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CHAPTER XXXIX, 29-XL, 3.
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which they shall tie on account of the superior beings (pâshûmân) with the proper formula, more particularly with that which one utters when there is reliance upon the scripture itself.
CHAPTER XL.
1. As to the thirty-ninth question and reply, that which you ask is thus: What kind of goodness and want of goodness can there be in the sacred threadgirdle and shirt; and what are the sin of running about uncovered, of prayer offered and prayer not offered, and the purpose of cleansing (misn)?
2. The reply is this, that it (the shirt)1 is needful to be perfectly pure white and single, which one fold is because Vohûman also is thus the one creature who was first, and afterwards from him the garment which is innermost and concealed is called in revelation3.
3. Proper girdling is double, which two folds are because he also who is in the course of the twofold religious wisdom is intelligent, and the duties due to the sacred beings are themselves in two divisions
The sacred shirt, constantly worn by Parsis of both sexes (young children excepted), is a very loose tunic of white muslin, with very short loose sleeves covering part of the upper arm (see Sls. IV, 4-8).
2 The archangel Vohuman (see Chap. III, 13) is said to have been the first creation of the creator (see Bd. I, 23).
3 The garment of Vohuman (see Chap. XXXIX, 19).
That is, it is passed twice round the waist before it is tied the first time, but then it is passed a third time round the waist (see Chap. XXXIX, 1).
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