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DÂDISTÂN-Î DÎNÍK.
is through its all-controlling power until they cause the end to occur, and the devourers of fires are subdued by it — besides the whole strength of the unboasting (akûm) creatures of the beneficent spirit, after they live even without eating? — is because of the Hôm that is white 3 and the promoter (frâshm) of perfect glory, which possesses the wholesomeness of the elixir of immortality, and through it the living become ever-living. 101. And also as many more specially pure glorious ones whose enumeration would be tedious'.
102. One is this, that the struggle of the evil one and the demons with the creatures is not precisely the existence of various kinds of contest, but
It is said to be an ox which never dies till it is slaughtered at the resurrection, so that its fat may form one of the ingredients of the elixir of immortality which all men have then to taste; it is also said that mankind, in ancient times, crossed the ocean on its back, when going to settle in the other regions of the earth. From what is stated in the text it may be supposed to be some form of cloud myth, but it is not mentioned in the extant portion of the Avesta, unless the ox Hadhayôs' be taken as a corruption of gâus hudhau, the well-yielding ox,' and Sarsaok as connected with Pers. srisk,' a drop,' and referring to showers of rain; but this is very uncertain.
1 The power of the white Hôm mentioned below.
? As, it is said, they will do for ten years before Soshans, the last apostle, appears to prepare for the resurrection (see Chap. XXXV, 3, Bd. XXX, 3).
SA tree said to grow in the ocean, the juice of which is the other ingredient of the elixir of immortality; it is also called Gôkarn, or Gôkard, Av. gao kerena, and is guarded by ten enormous fish (see Bd. XVIII, 1-3, XXVII, 4, XXX, 25).
The existence of such immortal creatures, said to be intended for special use at the resurrection, is here taken as a proof of the reality of the resurrection itself. Whether the seven immortals described in Chap. XC are to be included among them is uncertain.
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