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

with some hesitation and replied, with great patience, questions upon questions put to him; and
thereafter gave a highly philosophical narration on "the loftiness of Atash". The said Sheth
Baheramshah, after admitting that he was ignorant of the present day Western type of education,
started using Avesta - Pahalvi, Pazend, Persian words in his lecture without looking to any notes
and could thereby create a powerful impression on the students of modern thinking. But since
many present could not understand him fully, he was requested to speak there again the next day, when
before a packed hall, he was able to explain some more philosophy with the help of Mr. Manchershah,
the head master of the Mission School of Surat, who had already come in contact with Baheramshah".
(Page 331).
A little further at page 333 Sohrabji Banaji writes about Baheramshahji's astounding performance and its
effect on his learned listeners:
"After listening to Baheramshahji twice at the Bengali School, many Avesta students expressed to Bhai
Kaikhushru Choksi, their eagerness to hear more from Baheramshah. We offered the use of a large room
in our house opposite to the Banajee Limjee Agiary. Bhai Kaikhushru liked the place and we had then
about 75 sittings held in our said large room, where the Avesta Pahalvi Scholars as also leading
theosophists, like Khurshedji Rustomji Camaji, Shams-ul-Olma Dr. Jivanji Modi, Dr. Davar, Sorabji
Bulsara, Khodabux Poonegar, Ervad Desai, Meherjibhai Madon and his learned son, Sheth Wadia
etc. etc. were present."
Please note, all those were highly educated persons and scholars of Avesta Pahalvi in the Western Style.
Some of them were theosophists. In those days, the mystical doctrines emanating from Mme. Blavtsky, the
inspired founder of Theosophy, were extremely helpful to the orthodox learned men, who were trying to
combat with the Western materialistic onslaught on the spiritual Institutions, Traditions, Tenets and Teachings
of our Din. It was a formidable assembly that Baheramshahji was facing. Here was a simple man whose
worldly education had not gone beyond the Gujerati fourth standard, sitting before graduates,
postgraduates, Ph.D's !! The partial list of his listeners given by Sohrabji Banaji is highly challenging and
even staggering. "Baap-rey"! Camaji was of course a renowned savant. Jivanji Modi was full of degrees,
medals and titles. Dr. Manekji Davar was an acutely intelligent scholar having a Ph.D. from Berlin. Sorab
Bulsara was a profound Avesta Pahalvi scholar with a series of original scholastic researches to his credit.
Khodabux Poonegar was another astute scholar, an original translator of the Gatha. There were several
others of equal eminence. And facing them was a simple man who, as pointed out by Jehangirji Vimadalal,
was at times speaking Vanpasti instead of Vanaspati ! And seventy-five sittings!! Oh, my God!! How did he
fare? Says Sohrab Banaji :
"On the very first day he was confronted by questions upon questions on several lengthy and mystical
matters like Ruvan-Farohar, Ashaaunaam Fravashinaam, Fasli months and days, reincarnation etc. etc.
Baheramshahji explained, "You sirs are asking such questions that the answer to each of them will take
10 to 15 days; so how can I explain out all this in one hour? You can get some idea about these mystical
matters only if I go on explaining them from the very beginning. Otherwise, you may be led to have wrong
meanings (Arthno anarth kari utho) which may result in a ridicule of Religion". Thereupon it was decided
that he will give a continuing discourse at the same place during the whole week, and anybody who
wanted to have discussions with him could see him any time of the day. Accordingly, for the whole week
the Banaji Lane reverberated with the thirsty-for-knowledge, and the residents around gazed in wonder."
Do you see the miracle here, my friends? Such formidable people coming to him for a full week, any time
of the day ! How can a man who was ignorant by worldly standard talk for hours with such astute people on
heavy mystical subjects and impress them with his knowledge? And what impression? Hear Sorab Banaji :
"Sheth Khurshedji R Cama was so much enamored on the philosophy of Baheramshah that
although his son Sarosh had expired in London during this time, he remained absent only for two
days in mourning and started coming back eagerly to listen to Baheramshahji, on and from the
Chaharum day."
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