The rhythm of this Ever Expanding Universe (recently confirmed by the discovery of an ever accelerating Universe) was instituted by a universal cosmic law (Asha) that ensures a natural order regulating the matrix patterns and processes of all manifest things (the orbit of planets, seasons, day & night etc).
Everything is attuned to everything. Each part is an intrinsic part of the whole & the Whole embraces the parts.
All are connected in a subtle way……all are a part……none are apart.
As per David Bohm, , professor of theoretical physics at Birbeck College of University of London, & a former associate of Einstein
“Each part of the universe contains all the information present in the entire cosmos itself (similar to a giant oak tree producing an acorn that contains all the genetic information required to replicate itself)”.
Man, can, therefore be said to participate in a seamless existence, uniquely & indivisibly united with the universe (Geush) around him.
This eternal law (ASHA) also bears an ethical aspect: it governs human behaviour by treating virtue as a part of the natural order
Asha is therefore the Universal Law, which governs the functioning of the universe; the path of Integrity, Duty & Justice, which can only be achieved through Knowledge (of the functioning of the Universe….understanding the mechanics of life, the intrinsic bond (cord) joining all manifest entities) of the purpose of existence.
This is ASHA or Gyana Marga.
Ys43.5:
Divine indeed have I realized thee, O Ahura Mazda,
When I recognized/realized thee as the First & Foremost at the Birth of Life.
For thou have ordained that all ACTIONS & WORDS shall harvest its natural consequence
Disaster & depravations, the lot of the evil oriented ; & the reward of Pure excellence to the Good.
Such is the skilled (efficient) ordained law (operating principal) of thy Wisdom, till the end of time
This is the path (algorithm) of nature as designed by Ahura Mazda, & at the spiritual level, the Law of Consequences directing mankind towards a path of ethics & integrity.
• In scientific parlance, it is the spiritual mirror image of Newtons’ Third Law: Every Action has an Equal & Opposite Reaction.
The law of consequences is therefore that inevitable balancing principle; a learning devise (experience) whereby whatever action we carry out, whether Good or Bad, comes back to us as consequences that bless (or haunt) us. What you sow, will be what you reap.
It is this acquired knowledge from “experience” that enables us, to intelligently chart our future path.
Ys28.5: (Mantra elaborating the algorithm that is Asha)
Asha kat thwaa dar-saa-nee
How, O Asha, can I commune (understand), experience, thy divine balancing functioning -working
Manas-chaa Vohu Vaidey-mano
Mankind’s teacher, who educates (not instructs) & guides us along a learning process,
Gaa-toom-chaa Ahura,
That rhythmic operational mechanism of the Universe, created (devised) by our Creator
Sey[1]-vish-tai Sevraoshem Mazda
That mechanism (principle of existence), which inspires practice of actions, that promote joy, that which are celebrated, the dawning of Wisdom
A-naa manthra mazish-tem
Inspired actions, that serves as food, as nutrition, to achieve excellence,
Vaay-roi-mai-dee khraf-straa hi-zvaa
That excellence of leading by example, those who are ethically deficient (challenged), towards the highest good.
Word Entomology:
Kat: How
Thwaa: thou
Dar-saa-nee: Sk. Darshan; Vision, to see, to experience
Manas-chaa: of reasoned thinking
Vohu: divine/beloved
Vaidey-mano: knowledge comprehension (with intelligence)
Gaa-toom: universal path way
Sey-vish-tai: that which is practiced regularly, repeated (like a Ritual); that which promotes joy, happiness
Sevra-oshem: divine guidance/inspiration/revelation
Mazda: great dispensor/enlightened judge
Ana: (through this) Food, that which feeds us, motivates us
Man-thraa: conscious raising, mental stimulation
Maz-ishtem; excellent (Maz = Vedic Mah = Great; Ish = wish fulfillment
Vaaroi-maidee: guide/channel
Khraf-straa: ethically challenged/ethically deficient orientation
Hizva: (Vedic Jivhaa) tongue/speech/language
[1] The term Sey-vish-ta in the Gathas & its cognate Sav-angha seen in the Havan Geh invocation, both refering to Hoama, are derived from the root ‘Sav”, meaning that which enables one to be in communion with the lord (Vohu Manah) , that which binds (with affection/love), that which is contrived (method/procedure). This is mysticism, Holy Communion. It is in these different senses that the word has been used in the Gathas, & on the physical plane of wearing & tying our kusti. Cognate words such as Ut-sav (festivity), Aa-sav (elixir) or Sav-n (pressing of soma/homa leaves for juice) all of which are associated with delight & ecstasy
This Universal law is, therefore, not for punishment; but for enlightenment, to help increase our understanding of the mechanics by which the Universe functions, so that we consciously & intelligently choose (Vair-yo), with freedom & ethical responsibility, what is true and right for its own sake. The purpose (Arth-aa) of our actions must be through enlightened conviction, & universal good, not compulsion, social convention, or for monetary gain through unethical methods.
From Ardi-behest Yasht: Ahuramazda dadarih, ahremaan marochi-needhaari:
Ahura Mazda guides us to the path of prosperity. The path of ahre-maan leads to destruction.
From the Van-didad portion of the Kem-na Mazda prayer:
Maa meren chai-nish Gaetheyao asta-vaitish ashahe:
May I always be constructive; May my worldly actions never be destructive.
(may I never disturb the balance of nature, nor distort its symmetry & harmony)
Ushtavaiti 43-1: Ushta ahmai ya ahmai ushtai kamhai cheet
Ones’ desire should Only be for that outcome, which is Good for everyone concerned.
(Responsibility & Privileges go hand in hand)
There is no notion here of the wrath or tyranny of a vengeful God, or the fires of hell, or demands of obedience through fear. Only the dawning of Wisdom through genuine remorse, helping to eliminate evil through doubtless comprehension (Vaao) of Knowledge (Vaeda) ; & the slow but certain victorious path of Ethics. This Wise, infallible (dadat) law is therefore personified as the greatest, pure goodness (Asha Vahishta) that we must perforce “digest” for our own upliftment.
From Hoshbam:
Asha Vahishta, Asha Sraeshta, Daresama thwaa, Pairi thwaa Jamyama, Hamem Thwaa Hakhmaa
O Thou highest & Greatest embodiment of Righteousness,
Conductor of Harmony , Symphony & Symmetry of the Universe.
Stimulator of the highest, inspired intellect (Sra-eshta),
May we gain an all encompassing Vision (Daresmaa/Darshana) of Thee,
May we fully grasp (digest) an understanding of Thee,
May we attain, rightfully, through these diligent acts, aligned to the Truth, ever abiding fellowship & harmony with Thee.
The whole idea of the freedom to choose , with “responsibility” is essential to achieving understanding, and thus to Zarathushtra's unique formula for defeating evil, which is not by such things as hell or other horrific punishments, but by changing minds, through responsible, intelligent choices, so that eventually, all will choose what is right, out of preference, because that is the ideal way they want things to be.
