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 168

Upon the Beginning of the great Ether of Life And upon the great Source of Healings Do I, Adam-Yuhana son of Mahnuš, take stand. I have made prayer and submission to That great Primal Mana and the Treasure of Treasures, And to Bihrun, Kanfiel, Nsab and Anan-Nsab, To Sar and Sarwan, Tar and Tarwan, ‘Urfiel and Marfiel And to Arsapan, the Youth of tender years, And to Yawar-Tatgmur and to Haš-u-Praš The ‘uthra who is Nsab and Anan-Nsab, Bihram and the great Ram — Life is His name — Who receiveth prayer and praise And uplifteth it (them) to the Great Place of Light And to the Everlasting Abode. He will accept my prayer and praise, mine, Adam-Yuhana son of Mahnuš, And lift it up to the Great Place of Light And to the Everlasting Abode Into His own škinta; will uplift it and will not let Distortion or fault appear therein. And Life be praised!