THE BOOK OF ARDA VIRAF
(Transcribed and kindly contributed by Chris Weimer <cweimer@oz.net>)
[Translated by Prof. Martin Haug, of the University of Munich,
revised from the MS. of a Parsi priest Hoshangji. From The
Sacred Books and Early Literature of the East, Volume VII: Ancient
Persia, ed. Charles F. Horne, Ph.D., copyright 1917.]
From Horne's Introduction:
"Of its author we know nothing except what his book tells.
He has sometimes been connected with a religious scholar who wrote
commentaries on the Avesta during the Sasanian Empire. His book
narrates a vision of heaven and hell which Viraf saw in an inspired
dream or vision. Most of the brief book is given here, except
where the details of hell become too bestial, too coarsely sordid
for modern taste. The entire vision is truly Dantesque; and while
we do not know its age, we can say confidently that it is several
centuries older than the work of Dante. So profound, even to this
day, is the Parsis' faith in the reality of Viraf's vision, that
when the work is read in their religious assemblies, the men weep
and the women cry out in horror over its pictures of the damned.
It has certainly a powerful influence in restraining the Parsis
from sin."
It should be noted that hell is not an eternal punishment according
to the Zoroastrian religion, but only until the renovation of the
world (frashegird.)
Passages in [] (such as chapter and section headings) supplied by JHP.
These are primarily intended to facilitate electronic searches.
I have also supplied the portions censured by Horne from the following
edition:
Title: The book of Arda Viraf : the Pahlavi text prepared by
Destur Hoshangji Jamaspji Asa / rev. and collated with
further mss., with an English translation and introd., and an
appendic containing the texts and translations of the
Gosht-i Fryano, and Hadokht-nask, by Martin Haug, assisted
by E. W. West. Library University of Chicago
Uniform Title: Arda-Viraf-Namak. English & Pahlavi.
Published: Bombay : Govt. Central Book Depot, 1872.
Description: v, lxxxvii, 316 p. ; 24 cm.
Subjects: Pahlavi literature
Pahlavi literature -- Translations into English.
English literature -- Translations from Pahlavi.
Hell -- Hinduism [sic Zoroastrianism]
Contributors: Hoshangji Jamaspji Asa,
Haug, Martin, 1827-1876.
West, Edward William, 1824-1905
Other Titles: Yosht-i Fryano. English & Pahlavi. 1872.
Avesta. Hadokht nask. English, Pahlavi & Avesta. 1872.
Notes: Text in Pahlavi characters and Roman transcription.
Holdings Library: University of Chicago
Location: Joseph Regenstein Library
Shelving Location: Regenstein Stacks
Call No: PK6197.A67
[Part 1. Introduction.]
CHAPTER 1. [Religious disputes and the need for spiritual guidance]
IN THE NAME OF GOD
1. They say that, once upon a time, the pious Zartosht made the
religion, which he had received, current in the world; (2) and
till the completion of 300 years, the religion was in purity,
and men were without doubts.
3. But afterward, the accursed evil spirit, the wicked one, in
order to made men doubtful of this religion, (4) instigated the
accursed Alexander, the Roman, who was dwelling in Egypt, so that
he came to the country of Iran with severe cruelty and war and
devastation; (5) he also slew the ruler of Iran, (6) and destroyed
the metropolis and empire, and made them desolate.
7. And this religion, namely, all the Avesta and Zand, written
upon prepared cow-skins, and with gold ink, was deposited in the
archives, in Stakhar Papakan, (8) and the hostility of the evil-destined,
wicked Ashemok, the evil-doer, brought onward Alexander, the Roman,
who was dwelling in Egypt, and he burned them up. (9) And he killed
several Dasturs and judges and Herbads and Mobads
and upholders of the religion, and the competent and wise of the
country of Iran. (10) And he cast hatred and strife, one with
the other, amongst the nobles and householders of the country
of Iran; (11) and self-destroyed, he fled to hell.
12. And after that, there were confusion and contention among
the people of the country of Iran, one with the other. (13) And
so they had no lord, nor ruler, nor chieftain, nor Dastur
who was acquainted with the religion, (14) and they were doubtful
in regard to God; (15) and religions of many kinds, and different
fashions of belief, and skepticism, and various codes of law were
promulgated in the world; (16) until the time when the blessed
and immortal Ataropad-i Marspendan was born; on whose breast,
in the tale which is in the Denkard, melted brass was poured.
(17) And much law and justice were administered according to different
religions and different creeds; (18) and the people of this religion
deposited in Shaspigan were in doubt.
19. And afterward, there were other magi and Dasturs of
the religion; (20) and some of their number were loyal and apprehensive.
(21) And an assembly of them was summoned in the residence of
the victorious Frobag fire; (22) and there were speeches and good
ideas, of many kinds, on this subject: (23) that "it is necessary
for us to seek a means, (24) so that some one of us may go, and
bring intelligence from the spirits; (25) that the people who
exist in this age shall know (26) whether these Yazishn and Dron
and Afrinagan ceremonies, and Nirang prayers, and ablution and
purifications which we bring into operation, attain unto God,
or unto the demons. (27) and come to the relief of our souls,
or not."
28. Afterward also, with the concurrence of the Dasturs
of the religion, they called all the people to the residence of
the Frobag fire. (29) And from the whole number they set apart
seven men who had not the slightest doubt of God and the religion,
(30) and whose own thoughts and words and deeds were most orderly
and proper; (31) and they were told thus: 'Seat yourselves down,
(32) and select one from among you, who is best for this duty,
and the most innocent and respected.'
33. And afterward, those seven men sat down; (34) and, from the
seven, three were selected; and from the three, one only, named
Viraf; (35) and some call him the Nishapurian. (36) Then that
Viraf, as he heard that decision, stood upon his feet, (37) joined
his hands on his breast, and spoke (38) thus: 'If it please you,
then give me not the undesired narcotic (39) till you cast lots
for the Mazdayasnians and me; (40) and if the lot come to me,
I shall go willingly to that place of the pious and the wicked,
(41) and carry this message correctly, and bring an answer truly.'
42. And afterward, the lots of those Mazdayasnians and me were
drawn; (43) the first time with the word 'well-thought,' and the
second time with the word 'well-said,' and the third time with
the word 'well-done'; each of the three lots came to Viraf.
CHAPTER 2. [Viraf and his preparations to visit the spiritual realm]
1. And that Viraf had seven sisters, (2) and all those seven sisters
were as wives of Viraf; (3) they had also learned the religion
of heart, and recited the prayers. (4) And when they heard those
tidings, then they came upon them so very grievously, (5) that
they clamored and shrieked, (6) and went into the presence of
the assembly of the Mazdayasnians, (7) and they stood up and bowed,
(8) and said thus: 'Do not this thing; ye Mazdayasnians; (9) for
we are seven sisters, and he is an only brother; (10) and we are,
all seven sisters, as wives of that brother. (11) Just as the
door of a house, in which seven lintels were fixed, and one post
below, (12) they who shall take away that post will make those
lintels fall; (13) so for us seven sisters is this only brother,
who is our life and maintenance; (14) every benefit from him proceeds
from God. (15) Should you send him, before his time, from this
realm of the living to that of the dead, (16) you will commit
an injustice on us without cause.'
17. And afterward, those Mazdayasnians, when they heard those
words, pacified those seven sisters, (18) and said thus: 'We will
deliver Viraf to you, safe and sound, in seven days; (19) and
the happiness of this renown will remain with this man.' (20)
Then they became satisfied.
21. And then Viraf joined his hands on his breast before the Mazdayasnians,
and said to them (22) thus: 'It is the custom that I should pray
to the departed souls, and eat food, and make a will; afterward,
you will give me the wine and narcotic.' (23) The Dasturs
directed thus: 'Act accordingly.'
24. And afterward, those Dasturs of the religion selected,
in the dwelling of the spirit, a place which was thirty footsteps
from the good. (25) And Viraf washed his head and body, and put
on new clothes; (26) he fumigated himself with sweet scent and
spread a carpet, new and clean, on a prepared couch. (27) He sat
down on the clean carpet of the couch, (28) and consecrated the
Dron, and remembered the departed souls, and ate food. (29) And
then those Dasturs of the religion filled three golden
cups with wine and narcotic of Vishtasp; (30) and they gave one
cup over to Viraf with the word 'well-thought,' and the second
cup with the word 'well-said,' and the third cup with the word
'well-done'; (31) and he swallowed the wine and narcotic, and
said grace whilst conscious, and slept upon the carpet.
32. Those Dasturs of the religion and the seven sisters
were occupied, seven days and nights, with the ever-burning fire
and fumigations; and they recited the Avesta and Zand of the religious
ritual, (33) and recapitulated the Nasks, and chanted the Gathas,
and kept watch in the dark. (34) And those seven sisters sat around
the carpet of Viraf, (35) and seven days and nights the Avesta
was repeated. (36) Those seven sisters with all the Dasturs
and Herbads and Mobads of the religion of the Mazdayasnians,
discontinued not their protection in any manner.
[Part 2. Journey to Heaven]
CHAPTER 3.
1. And the soul of Viraf went, from the body, to the Chinwad bridge
of Chakat-i-Daitik, (2) and came back the seventh day, and went
into the body. (3) Viraf rose up, as if he arose from a pleasant
sleep, (4) thinking of Vohuman and joyful.
5. And those sisters, with the Dasturs of the religion
and the Mazdayasnians, when they saw Viraf, became pleased and
joyful; (6) and they said thus: 'Be thou welcome, Viraf, the messenger
of us Mazdayasnians, who art come from the realm of the dead to
this realm of the living.' (7) Those Herbads and Dasturs
of the religion bowed before Viraf. (8) And then Viraf, as he
saw them, came forward and bowed, and said thus: 'For you is a
blessing from Ohrmazd, the lord, and the archangels (Amahraspandan);
(9) and a blessing from the pious Zartosht, the descendant of
Spitama; (10) and a blessing from Srosh the pious, and Adar the
angel (Yazad), and the glorious religion of the Mazdayasnians;
(11) and a blessing from the remaining pious; and a blessing from
the remaining spirits of paradise who are in happiness and repose.'
12. And afterward, the Dasturs of the religion said (13)
thus: 'A faithful minister art thou, Viraf, who art the messenger
of us Mazdayasnians; and may thy blessing be for thee also. (14)
Whatever thou sawest, relate to us truly.'
15. Then Viraf spoke thus: 'First this is to be said, (16) that
to give the hungry and thirsty food is the first thing, (17) and
afterward to make inquiry of him, and appoint his task.'
18. Then the Dasturs of the religion assented thus: 'Well
and good.' (19) And well-cooked and savory food and broth, and
cold water and wine were brought. (20) They also consecrated the
ceremonial cake (dron); and Viraf muttered grace, and ate
the food, and having finished the sacred repast (myazd),
he said grace. (21) And he recounted the praises of Ohrmazd and
the archangels; and thanks to Hordad and Amurdad, the archangels;
and he muttered the benedictions (afrinagan).
22. He also directed thus: 'Bring a writer who is wise and learned.'
(23) And an accomplished writer, who was learned, was brought
by him, and sat before him; (24) and whatsoever Viraf said, he
wrote correctly, clearly, and explicitly.
CHAPTER 4. [What the dead experience]
1. And he ordered him to write (2) thus: In that first night,
Srosh the pious and Adar the angel came to meet me, (3) and they
bowed to me, and spoke (4) thus: 'Be thou welcome, Arda Viraf,
although thou hast come when it is not thy time.' (5) I said:
'I am a messenger.' (6) And then the victorious Srosh the pious,
and Adar the angel, took hold of my hand. (7) Taking the first
footstep with the good thought, and the second footstep with the
good word, and the third footstep with the good deed, I came up
to the Chinwad bridge, the very wide and strong and created by
Ohrmazd.
8. When I came up there, (9) I saw a soul of the departed, whilst
in those first three nights the soul was seated on the top of
the body, (10) and uttered those words of the Gatha: (11) 'Ushta
ahmai yahmai ushta kahmaichit'; that is, 'Well is he by whom
that which is his benefit becomes the benefit of any one else.'
(12) And in those three nights, as much benefit and comfort and
enjoyment came to it, (13) as all the benefit which it beheld
in the world; (14) just as a man who, whilst he was in the world,
was more comfortable and happy and joyful through it.
15. In the third dawn, that soul of the pious departed into the
sweet scent of trees; (16) and he considered that scent which
passed by his nose among the living; (17) and the air of that
fragrance comes from the more southern side, from the direction
of God.
18. And there stood before him his own religion and his own deeds,
in the graceful form of a damsel, as a beautiful appearance, that
is, grown up in virtue; (19) with prominent breasts, that is,
her breasts swelled downward, which is charming to the heart and
soul; (20) whose form was as brilliant, as the sight of it was
the more well-pleasing, the observation of it more desirable.
21. And the soul of the pious asked that damsel (22) thus: 'Who
art thou? and what person art thou? than whom, in the world of
the living, any damsel more elegant, and of more beautiful body
than thine, was never seen by me.'
23. To him replied she who was his own religion and his own deeds,
(24) thus: 'I am thy actions, O youth of good thoughts, of good
words, of good deeds, of good religion. (25) It is on account
of thy will and actions that I am as great and good and sweet-scented
and triumphant and undistressed as appears to thee. (26) For in
the world the Gathas were chanted by thee, and the good water
was consecrated by thee, and the fire tended by thee; (27) and
the pious man who came from far, and who was from near, was honored
by thee. (28) Though I have been stout, I am made stouter through
thee; (29) and though I have been virtuous, I am made more virtuous
through thee; (30) and though I have been worthy, I am made more
worthy through thee; (31) and though I have been seated on a resplendent
throne, I am seated more resplendently through thee; (32) and
though I have been exalted, I am made more exalted through thee;
(33) through these good thoughts and good words and good deeds
which thou practicedst. (34) They honored thee, and the pious
man after thee, (35) in that long worship and communion with Ohrmazd,
when thou performedst, for Ohrmazd, worship and proper conversation
for a long time. (36) Peace be from it.'
CHAPTER 5. [The Chinwad bridge]
1. Afterward, the width of that Chinwad bridge became again nine
javelin-lengths. (2) With the assistance of Srosh the pious, and
Adar the angel, I passed over easily, happily, courageously, and
triumphantly, on the Chinwad bridge. (3) I had much protection
from Mihr the angel, and Rashn the just, and Vai the good, and
the angel Warharan the powerful, and the angel Ashtad the world-increasing,
and the glory of the good religion of the Mazdayasnians; (4) and
the guardian angels (fravashis) of the pious, and the remaining
spirits first bowed to me, Arda Viraf. (5) I also saw, I Arda
Viraf, Rashn the just, who held in his hand the yellow golden
balance, and weighed the pious and the wicked.
6. And afterward, Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, took hold
of my hand, (7) and said thus: 'Come on, so that we may show unto
thee heaven and hell; and the splendor and glory and ease and
comfort and pleasure and joy and delight and gladness and fragrance
which are the reward of the pious in heaven. (8) We shall show
thee the darkness and confinement and ingloriousness and misfortune
and distress and evil and pain and sickness and dreadfulness and
fearfulness and hurtfulness and stench in the punishments of hell,
of various kinds, which the demons and sorcerers and sinners perform.
(9) We shall show thee the place of the true and that of the false.
(10) We shall show thee the reward of the firm believers in Ohrmazd
and the archangels, and the good which is in heaven, and the evil
which is in hell; (11) and the reality of God and the archangels,
and the non-reality of Ahriman and the demons; and the existence
of the resurrection of the dead and the future body. (12) We shall
show thee the reward of the pious, from Ohrmazd and the archangels,
in the midst of heaven. (13) We shall show thee the torment and
punishment of various kinds, which are for the wicked, in the
midst of hell, from Ahriman and the molestations of the demons.'
CHAPTER 6. [Hamistagan (Purgatory)]
1. I came to a place, (2) and I saw the souls of several people,
who remain in the same position. (3) And I asked the victorious
Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, thus: 'Who are they? and
why remain they here?'
4. Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'They call
this place Hamistagan (the ever stationary); (6) and these
souls remain in this place till the future body; (7) and they
are the souls of those men whose good works and sin were equal.
(8) Speak out to the worlds thus: 'Let not avarice and vexation
prevent you from doing a very easy work, (9) for every one whose
good works are three Srosho-charanam more than his sin
goes to heaven; (10) they whose sin is more go to hell; (11) they
in whom both are equal remain among these Hamistagan till the
future body.' (12) Their punishment is cold, or heat, from the
revolution of the atmosphere; and they have no other adversity.'
CHAPTER 7. [The Star Track]
1. And afterward, I put forth the first footstep to the star track,
on Humat, the place where good thoughts (humat) are received
with hospitality. (2) And I saw those souls of the pious whose
radiance, which ever increased, was glittering as the stars; (3)
and their throne and seat were under the radiance, and splendid
and full of glory.
4. And I asked Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, thus: 'Which
place is this? and which people are these?'
5. Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (6) thus: 'This place
is the star track; and those are the souls (7) who, in the world,
offered no prayers, and chanted no Gathas, and contracted no next-of-kin
marriage; (8) they have also exercised no sovereignty, nor rulership
nor chieftainship. (9) Through other good works they have become
pious.'
CHAPTER 8. [The Moon track]
1. When I put forth the second footstep, it was to Hukht of the
moon track, the place where good words (hukht) find hospitality;
(2) and I saw a great assembly of the pious.
3. And I asked Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, thus: 'Which
place is this? and whose are those souls?'
4. Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'This place
is the moon track; and these are those souls who, in the world,
offered no prayers, and chanted no Gathas, and contracted no next-of-kin
marriages; (6) but through other good works they have come hither;
(7) and their brightness is like unto the brightness of the moon.'
CHAPTER 9. [The Sun track]
1. When I put forth the third footstep on Huvarsht, there where
good deeds (huvarsht) are received with hospitality, there
I arrived. (2) There is the radiance which they call the highest
of the highest; (3) and I saw the pious on thrones and carpets
made of gold; (4) and they were the people whose brightness was
like unto the brightness of the sun.
5. And I asked Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, thus: 'Which
place is this? and who are those souls?'
6. Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (7) thus: 'This is
the sun track; and those are the souls who, in the world, exercised
good sovereignty and rulership and chieftainship.'
[Part 3. Heaven]
CHAPTER 10.
1. I put forth the fourth footstep unto the radiance of Garothman,
the all-glorious; (2) and the souls of the departed came to meet
us, and they asked a blessing, and offered praise, (3) and they
spoke thus: 'How hast thou come forth, O pious one? (4) From that
perishable and very evil world, thou hast come unto this imperishable,
unmolested world. (5) Therefore taste immortality, for here you
see pleasure eternally.'
6. And after that, Adar, the angel of the fire of Ohrmazd, came
forward, saluted me, (7) and said thus: 'A fine supplier art thou,
Arda Viraf, of green wood, who art the messenger of the Mazdayasnians!'
8. Then I saluted, and said (9) thus: 'Thy servant, O Adar the
angel, it was who, in the world, always put upon thee wood and
perfume seven years old, (10) and you exclaim about my green wood!'
11. Then Adar, the angel of the fire of Ohrmazd, said (12) thus:
'Come on, that I may show thee the tank of water of the green
wood which was put upon me.'
13. And he led me on to a place, and showed the blue water of
a large tank, (14) and said: 'This is the water which that wood
exuded, which thou puttedst upon me.'
CHAPTER 11. [God, angels, and spiritual leaders]
1. Afterward, arose Vohuman, the archangel, from a throne made
of gold, (2) and he took hold of my hand; with the words 'good
thought' and 'good word' and 'good deed,' he brought me into the
midst of Ohrmazd and the archangels and other holy ones, (3) and
the guardian angels of Zartosht Spitama, Kai-Vishtasp, Jamasp,
Isadvastar the son of Zartosht, and other upholders and leaders
of the religion, (4) than whom I have never seen any one more
brilliant and excellent.
5. And Vohuman said (6) thus: 'This is Ohrmazd.' (7) And I wished
to offer worship before him.
8. And he said to me thus: 'Salutation to thee, Arda Viraf, thou
art welcome; (9) from that perishable world thou hast come to
this pure, bright place.' (10) And he ordered Srosh the pious,
and Adar the angel, (11) thus: 'Take Arda Viraf, and show him
the place and reward of the pious, (12) and also the punishment
of the wicked.'
13. Then Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, took hold of my
hand; (14) and I was led by them from place to place. (15) I also
saw the archangels, and I beheld the other angels; (16) I also
saw the guardian angels of Gayomard, Zartosht, Kai-Vishtasp, Frashoshtar,
Jamasp, and other well-doers and leaders of the religion.
CHAPTER 12. [Other blessed souls]
1. I also came to a place, and saw (2) the souls of the liberal,
who walked adorned, (3) and were above the other souls, in all
splendor; (4) and Ohrmazd ever exalts the souls of the liberal,
who are brilliant and elevated and mighty. (5) And I said thus:
'Happy art thou who art a soul of the liberal, that are thus above
the other souls.' (6) And it seemed to me sublime.
7. I also saw the souls of those who, in the world, chanted the
Gathas and used the prescribed prayers (yashts), (8) and
were steadfast in the good religion of the Mazdayasnians, which
Ohrmazd taught to Zartosht; (9) when I advanced, they were in
gold-embroidered and silver-embroidered clothes, the most embellished
of all clothing. (10) And it seem to me very sublime.
11. I also saw a soul of those who contract next-of-kin marriages,
in material-fashioned splendor, (12) when the lofty splendor of
its residence ever increased thereby. (13) And it seem to me sublime.
14. I also saw the souls of good rulers and monarchs, (15) who
ever increased their greatness, goodness, power, and triumph thereby,
(16) when they walk in splendor, in their golden trousers. (17)
And it seemed to me sublime.
18. I also saw the soul of the great and of truthful speakers,
who walked in lofty splendor with great glory. (19) And it seemed
to me sublime.
CHAPTER 13.
1. I also saw the souls of those women of excellent thoughts,
of excellent words, of excellent deeds, and submissive to control,
who consider their husbands as lords, (2) in clothing embroidered
with gold and silver, and set with jewels. (3) And I asked thus:
'Which souls are these?'
4. And Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'These
are the souls of those women who, in the world, have honored water,
and honored fire, and honored earth and trees, cattle and sheep,
and all the other good creations of Ohrmazd. (6) And they performed
the Yazishn and Dron ceremonies, and the praise and services of
God; (7) and they performed the rites and praises of the angels
of the heavenly existences, and the angels of the earthly existences;
(8) and they practiced acquiescence and conformity, reverence
and obedience to their husbands and lords; (9) and they were without
doubts on the religion of the Mazdayasnians. (10) They were diligent
in doing of good works, (11) and they have been abstainers from
sin.' (12) And it seemed to me sublime.
CHAPTER 14.
1. I also saw the souls of performers of the Yazishn ceremony,
and of those who know the scriptures by heart, splendid among
the lofty and exalted among the great. (2) And it seemed to me
sublime.
3. I also saw the souls of those who solemnized the whole ritual
of the religion, and performed and directed the worship of God,
(4) who were seated above the other souls; (5) and their good
works stood as high as heaven. (6) And it seemed to me sublime.
7. I also saw the souls of warriors, whose walk was in the supremest
pleasure and joyfulness, and together with that of kings; (8)
and the well-made arms and equipments of those heroes were made
of gold, studded with jewels, well-ornamented and all embroidered;
(9) and they were in wonderful trousers with much pomp and power
and triumph. (10) And it seemed to me sublime.
11. I also saw the souls of those who killed many noxious creatures
(khrafstras) in the world; (12) and the prosperity of the
waters and sacred fires, and fires in general, and trees, and
the prosperity also of the earth was ever increased thereby; and
they were exalted and adorned. (13) And it seemed to me very sublime.
14. I also saw the souls of agriculturists, in a splendid place,
and glorious and thick majestic clothing; (15) as they stood,
and offered praise, before the spirits of water and earth, trees
and cattle; (16) and they utter thanksgiving and praise and benediction;
(17) their throne also is great, and the place they occupy is
good. (18) And it seemed to me sublime.
19. I also saw the souls of artisans who, in the world, served
their rulers and chieftains; (20) as they saw on thrones which
were well-carpeted and great, splendid and embellished. (21) And
it seemed to me very sublime.
CHAPTER 15.
1. I also saw the souls of shepherds, by whom, in the world, quadrupeds
and sheep were employed and fed, (2) and preserved from the wolf
and thief and tyrannical man. (3) And at appointed times, water
and grass and food were given; (4) and they were preserved from
severe cold and heat; (5) and the males were allowed access at
the usual time, and properly restrained when inopportune; (6)
whereby very great advantage, profit and benefit, food and clothing
were afforded to the men of that time: (7) Which souls walked
among those who are brilliant, on a beautiful eminence, in great
pleasure and joy. (8) And it seemed to me very sublime.
9. I also saw many golden thrones, fine carpets and cushions decked
with rich cloth, (10) on which are seated the souls of householders
and justices, who were heads of village families, and exercised
mediation and authority, (11) and made a desolate place prosperous;
(12) they also brought many conduits, streams, and fountains for
the improvement of tillage and cultivation, and the advantage
of creatures. (13) And as they stand before those who are the
guardian angels of water, and of trees, and also of the pious,
in great power and triumph, (14) they offer them blessings and
praise, and repeat thanksgivings. (15) And it seemed to me very
sublime.
16. I also saw the souls of the faithful, the teachers and inquirers,
in the greatest gladness on the splendid throne. (17) And it seemed
to me sublime.
18. I also saw the friendly souls of interceders and peaceseekers,
(19) who ever increased thereby their brilliance, which was like
the stars and moon and sun; (20) and they ever walked agreeably
in the light of the atmosphere.
21. I also saw the pre-eminent world of the pious, which is the
all-glorious light of space, much perfumed with sweet basil, all-bedecked,
all-admired, and splendid, full of glory and every joy and every
pleasure, (22) with which no one is satiated.
[Part 4. Hell]
CHAPTER 16.
1. Afterward, Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, took hold of
my hand, and I went thence onward. (2) I came to a place, and
I saw a great river which was gloomy as dreadful hell; (3) on
which river were many souls and guardian angels; (4) and some
of them were not able to cross, and some crossed only with great
difficulty, and some crossed easily.
5. And I asked thus: 'What river is this? and who are these people
who stand so distressed?'
6. Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (7) thus: 'This river
is the many tears which men shed from the eyes, as they make lamentation
and weeping for the departed. (8) They shed those tears unlawfully,
and they swell to this river. (9) Those who are not able to cross
over are those for whom, after their departure, much lamentation
and weeping were made; (10) and those who cross more easily are
those for whom less was made. (11) Speak forth to the world thus:
'When you are in the world, make no lamentation and weeping unlawfully;
(12) 'for so much harm and difficulty may happen to the souls
of your departed.'
CHAPTER 17.
1. I came back again to the Chinwad bridge. (2) And I saw a soul
of those who were wicked, when in those first three nights so
much mischief and evil were shown to their souls, as never such
distress was seen by them in the world. (3) And I inquired of
Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, thus: 'Whose soul is this?'
4. Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'This soul
of the wicked wandered there where the wicked one died, over the
place where the life went forth; (6) it stood at his head, and
uttered the Gatha words (7) thus: 'Creator Ohrmazd! to which land
do I go? and what do I take as a refuge?' (8) And as much misfortune
and difficulty happen to him, that night, (9) as in the world,
unto a man who lived in the world and lived in difficulty and
misfortune.'
10. Afterward, a stinking cold wind comes to meet him. (11) So
it seemed to that soul as if it came forth from the northern quarter,
from the quarter of the demons, a more stinking wind than which
he had not perceived in the world. (12) And in that wind he saw
his own religion and deeds as a profligate woman, naked, decayed,
gapping, bandy-legged, lean-hipped, and unlimitedly spotted so
that spot was joined to spot, like the most hideous, noxious creature
(khrafstar), most filthy and most stinking.
13. Then that wicked soul spoke thus: 'Who art thou, than whom
I never saw any one of the creatures of Ohrmazd and Ahriman uglier,
or filthier, or more stinking?'
14. To him she spoke thus: 'I am thy bad actions, O youth of evil
thoughts, of evil words, of evil deeds, of evil religion. (15)
It is on account of thy will and actions that I am hideous and
vile, iniquitous and diseased, rotten and foul-smelling, unfortunate
and distressed, as appears to thee. (16) When thou sawest any
one who performed the Yazishn and Dron ceremonies, and praise
and prayer and the service of God; (17) and preserved and protected
water and fire, cattle and trees, and other good creations; (18)
thou practicedst the will of Ahriman and the demons, and improper
actions. (19) And when thou sawest one who provided hospitable
reception, and gave something deservedly in gifts and charity,
for the advantage of the good and worthy who came from far, and
who were from near; (20) thou wast avaricious, and shuttedst up
thy door. (21) And though I have been unholy, I am made more unholy
through thee; (22) and though I have been frightful, I am made
more frightful through thee; (23) though I have been tremulous,
I am made more tremulous through thee; (24) though I am settled
in the northern region of the demons, I am settled farther north
through thee; (25) through these evil thoughts, and through these
evil words, and through these evil deeds, which thou practisedst.
(26) They curse me, a long time, in the long execration and evil
communion of the Evil spirit.'
27. Afterward, that soul of the wicked advanced the first footstep
on Dush-humat and the second footstep on Dush-hukt, and the third
on Dush-huvarsht; and with the fourth footstep he ran to hell.
CHAPTER 18.
1. Afterward, Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, took hold of
my hand, (2) so that I went on unhurt. (3) In that manner, I beheld
cold and heat, drought and stench, (4) to such a degree as I never
saw, nor heard of, in the world. (5) And when I went farther,
(6) I also saw the greedy jaws of hell, like the most frightful
pit, descending in a very narrow and fearful place; (7) in darkness
so gloomy that it is necessary to hold by the hand; (8) and in
such stench that every one whose nose inhales that air will struggle
and stagger and fall; (9) and on account of such close confinement
no one's existence is possible; (10) and every one thinks thus:
'I am alone'; (11) and when three days and nights have elapsed
he says thus: 'The nine thousand years are completed, and they
will not release me!' (12) Everywhere, even the lesser noxious
creatures (khrafstras) are as high as mountains, (13) and
they so tear and seize and worry the souls of the wicked, as would
be unworthy of a dog. (14) And I easily passed in there, with
Srosh the pious, the well-grown and triumphant, and Adar the angel.
CHAPTER 19.
1. I came to a place, and I saw the soul of a man, (2) through
the fundament of which soul, as it were a snake, like a beam,
went in, and came forth out of the mouth; (3) and many other snakes
ever seized all the limbs.
4. And I inquired of Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, (5)
thus: 'What sin was committed by this body, whose soul suffers
so severe a punishment?'
6. Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (7) thus: 'This is
the soul of that wicked man, who, in the world, committed sodomy,
(8) and allowed a man to come on his body; (9) now the soul suffers
so severe a punishment.'
CHAPTER 20
- 1.
- I came to a place, and I saw the soul of a woman, (2) to whom
they ever gave to eat cup after cup of the impurity and filth
of men.
- 3.
- And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body, whose
soul suffers suchl a punishment?'
- 4.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'This
is the soul of that wicked woman who, having not abstained, nor
lawfully withheld herself, approached water and fire during her
menstruation.'
CHAPTER 21
- 1.
- I also saw the soul of a man, (2) the skin of whose head they
ever widen out, and with a cruel death they ever kill him.
- 3.
- And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body, whose
soul suffers such a punishment?'
- 4.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'This
is this soul of that wicked man who, in the world, slew a pious
man.'
CHAPTER 22
- 1.
- I also saw the soul of a man, (2) into whose jaws they ever
pour the impurity and menstrual discharge of women, (3) and he
ever cooked and ate his own seemly child.
- 4.
- And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body, whose
soul suffers such a punishment?'
- 5.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (6) thus: 'This
is the soul of that wicked man who, in the world, had intercourse
with a menstruous woman; (7) and every single time, it is a sin
of fifteen and a half Tanapuhrs.'
CHAPTER 23
- 1.
- I also saw the soul of a man (2) who, because of hunger and
thirst, ever cried thus: 'I shall die.' 3. And he ever tore out
his hair and beard, and devoured blood, and cast foam about with
his mouth.
- 4.
- And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body, whose
soul suffers such a punishment?'
- 5.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (6) thus: 'This
is the soul of that wicked man who, in the world, devoured talkatively,
and consumed unlawfully, the water and vegetables of Hordad and
Amurdad, and muttered no grace; (7) and through sinfulness, he
celebrated no Yasht; (8) such was his contempt of the water of
Hordad, and the vegetation of Amurdad. 9. Now this soul must suffer
so severe a punishment.'
CHAPTER 24
- 1.
- I also saw the soul of a woman (2) who was suspended, by the
breasts, to hell; (3) and its noxious creatures (khrafstars) seized
her whole body.
- 4.
- And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body, whose
soul suffers such a punishment?'
- 5.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (6) thus: 'This
is the soul of that wicked woman who, in the world, left her own
husband, (7) and gave herself to other men, and committed adultery.'
CHAPTER 25
- 1.
- I also saw the souls of several men, and several women, (2)
whose legs and necks and middle parts a noxious creature (khrafstar)
ever gnawed, and separated one from the other.
- 3.
- And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by these bodies,
whose souls suffer such a punishment?'
- 4.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'These
are the souls of those wicked ones who, in the world, walked without
shoes, (6) ran about uncovered, made water on foot, and performed
other demon-service.'
CHAPTER 26
- 1.
- I also saw the soul of a woman (2) who ever stretched out
her tongue on her neck, and she was suspended from the atmosphere.
- 3.
- And I asked thus: 'Whose soul is this?'
- 4.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'This
is the soul of that wicked woman who, in the world, scorned her
husband and master, and cursed, abused and defied him.'
CHAPTER 27
- 1.
- I also saw the soul of a man (2) whom they ever forced to
measure dust and ashes, with a bushel and gallon, and they ever
gave it him to eat.
- 3.
- And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body, whose
soul suffers such a punishment?'
- 4.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'This
is the soul of that wicked man who, in the world, kept no true
bushel, nor gallons, nor weight, nor measure of length; (6) be
mixed water with wine, and put dust into grain, and sold them
to the people at a high price; (7) and stole and extorted something
from the good.'
CHAPTER 28
- 1.
- I also saw the soul of a man who was held in the atmosphere,
(2) and fifty demons ever flogged him, before and behind, with
darting serpents.
- 3.
- And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body, whose
soul suffers such a punishment?'
- 4.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'This
is the soul of that wicked man who, in the world, was a bad ruler,
(6) and was unmerciful and destructive among men, and caused torment
and punishment of various kinds.'
CHAPTER 29
- 1.
- I also saw the soul of a man (2) whose tongue hung on the
outside of his jaw, and was ever gnawed by noxious creatures (khrafstars).
- 3.
- And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body, whose
soul suffers such a punishment?'
- 4.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'This
is the soul of that man who, in the world, committed slander,
and embroiled people one with the other; (6) and his soul, in
the end, fled to hell.'
CHAPTER 30
- 1.
- I also saw the soul of a man (2) whose limbs they ever break
and separate, one from the other.
- 3.
- And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body?'
- 4.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'This
is the soul of that wicked man who made unlawfully much slaughter
of cattle and sheep and other quadrupeds.'
CHAPTER 31
- 1.
- I also saw the soul of a man (2) who, from head to foot, remained
stretched upon a rack; (3) and a thousand demons trampled upon
him, and ever smote him with great brutality and violence.
- 4.
- And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body?'
- 5.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (6) thus: 'This
is the soul of that wicked man who, in the world, collected much
wealth; (7) and he consumed it not himself, and neither gave it,
nor allowed a share, to the good; but kept it in store.'
CHAPTER 32
- 1.
- I also saw the soul of a lazy man, whom they called Davanos,
(2) whose whole body a noxious creature (khrafstar) ever gnawed,
and his right foot was not gnawed.
- 3.
- And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body?'
- 4.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'This
is the soul of the lazy Davanos who, when he was in the world,
never did any good work; (6) but with this right foot, a bundle
of grass was cast before a ploughing ox.'
CHAPTER 33
- 1.
- I also saw the soul of a man (2) whose tongue a worm ever
gnawed.
- 3.
- And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body?'
- 4.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'This
is the soul of that wicked man who, in the world, spoke many lies
and falsehoods; (6) and, thereby, much harm and injury were diffused
among all creatures.'
CHAPTER 34
- 1.
- I also saw the soul of a woman (2) whose whole body the noxious
creatures (khrafstars) ever gnawed.
- 3.
- And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body?'
- 4.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'This
is the soul of that wicked woman who, in the world, dressed her
hair-curls and hair over the fire; (6) and threw hairs from, the
head and scurf and hair of the body upon the fire; (7) and introduced
fire under the body, and held herself on the fire.'
CHAPTER 35
- 1.
- I also saw the soul of a woman (2) who ever chewed with her
teeth, and ever ate, her own dead refuse.
- 3.
- And I asked thus: 'Whose soul is this?'
- 4.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'This
is the soul of that wicked woman, by whom, in the world, sorcery
was practised.'
CHAPTER 36
- 1.
- I also saw the soul of a man (2) who stood up, in hell, in
the form of a serpent like a column; (3) and his head was like
unto a human head, and the remaining body, unto a serpent.
- 4.
- And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body?'
- 5.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (6) thus: 'This
is the soul of that wicked man who, in the world, committed apostacy;
(7) and he fled into hell, in the form of a serpent.'
CHAPTER 37
- 1.
- I also saw the souls of several men and several women (2)
who were suspended, head downwards, in hell; (3) and snakes and
scorpions and other noxious creatures (khrafstars) ever gnawed
all their bodies.
- 4.
- And I asked thus: 'Of which people are these souls?'
- 5.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (6) thus: 'These
are the souls of those people, by whom, in the world, water and
fire were not cared for, (7) and corruption was brought to water
and fire, and fire was extinguished intentionally.'
CHAPTER 38
- 1.
- I also saw the soul of a man (2) whom they ever gave to eat,
the flesh and dead refuse of mankind, with blood and filth, and
other corruption and stench.
- 3.
- And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body?'
- 4.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'This
is the soul of that wicked man who, in the world, brought bodily
refuse and dead matter to water and fire and his own body and
those also of other men; (6) and he was always carrying the dead
alone, and was polluted; (7) he also did not wash himself in this
occupation.'
CHAPTER 39
- 1.
- I also saw the soul of a man (2) who ever ate the skin and
flesh of men.
- 3.
- And I asked thus: 'Whose soul is this?'
- 4.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'This
is the soul of that wicked man who, in the world, kept back the
wages of laborers, and the shares of partners; (6) and now the
soul must suffer severe punishment.'
CHAPTER 40
- 1.
- I also saw the soul of a man (2) who ever carried a mountain
on his back; (3) and in snow and cold, he had that mountain upon
his back.
- 4.
- And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body?'
- 5.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (6) thus: 'This
is the soul of that wicked man, by whom, in the world, falsehood
and irreverence and depreciating words were much spoken about
people; (7) and now his soul ever suffers the punishment of such
severe frost.'
CHAPTER 41
- 1.
- I also saw the soul of a man (2) whom they gave excrement
and dead refuse and corruption to eat; (3) and the demons ever
beat him with stones and axes.
- 4.
- And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body, whose
soul suffers so severe a punishment?'
- 5.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (6) thus: 'This
is the soul of that wicked [darwand] man who was at the warm baths
which many have frequented, (7) and he carried their bodily refuse
and dead matter to water and fire and earth; (8) and the pious
went in, and came out wicked [i.e. darwand, impure].
CHAPTER 42
- 1.
- I also saw the souls of several people (2) whom they cause
to weep; and they ever make piteous cries.
- 3.
- And I asked thus: 'Which people are these?'
- 4.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus; 'These
are the souls of those who had a father in their mother; (6) and
when they were born, the father did not acknowledge them; (7)
and now they ever make lamentation for a father.'
CHAPTER 43
- 1.
- I also saw the soul of a man, (2) at whose feet several children
fell, and ever screamed, (3) and demons, just like dogs, ever
fell upon and tore him.
- 4.
- And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body, whose
soul suffers so severe a punishment?'
- 5.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (6) thus: 'This
is the soul of that wicked man who, in the world, did not acknowledge
his own children.'
CHAPTER 44
- 1.
- I also saw the soul of a woman (2) who ever dug into a hill
with her own breasts; (3) and ever held, on her head, a mill-stone
like a cap.
- 4.
- And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body, whose
soul suffered so severe a punishment?'
- 5.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (6) thus: 'This
is the soul of that wicked woman who, in the world, destroyed
her own infant, and threw away the corpse.'
CHAPTER 45
... committed perjury; (6) and he extorted wealth from the good,
and gave it to the bad.
CHAPTER 46
... 'This is the soul of that wicked man whose wealth, in the
world, was not acquired by honesty, but was stolen from the property
of others; (6) and it was left by him among his own enemies, (7)
and only he himself must be in hell.'
CHAPTER 47
... 'These are the souls of those people who, in the world, have
been apostates and disbelievers; (6) and men were ever ruined
by them, and led away from the laws of virtue to the law of evil;
(7) and many religions and improper creeds were made current in
the world.'
CHAPTER 48
... 'kept back the food of the dogs of shepherds and householders;
or beat and killed them.'
CHAPTER 49
... 'These are the souls of those wicked, by whom, in the world,
land was measured, and measured false; (8) and many people were
rendered unsettled and unproductive, so that they came to want
and poverty; (9) and it was ever necessary to contribute heavy
taxes.'
CHAPTER 50
... 'removed the boundary-stones of others, and took them as his
own.'
CHAPTER 51
... 'made false covenants with men.'
CHAPTER 52
... 'committed many breaches of promise, (6) and broke promises
with the pious and with the wicked; (7) for both are promises,
alike with the pious, and alike with the wicked.'
CHAPTER 53
- 1.
- And afterwards, Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, took
hold of my hand; (2) and I was carried on to Chakat-i-Daitih,
below the Chinwad bridge, into a desert; (3) and was shown hell
in the earth of the middle of that desert, below the Chinwad bridge.
- 4.
- The groaning and cries of Ahriman and the demons and demonesses
and many other souls of the wicked, came so, from that place,
(5) that I was frightened, because I considered that they would
shake the seven regions of the earth which heard that noise and
groaning. 6. And I entreated Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel,
(7) thus: 'Carry me not here, but turn back'.
- 8.
- And then, Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said to me
(9) thus: 'Fear not! since there is no danger whatever for thee
from here.' 10. And in front, went Srosh the pious, and Adar the
angel; (11) and in the rear, fearlessly, I, Arda Viraf, went on
further into that gloomy hell.
CHAPTER 54
- 1.
- And I saw the darkest hell, which is pernicious, dreadful,
terrible, very painful, mischievous and foul-smelling. 2. And
after further observation, it appeared to me (3) as a pit, to
the bottom of which, a thousand cubits would not reach; (4) and
though all the wood which is in the world, were all put on to
the fire in the most stinking and gloomy hell, it would never
emit a smell; (5) and again also, as close as the ear to the eye,
and as many as the hairs on the mane of a horse, (6) so close
and many in number, the souls of the wicked stand, (7) but they
see not and hear no sound, one from the other; (8) everyone thinks
thus: 'I am alone'. 9. And for them are the gloom of darkness,
and the stench and fearfulness of the torment and punishment of
hell, of various kinds; (10) so that whoever is only a day in
hell, cries out (11) thus: 'Are not those nine thousand years
yet completed, when they should release us from this hell?'
CHAPTER 55
- 1.
- Then I saw the souls of the wicked who died, and ever suffer
torment and punishment, in that dreadful, dark place of punishment
of various kinds, such as driving snow, and severe cold, and the
heat of brisk-burning fire, and foul stench, and stone and ashes,
hail and rain, and many other evils.
- 2.
- And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by the body of these,
whose soul suffers so severe a punishment?'
- 3.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (4) thus: 'These
are the souls of those wicked people, by whom, in the world, mortal
sin was much committed, (5) and the Warharan (most sacred) fire
was extinguished, and a bridge of a rapid river was demolished;
(6) and falsehood and irreverence were spoken, and much false
evidence was given. 7. And their desire was anarchy; and because
of their greediness and avarice and lust and wrath and envy, the
innocent, pious man was slain; (8) and they have proceeded very
deceitfully. 9. Now the soul must suffer such severe torment and
punishment.'
CHAPTER 56
- 1.
- Then I saw the souls of those whom serpents stung and ever
gnawed.
- 2.
- And I asked thus: 'Whose souls are those?'
- 3.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (4) thus: 'These
are the souls of those wicked who, in the world, have been defrauders
of their God and religion.'
CHAPTER 57
... 'These are the souls of those women who, in the world, made
much lamentation and weeping, and beat the head and face.'
CHAPTER 58
... 'This is the soul of that wicked man who, in the world, often
washed his head and face, and dirty hands, and other pollution
of his limbs, in large standing waters and fountains and streams,
(6) and distressed Hordad the archangel.'
[Chapters 59-99 omitted by Horne. These contain additional pictures
of sorry fates of the impious.]
Chapter 59.
- 1.
- I also saw the soul of a woman (2) who ever wept, and ever
tore and ate the skin and flesh from her own breasts.
- 3.
- And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body,
whose soul suffers so severe a punishment?'
- 4.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'This is the
soul of that wicked woman who ever left her own infant crying on account
of want and hunger.'
Chapter 60.
- 1.
- I also saw the soul of a man (2) whose body remains set into a
brazen cauldron; and they ever cook it. (3) One foot, which is the right
one, remained outside the cauldron.
- 4.
- And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body?'
- 5.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (6) thus: 'This is the
soul of that wicked man who, among the living, lustfully and improperly,
went much out to married women; (7) and his whole body
became sinful. (8) But that right foot, the frog and ant, snake
and scorpion, and other noxious creatures (khrafstars) were much
smitten and killed and destroyed.'
Chapter 61.
- 1.
- I also saw the souls of those wicked (2) who swallowed and
voided, and again swallowed and voided.
- 3.
- And I asked thus: 'What souls are those of these?'
- 4.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'These are
the souls of those wicked who, in the world, believed not in the spirit,
(6) and they have been unthankful in the religion of the creator Ohrmazd.
(7) they have been doubtful of the happiness which is in heaven,
and the torment which is in hell, and about the reality of the resurrection
of the dead and the future body.'
Chapter 62.
- 1.
- I also saw the soul of a woman (2) who ever gnashed her own
bosom and breasts with an iron comb.
- 3.
- And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body,
whose soul suffers so severe a punishment?'
- 4.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'This is the
soul of that wicked woman who, in the world, despised her husband
and master (or guardian,) and became and remained vile; (6) being also herself
untrue to him, and acted improperly with other men.'
Chapter 63.
- 1.
- I also saw the soul of a woman (2) who ever licked a hot oven
with her tongue, (3) and ever burnt her own hand under the oven.
- 4.
- And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body,
whose soul suffers so severe a punishment?'
- 5.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (6) thus: 'This is the
soul of that wicked woman who, in the world, offered defiance to her
own husband and master, and became abusive; (7) she also acted
disobediently, and did not grant cohabitation
at his desire; (8) and she
stole property from her husband, and secretly formed a hoard for
herself.'
Chapter 64.
- 1.
- I also saw the soul of a woman (2) who ever came and went
crying and wailing; (3) upon her head also, ever came pelting hail;
(4) and under foot, hot, molten brass ever streamed; (5) and she ever
gashes her own head and face, with a knife.
- 6.
- And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body, when
the soul ever suffers so severe a punishment?'
- 7.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (8) thus: 'This is the
soul of that wicked woman who, undutifully, became pregnant from
other men, (9) and she effected the destruction of the infant.
[i.e. abortion or infanticide]
(10) Because
of the pain and punishment, she fancies that she hears the cry of that
infant, and she runs; (11) and such vehemence of running is occasioned,
as of one who walks upon hot brass; (12) and she ever hears the cry
of that infant, and gashes her own head and face with a knife, and
demands the child, (13) but she sees it not till the re-establishment of
the world [i.e. frashegird, cp. ch. 87.];
this punishment she must suffer.'
Chapter 65.
- 1.
- I also saw several souls (2) whose chests were plunged in mud
and stench, (3) and a sharp sickle ever went among their legs and other
limbs; (4) and they ever called for a father and mother.
- 5.
- And I asked thus: 'Who are these souls? (6) and what sin was
committed by them, whose souls suffer so severe a punishment?'
- 7.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (8) thus: 'These are
the souls of that wicked who, in the world, distressed their father
and mother; (9) and asked no absolution and forgiveness from their
father and mother, in the world.'
Chapter 66.
- 1.
- I also saw the souls of a man and a woman (2) whose tongues
were put out, and ever gnawed by the jaws of serpents.
- 3.
- And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by the body of
these? (4) and who are those souls?'
- 5.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (6) thus: 'These are
the souls of that wicked who, in the world, ever committed slander, and
embroiled people together.'
Chapter 67.
- 1.
- I also saw the soul of a man (2) who was suspended by one leg
in the darkness of hell [or hell of darkness]; (3) and he had an iron sickle in his hand, and
ever gashed his own chest and armpits [or loins], (4) and an iron spike was
driven into his eye.
- 5.
- And I asked thus: 'Whose soul is this? and what sin was
committed by him?'
- 6.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'This is the
soul of that wicked man, to whom a city was confided for administration;
(8) and that which was proper to do and order, was not done and
not ordered; (9) and deficient weights and measures of capacity and
length were kept, (10) and he listened to no complaints from the poor
and from travellers [lit. caravan people. see also ch. 68
and ch. 93.].'
Chapter 68.
- 1.
- I also saw the souls of a man and a woman (2) whom they ever
drag, the man to heaven and the woman to hell. (3) And the woman's
hand was caught in the knot and sacred thread [kusti] of the man, (4) and she
said thus: 'How is it when we had every benefit in union, among the
living, (5) now they are dragging thee to heaven, and me to hell?'
- 6.
- And the man said thus: 'Because whatever things I received of
the good and worthy and the poor, I also gave them back [meaning uncertain]; (7) and
I practised good thoughts and good words and good deeds; (8) I also
heeded God, ad disregarded the demons; (9) and I have been steadfast
in the good religion of the Mazdayasnians. (10) But you despised
the good and poor and worthy and travellers; (11) you also disregarded
God, and you worshipped idols; (12) and practised evil thoughts and
evil words and evil deeds; (13) and you have been steadfast in the religion
of Ahriman and the demons.'
- 14.
- And the woman said to the man (15) thus: 'Among the living,
you yourself were completely lord and sovereign over me; (16) and my
body and life and soul were yours; (17) and the food and income and
clothing which I had, were from you; (18) then wherefore did you
not chastise and punish me for it? (19) You have not even taught me,
the reason of your goodness and excellence, (20) whereby you might
have caused goodness and excellence in me, (21) and so now it would
not be necessary to suffer this evil.'
- 22.
- And afterwards, the man went to heaven and the woman to
hell. (23) And owing to the repentance of that woman, she was in no
other affliction, in hell, but darkness and stench. (24) And that man
sat in the midst of the pious of heaven, in shame from not converting
and not teaching the woman, who might have become virtuous in his
keeping.
Chapter 69.
- 1.
- I also saw the souls of women, (2) into both whose eyes a
wooden peg was driven, (3) tied by one leg, head downwards. (4) And
many frogs, scorpions, snakes, ants, flies, worms and other noxious
creatures (khrafstars) went and came inside their jaws, noses, ears,
posteriors and sexual parts.
- 5.
- And I asked thus: 'Whose souls are these? (6) and what sin was
committed by them, whose souls suffer so severe a punishment?'
- 7.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (8) thus: 'These are
the souls of those wicked women who had a husband in the world,
(9) and slept and granted cohabitation [i.e. sex] with another man; (10) and the bed
of the husband was kept defiled, and his body injured.'
Chapter 70.
- 1.
- I also saw the souls of women whom they threw head downwards;
(2) and something like a hedgehog, which had iron spikes grown
from it, was introduced into the body and dropped back; (3) and from
it, a finger dropping the semen of the demons and demonesses, which
is stench and corruption, ever went into the inside of the jaws and nose.
- 4.
- And I asked thus: 'Who are those souls, who suffer such a
punishment?'
- 5.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (6) thus: 'These are
the souls of those wicked women who, in the world, broke promises
to their husbands, (7) and they have stayed away from the husband,
and been never contented, and granted no cohabitation [i.e. sex].'
Chapter 71. [Sodomy and enticing wives to adultery.]
- 1.
- I also saw the soul of a man (2) whom the fangs of serpents
stung and ever gnawed; (3) and in both eyes, snakes and worms ever
voided; (4) and an iron spike was grown [scraped?] upon the tongue.
- 5.
- And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body,
whose soul suffers so severe a punishment?'
- 6.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (7) thus: 'This is the
soul of that wicked man, by whom sodomy was much committed;
(8) and through a desire for improper lust, he debauched the wives of
others. (9) And his smooth speaking deceived and seduced the wives
of others, and separated them from their husbands.'
Chapter 72. [Violating menstruation taboo]
- 1.
- I also saw the souls of women, by whom their own menstrual
discharge was ever devoured.
- 2.
- And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by the body of
these, whose souls suffer so severe a punishment?'
- 3.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (4) thus: 'These are
the souls of those women who heeded not their menstruation, (5) and
injured water and fire and the earth of Spandarmad and Hordad and
Amurdad, (6) and looked upon the sky and the sun and the moon, (7) and
injured cattle and sheep with their menstruation, (8) and kept the pious
man polluted.'
Chapter 73. [Makeup]
- 1.
- I also saw the souls of women (2) who ever shed and sucked
and ate the blood and filth of their ten fingers; (3) and worms ever
came into both eyes.
- 4.
- And I asked thus: 'Who are these souls? (5) and what sin was
committed by them who suffer so severe a punishment?'
- 6.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (7) thus: 'These are
the souls of those wicked women who beautified their faces [with makeup], and kept
the hair of others as ornament; (8) and they captivated the eyes of the
men of God.'
Chapter 74. [Unlawfully slaughtering livestock.]
- 1.
- I also saw the souls of those who remained tied, head downwards,
by one leg; (2) and a knife was driven into their hearts.
- 3.
- And I asked thus: 'Who are these souls?'
- 4.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'These are
the souls of those wicked, by whom, in the world, beasts, cattle and
sheep were unlawfully slaughtered and killed.'
Chapter 75. [Cruelty to animals.]
- 1.
- I also saw souls who were thrown under the feet of cattle,
(2) struck by the horns, and their bellies torn, and bones broken; and
they were groaning.
- 3.
- And I asked thus: 'Who are these people?'
- 4.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'These are
the souls of those wicked, by whom, in the world, the mouths of
beasts and ploughing cattle were muzzled; (6) and water was not given
to them in the heat; and they were kept at work hungry and thirsty.'
Chapter 76. [Violating menstruation taboo and sorcery.]
- 1.
- I also saw the souls of women who ever lacerated their own
breasts with their own hands and teeth; (2) and dogs ever tore and ate
their bellies; (3) and both feet stood on hot brass.
- 4.
- And I asked thus: 'Whose souls are these? and what sin was
committed by them?'
- 5.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (6) thus: 'These are
the souls of those wicked women who, in the world, prepared food
during menstruation, (7) and brought it before a pious man, and bade
him eat. (8) They also ever resorted to sorcery; (9) and they injured
the earth of Spandarmad and the pious man.'
Chapter 77. [Cruelty to animals]
- 1.
- Then I saw souls whose backs, hands, and legs had wounds,
(2) and they were suspended with the posteriors to the face
[This sentence can also be read: 'head downwards in melted brass';
but the form avîtakht for 'melted' is unusual.];
(3) and heavy stones ever rained in their backs.
- 4.
- And I asked thus: 'Who are those? and what sin was committed
by them?'
- 5.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (6) thus: 'These are
the souls of those wicked who had beasts in the world, (7) and appointed
them hard work, and made the burden unlawfully heavy, (8) and
gave no sufficiency of food, so they suffered through leanness; (9) and
when sores ensued, they were not kept back from work, and no remedy
was provided. (10) Now they (the souls) must suffer such severe
punishment.'
Chapter 78. [Adultery and infanticide]
- 1.
- Then I saw the soul of a woman (2) who ever dug an iron hill
with her breasts; (3) and an infant cried from that side of the hill, and
the cry ever continued; (4) but the infant comes not to the mother, nor
the mother to the infant.
- 5.
- And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body,
whose soul suffers so severe a punishment?'
- 6.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (7) thus: 'This is the
soul of that wicked woman who, in the world, became pregnant, not
from her own husband, but from another person; (8) and she said thus:
"I have bot been pregnant." (9) She also destroyed the infant.'
Chapter 79. [Corrupt judge.]
- 1.
- Then I saw the soul of a man, (2) both whose eyes were scooped
out, and his tongue cut away; (3) and he remained suspended, in hell,
by one leg; (4) his body also was ever raked with the two brazen
prongs of a fork; (5) and an iron spike was driven into his head [or heart].
- 6.
- And I asked thus: 'What man is this? and what sin was committed
by him?'
- 7.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (8) thus: 'This is the
soul of that wicked man whose justice, in the world, was false; (9) and
he took bribes, and made false decisions.'
Chapter 80. [Falsifying measurements.]
- 1.
- Then I saw the souls of several who remained suspended, head
downwards, in hell; (2) and they force the blood, filth, and brains of
men into their mouths, and convey excrement into their noses; (3) and
they [the tormentors?] ever cry thus: 'We keep just measures.'
- 4.
- And I asked thus: 'Who are these bodies? and what sin was
committed by them?'
- 5.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (6) thus: 'These are
the souls of those wicked, by whom, in the world, weights and bushels
and other small measures were kept short, (7) and things were sold
to men.'
Chapter 81. [Adultery and sorcery]
- 1.
- Then I saw the soul of a woman whose tongue was cut away,
and eyes scooped out; (2) and snakes, scorpions, worms, and other
noxious creatures (khrafstars) ever devoured the brain of her head;
(3) and from time to time, she seized her own body with the teeth, and
ever gnawed the flesh.
- 4.
- And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body?'
- 5.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (6) thus: 'This is the
soul of that wicked woman who was, in her lifetime, an adultress.
(7) she also practised much sorcery; and much mischief emanated
from her.
Chapter 82. [Sharp tongue]
- 1.
- Then I saw the soul of a certain woman whose tongue was
plucked out [Doubtful; it may mean 'whose tongues were many.'].
- 2.
- And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this woman?'
- 3.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (4) thus: 'This is the
soul of that wicked woman whose tongue, in the world, was sharp;
(5) and her husband and master was much troubled by her tongue.'
Chapter 83.
- 1.
- Then I saw the soul of a woman who ever ate her own dead
refuse [nasa].
- 2.
- And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this woman?'
- 3.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (4) thus: 'This is the
soul of that wicked woman who, in the world, ate much meat concealed
from her husband, (5) and gave it to another person.'
Chapter 84. [Manufacturing and distributing narcotics]
- 1.
- Then I saw the soul of a woman (2) whose breasts they cut off;
and her belly was torn, and the entrails given to the dogs.
- 3.
- And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this woman?'
- 4.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'This is the
soul of that wicked woman, by whom, in the world, poison and oil [liquor? infusion?]
of opium were made and kept, (6) and given by her to people to eat.
Chapter 85. [Adultery]
- 1.
- Then I saw the soul of a woman, (2) on whose body they
construct an iron coating, (3) and they turn back the mouth, and put it
back to a hot oven.
- 4.
- And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this woman?'
- 5.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (6) thus: 'This is the
soul of that wicked woman who was, among the living, the wife of a
well-disposed and intelligent man; (7) and she broke her faith to her husband,
and slept with a sinful and ill-disposed man.'
Chapter 86. [Khwetodas]
- 1.
- Then I saw the soul of a woman, (2) through whose body a
grievous [prickly?] snake ascended, and came forth by the mouth.
- 3.
- And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body,
where the soul suffers so severe a punishment?'
- 4.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus:
[In all the MSS., except H18, the passage in brackets is omitted, and the
former part of this chapter is united with the later part of the next, although the
connection of the narrative is not very obvious.]
['This is the soul of that wicked woman who
violated a next-of-kin [khwetodas] marriage.'
Chapter 87. [Infant neglect]
- 1.
- Then I saw the soul of a woman (2) who ever scraped her own
body and face with an iron comb, (3) and ever dug an iron hill with
her breasts.
- 4.
- And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this woman?'
- 5.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (6) thus:]
'This is the soul of that wicked woman who, in the world, committed a crime,
(7) and through a desire for wealth, gave no milk to her own infant.
(8) And now she ever makes an outcry thus: "Here let me dig into
this hill, that I may give milk to that infant." (9) Yet until the
reestablishment of the world [Frashegird], she does not reach the infant.'
Chapter 88. [Improper sex and enticing wives to adultery]
- 1.
- Then I saw the soul of a man (2) who remained suspended,
head downward, from a gibbet, and ever had sexual intercourse;
(3) and they dropped semen into his mouth and ears and nose.
- 4.
- And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body,
whose soul suffers so severe a punishment?'
- 5.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (6) thus: 'This is the
soul of that wicked man who, in the world, committed improper sexual
intercourse; (7) and deceived and seduced the wives of others.'
Chapter 89. [Uncharitable]
- 1.
- Then I saw the souls of those who, on account of weakness,
were dashed about from side to side in hell; (2) and they ever kept
crying on account of thirst and hunger, cold and heat; (3) and noxious
creatures (khrafstars) ever bit out of the back of their legs and
other limbs.
- 4.
- And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by those of these
souls, who suffer so severe a punishment?'
- 5.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (6) thus: 'These are
the souls of those wicked whose food and clothing, in the world, were
consumed by themselves, (7) and not given by them to the good and
worthy; and they exercised no liberality whatever; (8) and they kept
themselves, and the people who had come and remained under their
control, hungry and thirsty and without clothing; (9) so they suffer
cold and heat, hunger and thirst. (10) Now they are dead, and their
wealth has remained for others; (11) now the soul suffers so severe a
punishment from their own actions.'
Chapter 90. [Lying and profanity]
- 1.
- Then I saw the souls of those whom serpents sting and ever
devour their tongues.
- 2.
- And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by those, whose
soul suffers so severe a punishment?'
- 3.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (4) thus: 'These are
the souls of those liars and irreverent [or 'untruthful'] speakers who, in the world,
spoke much falsehood and lies and profanity.'
Chapter 91. [Unfair judge]
- 1.
- Then I saw the soul of a man who slew his own child and
ever ate the brains.
- 2.
- And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body,
whose soul suffers so severe a punishment?'
- 3.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (4) thus: 'This is the
soul of that sentencing judge who made unjust decisions between applicants
for justice; (5) and plaintiffs and defendants were not looked
upon, by him, favorably and justly; (6) but through a desire of wealth
and covetousness, he shouted at suitors with anger and severity.'
Chapter 92. [Kept back benefits.]
- 1.
- Then I saw the souls of those, into whose eye a wooden peg
was driven.
- 2.
- And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by the body of
these, whose soul suffers so severe a punishment?'
- 3.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (4) thus: 'These are
the souls of those malicious ones who kept back benefits from mankind.'
Chapter 93. [Turning away travellers or charging for services]
- 1.
- Then I saw the souls of those who were fallen, headlong, into
hell; (2) and smoke and heat were driven upon them from below, and
a cold wind from above.
- 3.
- And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by these bodies,
whose souls suffer so severe a punishment?'
- 4.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'These are
the souls of those who, in the world, gave no place, nor caravanserai
for travellers, nor lodging, nor space, nor baking oven; (6) or who
gave them, and took hire for them.'
Chapter 94. [Starving their infants and selling the milk]
- 1.
- Then I saw the souls of those whose own breasts were placed
upon a hot frying-pan, by their own hands, (2) and were ever turned
from side to side.
- 3.
- And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by these women,
whose souls suffer so severe a punishment?'
- 4.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'These are
the souls of those women who gave their infants no milk, but
emaciated and destroyed them; (6) and for worldly gain, gave milk to
the infants of others.
Chapter 95. [Starved her infant, adultery]
- 1.
- Then I saw the soul of a woman who ever dug a hill with
her breasts; (2) and was ever thirsty and hungry.
- 3.
- And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this woman?'
- 4.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'This is the
soul of that wicked woman who gave her infant no milk, (6) but left
it hungry and thirsty; (7) and herself went with a strange man through
a liking for avarice, and a lust for illicit intercourse.'
Chapter 96. [Didn't sow seed]
- 1.
- Then I saw the soul of a man whose tongue was cut out;
(2) and they ever drag him by the hair, and scatter about the dead refuse
[probably the hair pulled out by the roots], and measure it with a bushel.
- 3.
- And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this man,
whose soul suffers so severe a punishment?'
- 4.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'This is the
soul of that wicked man who, in the world, took seed, (6) and said
thus: 'I will sow it;' and he sowed it not, (7) but ate it; and the earth
of Spandarmad was defrauded.'
Chapter 97. [Falsehood]
- 1.
- Then I saw the souls of a man and a woman whose tongues
were cut out.
- 2.
- And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by these bodies,
whose souls suffer so severe a punishment?'
- 3.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (4) thus: 'This is the
soul of that wicked man and woman who, amongst the living, spoke
much falsehood and profanity [or untruth], (5) and deceived their own souls.'
Chapter 98. [Ate nasa, and killed an otter and other sacred animals]
- 1.
- Then I saw the souls of a woman and a man who voided and
are up the excrement.
- 2.
- And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by these bodies,
whose souls suffer so severe a punishment?'
- 3.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (4) thus: 'These are
the souls of that wicked man and woman who, in the world, devoured
dead refuse through sinfulness; (5) and killed the water-otter in the
water, (6) and smote and slew other creatures of Ohrmazd.'
Chapter 99. [Disobedient to rulers, enemies of their military]
- 1.
- Then I saw many more souls of wicked man and woman;
(2) and they ever suffer terrible, fearful, hurtful, harmful, painful, dark,
hellish torment and punishment of various kinds.
- 3.
- Then I saw souls whose tongues were scraped with a wooden
peg; (4) and they ever went down, into hell, head foremost; (5) and the
demons ever ploughed their whose bodies with an iron comb.
- 6.
- And I asked thus: 'Whose souls are these? (7) and what sin
was committed by them whose souls suffer so severe a punishment?'
- 8.
- Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (9) thus: 'These are
the souls of those wicked who have been disobedient unto their rulers
in the world, (10) and have been enemies of the armies and troops
of their rulers. (11) Now they must here suffer such severe pain and
torment and punishment.'
Chapter 100. [Ahriman (the devil)]
- 1.
- Then I saw the Evil spirit, the deadly, the world-destroyer,
whose religion is evil, (2) who ever ridiculed and mocked the
wicked in hell, and said (3) thus: 'Why did you ever eat the bread
of Ohrmazd, and do my work? (4) and thought not of your own creator,
but practiced my will?' (5) So he ever shouted to the wicked very
mockingly.
Part 5. Epilogue
Chapter 101.
- 1.
- Afterwards, Srosh the pious and Adar the angel took hold of
my hand, (2) and brought me forth from that dark, terrible, fearful
place, (3) and carried me to the eternal light, and the assembly
of Ohrmazd and the archangels.
- 4.
- When I wished to offer homage before Ohrmazd. (5) And he was
gracious and said thus: 'A perfect servant art thou, pious Arda
Viraf, the messenger of the Mazdayasnians; go to the material
world, (6) and as thou hast seen and understood, speak truly to
the worlds; (7) for I, who am Ohrmazd, am with thee; (8) everyone
who speaks correct and true, I honor and know; (9) so say to the
wise'.
- 10.
- And when Ohrmazd spoke in this manner, I remained astonished,
(11) for I saw a light, but I saw nobody; I also heard a voice,
(12) and I understood that: 'This is Ohrmazd'.
- 13.
- And he, the creator Ohrmazd, the most munificent of spirits,
said (14) thus: 'Speak thou forth, Arda Viraf, to the Mazdayasnians
of the world, (15) thus: 'There is only one way of piety, the
way of the primitive religion, and the other ways are all no ways.
(16) Take ye that one way which is piety, and turn ye not from
it in prosperity, nor in adversity, nor in any way; (17) and practice
good thoughts and good words and good deeds; (18) and remain in
that same religion which, as received by him from me, Spitaman
Zartosht and Vishtasp made current in the world; (19) and hold
the proper law, but abstain from the improper. (20) And be ye
aware also of this, that cattle are dust, and the horse is dust,
and gold and silver are dust, and the body of man is dust; (21)
he alone mingles not with the dust, who, in the world, praises
piety and performs duties and good works.' (22) Perfect art thou,
Arda Viraf! go and prosper; (23) since every purity and purification
which you perform and keep, (24) and everything which you keep
lawfully, (25) and the purification and ceremonial, when you perform
them, in like manner, mindful of God, I know them all.'
- 26.
- And when I heard those words, I made a profound bow to the
creator Ohrmazd. 27. And then, Srosh the pious, conveyed me successfully
and courageously to this carpeted place. (28) May the glory of
the good religion of the Mazdayasnians be triumphant!
- 29.
- Completed in health and pleasure and joy.
Errata
II, 8: changed things to thing
III, 6: changed living. to living.'
IV, 9: changed body. to body,
V, 5: changed Arada to Arda
VI, 9: changed heaven. to heaven;
VII, 6: changed tract to track
XIII, 8: changed lords. to lords;
XVII, 27: changed Dushhuvarsht; to Dush-huvarsht;