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 164

In the name of the Great Life Sublime Light be magnified! I beheld a mountain, White as the congregation  that had formed itself on it. The day on which a wind breathes (over it?) Nations delight in its perfume. The day on which the wind holds the valleys They are illumined by its radiance. When standing at my place, I made a great request, A boon. I said “Grant me that from my mountain-home And from the home of the great company that (dwelleth?) therein There may be (brought?) a Healer of souls; A Healer there may be for souls Who healeth but taketh no fee”. As I was standing at my place The boon I had asked was granted me, Granted me from the mountain-home, From the home of the great community therein. I became a healer for souls! I became a healer for souls Who healeth but taketh no fee. I set forth, came and reached The gates of Babylon. Of the children of Babylon There were some who shut their doors on seeing me: There were those who shut tbeir doors. And there were those who opened their doors. Those who shut their doors Hated life and loved death, They loved death and hated life And will be held back in the Abode of Darkness. Those who opened their doors Loved Life and hated Death, They hated Death and loved Life. They will rise up in purity And will behold the Place of Light. Life is extolled, Life is victorious And victorious is the man who went hence.