Asha (Arta)
Truth, Righteousness, Cosmic Order
The fundamental principle of truth, righteousness, and divine order that governs all existence. Asha is the cosmic law established by Ahura Mazda, the eternal truth that underlies reality, and the path of righteousness that all beings should follow. It stands in eternal opposition to Druj (the Lie).
Core Principle: Asha is not merely moral goodness but cosmic truth - the way things truly are and ought to be. To live in Asha is to align oneself with the fundamental order of creation, while to follow Druj is to live in falsehood and chaos.
Threefold Nature of Asha
1. Cosmic Order (Metaphysical Asha)
Asha is the divine law that structures reality itself. It governs:
- Natural Law: The orderly movements of sun, moon, stars, and seasons
- Physical Law: The consistent behavior of elements and forces
- Biological Order: The proper functioning of life and growth
- Divine Hierarchy: The relationship between Ahura Mazda, Amesha Spentas, and creation
2. Moral Truth (Ethical Asha)
Asha is the standard of right conduct and moral truth:
- Truthfulness: Speaking truth, avoiding lies and deception
- Righteousness: Acting according to divine principles
- Justice: Treating others fairly and honorably
- Covenant-keeping: Maintaining promises and sacred agreements
- Purity: Maintaining physical and spiritual cleanliness
3. Ultimate Reality (Ontological Asha)
Avesta - Yasna (Gathas)
Avesta:Yasna 30:Verse 7-9
"When thou comest with Good Mind and with Right, O Mazda, then thou shalt give to the worlds both Weal and Immortality. That is to say: To him who clings to Right, to him shalt thou give the best; but the man who clings to the Lie, to him the worst existence shall accrue—such is the judgment at the last Turning-point of life."
Source: Avesta, Yasna 30, c. 1500-1000 BCE
Avesta:Yasna 43:Verse 1
"The happiness and joy thou grantest through thy glorious fire is like unto the sun's light when it rises up in glory to brighten the abodes wherein thy worshipers worship. Through Asha Vahishta (Best Truth), the progressive rule of Good Thought, let all be strengthened who work and prosper on this earth."
Source: Avesta, Yasna 43, c. 1500-1000 BCE
Avesta:Yasna 44:Verse 10
"This I ask thee, tell me truly, O Ahura: Whether Right is for man's weal in this world truly? Yea, verily this was told unto me: He who promotes Right, promotes in the highest what is mine."
Source: Avesta, Yasna 44, c. 1500-1000 BCE
Avesta:Yasna 47:Verse 2-3
"Through Asha he who is creator of the Kine hath thus given pasture to her that she attain salvation. Such are the teachers of the world, O Mazda, as have been instituted from the beginning through wisdom. To those teachers I turn with worship and with good thought; teach me the straight paths of salvation according to thy will, those paths which lead to Asha."
Source: Avesta, Yasna 47, c. 1500-1000 BCE
Avesta:Yasna 51:Verse 1-2
"According to the Primal Laws of this existence, the Ratu (Judge) shall deal unto all correctly. The good and the bad acts are to be judged accordingly. At the end the followers of the Lie will meet with evil; but a good mind awaits him who has Right."
Source: Avesta, Yasna 51, c. 1500-1000 BCE
Ashem Vohu Prayer
Avesta:Ashem Vohu Prayer:Verse 1
"Asha Vahishta asti, ushta asti; ushta ahmai, hyat ashai vahishtai ashem."
"Righteousness (Asha) is the best good. It is radiant happiness. Radiant happiness comes to the person to whom righteousness is for the sake of best righteousness alone."
"Righteousness (Asha) is the best good. It is radiant happiness. Radiant happiness comes to the person to whom righteousness is for the sake of best righteousness alone."
Source: Avesta, Ashem Vohu (Most Sacred Short Prayer), c. 1500-1000 BCE
Bundahishn
Bundahishn:Chapter 1:Verse 7-12
"Ohrmazd produced his creation through Asha. First he thought it, then he spoke it, then he fashioned it. That which is produced through Asha is never subject to dissolution. The seven creations were fashioned in Asha: sky of metal, water, earth, plants, animals, mankind, and fire. Each exists according to Asha and functions according to its nature."
Source: Greater Bundahishn, Chapter 1, c. 9th century CE
Asha Vahishta - The Personified Form
Asha Vahishta (Best Truth) is one of the seven Amesha Spentas, the personification of Asha as a divine being. As the second Amesha Spenta created by Ahura Mazda, Asha Vahishta:
Living According to Asha
The Threefold Path (Humata, Hukhta, Hvarshta)
- Humata (Good Thoughts): Maintaining purity of mind, thinking truthful and beneficial thoughts, rejecting evil ideas
- Hukhta (Good Words): Speaking truth, honoring promises, using speech constructively, avoiding lies and harmful words
- Hvarshta (Good Deeds): Acting righteously, helping others, protecting creation, fulfilling duties, opposing evil through action
Asha-Keepers (Ashavan)
Those who follow Asha are called Ashavan (followers of Asha/righteousness). They:
- Actively choose truth over falsehood in all situations
- Protect and care for Ahura Mazda's creation
- Maintain physical and spiritual purity
- Fulfill their social and cosmic duties
- Oppose Druj through righteous action
- Support fellow Ashavan in their struggles
Signs of Living in Asha
- Inner peace and clarity of conscience
- Harmonious relationships with others
- Prosperity that benefits community, not just self
- Protection by divine forces
- Accumulation of spiritual merit (asha)
- Assured passage across the Chinvat Bridge after death
Asha vs. Druj: The Cosmic Struggle
The conflict between Asha and Druj is the fundamental struggle of existence:
Human Role: Humans are not passive observers but active participants in this cosmic struggle. Every thought, word, and deed either strengthens Asha or empowers Druj. By choosing righteousness, humans hasten the coming of Frashokereti - the final renovation when Asha triumphs completely.
Asha in Judgment & Afterlife
The Chinvat Bridge
After death, the soul faces judgment at the Chinvat Bridge, where its adherence to Asha is weighed:
- For the Ashavan: The bridge widens to a comfortable path, and the soul is greeted by a beautiful maiden (representing their good conscience). They easily cross to the House of Song (paradise).
- For the Drujavan: The bridge narrows to a razor's edge, and the soul is confronted by an ugly hag (representing their evil deeds). They fall into the House of Lies (hell).
- For the Mediocre: Those whose good and evil deeds balance go to Hamestagan, a neutral state, awaiting final judgment.
Final Victory in Frashokereti
In the Frashokereti (Final Renovation), Asha triumphs completely:
Related Across the Mythos
🌍 Cross-Cultural Parallels
Historical & Philosophical Significance
Asha represents one of humanity's earliest philosophical concepts of absolute truth and cosmic order. Its influence extends beyond Zoroastrianism:
- Ethical Monotheism: Influenced Jewish, Christian, and Islamic concepts of divine law
- Cosmic Justice: Inspired concepts of karma, divine judgment, and moral causation
- Truth as Divinity: Equation of truth with ultimate reality influenced philosophy and mysticism
- Moral Dualism: Framework for understanding good vs. evil as cosmic principles
- Human Responsibility: Emphasis on human choice and moral agency in cosmic drama