________________
CHAPTER XII.
The Zoroastrian Books-Mithraism.
The Avesta-Country of its origin-Date of the Avesta-The Gathas-People to whom addressed-The Vendidad-The most pleasing and displeasing things-Impurity of corpses-Exposure of dead-Law of contracts and assaults-The Vispered and Yasna-The liturgies-The early rites of Mazdaism-Rise of the Magi-Loss of Zoroastrian books-The Pahlavi texts-The Bundahish-The Shayast la-Shayast-The Dadistan-i-Dinik -The Spirit of Wisdom-Mithraism-Mithraic monuments-Antagonism of Christians-Mithraic ceremonies.
THE AVESTA.
FROM
Country of
ROM the Avesta itself it appears to be conclusively proved that it originated in Eastern Iran, east of the central desert of Persia, the land of the Syr-Daria, nearly all the places mentioned in it being situated therein, with the exception of Ragha, near its western boundary. Babylon is the only famous its origin. western city mentioned. A passage especially noted is this, in which the Aryan country is described as the first created and best land. "As the first of the lands and as the best dwelling-place, I, Ahura-Mazda (Ormuzd), created the Aryana-vaija (the country), situated on the good Datya. Thereupon Angra Mainyu (Ahriman), who is - full of death, counter-created the water serpents and a winter produced by the demons." (G.) This Aryan country was very possibly in Upper Ferghana.
The Avesta itself testifies to its own date in the fol
265
