Praise of Mahakala
The Praise of Mahakala is a Mongolian Buddhist poem written in Mongolian script by the Mongolian Sakya scholar Choiji-Odser. The poem is one of the many manuscripts found at Turfan. It dates from around 1305 and shows evidence of woodblock printing during that time. The poem is written in traditional Mongolian poetical style and rhyme (such as that found in the Secret History of the Mongols) and provides a valuable insight into Middle Mongolian language.
Choiji Odser
Choiji Odser, whose name may be translated as Light of Dharma, was a famous Mongolian scholar during the early Yuan dynasty who played a major role in standardizing the Mongolian language and script. He produced the first work on Mongolian grammar in 1305 and translated many works from Sanskrit and Tibetan. There is a great deal of information about him in Mongolian, Chinese and Tibetan sources. He was the guru and spiritual advisor to Emperor Wuzong of Yuan (Khayishan Kulug). In the 24th book of the Yuanshi his erudition is praised and it is written that he was awarded ten thousand paper money notes. Only the 12 last pages remain from his ten chapter Commentary on the Bodhicaryavatara (also found at Turfan) and it is written at the end of this same work that he had it printed in 1,000 copies at the White Stupa of Dadu (Beijing) in 1312.
The original text in Mongolian (modernized pronunciation)
- Mongolian:
- Hamgaa gaihuulsan erdmiig chin (original: Qamuγ-a γaiqaγuluγsan erdem-i činü)
- Hagarhaiya holbon magtsugai (Qaγaraqay-a qolban maγtasuγai)
- Dorvon gartai, negen niguurtai (Dörben γar-tai nigen niγur-tai)
- Dugreg ulaan gurvan nudtei (Dügerig ulaγan γurban nidütei)
- Torolh urgasan shar ustei (Törölki urγuγsan šira üsütei)
- Tugel humuuniig zuusan araatai (Tügel kümün-i jaγuγsan araγ-a-tai)
- Urin gemuudiig ogtolruun (Urin gem-üd-i oγtolor-un)
- Urd baruun gartaa ildtei (Uridu baraγun γar-taγan üldütei)
- Olon sejgiig tarhaaruun (Olan sešig-i tarγaγar-un)
- Ulam nogoo gart gavaltai (Ulam nögüge γar-tur kabala-tai)
- Deerhi asursiig darruun
- Deed zuun gartaa jadtai
- Delgesen orongot sereeg
- Ded doord gart barisan
- Zaluu turihan tsaraitai
- Zaanii arisan tsamtstai
- Zarimlan uhriin arisand
- Zalgasan ilt nuruuvchtai
- Baatar amit arslang
- Baruun chihendee suihtei
- Baraan ereen mogoig
- Bas zuun chihendee suihtei
- (…)
- (…)
- Holboj huzuundee erihtei
- Har nuguud mogoi bustei
- Hamgaa hii met huchtei
- Gaihamshig holog hurd
- Halzan iljig hologtei
- Hoh ogtorgui dahi nariig
- Holsnii tusaar urguulj
- Holoo tomor chodroor
- Husuulen chimsen Mahagali
- Chinii duug sonsvoos
- Chin Sumber tag beer hodlood
- Tsustan daisdiin zurhiig
- Chanaraas shilguutgegch Mahagali
- Amurlisan setgelt bogootol
- Ad totgodiig ayugturuun
- Aguulsan chanariig uzuulj
- Alaraa hurgegch Mahagali
- Eldev huvilgaan gargaj
- Erhten tengers asursiig
- Esreg oortoo sogtgoson
- Erdemtei bogd Mahagali
- Saivaar odsonii ilt
- Shashin nomiig evdegchin
- Samuu muu setgeltniig
- Shamshaasugai gegeen Mahagali
- Edugee tuun (…)
- Erdemten nomchniig sahiad
- Ed el yavahuun amitniig
- Enh amruul Mahagali
- Chanar muu setgej buruun
- Chihend saihan oguulegchin
- Tsustan daisan adsiig
- Chinii hucheer butaltugai
- Nomiin ezen, haan, hatun
- Nomchin said, hovguud ohid
- Noyod hurged bugdiig
- Nohtson sahitugai Mahagali
- Hutagtai chinii erdmiig
- Holboj magtsan buyanaar
- Hotol amitan tonilj
- Hooson boltugai ene orchihui
- Ahui erdmiig chini huraaj
- Ayalguu holbon magtagch
- Ayagha takhimlig Choiji-Odser
- Al (…) ba (…) gartugai
- (…)
- Egshig duugaaraan duulbaas
- Ovchin adas hen amirlaad
- Etsest burhan boltugai.
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- English translation (literal):
- Let me eloquently praise in rhymes
- Your mighty wisdom renowned to all
- With four arms and unique face
- With three red circular eyes
- With naturally growing yellow hair
- With teeth grinding an entire human
- You uproot sins of passion
- With a sword in your front right hand
- You disperse countless doubts
- With a skull in your other hand
- You crush the asuras on high
- With a spear in your upper left hand
- Holding an open trident
- In your next lower hand
- With a lean young face
- With an elephant-skin robe
- With an open back-vestment connected to
- A half-cut of cowskin
- With a heroic-hearted lion as
- An earring on your right ear
- With a dark and speckled snake as
- An earring on your left ear too
- (Line missing)
- (Line missing)
- With prayer beads linked around your neck
- With a black snake as your belt
- With might that is capable of everything
- With a bald donkey mount
- As your amazing wheel-vehicle
- Making the sun in the blue sky
- Rise by your sweat
- Mahakala, who adorns admirably
- His legs with metal chains
- If your voice is heard
- Firm Mount Sumeru quakes
- Mahakala, who makes quiver from the depths
- The hearts of bloody enemies
- Though you are of a peaceful spirit
- You frighten demons and hindrances
- Mahakala, who leads towards “alaraa”
- By showing an “aguulsan” quality
- The wise divine Mahakala
- Who by working various wonders
- Did subject before himself
- The powerful gods and asuras
- Punish, luminous Mahakala
- The evil rebellious spirits
- Who destroy religion and dharma
- Though outwardly of the Well-Departed (Buddha).
- Give rest in peace, Mahakala
- To all friendly sentient beings
- While protecting scholars and the devout
- Now … (line incomplete)
- May we shatter by your strength
- Bloody enemy demons
- Who speak sweetly in the ear
- Yet wish evil in their hearts
- Attach yourself to and protect, Mahakala
- The lord of dharma, king and queen
- Teachers, ministers, sons and daughters
- Nobles and sons-in-law, each and everyone.
- By the merit of praising in these rhymes
- Your holiness’ mighty wisdom
- May all beings reach nirvana
- And may this cycle become empty
- May the monk Choiji-Odser
- Who summarizing all your mighty wisdom
- Melodically offers these rhymed praises
- Escape … (line incomplete)
- (line missing)
- If they sing with their melodious song
- May all illnesses and demons be pacified
- And each become Buddhas at the end.
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References
- Picture of manuscript
- Ts. Damdinsuren. Mongolin uran zohiolin deej zuun bilig orshvai. Ulaanbaatar, 1958.