The World's Greatest Books — Volume 13 — Religion and Philosophy eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 407 pages of information about The World's Greatest Books — Volume 13 — Religion and Philosophy.

The World's Greatest Books — Volume 13 — Religion and Philosophy eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 407 pages of information about The World's Greatest Books — Volume 13 — Religion and Philosophy.

Says (Osiris) Ani:  I go forth against my foes endowed with the defence of truth and good conduct.  I cross the heavens, and traverse the earth.  Though a denizen of the underworld, I tread the earth like one alive, following in the footsteps of the blessed spirits.  I have the gift of living a million years.  I eat with my mouth and chew with my jaw, because I worship him who is master of the lower world.

III.—­NU PRAISES RA (THE SUN-GOD) FOR HIS ABILITY TO GO DOWN INTO THE GRAVE AND RETURN TO EARTH THROUGH THE MAGIC USE OF THE SACRED TEXTS

About entering the underworld and coming forth therefrom.

Nu says:  I cry aloud to thee, O Ra, thou guardian of the secret portals of Seb [the grave], which leads to where Ra in the underworld holds the balance which weighs every man’s righteousness every day.  I have burst the earth [returned to earth]; grant that I may remain on to a good old age.

IV.—­THE SPIRIT OF THE SCRIBE MESEMNETER PRAYS THAT SOME OFFENDED GOD MAY BE CONCILIATED

About removing the anger of the god towards the departed one.

The scribe Mesemneter, chief deputy of Amon, says:  Praise be to thee, O God, who makest the moments to glide by, who guardest the secrets of the life beyond that of the earth, and guidest me when I utter words.  The god is angered against me.  But let my faults be wasted away, and let the god of Right and Truth bear them upon me.  Remove them wholly from me, O god of Right and Truth.  Let the offended one be at peace with me.  Remove the wall of separation from before us.

A hymn to Ra at his rising and setting.

(Osiris) the scribe says:  Praise to thee, O Ra, when thou risest.  Shine thou upon my face.  Let me arise with thee into the heavens, and travel with thee in the boat wherein thou sailest on the clouds.

Thou passest in peace across the heavens, and art victorious over all thy foes.

Praise to thee who art Ra when thou risest, and Tmu when in beauty thou settest.  The dwellers in the land of night come forth to see thee ascend the sky.  I, too, would join the throng; O let me not be held back.

Hymn of praise to Osiris.

Praise be unto thee, Osiris, lord of eternity, who appearest in many guises, and whose attributes are glorious.

Thou lookest towards the underworld and causest the earth to shine as with gold.

The dead rise up to gaze on thy face; their hearts are at peace if they but look on thee.

V.—­LITANY TO OSIRIS

Prayer.  Praise to thee, O lord of the starry gods of Annu, more glorious than the gods hidden in Annu.

Answer (repeated after each prayer). Grant thou me a peaceful life, for I am truthful and just.  I have uttered no falsehoods nor acted deceitfully.

Prayer.  Praise to thee, O Ani; with thy long strides movest thou across the heavens.

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The World's Greatest Books — Volume 13 — Religion and Philosophy from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.