The Celestial Prophecy the Method Of Victory For King Gesar

At this time, the Ling army had already reached the border of the Jiang Kingdom and was camped directly opposite the Jieju Da area on the lower reaches of the Nama River. In the middle of the night, the Heavenly Father, the White Brahma King, departed from his rainbow-hued divine tent in the sky and, together with other deities, rode auspicious clouds to the sky above the Ling camp. He offered counsel to the King of Ling:

"Beloved son Tuibagawa,

During those long, sleepless nights in your dreams,

What did your two eyes see?

Was the flawless divine visage clearly perceived?

Tomorrow at the clear, early dawn,

Gather your strong soldiers and swift horses in the camp.

Joru, alone on his horse, must advance forward,

Employing both soft and hard strategies to attack.

You must go to the purple lands of Sadan,

First surveying the terrain and roads clearly.

King Sadan's mind is already shrouded in dark clouds;

Joru must seize the chance to swiftly display his divine powers.

In King Sadan's palace lies a priceless treasure,

Outwardly resembling the form of a fine steed.

If you can obtain this treasure,

You can cause his first bout of confusion.

The Queen Mother Chijiang Jimu is no ordinary person;

She is the transformed incarnation of a flawless dakini.

If you can subdue the Queen Mother,

You can cause his second bout of confusion.

At the eastern city gate lies a treasure worth cities,

A steed carved from white conch.

If you can obtain this treasure,

You can cause his third bout of confusion.

Once these three tasks are accomplished,

All matters of the Ling Kingdom can succeed.

Joru, have no doubts in your heart;

I hope you will immediately ride forth alone.

Sadan's mind will be veiled by dark clouds,

His thoughts imprisoned as if in a black dungeon.

Nine years is not a long time to be confined;

In the end, all wishes will be fulfilled.

Sadan is now employing deceit a second time,

Sending another three thousand troops to invade Ling lands.

In a few days, the Jiang people will arrive;

Joru, you must hurry and prepare.

Tomorrow at the clear, early dawn,

Joru and his horse must swiftly depart.

Go with joy and a carefree heart.

Do not worry about all matters in the camp.

Three commanders in the camp will lead,

Three heroes beside the camp will stand guard.

The White Brahma King will not leave the army camp,

Constantly protecting and supporting your Ling forces.

Tomorrow morning, depart swiftly from here.

Cross one slope, and you'll reach the foot of the snow mountain;

Cross two slopes, and you'll reach the yellow grass slope;

Cross three slopes, and you'll reach the foot of the black cliff.

After your horse crosses these three slopes,

Opposite lies a large, mirror-like lake.

On the right bank of this lake's plain,

Vast stretches of green grass reflect emerald waves in the lake.

Lush green grass lets your horse eat its fill;

Sweet lake water lets you drink your fill.

Ensuring your horse lacks neither food nor drink,

Tomorrow night, rest there.

The day after, you must advance with divine speed.

On the way, there is a mountain like a fierce tiger;

The tiger's nose faces the forest.

Cross the tiger's nose to reach another mountain.

On this mountain, there is a peacock's nest;

Beside the nest bloom all kinds of flowers.

A golden frog brother guards beside the flowers.

Rest there the night after.

Then advance again with divine speed.

There is a large red cliff like a dharma bed,

And a mountain like a white snake slithering down.

Three road markers stand together at the mountain pass.

Cross this mountain and proceed forward.

There is a red mountain ridge like an elephant's trunk;

The long trunk extends into the divine lake,

Where emerald waves constantly ripple.

In the sky to the left of this lake,

Countless joyful waterbirds sing.

Colorful flowers bloom all over the lakeshore;

A jade snake brother guards beside the flowers.

Do not rest there; proceed forward.

Ahead, a cliff resembles a wild yak's head,

Its left and right horns reaching high into the sky.

Between the two horns lies a very convenient path.

Cross those two mountains and move forward.

There lies an ancient, dense forest.

Deep within dwell various beasts;

Wolf howls and tiger roars make even the trees tremble.

Under a large tree at the forest's edge,

Rolls a red, fiery ball.

That fireball is a natural fire,

Lighting the entire dark night like day.

Under the tree are also various sweet foods,

With wine and meat for you to enjoy at will.

Stay at that place that night;

No need to seek lodging elsewhere.

Upon reaching the purple Jiang domain the next day,

Your actions and stops require your own planning.

Whether staying or moving, be extra vigilant,

Beware of your horse and yourself falling into Jiang hands."

After singing this prophetic song, the White Brahma King swiftly vanished. The next morning, the heroes gathered before the King to discuss matters. The Great Lion King recounted the White Brahma King's prophetic song to everyone and then said:

"Noble people of the Ling Kingdom, Joru has received the true prophecy from Brahma. This is a good blessing to avoid demonic calamities and a good guide to prevent regret. His prophecy is like sweet dew. Therefore, I intend to go alone on horseback to the Jiang lands to subdue the old, stubborn enemy, King Sadan of Jiang. Dealing with Sadan requires soft methods; hard confrontation will hardly bring victory. I cannot delay; I must depart first to resolve difficult matters. All heroes and soldiers, follow slowly later to coordinate. The left wing, right wing, and central route armies should coordinate like the sun, moon, and stars. You must see the road clearly and advance, not letting dark clouds shroud and confuse the path. The famously wise elder is Chief Steward Rongtsa Chagen. The one as mighty and skilled in battle as a white lion is the Four Mothers Commander, King Chao Tong. At one command, the three armies move together; captured spoils will be shared equally. Even Darong Commander King Chao Tong should receive an equal share. About five days from tomorrow, we will face the Jiang Kingdom's army. Then, every hero should be brave; eliminating the enemy should be like a gale sweeping away scattered clouds. Commanders in the Lingga camp must command without bias. When two armies meet on the battlefield for contests, heroes should each display their fine martial skills. Now, lead the armies before the tent, quickly array them before the lotus throne. Pray devoutly to all deities together, praying for a triumphant reunion in days to come."

After King Gesar finished singing, the heroes knew the Great King intended to set out early and felt reluctant to part. But this was the will of the heavenly deities and could not be opposed, so everyone had to agree. Just as no one was speaking, Chao Tong said:

"Yo! Although the heavenly prophecy says my nephew, the Great Lion King, should go alone to Jiang, if our following troops lose control on the road, it could lead to a great mistake. Wouldn't it be better for everyone to go together now? Moreover, if the Great King goes alone and encounters the enemy in battle, having no one to assist by his side is dangerous."

Chao Tong's proposal contradicted the heavenly decree and was opposed by everyone.

Jaga Mani Pala said: "Against formless demonic enemies, the Ling heroes find it somewhat difficult to subdue them; caution is needed. Against tangible old demons, no matter how many, we Ling people have no fear. As for the old demon Sadan, it is better for the Great Lion King to go alone first to subdue him."

The old Chief Steward Rongtsa Chagen also said: "According to Brahma's prophecy and the Great King's decree, there is no need for dissent about the Great King going to Jiang first. As for the following troops, on the advance, everyone will certainly be able to manage well."

The heroes unanimously agreed with the Great King and the Chief Steward uncle's position. Then, to dispel his own calamities, the Great King sprinkled purified water on his body, emanating the fragrance of sandalwood and resonating with various delightful musical sounds. In this auspicious atmosphere, everyone's faces glowed with vigor; people cheered and horses neighed, seeing off the Great King. The Great King took the reins from Danma and, surrounded by a rainbow, mounted his Red Rabbit-like Divine Steed, riding alone toward the Jiang Kingdom. That night, he reached the lodging place foretold by the White Brahma King.

The Army's Advance and the Plan to Slay the Soul-Binding Bull

After the Great King's departure, the following Ling army also broke camp and advanced, pitching camp that night in the Zhonglong Semo mountain valley. Following the White Brahma King's prediction, the Ling army planned to kill the soul-binding bull of the Jiang army's great general, Qula. The next day, the heroes united their efforts and, like goose-feather snow falling on a lake, surrounded the wild bull, intending to kill it. At this moment, the heroine Adanam, her feet in the stirrups, turned her horse's head and said to the heroes:

"This soul-binding wild bull has no great skill; life and death are in my iron hands. Even for that herd of fierce wild bulls, I can make them all lose their lives. On this Ling army's campaign, as days pass, provisions may become insufficient. Today, killing this herd of large wild bulls, we can share the beef to save provisions. Today, I volunteer to command; all heroes, listen to my instructions. To kill this large wild bull, the multitude must cooperate with one heart. The fine descendant Bumba Zhale Zejie, the skilled warrior Wenbu Alubasen, the great general Seba Niben Daya, the great general Mujang Renqing Daru, and the old snow mountain, Chief Steward Rongtsa Chagen—please, you five commanders of ten thousand, go and take charge. Commanders seated on the left and right sides—the young general Gyalo Buya Zhujie, the Darong brave warrior Angwa Rongtsa Malie, and the divine archer Chaxiang Danma Jangcha—each select fifty elite cavalry and charge down from the right mountain. Great general Barasenda Adong and great general Gade Chujiong Benna, each select fifty elite cavalry and charge down from the left mountain. Great general Sinba Meruze, Darong's Four Mothers Commander King Chao Tong, and the heroic general from Muji, Jhana Sangzhu, each select fifty elite cavalry and encircle from the eastern mountain. I, Adanam, young general Gongba Buyi Chajia, and Taba Jitsen, the three of us, each select fifty elite cavalry and encircle from the western mountain. Large wild bulls will be hunted with arrows, medium ones herded together, and small calves captured by hand—not a single wild bull shall escape."

After Adanam finished arranging, Chief Steward had no objections, so the other heroes prepared to act according to Adanam's plan. Only Barasenda Adong said:

"Heroes, act as Adanam said! I am unwilling to go kill wild bulls. Now, at war with the enemy, who knows if we fight today or tomorrow. Before facing the enemy, needlessly letting horses lose condition and wasting sharp arrows is utterly unnecessary."

The other heroes followed Adanam's words, selecting elite cavalry. From their respective sides, they drove wild bulls on the slopes down into the valley and chased valley bulls up the slopes. Instantly, the slopes and valley floor turned red, and even the green grass turned red. At this time, Qula's soul-binding wild bull was tightly surrounded by the Ling army. The bull spewed black mist from its mouth, sharpened its horns on rocks, gnashed its large teeth loudly, making others dare not approach. When Sinba charged close, the bull galloped away on all fours. Sinba pursued relentlessly and shot an arrow from a bowshot's distance, but unfortunately missed; the bull stopped. Whenever people or horses approached, it would suddenly raise its sharp horns and charge, so no one dared get close.

Chao Tong's Boast and the Bull's Ferocity

At this moment, Chao Tong reined in his "Gugu Raodzong" black horse, gnashed his teeth, and shouted at the demon bull:

"If we don't eliminate this evil bull,

Advancing to Jiang lands will be difficult.

Meeting Jiang's fierce generals will be hard to withstand;

Ling's heroes will miss their chance.

In peacetime, many claim to be brave;

In war, the truly brave is only me.

In battle, I always go before my nephew;

In retreat, I always stay last to withdraw.

Chief Steward Rongtsa Chagen loves to boast,

Claiming he can lead the army well.

Now, before a single demon bull,

Almost all our men and horses are lost.

The Hor great general Sinba Meruze

Is like a stick in a house, hard to swing out,

Like a spark in ashes, unable to ignite—

How can he stand firm on the black earth?

Today, only this uncle has the skill,

Vowing to send the red-horned demon bull to its death.

All Ling heroes, watch together,

Watch me alone skin the demon bull alive!"

While singing, Chao Tong struck a very heroic pose, urged his horse forward, and shot three arrows from not far from the demon bull. The demon bull immediately charged at Chao Tong, aided by the wind of hungry ghosts. Chao Tong, scared out of his wits, turned and fled for his life toward a pre-spotted cave entrance. Gongba Buyi Chajia, worried about Chao Tong's danger, immediately urged his horse to charge between Chao Tong and the demon bull. Aided by the hungry ghosts' wind, the demon bull charged fiercely; with a few horn thrusts, it killed Gongba's black horse. The demon bull then tried to kill Gongba Buyi Chajia. At this dangerous moment, the White Brahma King immediately released a golden light, disrupting the demon bull's vision, allowing Gongba to escape danger. Chao Tong had already crawled into the cave, naturally preserving his life.

Seeing this, Sinba could not bear it and sang a sorrowful song:

"This fierce, giant wild red bull

Is more terrifying than man-eating demons.

Black mist spews from its mouth and nose;

Lightning flashes dazzlingly from its tongue tip.

Arrows shot from hands cannot hit it;

Wishing to draw the stiff bow, strength is insufficient.

Every possible method has been tried,

Yet still cannot subdue this demonic creature.

Chao Tong, quickly crawl out from the cave,

See if the demon bull has already perished.

Heroic deeds are shared by all;

Whether deserved, one knows best oneself.

My ears have heard others say

This bull is where Qula's life soul resides.

Only by first killing this wild bull

Can that Qula be subdued."

After singing, Sinba shot three arrows from the right, but the arrows flew as if into boundless sky, with no result.

Adanam's Triumph and the Fall of the Soul-Binding Bull

At this moment, the heroine Adanam, her feet in the stirrups, galloped forward from the front and shouted:

"This wild bull is indeed extraordinary;

Qula's life soul is attached to this bull's body.

Only by killing this soul-binding bull

Can we subdue Qula, this Jiang minister.

How to kill this Qula,

Listen as I briefly tell everyone.

If the evil bull flees to a high mountain peak,

Open a mountain path and charge upward.

If the evil bull leaps down a cliff,

Open a slope path and charge downward.

If the evil bull runs into the grassland,

Chase fiercely; never stop.

If the evil bull escapes into the forest,

Set the mountain ablaze, turning it to ashes.

I will shoot an arrow at the wild bull's liver,

Disrupting Qula's digestion, displaying wondrous power.

I will shoot an arrow at the wild bull's lungs,

Disrupting Qula's breathing, displaying wondrous power.

Aim an arrow at the wild bull's heart,

Seizing Qula's life soul, showing effect.

If the wild bull still does not die like this,

Then it is the fiercest among wild bulls.

Then I would be unworthy of the name heroine;

Better return home and be a servant woman!"

The heroine urged her black steed forward. Hearing this from afar, the wild bull felt fear. Just as it intended to flee, Adanam drew her bow and shot an arrow. This arrow struck the liver. Then she shot another arrow, which passed through the center of the lungs. Arrow after arrow hit the wild bull's vital points, and the bull fell to the ground, dead.

The heroine Adanam had slain the soul-binding bull of the Jiang army's commander, Qula. The Ling generals and soldiers cheered enthusiastically: "Truly formidable!" They all raised their thumbs in praise. They did not realize that the Jiang Kingdom's army was now approaching the Ling camp.