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Pahlavi Texts, Part IV (SBE37), E.W. West, tr. [1892], at sacred-texts.com


p. 263

CHAPTER XXXIV.

Varstmânsar Nask.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . it is possible to come through virtuous deeds and through virtuous thoughts.' n. And this, too, he spoke, namely: 'That Good Thought 1 of mine proceeds and notices the thoughts of the embodied existence, and of the good words and the deeds he reports again those referring to me, as often as three times in the same day, both of those who are liberal to thee 1, O Spîtâmân! and of those who are illiberal to thee.'

o. The struggling of the demons 2, for the putting down of all benefit from mankind, has not produced the obtainment of their capability for that benefit which arises for mankind through the future existence; so that that one evil is more grievous than every evil which the demons imagine for mankind, when the latter are frightened by them from the way of the sacred beings, and are wicked; and harder for them are the praisers of righteousness among the apostates and the rest of the creation, through their praise of righteousness, even when very many praise it.

p. About the progress of Ârmat 3 and Târôkmat perpetually among the creatures, the disclosure of Ârmat to mankind, and of righteousness to Târôkmat;

p. 264

the listening of that vile Târôkmat to falsehood, and the distance 1 of righteousness from him who is vile is like that of a sheep fled (sîsd) 2 from mankind. q. And this, too, that the evil spirit is beaten 3 by complete mindfulness, in the struggle of those having mighty ones, just as a powerful man beats him who is a reverent creation (nîyâyîn dahisnŏ) 4; and the pure Zaratûst is produced by Aûharmazd, as well as the power of Khûrdad and Amûrdad 5 which acts forcibly for giving value (farg) and preparing the creatures.

r. About the opposition of Aûharmazd to the demons 6, and the valuation of the deeds of mankind which exist for greater jurisdiction 7 and more advantage of the primitive good creation; and in any doubtfulness one is to perform the ceremonial of the sacred beings. s. About cases where the good-will of the spirit of complete mindfulness makes mankind attain to the good religion; and their spiritual joy 8 arises from the purification of their own religion through virtuous exercise of will.

t. About the desire for a reward for anything whatever, and the great advantage owing to a reward of the desires of mankind; also the appropriation of the reward through the operation of the sacred beings:—'Even through the ruler (pad) of that dominion of yours do I produce the renovation of the existences by my will 9, I who am Aûharmazd.'

u. Excellence is righteousness that is perfect.


Footnotes

263:1 See Pahl. Yas. XXXIV, 7 a.

263:2 Ibid. 10 c.

263:3 Ibid. 9 a, 10 b, 11 b. Av. ârmaiti, 'devotion,' the female archangel Spendarmad, entitled 'complete mindfulness' in §§ q, s. Târôkmat (Av. tarômaiti), the arch-demon of contempt and disobedience (Bd. XXVIII, 14), is her special opponent.

264:1 See Pahl. Yas. XXXIV, 8 c.

264:2 Ibid. 9c.

264:3 Ibid. 10 c.

264:4 Ibid. 8 b.

264:5 Ibid. 11 a and Chap. XIX, 1.

264:6 Ibid. 11 c.

264:7 Ibid. 12 a.

264:8 Ibid. 13 b.

264:9 Ibid. 15 c.


Next: Chapter XXXV