The essence of being a Zoroastrian is to live life to the fullest and celebrate life, every single day. Although not a practising Zoroastrian, Eleanor Roosevelt (U.S. First Lady, Diplomat and Human Rights Activist) came closest to this truth when she said: “The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, […]
Around 1500 to 2000 BCE, somewhere in the north-eastern region of Iran, was born a Divine Child. He was a unique child – he smiled the moment he was born! All the good creations of Dadar Ahura Mazda rejoiced exclaiming, “Fortunate are we that the Teacher is born, Spitman Zarathushtra!” At the same time, the […]
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 we offer to those we loved, and that remembering them is akin to breathing life into their fading presence from our life. Most human beings by nature are ritualistic […]
As per the Zoroastrian Shahenshahi calendar we are now observing the twelfth and last month of the year namely Aspandarmad / Spendarmad. In fact, tomorrow (Sunday, 16th July 2023) marks the Parab of Aspandarmad (Roj Aspandarmad, Mah Aspandarmad). Since this holy month is dedicated to Spenta Armaity – the Divinity that presides over Mother Earth, […]
Parsi Times wishes all our Kadmi readers a hearty Sal Mubarak! May the auspicious New Year bless our community with unity, peace, prosperity, happiness and unending smiles, all through the new orbit! We may we small in numbers as a community, but we are always big on celebrations! So big are we on celebrations, that […]
Recently a Parsi Times reader, whose mother has been ailing, called to inquire about ‘Afshun-e-Shah Faridoon’. He also wanted to know the prayers which he and his mother could recite, to bring about healing. The Persian term, ‘Afshun’ or ‘Afsoon’, means a charm or a spell, which we more commonly refer to as Nirang, and […]
The first seven days, according to our calendar, are named after the Seven Ameshaspands. Each of these also has some helpers or assistants who assist them in performing their righteous duty. The significance of the Ameshaspands is as given under: Dadar Hormuzd – the Wisdom and the Spirit of God (Spenta Mainyu): Every man requires the […]
I have sinned against Thee, Ahura Mazda, in Thought and word and deed. I have denied Thee. Intolerant is the burden of my misdoings. I have been tempted to sin and inequities. I confess my sins to Thee, I acknowledge my sins. I humble myself before Thee. Kneeling at Thy feet, I repent. I prostrate […]
The caterpillar preys at the heart of the rose and eats the leaves. Time devours everything. It wrecks all. The horizon alludes man’s pursuit and recedes before him. Mirages mock his eyes. Ever-fleeting and ever-flying is time. Time is all-conquering. The proud is laid low in dust by him. The tyrant Zohak, before whom the […]
The caterpillar preys at the heart of the rose and eats the leaves. Time devours everything. It wrecks all. The horizon alludes man’s pursuit and recedes before him. Mirages mock his eyes. Ever-fleeting and ever-flying is time. Time is all-conquering. The proud is laid low in dust by him. The tyrant Zohak, before whom the […]
Let me have the will to believe and let me tolerate others’ right to believe what they believe. Let me have sympathy with the beliefs of others and let me be charitable to them. Let me not scoff at what others hold holy. Let me not trifle with their feelings. Let me patiently hear the […]