Just for July

I am unable to respond positively by suggesting what literature could be reproduced in the July 2004 issue of Parsiana. However I am responding from the point of view of what should not be repro­duced.

The July 2003 issue contains matter which may be historical­ly interesting, but is liable to make the community (as inherit­ors of the Rivayats), a laughing stock. It contains thoughts which appear to me utterly ludicrous.

If one reproduces matter to enlighten and convey informa­tion, let it be sensible matter with some aim behind the writing which would enchance our pride in our heritage and not the oppo­site.

FEROZA H. SEERVAI

The Editor replies

Since many people cite ancient scriptures in support of their views, Parsiana wished to demonstrate that much of these scrip­tural references may not be relevant in today’s context. It is only when we study them that we will be able to ascertain what to follow and what not. While part of the Rivayets depict women and non-Zoroastrians in inferior social positions, they also state that conversion is acceptable even of grave diggers and corpse bearers! Thus the religion did not bar even people considered social outcastes from its fold.

People selectively cite the passages they believe will support their views. What is required is an open and honest debate on what customs and traditions to observe in today’s context.

It was with this intention that Parsiana selected the Rivayet extracts. There was no motive to denigrate the texts or customs. It was only to inform.

•••

Parsiana has invited suggestions from its readers as to what it should carry in the July issues for the coming years (Parsiana, July 2003).

I venture to suggest the following:

•Full story of the tragic death of a son at the hands of his father — Rustom and Sohrab (or Rustom Nameh, if there is any). Parsiana should go a little backward in time and give the readers the dynasty of Rustom and, then, narrate how Rustom unwittingly killed his own son, Sohrab. Will an ode — Sohrab and Rustom by English poet Mathew Arnold, help Parsiana in any way, if it decides to narrate the unfortunate story of Rustom and Sohrab?

•The life of Alexander, the Greek warrior, who invaded Persia and almost ravaged the country; his ruthless destruction of the Per­sian literature by burning it. In short, the impact of invading Persia with the army under his command.

•The life study of the last of the Persian Kings, Yazdegird III, who was defeated by the Arabs and the subsequent end of the mighty Persian Empire. It is with this last King Yazdegird that we Parsis associate our Yazdegirdi era.

BHIKHAJI M. ADENWALLA

For your next July issue, you may consider any of the following:

•Comparative study of seven major world religions;

•National and international oriental scholars who have richly contributed in all fields of Zoroastrian studies;

•Ethical principles enunciated in Zoroastrian Avestan and Pahlavi scriptures.

Capt HORMAZDIAR DESAI

It would be a good idea to serialize the 765-page book A Zoroast­rian Tapestry, by Pheroza J. Godrej and Firoza Pun-thakey Mistree in your July issue of Parsiana.

Perhaps you may have to pay copyright fees to the original publishers, but you can compensate by increasing the price of the July issues.

Further, the pictures and the accompanying text would en­hance the value of your serialized July issues over several years.

Dr P. D. SUNAVALA

The Editor replies

Parsiana prefers to reprint books/literature that are out of print and not generally available to the public.