Wardens of religion

Religion is the backbone of society. All consecrated rituals enhance religious fervor and give sound support to racial cultural heritage. Priests are badly needed to maintain religious traits and activities. It is the duty of the community leaders to see that priests are treated well and get substantial fair remuneration, according to their grades, qualifications and status.

The Mazdayasni monarch Jamshid had introduced, for the first time, four varnas (groups) of the society for efficient administration: Athornans for governing religious affairs, Rathestars for protection of cultural activities and nation, Vastrois for the sector of trade and industry and Hutox for general responsibilities of labor by working class. Here, we are concerned with the athornan class.

Athornans are the priestly class. The right word is athravans, protectors of athra (holy fire). Those who have undergone the rituals of navar and maratab are ervads. They are entitled to perform the jashan and rituals of navjote and marriage.

The second grade is yozdathregar, who are more efficient and can perform the pavmahal ceremonies of yasna, baj, visperad, vendidad, nirangdin, etc. They have to undergo barasnoom (nahan for nine nights). They abstain from worldly attachments during barasnoom, and remain in tune with Mazda, with prayers and ceremonies, for purity of mind and soul. They maintain tarikats (strict discipline). Only they have the right to enter the kebla.

Dasturs are a knowledgable, learned class who can administer all rituals and look after the affairs of fire temples. To call general ervads "dasturs” is not correct. This is a revered status. There is no single head dastur in our community, like the Pope. Our dasturs are posted by the anjuman and respected. The word "dastur” means those who extend hands for guidance. They must study religious scriptures and preserve tenets.

The highest class of a priest is the mobed. It is a spiritual status. Mobedi is the profession of priests but to call all athravans mobeds is incorrect. The original word is Magopat — Magvans. They have secluded saintly life with abstention and sanctity. Mobeds are very rare in society.

Another group of Rainidars, who are scholars, propagate religious truths. They are religious instructors and revered in our scriptures as Verejana. We expect this status from all dasturs.

For the survival of the community, more and more athornans are required to ensure its firm future. Institutions like the athornan madressas must be maintained with incentives to encourage this noble profession. We require trained clergy with knowledge of religious scriptures, ceremonies and the Shahnameh. Poor athornans must be well supported by the anjumans.

Due respect must be given to athravans in society. Priests must also behave well and live an ideal life to maintain their respected status. Punchayets must be guided in religious matters by learned dasturs and a religious council of scholars can be helpful.

NOSHIR DABOO

Ahmedabad