Saoshyant (Avestan saoshyant, Middle Persian Soshans) is a Zoroastrian term meaning "one who will bring benefit." In the Gathas it describes Zoroaster and his followers as benefactors of the world; in later tradition it names a future savior, born of Zoroaster's preserved seed, who will raise the dead and bring about the final renewal of existence, Frashokereti.
Saoshyant at a glance
| Language | Avestan saoshyant; Middle Persian Soshans |
|---|---|
| Literal meaning | "One who will bring benefit" (benefactor) |
| Tradition | Zoroastrianism |
| Final savior's name | Astvat-ereta, "embodying righteousness" |
| Role | Leader of the resurrection and the renovation of the world (Frashokereti) |
| Key sources | Gathas; Yasht 13 and Yasht 19; Pahlavi Bundahishn and Denkard |
| Variant spellings | Saoshyans, Soshyant, Sōšyāns, Soshans |
Meaning of the Word
The Avestan word saoshyant is a future active participle formed from a verbal root that came to mean "to be of use" or "to bring benefit." A literal rendering is therefore "one who will benefit" or "the one who is going to bring advantage." English books often translate it as "savior," and this is not wrong for the later tradition, but many specialists prefer neutral words such as "benefactor" or "helper" so that Christian ideas of salvation are not read back into the Zoroastrian texts.
In the Gathas, the hymns traditionally attributed to Zoroaster himself, the word is used as a common noun. It describes the prophet's own mission and those who work with him to promote Asha (Truth and right order) against Druj (the Lie). Scholars debate whether the Gathic poet already looked forward to a specific end-time figure or was speaking about present helpers of the faith; both readings have serious defenders.
The Three Future Saviors
In the Younger Avesta the idea of a coming benefactor becomes clearer. The Farvardin Yasht (Yasht 13) names three figures, Ukhshyat-ereta, Ukhshyat-nemah and Astvat-ereta, and the hymn to the Kavyan royal glory (Yasht 19) describes the last of them rising from the waters of Lake Kansaoya to restore the world. In the Middle Persian literature of the ninth and tenth centuries these become three posthumous sons of Zoroaster, usually called Ushedar, Ushedarmah and Soshans (Saoshyant proper).
Zoroastrian tradition divides world history into great periods of a thousand years. According to Pahlavi texts such as the Bundahishn and the Denkard, Zoroaster's seed is preserved in the lake under the protection of the fravashis, the guardian spirits of the righteous. At the start of each of the last three millennia a maiden bathes in the lake and conceives one of the saviors without human intercourse. Each renews the religion and weakens evil, and the last one completes the work.
The Final Renovation
The most important task given to the final Saoshyant is Frashokereti (Middle Persian frashegird), "making wonderful," the renovation of existence at the end of time. The Pahlavi sources describe him raising the dead in stages, assisted by other heroes of the faith. A final judgment follows in which all souls pass through an ordeal of molten metal: to the righteous it feels like warm milk, while the wicked are purified through suffering.
Evil is then defeated. Ahriman (Angra Mainyu) and his demons are rendered powerless, and the Saoshyant performs a last sacrifice. From it comes a drink of immortality prepared, in some accounts, from the white Haoma plant, linked to the ritual plant discussed under Soma. Humanity then lives forever in a restored world under Ahura Mazda, and the gifts of the Amesha Spentas, including Haurvatat (wholeness) and Ameretat (immortality), are fully realized.
Saoshyant in Living Zoroastrianism
For Zoroastrians today, among the Parsis of India and the Zoroastrians of Iran and the diaspora, the Saoshyant belongs to a hopeful view of history in which good will finally prevail. Many believers also emphasize the older, Gathic sense of the word: every person who chooses good thoughts, good words and good deeds takes part in the work of renewal. In this reading the individual is a small saoshyant, helping move the world toward its perfection rather than waiting passively for a rescuer.
Details of the end-time narrative, such as the millennial chronology or the virgin births, are understood differently by traditionalist and reformist communities. Some treat them as literal teaching and others as symbolic expressions of hope.
Comparisons and Scholarly Debate
The Saoshyant is often compared with the Jewish Messiah, the returning Christ of Christianity and the Mahdi of Islam. Some historians of religion have argued that Zoroastrian eschatology, with its resurrection, final judgment and renewed world, influenced Jewish apocalyptic thought during the Persian and Hellenistic periods. Others urge caution, noting that most detailed Zoroastrian descriptions survive only in Pahlavi books written down centuries after the rise of Christianity and Islam, so the direction of influence cannot always be proven.
What is agreed is that Zoroastrianism developed one of the earliest fully articulated visions of a linear history ending in cosmic renewal. Readers interested in related end-time and time concepts may also consult Time and the Zurvan myth and the entry on dualism.
Related entries
Frequently asked questions
What does Saoshyant mean?
Saoshyant is an Avestan word meaning "one who will bring benefit." It is often translated as "savior," but many scholars prefer "benefactor" because the root refers to usefulness and increase. In the Gathas it describes Zoroaster and his helpers; in later texts it names the savior who will renew the world.
Is the Saoshyant born of a virgin?
According to Middle Persian texts such as the Denkard and Bundahishn, each of the three future saviors is conceived when a maiden bathes in a lake where Zoroaster's seed has been miraculously preserved. The mother has no contact with a man, so the tradition is often described as a virgin birth.
What will the Saoshyant do at the end of time?
Zoroastrian tradition teaches that the final Saoshyant will lead the resurrection of the dead, preside over the last purification of souls, and help bring about Frashokereti, the renovation of the world. Evil will be defeated and humanity will receive immortality in a restored creation under Ahura Mazda.
Sources and further reading
This entry replaces an article from the original Mystica encyclopedia (online since 2001). It was rewritten from the sources above by The Mystica Editorial Team under our editorial standards. Last reviewed: September 30, 2026.