Meherji Rana
Encyclopedia
The first Dastur
Meherji Rana was the undisputed spiritual
leader of the Parsi
community in India
during the sixteenth century. He was renowned not just among the Parsis but also other communities on account of his piety
, vast knowledge and spiritual powers.
Dastur Meherji was born in a priestly family at Navsari
, in 1514. His father's name was Rana Jesung (thus the name Meherji Rana). India at that time was under the rule of the Mughal
s.
According to one school of thought Dastur Meherji was a disciple of the mystic saint Dastur Azar Kayvan
whose seat was in Patna
. Dastur Azar Kaiwan's disciples were called 'yaar' (i.e. spiritual friend / spiritual helper). Thus Dastur Meherji is sometimes referred as Dastur Mahiyaar ('Mahi
' being the fish that can see the smallest piece of object even when it Is dark).
Dastur Meherji was adopted by his paternal Uncle Vaccha Jesung . It is for this reason that in our ceremonies his name is invoked as "Dastur Meherji, Ervad Vaccha",'
It appears the behdins of Navsari presented a piece of land near 'Piplla Wadi' in 1573 to Dastur Meherji in recognition of his service to the religion and community. Dastur Meherji Rana is a renowned name in Parsi history and religious tradition mainly because of his very positive influence on the Mughal Emperor, Akbar the Great
. Akbar was born in 1542 and ascended the throne in 1556 at the age of fourteen. Akbar had great love for matters spiritual and philosophical. Although a Muslim
by birth, he was very secular in his outlook and loved to discuss and understand other religious traditions. Hindu Brahmin
s and Christian priest
s would often be invited to his court for religious discussion.
It appears, however, that Dastur Meherji had a deep and lasting influence on Akbar. It is believed Akbar first met Dastur Meherji in 1573 when the former laid siege on Surat
. They appear to have met at a place near Kankrakhadi (present day Rustompura in Surat). Impressed with Dastur Meherji's knowledge and personality the Emperor invited Dasturji to his court in Delhi
. Accordingly Dastur Meherji appears to have visited the Royal Court of Akbar in Delhi off Roj Hormazd, Mah Khordod 947 Y.Z. (1578 AD). Akbar's Prime Minister Abu Fazal and historian Badaoqi also have written about Parsi Priests from Navsari visiting the Royal Court around 1577-1578.
Pleased as the Emperor was with Dastur Meherji's erudition and piety he gifted 200 vighas of land near 'Gelkhari' in Gujarat, (free of all taxes) for Meherji Rana and his family's sustenance. It was called "Madad-e-Maash".
Akbar was a Sufi at heart and liked to absorb the good traditions and beliefs of all religions. He also attempted to popularize a new faith called 'Din-e-Illahi', drawing from the beliefs and traditions of various faiths including Zoroastrianism
.
It is said Akbar had a fire burning 24 hours at his court and his Prime Minister Abu Fazal was put in charge of maintaining the fire.
Dastur Meherji Rana's prominence and close affinity to the Emperor gave the Parsis as a community national visibility and lame.
In 1579, the priests of Navsari signed a document acknowledging Meherji Rana as their leader and declaring that all religious ceremonies would hence forth be performed only after obtaining his permission. This was the origin of the 'gaadi' (seat) of the High Priest of Navsari. The present High Priest KaiKhooshroo Navroze MeherjiRana is the seventeenth heir to this famous 'gaadi'.
Legend has it that during Dastur Meherji's stay in Delhi a Hindu Tantrik
(magician) claimed that with his occult powers he would make two suns shine in the sky. He challenged all holy men in Akbar's kingdom to respond to this 'miracle
'. It appears that the magician with the aid of certain spells had launched a metal plate in the sky and the sun's reflection made it appear as If there were two suns in the sky.
Nobody was aware of this trick and attempts by many holy men to thwart the magician failed. However, Dasturjee Meherji Rana arrived, prayed the sacred Kusti
prayers and took the name of God. The plate came crashing down, confounding the magician and amazing the whole court.
Inspired by the drama that unfolded the famous musician Tansen
composed a song in 'Raag Sarang' which had the lines "Elahi Parsee Padhe Sho Kabool" (i.e. By God the prayers of Parsees are accepted). Tansen refers to Dasturjee Meherji with the words "Lambi lambi dahadee Shah Mehreyari (Mahiyaar ( Meherji)) tere mukh pi barshat noor" (i.e. Shah Mehriyar, your beard is long, your face is radiant with fame). Tansen in his time was the "Sangeet Samrat" (King of Classical Music) and one of the jewels (ratna) at the Royal Court.
There is no dire historical reference to the encounter Dastur Meherji had with the magician. However, this has been part of the oral tradition
for more than four centuries.
Dastur Meherji died at a ripe old age on Roj Daepadar Mah Asfandarmad 960 Y.Z. (1591 AD). Today even after four centuries since his death the priests in Navsari perform his "baj
" ceremony every year on Roj Daepadar, Mah Asfandarmad.
At the Atashbehram in Navsari there is a natural formation in the marble slab on the wall facing the Holy Fire, bearing an amazing resemblance to Dastur Meherji. The turban
, long beard and uplifted hands are quite clear. Sceptics may dismiss this nature formation as a flight of imagination. For the mystic however, this is Nature's imprint of a Zarathushtrian saint who influenced many lives.
It appears four years after Dastur Meherji's passing away, Akbar granted an additional 300 vighas of land to Dastur Meherji's son who was named Kakiobad. This was in addition to the 200 vighas of land gifted earlier "Madad-e-Maash".
Dastur
A dastūr is a Zoroastrian high priest who has authority in religious matters and ranks higher than a Mobad or Herbad.In modern usage the term dastūr refers mostly to Parsi priests in India.-References:...
Meherji Rana was the undisputed spiritual
Spiritual
Spiritual may refer to:*Spirituality, a concern with matters of the spirit*Spiritual , an African American song, usually with a Christian religious text...
leader of the Parsi
Parsi
Parsi or Parsee refers to a member of the larger of the two Zoroastrian communities in South Asia, the other being the Irani community....
community in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
during the sixteenth century. He was renowned not just among the Parsis but also other communities on account of his piety
Piety
In spiritual terminology, piety is a virtue that can mean religious devotion, spirituality, or a combination of both. A common element in most conceptions of piety is humility.- Etymology :...
, vast knowledge and spiritual powers.
Dastur Meherji was born in a priestly family at Navsari
Navsari
Navsari is a city and municipality in the Surat Metropolitan Region and also the administrative headquarters Navsari District of Gujarat, India. Navsari is also the Twin City of Surat, and only 37 km south of Surat.-Geography:...
, in 1514. His father's name was Rana Jesung (thus the name Meherji Rana). India at that time was under the rule of the Mughal
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
s.
According to one school of thought Dastur Meherji was a disciple of the mystic saint Dastur Azar Kayvan
Azar Kayvan
Āzar Kayvān , was a Zoroastrian high priest of Istakhr and native of Fars who emigrated to the Gujarat in Mughal India during the reign of the Emperor Akbar and became the founder of a Zoroastrian school of ishraqiyyun or Illuminationists...
whose seat was in Patna
Patna
Paṭnā , is the capital of the Indian state of Bihar and the second largest city in Eastern India . Patna is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world...
. Dastur Azar Kaiwan's disciples were called 'yaar' (i.e. spiritual friend / spiritual helper). Thus Dastur Meherji is sometimes referred as Dastur Mahiyaar ('Mahi
Mahi
Mahi is a Jat gotra or clan found in the Northern Indian state of Punjab.-Origin:The place of origin of the Mahi is supposed to have been Amritsar, Punjab, India and Multan, Pakistan.-Occupation:Agriculture is the main occupation of Mahi clan people...
' being the fish that can see the smallest piece of object even when it Is dark).
Dastur Meherji was adopted by his paternal Uncle Vaccha Jesung . It is for this reason that in our ceremonies his name is invoked as "Dastur Meherji, Ervad Vaccha",'
It appears the behdins of Navsari presented a piece of land near 'Piplla Wadi' in 1573 to Dastur Meherji in recognition of his service to the religion and community. Dastur Meherji Rana is a renowned name in Parsi history and religious tradition mainly because of his very positive influence on the Mughal Emperor, Akbar the Great
Akbar the Great
Akbar , also known as Shahanshah Akbar-e-Azam or Akbar the Great , was the third Mughal Emperor. He was of Timurid descent; the son of Emperor Humayun, and the grandson of the Mughal Emperor Zaheeruddin Muhammad Babur, the ruler who founded the Mughal dynasty in India...
. Akbar was born in 1542 and ascended the throne in 1556 at the age of fourteen. Akbar had great love for matters spiritual and philosophical. Although a Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
by birth, he was very secular in his outlook and loved to discuss and understand other religious traditions. Hindu Brahmin
Brahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
s and Christian priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
s would often be invited to his court for religious discussion.
It appears, however, that Dastur Meherji had a deep and lasting influence on Akbar. It is believed Akbar first met Dastur Meherji in 1573 when the former laid siege on Surat
Surat
Surat , also known as Suryapur, is the commercial capital city of the Indian state of Gujarat. Surat is India's Eighth most populous city and Ninth-most populous urban agglomeration. It is also administrative capital of Surat district and one of the fastest growing cities in India. The city proper...
. They appear to have met at a place near Kankrakhadi (present day Rustompura in Surat). Impressed with Dastur Meherji's knowledge and personality the Emperor invited Dasturji to his court in Delhi
Delhi
Delhi , officially National Capital Territory of Delhi , is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest by population in India, next to Mumbai. It is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with 16,753,265 inhabitants in the Territory at the 2011 Census...
. Accordingly Dastur Meherji appears to have visited the Royal Court of Akbar in Delhi off Roj Hormazd, Mah Khordod 947 Y.Z. (1578 AD). Akbar's Prime Minister Abu Fazal and historian Badaoqi also have written about Parsi Priests from Navsari visiting the Royal Court around 1577-1578.
Pleased as the Emperor was with Dastur Meherji's erudition and piety he gifted 200 vighas of land near 'Gelkhari' in Gujarat, (free of all taxes) for Meherji Rana and his family's sustenance. It was called "Madad-e-Maash".
Akbar was a Sufi at heart and liked to absorb the good traditions and beliefs of all religions. He also attempted to popularize a new faith called 'Din-e-Illahi', drawing from the beliefs and traditions of various faiths including Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism is a religion and philosophy based on the teachings of prophet Zoroaster and was formerly among the world's largest religions. It was probably founded some time before the 6th century BCE in Greater Iran.In Zoroastrianism, the Creator Ahura Mazda is all good, and no evil...
.
It is said Akbar had a fire burning 24 hours at his court and his Prime Minister Abu Fazal was put in charge of maintaining the fire.
Dastur Meherji Rana's prominence and close affinity to the Emperor gave the Parsis as a community national visibility and lame.
In 1579, the priests of Navsari signed a document acknowledging Meherji Rana as their leader and declaring that all religious ceremonies would hence forth be performed only after obtaining his permission. This was the origin of the 'gaadi' (seat) of the High Priest of Navsari. The present High Priest KaiKhooshroo Navroze MeherjiRana is the seventeenth heir to this famous 'gaadi'.
Legend has it that during Dastur Meherji's stay in Delhi a Hindu Tantrik
Tantra
Tantra , anglicised tantricism or tantrism or tantram, is the name scholars give to an inter-religious spiritual movement that arose in medieval India, expressed in scriptures ....
(magician) claimed that with his occult powers he would make two suns shine in the sky. He challenged all holy men in Akbar's kingdom to respond to this 'miracle
Miracle
A miracle often denotes an event attributed to divine intervention. Alternatively, it may be an event attributed to a miracle worker, saint, or religious leader. A miracle is sometimes thought of as a perceptible interruption of the laws of nature. Others suggest that a god may work with the laws...
'. It appears that the magician with the aid of certain spells had launched a metal plate in the sky and the sun's reflection made it appear as If there were two suns in the sky.
Nobody was aware of this trick and attempts by many holy men to thwart the magician failed. However, Dasturjee Meherji Rana arrived, prayed the sacred Kusti
Kusti
Kusti may refer to:* Kosti, major city in Sudan* Kushti, sacred girdle worn by Zoroastrians...
prayers and took the name of God. The plate came crashing down, confounding the magician and amazing the whole court.
Inspired by the drama that unfolded the famous musician Tansen
Tansen
Mia Tansen is considered among the greatest composer-musicians in Hindustani classical music. He was an extraordinarily gifted vocalist, known for a large number of compositions, and also an instrumentalist who popularized and improved the rabab .He was among the Navaratnas at the court of the...
composed a song in 'Raag Sarang' which had the lines "Elahi Parsee Padhe Sho Kabool" (i.e. By God the prayers of Parsees are accepted). Tansen refers to Dasturjee Meherji with the words "Lambi lambi dahadee Shah Mehreyari (Mahiyaar ( Meherji)) tere mukh pi barshat noor" (i.e. Shah Mehriyar, your beard is long, your face is radiant with fame). Tansen in his time was the "Sangeet Samrat" (King of Classical Music) and one of the jewels (ratna) at the Royal Court.
There is no dire historical reference to the encounter Dastur Meherji had with the magician. However, this has been part of the oral tradition
Oral tradition
Oral tradition and oral lore is cultural material and traditions transmitted orally from one generation to another. The messages or testimony are verbally transmitted in speech or song and may take the form, for example, of folktales, sayings, ballads, songs, or chants...
for more than four centuries.
Dastur Meherji died at a ripe old age on Roj Daepadar Mah Asfandarmad 960 Y.Z. (1591 AD). Today even after four centuries since his death the priests in Navsari perform his "baj
Baj
- Places :* Baj, Hungary* The Baj Pomorski Theater, a puppet theater in Poland* Valea lui Băj- Family names :* Enrico Baj , Italian artist, art writer* Stanisław Baj , Polish painter- Other :* Bachelor of Arts, Journalism...
" ceremony every year on Roj Daepadar, Mah Asfandarmad.
At the Atashbehram in Navsari there is a natural formation in the marble slab on the wall facing the Holy Fire, bearing an amazing resemblance to Dastur Meherji. The turban
Turban
In English, Turban refers to several types of headwear popularly worn in the Middle East, North Africa, Punjab, Jamaica and Southwest Asia. A commonly used synonym is Pagri, the Indian word for turban.-Styles:...
, long beard and uplifted hands are quite clear. Sceptics may dismiss this nature formation as a flight of imagination. For the mystic however, this is Nature's imprint of a Zarathushtrian saint who influenced many lives.
It appears four years after Dastur Meherji's passing away, Akbar granted an additional 300 vighas of land to Dastur Meherji's son who was named Kakiobad. This was in addition to the 200 vighas of land gifted earlier "Madad-e-Maash".