Teaching tools for navjote

The title of this book is bound to grab the attention of parents with children who are being prepared for their navjote or have just had their navjote. However, it is suitable for a far wider audience given its effective way of presenting complex ideas in an accessible manner. Diasporic Zoroastrians and Sunday School teachers may welcome it as a valuable addition to their libraries and teaching resources. The book’s strengths are multiple, especially the hard bound, thick, waxy pages, which will hold up to little grubby hands and being handled frequently. The delightful illustrations by Kaizin Pooniwala in a contemporary style enhance the text which deals with the serious matter of the meaning of rote learned navjote prayers. The dewy eyed optimist in me also thrills at the prospect of Avesta becoming a ‘living language’ thanks to Ervad (Dr) Karanjia’s erudite translations of the words.
Understanding the recitation will also allow for the development of meditative practice instead of an empty recitation. The teacher in me sees endless possibilities of using the book as a teaching tool and getting students to learn prayers, days of the months, divisions of time and the meaning of Gatha and gahanbar days. Long term, it could be used by high school and university students to write about Zoroastrians and Zoroastrianism for their individual assessments. Top marks could ensue when supplemented with other academic references!

Author Ervad (Dr) Ramiyar Karanjia

Book cover and illustrations by Kaizin Pooniwala (above left)

The layout of the book is especially appealing to visual learners with its clear tables in two columns demarcating "Word from Prayer” and "Meaning of the Word.” Additional interlineating with ‘line’ explanations of entire sentences enhance the comprehension of the ideas rather than just being a jumble of words. For example the line Ashem Vohu Vahistem Asti (translated as Truth Good Best is) is presented as ‘The Best Truth is good.’
Repetition of words, phrases and entire prayers e.g. Sarosh Baj suddenly become more meaningful if one knows the sentiments being expressed and allow for greater engagement in the spirituality of both navjote and other religious occasions. The only exception to this format of word/meaning and sentence explanation occurs on pg 30 where Ahmai Raescha is described. This anomaly is a jarring note in what is otherwise a valuable book. The spellings of ‘kasti and sadra’ as opposed to the more commonly used ‘kusti and sudreh’ throughout the text is incongruous but in no way distracting as it is consistently applied.
This book is certainly an excellent primer and includes helpful additional information including the gestures and the explanation of them incorporated while doing the kusti. Additional information provided at the end of the book like Divisions of Time (misspelt as Divions), 30 days of the month and the association with the divine being, the 12 months of the year, Division of the day gahs and lists of both gahanbars and Gathas add value. The short paragraph on King Jamshed and his "falling from grace” (pg 34) is bound to send readers unfamiliar with the story to research (an edumetric device — aimed at creating inquisitive readers) and will provide a rich narrative to launch into other stories of Ferdowsi and the Shah Nameh. Thus this little nugget creates its own ripple effect for adults and children using this book.
Roshan and Rohinton Rivetna are to be commended for their support and bringing this book to fruition. They are certainly living through huvareshthem shyothanem (pure deed) (pg iii) in extending the resources of Zoroastrian study. Understanding the Navjote Prayers: A Beginner’s Guide to the Avesta Language adds to the burgeoning Zoroastrian books like My First Zoroastrian Prayer Book (no date) by Jamshed Rivetna, illustrated by Ava Mehta, The First Navjote (2016) and The Story of the Religion Zoroastrianism written and illustrated by Mehta, and Rukshana Shroff and Kerman Mehta’s (2011) Joyous Flame: The Parsi Zoroastrians illustrated by Naasha Mehta and published under the auspices of Parzor. All of these books are suitable for both children and adults alike and make significant contributions to understanding Zoroastrianism, tenets and practices underpinning the faith.
Karanjia, an eminent contemporary scholar on Zoroastrianism and his involvement with this book is a welcome addition of gravitas. Future editions/revisions might consider writing the narratives in a colloquial rather than literal translation so children can learn them by rote too and think of the words when reciting the prayers. I recommend this book as a perfect present to a child who is going to have his/her navjote. In fact if given before the child’s navjote it would help prepare both parents and the child for this important milestone event. I would go so far as suggesting that it could even be used as a quasi prayer book as it would allow for a deep understanding of the semantics.
I suggest all Zoroastrians to purchase this book — the more our youth understand Zoroastrianism the better placed we are to ensure our survival into the future.
Dr PHEROZA DARUWALLA