Milarepa - His Teachings

Milarepa

Song to the Deities of Red Rock Jewel Valley'

One day, after leaving his cave to collect firewood, Milarepa returned "to find five Indian demons with eyes as large as saucers" whom he thought to be apparitions of the deities who disliked him. As he had never given them any offering, he then began to sing a complimentary song to the Deities of Red Rock Jewel Valley :

This lonely spot where stands my hut
Is a place pleasing to the Buddhas,
A place where accomplished beings dwell,
A refuge where I dwell alone.

Above Red Rock Jewl Valley
White clouds are gliding;
Below, the Tsang River gently flows;
Wild vultures wheel between

Bees are humming among the flowers,
Intoxicated by their fragrance;
In the trees, birds swoop and dart,
Filling the air with their songs.

In Red Rock Jewel Valley
Young sparrows learn to fly,
Monkeys love to leap and swing,
And beasts to run and race,
While I practise the Two Bodhi-minds and love to meditate.

Ye local demons, ghosts and gods,
All friends of Milarepa,
Drink the nectar of kindness and compassions,
Then return to your abodes.