Faith in Avan Yazad

That an educated, forward looking community like ours should be getting caught in the web of superstitions and false beliefs made Dastur Khurshed Dastoor unhappy. We should pray to Avan Yazad to give us Vohu Mana to speak good, think good and do good, commented the Udvada High Priest after leading the jashan on the occasion of the Avan Ardavisur parav function at the pier of the Radio Club on March 25, 2012, notes a write-up received by Parsiana from Roxane Desai. He also dwelt on the need to make our religious ceremonies more meaningful and purposeful. For instance, "A navjote or a wedding ceremony could be done in the morning at an agiary, where the sanctity of the ceremony is maintained... and then have the revelry... in the evening,” thus striking a balance between faith and frolic, the write-up mentions.

Inviting members of the Avan Ardavisur Parabh Jashan Committee Ervad Nadir Modi, Kersi Limathwalla and Zarir Bha­thena on the stage, compere Zarine Commissariat recounted the words of Andrew Carnegie when he had witnessed the parav ceremony: "I have seen many modes and forms of worship but all are poor in comparison with this Parsi religious ceremony which had such a powerful effect on me.”

"Keep your faith in Avan Yazad,” exhorted Limathwalla. In the olden days Avan Yazad had temples consecrated in her honor and the Sasanian dynasty had minted coins depicting Ardavisur Anahita, he informed the large gathering. Lamenting that the waters were being defiled by flowers, garlands, coconuts and dar-ni-poris, he suggested that offerings to the water deity should be in the form of charity to others. Just as water takes the shape of its container, we too should be tolerant, amenable and flexible in life, he explained.

(Top) Avan Yazad parav jashan; (2nd row, left) Dastur Khurshed Dastoor speaking while Zarine Commissariat, Ervad Nadir Modi, Kersi Limathwalla and Zarir Bhathena listen; (above) Girton School Zoroastrian Choir Photo: Dolly Divecha;(below) attentive audience

On the subjects of the Parsi population, prosperity and Parsipanu, keynote speaker Modi urged, "Let’s not be in denial mode but admit... that the Parsi population is dwindling” due to modern day urbanization, late or no marriage, broken marriages, and so on. "Let’s put our minds together and act to achieve a better future,” he said, outlining remedies for the situation. We should create programs to bring about changes in the lifestyle and thinking of Parsi youth. A think tank of Parsis should invest to build a strong infrastructure where youngsters can meet on a regular basis, exchange ideas and build contacts within the community, he felt.

Modi mentioned that to create economic prosperity in the community, our leaders should hone and harness entrepreneurial skills of the youth. A directory of Parsi chartered accountants, doctors, lawyers, even carpenters, electricians and masons would help community members to avail of their services. Regarding Parsipanu, the external aspect is of course indulging in Sunday dhansak or attending parav functions, but the internal aspect is much more important. Qualities like humor, charity, industry, intelligence, integrity and initiative have raised our community to the level it now occupies and will help it to move forward.

The Girton School Zoroastrian Choir sang two devotional songs compiled in English by Rustom Chothia with accompaniment by Dr Villie Cama. Rusi Bhumgara’s vote of thanks was followed by songs sung by Marzban Mehta and his team, the write-up concludes.