Tag Archives: Zoroastrian

For a quick recap, collection of kindling for fire temple is from the pyre while the corpse is burning and 15 others from the hearths of:         a dyer, a ruler, a potter, a brick-maker, a fakir or an ascetic, a goldsmith, a mint,  a blacksmith, one who makes armours, a baker, a brewer or distiller or an idol-worshipper, a soldier or a traveler, a shepherd, fire produced by atmospheric lightning, any Zoroastrian. At every stage of the process of collection of kindling for fire temple must be conducted by a Zoroastrian and no other person. The procedure for collection of the fires varies in the case of each of the 16 places from where that particular fire is collected.

Fire in Zoroastrianism is the center for worship. It is a Zoroastrian belief that through veneration of fire one can create an intimate communion with God, who is the creator of this sacred fire. It is the third holy immortal and has a religious significance of being a symbol of righteousness. Prophet Zarathushtra mentions fire as the holiest of the elements to be worshiped as the source of heat, light, life and growth. He selected it as a symbol of his faith to symbolize the divine spark within. Fire, in Zoroastrianism therefore, is considered one of the most sacred elements of nature.

The pledge made at Navjote  by a Zoroastrian adherent: “I pledge myself to the faith of Mazda… I pledge myself to the well-conceived thought I pledge myself to the well-spoken word I pledge myself to the well performed deed… To Ahura Mazda I ascribe all good.” [Jasa Me Avanghe Mazda, Pledge of faith, Yasna 12.8-9]