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A hymn to Bau's beneficent protective goddess (Bau A)

Sumerian literature (ETCSL) · 4 - Hymns and cult songs · 96 sections

1. gap

   (unknown no. of lines missing)

2. A.1

   […] X […] […]

   (3 lines fragmentary) Let us …… praise (?) you, the beneficent protective goddess of Bau.

3. A.2

   […] X […] […]

4. A.3

   […] X X […] X […] […]

5. A.4

   [{d}lamma] sag9-ga {d}ba-u2 mi2-bi X X ⌈ga⌉-mu-u8-de3-⌈en⌉ —

6. A.5

   X X X X ? a kar-ra X […] […] i-qa2-ab-⌈bu⌉-[u2 …]

   (3 lines fragmentary) She does not ……. She does not go to the rich …… nor ……. She does not ……. The barge of Suen as it proceeds -- lady, is not yours as beautiful? The joyous symbol of Inana -- protective goddess, is not yours as attractive? Let us …… praise (?) you, the beneficent protective goddess of Bau.

7. A.6

   X X X X ib2-be2-a a kar-ra X […] […] i-qa2-ab-⌈bu⌉-u2 X […]

8. A.7

   X X DU ĝiškim-til3 ? saĝ ? X […] […] a-?-ki-šu ta-ki-⌈il⌉-[…]

9. A.8

   X X NI ? šu nu-la2-e-da usu i3-X […] [X X] X X [X] X u2-ul i-ša-X X […]

10. A.9

    X ? niĝ2-tuk-u3 ⌈nu⌉-[X]-X-du šu nu-la2-e-[da] a-na ša-⌈ri⌉-im u2-⌈ul⌉ il-la-ak X […]

11. A.10

    X LA2 X nu-X X [X] X-da dug3-ga DI X X u2-⌈ul⌉ [X X] KI-it-ti X ŠA NU X […]

12. A.11

    ma2-gur8 {d}suen ⌈sud-sud⌉ [nin] a-na-zu nu-zil2-zil2-i [e]-le-pu [X X]-tum ša i-ša-ad-de3-ḫu ⌈NIN mi⌉-[in-ki la X]

13. A.12

    an-ti-bal ul gur3-ru [{d}]lamma a-na-zu nu-sag9 [X] X X [X ul]-ṣa na-ši-a-at {d}LAMA ⌈mi⌉-[in-ki la X]

14. A.13

    [{d}lamma] sag9-ga {d}ba-u2 mi2-⌈bi⌉ <X X ga-mu-u8-de3-en> [{d}LAMA da-mi-iq]-⌈tum⌉ ša {d}ba-u2 [te-ek-ni-tum] —

15. A.14

    […] ĝiš-ta du-a-ni […]-ši a-⌈la⌉-[ki-ša]

    (8 lines missing or fragmentary) ……, daily …… at her feet. My lady, at his right side you …… your good …… towards him. …… full of glory -- lady, is not yours as beautiful? …… magnificently in the Land -- protective goddess, is not yours as attractive? Let us …… praise (?) you, the beneficent protective goddess of Bau.

16. A.15

    […] X X X […] […] X X X […]

17. A.16

    […] […] X X X X X

18. A.17

    […] […] X i-na i-di-šu ša-ki-[in]

19. A.18

    […] [… ta-ad]-di-ni-šum-ma

20. A.19

    […] […] ta-na-ad-di

21. A.20

    […] la-ba-ni10-ni10 ⌈?⌉ […]-pa-at-su2 X X ?-nu u2-ul i-ik-lu5-šu

22. A.21

    […] X ? ?-un-da-ab-dub ⌈?⌉-[X X (X)] X-ak-nu-šum-ma a-na ša-a-ši-im i-ik-mi-i-is-si2-X

23. A.22

    […] ud šu2-uš ĝiri3-X i3-im-X ? ak X ? šar-ru u4-mi-ša a-na še-pi-ša ša-pi-ik

24. A.23

    […] X dug3-zu nin-ĝu10 im-mi-in-ši-X i-na i-mi-it-ti-? X X-ki ṭa-ba-am be-el-ti i-ZA-[…]

25. A.24

    [X X (X)] ⌈giri17⌉-zal sug4 nin a-na-zu nu-zil2-zil2-i bi-it ni-gu-tim ša ta-ši-il-tam ma-lu-u2 NIN mi-in-ki ⌈la⌉ [X]

26. A.25

    [X X] X maḫ kalam-ma {d}lamma a-na-zu nu-sag9 u4-um ri-ša-tim ṣi2-rum ša ma-ti {d}LAMA mi-in-ki la [X]

27. A.26

    {d}lamma sag9-ga {d}ba-u2 mi2-bi <X X ga-mu-u8-de3-en> {d}LAMA da-mi-iq-tum ša {d}ba-u2 te-ek-⌈ni⌉-[tum]

28. A.27

    munus zid nin šu tab-ba til3 mu2-da-ni i3-dug4-ga MUNUS ZID ru-ba-tum ka-mi-is-tum ša ba-la-as-sa3 ⌈iq⌉-[…]

    Good woman, prayerful lady for whom has been decreed the creation of life -- each day as she goes about, conversing, from early in the morning she is to be …… at her side with honour. Your name fills the mouth like cakes, butter and cream. Whatever she brings from the street and the beer she brews are of the best quality. She instructs people to provide her with the best produce of her orchards. As a daily task, she inspects the shrine Ĝirsu. Daily she passes before you in radiance.

29. A.28

    ud me-da DU.DU inim bal-bal-e-da-ni i-na ma-ti-ma i-na a-tal2-lu-ki i-na at-⌈wi⌉-[i-ša]

30. A.29

    a2-gu2-zig3-ta zur-zur-re-eš2 zag-ga-na šub-bu-dam i-na ki-ma še-er-tim i-na ku-te-en-ni-i zu-X X a-⌈na⌉ [X X]

31. A.30

    mu-zu gug2 i3 ga-gin7 ka-ge mu-na-ab-si-a šum-ki ki-ma ku-uk-ki šam-ni u3 lil2-di pi-a-am ma-[X-X]

32. A.31

    niĝ2 silasi-la2-ta de6de-a-na kaš sur-ra-na saĝ-bi mi-im-ma ša iš-tu su2-qi2-im i-na ba-ba-li-ša rex(SIPAD)-eš-ti [X X]

33. A.32

    pu2-kiri6-na niĝ2 saĝ-bi ḫa-ma-na-DU im-me-e-a ša re-e-eš ĜIŠ.SAR-ša lu-ḫir-ši-im i-qa2-ab-⌈bi⌉

34. A.33

    a2 ud-da eš3 ĝir2-su2{ki} igi mu-ri-ib-du8-am3 u4-mi-ša i-na bi-tim gir-ši-im i-na-aṭ-ṭa-[al]

35. A.34

    ud šu2-uš-e zalag-ga-ni igi-zu-še3 mu-ni-ib-dib-dib-a u4-mi-ša ⌈nam⌉-ri-iš i-na maḫ-ri-ki i-[ta-al-la-ak]

36. A.35

    {d}⌈lamma⌉ X lu2-ulu3-ba dam a-a-še3 mu-na-e-šum2 {d}LAMA a-na a-wi-il-tim ša-a-ti mu-tam ki-ma [a-bi ta-ad-di-ni-šim-ma]

    Protective goddess, …… you have given this person a husband in place of a father. You have given her a husband in place of a father, you have given her a son in place of a smallholding. (2 lines fragmentary) (unknown no. of lines missing)

37. A.36

    [dam a-a-še3 mu-na]-e-šum2 dumu a-šag4 šukur2-še3 mu-na-e-šum2 mu-tam ki-ma a-bi ta-ad-di-ni-šim-ma […]

38. A.37

    […] X inim in-de2 lu2 i3-DU bi-X-sa3 u2-X-ma mi-im-ma X X […]

39. A.38

    […] X šum2 X X X niĝ2-su-ub ak-a MUNUS X […]

40. gap

    (unknown no. of lines missing)

41. B.1

    munus zid {d}utu kalam-ma diĝir-ĝa2 me-teš2 ga-i-i

    I shall praise the good woman, the Utu of the Land, my goddess. Mother Bau's august minister, who creates life for the king! Holy messenger who brings the tablet of life down from the interior of heaven, who sets rain on its way (?) from heaven, and brings forth abundance! Expeditious, an honour to Bau and an ornament of the holy shrine, protective goddess of those who pray to Bau, …… -- because you love mankind and rejoice at its gifts, let us forever praise (?) you, the beneficent protective goddess of Bau.

42. B.2

    sukkal-maḫ ama {d}ba-u2 zi lugal-la u3-tud

43. B.3

    ra-gaba kug an-šag4-ta dub nam-til3-la an-ed3!(ITI.DU)-de3

44. B.4

    im an-ta ĝiri3-a DU ḫe2-ĝal2 ! e3!(DUL.DU)

45. B.5

    saĝ šum2 mu-X-ḫi-iš-tum me-te {d}ba-u2 itima kug-ga ḫe2-du7-bi-im

46. B.6

    {d}lamma lu2 sizkur-ra {d}ba-u2 ur2-saĝ ḪI ZA ?

47. B.7

    nam-lu2-u18-lu ki aĝ2 niĝ2-ba-bi ḫul2-le-za

48. B.8

    {d}lamma sag9-ga {d}ba-u2 mi2-bi su3-ud-še3 ga-mu-e-i-i-de3-en

49. B.9

    X saĝ sig7 ḫi-li gur3-ru ?-? {na4}za-gin3-a

    …… with a lovely head, full of beauty, …… of lapis lazuli, lovely ……, giving advice, radiant in prayer (?), (1 line fragmentary) …… may she favour the king. (1 line fragmentary) (unknown no. of lines missing)

50. B.10

    […] sig7-ga umuš ĝar šita-e gun3-gun3gu2-?

51. B.11

    […] DU X X MA RU X IGI X ? IB

52. B.12

    […] lugal-! ḫe2-em-ši-ni-ĝal2

53. B.13

    […] X ?-bu-zu lal3 X […]

54. gap

    (unknown no. of lines missing)

55. C.1

    […] X X ? X RU X […]

    (2 lines fragmentary) ……, good woman, my protective goddess, let us forever praise (?) you, the beneficent protective goddess of Bau.

56. C.2

    […] X gen6-na UD-UD MA KA

57. C.3

    […]-ra munus zid {d}lamma-ĝu10

58. C.4

    [{d}lamma sag9-ga {d}ba-u2] ⌈mi2⌉-bi su3-ud-še3 ga-mu-e-i-i-de3-en

59. C.5

    […] ? ? ? ŠE3 la2-a i-im-me ZA UD DU UR4 ak

    (1 line fragmentary) respected one, beloved of Bau, lady …… true cream, (1 line unclear) As is fitting, she lets Lord Ig-alim have the sceptre. Just woman, my protective goddess, lady -- because you ……, let us forever praise (?) you, the beneficent protective goddess of Bau, the lady who …… food and drink and …… in abundance, who from the dwelling place of the abzu's abundance speaks in a noble voice in its …….

60. C.6

    nir-ĝal2 ki aĝ2 {d}ba-u2 nin X saĝ ga zid-da-ke4

61. C.7

    !-ra-ni-ib-X ?-?-?-ra nin BA AL GIM DU.DU-da

62. C.8

    en {d}ig-alim-ma-ke4 ĝidru-bi ḫu-mu-ĝal2 me-teš2-bi

63. C.9

    munus zid {d}lamma-ĝu10 nin nam gu3 de2-a-za

64. C.10

    {d}lamma sag9-ga {d}ba-u2 mi2-bi su3-ud-še3 ga-mu-e-i-i-de3-en

65. C.11

    nin gu7 naĝ KA ? X X nam-ḫe2-a zu2 keše2 i

66. C.12

    ki-tuš ḫe2-ĝal2 abzu-ta DIN-bi-a gu3 nun di —

67. gap

    (unknown no. of lines missing)

68. D.1

    {d}lamma-ĝu10 ⌈nin⌉ […]

    My protective goddess, lady ……, good woman encouraging celebration and listening to words of prayer, guiding fine speech and tongues, lady who loves the truth, august minister of Mother Bau, with silver lips, directing …… and …… ears and cheeks! Good woman, my protective goddess, your appearance unmatchable, my ……, let us forever praise (?) you.

69. D.2

    munus zid giri17-zal il2-il2-i šudu3 inim-ma [ĝiš tuku]

70. D.3

    inim dug3 eme si sa2 nin niĝ2-gen6-e ki ⌈aĝ2⌉-X

71. D.4

    ⌈sukkal⌉-maḫ ama {d}ba-u2 ? kug-babbar-ra-ke4

72. D.5

    X si sa2 ĝeštug me-ze2 UD-UD-e SI A

73. D.6

    munus zid {d}lamma-ĝu10 ulutim2 lu2 nu-sig10-ge5-zu

74. D.7

    igi X X TI-ĝu10 mi2-bi su3-ud-še3 ga-mu-u8-en-de3-en —

75. D.8

    kuš X me a dadag-ga sag9-ga gal-bi dirig-ga-am3

    Completely filling the …… with clear and good water, (1 line fragmentary) …… a very fine …… of woven wool, covered with šuba ornaments, …… a woollen …… thighs, rising up like ……, with limbs as bright as daylight, exuding opulence like a ……, with fine forearms, fit for the ……, …… fingers of silver, …… nir stone, …… the palace! Good woman, my protective goddess, your appearance unmatchable, let us forever praise (?) you.

76. D.9

    AD ZA X X ? X ḪU NE zi-pa-aĝ2 X [X] X X

77. D.10

    X sal-sal siki sur-sur GAR3 mun-na ? X ? [X X (X)]

78. D.11

    ⌈unu2⌉ šuba sud-sud zag-še siki […]

79. D.12

    X ZI-gin7 il2-il2-i a2-ur2 ud-gin7 zalag-⌈!⌉-[ga-am3]

80. D.13

    X X ŠE3-⌈?⌉-gin7 la-la-ĝal2 a2-diš-kuš3 ⌈sal⌉-[la-am3]

81. D.14

    X-ge KA tum2-ma šu-si kug-babbar […]

82. D.15

    [{na4}]nir7 SUM […]

83. D.16

    [X] ?-gal X UN […]

84. D.17

    [munus] zid {d}lamma-ĝu10 ⌈ulutim2⌉ lu2 nu-sig10-⌈ge5⌉-[zu]

85. D.18

    [mi2]-bi su3-ud-še3 ga-mu-u8-⌈en-de3⌉-[en] —

86. D.19

    sukkal niĝ2 nu-ḫa-lam-e nin ki ur5 ⌈sag9⌉ […]

    Minister who forgets nothing, lady who …… the place that soothes the spirit, …… a patient heart, (1 line fragmentary) with broad hips ……, seemly ……, your name …… like a ……, ……, lady …… like a …….

87. D.20

    šag4 sud TA ? GIM DU LI […]

88. D.21

    ? {ĝiš}? ŠU RI A TUM TI TA […]

89. D.22

    ib2-ib2 daĝal u2 X (X) MA […] me-te-ĝal2

90. D.23

    mu-zu X X-gin7 NA MUNUS […] X nu-NUNUZ-a

91. D.24

    niĝ2 šu DI SI SAR-SAR nin X X X-gin7 la2 —

92. D.25

    ? sal-la KA tuku4-tuku4-e

    (1 line unclear) Good woman, my protective goddess -- because you …… the statue, let us forever praise (?) you who …… like cream and butter (?). (unknown no. of lines missing)

93. D.26

    munus zid {d}lamma-ĝu10 ⌈alan⌉ šu-a gi4-a-za

94. D.27

    [mi2]-⌈bi su3⌉-ud-še3 ga-mu-u8-en-de3-en

95. D.28

    […] ga i3-ti-ir-da-gin7 ? lu-ug-ge

96. gap

    (unknown no. of lines missing)

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.