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

CHAP. IV.] THE SHOWER OF RICE. 181

The eyes of all, particularly of the ladies, are upon the pair to see which succeeds in first throwing the vice as soon as the curtain is withdrawn. The one who is successful is supposed to evince the more love and affection of the two.

On the conclusion of this the senior ‘“ dastur” begins the more solemn part of the marriage ceremony, and pronounces the following blessings:—* May the omniscient Lord bless you with many sons and grandsons, with good livelihood, heart - ravishing friendship, long life, and an existence of one hundred and fifty years!”

Two men are seated near the couple, one by the side of the boy and one by the side of the girl, as representing their parents or guardians. The officiating priests ask them whether the maitiage receives their consent. The person representing the father of the bridegroom is first asked the following question : “Tn the presence of this assemblage which has gathered here in this town, the priest specifying the day, month, and year of Emperor Yazdezard the king of the Sassanian dynasty of auspicious Iran, say whether you have consented according to the rules and customs of the Mazdayasnan religion to take this bride in marriage for this bridegroom on a promise of paying her two thousand ‘derams’ of pure white silver and two ‘denars’ of red gold (of the coinage) of the city of Nishapore ?”