Resurrection

THIS, then, is the memorial to the deaths of Hunahpu and Xbalanque. We shall
now tell it in memory of their death.

What they had planned to do, they had done despite all their afflictions and
misfortunes. Thus they did not die in the trials of Xibalba. Neither were they defeated by
all the ravenous beasts that lived there.

And then they summoned two seers. Visionary persons they were. The names of
these sages were Descended and Ascended:

“The lords of Xibalba may inquire of you concerning our death. They are even
now putting together their thoughts on the matter, because we have not yet died. We have
not been defeated. We confounded their trials. Nor have the animals seized us. This,
therefore, is the sign that is in our hearts. Heated stones will be the means by which our
murder will be accomplished. Thus when all Xibalba has gathered together to determine
how to ensure our death, this shall be the idea that you will propose. If you are asked
about our death when we are burned, this is what you shall tell them, you, Descended and
you, Ascended, if they should speak to you about it:

“‘Wouldn’t it perhaps be good if we scatter their bones in the canyon?’

“Then you are to say, ‘This would not be good, for they would merely arise again
to new life.’

“Then they will say to you, ‘Perhaps it would be good to merely hang them in the
top of a tree?’

“You will then reply, ‘Certainly that would not be good, for you would see their
faces before you.’

“Then the third time they will say, ‘Would it be a good thing if we merely scatter
their bones in the course of the river?’

“If then you are asked this, you will reply, ‘It is good that they should die. And it
would be good if their bones were ground upon the face of a stone like finely ground
maize flour. Each one of them should be ground separately. Then these should be
scattered there in the course of the river. They should be sprinkled on the river that winds
among the small and great mountains.’

“This, then, is what you will say. Thus will be made manifest what we have said
to you in counsel,” said Hunahpu and Xbalanque.

For when they had thus counseled them, they already knew of their death. The
Xibalbans were even then putting together the great heated stones in the form of a pit
oven, placing large hot coals within it.

Then came the messengers of One Death and Seven Death to accompany them:

“The lords say to us: ‘May they come! Bring them so that they may see what we
have cooked up for them.’ This is the word of the lords unto you, boys,” they were
told.

“Very well,” they replied.

Thus they went quickly to the mouth of the pit oven. There the Xibalbans wanted
to force them into playing with them:

“Let us jump over this our sweet drink. Four times each of us will go across it,
boys,” they were told by One Death.

“You cannot trick us with this. Do we not already know the means of our death, O
lords? You shall surely see it,” they said.

Then they turned to face one another, spread out their arms and together they
went into the pit oven. Thus both of them died there. Then all the Xibalbans rejoiced at
this. They contentedly shouted and whistled:

“We have defeated them. None too soon have they given themselves up,” they
said.

Then they summoned Descended and Ascended, with whom word had been left
by the boys. And the Xibalbans divined of them what was to be done with their bones.
Thus according to their word, the bones were ground up and strewn along the course of
the river. But they did not go far away; they just straightaway sank there beneath the
water. And when they appeared again, it was as chosen boys, for thus they had become.

ON the fifth day they appeared again. People saw them in the river, for the two of
them appeared like people-fish. Now when their faces were seen by the Xibalbans, they
made a search for them in the rivers.

And on the very next day, they appeared again as two poor orphans. They wore
rags in front and rags on their backs. Rags were thus all they had to cover themselves.
But they did not act according to their appearance when they were seen by the Xibalbans.
For they did the Dance of the Whippoorwill and the Dance of the Weasel. They danced
the Armadillo and the Centipede.


- Popol Vuh