Ilm-e-Khshnoom - Traditional Zoroastrianism: Tenets of the Religion

What Is IIm-e-Khshnoom, and Why?
"Baheramshah Shroff, a Shining Star In the Study of
Zarthoshti Din" - Jehangirji Vimadalal.
- By N. Khurshedji
Jehangirji Jamshedji Vimadalal, M.A., LL.B., Solicitor, was an erudite student of Eastern Mysticisms and
Theosophy, an excellent orator, and a life long fighter against the "reformists" (alleged to be) of religion. The
Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore was so much impressed by Jehangirji's oratory that he suggested that
Jehangirji should join politics and the then freedom movement. He politely refused; he wanted more to serve
his community than the nation. (A wise decision, seeing the plight of India after half a century, from Raj not to
Swaraj but Goondaraj.) He was so much impressed by Baheramshah Shroff's miraculous knowledge of the
Din that he remained in constant touch with IIm-e-Khshnoom, asked numerous questions to Baheramshahji,
and seriously tried to gain the mystical knowledge from him. He made earnest suggestions to Baheramshahji
to translate the extant holy Scriptures, for which he would provide two scholars trained in the Western
philology and even funds and other paraphernalia. Baheramshahji smilingly refused, stating that all scriptures
would be surely translated Khshnoomically in the near future. This prophecy did come true as his first disciple,
Dr. Faramroze Chiniwalla, did so translate all scriptures. (And I would here assert - though in advance of this
true story of IIm-e-Khshnoom - that what you will get in Dr. Faramroz's translation, you will never get
anywhere else.)
Jehangirji Vimadalal himself founded the - Ilm-e-Khshnoom Felavnari Committee - the Committee for
Propagating IIm-e-Khshnoom, and was its first secretary. That Committee still exists and publishes the
unpublished translations and Taavil (the esoteric and mystical content) of Avesta Scriptures rendered by Dr.
Faramroze Chiniwalla, after his death. His Gatha-Yasna Ha "31; Spentomad, Vohukhshathra and
Vahishtoishta Gathas; Tir, Jamyad, and Meher Yashtas are so published posthumously by that Committee.
Now let us hear him - our second witness Jehangirji Vimadalal on IIm-e-Khshnoom. The following is the
translation of the extracts from his Gujerati Article published in Baheramshah Shroff Memorial Volume -
(Frashogard Vol. 17-18-1930) page 240, under the title:
The Late Baheramshah Navroji Shroff. His Precious Legacy of the Religious knowledge to the
Parsi Community.
"Many a wonderful events occur in the world. In the present time, coming out of the Late
Baheramshah Navroji Shroff with the knowledge of our lofty Religion was an amazing event. A
Jarthoshtl of simple appearance and dress - who, setting aside the knowledge of Avesta, Pahalvi
or Persian had negligible knowledge of English or Gujerati and who had taken very little school
education - could stand on a public platform, and without the aid of any notes or writing and
without any faltering, present in a smooth effortless way, the mystical philosophy of the
Zarathushtrian Religion, the mystical effects of the Zarthoshti 'Kriya's (rituals), different stages of
'Ashoi' (spiritual and divine Purity), various kinds of 'Atesh's, varied kinds of druji (impurities and
evil forces), the unseen effects of the Manthra - Prayers - this verily was a noteworthy and
astounding event in the present day history of the Zarthoshti Din; it was like the coming out of a
shining star in the field of the study of the Zarthoshti Religion."
Please remember! These words are from the pen of not an ordinary person. Jehangirji Vimadalal was so
much loved by the faithful Parsis that when he died, the Mobeds and Dastur's decided to pronounce his name
in all Afringan and Jashan ceremonies. "Osta Jehangir, Ervad Jamshed" is spoken in these ceremonies even
to day.
Look at his above words. Baheramshahji was a SHINING STAR in the field of Zarathushti study. His
performance on public platforms were astounding: no notes, no faltering, incessant flow of technical words
and their explanations, a smooth current of mystical knowledge! And the man had not gone beyond 4th
standard in Gujerati i.e. he had left school seven years before matriculation!
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