Jamshedi Navroz Blessings!

What better way to bring in Jamshedi Navroz than being blessed by our reverent priests who keep the fires of our Agiaries glowing! And what better gift can Parsi Times give its readers on Jamshedi Navroz, than share the blessings of some of our priests from within and beyond Bombay’s borders with you all! PT Reporter, Khushroo Mehta and Asst. Editor, Delaveen Tarapore compile ‘The Blessings Page’, for our dear readers. Parsi Times thanks all our respectful priests for their willing participation.

Vada Dastur, Ervad Khurshed Dastoor (Udvada): “Navroz Mubarak!! On this auspicious day we pray to Ahura Mazda to make us think, speak and act in conformity with our great Zoroastrian religion. Let us spread kindness, let our deeds be righteous and our minds full of joy. Let our souls and our minds be full of heavenly glory. With the best and excellent righteousness may we come closer to Ahura Mazda and be worthy of His eternal friendship!”

Ervad (Dr.) Parvez Bajan (Mumbai): “Navroz, literally meaning ‘New Day’, marks the first day of spring and the beginning of the year in the Iranian calendar. It is celebrated on the day of the astronomical vernal equinox. Originally being the holiest of Zoroastrian festivals, Navroz dates back almost 4000 years and has survived countless social revolutions, notably the Muslim invasion of Persia in the 7th century. On this auspicious day, we bow our heads in thankfulness to Thee that this national festival of the Golden Age of Iran has survived the ravages of time and remains to this day, as an undying memorial to the great and glorious king. Nature showers her bounteous gifts all around and hails this auspicious day. We earnestly pray to Ahura Mazda – May the budding season bring for us soundness of body and vigour of mind, may the mellow rays of the new sun quicken our hearts, may the vernal beacon-light lead our souls on the path of the new life that opens with ‘Jamshid-i Nowrūz’. With the humility of the mind and devotion of heart and prayer of the spirit at our command, we commend our community, smallest of the small among nations, to Thy unfailing care and protection and guidance, Ahura Mazda, now and forever. Jamshid-i Nowrūz Mubarak!”

Ervad Burjor Antia (Mumbai): “For our community to survive, our youngsters should have full knowledge of our religion and our history, so that they can fully comprehend our purpose for coming to India from Iran, and keep the Zoroastrianism flag flying high forever. Our youth should be empowered in every respects i.e. education, housing facilities, etc. so that they can marry and start a family which will help increase our dwindling population. We must take care of our elderly members in every possible way. As a minuscule community, we should live like a joint, undivided family, looking after the needs of each other which will bring progress, prosperity and peace in our community. Amen! Amen! Amen!”

Ervad (Dr.) Ramiyar Karanjia (Mumbai): “Jamshedi Navroz suggests rejuvenation, the readiness to shed old, harmful ways; and to make way for joy, zest and renewal. Just as nature renews itself at Jamshedi Navroz, sheds its drab and dreary winter garbs, and puts on a colourful, fragrant and pleasant look, may we too learn to periodically change for the better. Wishing one and all a very happy Jamshedi Navroz full of health, hope, joy, peace and prosperity!”

Ervad Rayomand Dastoor (Sanjan): “Khsnaothra Ahurahe Mazdao! A very happy, prosperous and progressive Jamshedi Navroz to all our Parsi and Irani Zoroastrian community. The day of Jamshedi Navroz coincides with 21st March, the day of vernal equinox, on this day Jamshed Padshah came to throne. It’s a festival of life and colour. It’s a festival of spring. As I wish Jamshedi Navroz I would like to convey to our community to protect our sacred Atash Behrams and Agiaries, our heritage and always remember our culture and pledge to impart Zoroastrian knowledge to our children. Good thoughts, Good words, Good deeds. Amen!”

Ervad Khoremand Marolia (Bordi): “A very happy Jamshedi Navroz to all! May Ahura Mazda’s blessings be with us always. Yasna 46.10 says, “Those who shall worship Thee and follow Thy message, with them all, I will march across Thy bridge of judgement – Chinvato Peretum.” And his message was simple – good thoughts, words and deeds. So let’s keep walking on this path and spread love and peace. Yezdan Panah baad!”

Ervad Hoshang Bhandara (Panchgani): “Wish you all a happy and magical Jamshedi Navroz. I hope it brings lots of success and achievements in the future. Let the previous Jamshedi Navroz end and the new Jamshedi Navroz start with the warmest of aspirations. Parsi Times is the boon for our community and I hope it will publish more attractive news in the future for our community.”

Ervad Firoz Choksi (Retr. Delhi Priest): “May Dadar Ahura Mazda bless the Zoroastrian community all over the world on Navroz, with unity and faithfulness for our oldest religion! May we follow in our forefather’s footsteps and have a blissful life over the years. Amen!”

Ervad Behram Patel (Dahanu): “As we continue to move forward in time, I send blessings of peace and protection, success and prosperity, health and happiness to all our community members. May Ahura Mazda guide, help and reveal the path of peace, harmony and enlightenment to our community as a whole.”

Ervad Marzban Pavri (Deolali): “Wishing a very happy Jamshedi Navroz to all our Zoroastrian community in the world. I humbly request the Parsi community to visit the Agiary regularly and pray there. Our community and Trustees need to look into the matter of shortage of Dasturjis and Mobed Sahebs seriously and find a permanent solution to it. Yatha Jamyad Yatha Afrinami!”

Ervad Harvesp Madon (Godrej Baug, Mumbai): “Navroz is the new day of the New Year. On this day, I wish for you all, a new and beautiful beginning to the year. May you prosper and spread kindness with good thoughts, good words and good deeds!”

Ervad Viraf Pavri (Batliwalla Agiary, Mumbai): “Baname Khuda! Wishing our Zarthosti community a very happy and healthy Jamshedi Navroz. May Lord Ahura Mazda always bless our community! I wish prosperity for my fellow Zoroastrians all over the world. Amen!”

Ervad Tehmtan Karanjia (Igatpuri): “We send our warmest and happiest Jamshedi Navroz wishes to our Zoroastrian community. I pray for an increase in the number of Parsis in our community. May the blessings of Atash Padshah be bestowed on our entire community! Amen!”

Ervad Behramshah Sidhwa (Thane): “Jamshedi Navroz Mubarak! May Ahura Mazda bestow happiness unto all! We have always been a micro-minority but our talented lot has always outnumbered all majorities! Let’s uphold our ‘QUALITY’ and not forsake it for ‘QUANTITY’ – it will surely stand the tests of time and prove to the world: ‘Parsis we were, Parsis we are and Parsis we will continue to be until the clock of time stands still.’ Yezdan Panahabad!”

Ervad Freddy P Randelia (Ahmednagar Agiary): “True faith in Ahura Mazda and the Holy Fires, and respecting our elders is the only way to attain true blessings from HIM. Jamshedi Navroz Mubarak to all Parsi Times Readers! Uste Te!”