DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.22901#0215
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 pro-
fessed 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 right-
eousness.
" Listen, 0 Arda Viraf! " said the Angel; " with-
out trouble nothing can be attained, the poor day
labourer is 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 unfore-
seen 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 remember-
ing the good they have so long enjoyed, or calling to
mind the eternity of punishment in reserve for the
wicked. Therefore, 0 Arda Viraf! walk yourself in
the paths of righteousness, and teach others also to
do so. Recollect that your body will return to dust,
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 pro-
fessed 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 right-
eousness.
" Listen, 0 Arda Viraf! " said the Angel; " with-
out trouble nothing can be attained, the poor day
labourer is 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 unfore-
seen 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 remember-
ing the good they have so long enjoyed, or calling to
mind the eternity of punishment in reserve for the
wicked. Therefore, 0 Arda Viraf! walk yourself in
the paths of righteousness, and teach others also to
do so. Recollect that your body will return to dust,