"How not to wish"
To the comments in the letter "How not to wish" by Noshir Pavri (Readers’ Forum, Parsiana, August 21, 2013), I would like to add that people not only wish "Pateti Mubarak" some even wish "Papeti Mubarak!" Pavri is right in drawing attention to the fallacy of wishing "Pateti Mubarak."
Actually Pateti can be compared best with Micchami Dukkadam of the Jains. In Sanskrit the words are: "Mithyaa me dush krutam (May my bad deeds be rendered null and void)."
Patet is penance for any bad thoughts, speech, or deeds done to any of the Yazats or creation. If at all one wants to wish one can wish "Patet Falo (May your patet be accepted!)"
BURJOR DABOO
burkhurdar@gmail.com