J.J. Modi – Shams -ul -Ulma


                                                

Jivanji Jamshedji Modi (1854 – 1933) is one of the most decorated priests in the world. For forty years he served as the ‘panthaki’ (head priest) of a Colaba agiary. He was known as Shams-ul-Ulma (sun of scholars) in the Zoroastrian world and even beyond that because of his intellect and wide knowledge. He was also a public servant and community activist.   

Apart from being a prolific writer (having authored 70 books – 20 in English, 3 in French, 41 in Gujrati, & 6 memorial volumes), he was also a prolific speaker. He delivered over 350 lectures throughout the world. Many of these lectures are collected in a volume titled Wisdom from a Lifetime. He had deep knowledge on various subjects ranging from ancient Iran, Zoroastrianism and its history, comparative religions, meteorology, natural history, etc.

The Religious Ceremonies and Customs of the Parsees is his best-known work; though it has certain inaccuracies here and there as pointed by modern scholars but it still remains as the most comprehensive book on Parsee rituals. He wrote and spoke extensively on Zoroastrianism about which he says ‘Zoroastrianism is unique with respect to other religions, as it does not have the concept of a saviour; every individual was his own saviour.’

Yet, despite all his titles and achievements, he had no airs.  He believed in simple living and high thinking. He is one of the foremost Parsees and is fondly remembered by not only people from his faith but also others who benefited from his vast knowledge.



-          NZ

6.8.2019      






Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

My Mother named me Haider

My mother named me Haider so said Ali son of Abu Talib to Marhab when he said that his mother had named him Marhab. If only Marhab had recalled, at this juncture, what his mother would tell him when he was a child. ‘My son, you’ll be a great warrior. Your fame would spread throughout the Arab world. But keep in mind one thing. If in any battle you come face to face with a man named Haider, do not fight him. Just lay down your sword.’ If Marhab had paid heed to his mother’s advice, he wouldn’t have met the fate he met with in Khaiber. But he was high on ego; drunk on his strength and fame, he thought, how anyone could fight him. He was Marhab – how anyone could challenge his might? In every battle, Ali always introduced himself as Ali son of Abu Talib. But in Khaiber, he introduced himself as Haider because he was aware of what Marhab’s mother had told Marhab. This is sufficient evidence of Ali’s knowledge of the unknown. If in Khaiber Ali had introduced himself as Ali a...
Read more

The Lady in Red

Yesterday after my morning prayer, I went for my 30- minute walk. My wife did not accompany me because she preferred the warmth of the bed to the cold outside. Usually, she does. I did not take the path that I normally take every day. The road was deserted and not a soul was in sight. I walked briskly, determined to do a certain number of steps within the time that I had. It was dark and the wintry breeze was making me shiver. I thought of the cosiness of my bed and for a moment was tempted to abandon the walk and go back home. But commitment is commitment. So, I kept walking. When I reached the end of the walking trail, I turned left instead of right. I don’t know why I did it. I should have turned right because that’s where the walker’s path continues. On the left is an alley between two high-rise buildings. Before I could turn back, I spotted a lady smoking a cigarette. She was wearing a long, red gown and her lips were painted with blood-red lipstick. Her tired eyes had da...
Read more

Zaidis and Wastis

                                                         Many people believe that Zaidis and Wastis are two separate surnames. The truth is that it isn’t. Zaidis and Wastis hail from a place in Iraq called Wasit. Wasti is actually Wasiti but over time, it became Wasti. They are descended from the fourth Imam Ali bin Hussain, also known as Zain-ul-Abedin. His eldest son’s name was Zaid. Hence the name Zaidi. These people are Sayyeds meaning they can trace their ancestry to the Holy Prophet. In the 11 th century, Sayyid Abul Farah Al Hussaini Al Wasti (son of Syed Daud al Hussaini), came to India from Iraq, with his twelve sons, and most of the Zaidis and Wastis in India and Pakistan are their descendants. Let me clarify one point here. There are Zaidis who are not Wastis. They are those who believe that Zaid and not Mohammad Baqir ...
Read more