"The five senses act as a bridge, enabling us to perform our deeds in a way which will bring harmony between our material and spiritual life,” stated Ervad (Dr) Ramiyar Karanjia, the go-to person for information on Zoroastrianism for the Zoro Kids monthly prayer classes held at the Muncherji Jamshetji Wadia Agiary in Lalbaug. He was speaking on July 16, 2023 at the fire temple hall on the completion of five continuous years of the classes. The principal of the Dadar Athornan Institute, Karanjia spoke of the importance of the number five in the religion which has five Gathas, five gahs and five niyaeshes.
All 36 children "dressed up in finery” who attended the event were felicitated with traditional sagan before the screening of a video depicting the five-year journey, noted an email from The M. J. Wadia Temple Trust employee Kobad Gheewala on behalf of fire temple chairman and trustee Kersi Limathwalla. A total of 160 community members attended the event. An English version of 30 Roj ni Setayesh (prayers dedicated to each roz) complied by veterans of the Ervad (Dr) Parvez Bajan-run Avesta language classes was released. About 20 of the children’s teachers, past and present, led by retired information technology company executive Ervad Darayus Desai, were felicitated.
From l: Ervad Darayus Desai, Parisa Talati, Viaan Patel,
Ervad (Dr) Ramiyar Karanjia, Kersi Limathwalla;
inset: Ervad (Dr) Parvez Bajan
Classes are a combination of prayers, stories from the Shahnameh and games, accompanied by snacks. They also have quizzes and field trips. Desai told us that the group’s motto is Anumatae Daenayāi, Anukhtae Daenayāi, Anuvarshtae Daenayāi (Think, speak and act in accordance with the religion). During the pandemic the sessions were conducted online. The organizers try to instill in young minds that "Zoroastrianism is an action-oriented religion. It doesn’t end with prayers…it begins where the prayers end.”
Limathwalla enunciated dos and don’ts for a Zoroastrian life: protect Ahura Mazda’s creations and value them; keep body, mind and soul clean by leading a virtuous life; keep the balance in nature undisturbed; help the less privileged and needy; do not reduce prayers to a part-time pastime. Bajan emphasized the need for more parents to send their children for such classes "so that they can become torchbearers of our religion.”
The kids "enthralled the audience” with renditions of monajats, prayers, skits, monologs and dialogs. With snacks, cake, games and take-home gifts, "36 pairs of happy feet returned home, with a promise to come again next month, to know their roots, their religion and their God.”
The group was set up by Limathwalla with Karanjia, late trustee Dara Mehta, entrepreneur Hanoz Patel and retired logistics professional Homi Ustad who "felt a pressing need to start a prayer group for kids, to catch them young and set them on the path of religious knowledge,” stated Limathwalla’s note.
In his speech Karanjia made reference to the connection between Srosh Yazad and the number five. Responding to Parsiana’s enquiry, the priest clarified that "while most Ameshaspands and Yazads are represented by number seven, Srosh Yazad is represented by number five. The literal meaning of the word Srosh is obedience. One of the functions of Srosh Yazad is to oversee the obedience to the divine laws of God on earth.” The laws of God are followed (or not followed) through the five senses.