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

186 HISTORY OF THE PARSTS. [CHAP. Iv.

comes, I think, from their not believing the gods to have the same nature with men.”

We cannot do better than quote here Dr. Haug, who says: “Spitama Zarathushtra’s conception of Ahura Mazda as the supreme being is perfectly identical with the notion of Elohim or Jehovah, which we find in the books of the Old Testament. Ahura Mazda is called by him ‘the creator of the earthly and spiritual life, the Lord of the whole universe, in whose hands are all the creatures.’ He is the light and source of light; He is the wisdom and intellect. He is in possession of all good things, spiritual and worldly, such as the good mind (vohumano), immortality (ameretad), health (haurvatad), the best truth (asha vahishta), devotion and piety (armaiti), and abundance of every earthly good (khshathra vairya). All these gifts He grants to the righteous man who is upright in thoughts, words, and deeds. As the ruler of the whole universe He not only rewards the good, but he is a punisher of the wicked at the same time. All that is created, good or evil, fortune or misfortune, is His work.”

Now let us speak of his speculative philosophy about the two primeval causes above alluded to. According to the Parsi Scriptures, there are two causes or principles or spirits (Mainyush) working in the universe of God. These are the Spento Mainyush (the increasing or creative spirit) and