← Home
The Egyptian Book of the Dead (Papyrus of Ani) · 290 of 357 · tr. E.A. Wallis Budge

Chapter 43 (part 51)

i-nek sexem-k am xu Cometh to thee thy sekhem among the khu's. [1. I.e. , Horus. 2 Recueil de Travaux , t. v., p. 19 (l. 174). 3. Recueil de Travaux , t. v., p. 41 (l. 289). 4. See below, p. 117. 5. See below, p. 115. 6. Recueil de Travaux , t. v., p. 160 (l. 13).] 2. Uda sexem-k am xu Pure is thy sekhem among the khu's. 3. aha uab-k uab ka-k uab ba-k uab Thou art pure, pure is thy ka , pure is thy soul, pure is sexem-k thy sekhem. A name of Ra was sekhem ur , the "Great Sekhem," and Unas is identified with him and called:-- sexem ur sexem em sexemu Great sekhem , sekhem among the sekhemu . The ren or name Finally, the name, ren , of a man was believed to exist in heaven, and. in the pyramid texts we are told that nefer en Pepi pen hena ren-f anx Pepi pen hena ka-f Happy is Pepi this with his name, liveth Pepi this with his ka . Thus, as we have seen, the whole man consisted of a natural body, a spiritual body, a heart, a double, a soul, a shadow, an intangible ethereal casing or spirit, a form, and a name. All these were, however, bound together inseparably, and the welfare of any single one of them concerned the welfare of all. For the well-being of the spiritual parts it was necessary to preserve from decay the natural body; and [1. Recueil de Travaux , t. v., p. 175 (l. 113). 2. Recueil de Travaux , p. 175, 1. 112. 3. Ibid. , t. iv., p. 44,1. 393. 4. Ibid. , p. 60, ll. 514, 515 5. Ibid. , t. v., p. 183, l. 169.] certain passages in the pyramid texts seem to show that a belief in the resurrection of the natural body existed in the earliest dynasties. The texts are silent as to the time when the immortal part began its beatified existence; but it is probable that the Osiris of a man only attained to the full enjoyment of spiritual happiness after the funeral ceremonies had been duly per formed and the ritual recited. Comparatively few particulars are known of the manner of life of the soul in heaven, and though a number of interesting facts may be gleaned from the texts of all periods, it is very difficult to harmonize them. This result is due partly to the different views held by different schools of thought in ancient Egypt, and partly to the fact that on some points the Egyptians them selves seem to have had no decided opinions. We depend upon the pyramid texts for our knowledge of their earliest conceptions of a future life. The existence in heaven. The life of the Osiris of a man in heaven is at once material and spiritual and it seems as if the Egyptians never succeeded in breaking away from their very ancient habit of confusing the things of the body with the things of the soul.
§ Ask Guru about this passage →
Themes
Funerary Navigationpraxis

Texts and rituals guiding the soul through death.

[auto] The passage is excerpted from the Book of the Dead and explicitly details the rituals and prayers required for the deceased's components to navigate the afterlife successfully.

All passages →
Inner Lightanthropology

The divine spark or luminous quality residing within the human person, potentially recognisable through introspection.

[auto] The khu is defined as a 'shining' or translucent casing of the body, representing a luminous spiritual quality residing within the person.

All passages →
Living Godtheology

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

Gods are depicted as active entities in heaven who can be seen and asked to give sceptres to the deceased.

All passages →
Mystical Unionsoteriology

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

The text expresses a desire for the soul to 'see the great god,' suggesting a vision or encounter with the divine.

All passages →
Psychopomp Journeycosmology

Guided passage of the soul through afterlife realms.

[auto] The deceased petitions for the way to be opened for their soul and shadow, implying a guided passage through the realms of the dead.

All passages →
Sacred Namestheology

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

[auto] The passage includes transliterated Egyptian formulas and spells (e.g., 'em xena ba-a') used to effect spiritual outcomes for the deceased.

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 deceased expresses a desire to 'look upon my soul and my shadow,' indicating introspection or recognition of one's own spiritual components.

All passages →
Spiritual Ascentpraxis

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

[auto] The khu is described as wending its way to heaven where the gods reside, indicating an upward journey toward the divine realm.

All passages →
Tripartite Soulanthropology

Division of the human being into three principles: spirit (pneuma), soul (psyche), and body/matter (hyle or soma).

[auto] The text delineates distinct components of the human being (ba, xaibit, khu) alongside the physical body, reflecting a complex multi-part soul ontology.

All passages →
Related passages · 8 parallels
theosophy|The Secret Doctrine|Page 56 (part 3)
2, Page]] 113 THE SECRET WORK OF CHIRAM. active emanations from the three higher principles in man, namely, "Spirit, Soul, and Mind," or Atma, Buddhi, and Manas. It is the spiritual and also the material human basis. Rudimentary man, hav…”
Shared concept: Tripartite Soul — Division of the human being into three principles: spirit (pneuma), soul (psyche), and body/matter (hyle or soma). (derived)
christian_mysticism|Pseudo-Dionysius: The Divine Names|Chapter 5, Section 1a
131 CHAPTER V Concerning ” Existence “ and also concerning ” Exemplars .” I. Now must we proceed to the Name of “Being” which is truly applied by the Divine Science to Him that truly Is. But this much we must say, that it is not the purpo…”
Shared concept: Mystical Union — The merging of the individual soul or self with the divine, transcending personal identity. (derived)
christian_mysticism|Pseudo-Dionysius: The Divine Names|Chapter 5, Section 1i
364 The ultimate Godhead is reached only by the Negative Path, and known only by Unknowing. The Affirmative Path of philosophical knowledge leads only to the differentiated manifestations of the Godhead: e.g. the Trinity, in Its creative…”
Shared concept: Mystical Union — The merging of the individual soul or self with the divine, transcending personal identity. (derived)
christian_mysticism|The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme|Chapter 6 (part 8)
They are fire-flames, illumined by the light of God, but we attain the great fountain of meekness and love which is welling up within the holy essentiality of God." 1 ( Menschwerdung , i. 5.) Man comprises all three principles: the princip…”
Shared concept: Tripartite Soul — Division of the human being into three principles: spirit (pneuma), soul (psyche), and body/matter (hyle or soma). (derived)
western_esoteric|The Secret Teachings of All Ages (Manly P. Hall)|The Human Body in Symbolism-j
When humanity has completed its physical evolution, the empty shell of materiality left behind will be used by other life waves as steppingstones to their own liberation. The trend of man's evolutionary growth is ever toward his own essent…”
Shared concept: Self Knowledge — The recognition of one's own true divine nature as the primary path to liberation; 'know thyself' as soteriology. (derived)
greek_mystery|Orphic Hymns|Hymn LVI. THE TERRESTRIAL HERMES
LVI. TO THE TERRESTRIAL HERMES. The FUMIGATION from STORAX. HERMES I call, whom Fate decrees to dwell In the dire path which leads to deepest hell O Bacchic Hermes, progeny divine Of Dionysius, parent of the vine, p. 189 And of celestial Ve…”
Shared concept: Psychopomp Journey — Guided passage of the soul through afterlife realms. (derived)
western_esoteric|The Secret Teachings of All Ages (Manly P. Hall)|Atlantis and the Gods of Antiquity-g
At the first gate the great crown is removed from her head, at the second gate the earrings from her ears, at the third gate the necklace from her neck, at the fourth gate the ornaments from her breast, at the fifth gate the girdle from her…”
Shared concept: Spiritual Ascent — A staged journey of the soul upward through heavenly realms or levels of being toward the divine source. (derived)
neoplatonism|Iamblichus: On the Mysteries|Chapter XXI
Is, therefore, what you add in the third place more true; viz. “ that there is a certain mixed form of hypostasis, consisting of our soul and divine inspiration externally derived ?” Consider this then more accurately, lest we should be dec…”
Shared concept: Inner Light — The divine spark or luminous quality residing within the human person, potentially recognisable through introspection. (derived)