1. The sage asked the spirit of wisdom (2) thus: ‘How is it possible to make Aûharmazd, the archangels, and the fragrant, well-pleasing heaven more fully for oneself? 3. And how is it possible to make Aharman, the wicked, and the demons confounded, and to escape from hell, the depreciated [1] and dark?’
4. The spirit of wisdom answered (5) thus: ‘To make Aûharmazd, the lord, and the archangels, and [ p. 84 ] the fragrant, well-pleasing heaven for oneself, and [2] Aharman, the wicked, and the. demons confounded, and to escape from hell, the dark and depreciated, are possible thus: (6) that is, when they make the spirit of wisdom a protection for the back (pûstîkpânakîh), (7) and wear the spirit of contentment on the body, like arms and armour and valour, (8) and make the spirit of truth [3] a shield, (9) the spirit of thankfulness a club, (To) the spirit of complete mindfulness a bow, (11) and the spirit of liberality an arrow; (12) and they make the spirit of moderation like a spear, (13) the spirit of perseverance a gauntlet, and they put forth the spirit of destiny as a protection [4]. 14. In this manner it is possible to come to heaven and the sight of the sacred beings, and to escape from Aharman, the wicked, and hell, the depreciated.’
(83:2) Reading dûs-vahâk. Nêr. has misread the word dus-gand, ‘evil-smelling,’ both here and in §§ 5, 14. ↩︎
(84:1) L19 repeats ‘to make,’ but this is no more necessary in Pahlavi than in English. ↩︎
(84:2) L19 inserts ‘like’ in §§ 8-11, and omits the verb ‘make’ in §§ 8, 12. ↩︎
(84:3) §§ 6-13 bear some resemblance to Isaiah lix. 17 and Ephesians vi. 14-17, so far as mode of expression is concerned. ↩︎