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.

I am the great Cat [i.e., Ra] himself, and therefore in his name which I bear, I can tread on all my enemies.  O great Ra, who climbest the heavenly vaults and who sailest in thy boat across the firmament with undisputed authority, do thou save me from that austere god whose eyebrows are as menacing as the balance that weighs the deeds of men.  Save me, I pray thee, from these guardians of the passages who will, if they-may, impede my progress.  O Tmu, who livest in the august abode, god of gods, who thrivest upon damned souls, thou dog-faced, human-skinned one, devourer of shades, digester of human hearts, O fearful one, save me from the great soul-foe who gnaws and destroys shades of men.

O Chepera in thy bark, save me from the testing guardians into whose charge the glorious inviolate god has committed his foes; deliver thou me.  May these never undo me, may I never fall helpless into the chambers of torture.  O ye gods, in the presence of Osiris, reach, forth your arms, for I am one of the gods in your midst.

The (Osiris) Ani flies away like a hawk, he clucks like a goose, he is safe from destruction as the serpent Nehebkau.  Avaunt, ye lions that obstruct my path.  O Ra, thou ascending one, let me rise with thee, and have a triumphant arrival to my old earthly abode.

VIII.—­A LITANY ADDRESSED TO THOTH

The speech of Ammautef, the priest

I have come to you, ye gods of heaven, earth, and the underworld, bringing with me Ani, the scribe, who has done no wrong against any gods, so that ye may protect him and give him good-speed to the underworld.

The speech of Ani himself

Praise be to thee, O thou ruler of Amenta, Unneferu, who presides in Abydos.  I have come to thee with a pure heart, free from sin.  I have told no falsehoods nor acted deceitfully.  Give thou me in the tomb the food I need for the journey, so let me have a safe entrance to the underworld and a sure exit.

The speech of the priest Samerif:

I come to the gods residing at Restau.  I have brought you (Osiris) Ani; grant him bread, water, and air, and also an abode in the Sechithotepu [Field of Peace].

The speech of Ani himself:

Praise be to Osiris, everlasting lord, and to the gods of Restau.  I come to thee knowing thy goodwill and having learned those rites which thou requirest for entrance into the lower world.  May I have a safe arrival, and find food in thy presence.

Litany to Thoth:

O thou who makest Osiris triumphant over his foes, make thou this scribe
Nebenseri victorious over his foes.

O Thoth, make Ani triumphant over his enemies, etc., etc.

[If this chapter is recited over the deceased he shall come forth into the day and pass through the transformations which the departed one desires.]

IX.—­A MAGICAL CHAPTER

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