DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.22900#0259
2 I 2
HISTOR Y OF THE PARSIS. [chap. iv.
there was no foundation whatever for so monstrous
an idea.
It should be stated that the Parsis do not forget
their deceased relations who have quitted this sub-
lunary world for another. Ceremonies are performed
by the well-to-do on every day during the first
year and on every anniversary of the melancholy
event. The last ten days of the Parsi year are
specially dedicated to the memory of the dead, and
the ceremonies then performed are known as the
Fravardigan, or Muktad as they are popularly called.
According to the 13th section of the Fravardin
Yasht, the souls of the departed desire to be remem-
bered during these days by those whom they lived
with and left behind in this world. They are said to
express their desire in the following words :—" Who
will praise us ? Who will offer to us ? Who will
consider us his own ? Who will bless us ? Who will
receive us with hands bearing food and bearing
clothes ? And who will pray for us ?"
This passage explains, to a great extent, the cere-
monies of the Fravardigan during the ten days when
one of the rooms of the house is thoroughly cleaned,
whitewashed, and set apart. In it every morning
the choicest flowers and best fruit of the season are
placed in trays upon stands, and prayers are offered
during the day. The room thus specially sanctified
is made as fragrant and appropriate for the purpose
HISTOR Y OF THE PARSIS. [chap. iv.
there was no foundation whatever for so monstrous
an idea.
It should be stated that the Parsis do not forget
their deceased relations who have quitted this sub-
lunary world for another. Ceremonies are performed
by the well-to-do on every day during the first
year and on every anniversary of the melancholy
event. The last ten days of the Parsi year are
specially dedicated to the memory of the dead, and
the ceremonies then performed are known as the
Fravardigan, or Muktad as they are popularly called.
According to the 13th section of the Fravardin
Yasht, the souls of the departed desire to be remem-
bered during these days by those whom they lived
with and left behind in this world. They are said to
express their desire in the following words :—" Who
will praise us ? Who will offer to us ? Who will
consider us his own ? Who will bless us ? Who will
receive us with hands bearing food and bearing
clothes ? And who will pray for us ?"
This passage explains, to a great extent, the cere-
monies of the Fravardigan during the ten days when
one of the rooms of the house is thoroughly cleaned,
whitewashed, and set apart. In it every morning
the choicest flowers and best fruit of the season are
placed in trays upon stands, and prayers are offered
during the day. The room thus specially sanctified
is made as fragrant and appropriate for the purpose