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CHAPTER XIII, 6-9.
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8. The fourteen stanzas of Yathâ - âis (Yas. XXXIII) are for this reason, because seven archangels are more diligent in activity for the spirit, and seven archangels for the world, so that they may attain 'to heaven, the home (mêhônð) of Adharmazd, the home of the archangels, the home of those righteous ones,' avi garô-nmânem, maêthanem Ahura hê mazdau, maêthanem ameshanãm spentanăm, maêthanem anyaêshãm ashaonã m? 9. The three repetitions (dånar) of Ye-sevisto (Yas. XXXIII, 11) 3, and the holding up of the holy-water (zôhar) at these repetitions, are for the four classes “, and for this reason at Ahurâi mazdai and ashemkâ frâdado the holy-water is
best of regions and countries' where the Iranian power and religion extended at an early date.
1 The seven archangels besides their spiritual duties have severally charge of the seven worldly existences, man, animals, fire, metal, earth, water, and plants (see § 14 and Chap. XV). But perhaps we should read 'angels,' as they are often mentioned as the angels of the spiritual and worldly existences.'
* This quotation, of which the Pahlavi translation is first given, and then the Avesta text, is from Vend. XIX, 107.
This stanza is recited thrice, and about the same time the officiating priest strains the Hôm juice, and prepares to pour holywater into the mortar in which the Hôm twigs were pounded (see Haug's Essays, pp. 403, 406).
• Or professions' of the community, of which there were originally only three, the priest, warrior, and husbandman; but at a later date the artizan was added. Both K20 and M6 have four classes,' but this is inconsistent with the three repetitions. The Avesta generally knows only three classes, but four are mentioned in the Baghân Yast (Yas. XIX, 46).
That is, probably, at the words Ahurð mazdauskâ in the first line, and ashemkâ frâdad in the second line of the stanza; but this is doubtful, as the MSS. give the words corruptly, in a mixture of Av. and Pahl., as follows: pavan Ahurâi mazdai a hâra yih-i da doih.
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