THE KUSHTI CEREMONY
The Kushti is the sacred cord that a Zoroastrian child is endowed with on the day of his or her Navjote ceremony. Along with the sudreh, or sacred shirt, the kushti is a weapon that a Zoroastrian uses to fight against the evil forces around and within. Although most Zoroastrians make a reasonable effort to wear the sudreh and kushti as much as possible, very few know how to correctly tie the kushti around the waist. If this article can teach just one person how to tie the kushti correctly, it will be time well spent.
The kushti ceremony requires three prayers to be recited. First comes the Kem-na-Mazda, which is preceeded by "kshnothra ahurae mazdao" and one Ashem Vohu. While reciting the Kem-na-Mazda, many Zoroastrians hold the front of their kushti with both hands, while others don't. This just seems to be a difference in tradition.
After the Kem-na-Mazda, the kushti is untied - first the back knots and then the front. Initially, it is held folded in half, with the left thumb in the center and the right thumb and forefinger grasping both threads of it about 20 inches (50 cm) away. It should be held at chest level directly in front, and the arms should not be extended.
The kushti is retied while reciting the Hormazd Khodae prayer. While reciting certain words, certain actions should be performed:Hormazd Khodae (3 times) : bow down and touch forehead to kushtiDushmata, Duzukhta, Duzvarashta: gently whip the right side of the kushti three times, once on each wordManashni, Gavashni, Kunashni: starting at the center, make three loops on the kushti (right, left, right in that order) You should be holding the kushti with three loops on it with your hands togetherHaithya varstam: release the loops and put the kushti on your waist Wrap the kushti around you once, with the left side going over the right at the back. Then, at the front, tie two knots while reciting the two Yatha Ahu variyo prayers. For the first knot, you should start by placing the right side over the left, vice versa for the second. The thread should be dropped into the hole to create the knot on the word"shaothannanam"
The two back knots are tied during the final Ashem Vohu. For the first knot, start by placing the left side over the right, vice versa for the second. The thread for the first knot should be placed in the hole at the first word "ushta" (fifth word in Ashem Vohu) The second knot must be completed before the Ashem Vohu is completed. After the kushti istied, hold the front with both hands and recite the Jasa me Avanghe Mazdaprayer.
Many people only perform the kushti prayers once or twice a day, and some don't perform it at all. Ideally, it should be performed when waking up, before going to bed, and after showering or using the restroom. However, for those who have not been brought up with the habit of performing it on a regular basis, it is best to perform it once or twice a day until one is comfortable with the procedure.
The sudreh and kushti are special weapons that are endowed upon a Zarathushti child at the Navjote ceremony in order to fight against evil. Evil is prevalent and unavoidable in our world, but luckily Ahura Mazda has given us the tools we need to overcome it. The sudreh and kushti, when properly worn, are extremely powerful tools. Wearing them, and performing the kushti prayers with faith and devotion, will enable all Zoroastrians to fight against evil and elevate their spiritual soul to a higher level. Prayer is food for the soul.
The kushti ceremony requires three prayers to be recited. First comes the Kem-na-Mazda, which is preceeded by "kshnothra ahurae mazdao" and one Ashem Vohu. While reciting the Kem-na-Mazda, many Zoroastrians hold the front of their kushti with both hands, while others don't. This just seems to be a difference in tradition.
After the Kem-na-Mazda, the kushti is untied - first the back knots and then the front. Initially, it is held folded in half, with the left thumb in the center and the right thumb and forefinger grasping both threads of it about 20 inches (50 cm) away. It should be held at chest level directly in front, and the arms should not be extended.
The kushti is retied while reciting the Hormazd Khodae prayer. While reciting certain words, certain actions should be performed:Hormazd Khodae (3 times) : bow down and touch forehead to kushtiDushmata, Duzukhta, Duzvarashta: gently whip the right side of the kushti three times, once on each wordManashni, Gavashni, Kunashni: starting at the center, make three loops on the kushti (right, left, right in that order) You should be holding the kushti with three loops on it with your hands togetherHaithya varstam: release the loops and put the kushti on your waist Wrap the kushti around you once, with the left side going over the right at the back. Then, at the front, tie two knots while reciting the two Yatha Ahu variyo prayers. For the first knot, you should start by placing the right side over the left, vice versa for the second. The thread should be dropped into the hole to create the knot on the word"shaothannanam"
The two back knots are tied during the final Ashem Vohu. For the first knot, start by placing the left side over the right, vice versa for the second. The thread for the first knot should be placed in the hole at the first word "ushta" (fifth word in Ashem Vohu) The second knot must be completed before the Ashem Vohu is completed. After the kushti istied, hold the front with both hands and recite the Jasa me Avanghe Mazdaprayer.
Many people only perform the kushti prayers once or twice a day, and some don't perform it at all. Ideally, it should be performed when waking up, before going to bed, and after showering or using the restroom. However, for those who have not been brought up with the habit of performing it on a regular basis, it is best to perform it once or twice a day until one is comfortable with the procedure.
The sudreh and kushti are special weapons that are endowed upon a Zarathushti child at the Navjote ceremony in order to fight against evil. Evil is prevalent and unavoidable in our world, but luckily Ahura Mazda has given us the tools we need to overcome it. The sudreh and kushti, when properly worn, are extremely powerful tools. Wearing them, and performing the kushti prayers with faith and devotion, will enable all Zoroastrians to fight against evil and elevate their spiritual soul to a higher level. Prayer is food for the soul.
posted by ERIC ENGINEER | 3:21 AM
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