a brisk pace. We arrived at the Ashram at the foot of the Hill at 9:45 a.m. At first Baba sat in His big chair at the east end of the large hall, while we sat around Him on the floor. Before beginning the prayers, He had all the doors and windows closed. Then He called Kaikobad Dastur and together, they went to the opposite end of the room in front of the large painting of Baba. Both Baba and Dastur washed their hands and face in a bowl of water that was brought to them. Then the prayer began, with Dastur chanting the words and Baba swaying in accompaniment. At one point Dastur removed the string that was tied around his waist. Then both raised their hands, after which Dastur replaced the string. After this Baba washed His hands again. Then He placed His hands over Dastur's hands. Dastur then touched Baba's forehead and his own forehead, and again Baba's forehead. At the end Baba touched the ground with His hands.

"I begin my prayer by invoking the Name of Yazd: O Lord of Creation, Ahurmazd!* Thou art the Source of All Light. Thou Who art All Effulgence and All-Knowing, art the Lord of Lords, the King Kings, the Creator of all creation, the Preserver and Sustainer!

"O Omnipotent, O the Ancient One and Eternal! Thou art the Giver of all boons and Thou art All-Mercy and All-Wisdom and the Source of All Purity!

"O the Lord of Creation, Ahurmazd! I invoke Thy Name and ask for Thy Blessings. Let Thy Will be done and Thy Justice be administered, O God Ahurmazd!

  Next came the Moslem prayer. Baba called for a cloth to be spread on the ground in front of His painting and a red scarf with which He covered His head. He and Aloba then stood on the cloth facing in the direction of Mecca. Aloba then began to chant the prayer, which consisted of the prelude to the Quran and the first verse of the Quran. The free translation that Aloba and Padri gave us follows:

*Also spelled Ahuramazda-webmaster