​

Zumu Catches Up with Gesar

 

Zumu made up her mind. While her two maids, Azhongji and Lizhongji, prepared her horse, she enjoyed a hearty meal to regain her strength. Once the horse was ready, she left the palace without looking back, determined to catch up with Gesar.

​

Riding without rest, Zumu crossed countless mountains, hills, valleys, and plains. Finally, she caught up with Gesar at a northern grassland called Nacha Gong. The Lion King was resting there, his divine steed, Jiangga Peibu, grazing peacefully nearby. Gesar lay in a circular sleeping position, enjoying a deep and peaceful sleep.

​

Zumu rushed to Gesar’s side, threw herself on him, and clung to his neck, crying and pleading with him. “My king, how could you be so heartless to leave me alone in Ling Gabu? Without support, without strength, who can I share my thoughts with? If you must go to the north, let me go with you! My beloved king, my dear husband, can you hear me? Please wake up!”

​

Gesar was already awake and had heard Zumu’s cries. Her words stirred his emotions, and his heart ached. After all, they had been married for three years, and in those three years, they had shared deep love and never been apart. If he left now to subdue the demon in the north, it would take at least six months, or even a year. How could Zumu live alone during that time?

​

Moved by her words, Gesar embraced Zumu and agreed to take her with him to the north. Overwhelmed with joy, Zumu, exhausted from her journey, soon fell asleep in Gesar’s arms.

 

As Gesar watched Zumu’s tired but smiling face, he gently wiped her tears from her cheeks, kissed her forehead, and began to think about how to take her along on the dangerous journey.

 

The Goddess’s Song and Gesar’s Dilemma

​

After some time, celestial music filled the air, and the goddess Langmangam appeared on a cloud. Accompanied by the beautiful melody, she sang to Gesar:

​

“At the foot of the snowy mountains, there are two lions—

One must go to the mountain’s edge to fight,

The other must stay in the crystal cave to guard.

​

In the vast sky, there are two small blue dragons—

One must fly to the far horizon to summon thunder,

The other must stay hidden in the dark clouds.

​

On the towering peaks, there are two mighty yaks—

One must roam the distant mountains,

The other must guard the shadowed hills.

​

On the red cliffs, there are two white-breasted eagles—

One must soar high into the blue sky,

The other must guard the nest.

​

In the dense forests, there are two striped tigers—

One must hunt near the forest’s edge,

The other must guard the cave.

In the vast sea, there are two golden-eyed fish—

One must swim to the shore,

The other must guard the deep ocean.

​

The King and Queen of Ling Gabu—

The king must subdue the four demons at the edge of the world,

The queen must stay behind to guard the homeland.”

​

Hearing the goddess’s song, Gesar understood that it was not appropriate to take Zumu with him on this mission. But what could he do about her?

​

The goddess, sensing Gesar’s inner conflict, gave him advice. “A true man cannot be too soft-hearted. Even if it pains you, you must act decisively. While Zumu sleeps, leave quickly and do not hesitate. I will ensure she returns safely to Ling Gabu.”

​

Following the goddess’s advice, Gesar gently laid Zumu on a flat rock, steeled his heart, and rode away on his horse.

​

Zumu’s Journey Back

​

Zumu had fallen into a deep, peaceful sleep, feeling reassured by Gesar’s promise to take her with him. But no matter how restful a sleep is, one must eventually wake up. When Zumu woke, Gesar was already gone. Realizing that he had left her behind, she quickly mounted her horse, determined to catch up with him once again.

​

However, a large river soon blocked her path. On the other side, a monk wearing ceremonial robes and a crown was leaning against a sandalwood tree, performing rituals. Zumu searched for a crossing point along the river but found none. Frustrated, she shouted to the monk, “Hey, you on the other side! Have you seen a man cross the river recently?”

​

“What kind of man?” the monk replied.

 

“A man with white teeth like conch shells and purple-tinted skin, wearing golden armor from Ling Gabu, riding a fiery red horse,” Zumu described.

​

“Yes, I’ve seen him,” the monk said. “But he’s already far away. You won’t be able to catch up with him.”

​

Zumu’s Plea and Gesar’s Hidden Help

​

“No, he is my husband, my king, and I must catch up with him!” Zumu declared with determination.

​

The monk on the other side of the river replied, “Young lady, this place is called the Black Demon Ravine, and this sea is the Soul Resting Sea of the ancient demon. This is an unclean place, not suitable for a woman like you to be near. Besides, you won’t be able to cross this river.”

​

Hearing this, Zumu felt helpless but refused to give up. She called out to the monk, “Respected master, please help me with one thing—just deliver a message to my king.” Then she began to sing:

​

“He once swore to me,

That as long as he lived, he would never abandon me.

His words were spoken to my face,

Written down on paper,

And carved into stone.

I have loved my king with all my heart,

But he has cruelly left me behind.

If our fate in this life ends here,

I vow to meet him in the heavens in the next life.

Please don’t forget my plea—

Tell my king everything I’ve said!”

​

When her song ended, Zumu looked at the monk, then at the wide river in front of her, sighed deeply, and slowly turned back.

​

Unbeknownst to her, the monk was actually Gesar in disguise. Hearing Zumu’s heartfelt song, Gesar’s heart sank with worry. The journey back to Ling Gabu was long and treacherous, and he began to fear for Zumu’s safety on the road.

​

As Zumu traveled alone back to Ling Gabu, she entered a vast wasteland. At this moment, two black wolves—actually Gesar’s spiritual allies in disguise—appeared, running on either side of her black mule. Zumu was terrified, and in her fear, she sang a prayer:

​

“In the jade lands of the east,

Compassionate White Tara,

Long-life protector,

Please guard me in this hidden land.

Do not let me suffer fear and worry.

You are the protector of Gesar,

Today, I ask you to be my guide.

 

At the crossroads, wild foxes howl.

On the hills, owls screech.

On my left and right,

Black wolves run alongside me.

 

Headless ghosts sing wild songs,

Bodiless monsters stretch out their hands,

Legless creatures screech and wail.

This wasteland spreads like a cowhide,

The mountains look like piles of organs.

​

The river boils like a sea of blood,

The old tree stretches like a corpse.

Who has seen such a place?

Truly, it can scare a person to death!

 

Oh, goddess Langmangam, hear my plea!

I followed Gesar, my king, to this place.

He has gone north to fight demons,

Leaving me alone in this desolate land.

​

Thinking of my king breaks my heart—

How could he abandon me?

In my father’s house in Galo,

Many kings competed to marry me.

​

From a hundred suitors, I chose Gesar,

From thousands, I chose a poor boy.

The people of Ling Gabu mocked and ridiculed me,

My parents scolded and reproached me.

​

Who didn’t look down on me?

Who didn’t call me lowly?

Now that I am queen,

My love has gone north.

​

He has left me in this ghostly wasteland,

With no one but my horse for company.

Oh, my loyal black mule, listen to me:

If you can, take me to my king’s side.

If not, take me to a monastery.

If even that is impossible,

Take me back to my father’s house in Galo.

Oh, my black mule, run like the wind!

I have both sorrow and hope.

Let us not stop until we reach Ling Gabu,

Where joy awaits us at home!”

​

After Zumu finished singing, the sun had already set, and darkness covered the land. She began to worry about where she could rest for the night. Just then, a black crow flew down and landed on a black rock nearby. Curious, Zumu dismounted and investigated the area.

​

Under the rock, she found enough food to fill her stomach, fodder to feed her mule, and a small pool of fresh water for them both to drink. These provisions had been secretly prepared for her by Gesar’s spiritual allies. Relieved and grateful, Zumu spent the night resting peacefully under the rock.

​

The next morning, she mounted her black mule and continued her journey back to Ling Gabu.

​

​

​