Nanşe

There is a city, there is a city whose powers are apparent. Niĝin is the city whose powers are apparent. The holy city is the city whose powers are apparent. The mountain rising from the water is the city whose powers are apparent. Its light rises over the secure temple; its fate is determined. There is perfection in the city; the rites of Mother Nanše are performed accordingly. Its lady, the child born in Eridug , Nanše , the lady of the precious divine powers, is now to return.

A hymn to Nanše (Nanše A) (c.4.14.1) ·c.4.14.1 ·9 ·machine translation (etcsl)

She is beer mash (?), the mother is yeast (?), Nanše is the cause of great things: her presence makes the storehouses of the land {bulge} {( 1 ms. has instead: ) prosper} and makes the honey …… like resin in the storerooms. Because of her, there stand vessels with ever-flowing water; because of Nanše , the baskets containing the treasures of the Land cover the ground like the silt of the river. She is the lady of ……. 1 line unclear Nanše is the lady who raises high the channels for the meadows and the irrigation ditches.

A hymn to Nanše (Nanše A) (c.4.14.1) ·c.4.14.1 ·11 ·machine translation (etcsl)

She is beer mash (?), the mother is yeast (?), Nanše is the cause of great things: her presence makes the storehouses of the land {bulge} {( 1 ms. has instead: ) prosper} and makes the honey …… like resin in the storerooms. Because of her, there stand vessels with ever-flowing water; because of Nanše , the baskets containing the treasures of the Land cover the ground like the silt of the river. She is the lady of ……. 1 line unclear Nanše is the lady who raises high the channels for the meadows and the irrigation ditches.

A hymn to Nanše (Nanše A) (c.4.14.1) ·c.4.14.1 ·16 ·machine translation (etcsl)

She is beer mash (?), the mother is yeast (?), Nanše is the cause of great things: her presence makes the storehouses of the land {bulge} {( 1 ms. has instead: ) prosper} and makes the honey …… like resin in the storerooms. Because of her, there stand vessels with ever-flowing water; because of Nanše , the baskets containing the treasures of the Land cover the ground like the silt of the river. She is the lady of ……. 1 line unclear Nanše is the lady who raises high the channels for the meadows and the irrigation ditches.

A hymn to Nanše (Nanše A) (c.4.14.1) ·c.4.14.1 ·19 ·machine translation (etcsl)

ellu mallu ! In the temple he lay down to dream with Nanše . He said good night (?) to Nanše . He had his leather bag filled with bread, he had water poured into his waterskin. She stood by for him ……. The farmer had a vision (?): a young bull was talking ……, …… tied the feet (?). The farmer said to his mother, "Bread was put for me in my leather bag, water was poured for me into my waterskin. …… stood by for me." 4 lines missing or fragmentary

The song of the ploughing oxen: an ululumama to Ninurta (c.5.5.5) ·c.5.5.5 ·22 ·machine translation (etcsl)

ellu mallu ! In the temple he lay down to dream with Nanše . He said good night (?) to Nanše . He had his leather bag filled with bread, he had water poured into his waterskin. She stood by for him ……. The farmer had a vision (?): a young bull was talking ……, …… tied the feet (?). The farmer said to his mother, "Bread was put for me in my leather bag, water was poured for me into my waterskin. …… stood by for me." 4 lines missing or fragmentary

The song of the ploughing oxen: an ululumama to Ninurta (c.5.5.5) ·c.5.5.5 ·23 ·machine translation (etcsl)

She is concerned for the orphan and concerned for the widow. She does not forget the man who helps (?) others, she is a mother for the orphan; Nanše , a carer for the widow, who always finds advice for the debt-slave; the lady who gives protection for refugees. She seeks out a place for the weak. She swells his collecting basket for him; she makes his collecting vessel profitable for him. For the righteous maiden who has taken her path, Nanše chooses a young man of means. Nanše raises a secure house like a roof over the widow who could not remarry.

A hymn to Nanše (Nanše A) (c.4.14.1) ·c.4.14.1 ·22 ·machine translation (etcsl)

"I am the mistress, so let my birds assemble for me where the sheaves are gathered! I am Nanše , so let my birds assemble for me where the sheaves are gathered! Let the birds of heaven and earth stand at my service! Let every bird without a name bring offerings! Let every bird not caught in nets ……!"

Nanše and the birds (Nanše C) (c.4.14.3) ·c.4.14.3 ·24 ·machine translation (etcsl)

She is concerned for the orphan and concerned for the widow. She does not forget the man who helps (?) others, she is a mother for the orphan; Nanše , a carer for the widow, who always finds advice for the debt-slave; the lady who gives protection for refugees. She seeks out a place for the weak. She swells his collecting basket for him; she makes his collecting vessel profitable for him. For the righteous maiden who has taken her path, Nanše chooses a young man of means. Nanše raises a secure house like a roof over the widow who could not remarry.

A hymn to Nanše (Nanše A) (c.4.14.1) ·c.4.14.1 ·29 ·machine translation (etcsl)

She is concerned for the orphan and concerned for the widow. She does not forget the man who helps (?) others, she is a mother for the orphan; Nanše , a carer for the widow, who always finds advice for the debt-slave; the lady who gives protection for refugees. She seeks out a place for the weak. She swells his collecting basket for him; she makes his collecting vessel profitable for him. For the righteous maiden who has taken her path, Nanše chooses a young man of means. Nanše raises a secure house like a roof over the widow who could not remarry.

A hymn to Nanše (Nanše A) (c.4.14.1) ·c.4.14.1 ·31 ·machine translation (etcsl)

"Well, I have to tell her about this! Well, I have to tell her about this! I will ask her to stand by me in this matter. Profound things (?) came suddenly to me, the shepherd, but the meaning of what the nocturnal vision brought to me I do not understand. So I will take my dream to my mother and I will ask my dream-interpreter, an expert on her own, my divine sister from Sirara , Nanše , to reveal its meaning to me."

The building of Ninĝirsu's temple (Gudea, cylinders A and B) (c.2.1.7) ·c.2.1.7 ·31 ·machine translation (etcsl)

There is perfection in the presence of the lady. Lagaš thrives in abundance in the presence of Nanše . She chose the šennu in her holy heart and seated Ur-Nanše , the beloved lord of Lagaš , on the throne. She gave the lofty sceptre to the shepherd. She adorned Gudea with all her precious divine powers. The shepherd chosen by her in her holy heart, Gudea , the ruler of Lagaš , placed the lyre (?) Cow-of-Abundance among the tigi drums and placed the holy balaĝ drum at its side. While sacred songs and harmonious songs were performed before her, the kintur instrument praised the temple. The chief musician played the ibex horn for her: the song 'The house has been granted powers from the abzu ', the sacred song of the house of Sirara about the princely powers was performed.

A hymn to Nanše (Nanše A) (c.4.14.1) ·c.4.14.1 ·33 ·machine translation (etcsl)

"Warrior, rampant lion, who has no opponent! Ninĝirsu , important in the abzu , respected in Nibru ! Warrior, I want to carry out faithfully what you have commanded me; Ninĝirsu , I want to build up your house for you, I want to make it perfect for you, so I will ask your sister, the child born of Eridug , an authority on her own, the lady, the dream-interpreter among the gods, my divine sister from Sirara , Nanše , to show me the way." His call was heard; his master, Lord Ninĝirsu , accepted from Gudea his prayer and supplication.

The building of Ninĝirsu's temple (Gudea, cylinders A and B) (c.2.1.7) ·c.2.1.7 ·47 ·machine translation (etcsl)

The dream interpreteter went into the sacristy and made glittering silver ešde cups ready for her. The temple cook ……, and prepared hot and cold food for her. He …… of the oven for her (?) and …… made the great shovel bellow for her. After the meat had arrived in large bowls and cool water had been brought from the Sirara -canal , after the festival trappings had arrived from Lagaš and wine had been brought from the countryside, her great oven which vies with the great dining hall, Nanše's shrine of food offerings, was humming.

A hymn to Nanše (Nanše A) (c.4.14.1) ·c.4.14.1 ·58 ·machine translation (etcsl)

The lady, the matriarch of Enlil , Nanše , the lady of abundance who lives in the Land, the ……, the child of Enki , acting as a good woman for a good household, is to make the appointments. After she, as a good woman for a good household, has made the appointments, the regular offerings and daily goods of the house arrive unfailingly from the Bur-saĝ .

A hymn to Nanše (Nanše A) (c.4.14.1) ·c.4.14.1 ·60 ·machine translation (etcsl)

You have taken your place upon the throne-dais of Nibru , where you sit with Father Enlil . You are the heroic son of Father Enlil . He made you stand in service in E-kur . You have taken your place upon the throne-dais of Lagaš . Speak to holy Mother Nanše , so she will cast her protecting arms over you like Utu ! May she indicate your station for you! May she who has no fear of your splendour embrace your limbs! May my lady of the beneficent divine powers, with the ornaments of šuba stone about her neck, …… 1 line missing

A šir-namšub to Ninurta (Ninurta G) (c.4.27.07) ·c.4.27.07 ·66 ·machine translation (etcsl)

"Well, I have to tell her about this! Well, I have to tell her about this! I will ask her to stand by me in this matter. I will take my dream to my mother and I will ask my dream-interpreter, an expert on her own, my divine sister from Sirara , Nanše , to reveal its meaning to me." His call was heard; his lady, holy Ĝatumdug , accepted from Gudea his prayer and supplication.

The building of Ninĝirsu's temple (Gudea, cylinders A and B) (c.2.1.7) ·c.2.1.7 ·85 ·machine translation (etcsl)

He stepped aboard his boat, directed it towards her city Niĝin , mooring it at the quay of Niĝin . The ruler raised his head high in the courtyard of the goddess from Sirara . He offered bread, poured cold water and went to Nanše to pray to her: " Nanše , mighty lady, lady of most precious (?) powers, lady who like Enlil determine fates, my Nanše , what you say is trustworthy and takes precedence. You are the interpreter of dreams among the gods, you are the lady of all the lands. Mother, my matter today is a dream:"

The building of Ninĝirsu's temple (Gudea, cylinders A and B) (c.2.1.7) ·c.2.1.7 ·94 ·machine translation (etcsl)

He stepped aboard his boat, directed it towards her city Niĝin , mooring it at the quay of Niĝin . The ruler raised his head high in the courtyard of the goddess from Sirara . He offered bread, poured cold water and went to Nanše to pray to her: " Nanše , mighty lady, lady of most precious (?) powers, lady who like Enlil determine fates, my Nanše , what you say is trustworthy and takes precedence. You are the interpreter of dreams among the gods, you are the lady of all the lands. Mother, my matter today is a dream:"

The building of Ninĝirsu's temple (Gudea, cylinders A and B) (c.2.1.7) ·c.2.1.7 ·95 ·machine translation (etcsl)

He stepped aboard his boat, directed it towards her city Niĝin , mooring it at the quay of Niĝin . The ruler raised his head high in the courtyard of the goddess from Sirara . He offered bread, poured cold water and went to Nanše to pray to her: " Nanše , mighty lady, lady of most precious (?) powers, lady who like Enlil determine fates, my Nanše , what you say is trustworthy and takes precedence. You are the interpreter of dreams among the gods, you are the lady of all the lands. Mother, my matter today is a dream:"

The building of Ninĝirsu's temple (Gudea, cylinders A and B) (c.2.1.7) ·c.2.1.7 ·97 ·machine translation (etcsl)

The pelican (?) came forth from the holy reedbeds. It came forth from the holy reedbeds. The wise pelican (?) spent the day high in the skies. The pelican (?) cried out in the sky: its singing was sweet and its voice was pleasing. My lady …… her pelican (?) with beauty. The mistress, Mother Nanše , …… her pelican (?) with beauty.

Nanše and the birds (Nanše C) (c.4.14.3) ·c.4.14.3 ·7 ·machine translation (etcsl)

"I am the mistress! How can my pelican (?) ……? How can I ……? I am Nanše ! How can my pelican (?) …… holy? How can ……?"

Nanše and the birds (Nanše C) (c.4.14.3) ·c.4.14.3 ·9 ·machine translation (etcsl)

She herself …… upon the water like a large pelican (?). Stepping onto earth from heaven, she …… in the water like a holy cow. A holy pelican (?), a white cow, she drank by the water's side. With the towering flood ……. Nanše , shining …… of the Anuna , the great gods! Mistress, Mother Nanše , good woman, ……! Nanše , sister praised by the Anuna ! Mother, beautiful matriarch of Enlil ! { Nanše } {( 1 ms. has instead: ) My lady}, delighting in her pelican (?), erected a lapis lazuli shrine, and set the holy pelican (?) by her feet.

Nanše and the birds (Nanše C) (c.4.14.3) ·c.4.14.3 ·15 ·machine translation (etcsl)

His mother Nanše answered the ruler: "My shepherd, I will explain your dream for you in every detail. The person who, as you said, was as enormous as the heavens, who was as enormous as the earth, whose head was like that of a god, whose wings, as you said, were like those of the Anzud bird, and whose lower body was, as you said, like a flood storm, at whose right and left lions were lying, was in fact my brother Ninĝirsu . He spoke to you about the building of his shrine, the E-ninnu ."

The building of Ninĝirsu's temple (Gudea, cylinders A and B) (c.2.1.7) ·c.2.1.7 ·124 ·machine translation (etcsl)

She herself …… upon the water like a large pelican (?). Stepping onto earth from heaven, she …… in the water like a holy cow. A holy pelican (?), a white cow, she drank by the water's side. With the towering flood ……. Nanše , shining …… of the Anuna , the great gods! Mistress, Mother Nanše , good woman, ……! Nanše , sister praised by the Anuna ! Mother, beautiful matriarch of Enlil ! { Nanše } {( 1 ms. has instead: ) My lady}, delighting in her pelican (?), erected a lapis lazuli shrine, and set the holy pelican (?) by her feet.

Nanše and the birds (Nanše C) (c.4.14.3) ·c.4.14.3 ·17 ·machine translation (etcsl)

She herself …… upon the water like a large pelican (?). Stepping onto earth from heaven, she …… in the water like a holy cow. A holy pelican (?), a white cow, she drank by the water's side. With the towering flood ……. Nanše , shining …… of the Anuna , the great gods! Mistress, Mother Nanše , good woman, ……! Nanše , sister praised by the Anuna ! Mother, beautiful matriarch of Enlil ! { Nanše } {( 1 ms. has instead: ) My lady}, delighting in her pelican (?), erected a lapis lazuli shrine, and set the holy pelican (?) by her feet.

Nanše and the birds (Nanše C) (c.4.14.3) ·c.4.14.3 ·18 ·machine translation (etcsl)

She herself …… upon the water like a large pelican (?). Stepping onto earth from heaven, she …… in the water like a holy cow. A holy pelican (?), a white cow, she drank by the water's side. With the towering flood ……. Nanše , shining …… of the Anuna , the great gods! Mistress, Mother Nanše , good woman, ……! Nanše , sister praised by the Anuna ! Mother, beautiful matriarch of Enlil ! { Nanše } {( 1 ms. has instead: ) My lady}, delighting in her pelican (?), erected a lapis lazuli shrine, and set the holy pelican (?) by her feet.

Nanše and the birds (Nanše C) (c.4.14.3) ·c.4.14.3 ·20 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Let your acquaintances come! Let your dear ones come! Let your father and grandfather come! Let the sons of your elder brother and the sons of your younger brother come! Let your little ones come, and your big ones too! Let your wife and your children come! Let your friends and companions come! Let your brother-in-law and your father-in-law come! Let the crowd by the side of your front door come! Don't leave your friends' children outside! Don't leave your neighbours outside, whoever they may be!

The home of the fish (c.5.9.1) ·c.5.9.1 ·17 ·machine translation (etcsl)

You are the accountant of Nindara , king of Niĝin in its spacious location. Nanše has placed a mighty symbol in your hand, Ḫendursaĝa . The mistress, Mother Nanše , speaks confidentially with you. She has made …… crook and sceptre for its plans flourish in a pure place; she …… her gaze to your …… raised in the quiet streets. Your holy ……, the straight harbour-wall, the pure barge -- all is shining. When the mistress, Mother Nanše , floats her holy barge to visit you, sweet and noble singers perform for her on board. Your well laid-out fields have wheat, emmer and chick peas. The places where you have laid up supplies lie amid (?) cedars and poplars. The holy cow delivers butter and delivers milk to your older brother, the lord (?) of the holy sea, the cock ( dar ) Nindara , the king of Lagaš . Also with her help, monthly and at the New Year on the days of regular offerings, in your house Nindara makes the wedding-gifts on your behalf for the mistress, Mother Nanše .

A hymn to Ḫendursaĝa (Ḫendursaĝa A) (c.4.06.1) ·c.4.06.1 ·17 ·machine translation (etcsl)

You are the accountant of Nindara , king of Niĝin in its spacious location. Nanše has placed a mighty symbol in your hand, Ḫendursaĝa . The mistress, Mother Nanše , speaks confidentially with you. She has made …… crook and sceptre for its plans flourish in a pure place; she …… her gaze to your …… raised in the quiet streets. Your holy ……, the straight harbour-wall, the pure barge -- all is shining. When the mistress, Mother Nanše , floats her holy barge to visit you, sweet and noble singers perform for her on board. Your well laid-out fields have wheat, emmer and chick peas. The places where you have laid up supplies lie amid (?) cedars and poplars. The holy cow delivers butter and delivers milk to your older brother, the lord (?) of the holy sea, the cock ( dar ) Nindara , the king of Lagaš . Also with her help, monthly and at the New Year on the days of regular offerings, in your house Nindara makes the wedding-gifts on your behalf for the mistress, Mother Nanše .

A hymn to Ḫendursaĝa (Ḫendursaĝa A) (c.4.06.1) ·c.4.06.1 ·30 ·machine translation (etcsl)