PT: What is the meaning of the word ‘Baj’. Er. Karanjia: ‘Baj’ basically means both – speech and silence. In speech, the prayer is mouthed silently, not intelligibly. ‘Baj’, in the Farsi language, is derived from the word ‘Waj’ in the Pahlavi and Pazand languages, and the word ‘Wach’ in the Avesta language. The Baj […]
With homage and adoration, praise and glorification, I lay my offering at Thy feet, and dedicate my all to Thee, Ahura Mazda. What I bring unto Thee and call mine is in truth Thine own, for all I own is of Thy rich bounty, O Thou lord of bountiful gifts. The offerings and oblations that […]
PT: Did Zoroastrians in Iran celebrate New Year on March 21st, before the exodus to India and other countries? Er. Karanjia: Never ever in history did Zoroastrians in Iran celebrate their religious New Year (Navroz) on 21st March. They celebrated it around the time of the Vernal Equinox. The day continued to fluctuate backwards by […]
Our community has different religious titles which are applied before the names of individuals, like ‘Behdin’ for the non-priestly sect and ‘Osta’, ‘Osti’, ‘Ervad’, etc. for priests. These religious titles are based on the religious status of people and are prefixed before their names, when mentioned in prayers and rituals, like the Jashan, Afringan and […]
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 […]
Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy, the first Knight of Bombay, the first Indian Baronet, the pride of Parsis, and the first to delve deep into his pockets to bring succor to those in distress, was born 233 years ago on 15th July 1783 in Bombay, to Jejeebhoy and Jeevibai at Yatha Ahuvario Mohlla, somewhere near where Crawford […]