in the world.  But no one knew its meaning.  And it was alleged that it was in a heavenly language and was called as such.  It was entitled Ashta [this is clearly a misformation of Avesta].  Then he left Azarbayjan and proceeded towards Fars.  No one knew what was in the book and no one accepted it.  Then he went to India and produced it before the kings there.  Next he went to China and Turkey.  But no one acknowledged it, and he was driven out from their countries, and started for Farghana whose king prepared to slay him so that he fled from there and bent his steps towards Bhishtasb son of Loharasp; who ordered his imprisonment and he was consequently in captivity for a time.  Now Zaradusht wrote a commentary on his Book called the Zend which means interpretation.  Next he commented upon the Zend in a book called Bazand, that is, interpretation of interpretation, and therein are various sciences like astrology, astronomy, medicine, etc., with reference to the history of past ages, and the books of the prophets.  And in his book is stated,—­“Adhere to what I have brought you till the time when there will come to you the man of the red camel,” which means Muhammad the Prophet.  This was at the beginning of the year 1600 and it was on this account that there has been enmity between the Magians and the Arabs and it has been mentioned in the history of Sabur Dhul Aktaf that this was one of the reasons justifying the raids on the Arabs.  But God knows the best.

[Sidenote:  The Eternal fire.]

[Sidenote:  Royal archives forbidden to the Vulgar.]

Then Bishtasb caused Zaradusht to present himself before him since he was in Balkh.  And when he came to him he commenced with his religion.  Bishtasb admired it, followed it, and forced his people to embrace it, and slew a large number of them till the rest adopted it.  But the Magians assert that he was by origin from Azarbayjan and that he came to the king from the roof of his palace and that there was in his hand a cube of fire with which he played without its injuring him; that whoever took it from his hand did so without hurting himself.  He caused the king to follow him and to accept his creed.  And he built fire temples in the country and lighted them with that fire.  For it is stated that the fires which are in their fire-temples are burning from that fire to this day.  But they are telling an untruth since the fire of the Magians was extinguished in all their temples when God sent Muhammad down as his apostle as we shall describe, God willing, in the sequel, as well as the appearance of Zaradusht after thirty years of the reign of Bishtasb.  And Zaradusht brought a writing which is alleged to be revelation from God and is inscribed on 12,000 cow hides inlaid with gold.  Bishtasb deposited them in a place in Istakhar and forbade the teaching of thorn to the vulgar.

MASUDI.

Kitab-at-tanbih.