Sunday, September 2, 2012

16 qualities of Athornan classified into eight grades of Zoroastrian Priesthood- Yozdathregar Part 8




Click here to see Graph in word file:-


Reference:- Sharuatna Char Divas ane Pachini Kriyao by Ustad saheb and Dr Faramroze Chiniwala Second Edition 1933 Page 53 to 57

Eight stages of Athravan to practice Yozdathegari:-

As per our Zarathosti deen for an Athravan to be eligible and proficient to do all Kriyas or procedures of yasna he has to pass through several stages. In the same way as in school we have different grades and standards in class where we pass one class at a time and gradually proceed further to senior class till we reach top level of Matriculation; similarly same rule applies here also. The more the seniority more is the responsibility. The stages are described as under:-

1) Fraberetar:- The first stage of Athravan to practice Yozdathregari is known as “Fraberetar”. In this stage a Athravan assists his other senior Yozdathregar colleagues in any work assigned to them. As per Philology Fra= to move forth or forward Beretar= to perform errands to bring forth or take, and assist seniors in their day to day functions.

2) Aberetar:- The second stage of Athravan in performing Yozdathregari is known as “Aberetar”. He becomes proficient in all functionary skills pertaining to water. For example correct scientific manner whilst drawing pure well water, the kriyas and Avesta Manthra that go along while drawing well waters. Procedures required to be followed while drawing well waters in Ushehen Geh. Proper knowledge and procedure required to maintain water’s ritual purity drawn in Ujiran geh for ritual use in Aivisuthrem Geh, and why is it forbidden to draw well water during Aivisuthrem geh itself. Knowledge of making any object ritually pure with help of well water, and reason behind following ritual purity rules. How to purify all tools or “Alat” required for Yajasne ceremony using water as medium of purification. As per Philology Ab=water and Beretar= to bring forth or take waters required for ritual purity.

3) Asnatar:- The third stage of Athravan in performing Yozdathregari is known as “Asnatar”. He becomes proficient in giving all types of Nahan, and kriyas or procedures that go along with various types of Nahan. He is proficient in exact procedure of Sisyo Nahan, Barshnoom Nahan, and scientific reasons for performing such Nahans. The number of Karsh required for Barshnum, the reasons and benefits in doing it so. The degree of purity and piety obtained after any Nahan and significance of Sisyo Nahan, Riman Nahan. The benefits of taking a Barsehnum, why use of water is prohibited during Barshnoom, and only nirang is to be used. He should be proficient in minute details of all Nahan and Bareshnoom. As per Philology A- sna= to take bath and Beretar= one who gives Nahan to others.

4) Rathvishakar:- The fourth stage of Athravan in performing Yozdathregari is known as “Rathivashakar”. Such an Athravan is proficient in arranging all “Alats” on “Hidora” for Yajashne Kriya in correct manner as per our deen. Why is “Mahrui” arranged on left side only, why is “Havanim” never kept on left side but always on right hand side. What is “Zor na Fuliya” and its significance. Why is “Varas ni viti”kept out of sight during certain period of time in a Kriya and why is it exposed during certain period of time in a Kriya or procedure. Each Alat is arranged on a “Hidora” in particular position only. Why is it always to be arranged in that manner only. Hidora= is stone platform where all utensils of Alat are kept arranged in particular manner only. The Athravan having passed fourth stage of Rathivashakar is proficient and an expert who knows the ritual significance behind such positioning of Alats on Hidora.

Reference :- Above images and notes on “What is Alat ?“ taken from Book “Learning Parsi Panu” by Ms. Silloo Mehta Page 67 & 69

What is Alat:- When a Physical thing is consecrated, it gets charged spiritually and is able to absorb the divine currents streaming down and is also able to emit powerful waves of divine energies which permeate the surrounding atmosphere. There are 33 Alats from various Kingdoms:

• 17 from the mineral kingdom such as Havanim and Lala ( mortar and pestle), Tashta (chalise or plates and cups), Barsam (metallic wires), Mahrui (Cresent shaped stands), Varas ni Viti (ring entwined with hair of Varasyaji), Ashtra or kaplo(knife), kundi and other vessels for water.

• 8 from the vegetable kingdomAiwyaonghana (leaf of date palm), Urvaram (twig of pomegranate tree), Darun(wheat mini-rotlis), Haoma twigs, Sukhad ( sandalwood) and Loban.

• 4 from animal kingdom such as jivam( goat’s milk), Goshuda (Ghee),Zaota and Rathvi (priests) and Varas (hair of Varasyaji tied to a ring).

• 4 elements represented by the Atash Dadgah, well water, wind and the Atash Kadeh building.












Each of the Alats, their shape, structure and number has special meaning and significance and contributes to achieving the goal of the ritual.

5) Havanan:- The fifth stage of Athravan in performing Yozdathregari is known as “Havanan”. Havanan= An Athravan who must be proficient in all Kriyas pertaining to Hom as mentioned below:- How and why Hom is to pounded. What is Hom, Para-Hom, Gokeren-Hom. Why is Hom given a very exalted status in Kriya, Why a Yozdathregar has to consume Hom orally during Kriya.

6) Atravax:- The sixth stage of Athravan in performing Yozdathregari is known as “Atravax”. Atravax= An Athravan who must be proficient in all Kriyas pertaining to Atash as mentioned below:- The significance of Atash in nature, Number of Atash existing in nature, and its individual functions in nature. How to lawfully consecrate an Atash Behram, Atash Adrian, and purpose behind such making. The function of Atash Behram, Atash Adrian in nature. How to perform Boi ceremony and Chak of an Atash Behram, and reason behind it.

7) Zaota:- An Athravan having gone through above six stages now comes to the seventh stage of Zaota. An Athravan only after reaching stage of Zaota becomes eligible to be Zoti in Yajashne Kriya.
An Athravan has to become proficient from above stages step by step only or “Pae dar Pae”;then can he perform Yajasne Kriya and become a “Jyoti”, and that too when he is under planetary effect of Jupiter or Burjis aspect, which is possible only when he reaches age of 52 years.


Note:- As per our Zarathosti deen a human child after being born till his death is influenced by various Planetary effects for a certain fixed period also known as “Karan”. During a sojourn of man’s life and as per “Zarvane Dareghkhadat” he comes under mentioned planetary influences in “Hashemi Zamanah” or era of Mars cycle that we mankind is generally living in. This rule of planetary effects explained below applies for all mankind:-



Hence an Athravan can be a Jyota or Zaota in Yajashne only when he has crossed 52 years of age when he will be receiving in abundance Jupiter planetary effects which are so very much essential whilst doing Yajashne.
Reference:- Mazdiyasni Zarathosti daen mujab Zarathosti Tarabyatni asal rudhi Page 96 to 98
Let us see what Bard Shakespeare has to say in his play “As you like it” written in year 1599.

All the world’s a stage,
And all men and women merely players:
They have their exits, and their entrances ;
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His act being seven ages. At first the infant,
Mewling and puking in the nurse’s arms;
And then, the whining schoolboy, with his satchel,
And shining morning face, creeping like snail,
Unwilling to school; And then the lover,
Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad,
Made to his mistress’ eye-brow, Then a soldier,
Full of strange oaths and bearded like the pard,
Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel,
Seeking the bubble reputation,
Even in the cannon’s mouth: And then the justice,
In fair round belly, with good capon lined,
With eyes severe, and beard of formal cut,
Full of wise saws and modern instances,
And so he plays his part: The sixth age shifts,
Into the lean and slipper’d pantaloon;
With spectacles on nose and pouch on side;
His youthful hose well saved, a world too wide,
For his shrunk shank; and his big manly voice,
Turning again towards childish treble, pipes
And whistle in his sound: Last scene of all,
That ends this strange eventful history,
Is second childishness, and mere oblivion;
Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.

The above mentioned details whose faint shadow can be seen in today’s modern Greek literature copied from the Persians like many other things. Click on the link:-
http://www.livestrong.com/article/123444-stages-human-life-cycle/

8) Shroshavarez:- The final stage that an Athravan reaches entitles him to be known as “Vada Dasturan Dastur”, or is also referred to as “Sahebe- Aleshan- Khandane-wala” (Z.Tarabyat ni asal rudhi Page 103) . For an Athravan to reach such an exalted stage he has to pass from all the above mentioned stages wherein he passes from all Kriya, he is knowledgeable of its Tavil and with meticulous details. He understands thoroughly the Yazads or Minoi power that he invokes during the Yajashne ceremony. Shroshavarez= Shrosh= Sarosh Yazad + Varej=functioning power who does the work = the doer. As per Philology the word can mean the one who invokes Sarosh Yazad and assists him in his functions by being an Humkar=hum=the one who attunes with the Minoi Power in his Karya= Kar. He can now hear the Celestial vibrations of Sarosh Yazad. In all the above mentioned stages proper “Bareshnoom” is very much essential and has special importance for a Kriya to be successful.

Regards,
Firdosh K Sukhia
Concluded


1 comment:

  1. Thank you Firdosh.

    I have really learnt a lot from your posts.

    I must say that reading the series on the 16 qualities of an Athravan was truly an enlightening experience.

    Keep up the good work.

    ReplyDelete