Meherji Rana

The first Dastur Meherji Rana, sometimes known as Mayyaji Rana, was the undisputed 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.[1]

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 Mughals. According to one school of thought, Dastur Meherji was a disciple of the mystic saint 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' referring to a fish that has exceptional vision in the 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[2] 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.

Purportedly, Dastur Meherji is said to have an influence on Akbar. It is believed Akbar first met him 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 him to his court in Delhi. Accordingly, Dastur Meherji 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 vighas 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 is said to have attempted to popularize a new faith called 'Din-e-Illahi', drawing from the beliefs and traditions of various faiths including Zoroastrianism. According to this telling, 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 Kai Khooshroo Navroze Meherji Rana is the seventeenth heir to this famous 'gaadi'.

Legend has it that during Dastur Meherji's stay in Delhi a 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, Dastur Meherji Rana arrived, prayed the sacred Kusti prayers, and took the name of God. The plate came crashing down, confounding the magician and amazing the whole court. There is no historical reference to this encounter; however, this has been part of the oral tradition for more than four centuries.

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 Dastur Meherji with the words "Lambi lambi dahadee Shah Mehreyari tere mukh pi barshat noor" (i.e. Shah Mehriyar, your beard is long, your face is radiant with fame).

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 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 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. Seemingly four years after Dastur Meherji's passing away, Akbar granted an additional 300 vighas of land to his son, Kakiobad.