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

WHAT IS ILM-E-KHSHNOOM AND WHY?
Jehangirji Vimadalal Gives a List of the Zarathushtrian
Topics Explained by Baheramshah Shroff.
Manchershah Kekobad Narrates How Baheramshah
Broke His 25 Years Long Silence.
by N. Khurshedji
We are reading the testimony of Jehangirji Vimadalal on the late Baheramshah Shroff. In the passages
translated in the last Issue of Parsi Pukar, Jehangirji has expressed profound wonder at the ability of
Baheramshah to present the intricate matters of Zarthoshti Din from public platform in a smooth uninterrupted
flow without any notes. It was doubly astounding that he could do so in spite of his not going beyond the
Gujerati 4th standard! Jehangirji also stated that it was ridiculous to contend that only a grammarian or
translator could know and propound Religion. What was required was the real religious temperament, an
affinity for 'Tavil' i.e. the inner esoteric mysteries, the purity of the heart and above all a study with humility.
In his said article in the Baheramshah Shroff Memorial Volume (pages 240 to 246), Jehangirji Vimadalal
has provided a list of the various subject matters of Zarthoshti Din, which Baheramsha had imparted. He
wrote:
"Various stages of the 'minoi' (divine, spiritual, unseen) world, how does the Divine Energy flows down
step by step through such stages; which minoi existences are working there and what are their special
functions, what is the explanation of the different elements in the constitution of man, how do the lofty
Zarthoshti 'Kriya's (rituals) performed after death become helpful to the departed Ruvan (soul), how is the
power of the Minoi Existences and Energies brought down on the earth through our 'Kriya's like
Yazashney, Jashan etc., what are the latent Energies hidden in water, fire etc., what is the effect of the
Manthravani (chanting of Manthra prayers) in the unseen world, how has the Ruvan (soul) of man to
evolve towards salvation through Ashoi (purity) - the knowledge of all these and many other matters
gained from Baheramshah, is, without doubt, extremely beneficial to a student of Religion, who is
ardently eager to know about the mysteries of nature and that knowledge must be preserved by
the Community as a precious legacy. The zeal and labour displayed by his personal friends to preserve
the knowledge is really commendable."
Jehangirji Vimadalal has in his article referred to several other subjects like different stages of Ashoi,
different kinds of Atesh, various 'druji's, rebirth, 'tanasakh', 'karma' or 'keshash', 'khaetvadath', 'tarikat' and
other topics presented by Baheramshah.
Jehangirji finishes his 7 page article by following words: -
"In the end, I finish this article with these thoughts that the LATE BAHERAMSHAH HAD A MYSTICAL
PHILOSOPHY RELATING TO THE ZARTHOSHTI DHARMA. HE POSSESSED THE BEST KNOWLEDGE,
ABOUT THE 'TARIKAT'S OF OUR DIN, THE RITUALS AND CEREMONIES AND OTHER MYSTICAL MAT-
TERS, and although he did not reveal all the knowledge he had, he had left after him a PRECIOUS
TREASURE FOR THE ZARTHOSHTI FAITHFUL, from which the future generations will get tremendous and
extremely useful knowledge, NOT AVAILABLE THROUGH ANY OTHER SOURCE. The service thus
rendered by the late Baheramshah to our holy Dharma is very precious, and for that we should utter
thousands of praises on his Rooh. By publishing the teachings obtained through him, in simple easy
language, it will be possible to convey the knowledge imparted by him to every Jarthoshti; and thereby its
usefulness will be really enhanced and his immortal memory will be preserved.
May the almighty Khoda bestow on his Ruvan the best bliss and may the Khodai (Godly) Light shine on
him and may he live in peace! Amin."
That is Jehangirji Vimadalal, brilliant Solicitor, powerful speaker, ardent orthodox, lover of the occult, and
erudite savant of Jarthoshti Din, testifying on the miracle and knowledge of Baheramshah Navroji Shroff and
showering glowing tributes to his knowledge of Zarthoshti Din.
Jehangirji had presided at several lectures of Baheramshah as he himself has stated in his above article.
He had the benefit of observing Baheramshah at close quarters. He had drunk from the spring of IIm-e-
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