Your editorial ("The faltering fires,” Parsiana, February 7, 2019) about the diminishing use of agiaries was very well-researched and served as an eye-opener. Along with the diminishing number of parents pushing their sons into becoming navars, it would seem that the community is clearly saying that religion does not lie in rituals. Perhaps the community is slowly veering round to the notion that religion lies in ethics.
There appears to be some support for this notion in our scriptures. Framroz Rustomji explains in Daily Prayers of the Zoroastrians – With Translations and Meanings, Third Edition, 1976, that in one of our most sacred prayers Yatha Ahu Vairyo, vangeush dazda manangho (the gift of the good mind) is for the shyothananam (workers). It also mentions that kshathrem-cha Ahura (the power and glory of God) is for those who give vastarem (protection and support) to the dregubyo (those in need).
JAMSHED A. MODI
modi36@rediffmail.com
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