This week marks the 61st Death Anniversary of Dasturji Dr. Maneckji Naserwanji Dhalla, the author of this column which shares excerpts from his acclaimed book, ‘Homage Unto Ahura Mazda’. Born on 27th September, 1875, Dasturji Dhalla practiced as a High Priest in Karachi, and held a doctorate in Literature. He believed and advocated the power of our religion and prayers through his writings, which Parsi Times continues to share with our readers every week. He passed away on 25th May, 1956.

Man is born to work and prosper, not to rest and rust. Ahura Mazda is the eternal worker. He has never known rest. Neither has Sraosha, nor have the Amesha Spentas and the Yazatas and the Fravashis. They will all work till time without end. Animals on land and birds in the air and fishes in the water work and live their lives. Providence does not put morsels in their mouths. Work is the law of life, for the poor and the rich alike.

Man cannot live without eating and drinking and he cannot do without working. Work is his duty and an inevitable accompaniment of his life. Ahura Mazda created the world with its boundless natural resources. Man’s work of a millennium and more has developed them and shaped the destiny of the world. Cultures and civilizations are the monuments of man’s work.

Work conduces to the vigour and health of the body and the mind. Work done willingly and enthusiastically takes away pain from toil. Work brings the good things of the world to man. It gives him independence, enhances his self-respect and builds his character.

Blessed is the hand that works and blessed is the mind that wills it. Life is elevated when vigorous and honest work is associated with it.

Give me strength and vigour and endurance, Ahura Mazda, to work with a cheerful heart and a resolute will all life long!