Saddharma Pundarika

SR No.: 007677
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: H Kern
Publisher: Oxford
Publication Year: 1884
Total Pages: 2546
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 46 MB

Page 996

52
VASTS AND STRÔZAHS.
holy spells, the speech, the deeds, the libations, and the rightlyspoken words.
12. "Yatha ahû vairyô: The will of the Lord is the law of holiness ....
'I bless the sacrifice and prayer, and the strength and vigour of Haurvatât, the master; of the prosperity of the seasons and of the years, the masters of holiness.
Ashem VohQ: Holiness is the best of all good .... '[Give] unto that man' brightness and glory, ... give him the bright, all happy, blissful abode of the holy Ones.'
V. ÂBÂN YAST.
The âbân Yast (or Yast of the Waters) is devoted to the great goddess of the waters, the celebrated Ardvi Sûra Anâhita, the 'Avaitis of the Greeks. Ardvi Sûra Anâhita (the high, powerful, undefiled') is the heavenly spring from which all waters on the earth flow down; her fountains are on the top of the mythical mountain, the Hukairya, in the star region. Her descent from the heavens is described in sp 85 seq.; it reminds one of the Indian legend of the celestial Ganga.
This Yast contains much valuable information about the historical legends of Iran, as it enumerates the several heroes who worshipped Ardvi Süra and asked for her help. First of all is Ahura himself (§ 16); then came Haoshyangha (821), Yima ($ 25), Azi Dahâka ($ 29), Thraêtaona ($ 33), Keresâspa ($ 37), Franghrasyan ( 41), Kava Usa ($ 45), Husravah ($ 49), Tusa (53), Vaêsaka's sons ($ 57), Vafra Navâza ($ 61), Gâmâspa ( 68), Ashavazdah, the son of Pourudhâkhsti, and Ashavazdah and Thrita, the sons of Sâyuzdri ($ 72), Vistauru ($ 76), Yôista ($ 81); the Hvôvas and the Naotaras ($ 98), Zarathustra (§ 103), Kava Vîstâspa ($ 107), Zairivairi ( 112), Aregal-aspa and Vandaremaini ($ 116).
This enumeration is interrupted by a description of the descent of Ardvi Sûra from the heavens (&$ 85-89), and of certain rules for her sacrifice given by herself to Zarathustra (S$ 90-97). This interruption may have been intentional, as it takes place just when
1 Who shall have sacrificed to Haurvatât.
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