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156   ANTIQUITIES OF WESTERN TIBET

[VOL. II

NOTE ON THE TEXT

Clerical errors have in most cases been corrected. In doubtful cases other possible readings are added in brackets. Passages which are evidently in the wrong place have also been put in brackets. In the case of local names I have had to make a selection among various spellings. The name of the Dkar-rgyags river is

everywhere spelled Gar-a.

TRANSLATION

[This is] an abridged mode of telling the tale of the origin of Zans-dkar. Under

the protection of the reverend lamas, who are an assemblage of well-being and complete

excellence, and the tutelary deities, the fairies, and the protectors of religion, may we

all find entire gratification of our nine desires ! The high King Ge-sar of Glin came

to this blessed Zans-dkar, where the religion of heaven and earth arose, and he broke

the whole earth with his feet. 'U-rgyan-pa-dma came, and exorcized the demons; he kept

down the bad Sa-bkra.1 The female ogre was as if she had fallen on her back. The

Sa-ni and Ka-ni-ka monasteries were erected on the head of the region, the Gna-nam-

gu-ru monastery of Pi-pi-tin on the heart, and the Gna-nam-gu-ru [monastery] of

Byams-glin on the feet. He uttered a prophecy similar to that of the Bde-ldan

(Sukhá,vati) cemetery of India, [as follows] :—` The door-keeper in the east [of Zaiis-dkar]

will be Tse-re, in the south Dpal-lha-mo (Sri-Devi), in the west Dur-lha-khrug-pa, in

the north Yid-bzin-gyi-nor-bu (Cintámani). Its treasure-keeper will be Jo-mo-Spyan-

gcig -ma ! ' There is also a prophecy [relating] to Sa-ni-tshog, Bya-rnams-dur-sin,

and Dur-bya. There is also a prophecy that it would be a place of assemblyfor the fairies.

The origin of the country is [as follows] :—In the beginning Ran-thag-sa and Ri-nam

arose in the north, Bib-ca and Ku-mi in the south. Then the others arose in their

order.

At the time of the extension [of the settlements Zans-dkar] was under Kashmir.

When the castle of Dran-rtse was seized by the Kham-pas (Tibetans), a great

flight of men and horses took place in all directions; and after that harm was done

in various ways. In retaliation an army was led [by the Kashmiris ?] against the

throne of Gu-ge, and then the country of Zans-dkar and all its castles were burnt with

fire. Many men were killed. The remainder were carried off, and the country became

empty. As many men arrived here afterwards from all directions, the country rose

again. Dpah-gtum was taken by [the clan of] Lari-run, Byaii-nos (the north) by

[the clan of] Skya-pa, Stoii-sde by [the clans of] Lha-sa, Gun-blon, ftnd

Khyi-sail.

At that time many thieves, robbers, and such folk appeared. But, as a great

mkhas-dman (counsellor) arose also, he invited the great god (king) Sákya-thub-pa

from Spyi-ti and Gu-ge. All the people of Zans-dkar acknowledged him their king.

A queen was brought for him from Hbru-sal (Gilgit). Next year, when he was on his

nuptial tour, the king of Yab-sgod carried off the queen, and then king Sag-[kya]-thub-

[pa] died.

1 Or is it Sa-dgra, ` enemy of the earth ' ?—F. W. T.