Frashogard

A wish list for 1380 Yz

Ervad Marzban J. Hathiram — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 06:29:52 +0000

Roj Khorshed Mah Fravardin, 1380 Yz. On 16th June, 632 AD, Yazdegard, son of Shaharyar ascended the throne of Iran as the 29th King of the Sassanian dynasty. As was the custom in those days, the Imperial Calendar was reset, with the year of the new King’s ascension to the throne marking the beginning of the [...]

Can we wish each other Pateti Mubarak?

Ervad Marzban J. Hathiram — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 22:46:04 +0000

Gatha Ahunavad, 1379 Yz. On 19th August, we Parsis will celebrate our New Year with traditional gaiety, visiting Agiaries and Atash Behrams, going to see comic theatricals, eating Pulao Dal, sali boti, patra-ni-machhi and wishing one another ‘Pateti Mubarak’. Newspapers will diligently carry small reports on the celebrations, perhaps with a photograph of a happy family [...]

When the souls come a-visiting

Ervad Marzban J. Hathiram — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 13:48:09 +0000

Roj Ashishvangh Mah Spendarmad, 1379 Yz. Ten days before the Parsi New Year, fire temples around the city are dotted with roses and other flowers. One can see Parsi families dressed in spotless white, heads covered with scarves or caps, proceeding solemnly to their Agiaries with their hands full of floral offerings. Parsis believe that during these [...]

Siroza and Chamsi day of late Vada Dasturji Meherjirana

Ervad Marzban J. Hathiram — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 05:06:17 +0000

Roj Khordad Mah Spendarmad, 1379 Yz. Tomorrow, Roj Amardad Mah Spendarmad (21st July) will mark the Siroza Chamsi (180th day after death) day of late Vada Dasturji Meherji Dastur Kekobad Meherjirana of Navsari. The day after, Roj Dae-pa-Adar Mah Spendarmad (22nd July) will mark his Chamsi (181st day after death). Prayers to mark both these solemn [...]

Varasyaji of the Navsari Bhagarsath Anjuman passes away

Ervad Marzban J. Hathiram — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 12:54:26 +0000

Roj Marespand Mah Bahman, 1379 Yz. It is my sad duty to inform readers that the elderly Varasyaji of the Bhagarsath Anjuman in Navsari passed away this afternoon. The Varasyaji had been ill for the last few days and despite medical attention, the end came today. He lived a very long life of 19 years. This [...]

Varasyaji Varzavand is consecrated

Ervad Marzban J. Hathiram — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 12:40:39 +0000

Roj Jamyad Mah Bahman, 1379 Yz. In my earlier post I had informed readers about the sad demise of Shah Behram – the Bhagarsath Anjuman’s Varasyaji in Mumbai and the significance and importance of this majestic religious instrument in our religion. In the same post I had also noted that the Bhagarsath Anjuman had kept a [...]

83rd Baj of Ustad Saheb Behramshah N. Shorff

Ervad Marzban J. Hathiram — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 03:34:41 +0000

Roj Dae-pa-Din Mah Bahman, 1379Yz. Today, July 7, 2010 marks the 83rd death anniversary of our beloved Master, Ustad Saheb Behramshah Nowroji Shroff. Ceremonies to mark this occasion are taking place not only in the Ustad Saheb Behramshah Nowroji Shroff Daremeher at Jogeshwari, but also in various Agiaries and Atash Behrams throughout India. That a person [...]

Zoroastrian yoga – part 3 – the Padyab ritual

Ervad Marzban J. Hathiram — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 11:36:02 +0000

Roj Sarosh Mah Bahman, 1379 Yz. The Kusti ritual begins with the ceremony of ‘Padyab’, literally, ‘putting water over’, that is, purifying the exposed parts of the body will pure well water. How is this done in the right manner? Take a copper Karasya filled with well water in the left hand. Praying “Khshnaothra Ahurahe Mazdao, [...]

Shah Behram passes away

Ervad Marzban J. Hathiram — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 13:37:49 +0000

Roj Amardad Mah Bahman, 1379 Yz. It is my sad duty to inform readers of Frashogard that the holy Varasyaji ‘Shah Behram’, attached to the Bhagarsath Panth in Mumbai and stationed at the Cama Baug Agiary passed away this morning. The Pak Varasyaji had suffered a fall a few days ago and that led to paralysis. [...]

An introduction to Zoroastrian Yoga – part 2

Ervad Marzban J. Hathiram — Fri, 21 May 2010 20:56:29 +0000

Roj Amardad Mah Dae, 1379 Yz. The essence of Zoroastrian yoga is the purification of the Aipi. The fundamental building blocks for the correct and effective practice of Zoroastrian yoga are Manthra, Mithra and Yasna. ‘Manthra’ implies the correct and audible pronunciation of specific Avesta or Pazend prayer formulations. ‘Mithra’ implies running the correct and powerful [...]