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[Part 1. Introduction.]

CHAPTER 1. [Religious disputes and the need for spiritual guidance]

1. They say that, once upon a time, the pious Zartosht made thereligion, which he had received, current in the world; (2) andtill the completion of 300 years, the religion was in purity,and men were without doubts.

3. But afterward, the accursed evil spirit, the wicked one, inorder to made men doubtful of this religion, (4) instigated theaccursed Alexander, the Roman, who was dwelling in Egypt, so thathe came to the country of Iran with severe cruelty and war anddevastation; (5) he also slew the ruler of Iran, (6) and destroyedthe metropolis and empire, and made them desolate.

7. And this religion, namely, all the Avesta and Zand, writtenupon prepared cow-skins, and with gold ink, was deposited in thearchives, in Stakhar Papakan, (8) and the hostility of the evil-destined,wicked Ashemok, the evil-doer, brought onward Alexander, the Roman,who was dwelling in Egypt, and he burned them up. (9) And he killedseveralDasturs and judges andHerbads andMobadsand upholders of the religion, and the competent and wise of thecountry of Iran. (10) And he cast hatred and strife, one withthe other, amongst the nobles and householders of the countryof Iran; (11) and self-destroyed, he fled to hell.

12. And after that, there were confusion and contention amongthe people of the country of Iran, one with the other. (13) Andso they had no lord, nor ruler, nor chieftain, norDasturwho was acquainted with the religion, (14) and they were doubtfulin regard to God; (15) and religions of many kinds, and differentfashions of belief, and skepticism, and various codes of law werepromulgated in the world; (16) until the time when the blessedand immortal Ataropad-i Marspendan was born; on whose breast,in the tale which is in the Denkard, melted brass was poured.(17) And much law and justice were administered according to differentreligions and different creeds; (18) and the people of this religiondeposited in Shaspigan were in doubt.

19. And afterward, there were other magi andDasturs ofthe religion; (20) and some of their number were loyal and apprehensive.(21) And an assembly of them was summoned in the residence ofthe victorious Frobag fire; (22) and there were speeches and goodideas, of many kinds, on this subject: (23) that "it is necessaryfor us to seek a means, (24) so that some one of us may go, andbring intelligence from the spirits; (25) that the people whoexist in this age shall know (26) whether these Yazishn and Dronand Afrinagan ceremonies, and Nirang prayers, and ablution andpurifications which we bring into operation, attain unto God,or unto the demons. (27) and come to the relief of our souls,or not."

28. Afterward also, with the concurrence of theDastursof the religion, they called all the people to the residence ofthe Frobag fire. (29) And from the whole number they set apartseven men who had not the slightest doubt of God and the religion,(30) and whose own thoughts and words and deeds were most orderlyand proper; (31) and they were told thus: 'Seat yourselves down,(32) and select one from among you, who is best for this duty,and the most innocent and respected.'

33. And afterward, those seven men sat down; (34) and, from theseven, three were selected; and from the three, one only, namedViraf; (35) and some call him the Nishapurian. (36) Then thatViraf, as he heard that decision, stood upon his feet, (37) joinedhis hands on his breast, and spoke (38) thus: 'If it please you,then give me not the undesired narcotic (39) till you cast lotsfor the Mazdayasnians and me; (40) and if the lot come to me,I shall go willingly to that place of the pious and the wicked,(41) and carry this message correctly, and bring an answer truly.'

42. And afterward, the lots of those Mazdayasnians and me weredrawn; (43) the first time with the word 'well-thought,' and thesecond time with the word 'well-said,' and the third time withthe word 'well-done'; each of the three lots came to Viraf.

CHAPTER 2. [Viraf and his preparations to visit the spiritual realm]

1. And that Viraf had seven sisters, (2) and all those seven sisterswere as wives of Viraf; (3) they had also learned the religionof heart, and recited the prayers. (4) And when they heard thosetidings, then they came upon them so very grievously, (5) thatthey clamored and shrieked, (6) and went into the presence ofthe assembly of the Mazdayasnians, (7) and they stood up and bowed,(8) and said thus: 'Do not this thing; ye Mazdayasnians; (9) forwe are seven sisters, and he is an only brother; (10) and we are,all seven sisters, as wives of that brother. (11) Just as thedoor of a house, in which seven lintels were fixed, and one postbelow, (12) they who shall take away that post will make thoselintels fall; (13) so for us seven sisters is this only brother,who is our life and maintenance; (14) every benefit from him proceedsfrom God. (15) Should you send him, before his time, from thisrealm of the living to that of the dead, (16) you will commitan injustice on us without cause.'

17. And afterward, those Mazdayasnians, when they heard thosewords, pacified those seven sisters, (18) and said thus: 'We willdeliver Viraf to you, safe and sound, in seven days; (19) andthe happiness of this renown will remain with this man.' (20)Then they became satisfied.

21. And then Viraf joined his hands on his breast before the Mazdayasnians,and said to them (22) thus: 'It is the custom that I should prayto the departed souls, and eat food, and make a will; afterward,you will give me the wine and narcotic.' (23) TheDastursdirected thus: 'Act accordingly.'

24. And afterward, thoseDasturs of the religion selected,in the dwelling of the spirit, a place which was thirty footstepsfrom the good. (25) And Viraf washed his head and body, and puton new clothes; (26) he fumigated himself with sweet scent andspread a carpet, new and clean, on a prepared couch. (27) He satdown on the clean carpet of the couch, (28) and consecrated theDron, and remembered the departed souls, and ate food. (29) Andthen thoseDasturs of the religion filled three goldencups with wine and narcotic of Vishtasp; (30) and they gave onecup over to Viraf with the word 'well-thought,' and the secondcup with the word 'well-said,' and the third cup with the word'well-done'; (31) and he swallowed the wine and narcotic, andsaid grace whilst conscious, and slept upon the carpet.

32. ThoseDasturs of the religion and the seven sisterswere occupied, seven days and nights, with the ever-burning fireand fumigations; and they recited the Avesta and Zand of the religiousritual, (33) and recapitulated the Nasks, and chanted the Gathas,and kept watch in the dark. (34) And those seven sisters sat aroundthe carpet of Viraf, (35) and seven days and nights the Avestawas repeated. (36) Those seven sisters with all theDastursandHerbads andMobads of the religion of the Mazdayasnians,discontinued not their protection in any manner.

[Part 2. Journey to Heaven]

CHAPTER 3.

1. And the soul of Viraf went, from the body, to the Chinwad bridgeof Chakat-i-Daitik, (2) and came back the seventh day, and wentinto the body. (3) Viraf rose up, as if he arose from a pleasantsleep, (4) thinking of Vohuman and joyful.

5. And those sisters, with theDasturs of the religionand the Mazdayasnians, when they saw Viraf, became pleased andjoyful; (6) and they said thus: 'Be thou welcome, Viraf, the messengerof us Mazdayasnians, who art come from the realm of the dead tothis realm of the living.' (7) ThoseHerbads andDastursof the religion bowed before Viraf. (8) And then Viraf, as hesaw them, came forward and bowed, and said thus: 'For you is ablessing from Ohrmazd, the lord, and the archangels (Amahraspandan);(9) and a blessing from the pious Zartosht, the descendant ofSpitama; (10) and a blessing from Srosh the pious, and Adar theangel (Yazad), and the glorious religion of the Mazdayasnians;(11) and a blessing from the remaining pious; and a blessing fromthe remaining spirits of paradise who are in happiness and repose.'

12. And afterward, theDasturs of the religion said (13)thus: 'A faithful minister art thou, Viraf, who art the messengerof us Mazdayasnians; and may thy blessing be for thee also. (14)Whatever thou sawest, relate to us truly.'

15. Then Viraf spoke thus: 'First this is to be said, (16) thatto give the hungry and thirsty food is the first thing, (17) andafterward to make inquiry of him, and appoint his task.'

18. Then theDasturs of the religion assented thus: 'Welland good.' (19) And well-cooked and savory food and broth, andcold water and wine were brought. (20) They also consecrated theceremonial cake (dron); and Viraf muttered grace, and atethe food, and having finished the sacred repast (myazd),he said grace. (21) And he recounted the praises of Ohrmazd andthe archangels; and thanks to Hordad and Amurdad, the archangels;and he muttered the benedictions (afrinagan).

22. He also directed thus: 'Bring a writer who is wise and learned.'(23) And an accomplished writer, who was learned, was broughtby him, and sat before him; (24) and whatsoever Viraf said, hewrote correctly, clearly, and explicitly.

CHAPTER 4. [What the dead experience]

1. And he ordered him to write (2) thus: In that first night,Srosh the pious and Adar the angel came to meet me, (3) and theybowed to me, and spoke (4) thus: 'Be thou welcome, Arda Viraf,although thou hast come when it is not thy time.' (5) I said:'I am a messenger.' (6) And then the victorious Srosh the pious,and Adar the angel, took hold of my hand. (7) Taking the firstfootstep with the good thought, and the second footstep with thegood word, and the third footstep with the good deed, I came upto the Chinwad bridge, the very wide and strong and created byOhrmazd.

8. When I came up there, (9) I saw a soul of the departed, whilstin those first three nights the soul was seated on the top ofthe body, (10) and uttered those words of the Gatha: (11) 'Ushtaahmai yahmai ushta kahmaichit'; that is, 'Well is he by whomthat which is his benefit becomes the benefit of any one else.'(12) And in those three nights, as much benefit and comfort andenjoyment came to it, (13) as all the benefit which it beheldin the world; (14) just as a man who, whilst he was in the world,was more comfortable and happy and joyful through it.

15. In the third dawn, that soul of the pious departed into thesweet scent of trees; (16) and he considered that scent whichpassed by his nose among the living; (17) and the air of thatfragrance comes from the more southern side, from the directionof God.

18. And there stood before him his own religion and his own deeds,in the graceful form of a damsel, as a beautiful appearance, thatis, grown up in virtue; (19) with prominent breasts, that is,her breasts swelled downward, which is charming to the heart andsoul; (20) whose form was as brilliant, as the sight of it wasthe more well-pleasing, the observation of it more desirable.

21. And the soul of the pious asked that damsel (22) thus: 'Whoart thou? and what person art thou? than whom, in the world ofthe living, any damsel more elegant, and of more beautiful bodythan thine, was never seen by me.'

23. To him replied she who was his own religion and his own deeds,(24) thus: 'I am thy actions, O youth of good thoughts, of goodwords, of good deeds, of good religion. (25) It is on accountof thy will and actions that I am as great and good and sweet-scentedand triumphant and undistressed as appears to thee. (26) For inthe world the Gathas were chanted by thee, and the good waterwas consecrated by thee, and the fire tended by thee; (27) andthe pious man who came from far, and who was from near, was honoredby thee. (28) Though I have been stout, I am made stouter throughthee; (29) and though I have been virtuous, I am made more virtuousthrough thee; (30) and though I have been worthy, I am made moreworthy through thee; (31) and though I have been seated on a resplendentthrone, I am seated more resplendently through thee; (32) andthough I have been exalted, I am made more exalted through thee;(33) through these good thoughts and good words and good deedswhich thou practicedst. (34) They honored thee, and the piousman after thee, (35) in that long worship and communion with Ohrmazd,when thou performedst, for Ohrmazd, worship and proper conversationfor a long time. (36) Peace be from it.'

CHAPTER 5. [The Chinwad bridge]

1. Afterward, the width of that Chinwad bridge became again ninejavelin-lengths. (2) With the assistance of Srosh the pious, andAdar the angel, I passed over easily, happily, courageously, andtriumphantly, on the Chinwad bridge. (3) I had much protectionfrom Mihr the angel, and Rashn the just, and Vai the good, andthe angel Warharan the powerful, and the angel Ashtad the world-increasing,and the glory of the good religion of the Mazdayasnians; (4) andthe guardian angels (fravashis) of the pious, and the remainingspirits first bowed to me, Arda Viraf. (5) I also saw, I ArdaViraf, Rashn the just, who held in his hand the yellow goldenbalance, and weighed the pious and the wicked.

6. And afterward, Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, took holdof my hand, (7) and said thus: 'Come on, so that we may show untothee heaven and hell; and the splendor and glory and ease andcomfort and pleasure and joy and delight and gladness and fragrancewhich are the reward of the pious in heaven. (8) We shall showthee the darkness and confinement and ingloriousness and misfortuneand distress and evil and pain and sickness and dreadfulness andfearfulness and hurtfulness and stench in the punishments of hell,of various kinds, which the demons and sorcerers and sinners perform.(9) We shall show thee the place of the true and that of the false.(10) We shall show thee the reward of the firm believers in Ohrmazdand the archangels, and the good which is in heaven, and the evilwhich is in hell; (11) and the reality of God and the archangels,and the non-reality of Ahriman and the demons; and the existenceof the resurrection of the dead and the future body. (12) We shallshow thee the reward of the pious, from Ohrmazd and the archangels,in the midst of heaven. (13) We shall show thee the torment andpunishment of various kinds, which are for the wicked, in themidst of hell, from Ahriman and the molestations of the demons.'

CHAPTER 6. [Hamistagan (Purgatory)]

1. I came to a place, (2) and I saw the souls of several people,who remain in the same position. (3) And I asked the victoriousSrosh the pious, and Adar the angel, thus: 'Who are they? andwhy remain they here?'

4. Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'They callthis placeHamistagan (the ever stationary); (6) and thesesouls remain in this place till the future body; (7) and theyare the souls of those men whose good works and sin were equal.(8) Speak out to the worlds thus: 'Let not avarice and vexationprevent you from doing a very easy work, (9) for every one whosegood works are threeSrosho-charanam more than his singoes to heaven; (10) they whose sin is more go to hell; (11) theyin whom both are equal remain among these Hamistagan till thefuture body.' (12) Their punishment is cold, or heat, from therevolution of the atmosphere; and they have no other adversity.'

CHAPTER 7. [The Star Track]

1. And afterward, I put forth the first footstep to the star track,on Humat, the place where good thoughts (humat) are receivedwith hospitality. (2) And I saw those souls of the pious whoseradiance, which ever increased, was glittering as the stars; (3)and their throne and seat were under the radiance, and splendidand full of glory.

4. And I asked Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, thus: 'Whichplace is this? and which people are these?'

5. Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (6) thus: 'This placeis the star track; and those are the souls (7) who, in the world,offered no prayers, and chanted no Gathas, and contracted no next-of-kinmarriage; (8) they have also exercised no sovereignty, nor rulershipnor chieftainship. (9) Through other good works they have becomepious.'

CHAPTER 8. [The Moon track]

1. When I put forth the second footstep, it was to Hukht of themoon track, the place where good words (hukht) find hospitality;(2) and I saw a great assembly of the pious.

3. And I asked Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, thus: 'Whichplace is this? and whose are those souls?'

4. Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'This placeis the moon track; and these are those souls who, in the world,offered no prayers, and chanted no Gathas, and contracted no next-of-kinmarriages; (6) but through other good works they have come hither;(7) and their brightness is like unto the brightness of the moon.'

CHAPTER 9. [The Sun track]

1. When I put forth the third footstep on Huvarsht, there wheregood deeds (huvarsht) are received with hospitality, thereI arrived. (2) There is the radiance which they call the highestof the highest; (3) and I saw the pious on thrones and carpetsmade of gold; (4) and they were the people whose brightness waslike unto the brightness of the sun.

5. And I asked Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, thus: 'Whichplace is this? and who are those souls?'

6. Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (7) thus: 'This isthe sun track; and those are the souls who, in the world, exercisedgood sovereignty and rulership and chieftainship.'

[Part 3. Heaven]

CHAPTER 10.

1. I put forth the fourth footstep unto the radiance of Garothman,the all-glorious; (2) and the souls of the departed came to meetus, and they asked a blessing, and offered praise, (3) and theyspoke thus: 'How hast thou come forth, O pious one? (4) From thatperishable and very evil world, thou hast come unto this imperishable,unmolested world. (5) Therefore taste immortality, for here yousee pleasure eternally.'

6. And after that, Adar, the angel of the fire of Ohrmazd, cameforward, saluted me, (7) and said thus: 'A fine supplier art thou,Arda Viraf, of green wood, who art the messenger of the Mazdayasnians!'

8. Then I saluted, and said (9) thus: 'Thy servant, O Adar theangel, it was who, in the world, always put upon thee wood andperfume seven years old, (10) and you exclaim about my green wood!'

11. Then Adar, the angel of the fire of Ohrmazd, said (12) thus:'Come on, that I may show thee the tank of water of the greenwood which was put upon me.'

13. And he led me on to a place, and showed the blue water ofa large tank, (14) and said: 'This is the water which that woodexuded, which thou puttedst upon me.'

CHAPTER 11. [God, angels, and spiritual leaders]

1. Afterward, arose Vohuman, the archangel, from a throne madeof gold, (2) and he took hold of my hand; with the words 'goodthought' and 'good word' and 'good deed,' he brought me into themidst of Ohrmazd and the archangels and other holy ones, (3) andthe guardian angels of Zartosht Spitama, Kai-Vishtasp, Jamasp,Isadvastar the son of Zartosht, and other upholders and leadersof the religion, (4) than whom I have never seen any one morebrilliant and excellent.

5. And Vohuman said (6) thus: 'This is Ohrmazd.' (7) And I wishedto offer worship before him.

8. And he said to me thus: 'Salutation to thee, Arda Viraf, thouart welcome; (9) from that perishable world thou hast come tothis pure, bright place.' (10) And he ordered Srosh the pious,and Adar the angel, (11) thus: 'Take Arda Viraf, and show himthe place and reward of the pious, (12) and also the punishmentof the wicked.'

13. Then Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, took hold of myhand; (14) and I was led by them from place to place. (15) I alsosaw the archangels, and I beheld the other angels; (16) I alsosaw the guardian angels of Gayomard, Zartosht, Kai-Vishtasp, Frashoshtar,Jamasp, and other well-doers and leaders of the religion.

CHAPTER 12. [Other blessed souls]

1. I also came to a place, and saw (2) the souls of the liberal,who walked adorned, (3) and were above the other souls, in allsplendor; (4) and Ohrmazd ever exalts the souls of the liberal,who are brilliant and elevated and mighty. (5) And I said thus:'Happy art thou who art a soul of the liberal, that are thus abovethe other souls.' (6) And it seemed to me sublime.

7. I also saw the souls of those who, in the world, chanted theGathas and used the prescribed prayers (yashts), (8) andwere steadfast in the good religion of the Mazdayasnians, whichOhrmazd taught to Zartosht; (9) when I advanced, they were ingold-embroidered and silver-embroidered clothes, the most embellishedof all clothing. (10) And it seem to me very sublime.

11. I also saw a soul of those who contract next-of-kin marriages,in material-fashioned splendor, (12) when the lofty splendor ofits residence ever increased thereby. (13) And it seem to me sublime.

14. I also saw the souls of good rulers and monarchs, (15) whoever increased their greatness, goodness, power, and triumph thereby,(16) when they walk in splendor, in their golden trousers. (17)And it seemed to me sublime.

18. I also saw the soul of the great and of truthful speakers,who walked in lofty splendor with great glory. (19) And it seemedto me sublime.

CHAPTER 13.

1. I also saw the souls of those women of excellent thoughts,of excellent words, of excellent deeds, and submissive to control,who consider their husbands as lords, (2) in clothing embroideredwith gold and silver, and set with jewels. (3) And I asked thus:'Which souls are these?'

4. And Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'Theseare the souls of those women who, in the world, have honored water,and honored fire, and honored earth and trees, cattle and sheep,and all the other good creations of Ohrmazd. (6) And they performedthe Yazishn and Dron ceremonies, and the praise and services ofGod; (7) and they performed the rites and praises of the angelsof the heavenly existences, and the angels of the earthly existences;(8) and they practiced acquiescence and conformity, reverenceand obedience to their husbands and lords; (9) and they were withoutdoubts on the religion of the Mazdayasnians. (10) They were diligentin doing of good works, (11) and they have been abstainers fromsin.' (12) And it seemed to me sublime.

CHAPTER 14.

1. I also saw the souls of performers of the Yazishn ceremony,and of those who know the scriptures by heart, splendid amongthe lofty and exalted among the great. (2) And it seemed to mesublime.

3. I also saw the souls of those who solemnized the whole ritualof the religion, and performed and directed the worship of God,(4) who were seated above the other souls; (5) and their goodworks stood as high as heaven. (6) And it seemed to me sublime.

7. I also saw the souls of warriors, whose walk was in the supremestpleasure and joyfulness, and together with that of kings; (8)and the well-made arms and equipments of those heroes were madeof gold, studded with jewels, well-ornamented and all embroidered;(9) and they were in wonderful trousers with much pomp and powerand triumph. (10) And it seemed to me sublime.

11. I also saw the souls of those who killed many noxious creatures(khrafstras) in the world; (12) and the prosperity of thewaters and sacred fires, and fires in general, and trees, andthe prosperity also of the earth was ever increased thereby; andthey were exalted and adorned. (13) And it seemed to me very sublime.

14. I also saw the souls of agriculturists, in a splendid place,and glorious and thick majestic clothing; (15) as they stood,and offered praise, before the spirits of water and earth, treesand cattle; (16) and they utter thanksgiving and praise and benediction;(17) their throne also is great, and the place they occupy isgood. (18) And it seemed to me sublime.

19. I also saw the souls of artisans who, in the world, servedtheir rulers and chieftains; (20) as they saw on thrones whichwere well-carpeted and great, splendid and embellished. (21) Andit seemed to me very sublime.

CHAPTER 15.

1. I also saw the souls of shepherds, by whom, in the world, quadrupedsand sheep were employed and fed, (2) and preserved from the wolfand thief and tyrannical man. (3) And at appointed times, waterand grass and food were given; (4) and they were preserved fromsevere cold and heat; (5) and the males were allowed access atthe usual time, and properly restrained when inopportune; (6)whereby very great advantage, profit and benefit, food and clothingwere afforded to the men of that time: (7) Which souls walkedamong those who are brilliant, on a beautiful eminence, in greatpleasure and joy. (8) And it seemed to me very sublime.

9. I also saw many golden thrones, fine carpets and cushions deckedwith rich cloth, (10) on which are seated the souls of householdersand justices, who were heads of village families, and exercisedmediation and authority, (11) and made a desolate place prosperous;(12) they also brought many conduits, streams, and fountains forthe improvement of tillage and cultivation, and the advantageof creatures. (13) And as they stand before those who are theguardian angels of water, and of trees, and also of the pious,in great power and triumph, (14) they offer them blessings andpraise, and repeat thanksgivings. (15) And it seemed to me verysublime.

16. I also saw the souls of the faithful, the teachers and inquirers,in the greatest gladness on the splendid throne. (17) And it seemedto me sublime.

18. I also saw the friendly souls of interceders and peaceseekers,(19) who ever increased thereby their brilliance, which was likethe stars and moon and sun; (20) and they ever walked agreeablyin the light of the atmosphere.

21. I also saw the pre-eminent world of the pious, which is theall-glorious light of space, much perfumed with sweet basil, all-bedecked,all-admired, and splendid, full of glory and every joy and everypleasure, (22) with which no one is satiated.

[Part 4. Hell]

CHAPTER 16.

1. Afterward, Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, took hold ofmy hand, and I went thence onward. (2) I came to a place, andI saw a great river which was gloomy as dreadful hell; (3) onwhich river were many souls and guardian angels; (4) and someof them were not able to cross, and some crossed only with greatdifficulty, and some crossed easily.

5. And I asked thus: 'What river is this? and who are these peoplewho stand so distressed?'

6. Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (7) thus: 'This riveris the many tears which men shed from the eyes, as they make lamentationand weeping for the departed. (8) They shed those tears unlawfully,and they swell to this river. (9) Those who are not able to crossover are those for whom, after their departure, much lamentationand weeping were made; (10) and those who cross more easily arethose for whom less was made. (11) Speak forth to the world thus:'When you are in the world, make no lamentation and weeping unlawfully;(12) 'for so much harm and difficulty may happen to the soulsof your departed.'

CHAPTER 17.

1. I came back again to the Chinwad bridge. (2) And I saw a soulof those who were wicked, when in those first three nights somuch mischief and evil were shown to their souls, as never suchdistress was seen by them in the world. (3) And I inquired ofSrosh the pious, and Adar the angel, thus: 'Whose soul is this?'

4. Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'This soulof the wicked wandered there where the wicked one died, over theplace where the life went forth; (6) it stood at his head, anduttered the Gatha words (7) thus: 'Creator Ohrmazd! to which landdo I go? and what do I take as a refuge?' (8) And as much misfortuneand difficulty happen to him, that night, (9) as in the world,unto a man who lived in the world and lived in difficulty andmisfortune.'

10. Afterward, a stinking cold wind comes to meet him. (11) Soit seemed to that soul as if it came forth from the northern quarter,from the quarter of the demons, a more stinking wind than whichhe had not perceived in the world. (12) And in that wind he sawhis own religion and deeds as a profligate woman, naked, decayed,gapping, bandy-legged, lean-hipped, and unlimitedly spotted sothat spot was joined to spot, like the most hideous, noxious creature(khrafstar), most filthy and most stinking.

13. Then that wicked soul spoke thus: 'Who art thou, than whomI never saw any one of the creatures of Ohrmazd and Ahriman uglier,or filthier, or more stinking?'

14. To him she spoke thus: 'I am thy bad actions, O youth of evilthoughts, of evil words, of evil deeds, of evil religion. (15)It is on account of thy will and actions that I am hideous andvile, iniquitous and diseased, rotten and foul-smelling, unfortunateand distressed, as appears to thee. (16) When thou sawest anyone who performed the Yazishn and Dron ceremonies, and praiseand prayer and the service of God; (17) and preserved and protectedwater and fire, cattle and trees, and other good creations; (18)thou practicedst the will of Ahriman and the demons, and improperactions. (19) And when thou sawest one who provided hospitablereception, and gave something deservedly in gifts and charity,for the advantage of the good and worthy who came from far, andwho were from near; (20) thou wast avaricious, and shuttedst upthy door. (21) And though I have been unholy, I am made more unholythrough thee; (22) and though I have been frightful, I am mademore frightful through thee; (23) though I have been tremulous,I am made more tremulous through thee; (24) though I am settledin the northern region of the demons, I am settled farther norththrough thee; (25) through these evil thoughts, and through theseevil words, and through these evil deeds, which thou practisedst.(26) They curse me, a long time, in the long execration and evilcommunion of the Evil spirit.'

27. Afterward, that soul of the wicked advanced the first footstepon Dush-humat and the second footstep on Dush-hukt, and the thirdon Dush-huvarsht; and with the fourth footstep he ran to hell.

CHAPTER 18.

1. Afterward, Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, took hold ofmy hand, (2) so that I went on unhurt. (3) In that manner, I beheldcold and heat, drought and stench, (4) to such a degree as I neversaw, nor heard of, in the world. (5) And when I went farther,(6) I also saw the greedy jaws of hell, like the most frightfulpit, descending in a very narrow and fearful place; (7) in darknessso gloomy that it is necessary to hold by the hand; (8) and insuch stench that every one whose nose inhales that air will struggleand stagger and fall; (9) and on account of such close confinementno one's existence is possible; (10) and every one thinks thus:'I am alone'; (11) and when three days and nights have elapsedhe says thus: 'The nine thousand years are completed, and theywill not release me!' (12) Everywhere, even the lesser noxiouscreatures (khrafstras) are as high as mountains, (13) andthey so tear and seize and worry the souls of the wicked, as wouldbe unworthy of a dog. (14) And I easily passed in there, withSrosh the pious, the well-grown and triumphant, and Adar the angel.

CHAPTER 19.

1. I came to a place, and I saw the soul of a man, (2) throughthe fundament of which soul, as it were a snake, like a beam,went in, and came forth out of the mouth; (3) and many other snakesever seized all the limbs.

4. And I inquired of Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, (5)thus: 'What sin was committed by this body, whose soul suffersso severe a punishment?'

6. Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (7) thus: 'This isthe soul of that wicked man, who, in the world, committed sodomy,(8) and allowed a man to come on his body; (9) now the soul suffersso severe a punishment.'

CHAPTER 20

1.I came to a place, and I saw the soul of a woman, (2) to whomthey ever gave to eat cup after cup of the impurity and filthof men.

3.And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body, whosesoul suffers suchl a punishment?'

4.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'Thisis the soul of that wicked woman who, having not abstained, norlawfully withheld herself, approached water and fire during hermenstruation.'

CHAPTER 21

1.I also saw the soul of a man, (2) the skin of whose head theyever widen out, and with a cruel death they ever kill him.

3.And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body, whosesoul suffers such a punishment?'

4.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'Thisis this soul of that wicked man who, in the world, slew a piousman.'

CHAPTER 22

1.I also saw the soul of a man, (2) into whose jaws they everpour the impurity and menstrual discharge of women, (3) and heever cooked and ate his own seemly child.

4.And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body, whosesoul suffers such a punishment?'

5.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (6) thus: 'Thisis the soul of that wicked man who, in the world, had intercoursewith a menstruous woman; (7) and every single time, it is a sinof fifteen and a half Tanapuhrs.'

CHAPTER 23

1.I also saw the soul of a man (2) who, because of hunger andthirst, ever cried thus: 'I shall die.' 3. And he ever tore outhis hair and beard, and devoured blood, and cast foam about withhis mouth.

4.And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body, whosesoul suffers such a punishment?'

5.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (6) thus: 'Thisis the soul of that wicked man who, in the world, devoured talkatively,and consumed unlawfully, the water and vegetables of Hordad andAmurdad, and muttered no grace; (7) and through sinfulness, hecelebrated no Yasht; (8) such was his contempt of the water ofHordad, and the vegetation of Amurdad. 9. Now this soul must sufferso severe a punishment.'

CHAPTER 24

1.I also saw the soul of a woman (2) who was suspended, by thebreasts, to hell; (3) and its noxious creatures (khrafstars) seizedher whole body.

4.And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body, whosesoul suffers such a punishment?'

5.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (6) thus: 'Thisis the soul of that wicked woman who, in the world, left her ownhusband, (7) and gave herself to other men, and committed adultery.'

CHAPTER 25

1.I also saw the souls of several men, and several women, (2)whose legs and necks and middle parts a noxious creature (khrafstar)ever gnawed, and separated one from the other.

3.And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by these bodies,whose souls suffer such a punishment?'

4.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'Theseare the souls of those wicked ones who, in the world, walked withoutshoes, (6) ran about uncovered, made water on foot, and performedother demon-service.'

CHAPTER 26

1.I also saw the soul of a woman (2) who ever stretched outher tongue on her neck, and she was suspended from the atmosphere.

3.And I asked thus: 'Whose soul is this?'

4.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'Thisis the soul of that wicked woman who, in the world, scorned herhusband and master, and cursed, abused and defied him.'

CHAPTER 27

1.I also saw the soul of a man (2) whom they ever forced tomeasure dust and ashes, with a bushel and gallon, and they evergave it him to eat.

3.And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body, whosesoul suffers such a punishment?'

4.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'Thisis the soul of that wicked man who, in the world, kept no truebushel, nor gallons, nor weight, nor measure of length; (6) bemixed water with wine, and put dust into grain, and sold themto the people at a high price; (7) and stole and extorted somethingfrom the good.'

CHAPTER 28

1.I also saw the soul of a man who was held in the atmosphere,(2) and fifty demons ever flogged him, before and behind, withdarting serpents.

3.And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body, whosesoul suffers such a punishment?'

4.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'Thisis the soul of that wicked man who, in the world, was a bad ruler,(6) and was unmerciful and destructive among men, and caused tormentand punishment of various kinds.'

CHAPTER 29

1.I also saw the soul of a man (2) whose tongue hung on theoutside of his jaw, and was ever gnawed by noxious creatures (khrafstars).

3.And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body, whosesoul suffers such a punishment?'

4.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'Thisis the soul of that man who, in the world, committed slander,and embroiled people one with the other; (6) and his soul, inthe end, fled to hell.'

CHAPTER 30

1.I also saw the soul of a man (2) whose limbs they ever breakand separate, one from the other.

3.And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body?'

4.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'Thisis the soul of that wicked man who made unlawfully much slaughterof cattle and sheep and other quadrupeds.'

CHAPTER 31

1.I also saw the soul of a man (2) who, from head to foot, remainedstretched upon a rack; (3) and a thousand demons trampled uponhim, and ever smote him with great brutality and violence.

4.And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body?'

5.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (6) thus: 'Thisis the soul of that wicked man who, in the world, collected muchwealth; (7) and he consumed it not himself, and neither gave it,nor allowed a share, to the good; but kept it in store.'

CHAPTER 32

1.I also saw the soul of a lazy man, whom they called Davanos,(2) whose whole body a noxious creature (khrafstar) ever gnawed,and his right foot was not gnawed.

3.And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body?'

4.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'Thisis the soul of the lazy Davanos who, when he was in the world,never did any good work; (6) but with this right foot, a bundleof grass was cast before a ploughing ox.'

CHAPTER 33

1.I also saw the soul of a man (2) whose tongue a worm evergnawed.

3.And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body?'

4.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'Thisis the soul of that wicked man who, in the world, spoke many liesand falsehoods; (6) and, thereby, much harm and injury were diffusedamong all creatures.'

CHAPTER 34

1.I also saw the soul of a woman (2) whose whole body the noxiouscreatures (khrafstars) ever gnawed.

3.And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body?'

4.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'Thisis the soul of that wicked woman who, in the world, dressed herhair-curls and hair over the fire; (6) and threw hairs from, thehead and scurf and hair of the body upon the fire; (7) and introducedfire under the body, and held herself on the fire.'

CHAPTER 35

1.I also saw the soul of a woman (2) who ever chewed with herteeth, and ever ate, her own dead refuse.

3.And I asked thus: 'Whose soul is this?'

4.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'Thisis the soul of that wicked woman, by whom, in the world, sorcerywas practised.'

CHAPTER 36

1.I also saw the soul of a man (2) who stood up, in hell, inthe form of a serpent like a column; (3) and his head was likeunto a human head, and the remaining body, unto a serpent.

4.And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body?'

5.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (6) thus: 'Thisis the soul of that wicked man who, in the world, committed apostacy;(7) and he fled into hell, in the form of a serpent.'

CHAPTER 37

1.I also saw the souls of several men and several women (2)who were suspended, head downwards, in hell; (3) and snakes andscorpions and other noxious creatures (khrafstars) ever gnawedall their bodies.

4.And I asked thus: 'Of which people are these souls?'

5.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (6) thus: 'Theseare the souls of those people, by whom, in the world, water andfire were not cared for, (7) and corruption was brought to waterand fire, and fire was extinguished intentionally.'

CHAPTER 38

1.I also saw the soul of a man (2) whom they ever gave to eat,the flesh and dead refuse of mankind, with blood and filth, andother corruption and stench.

3.And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body?'

4.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'Thisis the soul of that wicked man who, in the world, brought bodilyrefuse and dead matter to water and fire and his own body andthose also of other men; (6) and he was always carrying the deadalone, and was polluted; (7) he also did not wash himself in thisoccupation.'

CHAPTER 39

1.I also saw the soul of a man (2) who ever ate the skin andflesh of men.

3.And I asked thus: 'Whose soul is this?'

4.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'Thisis the soul of that wicked man who, in the world, kept back thewages of laborers, and the shares of partners; (6) and now thesoul must suffer severe punishment.'

CHAPTER 40

1.I also saw the soul of a man (2) who ever carried a mountainon his back; (3) and in snow and cold, he had that mountain uponhis back.

4.And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body?'

5.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (6) thus: 'Thisis the soul of that wicked man, by whom, in the world, falsehoodand irreverence and depreciating words were much spoken aboutpeople; (7) and now his soul ever suffers the punishment of suchsevere frost.'

CHAPTER 41

1.I also saw the soul of a man (2) whom they gave excrementand dead refuse and corruption to eat; (3) and the demons everbeat him with stones and axes.

4.And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body, whosesoul suffers so severe a punishment?'

5.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (6) thus: 'Thisis the soul of that wicked [darwand] man who was at the warm bathswhich many have frequented, (7) and he carried their bodily refuseand dead matter to water and fire and earth; (8) and the piouswent in, and came out wicked [i.e. darwand, impure].

CHAPTER 42

1.I also saw the souls of several people (2) whom they causeto weep; and they ever make piteous cries.

3.And I asked thus: 'Which people are these?'

4.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus; 'Theseare the souls of those who had a father in their mother; (6) andwhen they were born, the father did not acknowledge them; (7)and now they ever make lamentation for a father.'

CHAPTER 43

1.I also saw the soul of a man, (2) at whose feet several childrenfell, and ever screamed, (3) and demons, just like dogs, everfell upon and tore him.

4.And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body, whosesoul suffers so severe a punishment?'

5.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (6) thus: 'Thisis the soul of that wicked man who, in the world, did not acknowledgehis own children.'

CHAPTER 44

1.I also saw the soul of a woman (2) who ever dug into a hillwith her own breasts; (3) and ever held, on her head, a mill-stonelike a cap.

4.And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body, whosesoul suffered so severe a punishment?'

5.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (6) thus: 'Thisis the soul of that wicked woman who, in the world, destroyedher own infant, and threw away the corpse.'

CHAPTER 45

... committed perjury; (6) and he extorted wealth from the good,and gave it to the bad.

CHAPTER 46

... 'This is the soul of that wicked man whose wealth, in theworld, was not acquired by honesty, but was stolen from the propertyof others; (6) and it was left by him among his own enemies, (7)and only he himself must be in hell.'

CHAPTER 47

... 'These are the souls of those people who, in the world, havebeen apostates and disbelievers; (6) and men were ever ruinedby them, and led away from the laws of virtue to the law of evil;(7) and many religions and improper creeds were made current inthe world.'

CHAPTER 48

... 'kept back the food of the dogs of shepherds and householders;or beat and killed them.'

CHAPTER 49

... 'These are the souls of those wicked, by whom, in the world,land was measured, and measured false; (8) and many people wererendered unsettled and unproductive, so that they came to wantand poverty; (9) and it was ever necessary to contribute heavytaxes.'

CHAPTER 50

... 'removed the boundary-stones of others, and took them as hisown.'

CHAPTER 51

... 'made false covenants with men.'

CHAPTER 52

... 'committed many breaches of promise, (6) and broke promiseswith the pious and with the wicked; (7) for both are promises,alike with the pious, and alike with the wicked.'

CHAPTER 53

1.And afterwards, Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, tookhold of my hand; (2) and I was carried on to Chakat-i-Daitih,below the Chinwad bridge, into a desert; (3) and was shown hellin the earth of the middle of that desert, below the Chinwad bridge.

4.The groaning and cries of Ahriman and the demons and demonessesand many other souls of the wicked, came so, from that place,(5) that I was frightened, because I considered that they wouldshake the seven regions of the earth which heard that noise andgroaning. 6. And I entreated Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel,(7) thus: 'Carry me not here, but turn back'.

8.And then, Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said to me(9) thus: 'Fear not! since there is no danger whatever for theefrom here.' 10. And in front, went Srosh the pious, and Adar theangel; (11) and in the rear, fearlessly, I, Arda Viraf, went onfurther into that gloomy hell.

CHAPTER 54

1.And I saw the darkest hell, which is pernicious, dreadful,terrible, very painful, mischievous and foul-smelling. 2. Andafter further observation, it appeared to me (3) as a pit, tothe bottom of which, a thousand cubits would not reach; (4) andthough all the wood which is in the world, were all put on tothe fire in the most stinking and gloomy hell, it would neveremit a smell; (5) and again also, as close as the ear to the eye,and as many as the hairs on the mane of a horse, (6) so closeand many in number, the souls of the wicked stand, (7) but theysee not and hear no sound, one from the other; (8) everyone thinksthus: 'I am alone'. 9. And for them are the gloom of darkness,and the stench and fearfulness of the torment and punishment ofhell, of various kinds; (10) so that whoever is only a day inhell, cries out (11) thus: 'Are not those nine thousand yearsyet completed, when they should release us from this hell?'

CHAPTER 55

1.Then I saw the souls of the wicked who died, and ever suffertorment and punishment, in that dreadful, dark place of punishmentof various kinds, such as driving snow, and severe cold, and theheat of brisk-burning fire, and foul stench, and stone and ashes,hail and rain, and many other evils.

2.And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by the body of these,whose soul suffers so severe a punishment?'

3.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (4) thus: 'Theseare the souls of those wicked people, by whom, in the world, mortalsin was much committed, (5) and the Warharan (most sacred) firewas extinguished, and a bridge of a rapid river was demolished;(6) and falsehood and irreverence were spoken, and much falseevidence was given. 7. And their desire was anarchy; and becauseof their greediness and avarice and lust and wrath and envy, theinnocent, pious man was slain; (8) and they have proceeded verydeceitfully. 9. Now the soul must suffer such severe torment andpunishment.'

CHAPTER 56

1.Then I saw the souls of those whom serpents stung and evergnawed.

2.And I asked thus: 'Whose souls are those?'

3.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (4) thus: 'Theseare the souls of those wicked who, in the world, have been defraudersof their God and religion.'

CHAPTER 57

... 'These are the souls of those women who, in the world, mademuch lamentation and weeping, and beat the head and face.'

CHAPTER 58

... 'This is the soul of that wicked man who, in the world, oftenwashed his head and face, and dirty hands, and other pollutionof his limbs, in large standing waters and fountains and streams,(6) and distressed Hordad the archangel.'

[Chapters 59-99 omitted by Horne. These contain additional picturesof sorry fates of the impious.]

Chapter 59.

1.I also saw the soul of a woman (2) who ever wept, and evertore and ate the skin and flesh from her own breasts.

3.And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body,whose soul suffers so severe a punishment?'

4.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'This is thesoul of that wicked woman who ever left her own infant crying on accountof want and hunger.'

Chapter 60.

1.I also saw the soul of a man (2) whose body remains set into abrazen cauldron; and they ever cook it. (3) One foot, which is the rightone, remained outside the cauldron.

4.And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body?'

5.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (6) thus: 'This is thesoul of that wicked man who, among the living, lustfully and improperly,went much out to married women; (7) and his whole bodybecame sinful. (8) But that right foot, the frog and ant, snakeand scorpion, and other noxious creatures (khrafstars) were muchsmitten and killed and destroyed.'

Chapter 61.

1.I also saw the souls of those wicked (2) who swallowed andvoided, and again swallowed and voided.

3.And I asked thus: 'What souls are those of these?'

4.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'These arethe souls of those wicked who, in the world, believed not in the spirit,(6) and they have been unthankful in the religion of the creator Ohrmazd.(7) they have been doubtful of the happiness which is in heaven,and the torment which is in hell, and about the reality of the resurrectionof the dead and the future body.'

Chapter 62.

1.I also saw the soul of a woman (2) who ever gnashed her ownbosom and breasts with an iron comb.

3.And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body,whose soul suffers so severe a punishment?'

4.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'This is thesoul of that wicked woman who, in the world, despised her husbandand master (or guardian,) and became and remained vile; (6) being also herselfuntrue to him, and acted improperly with other men.'

Chapter 63.

1.I also saw the soul of a woman (2) who ever licked a hot ovenwith her tongue, (3) and ever burnt her own hand under the oven.

4.And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body,whose soul suffers so severe a punishment?'

5.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (6) thus: 'This is thesoul of that wicked woman who, in the world, offered defiance to herown husband and master, and became abusive; (7) she also acteddisobediently, and did not grant cohabitationat his desire; (8) and shestole property from her husband, and secretly formed a hoard forherself.'

Chapter 64.

1.I also saw the soul of a woman (2) who ever came and wentcrying and wailing; (3) upon her head also, ever came pelting hail;(4) and under foot, hot, molten brass ever streamed; (5) and she evergashes her own head and face, with a knife.

6.And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body, whenthe soul ever suffers so severe a punishment?'

7.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (8) thus: 'This is thesoul of that wicked woman who, undutifully, became pregnant fromother men, (9) and she effected the destruction of the infant.[i.e. abortion or infanticide](10) Becauseof the pain and punishment, she fancies that she hears the cry of thatinfant, and she runs; (11) and such vehemence of running is occasioned,as of one who walks upon hot brass; (12) and she ever hears the cryof that infant, and gashes her own head and face with a knife, anddemands the child, (13) but she sees it not till the re-establishment ofthe world [i.e. frashegird, cp.ch. 87.];this punishment she must suffer.'

Chapter 65.

1.I also saw several souls (2) whose chests were plunged in mudand stench, (3) and a sharp sickle ever went among their legs and otherlimbs; (4) and they ever called for a father and mother.

5.And I asked thus: 'Who are these souls? (6) and what sin wascommitted by them, whose souls suffer so severe a punishment?'

7.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (8) thus: 'These arethe souls of that wicked who, in the world, distressed their fatherand mother; (9) and asked no absolution and forgiveness from theirfather and mother, in the world.'

Chapter 66.

1.I also saw the souls of a man and a woman (2) whose tongueswere put out, and ever gnawed by the jaws of serpents.

3.And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by the body ofthese? (4) and who are those souls?'

5.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (6) thus: 'These arethe souls of that wicked who, in the world, ever committed slander, andembroiled people together.'

Chapter 67.

1.I also saw the soul of a man (2) who was suspended by one legin the darkness of hell [or hell of darkness]; (3) and he had an iron sickle in his hand, andever gashed his own chest and armpits [or loins], (4) and an iron spike wasdriven into his eye.

5.And I asked thus: 'Whose soul is this? and what sin wascommitted by him?'

6.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'This is thesoul of that wicked man, to whom a city was confided for administration;(8) and that which was proper to do and order, was not done andnot ordered; (9) and deficient weights and measures of capacity andlength were kept, (10) and he listened to no complaints from the poorand from travellers [lit. caravan people. see alsoch. 68andch. 93.].'

Chapter 68.

1.I also saw the souls of a man and a woman (2) whom they everdrag, the man to heaven and the woman to hell. (3) And the woman'shand was caught in the knot and sacred thread [kusti] of the man, (4) and shesaid thus: 'How is it when we had every benefit in union, among theliving, (5) now they are dragging thee to heaven, and me to hell?'

6.And the man said thus: 'Because whatever things I received ofthe good and worthy and the poor, I also gavethem back [meaning uncertain]; (7) andI practised good thoughts and good words and good deeds; (8) I alsoheeded God, ad disregarded the demons; (9) and I have been steadfastin the good religion of the Mazdayasnians. (10) But you despisedthe good and poor and worthy and travellers; (11) you also disregardedGod, and you worshipped idols; (12) and practised evil thoughts andevil words and evil deeds; (13) and you have been steadfast in the religionof Ahriman and the demons.'

14.And the woman said to the man (15) thus: 'Among the living,you yourself were completely lord and sovereign over me; (16) and mybody and life and soul were yours; (17) and the food and income andclothing which I had, were from you; (18) then wherefore did younot chastise and punish me for it? (19) You have not even taughtme,the reason of your goodness and excellence, (20) whereby you mighthave caused goodness and excellence in me, (21) and so now it wouldnot be necessary to suffer this evil.'

22.And afterwards, the man went to heaven and the woman tohell. (23) And owing to the repentance of that woman, she was in noother affliction, in hell, but darkness and stench. (24) And that mansat in the midst of the pious of heaven, in shame from not convertingand not teaching the woman, who might have become virtuous in hiskeeping.

Chapter 69.

1.I also saw the souls of women, (2) into both whose eyes awooden peg was driven, (3) tied by one leg, head downwards. (4) Andmany frogs, scorpions, snakes, ants, flies, worms and other noxiouscreatures (khrafstars) went and came inside their jaws, noses, ears,posteriors and sexual parts.

5.And I asked thus: 'Whose souls are these? (6) and what sin wascommitted by them, whose souls suffer so severe a punishment?'

7.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (8) thus: 'These arethe souls of those wicked women who had a husband in the world,(9) and slept and granted cohabitation [i.e. sex] with another man; (10) and the bedof the husband was kept defiled, and his body injured.'

Chapter 70.

1.I also saw the souls of women whom they threw head downwards;(2) and something like a hedgehog, which had iron spikes grownfrom it, was introduced into the body and dropped back; (3) and fromit, a finger dropping the semen of the demons and demonesses, whichis stench and corruption, ever went into the inside of the jaws and nose.

4.And I asked thus: 'Who are those souls, who suffer such apunishment?'

5.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (6) thus: 'These arethe souls of those wicked women who, in the world, broke promisesto their husbands, (7) and they have stayed away from the husband,and been never contented, and granted no cohabitation [i.e. sex].'

Chapter 71. [Sodomy and enticing wives to adultery.]

1.I also saw the soul of a man (2) whom the fangs of serpentsstung and ever gnawed; (3) and in both eyes, snakes and worms evervoided; (4) and an iron spike was grown [scraped?] upon the tongue.

5.And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body,whose soul suffers so severe a punishment?'

6.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (7) thus: 'This is thesoul of that wicked man, by whom sodomy was much committed;(8) and through a desire for improper lust, he debauched the wives ofothers. (9) And his smooth speaking deceived and seduced the wivesof others, and separated them from their husbands.'

Chapter 72. [Violating menstruation taboo]

1.I also saw the souls of women, by whom their own menstrualdischarge was ever devoured.

2.And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by the body ofthese, whose souls suffer so severe a punishment?'

3.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (4) thus: 'These arethe souls of those women who heeded not their menstruation, (5) andinjured water and fire and the earth of Spandarmad and Hordad andAmurdad, (6) and looked upon the sky and the sun and the moon, (7) andinjured cattle and sheep with their menstruation, (8) and kept the piousman polluted.'

Chapter 73. [Makeup]

1.I also saw the souls of women (2) who ever shed and suckedand ate the blood and filth of their ten fingers; (3) and worms evercame into both eyes.

4.And I asked thus: 'Who are these souls? (5) and what sin wascommitted by them who suffer so severe a punishment?'

6.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (7) thus: 'These arethe souls of those wicked women who beautified their faces [with makeup], and keptthe hair of others as ornament; (8) and they captivated the eyes of themen of God.'

Chapter 74. [Unlawfully slaughtering livestock.]

1.I also saw the souls of those who remained tied, head downwards,by one leg; (2) and a knife was driven into their hearts.

3.And I asked thus: 'Who are these souls?'

4.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'These arethe souls of those wicked, by whom, in the world, beasts, cattle andsheep were unlawfully slaughtered and killed.'

Chapter 75. [Cruelty to animals.]

1.I also saw souls who were thrown under the feet of cattle,(2) struck by the horns, and their bellies torn, and bones broken; andthey were groaning.

3.And I asked thus: 'Who are these people?'

4.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'These arethe souls of those wicked, by whom, in the world, the mouths ofbeasts and ploughing cattle were muzzled; (6) and water was not givento them in the heat; and they were kept at work hungry and thirsty.'

Chapter 76. [Violating menstruation taboo and sorcery.]

1.I also saw the souls of women who ever lacerated their ownbreasts with their own hands and teeth; (2) and dogs ever tore and atetheir bellies; (3) and both feet stood on hot brass.

4.And I asked thus: 'Whose souls are these? and what sin wascommitted by them?'

5.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (6) thus: 'These arethe souls of those wicked women who, in the world, prepared foodduring menstruation, (7) and brought it before a pious man, and badehim eat. (8) They also ever resorted to sorcery; (9) and they injuredthe earth of Spandarmad and the pious man.'

Chapter 77. [Cruelty to animals]

1.Then I saw souls whose backs, hands, and legs had wounds,(2) and they were suspended with the posteriors to the face[This sentence can also be read: 'head downwards in melted brass';but the formavîtakht for 'melted' is unusual.];(3) and heavy stones ever rained in their backs.

4.And I asked thus: 'Who are those? and what sin was committedby them?'

5.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (6) thus: 'These arethe souls of those wicked who had beasts in the world, (7) and appointedthem hard work, and made the burden unlawfully heavy, (8) andgave no sufficiency of food, so they suffered through leanness; (9) andwhen sores ensued, they were not kept back from work, and no remedywas provided. (10) Now they (the souls) must suffer such severepunishment.'

Chapter 78. [Adultery and infanticide]

1.Then I saw the soul of a woman (2) who ever dug an iron hillwith her breasts; (3) and an infant cried from that side of the hill, andthe cry ever continued; (4) but the infant comes not to the mother, northe mother to the infant.

5.And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body,whose soul suffers so severe a punishment?'

6.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (7) thus: 'This is thesoul of that wicked woman who, in the world, became pregnant, notfrom her own husband, but from another person; (8) and she said thus:"I have bot been pregnant." (9) She also destroyed the infant.'

Chapter 79. [Corrupt judge.]

1.Then I saw the soul of a man, (2) both whose eyes were scoopedout, and his tongue cut away; (3) and he remained suspended, in hell,by one leg; (4) his body also was ever raked with the two brazenprongs of a fork; (5) and an iron spike was driven into his head [or heart].

6.And I asked thus: 'What man is this? and what sin was committedby him?'

7.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (8) thus: 'This is thesoul of that wicked man whose justice, in the world, was false; (9) andhe took bribes, and made false decisions.'

Chapter 80. [Falsifying measurements.]

1.Then I saw the souls of several who remained suspended, headdownwards, in hell; (2) and they force the blood, filth, and brains ofmen into their mouths, and convey excrement into their noses; (3) andthey [the tormentors?] ever cry thus: 'We keep just measures.'

4.And I asked thus: 'Who are these bodies? and what sin wascommitted by them?'

5.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (6) thus: 'These arethe souls of those wicked, by whom, in the world, weights and bushelsand other small measures were kept short, (7) and things were soldto men.'

Chapter 81. [Adultery and sorcery]

1.Then I saw the soul of a woman whose tongue was cut away,and eyes scooped out; (2) and snakes, scorpions, worms, and othernoxious creatures (khrafstars) ever devoured the brain of her head;(3) and from time to time, she seized her own body with the teeth, andever gnawed the flesh.

4.And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body?'

5.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (6) thus: 'This is thesoul of that wicked woman who was, in her lifetime, an adultress.(7) she also practised much sorcery; and much mischief emanatedfrom her.

Chapter 82. [Sharp tongue]

1.Then I saw the soul of a certain woman whose tongue wasplucked out [Doubtful; it may mean 'whose tongues were many.'].

2.And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this woman?'

3.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (4) thus: 'This is thesoul of that wicked woman whose tongue, in the world, was sharp;(5) and her husband and master was much troubled by her tongue.'

Chapter 83.

1.Then I saw the soul of a woman who ever ate her own deadrefuse [nasa].

2.And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this woman?'

3.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (4) thus: 'This is thesoul of that wicked woman who, in the world, ate much meat concealedfrom her husband, (5) and gave it to another person.'

Chapter 84. [Manufacturing and distributing narcotics]

1.Then I saw the soul of a woman (2) whose breasts they cut off;and her belly was torn, and the entrails given to the dogs.

3.And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this woman?'

4.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'This is thesoul of that wicked woman, by whom, in the world, poison and oil [liquor? infusion?]of opium were made and kept, (6) and given by her to people to eat.

Chapter 85. [Adultery]

1.Then I saw the soul of a woman, (2) on whose body theyconstruct an iron coating, (3) and they turn back the mouth, and put itback to a hot oven.

4.And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this woman?'

5.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (6) thus: 'This is thesoul of that wicked woman who was, among the living, the wife of awell-disposed and intelligent man; (7) and she broke her faith to her husband,and slept with a sinful and ill-disposed man.'

Chapter 86. [Khwetodas]

1.Then I saw the soul of a woman, (2) through whose body agrievous [prickly?] snake ascended, and came forth by the mouth.

3.And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body,where the soul suffers so severe a punishment?'

4.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus:

Chapter 87. [Infant neglect]

'This is the soul of that wicked woman who, in the world, committed a crime,(7) and through a desire for wealth, gave no milk to her own infant.(8) And now she ever makes an outcry thus: "Here let me dig intothis hill, that I may give milk to that infant." (9) Yet until thereestablishmentof the world [Frashegird], she does not reach the infant.'

Chapter 88. [Improper sex and enticing wives to adultery]

1.Then I saw the soul of a man (2) who remained suspended,head downward, from a gibbet, and ever had sexual intercourse;(3) and they dropped semen into his mouth and ears and nose.

4.And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body,whose soul suffers so severe a punishment?'

5.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (6) thus: 'This is thesoul of that wicked man who, in the world, committed improper sexualintercourse; (7) and deceived and seduced the wives of others.'

Chapter 89. [Uncharitable]

1.Then I saw the souls of those who, on account of weakness,were dashed about from side to side in hell; (2) and they ever keptcrying on account of thirst and hunger, cold and heat; (3) and noxiouscreatures (khrafstars) ever bit out of the back of their legs andother limbs.

4.And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by those of thesesouls, who suffer so severe a punishment?'

5.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (6) thus: 'These arethe souls of those wicked whose food and clothing, in the world, wereconsumed by themselves, (7) and not given by them to the good andworthy; and they exercised no liberality whatever; (8) and they keptthemselves, and the people who had come and remained under theircontrol, hungry and thirsty and without clothing; (9) so they suffercold and heat, hunger and thirst. (10) Now they are dead, and theirwealth has remained for others; (11) now the soul suffers so severe apunishment from their own actions.'

Chapter 90. [Lying and profanity]

1.Then I saw the souls of those whom serpents sting and everdevour their tongues.

2.And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by those, whosesoul suffers so severe a punishment?'

3.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (4) thus: 'These arethe souls of those liars and irreverent [or 'untruthful'] speakers who, in the world,spoke much falsehood and lies and profanity.'

Chapter 91. [Unfair judge]

1.Then I saw the soul of a man who slew his own child andever ate the brains.

2.And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this body,whose soul suffers so severe a punishment?'

3.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (4) thus: 'This is thesoul of that sentencing judge who made unjust decisions between applicantsfor justice; (5) and plaintiffs and defendants were not lookedupon, by him, favorably and justly; (6) but through a desire of wealthand covetousness, he shouted at suitors with anger and severity.'

Chapter 92. [Kept back benefits.]

1.Then I saw the souls of those, into whose eye a wooden pegwas driven.

2.And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by the body ofthese, whose soul suffers so severe a punishment?'

3.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (4) thus: 'These arethe souls of those malicious ones who kept back benefits from mankind.'

Chapter 93. [Turning away travellers or charging for services]

1.Then I saw the souls of those who were fallen, headlong, intohell; (2) and smoke and heat were driven upon them from below, anda cold wind from above.

3.And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by these bodies,whose souls suffer so severe a punishment?'

4.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'These arethe souls of those who, in the world, gave no place, nor caravanseraifor travellers, nor lodging, nor space, nor baking oven; (6) or whogave them, and took hire for them.'

Chapter 94. [Starving their infants and selling the milk]

1.Then I saw the souls of those whose own breasts were placedupon a hot frying-pan, by their own hands, (2) and were ever turnedfrom side to side.

3.And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by these women,whose souls suffer so severe a punishment?'

4.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'These arethe souls of those women who gave their infants no milk, butemaciated and destroyed them; (6) and for worldly gain, gave milk tothe infants of others.

Chapter 95. [Starved her infant, adultery]

1.Then I saw the soul of a woman who ever dug a hill withher breasts; (2) and was ever thirsty and hungry.

3.And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this woman?'

4.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'This is thesoul of that wicked woman who gave her infant no milk, (6) but leftit hungry and thirsty; (7) and herself went with a strange man througha liking for avarice, and a lust for illicit intercourse.'

Chapter 96. [Didn't sow seed]

1.Then I saw the soul of a man whose tongue was cut out;(2) and they ever drag him by the hair, and scatter about the dead refuse[probably the hair pulled out by the roots], and measure it with a bushel.

3.And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by this man,whose soul suffers so severe a punishment?'

4.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (5) thus: 'This is thesoul of that wicked man who, in the world, took seed, (6) and saidthus: 'I will sow it;' and he sowed it not, (7) but ate it; and the earthof Spandarmad was defrauded.'

Chapter 97. [Falsehood]

1.Then I saw the souls of a man and a woman whose tongueswere cut out.

2.And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by these bodies,whose souls suffer so severe a punishment?'

3.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (4) thus: 'This is thesoul of that wicked man and woman who, amongst the living, spokemuch falsehood and profanity [or untruth], (5) and deceived their own souls.'

Chapter 98. [Ate nasa, and killed an otter and other sacred animals]

1.Then I saw the souls of a woman and a man who voided andare upthe excrement.

2.And I asked thus: 'What sin was committed by these bodies,whose souls suffer so severe a punishment?'

3.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (4) thus: 'These arethe souls of that wicked man and woman who, in the world, devoureddead refuse through sinfulness; (5) and killed the water-otter in thewater, (6) and smote and slew other creatures of Ohrmazd.'

Chapter 99. [Disobedient to rulers, enemies of their military]

1.Then I saw many more souls of wicked man and woman;(2) and they ever suffer terrible, fearful, hurtful, harmful, painful, dark,hellish torment and punishment of various kinds.

3.Then I saw souls whose tongues were scraped with a woodenpeg; (4) and they ever went down, into hell, head foremost; (5) and thedemons ever ploughed their whose bodies with an iron comb.

6.And I asked thus: 'Whose souls are these? (7) and what sinwas committed by them whose souls suffer so severe a punishment?'

8.Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (9) thus: 'These arethe souls of those wicked who have been disobedient unto their rulersin the world, (10) and have been enemies of the armies and troopsof their rulers. (11) Now they must here suffer such severe pain andtorment and punishment.'

Chapter 100. [Ahriman (the devil)]

1.Then I saw the Evil spirit, the deadly, the world-destroyer,whose religion is evil, (2) who ever ridiculed and mocked thewicked in hell, and said (3) thus: 'Why did you ever eat the breadof Ohrmazd, and do my work? (4) and thought not of your own creator,but practiced my will?' (5) So he ever shouted to the wicked verymockingly.

Part 5. Epilogue

Chapter 101.

1.Afterwards, Srosh the pious and Adar the angel took hold ofmy hand, (2) and brought me forth from that dark, terrible, fearfulplace, (3) and carried me to the eternal light, and the assemblyof Ohrmazd and the archangels.

4.When I wished to offer homage before Ohrmazd. (5) And he wasgracious and said thus: 'A perfect servant art thou, pious ArdaViraf, the messenger of the Mazdayasnians; go to the materialworld, (6) and as thou hast seen and understood, speak truly tothe worlds; (7) for I, who am Ohrmazd, am with thee; (8) everyonewho speaks correct and true, I honor and know; (9) so say to thewise'.

10.And when Ohrmazd spoke in this manner, I remained astonished,(11) for I saw a light, but I saw nobody; I also heard a voice,(12) and I understood that: 'This is Ohrmazd'.

13.And he, the creator Ohrmazd, the most munificent of spirits,said (14) thus: 'Speak thou forth, Arda Viraf, to the Mazdayasniansof the world, (15) thus: 'There is only one way of piety, theway of the primitive religion, and the other ways are all no ways.(16) Take ye that one way which is piety, and turn ye not fromit in prosperity, nor in adversity, nor in any way; (17) and practicegood thoughts and good words and good deeds; (18) and remain inthat same religion which, as received by him from me, SpitamanZartosht and Vishtasp made current in the world; (19) and holdthe proper law, but abstain from the improper. (20) And be yeaware also of this, that cattle are dust, and the horse is dust,and gold and silver are dust, and the body of man is dust; (21)he alone mingles not with the dust, who, in the world, praisespiety and performs duties and good works.' (22) Perfect art thou,Arda Viraf! go and prosper; (23) since every purity and purificationwhich you perform and keep, (24) and everything which you keeplawfully, (25) and the purification and ceremonial, when you performthem, in like manner, mindful of God, I know them all.'

26.And when I heard those words, I made a profound bow to thecreator Ohrmazd. 27. And then, Srosh the pious, conveyed me successfullyand courageously to this carpeted place. (28) May the glory ofthe good religion of the Mazdayasnians be triumphant!

29.Completed in health and pleasure and joy.

Errata

II, 8: changed things to thing
III, 6: changed living. to living.'
IV, 9: changed body. to body,
V, 5: changed Arada to Arda
VI, 9: changed heaven. to heaven;
VII, 6: changed tract to track
XIII, 8: changed lords. to lords;
XVII, 27: changed Dushhuvarsht; to Dush-huvarsht;