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

212 IISTORY OF THE PARSTS. [CHAP. Iv.

there was no foundation whatever for so monstrous an idea.

It should be stated that the Parsis do not forget their deceased relations who have quitted this sublunary world for another. Ceremonies are performed by the well-to-do on every day during the first year and on every anniversary of the melancholy event. The last ten days of the Parsi year are specially dedicated to the memory of the dead, and the ceremonies then performed are known as the Fravardigan, or Muktad as they are popularly called.

According to the 13th section of the Fravardin Yasht, the souls of the departed desire to be remembered during these days by those whom they lived with and left behind in this world. They are said to express their desire in the following words :—“ Who will praise us? Who will offer to us? Who will consider us his own? Who will bless us? Who will receive us with hands bearing food and bearing clothes? And who will pray for us?”

This passage explains, to a great extent, the ceremonies of the Fravardigan during the ten days when one of the rooms of the house is thoroughly cleaned, whitewashed, and set apart. In it every morning the choicest flowers and best fruit of the season are placed in trays upon stands, and prayers are offered during the day. The room thus specially sanctified is made as fragrant and appropriate for the purpose