Chapter XVIII

CHAPTER XVIII.

Sûdkar Nask.

1. The seventeenth fargard, Yêzî 1, is about where he is who shall commit any of these five sins 2, and, thereby perverted from the religion, has diminished his own life and destiny 3:—A human being when he contentedly reverences a demon in spiritual lordship (ahûîh) and priestly authority (radîh), one steadfast in religion when he so reverences one unsteadfast in religion, a teacher when he so reverences one who is no teacher and ignorant, one acquainted with the Gâthas when he so reverences one unacquainted with the Gâthas and unintelligent (anashnâs) 4, and a helpful one when he so reverences an unhelpful and unwise one.

2. This, too, where also they are who unlawfully slaughter a sheep, or beast of burden, which diminishes their life and destiny. 3. And so, too, those also who think scornfully of Aûharmazd, O pure and righteous Spîtâmân! and their own religion, the strength of the righteous and thy disciples.

4. Excellence that is perfect is righteousness.