King Gesar
of Tibet
The Legend from ling
King Gesar (about 1038-1119 AD) was a legendary Tibetan hero who was born in Dege County, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. Later generations called him King Gesar of Ling. According to legend, King Gesar is also the incarnation of the Guru Rinpoche and his wisdom, compassion and power.
King gesar's legend begins here
Chapter 10:
Teachings from the Machen Mountain God: Ling Heroes Head to Chawarong
Jue Ru and his mother, Guomu, lived a quiet and frugal life in the deep valleys and mountains of the Ma region. The area was sparsely populated, with Jue Ru’s only "companions" being the crows, his shadow, and the echoes of the valleys to respond to his voice.
One day, the divine child Jue Ru wore a strange outfit: an unsightly red wild-goat-skin hat, an ill-fitting stiff calfskin coat, and awkward bright red horsehide boots tied with horsehair as laces. He carried a long-patterned sling at his waist and wore a short-patterned sling on his finger. Wandering into the central meadow of Mako Ruza, he hunted several deer and mountain goats possessed by demonic spirits. After resting for a while, he felt as if guided by a divine force and soon fell into a deep sleep.
Amid the vast sky and the gaps between colorful clouds, the mountain god Machen Pomra descended. He rode a pale yellow divine steed, holding a spear in his right hand, its tassel fluttering, and a treasure-weasel in his left hand. Accompanied by 360 celestial warriors, he gazed down at the sleeping Jue Ru with a benevolent smile and sang a prophetic song:
"Om Mani Padme Hum!
If you do not know this place,
It is the expanse of the blue sky,
The realm of colorful clouds.
If you do not know who I am,
My outer form is Machen Pomra Mountain,
My inner form is the god of wealth, Vaisravana.
Jue Ru and I, Machen,
Are inseparable like body and shadow.
This year, the Year of the Fire Tiger,
Is the time for success.
The heavenly stems align,
The nine palaces and eight trigrams are in harmony,
The auspicious timing has come,
With heavenly blessings, success is certain.
In the lower region of Chawarong,
Where white cliffs rise like eagle feathers,
In the dense clusters of stone and rock,
Lies the treasure of Pema Tötreng,
Buried to liberate future demons.
The arrows are hidden in Chawarong,
A father’s legacy belongs to his son.
The king of Chawarong, the Nangwa King,
Is a descendant of the Dragon King,
Brave and powerful in sorcery.
If you do not conquer him this year,
You will lose your chance forever.
He is a great enemy to the Dharma,
A foe that Ling must subdue.
Now, divine child Jue Ru,
Transform into the Red Horse-Headed King.
Pretend to be Mahakala,
And deceive the Nangwa King of Chawarong.
Tell him this:
'The blood-drinking eagle-feather arrow
Can only belong to the Darong clan.'
If you understand, keep this in your heart.
If you do not, I will not explain further."
After singing, the mountain god Machen Pomra disappeared like a rainbow in the sky.
When Jue Ru woke from his dream, he saw the mountain god disappearing into the sky like a rainbow. After hunting many demonic beasts, he returned to his mother and shared many casual conversations with her.
Finally, Jue Ru said to his mother: "Today, the great lord of this land, the mountain god Machen Pomra, came to me with a prophecy. He instructed me to conquer the Chawarong Arrow Sect and assured me of divine support. If I can take Chawarong, I will be able to invite the teachings of Vajra Dharma and subdue the surrounding great sects. I cannot remain here any longer. I must return to Ling. Mother, please take care of yourself. We will reunite soon. These meats are offerings for you—they are delicacies from the feast of the sky-goers. As for me, I will enjoy the divine nectar of the gods. Please do not worry about me."
Guomu thought to herself: "Although my son is young, he is clever, skilled in martial arts, and extraordinary. He does not need me to guide him."
Comforted, she rested peacefully.
Jue Ru put on his unsightly wild-goat-skin hat, his ill-fitting stiff calfskin coat, and his awkward red horsehide boots tied with horsehair. He crossed mountains in great strides when they were tall and took smaller steps when they were low. Before long, he returned to Ling.
On the eastern balcony of the fortress of Darong Anusipan, Jue Ru transformed into a divine bird. The bird’s upper body was golden, shining like gold; its lower body was white, gleaming like silver; its midsection was colorful, as vibrant as agate; and its beak and claws were black, as dark as iron.
At that moment, before the sky had fully brightened, before the stars had given way to the sun, before the Milky Way had shifted, and before the morning frost had melted, Jue Ru, in his divine bird form, sang a prophetic song to Darong Anusipan:
"Om Mani Padme Hum!
If you do not know this place,
It is the great hall of Commander Anusipan.
If you do not know who I am,
I am the northern celestial deity, Horse-Headed King.
Commander Anusipan, do not sleep!
Those who sleep lose wisdom,
A lama’s sleep wastes the altar,
A commander’s sleep weakens the law,
An elder’s sleep loses respect,
A warrior’s sleep ensures defeat,
A woman’s sleep ruins the household,
A stone’s sleep grows moss,
A tree’s sleep rots its roots.
Do not sleep—wake up quickly!
This is not empty preaching;
Listening is as valuable as a sacred scripture.
This year, the Fire Tiger Year,
The heavens align,
The nine palaces and eight trigrams are in harmony,
Auspicious blessings have gathered.
In the lower region of Chawarong,
Where white cliffs rise like eagle feathers,
Hidden among the rocks and stones,
Lies the treasure of Pema Tötreng:
Arrows crafted to drink the blood of Rakshasas.
These arrows are treasures of Ling,
Their rightful owner is the Darong clan.
If you retrieve these arrows,
All will go as you wish,
For no one else can claim them.
Gather the six tribes quickly!
The Nangwa King of Chawarong,
This year is his time of misfortune.
If you do not defeat him now,
You will lose your chance forever.
He is an enemy of the Dharma,
An enemy of Ling.
Subdue the Nangwa King,
Retrieve the hidden Rakshasa-killing arrows,
Conquer the eighteen surrounding sects.
With the protection of divine spirits,
Lead the warriors of Ling,
Attack Chawarong with the strength of a raging river,
Camp with the steadiness of the vast ocean.
Do not launch small ambushes,
For the Nangwa King is powerful.
He is the descendant of the Dragon King,
Brave and bold like a demon.
His brother Lusabenma,
Stronger than a god,
Clever like a hawk,
Fierce as a tiger,
Commands twelve generals,
Each leading ten thousand troops,
All with strong horses and skilled soldiers.
But Ling will prevail!
The grudge between Chawarong and Ling
Has burned for years.
Long ago, the Dong clan leader, Nima Letchin,
Carried eighteen mule loads of eagle-feather arrows,
Only for them to be stolen by the Chawarong people.
That hatred remains unavenged.
This year, the time has come to settle the score.
This is a righteous war,
Protected by the war god.
Do not let this teaching be wasted!
If you understand, it is divine nectar;
If you do not, explanations are useless."
After singing, Jue Ru, in his bird form, vanished into the sky.
At dawn, Darong Anusipan woke up, feeling exhilarated by the Horse-Headed King’s teachings. He offered the divine bird abundant buttered barley and other grains as tribute.
When the sun rose, ritual drums echoed throughout the land, and conch shells were blown to spread the message across the upper, middle, and lower regions of Ling.
Three days later, warriors from Ling gathered in large numbers. Thirty commanders, seven generals, three leaders of the Hawk-Wolf troops, elders as steady as Mount Meru, warriors as straight as bamboo, and youths as beautiful as lotus blossoms assembled. Their helmets and banners gleamed, their swords and spears flashed, and their protective amulets dangled in rows. The sight struck fear into the hearts of enemies and filled friends with joy. Parents and elders prayed for their safety and success.
The crowd gathered at the Datang Chamao plains, forming a sea of people and weapons. Everyone entered the grand command tent, “Tongwa Gunmin,” and took their seats according to rank. Butter tea and fine liquor flowed like dancing peacocks, and fresh meat and cheese were served like leaping lions.
As the feasting continued, Darong Anusipan entered, dressed in a red silk robe with a honeycomb-patterned belt. He wore a lotus-shaped hat adorned with red silk tassels and a peacock feather, and nine-striped rainbow boots tied with silk laces. Striding in with great authority, he shared the Horse-Headed King’s prophecy with everyone.
Darong Anusipan sang the prophecy to inspire the gathered soldiers:
"If you do not know this place,
It is the great assembly ground of Datang Gongma.
If you do not know who I am,
I am Darong Anusipan, a mighty general.
If you do not know this song,
It is the Roaring Song of the Darong Tiger.
This year, in the Fire Tiger Year,
The heavens align,
The nine palaces and eight trigrams are in harmony,
Auspicious blessings have gathered.
In the lower region of Chawarong,
Where white cliffs rise like eagle feathers,
Hidden among the rocks and stones,
Lies the treasure of Pema Tötreng:
Arrows crafted to drink the blood of Rakshasas.
These arrows are treasures of Ling,
A father’s legacy meant for his son.
They are weapons to equip the Ling army,
Tools to defeat the enemy.
The Nangwa King of Chawarong,
A descendant of the Dragon King,
Is arrogant, self-important, and cruel.
His brother, the Red-Arm Dragon,
Is powerful, skilled in martial arts,
Clever like a hawk,
Fierce as a tiger,
And commands twelve generals,
Each leading ten thousand troops,
All with strong horses and skilled soldiers.
But Ling will prevail!
The hatred between Ling and Chawarong
Has burned for years.
This is the year to settle the score.
This is a righteous war,
Guided by divine teachings.
If you understand, it is divine nectar;
If you do not, no further explanation will suffice."
Sitting at the head of the right row, on a golden leopard-skin cushion, was the wise steward Rongchacha. Reflecting on the prophecy, he recalled that twelve years ago, it was foretold that Chawarong must be conquered. He realized that now was the time and decided that Ling must not miss this opportunity.
Rongchacha sang in a slow, steady tone:
"Om Mani Padme Hum!
Alata Tarata Rare,
Tararu Yilan Rare.
If you do not know this place,
It is the great assembly ground of Datang Gongma.
If you do not know who I am,
I am from Ling, at the pass of Chapu Mountain,
Where male hawks cry 'gogo,'
Where female hawks cry 'soso,'
Where young hawks learn to fly—
The hawk city of Nangzong Chumu.
My wisdom shines as bright as the sky,
I am Rongchacha, steward of Ling,
Feared as a demon by my enemies.
This year, in the Fire Tiger Year,
The northern god, the Horse-Headed King,
Delivered teachings to Commander Anusipan.
He commanded us to conquer Chawarong,
And divine teachings never deceive.
But this is not the only reason.
Not last year, but the year before,
I went to Chawarong with the elder, three of us together,
To retrieve the famed arrows.
The young men of Chawarong
Forced us to pay taxes,
Rough and unreasonable in their behavior.
And this is not the only reason.
Long ago, Nima Letchin of the Dong clan,
Went to Chawarong to cut bamboo.
He carried eighteen mule loads of eagle-feather arrows,
But they were completely stolen by the Chawarong people.
Failing to avenge this grudge is shameful,
Ignoring this blood debt is cowardly.
Now, this year,
Divine teachings have been bestowed upon us.
The prophecies and teachings align,
We must conquer Chawarong.
Chawarong is a fine land,
Its terrain and climate are familiar to me.
Especially the Nangwa King,
Who is arrogant, self-important, and stubborn.
He relies on his own judgment, thinking himself superior.
His brother, the Red-Arm Dragon,
Is immensely powerful and skilled in martial arts,
As clever as a hawk,
As fierce as a tiger.
He commands twelve generals,
Each overseeing ten thousand troops,
All with strong horses and skilled soldiers.
Even so, the heroes of Ling are stronger.
Our warriors are as skilled as gods,
As clever as hawks,
As vicious as tigers.
With such a brave army,
We will attack and win every battle.
Still, I must offer some words of caution:
A mighty eagle soaring in the sky,
If it flies too high and uncontrolled,
A storm may tear off its feathers and wings.
A hungry wolf walking on the hills,
If it does not look forward and back,
It will be struck by the stones of a shepherd boy.
Heroes marching to the frontlines,
If they do not unite and surround the enemy,
When facing a cunning adversary,
They may be devoured instead.
When marching south to Chawarong,
Advance like a flowing river,
And camp like the steady ocean.
Do not attack with small forces or ambushes.
In the east, establish a camp.
Let Niben Daya be the commander,
Gedebena as the deputy commander,
Along with Barasenda Adong.
Do not let the enemy escape eastward.
In the south, establish a camp.
Let Anusipan be the commander,
Niancha Adan as the deputy commander,
Along with Dongchu Lubudapan.
Do not let the enemy escape southward.
In the west, establish a camp.
Let Aba Angqingdi be the commander,
Jiacha Xiega as the deputy commander,
Along with Jiangbu Dorje Yujie.
Do not let the enemy escape westward.
The remaining heroes,
Quickly organize your troops.
Once you meet the enemy,
Charge forward and achieve glory.
Kill the enemy fearlessly,
Rewards will be distributed fairly.
But for those who surrender to the enemy,
Cowards who desert like foxes,
Or those who commit shameless crimes,
Military law will show no mercy.
Three days from now,
The Ling armies will march to Chawarong.
Strategies and formations
Will be discussed further as needed.
Remember these instructions, all of you!"
After Rongchacha’s song, the warriors of Ling agreed unanimously to proceed.
After Rongchacha finished singing, everyone agreed with his words and returned to their camps.
Three days later, at dawn, the thirty generals, seven commanders, and three Hawk-Wolf leaders of Ling gathered with elders as steady as Mount Meru, warriors as straight as bamboo, and youths as fresh as lotus flowers. After eating a hearty meal, they saddled their horses and prepared their weapons. Their swords and spears gleamed, their protective amulets hung in rows, and their banners and flags fluttered in the air. The sight terrified the faint-hearted, delighted the brave, moved friends to tears, and filled parents with prayers.
The warriors lined up in their respective formations. They looked bright and dazzling as they set out on their journey.
The women of Ling accompanied the soldiers for three "Saku" distances, offering tea and wine multiple times along the way. Among them, a woman named Jialuo Senjiangzhumu held five scarves of red and white and sang a song of blessings:
"Ru Ala Tarata Tara Re,
Tararu Yilan Ru Re.
I pray sincerely to the Three Jewels,
Do not abandon us, remain above our heads.
Remain above and grant your blessings.
If you do not know this place,
This is the great highway of Mayu.
If you do not know who I am,
I am the girl, Jialuo Senjiangzhumu.
On this good and auspicious day:
Thirty generals of Ling,
Leading their troops,
March to Chawarong.
Let me use metaphors to give my praise:
The Gangdise Snow Mountains are like crystal,
The Snow Lion skilled in three arts,
Braving fierce winds and blizzards,
Only the Green-Maned Snow Lion shows its might.
The vast blue sky filled with rolling clouds,
The Jade Dragon’s roar shakes the heavens.
When thick clouds bring heavy rain,
The Jade Dragon’s roar reveals its strength.
On the wide plains of the earth,
Fertile lands grow bountiful crops.
With oxen plowing the fields diligently,
The fertile soil proves its worth.
Ling’s heroic soldiers,
Need a worthy opponent.
Only with a challenge,
Can heroes show their skills.
Today, Ling’s army departs,
Aligned with the prophecy of the gods.
Conquering the Arrow Sect is certain,
Victory is beyond doubt.
The guardian deities of Dokham Ling,
Will accompany our troops.
They will make our warriors braver,
And our horses faster.
This auspicious white scarf,
The sacred blessing of the White Brahma King,
Is offered to the Qiju Camp.
This is not a farewell, but a reunion wish—
May you return soon to reunite with us.
This pure yellow scarf,
Is offered to the Zhenju Camp.
This is not a farewell, but a reunion wish—
May you return soon to reunite with us.
This clean green scarf,
A treasure dear to the White Dragon King Migun,
Is offered to the Qiongjue Camp.
This is not a farewell, but a reunion wish—
May you return soon to reunite with us.
May demons be subdued early,
May the treasure of the Arrow Sect be recovered soon.
May those who leave and those who stay reunite quickly.
Blessings fill the sky,
And the earth fulfills all wishes."
After singing, the women offered tea and wine again and again before bidding farewell to the soldiers.
After the soldiers departed, the king of Senlun said, "For this battle against Chawarong, should we summon Jue Ru, that child, to join us?"
Before anyone could respond, Darong Commander Chaotong said, "This battle against Chawarong will be as fierce as a tiger hunt. It’s better not to call Jue Ru. If we fail to defeat the enemy and end up fighting amongst ourselves, it would be a disaster."
While the group was considering the merit of Chaotong’s suggestion, Steward Rongchacha said, "Let’s do as the commander suggested. We won’t summon Jue Ru for now."
Although the leaders of the Qiongjue clan were not pleased, they said nothing. The soldiers then mounted their horses, whipped their reins, and set off.
After nine days of travel, the soldiers arrived at the main road of Chawarong. They set up camp, and the area became bustling with activity. Woodcutters leapt about like hailstones, water carriers scurried like sparrows, steam from tea pots mixed with the smoke from cooking fires, and white tents covered the land. Horses grazed across the hills and valleys, creating a scene so lively that it left everyone in awe.
After dinner, all the leaders gathered in Steward Rongchacha’s grand tent to discuss the war strategy.
At the entrance of the tent, a ceremonial spear stood upright, wrapped in colorful ribbons depicting the Eight Auspicious Symbols and the Seven Treasures of the Universal Monarch. After it was blessed with incense made from camphor and sandalwood, the spearhead suddenly began to glow with golden light.
To everyone’s astonishment, Jue Ru, the divine son of Guomu, appeared atop the glowing spearhead, looking like an eight-year-old child, naked and radiant. No one knew where he came from, and everyone was filled with amazement.
As everyone watched in amazement, Jue Ru began to sing in the tune of the "Long Life Song":
Om Mani Padme Hum,
Ala Tara Tara Re,
Tararu Yilan Ru Re.
If you do not know this place,
It is the sturdy spearhead.
If you do not know who I am,
I am Jue Ru, son of Guomu.
From the sacred Jiega Vajra Temple,
I call upon the eighty "Zhuqin" masters.
First, I call Aunt Langmangamu,
Second, my sister Telewochun,
Third, my elder brother Dongqiong Gabu,
Fourth, my younger brother Longshu Weiqiong.
I humbly invite all of you to assist,
To help me fulfill my wishes.
Heroes of Ling,
Do not leave Jue Ru behind.
Right now, I am here on the spearhead.
If anyone wants to challenge me,
Come forward and face me.
Brothers and uncles of Ling,
Listen to me explain my reasoning:
Before dawn, when sunlight first appears,
The stars must fade, and patience is required.
To drive away the darkness of the world,
The red sun must rise.
When the sky is filled with dark clouds,
The sun may be blocked, and patience is required.
To nourish crops and ripen fruits,
Sweet rain must fall.
When the snow lion shakes its mane in fury,
The elephant may dislike it, but patience is required.
To intimidate the birds and beasts,
The lion must roar as it descends the mountain.
When the powerless Jue Ru arrives,
Some may be displeased, but patience is required.
To accomplish great deeds,
My arrival is necessary.
I have more to say, so listen carefully:
The wild colt of the northern grasslands,
If it cannot join the herd of fine horses,
Only during a race on the open plains
Will it be known who runs the fastest.
The young roc perched on a high mountain,
If it cannot join the flock of birds,
Only when flying in the vast sky
Will it be known who soars the highest.
I, Jue Ru, dwelling in a remote valley,
If I cannot join the ranks of heroes,
Only in the face of battle with the enemy
Will it be known who is brave and who is timid.
Do not take my words too seriously—
I am just a naïve child joking around.
If my endless chatter offends the elders,
Please forgive my foolishness.
Ling’s army marching to Chawarong
Is a significant event, worthy of this expedition.
Everyone must achieve battle merits,
Every steed must charge forward.
First, for the black-haired Tibetan people.
Second, for the interests of Ling.
Third, to recover the fine-necked arrows.
Fourth, to subdue the demonic enemies.
To accomplish these four goals,
Heroes must fight together to the end.
Please unite and work as one,
All four divisions must follow unified command.
Ling’s heavenly soldiers, remember this in your hearts.
My brothers and elders of Ling,
Though you may not need me, Jue Ru,
I miss you all deeply.
Unable to sit still, I rushed here to join you.
I offer three heartfelt words.
If they are worth listening to, please remember them.
If not, I ask for your forgiveness—
I do not intend to stay here long.
If you understand, my words are like nectar.
If you do not, no further explanation is necessary."
After Jue Ru finished his song, he looked toward the "Qiju" camp of Ling. The warriors and brothers who trusted Jue Ru all nodded in agreement, feeling that it was inappropriate not to notify him about the fierce battle at Chawarong. They were filled with guilt for neglecting him.
Chaotong, the elder, thought to himself, “This demon wrapped in human skin, Jue Ru, has come after all. We can’t match his strength, nor can we hate him—if we can’t even defeat our enemies, starting an internal fight would be disastrous. Since he said he won’t stay long, it would be better if he leaves quickly.”
At that moment, the divine son Jue Ru jumped a full arm’s length into the air. After pausing briefly, he disappeared like a rainbow.
The leaders of the "Qiongjue" camp, along with other officials, warriors, and the people who admired Jue Ru, were filled with amazement and reverence at his divine abilities.
They thought, “Ah! Why didn’t he stay a little longer?”
Where did Jue Ru go?
Annotation：
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Saku (萨库): A Tibetan term meaning "section" or "journey," not referring to the actual distance of the journey. Saying "three Saku were traveled" indicates a very long journey.
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Eight Auspicious Symbols (八吉祥): Also known as the "Eight Treasures of Auspiciousness."