PT: Why do we venerate the aquatic bodies? Er. Karanjia: By praying the Avan Nyaish or the Avan Yasht, near any aquatic body, especially flowing water, ‘Avan Yazad’ blesses us with protection and abounding our life with joy, piety, good health, prosperity and wisdom. The 7th section of the Avan Nyaish says “I, Ahura Mazda, […]
On 5th September, 2016, Er. Pervez Karanjia, Panthaky of Sodawaterwalla Agiary, was invited by Rustom Cooper from Rahnumae Mazdayasnan Sabha, to speak on the ‘Denkard Nama’, meaning, ‘acts of religion’, at Karani Agiary in Cusrow Baug. Er. Karanjia elucidated, “The Denkard Nama is a 9th century encyclopaedia about how we should live based on the […]
On this day. Zoroastrians converge at Doongerwadi, where the Farokshi prayer, which begins with the Satum Kardo, followed by the 31 sections (Karda) of the Farvardin Yasht, are recited by our priests to invoke the blessings of the Fravashis and souls of the departed. Offerings of fruit, flowers and water are made. PT: What does […]
PT: What is the meaning of the word ‘Baj’. Er. Karanjia: ‘Baj’ basically means both – speech and silence. In speech, the prayer is mouthed silently, not intelligibly. ‘Baj’, in the Farsi language, is derived from the word ‘Waj’ in the Pahlavi and Pazand languages, and the word ‘Wach’ in the Avesta language. The Baj […]
PT: What is the difference between Yazads and Ameshaspands? Er. Karanjia: When Dadar Ahura Mazda created the universe and human beings, He also created divine angels, segregated into Yazads and Ameshaspands. Through prayer, we can invoke and receive the help of Yazads to fulfil our wishes and Ameshaspands aid us in our physical, intellectual and […]
PT: Did Zoroastrians in Iran celebrate New Year on March 21st, before the exodus to India and other countries? Er. Karanjia: Never ever in history did Zoroastrians in Iran celebrate their religious New Year (Navroz) on 21st March. They celebrated it around the time of the Vernal Equinox. The day continued to fluctuate backwards by […]
PT: What does ‘Behram’ mean? Er. P. Karanjia: ‘Behram’ means permanent illumination, which He creates in this universe by dispelling all our difficulties, whether they are related to health, disputes, financial problems, litigation, domestic unrest, employment, debt and any spiritual adversities faced by a Zoroastrian devotee. For this reason we refer to Him as ‘Mushkel […]
PT: Why is Sarosh Yazad entrusted with the responsibility of protecting us, especially at night? Er. Karanjia: Sarosh Yazad is the most powerful Yazad against evil, especially at night (Paschahu frashmodaitim from Sarosh Yasht – Vadi). His protection can be asked for and wished for at night by either praying the short Nirang of the […]
PT: What is the literal meaning of ‘Sarosh Yazad’? What does the name signify? Er. Karanjia: The name ‘Sarosh’ literally means obedience, taken from the Avesta root word ‘sru’, meaning ‘to hear, to obey.’ Ahura Mazda entrusted Sarosh Yazad with the responsibility of protecting the material world and human beings, hence he presides over our […]
Er. Cyrus Dastoor, founder of Frohar Foundation, organized the 15th Annual Residential Refresher Programme for Ostas and Ervads and the 8th one for Behdin Pasbaans at the small Otla of Cama Baug from 3 to 15 May, 2016, with the cooperation of Yazdi Desai, Ervad Keki Raoji and Vada Dasturji Dr. Peshotan Mirza. Holding great […]
Vyara is an old town, a dominion once ruled by Sayaji Rao Gaikwad, about 60 kms from Surat. The Vyara Songadh Parsi Zarthushti Anjuman was founded in 1863. The Dokhma was constructed at the Doongerwadi area in Vyara. Since many years the zealously religious 125 Zarthushtis here have been concerned about the road of the […]