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 9:
Receiving the Prophecy and Being Banished Through Illusions
On the fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month in the year of Renwu, the fifth anniversary of Jue Ru’s birth in Ling, he had a dream at dawn. In this dream, he received a prophecy from his master, Pema Tötreng:
"Listen, divine child Jue Ru!
There is something you must know.
The young fledgling of the king of birds,
With a feather that rides the wind,
If it does not take to the skies,
What difference do six wings make?
The descendant of the courageous beast king,
With green mane and three skills,
If it does not climb the snowy peaks,
What use is the mastery of the three arts?
A divine child born into the human world,
Possessing invincible powers,
If it does not conquer the world,
What meaning do these powers hold?
Born in the beautiful land of Ling,
Living by the banks of the Yellow River,
In the blessed land of Lotus Valley,
On the auspicious day of the first of the first month in the year of Jiashen,
Great events shall unfold,
And the six tribes will naturally come under your command."
After singing, Pema Tötreng spoke quietly by Jue Ru’s ear for a long time before vanishing into the air.
Jue Ru firmly remembered his master’s words. He decided to follow his master’s prophecy to leave Ling and journey to the Yellow River Valley. However, to leave Ling, he would need to follow the methods instructed by his master.
One day, Jue Ru said to his mother, Guomu: "Mother, I need a hat for my head, shoes for my feet, and proper clothes for my body."
After saying this, he left, riding his magical staff named Jiangga Beiga.
When Jue Ru reached Saiyu Mountain, he killed three demon brothers in the form of antelope spirits. From their remains, he made an ugly hat with antelope horns sticking upright from it. Later that night, he sneaked into the cow pen of the old steward and killed seven cow demons. From their hides, he made a crude leather coat with cow tails tied to it, dragging behind him. At midnight, he entered Chao Tong’s horse pen, killed the horse demon, and crafted an ugly pair of red bird-skin boots. He even sewed grass roots upside down onto the boots for decoration.
When Guomu saw Jue Ru dressed in such frightening and unappealing attire, she was both puzzled and concerned. She asked him why he had done this.
Jue Ru replied: "As the saying goes, solving your own problems is better than relying on the golden decrees of officials; taking charge of your own destiny is better than sitting on a thousand golden thrones. I want to leave the land of the Ben clan. This way, I will have no superiors above me, no subordinates beneath me, and even if the entire world becomes my enemy, I will have nothing to fear.
Since we have no family wealth, there is no need to worry about preserving it. Since we have no close relatives, we do not need to waste energy on maintaining appearances or pleasing others. Let us go, mother. Wherever the sun is warm and the land is peaceful, we will go there."
Guomu didn’t object to Jue Ru’s plans, so he continued with his preparations. Transforming his living space into a horrifying scene, Jue Ru made mountains of flesh and seas of blood. He used human flesh as food, human blood as drink, and human skin as rugs. This terrifying transformation frightened not only humans but also gods and demons. Even the fierce Rakshasas were horrified.
Rumors began to spread that Jue Ru, the divine child, had turned into a demon, a red-faced Rakshasa. Yet, no one dared to confront him.
Jue Ru and his mother traveled to the banks of the Lancang River. Suddenly, Jue Ru recalled that there was a Rakshasa demon living on a mountain across the river who preyed on children. Determined to vanquish her, he asked his mother to tie him to the back of a twin foal and send him across the river.
Upon reaching the opposite shore, Jue Ru saw the Rakshasa feasting on four or five children. He greeted her, saying: "Long life to you, Rakshasa sister! Please give me some fire, and I will share a great idea with you."
The Rakshasa asked suspiciously: "If I give you fire, what idea could you possibly offer me?"
Jue Ru replied: "You’ve been living here, eating nothing but children. Why not move to the mountain on the opposite side? There you might find better opportunities."
The Rakshasa frowned: "But I have no way to cross the river."
Jue Ru cunningly tied the Rakshasa’s neck to the tail of his twin foal and said: "Follow me, and I will show you the way."
When they reached the center of the river, Jue Ru used all his strength to pull the foal’s tail, breaking the Rakshasa’s neck. She immediately sank to the bottom of the river.
Later, Jue Ru and his mother arrived at Snakehead Mountain Pass, where they encountered a narrow path resembling a child’s throat. Here, they met a water demon who was out hunting. Sensing it was the right moment to strike, Jue Ru told his mother: "Mother, wait here. Let me go ahead and check if the road is safe."
As he approached the path, the water demon opened its enormous mouth, waiting to devour him. Jue Ru silently prayed to the gods and tied an iron hook to the end of an eighty-foot leather strap. He cast the hook into the demon’s body, piercing its heart, and dragged it out of the water, killing it.
Following these battles, Jue Ru and his mother settled in Snakehead Mountain Pass. Jue Ru began hunting by climbing mountains to catch deer and throwing stones at wild horses. He killed the surrounding wildlife and used their remains to create a horrifying scene.
He built walls from dead flesh, encircled his home with animal skulls, and let rivers of blood flow into pools. He also captured merchants passing through the nearby mountain valleys, locking them in cells. When hungry, he ate human flesh; when thirsty, he drank human blood. He used human skin as cushions and scattered corpses across the area.
This horrifying display frightened even ghosts and demons. Rakshasas were disgusted, and the eight classes of malevolent beings were terrified. Jue Ru’s actions completely cut off trade and travel in the region for about a year and a half.
One day, seven hunters from the Darong clan came to the area near Jue Ru’s dwelling to hunt. Before they began hunting, they camped in the forest overnight. Jue Ru summoned seven black men and seven black horses and ordered them not to let the hunters leave for three months. He blessed the hunters and horses to prevent them from dying during this time.
Later, Jue Ru created an illusion, making it appear as if he had killed the seven hunters and their horses. He arranged their bodies into a pile. When people came to search for the missing hunters and horses, they saw what appeared to be human and horse corpses. Rumors spread quickly: "The hunters were eaten by Jue Ru."
However, no one dared approach him.
Hearing of these events, the old steward Rongchacha became deeply worried. From the omens, Jue Ru was undoubtedly a divine child sent to conquer demons. But his behavior now seemed to violate the laws of Ling. If left unchecked, the laws of Ling would be destroyed.
The old steward Rongchacha was filled with worry. One night, in a half-dreaming, half-awake state, he saw Gesar's celestial aunt, Langmangam, descending from the heavens on a white lion without a saddle. She spoke to him in a prophetic tone:
"Oh great chief on a golden throne,
Listen carefully, Rongchacha!
The young fledgling of the king of birds
Appears to have fallen into another’s hands.
But when the time comes to spread its wings,
If it does not reach the branch of the wish-fulfilling tree,
The dust of the master’s house will scatter.
The jewel on the head of a venomous serpent,
Though temporarily in the hands of the poor,
Without the fortune to use it,
It will fall to a stronger protector,
For the poor cannot claim it forever.
The divine child has taken human form,
Born in an auspicious place.
If he does not establish a base to subdue demons—
The lands on both sides of the Yellow River—
What use is it for him to remain in Ling?
On the lands between the Lancang and Jinsha rivers,
Elephants find the paths too narrow,
And racing horses find the routes too short,
While the distance to educate the Hor people is too far.
The signs and omens that appear upside-down,
Indicate misfortune for the white-war god.
To cleanse Ling's laws from corruption,
Do not let Jue Ru remain—banish him.
Within three years,
The Lancang and Jinsha will be covered by white silk.
Wild horses will raise their hooves to the heavens,
And the white conch pillars in the Yellow River Valley
Will be adorned with five treasures."
After delivering this prophecy, Langmangam disappeared. Rongchacha felt as though a great clarity had dawned upon him, and his recent worries were instantly resolved.
At this time, the Darong clan sent a servant to report to the steward Rongchacha about Jue Ru. The servant exaggerated the story of how Jue Ru had brutally killed and eaten the seven hunters. Annoyed by the servant’s endless complaints, Rongchacha stroked his beard and said: "Are these rumors even reliable? After all, Jue Ru is the brother of the Benpa King. As the saying goes, a person capable of swallowing the sea must have a heart as vast as the sky; a person able to lift mountains must have strength as great as the earth. I think it’s best to leave them alone. Jue Ru and his mother are relatives of the Dragon King. Even if they are Rakshasas or demons, there’s nothing we can do. If even Chao Tong, Ling’s most skilled sorcerer, doesn’t dare confront Jue Ru, what can we possibly do?"
After dismissing the servant, Rongchacha went to Jiacha and shared Langmangam’s prophecy with him. The two of them, now knowing the divine will, agreed to keep the matter a secret.
On the eighth day of the month, under Chao Tong’s insistence, a grand Ling Council was convened. In front of everyone, Chao Tong said: "Brother Rongchacha, nephew Jiacha, and all the sons and daughters of the sacred Ling nation gathered here today, this meeting is not meant to trouble my nephew Jue Ru. Think of me, the Darong King—when have I not prioritized the honor of Ling? For me, Jue Ru is like the saying goes: 'The body feels no pain, but the heart suffers from a great illness.’ I always wonder if he has been bewitched by the Rakshasa demons. What kind of exorcism ritual should we perform? How do we cure him of his madness?"
Chao Tong exaggerated Jue Ru’s actions even further in front of the council and declared that they must consult an oracle. When the divination was performed, the result stated: "Only by removing Jue Ru can Ling achieve peace."
The prophetic result caused Jiacha great worry. Rongchacha, stepping forward, addressed the council with a song:
"In the land of Ling, in Datang Chamao,
Listen carefully to Rongchacha’s song.
Like the Tibetan saying goes:
Butter, meat, and sugar are delicious,
But eating too much can still make you sick.
Though Jue Ru, the divine child,
May temporarily harm Ling,
Ling’s fortunes may appear to have ended,
But this is merely a jest to make you think.
As long as there is moisture in the earth,
Green grass will always grow again.
As long as destiny is etched on the brow,
Misfortune can turn into blessings.
A brave young man,
No matter how many enemies he faces,
Will still seize the spoils of war.
Hear these truths, people of the six tribes.
The law is as solemn as water,
And we must trace it to its source.
If you claim Darong hunters were killed,
Who can truly prove it was Jue Ru’s doing?
Now you wish to exile Jue Ru from Ling,
Punishing him as a lawbreaker.
But tell me, how will you drive him away?
With a hundred lamas blowing conch shells?
With a hundred youths firing arrows?
Or with a hundred women scattering ashes?
If Jue Ru is innocent,
If he has not harmed a single life,
When the truth is revealed,
Who will bear the burden of false accusations?
Jue Ru is a descendant of the noble Mu Bu Dong clan,
And the grandson of the Dragon King Zounar.
If he is punished without guilt, it is unjust.
Therefore, Jiacha Xiega, listen carefully—
The task of preparing for his exile,
Everything he needs, it falls on you.
Now, from the Datang assembly ground,
Who among Ling’s brave youths,
Dares to stand and say: ‘I will go?’
Whoever is willing to take the task,
Come forward and state your name.
People of Ling’s six great tribes,
Remember these words in your hearts."
Despite Rongchacha’s plea for fairness, the council ultimately decided to exile Jue Ru.
After the council decided to exile Jue Ru, no one dared to deliver the message to him. Jiacha sighed sorrowfully and said: "Since none of the brothers here are willing to go, I will personally inform my younger brother."
Seeing Jiacha’s deep sadness, the minister Danma Jangcha stepped forward and said: "Honorable Jiacha, please remain seated on your golden throne. Allow me, Danma, to take on this mission."
Danma Jangcha mounted his horse and rode to Jue Ru’s dwelling. Upon arrival, he was confronted with a horrifying sight: a tent made of human skin, ropes woven from intestines, short walls constructed of human and horse corpses, and a mountain of bones piled high. Danma was terrified but began to suspect that such a vast number of corpses could not be real. He concluded that these must have been illusions created by Jue Ru.
Gaining his courage, Danma removed his hat and waved it toward Jue Ru. Jue Ru quickly ran down the slope and invited him into the tent.
When Danma approached the tent, the terrifying scene vanished like smoke. The corpses disappeared, and the unclean illusions dissolved. Inside the tent, a delightful fragrance filled the air, bringing peace to the heart and clarity to the mind. Jue Ru treated Danma with divine food and drink. Their exchange was warm and close, like that of a ruler and his loyal minister.
Jue Ru shared many prophecies with Danma and hinted at his true nature. Deeply moved, Danma vowed: "In every lifetime, I will serve as your minister, never to be separated."
Jue Ru replied: "Minister Danma, return to Ling and tell them you did not dare approach me directly, but merely called out from afar. The things I told you and what you have seen—keep them secret for now. Remember this! Remember this!"
Danma returned to Ling and told the council: "Jue Ru is truly a living Rakshasa."
At that moment, news arrived that a few more people from Ling had been eaten by Jue Ru. Chao Tong immediately commanded: "Everyone, put on your armor, helmets, and arm yourselves!"
Jiacha, however, disagreed, saying: "There is no need to make such a fuss. Simply send the Darong officials to deliver the message, make him repent for his actions, and exile him from the land. There’s no need to disturb others."
The old steward Rongchacha ordered one hundred women to each carry a handful of ashes to curse and drive Jue Ru away. However, Jiacha felt deeply uneasy and said: "Jue Ru is a descendant of the noble Mu Bu Dong clan, the grandson of the Dragon King Zounar Renqing, my heart’s own brother, and Guomu’s firstborn son. To curse him with ashes would be disrespectful to the war god. Such actions are inappropriate. However, to uphold the laws of Ling, we can replace the ashes with a hundred handfuls of tsampa to drive him away."
Guomu and Jue Ru were summoned before the council. Jue Ru wore his ugly antelope-skin hat, his crude cowhide coat, and his bright red horsehide boots. He rode his magical staff, Jiangga Beiga. However, he dressed his mother, Guomu, in such stunning attire that she looked even more beautiful than before. She rode a fine steed, Zhulotuo Jia, appearing as radiant as the rising sun.
When the people of Ling saw them, their minds were immediately captivated. They began murmuring among themselves:
"How pitiful Jue Ru is!"
"How beautiful Guomu is!"
The hearts of the Ling people were moved, and they forgot all the frightening stories they had heard. They became deeply concerned for Jue Ru’s fate, tears welling up in their eyes.
Jiacha had already prepared horses, pack animals, supplies, and escorts for Jue Ru’s journey. Everything was ready for his departure.
Jue Ru, reluctant to leave his brother, spoke in a low voice that only Jiacha could hear: "Brother Jiacha, I am leaving because the time foretold by the gods has come. After I leave, you need not worry about me. I do not need the escorts, the supplies, or anything else that has been prepared. The mountain god Machen Pomra and the land spirits of the Yellow River Valley have already sent their envoys to welcome me, and they arrived here yesterday."
Jiacha was suddenly enlightened and was about to respond to Jue Ru when Jue Ru turned to address the crowd. Standing tall, he declared: "Good people of Ling, I, Jue Ru, have not done anything to harm sentient beings. In time, you will understand this. Though I am being exiled without guilt, it is due to my uncle’s command; though this decision is unjust, it is the result of past karma. After I leave, you must act with kindness and discern the truth of this situation. For now, under my uncle’s stern order, I will not linger but will move forward immediately."
Having said this, Jue Ru mounted his magical staff, Jiangga Beiga, and headed north from the Jipu region.
The lamas blew conch shells to curse and drive Jue Ru away, but the sound seemed to welcome him instead, resonating warmly before him. Warriors shot arrows to banish the demon, but the arrows fell before Jue Ru like offerings of colorful banners. The tsampa offerings, meant to drive him away, drifted down like snowflakes, landing gently in Guomu’s hands as if they were blessings.
Guomu cried out loudly: "Forgive us, revered Pema Tötreng master, divine protector Wangchen Repa, sky-goer Yeshe Gyatso, goddess Langmangam, life goddess Juwei Jema, sister-in-law Guojia Gam, brother Dongqiang Gab, younger brother Longshu Weiqiong, war god Nendama Bu, father King Zounar Renqing, mountain god Gezuo Nianbu, and regional deity Jijie Dari—please watch over me and my son and protect us on our journey. May the blessings of Ling’s people, wealth, and prosperity follow us like rivers flowing into the sea, like foals following mares, like children following their parents!"
Her voice echoed through the mountains, and the spirits of the thirteen valleys, along with the forested mountains and the deity Jijie Dari, seemed to gather in the direction of Guomu and Jue Ru’s path.
To this day, the terrain of the Jipu region retains the shape it had at that time.