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

CHAP. IV.] ARDA VIRAF’S VISION. 199

most powerful inducements to the practice of virtue and the shunning of evil.

What the nature of the religion, revived in the reign of Ardeshir Babekan, and up to this day professed by the Parsis of India, is, will be best explained by the following injunctions given to Arda Viraf when he is said to have returned from his mission for the instruction of the people in the way of righteousness. “Listen, O Arda Viraf!” said the Angel; “without trouble nothing can be attained, the poor day labourer 1s worthy of his hire, and thus those who perform good actions will have their reward in eternal life according to their several merits. The life of man is of short duration, and many troubles and anxieties fall to his lot; and a man, after fifty years of prosperity and happiness, may be, by some unforeseen accident, reduced to sickness and poverty.

“Many are tried by this criterion, and but few are found worthy. To suffer a day of pain, after fifty years of pleasure, is too much for them, and they complain, in bitterness of spirit, to the Creator of all good of His injustice and cruelty, without remembering the good they have so long enjoyed, or calling to mind the eternity of punishment in reserve for the wicked. Therefore, O Arda Viraf! walk yourself in the paths of righteousness, and teach others also to do so. Recollect that your body will return to dust,