As the god of light and of truth and as one of the judges of the dead, he rides out in lordly array to the battle and takes an active part in the conflict, wreaking vengeance upon those who at any time in their life have spoken falsely, belied their oath, or broken their pledge. His war-chariot and panoply are described in mingled lines of verse and prose, which may thus be rendered (Yt. 10, 128-132):-- By the side of Mithra's chariot, Mithra, lord of the wide pastures, Stand a thousand bows well-fashioned (The bow has a string of cowgut). By his chariot also are standing a thousand vulture-feathered, gold-notched, lead-poised, well-fashioned arrows (the barb is of iron); likewise a thousand spears well-fashioned and sharp-piercing, and a thousand steel battle-axes, two-edged and well-fashioned; also a thousand bronze clubs well-fashioned. And by Mithra's chariot also Stands a mace, fair and well-striking, With a hundred knobs and edges, Dashing forward, felling heroes; Out of golden bronze 'tis molded. The second illustrative extract will be taken from Yasht 19, which magnifies in glowing strains the praises of the Kingly Glory. This "kingly glory" (_kavaem hvareno_) is a sort of halo, radiance, or mark of divine right, which was believed to be possessed by the kings and heroes of Iran in the long line of its early history. One hero who bore the glory was the mighty warrior Thraetaona (Feridun), the vanquisher of the serpent-monster Azhi Dahaka (Zohak), who was depopulating the world by his fearful daily banquet of the brains of two children. The victory was a glorious triumph for Thraetaona (Yt. 19, 37):-- He who slew Azhi Dahaka, Three-jawed monster, triple-headed, With six eyes and myriad senses, Fiend demoniac, full of power, Evil to the world, and wicked. This fiend full of power, the Devil Anra Mainyu had created, Fatal to the world material, Deadly to the world of Righteousness. Of equal puissance was another noble champion, the valiant Keresaspa, who dispatched a raging demon who, though not yet grown to man's estate, was threatening the world. The monster's thrasonical boasting is thus given (Yt. 19, 43):-- I am yet only a stripling, But if ever I come to manhood I shall make the earth my chariot And shall make a wheel of heaven. I shall drive the Holy Spirit Down from out the shining heaven, I shall rout the Evil Spirit Up from out the dark abysm; They as steeds shall draw my chariot, God and Devil yoked together.