Dastoor Kookana of the Blessed Soul
We respect Dasturji Kookadaru as a great spiritual personage of our religion. Our religion askes us to pay homage to the righteous Fravashis of men and women of all races around the world. Since Dasturji was a true righteous Zoroastrian, we pay homage to his Fravashi.
A TZML member says:
"I for one, am a firm believer of Dasturji Kookadaru and on a personal level I have experienced his divine help several times, whenever I am in great difficulty all I do is take his name silently (Dastur Jamshed Ervad Sohrab) and the difficulty just vanishes, like magic! Many devout zoroastrians will bear me out on this."
Here is a brief life sketch of Dastur Kookadaru from the book "Galaxy of Parsi Saints" by Ervad Erach D. Daboo for the benefit of our TZML members.
Dastoorji Jamshedji Sohrabji Kookana was also known as Dastoorji Kookadaru, daroo being derived from the original word "Andhyaroo" meaning priest. Mobed sahibs performing "Paav Mahel" i.e. Yazashne, Vendidad, Nirangdin ceremonies have the honorific epithet "daroo" attached to their names e.g. Rustomdaroo, Darabdaroo, Nalladaroo prevalent even today.
Kookadaroo's dasturship was not hereditary, however he was assigned the Gaadi of dasturship in view of his Ashoi (holiness) and pure, simple and abstentious life and perfect sound knowledge of and grasp of overall Hoshmordi (non paav-mahel or ordinary ceremonies). This title was thus given to him out of respect, adoration and veneration for him. His opinions were held authoritative and binding in all matters connected with religion, customs, tradition and ceremonies and the ancient Iranian history as they were based on testimonies from religious books. His advice and opinions were thus treated as final. His life was very simple and in conformity with his glorious title of a Dastoor (pehlavi Dast-hand-bar= leader). It is said that he cooked his own food and put on clothes after rewashing them after they were washed by the washerman. Whenever he had to go from one agiari to another to perform ceremonies he used to go by foot and never used any vehicle.
It is said about his holiness and "Amal" (power) acquired from Paav Mahel ceremonies that when the Anjuman Atashbehram in Bombay was going to be newly established the managers began to experience paucity of funds. They could not collect the necessary amount and were disheartened. On coming to know of this Dasturji Kookadaru prayed in the fire temple the whole night, performed various religious ceremonies and through his power and expertise in Alchemy, he produced the requisite quantity of gold which on being given the next day to the managers could fetch the exact amount of shortfall necessary in the funds. Thus like former Dastoors such as Ardaviraf, Tansar, Adarbad Marespand, Nairyosang Dhaval and Meherji Rana, Dastoorji Kookadaru was an equally holy Dastoor possessing Amal. (power of achievement).
He was born on Roj Jamyad Mah Avan Shahenshahi and paased away at a ripe age on Roj Behram Mah Fravadin. He had the power to foretell anyone's future events, behaviour, nature etc. only by looking at his/her face.
His name with those of other dastoors is recited with respect as "Ayderyadbad Anoshe raven ravani" i.e. the immortal soul of Dastur Jamshed Ervad Sohrab is remembered here with due respect.
- from the book "Galaxy of Parsi Saints" by Ervad Erach D. Daboo
Dr. Pallan Ichaporia says:
"I have been reading about Sant Dasturji Kookadaru on this list, and would like to inform all those needing any proof or proofs of what he has achieved.
They will be amply satisfied to read all his good deeds recorded in the "Parsi Prakash". One can find all the published "Parsi Prakash" papers well kept in the BPP Institute in Bombay. Almost all the recent historical events pertaining to the Parsis are recorded authentically in them. It runs into several volumes.
You will find printed records and documentation of his help in building Anjuman Atash Behram, his effort to save the procession of the Hindu Bridegroom and Bride (proceeding from Chira Bazaar towards Dhobi Talao), from the disaster of death and destruction. They refused to heed his advice to wait out, so that the (angel of) death may pass on, etc., etc. He was the last of the Parsi saints of yesteryears. Nobody should harbor any doubts about his sainthood and saintly soul as like of him will never be seen again among the Parsi community."
- Dr. Pallan Ichaporia