Questions of King Milinda Part 02

SR No.: 007682
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: T W Rhys Davids
Publisher: Oxford
Publication Year: 1894
Total Pages: 2240
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 38 MB

Page 935

454
EXTANT FRAGMENTS,
mazd's son, before the righteous man (Gâyðmard), before the demons, (who remain) noxious creatures ?, and mankind, before all embodied existence (the creation of sovereignty), and before all the excellence created by Adharmazd, (which is owing to) the manifestation of righteousness?'
4. And Adharmazd spoke thus: 'They were the apportionment of the Ahunavair, O Spitâmân Zaratüst! (that spirit who would make the religion current, who has formed that religion from the Ahunavair) which was spoken out by me for thee; (5) (that is,) before the sky, (&c., as in § 3).
6. Whoever chants that apportionment of the Ahunavair, O Spitâmân Zaratůst! without talking (that is, he does not speak out in the middle of any of its difficult Avesta 2) and not without anxiety (that he may slumber), (7) it is like a hundred above any other authority of those of the Gathas, when one chants them without talking, or not without anxiety 8; (thus it becomes fit for the ceremonial). 8. Whoever chants it while talking, or without anxiety, (thus it becomes fit for the ceremonial,) it is like ten above any other authority of those of the Gâthas.
9. Whoever in that embodied existence of mine, O Spitâmân Zaratust! recalls the apportionment of
1 Assuming that the khrafstardo, or khrafostardo, of Pt4, Mf4, stands for khrafstaráno, as required by the Avesta text. Sp., J2 have who were confounded by wisdom.'
? So in Pt4, Mf4; but Sp., J2 may mean "he strictly does not speak out in the middle of its Avesta.'
: All the MSS. have 'while talking, or without anxiety,' as in $ 8; but this does not correspond with the Avesta text. The repetition of the parenthetical clause, about the ceremonial, which also occurs in § 8, is likewise suspicious.
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