________________
CHAPTER XXI, 20–XXII, 2.
159
(pasâkhtan)' for the religion ; first, by means of fires, and Zaratûst walked three steps on them, with the words, 'good thoughts, good words, and good deeds,' and was not burnt; and secondly, hot metal is poured on to his chest, cooled thereby, and, grasping it with his hand, he held it for the archangels. 25. Adharmazd spoke thus: 'After the establishment of the pure religion, when a dispute occurs in the religion, those who are thy disciples will pour it on to a spiritual lord, they will take it up with the hand, and will thoroughly believe in him who is over the whole embodied existence. 26. The third was cutting with a knife, and the vital parts (a hvôn) becoming visible, which are inside the abdomen, with a flowing forth of blood; and, after the hands are rubbed over it, it became healed. 27. And this is pointed out, namely: 'Thy and thy correligionists' accepting of the pure religion is, as to the steadfast in other religions, such that, through such-like burning of fire, pouring of hot metal, and through an operation with a sharp instrument, there is no perversion from the good religion.'
CHAPTER XXII. 1. About the seven questionings (7-frasnõih), with reference to religion, of the seven archangels, which occurred in seven places 2.
2. For the occurrence of the first questioning 3, that of Allharmazd, the person of Zaratust, who was
" By way of ordeal, a relic of the old faith in incantation. ? Compare Dk. VIII, xiv, 5, 6, 9. * This has been narrated in the preceding chapter.
Digiized by Google
