The fiery ritual

Zarathushtra was a strong advocate of preserving the earth’s environment. Despite this, at some point of time in the evolution of our religion our vada dasturs deemed this to be of no consequence and introduced the ritual of burning fire in our agiaries 24 hours a day in perpetuity. Perhaps their intention was to create a symbol to act as a rallying point for unity in our community. It may have served its purpose at that point of time. Today, there is a complete change in the condition of our environment due to thoughtless cutting down of our forest wealth which is leading to global warming and the absence of rain.

Here are some relevant facts: Wood fires create toxins and suspended particles that accelerate global warming and deplete oxygen supply. One human needs 130,000 liters of oxygen per year for survival. One tree in the tropics generates 273,000 liters of oxygen per year. Thus one tree supports two humans.

An association in Bombay has estimated that the city’s agiaries burn over 800 tons of kathi per year. If one were to calculate how much wood Zoroastrians across the world must have burned in past centuries the figure would be mind-boggling.

We can continue to use this fiery ritual in a symbolic manner without resorting to burning wood for 24 hours. All that is required is to light the afarganyu only during a community gathering or for some prayers. For this change in our rituals we will earn the goodwill of not only our Prophet but also the Kyoto Protocol countries which are anxious about global pollution and denuding of forest wealth.

Lt Col (Retd) K. G. JALNAWALA

Ahmednagar