THE CANONICAL PRAYERBOOK OF THE MANDAEANS

Background information   from Drower Various sections of the Canonical Prayerbook Copyists BOOK OF SOULS  Prayers  1-31   MASIQTA  Prayers  32-72 The Letter ('ngirta)  Prayer 73    COLOPHON  #74   HYMNS OF PRAISE  Prayers 75-77 The Responses ('niania)  Prayers 78-103 The Rusma (Daily Ablution Prayers)--Prayer 104 ASIET MALKIA  Prayer 105 Rahmia (Daily Devotional Prayers)--Prayers 106-168      Colophon 169     Tab Taba Ltabia (the full Commemoration prayer forthe dead and living--Prayer  170      Hymns of Praise--Prayers 171-172      Sumhata (The Names)--Prayers 173-176      Little New Year's Feast Prayer--Prayer 177      Prayers for honoring the crown--Prayer 178     Hymns of marriage and a new priest (including the series Kt Azil Bhira Dakia--  Prayer 179-198      Colophon 199     Prayers 200-283    Colophon 284      Prayers 285-304     Coronation Prayers and hymns (including two for  myrtle)-- Prayers 305-328       Colophon 329 BANNER HYMNS  Prayers 330- 347     Blessed Oblation Prayers and Hymns--Prayers 348- 374   Blessings on the chief celebrant after Blessed Oblation--      Prayers 375-381     Myrtle prayers and hymns--Prayers 382-385      Various prayers 386-409      Prayer of Yahia--Prayer 410      Odd hymns--411- 412

Prayer 163

In the name of the Great Life Sublime Light be magnified! On Sunday, on the chief of days, Who saw that which I have seen? Who saw Manda-d-Hiia who set out and came to the world? He set out and came to the world and three ‘uthras came with him. When he had put on a robe of radiance and light Thrown over his shoulders, An ether-wreath he set on his head And he set it on all his kin. On Sunday, on the chief of days Who hath seen that which I have seen? Who saw the Stranger who went And stayed at the house of his friends? I, who saw the Stranger, Mine eyes were filled with His light Mine eyes with light were filled And knowledge (manda) dwelt in my heart In my heart knowledge dwelt And my mouth filled with his praise; His praise filled my mouth. And I arose, and I praise my Father. I arose and (gave?) praises to my Father From dawn until the decline of day I praised His great radiance And I praised his lovely light: And I praised my father Yušamin the Pure, The being who dwelleth on the water-springs. I praised the four beings sons of salvation, Beings who grasp the hand in troth Praises to the great First Palmtree! From it I brought me garments, Garments I brought me from it So that the good might come and clothe themselves. Praise my Lord, Manda-d-Hiia, Who will be my support in the world, A support in the world will He be to me And His hand will help me To the Place of light. Blessed and victorious is Life And victorious the man who went hence.