In “Inanna’s Descent Into Underworld: Goddess’s Reach for Power” we learned of Inanna’s decision to go to the land of no return to claim her seat of power. Before leaving she instructed her minister Ninshubur on what to do should she not return.
We were introduced to the seven gates of the underworld. To Ereshkigal, the queen of the underworld and Inanna’s sister. We have learned that Ereshkigal’s husband has recently passed away. We saw Inanna enter through the seven gates of underworld and claim her seat on the throne.
Finally, we witnessed how the Seven Anunnaki Judges of the underworld pronounced their judgement of Inanna, thus leading to her death. In the continuation of the myth we will learn that the Queen of Heaven would not allow anything as miniscule as death stop her from living out her glory.
Let us now continue with the story.
Jump to the Myth: Inanna’s Descent Into Underworld: The Revenge Of The Goddess
Setting The Stage: Deities
Please refer to the first part of the myth “Inanna’s Descent Into Underworld: Goddess’s Reach for Power” for additional information about Inanna, Ereshkigal, Ninshubur, Enki, Enlil, and Nanna. Let us review additional deities mentioned here.
Dumuzi: God of Shepherds and Fertility
In ancient Sumer, Dumuzi was the beloved god of shepherds and fertility. His domain was the lush pastures and fertile fields. He ensured that the flocks were healthy and the crops plentiful. The Sumerians revered him for bringing prosperity and abundance to their lands.
Dumuzi was married to Inanna, the powerful goddess of love and war. Their relationship was passionate and intense. Inanna loved Dumuzi deeply, but their love was also filled with trials.
Geshtinanna: Goddess of Dreams and Agriculture
Geshtinanna whose name meant “The Lady of the Vine ” was the goddess of dreams and agriculture. She was also known as Belili. Some say they were two different goddesses, while others maintain that they were one goddess.
Geshtinanna played a vital role in agriculture. She watched over the vineyards and grain fields, ensuring they were fruitful. Farmers prayed to her for a good harvest. They believed that her blessings brought abundance and prosperity.
She was a loving sister to Dumuzi, the god of shepherds. She was known for her gentle and nurturing nature. Her domain was vast, stretching over the fertile fields and the mysterious realm of dreams.
Sumerians believed that dreams were messages from the gods. When people had troubling dreams, they sought Geshtinanna’s guidance. She helped them understand the hidden meanings and find peace.
Utu: God of the Sun and Justice
Utu was a powerful and important deity who was the god of the sun and justice. His light touched every corner of the earth, bringing warmth and life.
Utu’s domain was the sky. Each day, he traveled across it in a chariot, spreading light and driving away darkness. His light was not just physical but also symbolic of truth and justice. Sumerians believed that Utu saw everything. His judgment was fair, and he protected the innocent.
Utu was closely related to other important gods. He was the twin brother of Inanna, the goddess of love and war. Their relationship was strong and filled with mutual respect. Utu often supported Inanna in her quests and battles. His light guided her in times of darkness.
Utu was also connected to Dumuzi, the god of shepherds. Dumuzi was married to Inanna, making Utu his brother-in-law. They had a close relationship as brothers.
The Myth: Inanna’s Descent To The Underworld: The Revenge Of The Goddess
Three days and three nights had passed since Inanna began her descent. Ninshubur, Inanna’s loyal minister, continued to wait for her friend’s return. She remembered the instructions given to her by the goddess. She saw that three days has passed and Inanna was not reemerging. Ninshubur knew that she had to act quickly. Inanna’s fate depended on her.
Ninshubur made a lament for Inanna in the ruined houses. She beat the drum for her in the sanctuaries. Her eyes and nose were lacerated in grief. Like a pauper, she clothed herself in a single garment.
Ninshubur was grief stricken, nevertheless she had to focus, and follow through on all of the instructions that Inanna gave her prior to her descent.
Plea To Enlil: The Lord Of Air
Ninshubur went to see Enlil. She entered the E-kur, the grand house of Enlil. Her heart was heavy with worry for Inanna. She stood before the powerful god of air and storms, her voice trembling with urgency and sorrow.
“Father Enlil,” she began, “do not let anyone kill your daughter in the underworld. Do not allow the dirt of the underworld to taint your precious metal. Do not let the mason’s stone break your lapis lazuli. Nor permit the carpenter’s wood to chop up your boxwood. Do not let young lady Inanna be killed in the underworld.”
Enlil listened, his face stern and unyielding. His rage was evident as he answered Ninshubur. “My daughter craved the great heaven and the great below as well. Inanna craved the great heaven and the great below. The divine powers of the underworld are not to be desired. For whoever gets them must remain in the underworld. Who, having reached that place, could expect to come up again?”
Ninshubur’s heart sank at Enlil’s words. She realized the gravity of Inanna’s ambition and the peril it had brought her. Yet, she could not give up.
Plea To Nanna: The Moon God
Undeterred, Ninshubur traveled to Urim. She entered the E-kiš-nu-ĝal, the house of Nanna, the moon god and Inanna’s father. Her heart was heavy, but her resolve was firm. She stood before Nanna, her voice filled with desperation.
“Father Nanna,” she began, “do not let anyone kill your daughter in the underworld. Do not allow the dirt of the underworld to taint your precious metal. Do not let the mason’s stone break your lapis lazuli. Nor permit the carpenter’s wood to chop up your boxwood. Do not let young lady Inanna be killed in the underworld.”
Nanna listened, his face stern and filled with rage. His voice thundered as he replied. “My daughter craved the great heaven and she craved the great below as well. Inanna craved the great heaven and she craved the great below. The divine powers of the underworld are not to be desired. Whoever gets them must remain in the underworld. Who, having reached that place, could expect to come up again?”
Ninshubur’s heart sank once more. She saw the anger in Nanna’s eyes, understanding the consequences of Inanna’s ambition. Yet, she could not abandon her mistress. Her loyalty to Inanna gave her the strength to continue. The fate of the Queen of Heaven depended on her determination and courage.
Plea to Enki: The Lord Of The Abyss
Father Nanna did not help Ninshubur. With a heavy heart but undeterred spirit, she traveled to Eridug. She entered the house of Enki, the god of wisdom and water. Standing before him, she lamented, her voice filled with sorrow and desperation.
“Father Enki,” she began, “do not let anyone kill your daughter in the underworld. Do not allow the dirt of the underworld to taint your precious metal. Do not let the mason’s stone break your lapis lazuli. Nor permit the carpenter’s wood to chop up your boxwood. Do not let young lady Inanna be killed in the underworld.”
Enki listened to Ninshubur’s plea. His face showed concern and empathy. “What has my daughter done? She has me worried. What has Inanna done? She has me worried. What has the mistress of all the lands done? She has me worried. What has the mistress of heaven done? She has me worried.”
Unlike the other gods, Enki’s heart was moved. He knew the gravity of the situation and the peril Inanna faced. He decided to help.
Enki removed some dirt from the tip of his fingernail and created the kurgarra. Then, he removed some dirt from the tip of his other fingernail and created the galatur. They were neither male nor female, neither dead nor alive. These creatures were like ghosts, like phantoms they could easily pass through doors. To the kurgarra, he gave the life-giving plant. To the galatur, he gave the life-giving water.
Enki’s Plan and Instructions
Father Enki spoke to the kurgarra and the galatur, his voice filled with urgency. “Go and direct your steps to the underworld,” he instructed. “Flit past the door like flies. Slip through the door pivots like phantoms. The mother who gave birth, Ereshkigal, is lying there in pain because of her children. Her holy shoulders are not covered by a linen cloth. The hair on her head is bunched up like leeks.”
(Some scholars believe that because Inanna the goddess of fertility and birth was dead, no one could give birth. Thus Ereshkigal’s pain and inability to give birth were tied to the death of Inanna.)
Enki continued, “When Ereshkigal says, ‘Oh my heart,’ you are to say, ‘You are troubled, our mistress, oh your heart.’ When she says, ‘Oh my body,’ you are to say, ‘You are troubled, our mistress, oh your body.’ She will then ask, ‘Who are you? Speaking to you from my heart to your heart, from my body to your body—if you are gods, let me talk with you; if you are mortals, may a destiny be decreed for you.’ Make her swear this by heaven and earth.”
Enki Cautions Of Additional Dangers
“They will offer you a riverful of water—don’t accept it. They will offer you a field with its grain—don’t accept it. But say to her, ‘Give us the corpse hanging on the hook.’ She will answer, ‘That is the corpse of your queen.’ Say to her, ‘Whether it is that of our king, whether it is that of our queen, give it to us.’ She will give you the corpse hanging on the hook. One of you sprinkle the life-giving plant over Inanna, and the other the life-giving water. Thus, let Inanna arise.”
The kurgarra and the galatur listened carefully. With Enki’s wisdom guiding them, they set off on their journey to the underworld. Their mission was clear. They had to bring Inanna back to life. The underworld awaited them, filled with shadows and secrets. But with Enki’s instructions, they were prepared to face whatever lay ahead. The fate of the Queen of Heaven depended on their success.
Inanna’s Revival and Ascension
The galatur and the kurgarra set off on their journey. They flitted through the door like flies, slipping through the door pivots like phantoms. Inside, they found Ereshkigal, the mother who gave birth, lying in pain. Her holy shoulders were not covered by a linen cloth. The hair on her head was bunched up like leeks.
When Ereshkigal said, “Oh my heart,” they responded, “You are troubled, our mistress, oh your heart.” When she said, “Oh my body,” they answered, “You are troubled, our mistress, oh your body.” Ereshkigal asked, “Who are you? I speak to you from my heart to your heart, from my body to your body. If you are gods, let me talk with you. If you are mortals, may a destiny be decreed for you.” They made her swear by heaven and earth.
They were offered a river with its water, but they did not accept it. Galatur and kurgarra were offered a field with its grain, but they did not accept it. They said to her, “Give us the corpse hanging on the hook.” Holy Ereshkigal replied, “The corpse is that of your queen.” They insisted, “Whether it is that of our king or that of our queen, give it to us.” They followed instructions Enki gave them to the letter.
Ereshkigal gave them the corpse hanging on the hook. One of them sprinkled the life-giving plant on it, and the other sprinkled the life-giving water. Thus, Inanna arose.
Ereshkigal Concedes
Ereshkigal then said to the galatur and the kurgarra, take your queen and leave. Inanna was once again alive and was ready to ascend from the underworld. But as she was about to ascend, the Anunnaki, the judges of the underworld, seized her. They declared, “Who has ever ascended from the underworld unscathed? If Inanna is to ascend, she must provide a substitute for herself.”
Looking for a Substitute
As Inanna left the underworld, she was not alone. A figure stood in front of her, holding a scepter, though he was not a minister. Behind her, another carried a mace at his hip, though he was not an escort. Surrounding Inanna were small demons, like a reed enclosure, and big demons, like the reeds of a fence, restraining her on all sides.
These beings who accompanied Inanna knew no food or drink. They ate no flour offerings and drank no libations. They accepted no pleasant gifts. These beings never enjoyed the pleasures of marriage or had sweet children to kiss. They tore wives from their husbands’ embraces and snatched sons from their fathers’ knees. They made brides leave their fathers-in-law’s homes.
These demons, who never crushed bitter garlic or ate fish or leeks, were the ones who accompanied Inanna. They were relentless, their presence a constant reminder of the underworld’s claim. Inanna knew she needed to find a substitute to secure her escape.
Ninshubur
After Inanna had ascended from the underworld, Ninshubur threw herself at her feet at the door of Ganzir. She had sat in the dust, clothed in a filthy garment. The demons, surrounding them, spoke to holy Inanna, “Inanna, proceed to your city. We will take her back.”
Holy Inanna looked at the demons and replied, “This is my minister of fair words, my escort of trustworthy words. She did not forget my instructions. She did not neglect the orders I gave her. Ninshubur made a lament for me on the ruin mounds. She beat the drum for me in the sanctuaries. Ninshubur made the rounds of the gods’ houses for me. She lacerated her eyes for me, lacerated her nose for me. She lacerated her ears for me in public. Like a pauper, she clothed herself in a single garment.”
Inanna continued, “All alone she directed her steps to the E-kur, to the house of Enlil, and to Urim, to the house of Nanna, and to Eridug, to the house of Enki. She wept before Enki. She brought me back to life. How could I turn her over to you? Let us go on. Let us go on to the Šeg-kuršaga in Umma.”
Sharaw
At the procession came to Šeg-kuršaga in Umma, they came up to Sharaw, the god of the city. He had sat in the dust and dressed himself in a filthy garment mourning Inanna. As he saw Inanna approach he threw himself at her feet. The demons, relentless in their pursuit, spoke to holy Inanna, “Inanna, proceed to your city. We will take him back.”
Holy Inanna looked at the demons and replied, “Sharaw is my singer, my manicurist, and my hairdresser. How could I turn him over to you? Let us go on. Let us go on to the E-muš-kalama in Bad-tibira.”
Sharaw’s devotion and loyalty were clear. He had humbled himself in the dust, waiting for Inanna. Thus, Inanna, recognizing his importance and dedication, refused to hand him over to the demons. Together, they continued their journey, moving towards the E-muš-kalama in Bad-tibira.
Lulal
At the E-muš-kalama in Bad-tibira, Lulal, in his own city, threw himself at Inanna’s feet. He had sat in the dust and clothed himself in a filthy garment. The demons, relentless and determined, spoke to holy Inanna, “Inanna, proceed to your city. We will take him back.”
Holy Inanna looked at the demons and replied, “Outstanding Lulal follows me at my right and my left. How could I turn him over to you? Let us go on. Let us go on to the great apple tree in the plain of Kulaba.”
Lulal’s loyalty was clear. He had humbled himself in the dust, showing his dedication to Inanna. Recognizing his importance and unwavering support, Inanna refused to hand him over to the demons. Together, they continued their journey, moving towards the great apple tree in the plain of Kulaba.
Dumuzi’s Fate
The procession of demons followed Inanna to the great apple tree in the plain of Kulaba. There sat Dumuzi, clothed in a magnificent garment, seated regally on a throne. He was not mourning for his wife Inanna, he was not crying for his wife Inanna. The world had stopped in mourning for Inanna, but Dumuzi clothed in regal attire sat on the throne playing his flute and drinking milk.
The demons, relentless in their mission, seized him by his thighs. The seven of them poured out the milk from his churns, a symbolic act of stripping him of his vitality and prosperity. They shook their heads, refusing to let the shepherd play his pipe and flute before her.
Inanna approached, her presence commanding and intense. She looked at Dumuzi, and her gaze was as cold as death. This look, once filled with love and warmth, was now hard and unforgiving. She spoke to him, her words sharp and cutting, filled with the weight of anger. “How much longer?” she demanded, her voice echoing with the frustration and betrayal she felt. “Take him away.”
The demons did not hesitate. They moved swiftly, binding Dumuzi and taking him into their grasp. Holy Inanna gave Dumuzi, the shepherd, into the hands of the demons.
Those who accompanied her, who had come for Dumuzi, knew no food, knew no drink. They ate no flour offering, drank no libation. They never enjoyed the pleasures of marriage, never had any sweet children to kiss. These gala demons snatched the son from a man’s knee. They made the bride leave the house of her father-in-law.
Dumuzi’s Plea to Utu
Dumuzi let out a wail and wept. He raised his hands to heaven, calling out to Utu, the sun god. “Utu, you are my brother-in-law. I am your relation by marriage. Utu, I brought butter to your mother’s house. I brought milk to Ningal’s house. Turn my hands into snake’s hands and turn my feet into snake’s feet, so I can escape my demons. Let them not keep hold of me.”
Utu, moved by Dumuzi’s tears, listened to his plea. With compassion, he decided to help his brother-in-law. Utu turned Dumuzi’s hands into snake’s hands and his feet into snake’s feet. This transformation gave Dumuzi the agility and stealth of a snake. He slipped through the grip of the demons, escaping their hold.
The demons, bewildered and angry, searched for Dumuzi. But he moved swiftly, like a saĝkal snake, evading their pursuit.
At this point the myth is broken off and lines are very fragmented.
Inanna’s Lamentations
Holy Inanna wept bitterly for her husband, Dumuzi. Her cries echoed through the heavens and the earth. She tore at her hair like esparto grass, ripping it out in her grief. “You wives who lie in your men’s embrace, where is my precious husband? You children who lie in your men’s embrace, where is my precious child? Where is my man? Where is he? Oh, Where is my man? Where is he?”
As she wept, a small fly approached and spoke to holy Inanna. “If I show you where your man is, what will be my reward?”
Holy Inanna, desperate for any help, answered the fly, “If you show me where my man is, I will give you a gift. I will cover you with protection.”
The fly agreed and helped holy Inanna. It guided her to the place where Dumuzi was hiding. Grateful for the fly’s assistance, young lady Inanna decreed the destiny of the fly. “In the beer-house, may bronze vessels be made for you. You will live like the sons of the wise.”
Arrangement for Dumuzi’s Stay
(Once again the myth is broken off and we resume it at the point where it has been arranged that Dumuzi and his sister Belili (Geshtinanna) will take turns living in the underworld, with 6 month cycle for each. This story does not specify where and how this took place. Other myths such as Dumuzi and Geshtinanna elaborate on the fact that Dumuzi attempted to hide at his sister’s house, and the gala demons captured them both.)
As Inanna approached Geshtinanna, she was weeping. She took her sister by the hand. “Now, alas, my dear sister,” she said softly. “You for half the year and your brother for half the year. When you are demanded, on that day you will stay. When your brother is demanded, on that day you will be released.”
Holy Inanna made the arrangement clear. Dumuzi would stay in the underworld for part of the year, while Geshtinanna would take his place for the rest. This cycle would continue, ensuring balance in the world above and below.
Thus, Inanna gave Dumuzi and Geshtinanna as her substitutes, creating a perpetual exchange between the siblings. Ereshkigal, queen of the underworld, accepted the arrangement, and the cycle began.
Conclusion of the Myth
The myth of Inanna’s descent ends with a praise for Ereshkigal. This story began with the glory of Inanna, and ended praising Ereshkigal. Acknowledging her dominion over the underworld and her role in maintaining cosmic order.
“Holy Ereshkigal, your praise is sweet.”
Ereshkigal, queen of the underworld, emerged victorious in her domain. Her strength and authority were celebrated, marking her as a powerful deity deserving of praise.
Inanna, the ambitious goddess of love and war, sought to extend her rule to the underworld after conquering the heavens and the earth. However, she met her match in Ereshkigal. This confrontation served as a reminder that even gods have limits, and no one can dominate all realms.
Inanna’s journey teaches us about the balance of power and the consequences of overreaching ambition. Her descent and subsequent struggles highlight the eternal cycle of life, death, and rebirth. It is a story of humility, resilience, and the enduring strength of the gods who rule their respective domains.
As we reflect on Inanna’s tale, we are reminded of the intricate dynamics within Sumerian mythology. The gods, with their distinct realms and powers, coexisted in a delicate balance. Each had their own strengths and weaknesses, shaping the world and its stories.
This story invites us to explore the depths of Sumerian mythology, where every narrative holds a lesson, and every god has a place in the grand tapestry of existence.
References
Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Oxford, Inana’s descent to the nether world (The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature, 2006-12-19) https://etcsl.orinst.ox.ac.uk/cgi-bin/etcsl.cgi?text=t.1.4.1
Joshua J. Mark, Inanna’s Descent: A Sumerian Tale of Injustice (World History Encyclopedia, 23 February 2011) https://www.worldhistory.org/article/215/inannas-descent-a-sumerian-tale-of-injustice/
Samuel Noah Kramer, Sumerian Mythology: A Study of Spiritual And Literary Achievement in the Third Millenium B.C. (General Press, 2021) ” Inanna’s Descent to the Netherworld ” L2687
