(27) With outspread wings, Ishtar, the daughter of Sin (the Moon), sweeps downward to the gates of death. The house of darkness--the dwelling of the god Irkalla--is described as "the place of no return." It is without light; the nourishment of those who dwell therein is dust and their food is mud. Over the bolts on the door of the house of Irkalla is scattered dust, and the keepers of the house are covered with feathers like birds. Ishtar demands that the keepers open the gates, declaring that if they do not she will shatter the doorposts and strike the hinges and raise up dead devourers of the living. The guardians of the gates beg her to be patient while they go to the queen of Hades from whom they secure permission to admit Ishtar, but only in the same manner as all others came to this dreary house. Ishtar thereupon descends through the seven gates which lead downward into the depths of the underworld. At the first gate the great crown is removed from her head, at the second gate the earrings from her ears, at the third gate the necklace from her neck, at the fourth gate the ornaments from her breast, at the fifth gate the girdle from her waist, at the sixth gate the bracelets from her hands and feet, and at the seventh gate the covering cloak of her body. Ishtar remonstrates as each successive article of apparel is taken from her, bur the guardian tells her that this is the experience of all who enter the somber domain of death. Enraged upon beholding Ishtar, the Mistress of Hades inflicts upon her all manner of disease and imprisons her in the underworld.

(29) In this respect the story parallels the legend of Persephone. The gods, realizing that the loss of Ishtar is disorganizing all Nature, send a messenger to the underworld and demand her release. The Mistress of Hades is forced to comply, and the water of life is poured over Ishtar. Thus cured of the infirmities inflicted on her, she retraces her way upward through the seven gates, at each of which she is reinvested with the article of apparel which the guardians had removed. (See The Chaldean Account of Genesis.) No record exists that Ishtar secured the water of life which would have wrought the resurrection of Tammuz.

(18) Before his coming to the ox, Aûharmazd ground up the healing fruit, which some call 'bînâk,' small in water openly before its eyes, so that its damage and discomfort from the calamity (zanisn) might be less; and when it became at the same time lean and ill, as its breath went forth and it passed away, the ox also spoke thus: 'The cattle are to be created, and their work, labour, and care are to be appointed.'

(58) the ... of] the gods, N[u]di[mmud] [A gap of about ten lines occurs here.] (69) (70) (71) (72) [Anshar unto] his son addressed [the word]: (73) " ... my mighty hero, (74) "[Whose] strength [is great] and whose onslaught cannot be withstood, (75) "[Go] and stand before Tiamat, (76) "[That] her spirit [may be appeased], that her heart may be merciful. (77) "[But if] she will not hearken unto thy word, (78) "Our [word] shalt thou speak unto her, that she may be pacified." (79) [He heard the] word of his father Anshar (80) And [he directed] his path to her, towards her he took the way. (81) Anu [drew nigh], he beheld the muttering of Tiamat, (82) [But he could not withstand her], and he turned back. (83) Anshar (84) he spake unto him: (85) " upon me [A gap of about twenty lines occurs here.] (104) (105) an avenger (106) va[liant] (107) in the place of his decision (108) he spake unto him: (109) " thy father (110) "Thou art my son, who maketh merciful his heart. (111) " to the battle shalt thou draw nigh, (112) " he that shall behold thee shall have peace." (113) And the lord rejoiced at the word of his father, (114) And he drew nigh and stood before Anshar. (115) Anshar beheld him and his heart was filled with joy, (116) He kissed him on the lips and his fear departed from him. (117) "[O my father], let not the word of thy lips be overcome, (118) "Let me go, that I may accomplish all that is in thy heart. (119). "[O Anshar], let not the word of thy lips be overcome, (120) ". [Let me] go, that I may accomplish all that is in thy heart." (121) "What man is it, who hath brought thee forth to battle? (122) " Tiamat, who is a woman, is armed and attacketh thee." (123) " ... rejoice and be glad; (124) "The neck of Tiamat shalt thou swiftly trample under foot. (125) " ... rejoice and be glad; (126) "[The neck] of Tiamat shalt thou swiftly trample under foot. (127) "O my [son], who knoweth all wisdom, (128) "Pacify [Tiama]t with thy pure incantation. (129) "Speedily set out upon thy way, (130) "For [thy blood (?)] shall not be poured out, thou shalt return again." (131) The lord rejoiced at the word of his father, (132) His heart exulted, and unto his father he spake: (133) "O Lord of the gods, Destiny of the great gods, (134) "If I, your avenger, (135) "Conquer Tiamat and give you life, (136) "Appoint an assembly, make my fate preeminent and proclaim it. (137) "In Upshukkinaku seat yourselves joyfully together, (138) "With my word in place of you will I decree fate. (139) "May whatsoever I do remain unaltered, (140) "May the word of my lips never be changed nor made of no avail."