The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-02-26
ILL.,.

Prot. Jackson says that in reviewing the ac-
count OF Vishtaspa's conversion one cannot
but feel convinced of the reality Of the event.
Not that II is easy to decide how much may be
fact and how much fiction in the stories that
are told. 1t is difficult. moreover, to deter
mine OF how early or how late origin some OF
these stories are. Several OF them appear to
he limited at in younger portions OF The Avesta:
they could hardly be expected to occur in the
existing Gathas. for the nature Of those psalms
would tend to preclude them. Some Of them
seem TO be built upon the basis Of old illusions
which have been Interpreted to suit the situ-
alton. More than one OF them strike us to-day
as silly. but some, even Of these. nre p!ctur-
esQue and tinged with Oriental fancy. Amid
all the dross are undoubtedly to be found some
grains OF gold; beneath the glare Of gaudy col
oring. some sober shades OF truth may be
discerned. Other nations and other genera
tions have sought for n sign the Zoroastrian
writings are not the only texts that relate
miracles. An Eastern ruler in ancient days is
not likely to have been insensible to influences
Of a cajoling character. As Tor the intrigues
against Xoroaster. his Imprisonment and his
release. one need not say that court JealOusics
and prirstly conspiracies against a rival that
threatens to be powerful have not been con-
fined to Iran. In this ease. as in many
another. the conversion of the Queen OF
the realm opened more than one door to
influence. Prof. Jackson deems it sufficient
10 say that, even If the actual circumstances
connected with Vishtaspa's conversion were
not wholly as later tradition represents them.
they might. at least. have been such or similar.
1t is certain that this King was to figure AZ
the Constantine Of Zoroastrinnism and as de-
fender Of the faith. His name continually re-
ours in Avestan and Pahlavi texts. in the Shah
Namah and in Mohammedan writer's who
allude TO Persia. According to Firdausi. he
had some disagreement with his father. King
Lohrasp. and quilted the city Of Balkh. which
his father had founded. He left Iran and wan
dered westward toward Rum. which. in the
Shah Namah. Is the general designation for
Asia Minor. Greece. the Byzantine Empire and
Rome. There. NJ the court of an Emperor. he
accomplished deeds Of unparalleled prowcss.
won the hand OF a Princess. became recon
ciled to his father through the good
offices of a brother. and returned to
Iran. IA the Shah Namah and all tn.
later traditions make Nishtaspa succeed
his father at the city OF Balkh. we have a new
point OF contact between the West and the
East, between Media and Bactria. to add to
the support o, the theory which holds that tho
religion, following Xoroaster himself. gradual
ly moved from west to east. II was Jamaspa.
the counsellor and chancellorof Vishtaspa. who
originally WrOte down the ANeStn anu LeHG y
from the teachings OF Zoroaster. and upon
whose shoulders tho prophetic mantle de-
scended after the death OF the great high
priest. The story Of the spread OF the Zoroas-
trian faith. so far as II can be gathered from
tradition IMPLIES that missionary efforts carried
the Avesta to foreign lands as well as through
out the territory Of Iran. Tales are told Of
Hindu conversions. and even Greeks are ia
hled to have accepted the creed. Xoroaster
himself may possibly have engaged personally
in the general movement Of the propaganda.
but Prof. Jackson can find no proof ,hat he
visited Babylon. although some OF the classical
writers make Pythagoras a follower of Zoroas-
ter. or at least ~ the Magi, who were estab.
lished in that great city. Our author thinks
that the theory OF personal travel need not be-
pressed too far: where the effect Of the reiiG-
ion came, there also the master himself had
gone. in influence il not in person.
Zoroastcrs life was a long one. and his min
istry covered a number Of years, hut tradition
does not give details enough TO render II pos
! sihle to mark of into periods or epochs the