Dakhma diagnosis

Do they, who are against dakhmenashini know about the mysterious circuit under the foundation of the Towers of Silence, which is the stronghold against all impurities?

The structure of the Towers of Silence requires architectural skill and precision. It is constructed only with stone and never with bricks. Moreover expert yaozdathragars are required to perform the intricate religious ceremonies, with utmost care, before building the Towers. It is necessary to have hygienic underground mysterious circuits to create a spiritual stronghold that can avoid any possible attacks of impurity (naso).

Such paivand is created by weaving cotton threads, known as tana vana stronghold, fortification by warps and wefts, on which the dakhma is constructed (bhumi pujan), careful purification of the ground, is required.

The ground is selected on high level and purified with nirang (bull’s urine) and pure water, three times prior to the ceremony. A pair of two expert yaozda­thragars take barashnum (spiritual bath) for nine nights. They remain aloof and engrossed in prayers and in meditation with Ahura Mazda before performing baj, farokhsi and afringan rituals for three days.

The chief mobed digs the ground in the center, with a purified spade (kodali) with nine Yathas and the Sarosh baj. Afterwards the circumference is dug with the continuous chanting of 21 Yathas. They invoke ‘Khurshed Yazad’ for His blessings. Then weaving of circuit (talisman) is installed, which creates electro magnetic currents, for the spiritual efficacy.

A hundred-and-one strands of cotton threads are used to prepare a single string, with prayers. One big nail is paved in the center. Three-hundred-and-one nails are paved in the circumference with calculated geometrical accuracy. All nails are of specific weights. With the help of these nails, weaving of warps and wefts is started to create a talisman to drive out any naso.

This circuit, receives ‘mithra’ power of the sun’s energy, through alfa, beta, gama, infrared and ultraviolet rays and serves as a storage condenser. It is charged regularly with the sun’s energy. It assures hold against possible decay, unhygienic atmosphere, and foul smell of the corpses. During rain, clouds and absence of the sun’s rays also, this mysterious circuit works efficiently, with its currents like a powerful generator.

One electronic engineer, an expert in circuits, has given his opinion as: "It is an efficient condensed battery and generator of sun’s energy which helps to dehydrate corpses rapidly. New inventions are under consideration at present, to take full advantage of the sun’s energy. It is an economical and eco-friendly procedure of the disposal of corpses.”

Zarathosti religion proclaims purity of five natural elements (earth, air, fire, water and sky), for healthy environment. Solar concentrators can help in speedy disposal, but they must be regularly maintained by an engineer. Those who are against ‘khurshed nigarashni’ can think of any other procedure of the disposal of the corpses, which is eco-friendly and maintains hygienic purity of the five natural elements.

NOSHIR DABOO

Ahmedabad

The editors reply

Anyone who has the misfortune to view photographs or videos of the inside of the dakhmas in Bombay would be reminded of a garbage dump of human corpses rather than a "stronghold against all impurities.” There is no dignity of death. Bodies are piled on one another and dumped in a pile alongside the well of the bhandar. The dakhma may safeguard the wellbeing of the believers’ souls but it has scant respect for their bodily remains.