Translated and adapted from Enheduanna’s Hymns of the Temple
Great Goddess Inanna, Lady of all powers,
Whose radiance illuminates all,
Tiara-crowned and beloved of Heaven and Earth,
Priestess of the Highest God,
Your hand holds the seven powers.
You lift the powers of all beings onto your finger,
Gather them like necklaces with unparalleled grace.
Like a dragon, you breathed toxic breaths on the land—
As thunder shook the earth, nothing from the Earth could live!
As a flood fell from the mountains,
Inanna, foremost in Heaven and Earth
Riding on a beast, you rained fire on the heads of men.
You hold the key to all the great rites and harness the command of the Highest,
No one can fathom your power and grandeur.
In battle, you storm to the forefront,
All yield to you in fear; Lest they be struck down!
Oh, winged Lady, like a bird, soaring above the land,
Scavenging and searching out prey.
Like a charging storm, you attack;
Like roaring thunder, you unleash your ferocity.
As the sky shakes in response to your bellow,
Exhaling raging winds,
You are continually restless.
As you carry your harp of sighs, you unleash the music of mourning.
It is through your service,
That the temple is made open for me.
You are the Highest High One;
Though I have carried your will into the world,
I have been cast out
Amongst the Lepers.
Now Day comes and the light hides,
Darkness envelopes my soul,
My spirit is silenced by the desert storms,
What issues from my mouth is only confusion,
Even my desire has left my body,
Your greatness eclipses Nanna,
Let his kingdom now be yours!
As lofty as Heaven,
Let them feel you
As wide as the Earth,
Let them see you,
Destroy the rebellious horde,
Let them flee from you,
Your voice rattles the land,
Let them hear you,
Your storms fall upon their crowns,
Let them know you,
Their eyes cannot dare look upon you,
Let them fear you,
Your glances strike like holy lightning,
Let them see your ferocity,
Your victory is assured in the highest heavens,
Can they say this of Nanna?
Nay, it is said of YOU!
Your greatest is manifest.
You are the MOST HIGH!
You punish the rebellious with your fury,
Roaring at the land, raining down on their heads,
Feasting on their corpses like a dog,
Glancing upward and striking down lightning.
Victorious, you are the destroyer endowed with power,
Lady of all-encompassing beauty,
Clothed in the most stunning robes,
As womanly beautiful as the light of the rising moon.
Let the day be auspicious,
As you, Inanna, restore joy to my heart!
The gods of Heaven appear once again in their places.
The doors of Heaven cry out “Hail!”
Praise be upon the Highest High One!
Praise be to Inanna
