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Dokhmenashini the Best mode of     Disposal

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To,

Respected Dasturji Saheb,

I was asked by a friend about the deteriorating conditions of Dakhmenashini at present. His contention was that Dakhmas are Localized, not found everywhere (Not in Delhi Or Madras ) His question was about accessibility and inclusivity of the system to all members of the community. And as such without the Vultures the System has failed & the Solar Panels do not work efficiently due to the high rise buildings not allowing that much sunlight to the Dakhma.

To give some knowledge about the efficacy of the system, I studied some books. To my surprise I found out that the system enjoined in our Vendidad is ONLY of Khurshed Nagirashni. Burial in any form is condemned, as well as cremation !

Sir my question is, 1) “If we do not say prayers for the dead if Dokmenashini is not followed, & when burial in any form is condemned, how come we allow to have aramgahs at other places & all prayers are said for the dead?”

Sir, would it not be termed as ‘ Convenient / Partial ' that, if a person who dies in Mumbai & is buried no Prayers can be said for him. But if the same person is buried in Delhi at the aramgah there, all prayers are said? (Let alone the Religious point of view.)

2) Sir, what exactly is the Religious Point of View, is Burial in any form allowed in our religion?

(I found many quotes from the Vendidad to the contrary which condemns it).

3) As Most of the places in India & abroad do not have Dakhmas, what should be done at such places?

I quote: - The Holy Vendidad has specifically abhorred any other mode of Disposal, to be Un-Zarathushtrian. In (Vd. 6.44) Zarathushtra asked Ahura Mazda thus: “O creator of the Material regions (Daataare Gaethanaam Astavaitinaam Ashaaum) whither shall we carry the bodies of the dead? O Ahura Mazda! Where shall we place them?” Then Ahura Mazda answered, “O Spitam Zarathushtra! On the most Elevated places (Barezist Aeshvachaa Paiti Gaetaushva) when the corpse-eating birds can most certainly see it.” (Vd.5.13-14) Clearly states that the dead body should be exposed to the suns rays only. And that it is a sin not to do it.

As regards Ground-Burial, In Vendidad (Vd. 7.45-7.48) It is said, ‘The ground, in which a dead body has lain for a long time, before properly disposed off, must not be used for some ordinary purpose for a year, but, if the ground is where a body is interred, then it must not be used for a period of Fifty Years. In case the place of burial is built over with tombs one must wait longer till the last vestige of Bones Hair etc have disintegrated.

In (Vd. 3.7-3.9), Zarathushtra asked Ahura Mazda as to what displeased him the most, The reply was, 1) The Mount Arezura a Volcano, considered to be the Road to Hell! 2) The 2nd place is the ground wherein both Men and Dogs are buried . 3) 3rd place is wherein Vaulted Tombs are constructed in which dead men are deposited. It is further said, that the Man who Removes the buried corpses of dogs and men from the ground, does a religious act. He thereby pleases the ground . (Thus helping the corpse to be soon reduced to dust.) In (Vd. 7.49-7.50) Dadar Ahuramazda enjoins Spitam Zarathushtra to remove the structures or tombs and level them to the ground, because thereby one helps an early decomposition and the process of reducing the body from ‘Dust to Dust' In (Vd. 7.57) is said that, as men cook delicious food & feed on it in the material world, so do the DAEVAS (The microscopic organisms, germs, insects etc.) live on the flesh of the dead bodies interred below the tombs increase in numbers. Same stands for Water-burial. For cremation by fire there is reference of condemnation at many places. At one place is clear reference (Vd. 1.17) “Then deadly Angre Mainyu … committed the Sinful & Inexplicable deed of BURNNG the NASU” Fire is considered Holy Son of God. (Aatash Puthre Ahure Mazdaao)

In Fargard 7, Ahura Mazda himself declares, that the source of all evil, in this world, is in graves & Burial grounds.

(The quotes are taken from Shri Behramsha Pithavals book- In Search of Divine light. & ‘Dakhmenashini ceremonies for the dead and allied topics' by – Ervard Mehroz Vatcha of Secunderabad.)

Burjor M. Daboo

burkhurdar@gmail.com