Miriai3

ASUTA
The Journal for the Study and Research into the
Mandaean Culture, Religion, and Language.

Volume 8 Special Issue Online edition

Miriai
The Religion Personified

Miriai from the Book of John
Miriai as a "Vine"

At this point, of the story, Miriai evolves into the “vine” in which all the “birds” are shelter and feed. The “birds” are of course people, some that settle down and some that do not. Those “birds” that “build their nest” are the Mandaeans and the “birds” that “settle not firmly” are those who looked into the religion but chose to leave and go somewhere else. The “birds” that stay with Miriai are sheltered and protected.

Miryai am I, a vine, a tree, who stands at the mouth of Euphrates (Frash). The tree's leaves are precious stones, the tree's fruits pearls. The vine-tree's foliage is glory, its shoots precious light. Among the trees its scent it diffuses, and it spreads over all the worlds. The birds of the air scented it; a flock settled down on the tree. A flock on it down-settled, and they would build their nest there. They flutter about in it and settle not down in it firmly. Of its foliage they eat (zirqa or rays) …from its inner part they drink wine (hamra, an unfermented grape juice). They eat what is not to be cast away, and drink what was not wine.

The “birds” were all safe in the foliage until a great storm appeared and blew away some of the “birds”. The storm represents the various religious sects. Some of these religious sects used persecution and violence to obtain converts or to discredit another religious sect. Yet there are those “birds” that could not hold on and are lost. Yet some of the “birds” are able to be steadfast and waited out the storm. This is of course a representation of the persecutions that the Mandaeans have endured.

"While the birds sat on the vine, winds and tempests broke loose. They shook the good birdlets awake, they smote 'gainst the tree: on all sides they scattered the leaves of the vine-tree and scared the birds out of their place, Many a bird there was who flew not away, but held on fast with claws and with wings, till the winds and the tempests were over. Many again held not on fast and were hurried away….Woe unto those who did not hold fast, but were dashed from the tree and flew off. How fair is the tree of Life and fair the birds who dwell on it!"

Once again the world was at peace and the “birds” began rebuilding their “nests”. The “birds” are saddened over the loss of the other “birds”. Where at one time the “birds” were numerous, it is only logical to assume they are now limited in population figures. This goes along with the Mandaean belief that at one time their religion was spread over a large area with a large population. Soon a white eagle saw the “birds” and comes to talk to them. The “birds” were anxious to know what had happened to all their brothers.

"By thy Life, Eagle! On this tree were we birds without number.---But there broke loose against them the winds, and on the tree came raging tempests. They shook them off, from the tree, so that they tore their wings from them (nearly). Many a one held fast, whom the winds and tempests could not tear away: but many a one flew off at top speed---We speak to thee, therefore O Eagle, we ask thee respecting the birds, because thou art sharp of sight and dost see all in this world: What have the winds and the tempests done with those birds, our brothers? What spyest thou out (?) over them?"

The eagle, who appears to be Anush or Hiibl –Ziwa, tells them it is better not to know what has befallen those “birds” for they have been torn to pieces.

“You had better not to have known, my brothers, what has become of those birds. Sling-shots drove them far from me, their wings broke: torn off were they, broken off; the), they went hence and relied on the bird-catcher's. The harrier and hawk wheeled round them tore pieces out of their flesh and fed on those who were fat. Woe to those who fell prey to the water: if there was no portion for them at the crossing.”

In this section we also get a glimpse of a unique Mandaean concept. While the “birds” are upset they have lost their brothers, the white eagle does not encourage them to look or round the “birds” back up. In another Mandaean hymn we see this idea expounded upon. In this hymn the shepherd is asked to watch over the sheep. The “Shepherd” asks what if:

“…But if a lion comes and carries one off, how am I to retrieve him? If a thief comes and steals one away, how am I to retrieve him? If one falls into the fire and is burnt, how am I to retrieve him? If one falls into the water and drowns, how am I to retrieve him? If one stays behind in the pen, how am I to retrieve him? "

The answer comes back that the “Shepherd” that there will always be those who stray from the flock and you cannot be expected to round them all up. If a “sheep” choose to stray away then it is a great loss but you cannot control what the “sheep” will do.

“If a lion comes and carries of one, let him go his way and fall prey to the lion. Let him go his way and fall a, prey to the lion, in that he bows himself down to the sun. If a wolf comes and carries off one let him go his way and fall a prey to the wolf, in that he bows himself down to the moon. If a thief comes and steals away one, then let him go his way and fall a prey to the thief. … If one falls into the fire and is burnt, let him go his way and fall a prey to the fire. … If one falls into the mud and stays stuck there, then let him go his way and fall a prey to the mud... If one falls into the water and drowns, then let him go his way and fall a prey to the sea…. “

This idea that the person himself chooses to stay or leave the Mandaean religion gives rise to the reason why they did not actively seek converts, demand a state or national religion, or have viewpoints that all other religions must be persecuted or destroyed so only theirs remain. Mandaeism is a religion that you come to freely because you as want to. But just because the Mandaean did not actively seek converts, they were at one time welcomed into the religion based on such traditions like Miriai.

In returning to our story of Miriai, the author, at this a point introduces a “white eagle”. Then the “eagle” instructs the “birds” to hold fast to Miriai. In other words to remain steadfast in their devotion and loyalty to the Mandaean religion of which Miriai represents. The “eagle” also has come to heal Miriai, the religion, with the water he brings. The “eagle” is “healing” the religion through the “water”, which must be the baptisms. We also now have the appearance of “plants” which I believe are representative of the Mandaean priesthood for they stand in the water. The “plants” double in size the Mandaean priesthood grows as new Mandaean priests are inducted. The “plants” also produce “good fruits” which are the congregations of the “plants”.

“Well for you, ye birds, who hold fast to this, vine (here): you become a, companionship of Miryai the vine, who stands at the mouth of Euphrates… I have come to heal Miryai (come) to bring water to the good, beloved plants, to the vines, who stand at the mouth of Euphrates. In a white pail I draw water and bring it to my plants. I bear and I hold (it) on the arms of glory, which are my own. I bear and I hold (it) and give (them) to drink. Well for him who has drunk of my water. He drinks, finds healing and confirmation, and grows to double (his stature). The vines who drank water, brought forth good fruit. Their leaves turned on high and made a brave show. The branches, which drank no water, brought forth bitter herbs and wormwood”

This idea that the person himself chooses to stay or leave the Mandaean religion gives rise to the reason why they did not actively seek converts, demand a state or national religion, or have viewpoints that all other religions must be persecuted or destroyed so only theirs remain. Mandaeism is a religion that you come to freely because you as want to. But just because the Mandaean did not actively seek converts, they were at one time welcomed into the religion based on such traditions like Miriai.

In returning to our story of Miriai, the author, at this a point introduces a “white eagle”. Then the “eagle” instructs the “birds” to hold fast to Miriai. In other words to remain steadfast in their devotion and loyalty to the Mandaean religion of which Miriai represents. The “eagle” also has come to heal Miriai, the religion, with the water he brings. The “eagle” is “healing” the religion through the “water”, which must be the baptisms. We also now have the appearance of “plants” which I believe are representative of the Mandaean priesthood. The “plants” double in size the Mandaean priesthood grows as new Mandaean priests are inducted. The “plants” also produce “good fruits”; which could be the congregations of the “plants”.

At the end of the story Miriai has now evolved into Simiat Hiia- the Treasure of Life- an uthra. The eagle leaves reminding the “birds” to hold fast to Miriai and to endure persecution.

“They hated Life's Treasure House: Miryai, the dear Truth…The eagle flew off from the tree: he wheeled round and instructed his friends. He speaks to them: "Give ear to me, my brothers! Stay fast and endure persecution. Be a companionship to Miryai.”

Introduction

Miriai from the Book of John
Miriai leaves Judaism
Miriai becomes a “Vine”
Miriai becomes a Mandaean Priest

The Prayers
#149
#162

A little Miriai here and there

Mary in Mandaean Literature

Conclusion

References