Invoking Avan Yazad

There are countless other Yazads worthy of adoration, whose qualities we should emulate and whose spiritual help we must seek. The practice of invoking the Yazads dates back thousands of years as seen from rock records of Achaemenian and Sassanian kings like Artaxerxes II and Shapur I who attributed their success to the Yazads, conveyed Ervad (Dr) Ramiyar Karanjia when speaking on "Ask and ye shall receive — Help from the Yazads,” at the Ava Ardvisur Parav celebrations on March 27, 2007 when over a thousand Parsis congregated at the jetty of Bombay’s Radio Club.

Unfortunately, in the 19th and 20th centuries devout Zoroastrians were told that Zarathushtra had discarded the Yazatas who were not mentioned in the Gathas and worshipping them would be against the Prophet’s wishes. As a result, they missed out on an important component of the religion. We need to acknowledge Yazatas like Behram Yazad, Sarosh Yazad, Meher Yazad, Avan Yazad, Adar Yazad, Khorshed Yazad and Tir Yazad through rituals like baj and yasna, by praying Setayashne and Yashts, or by remembering their names daily in a prescribed manner, Karanjia further revealed.

Above (from left): Zarir Bhathena, Nadir Modi, Khurshed Dastoor, Ramiyar Karanjia and Cowasji Dinshaw. Above: An appreciative audience

This tradition of offering prayers to the water divinity, expressing solidarity and hearing distinguished Parsi leaders speak, started on a small scale decades ago. It now continues on a gigantic scale thanks to the untiring efforts of a small group of committed individuals, reveals a write-up sent by co-organizer Kersi Limathwalla. Although the parav is observed by Zoroastrians worldwide, nowhere is it celebrated with such religious fervor as in Bombay.

Parsis have a special affinity for Avan Yazad, also known as Ardvisura and Anahita, symbolizing water which quenches thirst, cleans, purifies and heals.

Udvada’s Dastur Khurshed Dastoor led the jashan ceremony in which 22 other priests participated. This was followed by a humbandagi where the voices of all present rose in combined prayer. In his brief speech, Dastoor exhorted the community to hold together, to tolerate each other’s views and end infighting in the interest of our religion, the write-up stated.

A vote of thanks was offered to the panthaky, mobeds and staff of Sethna Agiary, the management of the Radio Club, Sarosh Daruwalla for the public address system and Marzban Mehta for entertainment.