The sun’s energy

Energy from the sun has the vibrant power of Mithra. Today it has become the subject of scientific research, but Zoroastrians have used it for millennia for the hygienic disposal of corpses. This system is known as khurshed nagirshni in Pazend, meaning exposure of dead bodies to the sun. The sun is also known as a spiritual body (kaherp) of God. It is the source of life and the most efficient purifier on earth.

There are frequent complaints about the careless, filthy and gloomy atmosphere inside the dakhmas. This is due to negligence and carelessness of the nassessalars who are responsible for maintaining cleanliness and the inner tarikat. Besides, no one can expect pleasant, bright surroundings in a morgue, slaughterhouse or smashan where bodies are burnt in the open.

Heat from the sun is effective for dehydration of the dead body. Disposal of the corpse by the sun is the only mode which does not pollute the five natural elements — air, earth, water, fire and sky. Global warming is a modern day hazard due to pollution. The mode of disposal using the sun’s energy is hygienic and eco-friendly, hence most favorable in the present environment.

Dakhmenashini has been weakened in the absence of vultures, but it has not failed. We have to depend on the sun’s energy at present, as it has been efficiently used by restaurants, hotels, mills and small scale industries.

In Sanskrit fire is known as puthra, meaning complete purifier. In the Zarathushti religion it is respected as the son of Ahura Mazda. It has vibrant spiritual qualities and is the most holy element. By defiling it with filthy naso (unclean, dead cells) we are insulting the creator. In cremation, high voltage electricity is used, which is also fire, so cremation is prohibited in the religion. Scientific devices in the form of solar concentrators are used to generate heat for dehydration in the Towers of Silence. But these do not achieve their goal efficiently due to poor maintenance. Steam pipelines can be installed inside the dakhmas to enhance dehydration. Infra red lamps can intensify the heat for rapid disposal of corpses.

In the absence of Towers of Silence, burial is permitted, but this is a very slow process and not hygienic. It is allowed when there is no other option, but cremation is prohibited entirely by Zoroastrian morality where ashoi is the main principle.

NOSHIR DABOO

Ahmedabad