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Q. The fire of a Bombay agiary was shifted to Jamshedpur by air and this had become a topic of hot discussion amongst the community. Objections were raised because according to the doctrine breaking the connection of padshah with the earth is not permissible. My question is, suppose a Zarthoshti dies in a place where there is no dakhma, and if the relatives can afford the expenses, can the corpse be taken by air to a place where a dakhma is available?
A. These are two different issues. A corpse can certainly be taken by air to another place for dakhmenashini.
Q. But by doing so the contact of the corpse with the earth is broken. Is that not harmful for the soul?
A. Of course the soul does undergo the trauma of its body being separated from the circuit of the earth but that is nothing compared to the horrible and woeful conditions the soul has to face if the body is either buried or cremated.

 

 

 

Q. Is it a rule that the kusti ritual should not be performed in front of the atash padshah?
A. Yes that is correct because whilst reciting the kusti prayer the ends of the kusti are shaken to entrust the bad magnetism of our aipi to earth while uttering the formula for warding off Satan. If you perform this ritual in front of atash padshah you are equating Him with Satan which is tantamount to desecrating the fire.
Q. Many are of the opinion that even if there is excessive smoke, the fire should not be fanned, but instead should be re-lighted either with a match or a burning sandalwood stick. They say that by fanning the fire you are insulting it. Is that true?
A. No, there is no substance in what they say. Fan can be used.
Q. Suppose excessive smoke is emitted from the fire of an adarian or atash behram, can a fan be used?
A. Yes, there is no objection if there is excessive smoke.

 

 

 

 

 

Q. Is it right if one goes to a fire temple straight after visiting relative in hospital and without taking a bath?
A. One should certainly not go to a fire temple without taking a bath. What a question!
Q. OK, but some people go to a fire temple after visiting a doctor’s dispensary. Is that allowed?
A. If somebody does that it shows the level of common sense and intelligence the person has in religious matters. It all depends upon what types of patients come to that doctor’s dispensary.
Q. Many women who observe separation during menses complain that it is ordained by the religion to do so, but evil thoughts pass through their minds in that condition.
A. It is true that bad thoughts intensify in that condition. Those women who have to go to service many a times fall prey to strange men.
Q. Is it right if in this condition women engage their mind in stitching or knitting and thereafter use the article after washing it?
A. Yes that can be done, but as far as possible physical exertion should be avoided by not using the leg-operated sewing machine. Knitting can be done but sudrehs should not be stitched in this condition and whatever else is stitched in this condition should not be used in religious ceremonies. Whatever article is knitted or stitched in this condition should be washed two times before use. It is better if washed in taro once. We do not know the condition of (the) washerwoman or dhobi when they wash our clothes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Q. If the moon cannot be seen in the sky, in which direction should one face whilst reciting Mahbokhtar Nyaish?
A. Even if the moon cannot be seen, this Nyaish can be recited facing any direction except north.
Q. Some people when praying at the Bhikha Behram Well stand facing north. Is it proper to do so?
A. Whenever one is praying near a well considering it as an object of devotion, then it does not matter if one faces any direction. However, if an alternate place is available, it is preferable to avoid facing north.
Q. Sir, suppose we feel thirsty while praying, can we drink water?
A. No, water cannot be drunk while saying prayers.
Q. If we feel like answering nature’s call whilst praying, what should be done?
A. After coming from the toilet perform kusti ritual, recite Srosh Baj and gah and then pray from the beginning the yasht or nyaish which was left midway.
Q. If we pass wind whilst praying, what should be done?
A. Immediately perform the kusti ritual and continue from where you had left off. In this case it is not necessary to pray from the beginning.
Q. Suppose we have to speak to somebody whilst praying, what should be done?
A. After finishing the conversation recite kusti prayer and pray from the beginning whether it was the gah, yasht or nyaish which was interrupted.
Q. Suppose we feel an unbearable thirst and have to drink water?
A. Follow the same procedure as in the case of answering nature’s call.
Q. Sir, I have observed many people rubbing their noses on the threshold of the sanctum sanctorum for minutes together. Is it not sufficient if one repents within one’s own self and avoids such display in public because by doing this action the sweat and slime on the nose rubs on to the threshold and others may get the smell when they touch their head on the threshold to pay obeisance to padshah?
A. The nose certainly should not be rubbed on the threshold because it is a filthy habit and it is objectionable to display emotions in public to draw others’ attention towards you.
Q. Many slap their cheeks in such a way that others’ attention is drawn towards them whilst some pinch their ears hard till they become red. Is doing such a thing in front of others proper?
A. The poor wretch must be doing this out of a sense of heavy repentance for his sins. As far as possible don’t pay much attention to such behavior or think about it.
Q. Many times I have seen a sparrow or a pigeon’s feather lying on the carpet of the prayer hall of the fire temple and some devotees try to fan it away instead of picking it and throwing it away as if it is a naso. Can the feather not be touched?
A. As far as possible while praying avoid touching the feather. It does not spread druji-e-naso but it definitely spreads druji-e-hikhra.
Q, Many Parsis believe that it is a sin to light incense stick. Is there any truth in their belief?
A. No sin is committed; however, some incense sticks are manufactured from material not appropriate to be used whilst praying and if it is definitely known, they should be avoided but if we are not aware of it, then it does not matter.
For example, I know for sure that a certain manufacturer uses cow dung in the manufacture of incense sticks and I use and advocate using that brand.
Q. It is said that the soul of a Zoroastrian who becomes a Theosophist does not get the protection of Srosh Yazad after death. Does a similar thing happen to a Zoroastrian practicing yoga?
A. There is no harm in a Zarthoshti doing yoga exercises but he should not chant any shloks or other formulae of Hindu religion during exercising. Regarding Theosophy you should know that it is prohibited for a Zoroastrian to join the inner circle and be initiated into their rites.
Q. It is believed that if a Zarthoshti eats beef or pork his soul does not get the protection of Srosh Yazad after death is that true?
A. Listen brother, don’t ask me this question whether the soul of such a person gets the protection of Srosh Yazad or not. One thing is sure that a Zarthoshti should refrain from eating the flesh of these animals and if someone is doing so, you should try to stop him either by making him understand the religious viewpoint behind not eating or persuading him by some other method.

 

 

 

 

Q. It is said that a Zarthoshti can keep chickens as pets but it is considered a sin to hatch the eggs because when the chicks grow, someone will slaughter them and at that time the chicken curses the person responsible for its birth. If this is true then should a Zarthoshti not do the business of poultry farming?
A. Listen, these principles apply only to those who strictly follow tarikats and other Zoroastrian code of conduct and live life accordingly. Ordinary Parsis like us can do the business of poultry farming. Please remember that the means of livelihood which every man adopts in this world is predestined according to the keshas of his past lives.
Q. Some say that whilst praying, the hands should not be kept behind the back or crossed at the elbows. Is that true?
A. These things are not important for ordinary people like us. The posture to be adopted and certain rules to be followed whilst praying are meant for holy men like Ashawans. There is a method known as Do Zanu in which one sits on the ground with both legs folded at knees under the buttocks while praying but if we try to adopt this posture our legs will start paining in a short time and therefore it is not suitable for us. What is important for people like us to see that we don’t move our body while praying.
Q. After every Nyaish and Yasht we take the names of the day, month and gah in this order. In some prayer books it is mentioned to take the name of gah first followed by day and month. What is correct according to the religion?
A. It is immaterial. One can either take the name of gah first followed by day and month or day first followed by month and gah.
Q. In the prayer books published by the Vegetarian Society, it is mentioned to take the name of day, month, gah and year and jirum (spriritual genes) too. Is that correct?
A. It is sufficient to take the name of day, month and gah. It is not necessary to take the name of year and jirum. Ustad Saheb during his lifetime used to find out the divinity presiding over the year on request from some.
Q. Nowadays I am praying Vanant Yasht daily. I do not get time to recite the compulsory prayers daily. So I recite five Nyaish daily and compulsory prayers only on hamkara days. Therefore I recite Vanant Yasht immediately after five Nyaish. Can I get any benefit by doing so?
A. You will definitely get benefit, but of second grade.