“Chaotic compilation”

I refer to the review of my book, Rationalism in Zoroastrianism, by Farrokh Vajifdar ("Chaotic compilation,” Books, Parsiana, June 7, 2016). A reviewer would normally check what the author is trying to say and what his prime messages are; whether he is trying to promote a thought or cause; and whether he achieves this. The reviewer can then comment on some of the details in the book. He should preferably avoid bringing in his personal and debatable views. Since Vajifdar’s review does not address these basic questions, I am spelling them out for his benefit and that of your readers.
What I am trying to say is that Zoroastrianism, as proclaimed by Zarathushtra in his Gathas, is actually based on reason and logic as there are no commandments. There is definitely "rationalism in Zoroastrianism,” as the title of the book states. Also, with more and more people moving away from blind faith and seeking an enlightened way of life that brings peace and happiness in the world, Zoroastrianism becomes a natural choice — apart from Buddhism and such other rational philosophies of life — as mentioned in the Preface. My aim or objective is to increase the number of followers of Zoroastrianism in the world, to spread the message of Zarathushtra to all, including the rationalists. Somehow this great philosophy has not been globally publicized.
Whether or not this aim has been accomplished is for the reviewer to decide. Will the readers become followers of Zoroastrianism after reading the book? Some readers have suggested that the book be translated into two other languages, which is rather encouraging.
I am an engineer by training and a practical person who has compiled the book based on published material and as I perceive our religion. Since my retirement, I have read some literature on the religion and can only claim to be a student. So I am not competent to comment on whatever Vajifdar has said. I have very high regard for Vajifdar’s knowledge of the scriptures and the history of our priests. In the past he has helped me considerably by replying to various questions and has guided me in matters related to the religion.
He was kind enough to vet my earlier book, A Gathic View of Zoroastrianism and Ethical Life and though he had requested that his name be excluded from the acknowledgements, I had not done so, thinking that his request was based on modesty. I plead guilty of that offence which I thought was harmless and without malice. If, at that time, he had expressed displeasure about his name being included in the acknowledgements, I would have refrained from making the same mistake again. And what have I said? "My sincere thanks go to my kind friend Farrokh Vajifdar, who has been very helpful and guided me in correcting my presentation on Zarathushtra’s Gathas.” I do not see anything wrong in doing so. However, since he feels offended, I wish to apologize for hurting his feelings.
There is something more I wish to add. These books are published only for spreading Zarathushtra’s message. The Association for the Revival of Zoroastrianism and I sincerely believe that if the Parsi community follows the messages in the Gathas it will be helped to come out from its present morass. The books are financed by us personally and proceeds from sales hardly cover 10% of the printing and publishing costs.
KERSEE KABRAJI
Poona
kerseekabraji@gmailcom

A consistently rational person, Poona’s octogenarian engineer Kersee Kabraji has found himself at the receiving end, having for once gone overboard with his Rationalism in Zoroastrianism ("Chaotic compilation,” Books, Parsiana, June 7, 2016).
Religious scholar par excellence Farrokh Vajifdar, an acknowledged critic, commentator and reviewer has unsparingly taken Kabraji to task for tampering with the genre in which Prophet Zarathushtra’s Gathas were produced.
The philosophy of happiness dwelt on by the Prophet in its original rendering becomes too simplistic, unappealing and commonplace with a cliché that moralizes on the attainment of happiness by rendering happiness to others, Zarathushtra’s profound benediction that opens Yasna 43.1. Every now and then a twist is given to the message of this very old philosophy, a meaningless trite repetition that indicates mediocrity.
Vajifdar is absolutely right in terming such manipulation as "infantile catechisms” in their dry rendering in prose.
At Poona railway station years ago I observed a similar simplistic slogan attributed to Sadhu Vaswani, whose followers have a base in that city. It read: "To be happy, make others happy.”
Only poetry can render an oft-repeated message which loses its originality over centuries into a charming, melodious version where prose fails to impress. Here is Lord Byron’s presentation, worthy of reading the philosophy of happiness, and re-reading it with adoration: "If joy is what/ You would wish to win,/ Make others happy,/ Happiness was born a twin.”
RASHID G. KHOSRAVI