Bundahishn - Chapter XXIV

1

On the chieftainship of men and animals and every single thing it says in revelation, that first of the human species Gâyômard was produced, brilliant and white, with eyes which looked out for the great one, him who was here the Zaratûstrôtûm (chief high-priest); the chieftainship of all things was from Zaratûst.

2

The white ass-goat, which holds its head down, is the chief of goats, the first of those species created.

3

The black sheep which is fat and white-jawed is the chief of sheep; it was the first of those species created.

4

The camel with white-haired knees and two humps is the chief of camels.

5

First the black-haired ox with yellow knees was created; he is the chief of oxen.

6

First the dazzling white (arûs) horse, with yellow ears, glossy hair, and white eyes, was produced; he is the chief of horses.

7

The white, cat-footed ass is the chief of asses.

8

First of dogs the fair (arûs) dog with yellow hair was produced; he is the chief of dogs.

9

The hare was produced brown (bûr); he is the chief of the wide-travellers.

10

Those beasts which have no dread whatever of the hand are evil.

11

First of birds the griffon of three natures was created, not for here (this world), for the Karsipt is the chief, which they call the falcon (kark), that which revelation says was brought to the enclosure formed by Yim.

12

First of fur animals the white ermine was produced; he is the chief of fur animals; as it says that it is the white ermine which came unto the assembly of the archangels.

13

The Kar-fish, or Ariz, is the chief of the water-creatures.

14

The Dâîtîk river is the chief of streams.

15

The Dâraga river is the chief of exalted rivers, for the dwelling of the father of Zaratûst was on its banks, and Zaratûst was born there.

16

The hoary forest is the chief of forests.

17

Hûgar the lofty, on which the water of Arêdvîvsûr flows and leaps, is the chief of summits, since it is that above which is the revolution of the constellation Satavês, the chief of reservoirs.

18

The Hôm which is out-squeezed is the chief of medicinal plants.

19

Wheat is the chief of large-seeded grains.

20

The desert wormwood is the chief of unmedicinal plants.

21

The summer vetch, which they also call 'pag' (gâvirs), is the chief of small-seeded grains.

22

The Kûstîk (sacred thread-girdle) is the chief of clothes.

23

The Bâzâyvâna is the chief of seas.

24

Of two men, when they come forward together, the wiser and more truthful is chief.

25

This, too, it says in revelation, that Aûharmazd created the whole material world one abode, so that all may be one; for there is much splendour and glory of industry in the world.

26

Whatsoever he performs, who practises that which is good, is the value of the water of life; since water is not created alike in value, for the undefiled water of Arêdvîvsûr is worth the whole water of the sky and earth of Khvanîras, except the Arag river, created by Aûharmazd.

27

Of trees the myrtle and date, on which model, it is said, trees were formed, are worth all the trees of Khvanîras, except the Gôkard tree with which they restore the dead.

28

Of mountains Mount Apârsên's beginning is in Sagastân and end in Khûgîstân, some say it is all the mountains of Pârs, and is chief of all mountains except Albûrz.

29

Of birds Kamrôs is chief, who is worth all the birds in Khvanîras, except the griffon of three natures.

30

The conclusion is this, that every one who performs a great duty has then much value.