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 […]
Tag: Religion
The Fravashis Watch Our Course With Vigilance
At the time of the Hamaspathmaedaya festival, when the snow begins to melt and the rivers begin to flow and the trees begin to grow and the birds begin to fly, the august, glorious and efficacious Fravashis, the Guardian Spirits of the righteous dead, wing their flight earthward from the heavenly regions. Eager and solicitous […]
Avaan Ardvisur Anahita Banoo, Glorious Avaan Yazad
PT: Why do we venerate the aquatic bodies? Er. Karanjia: By praying the Avan Nyaish or the Avan Yasht, near any aquatic body, especially flowing water, ‘Avan Yazad’ blesses us with protection and abounding our life with joy, piety, good health, prosperity and wisdom. The 7th section of the Avan Nyaish says “I, Ahura Mazda, […]
Miraculous Energies In Our Wells!
PT: What is the importance of wells in the Zoroastrian religion? Er. Karanjia: The Zoroastrian religion enjoins the use of flowing water (as opposed to stagnant water) which is open to the rays of the sun, to be used for religious and ritual purposes. Two easily available sources of flowing water are wells and rivers. […]
Sraosha, The Ever-Watchful Guardian
Thy word incarnate, Ahura Mazda, is Sraosha, the impersonation of Thy religious lore. He is the celestial teacher of the Mazda – worshipping religion, even as Zarathushtra is the terrestrial. He, the wakeful and watchful, has not rested by day or by night since Spenta Mainyu and Angra Mainyu, Thy Spirits twain, the Good and […]
The Amesha Spentas
Homage unto the Amesha Spentas, the lordly and shining, the Holy Immortals, that are seven with Thee, their father and creator, O Ahura Mazda. These Thy Archangels sublime, are the rulers and overseers and protectors of Thy creation in both the worlds. May they descend from their celestial heights to lead and guide the […]
Asho Zarathushtra, The Happy Prophet
Spitman Zarathushtra came into this world smiling. He grew up to be a poet and a prophet, and he wrote the poetic epic – the Gathas. His message to the world was ‘Pure Morality’. The Gathas have survived the tyranny of time and history, and even today, they show us the path to good living […]
The Yazatas
Countless myriads are the Yazatas, the worshipful ones, terrestrial and celestial created by Thee, Ahura Mazda. Behind a multitude of Thy Yazatas, Thou dost stand the Yazatanam Yazata, the Most Worshipful One. These Thy angels, holy and beneficent mighty and glorious, work in the domain assigned to them by Thee. Thou dost govern through their […]
Tomorrow Is ‘Hamaazor-E-Farvardegaan’ – All Souls Day
On this day. Zoroastrians converge at Doongerwadi, where the Farokshi prayer, which begins with the Satum Kardo, followed by the 31 sections (Karda) of the Farvardin Yasht, are recited by our priests to invoke the blessings of the Fravashis and souls of the departed. Offerings of fruit, flowers and water are made. PT: What does […]
Dasturji Jamshed Sohrab Kukadaru
He was a Saint who led a Simple life – A Priest but not Pedantic – An Alchemist but he never abused the knowledge or power he was blessed with – An Astrologer but not prone to Alibi – A Healer with a Heart of gold…. Dasturji Jamshed Sohrab Kukadaru was born in Surat on […]
Thou Dost Bury Me Under The Burden Of Thy Gifts, Ahura Mazda!
From day unto day will I lift my heart in thanksgiving unto Thee when I take my daily meals, O Creator, Nourisher, and Sustainer of the world. Thou dost feed me and clothe me and provide me with all my needs, Thou, my maker, knowest my wants and freely dost Thou bestow them upon me […]