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children under seven years of age die, their souls accompany in the hereafter those of their parents, to heaven or hell, wherever the parents happen to be. On the other hand, invocation of Srosh in the name of the child enables its soul to separate itself from those of its parents.^[1]

Lord chief justice of the heavenly tribunal. Though retaining his appellation of being the lord of wide pastures, Mihr (Av. Mithra) no longer appears as a pastoral divinity; neither is he seen driving in his chariot to the battlefield as a war angel. He has chosen a quieter realm of work, and now occupies a seat in Ormazd's privy council in heaven. He administers justice at the heavenly court, and is one of the celestial judiciaries that make up the reckoning of good and evil deeds of the souls at the Bridge of Judgment.^[2] All mankind has to appear before this lord of truth and justice.^[3] In his trial of the dead, as the ancient divine personage presiding over truth, he exposes those guilty of breach of promise.^[4] Great is the distress of every soul at the Bridge, but Mihr saves those souls that have belonged to truth-speaking persons.^[5]

Morning time is the proper time for the ceremonials to be performed in honour of Mihr;^[6] and the old idea has never been lost, that none should lie unto him.^[7] That law remained ever supreme.

At the time of Renovation Mihr will help Peshyotan, who has lain asleep, tradition repeats, from ancient times only to help in confounding the Evil Spirit, who will flee back to the darkest recess of hell.^[8]

He holds the balance of judgment in the celestial court. This Izad of the Avesta, who traversed all earthly regions and presided at the ordeals, in regard to mankind, is transferred in