A saying from Dr. Saheb Faramroze Sohrabji Chiniwala regarding the importance of Adab is that, “Adab rakhvi e mazdayasnionu mool lakhshan che.” ” Adab tute to kushti tute.”

Late Savakshah Todivala (Surat) was a student of Dr. F S Chinivala. Whenever Savakshah used to see Dr. Saheb Faramroze go past his house in Surat, he would rush out of his house and ask Dr. Saheb Faramroze many questions regarding the intricacies of Zoroastrian-Lifestyle (tarikat). One day, Savakshah as his daily routine, rushed out his house when he saw Dr. Saheb Faramroze, and started asking him questions regarding tarikats. Out of the blue, Dr. Saheb Faramroze said the above statement “Adab tute to kushti tute” “Kaka sathe adab thi varto” (if your manner is not proper then Kusti tute, behave well with your Kaka). Savakshah had a very saintly Kaka (Late Ardeshir Todivala, disciple of Ustad Saheb Behramshah N Shroff) and sometimes Savakshah used to misbehave (unintentionally) with his Kaka. What Dr. Saheb Faramroze meant here was; what is the use of following all tarikats if you do not know how to behave well with everyone. The foundation of Zoroastrian-lifestyle (tarikat) to the Paak Nirangdin ceremony, is the Kusti Padiaav prayers. If the foundation (Kusti) is not proper, the edifice (tarikat, nirangdin) is going to fall down.

(This incident was narrated by Savakshah to Mr. Mehernosh Vaid.)

According to Oral tradition there are many instances when the Ritual Validity of our Kusti Padiaav is broken (kusti tuti gai). Few of them are mentioned below:

• Moving barefooted.
• Moving around bareheaded.
• After the Gah Changes (i.e. 5 times a day).
• After answering natures call.
• After getting up from sleep.
• Speaking in between Prayers or ceremonies.
• Passing wind when praying or performing ceremonies.
• If the Lar (tassels) of the Kusti are freed from the knot.
• Wearing the Sudreh the wrong way (oolto).
• Saying the wrong Roj Mah while reciting prayers.

“Character born out of Path Tarikat procedures tries to wield the will power in the right direction which should be then the end result of Tarikat observances. Tarikat Non-productive of character is then faulty and hypocritical a delusion for the practitioners.”

(A Sequel to Essentials of Zoroastrianism – Dr. Faramroze S Chinivala).

The Ritual validity (amal) of our Kusti is broken (tuti jai) when a person passes in front of us when we are doing our Kushti padiaab ritual. There is a strong oral tradition regarding this point and we observe many traditional Zoroastrian (laity and clergy) stand very close to a wall when doing the Kusti ritual. Also of note here is that the Ritual validity (amal) of our Kusti is broken (kusti no amal tuti jai) whenever there is degeneration in our Khoreh or thoughts.

Reference:

[1] Parsi Avaz article written by Jehangirji Sohrabji Chiniwala.

[2] Khordeh Avesta ba Kshnoomn Taavil by Dr.Saheb Faramroze Sohrabji Chiniwala.

Courtesy: Daisy Bhagwagar