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 illuminate. In our exclusive column, ‘Pearls Of Wisdom’, Er. Zarrir Bhandara answers your queries, shedding light on the enduring relevance of Zoroastrian wisdom for us all.
Questions From Our Readers:
Q: Of late I tend to get increasingly short tempered and angry or even yell at people, including my parents and loved ones, as I am quite stressed. I end up saying things I regret deeply later and wish I had never said those things. I also go and apologise for the same. However, the guilt tends to fester in me. How do I seek forgiveness for this and more importantly how can I change my short-tempered temperament? (Tasha Shroff, Pune)
Er. Zarrir: Anger is traditionally associated with the demon Aeshma. When we succumb to yelling, we effectively lose our spiritual ‘shield’. To change this temperament, I suggest practicing the ‘Pause’: the moment you feel anger rising, stop and recite one Ashem Vohu internally before speaking. This small act breaks the momentum of the wrath.
To maintain long-term equilibrium and peace, I also recommend reciting or listening to the audio of Mah Bokhtar Nyaish. This will help center your spirit and prevent stress from boiling over.
As regards the guilt you feel, Zoroastrianism focuses on Patet (repentance), which is a sincere three-step process:
- Acknowledgment: Admitting the mistake to yourself.
- Apology: Sincerely asking for forgiveness from those affected.
- Resolution: Most importantly, resolving with all your heart not to repeat the behavior.
Once you have changed your behavior, the guilt has served its purpose as a teacher. Do not let it ‘fester’ as lingering guilt is a tool of the darkness intended to keep you from moving forward and doing good.
Q: Why are certain prayers prescribed at specific times of the day (geh)? What is the significance of reciting specific prayers at a specific time? (Nozer Lakdawalla, Mumbai)
Er. Zarrir: The five Gehs are far more than just time slots on a clock – they are specific periods synchronized with the movement of the Sun and the shifting spiritual energies of the Earth. To understand why we recite specific prayers at specific times, it helps to use the analogy of a 24-hour global operation.
Imagine a large organization that runs a 24-hour shift. To keep the operation running smoothly, there are different Shift Managers assigned to specific blocks of time. If you have a request or need guidance at 10:00 AM, you wouldn’t call the manager who only starts at midnight. Instead, you address the Duty Manager who is currently on the floor, authorized and present to help you at that exact moment.
In our faith, the Yazatas (Divine Beings) act as these spiritual ‘Shift Managers’. When we pray during a specific Geh, we are addressing the Yazata presiding over that time to align our souls with the cosmic order (Asha). The Five Spiritual Shifts:
Havan Geh (Sunrise to Noon) – The ‘Morning Shift’: Presided over by Mithra (Lord of Friendship and Light), this time is dedicated to internal growth, clarity, and the beginning of our daily labors. It is a time for fresh starts.
Rapithwin Geh (Noon to 3 PM) – The ‘Mid-day Shift’: Presided over by Asha Vahishta (Best Righteousness), this is the peak of the day when the sun is strongest. It represents the heat of creation and our commitment to Truth.
Uziran Geh (3 PM to Sunset) – The ‘Afternoon Shift’: Presided over by Berez and Apam Napat Yazads, this is a time for wisdom and reflection as the day’s work begins to wind down. It is a period for gathering our thoughts and seeking protection.
Aiwisruthrem Geh (Sunset to Midnight) – The ‘Evening Shift’: Presided over by Fravashis and Behram Yazad, this period is dedicated to spiritual strength and domestic peace. It is the time to transition from the physical work of the day to the spiritual reflection of the night.
Ushahin Geh (Midnight to Dawn) – The ‘Night Shift’: Presided over by Sraosha (the Guardian of Prayer), this is the most potent time for spiritual intuition and enlightenment. It is the quiet hour before the world wakes, where we prepare our souls for the coming dawn.
By reciting the specific prayers assigned to the Geh, you are essentially ‘checking in’ with the Divine Duty Manager of that hour. This ensures you are in perfect harmony with the natural cycle of creation, receiving the specific blessings and protections offered during that particular time of day or night.
(Er. Zarrir Bhandara is the Head Priest of the Zoroastrian Association of California Atash Kadeh and is a beacon of compassion with encyclopaedic knowledge on our Zoroastrian religion and scriptures. Readers are encouraged to mail in their queries at: editor@parsi-times.com)
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