->Rich Farmbrough at 19:21, 16 October 2019

2019-10-16T19:21:16Z

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The first [[Dastur]] '''Meherji Rana''', sometimes known as '''Mayyaji Rana''', was the undisputed [[spirtuality|spiritual]] leader of the [[Parsi]] community in [[India]] during the sixteenth century. He was renowned not just among the Parsis but also other communities on account of his [[piety]], vast knowledge and spiritual powers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/what-great-rulers-exemplify-5029108/|title=What great rulers exemplify|last=[[Rohinton Fali Nariman|Nariman]]|first=[[Rohinton Fali Nariman|Rohinton]]|date=January 18, 2018|website=[[The Indian Express]]|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=18 January 2018}}</ref>

Dastur Meherji was born in a priestly family at [[Navsari]], in 1514. His father's name was [[Rana Jesung]] (thus the name Meherji Rana). India at that time was under the rule of the [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]]s. According to one school of thought Dastur Meherji was a disciple of the mystic saint [[Azar Kayvan|Dastur Azar Kayvan]] whose seat was in [[Patna]]. Dastur Azar Kaiwan's disciples were called '[[yaar]]' (i.e. spiritual friend / spiritual helper). Thus Dastur Meherji is sometimes referred as Dastur Mahiyaar ('[[Mahi-mahi|Mahi]]' being the fish that can see the smallest piece of object even when it Is dark).

Dastur Meherji was adopted by his paternal Uncle [[Vaccha Jesung]]. It is for this reason his name is invoked in Parsi ceremonies as "Dastur Meherji, Ervad Vaccha",'

It appears the behdins<ref>Literally ''behdin'' means "of the Good Religion", hence a Zoroastrian, it is used especially of lay people.</ref> of Navsari presented a piece of land near '[[Piplla Wadi]]' in 1573 to Dastur Meherji in recognition of his service to the religion and community. Dastur Meherji Rana is a renowned name in Parsi history and religious tradition mainly because of his very positive influence on the Mughal Emperor, [[Akbar the Great]]. Akbar was born in 1542 and ascended the throne in 1556 at the age of fourteen. Akbar had great love for matters spiritual and philosophical. Although a [[Muslim]] by birth, he was very secular in his outlook and loved to discuss and understand other religious traditions. Hindu [[Brahmin]]s and Christian [[priest]]s would often be invited to his court for religious discussion.

It appears, however, that Dastur Meherji had a deep and lasting influence on Akbar. It is believed Akbar first met Dastur Meherji in 1573 when the former laid siege on [[Surat]]. They appear to have met at a place near [[Kankrakhadi]] (present day [[Rustompura]] in Surat). Impressed with Dastur Meherji's knowledge and personality the Emperor invited Dasturji to his court in [[Delhi]]. Accordingly, Dastur Meherji appears to have visited the Royal Court of Akbar in Delhi off [[Roj Hormazd]], [[Mah Khordod]] 947 Y.Z. (1578 AD). Akbar's Prime Minister [[Abu Fazal]] and historian [[Badaoqi]] also have written about Parsi Priests from Navsari visiting the Royal Court around 1577-1578.

Pleased as the Emperor was with Dastur Meherji's erudition and piety he gave 200 [[vigha]]s of land near '[[Gelkhari]]' in [[Gujarat]], (free of all taxes) for Meherji Rana and his family's sustenance. It was called "Madad-e-Maash".

Akbar was a [[Sufi]] at heart and liked to absorb the good traditions and beliefs of all religions. He also attempted to popularize a new faith called '[[Din-e-Illahi]]', drawing from the beliefs and traditions of various faiths including [[Zoroastrianism]]. It is said Akbar had a sacred fire burning 24 hours a day at his court and his Prime Minister Abu Fazal was put in charge of maintaining the fire.

Dastur Meherji Rana's prominence and close affinity to the Emperor gave the Parsis as a community national visibility and fame. In 1579, the priests of Navsari signed a document acknowledging Meherji Rana as their leader and declaring that all religious ceremonies would henceforth be performed only after obtaining his permission. This was the origin of the '[[gaadi]]' (seat) of the High Priest of Navsari. The present High Priest KaiKhooshroo Navroze MeherjiRana is the seventeenth heir to this famous 'gaadi'.

Legend has it that during Dastur Meherji's stay in Delhi a Hindu [[Tantra|Tantrik]] (magician) claimed that with his occult powers he would make two suns shine in the sky. He challenged all holy men in Akbar's kingdom to respond to this '[[miracle]]'. It appears that the magician with the aid of certain spells had launched a metal plate in the sky and the sun's reflection made it appear as If there were two suns in the sky. Nobody was aware of this trick and attempts by many holy men to thwart the magician failed. However, Dasturjee Meherji Rana arrived, prayed the sacred [[Kushti|Kusti]] prayers and took the name of God. The plate came crashing down, confounding the magician and amazing the whole court.

Inspired by the drama that unfolded the famous musician [[Tansen]] composed a song in '[[Raag Sarang]]' which had the lines "Elahi Parsee Padhe Sho Kabool" (i.e. By God the prayers of Parsees are accepted). Tansen refers to Dasturjee Meherji with the words "Lambi lambi dahadee Shah Mehreyari (Mahiyaar ( Meherji)) tere mukh pi barshat noor" (i.e. Shah Mehriyar, your beard is long, your face is radiant with fame). Tansen in his time was the "[[Sangeet Samrat]]" (King of Classical Music) and one of the jewels (ratna) at the Royal Court. There is no dire historical reference to the encounter Dastur Meherji had with the magician. However, this has been part of the [[oral tradition]] for more than four centuries.

Dastur Meherji died at a ripe old age on [[Roj Daepadar]] [[Mah Asfandarmad]] 960 Y.Z. (1591 AD). Today even after four centuries since his death the priests in Navsari perform his "[[Baj (ceremony)|baj]]" ceremony every year on Roj Daepadar, Mah Asfandarmad. At the Atashbehram in Navsari there is a natural formation in the marble slab on the wall facing the Holy Fire, bearing an amazing resemblance to Dastur Meherji. The [[turban]], long beard and uplifted hands are quite clear. Sceptics may dismiss this nature formation as a flight of imagination. For the mystic however, this is Nature's imprint of a Zarathushtrian saint who influenced many lives. It appears four years after Dastur Meherji's passing away, Akbar granted an additional 300 vighas of land to Dastur Meherji's son who was named Kakiobad. This was in addition to the 200 vighas of land given earlier "[[Madad-e-Maash]]".

== References ==
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[[Category:1514 births]]
[[Category:1591 deaths]]
[[Category:Parsi people]]
[[Category:Zoroastrian priests]]

Meherji Rana - Revision history

->Rich Farmbrough at 19:21, 16 October 2019