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: Is it wrong if I miss my daily prayers due to work or pressing commitments? Does my inability to pray daily impact my spiritual growth? (Sharukh Limbuwala, Kolkata)

Er. Zarrir: Dear Sharukh, First, let me relieve you of that heavy guilt. In our Zarathushti faith, Ahura Mazda is the Wise Lord of light, understanding, and progression – he is not a cosmic timekeeper marking down your absences.

Zoroastrianism is a highly practical, life-affirming religion, and the answer to your question lies in understanding what “prayer” truly means in our tradition.

Work as the Highest Form of Prayer: We are put on this earth to be active co-workers (Hamkars) with God, tasked with making the world a better, more prosperous, and truthful place. If you are missing your formal prayers because you are working hard to support your family, serving your community, or fulfilling your pressing commitments with integrity, that work itself becomes your prayer.

Practicing Righteousness – Asha through Humata, Hukhta, Hvarshta (Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds) at your workplace; by being a diligent employee, an honest businessman, or a helpful colleague – is exactly what Prophet Zarathushtra asked of us. You are actively living the religion, even if you do not have the Khordeh Avesta open.

Impact On Your Spiritual Growth

Think of our Avestan prayers (Manthras) like spiritual nourishment or a workout for your soul. If you miss a meal or a workout because life gets overwhelmingly busy, your body doesn’t instantly fail, and you do not lose all your progress. However, if you never nourish it, you eventually feel depleted, stressed, and disconnected. The same goes for your spirit. The prayers are not there because Ahura Mazda demands flattery; they are tools given to you. Prayers create a powerful vibrational energy that cleanses your aura, grounds your mind, and shields you from the chaos and negativity (Druj) of the daily grind.

Staying Connected on Busiest Days

When a demanding schedule makes a full prayer routine impossible, do not fall into an “all or nothing” trap. Instead, try these simple micro-connections:

The 5-minute Anchor: Before you start your commute, or right before you open your laptop, perform a Kusti, and recite two Yatha Ahu Vairyo and one Ashem Vohu. It takes less than 5 minutes, but instantly aligns your frequency with righteousness.

Mindful Dedication: As you begin your pressing tasks, silently dedicate your effort to Ahura Mazda by reciting five Yatha Ahu Vairyos. Think: “May the hard work I do today bring good to my family and honesty to the world.”

The Evening Reflection: Before going to bed, perform a Kusti and simply review your day through the lens of Asha.

Remember, never let guilt cloud your connection to the divine. Work honestly, serve others through your commitments and make time for your prayers so your mind can truly be at peace.

(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 to Er. Zarrir Bhandara at: zbhandara@gmail.com