Prayers in practice

When I was a little boy of eight, my grandmother Sheroo told me that whenever I am in trouble and need a helping hand, I should just pray one Ashem and two Yathas.

When I turned 10 years of age, granny explained that once I wear my sudreh and kusti, I would be a Zoroastrian in the true sense, expected to be truthful to the faith! Since then, I started singing songs of praise, about my religion, of grace!

When I grew to be 16, Granny asked me to promise her that I will forever be true to my parents, my people and my faith!

Today at 17, when I walk along the seashore and see the beautiful waves and birds flying by I ask myself, "God has given me so much... but what have I given God? Only songs of praise?”

It is now that I have realized what our prayers really mean. They ask us to praise the mountains, the oceans, the trees and the skies... not just through words, but through our deeds! I have understood the true meaning of Ashoi... Righteousness. It is not just to be spoken about... but it is to help an old woman across the street, to distinguish between right and wrong... to keep our surroundings clean... to plant more trees!

Visiting the fire-temple daily and praying to God makes no sense at all if we don’t believe in what we pray! To be religious and faithful is to practice what we say!

FARZAN B. MAZDA

Dahanu