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BEHOLD, the Osiris Ani, the scribe of the holy offerings of all the gods, says:
HOMAGE to you, who have come as Khepera, Khepera the creator of the gods. You are
seated on your throne, you rise up in the sky, illumining your mother [Nut], you are seated
on your throne as the king of the gods.
[Your] mother Nut stretches out her hands, and performs an act of homage to
you.
The domain of Manu receives you with satisfaction.
The goddess Maat embraces you at the two seasons of the day.
May Ra give glory, and power, and truth-speaking, and the appearance as a living soul so
that he may gaze on Heru-khuti, to the Ka of the Osiris the scribe Ani, who speaks truth
before Osiris, and who says:
Hail, all you gods of the house of the soul, who weigh heaven and earth in a
balance, and who give celestial food [to the dead].
Hail, Tatun, [who are] One, you creator of mortals [and] of the companies of the gods of
the south and of the north, of the west and of the east, ascribe praise to Ra, the lord of
heaven, the KING, life, strength, and health, the maker of the gods.
Give thanks to him in his beneficent form which is enthroned in the Atett boat; beings
celestial praise you, terrestrial beings praise you.
Thoth and the goddess Maat mark out your course for you day by day and every
day.
Your enemy the serpent has been given over to the fire.
The serpent-fiend Sebau has fallen headlong, his forelegs are bound in chains, and his
hind legs has Ra carried away from him.
The sons of revolt shall never more rise up.
The house of the aged one keeps festival, and the voices of those who make merry are in
the great place.
The gods rejoice when they see Ra crowned on his throne, and when his beams flood the
world with light.
The majesty of this holy god sets out on his journey, and he goes onwards till he reachs
the land of Manu; the earth becomes light at his birth each day; he proceeds till he reachs
the place where he was yesterday.
Be at peace with me.
Let me gaze on your beauties.
Let me journey above the earth.
Let me smite the ass.
Let me slit asunder the serpent-fiend Sebau.
Let me destroy Aepep at the moment of his greatest power.
Let me behold the Abtu fish at his season, and the Ant fish with the Ant boat as it
pilots it in its lake.
Let me behold Horus when he is in charge of the rudder [of the boat of Ra], with Thoth
and the goddess Maat on each side of him.
Let me lay hold of the tow-rope of the Sektet boat, and the rope at the stern of the
Matett boat.
Let Ra grant to me a view of the disk (the sun), and a sight of Ah (the moon) unfailingly
each day.
Let my Ba-soul come forth to walk about here and there and wherever it pleases.
Let my name be called out, let it be found inscribed on the tablet which records the
names of those who are to receive offerings.
Let meals from the sepulchral offerings be given to me in the presence [of Osiris], as to
those who are in the following of Horus.
Let there be prepared for me a seat in the boat of the sun on the day wheron the god
sails.
Let me be received in the presence of Osiris in the land of truth-speaking - the Ka of
Osiris Ani.
NEKHT, the captain of soldiers, the royal scribe, sings a hymn of praise to Ra, and
says:-
HOMAGE to you, glorious Being, you who are dowered [with all
sovereignty].
Tem-Heru-Khuti (Tem-Harmakhis), when you rise in the horizon of heaven a cry of joy goes
forth to you from all people.
You beautiful Being, you do indeed renew yourself in your season in the form of the disk,
within your mother Hathor.
Therefore in every place every heart swells with joy at your rising for ever.
The regions of the south and the north come to you with homage, and send forth
acclamations at your rising on the horizon of heaven, and you illumine the Two Lands (Egypt)
with rays of turquoise-[coloured] light.
Ra, who are Heru-Khuti, the divine man-child, the heir of eternity, self-begotten and
self-born, king of the earth, prince of the tuat (the other world), governor of Aukert, you
came from the water-lord, you sprang from the sky-god Nu, who cherishes you and order your
members.
You god of life, you lord of love, all men live when you shine; you are crowned king of
the gods.
The goddess Nut embraces you, and the goddess Mut enfolds you at all seasons.
Those who are in your following sing to you with joy, and they bow down their foreheads
to the earth when they meet you, the lord of heaven, the lord of the earth, the king of
truth, the lord of eternity, the prince of everlastingness, you sovereign of all the gods,
you god of life, you creator of eternity, you maker of heaven wherin you are firmly
stablished.
The company of the gods rejoice at your rising, the earth is glad when it beholds your rays;
the people who have been long dead come forth with cries of joy to behold your beauties
every day.
You go forth each day over heaven and earth, and you are made strong each day be your
mother Nut.
You pass over the heights of heaven, your heart swells with joy; and the lake of Testes
(the great Oasis) is content at it.
The serpent-fiend has fallen, his arms are hewn off, the knife has severed his
joints.
Ra lives by Maat (Law), the beautiful! The Sektet boat advances and comes into
port.
The south and the north, and the west and east, turn to praise you.
You first, great God (PAUTA), who came into being of yours own accord, Isis and Nephthys
salute you, they sing to you songs of joy at your rising in the boat, they stretch out their
hands to you.
The souls of the east follow you, and the souls of the west praise you.
You are the ruler of all the gods.
You in your shrine have joy, for the serpent-fiend Nak has been judged by the fire, and
your heart shall rejoice forever.
Your mother Nut is esteemed by your father Nu.
A Hymn of Praise to Osiris Un-Nefer, the great god who dwells in Abtu, the king of
eternity, the lord of everlastingness, who traverses millions of years in his existence.
YOU ARE the eldest son of the womb of Nut.
You were begotten by Keb, the Erpat.
You are the lord of the Urrt crown.
You are he whose white crown is lofty.
You are the king (Ati) of gods [and] men.
You have gained possession of the sceptre of rule, and the whip, and the rank and dignity
of your divine fathers.
Your heart is expanded with joy, you are in the kingdom of the dead.
Your son Horus is firmly placed on your throne.
You have ascended your throne as the Lord of Tetu, and as the Heq who dwells in
Abydos.
You make the Two Lands to flourish through truth-speaking, in the presence of him who is
the Lord to the uttermost limit.
You draw on that which has not yet come into being in your name of "Ta-her-sta-nef." You
govern the Two Lands by Maat in your name of "Seker." Your power is wide-spread, you are he
of whom the fear is great in your name of "Usar" (or "Asar").
Your existence endures for an infinite number of double henti periods in your name of
"Un-Nefer."
Homage to you, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, and Prince of Princes.
You have ruled the Two Lands (Egypt) from the womb of the goddess Nut.
You have governed the lands of Akert.
Your members are of silver-gold, your head is of lapis-lazuli, and the crown of your head
is of turquoise.
You are An of millions of years.
Your body is all pervading, beautiful face in Ta-tchesert.
Grant to me glory in heaven, and power on earth, and truth-speaking in the divine
underworld, and [the power to] sail down the river to Tetu in the form of a living Ba-soul,
and [the power to] sail up the river to Abydos in the form of a Benu bird, and [the power
to] pass in through and to pass out from, without obstruction, the doors of the lords of the
tuat (other world).
Let there be given to me bread-cakes in the house of refreshing, and sepulchral offerings
of cakes and ale, and propitiatory offerings in Anu, and a permanent homestead in
Sekhet-Aaru, with wheat and barley in it - to the double of the Osiris, the scribe Ani.
HERE BEGIN the chapters of coming forth by day, and the songs of praising and
glorifying which are to be recited for "coming forth" and for entering into Khert-neter, and
the spells which are to be said in beautiful Amentet. They shall be recited on the day of
the funeral, entering in after coming forth.
The Osiris Ani, the Osiris the scribe Ani says:-
HOMAGE to you, Bull of Amentet.
Thoth the king of eternity is with me.
I am the great god by the side of the divine boat, I have fought for you.
I am one of those gods, those divine chiefs, who proved the truth-speaking of Osiris
before his enemies on the day of the weighing of words.
I am your kinsman Osiris.
I am [one of] those gods who were the children of the goddess Nut, who hacked in
pieces the enemies of Osiris, and who bound in fetters the legion of Sebau devils on his
behalf.
I am your kinsman Horus, I have fought on your behalf, I have come to you for your
name's sake.
I am Thoth who proved the truth of the words of Osiris before his enemies on the day
of the weighing of words in the great House of the prince, who dwells in Anu.
I am Teti, the son of Teti.
My mother conceived me in Tetu, and gave birth to me in Tetu.
I am with the mourners [and with] the women who tear out their hair and make lament
for Osiris in Taui-Rekhti, proving true the words of Osiris before his enemies.
Ra commanded Thoth to prove true the words of Osiris before his enemies; what was
commanded [for Osiris], let that be done for me by Thoth.
I am with Horus on the day of dressing Teshtesh.
I open the hidden water-springs for the ablutions of Urt-ab.
I unbolt the door of the Shetait Shrine in Ra-stau.
I am with Horus as the protector of the left shoulder of Osiris, the dweller in
Sekhem.
I enter in among and I come forth from the flame-gods on the day of the destruction
of the Sebau fiends in Sekhem.
I am with Horus on the day[s] of the festivals of Osiris, at the making of offerings
and oblations, namely, on the festival which is celebrated on the sixth day of the month,
and on the day of the Tenat festival in Anu.
I am the UAB priest (libationer) in Tetu, Rera, the dweller in Per-Asar.
I exalt him that is on the high place of the country.
I look on the hidden things (the mysteries) in Ra-stau.
I recite the words of the liturgy of the festival of the soul-god in Tetu.
I am the SEM priest, and [perform] his duties.
I am the UR-KHERP-HEM priest on the day of placing the Henu Boat of Seker on its
divine sledge.
I have taken in my hand the digging tool on the day of digging up the earth in
Hensu.
Hail, you who make perfect souls to enter into the house of Osiris, make the
well-instructed soul of the Osiris the scribe Ani, whose word is true, to enter in and to be
with you in the house of Osiris.
Let him hear even as you hear; let him have sight even as you have sight; let him
stand up even as you stand up; let him take his seat even as you take your seats.
Hail, you who give cakes and ale to perfect souls in the house of Osiris, give cakes
and ale twice each day (in the morning and in the evening) to the soul of the Osiris Ani,
whose word is true before the gods, the Lords of Abydos, and whose word is true with you.
Hail, you who open up the way, who act as guides to the roads [in the other World]
to perfect souls in the house of Osiris, open you up for him the way, and act you as guides
to the roads to the soul of the Osiris, the scribe, the registrary of all the offerings made
to the gods, Ani, [whose word is true] with you.
May he enter the house of Osiris with boldness, and may he come forth therefrom in
peace.
May there be no opposition made to him, and may he not be sent back
[therefrom].
May he enter in under favour [of Osiris], and may he come forth gratified [at the
acceptance of] his true words.
May his commands be performed in the house of Osiris, may his words travel with
you, may he be glorious as you are.
May he be not found to be light in the balance, may the balance dispose of his
case.
(In the Turin Papyrus, ed. Lepsius, this Chapter ends with the following.)
Permit not that I get judged according to the mouths of the multitude.
May my soul lift itself up before [Osiris], having been found to have been pure
when on earth.
May I come into your presence, lord of the gods.
May I arrive at the Nome of Maati (Truth).
May I rise up on my seat like a god endowed with life.
May I give forth light like the company of the gods who dwell in heaven.
May I become like one of you.
May I lift up my footsteps in the town of Kher-Aha.
May I look on the Sektet boat of the god, Saah, the holy one, as it passes across
the sky.
May I not be repulsed.
May I look on the lords of the tuat (other world), or, according to another reading,
the company of the gods.
May I smell the savour of the divine food of the company of the gods.
May I sit down with them.
May my name be proclaimed for offerings by the KHER-HEB priest at the sacrificial
table.
May I hear the petitions which are made when offerings are presented.
May I draw nigh to the Neshem boat.
and may neither my heart-soul nor its lord be repulsed.
Homage to you, chief of Amentet, god Osiris, who live in the town of
Nifu-ur.
Grant that I may arrive in peace in Amentet.
May the Lords of Ta-Tchesert receive me, and may they say to me: "Hail, hail;
welcome, welcome!"
May they make ready for me a seat by the side of the president of the
chiefs.
May the nursing-goddesses receive me at the seasons, and may I come forth into the
presence of Un-Nefer true of word.
May I be a follower of Horus in Ra-stau, and of Osiris in Tetu.
And may I perform all the transformations which my heart may desire to make in every
place wherein my Double (KA) wishes to be.
RUBRIC: If this text be known [by the deceased] on earth or if he causes it to be
done in writing on [his] coffin, then will he be able to come forth on any day he pleases,
and to enter into his habitation unrepulsed.
Cakes and ale and joints of meat from those which are on the altar of Ra shall be
given to him, and his homestead shall be among the fields of the Field of Reeds
(Sekhet-Aaru), and wheat and barley shall be given to him in it, and he shall flourish there
even as he flourished on earth.
Making the sahu (spirit-body) to enter the tuat (other world) on the day of the funeral,
when the following words are to be said:
HOMAGE to you, you who live in the Holy Hill (Set-Tchesert) of Amentet! the Osiris, the
royal scribe, Nekhtu-Amen, whose word is true, knows you, he knows your name.
Deliver him from the worms which are in Ra-stau, which live on the bodies of men
and women, and feed on their blood, for Osiris, the favoured servant of the god of his city,
the royal scribe Nekhtu-Amen, knows you, and he knows your names.
Let the order for his protection be the first command of Osiris, the Lord to the
Uttermost Limit, who keeps his body hidden.
May he give him release from the Terrible One who dwells at the bend of the River
of Amentet, and may he decree the acts that will make him to rise up.
Let him pass on to him whose throne is placed within the darkness, who gives light
in Ra-stau.
Lord of light, come and swallow up the worms which are in Amentet.
Let the great god who dwells in Tetu, and who is himself unseen, hear his prayers,
and let those who cause afflictions hold him in fear as he comes forth with the sentence of
their doom to the divine Block.
I the Osiris, the royal scribe, Nekhtu-Amen, come, bearing the decree of
Neb-er-tcher, and I am the Horus who takes possession of his throne for him.
His father, the lord of all those who are in the boat of his Father Horus, has
ascribed praise to him.
He comes bearing tidings.
...
Let him see the town of Anu.
Their chief shall stand on the earth before him, the scribes shall magnify him at
the doors of their assemblies, and your shall swathe him with swathings in Anu.
He has led heaven captive, and he has seized the earth in his grasp.
Neither the heavens nor the earth can be taken away from him, for, behold, he is
Ra, the firstborn of the gods.
His mother shall nurse him, and shall give him her breast on the horizon.
RUBRIC: The words of this chapter shall be said after [the deceased] is laid to rest
in Amentet; by means of them the region Tenn-t shall be contented with her lord. And the
Osiris, the royal scribe, Nekhtu-Amen, whose word is truth, shall come forth, and he shall
embark in the boat of Ra, and [his] body on its bier shall be counted up, and he shall be
established in the tuat (other world).
GIVING a mouth to the Osiris Ani, the scribe, and teller of the offerings which are made to
all the gods, whose word is true, who says:-
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Out of the egg in the hidden land -
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I RISE up out of the egg in the hidden land.
May my mouth be given to me that I may speak with it in the presence of the great
God, the lord of the tuat (other world).
Let not my hand and my arm be repulsed in the presence of the chiefs (Tchatchau) of
any god.
I am Osiris, the lord of Ra-stau.
May I, the Osiris, the scribe Ani, whose word is true, have my portion with him who
is on the top of the steps (Osiris).
According to the desire of my heart I have come forth from the Island of Nesersert,
and I have extinguished the fire.
[Giving a mouth to the Osiris, the scribe Ani, who says]:-
HOMAGE to you, lord of brightness, governor of the temple, prince of the night and of the
thick darkness.
I have come to you.
I am shining, I am pure.
My hands are about you, you have your lot with your ancestors.
Give to me my mouth that I may speak with it.
I guide my heart at its season of flame and of night.
RUBRIC: If this chapter be known by the Osiris the scribe Ani, on earth, [or if it be done]
in writing on [his] coffin, he shall come forth by day in every form which he pleases, and
he shall enter into [his] abode, and shall not be repulsed. And cakes, and ale, and joints
of meat [from those which are on] the altar of Osiris shall be given to him; and he shall
enter in peace into Sekhet-Aaru, conformably to the decree of the dweller in Busiris. Wheat
and barley (dhura) shall be given to him in it, and he shall flourish there just as he did
on earth; and he shall do whatsoever it pleases him to do, even as do the company of the
gods who are in the tuat, regularly and continually, for millions of times.
(From the Paprys of Nebseni, Sheet 3)
Look, the scribe Nebseni, whose word is truth, says:-
HOMAGE to you, lords of Kau, you who are without sin, and who live for the endless
and infinite aeons of time which make up eternity.
I have opened up a way for myself to you.
I have become a spirit in my forms, I have gotten the mastery over my words of
magical power, and I am adjudged a spirit; therefore deliver me from the crocodile [which
lives in] this country of truth.
Grant to me my mouth that I may speak with it, and cause you that sepulchral
offerings shall be made to me in your presence, for I know you, and I know your names, and I
know also the name of the mighty god before whose face you set your celestial
food.
His name is "Tekem".
[When] he opens up his path on the eastern horizon of heaven, [when] he alights
towards the western horizon of heaven, may he carry me along with him, and may I be safe and
sound.
Let not the Mesqet make an end of me, let not the Fiend (Sebau) gain the mastery
over me, let me not be driven away from the doors of the other World, let not you doors be
shut in my face, for my cakes are in the city of Pe, and my ale is in the city of
Tep.
And there, in the celestial mansions of heaven which my divine father Tem has
stablished, let my hands lay hold on the wheat and the barley, which shall be given to me in
it in abundant measure, and may the son of my own body make ready for me my food in
it.
And grant to me when I am there sepulchral meals, and incense, and unguents, and
all the pure and beautiful things whereon the god lives, in every deed for ever, in all the
transformations which it pleases me [to perform], and grant to me the power to float down
and to sail up the stream in the Field of Reeds (Sekhet-Aaru), [and may I reach
Sekhet-hetepet (the Field of Offerings)].
I am the twin lion-gods (Shu and Tefnut).
THE NAMES of the gods of the great company:-
- Ra Harmakhis, the great God in his boat
- Temu
- Shu
- Tefnut
- Keb
- Nut, the lady of heaven
- Isis
- Nephthys
- Horus, the great god
- Hathor, Lady of Amentet
- Hu
- Sa
THE PRAYER OF ANI:-
My heart, my mother; my heart, my mother!
My heart whereby I came into being!
May nothing stand up to oppose me at [my] judgement, may there be no opposition to
me in the presence of the chiefs (Tchatchau); may there be no parting of you from me in the
presence of him that keeps the balance!
You are my KA, which dwells in my body; the god Khnemu who knits together and
strengthens my limbs.
May you come forth into the place of happiness where we go.
May the Sheniu officials, who make the conditions of the lives of men, not cause my
name to stink, and may no lies be spoken against me in the presence of God.
[Let it be satisfactory to us, and let the listener god be favourable to us, and let
there be joy of heart (to us) at the weighing of words.
Let not that which is false be uttered against me before the great god, the lord of
Amentet.
Verily, how great shall you be when you rise in triumph.]
THE SPEECH OF THOTH:-
Thoth, the judge of right and truth of the great Company of the gods who are in the
presence of Osiris, says:
Hear this judgement.
The heart of Osiris has in very truth been weighed, and his heart-soul has borne
testimony on his behalf; his heart has been found right by the trial in the great
balance.
There has not been found any wickedness in him; he has not wasted the offerings
which have been made in the temples.
He has not committed any evil act.
And he has not set his mouth in motion with words of evil while he was on earth.
SPEECH OF THE DWELLER IN THE EMBALMMENT CHAMBER (ANUBIS):-
Pay good heed, righteous judge, to the balance to support [the testimony] of
it.
Variant: Pay good heed to the weighing in the balance of the heart of the Osiris,
the singing-woman of Amen, Anhai, whose word is truth, and place her heart in the seat of
truth in the presence of great God.
THE SPEECH OF THE GODS:-
The great company of the gods say to Thoth who dwells in Khemenu:
That which comes forth from your mouth shall be declared true.
The Osiris the scribe Ani, whose word is true, is holy and righteous. He has not
committed any sin, and he has done no evil against us. The devourer Am-mit shall not be
permitted to prevail over him.
Meat offerings and admittance into the presence of the god Osiris shall be granted
to him, together with an abiding habitation in the Field of Offerings (Sekhet-hetepet), as
to the followers of Horus.
THE SPEECH OF HORUS TO OSIRIS IN INTRODUCING ANI TO HIM:-
Horus, the son of Isis, says:
I have come to you, Un-Nefer, and I have brought to you the Osiris Ani.
His heart is righteous, and it has come forth from the balance; it has not sinned
against any god or any goddess.
Thoth has weighed it according to the decree pronounced to him by the company of the
gods, and it is most true and righteous.
Grant that cakes and ale may be given to him, and let him appear in the presence of
the god Osiris, and let him be like to the Followers of Horus for ever and ever.
THE SPEECH OF ANI:-
And the Osiris Ani says:
Look, I am in your presence, lord of Amentet.
There is no sin in my body.
I have not spoken that which is not true knowingly, nor have I done anything with a
false heart.
Grant that I may be like to those favoured ones who are in your following, and that
I may be an Osiris greatly favoured of the beautiful God, and beloved of the lord of the Two
Lands, I who am a veritable royal scribe who loves you, Ani, whose word is true before the
god Osiris.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BEAST AM-MIT:-
Her forepart is like that of a crocodile, the middle of her body is like that of a
lion, her hind quarters are like those of a hippopotamus.
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Here begin the praises and glorifyings of coming out from and of going into the
glorious Khert-Neter, which is in the beautiful Amentet, of coming forth by day in all the
forms of existence which it may please the deceased to take, of playing at draughts, of
sitting in the Seh hall, and of appearing as a living soul: |
The Osiris the scribe Ani says after he has arrived in his haven of rest - now it is
good for [a man] to recite [this work while he is] on earth, for then all the words of Tem
come to pass -
"I am the god Tem in rising. I am the only One. I came into existence in Nu. I am Ra
who rose in the beginning, the ruler of this [creation]."
Who is this?
"It is Ra, when at the beginning he rose in the city of Hensu, crowned like a king
for his coronation. The pillars of the god Shu were not as yet created, when he was on the
steps of him that dwells in Khemenu.
"I am the great God who created himself, even Nu, who made his names to become the
company of the gods as gods."
Who is this?
"It is Ra, the creator of the names of his limbs, which came into being in the form
of the gods who are in the train of Ra.
"I am he who cannot be repulsed among the gods."
Who is this?
"It is Temu, the dweller in his disk, but others say that it is Ra when he rises in
the eastern horizon of the sky.
"I am yesterday, I know today."
Who is this?
"Yesterday is Osiris, and today is Ra, when he shall destroy the enemies of
Neb-er-tcher (the lord to the uttermost limit), and when he shall establish as prince and
ruler his son Horus.
"Others, however, say that today is Ra, on the day when we commemorate the festival
of the meeting of the dead Osiris with his father Ra, and when the battle of the gods was
fought, in which Osiris, the lord of Amentet, was the leader."
What is this?
"It is Amentet, [that is to say] the creation of the souls of the gods when Osiris
was leader in Set-Amentet.
"Others, however, say that it is the Amentet which Ra has given to me; when any god
comes he must rise up and fight for it.
"I know the god who dwells in it."
Who is this?
"It is Osiris. Others, however, say that his name is Ra, and that the god who dwells
in Amentet is the phallus of Ra, wherewith he had union with himself.
"I am the Benu bird which is in Anu. I am the keeper of the volume of the book (the
Tablet of Destiny) of the things which have been made, and of the things which shall be
made."
Who is this?
"It is Osiris.
"Others, however, say that it is the dead body of Osiris, and yet others say that it
is the excrement of Osiris. The things which have been made, and the things which shall be
made [refer to] the dead body of Osiris. Others again say that the things which have been
made are eternity, and the things which shall be made are everlastingness, and that eternity
is the Day, and everlastingness the Night.
"I am the god Menu in his coming forth; may his two plumes be set on my head for
me."
Who is this?
"Menu is Horis, the advocate of his father [Osiris], and his coming forth means his
birth. The two plumes on his head are Isis and Nephthys, when these goddesses go forth and
set themselves on it, and when they act as his protectors, and when they provide that which
his head lacks.
"Others, however, say that the two plumes are the two exceedingly large uraei which
are on the head of their father Tem, and there are yet others who say that the two plumes
which are on the head of Menu are his two eyes.
"The Osiris the scribe Ani, whose word is true, the registrar of all the offerings
which are made to the gods, rises up and comes into his city."
What is this [city]?
"It is the horizon of his father Tem.
"I have made an end of my shortcomings, and I have put away my faults."
What is this?
"It is the cutting of the navel string of the body of the Osiris the scribe Ani,
whose word is true before all the gods, and all his faults are driven out.
What is this ?
"It is the purification [of Osiris] on the day of his birth.
"I am purified in my great double nest which is in Hensu on the day of the offerings
of the followers of the great God who dwells in it."
What is the "great double nest"?
"The name of one nest is 'Millions of years,' and 'Great Green [Sea]' is the name of
the other, that is to say 'Lake of Natron' and 'Lake of Salt.'
"Others, however, say the name of the one is 'Guide of Millions of Years,' and that
'Great Green Lake' is name of the other. Yet others say that 'Begetter of Millions of Years'
is the name of one, and 'Great Green Lake' is the name of the other. Now, as concerning the
great god who dwells in it, it is Ra himself.
"I pass over the way, I know the head of the Island of Maati."
What is this?
"It is Ra-stau, that is to say, it is the gate to the south of Nerutef, and it is
the Northern Gate of the Domain (Tomb of the god).
"Now, as concerning the Island of Maati, it is Abtu.
"Others, however, say that it is the way by which Father Tem travells when he goes
forth to Sekhet-Aaru, [the place] which produces the food and sustenance of the gods who are
[in] their shrines.
"Now the gate Tchesert is the gate of the pillars of Shu, that is to say, the
northern gate of the tuat.
"Others, however, say that the gate of Tchesert is the two leaves of the door
through which the god Tem passes when he goes forth to the eastern horizon of the
sky.
"You gods who are in the presence [of Osiris], grant to me your arms, for I am the
god who shall come into being among you."
Who are these gods?
"They are the drops of blood which came forth from the phallus of Ra when he went
forth to perform his own mutilation. These drops of blood sprang into being under the forms
of the gods Hu and Sa, who are in the bodyguard of Ra, and who accompany the god Tem daily
and every day.
"I, Osiris the scribe Ani, whose word is truth, have filled for you the utchat (the
Eye of Ra, or of Horus), when it had suffered extinction on the day of the combat of the Two
Fighters (Horus and Set)."
What was this combat?
It was the combat which took place on the day when Horus fought with Set, during
which Set threw filth in the face of Horus, and Horus crushed the genitals of Set. The
filling of the utchat Thoth performed with his own fingers.
"I remove the thunder-cloud from the sky when there is a storm with thunder and
lightning in it."
What is this?
"This storm was the raging of Ra at the thunder-cloud which [Set] sent forth against
the Right Eye of Ra (the Sun). Thoth removed the thunder-cloud from the Eye of Ra, and
brought back the Eye living, healthy, sound, and with no defect in it to its
owner.
"Others, however, say that the thunder-cloud is caused by sickness in the Eye of Ra,
which weeps for its companion Eye (the Moon); at this time Thoth cleanss the Right Eye of
Ra.
"I behold Ra who was born yesterday from the thighs of the goddess Mehurt; his
strength is my strength, and my strength is his strength."
Who is this?
"Mehurt is the great Celestial Water, but others say that Mehurt is the image of the
Eye of Ra at dawn at his birth daily.
"[Others, however, say that] Mehurt is the utchat of Ra.
"Now Osiris the scribe Ani, whose word is truth, is a very great one among the gods
who are in the following of Horus; they say that he is the prince who loves his
lord."
Who are the gods who are in the train of Horus?
"[They are] Kesta, Hapi, Taumutef, and Qebhsenuf.
"Homage to you, you lords of right and truth, you sovereign princes (Tchatcha) who
[stand] round about Osiris, who do away utterly sins and offences, and who are in the
following of the goddess Hetepsekhus, grant that I may come to you. Destroy you all the
faults which are within me, even as you did for the Seven Spirits who are among the
followers of their lord Sepa. Anpu (Anubis) appointed to them their places on the day [when
he said to them], "Come here."
Who are the "lords of right and truth"?
"The lords of right and truth are Thoth and Astes, the Lord of Amentet.
"The Tchatcha round about Osiris are Kesta, Hapi, Tuamutef, and Qebhsenuf, and they
are also round about the Constellation of the Thigh (the great Bear), in the northern
sky.
"Those who do away utterly sins and offences, and who are in the following of the
goddess Hetepsekhus, are the god Sebek and his associates who dwell in the water.
"The goddess Hetepsekhus is the Eye of Ra.
"Others, however, say that it is the flame which accompanis Osiris to burn up the
souls of his enemies.
"As concerning all the faults which are in Osiris, the registrar of the offerings
which are made to all the gods, Ani, whose word is truth, [these are all the offences which
he has committed against the Lords of Eternity] since he came forth from his mother's
womb.
"As concerning the Seven Spirits who are Kesta, Hapi, Tuamutef, Qebhsenuf, Maa-atef,
Kheribeqef and Heru-khenti-en-ariti, these did Anubis appoint to be protectors of the dead
body of Osiris.
"Others, however, say that he set them round about the holy place of
Osiris.
"Others say that the Seven Spirits [which were appointed by Anubis] were
Netcheh-netcheh, Aatqetqet, Nertanef-besef-khenti-hehf, Aq-her-ami-unnut-f,
Tesher-ariti-ami-Het-anes, Ubes-her-per-em-khetkhet, and Maaem-kerh-annef-em-hru.
"The chief of the Tchatcha (sovereign princes) who is in Naarutef is Horus, the
Advocate of his father.
"As concerning the day wherein [Anubis said to the Seven Spirits], 'Come here,' [the
allusion here] is to the words 'Come here,' which Ra spake to Osiris."
Verily may these same words be said to me in Amentet.
"I am the divine Soul which dwells in the divine Twin-gods."
Who is this Divine Soul?
"It is Osiris. [When] he goes into Tetu, and finds there the Soul of Ra, the one god
embracs the other, and two Divine Souls spring into being within the divine Twin-gods."
Appendix
(From the Papyrus of Nebseni, Brit. Mus. No. 9900, Sheet 14, ll. 16ff.)
"As concerning the divine twin-gods they are Heru-netch-her-tefef and
Heru-khent-en-Ariti (Horus the Advocate of his father [Osiris], and Horus the
Sightless).
"Others say that the double divine soul which dwells in the divine twin-gods is the
soul of Ra and the soul of Osiris, and yet others say that it is the soul which dwells in
Shu, and the soul which dwells in Tefnut, and that these two souls form the double divine
soul which dwells in Tetu.
"I am the cat which fought near the Persea Tree in Anu on the night when the foes of
Neb-er-tcher were destroyed."
Who is this Cat?
"This male Cat is Ra himself, and he was called 'Mau' because of the speech of the
god Sa, who said concerning him: 'He is like (mau) to that which he has made'; therefore,
did the name of Ra become 'Mau.'
"Others, however, say that the male Cat is the god Shu, who made over the
possessions of Keb to Osiris.
"As concerning the fight which took place near the Persea Tree in Anu [these words
have reference to the slaughter] of the children of rebellion, when righteous retribution
was meted out to them for [the evil] which they had done.
"As concerning the 'night of the battle,' [these words refer to] the invasion of the
eastern portion of the heaven by the children of rebellion, whereon a great battle arose in
heaven and in all the earth.
"You who are in your egg (Ra,) who showest from your Disk, who rise on your horizon,
and do indeed shine with golden beams in the height of heaven, like to whom there is none
among the gods, who sailest above the Pillars of Shu, who send forth blasts of fire from
your mouth, [who illuminest the Two Lands with your splendour, deliver] you Nebseni, the
lord of fealty [to Osiris], from the god whose form is hidden, and whose eyebrows are like
to the two arms of the balance on the night when the sentences of doom are
promulgated."
Who is this invisible god?
"It is An-a-f (he who brings his arm.).
"As concerning 'the night when the sentences of doom are promulgated,' it is the
night of the burning of the damned, and of the overthrow of the wicked at the Block, and of
the slaughter of souls."
Who is this [slaughterer of souls]?
"It is Shesmu, the headsman of Osiris.
"[Concerning the invisible god] some say that he is Aapep when he rises up with a
head bearing on it [the feather of] Maat (Truth). But others say that he is Horus when he
rises up with two heads, whereon one bears [the feather of] Maat, and the other [the symbol
of] wickedness. He bestows wickedness on him that works wickedness, and right and truth on
him that follows righteousness and truth.
"Others say that he is Heru-ur (the Old Horus), who dwells in Sekhem; others say
that he is Thoth; others say that he is Nefer-Tem; and others say that he is Sept who does
indeed bring to nothing the acts of the foes of Nebertcher.
"Deliver you the scribe Nebseni, whose word is truth, from the watchers, who carry
murderous knives, who possess cruel fingers, and who would slay those who are in the
following of Osiris."
May these watchers never gain the mastery over me, and may I never fall under their
knives!
Who are these watchers?
"They are Anubis and Horus, [the latter being] in the form of Sightless Horus.
Others, however, say that they are the Tchatcha (sovereign princes of Osiris), who bring to
nothing the operations of their knives; and others say that they are the chiefs of the
Sheniu chamber.
"May their knives never gain the mastery over me. May I never fall under the knives
wherewith they inflict cruel tortures. For I know their names, and I know the being,
Matchet, who is among them in the house of Osiris. He shoots forth rays of light from his
eye, being himself invisible, and he goes round about heaven robed in the flames which come
from his mouth, commanding Hapi, but remaining invisible himself. May I be strong on earth
before Ra, may I arrive safely in the presence of Osiris. O you who preside over your
altars, let not your offerings to me be wanting, for I am one of those who follow after
Nebertcher, according to the writings of Khepera. Let me fly like a hawk, let me cackle like
a goose, let me lay always like the serpent-goddess Neheb-ka."
Who are those who preside over their altars?
"Those who preside over their altars are the similitude of the Eye of Ra, and the
similitude of the Eye of Horus.
"O Ra-Tem, you Lord of the great House [in Anu], you Sovereign (life, strentgh,
health [be to you]) of all the gods, deliver you the scribe Nebseni, whose word is truth,
from the god whose face is like to that of a greyhound, whose brows are like those of a man,
who feeds on the dead, who watchs at the Bend of the Lake of Fire, who devours the bodies of
the dead, and swallows hearts, and who voids filth, but who himself remains
unseen."
Who is this greyhound-faced god?
"His name is 'Everlasting Devourer,' and he livs in the Domain [of Fire] (the Lake
of Unt).
"As concerning the Domain of Fire, it is that Aat which is in Naarutef, and is near
the Sheniu chamber. The sinner who walks over this place falls down among the knives [of the
watchers].
"Others, however, say that the name of this god is 'Mates,' and that he keeps watch
over the door of Amentet; others say that his name is 'Beba,' and that he keeps watch over
the Bend [of the stream] of Amentet, and yet others say that his name is
'Herisepef.'
"Hail, Lord of Terror, Chief of the Lands of the South and North, you Lord of the
Desert, who do indeed keep prepared the block of slaughter, and who do indeed feed on the
intestines [of men]!"
Who is this Lord of Terror?
"It is the Keeper of the Bend [of the stream] of Amentet."
Who is this Keeper?
"It is the Heart of Osiris, which is the devourer of all slaughtered
things.
"The Urrt Crown has been given to him, with gladness of heart, as Lord of
Hensu."
Who is this?
"He to whom the Urrt Crown has been given with gladness of heart as Lord of Hensu is
Osiris. He was bidden to rule among the gods on the day of the union of earth [with earth]
in the presence of Nebertcher."
Who is this?
"He who was bidden to rule among the gods is the son of Isis (Horus), who was
appointed to rule in the room of his father Osiris.
"As concerning [the words] 'day of the union of earth with earth,' they have
reference to the union of earth with earth in the coffin of Osiris, the soul that lives in
Hensu, the giver of meat and drink, the destroyer of wrong, and the guide to the everlasting
paths."
Who is this?
"It is Ra himself."
"[Deliver you the Osiris the scribe Ani, whose word is truth] from the great god who
carrris away souls, who eats hearts, who feeds on offal, who keeps watch in the darkness,
who dwells in the Seker Boat; those who live in sin fear him."
Who is this?
"It is Suti, but others say that it is Smamur, the soul of Keb.
"Hail, Khepera in your boat, the two Companies of the gods are in your body. Deliver
you the Osiris the scribe Ani, whose word is truth, from the watchers who pass sentences of
doom, who have been appointed by the god Nebertcher to protect him, and to fasten the
fetters on his foes, and who slaughter in the torture chambers; there is no escape from
their fingers. May they never stab me with their knives, may I never fall helpless into
their chambers of torture. I have never done the things which the gods hate. I am he who is
pure in the Mesqet chamber. And saffron cakes have been brought to him in Tannt."
Who is this?
"It is Khepera in his boat; it is Ra himself.
"As concerning the watchers who pass sentences of doom, they are the Apes Isis and
Nephthys.
"As concerning the things which the gods hate, they are acts of deceit and lying. He
who passes through the place of purification within the Mesqet chamber is Anpu (Anubis), who
is hard by the coffer which contains the inward parts of Osiris. He to whom saffron cakes
have been brought in Tannt is Osiris.
"Others, however, say that the saffron cakes in Tannt represent heaven and earth,
and others say that they represent Shu, the strengthener of the Two Lands in Hensu; and
others say that they represent the Eye of Horus, and that Tannt is the burial-place of
Osiris.
"Tem has builded your house, and the double Lion-god has laid the foundations of
your habitation. Lo! medicaments have been brought. Horus purifis Set and Set strengthens,
and Set purifis and Horus strengthens.
"The Osiris the scribe Ani, whose word is truth before Osiris, has come into this
land, and he has taken possession thereof with his two feet. He is Tem, and he is in the
city.
"Turn you back, Rehu, whose mouth shines, whose head movs, turn you back before his
strength." Another reading is, 'Turn you back from him who keeps watch, and is himself
unseen.' Let the Osiris Ani be safely guarded. He is Isis, and he is found with her hair
spread over him; it is shaken out over his brow. He was conceived by Isis, and engendered by
Nephthys, and they have cut away from him the things which should be cut from him.
"Fear follows after you, terror is about your arms. You have been embraced for
millions of years by arms; mortals go round about you. You smitest down the mediators of
your foes, and you seizest the arms of the power of darkness. Your two sisters (Isis and
Nephthys) are given to you for your delight. You have created that which is in Kher-aha, and
that which is Anu. Every god fears you, for you are exceedingly great and terrible; you
[avengest] every god on the man who curss him, and you shootest arrows at him. You livest
according to your will. You are Uatchet, the lady of flame, evil befalls those who set
themselves up against you."
What is this?
"'Hidden in form, given of Menhu,' is the name of the tomb. 'He who sees what is on
his hand' is the name of Qerau, or, as others say, it is the name of the Block.
"Now, he whose mouth shines and whose head movs is the phallus of Osiris, but others
say it is [the phallus] of Ra. "You spread your hair, and I shake it out over his brow" is
said concerning Isis, who hides in her hair, and draws it round about her.
"Uatchet, the lady of flames, is the eye of Ra."
The seven arits
The first arit
The name of the doorkeeper is Sekhet-her-asht-aru.
The name of the watcher is Smetti.
The name of the herald is Hakheru.
The Osiris Ani, whose word is truth, shall say when he comes to the First Arit:
"I am the mighty one who creates his own light.
I have come to you, Osiris, and, purified from that which defiles you, I adore
you.
Lead on.
Name not the name of Ra-stau to me.
Homage to you, Osiris, in your might and in your strength in Ra-stau.
Rise up and conquer, Osiris, in Abtu.
You go round about heaven, you sail in the presence of Ra, you look on all the
beings who have knowledge.
Hail, Ra, you who go round about in the sky, I say, Osiris in truth, that I am the
sahu (spirit-body) of the god, and I beseech you not to let me be driven away, nor to be
cast on the wall of blazing fire.
Let the way be opened in Ra-stau, let the pain of the Osiris be relieved, embrace
that which the balance has weighed, let a path be made for the Osiris in the great Valley,
and let the Osiris have light to guide him on his way."
The second arit
The name of the doorkeeper is Unhat. The name of the watcher is Seqt-her. The name
of the herald is Ust.
The Osiris Ani, whose word is truth, shall say [when he comes to this Arit]:
"He sits to carry out his heart's desire, and he weighs words as the second of
Thoth.
The strength which protects Thoth humbles the hidden Maati gods, who feed on Maat
during the years of their lives.
I offer up my offerings [to him] at the moment when he makes his way.
I advance, and I enter on the path.
Grant that I may continue to advance, and that I may attain to the sight of Ra, and
of those who offer up [their] offerings."
The third arit
The name of the doorkeeper is Unem-hauatu-ent-pehui. The name of the watcher is
Seres-her. The name of the herald is Aa.
The Osiris the scribe Ani, whose word is truth, shall say [when he comes to this
Arit]:
"I am he who is hidden in the great deep.
I am the Judge of the Rehui, I have come and I have done away the offensive thing
which was on Osiris.
I tie firmly the place on which he stands, coming forth from the Urt.
I have established things in Abtu, I have opened up a way through Ra-stau, and I
have relieved the pain which was in Osiris.
I have balanced the place whereon he stands, and I have made a path for him; he
shines brilliantly in Ra-stau."
The fourth arit
The name of the doorkeeper is Khesef-her-asht-kheru. The name of the watcher is
Seres-tepu. The name of the herald is Khesef-at.
The Osiris the scribe Ani, whose word is truth, shall say [when he comes to this
Arit]:
"I am the Bull, the son of the ancestress of Osiris.
Grant that his father, the Lord of his god-like companions, may bear witness on his
behalf.
I have weighed the guilty in judgement.
I have brought to his nostrils the life which is everlasting.
I am the son of Osiris, I have accomplished the journey, I have advanced in
Khert-Neter."
The fifth arit
The name of the doorkeeper is Ankhf-em-fent. The name of the watcher is Shabu. The
name of the herald is Teb-her-kha-kheft.
The Osiris the scribe Ani, whose word is truth, shall say [when he comes to this
Arit]:
"I have brought to you the jawbone in Ra-stau.
I have brought to you your backbone in Anu.
I have gathered together his manifold members in it.
I have driven back Aapep for you.
I have spit on the wounds [in his body].
I have made myself a path among you.
I am the Aged One among the gods.
I have made offerings to Osiris.
I have defended him with the word of truth.
I have gathered together his bones, and have collected all his members."
The sixth arit
The name of the doorkeeper is Atek-tau-kehaq-kheru. The name of the watcher is
An-her. The name of the herald is Ates-her-[ari]-she.
The Osiris the scribe Ani, whose word is truth, shall say [when he comes to this
Arit]:
"I have come daily, I have come daily.
I have made myself a way.
I have advanced over that which was created by Anpu (Anubis).
I am the Lord of the Urrt Crown.
I am the possessor [of the knowledge of] the words of magical power, I am the
avenger according to law, I have avenged [the injury to] his eye.
I have defended Osiris.
I have accomplished my journey.
The Osiris Ani advances with you with the word which is truth."
The seventh arit
The name of the doorkeeper is Sekhmet-em-tsu-sen. The name of the watcher is
Aa-maa-kheru. The name of the herald is Khesef-khemi.
The Osiris the scribe Ani, whose word is truth, shall say [when he comes to this
Arit]:
"I have come to you, Osiris, being purified from foul emissions.
You go round about heaven, you see Ra, you see the beings who have
knowledge.
[Hail], you, ONE!
Look, you are in the Sektet boat which traverses the heavens.
I speak what I will to his Sahu (spirit-body).
He is strong, and comes into being even [as] he spake.
You meet him face to face.
Prepare for me all the ways which are good [and which lead] to you."
RUBRIC: If [these] words be recited by the spirit when he shall come to the Seven
Arits, and as he enters the doors, he shall neither be turned back nor repulsed before
Osiris, and he shall be made to have his being among the blessed spirits, and to have
dominion among the ancestral followers of Osiris.
If these things be done for any spirit he shall have his being in that place like a
lord of eternity in one body with Osiris, and at no place shall any being contend against
him.
 More to come, hopefully.
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6 
6 
7 
Gracious is the face of the well-doer.
Supporting "well medleys" are presupposed
throughout:
HE WHO wrote down this body of knowledge is known in Egyptologist literature because
other papyri belonging to him have been identified. His last papyrus is dated to year 12 in
the reign of the posthumous son of Alexander the Great, ie 306-305 BC. From this it is held
that Nes-min's Book of the Dead most likely was written between 300 and 275 BC. The
origin of many parts of the material is very much older, however.
