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

190 HISTORY OF THE PARSTS. [CHAP. Iv.

among their Indian co-religionists. On the weddingday a number of male relations and friends of the bridegroom go to the house of the bride, where, on arrival, they are regaled with sweetmeats and sherbet. One of the elders of the bridegroom’s party asks the girl whether she is willing to accept as her husband the man who has been selected by the respective families. On receiving an answer in the affirmative, the bridegroom’s party, alone with that of the bride, return to the former’s house. After they are all seated, a priest stands before the bridegroom and advises him in the Dari’ language. The bride sits apart with the other ladies at some distance from the men, so that she does not hear the advice given him, which is to this effect :—‘ Follow the commandments of the Lord God and His prophet Zoroaster ; pray to the Almighty three times a day ; participate in all the ‘Gahambars’ and other ‘Jasans’ (festivals) ; fulfil your duties towards your parents and your tutor; appoimt an angel, a ‘dastur, and a wise man as your guardians; do good to mankind; keep peace with all men ; follow the path of righteousness, for righteousness alone secures the fulfilment of all your hopes; be humble and of good behaviour ; hurt nobody ; do not be envious of any one; do not look with contempt upon your poor relations; on the contrary, help them as far as it lies in your power ; 1m all

1 A mixture of Pehlevi and the ancient Persian.