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

CHAP, II] THE ZEND-AVESTA. 157

as compared with the Greek, or the old Northern with the Gothic. It in many respects reaches beyond, and is an improvement on, the Sanscrit.”

The relation between the two languages is that of sisters, rather than of daughter and mother. The old Gatha dialect agrees with the Vedic Sanscrit, and the ordinary Avesta dialect with the ordinary classical Sanscrit. Dr. Haug considers these languages to be genuine sisters, and says, ‘‘ The languages of the sacred hymns of the Brahmans and of those of the Parsis are only the two dialects of two separate tribes of one and the same nation which is called ‘ Aryas’ both in the Vedas and Zend-Avesta.”

The books of the Zend-Avesta at one time consisted of twenty-one “nusks” or volumes. The following table shows the Avesta names of these volumes with their corresponding ones in Pehlevi :—

1. Yatha . . : Sudkar.

2, Ahu . : ; . Varshtamansar.

3. Vairyo Bako.

4. Atha . Damdad.

5. Ratush Nadar.

6. Ashat . Pajak.

7. Chit Ratoshtaiti.

8. Hacha Barish.

9. Vanheush Kashakisrob. 10. Dazda . Vishtaspsasto, 11. Mananho Dadok.

12. Shkyaothnanam Chidrasto. 13. Anheush Spent.

14. Mazdai Bakan Yasht. 15. Khshathremcha Nikadum.