The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1886-12-07


good IIen.
On the iron gates which guard the
entrance To the garden is 4 notice that
only Parsees are allowed TO enter the
sacred precincts. Gould we pass be-
yond the gates and approach one of
the towers, we should find il TO consist
of solid masonry for some twelve or
fifteen feet from the ground solid
save in the center, where a well six
feel i'm diameter leads down To subter-
ranean chambers beneath the stone,
where are four drains crossing at right
angles, and terminating in holes filled
with charcoal. The Top of this solid
cylindrical structure il divided into
sevemty-twO compartments or stone
coiiins. arranged in three circles
around the well, their common center.
from which the divisions radiate Here
again we see the sacred numbers three
and seyenty-two. A narrow ridge of
stone separates them one from the
other, and each circle is divided from
the next by pathway. the smallest
! lying around the well Leading from
! the single door which admits the Nasa-
salar, or corpSC-bcarerS, from without.
! is another pathway crossing the others.
! thus giving easy access 10 all the divi-
! siOns, in the outer circle of which are
! laid the bodies of men. in the second
| those of women, and in the third and
! smallest those of little children. Ris-
ing from this solid masonry, and Join
ing it i'm the same line. is Il wall or
parapet some ten feet high, also of
stone covered with chunam, which
quite cOncealS the interior from view.
After the solemn ceremonies conse-
Grating the towers 20 their special Use,
only the cOrpse-bearcrS NAV enter. and
all other persons ara forbidden TO APP
proach within thirty feet.
When medical attendant decides
that Parsee can not recover, a priest
is sent for, who approaches the bed
and repeats various texts from the
Zend-Ayesta calculated to asord con-
ISOLATION To the dying man. PRAYERS
are also said for the forgiveness of his
sins. When he dies a funeral sermon
is preached, eXhorting the friends of
the deceased to live pure and holy lives
that they may meet him i'm paradise.
They are reminded that they must one
day be called from this world 10 the
presence of God TO give full account
of their deeds here and as they do not
know how soon that NAV be they are
urged to prepare for death, and TO
meet it with resignation and willing
ness. Riches, wealth. influence and
friends have no avail in the next world.
Those who desire to reach the eternal |
paradise, must spend their days here |
in holiness and prayer. and i'm doing |
good to their fellOw-creatureS.
The sermon lasts about an hour, and |
concludes with the words: MAY God |
have mercy on the deadr'
The body is brought down TO the |
ground-f1OOr (where il was bOrn), |
washed, perfumed, wrapped in a white
sheet and placed upon an iron bier. A
dog is brought to gaze ut the dead face |
OF his master to drive away evil spirits.
several priests attend and repeat |
prayers for the repose of the soul of |
the departed and that il NAV safely
reace its destination, which il is sup
rosed 10 do on the fourth day after
death. The relatives and friends all
bow low in token of respect, and the
AaSaSalar, clad in pure white gar
ments (Which are always furnished new
for every funeraD. raise the bier and
bear the body from the house. while
the mournerS utter loud cries and
lamentations. Priests i'm full dress
lead the procession. i'm which are only
the male friends and relatives of the
deceased. They, TOO. are dressed i'm
white, and walk two bv two. each
couple Joined by holding a white hand
kerchief between th,m
When the bearers reach the path
leading 10 the door of the tower. they
place the bier upon the ground and un-
cover the face of the dead. that the
friends may take last look, and all
reNerently bow, after which the mourn
PRS turn back, and enter one of the
Nagri. and pray for the departed spirit.
The bearers proceed TO the tower. and
the door, carry their burden
and quickly lay il uncovered i'm
Dne OF the stone receptacleS. I'm two
minutes they appear with the empty |
bier and white sheet. and the door j. no
sooner closed behind them lhan nunlrr- |
Dus vulturcS. that have been sitting al
most mOtlOnlcSS in Il circle ON the edge !
II the parapet. SwOop down upon the
cody. and in a few minutes return and
azily settle themselves again. having
eft nothing behind but skeleton. The
bearers. on leaving the tower proceed
o building shaped like a huge barrel.
where they battle and change their
:iothes. bringing out their polluted
uneral garb and casting it aside upon
4 receptacle of stone prepared for this
purpose. None of these garments can
cave the garden, lest they carry con
with them.
The skeleton is left TO be bleached
md washed by sun and rain. and when
hree or four weeks have passed, the
anne bearers return. and with gloyed
lands and instruments like tongs drop
he bones into their last resting place,
he central well. The peculiar duties |
# the NaSaSalar are considered 81 in Z