Page 55 of 384
52 why the South Wind "has not blown toward the land for seven days." His vizier Ilabrat answered him that it was because "Adapa, offspring of Ea, had broken the wing of the South Wind." Perplexed, Anu ("rising from his throne") said, "Let them fetch him hither!" "At that, Ea, he who knows what pertains to Heaven," took charge of the preparations for the celestial journey. "He made Adapa wear his hair unkempt, and clothed him in mourning garb." He then gave Adapa the following advice: gave You are about to go before Anu, the king; The road to heaven you will be taking. When you approach the gate of Anu the gods Dumuzi and Gizzida at the gate of Anu will be standing. When they see you, they will ask you: "an, on account of whom do you look thus, for whom so you wear mourning garb?" To this question, Ea instructed Adapa, you must give the following answer: "Two gods have vanished from our land, that is why I am thus." When they question you who the two gods were, Ea continued, you must say, “Dumuzi and Gizzida they are." And, since the two gods whose names you tell as being the vanished gods for whom you mourn will be the very same two who guard the gate of Anu, Ea explained, "They will glance at each other, and laugh a lot, and will speak to Anu a good word about you." This strategy, Ea explained, will get Adapa past the gate and "cause Anu to show you his benign face." But once inside, Ea warned, Adapa's true test will come: As you stand before Anu, they will offer you bread; it is Death, do not eat! They will offer you water; it is Death, do not drink! They will offer you a garment; put it on. DIVINE ENCOUNTERS