27 Azar (18 December) the death anniversary of Mowlana, the great Iranian poet, is name “The Oros Day”. On Oros day the life of Mowlana Jalal Ed-din Mohammad Balkhi is celebrated.
Mowlana Jalal Eddin Mohammad Balkhi, famous as Rumi, died on December 17, 1273 AD. The Oros nights celebrations are held every year, for 10 days, in the Rumi Cultural center, from 10 to 17 December, coinciding with the death anniversary of Mowlana, in Konya (Ghunieh). It is believed that on such a day Rumi had eternal union with his beloved, meaning God. During these days tourists from many countries come to Konya to watch the sama dance ceremony and visit Mowlana’s tomb. Since Rumi loved Shams, a group of musicians would make a trip to Khoy (before the COVID-19 restrictions started) and after visiting the Yam Carvansarai, the city museum and the Marand grand mosque on Shams Mill square, would pay tribute to Rumi and Shams at the tomb of Shams Tabrizi. In this ceremony Sheikh Mahmud Shabestari and Shahriyar were also commemorated.
Rumi’s poems, especially Masnavi, have mystical meanings. Even after centuries, Rumi’s intentions and purpose for composing those verses are not clear, and to reach a correct understanding of some of his verses, study and research is required. These profound concepts have caused scholars in literature, philosophy, and mysticism to have different views about him. Some authors believe that Rumi’s thoughts are summarized in the Masnavi. Rumi in Masnavi attempts to express the ways of man to reach his origin. He had and still has opponents in his life and even after his death. But many praise his thoughts and benefit from his poems. What is important is the deep essence and rich meaning of his poems and thoughts that are still fresh after so many years.
Ordibehesht or “Asha Vahishta” is the third day of the month and the second month of the year in the Zoroastrian calendar. Ordibehesht means “the best purity and truth.” It is one of the attributes in the Zoroastrian religion; which, in the spiritual world, is a symbol of purity, innocence, a sign of Asha (the unchangeable law of the universe).
Ordibehesht or Artah Vahishtah or Ashah Vahishtah is the second Amshaspand in Zoroastrian and Persian myths. She is the most beautiful symbol of the world order, the divine law, and ethical order in both worlds. This Ameshaspand not only keeps the world order, but also guards the order of the spiritual world. Her earthly representative is fire.
Amshaspand Ordibehesht is the second Amshaspand after Bahman Amshaspand in terms of importance and respect. This divine creature is similar to the Indian “Arta” or “Rita”, which later on was called Asha Vaheshta, which means the highest Asha or the best Asha or the best Arta (Rasti).
Amshaspand Ordibehesht is the guardian of fire are elements that reflect the nature of fire. She is the guarantor of the stability of the world order, whether moral order or physical order (material order).
The word Asha is used a lot in Avesta, especially in the Gathas. Asha or the harmony of existence, is manifested in the power to bring order to life, family, society, ecosystem, nature and so on. Therefore, it is proper for a human to constantly cultivate this ability to harmonize with “Asha” and grow truth in himself.
In his Gathas, Asha Zarathushtra says that the only way to reach the realm of God is to take the path of “asha”. In Yasn 44, verse 11, he says: “I try my best to guide people to Asha.” One of the most meaningful prayers is the “Ashem vohu” prayer, in which Asha and the truth are praised. It is a 12-words prayer in which the word “asha” is mentioned three times. The prayer for focusing the mind on the Asha is this: “Righteousness is best (of all that is) good. As desired, what is being expected is truth for him who (represents) best truth.”
In the teachings of Zoroastrianism, physical purity is as important as moral purity. Physical purity means keeping the body and living environment free from all impurities, and therefore, the sedreh and the kosti, the ritual clothes, and the Zoroastrian symbol are white to show any impurity.
