The rushuma (Classical Mandaic: ࡓࡅࡔࡅࡌࡀ, romanized: rušuma, lit. 'sign'; sometimes also spelled rushma or rušma) is one of the most commonly recited prayers in Mandaeism. It is a "signing" prayer recited during daily ablutions (rishama).[1] The same word can also be used to refer to the ritual signing gesture associated with the prayer.
The rushuma is numbered as Prayer 104 in E. S. Drower's version of the Qulasta, which was based on manuscript 53 of the Drower Collection (abbreviated DC 53). In Drower's ordering, the Asut Malkia prayer (CP 105) follows the rushuma prayer, while the ʿniana ("response") prayers come before the rushuma.[2]
Signing
Rushuma or rushma literally means "sign" or "signing" (ritual gesture). Many lines in the prayer are repeated three times as the reciter signs the rushuma front of the face with his or her fingers.[2]
May Kushta give you strength.
In the name of Hayyi Rabbi.
May healing and victory be upon you.
O my Father, their Father, King Piriawis, Great Yardna of the Living Water.
In the name of Hayyi Rabbi.
We have purified our hands with Kushta, and our lips with Faith, and we have spoken words of Ziwa, and my mind is immersed in Light.
May your name be blessed, and may your name be praised, my Lord Manda d-Hayyi.
May that Great Countenance of Glory, which originated from itself, be blessed and praised. (three times)
I, N son of N, am signed with the rušma of Hayyi. May the name of Hayyi and the name of Manda d-Hayyi be pronounced upon me. (three times)
My ears have heard the call of Hayyi. (three times)
My nose has breathed the riha of Hayyi. (three times)
My rušuma, given to me, was not in the fire, was not in the oil, and was not of the anointment of Mšiha.
My rušuma is in the Great Yardna of Living Water, of which none can attain its powers. May the name of Hayyi and the name of Manda d-Hayyi be pronounced upon me.
Darkness is defeated, and Light is established. May the name of Hayyi and the name of Manda d-Hayyi be pronounced upon me.
My mouth is filled with prayer (buta) and praise. (three times)
My knees bless and worship Hayyi Rabbi. (three times)
My feet walk the paths of Kushta and Faith. (three times)
I, N son of N, am baptized with the maṣbuta of Bihram Rabba, son of the Mighty. My maṣbuta will protect me and bring me forward. May the name of Hayyi and the name of Manda d-Hayyi be pronounced upon me. (three times)
The feet and the hands of the Seven and Twelve will not be able to dominate me. May the name of Hayyi and the name of Manda d-Hayyi be pronounced upon me.
^Buckley, Jorunn Jacobsen (2010). The great stem of souls: reconstructing Mandaean history. Piscataway, N.J: Gorgias Press. ISBN 978-1-59333-621-9.
^ abDrower, E. S. (1959). The Canonical Prayerbook of the Mandaeans. Leiden: E. J. Brill.
^Al-Mubaraki, Majid Fandi; Mubaraki, Brian (2010). Qulasta - 'niania & Qabina / Mandaean Liturgical Prayer Book (Responses & Marriage). Vol. 2. Luddenham, New South Wales: Mandaean Research Centre. ISBN 9781876888152. (1999 edition: ISBN 0-9585704-4-X)
