ASHEM VOHUTHE MAIN MOTTO
Transliterated Text:
Ashem vohû vahishtem astî. Ushtâ astî Ushtâ ahmâi hyat ashâi vahishtâi ashem.
Translated Text:
Righteousness is the best good. It is radiant happiness. Radiant happiness comes to the person to whom righteousness is for the sake of the best righteousness alone.
Summary Substance:
Righteousness is the universal law that stands for order, evolution, progress, and perfection as established by the Creator for creation. One becomes righteous by doing the right thing, at the right time, in the right place, and with the right means to obtain the right result. It means precision in every thought, word, and deed as to the perfect, ideal, ordering of things; it means constant improvement and continuous renovation. It brings enlightenment and true, radiating happiness, a happiness so wonderful and true that it naturally spreads to others. This all is righteousness for the sake of righteousness. The above Avestan couplet, frequently repeated in prayers, is popularly known by the name of Ashem Vohu, the two words in the beginning of the text. It is, in fact, the “main motto” of the entire Zarathushtrian teachings. Righteousness is the basic principle of the Good Religion. Zarathushtra conveniently divides mankind into two camps: the ashavan, adherents of asha righteousness, the universal law, and the dregvant adherents of druj, the lie/the deception. The ashavan are, in effect, the righteous, man or woman, who promote human society and the living world; in contrast, the dregvant are the wrongful who have been deceived and therefore deceive others into doing wrong. The main goal of Zarathushtra and his companions was to promote asha and to eliminate druj—to completely establish an ashavan society that radiates ushtâ, enlightening happiness to all.
Pondering Point:
“Righteousness radiates health and happiness.”