Inana's descent to the nether world

Sumerian literature (ETCSL) · 1 - Narrative and mythological compositions · 440 sections

1
an gal-ta ki gal-še3 ĝeštug2-ga-ni na-an-⌈gub⌉
From the great heaven she set her mind on the great below. From the great heaven the goddess set her mind on the great below. From the great heaven Inana set her mind on the great below. My mistress abandoned heaven, abandoned earth, and descended to the underworld. Inana abandoned heaven, abandoned earth, and descended to the underworld.
2
diĝir an gal-ta ki gal-še3 ĝeštug2-ga-ni na-an-[gub]
3
{d}inana an gal-[ta ki gal-še3] ĝeštug2-ga-ni na-an-[gub]
4
nin-ĝu10 an mu-un-šub ki mu-un-šub kur-ra ba-e-a-ed3
5
{d}inana an mu-un-šub ki mu-un-šub kur-ra ba-e-a-ed3
6
nam-en mu-un-šub nam-lagar mu-un-šub kur-ra ba-e-a-ed3
She abandoned the office of en, abandoned the office of lagar, and descended to the underworld. She abandoned the E-ana in Unug, and descended to the underworld. She abandoned the E-muš-kalama in Bad-tibira, and descended to the underworld. She abandoned the Giguna in Zabalam, and descended to the underworld. She abandoned the E-šara in Adab, and descended to the underworld. She abandoned the Barag-dur-ĝara in Nibru, and descended to the underworld. She abandoned the Ḫursaĝ-kalama in Kiš, and descended to the underworld. She abandoned the E-Ulmaš in Agade, and descended to the underworld. She abandoned the Ibgal in Umma, and descended to the underworld. She abandoned the E-Dilmuna in Urim, and descended to the underworld. She abandoned the Amaš-e-kug in Kisiga, and descended to the underworld. She abandoned the E-ešdam-kug in Ĝirsu, and descended to the underworld. She abandoned the E-šeg-meše-du in Isin, and descended to the underworld. She abandoned the Anzagar in Akšak, and descended to the underworld. She abandoned the Niĝin-ĝar-kug in Šuruppag, and descended to the underworld. She abandoned the E-šag-ḫula in Kazallu, and descended to the underworld.
7
unug{ki}-ga e2-an-na mu-un-šub kur-ra ba-e-a-ed3
8
bad3-⌈tibira⌉{ki}-a e2-muš3-kalam-ma mu-un-šub kur-ra ba-[e-a]-ed3
9
zabalam{ki}-a gi-gun4{ki}-na mu-un-šub kur-ra ba-e-a-ed3
10
adab{ki}-a e2-šar-ra mu-un-šub kur-ra ba-e-a-ed3
11
nibru{ki}-a barag-dur2-ĝar-ra mu-un-šub [kur-ra ba-e-a-ed3]
12
kiš{ki}-a ḫur-saĝ-kalam-ma mu-un-šub kur-ra ba-e-[a-ed3]
13
a-ga-de3{ki}-a e2-ul-maš{ki} mu-un-šub kur-a ba-e-a-ed3
13A
umma{ki}-a ib-gal mu-un-šub <kur-ra ba-e-a-ed3>
13B
urim2{ki}-ma e2-dilmun-na mu-un-šub <kur-ra ba-e-a-ed3>
13C
kisiga{ki}-a amaš-e2-kug mu-un-šub <kur-ra ba-e-a-ed3>
13D
ĝir2-su{ki}-a e2-eš2-dam-kug mu-un-šub <kur-ra ba-e-a-ed3>
13E
i3-si-in-na{ki} e2-šeg12-me-še3-du7 mu-un-šub <kur-ra ba-e-a-ed3>
13F
akšak{ki}-a an-za-gar3 mu-un-šub <kur-ra ba-e-a-ed3>
13G
šuruppag{ki}-e niĝin3-ĝar-kug mu-un-šub <kur-ra ba-e-a-ed3>
13H
ka-zal-lu{ki} e2-šag4-ḫul2-la mu-un-šub <kur-ra ba-e-a-ed3>
14
me 7-bi zag mu-ni-in-keše2
She took the seven divine powers. She collected the divine powers and grasped them in her hand. With the good divine powers, she went on her way. She put a turban, headgear for the open country, on her head. She took a wig for her forehead. She hung small lapis-lazuli beads around her neck.
15
me mu-un-ur4-ur4 šu-ni-še3 mu-un-la2
16
me dug3 ĝiri3 gub-ba i-im-ĝen
17
tug2-šu-gur-ra men edin-na saĝ-ĝa2-na mu-un-ĝal2
18
ḫi-li saĝ-ki-na šu ba-ni-in-ti
19
{na4}za-gin3 di4-di4-la2 gu2-na ba-an-la2
20
na4-nunuz tab-ba gaba-na ba-ni-in-si
She placed twin egg-shaped beads on her breast. She covered her body with a pala dress, the garment of ladyship. She placed mascara which is called "Let a man come, let him come" on her eyes. She pulled the pectoral which is called "Come, man, come" over her breast. She placed a golden ring on her hand. She held the lapis-lazuli measuring rod and measuring line in her hand.
21
{tug2}pala3 tug2 nam-nin-a bar-ra-na ba-an-dul
22
šembizid lu2 ḫe2-em-du ḫe2-em-du igi-na ba-ni-in-ĝar
23
tu-di-da lu2 ĝa2-nu ĝa2-nu gaba-na ba-an-gid2
24
ḫar kug-sig17 šu-na ba-an-du8
25
gi-diš-nindan eš2-gana2 za-gin3 šu ba-ni-in-du8
26
{d}inana kur-še3 i-im-ĝen
Inana travelled towards the underworld. Her minister Ninšubur travelled behind her.
27
sukkal-a-ni {d}ga-ša-an-šubur-ra eĝer-a-na i-im-ĝen
28
kug {d}inana-ke4 {d}nin-šubur-ra gu3 mu-na-de2-e
Holy Inana said to Ninšubur: Come my faithful minister of E-ana, my minister who speaks fair words, my escort who speaks trustworthy words I am going to give you instructions: my instructions must be followed; I am going to say something to you: it must be observed .
29
ĝa2-nu sukkal zid e2-an-na-ĝu10
30
sukkal e-ne-eĝ3 sag9-sag9-ga-ĝu10
31
ra-gaba e-ne-eĝ3 ge-en-gen6-na-ĝu10
30A
[na] ga-e-de5 na de5-ĝu10 ⌈ḫe2⌉-[dab5]
31A
[inim] ga-ra-ab-dug4 ĝizzal [ḫe2-em-ši-ak]
32
ud-da kur-še3 ed3-de3-en
On this day I will descend to the underworld. When I have arrived in the underworld, make a lament for me on the ruin mounds. Beat the drum for me in the sanctuary. Make the rounds of the houses of the gods for me.
33
ud-da kur-še3 ĝen-na-ĝu10-ne
34
er2 du6-du6-dam mar-mar-ma-ni-ib
35
šem3 gu2-en-na du12-du12-a-ma-ni-ib
36
[e2] diĝir-re-e-ne niĝin2-niĝin2-na-ma-ni-ib
37
[i-bi2-zu] ḫur-ma-ab giri17-zu ḫur-ma-ab
Lacerate your eyes for me, lacerate your nose for me. Lacerate your ears for me, in public. In private, lacerate your buttocks for me. Like a pauper, clothe yourself in a single garment and all alone set your foot in the E-kur, the house of Enlil.
37A
[ĝeštug2 ki] u6 di-zu [ḫur-ma-ab]
38
ki mu-lu-da nu-di ḫaš4-gal-zu ḫur-ma-ab
39
mu-lu nu-tuku-gin7 tug2 dili-a mur10-ma-ab
40
e2-kur-re e2 {d}mu-ul-lil2-la2-še3 me-ri-zu dili [gub-mu-un]
41
[e2]-kur-re e2 {d}mu-ul-lil2-la2-še3 ku4-ku4-da-zu-ne
When you have entered the E-kur, the house of Enlil, lament before Enlil: Father Enlil, don't let anyone kill your daughter in the underworld. Don't let your precious metal be alloyed there with the dirt of the underworld. Don't let your precious lapis lazuli be split there with the mason's stone. Don't let your boxwood be chopped up there with the carpenter's wood. Don't let young lady Inana be killed in the underworld.
42
i-bi2 {d}mu-ul-lil2-la2-še3 er2 šeš2-a
43
[a-a] {d}mu-ul-lil2 du5-mu-zu mu-lu kur-ra nam-ba-da-an-gam-e
44
kug sag9-ga-zu saḫar kur-ra-ka nam-ba-da-ab-šar2-re
45
za-gin3 sag9-ga-zu za zadim-ma-ka nam-ba-da-an-si-il-si-il
46
{ĝiš}taškarin-zu ĝiš nagar-ra-ka nam-ba-an-dar-dar-e
47
ki-sikil {d}ga-ša-an-na kur-ra nam-ba-da-an-gam-e
48
ud-da {d}mu-ul-lil2 e-ne-eĝ3-ba nu-ri-gub urim2{ki}-še3 ĝen-na
If Enlil does not help you in this matter, go to Urim. In the E-mud-kura at Urim, when you have entered the E-kiš-nu-ĝal, the house of Nanna, lament before Nanna: Father Nanna, don't let anyone kill your daughter in the underworld. Don't let your precious metal be alloyed there with the dirt of the underworld. Don't let your precious lapis lazuli be split there with the mason's stone. Don't let your boxwood be chopped up there with the carpenter's wood. Don't let young lady Inana be killed in the underworld.
49
urim2{ki} e2-mud-kur-ra-ka
50
[e2]-kiš-[nu]-ĝal2 {d}nanna-še3 ku4-ku4-da-[zu]-ne
51
[i]-bi2 {d}nanna-še3 er2 šeš2-a
52
[a]-a {d}nanna du5-mu-zu mu-lu kur-ra [nam-ba-da]-an-gam-e
53
[kug sag9-ga]-zu saḫar kur-ra-ka nam-ba-da-ab-[šar2]-re
54
[za-gin3] sag9-ga-zu za zadim-ma-ka nam-ba-da-an-si-il-si-il
55
[{ĝiš}taškarin-zu] ĝiš nam-nagar-[ra-ka] nam-ba-da-an-dar-dar-[re]
56
ki-⌈sikil⌉ ⌈{d}⌉ga-[ša-an-na] [kur-ra nam-ba]-da-an-gam-e
57
ud-⌈da⌉ ⌈{d}⌉nanna e-ne-eĝ3-[ba] [nu-ri-gub] uru2-ze2-eb{ki}-še3 ĝen-na
And if Nanna does not help you in this matter, go to Eridug. In Eridug, when you have entered the house of Enki, lament before Enki: Father Enki, don't let anyone kill your daughter in the underworld. Don't let your precious metal be alloyed there with the dirt of the underworld. Don't let your precious lapis lazuli be split there with the mason's stone. Don't let your boxwood be chopped up there with the carpenter's wood. Don't let young lady Inana be killed in the underworld.
58
uru2-ze2-eb{ki} e2 {d}am-[an-ki-ka3-še3] [ku4-ku4-da-zu]-ne
59
[i-bi2] {d}am-an-ki-ka3-še3 er2 šeš2-am3
60
a-a {d}am-an-ki du5-mu-zu mu-lu kur-ra nam-ba-da-an-gam-e
61
kug sag9-ga-zu saḫar kur-ra-ka nam-ba-da-ab-[šar2-re]
62
za-gin3 sag9-ga-zu za zadim-ma-ka nam-ba-da-an-[si-il-si]-il
63
{ĝiš}taškarin-zu ĝiš nagar-ra-ka nam-ba-da-an-dar-[dar-re]
64
ki-sikil {d}ga-ša-an-na kur-ra nam-ba-da-an-gam-e
65
a-a {d}am-an-ki u3-mu-un mu-uš-<ĝiš>-tug2 <da>-ma-al-la-ke4
Father Enki, the lord of great wisdom, knows about the life-giving plant and the life-giving water. He is the one who will restore me to life.
66
u2 nam-til3-la mu-un-zu a nam-til3-la mu-un-zu
67
e-ne ma-ra ḫu-mu-un-til3-le-en
68
{d}inana kur-še3 ĝen-⌈na⌉-[ni-ta]
When Inana travelled on towards the underworld, her minister Ninšubur travelled on behind her. She said to her minister Ninšubur: Go now, my Ninšubur, and pay attention. Don't neglect the instructions I gave you.
69
sukkal-a-ni {d}nin-šubur-ra-ke4 eĝer-a-ni i3-[im-ĝen]
70
sukkal-a-ni {d}nin-šubur-ra gu3 mu-na-[de2-e]
71
ĝen-na {d}ga-ša-an-šubur-ĝu10 saĝ [keše2 ḫe2-ak]
72
e-ne-<eĝ3> a-ra-dug4-ga-ĝu10 gu2-zu la-ba-ši-šub
73
{d}inana e2-gal ganzer-še3 um-ma-te
When Inana arrived at the palace Ganzer, she pushed aggressively on the door of the underworld. She shouted aggressively at the gate of the underworld: Open up, doorman, open up. Open up, Neti, open up. I am all alone and I want to come in.
74
{ĝiš}ig kur-ra-ka šu ḫul ba-an-us2
75
abula kur-ra-ka gu3 ḫul ba-an-de2
76
e2 ĝal2-u3 i3-du8 e2 ĝal2-u3
77
e2 ĝal2-u3 {d}ne-ti e2 ĝal2-u3 dili-ĝu10-še3 ga-kur9
78
{d}ne-ti i3-du8 gal kur-ra-ke4
Neti, the chief doorman of the underworld, answered holy Inana: Who are you? I am Inana going to the east. If you are Inana going to the east, why have you travelled to the land of no return? How did you set your heart on the road whose traveller never returns?
79
kug {d}inana inim mu-na-ni-ib-gi4-gi4
80
a-ba-me-en za-e
81
me-e {d}ga-ša-an!(na)-na ki {d}utu e3-a-aš
82
tukum-bi za-e {d}inana ki {d}utu e3-a-aš
83
a-na-am3 ba-du-un kur nu-gi4-še3
84
ḫar-ra-an lu2 du-bi nu-gi4-gi4-de3 šag4-zu a-gin7 tum2-mu-un
85
kug {d}inana-ke4 mu-na-ni-ib2-gi4-gi4
Holy Inana answered him: Because Lord Gud-gal-ana, the husband of my elder sister holy Ereškigala, has died; in order to have his funeral rites observed, she offers generous libations at his wake -- that is the reason.
86
nin9 gal-ĝu10 kug {d}ga-ša-an-ki-gal-la-ke4
87
mu dam-a-ni u3-mu-un gud-gal-an-na ba-an-ug5-ga
88
ki-sig10-ga-na i-bi2 du8-u3-de3
89
kaš ki-sig10-ga-na gu-ul ba-ni-in-de2 ur5 ḫe2-na-nam-ma

The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature (ETCSL), Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Oxford. Copyright holders: Jeremy Black, Graham Cunningham, Jarle Ebeling, Esther Flückiger-Hawker, Eleanor Robson, Jon Taylor and Gábor Zólyomi. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0. Source.