Focuses on the Mandaean mythological figure of Šitil, who figures largely in Mandaean prayers and other texts, along with his brothers, Hibil and AnuŠs. All three are ‘utras (Lightworld (heavenly) figures) but Šitil is the purest of the pure, against whom the souls of all departed Mandaeans are tested on their way to the Lightworld. The story of how Šitil obtained this purity (by dying for his father Adam, at his request) is told, and in the telling a great many other Mandaean mythological figures are encountered and described. Šitil is regarded essentially as a dual figure, in having both human and Lightworld aspects.
Keywords: ‘utra, Adam, AnuŠs, dualism, Hibil, Lightworld, Mandaeans, Mandaeism, mythological figures, myths, purity, Šitil