Mind your manners

Zoroastrian Etiquette by Adil F. Rangoonwalla. Published in 2003 by the author, M/4, Dalal Estate, Lamington Road, Bombay 400008. Pp: 56. Price: Rs 45.

It insults neither intelligence, nor causes any controversy. Adil Rangoonwalla’s Zoroastrian Etiquette gently holds the community’s hand and explains to the members the reasons for the beliefs that the old school propagates, and the reasons to go along with it, for the betterment of self, and receiving God’s blessings. It is not a rites volume, nor is it a ‘what’s right’ book. Here’s an honest presentation of what is held as the Holy Grail in the community, and be it from the Gathas, or from the earlier and later corruptions of the religion, it helps to make sense of the actions that should govern a Zoroastrian’s belief, and help him lead a good life.

Rangoonwalla: religious ‘dos and don’ts’

So, through 20 short chapters spanning 56 pages, the author explains the kusti prayers to the reader, helps him understand what the Atash Nyaish is all about, why he should not utter certain prayers at certain times of the day, and why he should utter others, and more. What should be the ideal dress code when attending the fire-temple, why the use of the mobile may be avoided when in a fire-temple, why a dupatta cannot equate with a scarf or even a topi are just some of the issues tackled. The book bristles with answers to these and several other questions, besides offering a simple translation to the many oft-uttered prayers.

The etiquette book(let) is a welcome, or rather re-welcomed, addition to Parsi literature. If after reading the book you yet choose to continue walking on your existing path, have no fear of hell and brimstone. Probably, what you are doing is not anti-religious, but only a maverick act. You do not pray the Atash Nyaish while traveling since it is to be said only when one is stationed in front of a fire. But, if you feel that you have just no other time to say your prayers, but while traveling to work, all that Rangoonwalla can let you know is that it is ‘ill-mannered’ to do so, and why.

A slim book, but an all-encompassing one, it deserves all merit.

H. J. R.