and under his orders Gudea also established the god Dunshaga, whose function it was to sanctify the temple and to look after its libations and offerings, and to see to the due performance of the ceremonies of ablution.  This god would offer water to Ningirsu with a pure hand, he would pour out libations of wine and strong drink, and would tend the oxen, sheep, kids, and other offerings which were brought to the temple night and day.  To the god Lugalkurdub, who was also installed in the temple, was assigned the privilege of holding in his hand the mace with the seven heads, and it was his duty to open the door of the Gate of Combat.  He guarded the sacred weapons of Ningirsu and destroyed the countries of his enemies.  He was Ningirsu’s chief leader in battle, and another god with lesser powers was associated with him as his second leader.

Ningirsu’s counsellor was the god Lugalsisa, and he also had his appointed place in E-ninnu.  It was his duty to receive the prayers of Shirpurla and render them propitious; he superintended and blessed Ningirsu’s journey when he visited Eridu or returned from that city, and he made special intercessions for the life of Gudea.  The minister of Ningirsu’s harim was the god Shakanshabar, and he was installed near to Nin-girsu that he might issue his commands, both great and small.  The keeper of the harim was the god Urizu, and it was his duty to purify the water and sanctify the grain, and he tended Ningirsu’s sleeping-chamber and saw that all was arranged therein as was fitting.  The driver of Ningirsu’s chariot was the god Ensignun; it was his duty to keep the sacred chariot as bright as the stars of heaven, and morning and evening to tend and feed Ningirsu’s sacred ass, called Ug-kash, and the ass of Eridu.  The shepherd of Ningirsu’s kids was the god Enlulim, and he tended the sacred she-goat who suckled the kids, and he guarded her so that the serpent should not steal her milk.  This god also looked after the oil and the strong drink of E-ninnu, and saw that its store increased.

Ningirsu’s beloved musician was the god Ushum-gabkalama, and he was installed in E-ninnu that he might take his flute and fill the temple court with joy.  It was his privilege to play to Ningirsu as he listened in his harim, and to render the life of the god pleasant in E-ninnu.  Ningirsu’s singer was the god Lugaligi-khusham, and he had his appointed place in E-ninnu, for he could appease the heart and soften anger; he could stop the tears which flowed from weeping eyes, and could lessen sorrow in the sighing heart.  Gudea also installed in E-ninnu the seven twin-daughters of the goddess Bau, all virgins, whom Ningirsu had begotten.  Their names were Zarzaru, Impae, Urenuntaea, Khegir-nuna, Kheshaga, Gurmu, and Zarmu.  Gudea installed them near their father that they might offer favourable prayers.