The Egyptian concept of man was complex: they conceived man consist of a Body, a Soul (Ba), a Spirit, a Name, a Shadow, and a Ka. What precisely is a Ka? It may be described as the spiritual presence that resides in the body. The Ka may leave upon death, but in order to continue existence the Ka required mummification of the body. Another term for Ka is life-force, or Chi.
It was believed that for after life to come all these components in perfect unison was necessary. Because of this belief great care was taken: the body was embalmed; food and drink were provided as offerings to nourish the Ka; the funerary texts were provided to give instruction to Ba, the Soul.
But even under the most stringent and perfect conditions would prevail unless that man had lived a pure life, coming before Osiris for judgment with a clean heart, clean hands, and a clean conscious.
“’Glory to thee, O thou Great God, thou Lord of truth and justice!’ says the dead man, when brought into the presence of the eternal Judge. ‘Lo! I have defrauded no man of his dues. I have oppressed no widow. I have not borne false witness. I have not been slothful. I have broken faith with no man. I have starved no man. I have slain no man. I have not enriched myself by unlawful gains. I have not given short measure of corn. I have not tampered with the scales. I have not encroached upon my neighbor’s field. I have not cut off the running water from its lawful channel. I have not turned away food from the mouths of the fatherless. Lo! I am pure! I am pure! (Chapter 125, The Book of the Dead)
Terminology:
Ba: the Soul
Sheut: the Shadow
Ren: the Name
Ba: the Personality or Soul
Ka: the Life Force
