Vohu-Khshathra & Vahishtoishti Gāthās — Yasna 49–51, 53

N=1 fine-grained distillation. Source: Mills, Yasna, SBE 31 (1887), Internet Archive zendavesta03darm. Quote anchors pending Phase 7 verification. Methodology & tags: ../00-methodology.md. Mills' parentheses are interpretive glosses.

Chapter role

Yasna 49–50 continue the prayer for Asha and the Good Mind against the Lie. Yasna 51 ("Vohu-Khshathra," "the good Kingdom") declares that the good Government/Kingdom is "to be chosen" as the best lot, and that even "the tiller of the earth" seeks it. Yasna 53 ("Vahishtoishti," "the best wish") is the last Gāthā — a wedding hymn that names the Saoshyant (the coming benefactor whose faith Ahura will found) and gives counsel to bride and bridegroom: mutual righteousness, good thoughts/words/deeds, and a happy home.

Atomic statements

B4-C1: The good Kingdom (Khshathra) is to be chosen above all wished-for things as the lot that most brings on happiness. (FOUNDATIONAL / RENOVATION+CHOICE)

• Yasna 51:1: "The good Government (of Ahura) is to be chosen (among all wished-for things) as that lot which most of all brings on (our happiness). Actions that oppress us it opposes, through the holy Order…"
• Stance: assert · Importance: core · Untranslatable: Khshathra

B4-C2: Sovereign rule over wealth is asked of Ahura so as to give and preserve it through the Good Mind — power is held under Asha for the good. (OPERATIONAL / WORK+ETHICS)

• Yasna 51:2: "…grant me this Your Sovereign Rule over our desired wealth (to give and to preserve it; and likewise) those spiritual blessings which are advantageous for our worship… through (the inspiration of His) Good Mind."
• Stance: assert · Importance: supporting

B4-C3: It is the tiller of the earth — the working man — who asks of Ahura for Asha; the cause is sought by the upright labourer. (OPERATIONAL / WORK+ASHA)

• Yasna 51:5: "And it is the tiller of the earth who asks this of Thee, O Ahura!… moved by the motives which flow from Thy Righteous Order… upright as he is in actions."
• Stance: assert · Importance: supporting

B4-C4: The faith to be founded is that of the Saoshyant, which Ahura will permanently establish, making straight paths. (FOUNDATIONAL / RENOVATION)

• Yasna 53:2: "…making straight paths (for our going), even that Faith of the Saoshyant which Ahura will found."
• Stance: assert · Importance: core · Untranslatable: Saoshyant

B4-C5: Counsel to the married pair: counsel together with the mind of Armaiti, and act with just action; love and cherish one another in Righteousness. (OPERATIONAL / ETHICS+WORSHIP)

• Yasna 53:3–5: "Counsel well then (together), with the mind of Armaiti, most bounteous and pious; and act with just action… let each one the other in Righteousness cherish; thus alone unto each shall the home-life be happy."
• Stance: assert · Importance: core · Untranslatable: Armaiti

B4-C6: By the laws of the Faith uttered here, obtain the life of the Good Mind on earth and in heaven. (FOUNDATIONAL / MIND+ETHICS)

• Yasna 53:5: "By these laws of the Faith which I utter obtain ye the life of the Good Mind (on earth and in heaven)."
• Stance: assert · Importance: core · Untranslatable: Vohu Manah

Step 4 — Clusters

Cluster	Atomic statements	Intent
The Kingdom to be chosen	C1, C4	The good Khshathra / the Saoshyant's faith is the best lot
Power & wealth under Asha	C2, C3	Rule and labour are righteous when held for the good
The righteous home	C5, C6	Marriage and home-life rest on mutual righteousness & the Good Mind

Step 5 — Internal tensions

None. The wedding hymn (Y. 53) applies the Gāthic ethic to ordinary family life, consistent with the rest.

Step 6 — Synthesized chapter principles

B4-P1: The good Kingdom is the best thing, to be chosen

The Khshathra — Ahura's good Government/Kingdom — "is to be chosen as that lot which most of all brings on happiness," opposing what oppresses; it is the faith of the Saoshyant that Ahura "will found."

• Tier: FOUNDATIONAL · Domain: RENOVATION+CHOICE · Covers: C1, C4 · Evidence: Yasna 51:1; 53:2 · Untranslatable: Khshathra, Saoshyant

B4-P2: Power, wealth, and labour are held righteously under Asha

Sovereign rule over wealth is sought "to give and to preserve it" through the Good Mind; and it is the upright "tiller of the earth" who asks for Asha. Productive labour and stewardship of wealth are part of the righteous life.

• Tier: OPERATIONAL · Domain: WORK+ETHICS · Covers: C2, C3 · Evidence: Yasna 51:2,5

B4-P3: The home-life rests on mutual righteousness and good action

Bride and bridegroom are to "counsel well together with the mind of Armaiti… and act with just action," each cherishing the other "in Righteousness" — "thus alone unto each shall the home-life be happy."

• Tier: OPERATIONAL · Domain: ETHICS · Covers: C5 · Evidence: Yasna 53:3–5 · Untranslatable: Armaiti

B4-P4: Living the Faith's laws gains the life of the Good Mind, here and hereafter

By the laws uttered in the Gāthās one "obtain[s] the life of the Good Mind on earth and in heaven" — the ethical life is rewarded in both worlds.

• Tier: FOUNDATIONAL · Domain: MIND+ETHICS · Covers: C6 · Evidence: Yasna 53:5 · Untranslatable: Vohu Manah

Step 7 — Traceability

Principle	Atomic statements	Verses
B4-P1	C1, C4	Yasna 51:1; 53:2
B4-P2	C2, C3	Yasna 51:2,5
B4-P3	C5	Yasna 53:3–5
B4-P4	C6	Yasna 53:5

Step 8 — Quality

• Coverage: the "Kingdom to be chosen" (Y. 51), the Saoshyant and the home (Y. 53) captured. Yasna 49–50 (petitions against the Lie, the soul's reward) fold under P1/P4 and overlap Yasna 31/43 material.
• Orphaned: the wedding hymn's later verses (53:6–9, curses on the wicked) noted but not foregrounded.
• Principles: 4 (within range).
• Traceability: 100%.

Step 9 — Validation

• Standalone comprehension (frame-independent): B4-P3 (a marriage and home built on mutual righteousness and just action) is fully intelligible and a strong cross-tradition convergence candidate (cf. Catholic Social Doctrine's primacy-of-the-family principle). B4-P2 (honest labour, stewardship of wealth for the good) converges broadly. B4-P1 and P4 carry the frame-specific warrants (the Saoshyant, "the life of the Good Mind in heaven") — the claim (the good order is worth choosing; the ethical life is rewarded) converges; the warrant (a specific coming benefactor and the Vohu Manah heaven) is Zoroastrian. Flagged for the Atlas.