Arasta (Classical Mandaic: ࡓࡀࡎࡕࡀ) is a white ceremonial garment that Mandaeans wear during most baptismal rites,[1] religious ceremonies, and during periods of uncleanliness. It signifies the purity of the World of Light. The rasta is worn equally by the laypersons and the priests.[2] If a Mandaean dies in clothes other than a rasta, it is believed that they will not reenter the World of Light,[3] unless the rite『Ahaba ḏ-Mania』('Giving of Garments') can be performed "for those who have died not wearing the ritual garment."[4]
A rasta also has a stitched-on pocket called the daša.[5]
Women also wear a robe (ʿabā) over the rasta during masbuta.[6]: 16
The rasta is expected to be transmuted after death into a "garment of glory" for the soul (Qolasta prayer 76: "the Perfecter of Souls ... will come out toward you and clothe your soul in a garment of radiance"[7][8]) – this is equivalent to the perispirit.[citation needed]
A Mandaic hymn, Left Ginza 3.11, states:
"He created me and clothed me with radiance, like that which the chosen men put on.
That which the chosen men put on, the true and faithful people.
I put my head therein,
I was filled like the world.
I opened my eyes in it, my eyes became filled with light."[9]
Other ritual clothing pieces that typically go along with the rasta when worn by men, especially priests, are:[5]
Special prayers in the Qolasta are also recited when putting on the burzinqa and pandama.[7]
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