An English version of the Tamam Khordeh Avesta has been a long felt need of the Parsi community, both in India and overseas. Over the past 150 years there have been several Tamam Khordeh Avestas in Gujarati. However, not a single version had been compiled to date in the Roman script. This need has now been fulfilled by the new Tamam Khordeh Avesta for Shahenshahis in English prepared by the undersigned. Tamam is the Gujarati word for "complete.”
This Tamam Khordeh Avesta is a comprehensive prayer book which contains all daily prayers, all the Yashts, the five Gathas, the Setayash, most of the smaller prayers and a lot of other relevant information. The 512-page book took nearly 10 years to complete. Each prayer has a brief introduction about the contents of the prayers as well as relevant information such as the benefits, reasons to pray, the when, how and where of praying it and also a dedicated place to write the names of the departed and other notes. This is meant to enhance the prayer experience and make it more satisfying and fulfilling. Capital letters are used for proper nouns to enable devotees to visualize the divine beings while praying and instructions within the prayers have been provided in red color font.
The introduction to the book contains a brief description of the philosophy, ethics and rituals of Zoroastrianism, as also a comprehensive overview of the Avestan language. In his learned foreword to the book, Dastur (Dr) Firoze M. Kotwal has expressed that the "community should show their gratitude” to Dr Zarthustra (Zar) Amrolia and his brother Prof Persis for sponsoring the publication of this book in memory of their late parents Jal and Armin Amrolia.
The limited edition has been printed at Prodon Enterprise under the watchful eyes of Jehangir Surti, who has prepared an elegant and high quality book using special, acid free paper, buckram bindings, an eye catching navy blue and gold cover, as well as gilding of the page edges.
More than half the number of published books will be given as gifts to fire temples in India and places of worship all over the world. The remainder will be sold at Rs 700 each, and will be available at the Dadar Athornan Institute and other select places.
Ervad (Dr) RAMIYAR P. KARANJIA
Principal, Dadar Athornan Institute
ramiyark@gmail.com