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

180 HISTORY OF THE PARSTS. [CHAP. IV.

contrast between the good and evil spirits from the creation till the resurrection; works of supererogation ; the sacred shirt and thread girdle ; apostasy and its prevention ; the use of fire at ceremonies, and other details; duties, payment, and position of priests; details regarding ceremonies; lawful and unlawful trading in corn, wine, and cattle, with a definition of drunkenness; adoption, guardianship, and inheritance; right of foreigners and infidels; the origin of mankind and next-of-kin marriage; the cost of religious rites; the causes of the rainbow, phases of the moon, eclipses, and river beds; things acquired through destiny and exertion; the sins of unnatural intercourse and adultery; imperfect prayer before drinking ; ceremonies and payments for them; the seven immortal rulers before Zaratush ; the sky, the source of pure water, and the cause of rai and storms.” “In his replies to these questions,” says Dr. West, ‘‘Manuskihar displays much intelligence and wisdom; the morality he teaches is of a high standard for the age in which he lived.”

The thirteenth book treats of arguments proving the existence of God against those of the atheists. It criticises Jewish and Christian doctrines.

The fourteenth, Bundehesh, is a very important

1 Its Pehlevi text is published by Westergaard. Its translation by Dr. West is published in the fifth volume of Max Miiller’s series. Its Gujarati translation by the late Dastur Edalji Jamaspasa is still extant.