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l FEZAN A IN S I D E T HJ S I S S U E Federation of Zoroastrian • Summer 2000, Tabestal1 1369 YZ • Associations of North America http://www.fezana.org

PRESIDENT: Framroze K. Patel 3 Editorial - Pallan R. Ichaporia 9 South Circle, Woodbridge, NJ 07095 (732) 634-8585, (732) 636-5957 (F) 4 From the President - Framroze K. Patel president@ fezana. org 5 FEZANA Update 6 On the North American Scene FEZ ANA 10 Coming Events (World Congress 2000) Jr ([]) UJIR

2 FEZANA JOURNAL- SPRING 2000 The darkest age of Zoroastrianism

Pallan R. lchaporia Khushrow Parviz had succeeded in Mohammed had made Medina and Guest Editor extending the frontiers of the Sasa­ , his birth place, centers of an am honored to be invited as nian Empire almost to the extent of Arabian movement that the Guest Editor of this issue of the , but at this developed into a world wide move­ FEZANA Journal. The theme critical juncture he was betrayed by ment by the conquest of Iran. ": from Legendary his son. It is an irony of fate that After Mecca and Medina became Times Through the Sasanian Kobad II (Sheroy) died within a year Muslim, it was necessary to secure Empire" is very wide and checkered in an epidemic and was succeeded by allegiance of all the other desert Arab and can fill volumes. The response his infant son Ardashir III. He was tribal people. In the process of doing for submitting papers was substantial assassinated by , a Gen­ this, wars over water holes, scanty and we regret that we could not eral of the Persian Army. who seized pastures, men-at-arms and camels accommodate all, for which we seek the throne, and in turn was murdered were enlarged into international cam­ your understanding and indulgence. within two . Anarchy set in paigns of expansion. Editor Roshan Rivetna and I have and resulted in a succession of short­ The vulnerability of Sasanid Zoroas­ done our best to put before you the time rulers. Yazdegard, grandson of trian Iran assisted the expansionist history of our ancestors in a clear, Khushrow came to the throne in 633 process. When Yazdegard Ill, the last concise and interesting manner. Of to become the last Sasanian king. Zoroastrian Sasanian sovereign came special interest and educational value The final blow. A perfect scenario was to the throne in 632, the year of may be the timeline of Zoroastrian in place for the tribal savagery of the Mohammed's death, he inherited an history in the context of major world united Arab Bedouins to cast the final empire weakened by Byzantine wars events [page 22]. blow. The prolonged exhausting hos­ and internal dissension. Rise and fall. Although the history tilities reduced the might and power of To present times. After the sad end of ancient Iran is a magnificent era of both Iran and Byzantium, opening the of the Sasanids, for century after cen­ superb art, architecture and learning door for a newly emerging force from tury, the Zoroastrian faith was perse­ and outstanding victories for the the Arabian desert to challenge both cuted in Iran and was practiced only Zoroastrian nation, it is also woefully the states and religions. After several in seclusion and with fear. replete with treachery, intrigue, encounters, the fate of the Empire was Some Zoroastrians emigrated to betrayal and inglorious defeats. A sealed in the Battle of Qadisiyya western where they are now significant observation is the repeti­ (636/631 CE) on the canal. concentrated in Mumbai. These 'Par­ tion of events one can discern in the Rustam, the Sasanian supreme Com­ sis' have preserved their sacred writ­ defeat and downfall of the Achaeme­ mander-in-Chief was killed. Cte­ ings and faithfully following their nians as well as the Sasanians. siphon, the Sasanian capital with all its religious tenets. So also those who Zoroastrian Sasanids did not learn vast treasures was now at the mercy of remained behind in Iran, have pre­ from history and were condemned to the victorious Arabs. served their ancient faith up through the present times. live it again and completely perish Yazdegard fled to and orga­ together with their religion, which nized a new resistance. The last bat­ Presently some and Iranian miraculously has survived among a tle was fought at Nihavand, south of Zoroastrians (after the 1979 revolu­ microscopic community today. in 642, which finally ended tion) have migrated to western coun­ Beginning of the end. Byzantine all hopes of regaining the Empire. tries. Both are bravely facing new social and family values and their Emperor, struck the first The darkest age. This was the blow to weaken Zoroastrian Sasanian children may be at great risk of being beginning of the darkest age of Iran. He defeated the in 622 assimilated ethically and culturally Zoroastrianism. Yazdegard sought CE; again in 627 CE he invaded into the major religions of the west. refuge in one province after another, (), destroyed But they do not have to fear the until, in 651, he was assassinated the Great and entered the worst. The present trend towards bet­ near by a miller for his jewel­ provinces. Before King ter understanding of their religion, clad sword. With the fall of the Khushrow Parviz could muster a resis­ together with the inherent strength of Empire, the fate of its religion was tance, he was treacherously murdered the religion, will aid them in keeping also sealed. by his son Sheroy who ascended the their faith intact. throne as Kobad II in 628. Sheroy It is necessary to grasp the back­ The lessons of history, particularly was born out of Khushrow's marriage ground of the emerging force of the events leading to the downfall of the to a Christian princess, . This Arabs to understand what made them Achaemenian and Sasanian Empires, was the beginning of the end achieve victories over one of the need to be hammered in again and of Zoroastrian Iran. mightiest Empires in history. again, among all Zoroastrians, partic- FEZANA JOURNAL- SPRING 2000 3 ZSO celebrates millennium "" you had to be there! Over 500 Zoroastrians from all over dinner table was served red and toast at midnight, dancing until 2 am, North America (as well as from white wine, very generously spon­ and a rousing rendition of Chaiye places as far away as Venezuela, sored by Trade Wind Associates and Harne Zarthoshti ushered in the new Karachi and Mumbai) got together Millennium Travel. century. on December 31, at the Banquet Cen­ The highlight of the live entertain­ Hats off to the ZSO tre in Mississauga, Ontario, to cele­ ment was a surprise appearance by Committee [above, from left, Maki brate the millennium. our very own "Indian Village Peo­ Trumble, Bapsy Surty, chair Meher A life-size lighted afarganyu created ple" in original costumes ranging Panthaky, Xerxes and Thrity Bamji, by Jal Panthaky greeted the guests. In from Parsi Bawaji (Len Trumble in a Pervaze and Roshan Rabadi, the true Zarathushti spirit, all the raf­ black daglo and red ijar) to Vania Mahrukh Bapooji, Gulrukh Patel fle and door prizes were donated by (Bejan Sidhwa in a dhoti) to Sardarji and Kamal Driver] for a memorable members of the community and were (Firdosh Bulsara in a Bhangra outfit) evening. won by over a dozen lucky winners. who kept us in splits with their ver­ You had to be there! Each guest received a ZSO 2000 sou­ sion of "YMCA". The balloon drop, venir with an afarganyu logo. Each flashing "2000" light, champagne -Submitted by Pervaze Rabadi Dallas area Zarathushtis meet at ZANT Happy Hour Dallas area Zarathushtis attended the ZANT Happy Hour, at the Roshanravan s residence. The evening began with joining hands for a prayer led by mobeds Paras Balsara, Tehmurasp Balsara and Rohin­ ton Bhandari. A potluck meal followed. The popular Happy Hour, held every three months, provides an opportunity to meet, share ideas and exchange views in a friendly and fun environ­ ment. [By Nina Dilucci].

6 FEZANA JOURNAL- SPRING 2000 Associations celebrate Nouruz Zoroastrian Associations across North America celebrated Nouruz, coming of Spring, on March 21, with traditional Persian and Parsi foods, music, dancing and customs such as the Haft Seen table. The ZAPA celebration was for Nou­ ruz, the new millennium as well as a kick-off for WZC 2000. Pittsburgh area youth [photo left], carrying divas, recited a humbandagi, and led the gathering in singing Chaiye Hame Zarthoshti. The ZAPA youth are actively involved in community service. This year they baked batasas, khari biscuits and cookies for fundraising and for food shelters. They also plan to help at kitchens and raise money for "Race for the Cure". A record number attended the Youth Congress in Above, At the ZAPA Nouruz function: Laila and Cyra Contractor, Rita and Montreal and will this year be going Dilshad Balaporia, Neville and Cyrus Dastur, Kaiyad, Neville and Binaifer on the youth tour of Iran and attend­ Kadwa, Darius Siganporia, Freny Dastur and Nina Udvadia. Below, at the ing WZC 2000. Nouruz celebration in Florida: Jerry Kheradi, Chair, FEZANA Funds and A fantastic meal of dhandar, patio, Finance, with his wife Celeste, and ZAF officers Dinoo Antia, Perry Unwalla sali boti was enjoyed by the 80 or so (President), Farida Major and Rita Engineer (President-elect). Zarathushtis of Florida (ZAF) who celebrated with a gathering at the home of Kersi and Freni Raja, in Hialeah [photo left]. ZAGNY and IZA held a combined function, and invited guests to come with "pockets full of loose change" to fill their "Dream Change Jar" - to raise funds for their new building. "Every penny counts," reads their invitation, "your generosity will help make this dream a reality." PZO (California) celebrated at the Zorba Banquet Hall, complete with the traditional Haji Firuz and Amou Nouruz. Nouruz day was an especially auspi­ cious day for the ZANT (Dallas), with Amou Nouruz showing up, dressed in red, green and white. At IS YOUR SUBSCRIPTION DUE? the ZAH (Houston) function the Please check the expiry date on your address label. FEZANA congregation recited the as Journal depends solely on your subscriptions, ads, donations and Yazdi and Shahnaz Sidhwa (sole sponsorships to meet the high cost of printing and mailing. donors) broke ground for Phase II To avoid book-keeping please subscribe for 3 years. construction at their Zarathushti (Use subscription form on last page of each Journal) Heritage and Cultural Center.

FEZANA JOURNAL- SPRING 2000 7 ..Jamsheed Marlker permanent envoy to UN Ambassador Jamsheed Marker has been appointed 's permanent representative at the United Nations, New York. Earlier, from 1990-1995, he served as Pakistan's ambassador and repre­ sentative to the UN. He is honored in the Guiness Book of world records for serving continuously in the capacity of ambassador of Pakistan for 30 years. He served as ambas­ sador from 1965 until 1995, the first civilian Pakistani with unceasing 12 Zarathushtrian Assembly celebrates tenth political appointments. [From Dawn anniversary with seminar, gala and of four newspaper, Karachi].

Dr. Ali Jafarey's California-based Navjote initiation. Cuban American CIMNA celebrates 11th Zarathushtrian Assembly celebrated Ronald Delavega was among the four anniversary its lOth anniversary, March 23-26, initiated at a pushi ceremony Over 500 persons attended the 11th with a seminar, an initiation cere­ on March 23, performed by Dr. Ali anniversary celebrations of the mony and a gala evening, at the Sher­ Jafarey [photo above]. He writes: Council of Iranian Mobeds of North aton Hotel in New Port Beach. "I had the honor and utter joy of hav­ America (CIMNA) at the Southern Seminar. Dariush Irani, President of ing my navjote done in the company California Darbe on May 6. the Board of Directors and Dr. of four others. There we were, one Five mobeds - Bahman Mobed, Kourosh Amir-J ahed, chair of the Iranian living in Jordan, another Ira­ Shahryar Banki, Mehraban celebration committee, inaugurated nian living in the USA, a Jewish Zartoshty, Keikhosrow Khorshidian the seminar, on the theme "Zoroastri­ American from Virginia, an English­ and Shahzadi, along with six anism, a doctrine for humanity." man and a Cuban American, all pre-mobes performed the jashan. Altogether, 27 papers were read, on joined together by the bonds of faith In the annual report, Dr. J amshid the universal message of Zarathush­ and appreciation for the Vision Jamshidian noted that CIMNA had tra, its influence on other religions, of Mazda. continued with its annual youth its contributions to world civiliza­ "Finally, after almost 11 years, I camps, navjote ceremonies, the tion, and its promising future. could publicly confess my apprecia­ CIMNA Journal and other publica­ Among the speakers were: Prof. tion and faith for the Ahuric and tions, distributing Gatha books and Farhang Mehr, Dr. Parviz Koupai, Zarathushtrian Good Vision. I was tapes, and holding educational classes Manijeh Sohrabi, Ardalan not alone, the Englishman had been and seminars. The program contin­ Keikavousi, Yezdi Rustomji, Zartosht waiting for 14 years. It was indeed a ued with speeches, youth prayer, light Azadi, Dr. Sepehr Ganjei, Timothy R. great event, a life changing occasion" dinner, music and entertainment. Smith, Dr. Ali A. Jafarey, Prof. Faruq Gala. Festivities included a gala din­ Mobed Dr. Shahryar Banki was Hamid, Khosro E. Mehrfar, Farshid ner and dance on March 25th with awarded the annual CIMNA Award Bakhtiari, Arthur B. Pearlstein, Prof. speeches, Persian folk dancing, for his outstanding contributions and Kaikhosrov D. Irani, Shahriar Shahri­ singing by Iranian singer Helen, and lifetime of service to the Zarathushti ari, Dina Mcintyre, Keki R. Bhote, dancing to the music of Pirouz. community. - By Mehran Sepehri Ill Bard, Prof. Touraj Daryae, A collection of the papers presented Prof. Stephen Erickson, Arman Ari­ FEZANA JJ(Q)1IJJR<.NAIL ane, Shahrokh Vafadari, Dr. Mehran at the seminar will be published by II INVITES YOU TO Sepehri, Behram Deboo, Dr. Pouran the Zarathushtrian Assembly. Eslami, Dr. Ardeshir Anoshiravani [From a posting on zoroastrians "ADOPT-A-READER" and Massoud Akhavi. @ listbot.com] Please consider sending gift sub­ scriptions to an anjuman or to your HAPPINESS is not the absence of family or friends or individual of your choice, or donate to the problems but the ability to deal with them. "Journal Gift Subscription Fund".

8 FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 North American obeds Council eetinu Mobeds deliberate on weightY. issues such as definition of the terms 'Parsi' and 'Zarathushh' and conversion. North American Mobeds term or does it have religious conno­ 8 Conversion: NAMC as a body is Council (NAMC) held its tations as well? Should we call our­ not in favor of conversion. annual general meeting at the selves Parsi Zarathushtis to better Its stance on Mr. Ali ]ajarey: Rustom Guiv Darbe Mehr, Hinsdale, identify ourselves? The Council re-affirmed its resolu­ Illinois, on the 21st and 22nd April, The mobeds agreed unanimously on tion passed in 1992. 2000. Sixteen mobeds [see photo] the following statement on the issue Elections. This was also an election mainly from the northeast attended of Parsi and Zarathushti: the meeting. NAMC has been in exis­ year for the Mobeds Council. All tence in an informal capacity since Parsi is a race. positions were filled by unanimous 1983 and was organized into an offi­ 8 Zarathushti Din (or Zoroastrian­ consent of those present. Ervad ]al cial non-profit organization in 1993 ism) is a religion. Birdy was reaffirmed as president for under Canadian law. Thanks to the 8 The term Parsi applies to the the final two years of his 6-year term, publicity given to mobeds in descendants of the original migrants Ervad Behram Panthaki continues FEZANAJournal, many mobeds have who left Iran to settle in India to pre­ as vice president, Ervad Boman Kot­ joined the Council recently, boosting serve the Zarathushti Din. wal was elected as the new secretary, its ranks to about 70 this year. Ervad Gev Karkaria continues as A Parsi is a person born of both treasurer and Ervad Mehbad Dastur, Besides serving the spiritual needs of Parsi parents, who possesses an the community by performing reli­ one of the younger mobeds, was inherent and inalienable right to elected member-at-large. gious ceremonies, the members also practice the Zarathushti Din. strive to expand and improve their After two days of stimulating and A Zarathushti (or Zoroastrian) is own as well as their rewarding discussion and exchange a person who believes and follows of our history, , of ideas, the meeting ended with a the teachings of Zarathushtra. doctrine and rituals. grand jashan and a vote of thanks by 8 It is recognized that the Zara­ The mobeds deliberations ranged President Ervad Jal Birdy to all the thushti Din is a universal religion. around several topics this year. Out mobeds, to the Chicago community of the two days, well over half a day It is further recognized that a for their hospitality and to the local was devoted to an intense debate on Zarathushti is not necessarily a Parsi. mobeds who organized the meeting. who is a Parsi and who is a Other significant resolutions passed Ervad Jal N. Birdy Zarathushti? Is Parsi just an ethnic unanimously by the mobeds relate to: President, NAMC II FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 9 Signing of URI Charter The United Religions Initiative Char­ Maidhyarern Gaharnbar ter signing ceremony will take place Mah Daye, Roz Meher-Behram Wed May 3 - May 7 (K) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on June Fri Jun 2 - Jun 6 (S) 26, 2000. Pittsburgh, a town of many Hornaji Baj bridges, was chosen to symbolize the Mah Daye, Roz Govad Thu Jun 8 (S) "bridge-building" efforts of the URI. Pir e Sabz Festival Contact Rohinton Rivetna at (630) Mah , Roz Ashtad- Wed Jun 14- Jun 18 (F) 325-5383. Pir e Banu Festival Mazdayesnie Monasteriie Mah Tir, Roz Meher-Behram Tue Jul 4 - Jul 8 (F) Retreat Maidyoshern Gaharnbar Following the success of its previous Mah Tir, Roz Khorshed-Daepmeher Thu Jun 29 - Jul 3 (F) annual religious retreats led by Ervad J ashne K. N. Dastoor ofMumbai, the Califor­ Mah Tir, Roz Tir Sat Jul 1 (F) nia-based Mazdayesnie Monasterie is Fravardegan!Muktad!Harnaspathrnedayern Gaharnbar planning its Tenth religious retreat in Five Gatha Days Mon Jul17- Jul21 (K) Canada in July. Contact Silloo Mehta Wed Aug 16 -Aug 20 (S) at (714) 995-8765. Pateti-Navroz UN Millennium Mah Fravardin, Roz Hormazd Sat Jul 22 (K) MonAug 21 (S) World Summit (Birthday of Zarathushtra) The UN Millennium World Peace Mah Fravardin, Roz Khordad Thu Jul 27 (K) Summit of Religious and Spiritual Sat Aug 26 (S) Leaders will convene at the United Fravardian Jashan Nations in New York August 28- 31, 2000. Contact Rohinton Rivetna at Mah Fravardin, Roz Fravardin WedAug9 (K) Fri Sep 8 (S) (630) 325-5383. [Also see page 10]. Maidyozarern Gaharnbar Iran Tour in October Mah Ardibehesht, Roz Khorshed - Daepmeher [See advertisement on page 66]. Thu Aug 31- Mon Sep 4(K) Shahpour Mehrabani of Vancouver is Sat Sep 30 - Wed Oct 4 (S) conducting a deluxe 17-day tour of Paitishahern Gaharnbar historical sights of Iran in October. Mah Sheherevar, Roz Ashtad- Aneran Contact Ashkan at 604-257-2065. Tue Sep 12 - Sat Sep 16 (F) Iran Tour in November J ashne-Mehergan Mah Meher, Roz Meher Mon Oct 2 (F) Mazdayesnie Monasterie is planning Ayathrern Gaharnbar another tour of Iran in November. Mah Meher, Roz Ashtad - Aneran Those who have attended their previ­ Thu Oct 12 - Mon Oct 16(F) ous tours have enjoyed the historical and religious experience and deluxe Jashne-Avangan (Avan Ardvisur Parab) accommodations and travel arrange­ Mah A van, Roz A van Thu Oct 26 (F) ments. Contact Silloo Mehta at (714) Maidyoshern Gaharnbar 995-8765. Mah Tir, Roz Khorshed - Daepmeher Mon Oct 30- Fri Nov 3 (K) WZC2000 Special Projects Wed Nov 29 - Sun Dec 3 (S) For contacts and information on J ashne-Adargan WZC2000 Special Projects (Film & Mah Adar, Roz Adar Fri Nov 24 (F) Video Festival, Photo Exhibit, World Orchestra, Field Student Death Anniversary of Zarathushtra Program, Time Capsule, Chamber Mah Daye, Roz Khorshed Tue Dec 26 (F) of Commerce, Exhibits, etc., see (F)=Fasli, (K)=Kadmi, (S)=Shenshai FEZANA Journal, Spring 2000.

10 FEZANA JOURNAL- SPRING 2000 Seventh arathushti Games Young and old are invited to partic­ ipate and meet fellow Zarathushtis in a friendly demonstration of ath­ letic skills at the Seventh Zarathushti Games on December 26 and 27, to be held at sports facil­ Houston. Texas. December 28.. 2000 to .January 1. 2001 ities in Houston. Athletes will be Visit the WZC2000 web site at http://www.fezana.org bussed from the JW Marriott hotel. WZC2000 Secretariat: Arnavaz Sethna, [email protected], • Track • swimming • (281) 499-1832, Fax: (281)499-2697 • table tennis • Registration for Congress (includes two lunches and one dinner): • volleyball • basketball • Registration $151 ($201 after June 1) Registration: Individual $25 ($35 Full time student $101 ($125 after June 1) after June 1); family $75 ($90 after After December 20, 2000, if space permits $251 June 1). Register at www.fezana.org Registration for Zarathushti Games-Individual $25 ($35 after June 1) or contact Rustom Khosravian at -Entire family $75 ($90 after June 1) rkhosravian @simsci.com Register online at http://www.fezana.org Fundraising. Funds are needed to Registration brochures and other Congress information is also available defray the high cost of rentals, from the Congress Secretariat [see above] or by calling the WZC2000 transportation and administration. Registration office at (713) 961-1500, or by contacting: The Committee appeals to all North America - Your local Zarathushti Association Zarathushtis to support the Games Iran - Dr. Mahyar Ardeshiri, , tel: 98 21 635 905 with donations and by organizing India - Homai N. Modi, Mumbai, tel: 91 22 287 6593 fund-raising drives in your cities. Pakistan - Toxy Cowasjee, Karachi, tel: 92 21 586 7088 Your support will be recognized in a - Dorab Mistry, London, tel: 0207 328 6018 - Katayun Kapadia, , tel: 33 1 34 51 04 60 commemorative brochure. Australasia - Sam Kerr, NSW, tel: 61 2 9398 4335

Hotel. For reservations at JW Marriott hotel (the venue of the Congress) WZC2000 depends call 1-800-228-9290 or (713) 961-1500. on your support Visas. Visa arrangements are being negotiated through contacts with The White House and the US State department. Embassies in Mumbai (for Ashaonam Program: We hope that Indians), (for Iranians) and Islamabad (for Paldstanis) have been you will participate in the informed of the Congress and need for visas. Delegates should work with Ashaonam Program and donate their local country representative (see list above) to secure their visas. generously in categories from: Ker­ fegar ($20,000) to Vazishto ($500). Advertising: The program book ••fACING THE MillENNIUM•• will be an excellent vehicle to mar­ At the turn of the millennium, upcoming issues of FEZANA Jour­ ket services and products to the nal will focus on honoring the past and looking to the future community. Advertising rates range from: back cover ($10,000), full Fall 2000: Evolution of the page ($500) to business card ($75). Guest Editor Prof. Farhang Mehr $200 per family. Each family is Winter 2000: Honoring the Past, Contemplating the Present and invited to be a part of this ambitious Building for the Future project, with a contribution of $200. The Evolving Zarathushti Identity through the Millennia Mail checks payable to "ZAH­ Guest Editors: the 3 FEZANA past and present Presidents WZC2000" to Yasmin Ghadialy, Rohinton Rivetna, Dolly Dastoor and Framroze Patel 2686 Belcher Street, Baldwin, New Spring 2001: The Religion of Zarathushtra York 11510-3937. Tel (516) 378- Guest Editor Dina Mcintyre 4516, email: ghad@ aol.com.

FEZANA JOURNAL- SPRING 2000 11 Special Projects WZC 2000 Program at a Glance ...... and Workshops Program Committee is led by "Track Chairs": & EXHIDITIONS Social Cultural Kaemerz P. Dotiwalla Religion & Education Pallan R. Ichaporia DECEMBER 28 - DECEMBER 30 Zarathushtra's Vision Mehrborzin Soroushian Our Identity - Kaemerz Dotiwalla Youth/Future: Anoshiravani, Mazda Antia, Sasanian -Sam Kerr Eric Engineer, Shanaya Godiwalla, Photo Exhibition -Feridoon Demehri Armaiti Homavazir and Aaron Rustom. Books & Manuscripts - Malcolm Deboo Film Exhibition (Dec 29 and 31) Thu Dec 28 Zarrathushti Meets Zarathushti - Feridoon Demehri 9:00-noon Opening Ceremonies THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28 12:30-4:30 The Convivium- a Gathering of Zarathushtis. A Zarathushti Gathering: 8:00pm Banquet- Our Zarathushti Heritage Book Launchings- Phiroza Godrej & World Zarathushti Orchestra Firoza Mistree, P. Ichaporia, K. D. Fri Dec 29 Zarathushti First & Second Millennium Irani, M. Master Moos, Farhang Mehr, Khojeste Mistree and Farrokh Mistree. 9:00-11:00 Plenmy Panel- "May We Not Lose the Mission". Chair: K. D. Irani. Unity Quilt - Khurshid Bamboat Sp: (speakers) Sam Kerr, Jimmy Sidhwa, Mehravar Marzbani, Pallan Zarathushti Field Students Ichaporia, Keki Bhote, Lovji Cama - Aban & Purvez Rustomji 12:30-2:00 Business Luncheon - launch of Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce Global Scholastic Awards Luncheon - Daughters of Mashyani, "On the Wings of Time" - Er. Jehan Bagli.[Note new address: 1569 Wembury Road, Missis­ 2:00-5:30 Parallel Track Sessions. sauga, Ont L5J 2L8, Canada. Tel: Religious & Educational Track: (905) 855-1132, [email protected]] Gathic Period. Chair: Homai Modi. Sp: Kaikhosrov Time Capsule Introduction Irani, Pallan Ichaporia. - Firdosh Mehta Immediate Post-Gathic Period. Chair: Rusi Dalal. Sp: Dinshaw In the Footsteps of our Forefathers Tamboly, Rohinton Rivetna, Shahrokh Vafadari, Ramiyar Kara~ia - Tanaz Dubash Social & Historical Track: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29 Genocide of Zarathushtis. Chair: Farrokh Firozgary. Sp: Dariush Business Meeting Jahanian, Ardeshir Anoshiravani Economic Pulse of the Community Shahpour University Tracing the History of Rituals. Chair: Mahyar Ardeshiri, Sp: Dastoor Firoze Kotwal, Jamsheed Choksy, Er. Yezdi Antia, Er. Banki. Relevance of Zarathushtra's message in the 21st. century Zarathushtra s Vision Track: -Chair: Phiroza Godrej. Sp. Zarathushtra's Vision in Persian and . Chair: Homi Homji, Sam Vesuna, Shahrokh Vafadari. Sp: Touran Bahrami, Saadat. Burzin Unwala and Roni Khan. Social Pressures and a Zarathushti Approach to Coping. Chair: UNESCO Project - Shernaz Cama Nazi Kaboli. Sp: Ardeshir Anoshiravani, Parastu Dubash. Perspectives of Zarathushti culture in Youth Track: the New Millennium - Homi Dhalla The Zarathushti Story. Sp: Farmeen Sorab, Nenshad Bardoliwala, Two Models, Two Paths, One Com­ Dumasia. munity - a Round Table Discussion Small Group Workshop. Chair: Bahram Varjavand. - Farrokh Mistree 8:00pm Banquet- Go Texan Ball Zarathushti Women at the Crossroads­ Chair: Shehernaz Joshi Verahrami. Sat Dec 30 Anchoring Religion in a Zarathushti's Life Sp:Katayun Kapadia, Zerbanoo Gif­ 9:00-11:00 Plenary Panel. Chair: Pallan Ichaporia. Sp: Dorab Mistry, ford, Zareen Karani Araoz, Mehru Er. Parvez Bajan, Jamsheed Choksy. Bengali, Farzaneeh Ardeshiri, Dinaz 12:30-2:00 WZC 2000 Awards Luncheon Mistry, [Continued next page] Youth Luncheon SPONSOR-A-STUDENT 2:00-5:30 Parallel Track Sessions. Benevolent and generous Zara­ Religious & Educational Track: thushtis and FEZANA Associations Gathic Vision and the Later Tradition. Chair: Filly Maravala. Sp: are urged to sponsor a student for Jimmy Sidhwa, Er. Godrej Sidhwa, Sarosh Manekshaw. the once-in-a-lifetime Zarathushti Integration of Core Gathic Beliefs. Chair: Gordafrid Aresh. Sp: Framroze Patel, Kobad Zarolia, Rustom Kevala, Er. Rohinton Peer. Field Student Program. We have received applications from 124 very Social & Historical Track: promising young men and women of Using Modern Technology to Preserve an Ancient Faith. Chair: Behram Irani. Sp: Afshad Mistry, Beheruz Sethna, Kaiz Dadiburjor, which 30 will be selected. Send your Tehmasp Mistry, Cyrus Mistree, Shahveer Dhatigara. check marked 'ZFS' to WZC 2000.

12 FEZANA JOURNAL- SPRING 2000 WZC 2000 Program at a Glance (contd .. ) ...... Special Programs (Contd.) Have Zarathushti Men Failed their Women? Soonamai Desai, Nilufer Clubwala & Chairs: Sheroo Master, Vera Sidhwa. Sp. Nerina Rustomji, Cyrus Rubina Patel, Firuza Parikh. Merchant, Youth from England, Pakistan, Iran. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30 Zarathushtra 's Vision Track: Mobed Council Meeting Zarathushtra's Vision - Dealing with Issues of Our Time. Chair: Sports Meeting Dina Mcintyre. Sp: Adi Davar, Tenaz Dubash, Thriti Pourbahrami, Nurturing the Spirit of the Child Shahriar Shahriari, Shervin Shahriari. - Vahishta Kaikobad Young Adults Program Individual's View of the Uniqueness of Zarathushtra's Vision & Its - Er. Dadachanji Impact. Chair: Dhunmai Dalal. Sp: Zerbanoo Irani, Khosro Mehrfar, Hyde Park Corner Mehran Sepehri, Er. Godrej Sidhwa, Bahman Norouziaan, Er. Darayus Bajan. - Chair: Ardeshir Anoshira vani. Moderator: Sarosh Youth Track: Manekshaw Zarathushtra's Impact. Sp: Ali Maki, Pervez Mistry. Zararthushti Religious Architecture in Small Group Workshop. Chair: Lyla Mehta, Shahriar Shahriari. India - Sarosh and Azmi Wadia Community Breakout Session. Sp: Farishta Dinshaw, Sohrab Wadia. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31 Demography of Parsis in India 8:00 pm Rustom and Sohrab - a Recital by Renu Sethna - Bahram Dastur Disco Night Parsis of Delhi - Gen. Adi Sethna Sun Dec 31 Preparing for the Third Millennium Parsis of Mumbai - Behram Dastur Bahrot Caves - Homi Dhalla 9:00- 11:00 Plenary Panel: Bridging the Past to Build the Future. in Zoroastrianism Chair: Kaemerz Dotiwala. Sp: Khojeste Mistree and others. - Noshir Medhora Religion.com - Mehran Sepheri, 12:30 - 2:00 Luncheon Mehrdad Khosraviani & Vida 11:00- 5:30 Joint Religious/Social Track: Vokhshoori One Zarathushtra, Many Zarathushtis. Chair: Farrokh Mistree. Harmonizing Perspective in our Sp: Behram Mihr , Adi Davar, Pervin Mistry. Diverse Worldwide Community Prelude to an Open Forum: One Zarathushtra Many Zarathushtis. - Zareen Karani Araoz Chair: Dorab Mistry. Sp: Farhang Mehr, Jehan Bagli, Burzine Waghmar, T'ism in Z'ism- Meher Amalsad Khojeste Mistree. Vanishing Zoroastrians - Bapsy Dastur Asha: a Vision and a Centre for the Open Public Forum: One Zarathushtra Many Zarathushtis. Next Millennium -Zerbanoo Gifford Moderator: Kaemerz Dotiwala. The Zarathushti Family Zarathushtra 's Vision Track: - Aspi Maneckji Leading Productive & Effective Lives as We Enter the Third Zararthushtis in the 21st century Millennium. Chair: Astad Clubwalla. Sp: Farhang Mehr. - Pervez Kolsawala Zarathushtra's Vision as it Relates to Other Religions. Sanjan Capsule - BPP Project II Chair: Meher H. Moos. Sp. Dariush Jahanian. Journalists' View of Issues Facing the Zarathushti Community. Chair: Kasra Vafadari. Sp: Roshan Rivetna, Dr. M. Shahrvini, Arnavaz Mama, Zarathushti Chamber of Mehraban Zartoshty, Shapur Captain, Bahram Mondegari, Noshir Dadrawala. Commerce Luncheon Youth Track: All Zarathushtis -business persons, Building the Zarathushti Community. Sp: Mehernoosh Mehrbani. professionals, entrepreneurs and Zarathushti Sexuality. Sp: Shahriar Shahriari. most importantly, the youth and 'would-be' entrepreneurs - are Needs-Based Networking. Sp: Farhad Cooper, Nikan Khatibi. invited to the launching of the Professional Networking. Sp: Jim Engineer. Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce, 8:00pm Banquet - Millennium Ball at the WZC2000 Business Lun­ Mon .Jan 1 Passing the Torch cheon on December 29th. Come 9:15 - 10:45 Plenary: Zarathushtra's Vision: The Individual Making the and be inspired by keynote speakers Difference. Chairs: Mehrborzin Soroushian, Niaz Kasravi. Sp. who are world-leaders in the Karman Jamshidi, Dinaz Mistry, Er. Jehan Bagli, Farhang Mehr. Zarathushti business world. The Chamber is being established to 11:00- noon Closing Jashan. Chair: Er. Shapur Pavri facilitate networking, increase trade 12:30-2:30 Closing Ceremonies. and commerce and economic well­ being of our worldwide community. (NOTE: THIS IS A PRELIMINARY PROGRAM, AS OF APRIL 2000, AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE,) [more on the Chamber on page 66].

FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 13 Call from Clinton Through contacts established with the White House Religious Coordinator, FEZANA is now recognized by the White House as an integral part of the religious face of America. A letter was received by FEZANA, from The White House, signed by President Bill Clinton, addressed to "Faith Community Leader". The letter urges religious leaders to speak out against hate crimes, " ... join me in speaking out forcefully to build a society where hate is eradi­ cated and where people of faith are leaders in making our dream of One America a reality." He cites an FBI Report: "Of 10,000 victims of such crimes in 1998, 5,514 were based on race, 1,710 on religion and 1,488 on sexual orientation." Religious leaders to convene at UN Millennium Summit. The world's pre-eminent religious and spiritual leaders will convene at the UN Millennium World Peace Summit, at the UN Headquarters in New York, August 28-31, 2000. UN Secretary General Kofi A. Annan will address the assembly in a ses­ Above, Dr. Homi Dhalla being introduced to John Paul, at the Vatican. sion preceding the General Assem­ bly's Millennium Summit of Heads Vatican invites Dr. Dhalla Peter's Square where about 20,000 of State. to last interfaith meet of persons had gathered. Pope John This is the first time religious tradi­ this millennium Paul and His Holiness the Dalai tions will work closely with the UN Dr. Homi Dhalla, president of the Lama addressed the gathering. After in their efforts to "improve the World Zoroastrian Cultural Founda­ this, a few persons were introduced human condition and seek peace and tion in Mumbai, was among 200 to the Pope and Dr. Dhalla was one security for all the world's peoples." scholars and religious leaders invited of them. Zarathushti participation in this his­ by the Vatican to the "last interfaith Commonwealth Day toric event is being coordinated by conference of the millennium" at the in Canada Rohinton Rivetna and Dorab Mistry Vatican, October 24-29. Dr. Dolly Dastoor was featured as the of UK. Eminent Dastoor Firoze M. Kotwal of Mumbai has accepted the Following two days of deliberations theme presenter at the Interfaith Wor­ invitation to attend the ceremonies. on "how religions can collaborate to ship Service for Commonwealth (Dastoorji Kotwal will also spend face the challenges of the next mil­ Day, in Montreal on March 12. Also in attendance were the British Consul some time in Chicago, hosted by lennium" delegates prepared a report Zubin and Zenobia Tantra.) (which Dr. Dhalla had the privilege of General Marcus Hope and Deputy presenting to the Assembly) for distri­ Mayor Achille Polcaro of Montreal. An invitation was also sent to Das­ toor-i-Dastooran Rustom Shahzadi bution to heads of state worldwide. Dr. Dastoor spoke on the theme of of Iran, who is unfortunately no On closing day, Dr. Dhalla performed "The Communications Challenge". longer with us. Arrangements are the before a blazing fire and The Zoroastrian Society of British underway to invite Dastoor Jehangir recitedAvestan prayers- all televised Columbia also participated in the Oshidari or another eminent dastoor by National Italian Television. The event in Vancouver, as they have from Iran. Contact Rohinton Rivetna closing function was held in St. done for many years. (630) 325-5383. II 14 FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 Scholars gather at Mumbai 's K. R. Cama Institute for Third International Congress

tation on the 1987 discovery of the ruins of , the "City of Yima or J amsheed" in the Ural Mountains, dating to 5000-2000 BCE. Among the learned priests were High Priests Dasturji Dr. Hor­ mazdyar K. Mirza ("Stota ") and Dasturji Dr. Kaikhusroo JamaspAsa ("Fire in Zoroastrianism"); Ervads Rooyintan Peer ("Rainmaker "); Ramiyar Karanjia ("Bajdharna Ritual") principal of Gathering of scholars at K. R .. Cama Institute the Athornan Madressa; and Parvez Bajan ("Firdowsi's Shah Nameh"). scintillating array of scholars ("Parsi Islamology") doctoral candi­ and students, professors and date at SOAS; Dr. Almut Hintze Dr. Homi Dhalla presented the · converged at the K. ("Indo-Iranian poetry and the Aves­ "Zoroastrian View of Ecology". Dr. R. Cama Oriental Institute in Mum­ tan Yasna") lecturer at SOAS (Dr. Katy Dalal, noted for her book on bai, January 6-9, for the Third Inter­ Hintze's research led, in 1989, to the Parsi cuisine, and a Ph.D. in archae­ national Congress, on the theme: rediscovery of the "lost" manuscript ology, spoke on "the Sacred Bull - "Indo-Persian Cultures -their Char­ F1 dated 1571, and other Varasiaji". Dr. Soonu Dhunjishaw acter and Impact on Civilization." manuscripts in collections in Mum­ spoke on "Persians in " and Aspi Moddie on "The Sassanian The Institute is, of course, interna­ bai and Navsari); and Dr. Eric Phalippou ("Mrs. Menant's travel to S~ate Church". Dr. Kalpana Desai, tionally recognized as a premier drrector ofMumbai's Prince of Wales research institute for Oriental studies India a Century Ago") Ph.D. in Reli­ gious from Sorbonne Uni­ Museum talked of "The Parsi Settle­ and religion. It's library, much uti­ ment in India". Other scholars - lized, loved and recommended by versity. An ethnographer practicing Prof. M. A. Mehen­ eminent scholars worldwide, is a visual anthropology, dale, Prof. S. S. Upad­ treasure house of ancient Avestan Phalippou has shot hyaya, Dr. G. D. Pahlavi and Persian , with documentaries on Shukla, Dr. Kulsoom about 25,000 books, 2000 unique and Zarathushti rituals in India and Iran. Mazumder, Iranian rare manuscripts and 500 bound vol­ diplomat H.E. Abdul umes of scholarly journals. Papers were read in Barujerdi, Dr. Dilip The gathering drew eminent speakers absentia from Prof. Rajgor, Dr. N. S. from abroad: Prof. K. D. Irani Richard Frye Gorekar and Prof. ("Enlightenment in Indo-Iranian ("Achaemenids and Saber Havewalla, Thought), Keki Bhote (" and Kushans)", Farrokh spoke on the religious Upanishads") and Prof. Gernot Vajifdar ("Sasanian affinity between Persia Windfuhr ("Date of Zarathushtra") Orthodoxy"), Dr. and India. from U.S.A; Dr. Carlo Cereti Michael Stausberg ("Byzantine Neo­ Kudos to Mrs. Homai ("") research fellow at Modi [photo, left] the University of Vienna; Takeshi Zoroastrians"); Philippe Gignoux ("Dinkerd"); Prof. Dr. Helmut Trustee and Ron. Secretary of the K. Aoki ("Zoroastrian and Islamic Mys­ R. Cama Oriental Institute for ticism") doctoral candidate at Tokyo Humbach ("Hinduized ") and orchestrating the event. II University; Dr. Burzine Waghmar the Russian Viacheslav Fedorenko who submitted an intriguing presen~ - By Roshan Rivetna FEZANA JOURNAL- SPRING 2000 15 Iranian voters appeared on 19 to have handed reformers a com­ manding lead in parliamentary elec­ tions, rejecting the hard-liners' 21-year grip on government. 32 mil­ votes were cast for the 290 seats in Majlis, (Parliament). Reform can­ didates had an overwhelming lead with 67%, 25% were conservatives and the rest independents. [CNN]. Zarathushti representa­ tive in Iranian Majlis . Dr. . Dabestani was elected Febru­ ary 19, by a Getting to know the Russian TZAR wide margin to 1 the single seat Happy New Year from the yavna and Nikalaevna, published by ' for Zarathushtis Zoroastrian Association of Russia! Olimp, . It covers the his­ in the 290 The Zoroastrian tory and religion of member Iranian Association of the , Cre­ I Majlis (Parlia- Russia (TZAR), ation in the Avesta, ment). Almost 10,000 Zarathushtis based in Moscow, Peshdadian kings, voted for the seat, contested by 12 was formed in Zurvan, Resurrec­ Zarathushtis. Former congressman 1999, to strengthen tion, morality, the Mr. Ziafat came second, and Mr. the Zarathushtis in calendar, gaham­ Goharizadeh, President of the Tehran Russia, the Soviet bars, astrology, the Anjuman, came in third. block and the prophecies of the The seat is vacated by Parviz Ravani, world in general. and the who served for two 4-year terms, We have 11 mem­ end of the world. during difficult times and managed bers: all profes­ The authors to assure widespread protection and sionals or students, explain that the recognition for Zarathushtis. He was originally from Aryans were super also instrumental in securing a large India, USA, Iran intelligent, living tract of land for a new Zarathushti or Pakistan [see in the Arctic region agiary in Yosefabad, near Tehran. photo above]. which is now Dr. Dabestani was born in 1940 in We have fortnightly frozen. Zarathush­ Sharifabad. His father, Ardeshir, meetings. I con­ tra, an , was founded the Sharifabad Elementary duct Jashans and born in Ariyana school, introducing education there religious classes. Vaeja, north of for the first time. Khosrow attended We have a small Russia. Present­ dental school in Tehran, and obtained library of books. On March 21, we set day Russians are the descendants of his doctorate. He was head of the up a traditional Haft Seen table. the same Aryans and the mythologi­ Sharifabad Zarathushti Anjuman in cal and religious knowledge of the We are in contact with other Tehran; was elected member of the Russians comes from Zarathushtra. Zarathushti centers in St. Petersburg, Tehran Anjuman several times, and and . We would to receive your Jour­ served as secretary for the World nal, and keep in touch. Congress in Tehran in 1996. We are pleased to inform you that a new book on Prophet Zarathushtra, Mr. Burzin Atashband Khosrow is brother of Alayar in the , is now Universal Procurement Systems, Ltd. Dabestani of Washington State, also available [see above]: Velikie Pro­ 24 Priorova Street, Block 2 noted for his philanthropy and ser­ roki Zarathushtra (the Great Prophe­ Russia 125130, Moscow vice for the community. 111111 sies of Zarathushtra) by Arteimi- Tel: 156 6318, [email protected] - By Mehran Sepehri

16 FEZANA JOURNAL- SPRING 2000 Sethna appointed to Minorities Commission Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Adi Sethna has been appointed Member of the National Commission for Minorities by the Government of India. Active in var­ ious fields of social welfare and com­ munity service, he is President of the Delhi Parsi Anjuman, Vice-President - North Zone, of the Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India, and is active part in interfaith circles. Celebrations in Iran TEHRAN, MARCH 8 (AFP) - Iranians are being allowed to celebrate an age­ old fire festival, condemned by the clergy as irreligious, for the first time Nouruz in a small Zarathushti village with new-found Zarathushti friends since the Islamic revolution of 1979. The national bonfire night was on March 14, being the Tuesday before Nouruz in the Iranian new year. Dating from the Zoroastrian era, it is a festival of sym­ By Jehaangir Bulsara dence to support this. All the bolic purification ... [From the gov­ Ottawa, Ontario Zarathushtis we questioned, indi­ ernment daily, Ettelaat] cated that there were approximately y wife Rukshan and I just 30,000 in Iran. There are 500 in Shi­ TEHRAN, MARCH 26. A ceremony returned from a wonder­ raz, 3000 in Kerman and 7500 in was held here to celebrate the birth ful trip to Iran. The fact and surrounding villages. anniversary of , the ancient that we have no luggage to show for Where are the rest? Tehran was the persian Prophet. Over 2,000 Zoroas­ it is unimportant (it was lost by Iran big unknown - people threw num­ trian Iranians attended the festivity Air- twice). We, at least, left some bers at me that ranged from 8000 to [!RNA, March 26, 2000] of our cultural baggage behind, and 20,000. Even if we accept that there picked-up many friends, insights and are 30,000 Zarathushtis in the birth­ Yazd fire temple is experiences. place of the religion, out of a popula­ declared national When asked if it was our first time in tion of 66 million Muslims we are monument Iran, I would state that I'd been away talking of only one twentieth of 1%. The Zoroastrian fire temple in Yazd for about 1400 years, and was now It seems our religion is hanging by a has been registered in the list of returning on a pilgrimage to my thread in the land of its birth. national monuments, said Moham­ ancestral homeland. We are filled In addition, thousands of years of mad Khademzadeh, director of the with many thoughts and emotions - wind, rain and sun can be a bit hard on National Heritage department of , happiness, pride, sadness and historic and archaeological sites. Yazd province. The fire in the tem­ more. It is difficult to sum up the There are also the vandals and fanat­ ple, built in 1934, dates back to some feelings. Perhaps they can be best ics looking to destroy any trace of the 1530 years ago and was taken to described by this educated Iranian old culture and religion. According to Yazd from the Nahid- fire temple Muslim woman who visited one of our guide, during the revolution, and kept alive ever since. the villages as we did. She sat down 'Arabs' broke many of the carvings at by the side of the road and cried - The fire temple has been registered Persepolis thinking they represented with tears of sadness and shock at the as a national monument in view of its idol worship. So, my friends, I urge realization that the Zarathushtis of historical importance and its valuable you to go to Iran, if you have any old, the link to her past from which architectural style. So far, 146 out of interest in its history, before it is so many modern day Iranians draw the 2000 historical sites in the completely re-written. their pride and identity are vanishing. province have been registered and Nouruz in Yazd. Noruz was not what brought under the patronage of the Vanishing identity. Most Iranians I expected in Iran. We headed off to department and any harm to such falsely believe, as this lady did, that Yazd on the eve of Nouruz. Zarathushtis number in the hundreds monuments will result in legal penal­ After splurging $10 US on the hotel ties. [!RNA, December 2, 1999] of thousands, but there is just no evi- we got spruced up N ouruz morning FEZANA JOURNAL- SPRING 2000 17 and headed for the fire temple. through several alleys, and come in and tea followed. We also visited the Everybody in Yazd knew where the from the back entrance. local village fire temple, an old Atesh Kadeh was, unlike in , Ah! Finally, here in a peaceful sanc­ dokhma (), a ceme­ Tehran and Kerman. When we came tuary, I can now do my kushti! Now tery, and made arrangements with the out of the hotel, looking this way and I became part of tourist photos, as Zarathushtis of the village to accom­ that, an old Muslim lady, a passer by, people caught sight of me doing my pany us (in their village bus) to Chak inquired what we were looking for. kushti, and quickly snapped camera Chak the next day. "Atesh Kadeh? Oh! Zarathushti!" She and video shots. They had finally The dokhma was beautiful and pinched my shirt sleeve with two fm­ found a live Zarathushti in action! At serene on a hill top. Someone had gers and pulled me to the ticket booth the door, we met a French-speaking just come to offer prayers, fruit and across the street. She gave instructions Iranian and two young men from incense in memory of their loved to the ticket agent, waited till we got Brussels. "Hey, it just turned Nou­ ones. It was now in disuse, for there onto the bus and instructed the driver ruz," they remarked. We all shook were no vultures. to let us off at the Atesh Kadeh. All hands and wished each other. this without us speaking Farsi or she Back in Yazd, people were still pour- speaking English. The driver, along Well, it was Nouruz. The shops and ing in at the Atash Kadeh. I esti- with six other passengers told us restaurants were closing fast. All of a mated that there must have been h t0 t 0 ff w ere ge ·' ' ' ••• When asked if it was our first time 1000-2000 non-Zarathushti There were three police offi- visitors that day. Rukhshan cers on the street corners in Iran, I would say that I'd been away for and I stood around, for maybe directing traffic near the Atesh 30 minutes, making attempts Kadeh. We went in the front 1400 years, and was now returning for a pil- to chat with people. of the compound. I could not grimage to my ancestral homeland. ' ' People were polite, but very believe my eyes. I had always preoccupied it seems and in known that non-Zarathushtis somewhat of a hurry. It sudden, there were no taxis and no are not prevented from entering (most) seems, in Yazd anyway, the words buses either. Oops! We flagged down fire temples in Iran, unlike in India, but "Hello. How are you? Welcome to I was not prepared for what I saw. a passing car, asked if the driver Iran. Please come to our house", all would be interested in taking us to the spoken in very rapid succession in There were about 50-70 people in the Zarathushti villages. He was agree- English, is just something one says to compound and temple. The women able and immediately spun the car al outsiders. Three people said those were wearing chaddors (black robes). around. We piled in, and were off. I went in and could not find room to words to us at the fire temple. When do my kushti, nor did I see any We arrived in our first village. We we showed interest, they almost Zarathushtis, save for one. He was were not even all out of the car when bolted from the premises with an busy selling books, articles and trin­ a senior Zarathushti lady stopped to expression on their face indicating: kets on the religion of Zarathushtra. talk. With much insistence she "These crazy kharajis (foreigners) All around the room, were posted, invited us to her modest home, with a think I'm serious!" mud-covered floor. Out came the quite tastefully in gold script on It seems that in Iran, Nouruz is really rose water to freshen our faces and parchment, quotations from the a very quiet affair, especially from hands. In came the family. Out Gathas in English and Farsi, along the perspective of an outsider. No came the sweets, the tea, the fruits, with information about Zarathushtra fireworks, no wild partying into the the vegetables, and more sweets. and his religion. wee hours of the night (unless you Discussions on the religion, politics I stood for a long time, observing the know people personally). For two and other things ensued, in French, people. Students, reading and copy­ weeks, people do the rounds, meet­ English and Farsi. ing or taking pictures of the scriptures ing family and friends all over Iran if from the walls, gazing at the fire When asked about conversion and necessary. They eat and exchange behind the pexiglas, flipping through non-Zarathushtis at our religious cer­ sweets, but no major partying was the books, and yes, buying the books emonies, our village host responded: evident. and magazines. "The religion of Zarathushtra is for Oh well, no Nouruz party to go to, the educated and enlightened. As the I stood outside and counted the peo­ but we were prepared. We still had a world becomes more educated they ple going in and out. There were any­ can of tucked away in the hotel are capable of appreciating it. Why where from 2 to 10 per minute during room and some stale naan bread for a stop them from being enlightened?" that morning hour. Eventually, after rainy day. many attempts I eventually found the By the end of the day, we were invited What a fantastic and memorable Zarathushti part of the Atesh Kadeh. to a 'porseh' ceremony for a departed One has to walk around the block, relative. More sweets, cakes, fruits Nouruz 2000! •

18 FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 I- I- By Pallan R. lchaporia ians. Perhaps he was known as and the Babylonians captured Kashtariti, but it cannot be proven the Assyrian capital of Ninevah. At understand the history of the historically or linguistically. his death, Cyaxares controlled west­ Achaemenians, we must first The Scythian Interregnum fol­ ern Iran as far as modern-day Tehran, describe briefly the preceding lowed. During the late 8th century all of southern Iran, and all of Anato­ Median kingdom. We do not have BCE and the beginning of the 7th lia, ruling over the Iranians and non­ enough information about the reli­ century Scythian nomads entered Iranians. gion of the Medes, but to some extent western Iran from the Astyages (585-550) followed his they may be taken to be Zoroastrians. mountains. [ op.cit] father Cyaxares on the Median THE KINGDOM OF MEDIA speaks of the Scythian domination of throne until he was overthrown by (728-550 BCE) Iran and this may be one of the the Achaemenian,.Cyrus II in 550. (728-675 BCE) overthrew important turning points in the Iron THE ACHAEMENIAN DYNASTY Assyrian rule and founded the inde­ Age history of Iran. (549 - 334 BCE) pendent kingdom of Media in 728 Cyaxares (625-585 BCE) overthrew Cyrus II the Great, founder of the BCE [Herodotus, Histories, Loeb the in 625. He is a histori­ Achaemenian Empire, and succeed­ Classical Library]. He built the cap­ cal figure and appears in cuneiform ing emperors, notably Darius the ital city of Ecbatana (Ramadan). sources as Uvakshatra. He formed Great, Xerxes I and , II His son Phraortes (675-653 BCE) an alliance between and the and III, carried Persian power to the subjugated the Persians [ Op cit] but Medes by getting his granddaughter borders of , and India. was killed in a war against the Assyr- married to Nebuchadnezzer II. In 612 Patrons of art, architecture and learn- BCE, the combined forces of the 40 FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 Gathas by the prophet who calls him Dinawari and Nihayat al-irab, the hated Alexander a sort of a national the truthful ally and the celebrated Islamic sources also mention Isfandi­ Iranian hero, one [Ys. 46.14} [see Humbach­ yar beside Mas'udi [Muruj ii.40} II is mistakenly taken to be the Ichaporia, 'The Heritage of who alluded to a legend about him. last Kayanian king - defeated by Zarathushtra ', Heidelberg 199, His biography is found in Kitab-e Alexander. This of course is a his­ p79}. Rustom wa Isfandiyar translated by torical fallacy, because it was Darius Aban 98 states that he is from Jabala ibn Salim. A very lengthy III the last Achaemenid king who the family of Naotara, which is con­ treatment of his brave deeds is given suffered at the hands of Alexander. by Firdowsi and Tha' alibi. Isfandiyar firmed by the summary of Varsht­ Islamic folk epics about two Daras was a great helper of the religion of mansar Nask [Dinkerd ix 33.5 }. are found in -nama and Zarathushtra according to the Pahlavi Fravardin Yasht 99-100 calls him a Firuzshah-nama mentioning Dara, Shkand-gumanik Vichar, [x, 67]. valiant promoter of truth through the Humai, Alexander, Dara's sons power of his mighty mace, and one THIRD PHASE Firuzsha and daughter Roshan. who was the arm, supporter and sav­ OF KAYANIAN PERIOD This brings to a close the most heroic ior of the religion of Zarathushtra The Avestan literature is silent on the period of Iranian national history, [lchaporia, Yasht, Journal third and last Kayanian period - peppered with fact, fiction, brave of The KR Cama Oriental Inst. No from Bahman to Dara. One has to go deeds and outstanding dramas of epic 99, Mumbai 1999, p 25}. Zamyad to other sources like Shah Nameh, wars and hand fought battles, suc­ Yasht states that he possessedfarrah Khwaday-nama, Firuzshah-nama, cesses and tragedies. Of course, the and by defeating his enemies, Darab-nama and other Pahlavi litera­ most epoch making and historically removed the fetters from the religion ture. significant event is the birth of the of Zarathushtra. Bahman (Av Vohuman, Phl. Wah­ Prophet Zarathushtra in the Kayanian Afrin-i Zardusht and the Vistasp man) is popular in Pahlavi literature. period which makes the reigns of Yasht [ 23 and 24, the later Zand-i Wahman Yasht [3.20-9] states the Kayanian kings an everlasting compositions] record Zarathushtra's that Ohrmazd (Av. ) and valued lesson in the history of blessings on him. Vishtasp Sast (= shows Zarathushtra the favored the enlightened ancestors of the instructions to ), the tenth future kings Gushtasp and Bahman Zoroastrians. II nask according to Dinkerd viii.10 is as the Golden and Silver branches of unfortunately lost. It gave full a tree. Dinkerd [vii,7.5] refers to him instructions from Zarathushtra to his as Bahman, the Just. patron Vishtaspa. Kai Vishtaspa had The Great Wall an antagonist called Arjaspa. His His daughter Humai (Phl. Humag) is of Iran and adviser is Jamaspa. (Av. confused by Islamic sources with Humaya, the daughter of Vishtaspa. The Great Wall of China, over dejamaspa). 'Aspa' is the Avestan 1400 miles long, was built as a Firdowsi mentions two Humais: word for 'horse' indicating animal defense against barbarian hordes, Vishtaspa' s daughter and Bahman' s husbandry and pastoral culture of by Emperor Shih Huang Ti, who daughter with the title of Chihr-azad their respective tribes. died in 210 BCE, while building it. (='of noble birth'). Vishtasp is the founder of two The inspiration for such a project famous Fires of Franbagh and The rule of shows aspects may have come from another Great Burzinmehr. similar to the reign of the Achaeme­ Wall built by a Zarathushti king, nian Darius I, which suggests a his­ Isfandiyar (Av. Spento.data) and many years earlier. torical mix up, maybe because of Pishotan (Av. Pashotanu) sons of ignorance on the part of historians Both the Fravardin Yasht and the Vishtaspa, spread the religion of Zamyad Yasht refer to King Vish­ about the many centuries that sepa­ Zarathushtra far and wide in the Ira­ rated the Kayanians and Achaemeni­ tasp defending the Zarathushti nian lands and fought the holy wars faith from the (hunuivyo) or ans. There are numerous groundless in east and west Iran against the ene­ stories about him, e.g. him being the wicked men. He built a wall 720 mies of the new religion [ cf. Dinkerd miles in length, almost half the father of Dara II and the biological ix 35-36]. They are highly praised in length of the Great Wall of China, father of the cursed Alexander which the Avesta and Pahlavi literature. from Beiday in Persia to unfortunately has penetrated , on one bank of the Vishtasp Yasht 4, mentions Pishotan Khwaday-namag. Dara I siring River Oxus, believably as a as deathless (amarkha) who will be Alexander is a complete concoction defense against these people. II the future helper of . churned out by the conquering Isfandiyar is mentioned in Farvardin with the help of ill informed [Ancient Persia and the Parsis by Yasht 103 and Vishtasp Yasht 25. Iranian historians to make the much J. B. Sanjana].

FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 39 Shi'ite mourning rites in Iran which his going away to the snowy moun­ Gershevitch suggests that the name eventually led to the emergence of tains with his chief warriors. This of Rustom in the Sogdian fragments the Ta'ziya [E. Yarshetar, "The may be an outcome of his immortal­ 'rwstmy' may have derived from Ta 'ziya and pre-Islamic mourning ity and to mark the end of the bril­ 'Rashdama' and 'Rashdakma' found rites in Iran", P. J. Chelkowski, Ed, liant heroic cycle of the epic in the Elamite tablets from Persepo­ New York, 1970]. tradition. lis. All these latest findings may be of interest to the readers familiar Kavi Haosrarvah (Phl. Kai HOUSE OF RUSTOM with the immortal tragedy of Rustom Khoshrau) is highly praised in A brief mention needs to be made of and Sohrab and Rustom's battle with Avesta and his celebrated in Rustom, the greatest hero of the Isfandiyar. Farvardin Yasht [ 133-5] separately Shah Nameh, whose parents were from the of the SECOND PHASE seven preceding kings. He was OF KAYANIAN PERIOD handsome, warlike, victorious Advent of Prophet Zarathush­ over enemies, and enjoyed a tra. It is during this phase of the long reign and good fortune. Kayanian dynasty that some­ He is invoked to deliver one where in the plains of Siberia from distress and to ward off arose a man we know as . Zarathushtra. In him was fused In Ram Yasht 30-1 and Zamyad the highest morality and the emi­ Yasht 73-7 we find the triumph nence of unsurpassed truth, and of Kai Khoshrau associated he went on to become one of the with a turning point of the Ira­ greatest of all time. The nian - the slaying historical facts about Vishtaspa's of and Garsevaz in the existence, and the major events vast White Forest on the banks of his regime can not be denied. of Lake Chaechasta. The second phase begins with Dinkerd ix, 16.19 tells us that Lohrasp (Av. Aurvat.aspa) Kai Khoshrau practiced the [picture at left]. His name does Mazdayasni religion. He is not appear in the Gathas but he is famous for destroying an idol mentioned inAban Yasht 105, as worshiping shrine on the the father of Vishtaspa. The word shores of Lake Chaechasta. Aurvat. aspa ('having swift Dinkerd vii, 1.39, ix, 25.5 and horses') also occurs as an epithet Bundahishn xviii,12 state that of the sun (hvar) and of Apam he founded the famous Zoroas­ Napat, an ahura, the divinity of trian Fire temple at Ches water. The name of Lohrasp also (Shiz). He established the Fire appears on Kushan coins in the of Gushnasp which settled on form of Arooaspo. He is not his horse's mane to light his mentioned in Zamyad and path when fighting his enemies Fravardin Yashts and so it seems on Mount Asnavand. He that he did not possess jarrah. appears as one of the immortals as Zal, a vassal king of Seistan and The picture of Lohrasp, a holy per­ implied in Afrin-i Zardosht [Yasht Rudabeh, a daughter of the vassal sonage, with Zarathushtra, is found king of . He is absent from the 23.7] with a future role to play at the in many Parsi homes. Islamic Avesta and his name has been con­ time of renovation [Christensen, sources state that he retired to N au jectured by scholars as Raudhas­ Kayanides, 90-2]. Bihar, a Buddhist temple in takhma in Old Iranian and but his son Vishtaspa restored him Kai Khoshrau will help the Rodstakhm in Pahlavi. Eighth cen­ back to the throne as a truthful king. Saoshyant in his resurrection of the tury Sogdian fragments found in ­ dead and will join him in the final fan attest to the popularity of Rustom According to Tabari 1.645, Hamza battle to annihilate evil forever in . This is further cor­ 36 and Pahlavi Bundahishn xxv.34, [Dinkerd, viii,1-40]. Shaha Nameh roborated by 7th century wall paint­ Lohrasp is the distant cousin of Kai [1438ff] and Islamic sources, Tabari ings of Panjikent which depict the Khoshrau, and founder of the city of 1.618, Biruni, Athar 104 and Tha'al­ "seven great tasks" (Haft Khwan) of Balkh. ibi 242, gave particular emphasis to Rustom [E. Yarshetar, "Rustom dar Gustasp (Av. Vishtaspa, Phl. Vis­ his campaign against Afrasiab, and zaban-i sughdi", Mihr, vii, 1952]. tasp) is mentioned four times in the

38 FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 111111 prophet. He is also mentioned in Afrin i Zardusht. He was the chief I v vizier (framadhar) to Kavus before he became a kavi. He displayed miraculous powers and had a priestly I lavi a background. Islamic sources do not mention him and Firdowsi does not i know him. According to Zamyad Yasht, Kavi By Pallan R. lchaporia Pisinah and Kavi Byarshan fol­ lowed Kavi Oshnar. Kayanian dynasty is a Zamyad Yasht enumerates them major era of Iranian history, [Humbach-Ichaporia, 'Zamyad Yasht Kavi Syavarshan/Siyavush (Phl. but unfortunately is shrouded Text, and Commentary Siyavaksh) is a truthful hero whose with earlier mythical kings who are Harrassowitz Verlag, Germany, fravashi is celebrated in Farvardin artificially related by medieval 1998, p 51). Yasht 132. He is treacherously mur­ genealogies. However the Kayanian dered by Afrasiab and the Turanian Kavi Kavata (Phl. Kai Kavad) Gersevez and subsequently avenged kings from Kai Kavad to Kai founder of the Kayanian dynasty Khoshrau form a coherent group by his son Kai Khoshrau [Dru­ was abandoned in a basket, found by vaspa/Gosh Yasht 11, Yasht 38 which exhibits dynastic features. Zab who adopted him [Bundahishn This is based on the and Zamyad Yasht 77}. His fame 35.28]. The Shah Nameh states that among Iranians of is of the Avestan people from the extant he was found in the Alburz mountain. accounts found in the Yashts [ cf: seen from Biruni's statement that the Muslim historians Tabari and Hamza people of began their era Kayan!Zamyad and F arvardin place his residence at the Irano-Tura­ Yashts}. from the time of entrance of Kavi nian border, near river Balkh. The Syavarshan into . 'Kayan' is the plural of 'kai' (Av. Avesta is silent about his family, but kavi). The word kavi presents some Pahlavi Bundahishn [35, 29-50 and The people of Sogdiana attributed problems as the kavis appear in the 34} states that Kai Kavad is followed the building of the city of , Gathas as leaders of the -wor­ by his son Kai Apiveh, who fathered the Sogdian capital, to Siyawush and shippers who refused to accept Kai Arishm, Kai Byarsh (who is believed that he was buried there. Zarathushtra's teachings, but the king called Kai Armin in Shah Nameh), Narshakhi wrote that the Zoroastri­ Vishtaspa, patron of the Prophet is Kai Pisinang and Kai Us (Kavus). ans (mughan) of the city venerated also called a kavi. We can postulate All these names are in Pahlavi. his memory by killing a rooster at his that Vishtaspa broke the rank of such graveside, on New Year's day, before Zamyad Yasht mentions the next sunrise. The people of Bukhara have kavis to accept Zarathushtra's teach­ king to be Kavi Aipi.vohu. ings, and kavi in the Gathas may songs (suruds) called "the imply a class of warrior princes who Kavi Usadhan (Phl. Kai Kavus) is Vengeance of Siyawush" (Kin-i combined spiritual and temporal is also known as Kai Usan in Aban Siyawush) - these were the mourning powers before the advent of Yasht [45, 14, 39]. He possessed songs (nauha) known as "the Weep­ Zarathushtra [see I. Gershevitch 's superhuman strength according to ing of the Magi" (giristan-i mughan) Avestan Hymn to and T. Bur­ Bahram Yasht 39, and his reign is full [, Tarikh-i row's article, "The Indo-Aryan"}. of mythical incidents. He became Bukhara, lOth century, p. 32]. the greatest ruler of the Kayanian This is confirmed by archeological FIRST PHASE empire, as cited in Aban Yasht 45, excavations in Transoxiana at Pan­ OF KAYANIAN PERIOD and ruled over men and jikent, a Sogdian city, where exten­ Although post-Avestan tradition across a large empire according to sive wall paintings show the gives us fourteen Kayanian kings, the Sudgar Nask [Dinkerd ix, 22.4}. mourning of men and yazads (Iranian Avesta clearly gives us a distinct Bundahishn [xxxii.ll} alludes to the divinities) for a young prince, identi­ group of eight who belong to the pre­ mythical spring in his dwelling fied as Siyawush [A. Belenitski, Aves tan tradition. These eight which gave eternal life and Shah "Nouvelles decouvertes de sculp­ according to Kayan /Zamyad Yasht Nameh gives an account of his expe­ tures et de peintures murals a Pan­ 70-2 were all in possession of royal ditions to Mazandran and jikent'', Arts Antiques v, Paris 1958, 'jarrah' (Av. 'khvarena '=glory) and . p 163-82]. they were all heroic, truthful and Kavi Oshnar (Av. Arshan) a kavi It appears that the mourning cult of fearless. Their fravashis are com­ whose fravashi is commemorated in Siyawush provided the mold for the memorated in Fravardin Yasht 132. Farvardin Yasht 132 was almost a

FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 37 ciple of 'dual mentalities'. The mind 'gaetha' and 'tanu', that humanity destroy spiritual wisdom. J amshid is thus responsible for moral choice started acquiring, for until then, spir­ being slaughtered or cut in half by in every thought, word and action itual humanity existed in intangible Zohak indicates that sexual bifurca­ performed on earth. Thus, the bodies. tion began towards the end of the descent of Man through the various At the end of Jamshid's reign, the Peshdadian epoch. In keeping with stages of creation is portrayed myth­ bliss of eternal spring also changed this mystic teaching, the Shah ically. into bitter icy winters. This is indica­ Nameh begins to mention wives and Frashogard - renovation. In future, tive of the precession of the Equinox mothers towards the end of humanity will regain its spiritual when, according to the cosmic clock, Jamshid's rule. state when tangible matter (physical the earth periodically changes its Priceless legacies. It is interesting to body) will be irradiated to its intangi­ axial inclination, resulting in severe note that Firdowsi, in the Shah ble, luminous energy. Humanity then climatic changes. The earth has expe­ N ameh (written in the 11th century will function consciously in the spir­ rienced several Ice Ages the last of CE) states: "0 Man, do not think that itual world in corresponding spiritual which occurred about 11,000 years the stories narrated about these bodies. Dadistan-i Dinik goes a step ago. Since Jamshid belonged to the dynasties are mythical or invented further and specifically clarifies that Peshdad Dynasty who were the pro- from my imagination. It was Sraosh " ... near the time of renova- Yazad who guided me to tion bodily existences desist ... mythology is an esoteric mode of narrate this tale. The time from eating and live without periods and the world are food; and the offspring pos­ conveying natural facts; it is the repository of not always the same, or as sess durable and blood­ the most ancient sciences that are forgotten they appear to be today" exhausted bodies ... " - an Our scriptures and '', indication that future today. No so-called mythological story has written millennia ago, are humanity will outgrow the ever been, at any time, pure fiction. Each our priceless legacies. The physical body and relive the Gathas reveal that matter spiritual state in proto-physi­ such narrative has a historical lining ... (angre mainyu) and energy cal and spiritual bodies. (spenta mainyu) are co-eval Bundahishn [ch. 30] also mentions and interrelated. Consequently, mat­ that in future, mankind will remain genitors of the human stock, and ter can never be destroyed but it can without food and will not die. since these existed con­ only transform itself into other forms Mankind then, will attain 'tan-pasin' cunently with the earth that was then of energy as proven today by the (resurrection), when the body of in the process of becoming corporeal, Theory of Relativity. When energy flesh will be transformed into the it is reasonable to theorize that he within an atom is released, it is trans­ body of light, at which time, spiritual must have lived in the unthinkable formed into more subtler, impercep­ resunection in the spiritual world, as past. tible forms, yet continues to exist. before, will be the common destiny During each cyclic glaciation period, Energy or consciousness can and of humanity. This will happen at the caused by the periodic axial inclina­ does survive on its own level of man­ pre-destined hour called the divine tion, the earth and humanity undergo ifestation by adapting to intangible or event of 'frashogard' (Renovation). phenomenal changes. The , tangible forms. Those who do not The 'var' and Ice Age. The 'var' too, points to this change, in seasons understand the mysteries contained (enclosure) that Jamshid built under as well as humanity, which occurred in the scriptures, display derision the command of Ahura Mazda, adds towards the end of the reign of towards the sacred and mystic. The to the story of the mystic birth. Eso­ Jamshid. birth of J amshid from Fire, inspected terically, var simply means Man. Death of Jamshid. As the story of through the key of mysticism, Vendidad 2 mentions that the var Jamshid unfolds, it indicates that becomes a reality, as is our current (Var-Jam-Kard) that Jamshid built J amshid was the first to experience existence. Ill contained a window "self-shining the sting of death. With the acquiring within". Esoterically, this is sym­ of the physical body and the coats of Perviin .1. Mistry is an ardent fol­ bolic of the physical body containing flesh, hunger, pain and death became lower of Ilm-e-Khshnoom and the luminous soul (self-shining win­ inevitable. There was spiritual as occult/mystical belief After receiving dow) within. well as physical death from the time a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy Ahura Mazda also commanded spiritual Man descended into corpo­ and Literature, Pervin continued her J amshid to take 3 steps and increase real existence. studies through teachings of theoso­ the earth by threefold. The 3 steps Jamshid was killed by Zohak who phy and the esoteric teachings of the refer to the 3 physical bodies: 'azda ', was produced by the evil spirit to Zarathushti religion.

36 FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 spealc of the 'thought-created' spiri­ tual world mainyu that resulted in the creation of the physical world getig. That J amshid was begotten from fire and not born suggests the power of thought force that has the potential to create external, tangible manifesta­ tions. One such thought-created manifesta­ tion is the actual existence of kerdar (intangible body created by the aggregate of thoughts) which every individual, consciously or uncon­ By Pervin J. Mistry sciously, creates while living, and Mississauga, Ontario which greets the soul at death. The kerdar indicates the reality of exis­ tence throughout the space-time con­ Peshdadian and Kayanian sents not just the individual but the tinuum. Spiritual consciousness, dynasties are considered myth­ earliest humanity that existed in the functioning in spiritual bodies, had ical because they existed unthinkable past. to adapt to physical environs of the materially manifest earth in a corre­ before the dawn of recorded history. Jamshid's mystic birth. The story sponding physical body. This, esoter­ The narration of events that occurred of Jamshid's birth (from a ceremo­ ically, is the real 'fall' of mankind in prehistory seem mythical, how­ nial fire as his father Vivanghan was from 'garo-nmana' or Eden. ever, according to scriptures such as performing the ceremony) the Yashts, Yasna, Vendidad, Bun­ strikes us as being mythical, but Descent of Man through stages of dahishn and Shah Nameh of Fir­ when explained in the light of rea­ creation. At the dawn of creation, dowsi, the existence of these two soning, taking into account the fact when the universe was being formed, dynasties is historic. that earliest humanity existed on the humanity existed in the spiritual The reality of pre-diluvial civiliza­ earth that was entirely different on its body of pure, divine energy (con­ tions, far superior in knowledge than own scale of evolutionary progres­ sciousness) called the fravashi. our own, is being accepted by many sion, it becomes factual. Gradually, and inevitably, divine consciousness began experiencing in today's academe. Religious Can this mythical birth from fire be different stages of manifestation on thought and esoteric knowledge based in reality? As a matter of fact different levels of consciousness. It revealed and acquired about early we are taught that fire, as the son of became less intangible in order to humanity are perforce concealed in Ahura Mazda, embodying divine function on the succeeding planes of allegory and myth because we tend consciousness, is considered to be consciousness referred to as 'bud­ to behold things in our own likeness the origin of the seed of man. as they happen today and reject that dhic' (wisdom), 'urvan' (soul) and It was after Jamshid's emergence which empirical science cannot 'keherp' (astral body). from fire that mothers and wives prove. It is important to know that When the earth was a ball of fire and (women) appear in the story of mythology is an esoteric mode of later developed the 'air' element, human evolution. Bundahishn conveying natural facts; it is the becoming gaseous, humanity reveals the creation of the female to repository of the most ancient sci­ descended to earth in keherp. Con­ be much later in the evolutionary ences that are forgotten today. No so­ current with the earth becoming unfoldment. Esoteric tradition of called mythical story has ever been, 'watery', humanity survived in every religion mentions that with the at any time in history, pure fiction! 'tevishi' and 'azda' (etheric bodies). creation of women, physical procre­ Each such narrative has an actual his­ It was only after the element of ation (egg-born) as we know today, torical lining to it. 'earth' was formed that humanity became possible. Till then, unthink­ acquired the corporeal body of flesh The most important personage of the able aeons ago, the modes of procre­ and bones inside which spiritual con­ Peshdadian ('Peshdad/paradhata' = ation were different, e.g. sweat-born sciousness began functioning. the first law-givers; or 'poirio [Bundahishn, ch. 3 and 15] and takaesh' = first law) epoch is emerging out of Fire (mind-born). Henceforth, the mind became the Jamshid. Avesta refers to him as vehicle of consciousness. It reflected The entire universe is created out of 'Yima Khshaeta' (brilliant Yima). the spiritual as well as the material Ahura Mazda's thought. The Gathas Esoterically, Jamshid or Yima repre- side of nature giving rise to the prin-

FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 35 also Gershevitch, Yima's Beef Eating pents. Kaveh lead a rebellion which smith, tracks down and kills both Plea]. brought about the fall of the tyrant. Tur and therby avenging Eraj's In post-Gathic Avesta he is restored The blacksmith's leather apron that blood. He is mentioned only once in to a position of pre-eminence. For he used as a banner in the rebellion, Avesta [Fravardin Yasht 131]. In the full post-Gathic discussions became the Iranian national flag and a Zamyad Yasht 1, we find Mount about Yima in Yasna 9-Haoma Yasht, symbol of Iranian suzerainty. Manusha which is alluded in Bun­ as also Aredvi Sura, Druvaspa, Vayu According to Bundahishn xxix 9, dahishn ix.13 as "Mount Manush, the Yashts and his possession of Khvare­ xxxiii 36, Dadistan-e Denik xxxvii 97 mountain on which Manushchehr nah, see Humbach-Ichaporia and Zand-e Wahman Yasht ix 22, he was born" [Humbach-Ichaporia, [Zamyad Yasht, 1998, pp 103-107]. is imprisoned in Mount Demavand Zamyad Yasht, 1998, p 66]. and will be finally destroyed in the In Vendidad chapter 2, cosmological Under the exploits of the last millennium by Kershasp. vassal kings of Seistan headed by and eschatological roles are assigned Khwada-e-namag, Bundahishn, to Jamshid. He reigns over the world Sam and followed by his son Zal Tabari and Hamza give Zohak's (who is reared by the mythological and "under his rule, there was nei­ genealogy. ther old age nor death, nor envy pro­ bird ) and his grandson Rus­ duced by the , since there was FERAYDUN tom begin to unfold. Stories of the no deceit until he reproduced false Feraydun (Av. Thaetaona)belongs to heroic deeds of the greatest hero speech" [ op. cit, Humbach-I chapo­ Indo-Iranian myth and is known as Rustom, a man of matchless ria, 1998, p. 37]. Three times he Trita in the Rig Veda. His father was strength, have been told and retold enlarges the extent of the earth to Athwya who was rewarded with a through the ages. accommodate the increasing number son, Thraetaona to achieve victory Manuchehr was the contemporary of of men, women, animals and plants. over Zohak. Similar to the Iranian Afrasiab who defeats him and rules Vendidad further mentions that he Feraydun, we find Trita Aptya in the Iran. He in turn is overthrown by ruled for 1000 years before Ahura who also slays a Vish­ Manuchehr's successor Zab (Av. Mazda warns him of winters with varupa resembling Zohak, with three Uzva, Phl. Auzav) [Aban Yasht 76, destructive snow and frost to descend heads, six eyes and the body of a ser­ Fravardin Yasht I 02 and As tad on the world i.e. ice age. He was pent [Macdonell, Vedic Mythology, Yasht 55]. Firdowsi gives Naudhar instructed by Ahura Mazda to built a 160]. The Iranian legend of a hero as Manuchehr's successor. Tabari subterranean fortress ( 'var ') and to killing a / is common P43 gives Zab as the grandson. After bring a pair each of the finest men in most mythologies. the better Zab the nobles offer allegiance to and .women, animals and seeds and known examples are: and Kavi Kavata (Kai Kavad/Kai Kaus), plants and fruits, so that when all the Typhon, Marduk and Tiamat, Gil­ a prince of royal blood and the Kaya­ other creatures on the earth are gamesh and Khumbala, Apollo and nian Dynasty is established. II destroyed in the ice-age, the inhabi­ Pythoon, Heracles and Hydra, Thor tants of the Var may survive. This has and J ormungand. SHAH NAMEH REFERENCES parallel with the Semitic legend of Feraydun divided his kingdom among Stories of the Peshdadians and the deluge and 's Ark. his three sons, Salm, Tur and Eraj. Kayanians are recorded in the epic Shah Nameh by Firdowsi. See: ZOHAK This is not cited in Avesta but referred directly in the summary of the lost [1] Mahiar and Kutar, Zohak (Av. Azhi Dahaka, Pers./Ara­ Chihrdad N ask found in the . Shah Namah of Firdausi, 1914. bic Dahhak) in Avesta is a monster He gave western lands to Salm, China Full text and translation in Gujarati. with three heads, three mouths and and to Tur and the central [2] Reuben Levy, The Epic of the six eyes - the chief demon created by region, Khwaranirah which includes Kings, Persian Heritage Series, 1967 to destroy the world [see Eranshahr to his youngest favorite son Yasna 8.8 and Bahram Yasht 40]. He Eraj. This roused jealousy among the [3] Stuart Welch, A King's Book of is a sorcerer who had descended elder brothers who conspired to mur­ Kings, Metroppolitan Museum of from but his mother had der Eraj. This laid the foundation for a Art, New York, 1972. demonic lineage [Bundahishn xxxv 7 bitter protracted feud between the [4] Dr. Bahman Sohrab Surti, Shah and Tabari 1.209]. He captured the royal houses of Iran and Turan. Namah of Firdaosi in English throne of J amshid and married Prose, 7 vols. 1986. Jamshid's two sisters [Tabari 1.205, MANUCHEHR Firdowsi 33]. He had people slain Manuchehr (Av. Manushchithra, [5] Er. Dr. Ramiyar P. Karanjia, and fed their brains to serpents, Phl. Manushchehr) a descendant of Serialized Stories from the Iranian growing on his shoulders. Eraj's daughter ascends the throne. Epic Shahnameh, 2 vols. 1996. Eventually his tyranny enraged Eraj had no son to avenge his blood, [6] Khorshed Jungalwala, Stories Kaveh, a blacksmith who had lost all so Manuchehr with the help of his from the Shah Nameh, serialized in his sons except one to Zohak's ser- general Karen, a son of Kaveh, the Fezana Journal, since Spring 1999.

34 FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 [Humbach-Ichaporia, Zamyad Yasht, Harrasowitz, 1988. p 35]. Mythological generations filled the gap between Gayomard and the Peshdadians Hoshang; these generations begot the human race. Hoshang was given as interregnum. Firdowsi ignores the fro 1 interregnum and makes Hoshang a grandson of Gayomard. Bundahishn Isla ic Sources xiv 31-39 fills interregnum with three generations of Mashya, Shaya­ By Pallan R. lchaporia mak and Fravak. Their wives are known as Mashyana, Siyami and Fravaken [Bundahishn xiv 34]. Hoshang is credited with the discov­ GAYOMARD This myth contains the prototype of ery of fire as cited by Firdowsi, but THE FIRST WORLD KING man at the beginning of creation. the correct interpretation comes from national history of Iran SIAMAK Avesta which says that his discovery was the way of 'making' a fire. begins with the mythical reign Firdowsi and Tha'alibi 5, consider of Gayomard (Av. Siamak [left] as the son of Gayomard Gaya.mareten, NP. Kayumarth = while Bundahishn xiv 32-7 and other Avesta speaks of Tahmuras (Av. 'dying life') of the Islamic sources such Takhma Urupi) in Ram Yasht 11, Peshdadian Dynasty as Tabari I,152, Zamyad Yasht 27-29 and Afrin-e (Av. paradata, MP. Hamza, 24 and Zardust 2. According to Iranian folk­ peshdad 'created = Biruni 103 consider lore cited by Biruni P99, it was Gay­ first'). He was the him as the son of omard and not Tahmuras who rode first 'world-king' Mashya and Angra Mainyu/Ahriman. ( [see Hum­ who ruled over men Mashyana. He was bach-Ichaporia 1998, op.cit, p 36]. and beasts. Firdowsi, slain by demons and Ibn Qutaiba [Ma'drif652] calls Tah­ in his Shah Nameh, avenged by his son muras the first king. mentions that he Hoshang [Firdowsi, According to Christensen [Les types lived in the moun­ and Tha'alibi op cit]. tains and wore leop­ de premier homme 1,192] both ard's skin. In HOSHANG PESHDAD Hoshang and Tahmuras are adapted Fravardin Yasht 145 DISCOVERY OF FIRE from the Scythian folk tales. These and Yasna 26.10 the According to A ban first kings/men belonging to myth fravashis of just men Yasht. 21-23, cycles of different Iranian tribes were and women "from Gosh/Dravaspa Yasht assimilated by the Avestan people of Gaya.maretan to 3-5, Ram Yasht 7-13, pre-Zoroastrian times. Saoshyant" are · . Ashi Yasht 24-26 JAMSHID remembered. Far- . .. . · '-"'~~ ,: and Zamyad Yasht 25: RULES FOR 1000 YEARS vardin Yasht 87 fur- Sz~n:ak, gar~ed. zn ~,elts,from the Hoshang (Av. Jamshid (Av. Yima Xshaeta) suc­ ther mentions that he mznzature The Court o( Haoshyangha Para­ ~~zntzng ceeded his brother Tahmuras to the was the first man to Gayomard ' c. 1480, Metropolz- data) stands first in his throne. He was the only king of the listen to the teachings tan Museum ofArt, NY. reverence to . Peshdadian dynasty to be mentioned of the good religion The Chihrdad Nask [Denkard viii.13. in the Gathas [Ahunavaiti Gatha Ys. and from him Ahura Mazda formed 5-6] states that he founded the monar- 32.8] where he is called "Yima, the the Aryan nation. chy. He is called 'paradata'. The word son of Vivahvan, [who] became noto­ From his seed according to Bun- 'paradata' was later interpreted as the rious for crimes" [ cf Humbach-Icha­ dahishn xiv, sprang a plant one who first gave law (dad). He is poria, The Heritage, 1994, p40]. which slowly grew into the first associated with the territories of Pahlavi Yasna 32.8 alludes to Yima human couple, Mashya and / Mazyana and Varena giving meat for the first time in the Mashyana corresponding to (which Henning identifies as Skt. measured portion to his people to eat. and Eve [see Hamza 24.54ff, Mas 'udi, Varnu, north of Peshawar, BSOAS xii, [ cf Ichaporia-Humbach, The Con­ Muraj JL100, Biruni, Athar 99-100, 1947) inhabited by sorcerers and cordance of the Gathas, forthcoming, Tabari 147,154, Ibn al-balkhi 9,27]. demonic people whom he subdues FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 33 640 CE. Caliph Omar, Islamic EPILOGUE - POST SASANIAN leader, conquers Egypt. Arabs, car­ 641 - 651 CE. For ten years, Yazdegard fled from province to rying the Muslim faith, expand province until the Arabs had him murdered in 651 CE by the across northern Africa. <( + owner of a flour mill near Merv, where he had taken refuge. 700 CE. The Pueblo Indian culture a: 677 CE. Yazdegard's son Feroz took refuge as the King of flourishes in Arizona. w Iran in exile in the mountains of Central Asia. In 677, he went 758-814 CE. Charlemagne is z to China and built a fire temple. crowned king by Pope Leo III in <( Post-651 CE. A large number of the Iranian peoples were France. -z forced to accept . Some priests, nobles and devout 790-950 CE. Explorers, The <( Zarathushtis fled and practiced their faith in seclusion in the Vikings from Scandinavia, built tJJ mountainous regions of Kohistan in eastern Iran. Through coastal settlements in France, <( centuries of foreign domination, their descendants have kept Britain, Iceland, Greenland and the Zoroastrian faith alive in Iran. North America. tJJ ~ 716-950 CE. To escape the relentless religious persecution, a 871-899 CE. Alfred the Great uni­ tJJ few devotees set sail from the port of Hormuz with Dastur fies England. 0 Neriosang Dhaval. After a long and treacherous ocean voy­ Navigator and explorer, Viking ,';:a.., age, they landed at Diu, on the western shores of India. The LeifErikson (970-1020 CE) claims date of this arrival is disputed, and ranges from 716 to 950 to be the first European to discover CE. Their descendants, the Parsis, still keep their faith alive and settle in North America. in India. Ill

Persians Sasanian Patrons of the Arts in Sasanian Iran Collection The Iranian contribution to the The game of Backgammon (or Sam Kerr of Sydney, will architecture and sculpture of the Nard) was invented in Iran during be exhibiting coins of the Sasanian world is summed up by S.G. Ben­ the Sasanian period, and named Dynasty at the WZC2000 in Hous­ jamin, [Persia and the Persians, after its founder Ardeshir - ton in December. He has prepared 1880s]: "One may consciously 'Vinardeshir '. The Pahlavi text posters with a description of each ascribe to Persia a very high posi­ Mazikan Chatrang describes the coin, along with the history of the tion among the races that have con­ invention, by Bozorgmeher, thus: Sasanian rulers and their encoun­ tributed most to the progress of the "I have made it in the name of ters with surrounding nations. He arts. The long continued existence Ardeshir the Great ... It's board is has obtained color slides of the of Persia as an integral people, the symbol of the earth. It's pieces Sasanian coins of all the rulers exhibiting for twenty five hundred that are 30 are symbols of the 30 whose coins have been known to years an almost unbroken career of days of the month. 15 pieces are be minted (some are courtesy of national and intellectual activity is black and 15 white - symbols of the ). almost without a parallel in the his­ night and day. Dices are the sym­ tory of the arts. The arts of Egypt, Sam would like to get in touch bol of rotation of the planets. and Greece culminated with coin collectors who can help long ages ago, so also have other "Each number on the dice has its him complete his collection. The nations since. But the artistic life proper connotation. One is coins he does not possess are: (1) of Persia is still active." Ohrmazd, sole of the Uni­ Papak and his son Shahpur on the verse; two is symbol of the earth About Sasanian contributions to reverse, (2) Hormazd I, (3) and sky; three is the Good Valaksh, (4) Kobad I, (5) Behran the arch, vault and dome architec­ Thought, Good Deed and Good ture, Benjamin says: "The princi­ Chobin, (6) Kobad II and (7) Speech; four is the four elements Ardeshir III. Coins (1) and (2) are ple of the arch, so thoroughly and the four corners of the world; extremely rare, and coins (5) and understood in Persia, was appre­ five is the lights - sun, , stars, hended and practised in Iran before fire and lightening; and six is the (7) partly so. the Parthenon and Colosseum chal­ six gahambars, seasonal Numismatists interested in coins of lenged the admiration of the Zarathushti feats ... " [From post­ the era, please contact Sam at sim­ world." [From Ancient Persia and ing by [email protected] on ica@ ozemail.com.au. the Parsis by J. B. Sanjana]. zoroastrians@ listbot. com].

32 FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 337-363 CE. Julian, emperor of For the next 150 years a number of rulers followed. Ardeshir Rome was wounded while leading II (379-383) was deposed. Shapur III (383-388) was killed an army into Sasanian territory at accidently. Behram IV (388-399) was murdered by assassins. , and later died. Yazdegard I (399-421) was ineffectual in dealing with the ..,. religious feuds that ensued between the , Christians and 350 CE. The Gupta Empire her­ Zarathushtis. Behram V (421-439) was a benevolent alds the Golden Age of Hindu civi­ and a patron of the arts. He defended Iran against lization in northern India. the Tartars. Then followed Yazdegard II (439-457), Hormizd III (457-459), Feroz (459-484), Valkash (484-531) and 410 CE. The Germanic Visigoths Kobad I (488-531) who supported the cult of . sack Rome. Khusrow I or Cosroes I (531-579) known as 432 CE. St. Patrick introduces Noshirwan (immortal soul) was celebrated for his wisdom and justice. to . He introduced governmental, financial and agricultural 452 CE. Attila the Hun and reform. The game of was introduced in Iran. Mazdak 100,000 men, nomads from Central was executed. Conflicts with the Romans continued and the Asia looted . c "Endless Peace" treaty was signed. He triumphed over the 0 Abyssinians and recaptured . A new Avestan alphabet The continued to was invented. prosper as the Christian Byzantine 0 Empire until1453 CE. Hormazd IV (579-590) subdued troubles with the Romans on the east and Turks in the north. He concluded a peace treaty 488 CE. Mazdak, founder of Maz­ w with the Arabs. Royal family feuds resulted in his murder. dakism. His communist teachings Behram Chobin became king for one year. penetrated Iran until suppressed by a: King Khosrow Noshirwan and sub­ ...... Khushrow II Parviz or Cosroes II (591-628) restored the sequently murdered. a... Persian Empire to the extent it had been under the Achaeme­ nians. He captured Roman , and Bithynia, 500 CE. The Ghanaian Empire :i: seized and advanced into Palestine and Egypt. The becomes the leading power in west­ Persians were at the gates of , capital of the ernAfrica. w Eastern Roman Empire, when Byzantine Emperor Heraclius sued for peace. The war went on, and Khosrow's army sus­ 500 CE. Indian mathematicians tained serious defeats in 622, and again in 624 and 626. The discover the zero. A century later, z Romans marched into , destroyed the Great Fire they use the decimal system. <( ...... Temple in Atropane (Azerbaizan), plundered Dastgard and 570-632 CE. Mohammed, the threatened the capital Ctesiphon. The Arabs, zealous follow­ Prophet of Islam is born in Mecca. z ers of the new Prophet Mohammed, won their first victory His teachings are recorded in the <( over the Persians at the Battle of Dhu Qar in 604. Khushrow Koran. was treacherously murdered by his son Sheroy.

There was tragic chaos in the royal family and ten kings and queens followed in quick succession, notably his son Sheroy who took the name of Kobad II (628), Ardeshir III (629), (630) and Hormizd V (630-632). j zw z Yazdegard III (632-651) ascended the throne when the :f z empire was embroiled in intrigue, fraud and internal conflict. r ...,0 The Arabs, meanwhile, united under the banner of Islam, ~ >- dreamed of world conquest. The Iranians suffered a disas­ "'g 0 trous blow at the Battle of Qadisiyya in 636; the Arabs cap­ r !;: tured the capital of Ctesiphon and gathered fabulous booty of 2 z gold, jewelry and carpets. The fate of the mighty Sasanian "' w~ Empire was finally sealed at the fierce Battle of Nihavand in 0... 641, and the sovreignty of the Iranian lands passed into the

~I hands of the Islamic Caliphs. 0... FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 31 Phraates V (2 BCE - 4 CE) was the ruler of when was born. In 63 CE. Tiridates travels overland crossing the Hellespont, to ,.... Rome to receive the crown of from Roman emperor Nero, amidst great pomp and splendor. The Greek philosopher w Pliny (23-79 CE) calls him a Magian (Zoroastrian priest). 70-100 CE. The first four books of a: Vologeses I or Valakhsh (51-78 CE) ordered the collection the New Testament are written -a.. and careful preservation of all the Zoroastrian scriptures scat­ :?: tered after the ravages of Alexander. 31 BCE- 180 CE was the Golden IJJ The last Parthian rulers were Vologeses IV (191-207 CE), Age of the Roman Empire under z Vologeses V (207-227) and Artabanus V or Ardaban (213- (31 BCE-14 CE),

100 CE. The Hopewell Indian cul­ THE SASANIAN EMPIRE (226 TO 651 CE) ture flourishes along the Missis­ Ardeshir I Papakan (224-249) a prince of Pars, rebelled sippi in North America. against the Parthian king Ardavan in 224 and founded the Hadrian ( 117-13 8 CE) built Sasanian Dynasty. Ardeshir led prolonged wars with the Hadrian's Wall to defend the ..,. Romans for Asia Minor and Mesopotamia. The empire was Roman province of Britain. divided into satrapies (provinces), each headed by a . Ardeshir appointed as High Priest. A standard version 64 CE. The Great Fire of Rome. of doctrine and practice of the religion was imposed as the state religion. 46 - 126 CE. Historian Plutarch (241-270) took advantage of the internal dissen­ records the Persian Greek wars. sions within the Romans, crossed into Mesopotamia and invaded and Asia Minor. At the Battle ofEdessa in 260, 100 CE Paper is invented in China. Roman Emperor was taken prisoner. 166 CE. Roman Empire is devas­ Shapur's high priest Kirder () continued the consolida­ tated by plague. tion of the religious texts. Religion now had become an inte­ gral part of government and Kirder's position as high priest 180-284 CE. Political anarchy in grew in power through the reigns of five kings that followed. the Roman Empire. Valerian During the reigns of ((272-274), Behram I or becomes emperor in 254. Vahram I (273-276), Behram II (276-293), and Behram ill (293), the Romans had the upper hand in Asia Minor. High (b. 216 CE) founder of Priest Kirder spent a lifetime defending the faith against the , a synthesis of the heretical Manichaens and Christians and Buddhists. teachings of Zarathushtra, Buddha (293-302) attacked Armenia and made it a province of and Jesus. The Sasanian Behram I the Sasanian Empire. A peace treaty with the Romans defined banned Manichaeism from his the Tigris as the boundary between the Persian and Roman empire and had Mani executed. empires. Hormizd II (302-309) was a just and kind ruler. 300 CE. Bantu tribe of southeast Shapur II the Great (309-379) regained the provinces Africa begins to herd cattle. between the Tigris and Euphrates from the Romans in 360, after 27 years of periodic wars. High Priest Adurbad Mares­ 312-337 CE. Constantine, emperor pand composed Pazand prayers and Pahlavi commentaries to of Rome, converts to Christianity, the Avestan texts. Notwithstanding the internal conflicts with and issues the Edict of Milan allow­ Christian , and the protracted battles with the ing tolerance of Christianity. Romans, the rule of Shapur was a prosperous time for the empire and for the religion.

30 FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 273-232 BCE. Ashoka the Great, THE (312- 250 BCE) turned a Buddhist, had a long and Alexander proclaimed himself Emperor of Persia. After his peaceful rule in India. c death in 323 BCE, the empire was broken up among his gen­ 237-202 BCE. Hannibal of 0- ..,. erals. Seleucus Nicator founded the Seleucid Dynasty in 312 Carthage, with 50,000 troops and ::;:) BCE. Macedonian rule in Iran lasted for 80 years until the even elephants, marched across the w arrival of the Parthians in 250 BCE . Pyrennes and the Alps into Italy. ....J Rome eventually defeated w Carthage. en 221 BCE. The first Emperor of China Qin Shihuangdi, starts build­ ing The Great Wall of China, extending for 4500 miles to keep out marauding tribes. 207 BCE. Chinese royal tomb with of lifesize terracotta warriors was excavated in 1970s. 202 BCE - 220 CE. The Han Dynasty in China opens new trade route, The from Xian westward through to the Mediter­ ranean. Confucianism is the promi­ nent religion. 200 BCE. Old testament is trans­ lated into Greek. 196 BCE. The Rosetta Stone enables decipherment of Egyptian 'C.. herioglyphics. Excavated in Egypt :E in 1799. w (/) By 150 BCE. Roman Empire ~ ()"' extends over Italy, , z I Iberia, Macedonia, Greece and into --,0 Asia. in ,; (/) a: 140 BCE. Dead Sea Scrolls. w 0.. ~ 50 BCE. Julius (b. 100 w 0 BC) "crosses the Rubicon" creek - ~1 ~cc~~C c .¥ (point of no return) and occupies § I Rome. Caesar marries the Pharaoh 0.. 's sister of Gateway ofAll Lands, built by Xerxes L at Persepolis. . They ldll Ptolemy and plot to rule the world together. On THE PARTHIAN (ORARSACID) EMPIRE March 15, 44 BCE ("The Ides of March") is assassi­ (250 BCE - 227 CE) nated by Brutus and Cassius. ,.... , a Scythian, invades Iran and is crowned king in 247 50 BCE-400 CE. The Cult of BCE. Thirty-three Parthian kings followed. , based on the Sun God Mithradates I the Great (171-138 BCE) annexes Mithra (Hindu ) was popular and Mesopotamia and enters Seleucia on the Tigris, to make across the Roman Empire. Several Parthia a world empire. hundred Mithraic temples are built Phraates II (138-128 BCE) loses his life fighting nomads. across Europe and in England. Had Mithradates II the Great (123-87 BCE) retakes Babylonia, it not been for the advent of Chris­ captures Seistan and establishes his sovereignty over the tianity, the western world might steppes of the Caspian. well have been Mithraic.

FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 29 600-550 BCE. The Chaldean THE ACHAEMENIAN EMPIRE (559-334 BCE) Empire. In 587, Judah rebels Teispes, Cyrus I (Kurush I) and Cambyses I of the Pars against Babylonian control, and as region, descendants of Hakhamanish, were the first rulers of predicted by Jeremiah, the Babylo­ ,... the Achaemenian Dynasty. nian King N ebuchadnezzer destroys . The Jews live Cyrus II the Great (Kurush II) (559-530 BCE) conquered as slaves in Babylon until their the Medes, the Lydians, and the Babylonians to become the deliverance by in first Zoroastrian world power. His tolerance, benevolence and 539. strategic genius were exemplified in his capture of Babylon in 539, whose Jewish inhabitants looked to him as the deliverer 563-483 BCE. Sidharta Gautama (Messiah) prophesied earlier in the Book of Isaiah II. His Buddha, founder of Buddhism, "Edict of Cyrus" is regarded as the world's first Bill of was born in Nepal. Human Rights. He built the Royal Palace at . 551-479 BCE. Confucius born in Cambyses II (529-522 BCE) crossed the Sinai, defeated the China, founded Confucianism. Egyptians, and took the Pharaoh in captivity to . He and 540-468 BCE. Lord Mahavir, born w his descendants became the 27th dynasty of Pharaohs of in Bihar, India, founded Jainism. Egypt for 124 years. a:: Darius I the Great (522-486 BCE) expanded the empire to Stone relief at Pasargadae. The - Northern India to the East and into Greece and Macedonia to inscription reads "1, a.. the West. His defeat to the Greeks at the King, an Achaemenian. (26 miles from Athens) in 490 was a turning point in world his­ :E tory. Darius built the 1500-mile Royal Road from Susa to w Sardis; designed the world's first system of postal couriers; constructed a canal connecting the with the ; built the palaces at Persepolis; introduced the qanat system of irri­ z gation. One monetary unit, the Daric, was used across the <( empire and art, architecture, music and poetry flourished. Xerxes I (486-465 BCE) led a combined land and sea inva­ - sion of Greece - the largest the world had ever seen (with z 60,000 men and 1200 ships). The Persians cross the Helle­ w spont on a bridge supported by hundreds of boats, march to Athens and take Acropolis; however subsequent losses at the :E Battle of Salamis, the Battle at Plataea and the naval loss in w 4 79 BCE put an end to the Achaemenid conquest of Europe. <( Artaxerxes I (464-425 BCE), Xerxes II (425-424) and Dar­ ius II (423-404) were relatively ineffectual. :I: Artaxerxes II (404-359 BCE) rebuilt the Persian fleet and 0 fought a naval war against Sparta. The Greeks gave up Asia Minor to the Persians. He was a wise and generous ruler and <( strengthened the Empire with his wisdom and foresight. Artaxerxes III (359-338 BCE) made the mistake of not sup­ porting Athens against the rising power of Phillip II of Mace­ 447 BCE. The Parthenon is built in don, which led to a united Greece that was to prove Athens, Greece. impervious to Persia. Then followed Arses (338-336) and 440 BCE. Herodotus wrote of the Darius III (335-334). Persian-Greek wars. Other Greek The end of the mighty Achaemenian Empire came in April 3 34 philosophers of the Classical Age BCE at the hand of "Alexander the Accursed", with losses at of Greece were Plato(b. 427) a the River Granacus, the Battle of Is sus and finally at the Bat­ pupil of Socrates (b. 470) and tle of Arabela at Guagamela. The magnificent Persepolis fell (b. 384). in May 334 BCE and was burned by Alexander in a drunken 300 BCE, After 200 years of Per­ fit, including the library which held the corpus of Avestan sian rule, Northern India was uni­ texts, the treasury and the palaces. A tragic end to the mighty fied by the conqueror Chandra­ Achaemenians who had conquered and ruled their lands for gupta Maurya. over 2 centuries with benevolence, respect and tolerance.

28 FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 z Queen Humai, with the title of Chihrazad ('of noble birth'), I< is Bahman's daughter. She abandons her baby son, Dara, in a basket on the River Euphrates. He is raised by a poor washer­ .·· ·.!CCz• man, and grows up to become the next ruler, Dara I . ~ Dara II is the last Kayanian king. In the Shah Nameh, he is mistaken for the Achaemenian Darius III, and said to have ~~ been defeated by Alexander.

During the great ethnic movements of the proto­ Aryans took place towards Iran. remained a major power. Few pre-Median Iron Age sites Moses, the • are excavated in the western Iran. Zagros highland settlements Hebrew prophet, receives the Ten consisted of scattered cities and villages [Dyson, 1989]. Commandments on Mt. Sinai. He Western Iran became the major target of repeated attacks of led the Israelites out of Egypt. the Assyrians. [Grayson 1972}. Adopted worship of the one God of Western Luristan was populated by nomadic pastoralists and -Yahweh or Adonai. distinctive bronze tradition of Luristan became evident. [Cur­ 1295 BCE. The fall of Jerico, tis 1989]. ancient city of Palestine. It is paradoxical that iron working did not become prominent 1279-1212 BCE. Egyptian Empire in the Iron Age till much later (1000-600 BCE) [Pigot 1977]. was at its height, under Pharaoh The Iranians of Transoxian region of Asia found that a skil­ Rameses II. ful rider could manage his horse on the battlefield much bet­ 1100-800 BCE. Dark Age in ter than a rider in a chariot, and this put to an end the chariot Greece, following devastation by as a useful weapon. the . 1028-256 BCE. Zhou Dynasty in China. 1000 BCE. The Hindu text, Bhag­ wad Gita, is written. 1000 BCE. Assyrians destroy Babylon and take away the statue ofMarduk. 900-800 BCE. The earliest urban centers in the Americas are in Peru. 900-600 BCE: Assyrians used iron weapons and horse-drawn chariots to overrun Mesopotamia and ruled their Empire with terror. 961-926 BCE. King of the Jews, son of . Persian (in fluted tiara) and Median (round headgear) noble­ 900-600 BCE. In Greece, literature men, alternating along wall ofApadana at Persepolis. and trade are revived. writes The and The . THE MEDIAN KINGDOM (728 • 559 BCE) 783 BCE. City of Rome is founded 728-675 BCE. Deioces founded the Median Dynasty. He by . Twins Romulus and ., founded Ectabana (modem Ramadan). Remus were reared by wolves. 653-625 BCE. Scythian nomads enter western Iran from the 776 BCE. First Olympic Games Caucasus. are held in Greece. 625-585 BCE. Cyaxares overthrows the Scythians. His 612 BC: The Assyrian capital of granddaughter marries Nebuchadnezzer II of Babylon. Ninevah is destroyed by the Medes and Babylonians. 585-559 BCE. Astyages, son of Cyaxares, ruled Media.

FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 27 2200-1400 BCE. Greek Minoans 2250 BCE. Pantheon of personifying elements and nat­ develop a high level of civilization ural forces appeared in . in Crete- art, palaces, pottery, .,. 2000 BCE. Elamites conquer (from Susa to ). 1700-1100 BCE. Rig Veda, oldest 1790-1000 BCE. The Babylonian civilization flourishes in of the Hindu texts is compiled. San­ Mesopotamia. the Law Giver introduced Code skrit is developed. of Law, written in cuneiform. Astronomy, mathematics, geometry were developed. 1600 - 1100 BCE. Mycenaean > Civilization flourishes in Greece...... 1600 BCE. The Canaanites began to use an alphabet of 26 The Trojan War and Helen of . letters. They worshiped Gods and God­ desses of Olympus. THE KAYANIAN DYNASTY 1500 - 1100 BCE. The first The Kayanian Dynasty is the most heroic period of ancient dynasty (Shang Dynasty) rules Iranian history, peppered with fact, legend, drama and China. The Chinese ideographic .,. tragedy. The single-most monumental historical event during script is developed. this period is the advent of the prophet, Asho Zarathushtra. 1327 BCE: Egyptian King King Kai Kavad was abandoned in a basket, and found by Tutenkhamen. Zab in Alburz Mountains. He founds the Kayanian Dynasty. King Kai Kavus, greatest ruler of the Kayanian Dynasty. The greatest hero and a man of matchless strength, is Rustom, ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS son of . In a twist of fate, during a battle, The following texts are gratefully Rustom unknowingly stabs to death, his own beloved son acknowledged for providing Sohrab, a mighty warrior of Turan. source material on the history of ancient Iran: Prince Siyavaksh was a truthful hero, who emerges unscathed from the "ordeal by Fire". He builds the city of [1] , Zoroastrians, Bukhara, the Sogdian capital. He was treacherously murdered their Religious Beliefs and Prac­ by Afrasiab. tices, 1979. King Kai Khoshrau, handsome and victorious enjoyed a [2] John Curtis, Ancient Persia, long reign and good fortune. He delivers his people from dis­ British Museum, 1989. tress and wards off evil. [3] J. Duchesne-Guillemin, Reli­ King Lohrasp is a truthful and pious king, founder of the city gion of Ancient Iran, 1973. of Balkh. [4] Helmut Humbach and Pallan 1400-1200 BCE. Prophet Zarathushtra is born during the Ichaporia, Zamyad Yasht, 1998. Kayanian Dynasty. Historians place Zarathushtra anywhere [5] John R. Hinnells, Persian from before 6000 to 600 BCE, with recent studies pointing to Mythology, 1973. 1400 to 1200 BCE. For a historical review see "The Date and [6] Hormazdyar Dastur Mirza, Place of Zarathushtra" [FEZANA Journal, Fall1997]. Asho Outlines of Parsi History, 1987. Zarathushtra receives revelation. Gathas and other Old Aves­ [7] Khojeste Mistree, Zoroastrian­ tan texts are composed. ism, an Ethnic Perspective, 1983. King Vishtaspa (Gustasp) son of Lohrasp, is the first fol­ [8] A. T. Olmstead, History of the lower of Asho Zarathushtra. He is the valiant promoter of Persian Empire, 1948. truth, and was the supporter and savior of the religion of Zarathushtra. [9] Michael Roaf, Mesopotamia and the , 1990. Princes Isfandiyar and Pishotan, sons of Vishtaspa, fought many battles for the cause of the new religion. Zarathushtra [10] Donald Wilber, Persepolis, anointed Isfandiyar with a body of steel 'Rooyintan', and was the Archaeology of Parsa, Seat of hence indestructible, except for his eyes. Isfandiyar was mor­ the Persian Kings, 1969. tally wounded by an arrow between his eyes, in an epic battle [11] Edwin Yamauchi, Persia and with the mighty Rustom. This has a parallel in Homer's epic the , 1990. of the legendary battle between Hector and Achilles. Achilles [12] R. C. Zaehner, The Dawn and is indestructible, except for his heel. Twilight of Zoroastrianism, 1961. King Bahman was called "Bahman the Just".

26 FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 Chalcolithic-Copper Age In the Chalcolithic Period there were profound socio-eco­ 6000 BCE. Cereals are cultivated in nomic political and cultural changes in Iran. Villages grew, China. .-.. settlement hierarchies developed. Early monumental struc­ .,...... tures at Susa with mortuary containing about 2000 burials 5000 BCE. Farming reaches discovered nearby. [F. Hole, " ... Reflections in Susa !", France. Michigan, 19871. Widespread use of irrigation. Specialized 4500 BCE. Silk is produced in nomadic pastoralisation separate from village farming in China. Zagros highlands [E. Henrikson, Iranica Antiqua 23,19851. 4000-2000 BCE. Mummification Painted pottery and fine wares. [S.Pollock, Journal ofAnthro­ of bodies was practiced in Peru. pological Archeology 2, 19831. Copper was traded. 3300 BCE. Mayan civilization 4000 BCE. Arrival of Sumerians on the world stage. Sumer flourishes in South America. is the ancient name for Mesopotamia. Uruk on the Euphrates was the earliest city. 3100 BCE. , the first Egyp­ tian pharaoh to wear the double 4000 to 3000 BCE. Proto-Indo-Iranians who were nomadic crown of Upper and Lower Egypt. pastoralists wandered and settled on the South Russian The first hieroglyphic texts appear. Steppes, between the river Volga and the boundaries of pre­ sent-day Kazakhstan. [K. Mistree, Zoroastrianism, An Ethnic Perspective, 19821. They herded cattle and moved from pas­ . Use of metal tools ture to pasture. and weapons. Plow and irrigation. 3400 BCE. Earliest writing system, cuneiform, is developed, Cities are formed. in Mesopotamia. 3500 to 2800 BCE. Proto-Elamite. Cities in southern Mesopotamia established settlements reaching far into moun­ tains to the north and east, early states emerged in the Susania lowlands and southern Mesopotamia [Wright et al, 19751. Evidences for long-distance cultural - economic networks include Proto-Elamite tablets, cylinder seals, artifacts and dis­ tinctive potteries [R.Dyson, Cambridge History of Ancient Iran, 19731. Central and northern Zagros settlements con­ sisted of small villages [E. Henrickson, op.cit1. 2800 BCE. Religious monument at Stonehenge [above 1 in Britain. Shamans and Druids were versed in Bronze Age. Socio-economic and political organization was history and lore. variable across ancient Iran, and differed from east to west. Sus a was a large city and was one of the capitals of Elam. Pri- .,.. vate legal documents from Susa speak ofland tenure and agri­ culture. 3000 to 2000 BCE. The Proto-Indo-Iranians drifted apart. One group (later known as Iranians) moved southwards across Kazakhstan, Turkmenstan and Uzbekstan towards the Iranian plateau (c 1200 BCE). Another group (later known as Vedic Aryans) moved southwards across Khirgiztan and Tajikistan towards India and the Indus Valley (c. 1500 BCE). 2600 BCE. The first pyramids 2600 BCE. Sumerian king rules over Uruk. 12 [above 1 are built in Egypt. The tablets that tell his epical story were found at Ninevah in the technique of mummification was library of Assyrian king . The Epic of Gil­ developed. gamesh, written in cuneiform script, displays the values and 2500 - 1500 BCE. The Indus River beliefs of Mesopotamian society of the period from 2500- Valley Civilization at Harappa and 2005 BCE. Mohenjo Daro. The first method of writing in the Indus script, was developed. Indo-Aryans from the Iranian plateau migrated there in 2375-2225 BCE. . Sargon I conquers the 1500 BCE. Sumerians.

FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 25 King Feraydun was a wise and just ruler. He divides his kingdom among his three sons: the western lands to Salm, .,. China and Turan to Tur, and the central region khvarenah (including Eranshahr or Iran) to Eraj. A bitter protracted feud between the royal houses of Iran and Turan follows and Salm and Tur conspire to murder Eraj.

~w King Manouchehr ascends the throne and kills both Salm z z :I and Tur to avenge the blood of Eraj. z I ...,0 The warrior Sam, abandons his white-haired son, Zal, in the >­ wilderness. Zal is reared by the mythological bird, Simurgh, "'>­ Ql and grows up to be a powerful warrior and marries Rudabeh, '3 0 daughter of the vassal king of Kabul. Their son is Rustom. ~ ::2: z King Afrasiab defeats Manouchehr and rules Iran for 12 <( (ij a: years. He is overthrown by Zab (according to Yashts) or a..w Naudhar (according to Firdowsi).

~I King Kershasp was the last king of the Peshdadian Dynasty. a.. Peshdadian ruler in leopard skins. [Shah Nameh, Musee Guimet, Paris] In the Paleolithic period, small bands, not the , hunted in the highland regions of Iran [P. Smith, Paleolithic Archeology .,_ in Iran, I986]. Paleolithic-Old Stone Age. The earliest type of human (Australop­ Discovery of fossilized skeletons of homo erectus makes Iran a member of the paleolithic community of the world and ithicus) appeared 4 million years w expands the horizon of Iranian prehistory to over a million ago in eastern Africa. Homo Erec­ e, <( years [Iran, Elements of Destiny]. tus dates to over 2 million years ago. 150,000 years ago, the 0 10,000 BCE. Excavations near Sari reveal a highly civilized anatomically modern humans ...... s: people [Ibid.]. (Homo sapiens) evolved in Africa, ···:J 9000 BCE. On account of glaciation, the Asia, Australia and Europe. Nean­ 0 migrate southwards towards the banks of the Oxus and derthal Man lived 130,000 to w J axartes rivers in Central Asia. This new homeland was also ..J 30,000 years ago. They were known by the ancient name of Airyana Vaejah [Mirza, Out­ hunters and gatherers, and crude ~ lines of Parsi History, 1987]. tools, weapons and fire; art, lan­ 8000 BCE. Excavations at Susa, Nihavand, Sialk, near the guage and religious beliefs devel­ Caspian and in Khorasan show a highly civilized people, agri­ oped. culturalists, with exquisite pottery. Residue of red wine sug­ 20,000 BCE. Homo sapiens crossed gests a component of refinement [Iran, Elements of Destiny]. the Bering Straits from Asia into America (Alaska). In the Mesolithic period, in Iran, there was domestication of animals and growing of plants for the first time [B. Hesse, Mesolithic-Middle Stone Age. .,_ Early Mesolithic Site of Ganj Dareh in Western Iran, Man used more complex tools. Art, Columbia University, 1978]. language and religious beliefs grew. 9,000 BCE. End of the last Ice Age. In the Neolithic period, the primary area in Iran where ani­ mals were domesticated and plants grown for food, was the Neolithic-New Stone Age. Devel- r­ 0 . Development of agricultural-pastoral opment of agriculture and animal -:r: .,. economy with settled and sedentary life began, following the domestication, cultivation of wheat !:: last ice age. Settlements were small [P. McDonald et. al, ..J "The Neolithic and Chalcolithic Periods in Madihast, Iran and barley, religious beliefs, weav- 0 ing of cloth, milling, pottery. LU 15, 1977]. 8000 BCE. Crops are cultivated in z 6000 BCE. Excavations at Shahr-e Raye, near Tehran reveal a America in Peru and Ecuador. fire temple [Iran, Elements of Destiny].

24 FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 lac 1nIIIII rl ist ry A timeline of the Iranian lands, peoples and empires in the context of historical world events from the dawn of civilization - the mythological Peshdadian dynasty, the ancient Kayanian dynasty, and the rise and fall of the mighty Persian Empires of the Achaeme­ nians, Parthians and Sasanians. By Roshan Rivetna with Pallan lchaporia

2 WORLD HISTORY IRANIAN HISTORY zen <( The original homeland of the ancient Iranians was Airyana a:~ Vaejah (Phl. Eranvej), in the northern regions near the north ~ u. pole [Mirza]. 0 I­ I (') ::J PESHDADIAN DYNASTY (MYTHOLOGICAL) ~ z0 <( Iranian history begins with the legendary dynasty of the Pesh- z .,_. dadian kings. ~ 0 a: King Gayomard (Av. Gaya Marethan), the first mortal was w z I created [picture left]. He is the first divine king of Iran and ~ founder of the Peshdadian Dynasty. Mashya and Mashyani [see left] the first human couple, I~ 0... grew from the seed of Gayomard. Mashya and Mashyani, tempted by King Siamak, son of Gayomard rules Iran. Ahriman, depicted as an old man. King discovers how to make fire: his stone weapons miss the dragon, hit another stone, causing sparks Adam and Eve in the biblical Gar­ that ignite the dry branches of a tree, resulting in a roaring fire. of Eden, are progenitors of the He introduces irrigation and mines iron from stone. During human race. his reign, people wear animal skins. Gods and of Greek King Tahmuras smites the daevas. He learns the art of writing. mythology, on Mount Olympus - The divinely inspired King Jamshid (or Yima) begotten of Hercules, Jupiter, Zeus, Achilles, fire, rules the world for a Golden Era of 1000 years. During Neptune, the Trojan War, Helen of his just rule, people were healthy and happy, and developed Troy ... , have their counterparts in new arts, skills and trades. Three times he enlarges the extent Iranian mythological characters. of the earth to accommodate the increasing number of men, The last Ice Age, the glacial epoch women, animals and plants. He established the festival of when the world was submerged Nouruz. He developed the art of spinning and weaving, agri­ under ice and snow began 15,000 culture, and construction of buildings. years ago. Ahura Mazda warns Jamshid of winters to come, when the Noah builds an Ark and takes a world would be submerged in ice and snow. Jamshid builds a pair of each animal species there, to 'vara' (fortress) and brings there a pair of the finest men and survive The Great Flood that fol­ women, animals and seeds and plants and fruits, to survive the lowed the Ice Age. predicted snow and ice. Abraham, the first of the great The demonic monster Zohak captures the throne of Jamshid. post-diluvian (after the last Great Zohak's tyrannical rule is ended when Flood) patriarchs, father of Isaac, is leads a rebellion against him. According to Bundahishn, the traditional founder of the Zohak is imprisoned in Mt. Demavand and will be finally ancient Hebrew nation. destroyed, in the last millennium by Kershasp. In other texts, Feraydun kills Zohak and assumes the throne.

The views expressed in these articles are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of FEZANA, the Jour­ nal or the guest editors. Per its editorial policy, FEZANA Journal does not endorse or espouse any specific perspective.

FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 23 I- i

IV PalliD R.lchaporii,IIUIII EdUor

Dr. Pallan R. lchaporia, CEO and President of Pharmaceutical Marketing Networks, Inc., has a BA in Avesta/Pahlavi from Bombay University, did post-graduate work in at Columbia University and has a doctorate in Business Admin­ istration from Oklahoma. He is a Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland, Member of the American Oriental Society and the American of Religions. He has lectured at International conferences and delivered 3lectures on Yashts as the Government of India Research Scholar at the K. R. Cama Oriental Institute, pub­ lished in the KRCOI Journal [No. 63, 1999]. He "l has authored The Gathas of Asho Zarathushtra and co-authored with Prof. Helmut _.J w z z Humbach, The Heritage ofZarathushtra, A New Translation ofHis Gathas in 1994 and ::C z Zamyad Yasht, Yasht 19 of the Younger Avesta, Text, Translation and Commentary, in I -,0 1998. He is Founder President of the Zoroastrian Education and Research Society, >- Chairman of the Second North American Gatha Conference and President of the First "'>" 0 International Avesta Conference. He is Associate Professor, teaching Comparative "'_.J 0 I Religions at Alvernia University in Pennsylvania, and is presently involved in joint I;: ~ works with Prof. Helmut Humbach on Concordance of the Gathas and with Prof. A. z Ui W. "'a: Panaino and Prof. Malandra on editing and translating the Pahlavi text of Dinkerd. w 0.. i::i Left, on the portal to the Throne Hall at Persepolis f- 0 I shows king with attendants. On top is the symbol of the fravashi. 0.. 22 FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 Clockwise, from left, Manijeh P. Sachinwalla Dar-e-Mehr at Valvi, Shapoorji Fakirji Jokhi Agiary at Godrej Baug, Seth Ardeshir Bhicaji Patel Dadgah at Salsette (East And­ heri), and Phiroze Ardeshir Patel Agiary in Andheri West.

long festivities, attended by over 3000 Zarathushtis, Dasturji Kotwal noted that in the present situation with paucity of priests, it was appro­ priate that only dadgah grade fires be consecrated. The hoi ceremony may be offered to a dadgah fire with less frequency, or not at all; and in the absence of a mobed, a behdin may tend the dadgah fire. This dadgah has been named in pious memory of the late Seth Ardeshir Bhicaji Patel, founder member of the Salsette Parsi Association and their dokhma(established in 1927). The present chairman is his grandson Ardeshir Maneckshaw Patel. Phiroze Ardeshir Patel Agiary in Andheri West adjoins the noted Cama Athornan Madressa and the newly constructed Cama Park hous­ ing complex. "It was established in 1908 by Seth Ardeshir Bhicaji Patel ..Jw in memory of his young son Phiroze, 0.. ;::'"' who had died at a tender age," noted :¥z the elder Ardeshir's grandson. <( The agiary has now been recon­

I~ 0.. structed to serve the needs of Zarathushtis in the nearby Cama, Bharucha and Panthaky Baugs. Dur­ 'U,-1 ; le;·,·~· 1 H'',g, 'l~~~,a~r~l~~~~e-s- ~~~~ ; ' ing construction, the original adaran ! I~ W J j I ' 'i j I ' 'i I ,' !Ill n fire was carefully tended in a part of the old building, awaiting installation Naoroji P. Godrej, also then a trustee Seth Ardeshir Bhicaji Patel in the new building on March 21. of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet was Dadgah at Salsette (East Andheri), Testimony to Zarathushti spirit. It near Mumbai, was consecrated on the first, in 1985, to accede to the is remarkable that in the space of a January 23. The dadgah is situated in idea of an agiary. few months, the community has cre­ the midst of a new housing complex The BPP was actively involved in ated four new spaces for worship, to with several multi-story buildings financing and construction of the accommodate the shifting Zarathushti offering tenements for 700 agiary, completed in 1998. In search population. Surely a testimony to the Zarathushti . Credit goes to of a donor to reimburse the construc­ fact that Zarathushti life still centers the Salsette Parsi Association and the tion costs, they approached several around our dar-e-mehrs, as it has developers, Persepolis Construction members of the community. done for centuries, and a reminder to for overcoming many hurdles to real­ North Americans that wherever there The magnanimous Jokhi family of ize this dream. Four days of conse­ are a few Zarathushti families in an Hong Kong reimbursed the construc­ cration ceremonies led by Dastoorji area, a dar-e-mehr, however modest tion costs and have had the honor of Dr. Firoze M. Kotwal, culminated in in size, forms a valuable and essential naming the agiary in memory of their a grand jashan ceremony. At the day- patriarch. component of Zarathushti life. II FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 21 By Rohinton M. Rivetna Hinsdale, Illinois

momentous events have recently unfolded in Mumbai, that are a cause for celebration by Zarathushtis worldwide. In the span of a few months, four new agia­ ries were consecrated - a testimony to the spirit, zeal and dedication of the Parsi community. Manijeh P. Sachinwalla Dar-e­ Mehr at Valvi. The dadgah at the Manijeh P. Sachinwalla Dar-e-Mehr at Valvi, near Vasai on the outskirts of Mumbai, was the first to be conse­ crated. A grand jashan was held on November 14, attended by nearly 2500 persons, in the presence of respected high priests: Dasturji J amaspAsa, Dasturji Hormazdyar Mirza and Dasturji Dr. Firoze Kot­ wal. This was the culmination of four days of consecration cere­ monies, including baj, yazeshne and vendidad, led by Er. Rooyintan Peer, son of late Er. Peshotan F. Peer, who had earlier officiated at the laying of the foundation stone in 1996. Architect-builder Borni Sachinwalla has taken care to use only natural materials - stone floors, stone walls and solid wood doors and windows. "Natural materials draw cosmic energy" he says. The afarganyu is made of copper (a basic metal), the two godhas (bull statues) that flank the entrance to the kebla (inner sanc­ < ' lll'l 1!1111 tum) are carved out of solid stone, ~li 1 :e~n~ :1~11, ~m:~~ j ' _j ' :n, III m,I ,_' ,j ~i ,l ,_I -1 ' '- -~ _; i I and hundies (oil-lamp chandeliers) hang from the ceiling, for there are mobed, any Zarathushti can tend the Shapoorji Fakirji J okhi Agiary at no electric lights in the building. fire, which is not permissible in the Godrej Baug, Nepean Sea Road, The dar-e-mehr is built on a 1.5 acre case of the higher grades of fire. On was the next to be installed, on property beautifully landscaped with proper maturity in the future, it can December 21 [see "A Day to trees and shrubs surrounded by a 6 be promoted to a higher status." Remember" , by Dolly Dastoor, foot sto~e wall. A small priest's res­ The dar-e-mehr cost Rs. 30 lakhs to FEZANA Journal, Spring 2000]. It's idence, also of stone, appears to build, 40% of which was donated, attractive facade comes into view as watch over the dar-e-mehr. The set­ the remaining contributed by Mr. you go up the road to the Godrej ting is idyllic and spiritually uplifting. Sachinwalla. He also owns a plot of Baug housing complex of 500 family When asked why this was a dadgah land opposite the dar-e-mehr where units, constructed by the Godrej and not an aderan, Mr. Sachinwalla he intends to build a 65-flat building foundation. explained: "The dadgah status, with and hall for Zarathushtis. Mr. Sachin­ Their architect-planner-builder Man­ either a consecrated or an unconse­ walla has offered his assistance in eck Engineer, had the vision and crated fire, is always favorable in the our quest to build a dar-e-mehr with foresight to plan the agiari as the initial stages, for, in the absence of a a consecrated fire in North America. baug was planned. The late Seth

20 FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 Zarathushtis at the Millennium Dome Zarathushti faith is featured among nine world faiths at the multimmillion pound Millennium Dome in London, UK

Some fascinating Dome facts. The Zarathushtis behind the scene at Millennium Dome is an awesome the Dome. This signal honor and construction, the largest of its kind in recognition for our faith (remember­ the world. It is over one kilometer in ing that Zarathushtis number only circumference and covers over 8000 in a country of 55 million) 80,000 square meters (20 acres). The came about as a result of regular par­ Greenwich Meridian Line runs ticipation by the ZTFE (Zoroastrian through the site. 43 miles of cable Trust Funds of Europe) under the hold up 10,000 square meters of fab­ leadership of President Dorab Mistry, ric. The translucent roof is 50 meters in the Interfaith Network of the UK. high at the center. It could contain the The ZTFE delegation to the IFN is Eiffel Tower on its side or even the led by Jehangir Sarosh and includes Great Pyramid of Giza inside it. It Ervad Rustam Bhedwar and Mal­ has parking space for 18,000 double colm Deboo, all of whom undoubt­ decker London buses. There are 320 edly deserve credit for this unique women's toilets, 65 toilets for the recognition. disabled, 120 men's cubicles plus 200 Inclusion of the Zarathushti religion urinals! at the Dome, was announced by IFN Inside the Dome are "Zones" to Director Brian Pearce at an Interfaith explore and discover, to watch or Parade at Zoroastrian House on Nou­ become interactively involved with, ruz 1998. Throughout 1999, ZTFE such as The Play Zone (the future of made available facilities to the chore­ leisure), Transaction Zone (about ographer and the photographer of the money), The Work Zone (changing Dome to come and take photographs world of work), Mobility Zone of jashans, prayers, festivals, (travel in the future), The Communi­ navjotes, weddings and even an cate Zone (21st century technolo­ agharni ceremony. Malcolm Deboo gies), The Rest Zone (dream worlds liaised extensively with the photog­ and sensory surprises) and more ... rapher, Tim Page, and provided text The Zarathushti twist. The Millen­ and research to the producers of the nium experience entertains, inspires Faith Zone. All the ZTFE mobeds and challenges us all, and above all, and the congregation at Zoroastrian it has a Zarathushti connection - in House, also cooperated freely, at the fascinating Spirit Zone called these special events. At the "Topping "Faith". It explores the huge range Out" ceremony of the Faith Zone in of beliefs and religions. The spiritual August, the ZTFE delegation journey walks you through the included Dasturji Dr Firoze Kotwal beliefs and practices of different reli­ who was visiting the UK. gions dealing with life stages: birth, At the Inaugural Ceremony of the initiation, marriage, awe and wonder, Dome on Millennium Night, Prime and finally death. The Zarathushti Minister Tony Blair invited the lead­ symbol of the urn with a flame was ers of all nine religions, their spon­ prominently displayed. sors and celebrities, to a reception at For me, it was a wonderful experi­ the Royal Gallery in the Houses of ence, which filled me with a sense of Parliament and then accompanied pride and hope. Pride for the recog­ them by a special train to the Dome. nition of our religion at this millen­ ZTFE was represented by President nium event and hope for our survival. Dorab Mistry and Ervad Rustom Bhedwar and their wives. Images of "Initiation" and "Death" - By Kamalrukh Katrak ceremonies at the Faith Pavillion. - By Roshan Rivetna FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 19 ARABIAN SEA

Left, the magnificent Persepolis, built through the reign of 3 Achaemenian monarchs - , Xerxes I and Artaxerxes I. View from the "Gateway of all Lands", towards the Apadana- the Hall of 100 Columns. The Palace of Darius is in the distance on the left. Above, the Persian Empire at the time of Darius (522-486 BCE) stretched from the Nile in Egypt and Greece eastward into India. I- ing, the royal dynasty of the ans and took . Before long he many. Cyrus turned to the east to pro­ Achaemenians ruled their conquered besieged the Lydians in the city of tect the frontier against the tribes lands with compassion and justice, Sardis and captured the Lydian ruler, who were partially Iranians and in until their fall at the hands of the Croesus in 546. fighting them he lost his life in 529. "accursed Alexander" in 334 BCE. His political and military genius was On the death of Cyrus, his son Cam­ Cyrus II the Great (Kurush II) (549- at its best in the capture of Babylon byses II (Kumbujia II) (529-522 530 BCE). The ruling dynasty of the in 559 and release of the Jews from BCE) came to the throne. There was Achaemenians settled in Pars traced Assyrian captivity [see inset, next unrest in the Empire at Cyrus' death. its ancestry to one Hakhamanish. page]. The Jews looked to Cyrus as Cambyses secretly killed his brother Three rulers, Teispes, (Chispish), their deliverer, as prophesied earlier (Smerdis/Gaumata) to pro­ Cyrus I (Kurush I) and Cambyses I in Second Isaiah, and he was hailed tect his rear while campaigning (Kumbujia I) preceded Cyrus as the legitimate successor to the against Egypt in 525 BCE. He II.(Kurush II). He married a daughter Babylonian throne. crossed the Sinai Desert and of Astyages and in 559 inherited his In one stride this Zoroastrian king defeated the Egyptians at Pelusium. father's position as ruler of Anshan, had carried Persian power to the bor­ He captured Memphis and took the within the Median confederation. He ders of Egypt and with Babylon Pharaoh in captivity to Susa. Egypt rebelled against the Medes and even­ came all that had been seized from was garrisoned at three major points, tually defeated them in 550 BCE the Assyrians. The sudden and swift Daphnae in the east delta, Memphis which resulted in the Median Empire appearance of the first Zoroastrian and Elephantine, but in 522 news becoming the first Persian Empire. world power must have frightened reached Cambyses of a revolt led by Soon afterward he defeated the Lydi- an imposter claiming to be Bardiya, FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 41 Cambyse's brother. Hastening home to regain control Cambyses died, possibly from an infection resulting from an accidental sword wound. Darius the Great (Darayavahush) (522 - 486 BCE) was the leading general in Cambyses' army and one of the princes of the Achaemenian family. He raced home with troops to crush the pretender Bradiya. His father Hystapes was the governor of The Edict of Cyrus inscribed in Akkadian cuneiform. [British Parthia during the false Bardiya's Museum]. A Replica at United Nations, New York. is revolt which took more than a year to acknowledged as the ancient world's Bill of Human Rights. put down. Almost every province of the empire including Persia and Media openly revolted, and it took Cyrus and Babylon shift actions on the part of Darius that brought peace to his empire and In 539 BCE, Cyrus II "the Great" defeated the Babylonian army at Opis undisputed power to Darius. and Sippar and entered Babylon. His troops surrounded the Temple of Marduk, while ensuring that the worship going on inside was not disturbed, Darius was in the mold of Cyrus, the and took the religious fanatic ruler, , as prisoner. (Earlier, in Great - a powerful personality and a 597, King Nebuchadnezzer of Babylon had invaded Judea and devastated dynamic ruler. His empire was the country. The city of Jerusalem was destroyed, the Temple of Solomon divided into states called satrapies, razed to the ground, and thousands of Jews killed or brought in captivity to each governed by a satrap. in the Babylon). When Cyrus entered the gates of Babylon, on October 29, he inscription at Naqsh-e Rustom, Dar­ was hailed as a savior and agent of Jehovah, and branches were spread in ius enumerates 29 satrapies, includ­ his path. In the ensuing months, the Jews and their gods were allowed to ing and Sindh (India). return to their homelands and rebuild their temples. Herodotus records that Darius Known as a benevolent conqueror, Cyrus' generous edict [above] exca­ designed a most efficient postal vated in Babylonia acknowledged as the world's first "Bill of Human courier system [see inset next page] Rights": to carry post from Sardis to Susa. Among his other notable accom­ "I am Cyrus, king of the world, great king, mighty king, king of Babylon ... plishments was the construction of a When I, well-disposed, entered Babylon, I set up the seat of domination in canal connecting the River Nile with the Royal Palace amidst jubilation and rejoicing ... I did not allow anyone the "sea that goes from pars" - the to terrorise the land of Sumer and Akkad. I kept in view the needs of Baby­ lon and all its sanctuaries, to promote its well-being. I lifted the unbecom- Red Sea, along which his ships could ing yoke of the people of Babylon ... Their dilapidated dwellings I restored. pass from Egypt to Persia. I put an end to their misfortunes ... " In 512 Darius' armies, drawn from That much is history. But what is most intriguing is that many years before many nations, crossed the the birth of Cyrus, the prophet Isaiah recorded that a man named Cyrus on a bridge of boats, and subdued would permit the exiled Jews to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple- which, in Greece. On the shores of in Isaiah's day, had not yet been destroyed: the Bosporus, he erected 2 pillars of "That saith of Cyrus, he is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure, white marble on which were even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foun- engraved in Greek and , dation shall be laid." - Isaiah 44:28 the names of all the nations which composed his army. Isaiah also prophesied Cyrus' overthrow of Babylon: He expanded the empire with the "Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him ... " -Isaiah 45:1-3 campaign to the east which added large sections of northern India and in The fact that Isaiah could explicitly predict a king and savior who would the west with full thrust in 496 against rule over Babylon 150 years later, has troubled scholars for years. 1111 the Greek fleet proved successful and - By Roshan Rivetna the fleet was badly beaten. Mardo­ REFERENCES: [J] Edwin M. Yamauchi, Persia and the Bible, 1990; and nius, a son-in-law regained Persian [2] Michael Roaf, Mesopotamia and the Ancient Near East, 1990. Thrace and Macedonia.

42 FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 The Persian invasion of Greece fol­ lowed but Darius was defeated at the ''If the battles of Marathon and Salamis Battle of Marathon [see inset right] on August 12, 490 and the Great had been lost and Greece had succumbed King was forced to retreat. But this was a minor issue on the western to Persia, the State religion of the Empire extremity of the empire and a mas­ of Cyrus, which was the worship of Ahura sive preparation for an invasion of Greece began on coordinated grand Mazda, might have been the religion of the scale but was unfortunately inter­ Max Muller rupted in 486 by the death of this whole civilized world'' - Zoroastrian . BATTLE OF MARATHON BATTLE OF SALAMIS The Great King Xerxes I (Khsha­ In 492 BCE, to avenge interferance In 480 BCE, to avenge the defeat at yarsha) (486-465 BCE), Darius' by the Greeks, Darius dispatched a Marathon, Xerxes turned towards eldest son by Queen Hutossa was grand fleet of 600 triremes (galley Greece. Herodotus recounts how born after Darius became king. He warships) and a large land force turned his attention towards Greece Xerxes led an army of "two million under the command of Artaphernes men" across the Dardanelles, aided and wintered at Sardis in 480 and led and Datis, across the Aegean Sea by a grand fleet of ships, and he a combined land and sea invasion of towards Athens. After a six-day Greece. Northern Greece fell to the marched unopposed through battle the island of Eretria was cap­ Thrace, Macedonia and Thessaly. Persians in the summer of 480 BCE tured, and the Persian troops landed At the narrow pass of Thermopy­ but the Greeks stood firm at Ther­ on the Greek mainland near the lae, the Persians and Greeks bat­ mopylae. The Persian land forces Plain of Marathon. tled until the Persian army marched to Athens and took Acrop­ olis. Unfortunately the Persian fleet There they were confronted by the manoevered along a narrow moun­ tain path and advanced towards lost the Battle of Salamis [see inset, Athenians under Miltiades. In the Athens. right] and the major invasion by ensuing battle, the Persians broke Zoroastrian Persia was blunted. Fur­ through the center, but the Athenian The city of Athens fell, the Acropo­ ther loss at the Battle of Plataea and wings united behind them and lis was burned and the Persians loss of Thebes, a stronghold of the inflicted a severe defeat. The retreat­ were victorious. pro-Persian forces, compounded by ing Persians were pursued to their The Athenians, meanwhile had the naval loss at Mycale in 479 BCE ships, seven of which were taken. At withdrawn to Salamis, to prepare put an end to the Achaemenid the end of the battle were laid 6,400 for the expected battle at the Isthmus Zoroastrian conquest of Europe. Persian solders dead - the Greeks of Corinth. It was September 22, Xerxes lost interest in further inva­ clearly gained the upper hand. and Xerxes prepared to watch the sion and returned to Susa/Ecbatana. The Persians nevertheless still battle from a silver-footed throne In 465 BCE palace intrigues led to pressed towards Athens by sea, sail­ under a golden canopy, at the base of the assassination of the Great King. ing around Cape Sounion in the the hill. Weak rulers. It is a tribute to Cyrus, hope of attacking that city before the The first assault was a success for Darius and Xerxes that the empire Athenians could re-assemble. By the Persians, but later the Athenians they established was as resilient as it the time the Persians arrived at the attacked and two hundred ships, a proved to be after Xerxes. The three coast off Athens, however, the Athe­ third of Xerxes' grand fleet were rulers Artaxerxes I (Artakhshasa) nians had prepared their defences. lost. Multitudes of Persian sailors (464-425), Xerxes II (425-424) and For the Greek runner Philippides drowned and the ldng's brother and Darius II (423-404) were all com­ had run the 26 mile distance from three nephews were killed. Marathon to Athens, to warn the paratively weak and the success they The two armies met again, a year enjoyed was due to the efforts of Athenians of the approaching ships later on the Plain of Plataea, near (thereby immortalizing the name of their subordinates. Thebes. The Persian Mardonius the 26-mile Marathon Race in ath­ Artaxerxes II (404-359 BCE). letic circles). was killed and the Persians suffered Sparta built a small empire and soon suffered a crushing defeat. The got involved in a war with Persia. The Persians had little choice but to Achaemenid ambition to overrun Artaxerxes II rebuilt the Persian fleet withdraw. [Excerpted from History Greece was thus decisively and with Athens on their side, of the Persian Empire by A. T. Olm­ thwarted. [Excerpted from Ancient defeated Sparta. Eventually Artax­ stead, 1948] II Persia by John Curtis, British erxes dictated the 'King's Peace' in Museum, 1989]. II

FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 43 Darius III, encoun­ ters Alexander at the Battle of Gaugamela in 331 BCE. From a ll'x6'mosaic (c. 100 BCE)found at Pom­ peii, now at the Naples Museum.

387 and the Greeks gave up Asia Minor to the Persians. Cyrus the younger, brother of the king revolted and was forgiven but in another uprising with the help of 10,000 Greek mercenaries to claim the throne, he was defeated and killed in the Battle of Cunaxa in Mesopotamia. The Beginning of the End. Plots and counter plots, and murder brought Artaxerxes III (359 - 338 Darius Ill Meets Alexander BCE) to the throne. Palestine, and Cilicia revolted but Ironically, Darius III ascended the throne the same year (336 BCE) that the uprising was put down. Artax­ Alexander became King in Macedonia. In 334, Alexander crossed the erxes III succeeded in his new Hellespont and met the Persian army on the banks of the River Granicus on attempt to gain back Egypt. How­ the western shore of the Empire. The Persians suffered heavy losses. ever, he made a great mistake of not Alexander went on to Sardis, the capital of , which surrendered with­ supporting Athens against the rising out a fight. After another victorious battle at Issus in 333, Alexander power of Phillips II of Macedon and advanced into Syria, took Damascus and then went on to Egypt. soon Phillip extended his hegemony Meanwhile, Darius mobilized an army, (number "over 1,040,000 men" over all of Greece - a united Greece according to Greek historians) and engaged Alexander (with an army of that was to prove impervious to Per­ 47,000) after he crossed the Euphrates, at Gaugemela, near Ninevah. Dar­ sia. ius was again defeated. Alexander went on to take Babylon and Susa. The Artaxerxes III was poisoned by his booty from the palaces at Susa amounted to "40,000 talents of silver" (esti­ physician at the order of the eunuch mated at $1,200 for each talent) and "9,000 talents of gold". Bagoas, who then made Arses king ( On February 1, 330 Alexander approached the Persian Gates at Persepolis. 338-336). Arses wanted to get rid of The Macedonian solders raced inside in an orgy of slaughter and plunder. Bagoas and in an attempt to poison The palaces, famed throughout the civilized world, fell victim to insult and Bagoas, the king was killed. Bagaos destruction. They "rent the royal robes, broke with mattocks vases of price­ then brought to the throne Darius less art, and carried off the broken limbs of statues ... " [ Quintius V]. Alexan­ III, a 45 year old former satrap of der seized 120,000 talents of gold, silver and valuables which needed 10,000 Armenia. So many members of the mules and 500 camels to carry. royal house had been murdered in the After a trip of 45 miles to Pasargadae where he plundered the priceless trea­ court intrigues that Darius probably sures of Cyrus, Alexander returned to Persepolis to continue the massacre. held the closest blood claim to the "While they were feasting and drinking, a madness took possession of the throne being the great nephew of minds of the intoxicated guests," says a Greek source, Diodorus Silicus, Artaxerxes II. "One of the women present, Thaius by name said that for Alexander, it The beginning of the end came soon would be the finest of all his feats in Asia if he were to set fire to the palaces -in April 334 BCE with the loss at and let women's hands, in a minute, extinguish the famed accomplishments the banks of the River Granicus to of the Persians. Promptly, torches were gathered and Thaius was the first, "Alexander the Accursed". Darius' after the king, to hurl a blazing torch". Thus ended the mighty Empire of plan to conquer the Helenic states the Achaemenians. had fallen through. Darius sent [Excerpted from "Persepolis" by Donald N. Wilbur, 1969] envoys carrying messages offering

44 FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 alliance, which were rejected by 'King of Kings' in vogue during this Alexander as he advanced, unop­ period was used even in the 20th cen­ ''Neither snow, nor posed, across Syria and Egypt into tury by many of Iran- imply­ rain, nor heat, or the Persia. Alexander met Darius' army ing that the central authority at the fateful battles at Gaugemela exercised power through a pyramidal darkness of night. .. '' andArabela in 334. The magnificent structure controlled by the supreme Darius the Great introduced what Persepolis fell to the invader in May authority. There is evidence that the may be called the world's first 334 [ cf Richard Frye, History of old Iranian concepts of kingship and courier postal system to carry post Ancient Iran; Cambridge History of social organization were still hon­ along the Royal Road from Susa to Iran, Vol. II] and was burned, along ored and remained ideals of Persian Sardis. The distance of 1500 miles with priceless texts and treasures culture upto the upheaval of the was purportedly covered in 6 days, [see next page]. Darius III was mur­ Islamic revolution in the late 20th by mounted couriers riding night dered in the summer of the same year century. and day. Herodotus remarks: while fleeing from the conqueror. Religion. The crucial question is: "Nothing mortal travels so fast as With the defeat of the Achaemenians, Were the Achaemenians Zoroastri­ these Persian messengers. The the religion of Zarathushtra received ans? Were they followers of the entire plan is a Persian invention a severe blow, with the massacre of Prophet? Possibly Cyrus was and ... Along the whole line of road many great Zoroastrian priests and certainly Darius I and all his succes­ there are men (they say) stationed sages resulting in the loss of the sors were. The God of the with horses. The first rider deliv­ Avesta. A dark period followed until Achaemenids was the great God, ers his dispatch to the second, and a revival and restoration of the reli­ Ahura Mazda from whom they second passes it to the third; and so it is borne from hand to hand gion by the Parthian King Valkash accomplished all deeds. Xerxes and along the whole line ... These (Vologeses I) in 51 CE. his successors have mentioned other men will not be hindered ... nei­ SOCIETY AND RELIGION deities by name, but Ahura Mazda ther by snow, nor rain, nor heat, oF THE AcHAEMENIANS remained supreme. Darius, the Great or by the darkness of night ... ". names only Ahura Mazda in his The language of the Achaemenians These words have since been inscriptions. More significant is Dar­ was as varied as the people of the immortalized by the US postal sys­ ius' tone, which is entirely compati­ tem and can be seen inscribed on Empire. The Persians spoke the Old ble with the moral tone of , a southwest dialect the facade of the General Post Zarathushtra and also harmonious of Old Iranian (others being Avesta office in New York. II with the details of Zarathushtra's the­ and Median). ology. Darius at Bisutun established a tradi­ During the reigns of Darius and The Canal of Darius tion that royal inscriptions should be Xerxes archeological records reveal trilingual- Old Persian, Babylonian The engineering feats and innova­ that religious rituals were in force and Elamite. Elamite written in clay tive skills of the Persians were and these were also in accord with tablets had been the administrative well-known in ancient times. King Zoroastrianism. The haoma ritual language in Pars and Elam. Archives Darius had a canal constructed link­ was practiced at Persepolis but ani­ of administration discovered at ing the Red Sea and the Nile - a mal sacrifice is not attested. Most Persepolis are written in Elamite. precursor to the Suez Canal. important is that fire played a central The language of the Empire was The canal was 150 feet wide and role in the Achaemenid's religion. however Aramaic which was used in boats could pass through the canal Religious motivations were behind the imperial bureaucracy. via the Red Sea and the Nile in four Xerxes' suppression of the daeva days to reach the Mediterranean Achaemenid society and culture worshippers and the destruction of port of Alexandria. There Darius was the collective society and culture their temple. Furthermore Artaxerxes left an inscription, which still of the many subject peoples of the I adopted the . stands today: Empire. The "Laws of the Medes All these in some sense show that the and Persians" was a by-word of Achaemenians were Zoroastrians. "I am an Achaemenian from Per­ judicial incorruptibility - and harsh­ sia. By the Grace ofAhura Mazda What was the religion of the people ness - throughout subject lands. I seized Egypt. I gave orders to beyond the Achaemenid court circles tame the Nile .. . this canal was The social organization was based may be almost impossible to say but dug thus as I had ordered and on feudal lines. Traditional Indo-Ira­ one can suspect that a variety of ships went from Egypt through nian society consists of three classes: ancient Iranian cults and beliefs pre­ this canal ... " II warriors/aristocracy, priests and vailed. II [From Ushta, Zoroastrian Studies, farmers/herdsmen. The title of the June 1999}.

FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 45 The grand palaces at Susa, Pasaruadae and Persepolis In describing the construction of his palace at Sus a, Darius the Great says in his inscriptions: "The cedar timber was brought from a mountain by the name Lebanon. The 'yaka' timber from Gandara and from . The gold came from Sardis and from . The precious stone lapis­ lazuli and carnelian from Sogdiana. The turquoise from Chorasmia. The silver and ebony from Egypt. The orna­ ments from . The ivory from Ethiopia and from Sind and . The men who wrought the baked bricks, those were Babylonians. The men who adorned the walls, those were Medes and Egyptians ... " This was imperial art on a scale the world has not seen before. Materials and artists were drawn from all the lands ruled by the Zoroastrian emperor Darius the Great. The tastes, styles and motifs were mixed together in an eclec­ tic style of art and architecture that in itself mirrored the Empire. Yet the whole was entirely Persian. The Achaemenids were tolerant in matters of religion, local governments and customs but only as long as the Persians were in ultimate control. So also they were tolerant in art as long as the finished and total effect was Persian. At Pasargadae, the capital of Cyrus and Carnbyses, and at Persepolis (founded by Darius and used by all his succes­ sors), one can see the planning, conception and the fin­ ished product distinctly Persian and could have been created by any of the foreign groups, so also the arts at which Persians excelled including fine metal tableware, jewelry, seal cutting, weaponry and its decoration as well as fine pottery. Cyrus had a long Iranian artistic tradition when he chose to build Pasargadae. Two examples distinctly prove this - the tradition of the columnar hall and the fine gold work. The columnar hall can be seen as belonging to an archi­ tectural tradition on the Iranian plateau that extended back through the Median period to at least the beginning of the first millennium BCE. The rich Achaemenid gold-work was in the tradition of the delicate metalwork found in the Iron Age II at Hasanlu and still earlier at Marlik. In its carefully proportioned and well organized ground plan, rich architectural ornaments and magnificent decora­ tive reliefs, Persepolis is one of the artistic legacies of the ancient Zoroastrian empire and of the bygone world reflecting the glory and goodness in the past ancient his­ tory of the religion of Zarathushtra and its adherents. -By Patlan R. Ichaporia

Left, Glazed brick relief of Royal Guard from the Palace at Susa (, Paris) 46 FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 I- I-

CE, the Achaemenians stood against Greek domination, ans prevented the Romans from dominating the countries of Asia®

By Rashna P. lchaporia king". At the time of his peaceful attacked Armenia. He then overran Womelsdorf, Pennsylvania death in 138, Parthia was already a Mesopotamia in 113 and entered Dura world empire. Europos. He regained the provinces of THE SELEUCID EMPIRE Thirty-three Parthian kings followed Parthia and . captured Seistan and (312 - 250 BCE) Mithradates I. Only some notable established sovereignty over the After the downfall of the Achaemeni­ rulers are mentioned below. steppes of the Caspian, the oasis of ans in 331 BCE, Alexander pro­ Merv. A form of the Mazdayasni reli­ claimed himself Emperor of Persia. gion was noted in these conquered ter­ After his death in 323 BCE, the ritories. A rock relief c. 120 at empire was broken up among his Behistun in western Iran shows generals. Seleucus Nicator Mithradates II with four . the Seleucid Dynasty in 312 B V (2 BCE-4 CE) was king Macedonian rule in Iran lasted Parthia when Jesus was born. 80 years until the arrival of u•u~;== I (51- 80 CE) (Valakhsh) Parthians in 250 BCE. a++.,~t.·rJ a revival of Zoroastrianism. THE PARTHIAN (OR '1""\.l,cullal'- is used for the first time, royal coinage and a fire altar ARSACID) EMPIRE on coins. This public and (-250 BCE- 227 CE) V.LU.V.L~ recognition of the reverence Arsaces, the first Parthian king, fire leaves no doubt about the a Scythian, with leanings towards the Zoroastrian affiliation of the Parthians. Mazdayasni faith. With tribal Relations between Rome and Parthia nomads from Aparni, Arsaces con­ were hostile, and bitter wars were quered eastern Iran in 280 BCE. He fought over Armenia. After several and his brother Tiridates, who suc­ Parthian victories, in 63 CE, Rome ceeded him, established the Parthian Coin of Mithradates II accepted Vologese' brother Tiridates dynasty. Rulers following Tiridates, [Hinnells, ] as King of Armenia. Tiridates was a include Arsaces II through Arsaces Under Phraates II (138--128BCE) devout Zoroastrian. Pliny calls him a IX (Arsaces III is also known as the Parthians continued to rule over Magian (priest). He was so scrupu­ Mithradates I). Seleucia in spite of a brief takeover lous in his observation of the faith that Mithradates I the Great ( 171-13 8 by Antiochus VII. After also gaining he traveled to Rome for his investi­ BCE) is the true founder ofthe Mesopotamia, Phraates left for the ture, all the way by land, to avoid Parthian Empire. Prior to him, all the east where the , the Central defiling the sea. Roman Emperor Arsaces were vassals of the Seleucids. Asian nomads threatened Parthian Nero invested him with the crown of The conquests of Mithradates I rule. The nomads were powerful and Armenia, and announced the end of brought the Parthians from a small Phraates and his uncle Artabanus lost hostilities between Persia and Rome. kingdom in eastern Iran to a position their lives fighting them in 123. According to Dinkerd [Madan 412, of power in the arena of the Near East. The rule of Mithradates II the He annexed Babylonia and 5-10] Valkash (probably Vologeses I) Great (123-87 BCE) marks a high ordered the gathering of all oral texts Mesopotamia by 141 and later point in restoration of Parthian entered Selucia. He issued the first of the Avesta in order to codify the power. When Mithradates II, son of sacred texts of the Zoroastrians. This Parthian coinage on the Greek model Artabanus II, came to the throne in justifiably calling himself "Great is the most remarkable event of the 123 BCE. He retook Babylonia and Parthian dynasty.

FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 47 Last rulers. The last Parthian rulers were Vologeses IV (191-207 CE), Christlanitv in Parthian and Sasanian Iran Vologeses V (207-227 CE) and Arta­ In the Parthian period. Jesus was born during the reign of the Parthian banus V (213-224 CE) or Ardavan. king Phraates V. The people of Iranian origin, the Jews from Parthia, After a long rule of over 500 years, Media, Elam and Mesopotamia for the first time learnt about Christianity the Parthian Empire, weakened by from the Pentecostal miracle in Jerusalem, as stated by Acts 2.9 from the wars with Rome on the west and the Kushan on the east, succumbed to Bible. We can safely surmise that in all probability, the starting point of another Zoroastrian dynasty, the Christianization was to the east of Euphrates. These groups played between Sasanians. the Roman and Parthian interests. The young Christianity soon became a missionary church [see Acts of the RELIGION OF THE PARTIDANS Apostles] and so in the second century CE, the Younger Pliny, the Roman Reverence of fire was noted during imperial representative in Pontus had to write for advice concerning the the reign of the first Parthian king. treatment of the Christians to Trajan Roman ruler [see, Annals XV, 44, Loeb Isidore of Charax [1 I] speaks of an Classical Libraries]. ever burning fire in the fire-temple in of Asaak where Arsaces I was The general state of Christianity under Parthian rule was one of tolerance crowned. Also noted was honoring because of religious indifference until the Christians started their conver­ of the fravashis of one's ancestors- a sion movements and the Zoroastrian clergy had to be made strong, as was notable Zoroastrian practice. done by Vologeses I, with the codification of Zoroastrian scriptures and vigorous revival of the religion with deep learning by the priestly class. It is interesting to note that the recently discovered Nisa Ostraca The Parthian period was characterized by peace and quiet for the Christians gives Zoroastrian names such as Sros­ and other non-Zoroastrian minorities. This peaceful period proved benefi­ dat, Tirdat, Vahuman, Ohrmazdik, cial for Christianity in so far as it resulted in further consolidation of their Dinmazdak [Dyakonov and Livshts, missionary zeal. Conversion of Zoroastrians to Christianity increased sig­ Dokumenty iz Nisy Moscow, 1960]. nificantly in the Sasanian period. Further evidence is seen in the use of In the Sasanian Period. A new and vigorous dynasty, the Sasanian, was Zoroastrian months at Nisa, the use of established in 225 CE, with greater devotion to Zoroastrinism resulting in in rituals and the ceremony of justifiable anxiety for the Christians. They were, by this time, well spread in haoma, a herb known to Plutarch as many main Iranian cities and were carrying out their missionary works 'omomi'. The priests wore a small among the Zoroastrians [E. Sachau, Vom Christensum in der Persia, SPAW veil tied around the face in the pres­ 1916, xxix]. By 250, the number of Christians became very large forcing ence of the fire. the Zoroastrian State to regard them as a potential element of unrest. The Zoroastrian practice of exposure At the same time Mani, founder of Manichaeism appeared and his syn­ of the dead is also attested in cretistic Gnostic religion gave an enormous importance to Jesus. In his Parthian times. The practice of cre­ Shaburgan, Mani used as his own, the sayings of Jesus of the New Testa­ mation was nowhere found because of the Zoroastrian abhorrence of pol­ ment with direct quotations from Matthew 25.21 ff [The Mid-Persian Tur­ luting the fire. With the rise of Chris­ fan texts M475 and M477 in F. Muller Handschriften-Reste in tianity, the Parthians had to combat Estrangelo-Shrift aus Tuifan, Chinesisch-Turkistan II, APAW 1903,2. Due conversion and so the priesthood was thanks to Helmut Humbachfor giving this reference.] The intimate knowl­ made strong. Jews on the other hand edge of Christianity found in the Manichaen texts was gained by Mani from maintained good relations with the the Christians in Babylonia, who represented the established and well orga­ Parthians after the occupation of nized Christian church. Palestine by Romans. Buddhism was Organized Christianity started propagating and becoming very strong. Over also tolerated on the eastern frontier sixty Christian tombs were built in one year in an extremely small area- the of the Empire. island of Kharg, according to archeological investigation [E. Herzfeld, One can discern that much of the cul­ Archaeological History of Iran, London, 1955 pp103-4]. All these resulted ture and practices of the Sasanians in Kartir, the Sasanian Zoroastrian Church leader taking Christianity very that followed, were Parthian in origin seriously as it had become a sort of opponent to the State. This was justifi­ indicating that the Parthians were ably so because, for example, on two occasions (256 and 260 CE) in the truly Zoroastrians and perpetuated it Sasanian wars against Rome, the Greek-speaking Christians in the Sasanian during their rule of five centuries. II Empire supported and fought for the Romans [E.Honigmann and A .Mar­ [This research article was prepared icq, Recherches sur les Res gestae divi Saporis, Brussels, 1953, p 131 if]. with guidance from my father, Patlan - By Pallan R. Ichaporia Ichaporia. His help is gratefully acknowledged.] 48 FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 Rock relief at Naqsh-e appears to have started in the middle SASANIAN ZOROASTRIANISM Rustom. Victory of of the Achaemenian period. Not all THE CHANGED FACE OF THE FAITH Shapur I over the Zoroastrian temples in Achaemenian Two great Iranian empires preceded Romans at the Battle of times were fire temples, in some tem­ the Sasanian dynasty. These were the in 260 CE. ples images of the Achaemenian and Parthian (or Emperor Valerian sur­ and Meher were worshiped. Arsacid) dynasties, times of great renders to Shapur with change in Zoroastrian religious prac­ Alexander's invasion of Iran, in 331 arm raised while Philip tice, in their own right. During BCE resulted in the looting of cities the Arab kneels {n front Achaemenian rule, Iran, the cultural and the destruction of Zoroastrian [see story on page 51]. center of the , came in temples and priests. The Avesta contact with, and was influenced by which had been handed down, many other religions. For example, mainly through an oral tradition by worship in temples was copied from priests, suffered considerable loss; Babylonian, Greek and Egyptian the few written copies of the Avesta practice. Worship in fire temples were also scattered or destroyed. FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 49 The early Parthian kings who drove Ardeshir Papakan, a prince of Pars, Ardeshir also reformed the calendar the Greeks out of Iran were them­ raised an army in rebellion against of 360 days to one of 365 days by selves influenced by Greek culture the Parthian king Ardavan. A fierce adding the five Gatha days. Though more than by Zoroastrianism. Later battle was fought for 40 days, in the reform made the calendar a true Parthian kings seem to have turned which Ardavan and his sons were solar calendar, the change was themselves away from Greek culture defeated. The overthrow of the long­ resented and most festivals were cel­ and thus revived Iranian cul­ established Parthian dynasty ebrated twice, once by the old calen­ ture. King Valkash (Volo­ by an unknown adventurer dar and then according to the new geses I ordered the caused shock and per­ official calendar. collection and preserva- . turbation throughout Ardeshir ruled for fifteen years and tion of the scattered Iran; but Ardeshir, was followed by his son Shapur I Avesta. However, the boundlessly ambi­ (241-270 CE). During his reign, Parthian kings, though tious, continued on Shapur was mainly engaged in wars Zoroastrian them­ his victorious way. with the Romans and put down a selves, did not actively Within two years, he rebellion in Armenia. Around 235, influence the religion. subdued the provinces taking advantage of internal dissen­ The diversification of the empire and, in 226, sion and court intrigues among the Zoroastrian religious practice had himself crowned the first Romans, he crossed the Tigris and began in Achaemenian king of the Sasanian dynasty. marched into Mesopotamia. At the times and intensified with He led prolonged wars Battle of Edessa in 260, Roman the invasion of Alexan- with the Romans for Emperor Valerian was taken prisoner der. This diversifica- Minor and [see inset, next page]. tion continued under Mesopotamia. Shapur's high priest was Kirder the Parthians, who Ardeshir was proba- (Kartir), probably the most powerful allowed the religion to bly from a priestly priest in Zoroastrian history. He was develop in many local family and deter- allowed to have his own inscriptions forms, each suited to mined to make Zoroas- like royalty and after Shapur's death the local populace. Thus, the state was also king-maker. His inscription at the end of the Parthian religion of Iran (a status at Sar Mashed reads; eriod one finds S . d h ,f' A d h . that the religion had "Through my actions, religious P ' l1 ver rae ma OJ r, es lr 1 . d H Zoroastrianism exist- with fire altar on reverse side. never enJoye ). e activities were increased, many ing as a diverse broth- created a powerful Vahramfires (Atash Behrams) were erhood with a spectrum of different office of the national high priest and founded and many priests became forms of worship. appointed a brilliant priest, Tansar, happy and prosperous ... And Jews, to the office. Ardeshir ordered all the Buddhists, Brahmans, Mandeans, For example at one end there was the Christians and Manichaeans are scattered teachings of the religion be worship of the great traditional fire being defeated in the land." brought together at the court. From Burzin Mehr, particularly revered by the various interpretations of scrip­ Kirder accompanied Shapur on his the royal family, and at the other, the ture and traditions of practice, Tansar many conquests, where they found lesser named fires. Then there were selected one set of scripture and one Zoroastrian communities existing Zoroastrians who practiced image form of practice as the correct one. there from Achaemenian times. worship of the Yazatas. At the other Ardeshir set about enforcing this During Shapur I's reign, lost writings end of the spectrum, there were tem­ throughout his empire. Not only were of the religion dealing with astron­ ples with images not only of Zoroas­ image shrines to the Yazatas omy, medicine and science were trian Yazatas but also of their Greek destroyed but also fire temples that brought together from various parts equivalents and Greeks and Zoroas­ did not conform to the version of the empire, and added to the offi­ trians worshiped in the same temples. decided upon by Tansar. New fire cial approved literature. Kirder out­ Yet because of the basic strength of temples were built in their place. lived Shapur and lasted through the Zoroastrianism and because it had reigns of five kings that followed. become part of Iranian culture and The imposition of the state religion During the reigns of Hormizd I heritage, the religion prospered and over the local forms of Zoroastrian (272-73), Vahram (or Behram) I coexisted with other minority reli­ worship was resented in many parts (273-76), Vahram II (276-93) and gions, such as Buddhism, Christian­ of the empire and much blood was shed between Zoroastrians. In the Vahram III (293), the Romans had ity and . end Ardeshir and Tansar prevailed, the upper hand in Asia Minor. Ardeshir I Papakan (224-249 CE). and a uniform Zoroastrianism Narseh (293-302) attacked Armenia It was at this stage, in 224 BCE, that became the practice in the empire. and made it a province of the Sasa-

50 FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 nian Empire. A peace treaty with the Romans defined the Tigris as the boundary between the Romans. Hormizd II (302-309) was a just and kind ruler. Greatest Vlcton ot esasanlans After Shapur I' s death, because the kings that followed were weak, Pahlavi inscription by says "Valerian collected troops Kirder was at the height of his power, Shapur I, the great Sasanian from all these kingdoms his title now was Mobed of Hormazd. warrior King of Kings, (provinces) and from all these king­ The office of High Priest was now which was discovered in 1936 at doms armies marched against me." immensely powerful, superseded the eastern wall of Kaaba-i­ Various places are mentioned by only by that of the King. Zardusht (probably a fire temple) at historians as the scene of this deci Naqsh-i-Rustom is unquestionably sive encounter, but now, with the While Tansar andArdeshir were fight­ one of the most important docu­ ing and convincing Zoroastrians to inscription, it is confirmed to be in ments of Zoroastrian Sasanian his­ Edessa. The date is still unsettled, adopt a single version of doctrine and tory. practice, Kirder seems to have spent perhaps it is 260 CE. his life debating and defending the Of special interest is the first part of The Romans found it hard to faith against outside influences such the inscription where we find believe that an emperor of Vale­ as the heretical Manichaens and the records of a series of successes rian's stature and distinction, a very missionary Christians and Buddhists. against the Romans in the sixth experienced general, should suffer decade of the third century BCE, such a complete defeat at the hands Shapur II the Great (309-379) was and the capture of Roman Emperor crowned when the child-king was of the Iranians, and worse, should Valerian- without doubt the great­ even be taken prisoner alive. The ony 40 days old, and took the reins at est of all the military triumphs of 16. In 360, he regained the territo­ account and details of the greatest the Sasanian Zoroastrians. This victory of Sasanian Zoroastrian ries between the Tigris and event is also recorded in the moun­ Euphrates. During the 27 years of Empire remained almost silent due tainside rock relief at Naksh-e Rus­ to the lack of historical tradition periodic wars with the Romans, Sh~­ tom [see page 49]. pur distinguished himself by both h1s for the first centuries of the Sasa­ personal bravery and his consumate Numerous towns are mentioned nian empire. skill as a general, and enormously located in Syria, Cilicia and Cap­ The victory was complete - the fact raised the prestige of the Persians padocia which were taken by Sha­ is clearly seen from the subsequent and their Empire. pur and absorbed into the actions of Shapur and the record of Zoroastrian Empire. This provoked Valerian's name being preserved in Shapur's high priest was Adurbad the Roman Emperor Valerian to Maraspand, the only Sasanian high the tradition of Khwadhaay Namag prepare a campaign against Shapur. in Tabari (cf. Noldeke, Yabari p 32) priest remembered in our prayers for Shapur's attack on Syria in 256 CE the dead. The Avestan language and more so in the inscription. The had taken place after the Roman which was the only language of sentence from the inscription reads: garrison at Dura-Europos surren­ prayers and ritual, was already a dead dered to the Sasanian army. "At Edessa, the battle with emperor language. Adurbad Maraspand com­ Valerian took place. I made the posed supplementary prayers in co~­ According to the inscription, Sha­ Emperor Valerian himself, with prehensible Pahlavi. The Kushtl, pur, the King of Kings of Iranians his ... prisoner." wedding and prayers, as well and Non-Iranians (emphasis is After the defeat of Valerian, Shapur as the Nasks, Yashts, Yasna and Vis­ from the inscription) took the devastated , and captured perad were all translated and com­ Roman emperor as his equal. Just Cilicia and Capadocia together mented upon. There was considerable as the Roman emperor ruled over with Caesarea. All these are opposition to this interpretation and many provinces, so Shapur was recorded in lines 14 to 20 of the to validate his work Adurbad Maras­ also over-lord over many kings and inscription.The events of Shapur's pand underwent the trial of molten kingdoms. When he triumphed triumphant return to Iran are metal, and survived. For the first and over the Roman army and made the described in lines 19-20. the only time in Zoroastrian history, emperor (Valerian) a prisoner, he Shapur I truly became the greatest an official change in prayers and ritu­ proudly felt that he gained a victory Sasanian monarch who brought to als was made to make them under­ over the combined armies of forty Sasanian Zoroastrians wealth, standable to all Zoroastrians. Roman kingdoms which he ascer­ power and prestige. II The rule of Shapur II was a prosperous tained from the different nationali­ time for Iran. In spite of wars with the ties of his captives. The inscription -By Pallan R. Ichaporia

FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 51 Romans and internal conflicts with Shapur II's death, the Zoroastrian A major event during 's Christian missionaries, Zoroastrians church grew steadily in size and in reign was the invention of the new were happy with their king and their power. Iranian Zoroastrian society Avestan alphabet. Up to this time the religion. The initial conflicts created became a feudal system in which Avesta depended on oral transmission by the unification of the Zoroastrian most of the land was owned by the from generation to generation, with religion were in the past. A great reju­ church or the nobility and the com­ the written word used only as a rough venation and understanding of the mon man was left to pay the taxes. guide. An unknown genius priest faith among its followers took place. Neither the priesthood nor the nobil­ invented the Avestan alphabet by The power of the church was supreme ity was subjected to taxes. The judi­ expanding the 20-letter Pahlavi but not yet oppressive. cial system was also in the hands of alphabet to a 46-letter phonetic alpha­ A number of rulers followed in quick the priesthood. The same combina­ bet. With this tool the priests started succession over the ensuing years. tion of church and state which had to write down the entire Avesta, i.e. Ardeshir II (379-383) was deposed. worked to unify and rejuvenate the 24 Nasks as well as the commen­ Shapur III (383-388) was killed Zoroastrianism now oppressed the tary. From this time onwards we see accidently. Behram IV (388-399) masses, often in the name of religion. an increase in scholarly works which was murdered by assassins. Yazde­ During this time Adur Gushnasp in examined the Avesta and Zand (com­ gard I (399-421) was ineffectual in Media and Adur Faranbagh in Pars mentary) and gave rise to a secondary dealing with the religious feuds that became the special fires of the kings religious literature. This tradition sur­ ensued between the Jews, Christians and the priest class, respectively. vived the Islamic invasion and and Zarathushtis. Behram V (421- Yearly pilgrimages to these temples extended well into the 9th and 1Oth 439) was a benevolent monarch and netted vast amounts of gifts and pay­ century CE. a patron of the arts. He defended ments. Another event that took place in Khos­ Iran against the In this atmosphere, a new religion row I' s reign was the birth of Moha­ Tartars. Then fol­ sprang up in Iran. Its prophet Mazdak, mmed, prophet of Islam. It would lowed Yazdegard preached a modified form of Zoroas­ seem that the preservation of the II (439-457), trianism, which tended towards asceti­ Avesta in written form happened none Hormizd III (457- cism and pessimism. He preached that too soon. In less than a hundred years 459), Feroz (459- all wealth should be shared equally. To the wind of Islam was to blow over 484) and the oppressed masses whose share in Zoroastrian Iran, testing the survival Valkash (484- the riches of Iran was negligible, Maz­ of the faith as it never had been tested 531). dakism made sense and he had many before. Hormazd IV (579-590) sub­ For a period followers. Initially he had the support dued troubles with the Romans on of over 100 of Kobad I (488-531) but this was the east and Turks in the north. He years, later withdrawn. Finally crown prince concluded a peace treaty with the Khosrow I had Mazdak and many Arabs. Royal family feuds resulted of his followers massacred. in his murder. Behram Chobin became king for one year. Khosrow (Cosroes) I (539-579) was known as Noshirwan Khushrow II Parviz or Cosroes II (immortal soul). He intro­ (591-628) restored the Persian duced far reaching Empire to the extent it had been reforms that under the Achaemenians. He cap­ brought tured Roman Cappadocia, Phrygia prosperity and Bithynia, seized Damascus and to Iran. He advanced into Palestine and Egypt. lowered The Persians were at the gates of the tax on Constantinople, capital of the Eastern the com­ Roman Empire, when Byzantine man Emperor Heraclius sued for peace. the The war went on, and Khosrow's land tax on army sustained serious defeats in · farmers, and 622, and again in 624 and 626. The reformed the Romans marched into Mesopotamia, judicial and destroyed the Great Fire Temple in agrarian systems. Atropane (Azerbaigan), plundered Warrior of Sasanian era. Dastgard and threatened Ctesiphon.

52 FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 MEDIA •Raga •Ecbatano iphon ~LAM 1- ~ 71,...... Pasargadae ' \ • •Persepolis \ "\ PERSIA (PARS) \ \ \ '\ \ \

Persian Empire (dotted line) almost to the extent it had been under the Achaemenians.

Meanwhile, the Arabs, zealous fol­ The Sasanian period of Zoroastrian­ [This article has been augmented by lowers of the new Prophet Moham­ ism was unique. It was the only time Roshan Rivetna with historical med, won their first victory over the that a major unification of the church accounts excerpted from: [ 1 I Out­ Persians at the Battle of Dhu Qar in took place. Sometimes it was bloody lines of Parsi History by Hormazdyar 604. Khushrow was treacherously and politically motivated, yet it was Dastur Mirza and [2] Zoroastrians, murdered by his son Sheroy. an honest attempt to rid the faith of by Mary Boyce. Both texts are grate­ heresies, foreign modes of worship There was tragic chaos in the royal fully acknowledged. Chronology was and differences in religious practice supplied by Pallan R. Ichaporia.] family and ten monarchs followed in that had accumulated over nearly quick succession, notably his son 2000 years. It was also the only time Dr. l.ovji D. Cama, Senior Investi­ Sheroy who took the name of Kobad that the rituals and practice under­ II (628), Ardeshir III (629), Boran went a controlled change resulting in gator with (630) and Hormizd V (630-632). a faith that suddenly came alive, as Merck and Co, Yazdegard III (632-651) ascended its rituals ceremonies and prayers has a masters the throne when the empire was became understandable in the lan­ in Pharmacy embroiled in intrigue, fraud and inter­ guage of the day. and a doctor­ nal conflict. The Arabs, meanwhile, Under the Sasanians, the literature of ate in Chem­ united under the banner of Islam, the faith was written down in an istry from dreamed of world conquest. The Ira­ alphabet that did not require oral Columbia nians suffered a disastrous blow at the transmission. Finally, it was Sasanian University. A Battle of Qadisiyya in 636; the Zoroastrianism that stood up to the trustee of the Arabs captured the capital of Cte­ missionary zeal of Christianity and Darbe Mehr siphon and gathered fabulous booty Buddhism and later survived the in New York and founding member of gold, jewelry and carpets. The fate holocaust of the Islamic invasion. and past president of ZAGNY, Lovji of the mighty Sasanian Empire was Perhaps without the unification has taught children's religion educa­ finally sealed at the fierce Battle of imposed on it by Sasanian monarchs, tion classes, organized youth summer Nihavand in 641, and the sovereignty Zoroastrianism may well have disap­ camps and lectured and written arti­ of the Iranian lands passed into the peared with the advent of Christian­ cles on Zarathushti religion, history ity and Islam. • hands of the Islamic Caliphs. and culture.

FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 53 The Persians Look into your mighty Ancestors come thy of noble birth? The blood and courage that renowned men, run in your vein. - Shakespeare The Achaemenids left few accounts of their great accomplishments in the ·~· form of the written word. Who then II chronicled the deeds, misdeeds, pride and prejudices, strength and frailties By Dinaz Kutar Rogers and thus, the very humanity of these Albany, Oregon mighty empire builders? Most accounts come from their contempo­ raries: the Greek historians, Xeno­ phone, Herodotus, Thucydides; the word of the Israelite priests and prophets; official documents, private Do you remember any stories or sayings? letters and archaeological artifacts. These Persians, founders of a vast "Lest We Forget" is hosted by Dinaz Kutar Rogers, a high-school realm, were individuals raised in biology teacher and published writer. Readers are invited to contribute harsh and unforgiving environs---the their stories, lares, legends and memories related to our faith, commu­ Great Salt Desert (Dasht-e Kavir), the nity, Iran, India, that we grew up with as young children. Jot down Great Sand Desert (Dasht-e Kut), those sayings your mother used to say, and send them in, with your watched over by harsh, barren, rugged version of the meanings, to Dinaz at 1240 Takena SW, Albany, Oregon Alburz and Zagros ranges. These 97321, tel: (541) 967-1911, email: [email protected]. cold, unforgiving, ever vigilant moun­ tains, sentinels of history and destiny, rise to heights of up to 12,000 feet. A Fond Memory These simple people were taught to By Soli Pirojshah Dastur always speak the truth, to be master Sarasota, Florida archers and excellent equestrians. This emphasis on horsemanship was come from a family of priests. the competition. If you were lucky a true Aryan import from the north to My father was employed as a enough to win a prize, you were the original populace of the Iranian priest (originally from Udvada) invited along with the other winners plateau. The hostile, rugged land of by my grandfather (mamava), in the to a "prize distribution ceremony" at the Persians in three short decades 191 Os at the Tara pore Agiary. I was the Sir Cowasji Jehangir Hall. gave to the world - from Greece to educated at the Mancherji Faramji Every year Dastur Kaikhushroo India and parts of North Africa - a Cama Athornan Institute at Andheri Kutar would give the same lecture tolerant monarch, and with him stan­ near Mumbai. Two of my classmates about Firdowsi Tusi and the Shah dards were set so high that subse­ were Ervad Kersey Antia (dastur in Namehs. I must have heard it at least quent monarchies, over all times and Chicago) and Dasturji Feroze M. seven or eight times. Yet the miracle all other lands, found it hard to live Kotwal, former high priest of the was that I never grew tired of it and up to - the standards of this king, Wadiaji Atash Bahram in Mumbai. always looked forward to the annual this "Cyrus the Great". Every year we would participate in ritual. Without fail, he always This divergent empire of some 2,600 recitals from the Shah Nameh of Fir­ enthralled us with the way he miles (2 million square miles) was dowsi, translated into Gujarati by the brought Firdowsi and the tales from under a common and official lan­ famous Kutar brothers, Framroze and the Shah N ameh to life. guage - Aramaic, a common mone­ Mahiar [see "Such is the Stock I am The power of these ancient stories tary system, one ruler (Cyrus), and a Made Of" by Dinaz Kutar Rogers, and the oratorial genius of well-developed and ever-evolving grand-daughter of the Kutar broth­ Kaikhushroo made us impression­ systems of communication and gov­ ers, in FEZANA Journal, Falll997]. able young ldds weep, laugh, exam­ ernment. The Persians, master diplo­ Sometimes, Kaikhushroo Mahiar ine and wonder about our past mats, used the most powerful weapon, Kutar Saheb would conduct and judge year in and year out. IIIII tolerance. They waged a psychologi-

54 FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 cal and sociological 'warfare' to win over the allegiance of the diverse pop­ My mother used to say 0 0 0 ulace of this vast empire of about 10 "The old forget. The young don't know." -Japanese proverb million Greeks, Assyrians, Babyloni­ "Utaval-e na pak-e" ans, Jews, Egyptians, and all the tribes Mangoes do not ripen by hurrying them. Patience is golden. Good things can­ east of the Iranian Plateau, all the way not be hurried. My husband Ardeshir's father used to buy 6-7 dozen raw man­ to Scythia. The Persians were only goes at wholesale prices, and spread them out on hay under the bed to ripen. two million in this mix of ten million. Young Ardeshir, ever eager to eat the mangoes, would ask his daddy every These diverse and tax-paying peoples hour to check once again, in case a mango had ripened. His father used to then were allowed to keep their religion, utter the above saying, very apt for the situation. customs, language and records of their history. Such generous actions "Dhiraj na kam saheb na" helped create autonomous states loyal God works with patience. The mill of God grinds slow but fine. Patience pays. to the Persian kings. "Ek kankrey bey pankhi" It seems at the time of the Kill two birds with one stone. Get two jobs done in a single attempt. Achaemenids, their faith was based "Bhookh na joy eytho bhag, oong na joy tuto khat" on Ahura Mazda, the creator of all Hunger does not notice that the food has been touched by another, and sleep things. does not notice that the cot is broken. During times of great need, one can Earlier civilizations. Long before overlook any problems. the assorted Aryan tribes branched "Himat-e marda, toh madad-e khudah" off from South Russia to eventually Be brave, God will help you. Be strong and brave in times of difficulty and establish the Medes in the northwest God will be on your side. corner and the Persians in the south­ "Boh-le te na bor veh-chay" west bounds of the Iranian Plateau, The one who talks sells his 'bar' (jujube fruit). Those who speak up, make a there were other formidable and lot of noise and attract attention, are the ones who will sell their wares, make ancient civilizations entrenched west a point or get things done. (The bar tree (ziziphus) is common in the drier of the ancient mountains. Sparkling parts of western India, especially in the state of Gujarat. Several hundred Parsi and rich like jewels and as old as the families used to live here, in the villages, before the migrations to the city of hills were the empires of the Uratu Mumbai began, after the turn of the twentieth century. Every village had a (present day Armenia), Assyrians, number of bor trees and the fruit vendor by the wayside, selling fresh or dried, Babylonians and the Elamites, preserved boris a common sight.) amongst which the Babylonians held the lead in trade and commerce. The "Kha-ye man ne gumtu, pehr-ye sauv ne gumtu" Elamite civilization, almost 2000 Eat what pleases you, wear what pleases everybody. Your food should be cho­ years old, was annihilated by the sen to please yourself, your clothes should be chosen to please others. Assyrians and its land left in ruins, "Sah-thi ne budh-dhi nathi " the very ruins that these Aryans (the At 60, the brain runs away. In old age, mental capacities desert you. When an Persian tribes) settled on. The older person says or does something inappropriate, one retorts with this saying. poverty and barrenness of the land "Lagan na geet, lagan per so-bhay" and its new Aryan settlers dissuaded Wedding songs sound good only at weddings. All things have a time and place. assaults from the Assyrians who then This saying is used to dissuade someone from doing something that is not turned their attention to the Medes. appropriate for the occasion. In olden days, on the day of a wedding, a family We talk about the Medes and their member would sing wedding songs, starting at daybreak; other family mem­ mighty military and political force, bers would join in from time to time. Sometimes, a 'goyen' (professional because when the Persians conquered singer) would be hired for the day, to come in at daybreak, with the crowing them, it was the Median power and of the rooster, and start singing, even as the rest of the 'mohalla' (neighbor­ machinery that Persians used to cata­ hood) were still rubbing their eyes. Of course there were no loudspeakers pult themselves to world power. then, or even electricity. Sakhi Sooraj Bhalay Oogay Re- May the Good Sun The Babylonians, Assyrians, Lydians Rise Every Day - was a popular tune, sung by Soonabai Goyan, immortalized and the Medes in their struggles to on 78 rpm vinyl. hold on to power and between savage "Varadhvaroo khay, ne sariya no shok pal-e " attacks and brutal clashes kept each Does anyone know the meaning or usage of this one? Please email Parvin other at bay and laid groundwork for with your interpretation. the coming of the Persian Empire. IIIII [Submitted by Parvin Damania, Administrative Assistant at the University - By Dinaz Rogers of California, Davis. She may be contacted at [email protected].]

FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 55 children and the other is education of non-Zarathushti spouses. This column is a forum to present information and opinions. Letters (under My wife Silloo, and I have been 600 words) may be submitted to the Editor. The Journal reserves the right to Sunday School teachers for over 15 edit all materials for clarity and space. years. What I feel would be helpful at this point would be a multi-year On recent issues .... Blessings with love and light. curriculum and a standard set of text­ books. The advantage of such an . . . add me to your abundant ever­ Meher Amalsad increasing list of highly satisfied read­ Westminster, California approach is that each set of Sunday School teachers would not have to ers of your superb publication. Each On ••A .Jewish Analogy•• issue surpasses the one that precedes start from scratch. We have several it. What's more, in every issue I come Thank you for excerpting "A Jewish prepared classes that we would be across names and even photographs Analogy" in FEZANA Journal happy to share or rework for such a of numerous friends, relatives and [Spring 2000 ]. Over the years I have project. acquaintances. I cannot say the same come to realize that the Jewish com­ Erach Tarapore for any other mainstream ( commer­ munity faces all the same issues that Lafayette, California cial) magazine! Thank you again for we face, except that there are more of Open letter to ferzeen the marvellous job you are doing with them and they have been here longer Dear Ferzeen: Your millennium plea the Journal ... and had lots more time to develop coping mechanisms. As such, I think to the Zarathushti community Ronnie K. Marker we have a lot to learn from them [FEZANA Journal, Spring 2000] is Formerly of Miami, Florida about survival in a country where the worth many millions. I understand My wife and I enjoy the Journal, but dominant religion is Christianity. your hurt and, besides sympathy, we feel that at times it keeps re-hash­ They too have their religion tied to an hope to provide you with comfort in ing the same topics with no real solu­ ethnicity. They try to maintain that this letter. Having agonized and tions. It is interesting to read about ethnicity as part of their religious shared your agony with us, get on Zarathushtis emerging in other parts identity. Consequently they have with life and continue doing what of the world; but are we doing any­ similar concerns about intermarriage you do. You have a wonderful future thing to bring them into the fold or do and conversion. to look ahead to, and you have the they just disappear from our minds strength and courage to shape it the and hearts when the next quarterly It was from my pediatrician that I first way you want to. As for those who issue is published? In any case, keep heard the statistic that more than 2/3 despise, ignore, reject or criticize you up the good work. I know it is not an of the children of mixed marriages for who Ahura Mazda made you, let easy task. are lost to (72% per your us forgive them, for they know no article). He also said that in the next Rusi Tamboli better. Let them live in their own Scarborough, Ontario generation, essentially all the children capsules till they break out of it. will belong to the dominant religion. Thank you for sending me FEZANA And this is in spite of many programs In the editorial by the Shariaris in the Journal. The Spring 2000 cover to welcome mixed families into Jew­ same Journal you will read how (Parliament of Religions group ish life! What might be the outcome blessed you are, at the dawn of the photo) is superb; I can feel your if their attitude were more like ours, is new millennium. Half a century principles in it ... I just received my a truly sobering speculation. from now you will have an opportu­ Master's degree and am going on for nity to look back and reminisce over my doctorate. When I wrote my the­ I feel that we as a community are your youth. Save your letter and the sis, FEZANA Journals were very woefully unprepared to deal with this responses you may receive, to share helpful. Thank you so much. issue. Education needs to be our with your children. highest priority. Instead we squabble Noriko Katsuki about intermarriage and conversion. Over five decades ago when I was Tokyo, Japan Meantime the intermarriages keep on thirteen, I was in a somewhat similar It was interesting to read "My happening and we have no programs situation. I declared that upon Mother Used to Say ... "by Parvin to welcome mixed families into the matriculation, I was going to college Damania [FEZANA Journal, Spring fold. In fact, with our bickering, we and take the science curriculum. My 2000 ]. The quote "Vaat chhoriye actually turn many of them away. relatives were appalled how I, a pun sath nahi chhoriye" reminded me respectable Parsi girl could think of I am writing to request you to place lowering the status of their family by of my grandmother, who used to say education higher on the FEZANA the same thing to me. going to college and sitting besides agenda. First, the education of our unknown men in class! Next, when I

56 FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 gained admission into medical "the best, the largest, the most expen­ the 21st century? This year most of school it was a bigger shock to them sive ... " I wish people would under­ us celebrated on March 21, 2000, as that I was going to be touching all stand that gifts and toys are also most of my non-Zarthushti those women in the untouchable appreciated by children, but many friends. Is Nouruz going to be frag­ phase of their life and then come adults would appreciate companion­ mented between the 19th, 20th and home and touch them. Some years ship and a ldnd word much more than 21st? Or is there a consensus? Tra­ later, as I graduated M.B.B.S. and a gift-wrapped box or a store-pur­ ditions endure and prevail over ratio­ then M.S. and F.R.C.S., I earned their chased card. nale. Do we need debates, pros and respect. One possible solution is to increase cons, lectures and essays ad nauseum So you see, we have come a long state funding for the arts again, start­ or a proclamation? Let's start the way, and the next five decades will ing at the elementary school level, process so that we may not have be even more exciting. I hope and increase family type programming on another dilemma come Nouruz 2001. trust that you, yourself, will con­ TV, and encourage production of the Mehroo M. Patel M.D. tribute your own to that excitement. Doris Day/Jack Lemmon kind of Westchester, Illinois Your friend always, movies. Of fire and farohar Mehroo M. Patel M.D. Of course, the government and I have heard over and over that Westchester, Illinois schools can help but the majority of Zarathushtis are fire worshippers. Hope for the future the work needs to be done by the par­ Even most Iranians have that mis­ I think people have lost the idea of ents. If each parent just took some conception. This is due to 1360 the pleasure of simple living, partly time every day to teach their child years of misinformation, starting because improving economics and what constitutes a well-lived, bal­ with the Arabs. Let me explain the higher wages leave more money to anced, happy life, that would go a fire issue briefly. spend extravagantly. Of course, lack long way to create a healthy adult Fire was discovered by the Peshda­ of family ties, and lack of aesthetics society in the future. dian king Hushang Shah, long before in education (reduced funding for Can we hope for a saner, more satis­ the birth of Zarathushtra. One day, band and art in school) lead to bore­ fying life, with simple pleasures, less Hushang was out hunting when he dom, from which more spending on frenetic rushing, more time with our encountered a snake. He picked up a food, entertainment and possessions children, more courtesy to our neigh­ rock and threw it at the snake. The seem to provide an escape. bors, less one-upmanship and more rock missed the snake and hit another I know people who own eight time­ co-operation, fewer possessions and rock, causing a spark of fire. Realiz­ share properties, who go on vacation more joy of living in the New Mil­ ing the benefits of this new discov­ three times a year, and bring back lennium? ery, Hushang ordered that a fire be mementos to such an extent that their kept burning in the center of every Jamshed R. Udvadia town, available freely to all. house looks like a curio shop. Are Lansing, Michigan This place was called the Atash they happy? No, they always feel Wish for the millennium they need more. They have lost the Kadeh. A person, called the Atash If I have one wish for the worldwide art of relaxing and having a friendly Ban tended the fire around the clock. Zarathushti community in the new conversation over a cup of tea. The group in charge of the Atash millennium, it is: May Ahura Mazda Kadeh was called the Parastaran-e­ The business world is playing up to bless our community, individually Atash (Keepers of the Fire). The this weakness. Mother's Day and and collectively, with word 'parast' used to mean "to Father's Day would not be needed if SERENITY to accept keep", but in later times, acquired the children remembered their parents' the things they cannot change; meaning "to worship" also. The new birthdays. Then, capitalizing on that, COURAGE discovery of fire was very popular, someone created Grandparent's Day to change the things they can;and and became the symbol of warmth, and Secretary's Day, Sweetest Day WISDOM affection (people gathered around it), and Valentine's Day - all with the to know the difference. happiness and prosperity. expectation of a costly gift. Dinshaw Joshi Iranian Zarathushtis kept many of I wish people could re-discover the Chevy Chase, Maryland these traditions alive. This does not appreciation of a beautiful sunset, the Nouruz - postscript necessarily mean that they have any enjoyment of solitude with a classi­ The 2000 vernal equinox occurred on religious basis. Char Shanbe Souri, cal symphony, the art of conversing March 20,2000 at 1:35am CST, 2:35 is another one of these traditions unhurriedly, without trying to outdo am EST, and 11:35 pm PST on related to fire. the last speaker. Perhaps then they March 19, 2000 in the USA. When Many people have the same miscon­ would not always be trying to go for do Zarathushtis celebrate N ouruz in ception about the symbol of the

FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 57 Farohar. This is an Iranian insignia, Is this our final act of charity towards Greetings from Tajikistan not strictly Zarathushti. our religion? My name is Ashurova Rosaimo. I am Maziar, Payanedh Iran Sohrab Irani Tajik, doctor of medical science - [Submitted by K. Mobed from Mah­ Anaheim, California immunologist. Besides, I am presi­ nameh, California Zoroastrian Center] Response from PBS dent of the women's NGO associa­ tion Odamiyat (Humanity), working Moral Imperative A letter to the producers of PBS TVs in Tajikistan ... When we received a Our rich Zarathushti heritage has, NOVA program, evoked a prompt letter from Meher Master-Moos, I lately, declined to poor levels. Power response from NOVA and a revision to was very excited, because during all struggles to glorify individuals occu­ the program. The letter and NOVAs my life I have collected rare infor­ pying community positions, has response are reproduced below. become the order of the day. A select mation regarding Zoroastrian culture. "... in the episode of NOVA on the group of followers professes loyalty 1\vo years ago, I accidently found a life of Navy sailors in the Persian to the personality and not the com­ very interesting magazine, Parsiana, Gulf, the term Arabian Gulf was munity or the religion. which I read again and again. Unfor­ repeatedly and deliberately used, to tunately here, there is not enough lit­ Our religion is becoming so ancient refer to the body of water inside the erature to increase our knowledge of and orthodox, and, coupled with our Strait of Hormuz. The correct, histor­ the religion of Zarathushtra. stance of zero propaganda, one can ical and legal name of this body of never successfully explain the reli­ water is "'. This deliber­ We have decided to create a Zoroas­ gion to one's co-workers or friends. ate misrepresentation of historical and trian library in our organization. This When they ask if it is a branch of legal facts by NOVA and ultimately will be very useful for our future Islam or Judaism, you get frustrated by PBS, is concerning and alarming. activities, because we are going to in failing to convey your correct reli­ give our children the opportunity to ". . . Persian Gulf is the only correct gious identity, mainly due to their get to know our ancient history. poor grasp of world affairs. name for this body of water. Indeed, as early as 350 BCE, Greek historian Madame Meher suggested we write With this profound frustration at los­ Herodotus referred to it as Persian to you to get more information about ing his personal religious identity, Gulf. This name has since been the the World Congress in Houston ... I one comes to community affairs to historical and legal name. Referring would be very happy to take part in try and turn his hurts into halos and to Persian Gulf as Arabian Gulf or this great convention. Greetings and scars into stars. On the contrary, he simply The Gulf, is not only mislead­ best wishes for Navroze. has to dodge the heavy mud-slinging ing, but also poor journalism. Such Ashurova Rosaimo by inflated egos. One starts to think an act is below the standard expected 12, Techron Street, 734025 that our noble forefathers with their from a world-class program like Tajikistan, tel: (10992137)-244220 awe-inspiring sacrifices and chari­ NOVA and a respected broadcasting Fax: (10992137) 216582 ties must be turning in their graves company such as PBS ... " rosaimo@herbs. tajik.net seeing their prized treasure, pre­ K. Eddie Mehrfar [From letter received by Dolly Das­ served over the centuries, losing its toor, Chair, WZC 2000} II luster and sliding towards oblivion. PBS's response: The worst part of possession is that " ... Your letter and others like it drew Errata our attention to this issue and I am eventually it possesses you. The I referred to AI B airuni as an U zbek pleased to report that we listened and sooner our co-religionists restructure scholar in my article "The Natural responded. their thinking to boost the common New Year Day- March 21st" [Spring morale and embrace humility, the " ... We now understand that Arabian 2000, page 60]. Dr. Borzu Nadjmi better, or else with their ego trips Gulf is not an internationally recog­ brought to my attention that AI they might crash-land this sacred nized name for the region. As a Bairuni was from Kwarizma and religion on the altar of the Tower of result, we have changed the narration hence he was Persian and not Arab. Silence, with history being the sole, in the program so that we refer to it I apologize for the error. mute spectator. only as The Gulf or the Persian Gulf. Narayan R. Joshi With our small population and near­ This change will occur before the Beaumont, TX 77706 zero growth, multiplied with our program is duplicated for home ever increasing problems and differ­ video sales. NOVA will also send to ences, we are reducing our ancient PBS this revised master prior to the The Past should be religion to a carcass, ready to be next scheduled repeat broadcast. devoured by the roving vultures of Producers of NOVA a springboard, conversion and other vested interests. [email protected] not a hammock.

58 FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 YOUTHFULLY PEA NG

"THE STAFF OF YOUTHFULLY SPEAKING ]kttt IS ALWAYS ON THE LOOKOUT FOR IDEAS By. NkmKh::tib AND SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE ISSUES. In e.eyissL.ed tre FEZflNC\.hrrd, in tre YOJthfUiySr:ID

MUNITY. Au. TOO OFTEN WE FORSAKE "Cb'PJ tsiaeit is d

OUR RIGHT TO BE HEARD. TAKE THIS OP. 'When it comes to marriage I feel it is the 11Ilderstanding be­ tween the p:1rtners that counts and not what race or creed or PORTUNITY TO LET OTHERS KNOW WHAT status each. one pertains to. if one feels that they are gdng to be happy with each other I think they should go ahead. The rrain IT IS ON YOUR MIND. USE THIS JOURNAL. reason why our fdkfeel this shruld not be happening is not AS A TOOL FOR ACTION. WRITE TO US ••• only because Q[ cultural difference but also that our total popu­ latim is dwindling and that if this continued our race may die WE'RE WAITING TO HEAR FROM Y' ALL.!" out totally. Another thing which I don't agree to is that those women who marry out cannot get their children to embrace our religion That is unfair and also one Q[ the reasons why we are just a hanciful in the total populatim. Our elders believe that we were put into this religionfor some pur[XJSe (this is for every per­ son whichever religion he or she rray pertain to) and by marry­ ing outside we are tearing ourselves from our roots." Kaezad Mobed Karachi, Fhkistan

"I BEUEVE IT IS A PERSONAL CHOICE. YoU CANNOT HELP WHO YOU FALL IN LOVE WITH. PERSONALLY, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME TO MARRY A 'ZARATHUSHTI. ZoROASTRIANISM IS THE UNDERLYING VALUE THAT MAKES ME THE PERSON I AM, AND I WANT MY FUTURE PARTNER TO UNDERSTAND IT IN THE SAME WAY I DO AND THAT CANNOT BE UNLESS THEY WERE RAISED THE SAME WAY. I BELIEVE YOU CANNOT HELP LOVE, BUT YOU JUST NEED TO KNOW WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOUANDWHY." L YLA BHARUCHA HOUSTON, TEXAS

FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 59 W:U, it dEpalct. I, fa 01~ m:x.ea porriseto myself, nd I cannot imagine that there exists a definitive ans.ver to such a query and sol01gcg:>, thd I 'AO'lt torraryaZadhushti. It is irrpa­ would hold the individual who adam:mtly proclaims that there is only one right course of action in high suspicion, questioning the thoroughness and objectiv­ tmt torretor:a;s 01 Wld I ho.eleana::lfrcmmn:x:rmts ity with which they have examined the dynamic nature of humanity and life 01to nv chilctm. It's a had ponise to rrd<~ betiare }0.1 itself. I believe there is no higher purpose in life than to seek out the truth ~ espeddly living in a dty v.hae thse ae feN and strive to live your life in accordance with it, knowing that as your under­ Zadhushti's d theq:pa;itesa thd aeaoond nv ega A standing of the truth (the principles that inform the dynamic of life) Ia d sa::rifias ho.e to be~ md a a:ntinuoos betia evolves--it will transform you. We come to understand the truth through a thd thseis scrnocneoot thsev.hois rig,t fa }OJ. Scme- systematic evaluation of life experiences, both past and present, both per­ 01e v.ho is dl thd ood a beg d chip; - md v.ho is sonal and not. The mechanics of identifying and understanding truths is very challenging given trot most everything we enco1..11ter in life evokes some Zadhushti! I dsom:deit apdnt thd if I cmnd sofatu­ type/degree of emotion. Religion and marriage are two complex and emotion­ nde to be dje to rrary a Zadhushti, thd d lea;t nv ally laden entities. The first step towards appreciating ''your truth" which in chilctm wll be b'oog,t up in this fdth. I kooN thd rry be­ time will merge with "the truth," is to begin with an honest and frank explora­ ing a v.an:n a:rrpetely g::s cg:lnst nv wsh, b.Jt it is a tion of both of these subject areas. You choose the questions. You choose rrm~ rule thd peJEnts ~ a rule thd I'd like to the manner in which you ascertain the ans.vers. Just please, be thorough and b'ed< 01e d:ly. Bcttcm line is, if }0.1 'AO'lt to inaea;e the strive to strike a balance between your heart and your mind throughout this process. I encourage you (along with your partner) to contemplate questions q.JOntity md Q.Jdity d Zadhushti's in the ned g:naa­ addressing: ti01, }0.1 ho.e to knON Wld yw 'AO'lt, md thd

.~. '\:~~~ /~~\-

60 FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 M -A -R -R -l-A -G -E. A II that comes to mind is do this, and honey do thatU Mamage is one of the most sacred rituals between two human beings. After all, you will be spending your en­ tire life with your loved one. Yet, love my }OUthful friends, is not as easy as you may think. lt takes time, preparation, and yes, even some studying. When you do find someone special, what characteristics do you look for? Do you look to see if he/she is smart?Or m~ funny? Most eve­ I")Codyin ourcommunitywould consider religion, how about you? The idea of spending em eternity with my loved one sounds great but I want to make sure it will the best possible. When I ponder about finding that special someone, I want to make sure we are idealistic about views. I look for someone who is intelligent, good-looking, and charming in personality, probably what every other youth out there looks for. But what about religion? For each individual out there it depends. No all of us were raised encompassing our relig­ ion. Some might think, yeah I am a proud ZCll"'athushti, but what does it matter what religion my love one is as long as we are both happy? Personally, I do not see anything wrong with man")4ng in or out of the religion. lt is a personal choice. Most see a Zarothushti as someone who has the same background, culture, and views as he/she does. Yet, some might think that a Non.Zarothushti would encompass their beliefs. Whatever it is, I think as long as those two individuals care for one another and un­ derstand their differences, then why stop such a beautifu I marriage between two lov­ ing individuals. Yet do not get me wrong. I would love to see my religion succeed and grow more ever')day. And the most likely way we would be able to grow, is by mar'l"')1ng inside the religion. For some Zarothushti's that have married outside the religion and have come back and introduced the faith to their love one, I commend. Once mamed outside the religion, it is iruly hard to come back and raise your kids to be Zarathushti's. As for myself personally, I would have to say my top priority would be religion. My life is encompassed by my re­ ligion. I base every decision and basically every move I make in this world based on myZCll"'athushti faith. I do not see myself man")4ng outside the religion at all. Being raised a Zarothushti, I have leamed to incorporate the language, culture, and beliefs in myever)daylife and Iknow that only a Zarothushti will give me the same satisfaction in retum. Well, whether you are a long way from mamage or heading close to mamage, all I can recommend is really get to know who you are in­ side. and then, think to yourself long and hard and see why a Zarothushti would be good or bad foryou?Trust me, you will see that there is no other like a Zarathushti.

FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 61 ~Edilt@rli@l~ ~:~~~;l

In my previous two editorials, I have tried stick closely to the theme of the journal in order to provide some continuity in content. For this issue, I have decided to change pace a little bit and pursue my own muse, given some of the radical changes that have taken place in my life since I last wrote.

Having lived in the New York Tri-State Area my entire life, my recent decision to move to Northern California was certainly monumental. Although I had spent considerable portions of time visiting other parts of the country, I had never really thought that I would actually leave the East Coast, though I had long ago decided that California would be a fine destination for me if the opportunity arose. And it did. I was lucky enough to find a great career opportunity in Northern California relatively soon after I decided I wanted to move. But I had no idea how much my life would change once that decision had been made.

Most of my Zarathushti friends and their parents were quite surprised. My own parents had suspected it may happen at some point, but were probably never ready to face the reality until I told them that I was serious about it. Many of my parents' friends assumed that I was leaving the East Coast to evade some sort oflegal punishment for any number of imagined transgressions. But it was the uniform reaction of genuine happiness for my opportunity and sadness at my leaving that I received from everyone at my Darbe Meher that made me realize how inexorably my life was bound up with that of the NY Zarathushti community.

Initially, it all seems so exciting. New job, new living arrangements, etc. But when you strip away some of the glamour of starting all over again, you realize that there are certain things you cannot replace. I was very fond of many of the younger children at the New York Darbe Meher, always playing with them and teasing them at every chance I got. It saddens me that I will not watch them grow up and learn from them about aspects of the world that my jaded cynicism refuses to acknowledge. My first childhood friend from my Darbe Meher is even about to have his own child, something I've been harassing his wife about since the day they got married, and I'm very disappointed that I won't be there to welcome their child into this world. Knowing that you won't get to be an active part of people's lives when you live so far away is certainly not the first thing you think about when you are moving. It's just the first thing you think about after you've already moved.

And yet, I was amazed to find that sense of community and so immediately rekindled under new circumstances. Knowing how important it was for me to retain my Zarathushti ties in newer surrounding, I decided to attend the Zarathushti Association of Northern California's Navroz function this past March. Although I was never the kind of person who was comfortable just introducing myself to total strangers, I knew that it would be a long night if I didn't, and so I just went for it. And, to my surprise (though it should not have been), I wound up meeting a number of great people whose company I really enjoyed. Some of them shared similar interests, such as auto racing, music, etc., while others could appreciate my skewed sense of humor and NY -styled impatience.

What was most comforting was that the underlying bond of our cultural heritage made meeting new Zarathushtis an amazingly facile and natural process. It was as if I knew many of these people for years, even though our friendships have only just begun. To me, that is as powerful a demonstration of the strength of our community as any. It's partly our shared history, partly our realization of how precious that history is, and a little . Before then, it was so easy for me to take my ties to our community for granted. Yet, I realized that you always miss the most what you never realized you had. Leaving home, wherever your home may be, is not an easy thing to do. I know that there are nights when I wonder if I have made the right decision or not. But knowing that, almost anywhere you go in the world, there are people around who are intricately tied into the pulse of your heritage, which you can relate to in a manner you could not find with anyone else, can make all the difference in the world. I know.

62 FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 F arrokh M istree lives with his mother ( N er gesh), his wife ( Y ashfara) , two sons ( D insha and B ehr am) and his niece T shan in Atlanta. Farrokh Mistree was born in Poona, India and is the elder brother ofKhojeste Mistree. As of August 1992, Farrokh is the Professor of Systems Design at the Institute of Technology in Atlanta. He is the author of over 225 technical papers and the co-author of two text books. F arrokh started teaching "Sunday School" to Z arathushti children in Sydney in 197 4 and has been doing so ever since. Now it gives me great pleasure to introduce to you, Mr. Farrokh Mistree.

Nikan Khatibi: In your opinion, what goal should the Zarathushti youth of tomorrow be focused upon?

Farrokh Mistree: I will answer the preceding question in the context ofthe Zarathushti religion and community. In this context I be­ lieve that the most important goal is to learn how to live a Zarathushti life. How can this be achieved? To learn how to live a Zarathushti life I advise young Zarathushtis to develop their critical thinking skills on the Zarathushti religion. Developing critical thinking skills involves: + recognizing that the pursuit of Truth and Spirituality in our religion must involve both the mind and faith: + developing and constantly updating one's own knowledge based on our doctrine, rituals and community practices; + identilying and pursuing answers to questions pertaining to doctrine, rituals and spirituality; + learning how to identify the hidden assumptions upon which people base their positions and thence be able to identify in­ tellectual disconnects. I will summarize the preceding as follows: I advise you to learn how to Observe, Reflect and Articu­ late about our Zarathushti religion so that you can learn how to live a Z arathushti life.

Nikan Khatibi: Many youth wonder .why they should participate in Zarathushti functions. and stay within the community. Through your involvement with the youth in Georgia. do you have any answers that could clear the minds of many Zarathushti Youth?

F arrokh M istree: I do not have a convincing argument for the question you pose. So let me try and answer the following question: What logic could I offer my teenage children to be part of the Z arathushti community? You are born into a family and this family is part of several communities, for example, religious, social, professional, etc. Our family identity is defined, in effect, by the communities to which our family unit belongs. Our family's religious identity is defined by the religious community to which it subscribes. In our case, for better or worse our religious identity is defined by Zoroastrianism. Isn't, it therefore, appropriate for you to develop your religious identity by participating in Z arathushti functions?

Nikan Khatibi: Marriage. It is a very controversial topic to discuss. Is it okay to marry outside the religion and if so. do you believe it is okay to convert?

Farrokh Mistree: In our religion it is stated that it is NOT alright to marry outside our religion. I have been married to a non­ Zarathushti for over 25 years. I understand and accept the religious strictures against having done so. I do not subscribe to the notion of religious conversion

Nikan Khatibi: Though there is a large amount of youth participation throughout Zarathushti associations nation-wide, as a whole the youth participation is not where it should be. In your perspective. what would be one way to attract Zarathushti youth to community events?

Farrokh Mistree: This is a very difficult question for me to answer. I am very pleased with the efforts made byvarimis people and asso­ ciations to get Zarathushti youth involved in community and religious activities. I happen to believe that Youth are conditioned by par­ ents and their home environment. In my opinion, raising the consciousness of the entire family and its responsibility to the Z arathushti community at large needs to be explored.P erhapsit is here that we will find the answer to the question that you have posed. Your ques­ tion has got me thinking: Should we consider Z arathushti youth interests to be independent of adult Z arathushtis? If the answer is yes and we pursue this path I am afraid that we might be encouraging the divide between generations to widen. Is this what we want? I think not. So what is an alternative? Youth g;:ow into adults who age and become senior citizens; in effect Associations need to cater to a spectrum of people and their interests. Now instead of trying to cater to the specific needs of subgroups (like youth, adults, seniors, etc.) what if we started thinking in terms of catering to the needs of family units, for example families with no children, families with young children, families with g;:andparents. and the like. The potential benefit I see is g;:eat. Let me explain: If we 6 focus on the family then we will be able to cater to the needs of different generations collectively within the family thereby strengthening the family unit and in so doing we will perforce strengthen the Z arathushti community.

FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 63 follow the Gathas of Zarathushtra A Scientific Analysis of Nirang ... Part II which are scientific, rational, and in This is the second in a two-part writing on Nirang. Part I was published in accord with time. Maybe the fault FEZANA Journal, Falli999. with the society initially to have By Borzoo J. Nadjmi, M.D. In response to Dr. Mehroo Patel's let­ allowed such corruption of a pristine Lincoln, Rhode Island ter [FEZANA Journal, Spring 2000}, and pure faith. the medical view of urine should be It is my hope that this brief writing "Listen with your ears the highest solely based upon updated research [along with Part I} will provide truth, consider them with illumi­ and science and not on myth, rivayets nated minds, carefully and decide material to provoke a deeper concern each man and woman personally or on pseudo-science. The very fact among wellwishers of the commu­ between the two paths, good and that medicine is riddled with conflict­ nity. It is also to be noted that when­ evil." [Ys. 30-2} ing data is what makes medical pro­ ever priesthood is tolerated by fessionals skeptical of what they hear. Scientific analysis. The kidney takes consensus or heredity, its function waste out of the blood and eliminates People who are facing dehydration becomes commercialized and self­ it as urine. The kidney is also a major should absolutely avoid drinking sustaining on the performance of rit­ endocrine organ and is responsible their own urine because intracellular uals, and less on the educational for a host of metabolic functions. dehydration is caused by sodium loss aspects of the essence of faith. Urea is excreted mainly by the kid­ or loss of water. This causes hyper­ Our society is very small and highly ney; extra renal excretion pathways osmolarity of the internal organs, educated, but lacks adequate reli­ of urea include lacrymal secretion, consequently water moves out of the gious knowledge. In addition to saliva, feces and sweat. A known fact cells and the cells become dehy­ inheriting our religion, we should is that urea breaks down to ammonia drated. The earliest sign of dehydra­ extend our belief and vision in only by the urea splitting organisms tion is thirst, then dryness of the research, discussion, writing and (E coli is the most common). In other mouth, and if not corrected (by teaching others our pristine faith. To words, infection causes urea to split drinking pure water), a coma may sin by silence when we should talk, to ammonia and the pungent odor of follow. The drinking of a dehydrated makes a coward out of a person. The this urine (nirang) warns us of infec­ individual's urine expedites and few who dare, must speak again and tion and alkaline urine. Urine is worsens dehydration. again to right the wrongs of many. faintly aromatic and mildly acidic. Excreta is any waste from the body To ignore the past, would do The mild antiseptic character of the (urine, air, feces, etc). Air is a mix­ irreparable damage to our society. urine is from its acidity. To empha­ ture of gases constituting the earth's size, acid urine is mildly antiseptic. In summary, nirang is an impious, atmosphere and there are no germs in toxic excreta which does not give In a healthy human or animal, urine the exhaled air of healthy individu­ glory but worry, and does not have any from the kidney and bladder are ster­ als. Air is needed for every living cleansing character whatsoever. ile, however, urine becomes contam­ creature, nirang is not. Whatever purpose nirang may have inated or infected from the bladder Conclusion. As Mobed-e-Mobedan served in ancient times, it is now obso­ outlet to outside. Strict, aseptic nee­ lete and without meaning and purpose dle aspiration of the bladder urine Tensar said, "If religion is not enlight­ for the future, therefore its use should should not reveal a single bacteria. ened by reason, it has no meaning or be discarded and substituted with The US Department of Health con­ steadiness." History also tells us water to be in accord with the religious siders ten E coli in an Olympic-sized when fanaticism and dogmatism pre­ teachings of Zarathushtra. And lastly, swimming pool as infected water. E vail, the mind contracts and culture to those who wish to insist on the mir­ coli multiply and double every 15 - does not flourish. Orthodoxy and acle of nirang, I say they may use it of 20 minutes in urine or water. orthopraxy domination makes people narrowminded, consequently external their own free will. II Precise urinalysis and urine culture influences and internal dissension has been the means of detecting will affect the community with an Dr. Borzoo .J. Nladjmi is a uro­ infection in urine for over 100 years. enormous variation to the already his­ logical surgeon and Chairman of the Despite advances in this technique, it torical distortions, scriptural misinter­ Dept. of Urology at Landmark Medi­ is likely that viable organisms which pretations, ceremonial impositions cal Center in Rhode Island. cause many diseases still cannot be and scholarly disagreements. cultured. A major advance in our RESOURCES ability to identify bacteria has been Endowed with an irrepressible [1] J. J. Modi, Liturgical Services of the the use of DNA analyses techniques. curiosity, the human species has Parsees, p. 253-321. always explored. We are living at the [2] Cecil Textbook of Medicine, Vol. 1. Even bacteria that are not culturable [3] Gathas of Zarathushtra, translated by can be identified by using DNA tech­ dawn of the 21st century with enor­ Dr. Taraporewala. niques. mous scientific advances. We should [4] Dr. Dhalla, History of Zoroastrianism. 64 FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 ,.,~A~.AT:ftWSil-lta\11 . ENT.ERPRISE . Th are zarathushti's pravers pf1o.oocts, ANo·· • SERVICES. In the we pray: From nature to nature's God is but a Hold ready Of Mazdayasnian natural step. Zarathushtra's birth is Zarathushtis, your hands, your described most beautifully thus: NEW BUSINESSES feet, your brain, to perform With his birth and with his growth FEZANA Journal will be happy to Good Deeds according to the law Waters and Trees grew rapturous; announce any new business/enter­ and at the right time. Here do With his birth and with his growth prise in this column. Please send good and industrious deeds, here Waters and Trees were prosperous. give help to the needy. your announcement to the Editor. Zarathushtra knew that nature never These concepts of purity, progress wears a mean appearance and as Send gifts to India and charity are most beautifully sym­ Emerson says, "In the woods we www.indiaservices.com bolized in the symbol which the Par­ return to reason and faith ... the cur­ sis hold most sacred - Fire. rents of the Universal Being circulate Will personally deliver sweets, In this beautiful nyaesh (hymn) dedi­ through us, we form a part and parcel mithai from Parsi Dairy Farm, flow­ cated to atash (fire) we read: of God." ers, cakes, gifts, etc. to friends and family in India, for Nouruz, birth­ Oh Ahura Mazda we come unto thee How wonderfully well does Laing first and foremost through the give tongue to our true aspirations days, navjote, weddings, and also agency ofAtash. Atash is an when he says, "To the Zoroastrian, flowers for . We will send emblem ofAhura Mazda. prayer assumes the form of a recog­ you back within 24 hours, a response Today we see scientists proclaiming nition of all that is pure, sublime and from the recipient and also their how fire is the most purifying of ele­ beautiful in the surrounding uni­ photo receiving the gift. Email: ments; how it is the one thing which verse. He can never want opportuni­ sales @indiaservices.com. cannot be defiled; how from its heat ties of paying homage to the Good is radiated the love of hearth and how Spirit and of looking into the abysses it kindles the fire of faith; how its of the unknown with reverence and eternal flames pointing heavenward, wonder. guide men towards the best light. "The light of setting suns, the dome of Obviously, there could not have been loving blue, the clouds in the might of a more appropriate symbol of Purity tempest or resting still as brooding and Progress. doves, the mountains, the ocean We must clear the doubts which lashed by storm, the waste and solitary linger in certain minds when they say places where we taste the pleasure of Kemps Corner, Mumbai that Zarathushtis worship the sun, the believing what we see is boundless as moon, the stars and the seas. We you wish our soul to be ... Double flat, fifth floor need not defend ourselves, nor invent "These are a Zarathushti's prayers."ll Spacious, 1800 sq. ft. excuses. What could be greater than considering nature as the "Living [Author unkown. Submitted by Dr. Living, dining, 3 bedrms Garment of God" as Carlyle calls it. Kersey H. Antia] 3 baths, 3 balconies A Perfect Devotee is ••• Large kitchen He who hates no creature, He who is friendly and compassionate to all, Servants/storage room He who is free from attachment and egotism, Car park He who is balanced in pleasure and pain, He who is ever-forgiving, ever content, every loving, He who is self-controlled and steady in meditation, He who is possessed of firm convictions and determined, 408-733-8731 He who is dedicated to Me with mind and intellect, He my devotee is dear to Me! sapate I@ attglobal.net [From Self-Realization Society of Ontario]

FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 65 Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce is formulated

up on beginnings laid working and solidarity among the tionships and build a support struc­ Zarathushti Business business and professional commu- ture for local business persons and Conferences (in 1997 and nity; (d) To gather statistics and entrepreneurs as well as for those 1998 in Las Vegas) the ' ' contemplating busi- Zarathushti Chamber ... IT IS RESOLVED therefore, to establish a ness. Chicago-area of Commerce is now business persons have close to becoming a Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce, to keep alive started networking reality. the spirit of Zarathushti entrepreneurship, and to with monthly dinner One weekend in meetings. February, Sarosh Col- facilitate trade and commerce, so that the Zara- The Chamber will be lector of Houston, thushti community may continue to remain vibrant launched during the Homi Davier of Hous- ' ' Seventh World Zoroas- ton and Kobad Zarolia and prosperous by the grace of Ahura Mazda trian Congress in of Toronto met with Houston, at the Busi- Rohinton Rivetna, in Chicago, for a maintain a database; (e) To develop a ness Luncheon on December 29th. marathon, 3-day working meeting to mentoring program; and (f) To iden- All are invited. develop the Constitution further. tify sources of funding for business ventures. Persons interested in learning more The purposes of the Chamber are about the Chamber or in starting a envisaged to be: (a) To facilitate, The building blocks of the Chamber networking group in their local area, encourage and promote the spirit of will be its member businesses and its please contact Homi Davier (281- entrepreneurship; (b) To promote local chapters. Business persons are 242-3808, [email protected]) or Zarathushti businesses worldwide; encouraged to form business chap­ Rohinton Rivetna (630-325-5383, (C) To promote cooperation, net- ters in their areas, to develop rela- rivetna@ aol.com).

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66 FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 By Zend Zend Sagar General Stores at Mumbai, India Breach Candy, at a salary ~~~~~~~- Fro humble beginnings of Rs. 40 per month. want to introduce to The story of Percy Antia who, with his family of They lived in a small your readers the nine, worked his way up from a stall on the back room in Talati shining example of pavement at Flora Fountain, to a clothing Building at Khetwadi. Percy and Govher Antia Even now, I could see of Toronto [photo right], import business in Canada the Persian strain in both 66 years old, mar­ Govher's chinky eyes, ried for 45 years, and high cheek bones and having eight children and well defined features. 14 grand children. They Percy's first business came to my Yazdani Bak­ was selling greeting ery at Fort, Mumbai, on a cards (sometimes new, recent visit to Mumbai, sometimes handmade and I was inspired by and sometimes recy­ their story to write this cled) on the pavement at article. Flora Fountain. Later he Percy is the eldest son in a moved to a stall on the well-to-do family of pavement below the Mumbai. His father Petit Library in the Fort imported greeting cards area. At times, the staff and sold them all over would pour buckets of India during the British water over his stall Raj. While barely 20, he met Govher they were married in 1957, with barely from an upper floor window, and he while both were students at the Sir J. J. Rs. 15 in his pocket. At the time he would then move across the street to School. Over his family's objections, held a small job cleaning the Sukh the pavement by the Vaccha Agiary. Supplier of All Your Needs tseAiaska for the Practice of Zarathushti Customs & Religion · Discover th.e magic of Alaska th1s summer! ------'------THE Fabulous luxury ships at affordable prices! ------Enjoy b~eath·t~killg glaciers, pristine. wilder· ZOROASTRIAN ness and spectacular National Parks!

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FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 67 Agiary trustees Bhabha and Vaccha kindly allowed him to use the outside Giving life to an alchemist's dream wall to display cards and the pan­ thaky, Ervad Jijina, would sometimes Mother and son team of Phiroza Irani and Mayyar Irani have give him papdi-malido to take home developed a prototype "anaerobic digester" on their experi­ for his family, which was now grow­ mental farm in Pennsylvania that produces electricity from ing. Mind you, in those days there farm animal waste. were no Parsi Punchayet incentives such as allowances for having more t sounds like an alchemist's methane and fuel for his household, than two children. dream - turning animal waste joined hands with us and helped us Percy's brother Minoo, then 34 emi­ into energy - but that is exactly out." grated to Canada, and shortly there­ what bio-technician Phiroza (Piloo) Even in the USA, some large farms, after, in 1974, called over Percy's Irani and her son and managing part­ use "lagoon type" digesters to gener­ eldest daughter Jeroo, 17 to Toronto. ner, Mayyar Irani, an environmental ate electricity. What makes the BMI After becoming a citizen of Canada, chemist, are accomplishing on an digester unique is its vertical design. Jeroo called the whole family over experimental farm in Pennsylvania. The prototype uses a "floating in 1983. The Canadian Government, Their company, Rio-waste Manage­ dome" design to capture and deliver a little taken aback at having nine ment International, Inc. based in the methane. family members show up in Canada, Selinsgrove, PA, is building a proto­ BMI Inc. was founded four years was nevertheless hospitable. type of an "anaerobic digester" that ago, with Phiroza as president, and Upon arrival in Canada, Percy, now uses methane gas from animal waste to produce electricity. What makes Mayyar as vice president and man­ 50, started life all over again, work­ ager. Born in Mumbai and educated ing as a paper boy for the Toronto this concept even more exciting is that the by-products of this process in Dastur Girls' High School in Pune, Star. Gradually, small successes Phiroza came to the USA in 1957. came his way. He moved into the can be packaged as an environmen­ tally-friend! y fertilizer. She has associate degrees in business business of importing children's and electronics and has worked as a apparel from countries around the Daily waste from the 1,000 hogs on medical secretary at NYU and world. His business grew and turned the farm is transferred into the Columbia University, as a field engi­ lucrative, and he was soon supplying "digester", where the methane gas is neer at Exxon, and done some teach­ his imported clothing to some of the harvested to run the generator and ing at a professional school. "But for larger stores in Toronto. produce electricity, while the resid­ the last 15 years," says Phiroza, "I He made several trips to Mumbai and ual solids can be bagged as odorless, have been primarily a business got all his sons married to Parsi girls pathogen-free fertilizer, and liquids woman, having owned commercial from Mumbai, and helped their applied to the farm's fields. At opti­ real estate, a video store and a bar." mal efficiency they hope to run the respective brides migrate and settle Mayyar, born in New York City, in Canada. generator 24 hours a day and have enough electricity to light the barn, joined the US army after high school, After all these years, Percy's outbuildings and some appliances in to get his college education funded. patience, practicality and persever­ the farmhouse. He graduated from Florida State Uni­ ance finally paid off. Percy and Gov­ versity with a degree in Environmen­ her, his 8 children and 14 "Besides the fuel, it is the byproduct, tal Chemistry. During his college grandchildren, are surely a shining the fertilizer that benefits the farmer days he interned as a specialist in example of what hard work and faith and the crops," says BMI vice presi­ environment cleanup and clean water in Ahura Mazda can achieve. II dent and manager, Mayyar Irani, preservation in the Florida Ever­ "The digested fertilizer is better for glades. "He is a true environmental­ Zend Zend is proprietor of the the soil and produces less nutrient ist," says Phiroza, "and a natural popular Yazdani Restaurant and run-off. Besides, since the digested choice as my partner and manager". waste is odorless, it has a public rela­ Bakery at Cawasji Patel Street in the Funding. For two years after found­ Fort area of Mumbai. He invites tions benefit and makes the neigh­ bors happier." ing the business, the !ranis knocked readers to come to his bakery: "The at several government agency's crunchy broon pao is fresh from the "The concept is not new," says Phi­ doors for grants. The first ones to oven, the titori is ready, and the hot roza, "The basic technology has been help were the Conservation Depart­ and spicy chutney masala bhing in in use on farms in India. My nephew ment of Agriculture and NRCS plantain leaves is waiting for you". Cyrus Irani of Ahura Exports in Pal­ USDA. DEP was instrumental in ghar (India) who owns a dairy farm securing a major portion of the fund- and uses his animal waste to produce

68 FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 Dear Friends, Progress: moving in the right direction. The graph below shows the new bal­ ances for the FEZANA funds as of March 31, 2000. Funds received this quarter: see acknowledgments. 100.00 90.00 Fund Balances- Mar 31, 2000 Dchange, 1 $79,563 llll1999 80.00 $70,465 w 70.00 "0 c «S 60.00 0 J 0 50.00 ..s::: .:!:::!- -(IT 40.00 Cl) Dr. .Jerry M. K.heradi :::) 30.00 dynamic chair of the FEZANA 20.00 Funds and Finance Committee has $4,806 significantly increased the pace of 10.00 funds coming to FEZANA. General Welfare Rei Ed Scholarship Grit Assist Endowment funds: Donations of $25,000 and above can be listed under a ing, and also led to some funding family name, an individual name or anonymously. Upto the present time, we from DOE. Ben Franklin Technol­ have two endowment funds - under the name of Hormazdiar F. Damkevala ogy gave the resources to develop a Fund and Mehraban Dorab Kheradi Scholarship Fund. business plan. "Credit is due to Our goal: is to build each of the FEZANA Funds to $75.000- $100,000 by many people and many agencies," December 2001, with the hope that the income generated will support the indi­ says Phiroza, "for believing in us and vidual fund needs and the principal will remain and grow. This will give helping us get this project going." FEZANA the financial backbone it needs to continue its work in promoting the For the next year, BMI will be testing Zarathushti faith, disseminating information about our Zarathushti religion, rep­ the prototype. Once they have the resenting the community in national and international forums, and continue to data to prove that they can generate build a strong community of Zarathushtis in North America. electricity while also producing the Tax-deductible Donations: All donations to FEZANA are tax-deductible for environmentally-friendly fertilizer as US federal tax purposes. Canadian tax payers may send donations to FEZANA a byproduct, they will be ready to through their local societies. FEZANA has a security account with Merrill begin marketing the system. Lynch and in order to obtain a better tax deduction, we advise you to donate Hats off to the venturesome duo for long term appreciated securities from your brokerage account to FEZANA's taking this novel concept and devel­ Merrill Lynch brokerage account #732-07784. Please feel free to call me ore­ oping it for marketing in the USA. II mail me, at the number listed below, for further information. - By Roshan Rivetna It is our moral duty to support our precious religion, culture and heritage for our future generations. Please look into your hearts and help. [Phiroza Irani can be contacted at (570) 374-4402, phiroza@mcfcom] Thank you and God bless you, Jerry M. Kheradi, M.D., Chair, Funds & Finance Committee We goofed! (401) 353-2343 or E-mail: [email protected] In FEZANA Journal [Winter 1999, Rustom Kevala. Ph.D., Treasurer page 81] we made an inadvertent (301) 765-0792, or E-mail: [email protected] error about the ownership of Ahura FEZANA Committee members: Bina Behboodi, Jamshed Gandi, Exports. We hereby clarify that Yasmin Ghadialy and Celeste Kheradi Cyrus A. Irani is the sole proprietor of Ahura Exports, based in Palghar USE YOUR CREDIT CARD TO MAKE DONATIONS TO FEZANA (India) and Sohrab Irani is the com­ Go to: http://www.helping.org and search for "FEZANA". For more infor­ pany representative in the USA. II mation, contact FEZANA Treasurer Rustom Kevala at (301) 765-0792.

FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 69 can remember as a young man being told the story of the Fiddler on the Roof. It seems the poor chap found it a little difficult playing any meaningful music on his fiddle Beautiful music and other estate tax issues while holding onto the roof for dear life. wealth that our tax laws dictate must Testamentary Gifts - Charitable be used for the general welfare of our What does the above example have to gifts by will or trust are deductible country. do with a discussion on estate plan­ for estate tax purposes. ning? Perhaps more than you may For wealthy families social capital Gifts of Appreciated Property - initially think. Let's take a look at makes up more than half of their total The most favorable tax benefits are some basic issues. Most wealthy fam­ net worth. It serves in no one's best generated by contributions of appre­ ilies during their lifetime see their interest to refuse to face these facts. ciated long-term securities and real wealth as belonging to them. It usu­ It is true whether or not you like it. estate. This is because in addition to ally comes as an unpleasant surprise However, once you understand the receiving a charitable deduction for when they learn that the IRS, through concept of social capital you are in a the full fair market value of the gifted the estate and gift tax system, has a position to make optimal decisions property, the donor also escapes the lien on their wealth of up to 55% on regarding your wealth. capital-gains tax that would have their net worth and up to 75% of their The basic question you must answer been due if the appreciated long-term retirement plan and IRA asset. for yourself is: do you by default let security had been sold. Because of this, wealth is actually the government take this large share Gifts of Life Insurance - Life insur­ divided into two categories: Per­ of your wealth or would you rather ance is the vehicle of choice for pro­ sonal Capital and Social Capital. direct it to charitable causes that you tecting families from the untimely Personal Capital is the portion of believe in. It is important to keep in death of a wage earner. But many your wealth that you have complete mind that properly planned gifts to families still own substantial control over. You may sell it, use it charity do not reduce your heirs amounts of life insurance even after up, pass it on to your heirs, and in inheritance, but reduce the portion of the children have grown. Since life short do whatever you want with it. your wealth that the government insurance death benefits are taxed at Social Capital is the portion of your takes from your estate. high estate tax rates, it is excellent wealth that you do not own, even Let's take a brief look at some of the property to gift to charity. though you do have control over it more popular methods for making Charitable Gift Annuity - With this temporarily. It is this portion of your charitable gifts. option an individual transfers assets

Looking for I would like to support FEZANA a few generous $_____ General Fund Zarathushtis $ Welfare Fund We are trying to develop the $ Religious Education Fund $ Scholarship Fund FEZANA funds in a way in 0 Check enclosed $ Critical Assistance Fund which the principal remains and 0 Please call me to arrange $ Fezana Journal Fund grows, while the interest and transfer of securities. $ Total income it produces is utilized for the needs of the individual fund. This will strengthen the finan­ Make check payable to "FEZANA". Mail to: cial status of FEZANA for the Rustom Kevala, Treasurer, 8812 Tuckerman Lane, Potomac, MD 20854. future. We need a few generous Zarathushtis to come forward Mr/Mrs/Miss/Dr ------and establish an endowment Last name First name Middle Initial

fund in their family name, in the Street Apt.No. name of a beloved family mem­ ber or anonymously. Please con­ City State/Province Zip/PIN tact Jerry M. Kheradi at (401) 353-2343 or [email protected]. Country Tel. No. Email

70 FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 FEZANA. We advise that FEZANA should require the foreign charities to make periodic accounting as further to a qualified charity. In return the Guidelines for Donations proof that FEZANA retains control charity agrees to pay a guaranteed to foreign Charities over and discretion over the funds. annuity amount for life. An income Finally, it is imperative that the grants One of the tests for the tax­ tax deduction is received for the value be made to charitable organizations, deductibility of a donation to a of the transferred property less the and not to individuals, in foreign domestic charitable organization like value of the annuity. The gifted prop­ countries." FEZANAis that the domestic organi­ erty is no longer part of the taxable zation is not a mere conduit to a for­ Guidelines for Canadian donors will estate, saving substantial estate taxes. eign donee. According to the be covered in the next issue. Charitable Remainder Unitrust Internal Revenue Code of the United Rustom Kevala and Annuity Trust - These trusts are States of America: Treasurer, FEZANA popular with people who hold highly appreciated assets such as real estate (1) Contributions made by individu­ and securities that produce little or no als directly to foreign charitable orga­ Acknowledgments nizations are not tax-deductible. income. The property is gifted to the FEZANA gratefully acknowledges trust where it can be sold tax-free and (2) Individual contributions to a donations received this quarter the proceeds can be reinvested in domestic charitable organization through March 31. assets that produce income. The donor (such as FEZANA) that transmits all, retains the right to receive income For General Fund: Rohinton Balsara, or some, of its funds to a foreign PA ($20); Farah Bulsara, IL ($45); Katy from the trust for a period of years, for charitable organization are tax­ Cooper, CA ($100); Rohinton Dadina, life or even for the life of a benefi­ deductible only if all of the following NY ($10); Diana Damkevala, CA ($50); ciary, such as a spouse. As a result, conditions are met: Adi Dutia, AL ($250); Noshir Hansotia, capital gains are avoided and the trust (a) The funds are expended by the MO ($50); Jamshed Gandi, CA ($15); property is not subject to estate taxes. Khosrow Jamshidi, CA ($250); Burjor foreign donee in furtherance of the At the death of the last beneficiary, the Nargolwala, FL ($20); Jeroo & Sheroy property is used to fulfill the donor's domestic charitable organization's Ranji, NJ ($22); Minocher Reporter, OR charitable purposes. charitable purposes. ($35); Ardeshir J. Sidhwa, AZ ($25); Bella Tata, BC ($51); Zoroastrian Asso­ This article is only intended to pro­ (b) The domestic charitable organi­ ciation of Northern California ($100). vide a brief overview of the tax zation has full control and discretion issues and many charitable giving over the grants made to the foreign For Welfare Fund: Firozi Alercia, NC options available to you. It's purpose charities, and ($15); Maneck & Mahrukh Bhujwala, CA ($100); Dr. Parvin & Mehraban Din­ is to motivate you to take action to (c) The domestic charitable organi­ yarian, TX ($85); Faruk & Daisy Press­ prevent a large part of your wealth zation receives periodic accounting wala, NJ ($200); Behram Shroff, VA from being lost in taxes, when it from foreign donees to show that the ($50); Burjor & Vira Suntoke, CA ($11); could have been used to leave a last­ funds are indeed used for the Dick Vazir, FL ($102) ing legacy in your name. Ask your intended purposes. For Religious Education Fund: Dr. attorney, accountant or financial (3) Any contributions made by the Amavaz Dua, WI ($300); Dinaz & Dan planner if any of these techniques are Rogers, OR ($21); Faruk & Daisy Press­ right for you. domestic charities directly to individ­ uals in foreign countries are not tax­ walla, NJ ($100). Don't be like the fiddler on the roof deductible. For Critical Assistance Fund: Diana using all your energy hopelessly try­ Damkevala, CA ($50); Prof. Sorab K. ing to hang on to all your wealth, Recently, FEZANA requested the Ghandhi, CA ($101); Faruk & Daisy when you could have been playing law firm of Pitney, Hardin, Kipp & Presswalla, NJ ($500). beautiful music. Szuch to review the methods used by K. Harvesf Medical Assistance Fund: FEZANA and its Member Associa­ Arthur C. Everly Dr. Shroff & Dr. Fereydoon tions for soliciting charitable contri­ CLU Chartered Financial Consultant Behrassa, AR ($500); Rustom J. Mehdia­ butions and thereafter making grants badi, TX ($500); Dr. Ava Udvadia, NC Jerry M. Kheradi, M.D. to Zarathushti charities in India, ($25). Chairman, FEZANA Funds and Canada and other countries. The For FEZANA Scholarship Fund: Dr. Finance Committee attorneys state that: Abadi, PA ($60); Firozi Alercia, Mr. Everly is a principal in Wealth It appears likely that FEZANA's NC ($10); Minoo Daroga, MI ($100); Management Resources, Inc., a manner of solicitation will allow Faruk & Daisy Presswala, NJ ($100). Financial Planning and Investment individual donors to take a tax Mehraban Dorab Kheradi Scholarship Advisory firm. He can be reached at deduction for their contributions to Fund: Delara Kheradi, NY ($500). II (401) 334-1900. II

FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 71 Girl in Surat A young girl in Surat has contracted HIV. She has completed 1 1/2 years of anti-viral therapy (including cap­ Donation checks, payable to "FEZANA", may be sent to the address in the appeal, or to sules of "Crixivan" 400 mg. Indi­ Dinshaw Joshi, FEZANA Appeals Coordinator, 4515 Willard Avenue, #1609-S Chevy navin Supfate, Merck & Co, USA) in Chase, MD 20815, Tel: (301) 654-6250. For tax exemption eligibility please refer to the care of a prominent Indian doctor page 71. who has given the hope that she can be cured within 3 years. One month's supply of the capsules costs Rs. 15,000 in India. Monthly medical expenditures are over Rs. 30,000, which the family are unable to afford. The family, who has already given their all, are appealing to generous­ hearted Zarathushtis to help save their only child. Please send your checks to FEZANA [see above]. Final surgery for Yazad Mobedji 16-year old Yazad Mobedji will be in Maryland shortly for his final phase of cranio-facial reconstruction surgery in Washington, DC. Yazad was born with life-threatening anomalies including congenital heart disease, hydrocephalus, cranio-facial Appeal for youth of Sazman-e-Faravahr anomalies, camptodactyly and mal­ rotation of the intestines. In 1986, at One of our most active Zarathushti youth organizations in Iran, Sazman-e-Far­ the age of 2 112 Yazad underwent avahr has donated a plot of land in the center of Tehran for a future "Zartoshti major surgeries in Toronto, without Physical Culture and Sports Club" for our youth. Faravahr is a very well-run which he would not have lived to charitable organization run by a very dedicated group of Zarathushtis doing a adolescence. His expenses were wonderful job of uniting, educating and helping Zarathushti youth to maintain borne by various trusts, charities, a proud, healthy, dedicated Zarathushti community. family and friends. The surgeons Funds raised at the local level, enabled the youth to lay the concrete founda­ graciously waived their fees. tion and steel structure for the main club building [see photo]. With deep In 1996, Yazad underwent a second inflation in Iran, they need a lot more financing to complete the building and series of cranial reconstruction fit it with modem exercise equipment. This is an appeal to all Zarathushtis to surgery in Washington. Again, gen­ help our youth in Iran, who are so dedicated to keeping our religion and cul­ erous well-wishers raised the neces­ ture strong and well. Please send your donation to me or directly to Faravahr sary funds. Sports Club, c/o Hormozdyar Hormozdyari, No. 7 Bamshad Lane, Ave. Estimated expenses for this final Shomali, Tehran 15996, tel: 9821-8809665. phase are over $40,000. Family and J. K. Behboodi, 46 Castleridge Dr. friends are once again appealing to Richmond Hill, ON L4B 1P8, Canada. Tel: (905) 886-4393 all Zarathushtis for financial support In the Footsteps Parsi General Hospital to cover this last phase of Yazad's of our Forefathers The 14th annual fundraising drive for surgery. Please send your donation On a tour of Iran in May, 40 the B. D. Petit Parsee General Hospi­ checks to FEZANA [see above]. Zarathushti youth will document tal, is under way. Last year North Relay for Life their journey on film, produced by American Zarathushtis collected Hormuzshaw Wania, M.D. is partici­ Tenaz Dub ash (who has experience $18,223 and donated every cent to pating in a Relay for Life in aid of the at ABC, CNBC, FOX and PBS) on the hospital. Send your check, American Cancer Society. Please professional equipment. Donations marked ZAGNY-Critical Assistance send donations to Dr. Wania at are sought to cover this most worth­ Fund, to Yasmin Ghadialy, 2686 Annville Family Practice, 475 N. while project. Contact Tenaz at (212) Belcher St, Baldwin, NY 11510, tel: Weaber St., Annville, PA 17003. 486-8959 or TDubash@ aol.com. (516) 378-4516, [email protected] 72 FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 Scholarship endowment. Homi Kapadia of Athens, Greece, and his sister Mahrokh Keyannejad [photos left} have endowed the Keyannejad-Kapadia Zoroastrian Scholarship Fund [see ad below} at the Triangle Fraternity. The largest one-time gift ever to the fraternity, the endowment by Mr. Kapadia, who was a founding father of the Michigan State Chapter, will yield $15,000- $20,000 annually for grants and loan scholarships. Recipients must be members of Triangle Fraternity; however Mr. Kapadia has stipulated that prefer­ ence be given to Zarathushtis and students of his alma mater Michigan State University. Upon graduation, Homi, originally from Mumbai, worked in R&D and in 1963, founded his own company that designed pipe and duct hangers. •

Keyannejad-Kapadia Zoroastrian Scholarship Fund

The Triangle Fraternity Education Foundation is pleased to announce the creation of the Keyannejad-Kapadia Zoroastrian Scholarship Fund (endowed by Mr. Homi Kapadia and his sister Mrs. Mahrokh Keyannejad). The scholarships generated by this fund may be used for undergraduate or graduate study in an accredited univer­ sity in the USA. To qualify for an award, the applicant must be a member of Triangle Fraternity, have at least a 3.5 cumulative grade point average (out of 4.0) and be emolled in an engineering curriculum. Additionally, preference will be given to candidates who are: Emolled at Michigan State University • Not citizens or Nationals of the USA • Of the Zoroastrian religion

Triangle Fraternity was founded at the University of Illinois in 1907 and is recognized as the social fraternity for students majoring in engineering, architecture or the sciences. Triangle Fraternity is: Serious About Scholarship Sets and Demonstrates High Standards Celebrates Achievement

For information about the scholarships and the application process, please contact: Triangle Fraternity National Headquarters, 120 S. Center Street, Plainfield, IN 46168 Tel: (317) 837-9641 fax: (317) 837-9642 e www.Triangle.org

FEZANA SCHOLARSHIPS FOR 2000-2001 CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FEZANA invites scholarship applications for the academic year 2000-2001 from deserving Zarathushti women and men who have obtained admission at institutions of higher learning in USA or Canada.

Submit application (forms are available from FEZANA Secretary Arnavaz Sethna or from www.fezana.org. by July 1, 2000 to: FEZANA Secretary, Arnavaz Sethna, 2603 W. Pebble Beach, Missouri City, TX 77459. Tel: (281) 499-1832; email: [email protected].

FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 73 Commemorative Issue Tragedy in Nagpur of FEZANA .Journal.. In april, Ervad Kaizad Taraporewala was severely burnt while tending to FEZANA will coordinate initial contacts The Winter 2000 issue of FEZANA the Aderan fire at the N agpur, India, between interested parties; we do not Journal on the theme "Events that agiary when his white jamo acci­ Shaped the Evolving Zarathushti assume any responsibility for verifying dently caught fire. He was admitted credentials. Contact Roshan Rivetna. Identity Across the Millennia" will to the local hospital with 3rd degree commemorate the dawning of the burns. His medical treatment IS Attractive divorcee, 39, commerce new millennium 2001 and the Sev­ expected to cost Rs. 300,000 to graduate, owns successful business enth World Congress in Houston. 500,000 ($7,000 to $12,000). near Mumbai, two teenage children, We invite you to help us bring forth North American Zarathushtis - good homemaker, caring, sociable this very important collector's item. FEZANA, NAMC, ZAC (Chicago), personality; seeks well-educated, The target amount is $6,000. ZAH (Houston) and many individual self-sufficient gentleman, 40-50. ros­ Benefactor: Over $1,000 donors - responded by sending over [email protected]. [F00-04] Patron: $500 - $999 US $5,500. FEZANA donations were Female, fair, slim, 30, well-edu­ Sponsor: $100 - $499 remitted with the help of Dinshaw cated, raised in Pakistan, working for Tamboli of the WZO Trust in Mumbai. All donors will be suitably acknow­ investment firm in US; seeks well­ ledged in the Journal. Contact J. We are informed that as of May 5, educated gentleman. Zeeme99@ Gandi (415) 905-0330 or K. Jun­ over Rs. 500,000 have already been yahoo.com. P. 0. Box 772832, Hous­ galwala (978) 443-6858. received for the Ervad's treatment. ton, TX 77215-2832. [F00-05] FEZANA has received several more Attractive woman, 25, fair, 5' 6", Scholarships available donations of $25 to $200 from indi­ BA, working in airlines in India. viduals which have been deposited in Will relocate. Seeks pleasant-look­ College-bound minority (including the FEZANA Critical Assistance Asian) students are eligible for the ing, well educated gentleman with Fund. If additional funds are not good personality. Email: marker@ Gates Millennium Scholars Program. needed for Er. Taraporewala's treat­ The awards will enable 20,000 young ment, the funds will be utilized to wminet.net or call friend at ( 661) Americans to attend institutions of help others in need of emergency 254-7914. [F00-07] their choice. Visit www.gmsp.org. financial assistance. Ill Lady doctor, 55, practicing in India, willing to relocate. Seeks compan­ Fund raising for WZC2000 World Congress ionship with educated gentleman. Call friend (661) 254-7914. [F00-08] Extensive fund raising efforts are underway to meet the expenses associated with the World Congress and its associated legacy projects. This is the first Outgoing, attractive woman, 27, time a Congress of this magnitude will be held on this continent. Every MS, Environmental Consultant in Zarathushti is encouraged to help make it a truly world class event that will USA, to travel and experience leave its legacy for years to come. Among the avenues for donating to cultures and cuisines, enjoys outdoor WZC2000 are as follows [also see others on page 14]: activities as well as reading, music or movies. Ambitious and hardwork­ Securities: WZC2000 will accept appreciated securities as donations. ing. (973) 921-1342. [F00-09] The project was started due to requests from Zarathushtis who had pros­ pered in the current financially successful market. It is a very simple pro­ cess and tax-deductible. Just inform your broker to transfer x number of shares of company x to the account of Zoroastrian Association of Houston, Inc. at Fidelity Investment Ultra Service, Account #191-093211, tel: 1-(800) 544-6565. When transfers are made, please inform WZC2000 Treasurer Sarosh Collector at [email protected]. As a charitable project of the Donations by credit Card. To make a donation to WZC2000 by Credit Seventh World Zoroastrian Card, please fill out the slip below and mail to: Sarosh Collector, WZC2000 Congress, participants are Treasurer, 217 Lazy Hollow Drive, League City, TX 77573. requested to bring old, usable eye-glasses to Houston, as a ------cut here------donation for the needy. Please Donation Amount: 0 Mastercard OVisa collect as many as you can Card Number: ______Expiry Date: _____ from friends and neighbors Card Holder's Name: ______and bring them to Houston. Contact Behram Pastakia at Card Holder's Signature: ______bpastakia@ aol. com.

74 FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 Slim, petite girl, 30, accountant, cur­ Villoo Kootar of Mumbai, and Gertrude Marazban Sarkari, in Mumbai, on rently residing in US, enjoys reading, Martins, of Toronto. April16. music, sports, travel, zest for life, Parvin Mayan, a girl, to Ardeshir and Anaheeta Noshir Irani, daughter of seeks kind, caring man with similar Mehrbanoo Mayan, in North Vancouver, N oshir and Mehernaz Irani of Chandler, interests. (804) 763-5688. [F00-10] Canada, on December 23. Arizona, to Zubin Erach Kolah, son of A boy, to Zenobia and Pervez Mistry, Coomi and Brach Kolah of Mumbai, in grandson to Pervin and Jimmy Mistry Mumbai, on November 30. and Dara and Katy Panthakee, all of Daryush Jangi, son of Amy and Sohrab Nasli Hormasjee Choksey, son of Hor­ Toronto, on May 7. Jangi of North Vancouver and Tinaz masjee and Jilloo Choksey, left India in Natasha Patel, a girl, to Farahnaz and Jassawala, daughter of Pervin and Aspi the 1950s to study in the USA. He is a Darius, sister to Alina, grand-daughter to Jassawala of Mumbai, in Mumbai, on beneficiary in the estate of his uncle. Pervin and Soli Patel, and Mahrukh and February 21. Please contact Noshir Sethna, Solicitor, Dady Mama, and great-grand-daqughter Ashton Langdana, daughter of Meher in Mumbai at (91-22) 267-0226, email: to Gool Patel, in Ontario, on March 6. [email protected]. and Ron Langdana, in Toronto. Ava Suntol{, a girl to Armene and Kai­ Rohinton Pithawala, son of Homai and wan Suntok of Ontario, granddaughter to Family looking for assistance and infor­ Behram Pithawala to Meher Dubash, Meher and Dara Suntok and Mahyar and mation on the adoption of a Zarathushti Vera Anklesaria. on March 6. daughter of Khorshed and late Jamshed child from Iran (or elsewhere). Please Dubash, in Chicago, on March 21. contact jen @neki.com. Freya Wania, a girl, to Hormuzshaw and Shireen Wania, of Pennsylvania, on Zubin Sarkari, son of Gool and Homi We are a Parsi couple, settled in the US, February 24. Sarkari of New York area, to Chetna blessed with all the material comforts. Parekh. Navjote, Sedreh Pushi Our priority in life now is to bring a child Hoshang Subawalla, of Pensacola, into our midst, but are medically unable Naomi Bhappu, daughter of Ken and Florida, to Dilnavaz Kotwal. to do so. Our doctor has advised that we Villi Bhappu, in Houston, on December Erach Songadwalla of Moline, Illinois, seek an egg donor. We will entertain seri­ 31. ous inquiries from Parsi egg donors, son of Sarosh and Behroze Songadwalla from any part of the world. They will be Tanya Bharda, daughter of Khushroo of Mumbai, nephew of Putli (Noshir) well rewarded, with a generous fee and and Havovi Bharda of Ontario, in Mum­ Mirza of Toronto, cousin of Darius bai, on February 15. reimbursements. Contact ParsiDonor Damania of Chicago, to Vabeez @aol.com. IIIII Alessia and Shawn Bulsara, children of Bachana, daughter of Parvez and Khushroo and Martha Bulsara, in Mum­ Behroze Bachana of Mumbai, in bai, on December 15. Chicago, on May 7. Zaine and Zanara Karanjia, children Zubin Vakil and Shaireen Bharucha of of Dilshad and Pervaiz Karanjia, grand Houston, on December 26. Births children of Katy and Piloos, in Houston, on November 28. Anniversary Pearl Bengali, a girl, to Minoa and Dinaz Bengali, of New York, in February. Anaita Kharwanwala, daughter of Vispi and Pervin of Houston, celebrated Rohinton and Dipika of Ontario, in their 25th wedding anniversary on Jan­ Anahita Bilimoria, a girl, to Kurush and Mumbai, on December 26. Mehemaz Bilimoria of Melbourne, Aus­ uary 29. tralia, and grand-daughter to Rayomand Mahava, son of Gev and Bahadur and Sheroo Doctor, of Meherbanoo of New York. Kashmira Mahava, of Edmonton, in Ontario, celebrated their 30th wedding Mumbai, on January 16. Darius Dadiburjor, a boy, to Dinaz and anniversary Tanya Mahwa, daughter of Aspi and khushroo of Ontario, grandson to Recovering Sheroo and Minoa Bhathena, Banoo and Lehnaz Mahwa, in Toronto, on Jan. 20. Adi Kanga, nephew of Anahita Bha­ Weddings Noshir Rashid Irani, 61, of Chandler, thena, great-grandson of Shirin Dastoor, Arizona, is recovering, after a massive on March 10. Mitra Mehta, daughter of Ouvnere and heart attack. "I was totally surrounded by Mark Tyler Daruwalla, a boy, to Behramji Mehta, and Armnan Avasia, angels," says wife Mehernaz, "It was only Jehangir and Catherine Daruwalla, in son of Shernaz Polad, grand children of through the vigil and prayers of our Goolu and Sam Polad, in Houston, on Calgary, on March 15. Zoroastrian Association of Arizona, Silloo December 26. Mehta's group, and so many of our dear Jaden Husser, a girl, to Zenobia and friends, that Noshir made a miraculous Kevlin Husser of San Francisco, grand Zarrin Bharucha, daughter of Banoo and Rusi Bharucha, to Zarir Dadinatha, comback after 3 weeks in a coma-like daughter to Mehru and Bruch Mahava of state. Our heartfelt thanks to all of them." Toronto, Canada, on December 30. son of Villy and Minoo Dadinatha, in Vancouver, on April29. Cyrus Kootar, a boy, to Aspi and Maharukh Kootar, of Toronto, on March Hutoxi Damania, daughter of Pervin and 15. Delighted grandparents are Jal and Minocheher Damania of Mumbai, niece of Ardeshir Damania of California, to

FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 75 Deaths Mobed-e Mobedan Dinyar patients' good thoughts that nurtured Shahzadi, High Priest of Iran, 88, of him back to good health. Irandokt Ziatabari (Bahmani) wife of heart and lung trouble, husband of Dolat Khodaram Bahmani of Ontario, mother Lohrasp, father of Mehrangiz, Fariborz, His patients were usually the unem­ of Mahin, Mahnaz and Khodadad, on Sohrab and late Dariush, elder brother of powered ones, but he, typically, February 24. Mobed Bahram Shahzadi of Los Angeles, treated them with the greatest of Bahadur De boo, of Toronto, husband of in Tehran, on March 13. Mobed Rostam's respect, first and foremost. He had Pilloo, father of Zenobia, on Feb 25. funeral was held in the Zoroastrian understood and felt their suffering, and cemetary, Kakh-e Firouzabad, [also see Lily Gandevia, 74, sister of Roshan he graciously served each and all, obituary next page]. Patel of Chicago, Nari (Perin) Patel of above and beyond the call of duty. Miami, and Jer Sidhwa, Nergish Pavri Dina Ardeshir Udwadia, mother of Now Ahura Mazda has called upon and Ruby Bengalee of Mumbai, mother Viraf (Katie), Rusi (Karen) of Buffalo, NY and Noshir (Perween) Udwadia of Dinshaw Irani. We express our grati­ of Jimmy (Amavaz) Gandevia ofBC and tude to Him, for having granted us our Shemaz Bulsara of Mumbai, in Mumbai Mumbai, in Mumbai. few moments with this blessed healer. on May 14. Dowlet Vesuna (nee Irani) wife of late Dinshaw Khudabux Irani, husband of Dr. Minocher Vesuna, mother of Cyrus - By Yezdi Rustomji Katie, father of Adel and Maynaaz, in (deceased), Sam and ; grandmother Houston, on February 22 [see obituary]. of Jamsheed, Zal, Xerxes, Maparviz, Darius and Minocher, great grandmother Jlijoo Motivala Justice Bakhtavar Lentin, of Mumbai, of Rochella, Cyrus, Alex, Safina and uncle of Zarine Weil of Chicago, in PRAYER THROUGH SERVICE Jamie, in Toronto, on February 21. Mumbai, on April 22. Jijoo Motivala, and his wife, Roshan Furdoon Nardirshaw Wadia, 79, hus­ Kourosh Mahabadi, brother of Bozar­ have been a blessing to the band of Aloo, father of Binaifer and jomehr Mahabadi, in Arizona, on Febru­ Zarathushti community in southern Kanizehn in Toronto, on Jan 11. ary 16. California for the past 25 years. Sourush Yazdani, 101, father of Pari­ Fardoon Irani, 81, father of Cyrus Aside from their relentless service to dokht Kamdar, in North Vancouver, on Kabeer of Vancouver, near Mumbai, on our community, Jijoo had a passion January 23. II January 19. for feeding the homeless. Every Rustom Cawas Irani, 82, father of Sunday, rain or shine, Jijoo and his Neenaz DiLucci of Dallas, in London, Dinshaw Irani family would prepare 300 sand­ UK, on February 3. BLESSED HEALER AND wiches for the homeless. They would Jahangir Javidan, father of Kaykhos­ FRIEND TO THE SUFFERING serve those sandwiches with hot soup row, of Alberta, in USA on December 10. in the south central Los Angeles area Dr. Dinshaw Irani, a great Rashid Mobed Namdar Khorshidian, Zarathushti, a healer and a friend to -where a lot of gang related activi­ husband of Mahin Jahanbakshi Yazdi, the suffering, has left us. In his life­ ties take place. father of Farshid (Shiva), Abteen (Bar­ time, he accomplished, obviously, all One evening Jijoo was in the area for bara) and Kaveh, grandfather of Arash, It Arman and Kara, brother-in-law of that Ahura Mazda had sent him to a meeting. was dark and rather Parvin Keikhosrow Mobed, in Tehran, accomplish, but those who have been scary after the meeting, as he started on February 2. touched by him will say more than to walk back towards his car, parked what Ahura Mazda may have Banoo Mehin (Khanizadeh), 79, a distance away. Halfway down the expected of him. mother of Houshang, Kourush and path Jijoo heard some footsteps. Manouchehr Mehin of Vancouver, and Dinshaw Irani was the quintessential Looking back, he saw a huge Mrican Rashid Mehin of San Diego, in North healer. All those who came to him in American man following him. Jijoo, Vancouver, on lanuary 2. their illnesses, know that very few a little scared, started to walk faster, Fali Mistri, husband of late Putli, father had the gift to diagnose and to treat a and the person behind him also of Gulu (Sarosh) Manekshaw of Hous­ sufferer's ailment so rightly. He was, increased his pace. Jijoo started ton, and Naval Mistri, in Mumbai, on indeed, Ahura Mazda's blessed one, walking even faster, when suddenly March 24. for he was endowed with a most pro­ the man called out to Jijoo: found healer's sensibility. Jijoo Motivala, husband of Roshan, "Sir, I am not here to hurt you. I am For this healer, then - when he first, father of Sarosh, of Los Angeles, in one of those whom you have been February [see obituary]. himself, became seriously ill - his feeding sandwiches and hot soup for patients held prayer vigils and said Aspandiar K. Noble, 79, ex-Air India, years, and I am walking behind you father of Rohinton (Roxana) Noble of mass for him. All others whom he had just to make sure that nobody messes Dallas, grandfather of Shirelle and Tanya, touched by his graciousness, and ones with you." I am very proud to have in Perth, Australia, on February 13. who only knew of his goodness, known a Zarathushti of the caliber of Jer Pestonji, mother of Zerin (Anil) prayed for him. When the healer expe­ my friend, Jijoo Motivala. • Sahai, formerly of Calgary, in India. rienced his own hopeless moments in his illness, it had to be his grateful -By Meher Amalsad

76 FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 OS

By Jamshid Varza Palo Alto, California ----- year, on the twenty-first Young Mobed Rostam, after serving Zarathushti subjects and ancient Ira­ anniversary of the Iranian revo­ in the military, started teaching in nian civilization. lution, contrary to previous schools in Yazd and the surrounding Revolution. Mobed Rostam played a years, Mobed Rostam Shahzadi was Zarathushti villages. He performed critical role in leading the not present to deliver his usual elo­ religious ceremonies in these corm­ Zarathushti community of Iran in the quent speech. At another celebration nunities. early years after the Islamic revolu­ planned in Laleh hotel, Iranian Min­ Later, by invitation of the Tehran tion. The Zarathushti community ister of Culture enquired about Anjuman, Mobed Rostam moved to elected him to the parliament that Mobed Rostam's absence. authored the first Constitution He was told, Mobed Rostam of the Islamic Republic of was resting at home due to Iran. During this chaotic and illness. At 10:30 pm the critical time in the history of same day, the minister modern Iran, he led and pre­ rushed to pay a visit to served his community's rights Mobed Rostam. Six days in the new Constitution. later several members from the office of President His dedication extended Khatami paid a visit. beyond the interests of his coreligionists and covered all Four weeks later Mobed Iranian nationals. In one case, Rostam at the age of eighty­ the Iranian Parliament was eight passed away. Repre­ about to pass a resolution to sentatives from the President change the white-red-green and several ministers colors of the flag. Mobed attended his porseh and Rostam rose and delivered an delivered speeches and paid emotional speech that the col­ their respects. ors of Iranian flag were as old Mobed-e-Mobedan Rostam as the legacy of Kaveh Shahzadi was highly Ahangar, who rose and respected and admired by all fought against injustice. His - by the Muslims of Iran as speech changed the Parlia­ well as his own Zarathushti ment's decision and the flag community. He left a legacy from Kaveh Ahangar of selfless devotion and a remained as Iran's flag. lifetime in the service of the Zarathushti community of Mobed Rostam and his wife, Iran. Dolat Lohrasp, raised four children - Mehrangiz, Fari­ Life and work. Mobed Rostam fin­ Tehran, where he continued working borz, Sohrab and late Dariush. The ished his early education in Dinyari as a teacher in Zarathushti schools family suffered the tragic loss of their School in his hometown of Yazd. and held several positions in the youngest son, Dariush, in a gas sta­ Later he moved to Tehran and gradu­ Tehran Anjuman. He studied in tion bombing in the Iranian revolu­ ated from high school. Mobed Tehran University and received a tion. Rostam and his early childhood degree in law. friend, late Mobed Firuz Azargoshasb Mobed Rostam authored eleven May Mobed Rostarn's legacy were sent to India for higher educa­ books and numerous articles on become a role model for Zarathushti tion by the Yazd Council of Mobeds. Zarathushti religion and history. His generations to come. II After seven years of study in interpretation of the Gathas was par­ Zarathushti religious subjects, he ticularly popular amongst the youth. .Jamshid Varza is creator and returned home with honors degree He was a regular speaker on member ofwww.vohuman.org, a web and the official title of Mobed. journal of Zoroastrian heritage.

FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 77 ZUBIN APPOO, son of Sheila and Pervez Appoo of Sydney, Australia, was one of 20 high school students Last December, the 100-member Miryam studied orchestra music at selected from over 800, to be "Philharmonie of the Nations" per­ the Musikho chschule in Stuttgart, awarded a University of Technology formed under the direction of and continued in a program for tal­ scholarship. Zubin will receive founder-maestro Justus Frantz, at the ented violinists, working with the $12,000 per year for 3 years to study Hamburger Melos Quartet. Information Technology with the Musikhalle in In Summer added of being virtually guar­ Hamburg, Ger­ 1994, Miryam anteed a high-paying job upon grad­ many. played at the uation, for there is a chronic shortage MIRYAM Schleswig-Hol­ of IT professionals in Australia. AFKHAM, 27, stein Music Fes­ KHUSH DARUWALLA, a struc­ daughter of tival, for Justus tural engineer and Vice President of heart -specialist Frantz, which E. N. Bechamps and Associates, Inc. Dr. Jhanbux led to her posi­ was elected Afkham and his tion with the Chairperson of German wife, is "Philharmonie the Miami­ a violinist with of the Nations." Dade County this orchestra, Miryam also Asian-Ameri­ of youth from plays with other can Advisory 3 7 different orchestras, such Board. The states. as the Philhar- Board, Born in Freiburg, monia Hungar- founded m Miryam grew up ica. She also 1997, serves in in a home where n· M' A.-Firh 'th b' belongs to the an advisory . vzo z·m1st . 1ryam 'jf\. am WI zu m b ot h c1 ass1ca 1 M h d . h 1 , , • • t Stuttgart Phil- e ta urmg t e maestro s guest VISit a capacity to the County Commission European an d harmonics, the . . the Munich Opera in March. and as an advocate for Asian-Ameri­ Pers1an mus1c Cologne Cham- cans. "The Board bridges the gap played an important role. She started ber Orchestra, the Hamburg Cham- between the County and the Asian her musical education at 4, and played ber Orchestra. Occasionally, community," says Daruwalla, "We the flute a year later. At 8, she had her Miryam also writes for music rnaga- tackle everything from ensuring first violin lesson and fell in love with zmes. proper representation in the US cen­ the instrument. sus, to organizing cultural programs."

eing the only Zarathusti at Gannon University in Erie, Pennsyl­ vania has not dampened LAlLA CONTRACTOR's enthusiasm or her desire to spread the good word of the Zarathushti religion. Eager to learn all that she can about her rich heritage, Laila, daughter of Hutoxi and Farhad Contractor, designed an independent study course on the religion of Zarathushtra at Gannon and has given presentations on the religion to the university's students and faculty. Her's may be a lonely voice, but her message is clear and well focused. In her talks, she discusses not only the venerable history of the religion, but also its con­ temporary vitality in an ever-changing world. In addition to learning about the religion, Laila finds great rewards in living the religion by ­ ing back to her community. Inspired by the teachings of Zarathushtra and following in the footsteps of her late grandfather, Dr. Minocher Kaikhushru Contractor of Surat, Laila involves herself in numerous community service activities such as working in children's soup kitchens and raising awareness of homelessness. Laila is also co-orga­ nizing a youth pilgrimage to Iran this May. This trip will be Laila's sec­ ond visit to the country of her ancestors, as she also attended the 1996 World Zoroastrian Congress in Tehran. This summer, before matriculat­ ing to medical school, Laila plans to give presentations on the Zarathushti Din to youth groups throughout India. 78 FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 KEKI B. DADISETH, head of the Rs. 7,000 crore consumer company Hindustan Lever Ltd. has been nominated as director and a member of the highest executive body of the Anglo-Dutch Unilever Group, which oversees the Unilever Potatoes laden with vaccine raise new hope in the business worldwide. fight against infectious diseases. The unique success Veteran Indian documentary film­ maker HOMI SETHNA was story of a pioneering scientist, Yasmin Thanavala. awarded the V. Shantaram Lifetime By Ardeshir B. Damania Achievement Award at the Mumbai University of California, Davis grown through genetic engineering International Documentary Film Fes­ to confer immunity. tival for his contribution to filmmak­ remarkable research project Edible vaccines for other maladies ing in India. in the Department of such as diarrhea, cholera and HIV mmunology at Roswell Park infection are also in the pipeline. ZARIR SETHNA and BAPSI SID­ Research Institute (RPCI) in Buffalo, They would be cheaper to make, easy HWA, were among 8 Asians honored New York, may hold the key to pro­ by the South Asian Chamber of Com­ to transport (no refrigeration tecting future generations from dis­ required) and much more acceptable merce at its 1999 Gala Awards Ban­ ease while eliminating one of the quet in Houston in December. Zarir ' . . to children and adults, especially in greatest terrors of childhood - g~mg poor countries of Asia, Africa and Sethna is an award winning Insurance for a vaccination shot! Soon vaccme­ Agent since 1987 for New York Life America, where these diseases laden potatoes will be able to deliver take a frightful toll each year. Insurance Company. Bapsi Sidhwa a vaccine for hepatitis B, a disease "We have an effective hepatitis vac­ is a distinguished international writer, that kills a million people each year. cine delivered by injection, but it has whose book Cracking India was Leading this research in the US is failed to make an impact on the dis­ recently made into the film Earth. Bombay-born Professor Yasmin ease" said Dr. Thanavala. "Edible Veteran cricketer, POLLY UMRI­ Thanavala. vaccines will change the way we GAR, 73, was awarded the C. K. Research work. Forty-five volun­ think about immunizations." Nayadu Award by the Board of Con­ teers recently sat down at a table in trol for Cricket in India, which carries the RPCI and were fed a meal of Edible vaccines would be a real boon a cash prize of Rupees two lakhs. potatoes containing a vaccine for to developing countries with rapidly increasing popultion, like India Between 1948 and 1962, Umrigar hepatitis B (developed in collabor~­ wore the India cap in 59 Test tion with the Boyce Thompson Insti­ where medications are unaffordable Matches. With 12 centuries to his tute for Plant Research in Ithaca). or unavailable to millions who die credit, he entered the record books in This trial is the culmination of from intractable diseases, like 1955 when he made 223 runs versus several years of work and is hepatitis B, which could be New Zealand. In 1962, the Govern­ funded by the National prevented easily by immu­ ment of India bestowed upon him, its Institutes of Health (NIH). nization vaccines. highest civilian award, Padma Shri. Although much work is The process of using HOMAI VYARAWALLA, 85, yet needed before painful biotechnology to tum fruits India's first woman photographer, shots at the doctor's dispen­ and vegetables into vaccine opened the Photo Asia exhibition in sary become a thing of the factories is not new and New Delhi in March. Among her past, the results of this comes in the wake of notable works are photographs of eagerly awaited clini­ some initial Pandit Nehru on India's Indepen­ cal study are part research done by dence Day, Mahatma Gandhi and of an interna­ private enter­ Danny Kaye. Notable among her col­ tional effort to , prises like Cal­ lection are preparations for World replace immu­ gene, Inc. who War II. Her first color photos were in nization injec- \ pioneered the 1951. Vyarawalla, who stopped tak­ tions with fruits 'flavrsavr' ing pictures in 1970, now lives in and vegetables . "It is a Baroda. specifi­ matter of when, cally not whether, edible vaccines

FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 79 will be freely available", observes Mary in Bombay. She obtained her course there is a large Parsi commu­ Dr. Thanavala. Potatoes make an first degree in microbiology and nity in Toronto where we know more ideal package for vaccine delivery chemistry from the University of people and go occasionally to the since they yield readily to genetic Bombay in 1969 and her Masters in Darbe Mehr." manipulation and grow rapidly. Immunology at the Institute for "Both my husband and I are accom­ Besides potatoes are propagated Research in Reproduction in Parel, plished cooks" boasts Yasmin with from clones, hence each thus Mumbai. Subsequently, she pro­ pride (and it is Parsi cuisine she is developed is an exactly replica har­ ceeded to England in 197 4 and referring to, and not NY steaks or boring identical genes. Bananas have obtained a doctorate from the Uni­ mashed potatoes laced with vac­ also been considered for vaccine versity of London. In 1985 she trav­ cines) "We love to entertain, enjoy delivery since they grow all over the eled to the US and took up a position gardening a lot and travel all over the tropical and sub-tropical world". She confided to the world and can be had at low For the first time in human history the author that the Navroze cost. But the plant takes entire span of genetic capabilities available in (March 21) lunch, prepared considerably more time to by her husband, consisted of bear fruits than the potato all biological organisms has the potential to be jerdaloo ni murghi, dhan dar tubers. On the other hand, and machi no patio. the fruit or veggie has to be genetically transferred to any other organism. consumed raw, since cook­ Zarathushti youth should ing destroys the proteins To some this possibility is frightening. But to note that there is tremendous scope for research in geneti- that contain the genetic most, like me, it is exciting! composition. In this cally modified organisms respect, a banana would be (GMOs). The application of recombinant DNA technology to more palatable and preferred by kids at the Niagara University in Buffalo. facilitate genetic exchange in crops to pieces of peeled raw potatoes! This led to heL tenure at the State has several advantages. The ability to University of New York in Buffalo Research on genetically modified transfer genes from any other plant and ultimately to the Roswell Park food opens up limitless possibilities. or organism into a chosen recipient Cancer Institute where she is The recent protests in the media and means that for the first time in human presently full Professor and the physical disruptions of experi­ history the entire span of genetic Researcher. ments by the so-called 'ecoterrorists' capabilities available in all biological on university campuses and private Awards. During her illustrious career organisms has the potential to be institutions are totally uncalled for. Dr. Thanavala has received numerous genetically transferred or used in any Such actions and propaganda merely awards and honors-to name just a other organism. To some this possi­ attempt to fan the flames of fear in the few: a Gold Medal for Young bility is frightening. But to most, like minds of the general public. By using Research Scientist in Reproductive me, it is exciting! It is a matter of such terms as 'frankenfoods' (with Biology from the Indian Council of great pride and satisfaction that a reference to the monster Franken­ Medical Research; a Distinguished Parsi Zarathushti lady is at the fore­ stein) for the products of genetic Speaker Award in 1989 from the front of this new and dynamic fron- engineering, the activists distort facts Eisenhower Medical Center; the tier in science! II and promote totally baseless fear of FEZANA Award for Professional genetically modified foods. Excellence; the Governor's Award for Dr. Ardeshir B. Damania is According to WHO, the global popu­ Excellence in Health Advocacy. She geneticist at the University of Califor­ lation will increase to 9 billion peo­ has been interviewed by the BBC nia, Davis. In the past he has worked ple by 2050. We can meet both the radio service. Professor Thanavala on several projects sponsored by the challenges of the food and health has over 50 research papers to her UN and the World Bank on crop requirements of this magnitude only credit and has been granted so far improvement in developing countries. through genetic engineering. Crop (with her colleagues) four US Dr. Damania has authored over 90 yields through conventional plant patents, with two additional patent scientific papers and is the senior edi­ breeding have reached a plateau and applications pending. Yasmin has tor of a book The Origins of Agricul­ immunizations by injections are not been invited to speak at over 20 ture and Crop Domestication. He is able to keep pace with the spread of national and international symposia. also contributing editor of Diversity diseases. Married since 1989, Yasmin observes journal, Bethesda, MD. His recent Early life and career. Daughter of "We can count the number of Parsis interests include ecosystem health and Katie and Maneck Thanavala, Yas­ in Buffalo on the palm of one hand, biodiversity conservation throughout min went to the Convent of Jesus and so we know each other well. Of the world.

80 FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 carried on the business challenge on his own and prospered. I r Having seen difficult days of poverty in his early days, Pesi was always very careful with his money. His By Pesi B. Chacha business interests kept him busy and Singapore he remained a bachelor for life. In the --- mid fifties he bought a bungalow on nearly an acre of land on Dalvey Road and stayed there until he died. A slice of Parsi-Irani life He had one very dear and trusted in the heart of Mumbai friend in his life, Bhagat in whom he confided, and with whom [Abridged from "Eating Out with invariably, he spent weekends' Busy bee", The Afternoon on Sunday, enjoying the different restaurants i~ September 13, 1992, submitted by Singapore, for they were both fond of Mr. Zend Zend.] good food. bakery, probably, does not Pesi had always said it loud and qualify for eating out. But if clear, that this is the country where ·t belongs to my friend, Zend he made his fortune and this is the M. Zend, it does. The bakery in country where he will give every­ question is the Yazdani Restaurant thing back. He passed away from and Bakery, on Cowasji Patel Street, heart failure on September 14, 1978. Fort, next to the Blitz office. At 4 Except for $50,000 that he o'clock in the morning, rain or shine, bequeathed to the Parsi Association weekdays and Sundays, the ovens are Young Pesi B. Davar, from a poor he left his entire estate for Charitabl~ stuffed with dough and fired. An family in Bombay, came to Singa­ and Educational causes, appointing hour-and-a-half later, from the tall pore in the early 1930s seeking Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking chimney above the green pagoda gr~en~r pastures. He was the only Corporation Trustees (Singapore) roof of the bakery, a heady aroma of child m the family. His father had Ltd. as the Trustees for his Memorial roasting wheat and yeast and smokey passed away when he was very Charitable And Educational Trust firewood wafts down the street. And young and Pesi was brought up by Fund. from the oven emerge the day's first his widowed mother. His first job in laadis of bread, soft loaves with crisp The long list of organizations Singapore was with Aerated brown tops, delicately textured, gen­ (including home for the aged, Boy's Waters, a business owned by his erally recognized as among the finest Town, kidney foundation, TB associ­ cousin Navroji Mistri. Young Davar pau (bread) in Bombay. had a keen sense of accounting and ation, cancer society, spastic chil­ This is the time to visit Yazdani sub­ business, and after a few years, he dren's association, women's welfare titled La Boulangerie. Order a'laadi decided to find employment with the hearing impaired, hospice, Little Sis~ (for 40 paise, or Rs. 3.20 for an eight­ government. ters of the Poor, Academy of Medicine and more) that benefited pack), ask them to spread Amul but­ When World War II broke out, he from the Pesi Davar Memorial Trust ter on it. order a cup of tea from courageously stayed through the Fund- to the tune of US $140,000 in Al-Farooq Restaurant next door, dip Japanese Occupation, weathering December 1996, gives an idea of the the bread-butter in the tea and eat it. some very difficult times. extent of the charity that perpetuates To make your breakfast complete, After the war Pesi launched his own annually from his Trust Fund across also order the bread-pudding, baked business with a Parsi friend, Minoa the board in Singapore. along with the bread in the same Warden as a partner. He started a Neither in his lifetime, nor in the past oven. Pick the square that is burnt shipping business, Davar & Co. in 21 years since his death, has any brown on the top, that is the best; Penang Lane where today stands recognition been given for the phi­ crunchy and soft at the same time. It "The Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station". lanthropy of Pesi B. Davar. Perhaps is. the classic bread-butter pudding, He then moved into paint manufac­ the time has now come to posthu­ With eggs, caramel and raisins. It is turing and timber industry, which he mously accord due honor to this long said that if you eat one bread-pud­ set up in . With the passing forgotten humble Parsi who never ding at La Boulangerie, you will not away of his partner, Mr. Warden, he sought any glory. Ill feel hungry for the next 24 hours.

FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 81 This bakery-restaurant is unique. And Zend M. Zend is also a bit of a character. He is extremely well informed, and, I sus­ pect, a man of sophisticated tastes, though he pretends to be a simple 'breadwalla'. They are three brothers, Zend, Parvez and Rashid, and between them they make some of the finest bread in the city (make that, country). Many years ago, when I was working at the Cumberland Hotel in London as a ldtchen clerk, Rashid was working in the bakery in the hotel's basement, making breads and cakes. Actually, he had come to London to become a writer and sent one of his works to Somerset Maugham. Mr. Maugham, in his kindness and diplomacy, had praised the lit­ erary effort but advised him to do something else for a living. So he had come to Cumberland to carry on with the family tra­ dition. But that was many years ago, and much water has flown down the Thames and the Ganga since then. Our story of Yazdani Restaurant and Bakery goes back even further. Where it now stands, there was, before the Second World War, a Japanese bank. Hence, possibly, the pagoda-like roof. With the start of the war, and confiscation of Japanese property, it became Yazdani Restaurant. It sold dhansak for 4 annas, with soup free, curry- for 3 annas and six bombay ducks fried for an anna. For those born post-decimal system, an anna was worth the present 6 paise (or a fraction of a US cent). Meherwanji Kabir, the present proprietors' father, was a founder of the Rising Sun Bakery, which still exists at Golpi­ tha in crowded central Bombay. Anton D'Souza was its mas­ ter baker. He used to make seven-tier wedding cakes, and the cakes made there were sent to Singapore and Hong Kong by P&O liners. When Meherwanji fell out with his partners, he bought Yaz­ dani Restaurant and turned it into a bakery. The sons, then, one by one, inherited the bakery and made it what it is today. There is an addition now, Zend M. Zend's son, Zyros, trained at the catering institute, ex of Taj, ex of Carribean Cruise. He has brought several new varieties of bread into the business. And the customers, too, have grown in volume and status. All this has not changed Yazdani. It refuses to use modem hitech methods of production, which, I must agree, tum breads into tasteless, odorless, flavorless, soft, dense, cot­ tonwoolly concoctions wrapped in cellophane. Zend M. Zend refers to them as white bio-chemical mass. In his bakery, he says, they do not use preservatives, softeners or bleaching agents. They use traditional methods. And the proof, of course, is in the bread. In this case, also in the pudding. So let us list the breads at La Boulangerie, or, at least, some of them: There is the laadi bread, which he refers to as the scotch bread and I call the pau. The word pau, incidentally, has come Top, Yazdani Restaurant and Bakery, a long-time fam­ about because in the old days the workers used to knead the ily-owned establishment in the Fort area of Mumbai. dough with their 'paus' (feet), like they crush grapes in French Below, proprietor Zend M. Zend [right} with guests: vineyards. "Everything is fresh and hot from the oven- no preser­ The laadi is the first to be baked, along with the pudding. vatives, softeners or bleaching agents ... " Then, at 11 am, the next lot comes out. You should see the 82 FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 crowds at that time, queuing up to are double-baked, the Swiss rolls are buy the oven fresh breads. They small and made with sugar and butter. The "Irani Shop" include the brown bran bread, made There are dinner rolls, bread sticks [Reprinted from the Times of India out of crushed whole wheat, and sandwich bread. Archives, August 7, 1924] extremely good for the digestive sys­ A recent introduction is the cheese I doubt if there is a main street or tem, plus, it makes a lovely toast. and bread. It is shaped like a thoroughfare in Bombay that one can Or ask for the seven grains bread, lit­ bun and soft to the touch. The cheese traverse for more than a hundred erally made from seven distinct used is Gowda, scraped and placed yards without finding an "Irani grains. At Yazdani, sometimes they on the top of the dough. Fresh garlic shop". In the busier parts they make a round seven grain bread, is peeled, chopped fine and pressed cheek by jowl, all plying a busy trade. sometimes they make a long one, it into the dough. As the loaf gets baked depends on their mood. Bakers are in the oven, the Gowda shavings melt At lunch and tea hours, every one of also temperamental, like 5-star chefs. and spread into the dough, mixing these places is packed. His clientele A loaf costs Rs. 12 and it is as solid a with the garlic. A loaf costs Rs. 3 and is cosmopolitan in the extreme and loaf as you can get. If you ever are it is the early customer who gets it. so nicely gauged is the fare he pro­ left in life with only Rs. 12 in your Best reserve some for yourself, a day vides, that the religious susceptibili­ pocket, and you need something to in advance. And try everything at the ties of the various castes and creeds, fill your stomach, I suggest a seven­ bakery the first time round. whose wants are so ably catered for by him, are never violated. He grain loaf. Everything is fresh and hot from the keeps a well-assorted stock of gro­ There is the German bread, made with oven. There are two major baking ceries and provisions as well and his 90 per cent whole wheat and 10 per shifts during the day, the second sales of cigarettes, cigars and cent flour. At least, the German con­ product comes out at 5 pm, the aroma sulate has discovered it is better than of freshly baked bread drawing the tobacco are on a colossal scale. the bread imported from Germany. homegoing crowds to La Boulan­ His staff, mostly local "boys" is, in One of the consulate wives often rings gerie. If you ask me, there are few the bigger concerns, very efficient up in the morning and requests that all more attractive aromas in the world and thoroughly organized. Then the the German bread baked that day be than bread being baked in an oven, system of paying at the desk without reserved for her. The French loaves especially early in the morning. 111111 a bill is marvellous in its simplicity and yet, seldom, if ever, does a cus­ tomer get away without paying or A Good Cup of Irani Tea finds his account at fault. Amidst the clatter of knives and A gourmet guide to making a perfect cup of tea, as the forks busily plying, tea cups rattling, Iranians drink it in Iran, from Zend M. Zend, propri~ and the bedlam of a hundred voices conducting loud conversations in etor of the Yazdani Bakery in Mumbai. Gujarati, Marathi, and The important criterion for a good cup of tea is that the water should be English, the "boys" keep up an inces­ boiled vigorously before the dry tea leaves are added. Water and milk sant sing-song which penetrates from should never be boiled together. Milk, having fat, boils at a lower tem­ one end of the building to the other, perature, and boils over fast, with the result that the water is still raw and and is only comprehensible to the the flavor of the tea remains dormant. cook in his domain, out of sight at Also, any additives subdue the natural flavor of the tea. So when you make one end of the building, and the a concoction of milk, mint, lemon grass, ginger, and other cashier at the desk at the other end. masalas, the result is not tea but a tasty curry! With a dozen "boys" a' crying at the In Iran, the land of !ranis (who introduced the tea habit to India), boiling same time, so nicely tuned, it seems, hot water is poured over the tea strands in a pot (called genza in Persian). are the ears of the cook and the The pot is placed on a samovar (a metal urn). The steam from the samovar cashier, that each picks up his own gently percolates through the tea and makes it strong and dark. message; and so efficient is the code it is conveyed in, that the Irani A small amount of the strong tea· from the samovar is poured into a cup cashier, without fluster or confusion, (kuze in Persian) and hot water from the samovar is poured on the strong collects his duesfrom all of the half­ tea to tone it down as needed. a-dozen customers at the desk, and The drinker places a small piece of rock sugar in his mouth and sips the tea. the cook ladles out his orders in In the cold of the bitter winter, it is a sheer, joyful experience. II rapid succession, such that none is [Excerpted from AFTERNOON by Busybee, August 10, 1999] kept waiting. B

FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 83 UNDERSTANDING AND PRACTICE OF JASHAN CEREMONY By Ervad ]ehan Bagli & Ervad Adi Unwalla Paperback, 150 pp., 1999, available from [email protected], (905) 855-1132.

book is primarily directed While putting together this book spe- Ancient Whispers II to the young Mobeds who cial attention was paid to a paper A sequel to the first Ancient Whispers wish to volunteer their ser- "The Afringan" by Dastur Firoze CD is under production. It has six vices to the community in North Kotwal. This paper points out incor- songs. Donations are invited to defray America. However the first chapter rect practices that have been incorpo- "Significance and explanation of rated in the recital of afringans that the costs of making this cultural CD. Jashan Ceremony" will be a useful have led to confusion. For example, Donors will be acknowledged in the guide to members the karda of CD booklet. Order at 10 for $130 plus .------, of the community Ardafravash (start- postage, from Khodadad Kaviani, who wish to ing with Yao Visadh) P.O. Box 24435, Federal Way, WA understand the should not be recited 98093, tel: (253) 529-8702. innate meaning of completely in the Museum of Me the jashan ritual. UNDERSTANDING Afringan of Gatha, 165 Karachi chil­ The second chap- and Yazatas and Ame- dren, under the ter "Preparation shaspentas. The last creative guid­ of Namgaran" PRACTICE two verses should be can also be of ance of Karachi of omitted m these some help to the .JASlDf All. 'NII.T CEREMO·'NII.~r Zarthosthi Banu .111J!Lt11J.'411 n Jll. afringans. This Mandai president laity to prepare karda should only be the list of names Toxy Cowasjee, recited completely completed the in whose memory the ceremony is for Afringan of "Museum of offered. Ardafravash in Me" project. jashan for memory Each child's photo, personal profile of the departed, and book was and projects were sealed in individual that for Gathas. based on a suggestion by young cans by a sponsoring food company. Erroneously most of the Gujarati as mobeds and mobedyars at the first The cans will be opened in 2009. well as English books have included Young Mobed Camp held at ZAMWI these verses in the Afringan of Gatha. Zoroastrians Worldwide Center in Vienna, Virginia. It is par­ This has been corrected for the first at the Millennium Book ticularly designed for these young Through Mazdayasnie Monasterie, mobeds and mobedyars who have time. Corrections as directed in Das­ Ruby Lilaowalla and Meher Master­ not had the opportunity to train or to tur Kotwal's paper, are also incorpo­ Moos are publishing a historical vol­ practice the performance of jashans, rated in the Afrin of Buzorgan. ume recording the achievements of and are not familiar with the recitals Dastur Firoze Kotwal has also Zarathushtis worldwide during the of specific prayers for a particular explained the major difference past century. All are invited to submit jashan ceremony. between the Afringan of and their profiles with a photo for possi­ This is the first compilation that lists Dahm in the same paper. This expla­ ble inclusion in this heirloom volume, the prayers for a specific jashan in its nation is incorporated in the first planned to be released at the World entirety. On some occasions to avoid chapter. The names of the appropri­ Congress in December. Donation duplication, the performers are ate hamkars that should be recited in $100. Contact Mazdayasnie Monas­ directed to the pages from where the the Pazand dibache as well as in the terie in Mumbai at (91 22) 266 0214. remainder of the ceremony can be Pazand portion of the invocation (in easily completed. It is the first time baj) in the Afringan of Dahman are WZC2000 that specific jashans for different fully introduced. Photo Exhibition occasions are separately listed. For The book is made extremely user and film festival example a jashan for house warming friendly so as to keep to the mini­ and jashan for new business venture mum the manipulation of the prayers All are invited to participate. See are specifically elaborated with by a novice during the performance details in FEZANA Journal, Spring Afringan of Spendarmad and of the actual service. • 2000. Contact [email protected]. Afringan of Behman respectively.

84 FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 Anthology of Parsi DELICIOUS ENCOUNTERS Gujarati Poems Innovative Recipes Parsi, Indian, Western A legion of Parsi Gujarati poems, an By Katy Dalal intrinsic part of the Zarathushti her­ itage, lie neglected. Unknown, for­ Paperback, 204 pp., 16 color pages, 2000, Rs. 230 in India. Available from gotten, soon to be unsung. Dr. Homi Giara at [email protected], tel. (91 22) 416 6204. Dhalla, Chair of the Mumbai-based aty Dalal's second cookbook Delicious World Zoroastrian Cultural Founda­ Encounters, Innovative Recipes Parsi, tion, hopes to revive these, by record­ ndian, Western, follows on the heels of ing and compiling them. The her popular 1998 Jamva Chaloji, Parsi Delicacies collection will be translated into for all Occasions, which was a sell-out within six English, with a detailed introduction months. As TV personality Siddharth Kak noted at to Parsi poetry of the 19th and 20th Dalal's book launch at Mumbai University's Con­ centuries and a profile of each . vocation Hall in February, "Parsis are known to There are poems on God, love, free­ love good food, and hence love life." Dalal inter­ dom and religion, as well as images sperses her recipes with personal notes and expressing realities of life. They shed vignettes which underscore this fact. light on the whole gamut of the Parsi The book opens with "A Sunday Parsi Dhansakh ethos - social issues, history, the Lunch" complete with fried lobsters, a chicken migration to India and the contribu­ with lady fingers and badam-malai kulfi. With over 16 glossy, full-color tions of Parsis. There are humorous pages, the book covers Tandoori foods (shami-kabobs, mutton leg), 'Mirror poems, in which Parsis laugh at their Food' (decorative arrangements on a mirror- the Geisha's Fan, Lobster Ther­ own foibles, and many unpublished rnidor), Party Foods (finger sandwiches), an English High Tea (Dundee cake poems, hitherto preserved only orally. and Apple tart), French Food (Sea Bass Flambe, Oeufs ala Neige aux Rose), This anthology will be the first aca­ A Meal Without Chillies (Vegetables au Gratin, Sweet and Sour Mince), Al demic exercise of this magnitude. I Fresco Lunches, New Year's Dinner, Summer Splashes (Bombay Pate), Popu­ would offer it with the hope that it lar Chinese Items (Fried Rice, Bird's Nests) and much, much more. would help preserve our heritage for Dr. Katy Dalal, an archaeologist turned epicure, is as versatile as she is tal­ posterity, and be of use to scholars of ented, her other interests being study of religion and ancient history, public literature, religion, history, speaking, her family home in Lonavla, and above all the culinary arts. She has and ethnology. Contact Dr. Dhalla in been a popular caterer at weddings, navjotes and parties on the Mumbai scene Mumbai at (91 22) 202 6303. • for over 25 years. - Roshan Rivetna 111111

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FEZANA JOURNAL- SUMMER 2000 85 DISCOVERING A story of many layers, Discovering appeals to all ages because it tells a story that is true for all ages: it ASHAVAN is a timeless tale of the battle between , of By Farishta Murzban Dinshaw coming of age, of friendship and belonging, and of searching for one's own self. Illustrations by Homi Karachi-born Farishta Murzban Dinshaw was the initia­ Meherhomji, 2000, $12 Available from KZBM, Karachi, tory editor of Funline, Paldstan's first English magazine toxy@cyber. net. plc. for children. She also writes on women's issues and education for local papers and has co-authored several Ashavan, an orphaned stable boy handbooks for teachers. Farishta has written three plays with a deformed leg, befriends and numerous sldts as fund-raisers for charity. This is her Zarathushtra, a boy who gives him first English novel. In 1993 she won the Eve Bunting the courage to resolve the fears within himself and take a Scholarship in "Writing for Children" from the High­ stand for what he believes in. Discovering Ashavan lights Foundation, USA. vividly portrays the era of superstition and irrationality All proceeds will be used by KZBM to send more youths that pervaded ancient Iran four millennia ago. to the World Congress in December. 111111

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