The significant sudreh

Distraught that at a youth congress in North America the sudreh and kusti were referred to as ‘outer symbols’ (wearing them being regarded a matter of choice), Pervin Mistry decided to write a booklet that would "instill faith and dedication in the tenets of our religion.” Sudreh-Kusti is "for the unbelievers” who do not consider wearing the sacred shirt and girdle a "mandatory alat in order to progress on the path of Asha,” notes Mistry.

Having been brought up in a traditional family, where religious tenets were inculcated since early childhood, the author felt the need to emphasize that religious freedom did not extend to breaking "the spiritual link that binds Ahura Mazda and his creation into a stupendous whole.” "The author has been successful in... exploring the deeper meanings and significance of the navjote ritual as well as sudreh-kusti by richly drawing from scriptures and teachings from Ilm-e-Khshnoom,” mentions Ervad (Dr) Ramiyar Karanjia, principal of Dadar’s Athornan Boarding Madressa, in the foreword.

Mistry divides her 32-page booklet into three parts —”Navjote,” "Sudreh” and "Kusti.” In the first part she explains why the navjote is usually performed when a child is seven years old. Since every individual is under the dominion of the Moon (Avesta: Dae) for the first seven years of his life and the Moon has occult connections to the ‘mind’ these years are mostly associated with the development of mental faculties, she illuminates.

The ends of a kusti as depicted on the back cover of the book

The sudreh, acting as a spiritual guide to the right path, was first worn by King Jamshed, heeding a direct command of Ahura Mazda through Sarosh Yazad, states Mistry. But when Jamshed succumbed to the demon of disobedience and discarded the sudreh-kusti, royal glory departed from him and he become defenceless against physical and moral decay. Mistry explains the importance of the sudreh being made of white cotton cloth only. White cotton works significantly to keep the effects of druj in check by eliminating perspiration from the skin and by refracting some of the harmful rays of the sunlight.

Another requirement is that the sudreh must be made from one strip of cloth which "reminds the wearer that everything that exists is interdependent and is created by Him,” comments Mistry. A sudreh is stitched such that it has nine seams. If torn and patched or stitched the additional seams would "hinder the occult property of nine from performing its beneficial work of spiritually progressing the soul,” according to the author. She mentions that one of the nine seams, the girdeau, positioned at the nape of the neck, is close to the center of spiritual energy located in the throat and acts as a reminder to speak kind words and the truth. The soul on the fourth day (chahrum) is judged by the weight of the gereban, the tiny bag-like receptacle over the chest meant to store good deeds, she adds.

The kusti woven of 144 threads is never made from any thread except white wool. This wool is taken from a lamb "to remind us to be as gentle and self-sacrificing.” Mistry clarifies that lamb’s wool is not "hair” which, once detached from the body, is considered naso (defiled matter). She explains the importance of the kusti being wound around the waist — "the navel is referred to as the equator, or the median in man, which divides and protects spiritual inspiration from lesser instincts.”

If we were to wear our sudreh-kusti to suit fashion or convenience, a Zarathushti’s identity and link with Ahura Mazda would be lost, emphasizes Mistry.

The booklet, published in March 2002, is meant to help the community to "honor and safeguard our spiritual inheritance.”

Sudreh-Kusti priced at Rs 20 can be purchased from Marzban Giara, Dhunmai Building, 667, Lady Jehangir Road, Dadar, Bombay 400014, tel: 4166204, e-mail: giara@vsnl.com and at Parsiana at Kaiser-E-Hind Pvt Ltd, 300 Perin Nariman Street, (Behind Reserve Bank of India), Bombay 400001, tel: 2665661, 2662709, e-mail: parsiana@vsnl.net

Simin J. Patel