The concept of Rt-Ush

A-sha the algorithmic mechanism set up by Ahura Mazda to run the universe, is helped by 33 divinely empowered forces that micro manage various facets of its rhythmic functioning.

• Yasna 1.10 thus mentions 33 Rt-ushs’ (literally Light empowered Kings of Truth-Reality),  instituted by Ahura Mazda to uphold Asha Vahishta (the greatest Truth, the highest Reality, the blessed Universe).
• " I declare, loudly & address this invocation to all 33 Rulers (Regulators) of A-sha, who congregate around this blessed Havan (ceremony) & who like the different seasons were instituted by Ahura Mazda & promulgated by Asho Zarathushtra, as the Rulers, powering the progress of this Highest Truth, the Greatest Reality (A-sha)."
  

  
Derived from the root words (Rt + Ush); where Rt = Sovereign/King & Ush = Light/Knowledge/enlightenment, this term is cognate with Rtvij (Rtu + Vij), one who like the ever expanding physical universe, expands/increases the cause of righteousness (spirituality).

We thus find  these forces of righteousness mentioned in the Ahunawar Mantra:

Ya-thaa A-hoo Vai-ri-yo

                  I pledge alliance to Thee consciously, O Almighty Creator of all Life,

                  Through reasoned, fact based, intelligent Choice.

A-thaa Rt-ush A-shaat-chit ha-chaa          

 Likewise I, seek guidance for alignment with Truth & Justice, from the divinity within (Rt-ush), for dispelling my doubts, through Knowledge.

Here, the term Rt-ush  is the Divinity within ones-self. It is the seed of the Almighty Creator within ones-self, ones inner soul. 
It is therefore that infinitesimal portion of the Creator----Ahu-ra in each one of us, guiding us to acts of righteousness through the Law of Consequences (A-sha). In effect this is the guide that helps us analyze our previous mistakes & take corrective action; in effect aligning ourselves (through Knowledge) with the natural rhythm of the Universe (Asha/Rta). 

The philological translation[i]of R-tu extends this Gathic imagery, representing it as the pure celestial river of prosperity, the Harah-vaiti (Vedic Saraswati); True Speech. 

It represents that pure, divine, unblemished portion of our creator “Ahu”….life force in each one of us. It is what helps cleanse our souls, through self directed corrective actions, that highest Benchmark (standard) that encourages us to rise above earthly failings & washes away (removes) blemishes from our character.

  The Vedas similarly identify R-tu as one dwelling in the heart, who destroys with the shining, radiant lamp of knowledge the darkness born of ignorance. 

Rig Veda 7:1 :Translation By Shri Aurobindo

 “Leading all the faculties of man, he calls the higher Powers to come and aid. He is the un-deflectable seeing Will of Truth which knows its way. Power of Truth that he is, all that he does and effects is true. He carries the rich inspirations of Truth from beyond and communicates them to him in whom he is set awake. He is the Immortal in mortals, God in the human; he brings other gods too to the sessions of self-offering and new-birth of man.


I Wonder if I Know Him by Rabindranath Tagore

• I wonder if I know him In whose speech is my voice,
  In whose movement is my being,
  Whose skill is in my lines,
  Whose melody is in my songs
  In joy and sorrow.
  I thought he was chained within me,
  Contained by tears and laughter, Work and play.
  I thought he was my very self
  Coming to an end with my death.
  Why then in a flood of joy do I feel him
  In the sight and touch of my beloved?
  This I beyond self I found
  On the shores of the shining sea.
  Therefore I know This'I' is not imprisoned within my bounds.
  Losing myself, I find him Beyond the borders of time and space.
  Through the Ages I come to know his Shining Self In the Iife of the seeker,
  In the voice of the poet.
  From the dark clouds pour the rains. I sit and think:
  Bearing so many forms, so many names,
  I come down, crossing the threshold Of countless births and deaths.
  The Supreme undivided, complete in himself,
  Embracing past and present,
  Dwells in Man.
  Within Him I shall find myself - The I that reaches everywhere.
  
  
  
  
  Aryan philosophy assumes the outer cosmology to be mirrored in the inner cosmology of the human. Therefore, the number 108 (Distance between earth and sun = 108 times the diameter of the sun; Distance between earth and moon = 108 times the moon-diameter, and most remarkably, the Diameter of the sun = 108 times the earth diameter) is that Divine mathematical constant that represents the 'distance' between the physical body (Keherpa) of the devotee to that infinitesimal portion of the Creator (Ahu-ra) within…………..RT-USH. 
  
  
  This is the reason many scholars have often blandly translated the term ratush as “Lord” or "Masters/Rulers" of Righteousness, without factoring the imagery of the Gathas. Through the Law of Consequences, they guide our path; while on the physical plane, they control individual facets of the Universe. 
  
  
  This designation for divine forces that control nature & everything in it, has only one mortal exception. This exception, the 33rd Rt-ush is Zarathushtra, who attained oneness with Divinity in a single lifetime & is thus addressed as Khor-dad, meaning the "perfect" man.
  
  On the Vedic side 33 Gods (Adityas-the original, real powers) who power the Universe are similarly mentioned. 
  

  As there are many more gods in the Hindu Pantheon, this clearly shows the extent of influence of the Zarathushti philosophy on the Vedas.
  
  
  The 108 beads of the rosary (mala) therefore, represent the number of steps (in this case, mantra repetition) required to bridge the gap the material body and the inner light (RATUSH). The devotee, repeating the mantras while counting the beads, is therefore making a symbolic journey from the physical body to the heavens.
  
  
  Ancient sages having postulated 10,800 breaths per 12 hour day (@1breath every 4s), this number (factor of 108) therefore aligns us with nature & creates a positive atmosphere.
  
  
  In astrology, similarly,  the 12 Zodiacs have 9 divisions each, working out to a total of 108 divisions in a year.
  
  
  
  
  
  

A modern poem to Ratush :

Awake, oh sleeper, look within, and remember who you really are; You've already slumbered far too long; it's time to become a shining star.

Be guided by the One within; allow your-self to become aware; Be receptive to the radiant light;

let the inner glow begin to flare.

Release your everlasting love to all conditions near and far; it’s time to come alive once more,

And remember who you really are.

- Carl M. Lucas 

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[i]    Monier Williams, Sanskrit-English Dictionary