Shumhata


The Shumhata is one of the most commonly recited prayers in Mandaeism.
The Shumhata is numbered as Prayer 173 in E. S. Drower's version of the Qulasta, which was based on manuscript 53 of the Drower Collection.

The Shumhata prayer

Like the Asut Malkia, the Shumhata is a litany which lists following the names. The Mandaic below in parentheses has been transliterated from Al-Mubaraki.
  1. Hayyi Rabbi and Manda d-Hayyi
  2. aina
  3. sindirka
  4. Šišlam Rba
  5. Ezlat Rabtia
  6. Yawar Rba
  7. Simat Hiia
  8. Yukabar Rba
  9. Mana and his counterpart
  10. Great Mystery, the mystic Word
  11. S'haq Ziwa Rba Qadmaia
  12. Sam Ziwa
  13. Hayyi Rabbi and Manda d-Hayyi
Each of the names is preceded by " name of" and followed by the phrase "is pronounced upon thee". This list of names, which is also repeated in the commentary of Prayer 18 of the Qulasta, is followed by a request to be protected from illnesses and misfortunes.
A similar litany prayer that comes after the Shumhata is the King of Kings prayer, which is Prayer 176 of the Qulasta.