Efficacy of prayers

The word "effective” implies sound results and accomplishments. Prayer is a solemn interview with God, a link between us and the spiritual world.

There is discontent regarding prayers, with some people feeling that they are not answered and meaningless. Prayers with a selfish motive have less effect. It is like an application forwarded to the Yazatas which is accepted only on merit. Efficacy depends on inner faith which is the fundamental force. It does not matter if prayers are uttered without proper understanding as long as they are uttered with firm faith.

Everyone is not supposed to know Avesta which has miraculous vibrations. Most of us are hesitant about praying in an alien language. During prayer our mind must be in contact with only spiritual leaders, without straying or wavering about worldly attachments and expectations.

Once an Amir (nobleman) stepped out of his coach and started doing namaz (prayer) on a costly carpet. A passerby unintentionally crossed his path, feet touching the carpet. The Amir menacingly said: "Are you blind?” The innocent passerby humbly replied, "Sir, is your mind on your prayers or on your precious carpet? I was thinking of my dear fiancée and am sorry if you have been disturbed.” The Amir was silent. This is an example of the failure of prayers, when there is no sincerity.

The church is a place for prayer. There also we see different motives in devotees. Results depend on intentions. Some go to church to greet their bride; some go to display their pomp and pride; some to have a peaceful nod; only a few go there to worship God.

It was a warm room and the servant was asked to switch on the fan. The servant pressed the switch and the fan started functioning, though the servant had no knowledge of electricity. He did not need to go into details of the mechanism. Similarly, prayers also have results without the devotee understanding the gist, due to their effective vibrations. Because of Strot Yasna (scientific surety of vibrations), perfectly pronounced words have efficacy. The vibrations created by a violin can break glass.

Years back I had published a book in Gujarati titled Samjati Bundagi in which there is the gist of the Avesta prayers which have powerful vibrations to bring blessings from heaven. Prayers should be recited in a low tone, never silently. It is not necessary to utter them loudly. The Yazatas hear prayers of the dumb people too, provided they are sincere.

The value of gavashni is stressed in our religion, which must be true, said with compassion and useful to others. Bandagi suggests that we remain in the service of God as a bunde-Khuda. Good behavior is bandagi.

NOSHIR DABOO

Ahmedabad