Page:The Babylonian conception of heaven and hell - Jeremias (1902).djvu/57



Later, indeed, when the desire of the messenger has perforce been granted, the goddess of Hades says to her servant Namtar, "Sprinkle the goddess Istar with the water of life and send her away."

According to the exorcisms "holy water" was to be found "at the mouth of the rivers," i.e., at the entrance to the Island of the Blessed on the shores of which was also the fountain of healing. The Euphrates and Tigris themselves were considered as sacred streams at the sources of which, as an historical inscription testifies, sacrifices were offered, and on the banks of which ceremonial ablutions were performed. Ea and his son Marduk were the lords of the water of life. At Ea's command the Underworld was forced to reveal its spring of the water of life, and elsewhere we read: " Go, my son Marduk, take the one