Egyptian Literature/The Book of the Dead/Preserving the Heart (1)
PRESERVING THE HEART
[From Lepsius, “Todtenbuch,” Bl. 16.]
The Chapter of not letting the heart of a man be driven away from him in the underworld. Osiris Auf-ānkh, triumphant, born of Sheret-Amsu, triumphant, saith:
“My heart, my mother; my heart, my mother! My heart of my existence upon earth. May naught stand up to oppose me in judgment; may there be no opposition to me in the presence of the sovereign princes; may [no evil] be wrought against me in the presence of the gods; may there be no parting [of thee] from me in the presence of the great god, the lord of Amentet. Homage to thee, O thou heart of Osiris-khent-Amentet! Homage to you, O my reins! Homage to you, O ye gods who dwell in the divine clouds, and who are exalted (or holy) by reason of your sceptres! Speak ye fair words for the Osiris Auf-ānkh, and make ye him to prosper before Nehebka. And behold, though I be joined unto the earth, and am in the mighty innermost part of heaven, let me remain on the earth and not die in Amentet, and let me be a khu therein forever and ever.”
this [chapter] shall be recited over a basalt scarab, which shall be set in a gold setting, and it shall be placed inside the heart of the man[1] for whom the ceremonies of “opening the mouth” and of anointing with unguent have been performed. and there shall be recited by way of a magical charm the words: “my heart, my mother; my heart, my motherl my heart of transformations.”
- ↑ I.e., the deceased.