As and Icha

Ās (ਆਸ) and Ichhā (ਇੱਛਾ) — nouns

In Gurmat, both terms denote desire but with nuanced differences:

Ichhā arises from the mann (mind). It is expectation without effort, often mixed with lobh (greed), e.g. “mere ko kuch jyāda hī mil jāve”. Such mann kī ichhā is negative.

Ās is placed upon something or someone: “if I do this, I will get that.” Gurbani says “ik ās rākhu mann māhe” in the sense of keeping the hope of attaining janam padārath (true purpose of life).

Chitt kī ichhā (desire arising from the antar atma) is elevated, because it is aligned with inner truth, and in this form, ichhā overlaps with ās.

Thus, mann kī ichhā leads to bondage, while chitt kī ichhā / āsa of Truth leads to liberation.