Yardna

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The Jordan River Jordan River (5418351509).jpg
The Jordan River
Mandaean masbuta in the Karun River, Ahvaz, Iran Mandaeans 04.jpg
Mandaean masbuta in the Karun River, Ahvaz, Iran

In Mandaeism, a yardna (Classical Mandaic : ࡉࡀࡓࡃࡍࡀ, romanized: iardna, lit.  'Jordan') or yardena ([jardəna]; Arabic : یردنا) is a body of flowing fresh water (or in Classical Mandaic : ࡌࡉࡀ ࡄࡉࡉࡀ, romanized: mia hiia, lit.  'living water'; pronounced mia h(a)yya) that is suitable for ritual use as baptismal water. [1] The masbuta and other Mandaean rituals such as the tamasha can only be performed in a yardna. Stagnant fresh water, brackish water, and seawater are not considered to be yardnas. [2]

Contents

Examples of yardnas

Although etymologically related to the Canaanite word yarden (Hebrew: ירדן ), or the Jordan River, a yardna in Mandaeism can refer to any flowing river. [3] Traditionally, these were typically the Euphrates (Mandaic: Praš), Tigris (Mandaic: Diglat), and Karun (Mandaic: ʿUlat) [4] rivers. The Euphrates is called Praš Ziwa (ࡐࡓࡀࡔ ࡆࡉࡅࡀ; pronounced Fraš Ziwa) in the Ginza Rabba . [5] In Mandaean scriptures, the Euphrates is considered to be the earthly manifestation of the heavenly yardna or flowing river (similar to the Yazidi concept of Lalish being the earthly manifestation of its heavenly counterpart). [6]

In Worcester, Massachusetts, United States, Lake Quinsigamond (the source of the Quinsigamond River) is used as a yardna for baptism. [7] In San Antonio and Austin, Texas, the Guadalupe River is the main yardna used. [8]

In Australia, the Nepean River (utilized by Wallacia Mandi) and the Georges River are the yardnas that are most commonly used by Mandaeans. [9] In Sweden, particularly during the winter, indoor pools with flowing water are used as ritual yardnas in mandis. [10]

Heavenly counterpart

Piriawis, a river in the World of Light, is the heavenly counterpart of all yardnas on earth, which are considered by Mandaeans to be manifestations of Piriawis. [5] [3]

Sacramental water

There are two types of sacramental water used for Mandaean rituals, namely mambuha ("drinking water") and halalta ("rinsing water"). Both are drawn directly from a yardna. [3]

Uthras

Mandaean texts mention various uthras watching over yardnas.

Book 14 of the Right Ginza mentions Adathan and Yadathan as the guardians of the "first yardna" (yardna qadmayya). [5]

Shilmai and Nidbai are the two guardian uthras (celestial beings) watching over Piriawis, the heavenly yardna in the World of Light. [5]

See also

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Masbuta</span> Baptism ritual practiced in the Mandaean religion

Maṣbuta is the ritual of immersion in water in the Mandaean religion.

A ganzibra is a high priest in Mandaeism. Tarmidas, or junior priests, rank below the ganzibras.

In Mandaeism, laufa or laupa is the concept of a spiritual connection forged between Tibil (Earth) and the World of Light. It has been variously translated as "communion," "spiritual union," "spiritual connection," or "vital connection."

In Mandaeism, Shilmai or Shalmai (Šalmai) is an uthra who serves as one of the two guardian spirits of Piriawis, the heavenly yardna (river) in the World of Light. In the Ginza Rabba and Qulasta, he is usually mentioned together with Nidbai.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dehwa Rabba</span> New Years Day in the Mandaean calendar

Dehwa Rabba or Nauruz Rabba is the Mandaean New Year. It is the first day of Daula, the first month of the Mandaean calendar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tamasha (ablution)</span> Ablution ritual in Mandaeism

In Mandaeism, tamasha or ṭamaša is an ablution ritual that does not require the assistance of a priest. Tamasha is performed by triple immersion in river (yardna) water. It is performed by women after menstruation or childbirth, men and women after sexual activity or nocturnal emission, touching a corpse, or any other type of defilement (ṭnupa). It is also performed after subsiding from unclean thoughts or anger at another person.

The Asut Malkia or Asiet Malkia is one of the most commonly recited prayers in Mandaeism. In the prayer, the reciter wishes health and victory upon dozens of heavenly and ancestral figures. According to E. S. Drower, it is recited daily by priests and also before all baptisms (masbuta), ritual meals (lofani), and various rites.

In Mandaeism, a dmuta or dmut is a spiritual counterpart or "mirror image" in the World of Light. People, spirits, and places are often considered to have both earthly and heavenly counterparts (dmuta) that can dynamically interact with each other. A few examples include:

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The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to Mandaeism.

References

  1. ↑ The Gnostic Bible (2003) (p. 810). New Seeds Books
  2. ↑ Gelbert, Carlos (2005). The Mandaeans and the Jews. Edensor Park, NSW: Living Water Books. ISBN   0-9580346-2-1. OCLC   68208613.
  3. 1 2 3 Buckley, Jorunn Jacobsen (2002). The Mandaeans: ancient texts and modern people. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN   0-19-515385-5. OCLC   65198443.
  4. ↑ Nasoraia, Brikha (2022). The Mandaean Rivers Scroll (Diwan Nahrawatha): an analysis. London: Routledge. ISBN   978-0-367-33544-1. OCLC   1295213206.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Gelbert, Carlos (2011). Ginza Rba. Sydney: Living Water Books. ISBN   9780958034630.
  6. ↑ Nasoraia, Brikha H.S. (2021). The Mandaean gnostic religion: worship practice and deep thought. New Delhi: Sterling. ISBN   978-81-950824-1-4. OCLC   1272858968.
  7. ↑ "Worcester branch of Mandaean faith works to plant roots". 2014-12-12. Retrieved 2022-01-27.
  8. ↑ Busch, Matthew; Ross, Robyn (18 February 2020). "Against The Current". Texas Observer. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  9. ↑ Smith, David Maurice (2015-07-30). "An Ancient Baptism in Sydney". Roads & Kingdoms. Retrieved 2021-10-30.
  10. ↑ Sedrati, Anass (2018). "Mandaeism - A religion between Sweden and the Middle East". Stockholm: KTH Royal Institute of Technology.
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