Asag

Lugal-nesaĝe the son of Zuzu , the master-scribe of Nibru , has fashioned for Nintinuga his messenger (?) dog Tuni-lu-sag. That is why the dog will wag his tail or chew for his mistress the queen of heaven and earth, the provider of food, the stewardess of Enlil , the sweet breast satisfying all lands, the bringer of abundance, who can diagnose the intentions of the virulent asag demon and who checks people's bones; who examines the sinews of life and the sinews of death, comforting those joints; who knows every sick spot where there is affliction, torment or distress -- the kindly physician, the exorcist to the sick, who looks after the hearts of humans.

A dog for Nintinuga (c.5.7.2) ·c.5.7.2 ·6 ·machine translation (etcsl)

If it pleases my lady, {and the asag demon which is in my body leaves my body, and thus}{( some mss. have instead: ) may the asag demon which is in my body leave my body, so that} {it (the asag demon) allows me}{( 1 ms. has instead: ) I can} step again on the {path}{( 1 ms. has instead: ) ground} of life with my feet. {I will then be your maidservant, the courtyard sweeper of your temple, and will serve you. Furthermore after I have recovered, I will name you, my lady, as "the healer of the crippled"} {( some mss. have instead: ) I will then be her maidservant, the courtyard sweeper of her temple, and will serve her. Furthermore after I have recovered, I will name her, my lady, as "the healer of the crippled"}.

Letter from Inanaka to the goddess Nintinuga (c.3.3.10) ·c.3.3.10 ·20 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Say to 1 line missing to the counsellor who constantly cares for ……, the god who distributes the divine powers, who utters pleasing words, who …… a verdant branch by his head; the linen-clad god of the abzu , the chief administrator, who makes the oracular responses (?) favourable, whose words are pre-eminent; the powerful one (?) at the bow (?) of the boat "Stag of the Abzu", the lord of wide and complete wisdom, the minister who knows An's secrets, with whom no god can compare; the lord of the protective goddesses; him whose great sweet eyes inspire confidence, who provides the Anuna gods, the great gods, with food offerings; the adviser who comes forth from the skies, who is worthy of holy Inana ; without whom no lord or king could receive the lofty sceptre -- to Ninšubur , the merciful god who listens to prayers and supplications, repeat: this is what Kug- Nanna the incantation priest, the son of Lugal-ka-gena , your servant, says:

Letter from Kug-Nanna to the god Ninšubur (c.3.3.39) ·c.3.3.39 ·8 ·machine translation (etcsl)

The mountain land of Elam where there are no dead in great numbers (?) like ……, and Subir , a heavy cloud, which knows no reverence even towards the gods -- these districts have not been weakened; their time has not yet come. {The Šimaškian does not elect nugig or lukur priestesses for the places of the gods} {( 1 ms. has instead: ) The Šimaškian knows neither his god nor those elected nugig and lukur priestesses} {( 1 other ms. has instead: ) The Šimaškian …… neither the nugig nor the nubar priestesses for the places of the gods}. His soldiers are numerous like grass; his seed {is widespread} {( 1 ms. has instead: ) is indeed exalted}. He who lives in tents, who does not know of the places of the gods: like a wild beast which mounts, he knows nothing of { eša flour nor prayers} {( 1 ms. has instead: ) flour and the offering of prayers}. The evil namtar demon and the distressing asag demon {have not carried him off (?)} {( 1 ms. has instead: ) do not approach him}. Who …… a divine oath is committing sacrilege, yet his troops are in good health.

Letter from Sîn-iddinam to the god Utu (c.3.2.05) ·c.3.2.05 ·28 ·machine translation (etcsl)

"Lord of lofty station, foremost one, who presides over all lords from the throne dais, Ninurta , whose orders are unalterable, whose allotted fates are faithfully executed; my master! Heaven copulated with the verdant Earth, Ninurta : she has born him a warrior who knows no fear -- the Asag , a child who sucked the power of milk without ever staying with a wet-nurse, a foster-child, O my master -- knowing no father, a murderer from the mountains, a youth who has come forth from ……, whose face knows no shame; impudent of eye, an arrogant male, { Ninurta } {( 1 ms. has instead: ) Ninĝirsu }, rejoicing in his stature. My hero, you who are like a bull, I will take my stand beside you. My master, who turns sympathetically towards his own city, who is effective in carrying out his mother's wishes: it has sired offspring in the mountains, and spread its seeds far and wide. The plants have unanimously named it king over them; like a great wild bull, it tosses its horns amongst them. The šu , the saĝkal , the esi (diorite), the usium , the kagena (haematite), and the heroic nu stones, its warriors, constantly come raiding the cities. For them a shark's tooth has grown up in the mountains; it has stripped the trees. Before its might the gods of those cities bow towards it. My master, this same creature has erected a throne dais: it is not lying idle. Ninurta , lord, it actually decides the Land's lawsuits, just as you do. Who can compass the Asag's dread glory? Who can counteract the severity of its frown? People are terrified, fear makes the flesh creep; their eyes are fixed upon it. My master, the mountains have taken their offerings to it."

Ninurta's exploits: a šir-sud (?) to Ninurta (c.1.6.2) ·c.1.6.2 ·27 ·machine translation (etcsl)

( cf. 6.1.01.154 ) A malicious wife living in a house is the worst of all afflictions.

Proverbs: collection 14 (c.6.1.14) ·c.6.1.14 ·28 ·machine translation (etcsl)

"Lord of lofty station, foremost one, who presides over all lords from the throne dais, Ninurta , whose orders are unalterable, whose allotted fates are faithfully executed; my master! Heaven copulated with the verdant Earth, Ninurta : she has born him a warrior who knows no fear -- the Asag , a child who sucked the power of milk without ever staying with a wet-nurse, a foster-child, O my master -- knowing no father, a murderer from the mountains, a youth who has come forth from ……, whose face knows no shame; impudent of eye, an arrogant male, { Ninurta } {( 1 ms. has instead: ) Ninĝirsu }, rejoicing in his stature. My hero, you who are like a bull, I will take my stand beside you. My master, who turns sympathetically towards his own city, who is effective in carrying out his mother's wishes: it has sired offspring in the mountains, and spread its seeds far and wide. The plants have unanimously named it king over them; like a great wild bull, it tosses its horns amongst them. The šu , the saĝkal , the esi (diorite), the usium , the kagena (haematite), and the heroic nu stones, its warriors, constantly come raiding the cities. For them a shark's tooth has grown up in the mountains; it has stripped the trees. Before its might the gods of those cities bow towards it. My master, this same creature has erected a throne dais: it is not lying idle. Ninurta , lord, it actually decides the Land's lawsuits, just as you do. Who can compass the Asag's dread glory? Who can counteract the severity of its frown? People are terrified, fear makes the flesh creep; their eyes are fixed upon it. My master, the mountains have taken their offerings to it."

Ninurta's exploits: a šir-sud (?) to Ninurta (c.1.6.2) ·c.1.6.2 ·43 ·machine translation (etcsl)

"The evil demons and the evil demonesses who beset mankind, Dim-me and Dim-mea who enter by night, Namtar and Asag who will not leave a man alone, stand before the man. He is robbed of sleep (?). His god who smites all 1 line unclear "

A šir-gida to Ninisina (Ninisina A) (c.4.22.1) ·c.4.22.1 ·48 ·machine translation (etcsl)

"Hero! They have appealed to you, because of your father; son of Enlil , lord, because of your superior strength they are looking to you here; since you are strong, my master, they are calling for your help, saying, Ninurta , that not a single warrior counts except for you! They wanted to advise you about ……. Hero, there have been consultations with a view to taking away your kingship. Ninurta , it is confident that it can lay hands on the powers received by you in the abzu . Its face is deformed, its location is continually changing; day by day, the Asag adds territories to its domain."

Ninurta's exploits: a šir-sud (?) to Ninurta (c.1.6.2) ·c.1.6.2 ·56 ·machine translation (etcsl)

"But you will force it into the shackles of the gods. You, Antelope of Heaven, must trample the mountains beneath your hooves, Ninurta , lord, son of Enlil . Who has so far been able to resist its assault? The besetting Asag is beyond all control, its weight is too heavy. Rumours of its armies constantly arrive, before ever its soldiers are seen. This thing's strength is massive, no weapon has been able to overturn it. Ninurta , neither the axe nor the all-powerful spear can penetrate its flesh, no warrior like it has ever been created against you. Lord, you who reach out towards the august divine powers, splendour, jewel of the gods, you bull with the features of a wild bull, with a prominent backbone, …… this fellow is clever! My Ninurta , whose form Enki contemplates with favour, my Uta-ulu , lord, son of Enlil , what is to be done?"

Ninurta's exploits: a šir-sud (?) to Ninurta (c.1.6.2) ·c.1.6.2 ·60 ·machine translation (etcsl)

"My god, the day shines bright over the Land, but for me the day is black. The bright day has become (?) a …… day. Tears, lament, anguish and despair are lodged within me. Suffering overwhelms me like a weeping child. In the hands of the fate demon my appearance has been altered, my breath of life carried away. The asag demon, the evil one, bathes in my body."

A man and his god (c.5.2.4) ·c.5.2.4 ·74 ·machine translation (etcsl)

But if …… removes my name from my hymns, and …… his name, and does not call upon my name in brick-built E-kur , and if that man commits enmity and violence against the temple, then whether that man is a king or a governor, Enlil shall curse him ……. May enmity and violence come forth against him from the house of Enlil . Let him be given enmity as his companion. May an asag demon, as causer of the plague, deprive his city of contentment. Because of famine in years of hunger, may he find no favour in the eyes of the Land. May Ezina produce no grain in sheaves. May fair Nanibgal , Nisaba , make no clay covering for his grain piles. …… the troops ……. His chief merchant …… silver ……. May the hunger and the thirst of the gods …… the city during his reign …… grain.

A praise poem of Šulgi (Šulgi E) (c.2.4.2.05) ·c.2.4.2.05 ·82 ·machine translation (etcsl)

The hero Ninurta led the march through the rebel lands. He killed their messengers in the mountains, he crushed (?) their cities, he smote their cowherds over the head like fluttering butterflies, he tied together their hands with hirin grass, so that they dashed their heads against walls. The lights of the mountains did not gleam in the distance any longer. People gasped for breath (?); those people were ill, they hugged themselves, they cursed the Earth, they considered the day of the Asag's birth a day of disaster. The lord caused bilious poison to run over the rebel lands. As he went the gall followed, anger filled his heart, and he rose like a river in spate and engulfed all the enemies. In his heart he beamed at his lion-headed weapon, as it flew up like a bird, trampling the mountains for him. It raised itself on its wings to take away prisoner the disobedient, it spun around the horizon of heaven to find out what was happening. Someone from afar came to meet it, brought news for the tireless one, the one who never rests, whose wings bear the deluge, the Šar-ur . What did it gather there …… for Lord Ninurta ? It reported the deliberations of the mountains, it explained their intentions to Lord Ninurta , it outlined (?) what people were saying about the Asag .

Ninurta's exploits: a šir-sud (?) to Ninurta (c.1.6.2) ·c.1.6.2 ·105 ·machine translation (etcsl)

The hero Ninurta led the march through the rebel lands. He killed their messengers in the mountains, he crushed (?) their cities, he smote their cowherds over the head like fluttering butterflies, he tied together their hands with hirin grass, so that they dashed their heads against walls. The lights of the mountains did not gleam in the distance any longer. People gasped for breath (?); those people were ill, they hugged themselves, they cursed the Earth, they considered the day of the Asag's birth a day of disaster. The lord caused bilious poison to run over the rebel lands. As he went the gall followed, anger filled his heart, and he rose like a river in spate and engulfed all the enemies. In his heart he beamed at his lion-headed weapon, as it flew up like a bird, trampling the mountains for him. It raised itself on its wings to take away prisoner the disobedient, it spun around the horizon of heaven to find out what was happening. Someone from afar came to meet it, brought news for the tireless one, the one who never rests, whose wings bear the deluge, the Šar-ur . What did it gather there …… for Lord Ninurta ? It reported the deliberations of the mountains, it explained their intentions to Lord Ninurta , it outlined (?) what people were saying about the Asag .

Ninurta's exploits: a šir-sud (?) to Ninurta (c.1.6.2) ·c.1.6.2 ·118 ·machine translation (etcsl)

"But lord, do not venture again to a battle as terrible as that. Do not lift your arm to the smiting of weapons, to the festival of the young men, to Inana's dance! Lord, do not go to such a great battle as this! Do not hurry; fix your feet on the ground. Ninurta , the Asag is waiting for you in the mountains. Hero who is so handsome in his crown, firstborn son whom Ninlil has decorated with numberless charms, good lord, whom a princess bore to an en priest, hero who wears horns like the moon, who is long life for the king of the Land, who opens the sky by great sublime strength, inundation who engulfs the banks ……, Ninurta , lord, full of fearsomeness, who will hurry towards the mountains, proud hero without fellow, this time you will not equal the Asag ! Ninurta , do not make your young men enter the mountains."

Ninurta's exploits: a šir-sud (?) to Ninurta (c.1.6.2) ·c.1.6.2 ·139 ·machine translation (etcsl)

"But lord, do not venture again to a battle as terrible as that. Do not lift your arm to the smiting of weapons, to the festival of the young men, to Inana's dance! Lord, do not go to such a great battle as this! Do not hurry; fix your feet on the ground. Ninurta , the Asag is waiting for you in the mountains. Hero who is so handsome in his crown, firstborn son whom Ninlil has decorated with numberless charms, good lord, whom a princess bore to an en priest, hero who wears horns like the moon, who is long life for the king of the Land, who opens the sky by great sublime strength, inundation who engulfs the banks ……, Ninurta , lord, full of fearsomeness, who will hurry towards the mountains, proud hero without fellow, this time you will not equal the Asag ! Ninurta , do not make your young men enter the mountains."

Ninurta's exploits: a šir-sud (?) to Ninurta (c.1.6.2) ·c.1.6.2 ·149 ·machine translation (etcsl)

The Asag leapt up at the head of the battle. For a club it uprooted the sky, took it in its hand; like a snake it slid its head along the ground. It was a mad dog attacking to kill the helpless, dripping with sweat on its flanks. Like a wall collapsing, the Asag fell on Ninurta , the son of Enlil . Like an accursed storm, it howled in a raucous voice; like a gigantic snake, it roared at the Land. It dried up the waters of the mountains, dragged away the tamarisks, tore the flesh of the Earth and covered her with painful wounds. It set fire to the reedbeds, bathed the sky in blood, turned it inside out; it dispersed the people there. At that moment, on that day, the fields became black scum, across the whole extent of the horizon, reddish like purple dye -- truly it was so! An was overwhelmed, crouched, wrung his hands against his stomach; Enlil groaned and hid himself in a corner, the Anuna flattened themselves against walls, the house was full of fearful sighing as of pigeons. The Great Mountain Enlil cried to Ninlil:

Ninurta's exploits: a šir-sud (?) to Ninurta (c.1.6.2) ·c.1.6.2 ·168 ·machine translation (etcsl)

The Asag leapt up at the head of the battle. For a club it uprooted the sky, took it in its hand; like a snake it slid its head along the ground. It was a mad dog attacking to kill the helpless, dripping with sweat on its flanks. Like a wall collapsing, the Asag fell on Ninurta , the son of Enlil . Like an accursed storm, it howled in a raucous voice; like a gigantic snake, it roared at the Land. It dried up the waters of the mountains, dragged away the tamarisks, tore the flesh of the Earth and covered her with painful wounds. It set fire to the reedbeds, bathed the sky in blood, turned it inside out; it dispersed the people there. At that moment, on that day, the fields became black scum, across the whole extent of the horizon, reddish like purple dye -- truly it was so! An was overwhelmed, crouched, wrung his hands against his stomach; Enlil groaned and hid himself in a corner, the Anuna flattened themselves against walls, the house was full of fearful sighing as of pigeons. The Great Mountain Enlil cried to Ninlil:

Ninurta's exploits: a šir-sud (?) to Ninurta (c.1.6.2) ·c.1.6.2 ·173 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Punishment is assigned for the swaggerer; he is afflicted with diseases.

Proverbs: collection 3 (c.6.1.03) ·c.6.1.03 ·220 ·machine translation (etcsl)

The warrior Gilgameš , son of Ninsumun , directed his steps on his own to E-kur , the temple of Enlil . He cried before Enlil : "Father Enlil , my ball (?) fell down into the nether world, my mallet (?) fell down into Ganzer . Enkidu went down to retrieve them but the nether world has seized him. Namtar did not seize him, the Asag did not seize him; but the nether world has seized him. The udug demon of Nergal , who spares nobody, did not seize him, but the nether world has seized him. He did not fall in battle on the field of manhood, but the nether world has seized him." Father Enlil did not stand by him in the matter, so he went to Eridug .

Gilgameš, Enkidu and the nether world (c.1.8.1.4) ·c.1.8.1.4 ·226 ·machine translation (etcsl)

In Eridug he directed his steps on his own to the temple of Enki . He cried before Enki : "Father Enki , my ball (?) fell down into the nether world, my mallet (?) fell down into Ganzer . Enkidu went down to retrieve them but the nether world has seized him. Namtar did not seize him, the Asag did not seize him; but the nether world has seized him. The udug demon of Nergal , who spares nobody, did not seize him, but the nether world has seized him. He did not fall in battle on the field of manhood, but the nether world has seized him." Father Enki stood by him in this matter.

Gilgameš, Enkidu and the nether world (c.1.8.1.4) ·c.1.8.1.4 ·234 ·machine translation (etcsl)

I am one whose fate has not been determined, confronted by a sickness demon. "I am one who knows wealth and possessions; let me take my position in front of you," he said to me.

Proverbs: collection 2 + 6 (c.6.1.02) ·c.6.1.02 ·22 ·machine translation (etcsl)