Zend Avesta Part 02

SR No.: 007672
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: James Darmesteter
Publisher: Oxford
Publication Year: 1883
Total Pages: 2221
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 41 MB

Page 1915

INTRODUCTION.
XXV
which are summarized in Dk. VIII, xiv, 9, as having existed in the Spend Nask, are also omitted in Dk. VII, though briefly stated in Zs. XXII.
47. It is worthy of notice that Z. was first sent to offer his religion to the Kigs and Karaps and their sovereign, Aůrvaîtâ-dang the Tûr (see Dk. VII, iv, 2-20), who seem to have received his doctrines favourably, excepting his advocacy of Khvêtûk-das!, which led to their rejection of his proposal. He was next sent to the Karap Vêdvõist (ibid. 21-28), whom Adharmazd had hitherto befriended; but this Karap was rejected for illiberality and arrogance. 2. then went to Parshad-törà in Sagastân (ibid. 31-35), taking some Hôm-water with him, to cure an infirm bull belonging to this chieftain, as soon as the latter had accepted the religion in public; the chieftain assented to the religion, though only privately, but this was sufficient to obtain the cure of his bull. It was only after these three trials that the conversion of king Vistâsp was attempted.
48. There is some difficulty in understanding the exact difference between the primeval religion and that taught by Zaratûst. When Dk. VII, I, 9-11 speaks of Atharmazd talking with Masyê and Masyâði; or Hadish tells them of Adharmazd, the archangels, and the Ahunavair (ibid. 12, 13); or the sacred beings are said to have taught them the primitive arts (ibid. 14); or we are told of the existence of demons in the times of Hôshàng and Tâkhmôrup (ibid. 18, 19); or of Ashavahistò in the time of king Patakhsrôbô (ibid. 34); it may be urged that the mention of these beings in connection with the men of those times is no proof that their existence was known then. Because it only shows that the old writers, being satisfied that these beings existed in their own time and were immortal, only logically assumed that they must have existed in former times. The really weak point in their argument being the assumption of the existence of such beings in their own time.
49. Safer conclusions may be formed by noticing the
"For the meaning of this term, as defined by the texts which use it, see S. B. E., vol. xviii, pp. 389-430.
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