Gyatsa's Widow, Rousa Gecuo Pleading Danman To Stay And Fight

As the saying goes, "A strong bow and arrow should be aimed at the wicked enemy; a sharp blade should be used in times of war." Despite everyone's earnest attempts to mediate, Michong stood silently in place, his head turned to the side, eyes wide open, breathing heavily with indignation. Meanwhile, Danma, holding his mount's reins, prepared to leave the assembly, but his heart still seethed with resentment. He stopped and addressed the crowd: "Among the ranks of Lingga's heroes, too much skill invites jealousy! I, Danma, will not stay here to be an obstacle, so the Great King may bestow his favor upon Sinba!"

Having said this, he turned his horse around, ready to depart. The elders and youths of Ling, led by Chief Steward Rongtsa Chagen, all rushed to grab his horse's bridle, pleading with him to stay. At that moment, Gyatsa's widow, Rousa Gecuo, hurriedly ran in front of Danma's horse and sang a song of persuasion:

Minister Danma, where do you think you're going?

Taking three steps alone from camp, you'll lose your way.

A minister who does not share the king's burdens

Is like a Khata scarf blown away—an ill omen.

You, the vanguard of Ling's great army, refuse to lead,

Facing a great enemy, you only think of home.

Such thoughts are truly inappropriate,

I hope you calm your heart and think carefully.

If a hero does not set a good example,

Gossip behind his back cuts like a knife, hard to guard against;

They'll say now that the enemy presses upon us,

Fleeing the battlefield shows a soul too filthy.

Rousa's heart's flesh, Prince Zhale Zejie,

Without Danma, on whom can he rely?

I beg you, do not go home, please stay,

Stand shoulder to shoulder with Zhale to win glory.

Now foreign enemies brandish spears and arrows,

Why must our own family quarrel and bicker?

The royal lineage of Lingga passes down through generations,

It cannot do without Danma serving as minister for generations.

After Rousa finished singing, everyone at the assembly nodded, agreeing with Lady Rousa's words. However, Danma, burning with rage, could not even understand such goodwill and responded to Rousa with harsh words in song:

Rousa was once the great consort of the worthy Gyatsa,

In the past, your power and influence were unmatched,

But if we call you an official now,

It would be an empty title, not reality.

When the hero Gyatsa was alive,

The worthy consort Rousa was always exalted.

Whenever the heroes gathered,

People would always invite you to the seat of honor.

Thousands surrounded and embraced you,

Flattering and praising you endlessly.

Now they treat you like a servant girl,

Saying your old mother is only fit for servitude.

Your face holds little weight before the crowd,

No need to put on a strong front and speak much.

When the striped fierce tiger charges forth,

Bees need not sing little tunes by its ear.

One's own abilities one knows best,

Whoever has the skill, let them offer advice.

Whether Minister Danma stays or goes,

You need not trouble yourself on my account.

For the great cause of the Lion King,

I hope you work with one heart and exert effort.

Remember Rousa's important words,

I understand the Great King's good intentions toward me.

In the past, the Tibetans had a proverb:

"Shattering a golden statue's head brings no blessing,

Hurting a parent's heart brings no joy.

When kin suffer, one's own heart grieves too,

A scar on the heart has no medicine to cure it."

Danma's heart is wounded and damaged; I will not stay, I must leave.

After Danma finished singing, he prepared to leave immediately. The three elders of Ling were deeply concerned. Particularly, King Gesar's mother thought: Danma is usually straightforward by nature, but now his heart is unsettled. I must quickly help him turn around and persuade him earnestly. So she rose from her seat, walked at a measured pace to Danma, first presented him with gifts of gold, silver, silk, and other valuables, then said gently and considerately: "Your Danma family has been for generations the heavenly thunderbolt sword protecting the Ling Kingdom. For eighteen generations of the Ling royal line, your Danma family has served as ministers for nineteen generations. We cannot let the heavenly thunderbolt sword be damaged from within! Especially with a great enemy at our gates, instead of discussing the campaign, we provoke internal strife. This is like using a fierce fire to burn a woman's hair—utterly wrong! And even more wrong are these angry words about leaving! Danma, please stay. Everyone hopes you will remain by the Great King's side. Today, this old mother gives you these precious gifts, also with the sole hope that you will stay. Who is truly a hero is not shown by bullying within; only by placing the saddle on the enemy's neck can the hero's glorious name be left in Ling Gabu, praised for generations to come!"

After she spoke, many other heroes and aunts patiently advised Danma, everyone adding their words, talking incessantly. Only then did Danma slowly calm down, his face showing a composed and serene expression.

Qinen, The Demon Minister's Hidden Rebellion and the Heavenly Mother's Prophecy

While Ling's heroes were embroiled in endless internal strife and arguments, the demon minister Qinen secretly rejoiced. Although King Gesar had killed Lutsan, rescuing the demon lands' people from suffering, and he had once been happy to serve King Gesar, here in Ling Gabu, he, Qinen, was always considered an outsider. Especially among Ling's valiant men, they always carried an air of superiority. He couldn't help but miss the freedom of the Demon Kingdom and gradually began to harbor thoughts of rebellion against King Gesar.

He thought to himself: Judging from Ling's current situation, it would be best for me to take the initiative in the campaign first, then devise a plan to lure the enemy inside. This would surely bring defeat upon Ling and avenge my master, King Lutsan. So, pretending loyalty to Ling, he said: "From the current omens, no matter what, things are indeed inauspicious. King Sadan of Jiang is neither human nor god; how he will deal with Ling is truly hard to predict. If it's really as Chief Steward said, that Prince Yula Toju of Jiang can only be subdued with cunning words and with temptation, then I am the most suitable for this task. If someone else is sent, I fear they will only hand our land over to the Jiang people. I, Qinen, now ask the Great King for the vanguard position because I wish to leave the company of Ling's heroes as soon as possible. I would rather fight the enemy to the death on the battlefield than stay here watching you argue endlessly with words! Thinking of my past in the Demon Kingdom, I never saw the Demon King govern like this. Between King and ministers, it was as calm as a block of cheese. Though the Demon King was fierce to outsiders, he was incomparably kind to me, Qinen. Now that is all in the past. Looking at the sacred land of Ling, you heroes actually draw blades against each other out of hatred and jealousy. If this continues, I might as well return to the Demon Kingdom sooner!"

Qinen's words, secretly harboring rebellion, left everyone speechless. At this critical moment, the heavenly deities perceived Qinen's treacherous scheme. Thus, in the infinite palace of the celestial realm, within rainbow-colored tents, on the high throne of thirteen tiers, the heavenly mother Langman Gam, amidst delightful, pleasant melodies and fragrant aromas, in the auspicious divine garden filled with flowers and dew, issued a prophetic song audible to all:

This treasure land of Lingga in the east,

Is like a mighty azure dragon perched in all four directions.

You are the subduer of the demons of the four directions,

You are the savior of the beings of the four directions.

Now the great southern demon comes to your door,

Why do you still act like a fool and not strike?

Extinguish a fire while it is still small,

Destroy an enemy while they are still weak.

The heavenly gods sent you to be born in Ling,

If you cannot defend the land and wield power,

What use was sending you down to the human realm?

You must act quickly, do not delay.

Do not engage in war of words with Danma,

Why dwell on matters that don't go your way?

As the Great Lion King Gesar,

Three important figures you must remember.

The one who commands battles and charges forward,

Without Danma, victory is absolutely difficult.

The one who offers strategies and plans at critical moments,

Without the Chief Steward, opportunities will be missed.

The one who stirs up trouble where there is none,

Without Chao Tong, no one can replace him.

Especially the old hero Chaxiang Danma,

He is like an old tree branch, unyielding and straight.

Danma's anger cannot be blamed on others,

Whether the Great King intended it or not,

You brought this scorn upon yourself with money,

You should blame yourself, not resent others.

Tomorrow morning at dawn in the east,

When the hillsides don yellow monastic robes,

At the land of Magala Datang Gongma,

The divine troops of White Brahma King will descend.

From the jeweled pagoda in the infinite palace of the sky,

The manifested form of the hero Gyatsa will appear.

When he sees Danma Jangcha,

He will narrate in detail what needs to be said.

Then, Danma, you must listen attentively,

No need for anger and loose the temper.

You cannot remain idle and do nothing.

Act according to the divine decree.

If you can act according to the prophecy,

Gyatsa's heart will surely be pleased,

The Heavenly Mother will also constantly watch with wise eyes,

Guiding and helping in all matters to seize victory.

Great Lion King, prick up your ears and listen,

This year's campaign to resist the enemy Sadan,

You must take Chao Tong with you,

Do not dwell on the past; reward merit where it is due.

Qinen of the Demon Kingdom is a source of trouble,

Beware of him, for his words and heart differ.

If he wavers like a prayer flag in the wind,

Guard against him like a poisonous thorn piercing the heart.

Among ten black demons, ten are bad,

If not imprisoned for three years in a dungeon,

He will lure the wolf into the house, collude with external enemies,

He will summon wind and rain, doing wicked deeds.

Lingga's pure divine troops and great generals,

Set out immediately to resist Sadan.

First send Sinba as the vanguard,

To cleverly capture Prince Yula Toju.

If Sinba does not trick and lure Yula,

Other heroes will likely find it hard to resist.

If victory is seized by Yula,

The Ling Kingdom's land will be lost sooner or later.

These prophecies of the Heavenly Mother, transmitted from the gaps in the rainbow curtain of the sky to the Ling camp, were heard clearly by all who had the karmic connection. Only those without such connection heard but understood nothing, each one astonished; some even had an illusion as if an earthquake had occurred.

As the sky gradually darkened, the generals and soldiers had to disperse. Danma and the others also returned to their respective camps.

The Mysterious Divine Camp and Chao Tong's Investigation

Early the next morning, on the boundless grasslands of Magala Datang Gongma, a vast military camp suddenly appeared, dazzling to the eye. Wisps of blue smoke rose high from the tents; people gathering firewood and carrying water came and went; the neighing of warhorses shook the valleys. This scene was first seen by Uncle Chao Tong from the watchtower of Siba Porainingzong City. Upon seeing it, he said to himself: "Ah! Such a large camp, my uncle has never seen before. What is happening?"

After his exclamation, he thought again: Recently, I heard the Jiang people were coming to seize the Salt Sea. Perhaps the Jiang army has already arrived. Maybe they crossed the Yellow River crossing last night. I should quickly report to the Great King and earn some credit. So he hurriedly donned armor and helmet, saddled his fierce steed "Black-Tailed Jackal," mounted, whipped his horse, and swiftly arrived before King Gesar's throne. Dismounting, he urgently reported: "Look at you, fighting with words all day yesterday. Now the enemy's great army has already arrived on the grasslands! How should we counter the enemy?! I, Chao Tong, am not like you. Now that it's time to face the enemy, those of you who wish to continue internal strife, go ahead! I, Chao Tong, am going to fight at the vanguard!"

After Chao Tong finished speaking, the other heroes also gathered around King Gesar. The Great King said to them: "You think this is the enemy? Look carefully with your eyes. This is the heavenly army's camp descending upon the earth. White Brahma King is within that camp. I, the divine son, must go to pay homage to the Heavenly King, pray for the elimination of disasters and bestowal of good fortune, and bless Lingga's land to be as solid as hard rock! The manifested spirit of my brother Gyatsa is also there. Danma, you come with me to ask him to clarify right and wrong! The rest of you heroes, quickly bind the demon minister Qinen and take him away. The Heavenly Mother's prophecy says he still harbors rebellious thoughts. Imprison him in a sunless dungeon, and see if his demonic nature can be eliminated after three years!"

After the Great Lion King finished singing, the elders at the assembly happily joined their palms in reverence, and the young warriors joyfully brandished their spears and leaped for joy. Instantly, the assembly ground was filled with an eager, warlike atmosphere. However, the timid and suspicious Chao Tong was utterly astonished and momentarily at a loss. He thought: Now, none of Ling's heroes have mounted to attack yet. I can go alone first to that great camp to investigate. If Gyatsa has truly manifested his spirit there, whether Danma's rebuke of Sinba was right or wrong, I can ask Gyatsa myself and it will be clear. So he quietly left the assembly and rode straight towards the divine tents. When he reached the gate of the divine camp, the guarding sentries would not let him enter. Looking again, the divine soldiers and generals coming and going were each towering in stature with piercing gazes, frightening him from advancing further. He could only retreat a few steps, standing about eighteen fathoms from the camp gate, and shouted towards the divine tents: "For the heavenly troops and generals to be stationed in our Lingga is our immense good fortune. I am the chief of the Darong tribe, Chao Tong, uncle to Gesar. I pity my other good nephew, Gyatsa, whose soul was severed on the battlefield. It is said he has been reborn in the heavenly realm. Your uncle has come to see the truth. Also, within Ling's ministers, internal strife has arisen because of Gyatsa's death. I wish to ask my nephew, who is right and who is wrong?"

After singing, Chao Tong kowtowed a few times towards the divine camp and waited in place for a while, but heard no response from within. Then, Chao Tong became displeased. He muttered to himself towards the divine camp: "As the proverb says: 'One who receives food and does not repay is a swindler; one who has words but does not answer is a mute.' 'A lazy ox loves to urinate; a lazy person loves to sleep.' These swindler and lazybones are probably asleep!"

Though very unhappy in his heart, he dared not shout loudly. He could only console and flatter himself. He murmured softly again: "Those big divine soldiers dare not come out and utter a sound. Probably seeing me, the Darong chief, so majestic and handsome, they are too intimidated to speak. That's common. I should forgive them, no need to be angry!"

Thinking this, he cheered himself up again.

Gyatsa's Manifestation and Reconciliation with Danma

While Chao Tong was singing towards the divine camp, the heroes assembled at the Datang Chamao meeting ground also saw from afar the great camp pitched in the Magala Dida grasslands. The heroes were all amazed, and instantly each felt a surge of devout reverence and extreme joy. At this moment, Danma remembered the Heavenly Mother's prophecy and knew Gyatsa's spiritual manifestation was about to appear. Longing to see Gyatsa, he walked forward cheerfully and excitedly.

Then, in the eastern sky, clouds of various colors resembling rainbows appeared. From the gaps in the clouds radiated four kinds of light: from gold, silver, red copper, and crystal. Five-petaled flower rain drifted down profusely from the sky, and faintly, the sounds of various celestial music could be heard. Danma looked up towards the source of the music. Amidst the colored clouds, a pagoda seemingly piled from white crystal manifested. At the top of the pagoda, half of Gyatsa's figure was revealed. Gyatsa had his precious bow slung over his shoulder, waving in his hand the treasured blade "Yasi Gachen" bestowed upon him in life by the Eastern Emperor of Jhana. His face was like the full moon on the fifteenth, radiant and glowing, smiling, his eyes looking down upon the earth at Danma. Overjoyed at seeing Gyatsa, Danma, in a dreamlike state, felt as if he had slipped on snow, kowtowing repeatedly to Gyatsa. Then Gyatsa, facing Danma, sang in a melodious and pleasing tune:

On this solid earth today,

The Dipamkara Buddha bestows light day and night.

Wisdom is like a magical precious mirror,

Danma's endeavors will not change.

You are a master of illusion and transformation,

My words, I hope you keep in your heart;

I hope you listen attentively, without distraction,

Prick up your ears and listen carefully.

No matter how you feel in your heart,

Whether happy, suffering, or grieving,

Like a rainbow in the sky easily vanishing,

Why trouble your heart so much over everything?

Danma, there's no need to feeling depressed.

The Lion King was sent to the mortal world by the heavenly gods,

He is like a guru showing the path to liberation,

His wishes can all become reality.

His decrees cannot be disobeyed,

All matters must be carried out according to his order.

If the root of anger cannot be found,

Arrogance too great, troubles come.

When the Hor of Achin invaded in the past,

Every hero of Lingga rose up together.

The King stayed in the demon lands for nine full years,

Heroes fought bloody battles to defend against the enemy.

Days of suffering were like dwelling in hell,

Heartbreaking events are too many to recount,

Finally, the Great King returned to the land of Ling,

Thus severing the very root of suffering and disaster.

The arch-criminal, the Hor White Tent King,

In the end had a horse's saddle fastened around his neck.

Finally, the Great King sent him to the next life with his blade,

Ultimately achieving the victory he had willed.

Hero Danma, you must not give way to anger,

For raging fury brings no benefit whatsoever.

You must certainly reform this fiery temper of yours,

Among friends, you must not harm harmony and goodwill.

From the time I, Gyatsa, was thirteen years old,

I led troops as an officer to resist powerful foes.

Because my temper was poor and my nature too fierce,

It led to my blood soaking the wilderness, my head severed from my body.

Danma, your fiery temper must definitely be reformed,

The lessons of others should be firmly remembered.

If you truly miss me, Gyatsa,

You must firmly remember my instructions.

Regarding this ancestral land of Ling Gabu,

If harmful deeds are not abandoned,

The heroes of the Ling Kingdom will lose their honor,

And the multitudes of living beings will fall into hell.

Speaking of this Sinba Meruze,

In a previous life in the heavenly realm, he once made a vow,

In his heart, towards me, Bumba Gyatsa,

He never harbored any intent to harm or ill will.

Although war and hostility occurred,

He also tried his utmost to find ways to avoid it.

Because I pursued alone on horseback,

In the end, the bitter fruit arrived, impossible to evade.

The Great Lion King, to keep his vow,

Did not kill Sinba, letting him remain in the human world.

About this, you should harbor no doubts in your heart,

Keeping Sinba has its own purpose and place for action.

The Great Lion King, Sinba, and Gyatsa,

Are renowned among the fifteen divine sons.

If this Sinba were killed,

It would ruin the fine reputation of the Ling Kingdom.

Keeping this Sinba Meruze,

In the future, he will face enemies alongside you,

He will become a good friend to you,

I hope you remember these words and do not forget.

Danma's Reflection and Heartfelt Plea

After hearing Gyatsa's instructions, Danma thought: This is the personal teaching of Lord Gyatsa himself. Although Sinba and I have never been on good terms, even the Yellow River can turn several bends; I too should make a turn and heed Gyatsa's admonition. So he replied: "Hero Bumba Gyatsa Xiega, you who manifest your sacred spirit in the sky, today's teachings to me, Danma, are each sentence engraved in my heart. From now on, I will certainly serve King Gesar wholeheartedly. But Lord Gyatsa, you, could you not remain here in the human world? As the saying goes, 'Without a master, servants are often bullied; even with caution, one is often wronged.' Among the ranks of Ling's many heroes, Danma today is far from what he was in the past, like an old horse, weak and worthless, unable to hold his head high before others."

Hearing him finish, Gyatsa was also deeply moved and thus comforted him: "My birth into the human world, Gyatsa, was also determined by the karma of past lives. But after returning to the heavenly realm, I will continue to practice and pray for the welfare of all beings, and I will certainly assist the Great Lion King in accomplishing his great deeds. Danma, you need not grieve excessively; in the future, heroes can gather again in the pure heavenly realm!"

A Divine Farewell and Renewed Resolve

Upon hearing this, Danma hurriedly offered prayers and well-wishes. Seeing Gyatsa this time filled his heart with immense joy, and he repeatedly prostrated in homage. In an instant, Gyatsa's form gradually faded into the colored clouds and mist. Danma thought: In today's battle, if we are not united in heart and effort, Gyatsa's spirit in heaven will be displeased. Therefore, he wholeheartedly submitted and turned towards King Gesar.