How much do you love life?

[otw_shortcode_info_box border_style=”bordered” css_class=”boxed”]Daisy P. Navdar is a teacher by profession and a firm believer in the efficacy of our Manthravani. She is focused on ensuring that the deep significance of our prayers is realized by our youth. She credits her learnings and insights, shared in her articles, to all Zoroastrian priests and scholars whose efforts have contributed towards providing light and wisdom for all Zarthostis.[/otw_shortcode_info_box]

Recently, I read an article about a species of bees. It very categorically stated that if these bees became extinct, then in a matter of just ten years, all life on planet earth would cease to exist. Alarming, isn’t it? Now let’s flip the coin. If all of mankind becomes extinct, the earth will grow more, it will restore itself, the glaciers will rebuild, climatic conditions will stabilize, forests will flourish, as will all species of birds and animals. Our complete and total annihilation will only positively affect the planet. Sad, but true, today the only thing wrong with our planet is us.

So, when are we going to take responsibility for our home, our planet and all who live on it? We do not own the resources we enjoy, we only borrow them from our future generations. We have become the single most destructive species on our planet. Our thirst for more is never sated. And now we can see that time has run out. The natural culling, which is nature’s way of controlling the massive destruction that we cause, has started. Corona has instilled fear in us. We truly deserve all that is coming to us. If we cannot change, nature will always take its own course. Harsh words, but they are true, we know this in our hearts. We can only follow the diktats as laid down by the administration and hope for the best.

So, where does our salvation lie? As always, we can find our solace in prayers. I strongly recommend that all of us should daily do our kusti, Sarosh Baaj and then follow it up with reciting the Ardibehest Yasht Ni Nirang, nine times. While reciting the Nirang we must gently move our hands across our throat and chest and request Pak Dadar Ahura Mazda to fortify us against the deadly Corona. The Nirang, as given below should be recited nine times at least twice a day. Perhaps this dosage will be more effective than any other!

“Dadar i jehandar, tavana o dana,
o parvartar o afridegar, o kerfegar o avakshidar.
Ahreman hich nadan o natavanad
ba hich chiz nashahed.
Hormazda-dadarih, ahreman marochinidari,
Dadar Paak, ahriman naapak,
ahriman khaak shaved ahriman dur shaved,
ahriman dafe shaved, ahreman shekasteh shaved,
ahreman halak shaved, Aval din Zarthusti paak,
Hormazd buland Kavi beh awazuni.
Ashaone Ashem Vohu.”

As such, we are at home with most of the offices and institutions having shut down. Use this time wisely to pray, but don’t forget that the real changes you have to make are in the way you treat the planet. Reduce, Re-use and Recycle are perhaps the three most effective manthras to follow!