Encyclopedia of Zoroastrianism. Ukhshyatereta.

Ukhshyatereta, also known as Hushedar or Ukhshyat-ereta, is one of the three future saviors in Zoroastrian eschatology, preceding the ultimate Saoshyant. His name, derived from Avestan, translates to “he who makes righteousness grow,” reflecting his role in advancing asha (truth and cosmic order) during a time of moral decline. According to Zoroastrian texts such as the Bundahishn and Zand-i Wahman Yasht, Ukhshyatereta will be born of a virgin mother impregnated by the prophet Zarathustra’s preserved seed, a miraculous birth underscoring his divine purpose.

Ukhshyatereta is prophesied to appear approximately a thousand years after Zarathustra’s revelation, heralding the first stage of the world’s renewal. He will combat the forces of Angra Mainyu, the evil spirit, restoring faith and righteousness among humanity. His era is marked by miracles, including the sun standing still for ten days, symbolizing a pause in cosmic decay. Ukhshyatereta’s mission prepares the way for his successors—Ukhshy Nemah (Hushedar-mah) and the final Saoshyant—culminating in the Frashokereti, the ultimate purification of the world. As a messianic figure, he embodies Zoroastrianism’s emphasis on human responsibility and divine intervention in the ongoing struggle between good and evil, bridging the historical and eschatological dimensions of the faith.