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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Fullstop (talk | contribs) at 23:41, 2 August 2007 (drop the Ahuna Vairya "quote." There is no standard interpretation for that (or any other) Gathic verse.). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

v t e Zoroastrianism
Primary topics	Ahura Mazda Zarathustra Asha Vohu Manah Persia/Iran Faravahar Avestan
Divine entities	Amesha Spentas Yazatas Ahuras Daevas Angra Mainyu
Scripture and worship	Avesta Gathas Ashem Vohu Ahuna Vairya Yenghe hatam Airyaman ishya Fire Temples 101 Names of Ahura Mazda Udvada Atash Behram Adur Burzen-Mihr Adur Farnbag Adur Gushnasp Cypress of Kashmar Yasna Vendidad Visperad Yashts Khordeh Avesta The Revayats Ab-Zohr Atash Behram Magi
Accounts and legends	Dēnkard Bundahišn Book of Arda Viraf Book of Jamasp Story of Sanjan Chinvat Bridge Frashokereti Xrafstar Hamistagan Duzakh
Cities	Balkh Kashmar Yazd
History and culture	Parsis Zurvanism Mazdakism Khurramites Three Persian religions Calendar Festivals Marriage Burial
Adherents	Persecution in Afghanistan in Armenia in Azerbaijan in China in Sichuan in India Irani Parsis in Iran in Iraq in Pakistan in Russia in United States in Uzbekistan
Lists	Fire temples in Iran Fire temples in India
Category

Saoshyant (plural saoshyans) is an Avestan language term for a figure of Zoroastrian eschatology that assists the righteous during the final renovation of the world. The word literally means "one who brings benefit."

In common usage, this term refers to a future savior or Messiah-like figure, who will spread divine truth and lead humanity in the final battle against the forces of evil. It is speculated that this Zoroastrian belief in a Saoshyant influenced the Jewish — and later Christian — belief in a Messiah.

In the Gathas, the most sacred hymns of Zoroastrianism and believed to have been composed by Zoroaster himself, the term is used to refer to the prophet's own mission and to his community of followers, who "bring benefit" to humanity. Later Zoroastrian tradition envisions 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 some cases, this term is used as a plural, saoshyans, to refer to religious leaders. In Iran and India Zoroastrians (and others), still use this name for males.

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