n the pantheon of Zoroastrian divinities, Bahman Amshaspand ranks next to Ahura Mazda. Bahman is an Amshaspand or Amesha Spenta, which can be translated as Bountiful Immortal or Arch Angel. According to the religion, Bahman is in charge of animals, especially Goshpand animals like cows, goats, sheep, and so on. It is for this reason that devout Zoroastrians abstain from eating meat throughout the entire month of Bahman. On a lighter note, a Zoroastrian foodie recently replied that this means you shouldn’t eat vegetables during the month of Amardad because Amardad Amshaspand is in charge of one of Ahura Mazda’s other good creations, which is plants!
The Zoroastrian calendar has 365 days, but there isn’t a single day when people don’t eat anything at all. The only fast that is traditionally observed is the fast from eating meat through the Bahman Mahino. No special prayers or ceremonies are performed during this month. One is simply expected to switch to a simple vegetarian diet, as an act of religious discipline.
There is no Yasht (Hymn) or Niyaesh (Litany) dedicated to Bahman. It’s likely that there was an Avestan Vohu Manah or Bahman Yasht, but we’ve lost track of it over the years. What we have is a Pahlavi commentary called, ‘Zand-e-Vohu Manah Yasna’. However, unlike Avesta and Pazand, Pahlavi is not Manthravani or the traditional language of prayer. Regardless, many do recite it.
Historically, Zoroastrians do not seem to have been a vegetarian community. In fact, one of the strongest arguments supporting the non-vegetarian theory is the observance of Bahman Mahino. Many people question why Zoroastrians make such a big deal about being vegetarian during the month of Bahman if they are supposed to follow this religious rule all year?
The Zoroastrian calendar lists Bahman Amshaspand as the god of the second day of every month and the eleventh month of every year. The word “Bahman” comes from the Pahlavi word “Wahman” and the Avestan word “Vohu Manah,” which most scholars translate as “Good Mind.”
In the Gatha, Asho Zarathushtra asserts that the path leading to Ahura Mazda is through Vohu Manah. In other words, propitiating Bahman Amshaspand takes one closer to Divinity. From an ethical point of view, only making the right moral choices with the help of a good mind can bring one closer to Ahura Mazda, who is known as the Lord or Master of all Wisdom.
As we go through time, the Sudreh is called Vohu Manah Vastra, which means “the garment of Bahman.” Similarly, the Kusti is called the girdle of Sarosh Yazata. People believe that wearing the Sudreh, which is Bahman Amshaspand’s garment, gives the wearer wisdom. Tying the Kusti over it protects the wearer with Sarosh Yazata’s divine power and raises their spiritual awareness.
While Bahman stands for the “good mind” in terms of morality and ethics, Zoroastrians don’t eat meat on Bahman Roj, as well as Roj Mohor, Gosh, and Ram, out of respect for the four Guardian Gods of all Goshpands. Not eating meat during the month of Bahman is seen as a religious act that will help you become wise by cleansing your mind and not being violent toward Ahura Mazda’s Good Creation. People who don’t fast from meat for the whole month still try not to eat meat on Bahman Roj of Bahman Mah and the days that are dedicated to Bahman’s Hamkara (coworkers), which are Mohor, Gosh, and Ram.
It is required that a Zoroastrian follow a simple diet of grain, fruit, and vegetables during the month of Bahman. In contrast, most Zoroastrians believe it is hard to survive on what they call “ghaas-phoos,” so most of them think it is fine to eat eggs. Some even think it is fine to eat fish or even birds. Aquatic creatures with fins and two legged fowls are not Goshpand, it is argued!.
People say that what we eat shapes who we are, and a vegetarian diet is often thought to help with spiritual growth. On the other hand, we don’t see why being a vegetarian and celebrating the “month of the good mind” should only be done in terms of food. Not only should you not eat meat during this month, but you should also not think, say, or do anything violent.
While going vegetarian for a month or four days every month is a good and healthy change, there is no point in not eating meat and instead making mincemeat of all sensible thought, word, and deed!
We’ve seen that vegetarians often feel “false superiority” and look down on people who aren’t vegetarians, sometimes even calling them “murderers”!
What a person eats or doesn’t eat is their own choice, and people who follow a vegetarian diet have no reason to feel religious or better than others. Over the years, some of the world’s most notorious serial killers have been vegetarian. The Dalai Lama, on the other hand, is not vegetarian. Jesus Christ, the preacher of love and forgiveness, drank wine and mostly ate bread and fish. He served his followers fish and wine at the Last Supper.
Also, let us not forget that towards the end of his life, Adolf Hitler followed a vegetarian diet. Some accounts of his eating habits before the Second World War say he ate meat as late as 1937, so it’s not clear when or why he switched. But by 1938, Hitler was beginning to be known as a vegetarian, and from 1942 on, he called himself a vegetarian. The question is whether or not Hitler’s change in diet made him a better person, let alone one who wasn’t violent. If anything, his vegetarian diet made him more aggressive in his thoughts and speeches, which led to horrible acts of violence. Ironically, Adolf Hitler used to call people who ate meat “murderers” when he was alone with dinner guests.
We want to make it clear that you shouldn’t make a big deal out of what you eat or don’t eat this month or any other time of the year. Pay attention to your mind because all thoughts start there and then move to words and finally to actions. There is no point being a vegetarian without first exercising temperance of the mind!.
In the Gatha, Asho Zarathushtra tells us that the way to happiness is through wisdom, which can be gained by thinking deeply about things and making moral decisions within an ethical framework. Many years later, Confucius, a Chinese philosopher, said, “There are three ways to gain wisdom: first, by reflection, which is the best way; second, by imitation, which is the easiest way; and third, by experience, which is the worst way.” ”.
Parsis are an ethnoreligious group in South Asia who follow the Zoroastrian faith. Their distinct cuisine combines ancient Persian cooking traditions with Indian influences. This leads to the question: do Parsis eat beef?
The answer is complicated, shaped by a unique history, cuisine culture, and religious practices. While some Parsis do eat beef today, most have traditionally avoided it based on both cultural promises and religious doctrine. Let’s explore the factors that influenced the Parsi relationship with beef over the centuries.
The Origins of the Parsi Community
The Parsis descend from Zoroastrian refugees who fled religious persecution in Persia starting in the 7th century AD. They settled in present-day Gujarat in India.
When the Parsis first arrived, they made a promise to the Hindu locals not to eat beef This reflected Hindu religious beliefs that cows are sacred and should not be killed. To respect Hindu customs, the Parsi immigrants pledged to abstain from beef
This promise became an integral part of how the Parsi community related to beef and shaped the cuisine over generations
Zoroastrian Religious Guidance on Food
In addition to respecting Hindu customs, Parsi dietary choices have also been impacted by their Zoroastrian faith. Zoroastrianism designates certain days as holy days of abstinence.
On these days, around 11 per month, practicing Zoroastrians refrain from eating most meats. However, seafood is permitted.
These religious directives encouraged Parsis to explore diverse vegetarian and pescatarian options while limiting meat, including beef, for nearly a third of the year.
Signature Ingredients in Parsi Cuisine
Adapting their cooking style to accommodate cultural promises and religious guidance, Parsis incorporated new ingredients and flavors into their cuisine:
- Spices: turmeric, coriander, cumin, cinnamon, cardamom
- Herbs: mint, cilantro, parsley
- Vegetables: okra, eggplant, tomatoes, potatoes
- Legumes: lentils, chickpeas, kidney beans
- Seafood: prawns, fish like pomfret and Bombay duck
- Goat and chicken for non-vegetarian dishes
- Rice, yogurt, paneer cheese
Meatless dishes, seafood, chicken and goat became more prominent than beef in Parsi food culture.
Traditional Avoidance of Beef
Respecting Hindu customs and complying with religious protocols, most Parsis historically avoided beef, even if they consumed other meats. Goat, chicken, and fish were staples for non-vegetarian meals.
Some signature Parsi dishes do contain beef, like lagan nu beef, a wedding specialty. But these beef entrees were rare exceptions saved for celebrations rather than everyday fare.
Contemporary Parsi Attitudes Toward Beef
In modern times, not all Parsis abstain from beef. Some younger generation Parsis and those living abroad regularly eat beef as part of their contemporary lifestyles.
However, many Parsis still honor the promise made long ago to Hindu neighbors and their own Zoroastrian traditions by not eating beef. For devoted practitioners, cultural respect and faith continue to discourage beef consumption.
So while some Parsis do enjoy beef today, abstaining from beef remains common practice for many in the community.
Notable Beef-Free Parsi Foods
Parsi cuisine skillfully combines flavors and ingredients without relying heavily on beef:
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Patra ni macchi – fish steamed in chutney stuffed banana leaf parcels
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Salim boti – tangy lamb with apricots and potatoes
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Malido – sweet cream of wheat pudding with nuts and raisins
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Dhansak – lentils simmered with mutton, pumpkin and spices
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Lagan nu custard – baked cardamom flavored custard
Parsi food culture exemplifies how tradition and innovation can mingle to create remarkable cuisine without dependence on beef.
The Verdict: Complicated History and Practices
- Historically most Parsis avoided beef out of respect for Hindu neighbors
- Religious protocols prohibit meat consumption on holy days
- Some contemporary Parsis eat beef more regularly
- Yet beef remains relatively uncommon in traditional Parsi meals
For centuries, cultural promises and faith have shaped Parsi cuisine to skillfully exclude beef from its layering of flavors. This community’s culinary traditions reveal how respect and religion can transform cuisine over generations.
Parsi Cuisine at a Glance
- Flavor profile combines Persian and Indian influences
- Rice and legumes are diet staples
- Vegetables, seafood and goat feature more than beef
- Spices like turmeric, coriander and cardamom are prominent
- Sweet and savory flavors mingle in dishes like berry pulao
- Religious guidance and cultural promises discouraged beef
So while the Parsi relationship with beef is nuanced, their time-honored food traditions flourish deliciously with other flavors and ingredients taking center stage.
Who Are The Parsis| What Is Parsi Food | Parsi Community In India | Parsi Cuisine
FAQ
Is beef allowed in zoroastrianism?
Can Parsi eat pork?
Is cow sacred in zoroastrianism?
Do Parsis eat beef quora?
What is Parsi cuisine?
Parsi cuisine refers to the traditional cuisine of the Parsi people who had migrated into the Indian subcontinent from Persia, and currently spread across the modern-day South Asian republics of India and Pakistan. The basic feature of a Parsi lunch is rice, eaten with lentils or a curry.
What to eat at a Parsi wedding?
At Parsi weddings, the clarion call of jamva chaloji (let’s eat!) has a hypnotic appeal. Weddings are judged almost entirely on the quality of the pulao dal (rice and lentils) and the freshness of the patrani macchi (fish steamed in chutney). For any other occasion or milestone, we scrupulously avoid fasting, proscribed in our religion as a sin.
Do Parsi eat meat?
Animal protein is so fundamental to the Parsi diet that even during the holy month of Bahman, when Zoroastrians are supposed to abstain from meat, they’re permitted fish and eggs. Vegetables, on the other hand, are almost never eaten in isolation.
What to eat in Parsi?
The basic feature of a Parsi lunch is rice, eaten with lentils or a curry. Curry is made with coconut and ras without, with curry usually being thicker than ras. Dinner would be a meat dish, often accompanied by potatoes or other vegetable curry. Kachumbar (a sharp onion-cucumber salad) accompanies most meals. Popular Parsi dishes include: