Matarta (original) (raw)

In Mandaean cosmology, a maṭarta (Classical Mandaic: ࡌࡀࡈࡀࡓࡕࡀ; plural form: maṭarata) is a "station" or "toll house" that is located between the World of Light (alma ḏ-nhūra) from Tibil (Earth). It has variously been translated as "watch-station", "toll-station", "way-station", or "purgatory". Maṭartas are guarded by various uthras (celestial beings from the World of Light) and demons. Ruha, the queen of the underworld, is the ruler or guardian of the third maṭarta.