Persepolis: Temple of Asha; the Righteousness

The building of the Persepolis started soon after Darius’ accession in c. 520. As long as he reigned, the place was no more than a great builders’ yard, and under Xerxes the constructions were still going on all over the place. It was never entirely completed, but after Artaxerxes I had finished the Hall of a Hundred Columns it was more or less ready for use. Artaxerxes II was the first king to be buried inside the area of Persepolis, and after that time it ceased perhaps to be the residence of the living. On the whole Persepolis seems to have been a place that was founded and kept for historical and sentimental reasons in the homeland of the dynasty but used only for special ceremonial occasions.

The first building in place and size and date is the great Apadana (image I) which has begun under Darius and finished under Xerxes. Its dates are given by the gold and silver foundation documents discovered in two of the corners of the central hall and by the inscriptions on the frieze of enameled bricks from the top of its walls (image II).

The convenient term Apadana does not occur in the Persepolitan inscription, but is used for an identical building at Susa. The Apadana palace has a square interior hall with 6 rows of 6 columns, enclosed by walls of sun-dried bricks, 15 feet thick, about 250 feet in length and over 60 feet hight to the ceiling (image III). This immense room could hold up to 10.000 people. On three sides it had open porticoes of two rows of 6 columns, of the same height. At the corners of such a plan tower-like rooms that contained staircases and accommodation for guards are produced.

At Persepolis, the lion and bull always stand at the side of the tribute processions. Lion symbolizes the will of the universe and nature. On the other hand, Vohu Manah, Good Mind or Vahishta Manah, Best Mind, is the genius of cattle as well. According to Gatha, (Ys. 31. 10.) “The diligent husbandman who grows fodder for cattle is the promoter of Vohu Manah.” is one of the Gathic passages incidentally mentions cattle in connection with Vohu Manah. So, the symmetrical tribute procession carved around the Apadana palace, signifies worshiping Mazda, or Wisdom, through the Asha or righteousness and Vohu Manah or Good Mind.

It is the Asha Vahishta who is the smiter of disease, death, fiends, and sorcerers. So, the symmetrical tribute procession with a winged disc (which symbolizes Ahura Mazda) at its juncture, carved around the Apadana palace, signifies worshiping the Asha, the righteousness.

All the nations are gathered to celebrate a new cycle of the seasons. The adoration of the Spring under the lordship of the Asha Vahishta. The glorification of the universal Truth.