Peshotanu is an eschatological figure of the 9th–12th century texts of Zoroastrian

Zoroastrianism

Zoroastrianism is a religion and philosophy based on the teachings of prophet Zoroaster and was formerly among the world's largest religions. It was probably founded some time before the 6th century BCE in Greater Iran.In Zoroastrianism, the Creator Ahura Mazda is all good, and no evil...

 tradition, one of the Zoroastrian immortals and an assistant of the Saoshyant

Saoshyant

Saoshyant is a figure of Zoroastrian eschatology who brings about the final renovation of the world, the Frashokereti. The Avestan language name literally means "one who brings benefit," and is also used as common noun.-In scripture:...

, the "future benefactor" who brings about the final renovation of the world.

In the genealogy of the mythical Kayanians, Peshotanu is the son of Vishtaspa

Vishtaspa

Vishtaspa is the Avestan-language name of a figure of Zoroastrian scripture and tradition, portrayed as an early follower of Zoroaster, and his patron, and instrumental in the diffusion of the prophet's message...

 (Wistasp, Goshtasp), the patron of Zoroaster

Zoroaster

Zoroaster , also known as Zarathustra , was a prophet and the founder of Zoroastrianism who was either born in North Western or Eastern Iran. He is credited with the authorship of the Yasna Haptanghaiti as well as the Gathas, hymns which are at the liturgical core of Zoroastrianism...

, and brother of Spentodata

Esfandiyar

Esfandiyār , also transliterated as Esfandyar, Isfandiar, Isfandiyar or Esfandiar, is a legendary Iranian hero. He was the son and the crown prince of the Kayanian King Goshtasp and brother of the saintly Pashotan .Perso-Arabic 'Esfandyar' derives from...

 (Spandadat, Esfandiyar).

The principal source of information on the figure is the apocalyptic Zand-i Wahman yasn (also incorrectly known as the Zand-i Vohuman Yasht or Bahman Yasht), which – despite its name – is neither a portion of the Yasna

Yasna

Yasna is the name of the primary liturgical collection of texts of the Avesta as well as the name of the principal Zoroastrian act of worship at which those verses are recited. The Yasna, or Izeshne, is primarily the name of the ceremony in which the entire book is recited and appropriate...

nor an Avestan language Yasht

Yasht

The s are a collection of twenty-one hymns in Younger Avestan. Each of these hymns invokes a specific Zoroastrian divinity or concept. Yasht chapter and verse pointers are traditionally abbreviated as Yt....

, but a Middle Persian translation and commentary on a now lost Avestan text.

According to Denkard

Denkard

The Dēnkard or Dēnkart is a 10th century compendium of the Mazdaen Zoroastrian beliefs and customs. The Denkard is to a great extent an "Encyclopedia of Mazdaism" and is a most valuable source of information on the religion...

's summary of the Sugdar Nask 15.12-15 (the Sugdar Nask text has been lost and is only preserved as a summary), Peshotanu is one of seven "immortal rulers", residing in "Khandez" (location unknown). This section of the Sudgar Nask serves as the introduction of the Zand-i Wahman yasn, which goes on to foretell various events, including several that had already occurred by the time the translations were made.

As described in the second half of the Zand-i Wahman yasn, Peshotan will serve as "protector of the religion", and at the end of the "eleventh millennium

Millennialism

Millennialism , or chiliasm in Greek, is a belief held by some Christian denominations that there will be a Golden Age or Paradise on Earth in which "Christ will reign" for 1000 years prior to the final judgment and future eternal state...

" will bring about a revival of the faith. Peshotanu will live that long because he has gained immortality through his devotion to God.

Until the revival – which will come when the daevas will have exceeded their term of rule by 1,000 years – Peshotanu will live in a fortress in Khandez with 150 of his disciples. Then, Peshotan will come down to battle the armies of the demons and restore Iran and its religion. In the fight, Mihr (Avestan: Mithra

Mithra

Mithra is the Zoroastrian divinity of covenant and oath. In addition to being the divinity of contracts, Mithra is also a judicial figure, an all-seeing protector of Truth, and the guardian of cattle, the harvest and of The Waters....

) will intervene on Peshotanu's behalf, and together they will drive the demon Kheshm (Avestan: Aeshma

Aeshma

Aeshma is the Younger Avestan name of Zoroastrianism's demon of "wrath." As a hypostatic entity, Aeshma is variously interpreted as "wrath," "rage," and "fury." His standard epithet is "of the bloody mace."...

) and his forces back into the underworld.

In other literature

In Ferdowsi

Ferdowsi

Ferdowsi was a highly revered Persian poet. He was the author of the Shahnameh, the national epic of Iran and related societies.The Shahnameh was originally composed by Ferdowsi for the princes of the Samanid dynasty, who were responsible for a revival of Persian cultural traditions after the...

's Shahnameh

Shahnameh

The Shahnameh or Shah-nama is a long epic poem written by the Persian poet Ferdowsi between c.977 and 1010 AD and is the national epic of Iran and related societies...

Bashutan (Peshotanu) appears as the youngest son of Gothasb (Vishtaspa) who condemns him as a wanton destroyer of Iran.

Further reading

• Bahman Yasht, in
  note: West's chapter divisions are different from those typically used for this text.