Sunday, 7th August, 2016 marks the first day of the holy Muktad or Fravardegan days. The last 10 days of the Shehanshai Zoroastrian calendar (i.e., Roj Astad to Aneran and the five days of the Gatha) are very significant to all practicing Zoroastrians as these are considered to be very holy. Doctrinally it is believed […]
Work Thy sovreign will and rule over all as Thou willest, Ahura Mazda, Rule at Thy will in sublime felicity over the waters and over the planes and over the entire creation of righteousness. I will make Thy will the pole star of my life and will think and speak and do as is Thy […]
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 […]
The current month, Aspandarmad/Spendarmad is the twelfth and last month of the Zoroastrian calendar. This holy month is dedicated to Spenta Armaity – the Divinity that presides over Mother Earth. The term Spenta has been variously translated as increasing, growing, good, holy and benevolent; while the term Armaity has been variously translated to mean devotion, […]
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 […]
Thou art the beginning and Thou art the end of all, Ahura Mazda. Thouhadst no beginning and Thou shalt know no end. Long, long ages ago, ere creation came into being through Thy creative will, Thou didst live in sublime solitude. When Yazatas were not and Amesha Spentas were not, and the Fravashis existed as […]
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 […]
Thou Art light, Ahura Mazda. Where Thou art, there is light. Void of Thee all is darkness. In Thy resplendence Thou dost live in Thy heavenly realms and wear the star spangled heaven as Thy garment. In the realm of the endless light, Thou dost hold the council of Thy angels and archangels, arrayed in […]
Contributed by PT Reader Freny Kelawalla God, thank you for each and every day, You have blessed us here on earth. Thank you for your tender mercies, Thank you for giving us friends and family, To share joys and sorrows with. I ask you bless my friends and relatives, brother and sisters and those I […]
Thou art invisible and none can see Thee. Invisibility is the chief characteristic of Thy spirituality, Ahura Mazda. Though present everywhere, Thou art unseen anywhere. Thy invisibility hides Thee from all eyes, human and divine. The Amesha Spentas and Yazatas, Thy archangels and angels, see Thee not. The souls of righteous dead behold Thee not. […]
There is one concept we are enjoined to follow, which one finds difficult to believe, that our Prophet Asho Zarathushtra, the first and one of the greatest rational thinkers of all times could or should have propagated… that is the belief in ‘Khvaetvadatha’ or the practice of the next-of-kin marriage. In Yasna 12.9, from where […]