– By Meher J. Dastoor

Parsi Times presents the second episode of the 4-part special series on Asho Sarosh Yazad, the eternal guardian of souls and ever-watchful protector of creation. Drawing from our holy scriptures and the wisdom of priests, this part sheds light on his role as the custodian of divine truths, the awakener of love and the voice of conscience that guides every Zoroastrian.

Among the Yazatas, Sarosh Yazad stands as the eternal teacher and Guardian of Daena or Divine Universal Natural Law. The Avesta describes Him as the one who moves across the earth with His own authority, placed by Ahura Mazda as His representative and entrusted with safeguarding divine order on this world. Sarosh Yazad acts with the full power and will granted by the Creator, ensuring that cosmic law and spiritual discipline remain intact.

In His guidance, Sarosh Yazad touches both the wise and the humble. To the intelligent, He brings inspiration through noble speech; to the less learned, He instils the virtue of obedience. He is a spiritual guide for all who sincerely seek the path of truth. The scriptures call Him Ratum Chizd, the Teacher of Wisdom, whose light reaches the soul of every ardent aspirant.

Sarosh Yazad is revered as the Supreme Head of Universe’s Religious Department. From Him flows the wisdom of Ahura Mazda, shared with World Teachers in every age according to what humanity most needs at that time. For this reason, He is called Daeno-Diso – the Religious Teacher. His knowledge is directly bestowed by Ahura Mazda Himself. Sarosh Yazad notices every sincere effort, every struggle for righteousness. His mode of teaching is often subtle – instead of directly imparting occult wisdom, He gently steers seekers toward enlightened masters like Abed Sahebs, priests or advanced disciples – who carry His message forward.

In addition to being the Custodian of divine truths, Sarosh Yazad is also the unseen link between the Creator’s wisdom and the human spirit. For those who walk the path of righteousness, He is both – protector and guide, ensuring that the eternal flame of Daena continues to shine across generations.

Sarosh Yazad is the eternal Guide of our five senses, of our conscience and love. In our prayers and traditions, Sarosh Yazad holds a special place as the divine guardian of truth, discipline and inner guidance. His presence is deeply linked to our conscience, our ability to love, and the way we use our senses. To understand Sarosh Yazad is to understand how divine wisdom works quietly within us, guiding us to live with sincerity, devotion and self-control.

There is an intimate bond between Sarosh Yazad and our conscience – that quiet inner voice which speaks of truth and right conduct. When we act without sincerity or turn a blind eye to wrongdoings, we distance ourselves from Him and lose the ability to hear His sacred Naad (divine vibration).

Conscience is not always easy to recognise – sometimes it pricks us immediately when we do wrong, and at others, it seems silent. This silence is not due to the absence of truth, but because we have allowed ignorance or self-interest to bury it under layers of confusion. How, then, do we cultivate conscience? As humans, we struggle with the relative concepts of rights and wrongs, as human judgment alone is limited. We do not always know what’s best for us, but the wisdom of the scriptures provides reliable guidance.

This means turning to the teachings of our faith and practicing spiritual discipline. As we do so, the Daena (described as the tenth chakra near the heart) develops and begins to radiate energy to the mind. This power restrains us from wrongdoing and sharpens our sense of right action. In that moment, it is as if we hear the Naad of Sarosh Yazad and respond with instant clarity. Sarosh Yazad, therefore, is closely linked with Vohu Manah, the Good Mind. When His influence awakens within us, we are blessed with true wisdom.

Sarosh Yazad is also celebrated as the awakener of compassion and love for family, love for humanity, love for the Prophet Zarathustra, and above all, love for Ahura Mazda. He is the divine source of the joy we feel when we bow before the sacred Fire of an Atash Behram or at Pak Iranshah. He moves our hearts when we hear the name of Asho Zarathustra. His love for creation mirrors the pure devotion of a mother for her child – as unconditional, protective and endlessly nurturing. Sarosh Yazad awakens within us the power to love selflessly.

Why do we recite exactly five Yatha Ahu Vairyo prayers in the Sarosh Baaj? The answer lies in the symbolism of our five senses. Ahura Mazda has given us free will to use these senses wisely or wastefully. Through them, we can rise toward truth or fall into error. Sarosh Yazad helps us refine and control our senses so that they do not dominate us, but instead become subtle instruments for spiritual growth. When we are attuned to Him, our eyes see with purity, our ears listen with wisdom, our speech uplifts, our touch heals and our choices honour the divine order!

arosh Yazad is thus not only the custodian of divine truths but also the gentle presence guiding our conscience, awakening our love and disciplining our senses. To walk with Him is to walk in harmony with our higher self and with Ahura Mazda’s eternal law.