InMandaeism,kushta orkušṭa (Classical Mandaic:ࡊࡅࡔࡈࡀ,lit.'truth',Modern Mandaic pronunciation:[ˈkuʃtˤa]) can have several meanings. Its original literal meaning is "truth" in theMandaic language, and is thus typically used to refer to the Mandaean religious concept oftruth. The same word is also used to refer to a sacredhandclasp between the right hands of two people that is used during Mandaean rituals such as themasbuta,masiqta, and priestly initiation ceremonies.[1][2]
Mandaeans believe that in theWorld of Light, theMšunia Kušṭa, or the world of ideal counterparts, exists, where everything has a corresponding spiritual pair (dmuta).[1] Alternatively,kušṭa can be used as a synonym forHayyi Rabbi, or God in Mandaeism.[1]
In the 69th chapter of theMandaean Book of John,Manda d-Hayyi addressesEtinṣib Ziwa (Splendid Transplant), son ofYushamin, as "Truth, beloved by allexcellencies."[3]E. S. Drower interprets a reference in theHaran Gawaita to being looked upon by and rising with Transplant upon death as a reference toṢauriel, the Angel of Death.[4] Book 1, chapter 1 of theLeft Ginza likewise observes that Ṣauriel is called "Death" in this world, but "Truth" (Kushta) by those who know about him.[5]
Thekušṭa handclasp is exchanged dozens of times between the novice and initiator duringpriest initiation ceremonies. It is also exchanged during rituals that need to be performed by priests, such asmasbuta andmasiqta rituals.[1]
A common formula used in at the beginnings of Mandaean prayers and during rituals iskušṭa asinkun (Classical Mandaic:ࡊࡅࡔࡈࡀ ࡀࡎࡉࡍࡊࡅࡍ,lit.'May truth strengthen you (plural)',Modern Mandaic pronunciation:[ˈkuʃtˤaaˈsɪnəχon]),[7] which can also be translated as 'May truth heal you' or 'May truth make you whole'. The wordasinkun is derived from theroota-s-a, which can mean 'to strengthen' or 'to heal'.[8] The singular form, also commonly used, iskušṭa asiak (Classical Mandaic:ࡊࡅࡔࡈࡀ ࡀࡎࡉࡀࡊ,lit.'May truth heal you (singular'). During rituals (masbuta, etc.), priests also often saykušṭa asiak qaimak (Classical Mandaic:ࡊࡅࡔࡈࡀ ࡀࡎࡉࡀࡊ ࡒࡀࡉࡌࡀࡊ,lit.'May truth heal and strengthen you (singular)'[9]) as a blessing for the Mandaeans being baptized.
Prayer 178 of theQulasta contains 10 repetitions ofkušṭa asiak (singular) /kušṭa asinkun (plural). The Mandaic text is fromAl-Mubaraki (2010),[10] and the English translation below is based on that ofGelbert and Lofts (2025).[7]
Kušṭa strengthen thee, my crown. Kušṭa strengthen thee, my teacher. Kušṭa strengthen thee, my turban. Kušṭa strengthen thee, guardian of my turban. Kušṭa strengthen thee, great first radiance. Kušṭa strengthen thee, great first light. Kušṭa strengthen you, my brother-priests. Kušṭa strengthen you,Life and my parents. Kušṭa strengthen thee, my treasure. Kušṭa strengthen thee, guardian of my treasure.
Kushta (handclasp) between a Mandaean priest and another Mandaean during the 1930s in southern Iraq
A two-volume study, titledKushṭā: a monograph on a principal word in Mandaean texts and written by Waldemar Sundberg (1953, 1994), has been published byLund University Press.
Sundberg, Waldemar (1953).Kushṭā, a monograph on a principal word in Mandaean texts. Volume I: The Descending Knowledge. Lund: Lund University Press.
Sundberg, Waldemar (1994).Kushṭā, a monograph on a principal word in Mandaean texts. Volume II: The Ascending Soul. Lund: Lund University Press.ISBN9179662927.
