Questioning the truth

I am half a Parsi, and contrary to what most people think there are many like me who love, respect and revere the religion we follow. There is nothing that we would not do for it. We religiously say our prayers everyday, wear the sudreh and kusti, and cherish the Khordeh Avesta and atash. We know about the religion and try to live by the words we utter when we pray.

The Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) and other organizations have materialized into self-proclaimed dissidents. They, along with a few "learned” priests have rained flak on Ervad Khushroo Madon, which is absolutely unjustified. They condemn him for performing navjotes of children from mixed marriages; funeral prayers for those who have married out or are cremated; they even object to him performing navjotes of those from other countries. By Zoroastrian law conversions are allowed by the Council of Mobeds in Tehran, Iran. Why should the navjotes of Zoroastrians in Aryan Vaeja countries affect the BPP which is just a trustee of land and funds, not a religious authority?

When the scriptures permit something, can the BPP override it? The scriptures were written by Zarathushtra. The BPP is not larger than the Prophet himself. Should we regard the BPP’s word as law? Do we pagé paro (bow down in reverence) to Ahura Mazda and Zarathushtra or to the BPP? The scriptures have tons of evidence in favor of what Madon does. The BPP and some priests are hanging onto a few lines or verses which have been mistranslated or misunderstood. I doubt that the Gathas can both approve of and disapprove conversions.

There are many examples of double standards within the BPP and other organizations where the "law” is bent to suit their convenience. So many priests who support the BPP turn a blind eye to issues in their own homes, for instance when their own family members marry non-Parsis. The compulsion to marry within the community is not a requirement. It is the creation of the Parsis. When the Parsis came to Sanjan, they had to swear to abide by the law, not fight with anyone or convert the locals and so on. They also had to adopt the garments of the land. In Iran, conversions did happen. The Shahnameh has examples of intermarriage which weren’t scorned or looked down upon. So why should we?

There has been a very slow, but formidably high level of corruption and misinterpretation of the rules of Zoroastrianism. Till now, nobody has questioned the logic or truth behind what is being preached. But now people are questioning the truth behind what the BPP and priests claim. Some Parsis actually pray for hours in the agiary, bow down in front of every painting or photograph and moments later do scandalous things like insult the children of mixed marriage in the agiary itself, throw things during lectures, use foul language and behave in a repugnant manner which is entirely unZoroastrian.

Madon recites prayers with a level of fervor that I have never seen. He is one of the few priests who can actually cite examples from the Zoroastrian texts and prove whatever he claims, unlike most orthodox priests who claim to be authorities but can’t even conduct a logical or factual argument. Madon utters every word with feeling and respect for the prayers. He clearly hasn’t done anything wrong by praying for the dead who are cremated. A dead person deserves the last rites. It is inhumane and a grave injustice when we deny a dead person these prayers.

A true Zoroastrian fights for the truth because he loves the truth. This is the basic meaning of the Ashem Vohu prayer. There’s no glory to be had by tying your kusti and saying prayers learned by rote if you do not live by the words you utter. Similarly, a woman who marries outside the community remains a Zoroastrian and one cannot deny her entry to the agiary or the right to be blessed by a priest. What empowers anyone to snatch away her birthright?

The trustees of the BPP have seized more power than is due to them and resent any check made on them. They have no say in religious matters. They cannot patronize priests who share their opinion and ban those who do not. By forcing their will on others they will not come anywhere close to our predecessors who were tolerant, honorable and who argued with dignity.

ADITYA GAEKWAD

aditya.gaekwad8@gmail.com