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

CHAP. III.] A DAY OF REST. 141

Pleasure. Be this day therefore passed in preparing and decorating military arms, implements, and garments, and select them for wearing in token of rejoicing.

“99. The day of Vata (Goad) is the last day of the third week. This day is set apart for rest, and is called the day for reckoning up one’s profitable or injurious actions (done during the past seven days). On this day one should go into the company of virtuous people, and should feel a desire for listening to their moral teachings, so that no perverse actions may take place. And one should continue to be a participator in the works (conducive to) the felicity of the soul, and should repel from his mind any heartaching or sorrowful thought that has occurred to him ; for if on the day which has to be passed happily one should continue his grief and should not avoid business, he would be fatigued and would not obtain any rest, but be much injured in his health. On the day of Vata, therefore, one should quickly repress his grief and sorrow, and suppress by all means sad and mournful sighs, that by the power of Vata he may become altogether happy.

“93, On the day of Depdin (it befits one) to expound the religion to good people, and to encourage them to perform righteous deeds (enjoined by it), and to dissuade them from every sinful action, and to incite them to do wisely many works pertaining to

religion.