Page:The Indian Antiquary Vol 2.djvu/29

 Jantjaby, 1873.] THE SHOE QUE8TION (PARS!). 21

MEMORANDUM ON THE SHOE QUE8TION AS IT AFFECTS THE PAbsIS. BY KEY. JOHN WILSON, D.D., BOMBAY. A great aversion exists in the Pirsi commu¬ nity to tho taking off of shoes as they enter public or private houses ; and on this aversion they al¬ most uniformly act, even though they decline to render the other token of respect,—the uncovering of the head, customary among tribes and peoples who retain their shoes. They are also indisposed to uncover either their head or feet when taking oaths, standing in the witness-box, or engaging in religious services. Their disinclination to uncover their feet, rests, I am persuaded after much inquiry, on the peculiarities of the religious system which they observe, and not on mere self-assertion or un¬ politeness. All who are intimately acquainted with the Pdrsis will admit that, in matters of mere cour¬ tesy, they am a considerate and pliant people. It is in part owing to this feature of their character that all along they have been on such good terms with our countrymen. A marked feature of the Zoroastrian writings which the P&rsis consider the rule of their belier ftud practice, is Physiolatry, or the worship of Nature, and particularly of the distinctive Ele¬ ments recognized by the ancients. The earth and ocean (as well as light and fire, the heavenly bodies, and the treasures of the atmosphere) are with them considered sacred, and preserved, accord¬ ing to recognized rules, from natural and ceremo¬ nial defilement. The P&rsis, in consistency with the principle now referred to, consider themselves as guilty of a defile¬ ment of the earth when they touch it with their bare feet, except when they are offered bodily to the earth, with effusions of water made upon them in articvlo mortis. The Pdrsls, when praying to fire in their owii houses, or when repeating general prayers, keep on their shoes. The P&rsl Mobeds, when they enter the A tishgdh, or sanctum of the Fire-Altar, leave their walking shoes without, exchanging them for slippers kept in readiness at the entrance of the A tishgdh. Besides slippers, they may have on stockings when they approach the altar. The slippers they leave at the margin of the holy place when they resume their shoes.