Jamasp Namag 07 - Five Traits First Declaration
Jamasp Namag, Chapter 7 Translated by E.W. West (Sacred Books of the East, Vol. 5, 1880)
Chapter 7. On the People of Hindustan, China, Arabia, Turkestan, and Barbaristan
King Vishtasp asked, “In the case of the people of different customs, of India and China and Arabia and Turkestan and Barbaristan, that are known, what kind of life and virtue shall be had from them? When they die, where will the souls of those who are non-victorious (i.e., the sinners) go?”
Reply. — Jamasp the astrologer said to him, “The country of India is a great one. It is cold and hot, wet and dry. It has wood and trees because there is a great desert. They are without ambition because their living is upon rice, upon milk and cattle, which feed upon seeds. Their manners and customs are much enlightened. They are of the nature of Ohrmazd. Of the nature of Ahriman the devil, they declare that he will die There are some who bury (lit. cover) (their dead) under earth. There are some who throw (their dead) in water. There are some who burn (their dead) in fire. Those, who are not of good religion, go to hell.
The country of China is great. It has much of wealth, much of musk, much of jewelry. Its people are under affliction because among them there is no far-sight as among us. They worship idols. When they die, they are irreligious persons (i.e., go to hell like irreligious persons).
The countries of Arabia and Barbaristan are hot and dry. They are not without ambition. Their food is fruit, water, worms and tigers, noxious creatures (khrafstras), mice, and snake and cat, fox and by hyena and other such (animals). They worship idols (uzdesht parastand). Living on camels (or cattle) and four-footed animals is not an easy thing with them.