 Both Vedic "Ṛta" and Avestan "aša" were conceived of as having a tripartite function which manifested itself in the physical, ethical and ritual domains.In the context of Vedic religion, those features of nature which either remain constant or which occur on a regular basis were seen to be a manifestation of the power of "Ṛta" in the physical cosmos.In the human sphere, "Ṛta" was understood to manifest itself as the imperative force behind both the moral order of society as well as the correct performance of Vedic rituals.