves in maintaining the sanctity of
Iranshah. A third type of absolutely non-essential, harmful items
which are seen these days are Pagers, Mobile telephones, Cameras and
Video cameras. A notice is put in Iranshah prohibiting these items
inside. However many Parsis for their selfish motive just over look
such notices.

Some Parsees bring their whole travelling bag inside Iranshah inspite
of the Mobed Saheb requesting them not to bring it in the inner hall
of Iranshah. One must realize that such travelling bags come in
contact with many people and therefore are subject to seen and unseen
impurities of nature. It is for this reason that the Mobed Sahebs
request, not to bring such bags inside the hall.

Please remember that your sundry purchases of items like pickles,
papads, dry bombay ducks, bhakhras etc. should be done only after your
main mission i.e. to pay your respect to Iranshah is over. Do not
carry all such items with you for two reasons. Firstly the items by
themselves are unwanted inside Iranshah and secondly you never know
the condition of the seller.

A little care is also required to be taken when we put currency notes
on the chamuch. Would it not be better to put crisp new notes and new
coins rather than putting old soiled and dirty notes and coins?
Finally, I have only to say that when you go to Iranshah for giving
Him respect it is not just sufficient that you come back with only
reverence. A minimum of one Atash Niyayesh must be recited in praise
of Iranshah. This Atash Niyayesh must be recited after performing your
compulsory prayers that is Sarosh Baj, Gah, Khorshed and Meher
Niyayesh (during day time) Vispa Humata and then Atash Niyayesh,
followed by Doa naam Setayshne, to complete your prayer. The Atash
Niyayesh should be recited before Atash Padshah in a standing
position. If one does not know how to pray than an alternative given
is to recite 65 Ahunavar (Yatha) in lieu of Atash Niyayesh.

Through this book I have attempted to draw the attention of my fellow
hamdins about the do s and don'ts while going to Iranshah so that they
will not make any mistake through ignorance and little carelessness. I
hope my fellow Zarthostis will think over it and follow it sincerely
to make their next visit to Iranshah a successful and memorable one.

O Pak Iranshah, worthy of being worshipped, an inspiring Light it is
our sincere prayer with many many salutations that let your divine
blessings continue to be showered on all the creation of the world and
particularly on the Zarthoshti community and you show us the right
path of love, service and selfless brotherhood. Amen.

Tehmurasp Shawaksha Pardiwala


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