Sixteen qualities(Virtues) of an Athravan – Part 2

…. Reference:- Parsee Avaz 1.11.1959 page 3
The Zoroastrian Priesthood
The Zoroastrian priesthood is divided into 2 classes. One is called Magvans, the other is called as Athravans. Magvans do not marry as they are whole and complete with male and female counterpart combined as one. They are very few as could be counted on finger tips. They do not live amongst us but have a separate place known as Firdaus or paradise to be precise. We cannot enter in that Shangri-La nor do we know about its whereabouts, as they are intangible to us as they live in another dimension, but are yet living on this earth. The bulk of the priests are that of Athornan. They have to marry. To be technically precise an unmarried priest cannot be an Athravan. The whole Zoroastrian priesthood of Magavs and Athravan is divided into eight grades. The highest grade of Shrozaverez is of a Magav. The rest seven grades are of Athrawan. The names are:- 1) Fraberetar 2) Ab-beretar 3) Asnatar 4) Rathvishkar 5) Havanan 6) Athravax 7) Zaota 8) Shrosha Varez. The priests of all these seven grades are given special duties to perform ceremonies. These grades are nominated from the affiliations that they have to the Pav-Mahel deities of those names.
In every Pavmahal Yasnas there are seven commissions or duties to be performed under the auspices of those seven invisible angelic commissioners. The Athravan who does that duty of the commission under the auspices of its special angelic commissioners is known by the name of that angelic commissioner. Let us elaborate in detail the seven grades of Athravan:-
The angelic entity of “Fraberetar” is the general manager of the whole Pay Mahel, keeping the Gaas in proper order divine. The Âthravan under his auspices is also the general manager who sees to the needs of the ceremony and the other Âthravans who is at the bid and call service of the Âthravans.
The “Ab-beretar” is the angelic entity who turns to use the electo magnetic forces of the waters joining them with Khordad Amesaspant and the intervening link. The Âthravan under his auspices does all the management concerned with waters.
The “Asnatar” is the angelic entity who presides over the ceremonies of different kinds of purity giving baths. The Âthravan under his auspices is authorized to give different kinds of baths and to keep the talismans of Barashnum Gah in order. All about the baths of Barashnums and about the baths of pollutions is under his charge and lookout.
The “Rathvishkar” is the angelic entity who keeps up the sanctity and utility of the Alats specially when they are arranged on the stand during the Yasn. The Âthravan under his auspices does all the work that relates to Alats and their arrangement on the stand for ceremonies.
The “Havanan” is the angelic entity who is in connection with Hom Yazat and all the different departments managed by that Yazat upto the tree of Hom. This deity serves the Hom Yazat during the Yasn in his multifarious works concerned in the Yasn. The Âthravan under his auspices manages all about Hom which is to be used in the ceremony to be performed. He is thought fit to conduct the Yasn in the absence of Âthravax and Zaota.
The “Âthravax” is the angelic entity who conducts the fire energies in the Yasn to their legitimate end. The Âthravan under his auspices keep the fire energies working in proper order and brings the Yasn to the successful end. He is the one who conducts the Yasn becoming an assistant to the Zaota who is the chief conductor of the Yasn.
The “Zaota” is the angelic entity who brings about the attachment of the Yazat with the forces created during Yasn from the Alats. He sees that the purpose of the Yasn is well performed. The Âthravan under his auspices has reached the age of 52 who is the chief conductor of the Yasn, who manages the Yasn most successfully. He is fully attuned with forces created in the Yasn from the Alats and the Yazats that are invoked there.
The eight grade of Athravan is highest grade known as “Srosha Verez” is the angelic entity of Sarosh Yazat who is in direct communion with Ahûrmazd. He is ever anxious to get attuned with the consciousness and conscience of humanity so that humanity may tread on the proper path of piety. The Ashvan who is under his auspices is the head of the Magavs who all are holiest of holy. He is the highest of the Zoroastrian priesthood. He is constantly attuned with Sarosh Yazat. He keeps an eye over the management of the Pav Mahel and especially upon the Yasnas that are being performed. He can easily perceive any mishap which might occur in the ceremony which he can set right by many means at his command. His powers are absolute and unbounded which are utilized in the most equitable manner. He is justice incarnate and master of Ashoi. He has even the authority of forgiving sins, which is used rarely and in just cases. In the empire days great emperors acted according to his advice in matters spiritual or temporal…… Reference:- A Sequel to Essentials of Zoroastrianism Page 42, 43

There are 16 qualities of an Athravan. They are as under:-
1) Avizeh-heem
2) Asneh-Kherad
3) Din-Aspanargan
4) Yazdan-Minidar
5) Mino-Vinashneh
6) Pak-Minashneh
7) Rast-Gavashneh
8) Kherdi-Kunashneh
9) Chisti-Vastrem
10) Yozdathroh-Tan
11) Shiva-Hizwan
12) Narma-Nask
13) Rast-Avesta
14) Padiyav-Sajashneh
15) Khubeh-Nirang
16) Nehwar-Jiwam
……………………..Reference:- See Chart in Parsee Avaz dated 6.9.1970
A Zarathosti Dharma Guru before he can obtain 16 qualities of an Athravan has to pass through vigorous procedures of Graduations leading to two Spiritual degrees known as “Navar” and later “Marateb”. Such a Dharma Guru who has passed through Navar and Marateb can also be described as 1) Magav 2) Mubed 3) Yozdathregar 4) Dregu-Mard 5) Daham-Nar 6) Ashvan 7) Dastur etc. Zarathosti Deen has 72 steps of Ashoi that one has to pass through. Gradually one proceeds further step by step and after every 8 steps he has passed through one “Karsh”. Thus when we say that he is a three Karsh Ashvan which means that he has passed through 24 steps of Ashoi ( 8 x 3=24). In Zarathosti Deen a Mazdiyasni Bastekustian Zarathosti can be described technically in two ways. Namely 1) “Mashya” 2) “Nar” . Today we the Zarathosti’s of India and Iran who follow Zarathosti Farmans can be described as belonging to class of Mashya. Our Karma and Keshash is such that we all can be called as “Mazdiyasni Darvand” Bastekustian Zarathostis. Because of our Karma we cannot remain well balanced on Putman= Golden mean of Ashoi. Although our souls belong to Zarathosti Burjisi Jzhirum (where our religion comes in jurisdiction of planetary effects of planet Jupiter), we do not practice our religion as is intended to be followed in its true sense.
Our forebears who first stepped on soil of Sanjan on West coast of India had come with a specific purpose of preserving our Race and Religion till advent of Rainidar Shah Behram Varjavand Saheb in future. As mentioned in “Kisseh Sanjan” we Parsees are called as Srira, Dhura, Shura meaning that belonging to pure Aryan race were cream of the cream of original Aryan race and now under able leadership of Nar Asho Naryosang Dhaval this special Anjuman set sail for India from Province of Khurasan in Iran. For spiritual guidance there were nine Ashwan or Zarathosti Saints including a female Banoo Ashwan who accompanied the special Anjuman from Khurasan. As per Ustad Saheb Behramshah N. Shroff an Ashwan is one who has obtained salvation of Khetvodat for himself. Khetvodat means one who has Male and female counterparts merged into one having no sex drive and hence no need to marry because they are complete Unisex whole Souls. Apart from paying its dues of small left over personal Karma, the only purpose of such great Souls being born on this earth is to help needy society to spiritually progress further. All Ashwan can be termed as belonging to Magav class. Same is case for a Banoo Magav also and other peculiar thing is that she does not menstruate. There can be exceptions as is the case with any rule. Such Ashwans after passing through certain steps of Ashoi reach stage of Daham-Nar.
In Zarathosti Deen there is mention of 72 steps of Ashoi, Karsh, and 16 qualities of Athrawan developed as special power is applicable to Ashwans only. The Male and female Ashwans thus fulfil their subtle Keshash and are true Athrawan in nature, who tend to holy Fire. They are functioning even now in hidden way in Iran. Till fall of Sassanian Empire they operated openly and were recognized by the empire. Ashwan and Magav were rightly considered the pillars and strength of the empire and highly respect and were consulted in all matters prior to any important decision taken by the emperor. They knew art of Alchemy and when needed could manifest treasures before feet of the Emperor and the Government. Our forebears when they arrived in India our Anjuman was never in penury and the narration in Kisseh Sanjan is very true that these Zoroastrian saints produced vast treasures by Alchemy for our Anjuman and Deen to function smoothly.
The sixteen qualities of Athrawan that mature into power pack tools that are used against ignorance are applicable to Ashwan, Magav and Daham-Nar etc. only. Also above mentioned 8 grades of Zoroastrian Priesthood are exclusively applicable to Ashwan and Magav only. Dregu Mard which literally means poor= Dregu, and poor in sense of Ashoi are of lower grade than Ashwan but are “Riyazat Mand”= having Patience, Faith, Humility (Olia= Not having worldly know how, but inclined more towards spirituality), Ahu- Parast, and having “Adab” respect to nature for whatever that comes his way be it sorrow or happiness, besides having iron will to bear with a smile whatever difficulties that comes his way by willingly embracing it for he knows that it is for his own salvation. ……. See Nikiz Vol. 1 Page 834; & Khordeh Avesta Ba Khshnoom Page 537.
When our forefathers arrived in India besides Magavs amidst the Anjuman there were many ordinary Athravan having family but were spiritually well advanced Souls belonging to Burjish-Dae category. There are various stages a soul can be divided they are Burjis – Khur and Burjis- Dae just as Hindus have Suryavanshi and Chandravanshi class amongst them. ( Khur= Sun, Dae= Moon, Burjis= Jupiter). Many of them were “Dregu-Mard” also. The special Anjuman that arrived from Khurasan had 81 known types of Khandani. We the decendants of such a Anjuman are souls that have inherited some of the qualities if not all, but due to passing of time we have to catch up with our complicated Keshash or Karma that we ourselves have manifested our own destiny. Today those who are in profession of Athornan by hereditary right, having passed through Navar and Marateb ceremony as per their own Karma nature does not recognize them to be truly belonging to Athornan group. There are four Karmic groups a Bastekustian zarthosti can belong to, and are as follows:- 1) Athornan 2) Rathestar 3) Vastriyosh 4) Hutox which means as Athornan= Priest, Rathestar= warrior, Vastriyosh= Farmer or tiller of land, Hutox= Humble Servant.

Para 17) Beresad in afrin aoy tane shuma vehan Hunjaman Vehdinan ……………….Anoshe ravan bad Rvane zarthuste spitaman asho farohar, ava hama Athornan,Rathestaran, Vastrosan, Hutoxan. ……………….Afrin e Haft Amesaspand
Reference:- Pazand Afrin Series No 1 by Late Ervad Phiroze S. Masani Page 38 to 42
Translation:- The blessings in this Afrin let it be passed to the noble who serve nature, and the anjuman belonging to good Deen…… …….. let the Farohar of Asho Spitaman Zarathustra Ruvan be blessed along with all= hama, Athornan, Rathestar, Vastriyosh, and Hutox who will one day reach salvation of Anoshe Ruvan stage
Out of these four karmic groups the last one which is called as Hutox is translated as per Philology as those belonging to Artisans or having talent for craftsmanship or as humble servants who serve his Master and thus maintain means of earning their livelihood. Out of these four Karmic professions an Ashwan Athrawan has powers developed and he knows art of alchemy and is not dependant on anybody for his livelihood whereas Hutox is servant who serves for his livelihood. Thus Hutox is lower karmic group and their profession is allotted as per his own karmic debts to be settled. And as they repay their old karma form a new improved karma where they are given opportunity to serve their religion as Priests, and simultaneously earn their livelihood. So we can say that today’s Priests actually belong to Hutox category and are not in sense real Athravan. Nature recognizes Ashwans as real Athrawans whereas today’s priests are of Hutox category only, who earn livelihood by making Priesthood as their Profession. Such Athravans of Hutox category can, by making a sincere effort of following Tarikats and by meticulously maintaining laws of Ashoi cultivate those 16 qualities of Athravan as mere qualities only and not convert it into power which only an Ashwan can manage to do it so. An ordinary Athravan of Hutox category can with his sincere efforts reach stage of “Dregu-Mard” only. When load of his Keshash is lightened or when he is nearer Salvation then he reaches stage of Keshash e Sade” or “Ankarib -ül- Bokhtagi” = very near Salvation, then maximum the first quality of an Athravan called as “Avizeh-Heem” is developed as Power. Such a Athornan remains immune to any illness and even if he is poisoned remains unaffected but when such a person’s breathe are numbered and his end is imminent then he limps his lifeless body on the ground.

Regards,

Firdosh K.Sukhia

………………………to be continued