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

CHAP. I11.] LAST DAY OF THE MONTH. 143

«29, The day of Marespand is the fitting one for increasing one’s eager desire for knowledge and wisdom pertaining to religion, and for restoring, preparing, and improving the body by means of medicine or remedy, and for pronouncing blessings. This day is also preferred as a propitious one for the beginning and continuing of righteous actions for the glory of religion, and for extirpating the houses of idols, and for expiating sins committed through necessity, and for purifying the body and the soul from pollutions.

“30. The day of Aneran is the last day of the month. This day is for taking rest and for the cessation of business, and for reckoning up the virtuous actions (done during the past month). In the beginning of this day one should give the poor their wages, one should form a determination and make a vow for the praismg and adoration of some special Yazda according to his own intention. From this day one should begin to make preparations for the works to be achieved on the day of Ahura Mazda. On this day people should undergo purification of the body and put on decent clothing, should perform penance for the expiation of sins, suppress anger, forget revenge, be reconciled to enemies, and let such actions be done as would make friends of other people and give pleasure to body and soul.”

The five days at the end of the twelve months ought to be added for the completion of the year.