The Gathic view of life persists. When the ascetic ideal of life became so widespread in and outside India, it is natural that people of despairing disposition may be drawn to it. There were, it seems, some small sects or brotherhoods in Iran that embraced this view of life. It is evidently of some such sect that the Vendidad[1] speaks with disapproval. Apart from such sporadic instances, the ascetic ideal of life is foreign to the Later Avesta. The exhortations of the prophet about the prime importance of a physically strong and sound body to enable man to combat evil, to fight the imperfections of the world, and to work strenuously for the regeneration of mankind, are faithfully embodied in the Younger Avesta. Self-control and discipline of the body rather than austerity and self-mortification remain the ideal. Strong and hardy men and women of rugged virtues bred by bodily cleanliness, bodily purity, bodily health, and bodily soundness are praised with unabated zeal. The view of life remains as optimistic and cheerful as propounded by Zarathushtra. The inborn craving of all human beings to obtain pleasurable states of feeling or happiness for themselves is fully recognized. The devout yearn for happiness that they can find in a temperate enjoyment of the good things of life. The gloomy view of life which the Indian cousins have now embraced is unknown to the Iranians. Life is still joy.
Ahura Mazda has created joy-giving lands for mankind.[2] Three of the many names of Ahura Mazda are: All Happiness, Full Happiness, and Lord of Happiness.[3] He has created happiness for mankind.[4] He is himself abundant joy.[5] Ahura Mazda has created joy, happiness, and pleasure of Haurvatat, the archangel presiding over weal.[6] Adoration of Ahura Mazda by day and by night, bring him and Sraosha and waters and trees and the Fravashis unto the faithful for their joy.[7] The householders pray that joy and happiness may never leave their houses.[8] They prayerfully ask that their minds be full of joy.[9] Ahura Mazda is invoked to give joy and happiness.[10] Zarathushtra invokes his blessings upon King Vishtaspa that he may be as full of happiness as Raman, the genius of joy.[11] Abundant happiness comes to him to whom the Kingly Glory cleaves.[12] Mithra gives full
