Nin-me-šara
This is the first english translation of Dr. Annette Zgoll’s german, academic translation of Nin-me-sara found at the beginning of her book, “Der Rechtsfall der En-hedu-Ana im Lied Nin-me-sara”(1997), “En-Hedu-Ana's Lawsuit in the poem Nin-me-sara”. It is a combined effort between Michelle Hart, RSME and Tatjana Dorsch. It is the most recent, updated translation of Enheduana’s most famous poem since Dr. William Hallo’s grounbreaking translation, “The Exaltation of Inanna” in 1968.
1. Queen of all the ME, too numerous to count, rising forth as resplendent light [1]
2. Woman [2], most driven, clothed in frightening radiance, loved by An and Uras,
3. An's nugig [3], you are above all the great SUHkese-breastplates,
4. You, who love the right aga-crown [4], who is suited for the en-priest-hood,
5. empowered with all of its all seven ME –
6. my queen! You are the guardian of the great ME!
7. You have uplifted the ME, you have held the Me in your hand.
8 You have gathered the ME, you have clasped the ME to your chest.
9 Like a dragon you cast venom upon the enemy land.
10 In the regions where you thundered like Iskur, Asnan no longer exists because of you
11 Flooding waters surge down on such an enemy land
12 You are the supreme one in Heaven and Earth, you are their Inana!
[1] This can also connote through homophone and homonym: “Queen of the countless battles, (as) a raging storm rising”
[2] Or we can read the sign of 'munus-zi' as 'zirru': “female”( bird). This is a title of Ningal, that is of Enheduanna. - Dr. Joan Westenholz has identified zirru as a title of the goddess Ningal, used by Enheduanna in her article, “Enheduanna, En-Priestess, Hen of Nanna,Spouse of Nanna”. In this article she deduces that Enheduanna is endowed with this title of zirru to convey that she is the human embodiment of Ningal.
[3] nugig is a title of Inanna in the context of the exercise of power or the broadening of power, important in the context of legitimization of rulers. -One of Dr. Zgoll’s theories is that Enheduanna herself, as en-priestess of Nanna in Ur, is endowed with the power to legitimate a king’s rule.
[4] I.e., Inanna loves the aga-crown/cap (object). It can also be read as: the aga-crown/cap (subject) loves Inanna, whereby then the aga metonomycal stands for Nanna, compare chapter 3.4.– The attribute “right” is the same word as in line 2 “driven” , it can be understood here also as a replacement for ‘thirst for creating’. (dictionary definition of metonymy- one word is put for another that it suggests; as, we say, a man keeps a good table instead of good food; we read Virgil, that is, his poems; a man has a warm heart, that is, warm affections)
13 Unceasing raging fire, you shower down upon the land of Sumer
14 Queen, whom An gave the ME, you ride atop a beast
15 Authorized by the fate-determining word of An, you utter words.[5]
16 The great rites are yours–who else could fathom their meaning?
17 Destroyer of enemy lands-you empowered the storm
18. Beloved of Enlil, you let terror reign over the land of Sumer
19. You stood prepared, waiting to fulfill the orders of An
20. My Queen! All enemy lands bow down at the sound of your roar!
21. Under your fearsome radiance, your terrible glare and storm, the people
22. turned their steps toward you in mute dread
23. – of all the ME, you had grasped the most terrible and deeply stirring–
24. Mankind [6] opened the gateway of tears, on your account [7]
25. They must walk the path to the house of all the great laments, on your account.[8]
[5] Or: “Who, authorized through the fate-determining mouth of An, says words”.
[6] In reference to nam-lu-ulu (mankind, men) line 21.
[7] literally: “to you” (or because of you)
[8] literally: “to you” (or because of you)
26. Because of you [9], all [10] had been ripped away even before the battle.
27. My Queen! With your strength a tooth can even crush flint [11]!
28. Like an invasive storm you barge in.
29. With the howling storm you howl.
30. With Iskur you thunder.
31. With raging thunderstorm you do exhaust,
32. while your own foot has never yet tired.
33. With the harp of laments one [12] strikes up a song of lamentation
34. My Queen! The Anuna, the great gods,
35. Like terrified [13] bats, fluttered away from you to the top of the mounds of ruins.
36. They could not withstand your devastating glance [14].
37. They cannot stand up against the fright on your brow.
[9] Literally: “to you” . (or because of you)
[10] Arms, troups, idols, fighting strength etc…
[11] In Sumerian dictionary tooth–tartar.
[12] Referring to nam-lu-ulu (“mankind”, “men”).
[13 ] Literally: “flying around”.
[14] Variant writing: “they cannot withstand”.
38. Who shall soothe your angry heart?[15]
39. Your hostile heart has become too violent to pacify!
40. Queen, has your soul [16] really been satisfied? Queen, is your heart really now filled with joy?
41. Your rage does not cool, great daughter of Suen! [17]
42. Queen, greater than the enemy land–who would dare take away any of your territory? [18]
43 You take the ‘mountain range’ [19] into your territory: its Asnan is no longer.[20]
44 Fire was set against its great gate. [21]
45 Blood flowed in its river for you, its people had to drink it for you. [22]
46 Their troops, all gathered together, [23] had to surrender themselves to you.
47 Even their elite troups, united together, had to be struck down for you.
48 Even their strong men- all of them, had to stand before you [24]
49 In the town’s places of pleasure, a storm rages.
50 They hunt down their best men as captives for you.
[15] Literally ‘cool’ with connotation ‘refresh’.
[16] Literally also “liver”, “stomach’.
[17] Another translation possibility: “Rage (glowing) and not cooling, great daugher of Suen!”
[18] Literally: “your earth”.
[19] Compare chapter 3.6.2.
[20] Some texts: “When you…. the ‘mountain ranges’” LaC: “you looked angrily upon the enemy land , ….”; UnH “When you looked angrily at the enemy land”.
[21] UrB: “in ihre (their, her, your) great temple”.
[22] 2 text segments: “they have nothing to drink”.
[23] Other translation possibility, also in the following lines” “in their fear”.
[24] NiW: “stood in front of you”.
51. The city, which would not say “This land is yours!” [25]
52. where the people did not say “He is your loving father!”–
53. He has spoken your fate-determining word [26]:the territory is restored beneath your foot.
54. Then care [27] disappears from within, from their stall.
55. That woman there -she no longer speaks of love with her spouse.
56. At night she no longer holds counsel with him.
57. She no longer reveals her innermost self to him, which holds the hope of future life[28].
58. Aggressive wild cow, great daughter of Suen,
59. Queen, greater than heaven-who would dare take any of your territories away from you?
[25] NiMM and LaB: “The enemy city, which has not said “To you”
[26] Variant: “ spoken from your fate-determining word”.
[27] Another word variant yielded the translation: “from the mother love”. Literal translation: “Then… the foot is slipped”.
[28] Literally: “the fate-determining thing of her insides”.
60 The Great queen (NIN.GAL) of queens, born for the rightful [29] ME,
61 born of a fate-laden body, you are even greater than your own mother,
62 full of wisdom, foresight, queen over all lands,
63. who allows existence to many, I now strike up your fate-determining song!
64 All powerful divinity, suitable for the ME, that which you have said magnificently is the most powerful! [31]
65. Of unfathomable heart [32], oh highly driven woman [33], of radiant heart, your ME [34], I will list for you now!
66. Into my fate-determining Gipar [35], I had entered for you.
67. I, the en-priestess, I, En-hedu-Ana [36].
68. While I carried the basket, I struck up the song of jubilation,
69. as though I had not lived there [38], they offered the death sacrifice. [37]
70. I came close to the light, there the light became scorching to me.
71. I came close to the shadow, there it was veiled by a storm.
72. My sweet mouth became venomous [39].
73. That with which I gave delight, turned to dust.
[29] See the opening of line 4: the adjective “right” also comprises the connotation of true powerfulness.
[30] The goddess Ningal. Literally: “as her own mother”.
[31] Simultaneously valid to the version: ”What you have spoken in as great a manner, is the ‘most powerful’.”, i.e. “No one can become more praised than you”.
[32] By the use of “heart” the connotation of “Anger” from the context of line 38-41 is not to be overlooked.
[33] NiRR: ‘zirru’, “(bird)woman”; this version is also possible in the parallel text. It is a title of Ningal, that is, Enheduanna; compare with chapter 6.1.
[34]NiRR: “the fate-deciding ME.” LaB, UnC: ”the rightful ME”.
[35] A part of the temple complex of the moongod in Ur, which encompasses the residence of the en-Priestess and the shrine of Ningal.
[36] The name means translated “En,Ornament of An”. Compare to chapter 4.5.
[37] UrB, UrG, LaB, write euphemistically instead “the beautiful place”. NiRR: “One of them has set down my meal (for the gods)”. NiA: “…..one of them offered, on his account as if I had never lived there.”
[38] Literally: “Haven’t I not lived there?”
[39] This version is in Text NiC and Text NiHHH, all other texts have one of the homophonic expressions. NiRR writes “bitter”.
74. My fate with Suen and Lugal-Ane,
75. report it to An! May An resolve it for me!
76. Report it to An immediately. An will resolve it for us!
77 “The Lady will tear away the destiny of Lugal-Ane.
78. At her feet lie hostile land and flood.
79. She is truly mighty-she will make the town tremble before her.
80. Go (before the court), so that she will be calm in her heart for me!”[40]
81. En-hedu-Ana am I, I will now say a prayer to you.
82. My tears, like sweet beer
83. I now shed them freely for you, fate-determining Inana, “Your judgement!” I will say to you. [41]
84. As for ASimbabbar, concern yourself not!
85. While changing the purfication rites of the fate-determining An, he [42:Lugalane] altered everything for him,
86. he tore away the Eana from An!
87. He showed no awe for the most venerable God (AN)!
88. This house, whose abundance he [43:AN] was not sated with, whose beauty he had not tasted,
89. he [44:Lugalane] turned this house into a despised home for him!
90. All the while, upon entering, as if he were the companion, he approached me with envy! [45]
91. My driven, divine, wild cow! You must drive away this 'someone', you must seize this 'someone'!
92. In this place where life is made possible–what am I?
93. This rebellious territory, despised by your Nanna: An should force them to surrender!
94. This city– An should strike it down!
95. Enlil should curse it!
96. The mother shall not soothe her crying child!
[40] In other texts: “so that she calms her heart for me.”
[41] NiA, LaB: “Be hailed”, UrD “The Judge!”/“Pass judgement!”, Niff “(you) attacked”.
[42] Meaning Lugal-Ane. see chapter 5.2 and 5.3.
[43] Meaning the God, An.
[44] Meaning Lugal-Ane .
[45] Literally:“his envy”.
97. Queen! The laments which were struck up over the land, [46]
98. your ship of wailing should be left behind in the enemy land! [47]
99. And because of my fate-determining song – must I die? [48]
100. I– my Nanna has cared not for me [49].
101. In the rebellious land, they completely and utterly destroyed me.
102. ASimbabbar most certainly has not passed a final judgement upon me!
103. Has he spoken it– does it mean anything? Has he not spoken it– does it mean anything?
104. After he stood there in triumph, he expelled me from the temple.
105. He made me fly like a swallow from the window-my life was consumed –[50]
106. and so I must go to the thorny undergrowth of the enemy land.
107. He tore the rightful aga-crown [51] of en-ship from me.
108. Handing me a dagger, he said, “This is now your ornament!” [52]
109. One and only Queen, beloved of An,
110. Mighty is your fate-determining heart, for my sake, may it be turned to its place! [53]
111. Beloved wife of Usumgal-Ana [54],
112. From the base to the zenith of heaven, you are the great Queen (NIN.GAL),
113. the Anuna have submitted to you.
114. From birth you were the smaller queen,
115. the Anuna, all the great gods–how you have surpassed them!
116. The Anuna kiss the ground before you with their lips.
117. My own trial is not yet over, but a stranger sentence surrounds me as though it were my sentence.
[46] Or: “the lamentations, which were established”.
[47] LaB: “should be approached”.
[48] LaB: “they will die”.
[49] UrB: “has not decided [my] verdict”.
[50] NiU, NiDD: “He consumed my life.”
[51] UnB: “the right garment”.
[52] 2nd Version: “This will be pushed against you (like horns of a bull)”.
[53] This turn (idiom) is a regular formula of the heart-soothing of the gods, which in this context agrees with the similar sounding: “may it be … turned to its territories”.
[54] NiRR:“The beloved wife of An [has…], beloved [ ] of Ama[-sumgal-Ana]”.
118. To the radiant bed [55], I did not stretch out my hand.
119. Nor did I reveal the words of Ningal to that 'someone' [56].
120. The radiant en -priestess of Nanna am I.
121. My Queen, beloved of An [57], may your heart be calmed for me.
122. It shall be known, it shall be known: Nanna has proclaimed no decree, “It is yours” is what he has said!
123. That you are as high as heaven, shall be known!
124. That you are as wide as the earth, shall be known!
125. That you anhilate rebelling territiories [58], shall be known!
125a. That you roar against the enemy lands, shall be known!
126. That you crush the leaders, shall be known!
127. That you devour corpses like a predator, shall be known!
128. That your glance is terrible, shall be known!
129. That you raise your terrible glance, shall be known!
130. That your glance is sparkling, shall be known!
131. That you are unshakable and unyielding, shall be known!
132. That you always stand triumphant, shall be known!
133. That Nanna has not proclaimed (the decree), that he has said, “It is yours”,
134. my Queen- it has made you greater, you have become the greatest!
135. My Queen, beloved of An, I will announce all of your wrath![59]
136. I have heaped the coals, prepared the purification rites,
137. The Esdam-ku [60] stands ready for you-will not your heart calm down for me? [61]
138. Since the heart was full, too full, great Queen, I birthed it for you. [62]
139. What was said to you at midnight,
140. the cult singer shall repeat it to you at midday:
141. “Because of your captive spouse, because of your captive protégé,
142. your anger has grown large, your heart has not calmed down.”
[55] NiDD:“In my radiant bed”.
[56] UrB:“I will not say anything to him”.
[57] NiA, UnB: “You are the beloved queen of An”
[58] UrA, LaC: kur.
[59] NiYY:“before your throne”.
[60] The name of the Inana-temple in Girsu/Lagas; beside it is also professed a place in various Inana-temples.
[61] Other texts:“May your heart be calmed/refreshed for me!”
[62] The meaning is first of all the text of NMS itself; for a broader translation compare with Chapter 7.2.
143 The Queen, the strong one, the ruler over the gathering of the 'en' [63],
144 she did accept her prayer and sacrifice [64] .
145 The heart of fate-determining Inana has turned to its place.
146 The light was sweet for her, delight was spread over her, full of abundant beauty was she.
147 As the light of the rising moon (NANNA), she too was clothed in enchantment.
148 Nanna came out [65] to rightfully gaze (at her) in awe,
149 (he and) her mother Ningal blessed her,
150 and then the gate post said unto her “Be hailed!”
151 What each said to the nugig is exalted.
152 Destroyer of enemy lands, endowed with the ME from An,
153 My Queen, draped in enchantment, (to you) Inana be glory!
[63] 'en' is a title for priests and rulers.
[64] In Sumerian this is only one lexeme. (=word)
[65] Another possible translation: (he) “led her out”.