So let us wait for your brother's consent, and may the gods give their blessing!" Early in the morning of the king's birthday the Persians offered their sacrifices on the shores of the Euphrates.

A huge altar of silver had been raised on an artificial hill.

On this a mighty fire had been kindled, from which flames and sweet odors rose towards heaven.

White-robed magi fed the fire with pieces of daintily-cut sandal-wood, and stirred it with bundles of rods.
A cloth, the Paiti-dhana, was bound round the heads of the priests, the ends of which covered the mouth, and thus preserved the pure fire from pollution by human breath.
[The Persians were ordered to hold this little square piece of cloth before their mouths when they prayed.

It was from 2 to 7 fingers broad.