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

184 HISTORY OF THE PARSIS. [cuar. w.

Preserve the good name of your father.

In no way annoy your mother.

Keep yourselves pure by means of truth.

Be immortal like Kaikhosru.

Be well informed like Kaus.

Be as brilliant as the sun.

Be as pure as the moon.

Be as illustrious as Zarthoshtra.

Be as strong as Rustam.

Be as fertile as the earth. »

As soul is united with the body so be you united, friendly with your friends, brothers, wife, and children.

Always keep good faith, and preserve a good character.

Recognise only Ahura Mazda, the Omniscient Lord, as your God.

Praise Zoroaster as your spiritual leader.

Treat Ahreman, the evil spirit, with contempt.

After this follows an earnest supplication to the Almighty to bestow upon the newly-married pair good moral and social qualities. In this prayer are recited the names of the thirty angels after whom the thirty days of a Parsi month are called, and who are supposed to be guardian spirits presiding over the good qualities enumerated.

Beginning with Ahura Mazda, the first day of the month, the priests say :—

“May Ahura Mazda bestow upon you Good thoughts through Behman, Good words through Ardibehesht, Good actions through Shehrivar, Perfect thought through Spendarmad, Sweetness through Khordad,

— Fruitfulness through Amerdad. May God (Depadar) bestow upon you