"A powerful God is Aurâmazda! 'Twas he who made this earth here below! 'Twas he who made that heaven above! 'Twas he who made man!" This God, who made the world, rules it. He is the sovereign of the universe, the _Ahura_,[48] "the Lord." "He is a powerful god," exclaims Xerxes; "he is the greatest of all the gods." It is to his favour that Darius, inscribing upon the rock of Behistun the narrative of his nineteen victories, ascribes both his elevation and his triumphs. It is to his supreme care that he confides Persia: "This country of Persia, which Aurâmazda has given me, this beautiful country, beautiful in horses, beautiful in men, by the grace of Aurâmazda, and through me, king Darayavus, has nothing to fear from any enemy. May Aurâmazda and the gods of the nation bring me their help! May Aurâmazda protect this country from hostile armies, from barrenness and evil! May this country never be invaded by the stranger, nor by hostile armies, nor by barrenness, nor by evil! This is the favour which I implore from Aurâmazda and the gods of the nation!" This world which he has organized is a work of intelligence; by his wisdom it began, and by his wisdom it will end. He is the mind which knows all things, and it is to him that the sage appeals in order to penetrate the mysteries of the world. "Reveal to me the truth, O Ahura! What was the beginning of the good creation? "Who is the father, who, at the beginning of time, begat Order? "Who has traced for the sun and the stars the paths that they must follow? "Who makes the moon increase and decrease? "O Ahura! I would learn those mysteries and many more! "Who has fixed the earth and the immovable stars to establish them firmly, so that they might not fall? Who has fixed the waters and the trees? "Who has directed the rapid course of the wind and of the clouds? What skilful artist has made the light and the darkness? "What skilful workman has made sleep and wakefulness? Through whom have we dawn, noon, and night? From whom do they learn the law which is traced out for them? Who endeared the son to his father so that he should train him? Those are the things that I wish to ask Thee, O Mazda, O beneficent Spirit, O Creator of all things!"