Chapter XVII

CHAPTER XVII.

Sûdkar Nask.

1. The sixteenth fargard, Spentâ-mainyû 2, is about effecting the bridge-judgment of sinners, as declared by revelation. 2. About performing the ceremony (yastô) for a man and a woman, and it is ordered for the woman before the man; the fitness for the supreme heaven (garôdmânîkîh) arisen through the liturgy (yastô) to be recited itself, or through purchasing heaven in the worldly existence 3.

3. About the immunity of the soul from hell through the righteousness of having respectfully given a horse of a good race, the land of a cultivated field, or a virtuous woman, to a righteous man; and also the woman who gives herself in marriage to

p. 205

the righteous man; and that liberal good work increases from time to time 1, and from day to day.

4. About the bridge penalty of him who is a mourner (navînîdâr) and self-wounder in the three nights after a death, and how it is as though they who are living should again pour melted ore on a human being. 5. About the punishment for a woman who gives herself in marriage to a righteous man, and comes away 2 from him; such as when a hedgehog 3 should be constantly going in and coming out by her sexual organ; and the cutting off of her way from the best existence. 6. About the non-deliverance of a soul of the wicked from hell till the future existence. 7. About the punishment of the wicked there is this, too, it is as though a sheep which is alive should be remaining tied by the legs, head downwards, and there should be a specific exudation of its toes through running at the nose 4.

8. About the Gâthas for an ordeal 5 of the spiritual existence, which is concealed in every mode, being without a footing (apâ-pâstakŏ), as it were, for him who is a righteous chanter of the Gâthas.

9. The excellence of righteousness is perfect.

---