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| {{short description|Saviour figure in Zoroastrian}} | |||
| {{Zoroastrianism}}'''Saoshyant''' refers to one who will "make existence brilliant" in the ] ]. Literally, the term means "one who brings benefit." | |||
| '''Saoshyant''' ({{langx|ae|{{script|Avst|𐬯𐬀𐬊𐬳𐬌𐬌𐬀𐬧𐬝}}}} {{lang|ae-Latn|saoš́iiaṇt̰}}) is an ] term that literally means "one who brings benefit", and which is used in several different ways in ] scripture and tradition. In particular, the expression is the proper name of ''the'' Saoshyant, an ] saviour figure who brings about '']'', the final renovation of the world in which evil is finally destroyed. The term was contracted to ''Soshans'' in Zoroastrian tradition and came to apply to three saviour figures that were prophesied to progressively bring about the final renovation. | |||
| ==Etymology== | |||
| In common usage, this term refers to a future ] or ]-figure, who will spread divine truth and lead humanity in the final battle against the forces of evil. | |||
| The ] word ''Saoshyant'' derives from an active participle (indicated by the {{lang|ae-Latn|-ant-}}) of the future stem of the verbal root {{lang|ae-Latn|sū-}}/{{lang|ae-Latn|sau-}}, which itself comes from the ] root *''{{PIE|ḱewh₁-}}'' 'to swell'. The Avestan {{lang|ae-Latn|sūra-}} 'strong' and {{lang|ae-Latn|yawaēsū-}} 'ever-thriving' derive from this root. Over time, the verbal root acquired the extended meanings 'to be of use, profit, advantage' and 'to create profit, use, advantage, to further'. It is in this extended sense that the word ''Saoshyant'' was understood by Zoroastrians. In stanzas 128 and 129 of '']'' 13, the following explanation of the word's etymology is given: "we worship the {{lang|ae-Latn|frawaṣ̌i}} of righteous {{lang|ae-Latn|Astwat̰-әrәta}}, who will be the Victorious {{lang|ae-Latn|Saošyant}} by name ... (he is called) {{lang|ae-Latn|saošyant}} because he will further ({{lang|ae-Latn|sāwayāt̰}}) all material life".<ref>{{harvnb|Malandra|2013}}</ref> | |||
| ==In scripture== | |||
| In ]'s own writings, the ], the term is used to refer to his own prophetic mission and to the community of his followers, who "bring benefit" to humanity. In later Zoroastrian doctrine it is envisaged that there will be three future Saoshyants, who will restore order when the world has fallen into chaos. These will be born of virgins from the miraculously preserved seed of the prophet Zoroaster himself. The last Saoshyant will bring about the final judgement of humanity and will secure the harmony of the world. | |||
| In the ], the most sacred hymns of Zoroastrianism, believed to have been composed by ] himself, the term is used as a common noun to refer to the prophet's own mission and to his community of followers, who "bring benefit" to humanity. The common noun also appears in the Younger Avesta (e.g. ''Yasna'' 61.5<!--Boyce 235-->), where it generically denotes religious leaders, including Zoroaster (e.g. ''Yasna'' 46.3)<ref name="Boyce_1975_234">{{harvnb|Boyce|1975|p=234}}.</ref> Another common noun '']'' "member of community" is an epithet of these ''saoshyant''s. In contrast, the standing epithet of the saviour figure(s) is {{lang|ae-Latn|astvat-әrәta}} "embodying righteousness,"<ref name="Boyce_1975_282">{{harvnb|Boyce|1975|p=282}}.</ref> which has ''arta''/'']'' "Truth" as an element of the name.<ref name="Dhalla_1938_165">{{harvnb|Dhalla|1938|p=165}}.</ref> These saviours are those who follow Ahura Mazda's teaching "with acts inspired by ''asha''" (''Yasna'' 48.12). | |||
| ''Saoshyant'' first appears as a proper name in the Younger Avesta,<ref name="Dhalla_1938_108">{{harvnb|Dhalla|1938|p=108}}.</ref> explicitly so in ''Yasht'' 13.129 where it is used in the singular and where Astvat-ereta develops into an alternate name of the Saoshyant. The singular also appears in ''Yasna'' 59.1 where ] is said to be Saoshyant's weapon in overcoming resistance. A plural form appears for instance in ''Yasht'' 17.1 where ]—the divinity of "recompense"—is described to give the Saoshyants the power of "making wonderful" ('']''). The term may also be rendered as "Renovation" and can be translated etymologically as "]". <!-- 'frašō.kərəti' as "making wonderful" is now standard (cf Boyce 231, and n17). Older texts have a different translation, "making reborn" or some such.--><!--Well Boyce is not everyone, so it seems a little early to speak of a "standard". Skjærvø in his paedagogical "Introduction to Zoroastrianism" (on http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~iranian/Zoroastrianism/) says the term is "commonly rendered" as "Renovation", can be translated etymologically as "]", and he himself chooses to use "perfectioning".--> | |||
| "Since He is (the One) to be chosen by the world therefore the judgment emanating from truth itself (to be passed) on the deeds of good thought of the world, as well as the power, is committed to ] whom (people) assign as a shepherd to the poor." | |||
| --Yasna 27:13, the Ahuna Vairya prayer | |||
| The role of the Saoshyant, or Astvat-ereta, as a future saviour 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 evil and ] will disappear. He is identified as the son of Vîspa.taurwairî and it is stated that he will come forth from Lake Kansaoya/Kansava and will carry the same weapon ] that a number of Iranian epic heroes and kings have used in the past against various demonic foes. ], ], the righteous ] and other similar entities will be his companions and together, they will vanquish the evil creations of ]. | |||
| In some cases, this term is used as a plural, ''saoshyans'', to refer to religious leaders. | |||
| ==In tradition== | |||
| In ] and ] Zoroastrians (and others), still use this name for males. | |||
| Already alluded to in scripture (e.g. ''Yasht'' 19.88-96, see above), but only properly developed in the 9th–12th century texts, is the role of the Saoshyant during the final renovation. In these ] texts, the name is contracted to ''Soshans'' or similar (''Sōshans'' in living Zoroastrianism). | |||
| Those medieval works of Zoroastrian tradition envision three future saviours, each of them a Soshans/Saoshyant, with one for the end of each thousand-year period that comprise the last 3,000 years of the world (these three millennia follow the "millennium of Zoroaster"). According to the tradition (found e.g. in the '']''), the first Saoshyant will be named (H)Ushedar, the second (H)Ushedarmah and the third will again be ''the'' Saoshyant, who will lead humanity in the final battle against evil. The medieval works also transmit a tradition in which the three future saviours are mythologised as born of maidens, conceived while their mothers bathed in a lake that miraculously preserved the seed of the prophet Zoroaster himself. | |||
| It is speculated that this Zoroastrian belief in a Saoshyant influenced the Jewish belief in a Messiah. | |||
| The story of the Saoshyant's conception and early life are described in '']'' 7.10.15ff as follows: Thirty years before the decisive final battle<!-- 7.10.15-->, a maiden named Eredat-fedhri ("Victorious Helper") and whose nickname is "Body-maker"<!--.15--> will enter a lake (in Yasht 19.92, this is "Lake Kansava"). Sitting in the water, the girl, who has "not associated with men"<!--.18--> will receive "victorious knowledge."<!--actually ''Yasht'' 19.92--> Her son, when born, will not know nourishment from his mother, his body will be sun-like, and the "royal glory" of the ] will be with him. Then, for the next 57 years he will subsist on only vegetables (17 years), then only water (30 years) and then for the final 10 years only on "spiritual food." | |||
| The events of the final renovation are described in the '']'' (30.1ff): In the final battle with evil, the ]s ] and ] will "melt the metal in the hills and mountains, and it will be upon the earth like a river" (''Bundahishn'' 34.18) but the righteous (i.e., the '']'') will not be harmed. Eventually, ] will triumph, and his agent Saoshyant will resurrect the dead, whose bodies will be restored to eternal perfection, and whose souls will be cleansed and reunited with God. Time will then end, and ''asha'' and immortality will thereafter be everlasting. | |||
| ==In the Bahá'í Faith== | |||
| {{main|Bahá'í Faith and Zoroastrianism}} | |||
| Bahá'í tradition considers the prophecies of the Saoshyant (Bahá'i 'Soshyosh') to have been fulfilled in the person of ],{{sfn|Kazemi|2013|p=104}}{{sfn|Khianra|Stiles|2000|p=368}} while the prior two Soshans of Zoroastrian tradition are interpreted as referring to ] and the ], respectively.{{sfn|Khianra|Stiles|2000|p=368}} | |||
| ==See also== | ==See also== | ||
| *] | * ] | ||
| *] | * ] | ||
| *] | * ] | ||
| * ] | |||
| ---- | |||
| * ] | |||
| {{reli-stub}} | |||
| ] | * ] | ||
| ] | |||
| ==References== | |||
| ;Citations | |||
| {{sfn whitelist|CITEREFMalandra2013}} | |||
| {{reflist|3}} | |||
| ;Bibliography | |||
| {{refbegin}} | |||
| *{{citation|last=Boyce|first=Mary|author-link=Mary Boyce|title=A History of Zoroastrianism, Vol. I|year=1975|publisher=Brill|location=Leiden|isbn=90-04-04319-5}}. | |||
| *{{citation|last=Dhalla|first=Maneckji Nusservanji|publisher=OUP|location=New York|year=1938|title=History of Zoroastrianism}}. | |||
| *{{citation|last=Kazemi |first = Farshid |year = 2013|title = Celestial Fire: Bahá'u'lláh as the Messianic Theophany of the Divine Fire in Zoroastrianism |journal=Irfan Colloquia |volume = 14 |pages = 45–123}}. | |||
| *{{citation|last=Khianra|first=Dipchand|last2=Stiles|first2=Susan Manek|editor-last=Smith|editor-first=Peter|chapter=Zoroastrianism|title=A Concise Encyclopedia of the Bahá'í Faith|year=2000|publisher=Oneworld Publications|location=London|isbn=1-85168-184-1|pages= 368{{ndash}}369}}. | |||
| *{{Encyclopædia Iranica Online|url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/saosyant|title=Saošyant|first=William|last=Malandra|year=2013|access-date=17 April 2024}} | |||
| {{refend}} | |||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | |||
Latest revision as of 00:12, 11 November 2024
Saviour figure in ZoroastrianSaoshyant (Avestan: 𐬯𐬀𐬊𐬳𐬌𐬌𐬀𐬧𐬝 saoš́iiaṇt̰) is an Avestan-language term that literally means "one who brings benefit", and which is used in several different ways in Zoroastrian scripture and tradition. In particular, the expression is the proper name of the Saoshyant, an eschatological saviour figure who brings about Frashokereti, the final renovation of the world in which evil is finally destroyed. The term was contracted to Soshans in Zoroastrian tradition and came to apply to three saviour figures that were prophesied to progressively bring about the final renovation.
Etymology
The Avestan word Saoshyant derives from an active participle (indicated by the -ant-) of the future stem of the verbal root sū-/sau-, which itself comes from the Proto-Indo-European root *ḱewh₁- 'to swell'. The Avestan sūra- 'strong' and yawaēsū- 'ever-thriving' derive from this root. Over time, the verbal root acquired the extended meanings 'to be of use, profit, advantage' and 'to create profit, use, advantage, to further'. It is in this extended sense that the word Saoshyant was understood by Zoroastrians. In stanzas 128 and 129 of Yasht 13, the following explanation of the word's etymology is given: "we worship the frawaṣ̌i of righteous Error: {{Lang}}: Non-latn text (pos 9)/Latn script subtag mismatch (help), who will be the Victorious Saošyant by name ... (he is called) saošyant because he will further (sāwayāt̰) all material life".
In scripture
In the Gathas, the most sacred hymns of Zoroastrianism, believed to have been composed by Zoroaster himself, the term is used as a common noun to refer to the prophet's own mission and to his community of followers, who "bring benefit" to humanity. The common noun also appears in the Younger Avesta (e.g. Yasna 61.5), where it generically denotes religious leaders, including Zoroaster (e.g. Yasna 46.3) Another common noun airyaman "member of community" is an epithet of these saoshyants. In contrast, the standing epithet of the saviour figure(s) is Error: {{Lang}}: Non-latn text (pos 8)/Latn script subtag mismatch (help) "embodying righteousness," which has arta/asha "Truth" as an element of the name. These saviours are those who follow Ahura Mazda's teaching "with acts inspired by asha" (Yasna 48.12).
Saoshyant first appears as a proper name in the Younger Avesta, explicitly so in Yasht 13.129 where it is used in the singular and where Astvat-ereta develops into an alternate name of the Saoshyant. The singular also appears in Yasna 59.1 where Verethragna is said to be Saoshyant's weapon in overcoming resistance. A plural form appears for instance in Yasht 17.1 where Ashi—the divinity of "recompense"—is described to give the Saoshyants the power of "making wonderful" (frasho.kereti). The term may also be rendered as "Renovation" and can be translated etymologically as "juicy-making".
The role of the Saoshyant, or Astvat-ereta, as a future saviour 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 evil and Druj will disappear. He is identified as the son of Vîspa.taurwairî and it is stated that he will come forth from Lake Kansaoya/Kansava and will carry the same weapon Verethragna that a number of Iranian epic heroes and kings have used in the past against various demonic foes. Haurvatat, Ameretat, the righteous Dūraoša and other similar entities will be his companions and together, they will vanquish the evil creations of Angra Mainyu.
In tradition
Already alluded to in scripture (e.g. Yasht 19.88-96, see above), but only properly developed in the 9th–12th century texts, is the role of the Saoshyant during the final renovation. In these Middle Persian texts, the name is contracted to Soshans or similar (Sōshans in living Zoroastrianism).
Those medieval works of Zoroastrian tradition envision three future saviours, each of them a Soshans/Saoshyant, with one for the end of each thousand-year period that comprise the last 3,000 years of the world (these three millennia follow the "millennium of Zoroaster"). According to the tradition (found e.g. in the Jamasp Namag), the first Saoshyant will be named (H)Ushedar, the second (H)Ushedarmah and the third will again be the Saoshyant, who will lead humanity in the final battle against evil. The medieval works also transmit a tradition in which the three future saviours are mythologised as born of maidens, conceived while their mothers bathed in a lake that miraculously preserved the seed of the prophet Zoroaster himself.
The story of the Saoshyant's conception and early life are described in Denkard 7.10.15ff as follows: Thirty years before the decisive final battle, a maiden named Eredat-fedhri ("Victorious Helper") and whose nickname is "Body-maker" will enter a lake (in Yasht 19.92, this is "Lake Kansava"). Sitting in the water, the girl, who has "not associated with men" will receive "victorious knowledge." Her son, when born, will not know nourishment from his mother, his body will be sun-like, and the "royal glory" of the Khvarenah will be with him. Then, for the next 57 years he will subsist on only vegetables (17 years), then only water (30 years) and then for the final 10 years only on "spiritual food."
The events of the final renovation are described in the Bundahishn (30.1ff): In the final battle with evil, the yazatas Airyaman and Atar will "melt the metal in the hills and mountains, and it will be upon the earth like a river" (Bundahishn 34.18) but the righteous (i.e., the ashavan) will not be harmed. Eventually, Ahura Mazda will triumph, and his agent Saoshyant will resurrect the dead, whose bodies will be restored to eternal perfection, and whose souls will be cleansed and reunited with God. Time will then end, and asha and immortality will thereafter be everlasting.
In the Bahá'í Faith
Main article: Bahá'í Faith and ZoroastrianismBahá'í tradition considers the prophecies of the Saoshyant (Bahá'i 'Soshyosh') to have been fulfilled in the person of Bahá'u'lláh, while the prior two Soshans of Zoroastrian tradition are interpreted as referring to Muhammad and the Báb, respectively.
See also
References
- Citations
- Malandra 2013
- Boyce 1975, p. 234.
- Boyce 1975, p. 282.
- Dhalla 1938, p. 165.
- Dhalla 1938, p. 108.
- Kazemi 2013, p. 104.
- ^ Khianra & Stiles 2000, p. 368.
- Bibliography
- Boyce, Mary (1975), A History of Zoroastrianism, Vol. I, Leiden: Brill, ISBN 90-04-04319-5.
- Dhalla, Maneckji Nusservanji (1938), History of Zoroastrianism, New York: OUP.
- Kazemi, Farshid (2013), "Celestial Fire: Bahá'u'lláh as the Messianic Theophany of the Divine Fire in Zoroastrianism", Irfan Colloquia, 14: 45–123.
- Khianra, Dipchand; Stiles, Susan Manek (2000), "Zoroastrianism", in Smith, Peter (ed.), A Concise Encyclopedia of the Bahá'í Faith, London: Oneworld Publications, pp. 368–369, ISBN 1-85168-184-1.
- Malandra, William (2013). "Saošyant". In Yarshater, Ehsan (ed.). Encyclopædia Iranica, Online Edition. Encyclopædia Iranica Foundation. Retrieved 17 April 2024.