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


p. 367

CHAPTER LXI.

Bakŏ Nask.

1. The fifteenth fargard, Kamnamaêza 1, is about the reply of Aûharmazd to Zaratûst, as to that which was asked by him thus: 'To which lands do I step 2?' and it is thus: 'Do thou march (sagîtûn) there where the man, in whose person righteousness is connected with complete mindfulness, is welcome; this, too, is where happy is he from whom there is no complaint.'

2. This, too, that mankind are made diligent in good works by him who produces progress for good works; even for this reason, because mankind attain progress in manifest duty who engage more particularly in good works. 3. This, too, that the teaching of religion is the public action which is prescribed by him who would produce exertion for the righteous, that is, benefit for those of the good religion; even for this reason, because the multitude (kabedân) approach the religion, and are taught and practise it, on account of a desire for benefit. 4. This, too, that it is in a province of even exhausted production 3 that it is taught by him who appoints a virtuous governor over the province; even for this reason, because a virtuous governor of a province becomes a teacher of ability and good works to those of the province.

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5. This, too, that the good protection of fire 1 is taught by him whose words are through Vohûman, and who also would provide a time for the ordeal of that which is doubtful; even for this reason, because he whose words are utterable through Vohûman, and who would provide a time for the ordeal of that which is doubtful, teaches the provision of care for the operative fire, owing to that which occurs when what is accomplished, about one acquitted or convicted by the fire, is declared, and mankind shall provide more particularly for the brilliancy of the fire, and the wicked more for assistance and protection from it.

6. This, too, that whoever shall provide about him who liberally gives himself in discipleship 2 unto the priests, has thereby taught even by the mention of the high-priest; even for this reason, because the person being given in discipleship unto the priests, the religion practised by the high-priest arises also for mention, and whoever shall provide generosity for that person, has increased and also taught that action, which is religion, even by the mention made. 7. This, too, that men and women 3 are taught as being given in discipleship 4 to Zaratûst by him who keeps his own males and females in the control of Zaratûst. 8. This, too, that goodness is taught by him to those (valman) who are good, so that they produce it who give to that righteous one the worthiness which is through that wealth; the righteous one who is worthy is one of the good religion for whose production of the worthiness which is through that wealth it is sought, and that wealth which is

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coveted is wealth of little trouble and much advantage, through the goodness and idea of virtue of the giver to the account of him who is the accepter of the good worthiness. 9. This, too, that through his Kinvad passage (Kis-vidarg) it is taught that they shall step forth (frôvâmând) 1; and by him who goes on through anything (kis) openly, when he has proceeded publicly on the right path, one passed away on the Kinvad passage is taught.

10. This, too, that by him whose ceremonial is through complete mindfulness it is taught that the world produces abundance through complete mindfulness 2; even for this reason, because it is taught by him, through that disposition of his for the sacred beings (pavan zak-1 valman yazdânŏ khîm), that the developed world is shown to be theirs; and here below it is fully taught by him, that Khûrdad and Amûrdad 3—that is, the sacred beings—produce it for the benefiters. 11. This, too, that thus he who is wicked, even he who is privileged, becomes unprivileged at that time when every one understands, that is, when righteousness is aloft. 12. This, too, that when he who is privileged is Vistâsp 4, likewise he who is privileged is the righteous Zaratûs5, and so he who is the wicked Argâsp 6 is unprivileged.

13. This, too, that creation is taught by him to

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[paragraph continues] Aûharmazd, so that he creates, and this, too, that the archangels are taught by his will, whose contentment 1 is through that of the archangels, so that he observes the conclusion in the affairs of the archangels. 14. And this, too, that wisdom is taught to him who is Zaratûst—so that it becomes his—by him whose thoughts are for Zaratûs2 and for the religion of Zaratûst.

15. Perfect is the excellence of righteousness.


Footnotes

367:1 See Chap. XVI, 1 n; it is here written kâmnamezŏ in Pahlavi.

367:2 See Pahl. Yas. XLV, 1 a; reading val kadâr damîkân vâmam (= gâmam, see Chap. LVIII, 4).

367:3 Ibid. 4 b.

368:1 See Pahl. Yas. XLV, 7 c.

368:2 Ibid. 9 d.

368:3 Ibid. 10 a.

368:4 Ibid. 10 b.

369:1 See Pahl. Yas. XLV, 10 e, and Bk. VIII, Chap. XIV, 8.

369:2 Ibid. 12 c.

369:3 See Chap. XIX, 1.

369:4 See Pahl. Yas. XLV, 13 e.

369:5 Ibid. 14 a, which is supplied by Pt4, Mf4, thus:—Zaratûstŏ mûn lak aharûbŏ dôstŏ.

369:6 See Bk. VIII, Chap. XI, 4.

370:1 See Pahl. Yas. XLV, 19 e.

370:2 Ibid. 19 b.


Next: Chapter LXII