The Epic of Gesar of Ling

by Robin Kornman

  Gedzo, Lord of the Nyen (Tib. ge ’dzo). The nyen of the mountain Gedzo Rimar Wangzhu (Tib. ge ’dzo ri dmar dbang zhu), which is probably located in the snow mountains of Lower Kham; the principal zodor, the protector mountain-spirit, of the Muwa clan from which Chipön and Senglön descended. He is also Gesar’s spiritual or lineage father.

  Gesar, King of Ling (Tib. gling rje ge sar). The epic hero of Tibet, known by various epithets at different points in the epic:

  Döndrub [Accomplisher of Benefit] (Tib. don sgrub). The divine child of Demchog Karpo Ngangyag and Gyuma Lhadzei. Döndrub will appear in Jambudvīpa through the sadhana performed by Padma Tötreng.

  Künphen Nyinje [All-Benefiting Compassion] (Tib. kun phen snying rje). Gesar’s name for himself as he approaches Padmasambhava while still in the god realm.

  Thöpa Gawa [Joyful to Hear] (Tib. thos pa dga’ ba). The name given to him by Padmasambhava during the Empowerment ceremony.

  Joru (Tib. jo ru). The name given to him by Gyatsa Zhalkar as the son of Senglön and Yelga Dzeiden. In his Joru aspect, Gesar was an ugly and misshapen juvenile delinquent who wore offensive clothes and caused havoc.

  Sengchen Norbu Dradül [Great Lion Jewel Tamer of Enemies] (Tib. seng chen nor bu dgra ’dul). His name as the King of Ling, which was conferred by Padmasambhava when Gesar won the horse race and attained the throne of Ling. Also said as Great Lion King (Tib. seng chen rgyal po). Of the many epithets of Gesar of Ling, Norbu Dradül is one of the most familiar and popular; for instance, the Tibetan lama Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche confided to translator Robin Kornman that as a small boy, when he was playing war games with his friends, he would call himself Norbu Dradül, just the way an American boy might call himself Superman or Batman.

  Gesar is prophesied to become the foremost Rigden king of Shambhala, Chag-gi Khorlochen [Wielder of the Iron Wheel].

  Gochöd [Handyman] Pagyal Tagyu [Victorious Warrior Tiger Horn] (Tib. stag rgyal g.yog spyod). One of the Three Servants of Ling; Drugmo’s personal attendant, who is also known as Gochöd Yogpo Pagyal [Practical Servant Victorious Warrior].

  Gödcham Karmo. See Nammen Karmo.

  Gödchung Karmo [Little White Vulture] (Tib. rgod chung dkar mo). The eldest daughter of Tsugna Rinchen, promised to the son of the Yakṣa queen.

  Gogmo (Tib. ’gog mo). Literally, the “woman from Gog.” A sobriquet given to Yelga Dzeiden, Gesar’s nāginī mother, when she was first accepted by the people of Ling. It is short for Gogza Lhamo (Tib. ’gog bza’ lha mo), goddess wife from Gog, and she is also simply called Gogza. See also Yelga Dzeiden.

  Gogza / Gogza Lhamo. See Gogmo and Yelga Dzeiden.

  Golden Lake Lady [Ser-tso] (Tib. gser mtsho ma). See Denza.

  Great Lion King (Tib. seng chen rgyal po). One of Gesar’s names, used especially in volume 3, Gesar Wins the Horse Race and Becomes the King of Ling.

  Great Sorcerer (Tib. mthu bo che). Epithet of Gesar of Ling.

  Gung-gi Marleb of Rongtsha. See Rongtsha Marleb.

  Gung-men Karmo. See Nammen Karmo.

  Gungpa Buyi Kyatra [Middle Son Hawk] (Tib. gung pa skya khra). One of the Thirteen Cherished Sons of Ling and one of the Thirty Brethren [Mighty Warriors].

  Gurkar Gyalpo (Tib. gur dkar rgyal po). The king of the northeastern land of Hor.

  Gu-ru (Tib. rgu ru). A hunchback and lowly beggar, companion of Joru. Not to be confused with guru (Tib. gu ru) as in “teacher” or “lama.” See Khyishi, Gu-ru son of.

  Guru Gyaltsen [Guru Victory Banner] (Tib. gu ru rgyal mtshan) of Denma. One of the four Gyaltsens; a leader in Den and one of the Thirty Brethren [Mighty Warriors].

  Gyalwa’i Lhundrub. See Michen Gyalwa’i Lhundrub.

  Gyapön Sergyi Arghaṃ. See Sergyi Arghaṃ.

  Gyatsha Zhalkar of Bumpa (Tib. rgya tsha zhal dkar). Gesar’s elder half-brother, son of King Senglön and Gyaza Lhakar Drönma. One of the Four Divine Heirs, and the leader of the Seven Super Warriors; belongs to the Lesser Lineage. He qualified as the second in line after King Gesar. His family called him Zhal-lu Nyima Rangshar [Face of the Self-Arising Sun], or affectionately, Zhal-lu. Outside he was given the name Bumpa Gyatsha Zhalkar [Chinese Nephew White Face of the Bum Family].

  Gyaza Lhakar Drönma [Chinese Divine White Torch] (Tib. lha dkar sgron ma). Often simply called Gyaza (Tib. rgya bza’); one of the principal mothers and aunts of Ling, the eldest daughter of the emperor of China, the primary wife of Senglön, and mother of Gyatsha Zhalkar.

  Gyogchen Dongra [Great Cannon Face] (Tib. sgyogs chen gdong ra). A nyen, or mountain god, a deity-protector of Golog and other regions in northern Tibet who is often called the Spiritual Friend (Tib. dge bsnyen). He is a member of the nine deities of phenomenal existence (Tib. srid pa chags pa’i lha dgu), as well as a member of the orders of the great nyen.

  Gyuma Lhadzei [Illusory Divine Beauty] (Tib. rgyu ma lha mdzas). Gesar’s divine mother.

  Illusory Divine Beauty. See Gyuma Lhadzei.

  Jampel Gyepei Dorje. See Mipham Jampel Gyepei Dorje.

  Jangsem Künkyab Gön. See Demchog Karpo Ngangyag.

  Jangtra. See Denma.

  Jangza Metog Drön [Lady of Jang Blazing Lotus] (Tib. jang bza’ me tog sgron). Youngest daughter of the emperor of China, wife of Sadam, and mother of Nyitri.

  Joru. See Gesar.

  Kha-se Rulu [Gray Beard] (Tib. kha se ru lu). A demon spirit that haunts riverbanks or any narrow, dangerous pathway, and causes accidents and misfortune to befall certain unfortunate travelers. In volume 2 of the epic, he was tamed by Gesar along with other demon forms of wild animals.

  Khache Migmar [Kashmir Red Eye] (Tib. kha che mig dmar). A magician.

  Khatsar Lumo-tso [Joking Nāginī Lake] (Tib. kha mtshar klu mo mtsho). The middle daughter of Tsugna Rinchen, promised to the Chinese Hamipaṭa.

  Khyishi, son of Gu-ru (Tib. khyi shi bu yi rgu ru). “Khyishi” is the name of a clan in Ling with the poorest, lowliest warriors. Gu-ru is one of the clan. The Tibetan, khyi shi, literally means “dead dog.” See also Gu-ru.

  Künga Nyima [All-Joyful Sun] (Tib. kun dga’ nyi ma). A doctor in Ling. There are also two other men named Künga: one who is one of the Thirteen Lamas of Ling; the other is the father of Zima-tso.

  Künphen Nyinje. See Gesar.

  Künshei Thigpo [All-Knowing Accurate One] (Tib. kun shes thig po). A diviner.

  Kyalo Tönpa Gyaltsen. See Tönpa Gyaltsen.

  Kyidkyi Nichung. See Ne’uchung Lu-gu Tshar-yag.

  Lamaphen. One of the three sons born to Mutritsen.

  Langdarma, King (Tib. glang dar ma). The king of Tibet from approximately 838–841 C.E.; he suppressed Buddhism, and was ultimately assassinated.

  Leader of a Hundred (Tib. rgya dpon). An epithet for Sergyi Arghaṃ. See also Sergyi Arghaṃ.

  Legpa Charbeb (Tib. legs pa char ’bebs) [Excellent Rainfall]. A nāga prince.

  Lenpa Chögyal [Simple-Minded Dharma King] (Tib. glen pa chos rgyal). The middle son of Chipön Rongtsha Tragen and Metog Tashi-tso. He was killed in a battle between Ling and Gog.

  Lhabu Legpa [Excellent Prince] (Tib. lha bu legs pa) of Hor. Son of Gazi Lhamo and the Gurkar king, Achen of Hor; nephew of the emperor of China.

  Lhabu Namkha Sengzhal. See Namkha Sengzhal.

  Lhabu Yangkar [Prince White Prosperity] (Tib. lha bu g.yang dkar). The astrologer.

  Lhakar Drönma. See Gyaza Lhakar Drönma.

  Lhamo Yudrön [Goddess Turquoise Torch] (Tib. lha mo g.yu sgron). The daughter of Chipön Rongtsha Tragen and Metog Tashi-tso, and one of the Seven Fair Maidens of Ling.

  Lhayag Darkar [Good Divine White Silk] (Tib. lha yag dar dkar). The son of Chöphen Nagpo and his first wife Serza; founder of the Elder or Greater Lineage, which was composed of the eight tribes of Serpa.

  Life-Essence Demon [Sog Düd] (Tib. srog bdud). See Bloody Single-Tress Demon Woman.

  Lingchen Tharpa Sönam [Great Ling Meritorious Liberation] (Tib. gling chen thar pa’i bsod nams). Leader of the Middle Lineage, an elder a
nd chieftain of one of the six districts of Middle Ling, and one of the Thirty Brethren [Mighty Warriors].

  Lotus Skull Garland. See Padmasambhava.

  Ludrül Ödchung [Nāga Serpent Little Light] (Tib. klu sbrul od chung). Gesar’s younger drala brother; a protector. Also called Ludrül Ödtrung [Born as Nāga Serpent Light] (Tib. klu sbrul od ’khrung).

  Machen. See Magyal Pomra.

  Machig Drubpa’i Gyalmo. See Drubpa’i Gyalmo.

  Machig Sidpa’i Gyalmo. See Drubpa’i Gyalmo.

  Magyal Pomra (Tib. rma rgyal spom ra). The local mountain spirit, a realized bodhisattva. Magyal Pomra, or Machen (Tib. rma chen), is the deity of the Machen Pomra mountain range, also known on Chinese maps as Amnye Machen. It is a series of peaks in the heart of the Golog district, in what is now Qinghai Province and close to the present-day town of Da’u.

  Mandā Lhadzei [Celestial Flower Divine Beauty] (Tib. manda lha mdzes). A goddess, the mother of Demchog Karpo Ngangyag [Gesar’s divine father], and hence Gesar’s divine or celestial grandmother.

  Manenei Nammen Karmo. See Nammen Karmo.

  Mazhi Trothung. See Trothung.

  Metog Lhadzei. See Yelga Dzeiden.

  Metog Tashi-tso [Flower Auspicious Lake] (Tib. me tog bkra shis mtsho). A Chinese maiden, Chipön Rongtsa Tragen’s wife; they had four children—the older son Yuphen Tag-gyal, the middle son Lenpa Chögyal, the younger son Nangchung Yutag, and a daughter, Lhamo Yudrön.

  Michen Gyalwei Lhundrub [Great Man Spontaneously Accomplished Victor] (Tib. mi chen rgyal ba’i lhun grub). Chieftain of one of the six districts of Middle Ling, a most respected leader among the aristocrats of the Elder Lineage of Ling, and one of the Thirty Brethren [Mighty Warriors]. Later on in further volumes of the epic, he fights with the Hor when Gesar’s queen Drugmo is captured, and at that time he loses his life in battle.

  Michung Khadei [Young Clever Mouth] (Tib. mi chung kha bde). A Tibetan youth; one of the Three Servants of Ling. Originally from the land of Gog, he lost his father and mother, and as an orphan he was brought into the family of Chipön.

  Migön Karpo [Kind Protector of Humanity] (Tib. mi mgon dkar po). A nāga prince.

  Mikyong Karpo. See Sengtag Adom.

  Mipham Jampel Gyepei Dorje (Tib. mi pham ’jam dpal dgyes pa’i rdo rje). A Nyingma master (1846–1912), considered an emanation of the bodhisattva Mañjuśrī. Among his myriad collected works, many arose as mind terma associated with the Gesar epic. In particular, the Gesar Supplication found here is the basis upon which one of his students, Gyurmed Thubten Jamyang Dragpa, compiled this epic.

  Mutritsen, King. The second king of Dokham, son of Ratra Genpo, and father of Chölipen, Lamapen, and Chöphen Nagpo.

  Muza (Tib. rmu bza’). One of the wives of Chöla Bum, mother of Senglön.

  Nāga Serpent Little Light. See Ludrül Ödchung.

  Namkha Sengzhal [Sky Lion Face] (Tib. nam mkha’ seng zhal). Head of the Greater or Elder Lineage of Ling, and one of the Thirty Brethren [Mighty Warriors]. Also called Lhabu [Prince] (Tib. lha bu) Namkha Sengzhal, or Namkhai Serzhal [Golden Face of Space] (Tib. nam mkha’i gser zhal).

  Namkhai Serzhal. See Namkha Sengzhal.

  Nammen Karmo [White Sky Goddess] (Tib. nam sman dkar mo). Gesar’s aunt, and one of his principal guardians; sometimes called affectionately Manenei or Nenei [Auntie] (Tib. ma ne ne). Also known as Gödcham Karmo [White Vulture Lady] (Tib. rgod lcam dkar mo), Gung-men Gyalmo [Sky Goddess] (Tib. gung sman dkar mo), or as Gung-men Karmo [White Sky Woman] (Tib. gung sman dkar mo).

  Nang-ngu Apel. See Dongtsen Nang-ngu Apel.

  Nangchung Yutag [Sweet Youth Turquoise Tiger] (Tib. snang chung gyu stag). The youngest son of Chipön Rongtsha Tragen and Metog Tashi-tso; one of the Thirteen Cherished Sons of Ling; and the youngest among the Thirty Brethren [Mighty Warriors]. Also called Yuyi Metog [Turquoise Flower] (Tib. g.yu yi me tog), and Nangchung Yuyi Metog [Sweet Youth Turquoise Flower (Tib. snang chung g.yu yi me tog).

  Nangchung Yuyi Metog. See Nangchung Yutag.

  Nangsid Zilnön. See Padmasambhava.

  Nangwa Ödden. See Nangwa Ziden.

  Nangwa Ziden [Majestic Appearance] (Tib. sngang ba gzi ldan). The young nāga child who offers to approach the prognosticator Dorje Ngangkar for a divination regarding the pestilence endangering the nāga kingdom. Also called also Nangwa Ödden [Appears Filled with Light] (Tib. sngang ba ’od ldan).

  Nangsid Zilnön. See Padmasambhava.

  Ne’uchung Lu-gu Tshar-yag [Marvelous Little Lamb] (Tib. ne’u chung lu gu mtshar yag). Drugmo’s paternal cousin, and one of the Seven Fair Maidens of Ling. Also called Kyidki Nichung [Joyful Little Parrot] (Tib. skyid kyi ni chung), or simply Nichung.

  Nenei Nammen Karmo. See Nammen Karmo.

  Ngogüd [Wild Face] (Tib. glen yu ngo rgod). A nāga of the commoner’s caste.

  Nichung. See Ne’uchung Lu-gu Tshar-yag.

  Norbu Dradül. See Gesar.

  Norbu Lhadar. See Rongtsha Marleb.

  Nya-tsha Aten [Stable Nephew Fish] (Tib. nya tsha a brtan or a bstan). One of Trothung’s sons and one of the Seven Super Warriors.

  Nyen Gedzo. See Gedzo.

  Nyenchen Thanglha. See Thanglha.

  Nyentag Marpo [Red Mountain Tiger] (Tib. gnyan stag dmar po). A mountain god and an important drala in the Gesar epic. Also known as Red Nyentag.

  Nyibum Daryag [Excellent Banner of One Hundred Thousand Suns] of Serpa (Tib. gser pa’i nyi ’bum dar yag). The chief of the elders of the Greater Lineage, one of the Four Divine Heirs (to the Ser tribe), and one of the Three Ultimate Warriors (the one called Falcon). Also called Serpa Nyima [Daryag] Bum-thub [Capable of Hundred Thousand] (Tib. ’bum thub), or Daryag of Nyibum.

  Nyima Gyaltsen of Beri (Tib. be ri nyi ma rgyal mtshan; variation, be ru). An alias used by Gesar when he appears to Drugmo as a bandit.

  Nyima Gyaltsen [Sun Victory Banner] of Ka-ru (Tib. dkar ru nyi ma rgyal mtshan). One of the four Gyaltsens and one of the Thirty Brethren [Mighty Warriors].

  Nyima Lhundrub [Spontaneous Sun] (Tib. nyi ma lhun grub) of Gödpo. One of the Thirty Brethren [Mighty Warriors], and one of the Thirteen Cherished Sons of Ling. Also called Gödpo Nyima Lhundrub.

  Nyitri (Tib. nyi khri). Son of Jangza Metog Drön and King Sadam of Jang; nephew of the emperor of China. Also called Jang Nyitri Karchen [Twenty Thousand Great Stars] (Tib. nyi khri skar chen).

  Ödden Kar [White Luminosity] (Tib. ’od ldan dkar). A god who is the father of Demchog Karpo Ngangyag [Gesar’s divine father], and hence Gesar’s celestial or divine grandfather.

  Omza (Tib. om bza’). The second wife of Chöphen Nagpo, and mother of Trichang Pagyal.

  Orgyen. See Padmasambhava.

  Padma Thötreng. See Padmasambhava.

  Padmasambhava [Lotus Born] (Tib. pad ma ’byung). A sage born in the eighth century in northwest India, the land of Uḍḍiyāṇa; his name means “born from a lotus,” which is an indication of his magical origins. He was invited to Tibet by the Tibetan king, Trisong Deutsen, and while in Tibet he transmitted Vajrayāna Buddhism. He is known by many names, including Uḍḍiyāṇa Padma, or Orgyen Padma, the Lotus Born from the land of Uḍḍiyāṇa or Orgyen. In the epic, he is called Nangsid Zilnön [Who Quells Existence with Splendor] (Tib. snang srid sil gnon), and in his wrathful form living on the subcontinent of Cāmara, he is called Padma Thötreng [Lotus Skull Garland] (Tib. pad ma thod phreng), or Rākṣa Skull Garland.

  Pekar Lhadzei [White Lotus Divine Beauty] (Tib. pad dkar lha mdzes). One of the Seven Fair Maidens of Ling.

  Ralo Tönpa Gyaltsen of Gog (Tib. ra lo ston pa rgyal mtshan). King of Gog, and the man who raised the nāginī princess Yelga Dzeiden as his own daughter until she became Gesar’s mother. Not to be confused with Kyalo Tönpa Gyaltsen, known as Tönpa Gyaltsen of Kyalo, one of the four Gyaltsens.

  Ratra Genpo. The first king of Dokham, and the first king of the clan thereafter known as Mukpo. Father of Mutritsen and Ritritsen (Rutritsen).

  Raudrachakrin.
The last of the Shambhala kings prophesied in the Kalachakra tantra, who will appear in the year 2424 to defeat the degeneracy of the world. It is prophesied that Gesar will become this Shambhala king. Also known as Rigden Raudrachakrin or Rigden Dragpo Chag-gyi Khorlocan [Wielder of the Iron Wheel] (Tib. rigs ldan drag po lcags kyi ’khor lo can).

  Rinchen Darlu [Precious Silk Scarf] of Muchang [Wolf Clan] (Tib. smu spyang rin chen dar lu). The chief of the elders of the Lesser Lineage, one of the Four Divine Heirs, and the lesser of the Three Ultimate Warriors (the one called Wolf).

  Ritritsen, King. One of the sons of Ratra Genpo, and an ancient king of Dokham. Also spelled Rutritsen.

  Rongtsha Marleb (Tib. rong tsha dmar leb). Gesar’s younger half-brother, son of Senglön and Rongza. He is one of the Thirteen Cherished Sons of Ling and one of the Thirty Brethren [Mighty Warriors]. Also called Norbu Lhadar (Tib. nor bu lha dar), or Rongtsha Norbu Lhadar.

  Rongtsha Tragen. See Chipön Rongtsha Tragen.

  Rongza (Tib. rong bza’). One of the wives of Chöla Bum, and mother of Chipön Rongtsa Tragen. Her name simple means “Lady of Rong.” Not to be confused with Rongza Sheldrön, who is also called Rongza.

  Rongza Sheldrön [Crystal Torch, Wife from Rong] (Tib. rong bza’ shel sgron). The first wife of King Senglön, and mother of Rongtsa Marleb, also called Norbu Lhadar, who is Gesar’s younger half-brother. She is also simply called Rongza, but she is not to be confused with another woman of the same name, who is the wife of Chöla Bum and mother of Chipön Rongtsha Tragen. See Rongza.

  Sadam, King (Tib. sa dam). King of the northern land of Jang.

  Sengcham Drugmo. See Drugmo.

  Sengchen Norbu Dradül. See Gesar.

  Senglön [Lion Minister], King (Tib. seng blon). Gesar’s human father, brother of Chipön and Trothung, and the leader of the Thirty Brethren [Mighty Warriors]. He is an incarnation of the Brahman Legjin Nyima, Sergyi Dogcan, also known as Anāthapi, and in the epic he was said to be an emanation of the Brahman Halikapa and prophesied to be the Shambhala dharma king Zijid Thaye. Senglön was born to King Chöla Bum and his third wife, Muza. Senglön had three wives: Gyaza Lhakar Drönma, who bore their eldest son, Gyatsha Zhalkar; the nāginī Yelga Dzeiden, who bore the boy Joru who was destined to become King Gesar; and Rongza, who bore the younger son, Rongtsa Marleb.