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Pahlavi Texts, Part IV (SBE37), E.W. West, tr. [1892], at sacred-texts.com


CHAPTER LXVI.

Bakŏ Nask.

1. In the twentieth fargard, Vohû-khshathrem 1, it is also stated by Aûharmazd to Zaratûst the Spîtâmân thus: 'They who are now in sovereignty are privileged, the human being who is a wicked lying tyrant being not now in sovereignty; moreover, thou shouldst cause some one to thoroughly smite (barâ vânîn-aê) him who is causing deception in the embodied world by lamentation (sîvan), and they cause the preservation of death, ruin, and falsehood because they would cause the preservation of his effects (mamanas var ae bôgînênd).' 2. And this, too, namely: 'When the sovereignty should be given by them unto him who is good 2, they would be preserved through that sovereignty of his; moreover, thou shouldst cause some one to thoroughly smite him who is made deceitful by lamentation, and so also death, ruin, and falsehood.'

3. This, too, that by him who shall provide complete mindfulness 3 for his own, righteousness is produced; even for this reason, because, through

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complete mindfulness, the discerning eye of life, which is righteousness, is enlightened. 4. This, too, that the coveted thingstŏ) which it is expedient for sovereignty to give away 1 is taught by him who shall provide sovereignty for him who is all-progressive (hamâk-rûbisnŏ); even for this reason, because the observation, consideration, and action of him who is an all-progressive ruler are about that which is coveted by the multitude and is an advantage for the sovereignty which it is expedient to produce.

5. This, too, that what is produced by the words of Vohûman 2 is taught by him who shall perform the ceremonial of the sacred beings with the thoughts of Vohûman; even for this reason, because, the mind being with the thoughts of Vohûman, the tongues of the faithful are habituated (khûkînîdakŏ) in the statements of Vohûman. 6. This, too, that innocence from discontinued (amând) good works is taught by him who remains in virtue; even for this reason, because they are atoned for by him even among important good works.

7. This, too, that the original causer of goodness is assisted in causing goodness by him whose fundamental gift (bûn dahisnŏ) among the existences is that he supplies that which it is requisite for him to give; even for this reason, because in a work, upon which one remains with a thousand men, when one man is bringing his own strength to the labour therein, the 999 other men are assisted by him in that work.

8. This, too, that the way of righteousness 3 is

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not concealed, but taught, by him who is a good considerer as to righteousness; even for this reason, because the sap and root of his righteousness are owing to undiverted thought. 9. This, too, that its being unnecessary to provide repletion for those who are cattle 1 is taught by him who keeps cattle as a controller for benefiters; even for this reason, because they teach and command him.

10. This, too, that housewifery 2 being performed is taught by that wife who shall joyfully pay reverence to her husband; even for this reason, because her housewifery is for the satisfaction of the husband, the satisfaction is through her reverence, and the reverence arises through joy. 11. This, too, that to love the religion through knowledge 3 is taught by him who is peaceful (padmânîk) and Vohûmanic to it; even for this reason, because Vohûmanic peacefulness is understood as religion. 12. And this, too, that the gratification of Aûharmazd 4 is caused by him who teaches for Aûharmazd.

13. It is righteousness that is perfect excellence.


Footnotes

379:1 See Chap. XXI, 1 n; it is here written vôhû-khshatar in Pahlavi.

379:2 See Pahl. Yas. L, 1 a.

379:3 Ibid. 2 b.

380:1 See Pahl. Yas. L, 2 b.

380:2 Ibid. 3 b.

380:3 Ibid. 13 c.

381:1 See Pahl. Yas. L, 14 b.

381:2 Ibid. 17 c.

381:3 Ibid. 18 b.

381:4 Ibid. 20 c.


Next: Chapter LXVII