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

translating "Matikan i Hazaar Dadistan", an old Pahalvi book written in about 6th century, containing a
narration of the civil and social laws prevalent in the Sasanian Times (226-641 A.C.). This was a monumental
achievement. There was, however, a still greater scholarly feat. Going against all the existing paradigms of
linguistic speculations, Sohrab Bulsara propounded that Avesta alphabet is the origin of all alphabets
including Devnagri and even English. He arrived at this "surprising discovery" (as he himself called it) while
studying the ancient Egyptian alphabet; he was startled to discover that the names given to the Egyptian
letters suggested Avestan words. He traced the alphabet to the further past and propounded that Avestan
civilisation must be more than 10,000 years old! His researches were condensed in his article "The Origin
of the Alphabet" in Dr. Modi Memorial Volume (1930) (Page 378). The article carries three plates which are
intensely instructive to any student of the linguistic pseudo-science. (A shorter version of the article is in "The
Iran League Quarterly Vol.Il, No.4, July 1932, p.215.) The theory was so much in variance with the existing
paradigms that it did not create the impact it deserved due to the usual paradigm resistance. That is another
story. At present, I am showing the calibre of Sohrab Bulsara, the next witness in our inquiry into the
genuineness of Ilm-e-Khshnoom. My truth seeking reader should know that the witness is well qualified, well
equipped and thoroughly competent in the matter of the Parsi Religion.
Baheramshah Shroff (Frasho-gard) Memorial Volume (1930), which is the storehouse of the testimony of
more than 36 witnesses on IIm-e-Khshnoom, has on its page 726-7, a letter dated 6th May 1911 addressed
by Sohrab Bulsara to Ervad Sahebs Phiroze Masani and Sohrab Panthaki, in reply to their query about
Baheramshahji and Khshnoom. Following is the translation of the letter:
"Gentlemen,
You desire to know what opinion I have formulated about the teachings named as IIm-e-Khshnoom, given
by Mr. Baheramshah Shroff from whatever I have heard of it. In response, I take leave to write as under:
One matter of which I am convinced is that his teaching is surely based upon the deep foundation
of the holy Zarthoshti Din; I have no doubt about this; and I do not know anybody in the present
time who has given such deep meaning to all the matters relating to our holy Din. Further, several
matters of our sacred Religion, which are not capable of being understood or which are
considered to be childish and full of mythical fictions, are found, in the light of his teachings, to
be quite intelligible and full of very deep meaning; further, the meanings of several words
occurring in the Avesta language, which he gives in a way different from the ordinary
understanding, are also found to be more appropriate.
"It is necessary to state in this matter that in his teachings, the meanings which are given to Avesta
matters and Avesta words are not without foundation; but, all of them get complete support from the
Iranian philology; this I have been able to observe from whatever I have heard; and THAT is my
main reason to conclude that the foundation of his teachings is the holy Zarthoshti Religion itself.
"Further, this teaching is observed to be much deeper and of greater substance if it is seen more with an
enlightened intelligence than with the narrowness of mind. It is therefore, possible that, the raw
foundation, on which his disciples are at present, will become stronger and they will be able to explain his
teaching in still better light.
"I must say that I have some differences of opinion regarding some of his teachings; but no reliance is to
be placed on that. Such differences are like those which are prevalent amongst the students and scholars
of the Zarthoshti Religion; and therefore, in spite of having those differences, I have experienced
such satisfaction at the depth of his teachings that I deem it as my duty to look to them with a
feeling of respect. "
- 'Doago', Sohrab Jamshedji Bulsara.
THAT is how a genuine truth seeker looks at IIm-e-Khshnoom. Sohrab Bulsara advances four profound
conclusions on Khshnoom :
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