10th April, 2023 (Roj-Jamyad, Mah-Ava) marks the 192nd birth anniversary of one of the most popularly worshipped and pious Zoroastrian saints – Dasturji Jamshed Sohrab Kukadaru Saheb – who was known to possess spiritual powers/potency known as ‘Amal’, which empowered him to perform extraordinary feats, which we know as ‘miracles’.

Even today, many of the devout who worship him vouch for the spiritual prowess of Dasturji’s ruvan, which has helped them through many crises. Hence many community members still have the Afringan and Baj ceremonies performed in his name, even a century after his passing. Today, the portrait of Dasturji Kukadaru (also known as Kukana) adorns the walls of several Atash Behrams, Agiaries and homes. His Fravashi continues to bless those who remember him in prayers.

Also a healer, astrologer and alchemist – Dasturji Kukadaru Saheb was born in Surat on 26^th May, 1831 and passed away on 5^th September, 1900 (Mah Fravardin, Roj Behram) of the Shahanshahi calendar. He was the Panthaky (Managing Priest) of the Kapawala Agiary and commanded immense respect of his peers and the laity.

Although the title of Dastur (High Priest) was conferred on him posthumously, the Behdins regarded him as a Dastur even during his lifetime. Whenever he attended a wedding or navjote, the whole gathering would stand up as a mark of respect. The greatness of this saint lay in his simplicity – he washed his own clothes and ate only one meal a day which consisted of rice and ghee (clarified butter) which he used to cook by keeping a vessel filled with rice under the rays of the sun and reciting sacred Avesta verses. He was a vegetarian by choice and spent most of his time offering prayers.

Dasturji Kukadaru was known for his extensive knowledge of Avesta and Pahlavi. He served as a teacher at the Seth Jijibhai Dadabhai Zend Avesta Madressa (Fort, Mumbai), and translated volumes of the Pahlavi Dinkard and contributed regularly to the journal – ‘Yazdan Parast’. He also brought out various booklets, one being ‘Khoasa-e-afringan’, where he advocated reciting the ‘Tao ahmi nemane’ karda.

The most famous of all miracles performed by Kukadaru saheb is related to the establishment of the Anjuman Atash Behram, where he is known to have transformed an ordinary mud brick into a large bar of gold, just by chanting Avesta prayers through the night. He did this on the request of Zoroastrian devotees to cover a shortfall in funds required for constructing the Anjuman Atash Behram building (Dhobi Talao, Mumbai). Kukadaru Saheb requested High Priest – Dasturji Kaikhushru Jamaspji, to go to the next room and sell the item he would find there. The item was a gold brick, which, in those days, fetched a handsome sum of Rs. 10,000/-

He is also reported to have participated in the famous Mazagaon Navjotes. Reportedly, in 1882, a group of poor dock workers living and working in the Mazagaon Docks appealed to various priests to be admitted as Parsi Zoroastrians, despite being born of mixed parentage (Parsi father and non-Parsi mother). About two hundred prominent Parsis collected funds and eminent priests (including Kukadaru Saheb and Dastur Jamaspji Minocherji) performed the mass Navjote ceremony, in the presence of a large gathering, on 26th June, 1882. Eleven navjotes were performed and this event was duly reported in the Mumbai Samachar, Jam-e-Jamshed and Parsi Prakash.

Kukadaru Saheb is believed to have accurately predicted the day and time (to the hour) of Dastur Peshotan Sanjana’s death as also the death of Queen Victoria and Sir Dinshaw Petit. Once, when a marriage procession was passing through Chira Bazaar in Mumbai, Dasturji sent word that the procession should halt for about an hour. No one paid any heed and shortly, there was an accident where the bridegroom had died on the spot.

He developed the qualities of clairvoyance through certain tarikats (spiritual discipline), amal (ritual power), manthravani (prayers) and leading a life of ashoi (righteousness). With his divine powers, he healed numerous people who were ailing. For instance, when Jehangir Karkaria, a teacher at Bharda School, was just three years old, he developed severe jaundice and the doctors had given up hope. His grandmother took him to Dasturji at the Agiary. He made her sit at a certain spot with the ailing child in her lap. Dasturji sat at some distance and began praying after placing a brass bowl filled with clean well-water between them. As Dasturji prayed, the water in the bowl began to turn yellow and the child began to recover. The child grew up to be a well-regarded teacher and mathematician and died at a ripe old age.

Another instance is when a Muslim Pir (Saint) once appeared at the gate of the Kappawalla Agiary with a view to test Kukadaru saheb’s spiritual powers. After some discussion, the Pir challenged Kukadaru saheb to bring the water level of the Agiary well to the surface. Kukadaru saheb agreed, but warned that if the water overflowed, the sin of wasting water would be on the Pir’s head. After performing the Padyab Kushti, Kukadaru saheb began to pray. Towards the end of the prayers, the water level began to rise. When the water surfaced right up to the top, the Pir implored Kukadaru saheb to stop. The water receded and the Pir left chanting Dasturji’s praises!

Dasturji Kukadaru Saheb never abused the knowledge or power that he was blessed with. He only used it for the common good of others and not for selfish gain. May his blessings be showered upon one and all and may he continue to guide and protect our community!