Reading Notes: Part A for Week 5: Ancient Egyptian Myths and Stories - The Secret Name of Ra
Out of all the stories for this reading section, I was most intrigued by The Secret Name of Ra. This story illustrates the power of Ra and the conniving nature of Isis. Readers learn more about the ambitions of Isis to receive the power of the mighty gods and what measures Isis undertook in order to realize her dream.
Ra had many names, yet possessed one secret name that was given to him by the one whom brought him to life, Nu. Yet, the goddess Isis, weary of the ways of mankind, sought to have power equal to that of Ra's in the heavens and on earth. She was an enchantress, yearning to know the secret name of Ra so that she could have equal power of the god.
As Ra grew in old age, his saliva started to drip from his mouth as he spoke to his followers and uttered decrees. Isis, plotting her strategy, followed Ra and collected his saliva. She baked the saliva of the god and shaped it into a spear. The spear then became a venomous serpent, and she cast it upon the path that Ra traverses as he surveys his kingdom. There the serpent waited, invisible to gods and men.
One day as Ra came upon the path by which the serpent lay, the serpent came forth and stung him. Venom rushed through the body of Ra, and he was stricken with great pain. He called out in pain, and his followers all gathered around him. Isis came to bear witness, for she could utter incantations to subdue pain and give life.
Isis, deceiving in her ways, spoke to Ra with seemingly utmost concern, questioning about his unfortunate demise. Wanting the secret name of Ra for her own, she asks Ra for his name in exchange for healing of his ailment. Ra, unwavering from speaking his sacred name, speaks of his great achievements and power. Nevertheless, the poison still emanated in his body.
Without sorrow, Isis inquired Ra of his name of power, as she wanted nothing more than to share his power. She negotiated with Ra his secret name in return for his health. Ra spoke and declared that his name shall leave his heart and enter hers.
In this instance, Ra vanished, and the light of the sun departed with him. As the secret name of Ra entered her heart, Isis worked her spell, removing the treacherous venom from Ra. Ra was made whole again, and Isis now shared his great power.
I really liked this story because it demonstrates the scope of the power that Ra possesses. It also illustrates the loyalty of his followers for they all came once they heard his cry. The cunningness of Isis was also explored in this story, for she plotted against Ra for she wanted to share his power. She enchanted a serpent with venom so treacherous that even Ra fell weak to it, stricken with great pain. The story illustrates how Isis was so instrumental with her plan and how great her desire was to be equal with Ra.
Bibliography: The Secret Name of Ra from Egyptian Myth and Legend by Donald Mackenzie (1907)
Ra had many names, yet possessed one secret name that was given to him by the one whom brought him to life, Nu. Yet, the goddess Isis, weary of the ways of mankind, sought to have power equal to that of Ra's in the heavens and on earth. She was an enchantress, yearning to know the secret name of Ra so that she could have equal power of the god.
As Ra grew in old age, his saliva started to drip from his mouth as he spoke to his followers and uttered decrees. Isis, plotting her strategy, followed Ra and collected his saliva. She baked the saliva of the god and shaped it into a spear. The spear then became a venomous serpent, and she cast it upon the path that Ra traverses as he surveys his kingdom. There the serpent waited, invisible to gods and men.
One day as Ra came upon the path by which the serpent lay, the serpent came forth and stung him. Venom rushed through the body of Ra, and he was stricken with great pain. He called out in pain, and his followers all gathered around him. Isis came to bear witness, for she could utter incantations to subdue pain and give life.
Isis, deceiving in her ways, spoke to Ra with seemingly utmost concern, questioning about his unfortunate demise. Wanting the secret name of Ra for her own, she asks Ra for his name in exchange for healing of his ailment. Ra, unwavering from speaking his sacred name, speaks of his great achievements and power. Nevertheless, the poison still emanated in his body.
Without sorrow, Isis inquired Ra of his name of power, as she wanted nothing more than to share his power. She negotiated with Ra his secret name in return for his health. Ra spoke and declared that his name shall leave his heart and enter hers.
In this instance, Ra vanished, and the light of the sun departed with him. As the secret name of Ra entered her heart, Isis worked her spell, removing the treacherous venom from Ra. Ra was made whole again, and Isis now shared his great power.
I really liked this story because it demonstrates the scope of the power that Ra possesses. It also illustrates the loyalty of his followers for they all came once they heard his cry. The cunningness of Isis was also explored in this story, for she plotted against Ra for she wanted to share his power. She enchanted a serpent with venom so treacherous that even Ra fell weak to it, stricken with great pain. The story illustrates how Isis was so instrumental with her plan and how great her desire was to be equal with Ra.
Isis the Egyptian Goddess - Courtesy of Wikipedia
Bibliography: The Secret Name of Ra from Egyptian Myth and Legend by Donald Mackenzie (1907)
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