Description:

240 BC

THE PAPYRUS OF ANI

THE EGYPTIAN BOOK OF THE DEAD

Translated by E.A. Wallis Budge

 

Part 7

  What is this?

  "It is Amentet, [that is to say] the creation ofthe souls of the

gods when Osiris was leader in Set-Amentet.

  "Others, however, say that it is the Amentet which Ra hath given

unto me; when any god cometh he must rise up and fight for it.

  "I know the god who dwelleth therein."

  Who is this?

  "It is Osiris. Others, however, say that his name is Ra, and that

the god who dwelleth in Amentet is the phallus of Ra, wherewith he had

union with himself.

  "I am the Benu bird which is in Anu. I am the keeper of the volume

of the book (the Tablet of Destiny) of the things which have been

made, and of the things which shall be made."

  Who is this?

  "It is Osiris.

  "Others, however, say that it is the dead body of Osiris, and yet

others say that it is the excrement of Osiris. The things which have

been made, and the things which shall be made [refer to] the dead body

of Osiris. Others again say that the things which have been made are

Eternity, and the things which shall be made are Everlastingness,

and that Eternity is the Day, and Everlastingness the Night.

  "I am the god Menu in his coming forth; may his two plumes be set on

my head for me."

  Who is this?

  "Menu is Horis, the Advocate of his father [Osiris], and his

coming forth means his birth. The two plumes on his head are Isis

and Nephthys, when these goddesses go forth and set themselves

thereon, and when they act as his protectors, and when they provide

that which his head lacketh.

  "Others, however, say that the two plumes are the two exceedingly

large uraei which are upon the head of their father Tem, and there are

yet others who say that the two plumes which are upon the head of Menu

are his two eyes.

  "The Osiris the scribe Ani, whose word is true, the registrar of all

the offerings which are made to the gods, riseth up and cometh into

his city."