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Shilmai
In Mandaeism, Shilmai (Šilmai; ) or Shalmai (Šalmai) is an uthra (angel or guardian) who serves as one of the two guardian spirits of Piriawis, the heavenly ''yardna'' (river) in the World of Light. In the ''Ginza Rabba'' and ''Qulasta'', he is usually mentioned together with Nidbai. Nhar and Kbar and mentioned as the "clouds" (Mandaic: ''anana'') of Shilmai and Nidbai in Chapter 17.1 of the ''Right Ginza''. In the ''Ginza Rabba'' In Chapter 1.1 of the '' Left Ginza'', Shilmai plays the role of Abatur as a matarta guardian during Shitil's ascent to the World of Light. ''Left Ginza'' 1.1 describes Shilmai as such: In Chapter 5.5 (Book 7 in the Drabsha edition) of the ''Right Ginza'', ''The Book of Šilmai, Lord of the House'', is named after Šilmai. In the same chapter and also in Book 6 of the ''Right Ginza'', the uthra Yathrun is mentioned as the father of Shilmai. In this part of the ''Ginza Rabba'', Shilmai is portrayed very differently from all other Mandaean texts. ...
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Uthras
An uthra or ʿutra (, Neo-Mandaic language, Neo-Mandaic ''oṯrɔ'', traditionally transliterated ''eutra''; plural: ʿuthrē, traditionally transliterated ''eutria'') is a "divine messenger of the light" in Mandaeism. Charles G. Häberl and James F. McGrath translate it as "excellency". Jorunn Jacobsen Buckley defines them as "Lightworld beings, called 'utras (sing.: 'utra 'wealth', but meaning 'angel' or 'guardian')." p8 Aldihisi (2008) compares them to the ''yazata'' of Zoroastrianism. According to E. S. Drower, "an 'uthra is an ethereal being, a spirit of light and Life." Uthras are benevolent beings that live in ''shkinta, škinas'' (, "celestial dwellings") in the World of Light (''alma ḏ-nhūra'') and communicate with each other via telepathy. Uthras are also occasionally mentioned as being in ''anana (Mandaeism), anana'' ("cloud"; e.g., in ''Right Ginza'' Book 17, Chapter 1), which can also be interpreted as female consorts. Many uthras also serve as guardians (''naṭra ...
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Uthra
An uthra or ʿutra (, Neo-Mandaic ''oṯrɔ'', traditionally transliterated ''eutra''; plural: ʿuthrē, traditionally transliterated ''eutria'') is a "divine messenger of the light" in Mandaeism. Charles G. Häberl and James F. McGrath translate it as "excellency". Jorunn Jacobsen Buckley defines them as "Lightworld beings, called 'utras (sing.: 'utra 'wealth', but meaning 'angel' or 'guardian')." p8 Aldihisi (2008) compares them to the '' yazata'' of Zoroastrianism. According to E. S. Drower, "an 'uthra is an ethereal being, a spirit of light and Life." Uthras are benevolent beings that live in '' škinas'' (, "celestial dwellings") in the World of Light (''alma ḏ-nhūra'') and communicate with each other via telepathy. Uthras are also occasionally mentioned as being in '' anana'' ("cloud"; e.g., in '' Right Ginza'' Book 17, Chapter 1), which can also be interpreted as female consorts. Many uthras also serve as guardians (''naṭra''); for instance, Shilmai and Nidbai a ...
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Right Ginza
The Right Ginza () is one of the two parts of the Ginza Rabba, the longest and the most important holy scripture of Mandaeism. The other part of the Ginza Rabba is the Left Ginza. Summaries of each book (or tractate), based mostly on Häberl (2007), are provided below.Häberl, Charles G. (2007). Introduction to the New Edition, in The Great Treasure of the Mandaeans, a new edition of J. Heinrich Petermann's Thesaurus s. Liber Magni, with a new introduction and a translation of the original preface by Charles G. Häberl'. Gorgias Press, LLC. Translated excerpts are from Gelbert (2011), which is mostly based on Lidzbarski (1925), while Mandaic transliterations are derived from Gelbert (2011, 2021). Opening lines of each chapter are provided below, since Mandaeans often refer to Mandaic prayers by their opening lines. Book 1 Book 1 contains a history of creation and of Mandaeism. The book begins with the opening line (also in Chapter 2 of Book 1): :Praised be Thou, my Lord, w ...
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Adathan And Yadathan
In Mandaeism, Adathan () and Yadathan () are a pair of uthras (angel or guardian) who stand at the Gate of Life in the World of Light (''Right Ginza'' 15.8), praising and worshipping Hayyi Rabbi (''Qulasta'' prayer 77). In the ''Ginza Rabba'' and ''Qulasta'', they are always mentioned together. Book 14 of the ''Right Ginza'' mentions Adathan and Yadathan as the guardians of the "first river" (). Along with Shilmai and Nidbai, Adathan and Yadathan are among the most frequently invoked uthras in Mandaean prayers, such as in the ''Asut Malkia''.Drower, Ethel Stefana. 1937. ''The Mandaeans of Iraq and Iran''. Oxford At The Clarendon Press. See also *Shilmai and Nidbai * Xroshtag and Padvaxtag in Manichaeism *Shuqamuna and Shumaliya *List of angels in theology This is a list of angels in religion, theology, astrology and magic, including both specific angels (e.g., Gabriel) and types of angels (e.g., seraphim A seraph ( ; pl.: ) is a Angelic being, celestial or heavenly b ...
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Piriawis
In Mandaean cosmology, Piriawis (; sometimes also spelled Biriawiš Lidzbarski, Mark. 1920. ''Mandäische Liturgien''. Abhandlungen der Königlichen Gesellschaft der Wissenschaften zu Göttingen, phil.-hist. Klasse, NF 17.1. Berlin.), also known as the Yardna Rabba ( "Great Jordan River, Jordan"), is the sacred life-giving river (''yardna'') of the World of Light. It is the dmuta, heavenly counterpart of rivers on Earth (Tibil), which are considered by Mandaeans to be manifestations of the heavenly Piriawis. Shilmai and Nidbai are the two guardian uthras (celestial beings) watching over Piriawis. Qulasta prayers s:Translation:Qolasta/Prayer 13, 13 and s:Translation:Qolasta/Prayer 17, 17 mention Piriawis-Ziwa and Piriafil-Malaka together as uthras. Other names In Book 4 of the ''Right Ginza'', Sindiriawis is mentioned as "the great ''yardna'' of the Life" (). See also *Yardna *Ganga (goddess) in Hinduism *Siniawis, its corresponding opposite in the World of Darkness *Jordan River ...
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Yardna
In Mandaeism, a yardna () or yardena ([]; ) is a body of flowing fresh water (or in ; pronounced ''meyya heyyi'') that is suitable for ritual use as baptismal water. The masbuta and other Mandaean rituals such as the tamasha (ablution), tamasha can only be performed in a yardna. Water stagnation, Stagnant fresh water, brackish water, and seawater are not considered to be yardnas. Examples of yardnas Although etymologically related to the Canaanite languages, Canaanite word ''yarden'' (Hebrew language, Hebrew: ), or the Jordan River, a yardna in Mandaeism can refer to any flowing river. Traditionally, these were typically the Euphrates (Mandaic: ''Praš''), Tigris (Mandaic: ''Diglat''), and Karun (Mandaic: ''ʿUlat'') rivers. The Euphrates is called (; pronounced ) in the ''Ginza Rabba''. In Mandaean scriptures, the Euphrates is considered to be the earthly manifestation of the heavenly yardna or flowing river (similar to the Yazidi concept of Lalish being the earthly manifestat ...
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Xroshtag And Padvaxtag
Xrôshtag and Padvâxtag (''Xrōštag and Padvāxtag'') are a pair of Manichaean divinities, always depicted together, who serve as the personifications of the words "call" and "answer".Burkitt, F. C. 1935. Xrôshtag and Padvâxtag, Call and Answer. ''JTS'' 36:180–181. The call is uttered from above by the "living spirit", and is answered from below by the man who wishes to be saved. Theology In Manichaean cosmology, The "Call" issued by Xrōštag represents the salvific initiative of the Living Spirit—a divine entity sent to rescue the trapped light in the material world—reaching out to the soul with an invitation toward redemption.Sundermann, W. (2001). “Xrōštag and Padvāxtag: The Twin Deities of Revelation.” In ''Acta Iranica'', Vol. 40. Leuven: Peeters. This divine act reflects a core dualistic principle in Manichaean doctrine: the divine Light actively seeks to awaken the imprisoned soul in Darkness through spiritual messaging. Xrōštag in this nature is a hypos ...
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Nidbai
In Mandaeism, Nidbai () is an uthra (angel or guardian) who serves as one of the two guardian spirits () of Piriawis, the heavenly ''yardna'' (river) in the World of Light. In the ''Ginza Rabba'' and ''Qulasta'', he is usually mentioned together with Shilmai. See also *List of angels in theology * Adathan and Yadathan * Xroshtag and Padvaxtag in Manichaeism Manichaeism (; in ; ) is an endangered former major world religion currently only practiced in China around Cao'an,R. van den Broek, Wouter J. Hanegraaff ''Gnosis and Hermeticism from Antiquity to Modern Times''. SUNY Press, 1998 p. 37 found ... References Individual angels Uthras Water spirits {{Mandaeism-stub ...
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List Of Angels In Theology
This is a list of angels in religion, theology, astrology and magic, including both specific angels (e.g., Gabriel) and types of angels (e.g., seraphim A seraph ( ; pl.: ) is a Angelic being, celestial or heavenly being originating in Ancient Judaism. The term plays a role in subsequent Judaism, Islam and Christianity. Tradition places seraphim in the highest rank in Christian angelology and ...). List Groups Individual angels See also Notes References {{Angels in Abrahamic religions * Angels ...
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Kushta
In Mandaeism, kushta or kušṭa () can have several meanings. Its original literal meaning is "truth" in the Mandaic language, and is thus typically used to refer to the Mandaean religious concept of truth. The same word is also used to refer to a sacred handclasp between the right hands of two people that is used during Mandaean rituals such as the masbuta, masiqta, and priestly initiation ceremonies.Drower, Ethel Stefana (1937). ''The Mandaeans of Iraq and Iran''. Oxford at the Clarendon Press. In the World of Light Mandaeans believe that in the World of Light, the Mšunia Kušṭa, or the world of ideal counterparts, exists, where everything has a corresponding spiritual pair (''dmuta''). Alternatively, ''kušṭa'' can be used as a synonym for Hayyi Rabbi, or God in Mandaeism. In the 69th chapter of the Mandaean Book of John, Manda d-Hayyi addresses Etinṣib Ziwa (Splendid Transplant), son of Yushamin, as "Truth, beloved by all excellencies." E. S. Drower interprets a r ...
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Individual Angels
An individual is one that exists as a distinct entity. Individuality (or self-hood) is the state or quality of living as an individual; particularly (in the case of humans) as a person unique from other people and possessing one's own needs or goals, rights and responsibilities. The concept of an individual features in many fields, including biology, law, and philosophy. Every individual contributes significantly to the growth of a civilization. Society is a multifaceted concept that is shaped and influenced by a wide range of different things, including human behaviors, attitudes, and ideas. The culture, morals, and beliefs of others as well as the general direction and trajectory of the society can all be influenced and shaped by an individual's activities. Etymology From the 15th century and earlier (and also today within the fields of statistics and metaphysics) ''individual'' meant " indivisible", typically describing any numerically singular thing, but sometimes mea ...
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Manichaeism
Manichaeism (; in ; ) is an endangered former major world religion currently only practiced in China around Cao'an,R. van den Broek, Wouter J. Hanegraaff ''Gnosis and Hermeticism from Antiquity to Modern Times''. SUNY Press, 1998 p. 37 founded in the 3rd century CE by the Parthian prophet Mani (216–274 CE), in the Sasanian Empire. Manichaeism teaches an elaborate dualistic cosmology describing the struggle between a good, spiritual world of light, and an evil, material world of darkness. Through an ongoing process that takes place in human history, light is gradually removed from the world of matter and returned to the world of light, whence it came. Mani's teaching was intended to "combine", succeed, and surpass the teachings of Platonism, Christianity, Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, Marcionism, Hellenistic and Rabbinic Judaism, Gnostic movements, Ancient Greek religion, Babylonian and other Mesopotamian religions, and mystery cults.Arendzen, John (1 October 1910).Ma ...
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