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


CHAPTER LIV.

Bakŏ Nask.

1. The eighth fargard, Hvaêtumaiti 3, is that by him who teaches wisdom to others the not being deceived by an apostate into confusing a righteous one (aharûbŏ-barîsîh) is also taught 4; even for this reason, because he who has taught is not deceived.

p. 341

2. This, too, that by him who is as reverent unto Aûharmazd as a daughter unto a father, and who is also a gratifier of virtuous doers, Spendarmad 1 is made one of the archangels, and one is also made to love her; even for this reason, because through that Spendarmadic one being reverent unto Aûharmazd, and the gratification of the good by him, the archangels love and preserve her Spendarmadic nature (Spendarmadîgîh). 3. This, too, that he who is loving Vohûman is taught by his wisdom not to destroy (nasânînîdanŏ) 2 the religion of Aûharmazd; even for this reason, because wisdom maintains the religion in virtue, and others are taught about it.

4. This, too, that by him who gives himself in discipleship unto the priests, and who asks again that which he does not understand, learning (âmûkŏ) is taught; even for this reason, because the asking for knowledge again by him who has given himself in discipleship to a wise priest, increases knowledge; and the friends of knowledge, therefore, make him an example, and shall practise asking again, that which they do not understand, from the disciples of the priests.

5. This, too, that whoever is in accordance with Zaratûst, through pure affection, becomes, in like manner, him who is giving strength to the will of the archangels and the commands of the good; even for this reason, because these two capabilities are of the special nature of Zaratûst. 6. This, too, that through the discrimination of him who loves 3 Vohûman Aûharmazd

p. 342

is gratified; even for this reason, because one loving Vohûman is loving wisdom and has taught wisdom, wisdom taught is discrimination, and the discriminator becomes a gratifier of Aûharmazd.

7. This, too, that whoever gives thought to the religion of Zaratûst is taught wisdom; even for this reason, because all the wisdom of the good religion is taught to him by giving thought. 8. This, too, that whoever has kept wealth in the control 1 of Zaratûst becomes taught, and is one who is reverent to the benefiters; even for this reason, because whoever is reverent to the supporters of religion keeps wealth in the control of the supporters of religion, and, when kept by him in their control, it is kept by him in that of Zaratûst.

9. This, too, that his destiny is connected with himself who practises industry. 10. This, too, that his good works for arranging the creation become his own who has fully prepared his own person.

11. The excellence of righteousness is perfect.


Footnotes

340:3 See Chap. IX, 1 n; it is here written khvamaîtŏ in Pahlavi.

340:4. See Pahl. Yas. XXXII, 1-4.

341:1 See Pahl. Yas. XXXII, 2 c, and Bk. VIII, Chap. IX, 3.

341:2 Ibid. 4 c.

341:3 Ibid. 8 c. It is possible to read the verbal stem gôsh 'hear,' p. 342 instead of dôsh (Av. zush); but this is hardly possible in § 2, and gôshîdanŏ is not the usual Pahlavi for 'to hear.'

342:1 See Pahl. Yas. XXXII, 9 b.


Next: Chapter LV