Page:History of Zoroastrianism.djvu/349

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ZARATUSHT IN THE PAHLAVI WORKS

gether seven conferences individually with each of the Amshaspands at different places. In these conferences, each Amshaspand exhorts Zaratusht to teach mankind to preserve and protect the particular material creation that is under his protection. Vohuman thus pleads for the proper maintenance of animals, Artavahisht for fire, Shatravar for metals, Spandarmad for earth, Khurdad for water, and Amardad for plants.[1]

Zaratusht at the court of king Vishtasp. At the tenth year of his ministry and at the close of his conferences with the Amshaspands, Zaratusht wins his first convert.[2] Greater triumph, however, is now in store for the prophet of Ormazd. He is led by Ormazd himself to the court of king Vishtasp, where he succeeds in winning over the king and his courtiers by means of his persuasive preaching, the presentation of the testimony of the Amshaspands for the truth of his doctrines and by the working of many miracles.[3] The Kiks and Karaps at the court of Vishtasp were alarmed at the prophet's success. They challenged him to prove the truth of his utterances and propounded thirty-three questions to him. Zaratusht answered them to the satisfaction of all present and to the utter embarrassment of the disputants. The unscrupulous priests of the old faith thereupon tried to ruin Zaratusht's influence at the royal court by intrigues. They arraigned him before the king and succeeded in getting him imprisoned. Zaratusht worked a wonder upon the favourite horse of Vishtasp and obtained his release.[4]

Ormazd then sent Vohuman, Artavahisht and the Fire Burzin Mitra to the court of Vishtasp to plead on behalf of the prophet and his religion. Confusion and terror overtook the king and courtiers and they began to tremble at the sight of the august personages. But the Fire of Ormazd assured them that they were not the emissaries of Iran's enemy, Arjasp and the Khyons, come to demand tribute from them, nor had they come to rob the king of his possessions, but they were deputed by Ormazd himself. The heavenly envoys advised the king to extend his royal patronage to the new religion. They promised

  1. ↑ Zsp. 22 1, 3–12; Dk, SBE., vol. 47, bk. 7. 4 1, p. 50; vol 37, bk. 8. 14. 3, p. 31, 32; Jackson, ib., p. 46–49.
  2. ↑ Zsp. 23 1, 2, 8.
  3. ↑ Sg 10. 64–66; Dk, SBE., vol. 47, bk 7 4. 64–66, 71, p. 64–66; bk 5 2 8, p. 75, 76; Jackson, ib., p. 57–59, 62.
  4. ↑ Zsp. 23. 5; Dk., SBE., vol. 47, bk 7. 4. 67, 69, 71, 73, p. 65–67; 5. 6, p. 75.
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