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CHAPTER XV, 14-24.
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thus: 'You are man; worship the demon! so that your demon of malice may repose.' 19. Mâshya went forth and milked a cow's milk, and poured it out towards the northern quarter; through that the demons became more powerful, and owing to them they both became so dry-backed that in fifty winters they had no desire for intercourse, and though they had had intercourse they would have had no children. 20. And on the completion of fifty years the source of desire arose, first in Mâshya and then in Mâshyôi, for Mâshya said to Mâshyôt thus: 'When I see thy shame my desires arise.' Then Mâshyôi spoke thus: Brother Mâshya! when I see thy great desire I am also agitated'.' 21. Afterwards, it became their mutual wish that the satisfaction of their desires should be accomplished, as they reflected thus: Our duty even for those fifty years was this.'
22. From them was born in nine months a pair, male and female; and owing to tenderness for offspring the mother devoured one, and the father one. 23. And, afterwards, Aûharmazd took tenderness for offspring away from them, so that one may nourish a child, and the child may remain.
24. And from them arose seven pairs, male and
1 This is merely a paraphrase of the original.
Or, the deliciousness of children' (shîrînîh-i farzand). Justi has, owing to an eruption on the children the mother deserted one,' &c.; but the legend of devouring the first children is still more clearly mentioned in the Pahlavi Rivâyat, which forms the first book of the Dâdistân-i Dînîk (preceding the ninety-two questions and answers to which that name is usually applied) as follows: Maharîh va Maharîyâôyîh dûshâram râî nazdistô farzand-i nafsman bara vastamûnd, 'Mâshya and Mâshyôî, through affection, at first ate up their own offspring.'
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