Why is there a tradition to feed animals like cow, dog, fish and rooster?
1) In Zoroastrian religion animals are divided in two groups – gospand (beneficial) and khrafastar (hostile). Zoroastrians are supposed to care of gospands like cows and goats, and protect themselves from, or even exterminate if necessary, khrafastars like insects and reptiles.
2) The dog, is a unique animal, as it alone has the innate and natural power, to recognize and fight evil, just by its presence and its sight. Therefore it has a role to play in after–death rituals and also food was specially kept for it in the Satum prayers in the past.
3) Cow or bull is one of the foremost gospand, the first created animal, the animal which is a symbol of Bahman Ameshaspand. The urine of a cow or bull is used as taro and consecrated bull’s urine is used as Nirang. Hair from the tail of a special bull (Varasyaji), after consecration are used as an alat (ritual implement) for inner rituals.
4) The rooster is the symbol of Sarosh Yazad. In the Vendidad we are told that the rooster wakes us up early in the morning so that we may not become lazy. By crowing it seems to say “Wake up Oh Man! Sleeping for long is not good for you.”
5) Taking care of these animals by feeding, protecting and looking after them is considered meritorious in Zoroastrian religion.
1) In Zoroastrian religion animals are divided in two groups – gospand (beneficial) and khrafastar (hostile). Zoroastrians are supposed to care of gospands like cows and goats, and protect themselves from, or even exterminate if necessary, khrafastars like insects and reptiles.
2) The dog, is a unique animal, as it alone has the innate and natural power, to recognize and fight evil, just by its presence and its sight. Therefore it has a role to play in after–death rituals and also food was specially kept for it in the Satum prayers in the past.
3) Cow or bull is one of the foremost gospand, the first created animal, the animal which is a symbol of Bahman Ameshaspand. The urine of a cow or bull is used as taro and consecrated bull’s urine is used as Nirang. Hair from the tail of a special bull (Varasyaji), after consecration are used as an alat (ritual implement) for inner rituals.
4) The rooster is the symbol of Sarosh Yazad. In the Vendidad we are told that the rooster wakes us up early in the morning so that we may not become lazy. By crowing it seems to say “Wake up Oh Man! Sleeping for long is not good for you.”
5) Taking care of these animals by feeding, protecting and looking after them is considered meritorious in Zoroastrian religion.
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