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

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Poonegar. It was he who had actively helped Kaikhushru Choksi to present Baheramshahji before the Parsis of Mumbai, particularly the scholar world. We have seen that Sohrabji Banaji started his article by referring to a 1908 post card signed by Khodabux Poonegar wherein Baheramshahji's contact with the mystical clan of Zarthoshti Abeds was mentioned. Before we call Khodabux poonegar as our witness, let us first acquaint ourselves with K. R. Camaji. Who was he? Why was his testimony on Baheramshahji given great weight by Sohrabji and Manchershah? THE GEM OF A MAN Imagine a white bearded Parsi with the Chinai Paghdi ('Khokhun', not 'Fento'). The thick beard extends right down his chest, almost in line with his heart; rimless spectacles, searching eyes, cool and calm expression, a very faint smile below his thick moustache; above all, the emanation of good will and love surrounding his whole personality. Jivanji Modi wrote about Camaji, "What the late Benjamin Jowett said of great men, is true of him (Camaji) that it does us good only to look at them". Camaji was born in 1831 and died in about 1910. A successful businessman with golden qualities of the heart; an intellectual giant; a philanthropic man; an educationist; above all the pioneer who brought Avesta Pahalvi studies from Europe to India. There is "The K. R. Cama Memorial Volume" published in 1900, which enumerates the events of his public life and contains an excellent account of his scholarship, keen intellect, human disposition, his works and achievements. He had written several books in English and Gujarati on various topics of the Parsi Religion. He was responsible for persuading the Bombay University to enter Avesta Pahalvi studies in the school and college curriculums. If one closely examines Camaji's writings, one would find that he was a sincere truth seeker and his ideas, views and opinions were gradually evolving with time. Although the first encounter with the Western studies did lure him, and he was sometimes branded as "reformist", he had several achievements to his credit, which helped the spiritual institutions of our Din to survive. For instance, in 1897, the question arose about the legal validity of Baj-Rojgar Trusts, which were permanent trusts for performance of religious ceremonies and under the English Law were likely to be held invalid. Camaji had given his able support to the cause of preserving the trusts. In his Zarathushtra Nameh published in 1870, he did not hesitate to reveal that Asho Zarathushtra is described as Yazata in Avesta. His inclination towards the mystical side of Religion was reflected in many of his writings and speeches. He had joined the Freemason's Lodge, "Rising Star", in 1854. He was a member of Masonic Brotherhood, and earned several important positions and titles. With this grand background, Camaji came into contact with Baheramshah Shroff in 1908. We have seen Sohrab Banaji's graphic description of the almost stunning effect on Camaji of Baheramshahji's exposition of the mystical matters of Din-e-Zarathushtra. That led him to opine before his student and co-worker Khodabux Poonegar, regarding several words and matters of Avesta studies: "WE THE SCHOLARS OF AVESTA DO NOT AT ALL UNDERSTAND THE SUBSTANCE AND MEANING OF THIS. ONLY WHAT BAHERAMSHAH EXPLAINS IS CORRECT". Khodabux quoted these words of Camaji in a letter dated 25.4.1913 addressed to one Mr. Pirojshah Rustomji Mehta of Karachi. This letter is published in Baheramshah Shroff Memorial Volume by Mr. Mehta himself in his article under the title "Mr. Baheramshah Shroff and the Teachings of IIm-e-Khshnoom. The well known Avesta Scholar from Mumbai, Mr. Khodabux Poonegar's worth-knowing Elucidation".(Pages 139 to 155). Mr. Pirojshah R. Mehta was a citizen of Karachi. As, early as in 1913, five ears after Baheramshahji was brought to Mumbai, a controversy arose in Karachi about the genuineness of Baheramshahji and IIm-e- Khshnoom. Was he speaking from some secret book? Was he giving Zarthoshti form to Theosophy? Did Mr. K. R. Cama believe him? Did Avesta Scholars give any countenance to him? Was his exposition all wrong? Was it entirely contrary to the present day Avesta Pahalvi studies? These were the questions hotly debated in 23
Karachi. Pirojshah requested Poonegar to answer them. All the Questions and answers are reproduced in the aforesaid article. The question relating to Camaji was as under: "(Is it true that) the late Savant Sheth Khurshedji Camaji did not believe in a single matter of Baheramshah Shroff?" Poonegar answers in an emphatic No, and reveals Camaji's love and respect towards Baheramshahji's expositions. (Parsi Pukar NOVEMBER 1997 Vol. 3; No. 5) 24
Page 1 and 2: - CONTENTS - WHAT IS ILM-E-KHSHNOOM
Page 3 and 4: 23. “I personally went to investi
Page 5 and 6: community of crackpots! Let me stat
Page 7 and 8: Editorial ILM-E-KHSHNOOM, THE MASTE
Page 9 and 10: WHAT IS ILM-E-KHSHNOOM, AND WHY ? T
Page 11 and 12: When Baheramshah Shroff arrived on
Page 13 and 14: WAS IT ZARTHOSHTI? Jehangirji then
Page 15 and 16: WHAT IS ILM-E-KHSHNOOM AND WHY? Jeh
Page 17 and 18: "The Parsi Youth do not get the kno
Page 19 and 20: Athornan's of my class ?" I thereup
Page 21 and 22: WHAT IS ILM-E-KHSHNOOM AND WHY? How
Page 23 and 24: Can there be a more revealing episo
Page 25: Laws of Staota etc. HISTORY OF THE
Page 29 and 30: WHO WAS KHODABUX POONEGAR? Just ima
Page 31 and 32: WHAT IS ILM-E-KHSHNOOM AND WHY? ANO
Page 33 and 34: 1. The foundation of IIm-e-Khshnoom
Page 35 and 36: ut if any Tom, Harry or Dick from E
Page 37 and 38: "This humble writer is extremely gr
Page 39 and 40: WHAT IS ILM-E-KHSHNOOM AND WHY? QUE
Page 41 and 42: WHAT IS ILM-E-KHSHNOOM AND WHY? WHY
Page 43 and 44: In this list of the classes of peop
Page 45 and 46: performed all ceremonies entrusted
Page 47 and 48: A person may die any time of the da
Page 49 and 50: WHAT IS ILM-E-KHSHNOOM AND WHY? ANO
Page 51 and 52: "It was he who alone deciphered the
Page 53 and 54: otting in such imperfection and unc
Page 55 and 56: What is IIm-e-Khshnoom and Why? BAH
Page 57 and 58: properties, which can be utilised f
Page 59 and 60: At this point, may I ask my objecti
Page 61 and 62: What is IIm-e-Khshnoom and Why? BAH
Page 63 and 64: * * * * * Let us hear Cawasji on st
Page 65 and 66: in Siroja Yasht) refers first to Ba
Page 67 and 68: What is IIm-e-Khshnoom and Why? “
Page 69 and 70: Components and its Theory and Pract
Page 71 and 72: What is Ilm-e-khshnoom and why? BAR
Page 73 and 74: things. By 1869, Mendeleev, a Russi
Page 75 and 76: (5) Zarthoshti community has not ta
Page 77 and 78:
WHAT IS ILM-E-KHSHNOOM AND WHY? THE
Page 79 and 80:
translate the five 'Gatha's in a ma
Page 81 and 82:
What is IIm-e-Khshnoom and Why? DR.
Page 83 and 84:
that was to undergo a "Manthric Ama
Page 85 and 86:
What is IIm-e-Khshnoom and Why? UST
Page 87 and 88:
Atashbehram episode. The episode sh
Page 89 and 90:
Vaagzibiyo", occurring in 'Niyaish'
Page 91 and 92:
What is IIm-e-Khshnoom and Why? WHA
Page 93 and 94:
to receive it, and more than he is
Page 95 and 96:
What is Ilm-e-Khshnoom and Why? MAR
Page 97 and 98:
Following is what he wrote about th
Page 99 and 100:
And Oh Scholars! West is a spiritua
Page 101 and 102:
The sciences, philosophies and theo
Page 103 and 104:
Baod & Fravashi- i.e. such great so
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Ilm-e-Khshnoom - Traditional Zoroastrianism: Tenets of the Religion

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