Page:History of Zoroastrianism.djvu/274

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FRAVASHIS
241

Amesha Spentas.[1] They are implored to accept the offerings and be propitiated thereby.[2] They are asked to come with riches as widespread as the earth, as vast as the rivers, as high as the sun, in order to help the righteous and harm the wicked.[3] Those who honour them attain to power and greatness.[4]

Fravashis of the righteous ones of one's family, clan, town, or country invoked individually. The survivors of the dead commemorate the pious memory of their departed ancestors. The members of a family sacrifice unto their elders, the citizens laud their patriots and heroes, and the devout revere the sacred memory of their sainted dead. The latter part of the Yasht that is consecrated to the Fravashis treats of the great personalities of Iran that have illumined the pages of her history in various ways. The Fravashis of the righteous men as well as women of all times and places who have worked for the furtherance of righteousness, and who have contributed to the welfare of mankind are constantly commemorated.

Fravashis of the righteous ones of all ages and all places invoked collectively. These celestial beings are invoked in a body by the faithful. The supplicant generally winds up his prayers by announcing that he sacrifices unto the Fravashis of the righteous from the time of the first man, Gaya Maretan, up to the time of the advent of Saoshyant at the end of the world.[5] Not only are the Fravashis of the departed ones commemorated, but those of living persons, as well as those of persons that are still to be born in future ages, are also equally honoured with praise and invocation.[6]

In addition to this, the righteous ones of all the Aryan countries, nay what is still more, even those who are righteous among the Turanians, the national foes of the Iranians, receive their share in this homage to the saintly ones.[7] The commemoration list ends with explicitly mentioning the righteous ones of all countries of the world.[8] The individual is thus taught to recognize his fellowship with the human beings of all ages and all

  1. Yt. 13. 156, 157.
  2. Yt. 13. 145, 147.
  3. Ys. 60. 4.
  4. Yt. 13. 18.
  5. Yt. 13. 145.
  6. Ys. 24. 5; 26. 6; Vsp. 11. 7; Yt. 13. 21.
  7. Yt. 13. 143.
  8. Yt. 13. 144.