At the end of every navjote that I perform I address the children who have just been inducted into our faith thus: "You have just got your sudreh and kusti. You have become a Zoroastrian, a follower of the great prophet Zarathushtra. What did he teach us?”
I summarize his teachings: There is only one God. Treat all people, whether rich or poor, black or white, man or woman, with respect and dignity. Perform not only good deeds, but fight against evil. Always be compassionate and humble. Treat all, especially those less fortunate than you, equally.
There are many who claim that God does not exist. I say He does. Some ask whether I have met Him. No, I have not, but if one listens carefully one will be able to hear Him. Continue to do good deeds, and when you are in trouble and pray He will come to your help
The sudreh signifies a shield to protect the wearer from evil and the kusti is a girdle to hold the sword with which to fight evil. The sudreh has a small pouch in the front with a hole at the rear in which good deeds are preserved. Even though the pouch is small it will never fill up, so one must never stop doing good deeds.
YEZAD KAPADIA
Delhi
yezad.kapadia@gmail.com