DasturjiKukadarusname and fame has spread far and wide both in India and abroad. Even today, his portrait adorns the walls of severalAtash Behrams, Agiariesand Zarathushtrian homes. He is said to have performed many miracles during his lifetime. Hisfravashicontinues to bless and bring succour to those who remember him and invoke his name in prayer. The greatness of this man lies in his simplicity and humility. He was born on26th May 1831(Mah Avan, Roj Jamyad) atSurat. He always used to remain engrossed in prayers. His material needs were frugal. A strict vegetarian, he would eat just one meal a day - usuallykhichdiand a littleghee. It is said he used to cook the rice himself b placing the vessel in the sun and recite certainmanthras. He lived the life of a hermit. He was an intuitive astrologer. He is believed to have accurately predicted the day and time (to the hour) ofDasturPeshotan Sanjanas death. He had also accurately predicted the death of Queen Victoria and Sir Dinshaw Petit. Once, when a marriage procession was passing through Chira Bazaar in Mumbai,Dasturjisent word that the procession should halt for about an hour. No one paid heed. Within a short time, there was an accident and the bridegroom perished on the spot. Dasturji had developed qualities of clairvoyance as a result of certaintarikats(spiritual discipline),amal(ritual power),manthravani(prayers) and leading a life ofashoi(righteousness). Dasturjialso had knowledge of Avesta and Pahlavi. He had served as a teacher at the Seth Jijibhai Dadabhai Zend Avesta Madressa at Fort, translated certain volumes of the Dinkard and contributed regularly to a journal called Yazdan Parast. He had also brought out various booklets, one of which was Khoasa-e-afringan in which he advocated reciting the Tao ahmi nemane karda. As aPanthakyof theSeth Shapurji Kappawalla Agiaryin Mumbai, he commanded tremendous respect among the behdins. Although the title of Dastur was conferred on him posthumously, thebehdinsregarded him as aDastur(High Priest) even during his lifetime. Whenever he attended a wedding or navjote, the whole gathering would stand up as a mark of respect. One day, a MuslimPir(Saint) appeared at the gate of the Kappawalla Agiary with a view to test Dasturjis spiritual powers. After some discussion, the Pir challenged Dasturji to bring the water level of the Agiary well to the surface. Dasturji agreed, but warned that if the water overflowed, the sin of wasting water would be on the Pirs head. After performing thePadyab Kushti, Dasturji began to pray. Towards the end of the prayers, the water level began to rise. When the water surfaced right upto the top, thePirimploredDasturjito stop. The water receded and thePirleft singingDasturjispraise. Dasturjiwas also a healer. The Zarathushtrian scriptures speak of various types of healers, including those who heal with the power ofashoi(holiness/righteousness) and the power ofmanthras(prayers). Dasturji, with the power of hisashoiandmanthravani, healed a number of ailing and suffering persons. When Mr. Jehangir Karkaria, a teacher at Bharda New High School, was just three years old, he had a severe attack of jaundice. Doctors had lost all hope and his life was in danger. When all seemed lost, the childs grandmother took the ailing boy to Dasturji at the Agiary. Dasturji made the old lady sit at a certain spot with the ailing child in her lap. Dasturji sat at some distance and began to pray. He also placed a brass bowl full of clean well water between them. As Dasturji prayed, the water in the bowl began to turn yellow and the child began to recover. The child grew up to be a well-regarded teacher and mathematician and died at a ripe old age. The miracle for which Dasturji is most remembered is the one connected with the establishment of theAnjuman Atash Behram. Dasturji Kaikhushru Jamaspji, while raising funds for the new Atash Behram, approached Kukadaru Saheb for his contribution. Kukadaru Saheb requested Jamaspji to go to the next room and sell the item which he would find there. The item happened to be a gold brick which, in those days, fetched a sum of ten thousand rupees. It is likely that Kukadaru Saheb was also wellversed in the science of Alchemy. We know today, in the light of modern science, that when the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom of any element is changed (i.e., increased or decreased) the element itself can change from one to the other. Perhaps Dasturji with his ashoi and manthravanihad the power to alchemise metals. To conclude, Dasturji Jamshed Sohrab Kukadaru was an able astrologer, a divine healer, a scholar and teacher, and able panthaky, alchemist and, above all, a simple and pious priest who worked ceaselessly to remove pain and suffering. He passed away on 4th October 1900 (Roj Behram, Mah Fravardin) but continues to abide with the community in spirit. Many continue to be blessed with his vision and healing touch even today.
Posted on: Thu, 08 Jan 2015 18:30:48 +0000