. The scriptures not only encourage, but also enjoin marriage, including so for the clergy. Vendidad (4.47) states: “O Spitama Zarathushtra! Indeed, I thus recommend hereunto thee A man with a wife above a Magava (Holy man), A man with a family above one without a family, A man with children above one who is […]
Zoroastrian history can clearly be divided into pre-historic and historic. We know about pre-historic times through legend, myths and references in certain liturgical texts. The historic period is recorded in rock inscriptions in Iran as also by the Greek and later on Arab historians. Herodotus (484 - 425 BC), the ancient Greek historian, wrote a detailed […]
[Representing FEZANA at the Parliament of World Religions – 2021] In Zoroastrianism, there are 7 Amesha Spentas, bounteous immortals, each having a benevolent quality and a responsibility of overlooking each of the wonderful creations of God. This heptad (set of seven) is also considered as the seven steps or commandments, which when followed, benefits individuals […]
The ‘Farokhshi’ prayer is intended to remember, invoke, and praise the Fravashis of the dead. Like the Afringan, it is generally recited over offerings such as fruits, flowers, milk, wine and water, and before fire. The Fravashi is that power or spiritual essence in a substance, which enables it to grow. It is the spirit […]
Each day of the Zoroastrian calendar is divided into five time zones, known as ‘Gehs’ or segments dedicated to worshipping and venerating Ahura Mazda and the various celestial divinities. The word ‘Gah’ or ‘Geh’ originates from the Pahlavi language, meaning ‘time, period or place’. The five ‘Gehs’ in our religion were set, keeping in mind […]
– Championing The Truth And The Ethics Of Zoroastrianism – Noshir H. Dadrawala – Zoroastrian Scholar; Trustee – Bombay Parsi Punchayat: Maneckji Nusserwanji Dhalla was the first and only scholarly priest to be appointed Dastur or High Priest in Karachi, Pakistan. The Avestan term for Dastur is ‘De’ or ‘Deng’, which literally means, ‘one who shows the true path’. The moral and ethical […]
Aderbad Bin (son of) Mahrespand was the Mobedan Mobed (Supreme Pontiff) and Prime Minister during the long reign (309-379 A. D.) of Shapur Hormazd also known as Shapur II. According to the Pahlavi Dinkard, from his father’s side, Aderbad Mahrespand belonged to the family of Zarathushtra, and from his mother’s to the family of Shah Vishtasp. During […]
On Sunday, 22nd August, 2021, the Ba_Humata (with_Good Thoughts) Webinar series presents a special webinar to celebrate Khordaad Saal. Titled, ‘What Asho Zarathushtra Means To Me’, the webinar comprises a Humbandagi by young Ervads from India – Er. Zahan Turel and Er. Farmaan Dastoor. This will be followed by short talks and religious songs which […]
“Our human compassion binds us to each other – not in pity or patronizingly, but as human beings, who have learnt how to turn our common suffering into hope for the future.” – Nelson Mandela Forever, the world will be divided into ‘Pre-Covid’ and ‘Post-Covid’ times. Human connection is deeply linked to human sanity. Today, […]
Almost every religious tradition observes a day or days for remembering their near and dear departed ones. They say grief is the last act of love that we offer to those we loved; and remembering them is akin to breathing life into their fading presence from our life. Most humans, by nature, are ritualistic and […]
Among ancient Zoroastrian sacred texts, the Vendidad is probably the most significant – both historically and liturgically, and yet, it is condemned as an outdated ‘Zoroastrian Penal Code’ and the work of babbling Magi priests obsessed with imaginary demons and magic. Even today, many question the historical significance of the Vendidad. Let us understand that it is the only Nask or […]