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CHAPTER XI, 103-125.
183
made them vile !, defiled, wicked, and hellish? 115. If done for the sake of experiment, just as that which they assert, that evil was created by him for the sake of an experiment as regards the creatures, (116) why was it not understood by him before those men and creatures existed ? 117. Because he whose custom ? is experiment is not to be called omniscient.
118. The conclusion is this, that the sacred being, if there existed no opponent and adversary of his, was able to create all those creatures and creations of his free from misfortune; why did he not so create them ? 119. Or was it not possible for him to wish it? 120. If it were not possible for him to wish it, he is not completely capable. 121. If it were possible for him not to wish it, he is not merciful. 122. If it were known by him that he might say:
Something or some one will arise, from these creatures and creations which I create, that will not be according to my will,' (123) and ultimately he made them, (124) then to attach now all this wrath and cursing and casting away for punishment in hell, discontentedly to his own performance, is un
reasonable.
125. Again, observe this, that if all the crimemeditating and crime-committing sin which mankind think and speak and do, as well as pain, sickness, poverty, and the punishment and misery of hell, cannot arise, except by the will and command of the
1 Paz, khôr, which Nêr. seems to have identified with Pers. kar, as his Sans. gives .deaf.' It may, however, mean 'blind' (Pers. kar), as in Chap. XII, 64, 70.
The Sanskrit takes Pâz. dastûr in its more usual sense of high-priest.'
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