Egyptian Literature/The Book of the Dead/Of Not Sailing to the East

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4255932Egyptian LiteratureThe Book of the Dead: Of Not Sailing to the East1901

OF NOT SAILING TO THE EAST

[From the Papyrus of Nu (British Museum No. 10,477, sheet 6).]

The Chapter of not sailing to the east in the underworld. The chancellor-in-chief, Nu, triumphant, saith:

“Hail, phallus of Rā, who departest from thy calamity [which ariseth] through opposition(?), the cycles have been without movement for millions of years. I am stronger than the strong, I am mightier than the mighty. If I sail away or if I be snatched away to the east through the two horns,” or (as others say), “if any evil and abominable thing be done unto me at the feast of the devils, the phallus of Rā shall be swallowed up, [along with] the head of Osiris. And behold me, for I journey along over the fields wherein the gods mow down those who make reply unto [their words]; now verily the two horns of the god Khepera shall be thrust aside; and verily pus shall spring into being in the eye of Tem along with corruption if I be kept in restraint, or if I have gone toward the east, or if the feast of devils be made in my presence, or if any malignant wound be inflicted upon me.”[1]

  1. The Papyrus of Ani contains what are, apparently, two versions of this chapter.