jashan ceremony

• Atash Nyaishna (Praise to the fire) Doa Nam Setayashne (In praise of Ahura Mazda)
• Pazand Dibacheh (Remembering and invoking the departed ones)
• 3 Kardas (invocations to Ahura Mazda, Dahma Yazad and Sarosh Yazad – other Kardas like Ardafravash, Behram and Spandarmad may be done according to requirement)
• 3 Pazand Afrins (for exhortation, blessings & Hamazor)
• Tandarosti (prayer seeking good health)

All the seven creations – man, animals, plants, water, metal, earth, and fire – are represented in the Jashan ritual either as a participant, ritual requirement or offering.

The priest represents Ahura Mazda, the milk/Malido/Rava represents Bahman Ameshaspand, the fire represents Ardibahesht Ameshaspand, the metallic utensils represent Shahrevar Ameshaspand, the earth demarcated by the mat represents Spandarmad Ameshaspand, the water represents Khordad Ameshaspand and fruits-flowers represent Amardad Ameshaspand.

While the Jashan ritual is in progress, the following ritual acts are performed. Each ritual act has a certain meaning and conveys some important religious truth. These ritual acts are:

1. Paevand: It is the connection formed by touching the fire censor with a ladle and then joining the hands of other participating priests for drawing divine energy from the fire.
2. Flower ritual: 8 flowers are arranged, two horizontally and six vertically, reminding the participants of the 2 worlds and imbibing virtues from six Ameshaspands. The descending and ascending picking up of flowers while saying humatanam hukhtanam and hvarshtanam remind us that we come from the spiritual world return there, taking back with us just our good thoughts, words and deeds.
3. Karsha ritual: Touching the ladle or tong to the metallic vessels on the four sides and four corners to fortify the ritual area. It also makes the participants aware of the omnipresence of God.
4. Hamazor: A special handshake performed by participating priests to share divine energy.