"Zarathushtra does not see God as the master… or as someone to fear, but… as a beloved friend to talk to in times of distress… and seek his support to perfect and imperfect world,” said Noshir Dadrawala, Bombay Parsi Punchayet trustee, while delivering a lecture on "The Zoroastrian concept of good and evil,” at the 170th salgirah of Seth Nusserwanji Hirji Karani Agiary on February 2, 2017. Dadrawala was quoting from Yasna 46.2 of the Ushtavaiti Gatha, according to a note received from Bomi Hansotia, trustee of the Agiary. In his talk, Dadrawala quoted from the Gathas and the Zamyad Yasht to explain the Zoroastrian philosophy of dualism. Quoting from Vohu-khshathra Gatha, Dadrawala said that the "man who (performs) all his actions as an act of worship through Asha (truth) is deemed as the best by Ahura Mazda. Calling the Zamyad Yasht a "litany to the spirit of the earth,” Dadrawala said that its final paragraph is "inspiring and hope giving” as it affirms that ultimately "evil… shall bow to the good and flee” and the world will know perfection.
Above, from left: Noshir Dadrawala, Bomi Hansotia, Ervad Yazdi Aibara,
Mani Vajifdar; jashan in progress
Dadrawala’s talk was preceded by a jashan conducted by Ervad Farhad Aibara and other mobeds of the Agiary and a humbandagi led by Ervad Yazdi Aibara, Agiary panthaky. Roshan Dastur rendered a monajat, with printed copies distributed to the audience. A vote of thanks for the keynote speaker from Cusrow Baug resident Mani Vajifdar followed, along with thanks from Yazdi to trustees Hansotia and Homi Ranina for their support.
In the morning, a Havan gah maachi was offered on behalf of the Agiary Trust and a jashan ceremony was performed by Yazdi and other mobeds of the fire temple. Those gathered paid tribute to the memory of the late Dastur (Dr) Peshotan Mirza who was a regular attendee at previous anniversaries and even conducted jashan ceremonies.
Consecrated in 1847 by Nusserwanji Hirjibhai Hodidalal (hodi means boat and dalal is broker/agent) in memory of his late daughters Bhikhaiji and Avabai, the Agiary was located on Nizam Street in Null Bazar, writes Marzban Giara in his book, Global Directory of Zoroastrian Fire Temples. The Agiary building in Cusrow Baug was constructed in 1935.