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CHAPTER LVII, 17–28.
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of wisdom and unsteadier in disposition. 23. And it is manifest, that, unto him who is virtuous in disposition, habit, and demeanour', praise is then due, owing to his maintenance of wisdom. 24. For it is declared, that Aharman shouted to Zaratust thus 2: “If thou desist from this good religion of the Mazda-worshippers, then I will give thee a thousand years' dominion of the worldly existence, (25) as was given to the Vadakân 3 monarch Dahâk 4" 26. On account of complete wisdom, the virtuous disposition and demeanour of Zaratust not having hearkened and not being deluded, he did not become deceived and longing through that temptation of the accursed evil one, the wicked 6. 27. And he spoke to Aharman (28) thus: “I will shatter and cause to run (dûkânam), and will make downcast (niguisâr) for thee?, the bodies of your demons and fiends, wizards and witches, through the Hôm 8 and sacred twigs', and the good, true
* L19 has 'virtuous in disposition and virtuous of demeanour.' . This is stated, in other words, in Vend. XIX, 23-32.
8 As Vadak is said (Dd. LXXII, 5) to have been the mother of Dahâk, this term may be a matronymic implying 'son of Vadak.'
See Chap. VIII, 29 n. 8 This section is a good deal altered in the Pâzand version, but the general meaning is the same.
L19 has va vânom, and I will smite.' ? L19 has and will make withered (nizâr).'
8 A plant growing in Persia, small twigs of which are pounded in water, and the resulting juice is tasted by the priest during the ceremonial. It is a symbol of the mythic Hôm, the producer of immortality (see Chap. LXII, 28). Originally, no doubt, the Hôm (Av. haom a) and the Sans, soma were the same plant (see Dd. XLVIII, 16 n).
The baresôm (Av. baresma) is a bundle of slender' twigs or wires, prepared in a particular manner, to be held in the left hand
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