Human evolution & 30 roj

The story of human evolution in the names of 30 roj

(Ervad Dr. Ramiyar Parvez Karanjia):

Religion means different things to different people. To me, religion is about getting the best out of life – health, happiness and fulfillment. To get that, one has to make the optimum utilization of the mind at all levels. If we want to make a difference to our life, and not exist merely as automatons– we have to know, understand, recognize and utilise our mind

Religious practices have been formulated for this purpose, and hence when we go deeper in any aspect of religion, we realise that it has something to do with the mind. Unfortunately, most of us have been stuck to the form. We just work with the superficial aspect of practices and don’t go beyond them.

When we repeatedly do practices along with their underlying mental messages, we are able to go deep down inside the subliminal level of the mind.

The 30 days of the roj help us in many ways. Their principal purpose is to keep us connected with our Ameshaspands and Yazads, who have tasks to perform in the material as well as spiritual worlds. Some Yazads like Sarosh, Meher and Behram have multiple tasks. We know little about a few Yazads, mainly because the Yashts dedicated to them are now lost.

After being acquainted with the Ameshaspands and Yazads, if we go behind the structure and arrangement of the 30 days of Roj. a pattern is revealed, which lends great significance to the arrangement of the calendar.

4 Division of the Roj:
The 30 roj can be divided into four divisions. The roj starting with Dae, dedicated to Ahura Mazda, divide the calendar into 4 almost equal parts, signifying the 4 divisions of creation as per the Pahlavi text Bundahishn. Understanding the structure of the Roj gives us an insight into the all important existential questions like WHO AM I, WHERE AM I, FROM WHERE HAVE I COME, WHAT I AM DOING and WHERE AM I GOING?

Part I (Roj 1-7) are the 7 Ameshaspands who signify the creation of the Spiritual world.
Part II (Roj 8-14) are the creation of the material world - Fire-Water-sun-moon-stars and earth. It signifies the creation of the Material world.
Part III- (Roj 15-22) are the qualities necessary for human beings to counter evil. It signifies the use of inner qualities for the preparation of humans to overcome evil in the Material world by internalizing virtues.
Part IV– (Roj 23-30) are the spiritual truths and powers that prepare and lead man to the final destination of life.

Part I (Roj 1-7): The 6 Ameshaspands – Behman, Ardibahesht, Shahrevar, Aspandad, khordad and Amardad - (Dadar Hormazd is their head), are among the first creations created by Ahura Mazda after creating the spiritual world. They symbolize the spiritual world the first stage of creation. All the other divine beings work under the Ameshaspands. They signify the creation of the Spiritual world and hence the first stage of creation.

Part II (Roj 8-14). This group signifies the creation of the material world.
Adar – Fire
Avan-Water
Khorshed-Ssun
Mohor-Moon
Tir- Stars & Rains
Gosh - Earth and Animals

Part III (Roj 15-22): This group embodies the qualities necessary for human beings to become human and humane. They signify the development of inner qualities which prepare humans to overcome evil. This group signifies the evolutionary period of mixture of good and evil and good needing to rise above evil with the help of virtues and faculties. These virtues are:
Meher - Friendship, harmony and support.
Sarosh - Obedience to the divine laws and laws of nature.
Rashne - Order and organization in life.
Farvardin - Hope in Help from the divine world.
Behram – Strength, Courage and confidence to fight evil within and without.
Ram – Love, Joy, happiness and Pleasure in life.
Govad – All steps leading to Health.

Part IV – (Roj 23-30): The last group of roj remind us of the end of evolutionary cycle resulting in the spiritual world which is beyond pain, suffering, and evil. These roj signify the spiritual truths and powers that prepare and lead man to the final destination of life - separation from the time bound world.
Din-Religious knowledge, knowledge about the divine self and divine world. Ashishwangh- Spiritual wealth which one needs to amass for the eternal life.
Ashtad- The Divine Truth
Asman- Dimensions leafing to the other world.
Zamyad-Divine Energy (Khoreh) which gives the strength and wisdom for a higher life.
Marespand – Chants and prayers /meditation-energy
Aneran-Endless lights where the heavenly realms are situated and which is the final destination of all souls.

Knowing our Ameshaspands and Yazads, befriending befriend them, and making them companions for life is the purpose of the practice of having Roj.

9th July 2014.