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

CHAP. IV. | THE BLESSING. 185

Increasing lustre through Adar,

Purity through Aban, or Avan, Exalted position through Khurshed, Increase through the cow-like Mohor, Liberality through Tir,

Temperate habits through Gosh.

May God Depmehr bestow upon you Pure justice through Mehr,

Obedience through Srosh,

Fruitfulness through Rashnu,

Increase of strength through Fravardin, Victory through Behram,

Constant delight through Ram,

Strong power through Goad.

May God Depdin bestow upon you Knowledge through Din,

Collection of wealth through Arshisang, A number of good talents through Ashtad, Great activity through Asman, Firmness of place through Jamyad, Good sight through Marespand, and Nourishment of body through Aneran.”

All this is spoken by the “dastur” in the Pazand language, which, after the Pehlevi, was the current language of Persia, and which was very commonly spoken in the latter days of the Sassanian dynasty. It is very like the Persian language. When this is finished some blessings are recited in the language of the Avesta itself. These consist of a few passages from the latter part of the “ Yasna.” They run as follows :— .

Oh you good man! May that come to you which is still

better for you than the good, since you fit yourself worthy as a “zaota” (a pious and virtuous man). May you receive the reward