ODD HYMNS

CHAPTER 411.

[This is the great Commemorative prayer known as "Our forefathers". It is usually preceded by the Tab taba ltabia prayer as in prayer 170. It is recited at every rite for the departed.]

Our forefathers, there shall be forgiving of sins for them. Yushamin son of Dmuth-Hiia, there will be forgiving of sins for him.

.... (the prayer continues from this part as in Prayer 170, inserting the name of the copyist, Adam-Yuhana son of Mahnush, and his relatives, and teacher wherever such insertions are customary. The insertions are called zharia, "injunctions", "rubrics")

[This is the chant of "Our forefathers".]

CHAPTER 412.

In the name of the Great Life.

  Then, when she (the soul) reacheth the seven mysteries,
  Servants of the Seven go out towards her
  And come and surround her and question her.
  And they said to her "O soul, whence comest thou?
  And whither goest thou?" She said to them,
  "I come from the Body the name of which is Earth.
  And I go toward the good Kimsa".
  They say to her "Servant of whom, art thou?
  Messenger of whom art thou called?"
  She said to them "I am the servant of the beloved Kimsa
  And the envoy of the vast Ether".
  Then they bless her and commend her and say to her,
  "All who know this (pass-) word shall rise
  Towards the good Kimsa".
  For they seek to grasp the mystery of the Body
  And (so) question her.
  And thereupon she ascendeth
  Towards the Good Kimsa.

[This is a prayer about the questioning of the soul.]

CHAPTER 413.

[See prayer 177.]

CHAPTER 414.

My Lord be praised!

In the name of the Great Life!

  On the day when the radiance within Radiance
  Broke through and emerged,
  A counterpart of the jordan was formed in mirrors;
  In mirrors a counterpart of the jordan was formed.
  And water was produced in the Ether.
  The jordan emerged in its glory
  And the water was intermingled with the Ether,
  Intermingled was Water with Ether.
  And the strength of Light increased greatly,
  Was increased and established.
  A wreath they twisted into crowns
  (Of) myrtle leaves. And trees bore their burden (fruit)
  Nasirutha spoke therein to kings (priests)
  And their purities were intertwined.

(The bridegroom shall recite this prayer when entering his house before he "taketh kushta with his wife". Then he shall "honour" his crown. Beware of performing a marriage OI (entering into) a partnership when the moon is in Cancer, Capricornus, Sagittarius or Scorpio: they are evil days for a wedding.)


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Christian Section .... Mandaean Scriptures and Fragments: The Ginza Rba
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