Pray ONE ASHEM
(a) After Sneezing: - We often hear that the Zoroastrian Religion is most scientific, and this
one Ashem Vohu praying; provides one of the proofs - more so in the era of environment
protection and pollution. After a sneeze, whatever pollution is left in the air, and in our ‘Aipi'
{atmosphere personal to the body) gets 'Cleansed by this one 'Ashem. GeneralIy, people in the
western world would usually say "Excuse me" to those around after a sneeze, and they in return
"say "Bless you'. In old Khordeh Avesta, one comes across a Nirang termed 'Chikhwani Nirang' to
pray after sneezing.
(b) If you hear a Cock crow: - In the Zoroastrian Religion, a cock is also known as
“Tukhmay Sarosh". The sound 'vibrations of cock's crow cuts the 'Gashak' and reaches up,
cutting across many layers of the atmosphere.
(c) Gospands like the Varasiaji, BuIl. Cow, animals of Gava - when they are eating
peacefully: - Here, "Manthra' is being joined with "Mithra" - It is said that when these animals are
chewing the cud calmly, their 'Mithra' (thought force) are very pure. It is, therefore, desirable to
attune with it, by one Ashem recitation.
(d) When you hear the news of someone's death: - On hearing of someone’s death (whilst
remembering the dead person), pray at once one Ashem as enjoined in the Zoroastrian Religion.
(e) When bad thoughts persist: Pray one Ashem - by doing so, you apply some sort of a
break on bad thoughts.
(f) When you go to meet someone important, you’re superior in the office etc.: -
To become successful in your mission/work and/or to reduce difficulties, pray one Ashem.
Also,
(g) When you light a lamp/diva, or when light or lamp gets extinguished.
Note: A Zoroastrian is supposed to protect and preserve fire in any form anywhere. By
blowing lighted candles on the cake, ignorant parents encourage their offspring’s from a very
young age to flout one of the most fundamental tenets of the Zoroastrian religion. It is not
surprising in modern times to find the parents themselves cooking a snook at the teachings of our
prophet. Why, we have seen in some Parsee households even westernized doddering dowagers
indulge in such irreligious acts of their own birthdays! Your question, therefore, if this should be
“tolerated” only provokes a couple of counter-questions: What is the remedy? Who has the
authority to prevent them from committing such sacrilegious acts? All we can say is, to each his
own. Everyone will see TRUTH in the face of the dawn of the fourth day after death.
The late Dr. Sir Jivanji Modi, in his “The Religious Ceremonies and Customs of the Parsees”,
states that, “No religious rites of ceremonies are enjoined as necessary on the birthday of a
Parsee child…After a bath and a new suit of clothes, the child is generally sent with some sandalwood
to an adjoining Fire temple.
(h) When you remember your dear departed relatives / friends;
(i) When you come into contact with some Drui - evil or Nasa etc., pray one Ashem.
Pargard 1 of "Hadokhta Nask" narrates a Divine dialogue between Ahura Mazda and
Zarthushtra on "Ashern Vohu". The efficacy of devotionally recited only one Ashem Vohu is so
great that its value increases in' accordance with the various particular circumstances or events
and time from 10 Ashem to Infinite Ashem.
Zarthust Sahib asks Dadaar Ahura Mazda when will just one Ashern Vohu recital be
equivalent in value to reciting 10 Ashem Vohu.
Answer: - When one sits to have his food and thinking of Humata, Hukhta, Havarashta i.e. all
the divine work of the Yazatas going on in Nature, and shunning bad thoughts, words and deeds,
if one prays one Ashem, it is equivalent to 10 Ashem Vohu.
(2) Similarly, when one prays one Ashem whilst drinking the duly crushed 'Haoma' water -
then its value is like praying 100 Ashern.
(3) In sleep, while turning - changing one's side in bed - if one prays one Ashem, then its
value is that of 1000 Ashem, recited at any other time.
(4) In the morning, as soon as your eyes open - on awakening - if one Ashem is prayed it is
equivalent in worth as praying 10,000 Ashem.
Needless to say that on each of the above occasions, Ashem should be accompanied with
the thought of ascribing; Humta, Hukhta, Havarashta and discarding Dushmata, Dujukhta and
Dujavarshta - then only the value of Ashern increases in its divine stature (goodness and beauty).
