Gujarati Ritual Directions of the Paragnā, Yasna and Visperad Ceremonies

Book Description

This groundbreaking scholarly work opens a window into the sacred ritual traditions of Zoroastrianism as practiced by the Parsee community in India. Céline Redard presents the first European-language edition of essential Gujarati ritual directions for three fundamental Zoroastrian ceremonies: the Paragnā, Yasna, and Visperad.

Drawing from Anklesaria's foundational text, this comprehensive study offers both transcription and English translation, making these ancient practices accessible to contemporary readers and researchers. The work includes a detailed Gujarati-English glossary and explores the intricate connections between these ritual instructions and the liturgical manuscripts found in Yasna 3-8.

For those seeking to understand the depth and continuity of Zoroastrian spiritual practice, this volume reveals the performative dimensions and deeper meanings embedded within these ceremonies. The author's meticulous scholarship illuminates how the Indian Zoroastrian tradition has preserved and adapted these sacred rites across centuries.

This edition serves as both an academic resource and a bridge between ancient wisdom and modern understanding. By documenting these ritual directions in their original Gujarati context, the work preserves invaluable knowledge while highlighting the significance of the Indian Zoroastrian tradition within the broader tapestry of world religions. Readers interested in comparative religion, ritual studies, and the living traditions of ancient faiths will find this work particularly enriching.