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This is, however, quite untenable in the light of our knowledge. The Dadistan-i Dinik shows how individual effort must rise upto what is termed disquietude to eradicate sin.
SOME ANCIENT AND EXTINCT FAITHS
"........decrease of sin and the increase of good works, owing to good thoughts, good words, and good deeds, arise really from the effort and disquietude which come on by means of the religion the soul practises, and through the strength in effort, steadfastness of religion, and protection of soul which the faithful possess" (SBE. vol. xviii. 34). The life of the body is to be offered as a sacrifice. It is said in Yasna xxxiii (verse 14) :
"Thus, as an offering, Zarathushtra gives the life of his very body" (SBE. vol. xxxi p. 79).
Again, in Yasna xiv (verse 2) it is said:
"And to you, O Ye Bountiful, Immortals I would I dedicate the flesh of my very body, and all the blessings of a prospered life" (SBE. vol. xxxi. p. 253).
What these passages teach is the old doctrine of mortifying the flesh and bodily lusts, though, of course, fasting alone is not the end in view.
"With us the keeping of fast is this, that we keep fast from committing sin with our eyes, and tongue, and ears, and hands and feet."-(The Teaching of Zoroaster, p. 44.)
I do not think that the tongue and the hands can be said to observe a fast when they are engaged in killing an innocent life or in devouring its flesh! It is also distinctly said that "near to the time of the renovation the bodily existences desist from eating, and live without food" (Dadistan-i Dinik. chap. xxxv. 3; SBE, vol. xviii. P. 77).
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