Art. XVII.—Notes on Zarathuśtra's Doctrine regarding the Soul

Abstract

On reference to the Millennial Chronology of the Bundahiś (as corrected and extended in S.B.E., vol. xlvii, Introduction, § 55) it will be seen that the first millennium commenced in b.c. 9630 with the formation of the Fravashis, or primary ideas of the good creations, which remained insensible and motionless for 3,000 years. At the beginning of the fourth millennium (b.c. 6630) the spiritual body of Zarathuśtra was framed together and remained 3,000 years with the Ameśaspentas, while the primeval man and ox existed undisturbed in the world, because the Maleficent spirit was still confounded and powerless. But, at the beginning of the seventh millennium (b.c. 3630) the Maleficent spirit rushed into the creation, destroyed the Primeval ox, and distressed Gayomart, the primeval man, who died thirty years later; but Zarathuśtra was not born till B.C. 660.