“Drifting to other faiths”

This is with reference to Behram Dastur’s letter "Drifting to other faiths” (Readers’ Forum, Parsiana, February 21, 2006).

Ironically, while there are few elders to impress upon us the importance of our rituals, there are many who negate our practices. The importance of the taro and the power of the nirangdin was researched by Dr Kutar, the late head priest in the U.K. who with Dr Saun­ders, a consultant bacteriologist to St Nicholas Hospital, London experimented with a six-and-a-half-year-old sample of taro. The taro, after the nirang, reportedly did not grow a single colony or germ of any kind. In contrast the petri dish of the culture of ordinary urine showed growths of colonies of pathogens and non-pathogens.

The dogs used in our death ceremony are of a specific type. Reference to various scientific articles on Canis major and minor in astronomy indicate the relevance of Chinvat bridge in our death practices.

We do not allow non-Zoroastrians during our last rituals not because we find them inferior but because we believe that evil is at its pristine near a dead body and to protect onself from it, the ritual and spiritual strength of padyap kusti and sudreh are essential. It is to protect those without it, that they aren’t allowed.

One need not wonder too much why our Zoroastrians, with a rich history, mythology and a very scientific religion, are stalling and putting their faith in babas, devis, and various animal gods, neglecting Avesta and Mazda­yasni, promoting dev and other yasnis. Could it be because our elders promote their individual thinking without studying facts? Priests of modern times who have doctorates and are affiliated to universities abroad are ridiculed when they speak.

Non-Hindus aren’t allowed in their consecrated temples as non-Muslims aren’t allowed in Mecca and non-Christians are not allowed to take the holy communion.Why fault Zoroastrianism then? While all other faiths adhere to their rules and protect them, why are we hell bent on destroying ours?

RUSTOM JAMASJI