The Dabistán, or School of manners, Volume 1 (of 3): translated from the original Persian, with notes and illustrations
Religion
The Dabistán, or School of manners, Volume 1 (of 3): translated from the original Persian, with notes and illustrations
Iran -- Religion; Religions
“Surúsh said: ‘This was a tale-bearer, who by his lies caused
dissension and strife among mankind.’ After this I saw a man, every
ligature and joint of whose body they were tearing asunder. Surúsh
said: ‘This person has slain many four-footed animals.’ I next beheld
a man exposed to body-rending torture, concerning whom Surúsh said:
‘This was a wealthy, avaricious man, who employed not his riches for
the useful purposes of either world.’ I then saw a person to whom were
offered all sorts of noxious creatures, whilst one foot was free from
all kind of suffering. Surúsh said concerning him: ‘This is the spirit
of a negligent person, who did not in the least attend to the concerns
of the world or the world to come. As he once passed along the road,
he observed a goat tied up in such a manner that it was unable to get
at its food: with that foot he tossed the forage towards the animal,
in recompense of which good act that foot is exempt from suffering.’ I
next beheld a person whose tongue was laid on a stone, and demons kept
beating it with another. Concerning him Surúsh observed: ‘This person
was an habitual slanderer and liar, through whose words people fell
into mischief.’ I then saw a woman whose breasts the demons were
grinding under a millstone. About her Surúsh observed: ‘This woman
produced abortion by means of drugs.’ I next beheld a man in whose
seven members worms had fixed themselves. Concerning him Surúsh said:
‘This person gave false witness for money, and derived his support
from that resource.’ After this I saw a man devouring the flesh of a
corpse and drinking human gore. Surúsh observed: ‘This is the spirit
of one who amassed wealth by unlawful means.’ I afterwards beheld a
great multitude with pallid faces, fetid bodies, and limbs covered
with worms. About these Surúsh Ashú observed: ‘These are hypocrites of
satanic qualities, whose hearts were not in accordance with their
words, and who led astray the professors of the excellent faith,
divesting themselves of all respect for religion and morality.’ I next
saw a man the members of whose body hell-hounds were rending asunder.
Concerning him Surúsh said: ‘This man was in the habit of slaughtering
water and land dogs.’ I next beheld a woman hurled into snow and
smitten by the guardians of fire. About her Surúsh said: ‘When this
woman combed herself, her hairs fell into the fire.’ After this I
beheld another woman tearing off with a poniard the flesh of her own
body and devouring it. Surush said: ‘This is an enchantress who used
to fascinate men.’ Next her I saw a man whom the demons forced by
blows to swallow blood, corrupted matter, and human flesh. Concerning
him Surúsh said: ‘This man was in the habit of casting dead bodies,
corrupted matter, nails, and hair into fire and water.’ I afterwards
beheld a person devouring the flesh and skin of a dead body. Surúsh
said: ‘This person defrauded the labourers of their hire.’ I next
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