Ervad Hathiram writes to the Jame about the Dokhmenashini debate

The Editor
Jame-Jamshed
Mumbai.
 
Dear Sir,
 
I have been following with interest the ongoing debate about Dokhmenashini in your paper. As one who has done a little study on the subject, I feel it necessary and in public interest to share with your readers some basic facts about the Dokhmenashini system.
 
The system of Dokhmenashini has several facets. The least important of these is the speedy disposal of the physical body, with the minimal amount of pollution. It is pertinent to note that the Avesta refers to the system as "hvare-daresana", Pahlavi "khurshed nigarashni", i.e., exposure to the sun. The Vendidad does mention the agency of the "kaharkasas", i.e. meat eating bird [vulture], but only as secondary. The entire issue being raked up here is the paucity of birds - but these were never considered as an essential prerequisite for the efficient working of this system.
 
The larger issue, however, and one which has been consistently ignored by all and sundry is that the dokhma and Dokhmenashini is NOT merely a system for disposing off a dead body. Were it so then, theoretically, we should have no objection to a member of any other community desiring to consign his body in this manner. But it is not so.
 
It is pertinent to mention that the Avesta says that a human body is composed of nine parts: - three physical - tanu, gaetha and azde; three semi-physical - keherp, ushtan, tevishi; and three spiritual/immortal - ruvan, baodangh and fravashi. Any system of disposal of the dead has to ensure that ALL THESE NINE PARTS are efficiently dealt with - not only any one group.
 
The dokhma is first and foremost an alat, an instrumentality of the Zoroastrian religion, much as an Atash Behram or an agiary. The dokhma is an important part of a four part system that ensures that not only is the physical body disposed off, but also that the spiritual aspect of the soul's onward journey is facilitated in a most efficient manner. Thus the Dokhma is one of the four wheels of the car that drive the soul on its onward journey - remove a single wheel, and you can imagine what happens. The other three wheels of this car are:
    1. The sachkar ceremony
    2. The geh-sarna ceremony
    3. The dokhma
    4. The four days prayers for the departed soul.
 
Concentrating on the dokhma, it is apparent from its method of construction and consecration that it is not merely a receptacle for putting a dead body - were it that way then we could have used an open hill top too. I would request readers to go through the same Dr Jivanji Mody's book on Zoroastrian ceremonies to get an idea of the immense time and effort it takes to construct and consecrate a single dokhma. Without going into details [which are sufficient to merit a complete book in their own right], we can summarise:
 
1. The physical construction of the dokhma is such that it takes care of the physical aspect of the disposal of a body. - the tanu, gaetha and azda are dealt with
2. The ceremony of "tana" which is done prior to the construction of the dakhma, in its foundation pit, ensures that the semi-physical bodies are properly dealt with - keherp, ushtan and tevishi
3. The consecration ceremonies and the various bajs performed prior to opening the dakhma ensure the onward journey of the immortal parts - ruvan, baodangh and fravashi.
 
For a Zoroastrian, there is no alternative but to go the dokhma way - for his own good.
 
I would be only too glad were the Jame to give an opportunity to me to write in detail on this topic and end this controversy once and for all.
 
Regards,
 
Ervad Marzban Hathiram.

An Appeal for Financial Aid for our Daughter Anahita Amrolia

An Appeal for Financial Aid for our Daughter Anahita Amrolia

This is a genuine request for help - I vouch for that. Anahita is a single parent of a 7 year old with retired parents. She was the sole breadwinner of the family before she was stricken with Encephalitis and has been suffering since around April this year. Her treatment costs have dried up all the savings of this family.

If anyone is interested in helping the family financially they may get in touch with Hormuz Avari at 98207655 hormuz.avari@gmail.com or directly with Sam / Behroze Amrolia in Mumbai (numbers given below).

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

October 1st, 2012

Sub:Medical help required for my daughter who is suffering from Encephalitis

(Definition: is irritation and swelling (inflammation) of the brain, most often due to infections)

Dear Sir/Madam,

I, Sam Amrolia retired service man write to you with great hope and request you to help me with financial aid for the medical expenses of my ailing daughter Anahita Amrolia age 35 years who was diagnosed and is being treated for Encephalitis at the Bhatia Hospital, Tardeo, Mumbai, India for the past 4.5 month. Now she is being treated for recovery from the damage she has suffered. The expenses we incurred during her treatment were INR 11.95 lakhs in hospitalization for which scanned bill has been attached. We have managed to go so far with help from friends, relatives and personal funds. On advice of the doctors we have brought her home as medical treatment at the hospital is completed and now she in to undergo medication & physiotherapy since she is partial paralyzed due to brain damage.

Anahita was the bread earner for the family and a single parent of 7 year old girl Mehernaz. I and my wife am retired serviceman of Central Bank of India since three years.We have been given enough hope from all medical experts that Anahita is and shall recover, but with no definite time frame for recovery specified.

The monthly expenses that we have been incurring since we have brought her home account for a sum of INR 58,890/- p.m. (expenses bifurcation attached herewith) which is a heavy sum for us now as we have exhausted all our liquidity during her treatment.

We would be greatly obliged towards your organization if we could receive due help for sustaining ourselves while taking care of our recovering child.

We wish to inform you that we have received donation from trust and family contribution of INR 673,000/- (Six Hundred Seventy Three Thousand Only) (Donations bifurcation attached herewith)

On request we will produce all the bills in original.

With this appeal I truly solicit your timely help and would be obliged to receive any help in anyway.

Sincerely yours,

Mr. Sam N Amrolia

10/4, Sir C.J.Colony

Tardeo,

Mumbai - 400034

Mobile – 09821500481/09821500483

EXPENSES PER MONTH

Particulars

Remark

Monthly Expense

Rental Surgical Bed

INR 5000 p.m. rent

INR 5,000.00

Physiotherapist Charges

Rs. 600/- per hour Monday to Saturday

INR 15,600.00

Caretaker / Maid expenses

Rs. 300/- per day

INR 9,000.00

Tests

Various Tests including Blood tests, sodium level, Serum level, Carbamazepine Level and Potassium Level every 10 days. @ INR 5680 onetime

INR 17,040.00

Medication

INR 7,000.00

Diapers

As totally bed ridden

INR 5,250.00

Total Expenses

INR 58,890.00

Donations received from various Trust and other sources

Donation

Remarks

Amount (INR)

Bai MPB Jeejeebhoy Deed of Settlement fund

Trust Donation

198000

British Council

Employer Medical Assistance

250000

Lotus Trust

Trust Donation

50000

Mr. Jalnawalla

Personal Donation

50000

Relatives

100000

Other Well wishers

Personal Donation

25000

Total

673000

Regards

Behroze Amrolia

Free Zoroastrian Match Making service by Mrs. ABAN VAZIR

This e-mail was forwarded to me by Mr.Shroff from Houston. Hope you find it useful

...Spread the good news!

Hi….Everyone,

Kindly forward this email to all Zarthustis around the world. Aban Vazir from Toronto, Canada is providing a wonderful FREE Service to the young youths of our community and within a short span of time:

· 30 Zarthushti couples have already got their life partners
· 45 Zarthushti couples have been engaged

She has a huge database of young (ages 17 – 59) Zarathushti boys and girls, seeking matrimony within our community.please do not hesitate to contact her directly.

Email: aban_vazir@yahoo.ca

Third Email:

Hi...Everyone,

This email has been sent on behalf of Mrs. Aban Vazir:

Please forward it to all your friends and relatives around the world.

Dear Kerman Katrak,

Just wanted to update you on the progress of the Free Matrimonial Service. Young Zarthushti girls and boys have approached me from Bombay, Pakistan, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, USA and from our own Canada.

With great care and respect I have been forwarding E-mails to suitable matches keeping it very confidential to honour the respected individual. Today with great pleasure and joy I would like to inform you that:· 10 couples have already got their life partners· 15 couples have been engaged.Besides this, they have found a lot of happiness and consolation in meeting new Zarthushti friends in all parts of the world.

Amazingly all of them have forwarded this match making E-mails to thousands of friends all over the world and the result is I keep getting at least 5 new E-mails per day as boys and girls are looking for their Life Partners.

I think this is the best way to approach a girl or a boy if you are shy. It becomes easier to get to know each other by E-mail. All the efforts that have been put into this, has resulted in finding their right partners in Life and many of them can be good friends forever.

The Community's strength is measured when family and friends join hands and stand together, in the common cause of our community.

I sincerely request people from all age groups to come forward and approach me or send me your Bio and I will send you E-mails of your choice.

May Ahura Mazda guide and bless our community.

With best regards,

Aban Vazir - Toronto , Canada .Tel: 416-622-6552

Email: aban_vazir@yahoo.ca

Second Email:

Hi...Everyone,

This email has been sent on behalf of Mrs. Aban Vazir:
Please forward it to all your friends and relatives around the world.

Dear Kerman Katrak,

I would like to update you on the progress of this FREE Matrimonial service: As it currently stands, I have:68 listings of boys43 listings of girlsAges varying from 17 to 59
Boys and Girls from Canada, USA, Europe, New Zealand , Australia, India & Pakistan.3 couples have been engaged.14 couples have been in serious matrimonial correspondence.

I still have a huge database of people and receive more and more eligible Zarthushtis on a regular basis.

I would ardently request you to kindly roll out this email once again and my humble request is for people to please come forward and contact me, who are looking for a match within our community.

This is absolutely a FREE Community Service, with utmost Confidentiality.

With Best Wishes,
Aban Vazir - Toronto , Canada .Tel: 416-622-6552

Email: aban_vazir@yahoo.ca

First Original Email:

Hi Everyone,

This email has been sent to you all on behalf of Aban Vazir: Please contact her directly.

Greetings to Everyone,

Since the past 30 to 40 years we Zarthushtis have settled in this beautiful Land worked hard and struggled to raise our kids in the best environment. We have tried to give them the best education and always wished they would settle well in their lives so after we leave this world they can stand up on their feet and be independent.

Every Zarthushti Parent's dream is that their son or daughter would marry and stay in our own community and preserve the values of our great religion which our great grandfathers have passed on to us. But how would anyone achieve this. We feel there is a strong need for a person who would help by trying to locate an appropriate friend or a partner and in turn keep the utmost confidentiality of each and every individual.

Hence I would ardently request each one of you to please come forward and contact me so that I can help you find the most suitable match and also assist you in every step of the way, by finding a life partner who will match your personality and compatibility.

I already have a list of girls and boys of all ages, who are looking out for a suitable match, within our community.

So please don't feel shy and kindly contact me as this is a free and purely community service for our friends and family and above all for our religion.

With best regards,Aban Vazir - Toronto , Canada .Tel: 416-622-6552
Email: aban_Vazir@yahoo.ca

Email: aban_vazir@yahoo.ca