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330
SHAYAST LÂ-SHÂvast.
nak), the sharpest steel knife requires the whetstone (afsân), and the wisest man requires counsel (ha mparsih).'
29. The rule is this, that when one laughs outright (bara khanded) the Avesta and Zand are not to be mumbled, for the wisdom of Adharmazd is omniscient, and good works are a great exercise of liberality, but an extreme abstinence from producing irritation (hangidâr-dahtsnth); because in the Ratâstâitih Nask? many harsh things are said about the severe punishment of producers of irritation, in the spiritual existence,
30. The rule is this, that as there may be some even of those of the good religion who, through unacquaintance with the religion, when a female fowl crows in the manner of a cock, will kill the
1 This was the seventh nask or 'book' of the complete Mazdayasnian literature, according to the Dinkard, which calls it Ratastâîtî ; but according to the Dînî-vagarkard and the Rivâyats it was the eighth nask called Ratustâî. For its contents, as given by the Dînî-vagarkard, see Haug's Essays, p. 129. The following is a summary of the short account of it given in the eighth book of the Dinkard :
The Ratûstâîtî is a treatise on indispensable religious practices, the reason of the worthiness and superexcellence in a purifying priest, and how to distinguish worthiness and superexcellence from unworthiness, in the priesthood of each of the seven regions of the earth; on the indication and manifestation of an assemblage of the archangels, the formulas and means to be employed in reverencing the angels, the position and duties of the two officiating priests in the ceremonies, and all the business of the orderers of ceremonies, with their various duties; on the greatness and voluntariness of good works, the kinds of voluntariness, and the proximity of Allharmazd to the thoughts, words, and deeds of the material world.
It is uncertain under which of these heads the passage mentioned in the text may have occurred.
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