Persian - Frashokereti

Frashokereti (Frashegird)

The ultimate transformation and perfection of the universe when evil is finally defeated, all souls are resurrected and judged, and creation is restored to its original perfect state. Frashokereti represents the complete and eternal triumph of Asha (Truth) over Druj (Lie), establishing an eternal age of perfection.

Ultimate Promise: Unlike cyclical cosmologies, Zoroastrian eschatology is progressive and optimistic. Evil is not eternal nor balanced - it will be completely annihilated. Every soul will ultimately be purified, and the universe will exist forever in perfect truth, justice, and joy.

The Timeline of Existence

According to Zoroastrian cosmology, existence is divided into distinct periods totaling 12,000 years:

The Four Ages (3,000 years each)

First Age (Spiritual Creation): Ahura Mazda creates the world in spiritual form (menog), including the Amesha Spentas. Angra Mainyu exists but is trapped in darkness.
Second Age (Material Creation): Ahura Mazda manifests creation in physical form (getig). Angra Mainyu assaults creation, introducing death, disease, and evil. The cosmic struggle begins.
Third Age (Present Age): The age of Zoroaster and the present era. Humanity has free will to choose between Asha and Druj. Good and evil battle for supremacy. This is our current age.
Fourth Age (Final Victory): The age of the Saoshyants (three future saviors). Evil gradually weakens. The final Saoshyant brings about Frashokereti, destroying evil forever.

The Three Saoshyants

Three world-saviors will be born from the preserved seed of Zoroaster, each ushering in a new millennium of increasing righteousness:

Hushedar: Born 1,000 years after Zoroaster, he renews the religion and weakens evil
Hushedar-Mah: Born 1,000 years after Hushedar, he further defeats demons and strengthens truth
Saoshyant (The Final Savior): Born in the last millennium, he completes the victory over evil and initiates Frashokereti

The Events of Frashokereti

1. Universal Resurrection

All souls - righteous, wicked, and mediocre - are resurrected in their perfected bodies:

Bones reassemble from the earth
Bodies are restored to ideal age (15 years old, eternal youth)
Souls reunite with their bodies
All humanity stands for final judgment

2. The Molten Metal Ordeal

The earth itself is purified by rivers of molten metal flowing across creation:

For the Righteous (Ashavan): Feels like walking through warm milk - pleasant and purifying
For the Wicked (Drujvant): Intensely painful, burning away all sin and impurity
Purpose: Final purification of every soul, making all worthy of eternal life
Even Hell is purged - the House of Lies is purified

3. Reunion and Reconciliation

After purification, extraordinary reunions occur:

Families separated by death reunite joyfully
Former enemies embrace in forgiveness
The righteous welcome the purified wicked
All souls recognize each other perfectly
Universal joy and celebration

4. Destruction of Evil

Evil is not imprisoned or balanced - it is annihilated:

Angra Mainyu: Cast into the molten metal and destroyed forever
All Daevas (Demons): Completely eliminated from existence
Druj (The Lie): Purged from all reality
Death Itself: Abolished - no being will ever die again
Disease and Decay: Removed from creation

5. Restoration of Paradise

Creation is restored to its original perfect state before Angra Mainyu's assault:

The earth becomes a paradise garden
All creatures live in harmony
No violence, predation, or competition
Abundance without labor or scarcity
Perfect weather and seasons

6. Eternal Age of Perfection

The universe enters its eternal state:

All beings live in immortal, perfected bodies
Universal enlightenment - all know truth perfectly
Constant joy and celebration
Communion with Ahura Mazda and the Amesha Spentas
Creative work and growth without pain or struggle
Time continues but suffering ends forever
The universe exists eternally in Asha

Human Role in Hastening Frashokereti

Humans are not passive observers but active participants in bringing about the Final Renovation:

Every Good Deed Matters

Each righteous act strengthens Asha and weakens Druj
Good thoughts, words, and deeds (Humata, Hukhta, Hvarshta) accelerate the cosmic victory
Opposing evil actively diminishes its power
Protecting creation (animals, plants, water, fire) repairs Angra Mainyu's damage
Every person's choices affect the timeline of universal salvation

Optimistic Agency: Unlike fatalistic systems, Zoroastrianism teaches that human action matters cosmically. We are not awaiting a predetermined end - we are actively creating it. Every ethical choice brings Frashokereti closer.

Theological Significance

Universal Salvation

Zoroastrianism teaches eventual universal purification:

All human souls will ultimately be saved
Punishment is corrective, not eternal
The molten metal ordeal purifies even the worst sinners
No soul is beyond redemption
God's ultimate will is the salvation of all

Cosmic Optimism

Key differences from other eschatologies:

Not Eternal Dualism: Good ultimately wins completely
Not Eternal Hell: Punishment ends, all are purified
Not Cyclical: This is a one-way progression to perfection
Not Destruction: The world is transformed, not ended
Not Exclusivist: All humanity participates in final joy

Historical Influence

The concept of Frashokereti profoundly influenced later religions:

Jewish Eschatology: Resurrection of the dead, Messianic age, Olam Ha-Ba
Christianity: Second Coming, resurrection, New Heaven and New Earth, defeat of Satan
Islam: Day of Judgment (Yawm ad-Din), resurrection, purification, eternal paradise
Apocalyptic Literature: Book of Revelation draws heavily on Zoroastrian imagery

Asha - Triumphs eternally

Druj - Annihilated forever

Angra Mainyu - Finally destroyed

Zoroaster - Prophesied the end

Chinvat Bridge - Preliminary judgment

Afterlife - Temporary states