Er. Zarrir Bhandara shares timeless nuggets of wisdom from our Zoroastrian religion, exploring its spiritual insights, ethical teachings and relevance in today’s world. Whether drawn from the Gathas, sacred traditions, or the lived experiences of the Zoroastrian community, each piece of wisdom serves as a guiding light in the journey of life, continuing to inspire and enlighten. In our exclusive column, ‘Pearls Of Wisdom’, Er. Zarrir Bhandara answers all your queries – simple or profound, illuminating the enduring relevance of Zoroastrian wisdom for us all.

 

Questions From Our Readers:

 

Q.: I keep a divo lit at home daily. Does the divo have to be facing a particular direction for it to be ritually correct? (Jeroo Bhathena)

Er. Zarrir Answers: While I can provide you with information about the Zoroastrian practice of lighting a divo and the related rituals, there does not appear to be a specific, ritually required direction for the divo to face. Primarily when you are lighting a divo or standing in front of the fire, you are facing the flame. Hence the focus of the ritual is to be on the purity of the flame itself, the act of reverence and the spiritual connection it represents, rather than on the cardinal direction it faces. The act of facing a source of light is crucial in our prayers, where the devotee faces a source of light (such as the sun, moon, a fire, or a divo) while praying.

 

Key aspects of the ritual for lighting a divo, based on Zoroastrian traditions:

Significance: The divo, a small oil lamp, represents the divine element of fire, which is a tangible symbol of Ahura Mazda. It is to bring positive energy and keep away negative influences, by making the spark within us brighter.

Preparation: The divo should be in a clean vessel, preferably made of metal or a dedicated glass. It is better not to mix oil and water in the divo. The preferred medium is pure ghee though other oils can also be used.

Lighting the Divo: It is considered a good practice to light a new divo from the flame of an existing one, rather than using a matchstick, to maintain the continuity. A thin stick of sandalwood or agarbatti is often used for this purpose.  While lighting the divo, a short prayer such as “Kshnothra Ahurahe Mazdao Ashem Vohu” is recited.

Placement: While there isn’t a specific direction mentioned, the divo is often placed on a prayer table or altar, often with photographs of departed relatives and or our Prophet Zarathushtra. It’s suggested to place it where it won’t be easily touched by unauthorized persons.

Maintenance: It is traditionally a good practice to keep the divo burning continuously, lighting a new one from the old one before it goes out. If the divo is not kept lit perpetually, it is often lit daily, and should be allowed to burn out naturally, as blowing out the flame is considered a sin.

 

 

(Er. Zarrir Bhandara is the Head Priest of the Zoroastrian Association of California Atash Kadeh, with encyclopaedic knowledge of our Zoroastrian religion and scriptures. Readers are encouraged to mail their queries to him at: zbhandara@gmail.com )