“Assembly at Azargoshasb”

It warmed the cockles of my heart to read "Assembly at Azargoshasb” (Zoroastrians Abroad, Parsiana, November 21, 2009).

Yes, in madar vatan (Iran) the Zoroastrian religion is practiced in its true form, both in letter and spirit, despite various restrictions in a staunchly Muslim country. Many are interested in knowing the message, theme and philosophy of Zoroastrianism, the first monotheistic religion for all mankind. They want to embrace it and follow the teachings and preaching of the great master Zoroaster, and many are doing this all over the world.

It was indeed heartening for the true worshippers [Bombay Parsi Punchayet trustees, World Alliance of Parsi Irani Zarthoshtis, khota (false) dasturs, bogus orthodox, fascists, fanatics, diehards and zealots excluded] to learn about the ceremony at the ancient temple of Azargoshasb where not only worshippers of the religion but even Muslims and other communities flocked and were welcomed by the Zoroastrian priests. Zoroastrians and non-Zoroastrians alike were offered the fruits, etc after the religious ceremony which was performed in the presence of all. Most importantly, everyone was allowed to enter the fire temple. And these priests are equally knowledgeable, if not more so, than our khota dasturs/scholars.

It was a lesson to learn that Baharam V (not me, I am Behram, the Zero) took his Indian bride to this pious and holy place not as a tourist, but to be purified and educated in the Zoroastrian faith. This will leave our orthodox fekologists (practitioners of fibbing) and their ilk red faced as it is evident that our chaps in Bombay are misleading the community about the true facts of the Zoroastrian religion by telling us that our religion and its tenets do not allow conversion or non-Zoroastrians to mingle with the bawas for religious ceremonies, and that inter-caste marriage is taboo.

It is a myth, humbug, rubbish, lie and blasphemy that ours is the only God, and that He is solely reserved for 60,000 or so palav-daar eating, akkal na dushman (enemies of reason) bawas.

There is no denying that bawas on the lunatic fringe are on their way out, but the religion of Zoroaster is progressing. So, let all right-thinking humans unite in the good deeds of preaching, practicing, proliferating and propagating the Zoroastrian religion in all corners of the world.

BEHRAM AGA

behram_r_aga@yahoo.co.in