Among Zoroastrians, Behram or Bahram Yazata is a favourite Divinity. The twentieth day (Roj) of every month (Mah) in the Zoroastrian calendar is dedicated to Bahram Yazata and this Roj is considered very special and auspicious. Many choose to begin a new task, implement a personal new resolution, or undertake a new project on this day, since, like Lord Ganesha in the Vedic tradition, Bahram Yazata removes obstacles and grants success. On this auspicious day, devout Zoroastrians also make it a point to pray the Bahram Yasht, preferably at an Atash Bahram, if possible. Many even make it a point to travel to Udvada on this special day and seek the Blessings of Iranshah, the very first and oldest Atash Bahram consecrated on Indian soil at Sanjan (South Gujarat) more than a millennia ago.

Mushkil Aasan

Zoroastrians often prefix Mushkil Aasan to the name of Bahram Yazata. Mushkil means difficult and Aasan means easy. This epitaph is given to the name of Bahram Yazata to signify remover of difficulties or one who grants success. However, this epitaph is neither Avesta, Pahlavi nor Pazand and seems a much later addition. In the Zoroastrian tradition Bahram Yazata is known by titles like Fattehmand, Firuzgar and Dushman Zadaar which mean victorious and destroyer of enemies. The name Bahram comes from the Avestan term, ‘Verethraghna’, meaning success or victory. Avesta Verethraghna is like the Sanskrit term Shatrughna or destroyer of enemies.

Many Zoroastrians also recite the tale of Mushkil Aasan on Fridays and/or Tuesdays. This too appears to be a later innovation. To begin with, Zoroastrians only follow the thirty Roj (Day) in every Mah (Month) from Hormazd to Aneran, and the concept of Tuesday and Friday is alien to Zoroastrian religious tradition. Friday is a weekly holiday in most Islamic countries, including Iran. Being a holiday, Zoroastrians in Iran often meet as a community at the Atash Kadeh or Shrine of Bahram Yazata, pray and feast together on Fridays. This is more of practical rather than religious origin. At the shrine of Bahram Yazata, Zoroastrians simply buy oil and pour it into a receptacle which feeds wicks that sustain small flames of fire. Since sandal wood is scarce in Iran, this is again a practical option.

Mushkil Aasan ritual involves recitation of a story in Persian, Gujarati or English. In other words, it is neither Avesta manthra nor Pazand. Reciting this tale is somewhat like recitation of a Katha or Kathya, an Indian style of religious storytelling, performances of which are a ritual event in the Hindu tradition.

The tale of the poor woodcutter and his daughter in the Mushkil Aasan recital, seems to have its roots in the tale of Mushkil Gusha, which is no doubt of Persian origin, but post the Zoroastrian era. ‘The Tale of Mushkil Gusha‘ by Idries Shah, bears striking resemblance to the Mushkil Aasan recital. Also, many Zoroastrians circulate on social media or keep pictures depicting Bahram Yazata in green clothes and wielding a sword. This is depiction of Hazrat Ali, the son-in-law of Prophet Mohammed and not Bahram Yazata.

Religious faith is a matter of individual choice and it is not the object of this article to shake anyone’s faith. However, at the same time, it is every Zoroastrian’s duty to seek the truth and reflect on the truth with wisdom and exercise his or her choice, in an informed and enlightened manner. Long before the tale of this poor woodcutter, Zoroastrians, including Zoroastrian Kings of the Sassanid era simply prayed the Bahram Yasht in Avesta which, like Sanskrit, is considered as a Divine language to attune oneself with Divine Energies (Yazata) of this Universe.

Invoking Bahram Yazata

Praying the Bahram Yasht is considered efficacious for good health (Bahram is Hamkar or co-worker of Ardibehest), financial gain or stability, livelihood, and good relationship. Adar Yazata (presiding over fire) and Sarosh Yazata (guardian spirit of the souls of the living and dead) are Bahram Yazata’s close companions.

There is also a tradition to pray the Bahram Yasht every day for a period of forty days, preferably at the same time. Many devotees vouch for the efficacy of this religious discipline. Many have found solutions to difficult problems and many more have found the strength, courage, and inspiration to go through difficult times.

In the Bahram Yasht we pray: “Verethraghnem ahura-dhaatem yazamaide. Peresat zarathushtro ahurem mazdam, ahura mazda mainyo spenishta daatare gaethanaam astvaitinām ashaa­­um, ko asti mainyavanaam yazatanaam zyotemo?Aat mraot ahuro mazdaao, verethraghno ahuradhaato, spitama Zarathushtra… vohu khvareno mazda-dhaatem, barat khareno mazdadhaatem baeshazem uta amemcha,” which means: “We venerate Bahram Yazata created by Ahura. Zarathushtra asked Ahura Mazda, “Oh Ahura Mazda spirit most beneficent, creator of the material world. O holy one! Who is the best helper in times of trouble, among spiritual Yazatas? Then Ahura Mazda replied, Victorious Behram Yazata, created by me, Oh Spitama Zarathushtra, who provides great energy, divine energy, health, and courage to those who remember him.”

In other words, Ahura Mazda affirms that the spirit of victory is created by him and this Divine Energy (Bahram Yazata) gives all those who invoke this spirit, the energy, strength and courage to succeed.

Giver Of Victory

In the Avesta, Bahram is Verethragna – the essence or spirit of victory. During the Sasanian dynasty, the Zoroastrian Kings, before every battle, prayed at existing Atash Bahram (Fire of Victory) or established a new one to celebrate victory and offer thanks to Bahram Yazata. Also, according to the Kissa-e-Sanjan, when the Parsis were sailing in the Arabian sea – from Div in Saurashtra to Sanjan in South Gujarat – a terrible storm threatened to capsize the boats in which our ancestors, who had migrated from Iran, were travelling. They prayed to Bahram Yazata for victory over this ordeal and pledged that they would consecrate an Atash Bahram if they could make it safely to the shore. True to their promise, our forefathers, consecrated the first Atash Bahram in Sanjan. After over a thousand years, this victory giving Holy Fire continues to blaze in the quaint and beautiful village of Udvada.

Similarities With Ganesha

To devout Zoroastrians, Bahram Yazata is what Lord Ganesha is to devout Hindus. Lord Ganesha is invoked before commencing anything significant and it is for this reason that he is called the ‘Lord of Beginnings.’ He is also known as ‘Vighnaharta’ or remover of obstacles – which resonates with the Zoroastrian concept of Verethragna or victorious (in overcoming difficulties and enemies).

The Bahram Yasht enumerates ten forms in which the divinity (Bahram Yazata) appears: As a Swift Wind; as an Armed Warrior and as an Adolescent Youth. In the remaining seven forms, he appears as a Bull with horns of gold; a White Horse with ears and a muzzle of gold; a Camel, a Boar, a Bird of prey, a Ram, and a Wild Goat. These forms are symbolic attributes of Bahram Yazata, who can be swift and cleansing as the wind, powerful and valiant as a warrior, energetic like a youth, strong as a bull etc. It is said that Verethragna Bahram Yazata comes to the aid of a devotee in any one or more of these ten forms and removes obstacles.

Ganesha, in turn has eight forms having different attributes, symbolizing certain abstract qualities. Also, just like Ganesha, Bahram Yazata presides over success, victory, and triumph over external foes, as also over internal weaknesses and vices. Both bestow courage and confidence to persons embarking on new journeys or initiatives.

Just as Ganesha is Vighna-harta or destroyer of obstacles, so is Bahram Yazata Dushman Zadaar. Finally, just as Ganesha is a popular name among Indian boys, Bahram is a very popular name among Iranian boys. During the Sasanian Empire, there were at least five emperors by the name Bahram.