Dastur Khurshed Dastoor, high priest of Udvada, after consulting his colleagues, suggested that arrangements be made for burial on the Bombay Doongerwadi premises on a temporary basis to ensure that unfortunate Covid victims are not deprived of the religious prayers at the serene, peaceful grounds. We may, however, have to compromise on certain rituals like sachkar, etc and make some special arrangements for burial (see "Desperate times call for desperate measures,” Parsiana, May 7-20, 2021).
But traditionalists have vehemently opposed the High Priest’s suggestion, labeling it anti-religious and an attempt to do away with dakhmenashini.
We know that before dakhmas were built in India, and even till today burial is an alternative mode of disposal though dakhmenashini is the first choice.
Had we accepted burial after the extinction of the vultures, we could have avoided several conflicts in the community, saved crores of rupees of trust funds on fruitless litigations and perhaps prevented Parsis opting for cremation.
Rather than count on the mode of disposal for salvation, one relies on one’s actions, good or bad. Ervad (Dr) Ramiyar Karanjia has opined that "the after death rituals in no way alter the balance of actions which a soul has performed in his life… This depends only on the deeds performed by the soul in its living avatar.”
People prefer the ambience of the hill garden of Doongerwadi, the chanting of holy prayers by our priests, our sacred rituals and the heavenly atmosphere. These ensure peace and tranquility for all attending the funerary ceremonies.
Burial, accompanied with traditional rituals and prayers, is a dignified form of disposal. The dead bodies laid to rest in the earth are eventually converted into their natural elements over time. We can pray, offer flowers at the graves where they are buried and seek blessings. Dakhmas and aramgahs could exist side by side, giving Parsis the freedom of choice and thereby put an end to conflict.
The community needs leaders with vision and wisdom who can make the correct decisions at the appropriate time and accept change. PIROJA HOMI JOKHI
piroja.jokhi@yahoo.com