BABYLON AND PERSIA

THE VENDIDAD. THE LESSER AVESTA. 121and obtained as a reward glorious and renowned sons.The first of these was Vivanghat, father of the greatYima (see pp. 89-93), the king of the golden age ;and the last Purushaspa, the father, of Zarathushtrahimself, who, having heard the wondrous revelation,speaks : "' Praise to Haoma ! Good is Haoma, wellendowed,healing, beautiful in form. . . . goldenhued,and with bending sprouts. . . ." This longnarrative is one of the few passages in the Avestawhich are brimful of ancient mythic lore.5. " Which is the first place where the Earth feelsmost happy?" asks Zarathu.shtra of Ahura-Mazda,who replies (Vendidad, III.) : "It is the place where¬on one of the faithful steps forwaixl with the holywood in his hand, the baresma, the holy -meat, theholy mortar, fulfilling the law with love. . . ."The description of the other places where the Earthfeels most happy presents the complete Eranianideal of a prosperous and holy life." It is where one of the faithful erects a house with cattle, wife,and children, and wdicre the cattle go on thriving ; the dog, the wife,the child, the fire are thriving, and every blessing of life . . .where one of the faithful cultivates most corn, grass, and fruit ;where he waters ground that is dry, or dries ground that is too wet. . . where there is most increase of flocks and herds . . .and where they yield most manure."It is the iDcrfection of a farm." He who would till the earth " it is still Aliura who speaks"with the left arm and the right, wilh the right arm and the left, untohim will she bring forth plenty. Tike a loving bride unto her beloved.. . . Unto him thus says the Earth : ' O thou man who dost tillme with the left arm and the riglit, with the right arm and the left Ihere shall I ever go on bearing, bringing fortli all manner of food,bringing forth profusion of corn.'