. The scriptures not only encourage, but also enjoin marriage, including so for the clergy. Vendidad (4.47) states: “O Spitama Zarathushtra! Indeed, I thus recommend hereunto thee A man with a wife above a Magava (Holy man), A man with a family above one without a family, A man with children above one who is […]
Author: Noshir H. Dadrawala
Zoroastrians – Then And Now!
Zoroastrian history can clearly be divided into pre-historic and historic. We know about pre-historic times through legend, myths and references in certain liturgical texts. The historic period is recorded in rock inscriptions in Iran as also by the Greek and later on Arab historians. Herodotus (484 - 425 BC), the ancient Greek historian, wrote a detailed […]
Yazdi H. Desai: A Tribute
When we heard the news about the passing away of Yazdi Hosi Desai, the words of the American singer, songwriter, novelist, humorist, politician and former columnist for Texas Monthly – Kinky Friedman, came to mind. Friedman famously said, “Find what you love and let it kill you. Let it drain you of your all. Let […]
Moving From Darkness to Light
The essence of the festival of Diwali lies in the Sanskrit shloka: ‘Tamaso ma jyotirgamaya‘ which means “Lead me from darkness to light.” This verse is found in the Brhadaranyaka Upanisad (I.3.28): “asato ma sad gamaya. tamaso ma jyotir gamaya. mrtyor ma amrtam gamaya,” which means: “From what is not, lead me to what is; […]
Right is Might
The idiom, ‘might is right’ has been proven wrong by many revolutionary leaders and activists throughout history. A minority of two trustees on the Board of the three hundred and fifty-one-years old Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) also proved this idiom wrong, on 20th October, 2021. Globally, nationally or at BPP, sometimes power goes to the […]
Submitting My Resignation As Trustee Of BPP Was The Only Honorable Option!
At the meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) held on Tuesday 12th October 2021, the Chairman Mrs. Armaity R Tirandaz declared that elections to fill the two vacancies on the Board due to the passing away of Zarir Bhathena and later the resignation of Yazdi Desai shall now be […]
Ardibehesht – The Embodiment of Truth, Righteousness And Divine Order
Ardibehesht is the second month of the Zoroastrian calendar. It is a month that celebrates, truth, righteousness, divine order and healing. Ardibehesht is an Amshaspand (Archangel) or Amesha Spenta (Bounteous Immortal) who presides over the energy of fire. Adar Yazad is a Hamkara or helper of Ardibehesht. It is for this reason that many fire temples were consecrated in this month, the most notable being the Anjuman Atash Behram which […]
The Greatness And Wisdom Of Raenidar Aderbad Mahrespand
Aderbad Bin (son of) Mahrespand was the Mobedan Mobed (Supreme Pontiff) and Prime Minister during the long reign (309-379 A. D.) of Shapur Hormazd also known as Shapur II. According to the Pahlavi Dinkard, from his father’s side, Aderbad Mahrespand belonged to the family of Zarathushtra, and from his mother’s to the family of Shah Vishtasp. During […]
Khordadsal – A Perfect Day In Our Perfecting Lives!
Today, Saturday, 21st August, 2021 is Khordad Roj of Fravardin Mah, which we traditionally celebrate as Khordadsal, commemorating not just the birthday of Asho Zarathushtra, but also rededicating our lives to His timeless message of attaining happiness by making others happy and perfecting the imperfections in our lives by making the right choices. In the […]
Co-creating A Kinder And Loving World
This Shahenshahi New Year, let’s co-create with Ahura Mazda and with His Wisdom, a kinder and more loving world to live in. Let this be a promise we make to ourselves individually and collectively, as a community. Let us resolve to make this goal an attainable purpose of our daily living. Let this not just […]
Homage To Our Dear Departed
Almost every religious tradition observes a day or days for remembering their near and dear departed ones. They say grief is the last act of love that we offer to those we loved; and remembering them is akin to breathing life into their fading presence from our life. Most humans, by nature, are ritualistic and […]