Principled priests

Under the auspices of the Navsari Parsi Association and the munificence of philanthropist NarYman Dubash shawls, flowers and a purse each were offered to two stalwart priests: the late Ervad (Dr) Peshotan Peer (received posthumously by his wife Ratamai) and Dastur Na-dirshah Unvalla, at a function at Bom-bay’s H. B. Wadia Atas Bahram on September 28, 2002, notes a report by Noshir Dadrawala.

Describing Unvalla as a pious, learned and fearless priest, Naib Dastur Peshotan Mirza commended the Bangalore priest for his simple living and high thinking, vigorously resisting the cremation/burial lobby as also conversion and interfaith marriages. A staunch orthodox Unvalla was complimented for providing religious leadership not only in Bangalore but to the entire community in India and even abroad.

In response to the felicitation Unvalla noted that a priest should not just restrict his work to prayers and rituals but extend the sphere of his influence by providing social service to those in need.

Referring to the uncompromising principles of Peer, Dadrawala recalled the scholar priest’s definition of an orthodox as one who walks on the right path. All Parsis should therefore be proud to be orthodox, he advocated. Known for his mastery over several languages and knowledge of all the great religions of the world, Peer was a vegetarian deeply influenced by the life and work of Dastur Khurshed Dabu.

Such was his dedication to his priestly duties that when he was informed prior to the start of a jashan that his house had collapsed, on learning that his family was safe, he preferred to continue with the jashan and then attend to his personal matters, stated Ratamai.

Presiding over the function Cowasjee Dinshaw noted that the kind and merciful hand of Ahura Mazda will continue to guide the community just as it had to protect the sacred fire in Aden before it was shifted to India.

A patron and admirer of the Zoroastrian clergy, Dubash’s philanthropy extends from education and sports to relief work, medical assistance and religion, pointed out Ervad Neryosang Turel lauding the living legend for assisting not just the Parsis but members of all communities. Stressing that priesthood is a noble vocation entailing tremendous responsibility and dedication, Ervad Pervez Bajan’s discourse referred to the efforts of the Athornan Mandal and the Dadar Athornan Boarding Madressa to create a cadre of learned and dedicated priests. Then Bombay Parsi Punchayet trustee Rustom Tirandaz hoped that young initiates would draw inspiration from the life and virtues of the two stalwart priests. The evening function ended with a vote of thanks from Hoshang Wania.