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

144 AISTORY OF THE PARSTS. [CHAP. III.

Of these Ahunavatgas resembles the day of Ahura Mazda; and the other four Spendamangas, Vohukhshatar-gas, and Veheshto-

namely, Ushtavatgas,

yasht-gas—resemble Vohuman (Behman), Atro (Adar), Mithra (Mehr), and Din respectively.

It is scarcely necessary to say that these precepts so laboriously framed by Adarbad no longer form a euide to the actions in the daily life of the present Parsis. They are even not known to most, and this ignorance may rather be looked upon as a matter of congratulation than otherwise, for indeed, in these times of keen contest and feverish activity, there would be more disappointments than fulfilment of wishes in store for a faithful follower of Adarbad.

We may now describe the most important of Parsi festivals. The chief aim of these religious observances is to promote social harmony, charity, and philanthropy. Zoroastrianism inculcates sublime moral principles of benevolence, charity, and brotherly love, combined with innocent pleasures.

Pateti or New Year's Day.—Of all the Zoroastrian festivals the so-called Pateti holiday is observed with more or less religious fervour by Parsis of every rank and condition. It is the day of Ahura Mazda in the month of Fravardin, which should be properly called Naoroz. Amongst the Kadmis it falls one month earlier than amongst the Shehenshais. The name Pateti, which is a corrupt form of the Avesta