Prayers and more

The Homawalla Agiary Trust of Bharuch has brought out a book, Turn to Prayer, on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the Agiary. This "small endeavor to inculcate the love of prayers in today’s youth” has been a "long standing dream” aimed to help those hard-pressed for time as well as people for whom language is a problem, mentions the introductory note. Hence, the book is bilingual with the prayers in Gujarati as well as in the roman (English) script, along with their meanings.

The handy 177-page book, replete with religious illustrations, is printed in clear, large type faces. It contains the basic kusti prayer, Ashem Vohu, Yatha Ahu Vairyo, Yenghe Hatam and Srosh Baj. Also included are the namaskars of muktad, fire and water, some easy to recite nirangs, Doa Tandorasti, Din no Kalmo, the 101 names of Ahura Mazda, monajats, names of 30 days and 12 months as well as the Mushkil Aasaan story. There are useful guidelines on what to do and what not to do while praying and practicing the Zoroastrian religion.

Full page illustrations of the godha (winged bull) and farohar with arrows indicating what each section of the figures symbolize are interesting and informative. A map indicates the Iranshah’s journey from Sanjan to Udvada, spanning a period of over a millennium to the present day. One chapter is devoted to the behavioral principles of Zoroastrians. Appropriately, the book is rounded off with the community’s anthem, Chhaiyé Hamé Zarthoshti.

To be available free of cost in fire temples, the Trust hopes this booklet "will help those who use it to carve a niche for themselves in this world and bring glory to themselves and the religion.” For further information readers may contact the Homawalla Agiary Trust at Rothefield Street, Fort, Parsiwad, Bharuch 392001, Gujarat; e-mail: ha.trust.bharuch@gmail.com

SHERENE VAKIL