Derge Kangyur/Tengyur e-text, Esukhia/Barom edition — public domain (mechanical reproduction)
The provided fragment introduces a work titled The Song of the View, Being a Treasury of Dohā Songs on the Nature of Things (Tattvasvabhāvadṛṣṭigītikādhāranāma). Based on the opening lines, the text is structured as a collection of dohās—spontaneous spiritual songs—intended to convey a specific philosophical view regarding the nature of reality. The work begins with a traditional invocation to Heruka, positioning the text within a tantric or vajrayana framework. Its primary objective is the benefit of practitioners who employ specific spiritual methods. While the fragment is incomplete, it commits the reader to a study of the intrinsic nature of things (tattva) through a poetic medium, suggesting an approach that blends formal philosophical inquiry with the unconventional, direct style characteristic of the dohā genre.
Provenance
About this text
A treatise intended for the benefit of those practicing the methods of stainless realization, the Tattvasvabhāvadohakoṣagītikādṛṣṭi belongs to the tradition of the General Unexcelled Yoga Tantra Works. The work is attributed to the Indian author Lūhipāda. It was preserved in the classical Tibetan tradition under the title rang bzhin gyi do ha mdzod kyi glu'i lta ba, appearing in volume ཟི of the Tengyur, where it extends over two pages. The text opens with an invocation to the glorious Heruka and seeks to convey the view, conduct, and realizations of accomplished masters. By employing the dohā genre—spontaneous spiritual songs—the work enacts a blend of poetic expression and philosophical inquiry into the intrinsic nature of reality. A scholar or serious reader consults this work today to examine the specific methods of realization and the nature of things as presented through the unconventional medium of the song treasury.
Cite thisAnuvāda, “A Song of the View, Being a Treasury of Dohā Songs on the Nature of Things” (Toh 2342), machine draft, 2026.https://naxiai.com/tibetan/works/toh2342
Summary & commentary
Significance
The work is significant for its use of the dohā form to transmit complex ontological views, reflecting a tradition of non-conceptual instruction. Its focus on the nature of reality suggests it serves as a manual for practitioners seeking to align their experiential realization with a specific philosophical view.
Structure
Passages
Section
Description
1
Introduction
Contains the Sanskrit and Tibetan titles, an invocation to Heruka, and the stated purpose of the work.
Themes
Nature of Reality (1)
Dohā tradition (1)
Summary, significance and provenance note generated by gemma4:31b from the translation and the catalogue record.
AnuvādaA Song of the View, Being a Treasury of Dohā Songs on the Nature of Things·
In the language of India: Tattvasvabhāvadṛṣṭigītikādhāranāma. In the language of Tibet: Rang bzhin gyi do ha mdzod kyi glu’i lta ba zhes bya ba (The Song of the Treasury of the Nature of Reality: A View). Homage to the glorious Heruka!
For the sake of benefiting all those who practice the methods of the stainless realization, view, conduct, and so forth of the accomplished masters who have gathered the nectar of non-duality, I prostrate to the Sugatas and shall explain.
It is neither a thing, nor is it a non-thing, nor is it unarisen. Who could possibly realize a nature such as this? Lūyipa says: "How wondrous is this! Though one enjoys the three realms, the state of suchness is not realized. I do not perceive its color, its lineage, or even its shape. How can such a nature be shown as an established entity?" Lūyipa says: "How wondrous is this! Though one enjoys the three realms, the state of suchness is not realized. How can I ask others about it? The reflection of the moon at the bottom of the water is not realized as an ultimate illusion." Lūyipa says: "How wondrous is this! Though one enjoys the three realms, the state of suchness is not realized. How can I ask others about it? Its nature is not realized."
The Song of the Treasury of the Nature of Reality: A View, composed by the master Lūyipa, is hereby complete.
Translation status: Not among 84000's published translations. A bibliography of the canon lists 1 English-language publication(s) on this text, e.g. Basu, Anath Nath, ″Tattvasvabhāvadrççigītikā-dohā″ (1927). IHQ 3:676-682 — these may include a full or partial translation. (source: 84000 catalogue + registry; checked 2026-11-10).
Set in Newsreader and EB Garamond; Tibetan in Noto Serif Tibetan; Chinese in Noto Serif SC.