Inside This Issue - Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary: Fill & Download for Free

Bhitarkanika National ParkBhitarkanika National ParkBhitarkanika National Park -Considered a standout amongst the most noteworthy Wildlife Sanctuary of Asia, the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha is unique because of reasons more than one. Lodging the dynamic and salt tolerant types of trees, the Mangroves that by and large develop in tropical and sub-tropical between tidal locales; Bhitarkanika has a lush green, rich and throbbing eco-framework.It spreads more than 145 http://sq.km. furthermore, is encompassed by the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary .Situated in the estuarial locale of Brahmani-Baitarani, in the north-eastern place of Kendrapara region of Odisha , the haven covers a zone of 672 square kilometers of mangrove timberlands and wetland. Crossed by a thick system of creeks, with the Bay of Bengal on the east, Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary is home to more than 215 types of flying creatures, including winter transitory flying creatures from Europe and focal Asia.Aside from the Mangroves, another irregularity that the haven has to its record is the restraint of its biological community by the Giant Salt Water Crocodiles and various assortments of other creature species. It is a direct result of these fortes just that a tremendous field of backwoods around 145 square kilometers has been authoritatively proclaimed as the Bhitarkanika National Park. This stop including mangrove woodlands, springs, estuaries, streams, aggregated land, backwater and mud pads is exceptionally huge for the environmental, natural and geomorphologic foundation of Odisha .Crocodile in river sideIt was assigned as National Park on sixth September , 1998 and as a Ramsar site by UNESCO on nineteenth August , 2002.Gahirmatha Beach and Marine Sanctuary misleads the east , and isolates overwhelm district cover with shade of mangroves from the Bay of Bengal.Area : Odissa, IndiaClosets City : Kendrapara, Rajkanika, ChandbaliTerritory : 145 sq. km.Set up : sixteenth Sept., 1998Overseeing Body : Ministry of Environment and Forests , Govt. of Indiasite : Bhitarkanika National ParkBest time to visit : October to MarchTo include more, the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha is likewise wealthy in avifauna, reptilian and mammalian populace. The mangrove woods in the haven are additionally a decent living space for King Cobra, Water Monitor Lizard and Indian Python. A region of around 4 hectares is visited by a substantial number of water winged animals consistently from June to October.The zone close Suajore brook at the haven is often visited by Asian Open Bill, Cormorants, Darters, Black Ibis, Egrets and some more.AttractionsIt is a decent place to locate the monster Salt Water Crocodile, some developing to 23 feet long, alongside different reptiles like the Water Monitor Lizard and the King Cobra. Spotted deers and wild hogs are bounteous in the recreation center and can be spotted at all the real areas. Eight assortments of Kingfishers are found here and can be spotted along the numerous brooks and riverines inside the recreation center.Common KingfisherThe pontoon ride from Khola to Dangmal or the other way around is exceedingly prescribed. Khola is one of the passages into the recreation center. This is along a fake rivulet and it goes through thick mangrove timberland giving a look into the estuarine biological system and its abundance of fauna. The best time to go through this rivulet is early morning or before nightfall.TourismTouring is done on vessels which have backwoods office licenses. Fundamental access to the backwoods is from Khola Gate, despite the fact that there is another door called Gupti entryway. The travel industry was nearly non-existent here till a couple of years prior. This pattern is changing relentlessly with endeavors on the advertising front by a couple of resorts. Odisha Government has demonstrated little excitement in advancing this region for the travel industry. Be that as it may, recently, Odisha Tourism is showing Bhitarkanika as a goal for eco-accommodating and rich nature where visitors can appreciate assortment of untamed life and flying creatures..Mangroves and WildlifeMangroves are salt tolerant, mind boggling and dynamic eco-frameworks that happen in tropical and subtropical between tidal locales. Bhitarkanika is one such area of rich, lavish green energetic eco-framework lying in the estuarine locale of Brahmani-Baitarani in the North-Eastern corner of Kendrapara region of Odisha. The zone is crossed by a system of brooks with Bay of Bengal on the East. The rear way between the winding rivulets and streams, houses the second biggest practical mangrove eco-arrangement of India. Its 672 km². of mangrove timberland and wetland, gives home to well more than 215 types of winged creatures including winter transients from focal Asia and Europe. Goliath salt water crocodiles and an assortment of other untamed life occupy this eco-framework which is one of Asia's most breathtaking natural life sanctuary .Crocodile in RiverWidely varied vegetationFlora: Mangrove species, casuarinas, and grasses like the indigo bramble.Fauna: The stop is home to the saltwater crocodile, Indian python, black ibis, wild boar, rhesus monkey, chital, darter, cobra, monitor lizard. Olive ridley turtles nest on Gahirmatha and other adjacent shorelines. Bhitarkanika has one of the biggest populaces of imperiled saltwater crocodile in India and is all around special in that, 10% of the grown-ups surpass 6 m length. Almost 1671 saltwater crocodiles possess the streams and creeks. Around 3,000 saltwater crocodiles were conceived amid 2014 yearly rearing and settling season.In 2006,Guinness Book of World recordacknowledged cases of a 7.1 m (23 ft 4 in), 2,000 kg (4,400 lb) male saltwater crocodile living inside Bhitarkanika National Park. Due to the trouble of catching and estimating a substantial living crocodile, the exactness of these measurements is yet to be confirmed. These perceptions and estimations have been made by stop authorities throughout ten years, from 2006 to 2016, notwithstanding, paying little mind to the aptitude of the onlookers it can't be contrasted with a confirmed tape estimation, particularly considering the vulnerability innate in visual size estimation in nature. As indicated by the recreation center report in 2006, there were 203 grown-ups, of which 16 estimated over 4.9 m (16 ft 1 in); 5 of these 5.5 to 6.1 m (18 ft 1 in to 20 ft 0 in), and 3 over 6.1 m (20 ft 0 in), and additionally the safeguarded skeleton of a 6.0 m (19 ft 8 in) example which passed on one year earlier. A critical figure, since people over 5 m (16 ft 5 in) are viewed as rare, making the Bhitarkanika Park a reasonable territory for expansive people. The most as of late distributed authority stop report demonstrates an expansion of grown-up crocodiles to 308 people, and also a relentless increment over the years. In future, if protection endeavors pay off, these huge people could be more typical.According to the 2014 overview of warm blooded animals, first of its sort to be embraced in the woodland and wetland destinations of the recreation center; 1,872 spotted deers, 1,213 quantities of wild hogs have made the backwoods regions their home. The enumeration separation of different well evolved creatures is monkeys - 1,522, jackals - 305, basic langur - 39, otter - 38, sambar deer - 17, wilderness feline - 11, fox - 10, Mongoose - 7, wolf-7, angling felines - 3, hyena - 12, as indicated by the study information.Instructions to ReachIt very well may be come to from Bhadrak on the Howrah - Chennai railroad line that likewise goes through Bhubaneswar and Cuttack . A night train from Howrah Station will achieve Bhadrak ( 297 km) at day break .ChargesFor Indians Rupees 20/manFor Foreigners Rupees 1000/manIn the event that the quantity of Foreigners is at least 10 in numbers extra charge per individual for them will lessen to Rupees 200/man . Expense for still camera is Rupees 50. For camcorder the free has been climbed to Rupees 10000 .CrabFoodThere is no compelling reason to convey your very own arrangement from Chandbali any more . Eatery is accessible at Dangmal where you can eat. You can't eat non-veggie lover sustenances here, nor would you be able to drink here. Best wager is to eat at Riverine Resort. They can give all of you sorts of sustenances prawns, crabs,fish,chicken,eggs or sheep. They can serve you drinks as well, obviously, at a higher costs.DrinkLoads of coconut water. They are accessible here in bounty. You can drink loads of lager as well.StayModest woodland rest houses at Dangmal, Ekkakula and Hawalighati.Estuarine town Resort Bhitarkanika ( once known as Riverine Resort), Natilapatia( by means of Iswarpur), Rajnagar, Kendrapara .Check in : 12pm .Check out : 11amStay SafeMake a point not to enter streams. They just way you ought to appreciate streams in Bhitarkanika is on water crafts. Try not to make any issues Wildlife simply appreciate them . Try not to stroll in those parts of woodlands where you are not permitted to walk. This can be unsafe. Pursue the instruct with respect to your guide.

Khandava Vana of Mahabharata Era - 1(Bhanu Padmo / Oct 30, 2018)Let’s see if we can locate the terrestrial reality of Puranic/ Epical/ mythical Khandava Vana.[1]We shall begin this essay with excerpts from our earlier article “Dvaraka of Mahabharata Era – 1”1. [excerpt] “In Maha-Adi Parva-ch.221-sl.27, both of them, viz. Arjuna and Krishna, had moved away a little from the bathing crowd (of Yamuna) into a cozy forest nook to reminisce and chat over past events. Ch.222-sl.1 clarifies that they were still close to Khandava Forest when/where Agni was to approach them to entreat for flaming of the aforesaid forest. So, it is clear that Khandava Forest was on or very close to the bank of Yamuna.”2. [excerpt] “It prompts us to propose the probable location of the then Khandava Vana. Could it be the contemporary Munduli-Naraj-Belagachhia-Nandan Kanan-Jujhagarh-Chudang Garh area, constituting the north-eastern extremity of the then larger Chandaka Forest lying on the south-western bank of Kathajodi-Kuakhai?Even today, this area includes a forest tracts, viz. Chudang Garh Forest, Nandan Kanan Forest.”3. [excerpt] “In ch.222-sl.6, Agni tells Krishna and Arjuna the reason behind why he hasn’t been able to devour Khandava till then. The reason was that it was protected by Indra. This information throws off a clue. It suggests that Svarga Loka, which seems to have been a terrestrial reality/ a geographical place in Puranic/ Epical times, was somewhere around there, in the vicinity of Khandava Forest.”Meru Parvata is known to have housed the Swarga Loka. Thus existence of Khandava Vana upon the Ganga-served Meru is vindicated by the fact that its authority lay in the hands of Indra. This is perfectly in compliance with the Mahanadi-served Bhubaneswar Model of Meru that incorporates the great Chandaka Forest.”4. [excerpt] “The wild Khandava Vana couldn’t be terrestrially not contiguous with the liveable Khandavaprastha.This extended discussion over Arjuna’s Exile episode thus reaps this clue/ evidence that Dvaraka was situated south to south-west of Yamuna-served Khandavaprastha which was terrestrially contiguous with Khandava Vana. The terrestrial reality of the whole of the contextual geographical-topological set-up pertaining to the relevant Puranas/ Epic would coincide with the riverine forest-skirted highland city of Bhubaneswar.”[2]The above observations involving Khandava Vana came up in the discussion over identification of the possible location of Dvaraka. There are sufficient indications in the above excerpts asto the possible contemporary location of the erstwhile Khandava Vana. We shall go ahead with our quest for further evidences and clues in addition to what we already have.5. In Maha-Adi Parva-ch.223-sl.74, Brahma is heard saying to Agni that Khandava Vana which he (Agni) had flamed up, at some other time in the past, for the sake Devas in a step against the Daityas who had turned it (Khandava Vana) into a formidable locality, has been teeming with all kinds of wild animals.6. It is time to study the identity of Chandaka Forest itself and to see how far it can match that of the Khandava Forest in terms of flora and fauna. Here are some excerpts.[Excerpt] “Welcome to Chandaka-Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary” : https://chandakawildlife.in/ :“Known for its splendour and pristinely home to many species, the Chandaka-Dampara sanctuary signifies a tale of success. Spread over an area of 193.39 http://sq.km on the up land of North-Eastern Ghat of biotic region, Chandaka- Dampara sanctuary is a treasure house of biodiversity. The park is known for successful conservation of elephants which is the principal species here. It is also a home to a number of threatened wild animals and birds. Chandaka landscape got a sanctuary status in 1982 by notification of Government. Because of its being adjacent to the temple city, Bhubaneswar is popularly known as pachyderm country.”[Excerpt] “Chandaka-Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary : Backgraound” : https://chandakawildlife.in/about-us.htm :“Bloomed to become a fabulous Eco-diversity, Chandaka- Dampara forest, near Bhubaneswar represents the north-eastern limits of Eastern Ghats. This is now an isolated forest, which once formed a part of vast Eastern Ghats forest and Central Indian Elephant range.The area was once a stronghold of tiger, until 60s; when the last tiger embraced captivity in 1967. It fell inside an open air enclosure in Nandankanan Zoo. The forests once teemed with tiger, leopard, Sambar, Barking deer, Chital, Wild Boar, Gaur and other wild animals. With the establishment of state capital at Bhubaneswar in 1957, this forest came under enormous pressure for firewood, and timber. Consequently, forests deteriorated significantly and elephants, which were in harmony with their habitat became problematic.The year 1982, was a turning point in the conservation history of the area, when state Govt. constituted this forest as a wildlife sanctuary for overall protection of the then gasping forest ecosystem more particularly, to provide a safe haven for resident elephants.The details of external boundary of Chandaka-Dampara wildlife sanctuary have been described in Govt. Notification No.13482/FFAH dtd.10.06.1988 which was published in Orissa Gazette Extra ordinary No.21 Dtd 07.01.1994.This can also be described in short as follows :North: Upper Pathapur, Gayalbanka, Bhagipur, Banra, Garsar, SamantarapurSouth: K.Muktapur, Nuapara, Gomeriah, Doria, Manpur, Mandalpur, Minchinpatna, Majena, Mahula, Angarapara, Madhapur, Aranga, Kumarabasta, Paniora, Palaspur, Ghatibar, Binjhagiri,Jamujhari, Haridamada, Kalajhar, Kalapada Sahi, Manei Sahi, Kantabada, Daspur, Bhola, Jagannath Prasad, Andharua, NayapalliWest: Balisahi, Baghaitangi, Gadahaldia, Samantarapur, Talabasta, Hamira, Purunasahi, Govindpur, DamparaEast: Baranga, Daruthenga, Chandaka, Sundarpur, Barmana, PathargarhChandaka-Dampara forests formed parts of erstwhile Puri Forest Division. Forest blocks of Khurda (old Puri District) have been notified as R.Fs. or D.P.Fs.”[Excerpt] “Chandaka-Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary : About the Sanctuary” : https://chandakawildlife.in/about-sanctuary.htm :“Approach and Access : The sanctuary lies partly within Khurda and partly in Cuttack Districts of Orissa state and in close proximity of the state capital, Bhubaneswar. The District boundary runs SW-NE roughly in the middle of the sanctuary. The sanctuary is well served by roads. Nandankanan-Jayadev Vihar road (Gangadhar Meher Marg), NH-5, Khandagiri – Kateni road, Kateni- Khurda (MDR 77 or Orissa Trunk road), Khurda- Haladiagarh road, Haldiagarh- Pathapur road and Pathapur- Trisulia and Trisulia-Barang roads form a round about on its periphery.Vishakhapatnam - Balasore section and Bhubaneswar – Sambalpur sections of East coast Railway run on the East and NE of the area. Godibari, the main entrance gate of the sanctuary is respectively about 20 Km. and 16Km. west of Bhubaneswar railway station and air-port.”[3]7. The Daitya connection of Khandava may be followed up in ancient literature of Theravada Buddhism. Here is a relevant narrative, one on “Tavatimsa”, the other name for “Meru” region, at the website of Wisdom Library, https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/tavatimsa :“TAVATIMSA : The second of the six deva worlds, the first being the Catummaharajika world. Tavatimsa stands at the top of Mount Sineru (or Sudassana). Sakka (Shakra, Indra) is king of both worlds, but lives in Tavatimsa. Originally it was the abode of the Asuras; but when Magha was born as Sakka and dwelt with his companions in Tavatimsa he disliked the idea of sharing his realm with the Asuras, and, having made them intoxicated, he hurled them down to the foot of Sineru, where the Asurabhavana was later established.”8. This narrative discloses to us the fact that the core of Meru (Sineru/ Sumeru) Region was Tavatimsa which was possibly surrounded by the Chatummaharajika World. The four components of the latter belonged to Four Maharajas (Four Great Kings). Did Dhritarastra/ Pandu and Hastinapura belong to a component of the Chatummaharajika World?9. The above narration also discloses the fact that the Meru/ Tavatimsa belonged to Asuras, originally. The Asuras were driven away by the Devas, during the reign of Magha, the then Shakra (Indra).10. But then, the Asuras couldn’t be driven away very far. They could only be “hurled down” to the foot of Sineru (Meru/Sumeru) where they could build and establish their capital, the Asurabhavana.11. Doesn’t the Brahma-Agni dialog (highlighting the fact that Agni had, in an earlier time, flamed up Khandava Vana for the sake of Devas in a step against the Daityas) of Adi Parva-ch.223-sl.74 refers to the Shakra’s driving away of Asura’s from Sineru/ Tavatimsa which originally belonged to the latter?Yes, it does.12. It also implies that Khandava Vana, along with the Meru/ Tavatimsa, belonged originally to the Asuras. When the then Indra attacked the Meru/ Tavatimsa in a bid to drive away the Asuras, the latter seems to have receded in steps. They probably retained the Khandava Vana before being “hurled down to the foot of sineru”.13. Or, was it that the Khandava Vana itself formed the foot of Sineru/ Meru? Was it that the Asuras had been hurled down to Khandava Vana where they built and established their capital “Asurabhavana”?14. Here we meet the enigma called Chudanga Garh. The magnitude of this fort is amazing. Could Chudanga Garh be the erstwhile Asurabhavana? Could Chudanga Garh be the Amaravati of Indra’s Swarga Loka? Could Chudanga Garh be the Hastinapura?[4]15. Who were the Asuras? Who were the Devas? Were they racially different? Did they belong to only different faiths, being racially still the same? Why did they have so much animosity between them? Was this animosity due to a difference in raciality or a difference in faith?16. The personal and social descriptions of Devas and Asuras that we come across on the pages of puranas strongly suggest that they belonged to the same race. They were children of two sisters, Diti and Aditi, respectively. Diti gave birth to the Daityas (Asuras) and Aditi gave birth to Adityas (Devas). Both these sisters had Kasyapa as their common husband. This may be the final mythical truth about their belonging to one and the same race.17. Out of many Epical and Puranic hints on this matter, one is this - an excerpt (a translation of the original Sanskrit text) from ch.16 of Agni Purana, titled as “The Avataras – Buddha and Kalki”.[excerpt]“Agni Deva said : Now I will narrate Buddha Avatara and this narration will bring benediction to the listeners. In preceding ages, there have been dreadful wars between Devas and Asuras.”“The Daityas (Asuras) defeated the Devas who entreated Bhagavan (God) for survival. God resorted to a worldly infatuation-attachment-soaked guise and took birth as the son of King Shuddhodana. He, as son of Shuddhodana, could sway the minds of Daityas away from Vedic Religion. He caused them to quit it. He came to be known as Buddha and the Daitya clan came to be known as Bauddha because of the aforesaid sway.”“Buddha’s influence would spread to also other communities who would soon begin to quit Vedic Religion. The preachers of this new path, the Arhats, became personification of worldly infatuation and attachment. Buddha would confer Arhat-hood across communities.”“Thus the followers of Buddha became sinners by way of quitting the Vedic Religion. They became Hell-bent and indulged in sinful acts. By the end of Kali Yuga, these distracted people would create social anarchy (would become Varna Shankaras). They would entreat lesser persons for undue pecuniary benefits. Not only this, they would become miscreants and robbers.”“The text of Vajasaneya (Brihadaranyaka) only woule be called “Veda”. Only five to ten branches of Veda would be acknowledged as valid. In the name of religiosity, these people would be indulging in non-religiosity.”18. This hint from Agni Purana should suffice the justification of the fact that Asuras and Devas differed in “faith”. They most probably belonged to one and the same race.19. However, this excerpt from Agni Purana confirms the fact that Devas and Asuras had become stark enemies irreversibly and were engaged in incessant rivalry that brought about frequent dreadful wars. This fact is supported by the excerpt on Tavatimsa drawn from the literature of Theravada Buddhism and also by the Khandava Vana story from Mahabharata which we are following currently.20. Let’s return to the Brahma-Agni Dialog (ch.223-sl.74) in which burning down of Khandava Vana by the Devas (metaphorical devouring of the great forest by Agni) complies with the Tavatimsa story in which Magha, the then Shakra “disliked the idea of sharing his realm with the Asuras”.The tale of ch.222-sl.6 that tells us that Khandava Vana was under the jurisdiction of Indra is in compliance with Tavatimsa story that tells us that “it originally was the abode of the Asuras”.21. What do we have to say about Magha’s, the Shakra’s “having made them (Asuras) intoxicated” before “he hurled them down to the foot of Sineru”?Do we smell in it Shakra’s betrayal of the Asuras who could have been invited cordially firstly and then strategically intoxicated, making then lose a latently pre-organized war? Were the Devas and Asuras equal enough to share a drinking table?Yes. They nearly were equals, almost equally civilized, almost equally powerful, belonging to the same race, differing only in faith.22. Taking the hint from Agni Purana, we could presume that the Asuras belonged to the Bauddha camp.To which camp can we ascribe the Devas? Did the Devas belong to the Vedic camp? Did the Devas belong to Jaina camp? Did the Devas belong to the Mahayani Buddhist camp?Did the Asuras belong to the Hinayani Buddhist camp or the Mahayani Buddhist camp?23. Adding to the confusion, we find Buddha on both sides of the fence. Though according to Agni Purana, he was the preceptor of the Asuras, the Theravadi Buddhist literature on Tavatimsa offers us apparently conflicting narratives that put Buddha on both the sides (of Asuras and Devas). Here are few more excerpts from the website of Wisdom Library, https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/tavatimsa to delineate what we mean:“The chief difference between these two worlds seems to have been that the Paricchattaka tree grew in Tavatimsa, and the Cittapatali tree in Asurabhavana. In order that the Asuras should not enter Tavatimsa, Sakka had five walls built around it, and these were guarded by Nagas, Supannas, Kumbhandas, Yakkhas and Catummaharajika devas.”“It is the custom of all Buddhas to spend the vassa following the performance of the Yamakapatihariya, in Tavatimsa. Gotama Buddha went there to preach the Abhidhamma to his mother, born there as a devaputta. The distance of sixty eight thousand leagues from the earth to Tavatimsa he covered in three strides, placing his foot once on Yugandhara and again on Sineru.”“The Buddha spent three months in Tavatimsa, preaching all the time, seated on Sakkas throne, the Pandukambalasilasana, at the foot of the Paricchattaka tree. Eighty crores of devas attained to a knowledge of the truth. This was in the seventh year after his Enlightenment. It seems to have been the frequent custom of ascetics, possessed of iddhi power, to spend the afternoon in Tavatimsa.”24. The conflict between the presences of Buddha on both sides of the fence is only apparent. Half of the inconsistency is gone once we realize that the Asuras and the Devas could be belonging to two sects of the same religion, that is, they could be belonging respectively to Hinayani and Mahayani sects of Buddhism wherein Buddha is invariably regarded supreme.25. Around the time of the birth of Buddhism, the religious dichotomy was defined in terms of rivalry between it and Jainism or similar contemporary religions, viz. Ajivaka. The magnitude of rivalry and animosity raging the religious sphere then may be represented by a depiction of the following kind.[Excerpts from DIVYAVADANA appearing upon https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism_and_Jainism ]“The ancient text Divyavadana (Ashokavadana is one of its sections) mention that in one instance, a non-Buddhist in Pundravardhana drew a picture showing the Buddha bowing at the feet of Mahavira. On complaint from a Buddhist devotee, Ashoka, the Maurya Emperor, issued an order to arrest him, and subsequently, another order to kill all the Ājīvikas in Pundravardhana. Around 18,000 Ājīvikas were executed as a result of this order.”“Sometime later, another ascetic in Pataliputra drew a similar picture. Ashoka burnt him and his entire family alive in their house. He also announced an award of one dinara (silver coin) to anyone who brought him the head of a Jain. According to Ashokavadana, as a result of this order, his own brother, Vitashoka, was mistaken for a heretic and killed by a cowherd.”26. Possibility of exaggeration in the above story notwithstanding, the stark ethos of the time seems to have been well-represented in these excerpts. Thus, the early Bauddhas and the contemporary Jainas could easily be seen as being represented by the mythical Asuras and Devas respectively.27. The cause of the contrasting images and consequential mutual animosity was probably their differential belief about “self”. Jainas believed in soul (atman) when Bauddhas held on to anatman (non-existence of soul). Jainas believed in vegetarianism and ekantavada (rigid thinking), when Bauddhas believed in middle way and anekantavada (optional thinking) and didn’t insist on vegetarianism. Naturally, the Bauddhas would emerge as Asuras, when Deva-hood would be ascribed to the Jainas.28. In later times when Original Buddhism split into Hinayana (Theravada) and Mahayana, the latter adopted the Deva culture more and more ardently, thereby enlarging and strengthening the Deva sphere of religious domain.Mahayana created innumerable Boddhisattvas. Vajrayana, purportedly a sect of Mahayana, created the five Dhyani Buddhas (and their consorts) who were to be extensively wielded in Tantrayana.It needs a bit of imagination to figure out how these Dhyani Buddhas and their consorts could have turned into Mahadevas and Mahadevis who would be competitively developed as the vortices of sub-religions, viz. Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Saktism etc. All these sects and sub-sects of Buddhism would add to the Deva sphere (of religious domain) which would still retain a Jaina core.29. Thus in later times, Jainism and Mahayana Buddhism would have worked as two wheels of the chariot that the Deva phenomenon of Meru/ Tavatimsa would have been. This would make in later times the “Deva-Asura” contrast much sharper and their rivalry fiercer, much fiercer. By then, the two clans on both sides of the fence could be the Vaishnavas-Asuras pair or the Shaivas-Asuras pair.30. Let’s return to the Tavatimsa story. Concentrate on two out of many interesting insinuations. One : “In order that the Asuras should not enter Tavatimsa, Sakka had five walls built around it, and these were guarded by Nagas, Supannas, Kumbhandas, Yakkhas and Catummaharajika devas.”Does this mean that the Asuras were still around (viz. at the foot of Meru) to be dealt with? That would prompt us to consider the possibility of Chudanga Garh’s being the Asurabhavana which is believed to have been built at the foot of Meru.However, the inclusion of Chatummaharajika Devas (the Chakravarti Kings) in Indra’s security list turns our mind towards the possibility of Chudanga Garh’s being a Monarchical Palace.31. The other interesting insinuation : “Gotama Buddha went there to preach the Abhidhamma to his mother, born there as a devaputta.”This points to the high possibility of, nay, to nearly confirmation of the fact that Buddha’s birth-place is where Tavatimsa had been. Bhubaneswar is the likely birth-place of Buddha, the narrative suggests.32. Why Chudanga Garh? Why not Sisupala Garh? Doesn’t all these possibilities apply to Sisupala Garh?Yes. That one too is a very important ancient monument to be taken note of.33. Why have we strayed this far, apparently creating so many frayed ends about the ongoing story, when it was to focus on Khandava Vana? We haven’t really strayed much, always harboring the intention of unfurling the identity of Khandava, by way of finding concurrent linkages between Meru, Khandavaprastha/ Indraprastha, Yamuna, Khandava Vana, Asurabhavana, Swarga, Indra, Asuras, Devas et al.[5]34. In the Tavatimsa story, we have a Magha, who had become Indra and had occupied Meru/ Tavatimsa after driving away its original residents, the Asuras, to the foot of the mountain. We are familiar with another Magha elsewhere too. It is time to follow this Magha, lest we should come across any useful information with respect to the current story.As we enter Srilankan History, this Magha comes into view at once. He is popular as Kalinga Magha.35. The first Magha of the ongoing Meru story, who had become the Indra, was certainly an outsider to Meru and he could have come to Meru very likely from Kalingan side. So, we already have a similarity between both the Maghas. We have lot more to speculate about them.36. Read this excerpt on Kalinga Magha, taken from Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalinga_Magha :“Kalinga Magha, also known as Magha the Tyrant and Kulankayan Cinkai Ariyan, is an invader who is remembered primarily for his aggressive conquest. He is identified as the founder of the Jaffna kingdom and first king of the Aryacakravarti Dynasty. According to the Segarāsasekara-Mālai, he was the first Aryacakravarti king of Jaffna, belonging to Eastern Ganga dynasty of Kalinga …”“Kalinga Magha’s relatives of Ramanathapuram administered the famous temple of Rameswaram. He usurped the throne from Parakrama Pandyan II of Polonnaruwa, in 1215. His reign saw the massive migration of native Sinhalese to the south and west of Sri Lanka, and into the mountainous interior, in a bid to escape his power.”“The origin of Kalinga Magha is unknown, but due to his name, he is often referred to be from Kalinga, a historical place which corresponds to present-day Odisha and northern parts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. …”“The most favored theory states that he was a prince from the Chodaganga Dynasty who ruled Kalinga.”36. Except the very unlikely uncertainty over their being contemporary, other aspects of the stories of the two Maghas are strikingly similar. Let’s call the two Maghas respectively as Magha the Indra and Kalinga Magha. We know very well that Kalinga, lying in a southerly direction, couldn’t be very far off from the Meru (of Bhubaneswar Tableland Model). Indeed in the era of Magha the Indra, who was a contemporary of Arjuna of Mahabharata Era, latter’s twelve-year trekking record has shown to us clearly that the geography of Kalinga, a maritime dominion then, began and ended before Mahendra Parvata. It would be simply unlikely that Kalinga Magha who could ransack Srilanka with such show of invincibility wouldn’t think of annexing Meru, the Swarga (heaven) to his kingdom.37. A vital common component of the two stories is the fact that both Maghas destroyed Asura Lands. Like the Meru, Srilanka too was the abode of Asuras. Both employed the ghastly method of setting inhabited tracts ablaze. Khandava Daha, that is, the flaming of Khandava Vana, purportedly inhabited by Asuras, is symbolic of this ghastly act.38. However, the two Maghas did certainly differ widely in chronology, according to present-day written history. The Kalinga Magha belonged to as late an era as thirteenth century. He entered Polonnaruwa of Srilanka in a.d.1215. Magha the Indra belongs to Mahabharata Era. Can we pull the time of writing of Mahabharata down to later than thirteenth century? That would be ridiculous.The ridiculous nature of the written history of Ancient India is already apparent. What would be the nature of the “new history” that would have undone the current ludicrousness of written history? Eccentric!! Isn’t it?Let’s talk a bit further on the time of Magha the Indra and that of writing of Mahabharata Epic itself.39. Maha-Vana Parva-ch.187 narrates the story of Manu and Matsya Avatara in detail. Towards the end of the chapter, sl.57 tells us that the story has been imported from Matsya Purana. The mention of Matsya Purana in Mahabharata could immediately alert us on the fact that the Epic could have been a later work.However, we ought to be aware of the nature of transcription and transmission of an ancient text in Indian context. Here is an excerpt from Wikipedia – Matsya Purana/ Date : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matsya_Purana highlighting this contingency.“As they exist today, the Puranas are a stratified literature. Each titled work consists of material that has grown by numerous accretions in successive historical eras. Thus, no Purana has a single date of composition. ... It is as if they were libraries to which new volumes have been continuously added, not necessarily at the end of the shelf, but randomly.[Cornelia Dimmitt and J.A.B. van Buitenen, Classical Hindu Mythology : A Reader in the Sanskrit Puranas]”40. Realizing the intention of the above saying, we shall peruse various speculations over the date of Matsya Purana to prompt ourselves for a prediction over the date of Mahabharata. Read this excerpt drawn from the same section.“The Matsya Purana, like all Puranas, was revised and updated continuously. The composition of the text may have begun in the last centuries of the 1st-millennium BCE, and its first version complete by about the 3rd-century of the common era, asserts Ramachandra Dikshitar – known for proposing ancient dates for Indian literature. Other scholars, such as Pandurang Vaman Kane, place the earliest version of the text to between c. 200–500 CE. The Matsya Purana, in chapter 53, includes a note stating that as a Purana, it is supposed to be edited and revised to remain useful to the society.Wendy Doniger dates the Matsya Purana to have been composed between 250 to 500 CE. The general consensus among scholars is that Matsya Purana is among the older Purana, with its first version complete in the 3rd-century CE, but sections of it were routinely revised, deleted and expanded over the centuries, through the 2nd-millennium CE.”If Mahabharata is to be ascribed a date later than that ascribed to Matsya Purana (according to Maha-Vana Parva-ch.187-sl.57), wouldn’t the chronological gap between two Maghas further close up upon the time ladder?41. If some quirk of historical research pushes Kalinga Magha’s time a bit upwards and Mahabharata’s time a bit downwards, well, their coincidence wouldn’t continue to be as unexpected as it is now!! We will not be keen on bending time. Yet, we may keep it in some corner of our mind that even this wistful thinking may become meaningful after few unexpected, though unlikely, turns of historical findings.42. Discovery of the possibility and process of incorporation of layers of literary transformation into Mahabharata down the ages itself is the quirk. This possibility would be the work of powerful elements like Kalinga Magha who could very easily access Epical literature through a deliberate amendment or embedment. What if the contextual section would have been amended or embedded by Magha himself in the beginning of the thirteenth century after securing a firm victory over the Asuras of the Meru of Bhubaneswar Model!!43. Let’s return to the narrative on Tavatimsa in which Magha, the Indra, had ”hurled them (Asuras) down to the foot of Sineru, where the Asurabhavana was later established.” It implies that Asurabhavana was the capital of the kingdom of Asuras, which was at the foot of Meru. Could the foot of Meru metaphorically mean Kataka alternatively, if not Chudanga?44. Leaving this speculation aside for now, we may resume our traverse through the text of Mahabharata, keeping an eye on the identity of Khandava Vana/ Khandavaprastha and its compliance to the Bhubaneswar Meru Model. You may recall that we have begun our quest about Khandava Vana from a tentative proposition, keeping an eye on “Munduli-Naraj-Belagachhia-Nandan Kanan-Chudang Garh area constituting the north-eastern extremity of the larger Chandaka Forest lying on the south-western bank of Kathajodi-Kuakhai”.45. Agni had tried to flame up Khandava Vana quite a few times. Every time the resident animals including thousands of elephants (ch.222-sl.80) could drench out the burning Khandava before time. Abundance of elephants in Khandava Vana goes in favor of its identity with Chandaka Forest or any portion of it. This excerpt from Wikipedia : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandaka_Elephant_Sanctuary :“The Indian elephant is the flagship species and indicative of the potential productivity of the habitat. The leopard is in the apex of biological pyramid. Chital, barking deer, mouse deer, wild pig, common langur, rhesus monkey, small Indian civet, common Indian mongoose, small Indian mongoose, ruddy mongoose, pangolin, sloth bear, ratel, Indian wolf and hyena are other mammals of the area. …”46. We have been taking the help of the Bhubaneswar Meru Model all these whiles to connect Meru, Khandavaprastha/ Indraprastha, Yamuna, Khandava Vana, Asurabhavana, Swarga, Indra, Asuras, Devas et al. And the Model has been working very well.Look at the following pictorial representation of a part of what we tried to convey.[The Bhubaneswar Meru Model and Khandava Vana:(1) Mahanadi River as puranic Ganga flowing north of Jambudvipa(2) Jambudvipa as Bhubaneswar-Naraj-Banki River Peninsula(3) Mahanadi-Kathajodi-Koyakhai-Daya U-shaped River Line as puranic Yamuna(4) highlighted yellow striped territory = lesser Khandava Vana (Mundali-Naraj-Belgachhia-Barang-Nandan Kanan-Jujhagarh-Chudangagarh area)(5) large red circle = greater Khandava Vana (Chandaka Highland including Greater Meru Pavata)(6) black cirle = Svarga Loka (Bhubaneswar Tableland and its periphery including Working Meru Parvata)(7) small red circles = probable alternative Working Meru/ Tavatimsa/ Suneru/ Sumeru (Khandagiri, Patia Sikharachandi Mounts)(8) blue circle north of black circle = probable Asura Bhavana (at Chudang Garh near Baranga)(9) purple arrows = probable alternative directions in which Asuras were driven away by Magha, the Indra (from Khandagiri or Patia Sikharachandi towards Asura Bhavan of Chudang Garh near Baranga)(10) red arrow = probable path of Arjuna’s invasion and burning of Khandava Vana (along the bank of Koyakhai Yamuna serving as the eastern frontier of Svarga Lika and Khandava Vana)]……………………………………………………

Was the top of Mount Everest completely covered with water during the Biblical flood of Noah?No. Mount Everest is located in the Himalayas an area unknown to anybody who wrote the bible. The current official elevation of 8,848 m (29,029 feet) recognized by China and Nepal, was established by a 1955 Indian survey and subsequently confirmed by a Chinese survey in 1975.All the water in the air would add all of one inch or 25.4 millimeters. All the ice caps may add another few feet but not anywhere near enough to flood the Earth.Also the bible story is 1,000 younger than the story it copied off of. That being the Epic of Gilgamesh.The next part is the entirety of the Epic of Gilgamesh.Tablet one through eleven. Sorry for the super long answer.He who has seen everything, I will make known (?) to the lands.I will teach (?) about him who experienced all things,... alike,Anu granted him the totality of knowledge of all.He saw the Secret, discovered the Hidden,he brought information of (the time) before the Flood.He went on a distant journey, pushing himself to exhaustion,but then was brought to peace.He carved on a stone stela all of his toils,and built the wall of Uruk-Haven,the wall of the sacred Eanna Temple, the holy sanctuary.Look at its wall which gleams like copper(?),inspect its inner wall, the likes of which no one can equal!Take hold of the threshold stone--it dates from ancient times!Go close to the Eanna Temple, the residence of Ishtar,such as no later king or man ever equaled!Go up on the wall of Uruk and walk around,examine its foundation, inspect its brickwork thoroughly.Is not (even the core of) the brick structure made of kiln-fired brick,and did not the Seven Sages themselves lay out its plans?One league city, one league palm gardens, one league lowlands, the open area(?) of the Ishtar Temple,three leagues and the open area(?) of Uruk it (the wall) encloses.Find the copper tablet box,open the ... of its lock of bronze,undo the fastening of its secret opening.Take and read out from the lapis lazuli tablethow Gilgamesh went through every hardship.Supreme over other kings, lordly in appearance,he is the hero, born of Uruk, the goring wild bull.He walks out in front, the leader,and walks at the rear, trusted by his companions.Mighty net, protector of his people,raging flood-wave who destroys even walls of stone!Offspring of Lugalbanda, Gilgamesh is strong to perfection,son of the august cow, Rimat-Ninsun;... Gilgamesh is awesome to perfection.It was he who opened the mountain passes,who dug wells on the flank of the mountain.It was he who crossed the ocean, the vast seas, to the rising sun,who explored the world regions, seeking life.It was he who reached by his own sheer strength Utanapishtim, the Faraway,who restored the sanctuaries (or: cities) that the Flood had destroyed!... for teeming mankind.Who can compare with him in kingliness?Who can say like Gilgamesh: "I am King!"?Whose name, from the day of his birth, was called "Gilgamesh"?Two-thirds of him is god, one-third of him is human.The Great Goddess [Aruru] designed(?) the model for his body,she prepared his form ...... beautiful, handsomest of men,... perfect...He walks around in the enclosure of Uruk,Like a wild bull he makes himself mighty, head raised (over others).There is no rival who can raise his weapon against him.His fellows stand (at the alert), attentive to his (orders ?),and the men of Uruk become anxious in ...Gilgamesh does not leave a son to his father,day and night he arrogant[y(?) ...[The following lines are interpreted as rhetorical, perhaps spoken by the oppressed citizens of Uruk.]Is Gilgamesh the shepherd of Uruk-Haven,is he the shepherd. ...bold, eminent, knowing, and wise!Gilgamesh does not leave a girl to her mother(?)The daughter of the warrior, the bride of the young man,the gods kept hearing their complaints, sothe gods of the heavens implored the Lord of Uruk [Anu]"You have indeed brought into being a mighty wild bull, head raised!"There is no rival who can raise a weapon against him."His fellows stand (at the alert), attentive to his (orders !),"Gilgamesh does not leave a son to his father,"day and night he arrogantly ..."Is he the shepherd of Uruk-Haven,"is he their shepherd..."bold, eminent, knowing, and wise,"Gilgamesh does not leave a girl to her mother(?)!"The daughter of the warrior, the bride of the young man,Anu listened to their complaints,and (the gods) called out to Aruru:"it was you, Aruru, who created mankind(?),now create a zikru to it/him.Let him be equal to his (Gilgamesh's) stormy heart,let them be a match for each other so that Uruk may find peace!"When Aruru heard this she created within herself the zikrtt of Anu.Aruru washed her hands, she pinched off some clay, and threw it into the wilderness.In the wildness(?) she created valiant Enkidu,born of Silence, endowed with strength by Ninurta.His whole body was shaggy with hair,he had a full head of hair like a woman,his locks billowed in profusion like Ashnan.He knew neither people nor settled living,but wore a garment like Sumukan."He ate grasses with the gazelles,and jostled at the watering hole with the animals;as with animals, his thirst was slaked with (mere) water.A notorious trapper came face-to-face with him opposite the watering hole.A first, a second, and a third dayhe came face-to-face with him opposite the watering hole.On seeing him the trapper's face went stark with fear,and he (Enkidu?) and his animals drew back home.He was rigid with fear; though stock-stillhis heart pounded and his face drained of color.He was miserable to the core,and his face looked like one who had made a long journey.The trapper addressed his father saying:""Father, a certain fellow has come from the mountains.He is the mightiest in the land,his strength is as mighty as the meteorite(?) of Anu!He continually goes over the mountains,he continually jostles at the watering place with the animals,he continually plants his feet opposite the watering place.I was afraid, so I did not go up to him.He filled in the pits that I had dug,wrenched out my traps that I had spread,released from my grasp the wild animals.He does not let me make my rounds in the wilderness!"The trapper's father spoke to him saying:"My son, there lives in Uruk a certain Gilgamesh.There is no one stronger than he,he is as strong as the meteorite(?) of Anu.Go, set off to Uruk,tell Gilgamesh of this Man of Might.He will give you the harlot Shamhat, take her with you.The woman will overcome the fellow (?) as if she were strong.When the animals are drinking at the watering placehave her take off her robe and expose her sex.When he sees her he will draw near to her,and his animals, who grew up in his wilderness, will be alien to him."He heeded his father's advice.The trapper went off to Uruk,he made the journey, stood inside of Uruk,and declared to ... Gilgamesh:"There is a certain fellow who has come from the mountains--he is the mightiest in the land,his strength is as mighty as the meteorite(?) of Anu!He continually goes over the mountains,he continually jostles at the watering place with the animals,he continually plants his feet opposite the watering place.I was afraid, so I did not go up to him.He filled in the pits that I had dug,wrenched out my traps that I had spread,released from my grasp the wild animals.He does not let me make my rounds in the wilderness!"Gilgamesh said to the trapper:"Go, trapper, bring the harlot, Shamhat, with you.When the animals are drinking at the watering placehave her take off her robe and expose her sex.When he sees her he will draw near to her,and his animals, who grew up in his wilderness, will be alien to him."The trapper went, bringing the harlot, Shamhat, with him.They set off on the journey, making direct way.On the third day they arrived at the appointed place,and the trapper and the harlot sat down at their posts(?).A first day and a second they sat opposite the watering hole.The animals arrived and drank at the watering hole,the wild beasts arrived and slaked their thirst with water.Then he, Enkidu, offspring of the mountains,who eats grasses with the gazelles,came to drink at the watering hole with the animals,with the wild beasts he slaked his thirst with water.Then Shamhat saw him--a primitive,a savage fellow from the depths of the wilderness!"That is he, Shamhat! Release your clenched arms,expose your sex so he can take in your voluptuousness.Do not be restrained--take his energy!When he sees you he will draw near to you.Spread out your robe so he can lie upon you,and perform for this primitive the task of womankind!His animals, who grew up in his wilderness, will become alien to him,and his lust will groan over you."Shamhat unclutched her bosom, exposed her sex, and he took in her voluptuousness.She was not restrained, but took his energy.She spread out her robe and he lay upon her,she performed for the primitive the task of womankind.His lust groaned over her;for six days and seven nights Enkidu stayed aroused,and had intercourse with the harlotuntil he was sated with her charms.But when he turned his attention to his animals,the gazelles saw Enkidu and darted off,the wild animals distanced themselves from his body.Enkidu ... his utterly depleted(?) body,his knees that wanted to go off with his animals went rigid;Enkidu was diminished, his running was not as before.But then he drew himself up, for his understanding had broadened.Turning around, he sat down at the harlot's feet,gazing into her face, his ears attentive as the harlot spoke.The harlot said to Enkidu:"You are beautiful," Enkidu, you are become like a god.Why do you gallop around the wilderness with the wild beasts?Come, let me bring you into Uruk-Haven,to the Holy Temple, the residence of Anu and Ishtar,the place of Gilgamesh, who is wise to perfection,but who struts his power over the people like a wild bull."What she kept saying found favor with him.Becoming aware of himself, he sought a friend.Enkidu spoke to the harlot:"Come, Shamhat, take me away with youto the sacred Holy Temple, the residence of Anu and Ishtar,the place of Gilgamesh, who is wise to perfection,but who struts his power over the people like a wild bull.I will challenge him ...Let me shout out in Uruk: I am the mighty one!'Lead me in and I will change the order of things;he whose strength is mightiest is the one born in the wilderness!"[Shamhat to Enkidu:]"Come, let us go, so he may see your face.I will lead you to Gilgamesh--I know where he will be.Look about, Enkidu, inside Uruk-Haven,where the people show off in skirted finery,where every day is a day for some festival,where the lyre(?) and drum play continually,where harlots stand about prettily,exuding voluptuousness, full of laughterand on the couch of night the sheets are spread (!)."Enkidu, you who do not know, how to live,I will show you Gilgamesh, a man of extreme feelings (!).Look at him, gaze at his face--he is a handsome youth, with freshness(!),his entire body exudes voluptuousnessHe has mightier strength than you,without sleeping day or night!Enkidu, it is your wrong thoughts you must change!It is Gilgamesh whom Shamhat loves,and Anu, Enlil, and La have enlarged his mind."Even before you came from the mountainGilgamesh in Uruk had dreams about you.""Gilgamesh got up and revealed the dream, saying to his mother:"Mother, I had a dream last night.Stars of the sky appeared,and some kind of meteorite(?) of Anu fell next to me.I tried to lift it but it was too mighty for me,I tried to turn it over but I could not budge it.The Land of Uruk was standing around it,the whole land had assembled about it,the populace was thronging around it,the Men clustered about it,and kissed its feet as if it were a little baby (!).I loved it and embraced it as a wife.I laid it down at your feet,and you made it compete with me."The mother of Gilgamesh, the wise, all-knowing, said to her Lord;Rimat-Ninsun, the wise, all-knowing, said to Gilgamesh:"As for the stars of the sky that appearedand the meteorite(?) of Anu which fell next to you,you tried to lift but it was too mighty for you,you tried to turn it over but were unable to budge it,you laid it down at my feet,and I made it compete with you,and you loved and embraced it as a wife.""There will come to you a mighty man, a comrade who saves his friend--he is the mightiest in the land, he is strongest,his strength is mighty as the meteorite(!) of Anu!You loved him and embraced him as a wife;and it is he who will repeatedly save you.Your dream is good and propitious!"A second time Gilgamesh said to his mother: "Mother, I have had another dream:"At the gate of my marital chamber there lay an axe,"and people had collected about it."The Land of Uruk was standing around it,"the whole land had assembled about it,"the populace was thronging around it."I laid it down at your feet,"I loved it and embraced it as a wife,"and you made it compete with me."The mother of Gilgamesh, the wise, all-knowing, said to her son;Rimat-Ninsun, the wise, all-knowing, said to Gilgamesh:""The axe that you saw (is) a man."... (that) you love him and embrace as a wife,"but (that) I have compete with you.""" There will come to you a mighty man,"" a comrade who saves his friend--"he is the mightiest in the land, he is strongest,"he is as mighty as the meteorite(!) of Anu!"Gilgamesh spoke to his mother saying:""By the command of Enlil, the Great Counselor, so may it to pass!"May I have a friend and adviser, a friend and adviser may I have!"You have interpreted for me the dreams about him!"After the harlot recounted the dreams of Gilgamesh to Enkiduthe two of them made love.-Enkidu sits in front of her.[The next 30 lines are missing; some of the fragmentary lines from 35 on are restoredfrom parallels in the Old Babylonian.]"Why ..."(?)His own counsel ...At his instruction ...Who knows his heart...Shamhat pulled off her clothing,and clothed him with one piecewhile she clothed herself with a second.She took hold of him as the gods do'and brought him to the hut of the shepherds.The shepherds gathered all around about him,they marveled to themselves:"How the youth resembles Gilgamesh--tall in stature, towering up to the battlements over the wall!Surely he was born in the mountains;his strength is as mighty as the meteorite(!) of Anu!"They placed food in front of him,they placed beer in front of him;Enkidu knew nothing about eating bread for food,and of drinking beer he had not been taught.The harlot spoke to Enkidu, saying:"Eat the food, Enkidu, it is the way one lives.Drink the beer, as is the custom of the land."Enkidu ate the food until he was sated,he drank the beer-seven jugs!-- and became expansive and sang with joy!He was elated and his face glowed.He splashed his shaggy body with water,and rubbed himself with oil, and turned into a human.He put on some clothing and became like a warrior(!).He took up his weapon and chased lions so that the shepherds could eatHe routed the wolves, and chased the lions.With Enkidu as their guard, the herders could lie down.A wakeful man, a singular youth, he was twice as tall (?) (as normal men[The next 33 lines are missing in the Standard Version; lines 57-86 are taken from theOld Babylonian.]Then he raised his eyes and saw a man.He said to the harlot:"Shamhat, have that man go away!Why has he come'? I will call out his name!"The harlot called out to the manand went over to him and spoke with him."Young man, where are you hurrying!Why this arduous pace!"The young man spoke, saying to Enkidu:"They have invited me to a wedding,as is the custom of the people.... the selection(!) of brides(!) ..I have heaped up tasty delights for the wedding on the ceremonial(!) platter.For the King of Broad-Marted Uruk,open is the veil(!) of the people for choosing (a girl).For Gilgamesh, the King of Broad-Marted Uruk,open is the veil(?) of the people for choosing.He will have intercourse with the 'destined wife,'he first, the husband afterward.This is ordered by the counsel of Anu,from the severing of his umbilical cord it has been destinedfor him."At the young man's speech his (Enkidu's) face flushed (with anger).[Several lines are missing.]Enkidu walked in front, and Shamhat after him.[The Standard Version resumes.]He (Enkidu) walked down the street of Uruk-Haven,... mighty...He blocked the way through Uruk the Sheepfold.The land of Uruk stood around him,the whole land assembled about him,the populace was thronging around him,the men were clustered about him,and kissed his feet as if he were a little baby(!).Suddenly a handsome young man ...For Ishara the bed of night(?)/marriage(?) is ready,for Gilgamesh as for a god a counterpart(!) is set up.Enkidu blocked the entry to the marital chamber,and would not allow Gilgamreh to be brought in.They grappled with each other at the entry to the marital chamber,in the street they attacked each other, the public square of the land.The doorposts trembled and the wall shook,[About 42 lines are missing from the Standard Version; lines 103-129 are taken fromthe Old Babylonian version.]Gilgamesh bent his knees, with his other foot on the ground,his anger abated and he turned his chest away.After he turned his chest Enkidu said to Gilgamesh:"Your mother bore you ever unique(!),the Wild Cow of the Enclosure, Ninsun,your head is elevated over (other) men,Enlil has destined for you the kingship over the people."[19 lines are missing here.]They kissed each other and became friends.[The Old Babylonian becomes fragmentary. The Standard Version resumes]"His strength is the mightiest in the land!His strength is as mighty as the meteorite(?) of Anu,The mother of Gilgamesh spoke to Gilgamesh, saying;Rimat-Ninsun said to her son:"(I!), Rimar-Ninsun...My son...Plaintively ...She went up into his (Shamash's) gateway,plaintively she implored ...:"Enkidu has no father or mother,his shaggy hair no one cuts.He was born in the wilderness, no one raised him."Enkidu was standing there, and heard the speech.He ... and sat down and wept,his eyes filled with tears,his arms felt limp, his strength weakened.They took each other by the hand,and.., their hands like ...Enkidu made a declaration to (Gilgamesh').[32 lines are missing here.]"in order to protect the Cedar ForestEnlil assigned (Humbaba) as a terror to human beings,Humbaba's roar is a Flood, his mouth is Fire, and his breath is Death!He can hear 100 leagues away any rustling(?) in his forest!Who would go down into his forest!Enlil assigned him as a terror to human beings,and whoever goes down into his forest paralysis(?) will strike!"Gilgamesh spoke to Enkidu saying:"What you say .. ."[About 42 lines are missing here in the Standard Version; lines 228-249 are taken fromthe Old Babylonian.]"Who, my Friend, can ascend to the heavens!"(Only) the gods can dwell forever with Shamash.As for human beings, their days are numbered,and whatever they keep trying to achieve is but wind!Now you are afraid of death--what has become of your bold strength!I will go in front of you,and your mouth can call out: 'Go on closer, do not be afraid!'Should I fall, I will have established my fame.(They will say:)'It was Gilgamesh who locked in battle with Humbaba the Terrible!'You were born and raised in the wilderness,a lion leaped up on you, so you have experienced it all!'[5 lines are fragmentary]I will undertake it and I will cut down the Cedar.It is I who will establish fame for eternity!Come, my friend, I will go over to the forgeand have them cast the weapons in our presence!"Holding each other by the hand they went over to the forge.[The Standard Version resumes at this point.]The craftsmen sat and discussed with one another."We should fashion the axe...The hatchet should he one talent in weight ...Their swords should be one talent...Their armor one talent, their armor ..."Gilgamesh said to the men of Uruk:"Listen to me, men...[5 lines are missing here.You, men of Uruk, who know ...I want to make myself more mighty, and will go on a distant(!) journey!I will face fighting such as I have never known,I will set out on a road I have never traveled!Give me your blessings! ...I will enter the city gate of Uruk ...I will devote(?) myself to the New Year's Festival.I will perform the New Year's (ceremonies) in...The New Year's Festival will take place, celebrations ...They will keep shouting 'Hurrah!' in...""Enkidu spoke to the Elders:"What the men of Uruk...Say to him that he must nor go to the Cedar Forest--the journey is not to be made!A man who...The Guardian of the Cedar Forest ...The Noble Counselors of Uruk arose anddelivered their advice toGilgamesh:"You are young, Gilgamesh, your heart carries you offyou do not know what you are talking about!...gave birth to you.Humbaba's roar is a Flood,his mouth is Fire, his breath Death!He can hear any rustling(!) in his forest 100 leagues away!Who would go down into his forest!Who among (even!) the Igigi gods can confront him?In order to keep the Cedar safe, Enlil assigned him as a terrorto human beings."Gilgamesh listened to the statement of his Noble Counselors.[About 5 lines are missing to the end of Tablet II.]-The Elders spoke to Gilgamesh, saying:"Gilgamesh, do not put your trust in (just) your vast strength,but keep a sharp eye out, make each blow strike in mark!'The one who goes on ahead saves the comrade."'The one who knows the route protects his friend.'Let Enkidu go ahead of you;he knows the road to the Cedar Forest,he has seen fighting, has experienced battle.Enkidu will protect the friend, will keep the comrade safe.Let his body urge him back to the wives ()).""in our Assembly we have entrusted the King to you (Enkidu),and on your return you must entrust the King back to us!"Gilgamesh spoke to Enkidu, saying:"Come on, my friend, let us go to the Egalmah Temple,to Ninsun, the Great Queen;Ninsun is wise, all-knowing.She will put the advisable path at our feet."Taking each other by the hand,Gilgamesh and Enkidu walked to the Egalmah ("Great Palace"),to Ninsun, the Great Queen.Gilgamesh arose and went to her."Ninsun, (even though) I am extraordinarily strong (!)...I must now travel a long way to where Humbaba is,I must face fighting such as I have not known,and I must travel on a road that I do not know!Until the time that I go and return,until I reach the Cedar Forest,until I kill Humbaba the Terrible,and eradicate from the land something baneful that Shamash hates,intercede with Shamash on my behalf' (!)If I kill Humbaba and cut his Cedarlet there be rejoicing all over the land ,and I will erect a monument of the victory (?) before you!"The... words of Gilgamesh, her son,grieving, Queen Ninsun heard over and over.Ninsun went into her living quarters.She washed herself with the purity plant,she donned a robe worthy of her body,she donned jewels worthy of her chest,she donned her sash, and put on her crown.She sprinkled water from a bowl onto the ground.She... and went up to the roof.She went up to the roof and set incense in front of Shamash,.I she offered fragrant cuttings, and raised her arms to Shamash."Why have you imposed--nay, inflicted!--a restless heart onmy son, Gilgamesh!Now you have touched him so that he wants to travela long way to where Humbaba is!He will face fighting such as he has not known,and will travel on a road that he does not know!Until he goes away and returns,until he reaches the Cedar Forest,until he kills Humbaba the Terrible,and eradicates from the land something baneful that you hate,on the day that you see him on the road(?)may Aja, the Bride, without fear remind you,and command also the Watchmen of the Night,the stars, and at night your father, Sin."_________________She banked up the incense and uttered the ritual words.'She called to Enkidu and would give him instructions:"Enkidu the Mighty, you are not of my womb,but now I speak to you along with the sacred votaries of Gilgamesh,the high priestesses, the holy women, the temple servers."She laid a pendant(?) on Enkidu's neck,the high-priestesses took...and the "daughters-of-the-gods" ..."I have taken ... Enkidu...Enkidu to... Gilgamesh I have taken.""Until he goes and returns,until he reaches the Cedar Forest,be it a month ...be it a year.. ."[About 11 lines are missing here, and the placement of the following fragment is uncertain.]... the gate of cedar...Enkidu ... in the Temple of Shamash,(and) Gilgamesh in the Egalmah.He made an offering of cuttings ...... the sons of the king(!) ...[Perhaps some 60 lines are missing here.]"Enkidu will protect the friend, will keep the comrade safe,Let his body urge him back to the wives (?).In our Assembly we have entrusted the King to you,and on your return you must entrust the King back to us!"Enkidu spoke to Gilgamesh saying:"My Friend, turn back!...The road..."[The last lines are missing.]-At twenty leagues they broke for some food,at thirty leagues they stopped for the night,walking Fifty leagues in a whole day,a walk of a month and a half.On the third day they drew near to the Lebanon.They dug a well facing Shamash (the setting sun),Gilgamesh climbed up a mountain peak,made a libation of flour, and said:"Mountain, bring me a dream, a favorable message fromShamash."Enkidu prepared a sleeping place for him for the night;a violent wind passed through so he attached a covering.He made him lie down, and... in a circle.they... like grain from the mountain...While Gilgamesh rested his chin on his knees,sleep that pours over mankind overtook him.in the middle of the night his sleep came to an end,so he got up and said to his friend:"My friend, did you not call out to me? Why did I wake up?Did you not touch me? Why am I so disturbed?Did a god pass by? Why are my muscles trembling?Enkidu, my friend, I have had a dream--and the dream I had was deeply disturbing(?)in the mountain gorges...the mountain fell down on me (us?) ...Wet(?)... like flies(?)...He who was born in the wilderness,Enkidu, interpreted the dream for his friend:"My friend, your dream is favorable.The dream is extremely important.My friend, the mountain which you saw in the dream isHumbaba."It means we will capture Humbaba, and kill himand throw his corpse into the wasteland.In the morning there will be a favorable message from Shamash.At twenty leagues they broke for some food,at thirty leagues they stopped for the night,walking fifty leagues in a whole day,a walk of a month and a half.They dug a well facing ShamashGilgamesh climbed up a mountain peak,made a libation of flour, and said,"Mountain, bring me a dream, a favorable message fromShamash."Enkidu prepared a sleeping place for him for the night;a violent wind passed through so he attached a covering.He made him lie down, and... in a circle.They ... like grain from the mountain...While Gilgamesh rested his chin on his knees,sleep that pours over mankind overtook him.,, in the middle of the night his sleep came to an end,so he got up and said to his friend:My friend, did you not call out to me? Why did I wake up?Did you not touch me? Why am I so disturbed?Did a god pass by? Why are my muscles trembling?Enkidu, my friend, I have had a dream,besides my first dream, a second.And the dream I had--so striking, so...,so disturbing!' I was grappling with a wild bull of the wilderness,with his bellow he split the ground, a cloud of dust...tothe sky.I sank to my knees in front of him.He holds... that encircled(?) my arm.(My?) tongue(?) hung out(?) ...My temples throbbed(?) ...He gave me water to drink from his waterskin.""My friend, the god to whom we gois not the wild bull? He is totally different?The wild bull that you saw is Shamash, the protector,in difficulties he holds our hand.The one who gave you water to drink from his waterskinis your personal) god, who brings honor to you, Lugalbanda.We should join together and do one thing,a deed such as has never (before) been done in the land."At twenty leagues they broke for some food,at thirty leagues they stopped for the night,walking fifty leagues in a whole day,a walk of a month and a half.They dug a well facing Shamash,Gilgamesh climbed up a mountain peak,made a libation of flour, and said:"Mountain, bring me a dream, a favorable message fromShamash."Enkidu prepared a sleeping place for him for the night;a violent wind passed through so he attached a covering.He made him lie down, and... in a circle.They... like grain from the mountain...While Gilgamesh rested his chin on his knees,sleep that pours over mankind overtook him.In the middle of the night his sleep came to an end,so he got up and said to his friend:"My friend, did you nor call out to me? Why did I wake up?Did you not touch me? Why am I so disturbed?Did a god pass by) Why are my muscles trembling?Enkidu, my friend, I have had a third dream,and the dream I had was deeply disturbing.,, The heavens roared and the earth rumbled;(then) it became deathly still, and darkness loomed.A bolt of lightning cracked and a fire broke out,and where(?) it kept thickening, there rained death.Then the white-hot name dimmed, and the fire went out,and everything that had been falling around turned to ash.Let us go down into the plain so we can talk it over.",,, Enkidu heard the dream that he had presented and said to Gilgamesh(About 40 lines are missing here.)At twenty leagues they broke for some food, at thirty leagues they stopped for the night,walking fifty leagues in a whole day,a walk of a month and a half.They dug a well facing Shamash,Gilgamesh climbed up a mountain peak, made a libation of flour, and said:"Mountain, bring me a dream, a favorable message fromShamash."Enkidu prepared a sleeping place for him for the night;a violent wind passed through so he attached a covering.He made him lie down, and... in a circle.They... like grain from the mountain...While Gilgamesh rested his chin on his knees,sleep that pours over mankind overtook him.in the middle of the night his sleep came to an end, so he got up and said to his friend:"My friend, did you not call out to me? Why did I wake up?Did you nor touch me? Why am I so disturbed?Did a god pass by? Why are my muscles trembling)Enkidu, my friend, I have had a fourth dream,and the dream I had was deeply disturbing (?).(About 11 lines are missing)"He was... cubits tall...... GilgameshEnkidu listened to his dream"The dream that you had is favorable, it is extremely important? My friend, this...Humbaba Eke...Before it becomes light...We will achieve (victory?) over him,Humbaba, against whom we rage,we will.., and triumph over him.In the morning there will be a favorable message from Shamash.At twenty leagues they broke for some food, at thirty leagues they stopped for the night,walking fifty leagues in a whole day,a walk of a month and a half.They dug a well facing Shamash,Gilgamesh climbed up a mountain peak, made a libation of flour, and said:"Mountain, bring me a dream, a favorable message fromShamash."Enkidu prepared a sleeping place for him for the night;a violent wind passed through so he attached a covering.He made him lie down, and... in a circle. They... like grain from the mountain ...While Gilgamerh rested his chin on his knees,sleep that pours over mankind overtook him.,, in the middle of the night his sleep came to an end,so he got up and said to his friend:"My friend, did you not call out to me? Why did I wake up? Did you not touch me? Why am I so disturbed?Did a god pass by? Why are my muscles trembling?Enkidu, my friend, I had a fifth(?) dream,and the dream I had was deeply disturbing (?)....His tears were running in the presence of Shamash. 'What you said in Uruk...,be mindful of it, stand by me... ?"Gilgamesh, the offspring of Uruk-Haven,Shamash heard what issued from his mouth,and suddenly there resounded a warning sound from the sky."Hurry, stand by him so that he (Humbaba) does nor enterthe forest,and does not go down into the thickets and hide (?)He has not put on his seven coats of armor(?)he is wearing only one, but has taken off six.",,, They(Gilgamesh and Enkidu ')...They lunge at each other like raging wild bulls...One name he bellowed full of...The Guardian of the Forest bellowed ...Humbaha like......"'One alone cannot'Strangers ...'A slippery path is not feared by two people who help eachother.''Twice three times...'A three-ply rope cannot be cut.''The mighty lioness cubs can roll him over."'Enkidu spoke to Gilgamesh, saying:"As soon as we have gone down into the Cedar Forest,let us split open the tree (?) and strip off its branches(?)."Gilgamesh spoke to Enkidu, saying:"Why, my friend, we...so wretchedly (?)We have crossed over all the mountarns together,in front of us, before we have cut down the Cedar.My friend, you who are so experienced in battle,who... fighting,you...' and (need) not fear death.Let your voice bellow forth like the kettledrum, let the stiffness in your arms depart,let the paralysis in your legs go away.Take my hand, my friend, we will go on together.Your heart should burn to do battle--pay no heed to death, do not lose heart!The one who watches from the side is a careful man,but the one who walks in front protects himself and saves hiscomrade,and through their fighting they establish fame'"As the two of them reached the evergreen forestthey cut off their talk, and stood still.-They stood at the forest's edge,gazing at the top of the Cedar Tree,gazing at the entrance to the forest.Where Humbaba would walk there was a trail,the roads led straight on, the path was excellent.Then they saw the Cedar Mountain, the Dwelling of the Gods, thethrone dais of Imini.Across the face of the mountain the Cedar brought forth luxuriousfoliage,its shade was good, extremely pleasant.The thornbushes were matted together, the woods(?) were a thicket... among the Cedars,... the boxwood,the forest was surrounded by a ravine two leagues long,... and again for two-thirds (of that distance),...Suddenly the swords...,and after the sheaths ...,the axes were smeared...dagger and sword...alone ...Humbaba spoke to Gilgamesh saying:"He does not come (?) ......Enlil.. ."Enkidu spoke to Humbaba, saying:"Humbaba...'One alone..'Strangers ...'A slippery path is not feared by two people who help each other.'Twice three times...'A three-ply rope cannot be cut.'The mighty lion--two cubs can roll him over."'...Humbaba spoke to Gilgamesh, saying:..An idiot' and a moron should give advice to each other,but you, Gilgamesh, why have you come to me!Give advice, Enkidu, you 'son of a fish,' who does not evenknow his own father,to the large and small turtles which do not suck their mother's milk!When you were still young I saw you but did not go over to you;... you,... in my belly....,you have brought Gilgamesh into my presence,... you stand.., an enemy, a stranger.... Gilgamesh, throat and neck,I would feed your flesh to the screeching vulture, the eagle, andthe vulture!"Gilgamerh spoke to Enkidu, saying: "My Friend, Humbaba's face keeps changing!·Enkidu spoke to Gilgamesh, saying:'"Why, my friend, are you whining so pitiably, hiding behind your whimpering?Now there, my friend,...in the coppersmith's channel ...,again to blow (the bellows) for an hour, the glowing (metal)(?)...for an hour.To send the Flood, to crack the Whip."Do not snatch your feet away, do not turn your back,... strike even harder!"... may they be expelled.... head fell ... and it/he confronted him...The ground split open with the heels of their feet,as they whirled around in circles Mt. Hermon and Lebanon split.The white clouds darkened,death rained down on them like fog.Shamash raised up against Humbaba mighty tempests'--Southwind, Northwind, Eastwind, Westwind, Whistling Wind, Piercing Wind, Blizzard, Bad Wind, Wind of Simurru,Demon Wind, Ice Wind, Storm, Sandstorm--thirteen winds rose up against him and covered Humbaba's face.He could nor butt through the front, and could not scramble outthe back,so that Gilgamesh'a weapons were in reach of Humbaba.Humbaba begged for his life, saying to Gilgamesh:"You are young yet, Gilgamesh, your mother gave birth to you,and you are the offspring of Rimnt-Nlnsun (?) ...(It was) at the word of Shamash, Lord of the Mountain,that you were roused (to this expedition).O scion of the heart of Uruk, King Gilgamesh!... Gilgamesh...Gilgamesh, let me go (?), I will dwell with you as your servant (?)As many trees as you command me I will cut down for you,I will guard for you myrtle wood...,wood fine enough for your palace!"Enkidu addressed Gilgamesh, saying:"My friend, do not listen to Humbaba,[io lines are misring Apparently Humbaba sees thar Gilgamrsh is influenced by Enkidu, and moves to dissuade Enkidu.]"You understand the rules of my forest, the rules...,further, you are aware of all the things so ordered (by Enlil)."I should have carried you up, and killed youat the very entrance to the branches of my forest.I should have fed your flesh to the screeching vulture, the eagle,and the vulture.So now, Enkidu, clemency is up to you.Speak to Gilgamesh to spare my life!"Enkidu addressed Gilgamesh, saying:My friend, Humbaba, Guardian of the Cedar Forest,grind up, kill, pulverize(?), and destroy him!Humbaba, Guardian of the Forest, grind up, kill, pulverize(?),and destroy him!Before the Preeminent God Enlil hears...and the ...gods be filled with rage against us.Enlil is in Nippur, Shamash is in Sippar.Erect an eternal monument proclaiming...how Gilgamesh killed(?) Humbaba."When Humbaba heard...[Abour l0 linrs are misiing.]... the forest.and denunciations(?) have been made.But you are sitting there like a shepherd...and like a 'hireling of his mouth.'Now, Enkidu, clemency is up to you.Speak to Gilgamesh that he spare my life!"Enkidu spoke to Gilgamesh, saying:"My friend, Humbaba, Guardian of the Forest,grind up, kill, pulverize(?), and destroy him!Before the Preeminent God Enlil hears,and the ... gods are full of rage at us.Enlil is in Nippur, Shamash is in Sippar.Erect an eternal monument proclaiming...how Gilgamesh killed(?) Humbaba."Humbaba heard ...[About 10 lines are missing.]"May he not live the longer of the two,may Enkidu not have any 'share'(?) more than his friendGilgamesh!"Enkidu spoke to Gilgamesh, saying:"My friend, 1 have been talking to you but you have not beenlistening to me,"You have been listening to the curse of Humbaba!"... his friend... by his side.. they pulled out his insides including his tongue.... he jumped(?)....abundance fell over the mountain,...abundance fell over the mountain.They cut through the Cedar,While Gilgamesh cuts down the trees, Enkidu searches throughthe urmazallu.Enkidu addressed Gilgamesh, saying:"My friend, we have cut down the towering Cedar whose topscrapes the sky.Make from it a door 72 cubits high, 24 cubits wide,one cubit thick, its fixture, its lower and upper pivots will be out of one piece.Let them carry it to Nippur, the Euphrates will carry it down, Nippur will rejoice...."They tied together a raft...Enkidu steered it...while Gilgamesh held the head of Humbaba.-He washed out his marred hair and cleaned up his equipment(?),shaking out his locks down over his back,throwing off his dirty clothes and putting on clean ones.He wrapped himself in regal garments and fastened the sash.When Gilgamesh placed his crown on his head,a princess Ishtar raised her eyes to the beauty of Gilgamesh."Come along, Gilgamesh, be you my husband,to me grant your lusciousness.'Be you my husband, and I will be your wife.I will have harnessed for you a chariot of lapis lazuli and gold,with wheels of gold and 'horns' of electrum(?).It will he harnessed with great storming mountain mules!Come into our house, with the fragrance of cedar.And when you come into our house the doorpost(?) and throne dais(?)'will kiss your feet.Bowed down beneath you will be kings, lords, and princes.The Lullubu people' will bring you the produce of the mountains and countryside as tribute.Your she-goats will bear triplets, your ewes twins,your donkey under burden will overtake the mule,your steed at the chariot will be bristling to gallop,your ax at the yoke will have no match."Gilgamesh addressed Princess Ishtar saying:"What would I have to give you if I married you!Do you need oil or garments for your body! Do you lack anything for food or drink!I would gladly feed you food fit for a god,I would gladly give you wine fit for a king,... may the street(?) be your home(?), may you be clothed in a garment,and may any lusting man (?) marry you!...an oven who... ice,a half-door that keeps out neither breeze nor blast,a palace that crushes down valiant warriors,an elephant who devours its own covering,pitch that blackens the hands of its bearer,a waterskin that soaks its bearer through,limestone that buckles out the stone wall,a battering ram that attracts the enemy land,a shoe that bites its owner's feet!Where are your bridegrooms that you keep forever'Where is your 'Little Shepherd' bird that went up over you!See here now, I will recite the list of your lovers.Of the shoulder (?) ... his hand,Tammuz, the lover of your earliest youth,for him you have ordained lamentations year upon year!You loved the colorful 'Little Shepherd' birdand then hit him, breaking his wing, sonow he stands in the forest crying 'My Wing'!You loved the supremely mighty lion,yet you dug for him seven and again seven pits.You loved the stallion, famed in battle,yet you ordained for him the whip, the goad, and the lash,ordained for him to gallop for seven and seven hours,ordained for him drinking from muddled waters,'you ordained far his mother Silili to wail continually.You loved the Shepherd, the Master Herder,who continually presented you with bread baked in embers,and who daily slaughtered for you a kid.Yet you struck him, and turned him into a wolf,so his own shepherds now chase himand his own dogs snap at his shins.You loved Ishullanu, your father's date gardener,who continually brought you baskets of dates,and brightened your table daily.You raised your eyes to him, and you went to him:'Oh my Ishullanu, let us taste of your strength,stretch out your hand to me, and touch our vulva.Ishullanu said to you:'Me! What is it you want from me!Has my mother not baked, and have I not eatenthat I should now eat food under contempt and cursesand that alfalfa grass should be my only cover againstthe cold?As you listened to these his wordsyou struck him, turning him into a dwarf(?),and made him live in the middle of his (garden of) labors,where the mihhu do not go up, nor the bucket of dates (?) down.And now me! It is me you love, and you will ordain for me asfor them!"When Ishtar heard this, in a fury she went up to the heavens,going to Anu, her father, and crying,going to Anrum, her mother, and weeping:"Father, Gilgamesh has insulted me over and over,Gilgamesh has recounted despicable deeds about me,despicable deeds and curses!"Anu addressed Princess Ishtar, saying: "What is the matter?Was it not you who provoked King Gilgamesh?So Gilgamesh recounted despicable deeds about you,despicable deeds and curses!"Ishtar spoke to her father, Anu, saying:"Father, give me the Bull of Heaven,so he can kill Gilgamesh in his dwelling.If you do not give me the Bull of Heaven,I will knock down the Gates of the Netherworld,I will smash the door posts, and leave the doors flat down,and will let the dead go up to eat the living!And the dead will outnumber the living!"Anu addressed princess Ishtar, saying:"If you demand the Bull of Heaven from me,there will be seven years of empty husks for the land of Uruk.Have you collected grain for the people!Have you made grasses grow for the animals?"Ishtar addressed Anu, her father, saying:"I have heaped grain in the granaries for the people,I made grasses grow for the animals,in order that they might eat in the seven years of empty husks.I have collected grain for the people,I have made grasses grow for the animals."When Anu heard her words, he placed the noserope of the Bull of Heaven in her hand.Ishtar led the Bull of Heaven down to the earth.When it reached Uruk It climbed down to the Euphrates...At the snort of the Bull of Heaven a huge pit opened up,and 100 Young Men of Uruk fell in.At his second snort a huge pit opened up,and 200 Young Men of Uruk fell in.At his third snort a huge pit opened up,and Enkidu fell in up to his waist.Then Enkidu jumped out and seized the Bull of Heaven by its horns.the Bull spewed his spittle in front of him,with his thick tail he flung his dung behind him (?).Enkidu addressed Gilgamesh, saying:"My friend, we can be bold(?) ...How shall we respond...My friend, I saw...And my strength...I will rip out...I and you, we must share (?)I shall grasp the BullI will fill my hands (?) ..In front......between the nape, the horns, and... thrust your sword."Enkidu stalked and hunted down the Bull of Heaven.He grasped it by the thick of its tailand held onto it with both his hands (?),while Gilgamesh, like an expert butcher,boldly and surely approached the Bull of Heaven.Between the nape, the horns, and... he thrust his sword.After they had killed the Bull of Heaven,they ripped out its heart and presented it to Shamash.They withdrew bowing down humbly to Shamash.Then the brothers sat down together.Ishtar went up onto the top of the Wall of Uruk-Haven,cast herself into the pose of mourning, and hurled her woeful curse:"Woe unto Gilgamesh who slandered me and killed the Bull ofHeaven!"When Enkidu heard this pronouncement of Ishtar,he wrenched off the Bull's hindquarter and flung it in her face:"If I could only get at you I would do the same to you!I would drape his innards over your arms!"Ishtar assembled the (cultic women) of lovely-locks, joy-girls, and harlots,and set them to mourning over the hindquarter of the Bull.Gilgamesh summoned all the artisans and craftsmen.(All) the artisans admired the thickness of its horns,each fashioned from 30 minas of lapis lazuli!Two fingers thick is their casing(?).Six vats of oil the contents of the twohe gave as ointment to his (personal) god Lugalbanda.He brought the horns in and hung them in the bedroom of the familyhead (Lugalbanda?).They washed their hands in the Euphrates,and proceeded hand in hand,striding through the streets of Uruk.The men of Uruk gathered together, staring at them.Gilgamesh said to the palace retainers:"Who is the bravest of the men)Who is the boldest of the males!Gilgamesh is the bravest of the men,the boldest of the males!She at whom we flung the hindquarter of the Bull of Heaven inanger,Ishtar has no one that pleases her... in the street (?)Gilgamesh held a celebration in his palace.The Young Men dozed off, sleeping on the couches of the night.Enkidu was sleeping, and had a dream.He woke up and revealed his dream to his friend-My friend, why are the Great Gods in conference?(In my dream) Anu, Enlil, and Shamash held a council,and Anu spoke to Enlil:'Because they killed the Bull of Heaven and have also slainHumbaba,the one of them who pulled up the Cedar of the Mountainmust die!'Enlil said:'Let Enkidu die, but Gilgamesh must not die!'Bur the Sun God of Heavenl replied to valiant Enlil:'Was it not at my command that they killed the Bull ofHeaven and Humbaba!Should now innocent Enkidu die!'Then Enlil became angry at Shamash, saying:'it is you who are responsible because you traveled dailywith them as their friend!"'Enkidu was lying (sick) in front of Gilgamesh.His tears flowing like canals, he (Gilgamesh) said:"O brother, dear brother, why are they absolving me instead ofmy brother)"Then Enkidu said:) "So now must 1 become a ghost,to sit with the ghosts of the dead, to see my dear brothernevermore!"In the Cedar Forest where the Great (Gods dwell, I did not kill the Cedar."Enkidu addressed Gilgamesh,saying to Gilgamesh, his Friend:"Come, Friend,...The door...Enkidu raised his eyes,...and spoke to the door as if it were human:"You stupid wooden door,with no ability to understand... !Already at 10 leagues I selected the wood for you,until I saw the towering Cedar ...Your wood was without compare in my eyes.Seventy-two cubits was your height, 14 cubits your width, onecubit your thickness,your door post, pivot stone, and post cap ...I fashioned you, and I carried you; to Nippur...Had I known, O door, that this would he your gratitudeand this your gratitude...,I would have taken an axe and chopped you up,and lashed your planks into...in its ... I erected the...and in Uruk...they heardBut yet, O door, I fashioned you, and I carried you to Nippur!May a king who comes after me reject you, may the god...may he remove my name and set his own name there!"He ripped out.., threw down.He(Gilgamesh) kept listening to his words, and retorted quickly,Gilgamesh listened to the words of Enkidu, his Friend, and his tears flowed.Gilgamesh addressed Enkidu, raying:'Friend, the gods have given you a mind broad and ...Though it behooves you to be sensible, you keep utteringimproper things!Why, my Friend, does your mind utter improper things?The dream is important but very frightening,your lips are buzzing like flies.Though there is much fear, the dream is very important.To the living they (the gods) leave sorrow,to the living the dream leaves pain.I will pray, and beseech the Great Gods,I will seek..., and appeal to your god.... Enlil, the Father of the Gods,...Enlil the Counselor...you.I will fashion a statue of you of gold without measure,do nor worry..., gold...What Enlil says is not...What he has said cannot go back, cannot ...,What... he has laid down cannot go back, cannot...My friend,... of fate goes to mankind."just as dawn began to glow, Enkidu raised his head and cried out to Shamash,at the (first) gleam of the sun his tears poured forth."I appeal to you, O Shamash, on behalf of my precious life (?),because of that notorious trapperwho did not let me attain the same as my friendMay the trapper not get enough to feed himself .May his profit be slashed, and his wages decrease,may... be his share before you,may he not enter ... but go out of it like vapor(?)!"After he had cursed the trapper to his satisfaction,his heart prompted him to curse the Harlot."Come now, Harlot, I am going to decree your fate,a fate that will never come to an end for eternity!I will curse you with a Great Curse,may my curses overwhelm you suddenly, in an instant!May you not be able to make a household,and not be able to love a child of your own (?)!May you not dwell in the ... of girls,may dregs of beer (?) stain your beautiful lap,may a drunk soil your festal robe with vomit(?),... the beautiful (?)... of the potter.May you never acquire anything of bright alabaster,may the judge. ..may shining silver(?), man's delight, not be cast into your house,may a gateway be where you rake your pleasure,'may a crossroad be your homemay a wasteland be your sleeping place,may the shadow of the city wall be your place to stand,may the thorns and briars skin your feet,may both the drunk and the dry slap you on the cheek,... in your city's streets (?),may owls nest in the cracks of your walls!may no parties take place...... present(?).and your filthy "lap" ... may.., be his(?)Because of me...while I, blameless, you have... against me.When Shamash heard what his mouth had uttered,he suddenly called out to him from the sky:"Enkidu, why are you cursing the harlot, Shamhat,she who fed you bread fit for a god,she who gave you wine fit for a king,she who dressed you in grand garments,and she who allowed you to make beautiful Gilgamesh yourcomrade!Now Gilgamesh is your beloved brother-friend!He will have you lie on a grand couch,will have you lie on a couch of honor.He will seat you in the seat of ease, the seat at his left,so that the princes of the world kiss your feet.He will have the people of Uruk go into mourning and moaning over you,will fill the happy people with woe over you.And after you he will let his body bear a filthy mat of hair,will don the skin of a lion and roam the wilderness."As soon as Enkidu heard the words of valiant Shamash,his agitated heart grew calm, his anger abated.Enkidu spoke to the harlot, saying:"Come, Shamhat, I will decree your fate for you.Let my mouth which has cursed you, now turn to bless you!May governors and nobles love you,May he who is one league away bite his lip (in anticipation of you),may he who is two leagues away shake our his locks (in preparation)!May the soldier not refuse you, but undo his buckle for you,may he give you rock crystal(!), lapis lazuli, and gold,may his gift to you be earrings of filigree(?).May... his supplies be heaped up.May he bring you into the ... of the gods.May the wife, the mother of seven (children),be abandoned because of you!"Enkidu's innards were churning,lying there so alone.He spoke everything he felt, saying to his friend:"Listen, my friend, to the dream that I had last night.The heavens cried out and the earth replied,and I was standing between them.There appeared a man of dark visage--his face resembled the Anzu,"his hands were the paws of a lion,his nails the talons of an eagle!--he seized me by my hair and overpowered me.I struck him a blow, but he skipped about like a jump rope,and then he struck me and capsizcd me like a raft,and trampled on me like a wild bull.He encircled my whole body in a clamp.'Help me, my friend" (I cried),but you did not rescue me, you were afraid and did not.. .""Then he... and turned me into a dove,so that my arms were feathered like a bird.Seizing me, he led me down to the House of Darkness,the dwelling of Irkalla,to the house where those who enter do not come out,along the road of no return,to the house where those who dwell, do without light,where dirt is their drink, their food is of clay,where, like a bird, they wear garments of feathers,and light cannot be seen, they dwell in the dark,and upon the door and bolt, there lies dust.On entering the House of Dust,everywhere I looked there were royal crowns gathered in heaps,everywhere I listened, it was the bearers of crowns,who, in the past, had ruled the land,but who now served Anu and Enlil cooked meats,served confections, and poured cool water from waterskins.In the house of Dust that I enteredthere sat the high priest and acolyte,there sat the purification priest and ecstatic,there sat the anointed priests of the Great Gods.There sat Etana, there sat Sumukan,there sat Ereshkigal, the Queen of the Netherworld.Beletseri, the Scribe of the Netherworld, knelt before her,she was holding the tablet and was reading it out to her Ereshkigal.She raised her head when she saw me----'Who has taken this man?'[50 lines are missing here]...I (?) who went through every difficulty,remember me and forget(?) not all that I went through with you."My friend has had a dream that bodes ill?"The day he had the dream ... came to an end.Enkidu lies down a first day, a second day,that Enkidu ... in his bed;a third day and fourth day, that Enkidu ... in his bed;a fifth, a sixth, and seventh, that Enkidu ... in his bed;an eighth, a ninth, a tenth, that Enkidu ... in his bed.Enkidu's illness grew ever worse.Enkidu drew up from his bed,and called out to Gilgamesh ...:"My friend hates me ...while he talked with me in Urukas I was afraid of the battle he encouraged me.My friend who saved me in battle has now abandoned me!I and you ...[About 20 lines are missing]At his noises Gilgamesh was roused ...Like a dove he moaned ..."May he not be held, in death ...O preeminent among men ..."To his friend ..."I will mourn him (?)I at his side ..."-Just as day began to dawnGilgamesh addressed his friend, saying:"Enkidu, your mother, the gazelle,and your father, the wild donkey, engendered you,four wild asses raised you on their milk,and the herds taught you all the grazing lands.May the Roads of Enkidu to the Cedar Forestmourn youand not fall silent night or day.May the Elders of the broad city of Uruk-Havenmourn you.May the peoples who gave their blessing after usmourn you.May the men of the mountains and hillsmourn you.May the...May the pasture lands shriek in mourning as if it were your mother.May the ..., the cypress, and the cedar which we destroyed (?) in our angermourn you.May the bear, hyena, panther, tiger, water buffalo(?), jackal,lion, wild bull, stag, ibex, all the creatures of the plainsmourn you.May the holy River Ulaja, along whose banks we grandly used to stroll,mourn you.May the pure Euphrates, to which we would libate water from our waterskins,mourn you.May the men of Uruk-Haven, whom we saw in our battle whenwe killed the Bull of Heaven,mourn you.May the farmer ...,who extols your name in his sweet work song,mourn you.May the ... of the broad city, who ... exalted your name,mourn you.May the herder ..., who prepared butter and light beer for your mouth,mourn you.May ..., who put ointments on your back,mourn you.May ..., who prepared fine beer for your mouth,mourn you.May the harlot, ... you rubbed yourself with oil and felt good,mourn you.May ...,... of the wife placed(!) a ring on you ...,mourn youMay the brothers go into mourning over you like sisters;... the lamentation priests, may their hair be shorn off onyour behalf.Enkidu, your mother and your father are in the wastelands,I mourn you ...""Hear me, O Elders of Uruk, hear me, O men!I mourn for Enkidu, my friend,I shriek in anguish like a mourner.You, axe at my side, so trusty at my hand--you, sword at my waist, shield in front of me,you, my festal garment, a sash over my loins--an evil demon!) appeared and took him away from me!My friend, the swift mule, fleet wild ass of the mountain,panther of the wilderness,Enkidu, my friend, the swift mule, fleet wild ass of the mountain,panther of the wilderness,after we joined together and went up into the mountain,fought the Bull of Heaven and killed it,and overwhelmed Humbaba, who lived in the Cedar Forest,now what is this sleep which has seized you?You have turned dark and do not hear me!"But his (Enkidu's) eyes do not move,he touched his heart, but it beat no longer.He covered his friend's face like a bride,swooping down over him like an eagle,and like a lioness deprived of her cubshe keeps pacing to and fro.He shears off his curls and heaps them onto the ground,ripping off his finery and casting it away as an abomination.Just as day began to dawn, Gilgamesh ...and issued a call to the land:"You, blacksmith! You, lapidary! You, coppersmith!You, goldsmith! You, jeweler!Create 'My Friend,' fashion a statue of him.... he fashioned a statue of his friend.His features ......,your chest will be of lapis lazuli, your skin will be of gold."[10 lines are missing here.']"I had you recline on the great couch,indeed, on the couch of honor I let you recline,1 had you sit in the position of ease, the seat at the left, so theprinces of the world kissed your feet.I had the people of Uruk mourn and moan for you,I filled happy people with woe over you,and after you (died) I let a filthy mat of hair grow over my body,and donned the skin of a lion and roamed the wilderness."Just as day began to dawn,he undid his straps ...I... carnelian,[85 lines are missing here.']...to my friend.... your daggerto Bibbi ..."[40 lines are missing here.]" ... the judge of the Anunnaki."When Gilgamesh heard thisthe zikru of the river(!) he created'...Just as day began to dawn Gilgamesh opened(!) ...and brought out a big table of sissoo wood.A carnelian bowl he filled with honey,a lapis lazuli bowl he filled with butter.He provided ... and displayed it before Shamash.[All of the last column, some 40-50 lines, is missing.]-Over his friend, Enkidu, Gilgamesh cried bitterly, roaming the wilderness."I am going to die!--am I not like Enkidu?!Deep sadness penetrates my core,I fear death, and now roam the wilderness--I will set out to the region of Utanapishtim, son of Ubartutu,and will go with utmost dispatch!When I arrived at mountain passes at nightfall,'I saw lions, and I was terrified!I raised my head in prayer to Sin,to ... the Great Lady of the gods my supplications pouredforth, 'Save me from... !"'He was sleeping in the night, but awoke with a start with a dream:A warrior(!) enjoyed his life--he raised his axe in his hand,drew the dagger from his sheath,and fell into their midst like an arrow.He struck ... and he scattered them,The name of the former ...The name of the second ...(26 lines are missing here, telling of the beginning of his quest.]The Scorpion-BeingsThe mountain is called Mashu.Then he reached Mount Mashu,which daily guards the rising and setting of the Sun,above which only the dome of the heavens reaches,and whose flank reaches as far as the Netherworld below,there were Scorpion-beings watching over its gate.Trembling terror they inspire, the sight of them is death,their frightening aura sweeps over the mountains.At the rising and setting they watch over the Sun.When Gilgamesh saw them, trembling terror blanketed his face,but he pulled himself together and drew near to them.The scorpion-being called out to his female:"He who comes to us, his body is the flesh of gods!"The scorpion-being, his female, answered him:"(Only) two-thirds of him is a god, one-third is human."The male scorpion-being called out,saying to the offspring of the gods:"Why have you traveled so distant a journey?Why have you come here to me,over rivers whose crossing is treacherous!I want to learn your ...I want to learn ..."[16 lines are missing here. When the text resumes Gilgamesh is speaking.]"I have come on account of my ancestor Utanapishtim,who joined the Assembly of the Gods, and was given eternal life.About Death and Life I must ask him!"The scorpion-being spoke to Gilgamesh ..., saying:"Never has there been, Gilgamesh, a mortal man who could do that(?).No one has crossed through the mountains,for twelve leagues it is darkness throughout--dense is the darkness, and light there is none.To the rising of the sun ...To the setting of the sun ...To the setting of the sun ...They caused to go out..."[67 lines are missing, in which Gilgamesh convinces the scorpion-being to allow himpassage.]"Though it be in deep sadness and pain,in cold or heat ...gasping after breath ... I will go on!Now! Open the Gate!"The scorpion-being spoke to Gilgamesh, saying:"Go on, Gilgamesh, fear not!The Mashu mountains I give to you freely (!),the mountains, the ranges, you may traverse ...In safety may your feet carry you.The gate of the mountain ..."To the rising of the sun ...To the setting of the sun ...To the setting of the sun ...They caused to go out..."[67 lines are missing, in which Gilgamesh convinces the scorpion-being to allow himpassage.]"Though it be in deep sadness and pain,in cold or heat ...gasping after breath ... I will go on!Now! Open the Gate!"The scorpion-being spoke to Gilgamesh, saying:"Go on, Gilgamesh, fear not!The Mashu mountains I give to you freely (!),the mountains, the ranges, you may traverse ...In safety may your feet carry you.The gate of the mountain ..."As soon as Gilgamesh heard thishe heeded the utterances of the scorpion-being.Along the Road of the Sun L he journeyed--one league he traveled ...,dense was the darkness, light there was none.Neither what lies ahead nor behind does it allow him to see.Two leagues he traveled ...,dense was the darkness, light there was none,neither what lies ahead nor behind does it allow him to see.[22 lines are missing here.]Four leagues he traveled ...,dense was the darkness, light there was none,neither what lies ahead nor behind does it allow him to see.Five leagues he traveled ...,dense was the darkness, light there was none,neither what lies ahead nor behind does it allow him to see.Six leagues he traveled ...,dense was the darkness, light there was none,neither what lies ahead nor behind does it allow him to see.Seven leagues he traveled ..dense was the darkness, light there was none,neither what lies ahead nor behind does it allow him to see.Eight leagues he traveled and cried out (!),dense was the darkness, light there was none,neither what lies ahead nor behind does it allow him to see.Nine leagues he traveled ... the North Wind.It licked at his face,dense was the darkness, light there was none,neither what lies ahead nor behind does it allow him to see.Ten leagues he traveled ...... is near,... four leagues.Eleven leagues he traveled and came out before the sun(rise).Twelve leagues he traveled and it grew brilliant....it bears lapis lazuli as foliage,bearing fruit, a delight to look upon.(25 lines are missing here, describing the garden in detail.]... cedar... agate... of the sea ... lapis lazuli,like thorns and briars ... carnelian,rubies, hematite,...like... emeralds (!)... of the sea,Gilgamesh ... on walking onward,raised his eyes and saw ...-The tavern-keeper Siduri who lives by the seashore,she lives...the pot-stand was made for her, the golden fermenting vat was made for her.She is covered with a veil ...Gilgamesh was roving about...wearing a skin,...having the flesh of the gods in his body,but sadness deep within him,looking like one who has been traveling a long distance.The tavern-keeper was gazing off into the distance,puzzling to herself, she said,wondering to herself:"That fellow is surely a murderer(!)!Where is he heading! ..."As soon as the tavern-keeper saw him, she bolted her door,bolted her gate, bolted the lock.But at her noise Gilgamesh pricked up his ears,lifted his chin (to look about) and then laid his eyes on her.Gilgamesh spoke to the tavern-keeper, saying:"Tavern-keeper, what have you seen that made you boltyour door,bolt your gate, bolt the lock!if you do not let me in I will break your door, and smashthe lock!... the wilderness."... GilgameshThe tavern-keeper Siduri who lives by the seashore,she lives...the pot-stand was made for her, the golden fermenting vat was madefor her.She is covered with a veil ...Gilgamesh was roving about...wearing a skin,...having the flesh of the gods in his body,but sadness deep within him,looking like one who has been traveling a long distance.The tavern-keeper was gazing off into the distance,puzzling to herself, she said,wondering to herself:"That fellow is surely a murderer(!)!Where is he heading! ..."As soon as the tavern-keeper saw him, she bolted her door,bolted her gate, bolted the lock.But at her noise Gilgamesh pricked up his ears,lifted his chin (to look about) and then laid his eyes on her.Gilgamesh spoke to the tavern-keeper, saying:"Tavern-keeper, what have you seen that made you boltyour door,bolt your gate, bolt the lock!if you do not let me in I will break your door, and smashthe lock!... the wilderness."... Gilgamesh... gateGilgamesh said to the tavern-keeper:"I am Gilgamesh, I killed the Guardian!I destroyed Humbaba who lived in the Cedar Forest,I slew lions in the mountain passes!I grappled with the Bull that came down from heaven, andkilled him."The tavern-keeper spoke to Gilgamesh, saying:"lf you are Gilgamesh, who killed the Guardian,who destroyed Humbaba who lived in the Cedar Forest,who slew lions in the mountain passes,who grappled with the Bull that came down from heaven, andkilled him,why are your cheeks emaciated, your expression desolate!Why is your heart so wretched, your features so haggard!Why is there such sadness deep within you!Why do you look like one who has been traveling a longdistanceso that ice and heat have seared your face!... you roam the wilderness!"Gilgamesh spoke to her, to the tavern-keeper he said:"Tavern-keeper, should not my cheeks be emaciated?Should my heart not be wretched, my features not haggard?Should there not be sadness deep within me!Should I not look like one who has been traveling a longdistance,and should ice and heat not have seared my face!..., should I not roam the wilderness?My friend, the wild ass who chased the wild donkey, panther ofthe wilderness,Enkidu, the wild ass who chased the wild donkey, panther ofthe wilderness,we joined together, and went up into the mountain.We grappled with and killed the Bull of Heaven,we destroyed Humbaba who lived in the Cedar Forest,we slew lions in the mountain passes!My friend, whom I love deeply, who went through every hard-ship with me,Enkidu, whom I love deeply, who went through every hardshipwith me,the fate of mankind has overtaken him.Six days and seven nights I mourned over himand would not allow him to be burieduntil a maggot fell out of his nose.I was terrified by his appearance(!),I began to fear death, and so roam the wilderness.The issue of my friend oppresses me,so I have been roaming long trails through the wilderness.The issue of Enkidu, my friend, oppresses me,so I have been roaming long roads through the wilderness.How can I stay silent, how can 1 be still!My friend whom I love has turned to clay.Am I not like him? Will I lie down, never to get up again?"'Gilgamesh spoke to the tavern-keeper, saying:"So now, tavern-keeper, what is the way to Utanapishtim!What are its markers Give them to me! Give me the markers!If possible, I will cross the sea;if not, I will roam through the wilderness."The tavern-keeper spoke to Gilgamesh, saying:"There has never been, Gilgamesh, any passage whatever,there has never been anyone since days of yore who crossedthe sea.The (only) one who crosses the sea is valiant Shamash, exceptfor him who can cross!The crossing is difficult, its ways are treacherous--and in between are the Waters of Death that bar its approaches!And even if, Gilgamesh, you should cross the sea,when you reach the Waters of Death what would you do!Gilgamesh, over there is Urshanabi, the ferryman of Utanapishtim.'The stone things' L are with him, he is in the woods pickingmint( !).Go on, let him see your face.If possible, cross with him;if not, you should turn back."When Gilgamesh heard thishe raised the axe in his hand,drew the dagger from his belt,and slipped stealthily away after them.Like an arrow he fell among them ("the stone things").From the middle of the woods their noise could be heard.Urshanabi, the sharp-eyed, saw...When he heard the axe, he ran toward it.He struck his head ... Gilgamesh.'He clapped his hands and ... his chest,while "the stone things" ... the boat... Waters of Death... broad seain the Waters of Death ...... to the river... the boat... on the shore.Gilgamesh spoke to Urshanabi (?), the ferryman,... you."Urshanabi spoke to Gilgamesh, saying:'"Why are your cheeks emaciated, your expression desolate!Why is your heart so wretched, your features so haggard?Why is there such sadness deep within you!Why do you look like one who has been traveling a longdistanceso that ice and heat have seared your face!Why ... you roam the wilderness!"Gilgamesh spoke to Urshanabi, saying:"Urshanabi, should not my cheeks be emaciated, my expressiondesolate!Should my heart not be wretched, my features not haggardShould there not be sadness deep within me?Should I not look like one who has been traveling a longdistance,and should ice and heat not have seared my face!... should I not roam the wilderness?My friend who chased wild asses in the mountain, the pantherof the wilderness,Enkidu, my friend, who chased wild asses in the mountain, thepanther of the wilderness,we joined together, and went up into the mountain.We grappled with and killed the Bull of Heaven,we destroyed Humbaba who dwelled in the Cedar Forest,we slew lions in the mountain passes!My friend, whom I love deeply, who went through every hard-ship with me,Enkidu, my friend, whom I love deeply, who went throughevery hardship with me,the fate of mankind has overtaken him.Six days and seven nights I mourned over himand would not allow him to be burieduntil a maggot fell out of his nose.I was terrified by his appearance(!),I began to fear death, and so roam the wilderness.The issue of my friend oppresses me,so I have been roaming long trails through the wilderness.The issue of Enkidu, my friend, oppresses me,so 1 have been roaming long roads through the wilderness.How can I stay silent, how can I be still!My friend whom I love has turned to clay;Enkidu, my friend whom I love, has turned to clay!Am I not like him! Will I lie down, never to get up again!"Gilgamesh spoke to Urshanabi, saying:"Now, Urshanabi! What is the way to Utanapishtim?What are its markers! Give them to me! Give me the markers!If possible, I will cross the sea;if not, I will roam through the wilderness!"Urshanabi spoke to Gilgamesh, saying:"It is your hands, Gilgamesh, that prevent the crossing!You have smashed the stone things,' you have pulled out theirretaining ropes (?).'The stone things' have been smashed, their retaining ropes (!)pulled out!Gilgamesh, take the axe in your hand, go down into the woods,and cut down 300 punting poles each 60 cubits in length.Strip them, attach caps(?), and bring them to the boat!"When Gilgamesh heard thishe took up the axe in his hand, drew the dagger from his belt,and went down into the woods,and cut 300 punting poles each 60 cubits in length.He stripped them and attached caps(!), and brought them tothe boat.Gilgamesh and Urshanabi bearded the boat,Gilgamesh launched the magillu-boat' and they sailed away.By the third day they had traveled a stretch of a month and ahalf, andUrshanabi arrived at the Waters of Death.Urshanabi said to Gilgamesh:"Hold back, Gilgamesh, take a punting pole,but your hand must not pass over the Waters of Death ... !Take a second, Gilgamesh, a third, and a fourth pole,take a fifth, Gilgamesh, a sixth, and a seventh pole,take an eighth, Gilgamesh, a ninth, and a tenth pole,take an eleventh, Gilgamesh, and a twelfth pole!"In twice 60 rods Gilgamesh had used up the punting poles.Then he loosened his waist-cloth(?) for...Gilgamesh stripped off his garmentand held it up on the mast(!) with his arms.Utanapishtim was gazing off into the distance,puzzling to himself he said, wondering to himself:"Why are 'the stone things' of the boat smashed to pieces!And why is someone not its master sailing on it?The one who is coming is not a man of mine, ...I keep looking but not...I keep looking but not ...I keep looking..."lines are missing here.]Utanapishtim said to Gilgamesh:"Why are your cheeks emaciated, your expression desolate!Why is your heart so wretched, your features so haggard!Why is there such sadness deep within you!Why do you look like one who has been traveling a long distanceso that ice and heat have seared your face!... you roam the wilderness!"Gilgamesh spoke to Utanapishtim saying:"Should not my cheeks be emaciated, my expression desolate!Should my heart not be wretched, my features not haggard!Should there not be sadness deep within me!Should I not look like one who has been traveling a long distance,and should ice and heat not have seared my face!... should I not roam the wilderness)My friend who chased wild asses in the mountain, the pantherof the wilderness,Enkidu, my friend, who chased wild asses in the mountain, thepanther of the wilderness,we joined together, and went up into the mountain.We grappled with and killed the Bull of Heaven,we destroyed Humbaba who dwelled in the Cedar Forest,we slew lions in the mountain passes!My friend, whom I love deeply, who went through every hard-shin with meEnkidu, my friend, whom I love deeply, who went throughevery hardship with me,the fate of mankind has overtaken him.Six days and seven nights I mourned over himand would not allow him to be burieduntil a maggot fell out of his nose.I was terrified by his appearance(!),I began to fear death, and so roam the wilderness.The issue of my friend oppresses me,so I have been roaming long trails through the wilderness.The issue of Enkidu, my friend, oppresses me,so I have been roaming long roads through the wilderness.How can I stay silent, how can I be still!My friend whom I love has turned to clay;Enkidu, my friend whom I love, has turned to clay!Am I not like him! Will I lie down never to get up again!"Gilgamesh spoke to Utanapishtim, saying:"That is why (?) I must go on, to see Utanapishtim whom theycall 'The Faraway.'"I went circling through all the mountains,I traversed treacherous mountains, and crossed all the seas--that is why (!) sweet sleep has not mellowed my face,through sleepless striving I am strained,my muscles are filled with pain.I had not yet reached the tavern-keeper's area before myclothing gave out.I killed bear, hyena, lion, panther, tiger, stag, red-stag, andbeasts of the wilderness;I ate their meat and wrapped their skins around me.'The gate of grief must be bolted shut, sealed with pitch andbitumen !As for me, dancing...For me unfortunate(!) it(?) will root out..."Utanapishtim spoke to Gilgamesh, saying:"Why, Gilgamesh, do you ... sadness?You who were created (!) from the flesh of gods and mankindwho made ... like your father and mother?Have you ever... Gilgamesh ... to the fool ...They placed a chair in the Assembly, ...But to the fool they gave beer dregs instead of butter,bran and cheap flour which like ...Clothed with a loincloth (!) like ...And ... in place of a sash,because he does not have ...does not have words of counsel ...Take care about it, Gilgamesh,... their master...... Sin...... eclipse of the moon ...The gods are sleepless ...They are troubled, restless(!) ...Long ago it has been established...You trouble yourself...... your help ...If Gilgamesh ... the temple of the gods... the temple of the holy gods,... the gods ...... mankind,they took ... for his fate.You have toiled without cease, and what have you got!Through toil you wear yourself out,you fill your body with grief,your long lifetime you are bringing near (to a premature end)!Mankind, whose offshoot is snapped off like a reed in acanebreak,the fine youth and lovely girl... death.No one can see death,no one can see the face of death,no one can hear the voice of death,yet there is savage death that snaps off mankind.For how long do we build a household?For how long do we seal a document!For how long do brothers share the inheritance?For how long is there to be jealousy in the land(!)!For how long has the river risen and brought the overflowingwaters,so that dragonflies drift down the river!'The face that could gaze upon the face of the Sunhas never existed ever.How alike are the sleeping(!) and the dead.The image of Death cannot be depicted.(Yes, you are a) human being, a man (?)!After Enlil had pronounced the blessing,'"the Anunnaki, the Great Gods, assembled.Mammetum, she who forms destiny, determined destiny with them.They established Death and Life,but they did not make known 'the days of death'".-Gilgamesh spoke to Utanapishtim, the Faraway:"I have been looking at you,but your appearance is not strange--you are like me!You yourself are not different--you are like me!My mind was resolved to fight with you,(but instead?) my arm lies useless over you.Tell me, how is it that you stand in the Assembly of the Gods,and have found life!"Utanapishtim spoke to Gilgamesh, saying:"I will reveal to you, Gilgamesh, a thing that is hidden,a secret of the gods I will tell you!Shuruppak, a city that you surely know,situated on the banks of the Euphrates,that city was very old, and there were gods inside it.The hearts of the Great Gods moved them to inflict the Flood.Their Father Anu uttered the oath (of secrecy),Valiant Enlil was their Adviser,Ninurta was their Chamberlain,Ennugi was their Minister of Canals.Ea, the Clever Prince(?), was under oath with themso he repeated their talk to the reed house:'Reed house, reed house! Wall, wall!O man of Shuruppak, son of Ubartutu:Tear down the house and build a boat!Abandon wealth and seek living beings!Spurn possessions and keep alive living beings!Make all living beings go up into the boat.The boat which you are to build,its dimensions must measure equal to each other:its length must correspond to its width.Roof it over like the Apsu.I understood and spoke to my lord, Ea:'My lord, thus is the command which you have utteredI will heed and will do it.But what shall I answer the city, the populace, and theElders!'Ea spoke, commanding me, his servant:'You, well then, this is what you must say to them:"It appears that Enlil is rejecting meso I cannot reside in your city (?),nor set foot on Enlil's earth.I will go down to the Apsu to live with my lord, Ea,and upon you he will rain down abundance,a profusion of fowl, myriad(!) fishes.He will bring to you a harvest of wealth,in the morning he will let loaves of bread shower down,and in the evening a rain of wheat!"'Just as dawn began to glowthe land assembled around me-the carpenter carried his hatchet,the reed worker carried his (flattening) stone,... the men ...The child carried the pitch,the weak brought whatever else was needed.On the fifth day I laid out her exterior.It was a field in area,its walls were each 10 times 12 cubits in height,the sides of its top were of equal length, 10 times It cubits each.I laid out its (interior) structure and drew a picture of it (?).I provided it with six decks,thus dividing it into seven (levels).The inside of it I divided into nine (compartments).I drove plugs (to keep out) water in its middle part.I saw to the punting poles and laid in what was necessary.Three times 3,600 (units) of raw bitumen I poured into thebitumen kiln,three times 3,600 (units of) pitch ...into it,there were three times 3,600 porters of casks who carried (vege-table) oil,apart from the 3,600 (units of) oil which they consumed (!)and two times 3,600 (units of) oil which the boatman storedaway.I butchered oxen for the meat(!),and day upon day I slaughtered sheep.I gave the workmen(?) ale, beer, oil, and wine, as if it wereriver water,so they could make a party like the New Year's Festival.... and I set my hand to the oiling(!).The boat was finished by sunset.The launching was very difficult.They had to keep carrying a runway of poles front to back,until two-thirds of it had gone into the water(?).Whatever I had I loaded on it:whatever silver I had I loaded on it,whatever gold I had I loaded on it.All the living beings that I had I loaded on it,I had all my kith and kin go up into the boat,all the beasts and animals of the field and the craftsmen Ihad go up.Shamash had set a stated time:'In the morning I will let loaves of bread shower down,and in the evening a rain of wheat!Go inside the boat, seal the entry!'That stated time had arrived.In the morning he let loaves of bread shower down,and in the evening a rain of wheat.I watched the appearance of the weather--the weather was frightful to behold!I went into the boat and sealed the entry.For the caulking of the boat, to Puzuramurri, the boatman,I gave the palace together with its contents.Just as dawn began to glowthere arose from the horizon a black cloud.Adad rumbled inside of it,before him went Shullat and Hanish,heralds going over mountain and land.Erragal pulled out the mooring poles,forth went Ninurta and made the dikes overflow.The Anunnaki lifted up the torches,setting the land ablaze with their flare.Stunned shock over Adad's deeds overtook the heavens,and turned to blackness all that had been light.The... land shattered like a... pot.All day long the South Wind blew ...,blowing fast, submerging the mountain in water,overwhelming the people like an attack.No one could see his fellow,they could not recognize each other in the torrent.The gods were frightened by the Flood,and retreated, ascending to the heaven of Anu.The gods were cowering like dogs, crouching by the outer wall.Ishtar shrieked like a woman in childbirth,the sweet-voiced Mistress of the Gods wailed:'The olden days have alas turned to clay,because I said evil things in the Assembly of the Gods!How could I say evil things in the Assembly of the Gods,ordering a catastrophe to destroy my people!!No sooner have I given birth to my dear peoplethan they fill the sea like so many fish!'The gods--those of the Anunnaki--were weeping with her,the gods humbly sat weeping, sobbing with grief(?),their lips burning, parched with thirst.Six days and seven nightscame the wind and flood, the storm flattening the land.When the seventh day arrived, the storm was pounding,the flood was a war--struggling with itself like a womanwrithing (in labor).The sea calmed, fell still, the whirlwind (and) flood stopped up.I looked around all day long--quiet had set inand all the human beings had turned to clay!The terrain was as flat as a roof.I opened a vent and fresh air (daylight!) fell upon the side ofmy nose.I fell to my knees and sat weeping,tears streaming down the side of my nose.I looked around for coastlines in the expanse of the sea,and at twelve leagues there emerged a region (of land).On Mt. Nimush the boat lodged firm,Mt. Nimush held the boat, allowing no sway.One day and a second Mt. Nimush held the boat, allowingno sway.A third day, a fourth, Mt. Nimush held the boat, allowingno sway.A fifth day, a sixth, Mt. Nimush held the boat, allowingno sway.When a seventh day arrivedI sent forth a dove and released it.The dove went off, but came back to me;no perch was visible so it circled back to me.I sent forth a swallow and released it.The swallow went off, but came back to me;no perch was visible so it circled back to me.I sent forth a raven and released it.The raven went off, and saw the waters slither back.It eats, it scratches, it bobs, but does not circle back to me.Then I sent out everything in all directions and sacrificed(a sheep).I offered incense in front of the mountain-ziggurat.Seven and seven cult vessels I put in place,and (into the fire) underneath (or: into their bowls) I pouredreeds, cedar, and myrtle.The gods smelled the savor,the gods smelled the sweet savor,and collected like flies over a (sheep) sacrifice.Just then Beletili arrived.She lifted up the large flies (beads) which Anu had made forhis enjoyment(!):'You gods, as surely as I shall not forget this lapis lazuliaround my neck,may I be mindful of these days, and never forget them!The gods may come to the incense offering,but Enlil may not come to the incense offering,because without considering he brought about the Floodand consigned my people to annihilation.'Just then Enlil arrived.He saw the boat and became furious,he was filled with rage at the Igigi gods:'Where did a living being escape?No man was to survive the annihilation!'Ninurta spoke to Valiant Enlil, saying:'Who else but Ea could devise such a thing?It is Ea who knows every machination!'La spoke to Valiant Enlil, saying:'It is yours, O Valiant One, who is the Sage of the Gods.How, how could you bring about a Flood without considerationCharge the violation to the violator,charge the offense to the offender,but be compassionate lest (mankind) be cut off,be patient lest they be killed.Instead of your bringing on the Flood,would that a lion had appeared to diminish the people!Instead of your bringing on the Flood,would that a wolf had appeared to diminish the people!Instead of your bringing on the Flood,would that famine had occurred to slay the land!Instead of your bringing on the Flood,would that (Pestilent) Erra had appeared to ravage the land!It was not I who revealed the secret of the Great Gods,I (only) made a dream appear to Atrahasis, and (thus) heheard the secret of the gods.Now then! The deliberation should be about him!'Enlil went up inside the boatand, grasping my hand, made me go up.He had my wife go up and kneel by my side.He touched our forehead and, standing between us, heblessed us:'Previously Utanapishtim was a human being.But now let Utanapishtim and his wife become like us,the gods!Let Utanapishtim reside far away, at the Mouth of the Rivers.'They took us far away and settled us at the Mouth of the Rivers.""Now then, who will convene the gods on your behalf,that you may find the life that you are seeking!Wait! You must not lie down for six days and seven nights."soon as he sat down (with his head) between his legssleep, like a fog, blew upon him.Utanapishtim said to his wife:"Look there! The man, the youth who wanted (eternal) life!Sleep, like a fog, blew over him."his wife said to Utanapishtim the Faraway:"Touch him, let the man awaken.Let him return safely by the way he came.Let him return to his land by the gate through which he left."Utanapishtim said to his wife:"Mankind is deceptive, and will deceive you.Come, bake loaves for him and keep setting them by his headand draw on the wall each day that he lay down."She baked his loaves and placed them by his headand marked on the wall the day that he lay down.The first loaf was dessicated,the second stale, the third moist(?), the fourth turned white,its ...,the fifth sprouted gray (mold), the sixth is still fresh.the seventh--suddenly he touched him and the man awoke.Gilgamesh said to Utanapishtim:"The very moment sleep was pouring over meyou touched me and alerted me!"Utanapishtim spoke to Gilgamesh, saying:"Look over here, Gilgamesh, count your loaves!You should be aware of what is marked on the wall!Your first loaf is dessicated,the second stale, the third moist, your fourth turned white,its ...the fifth sprouted gray (mold), the sixth is still fresh.The seventh--suddenly he touched him and the man awoke.Gilgamesh said to Utanapishtim:"The very moment sleep was pouring over meyou touched me and alerted me!"Utanapishtim spoke to Gilgamesh, saying:"Look over here, Gilgamesh, count your loaves!You should be aware of what is marked on the wall!Your first loaf is dessicated,the second stale, the third moist, your fourth turned white,its ...the fifth sprouted gray (mold), the sixth is still fresh.The seventh--at that instant you awoke!"Gilgamesh said to Utanapishtim the Faraway:"O woe! What shall I do, Utanapishtim, where shall I go!The Snatcher has taken hold of my flesh,in my bedroom Death dwells,and wherever I set foot there too is Death!"Home Empty-HandedUtanapishtim said to Urshanabi, the ferryman:"May the harbor reject you, may the ferry landing reject you!May you who used to walk its shores be denied its shores!The man in front of whom you walk, matted hair chainshis body,animal skins have ruined his beautiful skin.Take him away, Urshanabi, bring him to the washing place.Let him wash his matted hair in water like ellu.Let him cast away his animal skin and have the sea carry it off,let his body be moistened with fine oil,let the wrap around his head be made new,let him wear royal robes worthy of him!Until he goes off to his city,until he sets off on his way,let his royal robe not become spotted, let it be perfectly new!"Urshanabi took him away and brought him to the washing place.He washed his matted hair with water like ellu.He cast off his animal skin and the sea carried it oh.He moistened his body with fine oil,and made a new wrap for his head.He put on a royal robe worthy of him.Until he went away to his city,until he set off on his way,his royal robe remained unspotted, it was perfectly clean.Gilgamesh and Urshanabi bearded the boat,they cast off the magillu-boat, and sailed away.The wife of Utanapishtim the Faraway said to him:"Gilgamesh came here exhausted and worn out.What can you give him so that he can return to his land (withhonor) !"Then Gilgamesh raised a punting poleand drew the boat to shore.Utanapishtim spoke to Gilgamesh, saying:"Gilgamesh, you came here exhausted and worn out.What can I give you so you can return to your land?I will disclose to you a thing that is hidden, Gilgamesh,a... I will tell you.There is a plant... like a boxthorn,whose thorns will prick your hand like a rose.If your hands reach that plant you will become a youngman again."Hearing this, Gilgamesh opened a conduit(!) (to the Apsu)and attached heavy stones to his feet.They dragged him down, to the Apsu they pulled him.He took the plant, though it pricked his hand,and cut the heavy stones from his feet,letting the waves(?) throw him onto its shores.Gilgamesh spoke to Urshanabi, the ferryman, saying:"Urshanabi, this plant is a plant against decay(!)by which a man can attain his survival(!).I will bring it to Uruk-Haven,and have an old man eat the plant to test it.The plant's name is 'The Old Man Becomes a Young Man.'"Then I will eat it and return to the condition of my youth."At twenty leagues they broke for some food,at thirty leagues they stopped for the night.Seeing a spring and how cool its waters were,Gilgamesh went down and was bathing in the water.A snake smelled the fragrance of the plant,silently came up and carried off the plant.While going back it sloughed off its casing.'At that point Gilgamesh sat down, weeping,his tears streaming over the side of his nose."Counsel me, O ferryman Urshanabi!For whom have my arms labored, Urshanabi!For whom has my heart's blood roiled!I have not secured any good deed for myself,but done a good deed for the 'lion of the ground'!"Now the high waters are coursing twenty leagues distant,'as I was opening the conduit(?) I turned my equipment overinto it (!).What can I find (to serve) as a marker(?) for me!I will turn back (from the journey by sea) and leave the boat bythe shore!"At twenty leagues they broke for some food,at thirty leagues they stopped for the night.They arrived in Uruk-Haven.Gilgamesh said to Urshanabi, the ferryman:"Go up, Urshanabi, onto the wall of Uruk and walk around.Examine its foundation, inspect its brickwork thoroughly--is not (even the core of) the brick structure of kiln-fired brick,and did not the Seven Sages themselves lay out its plan!One league city, one league palm gardens, one league lowlands, the open area(?) of the Ishtar Temple,three leagues and the open area(?) of Uruk it encloses.Hope this helps.