← Home
The Egyptian Book of the Dead (Papyrus of Ani) · 208 of 357 · tr. E.A. Wallis Budge

Chapter 34 (part 1)

PLATE XXVII. life. O, I have made them to know the plans of the gods which Horus hath devised (55) at the bidding of his father Osiris. Hail, lord, thou most terrible and mighty soul! Let me come, even me, (56) let me lift myself up! I have opened and passed through the underworld. I have opened the paths of the warders (57) of heaven and of the warders of the earth. I have not been driven back by them; and I have lifted up thy face, O lord of eternity." Appendix: The following is the end of the LXXVIIIth chapter according to the Paris papyrus quoted by Naville ( Todtenbuch , Bd. I., Bl. 89, ll. 43-48):-- "Thou art exalted upon thy throne, O Osiris. Thou hearest joyful things, O Osiris. Thy, strength is vigorous, O Osiris. Thy head is bound to thy body, O Osiris. Thy brow is made firm, O Osiris. Thy heart is joyful. O be thou pleased to establish gladness for thy servants. Thou art stablished as a bull of Amenta. Thy son Horus is crowned king upon thy throne; all life is with him. Unto thy son are given millions of years, and the fear of him shall endure for untold ages. The company of the gods shall fear him. Unto thy son is given . . . . . . . . . of the company of the gods; he changeth not his word. Horus is the food and the altar. I go to unite myself unto [my] father; and deliverance cometh from [my] father, from [my] brother, and from the friend of Horus. Horus is in the following of his father. He dwelleth amid decay. He ruleth Khem. To thy son have the gods given the crown of millions of years, and for millions of years it maketh him to live in the eye [of Horus], the single eye of the god [which is called] Nebt-er-tcher, the queen of the gods." Vignette: The deceased kneeling, with both hands raised in adoration, before three gods. Text [CHAPTER LXXIX.]: (I) THE CHAPTER OF BEING AMONG THE COMPANY OF THE GODS AND OF BEING CHANGED INTO THE (2) PRINCE OF THE GODLIKE RULERS. [The deceased] saith: "Homage to thee, O Tmu, (3) lord of heaven, thou creator of things which are and which come forth from the earth; who makest to come into being that which is sown, the lord of things which shall be, the begetter of the gods, the great god (4) who made himself, the lord of life who maketh mankind to flourish. Homage to you, O ye lords of creation, ye pure being whose abodes (5) are hidden. Homage to you, O ye lords of eternity, whose forms are hidden, and whose dwelling-places are unknown. (6) Homage to you, O ye gods who dwell in the abode (?) of the flooded lands. Homage to you, O ye gods who live in the underworld. Homage to you, O ye gods who dwell in heaven. (7) Grant ye that I may come [unto you], for I know you. I am pure, I am holy, I am mighty, I have a soul, (8) 1 have become powerful, I am glorious; I have brought unto you perfume and incense, and natron. Blot out from your hearts (9) whatsoever ye have in them against me.
Themes
Cosmic Dualismtheology

Ontological opposition between two primal principles (light/darkness, truth/lie, spirit/matter) as the fundamental structure of reality.

[auto] The text contrasts holy majesty and light with evil hap and resisting gods of the underworld.

All passages →
Funerary Navigationpraxis

Texts and rituals guiding the soul through death.

[auto] The passage is from the Book of the Dead and explicitly details the soul's journey through the underworld and heaven to reach the divine lord.

All passages →
Hidden Sayingssoteriology

Esoteric teachings reserved for those ready to receive them; outer meaning conceals an inner liberating truth.

[auto] Reference to 'holy hidden rites' indicates esoteric knowledge reserved for the initiated to navigate the afterlife.

All passages →
Living Godtheology

The divine conceived as active, present, and dynamic—not an abstract principle but a personal responsive reality.

[auto] The gods are depicted as active agents who behold, stretch forth arms, and open ways for the deceased.

All passages →
Mystical Unionsoteriology

The merging of the individual soul or self with the divine, transcending personal identity.

[auto] The speaker identifies directly with the deity Horus ('I, even I, am Horus'), merging personal identity with the divine.

All passages →
Psychopomp Journeycosmology

Guided passage of the soul through afterlife realms.

[auto] The passage describes the guided passage of the soul through afterlife realms, overcoming obstacles to reach the divine.

All passages →
Return To Sourcesoteriology

The soul's journey back to its divine origin, reversing the fall into matter through stages of purification or illumination.

[auto] The journey is directed 'unto your lord' and involves travelling the remotest parts of heaven to reunite with the divine.

All passages →
Sacred Namestheology

Divine names or formulas that carry ontological power, used in prayer, liturgy, or magical practice.

[auto] The text emphasizes the power of words and names ('my words shall make full the majesty of Shu', 'I am Horus') to effect change.

All passages →
Self Knowledgesoteriology

The recognition of one's own true divine nature as the primary path to liberation; 'know thyself' as soteriology.

[auto] The declaration 'I am Horus' represents the recognition of one's own true divine nature as a path to power and salvation.

All passages →
Spiritual Ascentpraxis

A staged journey of the soul upward through heavenly realms or levels of being toward the divine source.

[auto] The speaker describes travelling over heaven and passing along holy paths unto the lord, indicating an upward journey.

All passages →
Related passages · 8 parallels
jewish_mysticism|The Book of Enoch (1 Enoch, Charles translation)|Page 3 (part 9)
The Apocalyptist prophesies further of the repentance of the Gentiles (chapter l.), an universalistic note of significance, and speaks of the Resurrection of the dead in a notable passage: And In those days shall the earth also give back th…”
Both passages discuss themes of resurrection, judgment, and the afterlife, with a focus on the righteous being rewarded and the role of divine figures in these processes. The passages share a mystical and eschatological tone, reflecting similar concerns about the fate of the soul and the ultimate justice of the divine.
jewish_mysticism|The Book of Enoch (1 Enoch, Charles translation)|Chapter LX (part 1)
LX. Book of Noah--a Fragment . p. 76 Quaking of Heaven: Behemoth and Leviathan: the Elements . CHAPTER LX. 1. In the year five hundred, in the seventh month, on the fourteenth day of the month in the life of †Enoch†. In that Parable…”
Both passages describe a visionary experience where the protagonist encounters divine beings and witnesses cosmic events. They share themes of divine judgment, the ordering of the cosmos, and the protagonist's interaction with the divine.
jewish_mysticism|The Book of Enoch (1 Enoch, Charles translation)|Chapter LXII
LXII. Judgement of the Kings and the Mighty: Blessedness of the Righteous . CHAPTER LXII. 1. And thus the Lord commanded the kings and the mighty and the exalted, and those who dwell on the earth, and said: 'Open your eyes and lift up your…”
Both passages describe a scene of divine judgment where the righteous are vindicated and the unrighteous are punished. They also share themes of divine authority, the exaltation of the righteous, and the intervention of a divine figure (Osiris/Horus in Passage A and the Son of Man in Passage B).
jewish_mysticism|The Book of Enoch (1 Enoch, Charles translation)|Chapter LXXXI
LXXXI. The Heavenly Tablets and the Mission of Enoch . CHAPTER LXXXI. 1. And he said unto me: 'Observe, Enoch, these heavenly tablets, And read what is written thereon, And mark every individual fact.' p. 108 2 And I observed the heavenly t…”
Both passages describe a mystical journey to the divine realm and the acquisition of divine knowledge. They also emphasize the importance of righteousness and the ultimate judgment of the gods or God.
jewish_mysticism|The Book of Enoch (1 Enoch, Charles translation)|Chapter CVIII
CVIII. AN APPENDIX TO THE BOOK OF ENOCH. CHAPTER CVIII. 1. Another book which Enoch wrote for his son Methuselah and for those who will come after him, and keep the law in the last days. 2. Ye who have done good shall wait for those days ti…”
Both passages describe a journey to the divine realm and the fate of the righteous and the wicked. They share themes of divine judgment, the afterlife, and the exaltation of the faithful, though they come from different mystical traditions.
mesopotamian|Enuma Elish: The Epic of Creation|1f
She hath given him the Tablets of Destiny on his breast she laid them, saving: Thy command shall not be without avail, and the word of thy mouth shall be established.' Now Kingu, thus exalted, having received the power of Anu, Decreed the f…”
Both passages describe a divine figure (Marduk in Passage A and Horus in Passage B) being granted supreme authority and power by the assembly of gods. They also involve themes of creation, destiny, and the establishment of order.
mesopotamian|Enuma Elish: The Epic of Creation|1i
He opened great gates on both sides, He made strong the bolt on the left and on the right. In the midst thereof he fixed the zenith; The Moon-god he caused to shine forth, the night he entrusted to him. He appointed him, a being of the ni…”
Both passages describe a divine journey and the interaction with deities, emphasizing the protagonist's transformation and their role in the divine order. The passages share themes of divine authority, cosmic order, and the protagonist's elevated status among the gods.
platonism|Plato: Phaedrus|Section 1o
Zeus, the mighty lord, holding the reins of a winged chariot, leads the way in heaven, ordering all and taking care of all; and there follows him the array of gods and demigods, marshalled in eleven bands; Hestia alone abides at home in the…”
Both passages describe a journey to the divine realm, involving the soul's ascent or passage through celestial or underworld realms, and the attainment of divine knowledge or union with the divine. They share themes of divine order, the soul's journey, and the ultimate union with the divine.