1. The seventh subject is this, that, when a sneeze (’hatsat) comes forth from any one, it is requisite to recite one Yathâ-ahû-vairyô [1] and one Ashem-vohû [2]. 2. Because there is a fiend in our bodies, and she is an adversary who is connected with mankind, and strives so that she may make misfortune (’hillat) and sickness predominant (mustaûlî) over mankind. 3 And in our bodies there is a fire which they call a disposition—in Arabic they say tabî’hat—and they call it the sneezing instinct (_gh_arîzî). 4. It is connected with that fiend, and they wage warfare, and it keeps her away from the body of man. 5. Then, as the fire becomes successful over [ p. 266 ] that fiend, and puts her to flight (hazîmat), a sneeze comes because that fiend comes out.
6. Afterwards, because it is necessary, they recite these inward prayers [3] and perform the benediction (âfrîn) of the fire, so that it may remain for a long period while thou art keeping [4] this fiend defeated. 7. When another person hears the sneeze, it is likewise requisite for him to utter the said prayers, and to accomplish the benediction of that spirit [5].
(265:3) See Mkh. XXVII, 70 n, Sls. XII, 32. ↩︎
(265:4) A formula in praise of righteousness, which begins with these two Avesta words, and is in constant use (see Bd. XX, 2). ↩︎
(266:1) The formulas are muttered as a spell. ↩︎
(266:2) B29 has ‘it is making.’ ↩︎
(266:3) In some parts of Europe it is still the custom to invoke a blessing, by means of some formula, on hearing a sneeze. ↩︎