Page:History of Zoroastrianism.djvu/346

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ZARATUSHT IN THE PAHLAVI WORKS
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Zaratusht's childhood. Pourushasp is afraid and consults the wizard Durasrob about the extraordinary child. Durasrob conspires with his wicked companion Bratrakresh to kill the child. He stretches out his hand to strangle the child but finds to his dismay that his hand is miraculously withered.[1] Durasrob works upon the superstitious fear of Pourushasp and frightens him with evil consequences to himself and his family if the child should grow to age. The credulous father becomes of one mind with him. A great fire is kindled and the child is thrown into it. A great wonder is manifested to the people for the fire does not burn the child.[2] Durasrob devises other means of destruction and throws the child one day at the feet of oxen and another day at the feet of horses, but when he is baffled in his evil intent and the oxen and horses do not kill the child, he approaches the lair of a wolf and when the mother has gone out he kills the cubs and puts the child near them. The wizard is confident that when the wolf will find on her return her cubs killed, she will mangle the child in revenge. Srosh and Vohuman guard the child and the wolf stands amazed at a distance with her mouth closed and fails to hurt the child.[3] Durasrob persists in his evil work of causing injury to the child, by practising witchcraft upon it.[4] At his tender age, Zaratusht enters into controversy with Durasrob and condemns him and his associates for their evil practices.[5] Durasrob is ultimately baffled, acknowledges his defeat and retreats, and when he has gone a little distance, he falls from his horse and expires.[6]

Zaratusht's youth. The Avestan and Pahlavi works declare the age of fifteen as the proper time of puberty for both boys and girls.[7] When Zaratusht was fifteen years of age he passed through the ceremony of the investiture with the sacred girdle.[8] In all ages when everybody lives for himself there is somebody

  1. ↑ Zsp. 16. 2. 3; Dk., SBE., vol. 47, bk. 7. 3. 4–6, p. 35, 36; Jackson, ib., p. 28.
  2. ↑ Zsp. 16. 7; Dk., SBE., vol. 47. bk. 7. 3. 8–10, p. 36, 37; Jackson, ib., p. 29.
  3. ↑ Zsp. 16. 5. 6, 8–11; Dk., SBE., vol. 47, bk. 7. 3. 11–19, p. 37–40; bk. 5. 2. 4, p. 122, 123; Jackson, ib., p. 29.
  4. ↑ DK., SBE., vol. 47. bk. 7. 3. 33, p. 43; Jackson, ib., p. 31.
  5. ↑ Zsp. 17 1–6; Dk., SBE., vol. 47, bk. 7. 3. 34–43, p. 43–45; Jackson, ib., p. 31.
  6. ↑ Zsp. 19. 7. 8; Dk., SBE., vol. 47, bk. 7. 3. 44, 45, p. 45, 46; Jackson, ib., p. 32.
  7. ↑ Ys. 9. 5; Yt. 14. 17; Vd. 14. 15; Dk., vol. 15, bk. 8. 19. 95, p. 79.
  8. ↑ Zsp. 20. 1, 2.
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