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 647

166
DÎNKARD, BOOK VIII.
Gâthic Avesta', for restraining the demons from destroying the world of righteousness
82. It is righteousness that is perfect excellence. It is the excellence of righteousness that is perfect.
CHAPTER XLV. 1. Of the three divisions of the Hadokhts, as it exists in its 133 sections, the first is of thirteen sections, and contains particulars about the nature of the recital of the Ahunavair", which is the spiritual benefit from chanting it aloud, and whatever is on the same subject. 2. Advice about selecting and
1 Yas. XLVI, 7 and XLIV, 16 be which are quoted after the other spells in each of the last three fargards of the Vendîdad.
2 Vend. XXII, 1-25, XX, 13-15, XXI, 18-23, and probably the rest of XXI.
Corresponding to the twentieth word, dadad, in the Ahunavair, according to B. P. Riv.;. but it is the twenty-first, and last, Nask in other Rivayats. Its name occurs in the Avesta, in the form hadhaokhta, and it is called Hâdukht in the Rivậyats, which also state that it contained thirty kardah, or fargards, which differs considerably from the number stated in this chapter. Yts. XXI, XXII are traditionally supposed to belong to the Hådôkht, but there is hardly a trace of either of them in this chapter. Yt. XI is also distinguished by the same title.
As the total of the 13+102 + 19 sections (mentioned in $$ 1, II, 13) is 134, instead of 133, there must be an error in one of the four numbers given in the MS. This clerical error can hardly have been made in writing 19, and is unlikely in 102; but 133 may possibly stand for an original 134, though the writing of 13 instead of 12 is more probable. The Rivâyats give no assistance in settling this question, as they all divide this Nask into 30 kardah. On the whole, it will be safest to read 'twelve,' instead of thirteen,' until some better authority becomes available.
* Compare Yt. XI, 3.
• It is just possible that this may refer to Yt. XXI which, though specially alluding to the recitation of the Ashem-vohů, or praise of
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