Saoshjant

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Saoschjant ( Avestisch Saoš́iiaṇt̰ ) is a figure of the Zoroastrian eschatology , which brings about the end renewal of the world, Frashokereti . The Avestan name literally means: "one who brings benefit", and is also used as a generic name .

In written certificates

In the Gathas , the most sacred hymns of Zoroastrianism , believed to have been composed by Zoroaster himself, the term is used to refer to the mission of the Prophet and the community of his followers who “bring benefits to mankind ". Saoshjant may originally have been used for Zoroaster himself (e.g. Yasna 46.3).

The generic name, which also appears in the younger Avesta (e.g. Yasna 61.5), is also used as a placeholder to denote religious leaders, and another generic name, airyaman ("member of the community"), is an epithet of these Saoschjants . On the other hand, the common epithet of the savior figure (n) is astvat- ә r ә ta ("personifying righteousness"); with arta / asha ("truth") as part of the name. These Redeemers are those who follow the teachings of Ahura Mazda “with actions inspired by asha” ( Yasna 48.12).

Saoschjant appears as a proper name in the younger Avesta, explicitly in Yasht 13.129, where it is used in the singular, and where Astvat-ereta is also implored, as an alternative name to Saoschjant . The singular form also appears in Yasna 59.1, where Verethragna is said to be Saoshjant's weapon in overcoming resistance. A plural form appears, for example, in Yasht 17.1, where Ashi - the deity of "retribution / reparation" - is described in order to give the Saoshjants the power of "doing wonderfully" ( frasho.kereti ).

The role of Saoshjant or Astvat-ereta as the future savior of the world is briefly described in Yasht 19.88-96, where it is stated that he will achieve the frashokereti , that he will make the world perfect and immortal and that evil and Druj (“Lug and deception ”) will disappear. He is identified as the son of Vîspa taurwairî and it is stated that he will come from Lake Kansaoya / Kansava and carry the same weapons ( verethragna ) that a number of Iranian epic heroes and kings used in the past against various demonic opponents had used. Haurvatat , Ameretat and other similar beings will be his companions and together they will overcome the evil creatures of Angra Mainyu .

In the oral tradition

The role of Saoshyant during the final renewal, which is already alluded to in the scriptures (e.g. Yasht 19.92), was not properly recognized until the 9th – 12th centuries in texts of the Zoroastrian tradition. Century worked out. In these Middle Persian texts the name is translated as Sōshans .

The Zoroastrian tradition sees three future redeemers, one at the end of each 1000 year period of the 3000 year world. All three are born to virgins, who became pregnant while bathing in a lake in which the semen of the prophet Zoroaster himself was miraculously preserved. The first Redeemer will be called Hushedar , the second Hushedarmah , and the third will be Saoshjant, who will lead humanity in the final battle against falsehood.

The story of Saoschjant's conception and childhood are described in Denkard 7.10.15 ff. As follows: Thirty years before the decisive final battle, a virgin named Eredat-fedhri (“Victorious Helper”), whose nickname is “body maker”, joins one Lake (in Yasht 19.92 this is the "Kansava Lake"). While sitting in the water, the girl who “had nothing with men” receives “victorious knowledge”. Your son will not need nourishment from his mother when he is born, his body will be like the sun, and the "royal glory" of Khwarenah will be with him. Then for the next 57 years he will live only on vegetables (17 years), then only on water (30 years) and for the last 10 years only on "spiritual nourishment".

The events of the final innovation are in bundahishn (ff 30.1.) Described: In the final battle with the evil Yazata s Airyaman and Atar "melt the metal in the hills and mountains and it will be on the ground, like a river" (bundahishn 34.18) but the righteous ( ashavan ) is not harmed.

Eventually Ahura Mazda will triumph and his plenipotentiary Saoshjant will raise the dead to new life and their bodies will be restored to eternal perfection and their souls will be purified and reunited with God. Time then ends and truth / justice ( asha ) and immortality will then last forever.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Boyce: A History of Zoroastrianism. 1975, p. 234.
  2. ↑ Boyce: A History of Zoroastrianism. 1975, p. 282.
  3. ↑ Dhalla: History of Zoroastrianism. 1938, p. 165.
  4. ↑ Dhalla: History of Zoroastrianism. 1938, p. 108.

literature

  • Mary Boyce : A History of Zoroastrianism. Volume 1: The Early Period (= Handbook of Oriental Studies. Section 1: The Near and the Middle East. Volume 8: Religion. Section 1: Religious History of the Ancient Orient. Volume 2, No. 2a). Brill, Leiden et al. 1975, ISBN 90-04-04319-5 .
  • Maneckji Nusservanji Dhalla: History of Zoroastrianism. Oxford University Press, New York NY 1938.