They taught that immediately after death the souls of men, both good and bad, proceeded together along an appointed path to "the bridge of the gatherer" (chinvatperetu).

This was a narrow road conducting to heaven or paradise, over which the souls of the pious alone could pass, while the wicked fell from it into the gulf below, where they found themselves in the place of punishment.

The good soul was assisted across the bridge by the angel Serosh--"the happy, well-formed, swift, tall Serosh"-- who met the weary wayfarer and sustained his steps as he effected the difficult passage.

The prayers of his friends in this world were of much avail to the deceased, and greatly, helped him on his journey.

As he entered, the archangel Vohu-mano or Bahman rose from his throne and greeted him with the words, "How happy art thou who hast come here to us from the mortality to the immortality!" Then the pious soul went joyfully onward to Ahura-mazda, to the immortal saints, to the golden throne, to Paradise.