Fire is the purest, grandest, and noblest emblem of Thy divinity, Ahura Mazda. It is the sublimest symbol of the faith of Zarathustra. Fire is the image made by divine hands, incomparably more sublime than any image graven by human hands. It is unsurpassed and unequalled by any in the language of symbology. Fire is […]
Sanjan is a place of religious and historic importance to Parsis. Contrary to popular belief, this was not the place where the Parsis first landed after leaving Iran. However, this is indeed the place where the very first Atash Behram (Iranshah) was consecrated. It is believed that several families, men and women, took off […]
Parsis as a community love to celebrate. Not just their own feasts and festivals, even Diwali and Christmas are celebrated with equal gusto. However, often in our enthusiasm, we unknowingly violate certain fundamental precepts of our religion. For example, the misuse of firecrackers during the festival of Diwali. Not only are firecrackers a source of […]
With the weight of seven and seventy years on his hoary head, Zarathustra was seated in the oratory one summer morn, committing and conversing with his father in heaven, when the fell hand of Brattaresh fell upon his sacred person and he received his martyrdom by the sword of the Turanian. The silence of desolation […]
Thou, Ahura Mazda, hast made Zarathushtra the lord and overseer over mankind. Like unto the radiant and glorious Tishtrya, he is the beacon-light on the horizon of life and lights our path leading to Thee. He is the embodiment of truth, righteousness and goodness of earth. Zarathustra is the polar star of man’s searchings. He […]
PT: What is the meaning of the word ‘Vispa’ and the essence of this prayer? Er. Bajan: The word ‘Vispa’ of the Avestan language means all. The prayer is composed of simple words of the Avestan language which enables us to understand it easily. The simple verbatim English translation is “All good thoughts, All good […]
In his empire of evil, Angra Mainyu, the Evil Spirit, laid a wager that who so of the host of hell successfully tempted Zarathustra to his fall, would be raised high in rank in the region of darkness. Buiti, the adept in the art of luring man to apostasy, took it. With a hundred devices […]
PT: Tell us about the origin of ‘Gehs’. Er. Karanjia: The word ‘Gah’ or ‘Geh’ originates from the Pahlavi language, meaning ‘time, period or place’. Time is a very important concept in the Zoroastrian religion. The world was created as a fixed period of time from endless time. To be connected to God it is […]
Glorious springtime had come and wide awake was the earth from its wintery sleep. Fields and forces that seemed deadened winter long were now blooming. Green grass carpeted the earth and warbling lands and flocks and herds made merry on the grassy ground. Blades and ears bloomed into corn and golden corn waved in fair […]
Some of us believe that prayers and rituals are not in accord with the spirit and message of the Gathas. Their emphasis is only on ‘rational thought’ and the simplistic notion of “good thoughts, good words and good deeds”. Agreed, the religion of Asho Zarathushtra is not based on blind faith, superstition or fear of […]
On 1st October, 2016, Irani Zoroastrians across the globe celebrate the festival of ‘Mehrgan’ (Meher roj, Meher mah), which honours the ‘Yazata of Mehr’ since the Persian era. In ancient Iran, celebrations were held when the name of the month coincides with the name of the day. The word ‘Meher’ or ‘Mithra’ means Sun and friendship and is also one of […]