and towns of Iran, he turns his eager eyes to Mazda and Asha in search of inward peace, and obtains it.[1] Reduced to the verge of the direst poverty, Zarathushtra does not seek earthly riches, but the imperishable wealth of the spirit, that is, righteousness.
Righteousness is the pivot around which the ethics of Zarathushtra revolves. Asha is the highest word in the Zoroastrian terminology, and its derivative ashavan forms the epithet of the man who is most saintly and possesses the noblest character. The term is applied to Ahura Mazda, Zarathushtra, and to all who are religious. Righteousness is the will of Ahura Mazda; it is the rule of man's duty, and to be righteous is synonymous with being religious. The law of righteousness is the norm to which the faithful has to conform his life in this world. Good thoughts, good words, and good deeds form the ethical foundation upon which righteousness rests and the basis upon which the entire structure of the system of the Mazdayasnian philosophy is reared. This noble truth, at once so pithy and simple, is accessible to all. It does not appeal to the intellectual few and leave aside the ignorant many; nor does it remain the prerogative of a few thinkers and philosophers; but it can reach all and become the cherished possession of the prince and peasant alike. Every Zoroastrian child imbibes the triad of good thoughts, good words, and good deeds at its mother's breast.
Zarathushtra longs to see Asha. Zarathushtra yearns to make Asha his own along with Ahura Mazda and Vohu Manah.[2] He longs to see Asha and his heavenly associates.[3] He is eager to behold him coming with the devotion of Armaiti.[4] Through the deeds prompted by the good thoughts of Vohu Manah he aspires to reach Asha.[5] He implores Asha to come unto him along with Ahura Mazda and Vohu Manah.[6] He advises his daughter Pouruchisti to seek fellowship with Asha.[7] He prays that Hvogva may make Asha her own.[8] He longs for the day when Asha will come among the Fryan nobility through Armaiti.[9] He counsels marrying couples that as husbands and wives they should strive to excel one another in their pursuit of Asha.[10] Asha is approached through the practice of noble deeds according to the primeval laws ordained by Ahura
