Selections from Zoroastrianism’s Sacred Book “Sad Dar”: Chapters 64-81, Part 2 of 2

“The eightieth subject is this, that there is a time when thou recite one Ashem Vohu (a Zoroastrian prayer), and the merit of it may be as much as that of ten. There is a time when thou recite one Ashem Vohu, and the merit of it may be as much as that of a hundred. A time may be when thou recite one, and the merit of it may be as much as that of a thousand. A time may be when the merit of one Ashem Vohu may be as much as that of ten thousand. A time may be when the merit of one Ashem Vohu is as much as the value of this world and that other world.”

“The eighty-first subject is this, that every duty and good work, which it is requisite to perform, they should accomplish while within that day, and not postpone for the following day. ‘While thou have all this greatness that I have given to thee, O Zarathustra! I enact a precept for thee, that “every good work which thou are able to do today do not postpone for the following day, and accomplish with your own hand the counsel of your own soul.” Do not be proud on the score that it is still the time of youth, and it is quite possible to do it hereafter, while thou think thus: “I will do it after this.” For there have been many people whose remaining life was one day, and they have been taken away in the presence of fifty years’ work.’

Therefore, make an effort, so that thou mayest not postpone today's duty for the following day. Because Ahriman, the evil wicked one, has entrusted two fiends with this matter, the name of one is Tardy and the name of the other is Afterwards. Both these fiends are united, and they make an effort and exertion with man, so that his duty falls back behindhand. For, as to every duty and good work which comes forward, that fiend whose name is Tardy speaks thus: ‘Thou will live long, and it is possible to perform this duty at all times.’ And that fiend whose name is Afterwards says: ‘Pass on now; it is possible to perform it afterwards.’ And these two fiends united keep the soul away from its own duty, till the end arrives; all duties have fallen back behindhand, and it has to experience regret and penitence. It has no benefit through duty and good works, and departs from this world.”