History of the Parsis : including their manners, customs, religion and present position : with coloured and other illustrations : in two volumes

CHAP. III.] THE DAY OF KHUR. 137

“10. The day of Avan is for making a voyage over the sea, for irrigation and the digging of canals for the passage of water, for cleaning the waters of a well, for planting trees and sowing corn. This day is reckoned as the principal one for undertaking works that are advantageous and beneficial to agriculture. On the other hand, let all such actions as contaminate the ‘pure water of God’ be guarded against and avoided.

“11, The day of Khur (Khurshed) is named from the light of the sun and the (consequent) appearance of objects (in this world), and is (therefore) regarded as the best time, for they have said that all good actions should be unhesitatingly done on this day.

“12. The day of Mah is favourable to the fulness of earnings. On this day let prayers be recited for the acquisition of happiness and delight unto the soul, and let good works be commenced. The Yazdanparasts (God-worshippers) of Iran disapproved of occupying themselves on this day in any worldly business or profession, and regarded it as necessary, for those who are submissive to the Almighty, to acquire a high knowledge respecting Him. Such also is their precept, that to keep himself in comfort and to earn a good income one should labour with great eagerness in any work connected with religion.

“13, On the day of Tir one might enter a scientific institution and there learn the four branches of