This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
202
YAZATAS

different prayers: one, two, three, four, five, seven, eight, ten, twelve, twenty-one, one hundred, two hundred, twelve hundred, and a hundred thousand.

Those privileged to recite the spells. The Manthrans, or chanters, are those who are privileged to recite the spells.[1] Whoso seeks wisdom with pious intent is to be taught the holy spells.[2] The knowledge of the secret formulas is to be zealously guarded, it is to be imparted only to the veriest few in the closest circle.[3] The potency of such spells greatly lies in their careful and accurate recitation, without omitting any part of the prescribed formulas, or without violating the rigid rules of the manner of chanting. This requires that the reciter should be well versed in the art of exorcising, of healing, or in any other function he undertakes to perform with the help of the sacred spells. Teaching a manthra to an infidel is equivalent to giving a tongue to the wolf.[4]

Dahma Afriti

She personifies the power of benediction. Each time that a righteous person offers sacrifices unto this personification of a divine blessing, she comes to him in the shape of a camel.[5] She is beautiful and friendly, she fills the empty to over-filling and restores the sick to health.[6] When the collocation is used as a common noun it means the blessings of the pious. A healer takes his fees from persons whom he heals. But when he cleanses or heals a priest he has to do so for just the 'blessing of the pious' that the priest can give.[7]

Damoish Upamana

He personifies the power of anathema. This embodiment of the power to utter an awful malediction upon an offender against righteousness is generally mentioned alongside of Mithra.[8] When Mithra goes forth on his crusade against the demons and their followers throughout the seven zones, this angel, with the dread power of uttering fatal imprecations, ac-

  1. Ys. 7. 24; 41. 5.
  2. Vd. 4. 44.
  3. Yt. 4. 10; 14. 46.
  4. TdFr. 3; Nr. 17.
  5. TdFr. 64, 65.
  6. Vd. 22. 5, 12, 18.
  7. Vd. 7. 41; 9. 37.
  8. Yt. 10. 9, 66, 68, 127.