The History of Antiquity, Vol. 5 (of 6)Duncker, Max
History
The History of Antiquity, Vol. 5 (of 6)
Duncker, Max
History, Ancient
Of King Vistaçpa and Frashaostra the Avesta then tells us, "that they
prepared the right path for the faith which Ahura gave to the
fire-priests." In the prayers Kava Vistaçpa is praised because as an
arm, an assister, and helper, he has subjected himself to the law of
Ahura, the law of Zarathrustra; because he has opened a wide path for
purity, and has established the law in the world. The mighty brilliance
of the ruler supported Zarathrustra, "in establishing the law and
making it highly esteemed."[211] When Jamaçpa saw the army of the
Daeva-worshippers approach, he sacrificed to Ardviçura a hundred horses,
a thousand oxen, and ten thousand head of small cattle, and Ardviçura
granted to him to fight victoriously against all the non-Arians. And
Zairivairi, the brother of Vistaçpa, besought Ardviçura that he might
smite the skilful Peshana, who worshipped the Daevas, and Arejataçpa.
Kava Vistaçpa himself offered sacrifice in order to obtain the victory
over Asta-aurva, over the Daeva worshippers Çpinjauruska, and Darsinika,
and the murderous Arejataçpa.[212] And Vistaçpa smote Peshana and
Arejataçpa, and Zarathrustra blessed him: "I praise thee, O ruler of the
lands. May life be given to thy wives and thy children, which shall be
born from thy body. Be thou possessed of swift horses, like the sun,
shining like the moon, glowing as fire, sharp as Mithra, a conqueror of
enemies like Verethraghna, well grown and victorious as Çraosha. Mayest
thou be a ruler like Yima; mayest thou be victorious and rich in cattle
like Thraetaona, bold and strong as Kereçaçpa, wise as Urvakshaya,
brilliant as Kava Uça, without sickness and death, like Kava Huçrava,
stainless as Çyavarshana, rich in horses as Pourushaçpa, a friend of the
heavenly ones, and conqueror of men."[213]
The Avesta gives Zarathrustra three sons: Urvatatnara, Hvareçithra,
Daevotbi (Punisher of the Daevas); and three daughters: Freni, Thriti,
and Pourushiçta.[214] His work is summed up in the fact that he
compelled the Daevas, who previously had been in human form upon the
earth, to hide themselves in the earth.[215] His doctrine prevents the
Daevas from injuring the creation, as before, and gives to all the
creatures of the good god the means of protecting themselves more
effectually against the evil. Hence Zarathrustra is the increaser of
life; in this sense he is described, invoked, and worshipped as the lord
and master of all created life. But in time Çaoshyant will be born, who
will make the evil creatures wholly powerless, and bring on for man the
time of undisturbed happiness, in which there will no more be any
battle; the time of uninterrupted life, _i.e._ of immortality. In this
period all who once had life will have life again; _i.e._ the life
destroyed by Angromainyu and the evil spirits will be restored, and the
dead will rise to a new life.
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