Denkard Book 7

The Denkard (“Acts of Religion”) is the great encyclopedia of Zoroastrianism, compiled in the 9th century CE but preserving much older material. Book 7 covers the life of the prophet Zoroaster and the eschatological sequence of Saoshyant millennia.

Structure

11 chapters:

• Chapters 1-7: Life of Zoroaster — pre-ordination, miraculous birth, call, Vishtasp’s conversion
• Chapter 8: End of Zoroaster’s millennium (signs and decline)
• Chapter 9: Ushedar’s millennium — first Saoshyant restores religion
• Chapter 10: Ushedarmah’s millennium — second restoration
• Chapter 11: Soshyant and the Renovation (Frashegird) — culmination

Chapter 11 — Soshyant and Frashegird

The climax of the Saoshyant tradition:

• Soshyant (Astvat-ereta) arises from Lake Kansaoya
• Resurrection of all the dead
• Molten metal ordeal — final purification
• Ahriman destroyed forever
• New perfect world without evil, death, or lie

Note: Only Book 7 is included here. Books 8-9 cover Nask contents and Gathic texts (already in Yasna corpus).

Translated by E.W. West (Sacred Books of the East, Vol. 47, 1897). Public domain.