his disciples work by day and by night for the increase of knowledge.[1] Vohu Manah rejoices in man's endeavour to wrest from nature her secrets.
His work. When the Evil Spirit first attacked creation Vohu Manah came to its succour.[2] Zarathushtra asks Ahura Mazda to teach him the laws of both the worlds, so that men following his precepts may act in such a way that Vohu Manah may come to them.[3] It is through his medium that the devout can aspire to reach Ahura Mazda;[4] and on that account he is implored to further bodily life.[5] It is said, moreover, that he is more a possession of the hard-working man of the world, who has married and toils for his family, than of the celibate or the ascetic.[6] Vohu Manah's function of guarding the animal kingdom is not emphasized in the Avestan texts.
Vohu Manah welcomes the righteous souls to paradise. When the blessed ones cross the great bridge and come up to the gates of heaven, this premier angel rises from his golden throne and in gracious words receives the new-comers.[7]
In the final conflict between the hosts of the rival powers, he will smite his adversary Aka Manah.[8]
Asha Vahishta
The formation of the name. The Younger Avesta, in conformity with the Gathas, calls this archangel Asha and adds the epithet vahishta or best to the name. The variant stem arta is, however, found as an element of Astvatereta, the name of the renovator.[9] It is also met with in the proper names during the Achaemenian period. We have, for example, Artakhshathra, Artadata, Artapata, and Artafarnah. Its forms areta, 'proper,' and anareta or anaretha, 'improper,' are likewise found.[10] A righteous person is called ashavan which is equivalent to the
