The Book of Gates: The Book of Gates: Chapter III. The Gate Of Saa-Set: The Second Division of the Tuat.
THE boat of Ra, having passed between the two halves of the horizon of the West, now approaches a gateway, the door of which is closed before him; the door of the second division of the Tuat is different from the doors of the other divisions, for it consists of a single leaf which turns upon a pivot working in holes in the top and bottom of the framework of the door. This door is guarded by a serpent called SAA-SET, which stands upon its tail. The text referring to this serpent reads:-- In the centre of the scene we see the boat of Ra being towed along by four gods standing, each of whom grasps the tow-line with both hands. The god is now in the form of a ram-headed man, who holds the sceptre in his right hand, and has the solar disk above his horns. He stands within a shrine which is enveloped in the voluminous folds of the serpent Mehen, a serpent also stands on his tall before him. In front of the shrine stands SA, and behind it HEKAU. The gods who tow the boat are called TUAIU. THE GATE OF SAA-SET
THE SECOND DIVISION OF THE TUAT.
SA saith unto SAT-SET, 'Open thy door to Ra, throw wide open thy door to KHUTI. The hidden abode is in darkness, so that the transformations of this god may take place.' This portal is closed after this god hath entered in through it, and there is lamentation on the part of those who are in their mountain when they hear this door shut."
are described as "gods who are in the entrances," the god who bears the staff has no name. The text which refers to the Sun-god reads:--
On the right of the boat are twenty-four gods, the first twelve of whom are described as "those
The above passage refers to the "worshippers of Ra who are at peace."
"[These are] they [who] spake truth upon earth,
.
guilt and sin. And these gods say to Ra:--'Let there be stability to the Disk of Ra. Let him that is in the shrine have the mastery over it, and let the serpent [Mehen] guard him well. May the flames of Khuti which are in the corners of the hidden shrine grow stronger.' And there shall be given to them meat in the place of peace in their circle."
.
The text referring to the inert and the apostates reads:--
bound in fetters; your arms shall never more be opened. Ra pronounceth the formula against you, his soul is prepared to attack you; my father hath gained the mastery over you, and his soul uttereth words against you. Your evil deeds [have turned] against you, your plottings [have come] upon you, your abominable acts [have recoiled] upon you, your destinies are for evil, and your doom bath been
bodies shall be cut in pieces, and your souls shall have no existence, and ye shall never again see Ra with his attributes [as] he journeyeth in the hidden land. Hail, Ra! Adored be Ra! Thine enemies are in the place of destruction."'
Footnotes
88:1 Var., NEPEN.
88:2 Var., NENA.
