𐬀𐬴𐬀

Avestan

Etymology

From Proto-Iranian *Hr̥táh, from Proto-Indo-Iranian *Hr̥tás (“truth”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₂r̥-tós, from the root *h₂er- (“to fit; fix; put together”) +‎ *-tós (deverbal adjective suffix). Although the ostensible reading is aṣ̌a, this is an orthographical misrendering as it was without doubt enunciated as arta. A highly nuanced concept, see Asha for its full meaning.

Cognate with Persian ارد (ard), Latin artus and Sanskrit ऋत (ṛtá, “right, proper; law”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /aʂa/, /arta/

Noun

𐬀𐬴𐬀 • (aṣ̌a) n

1. truth, right, righteousness
2. order (cosmic and moral)
3. accord, lawfulness, conformity
4. existence, that which is established, proper
5. that which is created by God (dualism, in opposition to that which is created by evil)
6. the inexorable law of righteousness, the eternal fitness of things that are in accord with divine order

Antonyms

• 𐬛𐬭𐬎𐬘 (druj, “deceit, falsehood, lies”)