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Saoshyant
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==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<!--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 ''[[airyaman]]'' "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-ərəta}} "embodying righteousness,"<ref name="Boyce_1975_282">{{harvnb|Boyce|1975|p=282}}.</ref> which has ''arta''/''[[asha]]'' "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 [[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" (''[[frashokereti|frasho.kereti]]''). The term may also be rendered as "Renovation" and can be translated etymologically as "[[Haoma|juicy-making]]". <!-- '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 "[[Haoma|juicy-making]]", and he himself chooses to use "perfectioning".--> 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 [[Asha|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 [[Haoma|Dūraoša]] and other similar entities will be his companions and together, they will vanquish the evil creations of [[Angra Mainyu]].
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