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 2032

94
DÎNKARD, BOOK VII.
CHAPTER VIII. 1. About the marvellousness which is manifested and is openly specified after the collapsing of the sovereignty of Iran and the country of Irân; also the end of the millennium of Zaratûst and the arrival of Aushêdar the descendant of Zaratust!.
2. There is this marvellousness, really overthrowing the blessedness of the knowledge of former government, revealed by the Avesta about the ninth and tenth centuries, that which is an indicator of circumstances (aêdů nõih) now visible, such as the dispersion of the sovereignty of Irân from the country of Irân, the disturbance of just law and custom, the predominance of those with dishevelled hair ?, and the haughty profession of ecclesiastics 3. 3. Also the collection and even connection of all their four systems of belief (vâvarî-hastano) 4 to
of Vistâsp, were no more extant in the Avesta, when the Dînkard was compiled, than they are now.
1 The contents of Chaps. VII-XI have some connection with the following summary in Dk. VIII, xiv, II, 12: And about the nature of the advancement of the people of the period, the separation of centuries and millenniums, and the signs, wonders, and perplexity which are manifested in the world at the end of each millennium in the world. Also as to the birth and arrival of Allshedar, son of Zaratûst, at the end of the first millennium, and a report of him and his time, and of the many destroyers of the organizers of the period between Zaratûst's millennium and the coming of Allshedar.'
3 This meaning for vigârdo-vars is chiefly based upon the use of vigârd in AV. XXXIV, 5, for a woman's hair being 'combed.' These invaders of Irân from the east, at the end of the first millennium of the religion, are mentioned in Byt. II, 22, 24, 28; III, 1, 6, 13. They are called 'Turkish demons' in $ 47.
s The Byzantine Christians.
• Zoroastrianism, Muhammadanism, Christianity, and either Judaism or Idolatry.
Digitized by Google