The "The temples of the fires” (Editorial Viewpoint, Parsiana, August 2004) is very well written but gives one an impression that the Parsis are fire worshippers. Nothing can be further from the truth. Zoroaster had preached, "Keep the fire in your heart eternally burning but regard the earthly fire as an emblem of the fire within.” This is also borne out in the eighth stanza of the Atash Nyaish wherein it states, "What doth the fire that glows within thee bring for the fire seated in front of thee?”
It is unfortunate that we have forgotten the fire within, and have started worshipping the earthly fire, with intricate ceremonies, and laying down certain dos and don’ts: to name a few, not smoking a cigarette, and not putting off a burning candle by blowing on it, etc. As long as the flame within your heart is burning bright, nothing can pollute an earthly fire — not even cremation.
Brig N. B. GRANT
Poona