The 21 Pylons of the House of Osiris

The following shall be said when one comes to the FIRST PYLON.

The Osiris the scribe Ani, whose word is truth, says:

"Lady of tremblings, high-walled, the sovereign lady, the lady of destruction, who utters the words which drive back the destroyers, who delivers from destruction him that comes." 

The name of her Doorkeeper is Neruit.

The following shall be said when one comes to the SECOND PYLON.

The Osiris the scribe Ani, whose word is truth, says:

"Lady of heaven, Mistress of the Two Lands, devourer by fire, Lady of mortals, who are infinitely greater than any human being." 

The name of her Doorkeeper is Mes-Ptah.

The following shall be said when one comes to the THIRD PYLON.

The Osiris the scribe Ani, whose word is truth, says:

"Lady of the Altar, the mighty lady to whom offerings are made, greatly beloved one of every god sailing up the river to Abydos." 

The name of her Doorkeeper is Sebqa.

The following shall be said when one comes to the FOURTH PYLON.

The Osiris the scribe Ani, whose word is truth, says:

"Prevailer with knives, Mistress of the Two Lands, destroyer of the enemies of the Still-Heart (Osiris), who decres the release of those who suffer through evil hap." 

The name of her Doorkeeper is Nekau.

The following shall be said when one comes to the FIFTH PYLON.

The Osiris the scribe Ani, whose word is truth, says:

"Flame, Lady of fire, absorbing the entreaties which are made to her, who permits not to approach her the rebel." 

The name of her Doorkeeper is Henti-Reqiu.

The following shall be said when one comes to the SIXTH PYLON.

The Osiris the scribe Ani, whose word is truth, says:

"Lady of light, who roars mightily, whose breadth cannot be comprehended.Her like has not been found since the beginning.There are serpents over which are unknown.They were brought forth before the Still-Heart." 

The name of her Doorkeeper is Semati.

The following shall be said when one comes to the SEVENTH PYLON.

The Osiris the scribe Ani, whose word is truth, says:"Garment which envelops the helpless one, which weeps for and lovs that which it covers." 

The name of her Doorkeeper is Saktif.

The following shall be said when one comes to the EIGHTH PYLON.

The Osiris the scribe Ani, whose word is truth, says:

"Blazing fire, unquenchable, with far-reaching tongues of flame, irresistible slaughterer, which one may not pass through fear of its deadly attack." 

The name of her Doorkeeper is Khutchetef.

The following shall be said when one comes to the NINTH PYLON.

The Osiris the scribe Ani, whose word is truth, says:

"Chieftainess, lady of strength, who gives quiet of heart to the offspring of her lord.Her girth is three hundred and fifty khet, and she is clothed with green feldspar of the South. 

She binds up the divine form and cloths the helpless one.Devourer, lady of all men." 

The name of her Doorkeeper is Arisutchesef.

The following shall be said when one comes to the TENTH PYLON.

The Osiris the scribe Ani, whose word is truth, says:

"Goddess of the loud voice, who makes her suppliants to mourn, the awful one who terrifis, who herself remains unterrified within." 

The name of her Doorkeeper is Sekhenur.

The following shall be said when one comes to the ELEVENTH PYLON.

Nu, the steward of the keeper of the seal, says when he comes to the ELEVENTH PYLON of Osiris: 

"I have made my way, I know you, and I know your name, and I know the name of her who is within you: She who slays always, consumer of the fiends by fire, mistress of every pylon, the lady who is acclaimed on the day of darkness" is your name.

She inspects the swathing of the helpless one.

The following shall be said when one comes to the TWELFTH PYLON.

The Osiris Nu, the steward of the keeper of the seal, says when he comes to the TWELFTH PYLON of Osiris: 

"I have made my way, I know you, and I know your name, and I know the name of her who is within you: Invoker of your Two Lands, destroyer of those who come to you by fire, lady of spirits, obeyer of the word of your Lord" is your name.

She inspects the swathing of the helpless one.

The following shall be said when one comes to the THIRTEENTH PYLON.

The Osiris Nu, the steward of the keeper of the seal, says when he comes to the THIRTEENTH PYLON of Osiris: 

"I have made my way, I know you and I know your name, and I know the name of her who is within you: Osiris folds his arms about her, and makes Hapi (the Nile-god), to emit splendour out of his hidden places" is your name.

She inspects the swathing of the helpless one.

The following shall be said when one comes to the FOURTEENTH  PYLON.

The Osiris Nu, the steward of the keeper of the seal, says when he comes to the FOURTEENTH PYLON of Osiris:

 "I have made my way, I know you, and I know your name, and I know the name of her who is within you. 

Lady of might, who trampls on the Red Demons, who keeps the festival of Haaker on the day of the hearing of faults" is your name.

She inspects the swathing of the helpless one.

The following shall be said when one comes to the THE FIFTEENTH PYLON.

The Osiris Heru-em-khebit, whose word is truth, shall say when he comes to this pylon: 

"Fiend, red of hair and eyes, who appears by night, and does indeed fetter the fiend in his lair. 

Let her hands be given to the Still-Heart in his hour, let her advance and go forward" is your name.

She inspects the swathing of the helpless one.

The following shall be said when one comes to the THE SIXTEENTH PYLON.

The Osiris Heru-em-khebit, whose word is truth, shall say when he comes to this pylon: 

"Terrible one, lady of the rain-storm, destroyer of the souls of men, devourer of the bodies of men, orderer, producer, and maker of slaughter" is your name.

She inspects the swathing of the helpless one.

The following shall be said when one comes to the THE SEVENTEENTH PYLON.

The Osiris Heru-em-khebit, whose word is truth, shall say when he comes to this pylon: 

"Hewer-in-pieces in blood, Ahibit, lady of hair" is your name.

She inspects the swathing of the helpless one.

The following shall be said when one comes to the THE EIGHTEENTH PYLON.

The Osiris Heru-em-khebit, whose word is truth, shall say when he comes to this pylon: 

"Fire-lover, pure one, lover of slaughterings, cutter off of heads, devoted one, lady of the great House, slaughterer of fiends at eventide" is your name.

She inspects the swathing of the helpless one.

The following shall be said when one comes to the THE NINETEENTH PYLON.

The Osiris Heru-em-khebit, whose word is truth, shall say when he comes to this pylon: 

"Light-giver for life, blazing all the day, lady of strength [and of] the writings of the god Thoth himself" is your name.

She inspects the swathing of the White house.

The following shall be said when one comes to the THE TWENTIETH PYLON.

The Osiris Heru-em-khebit, whose word is truth, shall say when he comes to this pylon: 

"Dweller in the cavern of her lord, her name is Clother, hider of her creations, conqueror of hearts, swallower [of them]" is your name.

She inspects the swathings of the White house.

The following shall be said when one comes to the THE TWENTY-FIRST PYLON.

The Osiris Heru-em-khebit, whose word is truth, shall say when he comes to this pylon: 

"Knife which cutts when [its name] is uttered, slayer of those who approach your flame" is your name.

She possesses hidden plans.

Appendix

(From the Turin Papryus, ed.

Lepsius, Bl. 64, the text referring to the twenty-first Pylon.)

THE OSIRIS AUFANKH, WHOSE WORD IS TRUTH, SAYS:

Hail, says Horus, Twenty-first pylon of the Still-Heart!

I have made the way.

I know you.

I know your name.

I know the name of the goddess who guards you.

"Sword that smits at the utterance of its own name, stinking face, overthrower of him that approachs her flame" is your name.

You keep the hidden things of the avenger of the god, you guard them.

Amam is his name.

He makes the ash trees (cedars) not to grow, and the shenu trees (acacias) not to blossom, and prevents copper from being found in the mountain.

The Tchatcha (Chiefs) of this Pylon are Seven gods.

Tchen, or Anthch (At), is the name of the one at the door.

Hetepmes is the name of another there.

Messep is the name of another there.

Utchara is the name of another there.

Beq is the name of another there.

Anp (Anubis) is the name of another there.

I have made the way.

I am Menu-Heru, the avenger of his father, the heir of his father Un-Nefer.

I have come.

I have given [offerings] to my father Osiris.

I have overthrown all his enemies.

I have come daily with the word of truth, the lord of fealty, in the house of my father Tem, the Lord of Anu, I, the Osiris Auf-ankh, whose word is truth in the southern heaven.

I have done what is right for him that made the right, I have celebrated the Haker festival to the lord thereof.

I have acted as the leader of the festivals.

I have given cakes to the Lords of the Altar.

I have been the leader of the propitiatory offerings, cakes, ale, oxen, geese, to my father Osiris Un-Nefer.

I am the protector of the Ba-soul, I have made the Benu bird to appear [by my] words.

I have come daily into the house of the god to make offerings of incense.

I have come with the shenti tunic.

I have set the Neshem boat afloat on the water.

I have made the word of Osiris Khenti Amenti to be truth before his enemies.

I have carried away in a boat all his enemies to the slaughter-house of the East, and they shall never escape from the wardship of the god Keb who dwells in it.

I have made the Kefaiu gods of Ra to stand up, I have made his word to be truth.

I have come as a scribe.

I have explained [the writings].

I have made the god to have power over his legs.

I have come into the house of him that is on his mountain (Anubis).

I have seen the chief of the Seh hall.

I have entered into Ra-stau.

I have made myself invisible.

I have found for myself the boundary.

I have approached Nerutef.

I have clothed the naked.

I have sailed up the river to Abydos.

I have performed the ceremonies of Hu and Sa.

I have entered the house of Astes.

I have made supplication to the Khati gods and to Sekhmet in the temple of Net (Neith), or the Aged Ones.

I have entered Ra-stau.

I have made myself invisible.

I have found the frontier.

I have approached Nerutef.

I have clothed the naked.

I have sailed up the river to Abydos.

I have performed the ceremonies of Hu and Sa.

I have received.

I have risen like a king crowned.

I fill my seat on the throne in the place of my father, the God Who was at the beginning.

I have praised the Meskhen of Ta-tchesert.

My mouth is full of Maat (Truth).

I have overwhelmed the Akhekhau serpents.

I have come into the great House with [my] body in a flourishing condition.

I have caused myself to travel in the boat of Hai.

The myrrh unguent of . . .

is in the hair of men (Rekhit).

I have entered into the house of Astes.

I have approached with worship the two Khati gods and Sekhmet, who are in the temple of the Aged One [in Anu].

[And the god Osiris says:] "You have come, you shall be a favoured one in Tetu, Osiris Auf-ankh, whose word is truth, the son of the lady Shert-en-Menu, whose word is truth."

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.

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.

The Prayers and Journey of Ani

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.

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 embraces 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 lives 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."