It was his duty to receive the prayers
of Shirpurla and render them propitious; he superintended and blessed
Ningirsu's journey when he visited Eridu or returned from that city,
and he made special intercessions for the life of Gudea. The minister of
Ningirsu's harim was the god Shakanshabar, and he was installed near to
Nin-girsu that he might issue his commands, both great and small. The
keeper of the harim was the god Urizu, and it was his duty to purify the
water and sanctify the grain, and he tended Ningirsu's sleeping-chamber
and saw that all was arranged therein as was fitting. The driver of
Ningirsu's chariot was the god Ensignun; it was his duty to keep the
sacred chariot as bright as the stars of heaven, and morning and evening
to tend and feed Ningirsu's sacred ass, called Ug-kash, and the ass
of Eridu. The shepherd of Ningirsu's kids was the god Enlulim, and he
tended the sacred she-goat who suckled the kids, and he guarded her so
that the serpent should not steal her milk. This god also looked
after the oil and the strong drink of E-ninnu, and saw that its store
increased.
Ningirsu's beloved musician was the god Ushum-gabkalama, and he was
installed in E-ninnu that he might take his flute and fill the temple
court with joy. It was his privilege to play to Ningirsu as he listened
in his harim, and to render the life of the god pleasant in E-ninnu.
Pages:
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235