We are in the midst of a pandemic, with cities, nay entire countries, shutting down. While some live in areas that have been affected by the novel coronavirus and declared ‘Red Zone’, others live in fear of what could happen next. For most, the uncertainty surrounding this pandemic is the hardest to handle… What if […]
COVID-19 has resulted in a lot of stress and anxiety. There is fear and worry about one’s own health and that of our loved ones. Many experience changes in sleep patterns, eating disorders and lack of concentration. Every individual reacts differently. While some find solace in reading and writing or simply working from home, others […]
The novel coronavirus is neither ‘Divinity’s Wrath’ nor ‘Nature’s Vengeance’. From a Zoroastrian perspective, this virus is the opposite of all that is good, God-given, life-giving and health-promoting. However, there are all kinds of posts on social media about the coronavirus being ‘Divine Anger’ on mankind and COVID-19 being ‘Mother Nature’s Vengeance’ on human beings! […]
People often ask what the pair of winged bulls with a human head outside several fire temples signify and what is its origin? Sumerian Roots: To begin with, this figurine is called ‘Lamassu’, and it is not of Persian or Iranian origin. The Persians adopted it from an earlier but neighboring civilization. The earliest depiction […]
In certain religious traditions, God is perceived as a fearsome divinity (the adjective – ‘God-fearing’ is quite common in the English lexicon) or as the Lord or as Malik (Master). However, in our Zoroastrian tradition Ahura Mazda is neither to be feared nor a master to be pleased. The relationship that a Zoroastrian has with […]
. Tir, or Testar (Avestan Tishtrya), is the divinity presiding over the Star Sirius (Greek Seirios which means glowing or scorching) or the Dog Star which is the brightest star visible from all parts of the earth in the night sky. Sirius is colloquially called the ‘Dog Star’, on account of its prominence in the constellation […]
Khordad is the third month of the Zoroastrian calendar and it ushers blessings of purity and perfection. Khordad or Avestan Haurvataat is not only an Amesha Spenta presiding over the purifying waters, it also embodies the quality of perfection. Khordaad and Ameredaad (Avestan Haurvataat and Ameretaat) are twin concepts representing the final goal of human […]
Parsis as a community love to celebrate. Not just our own feasts and festivals, even Diwali and Christmas are celebrated with equal gusto. However, often in our enthusiasm, we end up violating certain fundamental precepts of our own religion. Take for example the misuse of firecrackers during the festival of Diwali. Not only are firecrackers […]
આ અઠવાડિયે સોમવારે 18મી સપ્ટેમ્બર 2017ને દિને અર્દીબહેસ્ત રોજ અને અર્દીબહેસ્ત માહ છે. જ્યારે રોજ અને માહ બન્ને સુસંગત-એકીસાથે આવે ત્યારે તેને પરબ કહેવાય છે. અર્દીબહેસ્ત એ જરથોસ્તી કેલેન્ડરનો બીજો મહિનો છે. આ મહિનાની ઉજવણી, સત્ય, ઈમાનદારી, ઈશ્ર્વર પ્રત્યે શ્રધ્ધા, દરદ મટાડનાર તરીકે થાય છે. અર્દીબહેસ્ત એટલે અમેસાસ્પંદ અથવા અમેસાસ્પેન્તા તરીકે પણ ઓળખાય છે. જે […]
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 a number of […]
પવિત્ર આત્માઓને સમર્પિત સુખ અને સંપત્તિનો એક મહિનો જરથોસ્તી કેલેન્ડરનો પ્રથમ મહિનો એટલે ફરવર્દીન મહિનો. આ મહિનો ફ્રવષિ અથવા ફરોહરને સમર્પિત થાય છે. જે સર્જનહારનું આદિરૂપ છે. પારસી પરંપરાની રીતે ફરવર્દીનની શરૂઆત એટલે ફરોખનું સ્મણ જેનો મતલબ સુખ અને સંપત્તિ થાય છે. આપણે આપણી પ્રાર્થનામાં ‘માહ ફરોખ ફરવર્દીન’ની પ્રાર્થના કરીએ છીએ મતલબ સુખ અને સંપત્તિ. […]