Frashokereti

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The Frashokereti (Frašō.kərəti) is the time after the final victory of the good ( Ahura Mazda ) over the evil ( Ahriman ) in Zoroastic eschatology . The term itself comes from the Avestian language . The Middle Persian equivalent is Frašagird and means something like making something wonderfully perfect.

The doctrine of Zoroastrianism states that (1) good in the end will prevail over evil, that (2) creation was perfect in the beginning but was corrupted by evil, that (3) perfection will be restored in the end, and that (4) man's salvation depends on the sum of his deeds, thoughts, and words. Everyone is responsible for the fate of his own soul and shares in the fate of the world, and even the gods cannot change personal fate.

The Frashokereti is only hinted at in the Avestan texts that have survived to this day. More details can be found in the 9th century Zoroastic book of the Bundahishn . It says there that at the end of the Third Age there will be a great battle between the forces of evil ( Daeva ) and good (Yazatas). Then on earth the Savior Saoschjant will raise the dead. Then the last dish follows. In addition, the Yazatas Airyaman and Atar melt the metal of the mountains and the molten metal flows like a river over the world. All people have to cross this river. To the righteous the metal will seem like warm milk, while the wicked will perish in it. The metal flow then flows into the underworld and there destroys Ahriman and with him all evil in the universe. In later Zoroastrian texts it is written that the flow of metal has a purifying function, which also perfects the bad.

Then Ahura Mazda will appear with his six Amshaspand and hold one last service ( Yasna ). They will prepare the Ab-Zohr , a drink made from white haoma , and the righteous will become immortal through this water. After that, like the Amshaspand, humanity will be able to live without food, thirst, hunger and weapons (or the possibility of injury). Your bodies will be so light that they won't cast shadows. All humanity will speak a single language and belong to a single nation without borders. All will share a common goal and purpose, which is to increase the glory of Ahura Mazda forever.

Although the Frashokereti is a restoration of the initial perfection, that does not mean that the world will be returned to its original state. Because at the beginning there was only one plant, one animal and one person ( Gayomarth ). Even those gods who were created by Ahura Mazda will not return to him, but will continue to exist.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ The meaning of the adjective fraša- is not clear, but it is usually translated as wonderful and excellent.
  2. ^ A b c Mary Boyce: Zoroastrians: Their Religious Beliefs and Practices . Routledge & Kegan Paul, London 1979, ISBN 978-0-415-23902-8 ( preview at googlebooks ).
  3. ↑ About Zoroastrian Hell , Hell-On-Line, March 2, 2008.
  4. ^ Richard P. Taylor: Death and Afterlife: A Cultural Encyclopedia . ABC-CLIO, 2000, p. 312 .

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