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The Creation

Books: Sacred Books Of The East

Ahura Mazda spake unto Spitama Zarathustra, saying:--



"I have made every land dear to its people, even though it had no charms

whatever in it: had I not made every land dear to its people, even

though it had no charms whatever in it, then the whole living world

would have invaded the Airyana Vaego. The first of the good lands and

countries which I, Ahura Mazda, created, was the Airyana Vaego, by the

Vangu
i Daitya. Thereupon came Angra Mainyu, who is all death, and he

counter-created the serpent in the river and Winter, a work of the

Devas. There are ten winter months there, two summer months; and those

are cold for the waters, cold for the earth, cold for the trees. Winters

fall there, the worst of all plagues. The second of the good lands and

countries which I, Ahura Mazda, created, was the plain which the

Sughdhas inhabit. Thereupon came Angra Mainyu, who is all death, and he

counter-created the locust, which brings death unto cattle and plants.

The third of the good lands and countries which I, Ahura Mazda, created,

was the strong, holy Mouru. Thereupon came Angra Mainyu, who is all

death, and he counter-created plunder and sin. The fourth of the good

lands and countries which I, Ahura Mazda, created, was the beautiful

Bakhdhi with high-lifted banners. Thereupon came Angra Mainyu, who is

all death, and he counter-created the ants and the ant-hills. The fifth

of the good lands and countries which I, Ahura Mazda, created, was

Nisaya, that lies between Mouru and Bakhdhi. Thereupon came Angra

Mainyu, who is all death, and he counter-created the sin of unbelief.

The sixth of the good lands and countries which I, Ahura Mazda, created,

was the house-deserting Haroyu. Thereupon came Angra Mainyu, who is all

death, and he counter-created tears and wailing. The seventh of the good

lands and countries which I, Ahura Mazda, created, was Vaekereta, of the

evil shadows. Thereupon came Angra Mainyu, who is all death, and he

counter-created the Pairika Knathaiti, who clave unto Keresaspa. The

eighth of the good lands and countries which I, Ahura Mazda, created,

was Urva of the rich pastures. Thereupon came Angra Mainyu, who is all

death, and he counter-created the sin of pride. The ninth of the good

lands and countries which I, Ahura Mazda, created, was Khnenta which the

Vehrkanas inhabit. Thereupon came Angra Mainyu, who is all death, and he

counter-created a sin for which there is no atonement, the unnatural

sin. The tenth of the good lands and countries which I, Ahura Mazda,

created, was the beautiful Harahvaiti. Thereupon came Angra Mainyu, who

is all death, and he counter-created a sin for which there is no

atonement, the burying of the dead. The eleventh of the good lands and

countries which I, Ahura Mazda, created, was the bright, glorious

Haetumant. Thereupon came Angra Mainyu, who is all death, and he

counter-created the evil work of witchcraft. And this is the sign by

which it is known, this is that by which it is seen at once: wheresoever

they may go and raise a cry of sorcery, there the worst works of

witchcraft go forth. From there they come to kill and strike at heart,

and they bring locusts as many as they want. The twelfth of the good

lands and countries which I, Ahura Mazda, created, was Ragha of the

three races. Thereupon came Angra Mainyu, who is all death, and he

counter-created the sin of utter unbelief. The thirteenth of the good

lands and countries which I, Ahura Mazda, created, was the strong, holy

Kakhra. Thereupon came Angra Mainyu, who is all death, and he

counter-created a sin for which there is no atonement, the cooking of

corpses. The fourteenth of the good lands and countries which I, Ahura

Mazda, created, was the four-cornered Varena, for which was born

Thraetaona, who smote Azi Dahaka. Thereupon came Angra Mainyu, who is

all death, and he counter-created abnormal issues in women and barbarian

oppression. The fifteenth of the good lands and countries which I, Ahura

Mazda, created, was the Seven Rivers. Thereupon came Angra Mainyu, who

is all death, and he counter-created abnormal issues in women and

excessive heat. The sixteenth of the good lands and countries which I,

Ahura Mazda, created, was the land by the sources of the Rangha, where

people live who have no chiefs. Thereupon came Angra Mainyu, who is all

death, and he counter-created Winter, a work of the Devas. There are

still other lands and countries, beautiful and deep, longing and asking

for the good, and bright."



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