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xlvi
PAHLAVI TEXTS.
4. THE SELECTIONS OF ZAD-SPARAM. In some manuscripts of the Dâdistân-i Dînîk the ninetytwo questions and answers, which usually go by that name, are preceded and followed by Pahlavi texts which are each nearly equal in extent to the questions and answers, and treat of a variety of subjects, somewhat in the manner of a Rivayat. Of the texts which follow the questions and answers the following are the principal :
Incantations for fever, &c.; indications afforded by natural marks on the body; about the hamîstakân ('the ever-stationary,' or neutral state of future existence) and the different grades in heaven; copy of an epistle from Herbad Mânuskihar son of Yadân-Yim?, which he addressed to the good people of Sîrkân ?, about the decisions pronounced by Herbad Zad-sparam son of Yadan-Yim; copy of a letter from Herbad Måndskihar son of YûdânYim to his brother, Herbad Zad-sparam, on the same subject, and replying to a letter of his written from Nivshåpühar; copy of a notice by Herbad Måndskihar, son of Yadan-Yim and high-priest (rad) of Pårs and Kîrmân, of the necessity of fifteenfold ablution on account of grievous sin, written and sealed in the third month A.Y. 250 (A.D. 881); memoranda and writings called 'Selections of Zad-sparam son of YQdân-Yim,' the first part treating of many of the same subjects as the Bundahis, together
" This long epistle contains one statement which is important in its bearing upon the age of certain Pahlavi writings. It states that Nishahpahar was in the council of Anôshak-rabân Khûsro, king of kings and son of Kavâd, also that he was Mobad of Mobads and a commentator. Now this is the name of a commentator quoted in the Pahlavi Vend. III, 151, V, 112, VIII, 64, and very frequently in the Nirangistan; it is also a title applied to Arda-Viráf (see AV. ), 35). These facts seem to limit the age of the last revision of the Pahlavi Vendidad, and of the composition of the Pahlavi Nirangistan and Arda-Viråf. nâmak to the time of King Khasrô Nôshirvån (A.D. 531-579). The statement depends, of course, upon the accuracy of a tradition three centuries old, as this epistle must have been written about A. D. 880.
• Some Parsis read this name Gôshnajam, others YQdân-dam.
• Mr. Tehmuras Dinshawji thinks this is the place now called Sirgan, about thirty parasangs south of Kirmân, on the road to Bandar Abbâs, which is no doubt the case.
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