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

THE CANONICAL PRAYERBOOK OF THE MANDAEANS

The Book of Souls (Baptism Liturgy)

Prayer 2

("Illumined and illuminating ") Illumined and illuminating is Zihrun, the great Mystery of radiance, light and glory, from whom Manda-d-Hiia emanated and was divulged, and from whose very Self noble sons of the mighty and sublime Life proceeded. He created 'uthras at his right and his left and installed them in their own škintas. And they gave out light and were effulgent in their own raiment and gloried in the knowledge that their Father had transplanted them from the House of Life. And it is incumbent on a pupil to honour his Master like his parents, (so) the 'uthras rose on (their ?) thrones of radiance, light and glory and took off the crowns on their heads and placed them on the thrones of radiance, light and glory, saying, "A teacher is superior to parents! Rise, our Father, in praise, and lay on me Thy hand of truth and Thy great right hand of healings!" And Life be praised!